Category: Digital

A Zen Weekend…

Zentangle 1 Zentangle I

Pigma Micron in Derwent small journal

(Click on the images to enlarge them)

   I came across the Zentangle about a year ago from a twelve year old artist’s blog.  I wish I could remember her blog because she has some outstanding Zentangle artwork.  The Zentangle has been on my “Art Bucket List” and now I can mark it off (yay me). 

    The only way that I can explain it is that it sort of  like doodling with  purpose, and  you have no idea of the outcome.  Well, that’s not exactly true you are guaranteed not to mess it up.  Beware though, they are extremely addictive.  The supplies needed to create your own Zentangle is smooth card stock, and a fine felt tip pen and a pencil if you want for shading.  The directions are fairly simple make a shape fill in with squiggles and fill them in with doodles.

Zentangle 2

If you want your zentangle as a keepsake,  I recommend acid free  paper and use archival ink to keep the paper from turning yellow and your ink from fading.   The second Zentangle was drawn while traveling to Farmville to celebrate the birthday of David’s Mom and Aunt.  Sadly, David’s Aunt and her husband couldn’t make it, but just about the whole family was there.  We had such a good time visiting with the family.   It was just a feel good kind of day and I really hope we can have times like that more often.  

GetAttachment[3]This is a photo of the family.  Thank goodness Vicki had brought her camera and tripod.  Thank You Vicki, for the pictures!  I brought my camera but only took one picture.  Now how pitiful is that!  I should be ashamed of myself because I was too busy running my mouth. lol 

After the party, we drove to South Boston to meet up with my brother and his wife to drop off Alana for a week so she could spend some time with her cousin Somer.  Then we will meet up again and Somer will stay with us for a week.  The traveling is a pain, but a promise is a promise. 

The weekend ended with swimming, dinner off the grill and a movie.   It just doesn’t get any better than that.

Well, for now that’s about it.  I’m sorry this post is rather long winded, but I thought I’d share my Zen Weekend.

The Art of Family…

104_1011 This weekend Alana and I tagged along with Karen home to drop Robbie off for a three week visit.    We spent Friday afternoon with my Daddy at the shop  and we took him out to eat Friday night.  Then we spent Saturday with mama swimming and had a cookout.  On Sunday morning we went with Daddy out for breakfast.  It was really good that we spent a fair amount of time with both of them.  And being able to come in for Father’s Day was a really good  surprise.   I am really glad that Alana and Somer got to spend alot of time together, because they are really close and Tammy and I are trying really hard to make sure that the distance doesn’t interfere with their relationship.  Usually what we do is meet at a half way point drop a kid off or pick a kid up, so atleast they will get to spend a couple of weeks together every summer.   I wish I had pictures of Robbie and Richie, but they were sleeping in.  I swear those two could sleep 22 out of the 24 hours  in a day.  104_1006

     If you look closely at the picture on the right, you’ll see a portfolio on the table along with my other shameful weakness (Mtn. Dew).  I still found time to draw a little while I was being “Lifeguard on Duty”   Well,  I alternated between drawing and reading.

Mama and Gail have a nice little set up.  I felt like I was on a mini resort.  (The pool lays just below the deck on the right).   I got to draw and read, and the kids got to swim so it was a win win.    

  It was just a great visit all around. 

 

 

 

I’m so excited…..

paint

(Sorry, about the blurry picture)  This is paint and palette wetting spray, slo-dri fluid retarder, 1 8 oz. each of tit. white and ivory black.

     Isn’t that the most beautiful sight  that you have ever seen?  I have been wanting these for a long time and when I saw that they were on sale at Dick Blick I went for it!  They were still expensive so I didn’t get a whole lot of colors this time around.  I did get enough to start mixing.  I kinda  hate the idea of learning to mix acrylic with artist grade paint.   I am trying to look at this way, the better I learn to mix the less colors I have to buy, which will be cheaper in the future right? 

     I bought a mix of two different brands of fluid acrylic, Liquitex and Golden.  I think Golden is suppose to be a better brand, but they didn’t have all the colors that I needed so I ended of mixing brands.

     I have my acrylics and  I have canvas NOW  I have to think of something to paint!

Catching Up with Christmas

christmas-cookies

   Alana and I put up the tree last night and wrapped what gifts we had so far.  I have to admit that I do feel a little better about the approaching holidays.   This evening we made a bunch of Christmas goodies.  We made Peanut Butter Fudge, Brownies, Muddy Buddies, chocolate dipped pretzels, Chocolate chip cookies and oatmeal raisin cookies for David.    My house smelled sooo good and I was enjoying the smell of chocolate and peanut butter in the air, but I had to ruin it by making burgers for supper.   

I don’t have much to add tonight, but I thought I would share my progress report.