Needlefelting

This project is done with a method called needlefelting. The light blue is delicate wool that is punched into the darker blue felt. There is a layer of Angelina (shiny polyester fibers added next-they don't seem to show in this picture). The medium blue is also punched with the tool that has about 5 needles. I then put tulle (fine netting) over the entire piece, quilted it by hand and added the beads. Yes, the beads are sewn on one by one. Hey, I like to do that sort of detail. The binding was some silk that I had painted which I found in my stash. 

The piece is 8 1/2" by 11". Designing in a monochromatic color scheme was a very big challenge. Now I'm working on another study in this technique.

Journal sketch

I am constantly learning. Actually, I think that Michaelangelo said the same thing. This is the houseplant on our kitchen table. I am congratulating me for not doing a tiny anemic drawing and for not freaking out because the shading may not be perfect, etc. Believe that Danny's idea to just record the moment is the point. Oh yes, I've taken rubber stamp pads to color the page before doing the drawing.

Fused glass

An opportunity came up for me to try designing a fused glass plate. I really had no clue how to prepare and would certainly to it differently next time. However, this is the result. I started with a piece of clear glass, then  thin rods of the black were laid down to create a basic shape. If there is a next time, the design might be drawn out and put under the glass as a guide.  Scoring and breaking the little pieces was a challenge. The colored dots where just sprinkled onto the glass. Last, a second plate in the blue green color as added to perk it up. The glass is carefully placed in a kiln and there you have it. If nothing else, there is now a better appreciation of work by other artists!

Bird dog

The story of the birdies is not a happy one. Not only do we have a dog, we have a bird hunting dog. The growing birds were driving him crazy. Despite being dive bombed by both parents, he got two of the three birds. We can only hope that the third got away.

This hunting stuff was serious business. I did put a wire barrier up after this picture was taken, but he probably got to the other side and knocked them out. As much as I enjoyed watching the nest being built and seeing all the food being delivered, I hope that they do not try to build a nest in my yard next year.

Three babies in a bush

We've been watching momma and papa bird going in and out of a 6 ft bush that we have in the backyard. I was able to capture a picture yesterday. Today the babies listened to their parents and would not pop up.

 

Another Concert in the Park

This may become our summer routine. Sunday evening band concerts in the park. Give me a Sousa march anytime! As I drew the tree I realized that sadly, it has very few leaves. Think that comes with old age. I see that I draw older people. The kids are having fun on the play equipment which is behind me and they are to fast to sketch. Nice excuse.

We are family that is interested in the World Cup games. Of course, there is no way that I want to watch 64 games. However, the USA plays tomorrow and I'm hoping for a win. I'll worry until the game is over. Having a son in South Africa at the game, makes me more attentive. At least the boy knew to take two jackets. The temperatures have been around freezing for some of the games.

By the way, I have some comments done in Chinese characters with what, I believe, are not nice messages, so I've changed the way to comment. I have no idea if this is better or worse. I'll find out as the days progress.

Beautiful weather here in California. This is why we put up with the politics.

Band Concert in the Park

One of the joys of summer is the band concert in the park. This first weekend in June is a band festival which gives us two days of music, without charge. You can bring your chairs or blankets and enjoy a picnic while bands give us their finest sounds. Kids are attracted to the play equipment and the rest of us get to relax. I do take my sketch book and this year I'm seeing some improvement in "my people".

 Of course I'm still much more comfortable drawing the backs of people. They are somewhat in proportion which is a big step for me. Wait, just maybe those session of figure drawing are beginning to pay off. The bluish drawings were done with a Sanford Noblot Ink Pencil 705 -"a bottle of ink in a pencil". The color has been darkened in Photoshop so that the images would be easier to see. The gray sketch was done with a Derwent Sketching Light Wash HB pencil. The color did not move a much. I believe that I need to make my marks heavier to get more action with the water. Geez, move out of my comfort zone. What a concept.