Little Portraits By Me

IT'S JUNE ! Where Are the Fireflies!!

2011-06-10T10:36:00.000-04:00

It's hot out! And humid!! Thank goodness for air conditioning!! The vegetables are growing well and we've enjoyed 2 days of our own lettuce! Very satisfying!!
I've actually been working on art, mainly Griffins portrait, but also a drawing I originally started in pencil and now am trying in charcoal.
I'm beginning to work on a outline for drawing classes I'd like to start teaching here, at home. One will be the basic foundation that, I really believe, EVERY artist should know in order to succeed in whatever direction they go as artists. The other will be portraiture, in pencil/charcoal for now. These are my strengths and with art funding once again going out the window in the school systems, maybe I can help a creative child and their family continue to create.
I think I have some "not very good" photos of the works in progress to post. I'll let you know if we see any fireflies!!
I also promise to keep working on better photos,too! The paper is actually white.

The Child Is Alive!!

2011-04-27T12:02:00.000-04:00

You have to look VERY closely at the pots to understand this. I planted a variety of lettuce, onions, green beans and zuchinni yesterday and today in these pots and egg cartons. So whats the big deal? I've been running out every few minutes since I planted them to see if anything has started to come up!!!
Now, the point is....the me who pays the bills, worries about feeding us, keeping the house, and all those other responsible grown up type things would never do this. But, here I am, looking for miracles, instant plants, just like a child would do!! This is the me I'm bringing out from behind the walls, from under the bed, or wherever else she's been hiding. THE ARTIST!!
There is hope!! :)

Green

2011-04-18T13:30:00.000-04:00

Primrose Lilac

Drawing the Ivy growing out back.

Ferns add a surreal beauty to flowers.

I can't get over all the different greens outside. Everytime I look there's more: deeper, brighter, more blues, more yellows. I was SO hungry for Spring and she's finally arrived. Hope everyone has time to enjoy....put the cell phone away and really LOOK!!

Fairie chair

Tulips and Ferns may be my favorite combination.

Snowman in Spring

2011-04-09T11:20:00.000-04:00

Well, here he is!! I'm so happy I've finally finished SOMETHING!! He is made of paperclay over styrofoam balls. Even the berries in the greens were made of paperclay. I have a doll I shall work on next. She's a tad frightening right now...teeheeee!
I've started selling Avon, again, just to bring in a little extra cash. The unemployement just isn't enough and yet, unless I find a job that I truely love I'm not working for anyone again!! There is no such thing as job security, that I see all around me. And I have a pissy attitude about anything "corporate". I feel that if we all stopped working for people who take everything we have to give, including our joy, and then toss us, maybe they'd see that without us they wouldn't exist!! Okay, I'll step down off the box now. But, since I have gotten involved on the computer, blogging, FB, and just browsing, I am constantly amazed at all the talent out in our world. And these people are living at home, raising children, helping animals, AND selling their work. And they're HAPPY!!! Bravo to all of you!! There definitely is a better and happier way to live and I'm now striving for that balance in my life. I hope you all have it in yours! I really do!

Snowman in Spring

2011-04-09T11:06:00.000-04:00

Snowman

2011-03-31T15:54:00.002-04:00

My little snowman is coming along, just need to glue berries, sew hat and cut greens and then go at it with the glitter and mica flakes. I will add photos shortley!!

2011-02-24T17:31:00.003-05:00

Happy Birthday to my first love and ongoing crush, George Harrison. You will be forever remembered.

Little Portraits By Me

2011-02-23T16:38:00.000-05:00

Little Portraits By Me

2011-02-23T16:24:00.002-05:00

Today I rejoined the Berks Art Alliance. I now longer need to worry about getting Thursdays off, so I can now focus on the creative muses I need around me. I have a doll in the making and am now a member of Cloth and Clay.ning. The organizer of this group has put together a doll selling site as well called Doll Town and they will have their grand opening on February 27th at 7:00 p.m., so you can check out the amazingly creative folk on these sites.
I am ready for Spring, but I know mother nature knows what she's doing. I am looking forard to watching my Spring movies: Twister, Fairy Tale, Practical Magic, and The Good Witchs Garden!!!
I found this pen and ink I drew a while back and really like the mood, so I thought I'd share.

Ramblings...

2011-01-16T00:21:00.004-05:00

Jeni and I are working on sorting and organizing the basement. This will make our lives so much easier when we both get crazy busy again. It's amazing how many empty boxes we had that just needed to be cut up and put out!
I brought up the 2 boxes of my parents stuff my brothers sent me after Dad died. It's so strange going through the stuff, I can't describe it. I hadn't seen them in SO long. They saved the weirdest things...but I am so glad the pocket watch was in there. I remember loving it as a child and hoping that someday it would come to me. I just loved the engraving on the back.......hmmmm. One good thing is that there are some names of relatives that were in Holland and hopefully I'll be able to do some family research. I didn't have much to go on because we were the first to come from Holland to America in 1957. I remember a few things but not much and they never talked about it.
I am working on a doll, just found my acrylic paints to paint the snowman with and am anxious about getting to it, which is a good creative sign.
The fact that I no longer have a job is beginning to sink in and I have moments of sheer panic! I try to get myself busy or out the door at those times. I know we'll be fine, but having worked since the age of 13 with brief moments of unemployment, it's a tad rattling.
Okay. I rambled enough!

Again!!!

2011-01-09T13:05:00.005-05:00

I've done this how many times? But, I've been laid off work and I'm in a bit of shock! But, there's also the happy me that , hopefully, now, will get a chance to play!
I still want to do portraits, but I've taken the pressure of myself. I was making myself sick forcing it. I ended up ripping the portrait of Jackson Rathbone to shreds and wondering what the hell is wrong with me!! So I did nothing. My job became more and more stress filled, I wasn't enjoying ANYTHING!
Then I found out my thyroid had gone hyper, again, and realized that was part of the problem and little by little I started pulling myself together (with the help of Doctors and medications).
So, here I sit, I lost my job last Thursday due to downsizing. This was after we were told the store was closing in December and two weeks later being told we were staying open.......nuts, hu?
I have been sending for more Stampington Press magazines: Artful Blogger, Where Women Create, Prims, Digital Studio and for my daughter, STUFFED!! These arent just magazines they're pages of color and dreams come true and happy!! All things I need very badly. These people play!! They raise thier children and create, many from home, and I can't get enough!! It's as if I'm meeting myself on each page!!
So, I've started playing with paperclay...A little snowman is in the making, I've joined a group of doll makers at Cloth and Clay Dolls, and I'm having fun. And from there, who knows!!! Hopefully I'll start keeping up with this blog, too!! It really is one of my dreams to share and create here, too!
The little snowman is ready to be painted now. He's designed by Nancy Malay and you can find him plus instructions in the 2010 Holiday Crafts magazine. LOVE IT!! So Much fun!!

2010-01-21T01:51:00.002-05:00

In putting this blog together, one of the things I want to do is show how I've always done portraits. But when I try to put down in words what I've learned and how I start drawing portraits I get lost. I never learned the drawing of the oval with the lines to show where the eyes, ears ,mouth and hairline go. I never learned any of that until much later in life. I just drew! Usually starting an eye, then working in the outline of the face as I laid in the nose and mouth.
I will try to show this from the beginning, once I figure out how. Once I start a portrait I go right brained in a big way, and I usually dont remember much.....the portrait just "becomes". I hope you will come to understand this as you follow me on this adventure.
Since I know about the ovals and the grids, etc. a little more now I will attempt to use them, too. But please remember, I'm learning , too, and you will find your own way to draw portraits. I'm just one of many teachers out there.

2010-01-20T22:06:00.004-05:00

I decided to post both portraits. When I photographed Griffins portrait it turned out blueish! It's actually black on white drawing paper. The portrait of Jackson Rathbone is on a tannish grey pastel paper. Both of these are in progress. The mouths are causing me grief. But I will work with them and post as I make progress on each.
Because Griffin is a African American baby, he really is a challenge! I have not done either before and I want to capture the realessence of this very special little boy!
I will post soon!

Griffin and Jackson Rathbone Portraits

2010-01-20T21:54:00.003-05:00

I Am Waiting, I Am Waiting, Oh Yeah, Oh Yeah!

2010-01-05T00:36:00.002-05:00

Two days of cloudy, windy and I havent been able to photograph my portraits outside. Tommorow looks about the same but I havent given up!!

It's Been A Long,Long Time.....

2010-01-02T09:31:00.003-05:00

Happy New YEAR!!
One of my resolutions is to start using this blog to show my journey as an artist. Drawing portraits, learning to use color, all the things I never had formal training for. Since this is a new year beginning, I begin. I plan to show my work in all stages, knowing that how I work may not be the way someone else does. I learned on my own, because I loved a Beatle named George and for some reason the only way this adolecent girl had to express that love was through a portrait.
And that started this journey....with many stops off the main road, it has NEVER been my intention to be anything else. I have done many other creative things along the way, all important to my growth and where I was in my life. The saying "If you're given lemons, make lemonade." comes to mind. These will come up as I create and share here. If I can help one other struggling artist, or inspire someone to do something they've always wanted to do but didn't feel they could, or should, for WHATEVER reason, well, I believe that's what it's all about.
I have 2 portraits in various stages that I am going to attempt to photograph today and get up onto the blog. But it's very windy out....let you know!! :>

Testing 1,2,3,4....

2010-01-01T15:17:00.000-05:00

I'm checking to see if this goes to the right blog.....

I'm on a Roll...

2008-12-06T14:53:00.011-05:00

....and since I wasn't finished with the post I just did, I will continue on a new post. Still learning!
At the store we had our second Author signing. I'm happy to say that I had a bit to do with it, although if the whacky lovables hadn't been there to put me together when I got overwhelmed, the signings wouldn't have happened. We had Carol Haile who writes, illustrates (and also does beautiful calligraphy) childrens books. It's the second time she's been with us and she's great with the kids as well as customers who thinks she works there!
We had a poetry author, a satyrical Sci-Fi author, a historical fiction writer, a self help author and a adult fiction writer. All these folks are local to the BerksCounty area.I hope we'll be able to do more signings and events in 2009.

One last little something....This is Sebastian Bear. Many years ago when my girls and I were struggling for survival I wanted a home and life like Tasha Tudor, and the folks in Country Living Magazine. Believe me the dreams kept me going when we were close to being in the streets. I had seen a teddy bear standing on a hearth of someones home on the cover of a winter issue of Country Living. I ached for that teddy bear...jointed and antigue, all the stories bundled inside this wonderful little bear.
I needed an operation and wasnt able to work for some time and I decided I would make this teddy bear, somehow! And using the coats my little girls could no longer wear and odds and ends from around the house.....I created Sebastian. And because he was made from these coats that my girls wore in all kinds of adventures he is VERY special and I love him. And he's jointed, too!
All I need now is the hearth....ahhh, another dream that WILL come true.
And now, Sebastian is posing for my art work, too. He loves Christmas!
I just noticed he's up there with the authors and he should be down here!!!! Another Adventure in Blogging begins! Ta, for now! Oh, that reminds me....the sweater Sebastian is wearing was done by Griffins mom, Heather, when she was starting out with knitting and here she is knitting Pirate sweaters for her own little man! How awesome is that! Bye again :D

December Already???!!!

2008-12-06T14:30:00.005-05:00

Well, okay, what to write today! I'm into Christmas this year moreso than I have been for a while. Maybe the fact that there's a grandson to shop for.......that we are in our own home and some bloomin landlord can't decide to sell the property, raise the rent for whatever pathetic reason they come up with, decide to put new windows in only to change their minds after they've torn out your bathroom window and used our towels to clean up with.....multiply that by MANY years of renting hell and you get my drift? Peace!
So, here are some new Griffinbabyboy photos for your viewing pleasure ( I can hear you, Lupie, saying "Well, it's about time!!).

2008-11-04T00:11:00.005-05:00

This is Maggie, although she came to us two nights ago with the name CC. She is a 3 or 4 year old Pomeranian. She's as cute as a button! This was totally not planned and I must admit I'm not to comfortable about her,yet. We already have Oliver the cat, 2 birds and a fish. Plus Heather and Lees dog, Cassidy. And a new baby........which I've heard makes small dogs rather nervous.
But, I'll be optomistic...I DO want a dog, she's just so fragile! Gotta give it a chance, right?
I will be more than happy to hear advice from anyone familiar with Poms, so please jump right in, okay??!! Please!!!
I wrote a Halloween poem and I'll post it later......Hope everyone had a deliciously spooky Halloween!!

Welcome To My Life, Griffin!

2008-10-27T13:24:00.008-04:00

I am a Grandmother! He was born two Saturdays ago ( as some of my Ravelry friends found out rather abruptly in one of their posts!)
I spent the weekend with them and it's amazing how things come back to you when you hold a little one in your arms. It all feels so right. Heather and Lee are so proud and , I'm sure , relieved. They've waited so long for everything to come together and then BOOM! Within a week, there he is!
So I will post some pictures. Believe me there are MANY to choose from. I'll probably add other things later but I know a few folks who have been waiting.....Here you are my friends.....Griffin.

Birthdays and Babies and Critters, OH MY.....

2008-10-09T17:24:00.014-04:00

Well,here we are in October.....Halloween, and harvest festivals and home fires beginning to burn. We have some color in the trees and we've had frost in the area. And then, today, all the windows are open and its warm......Fall.
I've been dragging books from the basement to the attic, they're now in my bedroom, by the attic door. My daughters afraid by the time I get them all up there the roof will cave. It's the only way I can organize them. The attic will eventually be my room, but since we bought the place I just have this need to gather things in one place and deal with them, you know? Either they stay, organized till we get the bookcases built, or they gotta go! So, I'm sticking to it and hope I'm strong enough to get rid of some.
Jeni had her Birthday and we had all the critters join in...we really didn't have much choice as you can see by the pictures! Ms. NannyBNanny really likes Birthday cake and Oliver, the cat, loves wrapping paper! And vanilla ice cream! Sorry, I know there's a bit of blur.
Every year we go to the Heritage Festival where, Heather, my other daughter sells her knitting , felting, jewelry and Jeni has been selling her jewelry, too. This year Heather and Lee found out at the last moment that they were going to meet the birth mother of their soon to be baby boy!
So Jeni and I went ourselves. She bought me the red ware plate and we just enjoyed the afternoon so much! We were hoping to see sheep, alpacas, and spinners but didn't see any. One year they had angora rabbits sleeping in the spinners laps while the fur was being spun. Amazing to watch.
And last, but certainly not least, if any of you are traveling through West Reading and Wyomissing come say "HI" at the Book Warehouse! We're having a fund raising for the PETS IN NEED FUND. It's there to help people who may not be able to afford life saving treatments for their pets have the alternative to loosing their pet due to financial reasons. I believe their first recipient was a rescued dog from Katrina. It's nice to know their is help out there , isn't it?
Well, that's all the babbling for now....started a knitting project, and will post some pictures soon! HAPPY OCTOBER!!

Its The Autumn of theYear

2008-09-23T06:56:00.002-04:00

Happy Autumn, everyone!!
Once again I've been lost in blogland confusion. Seems I have 2 blogs connected to 1 and I lost an entire post yesterday because I goofed and what I posted was in the blog I dont want to use but cant get rid of instead of here! Confusing,hu?
I actually knit an entire skein of yarn into a "sharf". What, you may ask, is a sharf? It's not a scarf and its not a shawl....something inbetween. I decided to practice my knit stitch until I got it right and as I went along I really liked the feel of the yarn and the way it looked. So, when I was finished I was pretty thrilled because I tend to start many projects of all sorts and then burn out!
When I cast off the last row I used my hands to gently pull and straighten the sharf and TWING! The whole row unraveled! And since I havent mastered fixing goofs yet...I frogged (my new word) the whole thing! But I did take a few pictures before all was lost so that my new friends on Ravelry can see that I do knit! Or at least , I try!
So , once again, HAPPY FALL! Go out and crunch the leaves and smell the fireplaces and get inspired by the colors. We humans may mess things up but somehow Mother Nature gets it right!
Till next time I'm posting some photos of my extinct "sharf" and Fall!

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas....

2008-08-13T01:46:00.003-04:00

Okay, I promise if this works it will be the last post today!
I figured since this is an art blog ( well, I DID say that!) maybe I should put in a few pictures of a work in progress...
It was done in pencil originally but once again I'm trying to work in charcoal. I hope to have this become a Christmas card. Course, at the speed I'm going it wont be THIS Christmas!
Talk to you next time!

Out Of Africa

2008-08-13T00:32:00.002-04:00

I told you it would be soon!
My Son-In-Law, Lee, just came back from his second trip to Africa and brought us some goodies.
One is this beautiful batik piece. He says it reminds him of the strong women in his life. Isn't that a wonderful thing for him to say? Very intelligent young man!!! Bye the way? I'm the one with her top on!!!lol

Blog 101

2008-08-12T23:35:00.002-04:00

Greetings Blogland!
I can't believe it's been about a month since I started my Blog and haven't posted! I went into bloggy-shock, I believe. I decided I needed to be educated in "Blog" so I started looking up the word Blog and after a brain swelling amount of information came across a magazine called Artful
Blogging (http://www.stampington.com/) through Somerset Studio. After browsing online I sent for 2 of their earlier issues.
I am in love!! What amazing people are creating out there! People with fears and passion and homes and families who are finding ways to create art! I am so hooked on this publication, I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to reach out there but, like me, is afraid of failure, or rejection. Or, if you just need inspiration, believe me when I say "You WILL be inspired!"
Let me know what you think, okay?
More soon!

portrait of lucie de la falaise

2008-07-14T18:57:00.000-04:00

portrait of lucie de la falaise

2008-07-14T18:43:00.001-04:00

I just lost a post somewhere! So, I'm trying again!
This is my first charcoal portrait. It was scarey to do because I'm used to pencil and I was afraid if I goofed Big time I'd loose all that work. I really need to lighten up!

and so it begins....

2008-07-14T09:30:00.000-04:00

Wow, I've done it! Started a Blog! Now I just need to figure it all out!
This will be the place where I babble, and show my creations as I create them.....it's nice because I really get shy and all stupid when it comes to actually Showing them. I feel safer this way.
My creations will consist of Portraits in black and white. This can be anything from charcoal, pencil, photography and once I get color educated, that too! Then there are black and white sketches of special friends and loves in my life.....a lot will have to do with Halloween and Christmas. And I may put some poetry in, too, since I hope to create cards and books, too.
then there will be the Crafty items I want to play with....knitting, dolls, maybe jewelry....we"ll see.
So this space will be a creation in progress and I'm 100% sure I'll do some major screwups so be gentle when you respond, okay?
Later...