New ... fall note cards

Autumn Scarecrow

There is only four more Saturdays that our local Farmers Market will be open and since we are planning on being away most of them, tomorrow seems like a good day to introduce the newest addition to my note card line, Autumn Scarecrow just in time for fall. Last September the original sold at auction on e-bay, fortunately I saved a copy for cards and prints so others will be able to enjoy this warm and friendly scarecrow also.

Along for the Ride

Along for the Ride ~ watercolor

Last Saturday, for those of us that were selling at our local Farmers Market, the weather co-operated and we even had a little sun. There were less vendors than usual, with some of the vendors attending a large event, in a near by town. I was worried that with fewer vendors there would be little sales. But, to my surprise there seemed to be just as many customers as usual. I sold numerous cards and one original watercolor. The painting was about 22" x 11" titled Along for the Ride. Matted in white with a blue inset boarder, and a blue frame.

Once, while anchored in our boat, with the dingy tethered behind, this seagull decided that he'd just ride along on the stern of our dingy as it bobbed up and down with each wave. I just had to take his photo, he looked so at ease there, just like it was the norm for him. ... It was a fun painting to do and it brought back memorys of that day and our stow away each time I looked at it.

A couple of E.D.M. sketches

Draw a Lamp E.D.M. Challenge #2

Today after a yoga class and a couple of loads of laundry I decided it was time to work a little on my E.D.M. list of Challenges that I printed out some time ago. This first photograph is of a floor lamp that has been in my family for some time. My maternal grandparents had this in there living room when I was a child, then my mother had it in her living room for years, now it is mine and I have it displayed proudly behind our couch and beside a palm. The shade has been recovered numerous time, and most recently I have chose a red fabric with a small gold pattern throughout. Although you can't see it with this drawing there are also gold and red beaded fringe on the bottom.

E.D.M Challenge # 3 Draw a wallet or purse.

I love my wallet, It's perfect for me. Once opened you will find on each side, slots to put your drivers license, credit cards, photo's or even some folded mad money. Then in the center there is room for your change and a few bills. Perfect for someone who doesn't want to carry too much.

Finally finished my second landscape oil

I can't believe it has been so long since I first started this oil painting.

The last post about it was on June 26th of this year, and, this is what it looked like (photo at right) at the end of that painting session.

Now that I've completed it, I'm not sure that its better, but I do know that I'm done and won't add another drop of oil to this painting.

Some of the things I learned from this painting.

1. Think about shape... forget about all the detail
2. get your drawing right the first time around
3. I need to paint more and do alla prima ... (A style of painting where, instead of building colours up with layers, the painting is done in one session while the paint is still wet. From the Italian word which literally means at once.)
4. Decide right away if you want a high key or low key painting

I thoroughly enjoyed the two landscape oil paintings I have done. I don't think either one is an award winners, but they have been so enjoyable to paint ... and isn't that really why I did them?

Every Day Matters ...

I had decided long ago not to join the Every Day Matters Yahoo Group, but I love the idea where you are challenged to draw things on the list. My sketchbooks are filled with items that are on the list, but just recently decided I'd use one of my Moleskines for the Every Day weekly Challenges.

Drawn yesterday (with pencil on computer paper) before I thought of putting the drawings into my Moleskine

Today's effort - Zig Millennium pen in Moleskine.