The Very Thought of You

Virginia sent me a book called "The Very Thought of You."  This little sketch is my idea of the picture on the cover of it.  It is about a girl who, in World War II, was sent out of London to a countryside estate for her safety. Many children were.  It is a whole new perspective on war.  The book is very well written, and is one of the best I have recently read.  It is about loyalty, love, friendship, disabilities, and all kinds of human emotions.  I loved reading it so much, and it is one of the few books that I think I may read again.

FIRE OF CREATIVITY!

So, OK...it is a very little fire, but very pretty.  A gift from my friend Celeste.  It has a label saying "creativity" and a quote "Allow me to explore new dimensions, discover new thoughts, ideas, and emotions."  I've been lighting it when I'm painting.  The painting above is from our sketching yesterday....glimpse of a "bouquet" of brushes arranged by Carrie, a japanese maple leaf, a pencil, a piece of newspaper, a blue alabaster globe from Italy, and the candle firing up our creative spirit.  You can see other results of yesterday's sketching session here.  Just me, Carrie, and Celeste.  Thank you, Celeste...I love the idea of firing up some creativity.

Sketch day at my house

It's a lot of fun when you find out that your friends like the same thing you do.  Yesterday, I had a few friends sketch with me in my kitchen.  We all took out our sketchbooks and found that we all had the same brand and size.  They are "Aquabee Super Deluxe" and the size is 9" x 9."  We put them on the table and Celeste took this picture.  The red stickers on three are, I think, on newer ones.  I've had mine for quite a while, and it doesn't have that sticker....but is the same sketchbook exactly.  I especially like that it is made in Beaverton, right next door to me.  

First Thursday

Tomorrow night is the opening reception for the Nature in Our City Parks show.  It's at City Hall from 5:30-9.  Above is a picture of the poster.  Hope all those in Portland will be able to attend.  Should be a lot of fun.

Nature In Our City Parks

This is a painting that will be in a show at City Hall.   The show features natural parks that are also Portland City Parks.  This is spot is very near my house, at a park called Marshall Park.  When you're there, you do not feel at all like you're in the city.  

The technique I used was fun.  I took a floral watercolor painting that wasn't looking too great, turned it upside down, and made this watercolor painting over it.  

The reception will be this Thursday, part of First Thursday art openings in Portland.

Two Scholars

This painting is hanging in the Buchan Center of First Unitarian Church, which is kind of fun for me.  Once I week, go to Spanish class and go right by it.   

I have two figurines of Chinese Scholars which are about 15" high and are "faux ivory."  I did this drawing of them as a modified contour--mostly looking at them while I drew, and looking very little at the paper. Then I painted it with gouache and used some metallic gold highlights.  

It's fun to see my painting in a permanent display! 

Labyrinth X

Here's the tenth labyrinth.  It is different from the others in that it is an acrylic painting on canvas.  The size is 20" x 20. " The others are watercolor, and in the same size range.  I might be done now with labyrinths....though I recently was intrigued to learn about a double spiral labyrinth and I might have to explore that!   We'll see.