My friend Lori forwarded this to me (okay, stop laughing, yes I DO have a friend as a matter of fact! LOL) I'm leaving the little >> things in it so nobody will really think I'm doing this diet, although I probably ought to go on this diet!
This is the kind of fun stuff I like to do to people in stores though...
>I was in Wal-Mart buying a large bag of Purina dog chow and was in
>line? To check out. A woman behind me asked if I had a dog........ Duh!
>I was feeling a bit crabby so on impulse, I told her no, I was starting
>the Purina Diet again, although I probably shouldn't because I ended up
>in the hospital last time, but that I'd lost 50 pounds before I
>awakened in an intensive care unit with tubes coming out of most of my
>orifices and IV's in both arms. Her eyes about bugged out of her head.
>I went on and on with the bogus diet story and she was totally buying
>it. I told her that it was an easy, inexpensive diet and that the way
>it works is to load your pockets or purse with Purina nuggets and
>simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry. The package said the
>food is nutritionally >complete so I was going to try it again.
>I have to mention here that practically everyone in the line was by now
>enthralled! with my story, particularly a tall guy behind her.
>Horrified, she asked if something in the dog food had poisoned me and
>was that why I ended up in the hospital.
>I said no..... I'd been sitting in the street licking my butt when a
>car hit me.
>I thought the tall guy was going to have to be carried out the door
Monday, February 26, 2007
Friday, February 23, 2007
never stop learning
I just bought the Winter 2007 issue of American Artist Drawing Magazine and once again it has inspired me. It never fails - they usually show an artist from the past - in this issue, Jean-August-Dominique Ingres (no wonder people just refer to him as Ingres...is that a moniker or what?!?)
Drawing Magazine shows his graphite drawings, one dating from 1809 that shows me again the longevity of graphite pencil drawings (I think some Dürer drawings survive that date from the late 1400s- early 1500s). Except for the Napoleonic era clothing styles, the Ingres drawings look like they could have been drawn just yesterday.
The article includes some great quotes on drawing by Ingres...here are two of my favorites:
"Draw for a long time before thinking of painting. When one builds on a solid foundation, one sleeps in peace."
... and,
"Always have a sketchbook in your pocket, and note down with the fewest strokes of the pencil the objects that strike you, if you do not have time to indicate them entirely. But if you have leisure to make a more exact sketch, seize upon your subject lovingly, envisage and reproduce it in all its forms, so that it may be lodged in your head, incrusted there, as your own property."
As I turned the pages of the magazine, I was pleasantly surprised to a see a portrait of a little girl that looked very much like some of my pencil portraits. Not only the style, but especially the way the background was done, was so much like my work. The artist is John C. Babin. I looked to see if I could find more of his art on the Internet, but I was unsuccessful. I'm sure he'll need to have a website now that the magazine has come out. What a thrill it must be to see your artwork in the pages of a major art magazine like that!
This issue also contains an article on How To Draw Arms (sometimes magazines will have how to draw hands, but this is the first time I saw how to draw arms!; Depicting Land & Sea, and Secrets of Renaissance Underdrawings. I feel so privileged to see historical drawings in any way I can.
I really like American Artist Drawing Magazine. It is the only art magazine that seems to value drawing. In painting magazines, pencil drawing is rarely seen or mentioned, as if it's not important. Drawing Magazine continually maintains the position that drawing is the most important base of fine art. The magazine comes out 4 times a year, and each issue is $8.99, which seems so pricey for a magazine, but there is so much value in each issue it's well worth it if you're interested in learning more about drawing.
Drawing Magazine shows his graphite drawings, one dating from 1809 that shows me again the longevity of graphite pencil drawings (I think some Dürer drawings survive that date from the late 1400s- early 1500s). Except for the Napoleonic era clothing styles, the Ingres drawings look like they could have been drawn just yesterday.
The article includes some great quotes on drawing by Ingres...here are two of my favorites:
"Draw for a long time before thinking of painting. When one builds on a solid foundation, one sleeps in peace."
... and,
"Always have a sketchbook in your pocket, and note down with the fewest strokes of the pencil the objects that strike you, if you do not have time to indicate them entirely. But if you have leisure to make a more exact sketch, seize upon your subject lovingly, envisage and reproduce it in all its forms, so that it may be lodged in your head, incrusted there, as your own property."
As I turned the pages of the magazine, I was pleasantly surprised to a see a portrait of a little girl that looked very much like some of my pencil portraits. Not only the style, but especially the way the background was done, was so much like my work. The artist is John C. Babin. I looked to see if I could find more of his art on the Internet, but I was unsuccessful. I'm sure he'll need to have a website now that the magazine has come out. What a thrill it must be to see your artwork in the pages of a major art magazine like that!
This issue also contains an article on How To Draw Arms (sometimes magazines will have how to draw hands, but this is the first time I saw how to draw arms!; Depicting Land & Sea, and Secrets of Renaissance Underdrawings. I feel so privileged to see historical drawings in any way I can.
I really like American Artist Drawing Magazine. It is the only art magazine that seems to value drawing. In painting magazines, pencil drawing is rarely seen or mentioned, as if it's not important. Drawing Magazine continually maintains the position that drawing is the most important base of fine art. The magazine comes out 4 times a year, and each issue is $8.99, which seems so pricey for a magazine, but there is so much value in each issue it's well worth it if you're interested in learning more about drawing.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
going with the flow
I had my 16 month old on a fairly regular schedule lately, and that was really helping. He would nap from about Noon to two pm, or from 11 am to 1 pm. But today he has been doing a lot of fussing and crying. He's probably feeling bad, more leftovers from this virus we've been having. The schedule is totally blown and I have no idea where I stand schedule-wise, and what to expect tomorrow. I'll just try to go with the flow.
I want to get everything done so I can take the month of April "off," -- well, as much off as a mom of 4 can be - off as far as artwork commissions go.
The rest of February looks really busy, and looks like it will be all the way through March. I am lining customers up for May! Sometimes I wonder if my business has really grown this much, but I do have little ones that demand a lot of my attention. But from what I can tell, it's not just that I have kids keeping me busy. On paper this year looks much better than last year at this time. I hope the same is true for the rest of the economy!
I'll probably stay up late tonight to get some art done. I have tried getting up at 5 am to do art, but it just doesn't seem to happen. I keep hitting that snooze button because I'm so tired! I've been surprised I have had trouble doing that, because I am generally a morning person. It has been a good way in the past to get some work done around the kid's schedules. But now my best bet seems to be staying up late and have Glenn Beck or Nancy Grace, or whatever show is on with people yakking and becoming incensed about things. Keeps my brain active and I just listen and draw away! The only issue is if the topic of discussion is extremely disturbing, it's hard to go to sleep after that.
I want to get everything done so I can take the month of April "off," -- well, as much off as a mom of 4 can be - off as far as artwork commissions go.
The rest of February looks really busy, and looks like it will be all the way through March. I am lining customers up for May! Sometimes I wonder if my business has really grown this much, but I do have little ones that demand a lot of my attention. But from what I can tell, it's not just that I have kids keeping me busy. On paper this year looks much better than last year at this time. I hope the same is true for the rest of the economy!
I'll probably stay up late tonight to get some art done. I have tried getting up at 5 am to do art, but it just doesn't seem to happen. I keep hitting that snooze button because I'm so tired! I've been surprised I have had trouble doing that, because I am generally a morning person. It has been a good way in the past to get some work done around the kid's schedules. But now my best bet seems to be staying up late and have Glenn Beck or Nancy Grace, or whatever show is on with people yakking and becoming incensed about things. Keeps my brain active and I just listen and draw away! The only issue is if the topic of discussion is extremely disturbing, it's hard to go to sleep after that.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
still fighting it
Well, I'm still alive. Thanks to Robitussin. Our 16 month old is a little sick now, but he seems really active (pulled all the canned goods and pots and pans out of the cabinets in the kitchen) so I think he'll be fine. I've told myself to not stress about work I need to do today, and that includes artwork. It is Sunday after all. I did lots of laundry...it was Mount Washmore again.
Norman Rockwell never had to do laundry, his wife Mary did it. Grumble grumble - I gonna get me a wife. LOL! Yeah, it's bad when I start getting jealous of dead, more talented artists. I'm off to take more Robitussin. It makes me gag, but it really helps once it kicks in! My daughter swears by applesauce - she says it's the key to her good immune system...so I guess I'll have some of that too.
Norman Rockwell never had to do laundry, his wife Mary did it. Grumble grumble - I gonna get me a wife. LOL! Yeah, it's bad when I start getting jealous of dead, more talented artists. I'm off to take more Robitussin. It makes me gag, but it really helps once it kicks in! My daughter swears by applesauce - she says it's the key to her good immune system...so I guess I'll have some of that too.
Monday, February 12, 2007
how would you like $15?
I just got some great news!
Make a purchase over $30 from me (whether it's custom artwork or artwork ready to ship) and pay for it with PayPal and you'll receive a rebate of $15 automatically into your PayPal account! This is a special PayPal promotion, and your purchase needs to occur by March 31st to qualify. You need to sign up to be eligible, and here is the link:
Sign Up for Special $15 Rebate PayPal Promotion
Then why not check out my available art pieces? ( LINK ) There's no waiting for these to be created and they make nice gifts. I can also create a custom artwork for you. I am booked up right now on custom artwork until mid-March, but please contact me to be put on the list. I would love to work with you.
Make a purchase over $30 from me (whether it's custom artwork or artwork ready to ship) and pay for it with PayPal and you'll receive a rebate of $15 automatically into your PayPal account! This is a special PayPal promotion, and your purchase needs to occur by March 31st to qualify. You need to sign up to be eligible, and here is the link:
Sign Up for Special $15 Rebate PayPal Promotion
Then why not check out my available art pieces? ( LINK ) There's no waiting for these to be created and they make nice gifts. I can also create a custom artwork for you. I am booked up right now on custom artwork until mid-March, but please contact me to be put on the list. I would love to work with you.
incubus of viral plague
We're sick over here. One kid missed school today.
It's just the general cold/flu/fever/runny nose/sneezing/body ache/earache thing.
Nothing major...LOL
So the orange juice can of concentrate is defrosting a bit on the counter so I can make some fresh squeezed orange juice (fresh squeezed outta the can!)
We have a new ear thermometer. It says I'm dying with a 101-102 fever, but the underarm thermometer says I'll live at 99-100 degrees. The worst thing is the sore throat! This is the worst sore throat I've had in awhile. So bad that I'm not talking much. The whole family is really appreciative.
I just love the makers of Tylenol. Thank you thank you good people, and keep up the good work you are doing.
It's just the general cold/flu/fever/runny nose/sneezing/body ache/earache thing.
Nothing major...LOL
So the orange juice can of concentrate is defrosting a bit on the counter so I can make some fresh squeezed orange juice (fresh squeezed outta the can!)
We have a new ear thermometer. It says I'm dying with a 101-102 fever, but the underarm thermometer says I'll live at 99-100 degrees. The worst thing is the sore throat! This is the worst sore throat I've had in awhile. So bad that I'm not talking much. The whole family is really appreciative.
I just love the makers of Tylenol. Thank you thank you good people, and keep up the good work you are doing.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
New art added
I added some new portrait work to the Portraits in Progress blog.
Check them out here: http://pencilportraitsfromphotos.blogspot.com/
Check them out here: http://pencilportraitsfromphotos.blogspot.com/
Monday, February 05, 2007
mucho motivated
I was overly-motivated today. Can you be overly motivated? I don't know!
I got a lot of art done, now it's a matter of photographing or scanning it and sending the images to clients to approve. My right hand feels a bit crampy. Well I had my 15 month old finally down for his nap and I went for it with all the gusto I could. I drank a couple glasses of iced tea and worked on that caffeine buzz.
I finished a colored pencil portrait, laid down the base for another colored pencil portrait (that one is a re-do because I didn't like the first version). I have to hold off on that one until I can get to the store to get the right pencils (ugh, frustrating to have to stop on it)
....so to not let the time I had go to waste, I did three illustrations for the new book, What Really Happened in Colonial Times - I think that's what it's called anyway! It's the 3rd book I'm illustrating for http://bramleybooks.com. The portraits I did are: Catherine (Katy) Ferguson, Narcissa Whitman, and Rachel Revere. They are only 4.75" x 7.75" in size so they don't take a super long time for me to complete....well, scratch that... I guess that depends on my frame of mind and how many teas I have consumed! I also probably shouldn't say they are totally done either, because we'll be adding something to help each portrait follow a theme for the book. I haven't figured out exactly what that will be yet...perhaps some leaves in a semi-border. I only planned to do Catherine Ferguson and Narcissa Whitman's pictures, but once I got going, I didn't want to stop. The portrait of Rachel Revere (Paul Revere's second wife) was so enticing to do. All I had for art reference was a picture of a miniature painting - I think a brooch...but very very tiny and I had to work with my graphics program to get a larger version of it that I could somewhat see well. I am very excited about what I have drawn so far.
Then, after a snack (coming down off the sugar/caffeine buzz lol) I worked on a baby portrait in graphite pencil (only black and white)...I have that one almost done but waiting to hear from the client about how to draw the baby's hair - what a GORGEOUS baby...I can't wait to share the portrait when it's done! She's just absolutely precious. I know it's coming along well when I start baby talking to the portrait drawing (sad, isn't it LOL)
I'll be able to share all these artworks in the Portraits in Progress blog once they're done and when I have time to resize them etc for sharing later on.
I don't know why such motivation hit me - I think I was determined to actually get something DONE! I was so aggravated that I couldn't seem to get my son down for his nap - I can't figure out when his naptime is anymore. I really need to get him on a daily schedule and regimen so I don't go nuts...it would be more fun for him, too.
I got a lot of art done, now it's a matter of photographing or scanning it and sending the images to clients to approve. My right hand feels a bit crampy. Well I had my 15 month old finally down for his nap and I went for it with all the gusto I could. I drank a couple glasses of iced tea and worked on that caffeine buzz.
I finished a colored pencil portrait, laid down the base for another colored pencil portrait (that one is a re-do because I didn't like the first version). I have to hold off on that one until I can get to the store to get the right pencils (ugh, frustrating to have to stop on it)
....so to not let the time I had go to waste, I did three illustrations for the new book, What Really Happened in Colonial Times - I think that's what it's called anyway! It's the 3rd book I'm illustrating for http://bramleybooks.com. The portraits I did are: Catherine (Katy) Ferguson, Narcissa Whitman, and Rachel Revere. They are only 4.75" x 7.75" in size so they don't take a super long time for me to complete....well, scratch that... I guess that depends on my frame of mind and how many teas I have consumed! I also probably shouldn't say they are totally done either, because we'll be adding something to help each portrait follow a theme for the book. I haven't figured out exactly what that will be yet...perhaps some leaves in a semi-border. I only planned to do Catherine Ferguson and Narcissa Whitman's pictures, but once I got going, I didn't want to stop. The portrait of Rachel Revere (Paul Revere's second wife) was so enticing to do. All I had for art reference was a picture of a miniature painting - I think a brooch...but very very tiny and I had to work with my graphics program to get a larger version of it that I could somewhat see well. I am very excited about what I have drawn so far.
Then, after a snack (coming down off the sugar/caffeine buzz lol) I worked on a baby portrait in graphite pencil (only black and white)...I have that one almost done but waiting to hear from the client about how to draw the baby's hair - what a GORGEOUS baby...I can't wait to share the portrait when it's done! She's just absolutely precious. I know it's coming along well when I start baby talking to the portrait drawing (sad, isn't it LOL)
I'll be able to share all these artworks in the Portraits in Progress blog once they're done and when I have time to resize them etc for sharing later on.
I don't know why such motivation hit me - I think I was determined to actually get something DONE! I was so aggravated that I couldn't seem to get my son down for his nap - I can't figure out when his naptime is anymore. I really need to get him on a daily schedule and regimen so I don't go nuts...it would be more fun for him, too.
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