Busy Weekend and A Guest Artist

Miss M stayed overnight with me on Saturday and was here until mid afternoon on Sunday. She was a great motivator as she wanted to do art. I have so many photos to share today, I hardly know where to begin. I suppose I should begin with a photo of the artist herself. I liked both pix so well, I decided to put them together.

And it seems logical to then segue into showing you her art. These are two renditions of her still life. She really did a good job, don't you think.

We set up a couple of still life arrangements that included a lunchbox, a wood block, and a stuffed leopard.

We drew on 8.5 x 11 printer paper which I folded "hamburger" style to begin so we would have a chance to try the sketch twice. I actually wanted to rearrange the items, but Miss M wanted them to remain the same, so I just moved to the other side of her.

Here are my sketches.

I wanted to leave the lunch box and block unadorned, but Miss M didn't think it would be complete unless I did it all.

Later that afternoon we set up  a couple of angels that I received from the bride at my nephew's wedding as a token of thanks for doing a reading during the ceremony. Miss M has sketched these many times and did again, but she took the journal home before I had a chance to take a photo of hers.

Needless to say, I had a lovely, busy weekend, which included a visit to the talent show that Miss M's big sister (Miss P) sang in, but that is another post. I also spent a bit of time trying to paint on some hand made Khadi paper and had mixed results. That, too, will be in the next post.

So today I have my conditioning class at 9:30 and my Zunba class at 6:30 pm. I hope to get a chance to do some more art in between. I sure hope you are doing fine and that you are finding time for yourself and your art - don't forget your loved ones. Maybe they would like to be your guest artist.

xoxo

Today's Sketch and Giveaway Plans

According to Site Meter, I've passed the 75,000 visitor mark and that is the point at which I was planning to have a giveaway. I am waiting to receive a really wonderful order in the mail at which time I will show the giveaway and set up the rules for being eligible for it. I am really geeked and can't wait to show you what the giveaway is, but for now I am watching the mail daily and will show it to you as soon as I get it.

Meanwhile, I am still keeping to my schedule of one Posemaniacs sketch per day and have a new one to show you.

And here is my little sweetie who spent the night with me last night. She watched me do the sketch giving her wonderful encouragement all the time.

I think she is my greatest fan. She always tells me that I am doing a good job and when I make mistakes or make a negative comment about what I am drawing, she is quick to tell me that I am doing a "good job".

I can't believe this year is coming to an end already, but am so looking forward to making next year even better than the last - at least as far as good health and daily art are concerned.

I hope you are doing well and that you are finding time for yourself and those you love. Do try to make time to do something creative today and do share it with us.

xoxo

Polish Woman Sketch and Miss M's Art

I've attempted a sketch of the Polish woman that Nina Camic so graciously gave me permission to use and overall I am pleased with it. I think there is that "magic" something missing that would bring her to life, but I can't for the life of me figure out what it is. Can you help? You can see the original photo here.

Miss M at first thought the woman in the photo was a little angry, but then when I told her that this woman was beautiful and was smiling in greeting, she agreed that she was beautiful. She then said, "Her hair is beautiful, Nana. It's gray, but beautiful!" I had to agree with her. This is a face full of character and a certain charm. I'm not sure I captured that, but if you go to the original photo using the link above, I think you will be charmed as well.

Meanwhile, Miss M sat next to my computer sketching in her journal and made a self portrait while I was working. Here she is at work:

And here is her self portrait. Notice the ponytail off to the side. That is how I did her hair that morning.

Well, I am expecting Miss M again this morning. In fact, she will be here some time in the next half hour. I'm on my first mug of coffee and she and I will undoubtedly do some art, work some puzzles, and maybe snuggle together and watch a movie. I will take her to school around noon.

I hope to get a bit of time to do some art today and am hoping the same for you.

xoxo

Home Again with Miss Z

Miss Z came over last evening to spend the night with us and she is right here in her high chair keeping me company while I write this. Actually she began to fuss and she only fusses when it is time to eat. So I gave her a bottle and put her down for a nap.

Before she arrived yesterday, I made some Chorizo Soup which turned out really well and we had some for dinner. I made a double batch so I sent some home with Miss Z's Mom.

It is a really easy recipe and only takes about an hour from start to finish. Here is the recipe:

I gessoed over the water on the old watercolor that I was working on and then watercolored over it, but was still very disappointed, so when I arrived home yesterday I started a couple more. I have two of them and like one of them quite a bit more than the other. Of course, the hubster likes the one I don't like, so I'd like to ask you this:  Should I use one of these as my entry in the non-juried exhibition? If I should use one of these, which one? Should I trash these and begin again?

My daughter just called. She is sick (possibly strep; she is seeing the doctor at 1 pm) and wants me to pick up Miss M after school this afternoon and take her to ballet practice. That should be fun and I will take my camera and see if I can get some decent pix.

The hubster is having surgery on his Achilles tendon first thing in the morning so I will be spending most of the day at the hospital. I should have plenty of opportunity to do some sketching. I'll check in sometime tomorrow after we get home.

I'd really appreciate some feedback on the two watercolors above.

xoxo