February 2018

Doing a piece in a monochromatic color scheme has always been a challenge for me. Think that that log on my shoulder has been knocked off😊

Guest Sketcher

Recently I had a dear friend, my "sister", come to help me. There was time to sit and draw. Isn't that the dream of all of us sketchers? Barbara Parke-Wolff creates her own journals and had participated in Danny Gregory's Retreat in Rowe, Mass. She is also taking part in Sketch Skool. Barbara, on the left, a mutual friend, Judi Sullivan, joined us today. Judi left before I could get a picture of her drawing. Most important was the comfort of friendship. Oh, that is Cody, keeping guard.

My backyard has never looked so good!

The following is of a bush that is called "Lion's Tail" and if fun to watch grow.

Last is a drawing from some quiet time in and out of the house.

Tomorrow she will be leaving. I was so blessed to have her here, but now she will return to her home where her sweet husband has been patiently awaiting her return. Thanks, Gary.

Zentangles on Red

To settle myself, I decided to do some zentangles. In one of my drawers I found this discarded watercolor practice sheet. Perfect for zentangle play. The design just grew and grew.

The piece is 12 x 12".

Watercolor and more

No surprise for me, I've been going in many directions. Sometimes I wonder if I'm stalling from doing one project by becoming busy with something else. After a long delay, I decided to continue my projects from Dawn McLeod Heim's book, Painting Realistic Water Colors. This is lesson six. Because I don't know enough, I haven't really decided what type of watercolor I like to do.

Meanwhile, I found these quilt patterns at a bargain sale and couldn't resist making the blocks. They are the Kitty Cityseries, each about 10" x 13". I have realized that I like to do pieces that make me smile and these characters with names such as Mona (with the paint palate) and Carmen (with the fruit basket) are so cute. I have given them to our Community Service program which will make them into quilts (probably two quilts) and give them to children in the hospital. Don't ask why the background is so different, just one of those days.

Last week this huge mosaic was revealed on the side of a new building downtown. I love this gecko/lizard (the feet are different on the front and back, thus the double name).

Later I'll share the silk that I painted and am now quilting, plus lesson 7 in watercolors, and more on the garage zentangle project. Humm, I do seem to keep busy. Oh wait, on to Ohio to see the grandkids:)

Snowflake Zentangles

A dear friend asked me what book I would recommend for zentangles. She had sent me Zen Mandalas Sacred Circles inspired by Zentangle by Suzanna McNeill, CZT and I told her that it seemed very helpful. Of course,this inquiry made me want to look at this book again. I discovered a exercise that is a terrific starting point for this type of drawing. Cut out a snowflake! I could handle that task. So, out of tissue paper I cut out an design.

Next, you lightly outline the spaces with a pencil. Then you take a pen and connect points. The choice is totally yours. There is no set "must do". for this step. You add the zentangles for a meditative project.

Of course, I had to try this technique again. This time I added watercolors in a random style. Later I filled in some specific spaces with more watercolor.

Needless to say, this was really fun for me and I hope that you are inspired!

Sketchcrawl

Last Saturday there was a Sketchcrawl gathering in Davis, CA. There were about 12 of us who met at the Co-Op, a store with many delicious foods! A smart place to meet. You can check out Pete Scully's site to see more about that day.

This fine sketch is the back side of the tomato sculpture in the patio area.

 Here the display of watermelons and the patio area of the Co-Op.