Ready for the Year to End

I have nothing but medical issues this year. I am ready for them to stop. I just wish one would end before a second one emerges.

I had suffered a horrible allerlgic reaction that left my face looking like I had had a round with a fighter. Then last week I had a fall. Left me with my left side sore. Not sure If I broke a rib but the soreness felt like it. I'm still dealing with that.

I did get a couple of things finished. One was a painting of a friends's granddog. It is a Boston terrier named Max. It was a gift to her to give to her son.

And I am working on a graphite 3-person portrait for my niece. It will be a gift to her mom for her retirement. It is my niece and her brother each kissing their mom on the cheeks. I haven't worked on it since my fall but hopefully I can get back to it soon.

Derwent Inktense Pencils

I took a class this on how to use Inktense pencils and blocks. We did a small sample on Bristol. then a larger one on watercolor paper, and then on muslin fabric. It was. I have had Inktense pencils for awhile but hadn't much used them. Today when I saw what they can do on fabric, I will be using them more.

I will probably turn this one into a tote bag.

Jeb

I did this painting of Jeb who is a bloodhound. This was done from a photo by Andy Mathis on Facebook of Jeb's first vet appointment. He is a veterinarian and has a vast supply of models to choose from.

I overworked this painting and will probably do it again in future. I have another ref shot to use if I don't want to repeat the same one. He is a beautiful dog and I hope in future, Andy will take a recent photo of him. I would love to see how big and beautiful this dog has become. I love how the photo shows Jeb's future character. The "tired" look that a bloodhound has. Like he is so totally worn out and couldn't move if the house was on fire.

The painting is done in watercolor with some added pen and ink and colored pencil. It is about 11x14 inches on watercolor paper. I may just have to do it in graphite next time.

Thank you Jeb for the pose and cuteness, and thank you Andy for the photo ref and letting me use it.

New Painting

Here is my latest piece of artwork. I will be taking it the art association gallery to change out the one that has been there for months. That one is a puppy portrait.

Jack Rabbit Visits the California Living Museum (CALM)

Some of My 74 day pen drawings

More EDiJuly

MIA

Sorry for being MIA. I am fighting some kind of allergic reaction. My face is swelled so badly that you can hardly see my face. Bags under my eyes filled with fluid. Very itchy everywhere. Eyes very red and itchy. It almost looks like a very bad sunburn around my eyes. I will spare you the photo and spare me the embarrassment.

I am taking an online decorative lettering class thanks to a very sweet friend for paying the fee. We are both really enjoying the class and learning a lot.

Here are a few things I have gotten done lately.

EDiJuly Catchup

EDiJ #25 Draw Your Grocery Store

It's My Blog Anniversary

Woohoo it's the anniversary of my blog.  I started it 6-19-06.  It has been six years.  I don't post quite as often as I did at first but I think I still manage a good number of posts.  I still enjoy posting and sharing.  And I still enjoy the feedback I get from the comments.


So thank you to each person who visits my blog and especially those who share comments.  I appreciate every one of you.


Thank you, Jeanne

EDiJ #18

EDiJ #18 Draw something that may have another name in a different region.  Purse/Handbag/Bag is also called a "poke".  I even Googled it to make sure.  My aunt used to say she "put something in a poke."  And there is a saying "A pig in a poke".  Of course I'd hate to see a poke large enough to hold a pig. 

I have been keeping up with the Every Day in June entries.   I have done 16 of the 18 Black & White ATCs for the trade on Wetcanvas.  And since I don't have enough to do, I signed to do 75 Days Drawing in Pen and Ink.  Any subject and any size.  So far I have done 3 of those.

I am trying to fit anything I do for these projects with the scavenger hunts.  But it has to fit a subject on the list and has to be drawn from life. 

I just finished cleaning several areas on my carpet.  With pets around, there is always something that needs cleaning.  Now I have things like baby gates all over to keep the dogs out of the cleaned areas until they dry.  Not too bright on my part to start this at 5pm.  But with high 90s and triple digits, it doesn't take long for things to dry.  Trying to keep things like the clothes you are wearing dry is the hard part.  I don't move around much during those really hot days.  Good excuse for watching tv and doing artwork.

Plein Air at Deanna's

Last week our plein air group went to Deanna's.  She has a beautiful garden and lots of areas that beckon a painter.  I did most of this graphite there on site and finished darkening and shading at home this week.  I still haven't decided if I want to add color or not. 

 It is my turn to plan the two outings for July and I hope that we can go back to Deanna's again.  I am waiting for her to return my call.  It will be very hot in July but her garden does have a lot of areas with shade.

EDiM #29, 30, & 31

EDiM #29 - Somewhere I've never been before
EDiM #30 - Something from my favorite sport
EDiM #31 - Something I'm afraid of

The EDiM is now finished.  I really enjoyed it and will miss it.  

EDiM #25 & 26

A recipe from last Christmas and a bloom from one of my geraniums.

EDiM #23 & #24

One of my favorite parts of being on Weight Watchers and some little shells from the table decorations at my nephew;s beautiful wedding at the coast (Pacific Ocean).

EDiM #21

EDiM #21 Something That Makes Me Happy - My 3 dogs are my babies. I never had children but these and the other pets I have had over the years have kept me happy. I did my bird Bozo in an earlier one so used just the dogs on this one. Here are Dizzy a Miniature Schnauzer, Penny a Yellow Lab, and Jo a toy poodle. I didn't get any of these as tiny puppies (All my other dogs I raised from 4-6 weeks old). I got Dizzy when she was 4 months, Penny was 9 months, and Jo was maybe 6-8 years old. Each one needed a new home and mine was available. I love dogs so much that I'd probably have a dozen if I was allowed and could afford it. These are pretty much house dogs as they are not just pets, they are family.

In the Garden

Here is one photo of the beautiful garden our plein air group visited today.  We had a wonderful day and had a great time with 13 artists there.

EDiM #16 - Neighborhood Store

This is a small mom and pop type store that has been in the neighborhood since I was in grade school and maybe long before that. It used to be called Allen's after the former owner. Watercolor and pen & ink.

EDiM #13 - It Blows in the Wind

EDiM May 13 - something that blows in the wind - a tin flamingo wind chime I bought at Goodwill. Colored pencil.

Bozo

My cockatiel Bozo (aka Bobo, Tinker, Bo, Silly Bird.....I overworked the painting but posting it to the EDiM #10 - Something with Wings.

Sugarmill - their Flowers

I had lunch today with friends at a small restaurant called Sugar Mill. It's not fancy but does serve good food. I splurged and had my first French fries since May of last year. Boy were they good but afterward I felt like my stomach was stretched out 3 feet. I also had a BLT sandwich and iced tea with a lot of ice. Soooooo good but so filling. These flowers were in the flowerbed on the side of the restaurant. Very pretty and luckily I had my camera in the car. the EDiM theme today was "A Sweet". I did Allsorts licorice, a Newton Fruit Thin (Cranberry Citrus Oat), and a Skinny Cow Mint Ice Cream Sandwich. After the artwork, the ice cream was melting so I had to eat it. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Scavenger Hunt Items

I decided not to do another still life this time for the scavenger hunt. I did a page of different items on the back of my list. They are done with colored pencils and graphite. Then I did a self portrait on Bristol paper with graphite. About 9x12. I'm not happy with the self portrait. For some reason the eyes are not right this time. That is usually the part I get right.

On the Cattle Ranch

Two of my friends live on a cattle ranch and will be retiring soon and moving from the ranch. I thought they might like to have a remembrance of the place they have lived for many years. I took this photo standing in their driveway looking towards the house. She wanted the two oak trees in the photo. My plein air group has been there a couple of times, and for many years I have gone their annually to a BBQ where there are motorhomes, trailers, campers, and tents camped out for 3 days all around the yard. Sometimes 15-20 camping vehicles. The first BBQ I attended had about 85 people. Now there are usually around 50 people in a good year. Those BBQs will also be ending. I will so miss those too. I have met so many new friends there that I only see once a year on that weekend.

Jeanne Grant Art @ Fine Art America

I just opened a Fine Art America account to sell prints, cards, etc of my artwork. Especially my scavenger hunt art. Many people have told me I should be selling cards or prints of the hunt still lifes so now I will be able to. At least if anyone wants them. You can see the link on the right, or go here So far I have only uploaded 1 paintings but will be taking better photos of the others soon. I've also started a Fan Page on Facebook. I don't have much on that yet either but hopefully you will check that out and "like" my page. Thanks everyone.

Scavenger Hunt #265

Watercolor, watercolor pencil, pen & ink. 9x12 inches. 18 items of the 26 on the hunt list. I should have cropped the left side to balance the other side. Oh well.

Scavenger Hunt #264

Watercolor, pen & ink, and colored pencil.

Scavenger Hunt #263

Here is the new Scavenger Hunt still life with 18 of the 26 items included. Done in watercolor, pen & ink, and colored pencil on watercolor paper. 9x12 inch size.

Is There a Doc in the House?

Li Newton hosted the WDE on Wetcanvas for March 29. I did a portrait of her dog Doc. She said in her uploads of here 16 photos that, that she added Doc's photo just for me. Mostly because I usually complain when she doesn't post a photo of one of her babies. Her passed dog Zipper, I did portraits of several times.

So here is Doc. He had a hard plane ride from a rescue site to get to his home with them and after one year, he finally feels like a trusting family member. Love you Doc and glad you found such a wonderful home.

About 8x10 on watercolor paper with watercolors, pen & ink, a touch of colored pencil, black and white Conte pencil.

March 29, 2010

This is the 2nd anniversary of my husband's passing. I had a quiet day not doing much of anything. It has been slightly easier than last year tho. Now to get thru the next year.