Today Is The Day

Today is the first anniversary of my husband's death. Not a good day for me but one I look forward to having behind me. Now all the first year things are past and I will put on my armor to handle the second year one day at a time.

For today, I plan to go shopping for framing supplies, groceries, and bring some KFC broiled chicken home for dinner.

For you, please hug your loved ones and tell them how much you love them. No one is guaranteed a tomorrow. God bless you all.

Bill Finished

It's not perfect, but I do know when to stop before I mess it up. It is him so I'm calling it finished. I did add some white Conte pastel pencil and a touch of colored pencil.

Bill in Watercolor

I am doing a watercolor portrait of my husband. I wanted some practice with a portrait in watercolor and what better subject than a face I know so well. It's not finished but I think I am getting there. Nice to see his face come out of a blank sheet of paper.

Nothing New Today

Nothing new to show in the art department. Today I worked on my Bible study questions for tonight. One more night to go next week and they will be finished until Sept. It has been a very nice study. The Book of John and such a good study to do just before Easter.

There won't be an outing this week with the art group as rain is predicted. I hope to start something new tomorrow.

I did sign up for a new trade on Wetcanvas. It is titled "Water". It will be easy to find things for that title. Many possibilities. I'm not sure what direction I will go with the theme. I have time to think about it. There are already 12 people signed up out of the 20 allowed.

I am now officially a "texter". I had never learned to do it and my phone is one without a keyboard. Sooooo slow. But my friend Teresa has a problem with her arm/neck and can't get on the computer. So to keep in touch, I had to bite the bullet and start texting. Now I have something else to keep me busy. One is texting and another is keeping track so that I don't go over 1000 messages which is what I signed up for. I have it figured down to how many a day before I would go over. Thankfully I'm nowhere near doing that many. I may end up with stubs for fingers tho.

Sammie

This is Sammie one of the two dogs from next door. She and Bonie wait at the fence for a treat each night. She isn't quite a year old and full of energy. Bonie is afraid of the camera so I guess he won't get a painting. Watercolor, pen & ink. 4x6 on watercolor paper.

Sheep

Here is my last ATC for the Wetcanvas Project. I have enjoyed doing the cards but as usual, I am glad to get finished.

I have a couple things I want to do. One is the Virtual Paintout. I haven't participated for several months and I want to get back to it. I have been cruising around the towns/countries but just haven't taken the time to paint any of the shots I have saved.

Photo from the Nursery

Photo of a succulent plant at the nursery on Wednesday. I thought it was so pretty. I love succulents and cacti.

Boles Nursery en plein air

My art group went to a local plant nursery today. I hadn't been with them for about 3 months so it was nice to go today.

Here is a cactus arrangement they had for sale at the nursery. The actual size of the painted part is about 8 x 10 or maybe just a tad smaller. Done on watercolor paper with watercolor and waterbrush. pen and ink, and a tiny bit of watercolor pencil added to the large cactus.

Moleskine Project Pages

Here are a few more pages of the project book.

Art House Co-op Moleskine Project

Here are two pages of my project book. One has a leaf skeleton that I found in my back yard. I don't know what caused this but found it very lacy and interesting. I laminated it, mounted it in a self closing little clear insert, and then taped it to the project page.

Wow

Wow it has been a long time since I posted. I have no idea why. I have to get better at it.

I have been working on my Art House Coop Moleskine book. I have done a few sketches in it, but mostly it has some of my rambling words. It is a lined Moleskine and supposed to be at least 51% written. I only have until May first to get it mailed back but I'm moving right along.

The front cover is decorated and I have almost half of the pages done. Well sort of done. Some I left empty spots to do some sketches and one or two pages I taped together for a thicker paper. I have no doubt that I will finish in time. I don't know whether anyone will want to read it, but I am having fun doing it.

Nothing has been scanned yet but when I get to that, I will post some on here. I want to make sure all the empty spots are filled on the pages before I scan what is finished.

I worked on my tax stuff tonight. I will call the tax man tomorrow and make an appointment. I will be glad when that is taken care of. My last time filing as married.

I have 4 more cards to do for the People places Things trade project. I'm hoping someone will start a new project soon.

I have an idea for a journal/sketchbook to do. I am thinking about doing a sketchbook with sketches of people from the Google Street Maps "tours" I have taken with The Virtual Paintout. I have saved quite a few in different poses. One guy is even on crutches. They won't have faces but I will get practice doing the folds of clothes, the position of limbs, and hopefully learn to capture people without going into a lot of detail. I would use watercolor, graphite, and colored pencil.

Another Week And Month Gone This Year

Look how fast this year is passing. It's almost mind boggling. Before you know it, it will be Christmas again. Has anyone seen Christmas stuff in the stores yet? Just kidding.

I'm still working on my art card trades. Only a few more on each to do. I am hosting the March Drawspace trade but so far not much interest. I think we only have 3 other people signed up. I do have a few other things I want to do/try so looking forward to finishing all the trades. Of course if another comes along, I'm sure I will be doing it.

I did get my Art House Journal book yesterday. The cover is black and I have already decorated the front in silver and gold markers. Lots of dots. I also have written a kind of preface of what will be included in the book. My theme this time is my name.

This book has lined pages and is supposed to have at least 51% written words filling it. I plan to do a kind of journaling of my life for the next two months. The date to have it returned is May first so I don't have a lot of time. No time to put things off.

Since I do like "traveling" thru places on Google Street Maps, I will be doing some artwork I find there. People standing around, walking on streets, and anything that might strike my fancy.

I will try to do something in the little book daily otherwise I won't be finishing. I hate to have to tear pages out. But I may be using glue or tape to put two pages together to make one so that I have a little thicker paper to work on.

This is another book that will remain at the Art House Co-op Library. I will be notified when someone checks it out. I think that may be interesting to see how many people are looking at and reading about my art and life.

Here is another ATC that has arrived at their destinations.