My IPod…

EDM #97 Draw a present you have received. Why is it special?

Graphite and ink on sketch

David bought this for me a couple of years ago for Christmas and it is still a very special gift. I always keep my IPod in my purse and whenever I’m bored or stuck in the car traveling I am able to pull out this little piece of technology and I’m instantly entertained. I guess I’m like a three-year old in that aspect and I always have to have something to do in a car or I will get really cranky. Cars make me claustrophobic after a while and I have to take my mind off of being in a metal box rolling at high speed. I have lots of music, movies, games, books and a few photos that keeps me perfectly content for hours so it’s the coolest thing ever, except maybe the ITouch….

Gypsy…

Gypsy

Graphite on Bristol Smooth

I sent my cousin an email asking her if she would like to see her picture now or let it be a surprise. She replied, “NOW!” So I sent it, she loved it and put it on her Facebook wall. I am so relieved and since she has seen the picture…I can post it!

The picture she sent me was so cute and the dog is adorable, but I laughed the whole time I was drawing him! I don’t know what Gypsy was looking at when his picture was taken, but he was cross eyed as could be. So Thanks for the Laughs Gypsy!

It’s Friday…

Zentangle 7-30-2009

Pigma Micron and graphite in derwent small journal

This is another Zentangle that I threw together while watching TV. It’s a little odd looking but who cares:)

Nothing goin’ on this week really, except for cleaning out somethings. I did go to the library and checked out a few books on Acrylic painting and one on abstract landscapes that I am really excited to dive into. But we’ll see. Abstract is on my “Art Bucket List” so I will atleast have to try it again (the right way) instead of this way and this way.

We are picking Alana up Sunday, and I’m pretty excited. I miss the little thing terribly! My Grandma use to tell me that the reason I had her was to have somebody to play with and I’m starting think she knew what she was talking about. I’m sure she had a great time. We will have Somer next week, so I don’t know how much time I have for art, but it will be a good time none the less.

Have a great weekend!

No Art Just News….

For the last couple of days I have been cleaning out closets and such, and by the time I am able to sit down and draw I’m too tired…. But I do have a couple of things to share.

My nephew Richie has had some local fame this week when a reporter was gushing over his “mad skills” on the skateboard and was put in Sunday’s paper. He’s the one on the left about 10 feet in the air. The boy has no fear what so ever and thankfully hasn’t broken anything (knock on veneer).

The other news is that my Everyday Matters drawing group (based on the books by Danny Gregory) has it’s own super blog. I think it’s a pretty neat. Anyone can see art from artists all over collected in one blog. It is definitely worth a look see. Clicking the words in bold above or clicking on my pear badge on the bottom right will take you right to it. Seriously….grab a cup of something, sit in a comfy chair and browse…

A Zen Weekend…

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.

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.

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.

Bug Eyed Baby…

Shasta

Graphite on Bristol Smooth

This little beastie belongs to my mom and little sister. She is a Brindle Boxer and usually their ears stand up, but they opted to get her fixed instead of getting her ears clipped. She is a sweet but hyper dog who has a hard time dealing with the fact that she’s a dog instead of a little girl. Her bark is massive, which makes up for the fact that she’s scared of just about everything including the dark. She loves to chew gum like a person and she will chew and chew until you take it away from her. She has also tried to blow bubbles, but she can’t get her tongue to cooperate. She can open doors and turn on any faucet in the house when she’s thirsty. Sounds really good except she can’t turn the faucet off. She’ll get mad at Gail when she goes out, and fills her bed with garbage from the trash can, now that’s pissed huh?
Drawing her was a challenge. Her eyes are so bugged and more almond shaped than I usually draw for dogs. She’s really dark but I opted to make her lighter and “muddy’ up her appearance so all her little squished features would show up better, which was a wise choice in the end. Doesn’t she look like a Shasta to you?

The Art of Family…

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.

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.

Father’s Day

EDM 20 Draw something “Dad”

Bristol Smooth on Graphite

This is a card for my Dad. He’s not an old timer, but he loves and collects knives. I hope he likes it. I’m not worried about spoiling the surprise because by the time he sees this post he will have already gotten the card. What I like about this card is that if wants, he can tear off the back and frame the front.

Other than that not much drawing goin’ on lately. A lot of the end of the year stuff with Alana having assemblies, preparing for SOLs and exams. The last day of school is tomorrow. Thank Goodness! I’m tired, so I can’t imagine how she feels. She asked me to teach her to draw and paint this summer. My heart leaped with joy that she had been bitten by the art bug. I’m not sure what I have to offer, but I told her I would and she’s really excited. Of course I be posting mini me’s work. I really hope she grows to enjoy drawing as much as I do. If she does she’ll never be bored again. One can only hope!

Mom in Graffiti…

EDM # 67 Draw something Mom

Colored pencil on card stock

“A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.” -Washington Irving

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms! And a special Mother’s Day wish to my mom and Mrs. Ottaway. We Love You!

Carol and David

Pear

Acrylic on 5 x 7 canvas

This is the first and only painting that I’ve done so far with my new acrylic. I know that it’s a little boring, but I was just playing around with mixing colors. I am pretty happy with the way the pear turned out although the background was suppose to be gold but it turned out a little too green and it sort of blends in with the pear. It would have looked better if the background was a burgundy or maybe a burnt umber, but who cares….it was just practice anyway.

I really haven’t drawn or painted anything for a little while because I have been down with a sinus infection that has been pretty brutal, David’s back is out again and Alana is stopped up. So, we have been a pitiful bunch. I have noticed that colds and stuffy noses doesn’t get to kids as much as adults and Alana was able to play soccer like a champ and seemed unfazed that she could only breath through one nostril. She made 3 goals and they won the game. Meanwhile, I was in the stands and the light was hurting by eyes and I was praying that the game would be over soon. Of course, I had to root for my child, so on top of everything else, now I have a sore throat. I just love winter. I am feeling some better so I hope I can get some art therapy in very soon.

Carol Ottaway

Back to the drawing board…

Category: Family