Monday, August 3, 2015

Daily Face: August 3rd, Back to Work & Sad News

Today was my official back to work day. I have to get my brain back into the swing of things. Although we want life to be fill with happiness and joy, it is not always so. One of the students at my school committed suicide. He was going to the 8th grade this year. It makes you think about these young lives that you come in contact with, remember to be kind and encouraging always. Find the good in everyone.

Saturday, August 1, 2015

What, Another Sketchbook

So it's official I can't help myself. I found this daily devotional book which I could not resist from purchasing. I love the color and engraving carve into leather. My purpose was to draw in it. Hoping that the devotional topic would be the inspiration for the drawing. I love people who can stick to drawing in one sketchbook everyday until completed, but I've found out that I am not that type of person. Eventually my journals get completed. So I am going to do me!


Completed Sketchbooks

Friday, July 31, 2015

Daily Face: I forgot

Yesterday I woke up, did my regular morning routine which included drawing a portrait. I thought I had posted it until I came to my computer at 10:30 pm wanting to make sure that I posted a daily portrait today before I went to bed only then realized I forgot yesterdays portrait.
I'm over 50 and its funny how you forget things, even my husband who is so meticulous, now forgets things. I told him this could be dangerous because we are both forgetting things.

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Daily Face: July 29 and Thrifted Art Supplies

I went to the thrift store today and found this unused art paper. I could not pass it up it is Strathmore 11"x 14" Bristol Vellum, Bristol Smooth, and Tracing Paper, also new markers. I don't know what I will do with the tracing paper, it may come in handy someday. It was cheap.

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Daily Face: July 28, Platters and David Driskell

 I'm trying to enjoy my last days before I go back to work. Faculty & Staff go back August 3rd, the students will began August 10th. I really wish they would go back to the old schedule when school starts in September after Labor Day.
Platters
I love to use platters in my centerpieces for my dining room table. I recently picked up this one from a thrift store and could not believe my good fortune of finding Wonki Ware. It's Di Marshall Wonki Ware from South Africa. Check out her video. The wooden platter is from Ikea. The green platter is 1960’s Vintage Italian Green Leaf Majolica Pottery I purchased at an estate sale.



Platter from Ikea



1960’s Vintage Italian Green Leaf Majolica 


My Current Art Read
I came across this book in my husbands collection "Evolution: Five Decades of Printmaking by David C. Driskell. I enjoyed reading it and looking at his artwork. The black and white picture is my favorite.



Monday, July 27, 2015

Daily Face: July 27 & Welcome bike

 We went to our daughters Jack & Jill baby shower this weekend. If you do not know what that is, it is when men are also invited to participate.  They all seem to have a great time including my dad who is 76 years old. It was held in historic Roswell, Georgia. The picture of the welcome bike was in the garden where the shower was held.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

What's Blooming & Garden Tools Hangout

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 I love to garden and play it the dirt. I have not always been a fan of succulents but they are growing on me. My friend gave me a piece of her stick plant. Recently I went to an estate sale and purchased the donkey tail plant. It was calling me to save it.

Stick Plant in the back

Donkeys  Tail

Peppers
So what's blooming? I planted peppers for my husband. I however do not care for my tongue to be on fire, I prefer a little spiciness.
The other day as I was looking out the car window I spotted a beautiful garden. I wondered why my garden did not look like that, then it hit me, they had more vibrant pinks in their garden so I added a new pink perennial and I love it. "Belleza Dark Pink Gaura" also the Mardi Gras Helen's Flower is blooming.
Belleza Dark Pink Gaura
Mardi Gras Helen's Flower

 Garden Tool Hangout

 While at an estate sale I saw a brass fireplace set. I didn't need another for our fireplace, but I really liked the way it look. I was wondering how I could re-purpose it when I had a great idea. I could use it for my garden tool hangout. Also the broom and other accessories could probably also be used some way in my garden. Now whatever area I'm working in I will have tools in reach and I won't have to lay them down and forget where I put them.
Brass Tool Hangout

Cast Iron Tool Hangout

 If you want to find different whimsical garden decor  try estate sales. I purchased this garden planter for $15. It was in a greenhouse. I planted it with different herbs. You can't tell but it has three draws and of course the shelving on the bottom. I decided to place my tin blue and white plates there since I have it outside on my patio. Also the white lace tower is from another estate sale, it was a set of three for $5. The picture below is from a book I'm reading called Passalong Plants by Steve Bender and Felder Rushing. My husband says it looks like trash but I would love to visit this garden.


Daily Face: July 21

Finally I am back on track, but for how long I do not know. We are taking our last child to her College Open House. We will be gone for two days.

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Getting Back on Track: Daily Face Student Collage

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I've been trying to find the best format to post my illustrations when I'm trying to get back on track. I thought a collage would be good. I really admire artist who can commit to painting daily. I find it a challenge just to draw one illustration  every day. If you wonder why the numbers skip it is because I usually don't draw on the weekend pages of my calendar because of the lines.
 And I found out that I'm an impatient artist, when I start on a piece I would like to be finish the same day.