tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6805928852504864352024-03-13T07:03:05.253-05:00Middle Border ArtistBlog about creating drawings based on Midwest scenery using colored pencils, pastels, watercolor and oil pastels. Also just life, the universe and everything.Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03687809918074442656noreply@blogger.comBlogger82125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-680592885250486435.post-64063611214194534752020-03-08T10:30:00.000-05:002020-03-08T10:30:08.699-05:00Wildlife at our new propertyThis property with the pond is an excellent place to observe wild animals. We keep binoculars, a camera and guide books handy in the living room that looks out over the pond. So we are accumulating a collection of photos of the animals around us. However, some animals come out only at dusk so the pictures are not so good and we have seen more when a camera isn't available.<br />
Here are some photos.<br />
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Two otters swimming</div>
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Three male wood ducks</div>
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A beaver swimming</div>
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A flock of geese at sunset</div>
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Canada goose</div>
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Double crested cormorant</div>
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Bald eagle and carrion</div>
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Eastern tiger salamanders</div>
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Female king fisher</div>
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Female wood duck</div>
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A great blue heron</div>
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An immature great blue heron</div>
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Indigo bunting</div>
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Male redstart</div>
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Sandpiper</div>
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Turtle on a rock</div>
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Some animal we have seen but no good photographs:</div>
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Green heron</div>
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Wild turkeys</div>
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gold finch</div>
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warblers</div>
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crows</div>
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deer (we have seen deer signs, </div>
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but didn't actually see any until this winter </div>
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when some ran across a field in the evening)</div>
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woodchuck</div>
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muskrat</div>
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cowbirds</div>
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red tailed hawks</div>
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swallows</div>
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fly catchers</div>
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sparrows</div>
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toads</div>
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leopard frogs</div>
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fox (we and a contractor just got glimpses of her, </div>
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but during the summer heard her and her kits </div>
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calling to each other, foxes sound weird!)</div>
<br />Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03687809918074442656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-680592885250486435.post-19938706515109118262020-03-02T17:35:00.000-06:002020-03-02T17:35:16.733-06:00Settled into our new homeAfter almost two years, we are now settled in. All of 2018 and 2019 was stressful. Getting the house done seemed to take forever! And we were hemorraging money paying off contractors. Then Don decided to save several thousand dollars and do the inside painting ourselves. This was slow and physically demanding. Then Don injured himself and we got some painting help from a couple of my brothers and a friend. Then there was flooring to be done. Upstairs was laminated planks done by professional installers. Downstairs is all tile. The Master bathroom was done by a contractor because of the intricacies of a walk-in shower and tile around the window. For the rest of the house, finding a cheaper contractor wasn't easy. Then my nephew-in-law Brian stepped in to moonlight laying down the tiles. We had four different patterns of tiles (not counting the master bath tiles) in an open-plan layout. Then it was installing kitchen cabinets. We bought Menards' Klear Vue cabinets and assembled them ourselves and intalled laminate kitchen counters.<br />
As soon as the floor was installed upstairs I started to clear out the attic in La Crosse and taking the boxes upstairs. Bit by bit, stuff started to move from one house to another. We had thought moving would be done by January. No, it didn't, the prospective buyer of our old house was very patient and lent us employees to help load U-haul trucks. Don injured himself again while unloading and I spent the month of February taking out old magazines, computer equipment and other odds & ends and disposing of it all. I lost weight taking boxes downstairs, to the outside and loading up the pickup truck to get rid of it all. In May we formally moved in, then I fell and dislocated my left shoulder which also delayed things. We spent the summer going back to La Crosse to get more stuff, especially from the garage. In the end, it was "screw it", the new owner has healthy, young employees to take out unwanted stuff and dispose of it. We closed the sale of the property in August and didn't go back to La Crosse for six months.<br />
Meanwhile I started a garden and had containers of Kale and herbs. But I never did take the bike out and ride the trail. I was just too busy or just tired from being busy. Meanwhile my father died September 2018 and we adopted his cat Rocky. The relations between the new cat and our other cats were strained for awhile. But Rocky showed that while he was old and arthritic, he was bigger and still has his front claws. We came home one day with tufts of yellow fur on the carpet and fewer moves of aggression from the younger cats.<br />
There is still work to be done. The downstairs trim needs to be installed. The deck and sidewalks have to be built, more gravel laid down and the half-bath needs to be tiled and its vanity installed, the upstairs bathroom needs to be tiled; bathtub, sink and toilet installed, and the garage more organized. So much to be done, but I spent some time this winter arranging the upstairs for sewing, rugmaking, studio, computer, library and sitting area and enjoying it! I can't be work, work always. Some things can wait.<br />
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The new house across the pond, facing east</div>
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New garden beds</div>
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High ice</div>
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red sunset</div>
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summer sunset</div>
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planting spring bulbs</div>
<br />Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03687809918074442656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-680592885250486435.post-57017725246312128312017-12-28T18:39:00.000-06:002017-12-28T18:39:54.585-06:00The end of 2017 and more changes in 2018!We did it! After spending most of the summer and fall of 2016 looking for property closer to family and almost buying a place, we got something. Last December Don found an undeveloped property of about 15 acres near Adams, MN. What was attractive about it was the pond on the property. This pond is the remainder of one of three sand pits used in the construction of State Highway 56 in the early 1960s. This one holds the most water. There are no springs and it is fed by a drainage ditch and drains into a drainage ditch. (Most drainage ditches were dug during the 70s).<br />
We put in an offer and it was accepted. The closing took place in March. Then we had to wait all summer until work can begin in the fall. Now the slabs for the house and garage are in with the in ground plumbing, the septic system and temporary electric run to the site. The pole house and garage can't begin until February at the soonest and the well still has to be dug.<br />
The house will face west over the pond with a deck and upper balcony on the second floor were my studio will be. Another nice feature is the Shooting Star Bike trail on the other side of State Highway 56.<br />
I have already did some artwork inspired by this site.<br />
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<br />Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03687809918074442656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-680592885250486435.post-49905609553500548872016-08-26T16:27:00.000-05:002016-08-26T16:27:00.435-05:00Indoor and outdoor workThis summer has been rainy. So I haven't been out bike riding and sketching as much as I should. Earlier this month I got together with some other Plein Air painters downtown La Crosse on a day that was both sunny and not excessively humid. <a href="http://pleinairlacrosse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Plein Air Artist of La Crosse</a><br />
Downtown La Crosse, gouache<br />
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Another fine day I rode my bike to the La Crosse River Marsh and did a gouache painting. I came prepared with insect repellant.<br />
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I did quite a bit of indoor work this year. Earlier I did lots of charcoal drawing, then now I am using Conte crayons.<br />
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<br />Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03687809918074442656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-680592885250486435.post-21560614500730432722016-08-12T11:50:00.000-05:002016-08-12T11:50:31.877-05:00Doing more outdoor work, gouache painting set upDespite the rain this summer, I managed to get some outdoor painting and drawing done. Last year I bought gouache paints and practiced first with them indoors to get a feel for the medium and then developed an outdoor painting kit.<br />
The kit had to be be able to fit in my bicycle baskets along with my stool, drinking water, tripod and other accessories. I went through several ideas, including a covered palette with tube paints squeezed into sections. But there were too many days between painting sessions and the paint would dry out. Gouache is watersoluable and rewettable but rewetted paint just isn't the same. The paint had to be freshly squeezed to be at the consistency I like. A solution is a wet palette made from pencil set tin, sponge cloth and cooking parchment paper. The sponge would be wetted and a precut sheet of parchment paper laid on top with the freshly squeezed paints on that. This has kept the paint soft and workable outdoors.When done the parchment paper is put in my trash bag along with any used paper towels, the sponge squeezed dry and put back and a small spray bottle is used to spray an ammonia mixture on it to inhibit mold growth. Several sheets of precut parchment paper are stored in the tin.<br />
My easel is two boards hinged to together with adjustable hinges and I attached a tripod quick release plate to one of the boards to attach to a tripod.<br />
I spent more money and bought a good tripod. The tripods I had are decades old and either big and heavy or lightweight and flimsy. The tripod I bought is a Mefoto Backpacker.<br />
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Here are some of the paintings done outside this summer:</div>
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<br />Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03687809918074442656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-680592885250486435.post-81852652703211147872015-01-23T09:54:00.000-06:002015-01-23T09:54:23.398-06:00I'm back! change and more changeChange! I finally had knee replacement surgery in 2013. First the left knee in February and the right knee in November. I'm not like new but a great improvement. Then in 2014 UW-L decided to close the Wittich Hall pool and convert the building to offices. Since the only reason I joined was to use the pool, I let my membership laspe. During the summer I tried using the municipal pools. Even the newest one, only a few blocks away from my home was uncomfortable with cold showers, paid lockers that didn't work and only Friday having an Adult swim time during the day. So in October after our trip to Maine and Acadia National Park I joined the YMCA and now back to swimming three times a week.<br />
This year Don retires, he will turn 60 in June but he will be quitting in February. All of those years of saving money and living well within our means is going to pay off.<br />
My parents finally moved out of the house they had built in the 80s and bought a duplex in Lyle. But Mom's health is now worse and she is now in assisted living in Austin. Dad's health took a turn for the worse and after recovery he might join Mom in Austin. Lucky for him my brother Ron always check on him everyday.<br />
For art activities I put away my colored pencils and did almost nothing but oil pastels most of 2014. I set a goal of using just my old cheap OPs and cut down old matboard, priming with homemade grit primer and using photo references from the Reference Image Library at Wet Canvas. I also changed subject matter from landscapes to flowers, still lifes and animals. Because of the iffy nature of my materials these aren't for sale. I haven't done a count of OPs done, but there must be a couple of dozen. Doing a lot of these over a comparatively short time improved my skills and I experimented with colored primer and underpainting.<br />
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<br />Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03687809918074442656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-680592885250486435.post-51957693489417330042013-08-30T11:34:00.000-05:002013-08-30T11:40:42.448-05:00Sketching this summerI did less drawing in the studio than usual this summer. But I did more sketchbook drawing than usual. I started a new sketchbook at the end of June at the Lyle Area Classic Car Show. These are a selected few:<br />
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Downtown La Crosse had their Crazy Days in July. This year at the Gallery La Crosse, some of us artists set up outside to help draw in customers. I had my hooked rugs, none sold. But I did a lot of sketching over three days!</div>
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In August we went to the Iola Military Show in Iola, WI. There was also a display of antique tractors.<br />
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Here is a selection of general interest sketches.<br />
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After only two months I am almost through a hundred-page sketchbook! plus some sketches in the watercolor sketchbook. I should feel proud.</div>
Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03687809918074442656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-680592885250486435.post-44886465140315211182013-04-05T11:00:00.000-05:002013-04-05T11:00:01.885-05:00Some changes in the studioI finally made the changes in the studio that I had been thinking about since December. The big, old CRT TV has been replaced with a wall-mounted flat-screen TV, the big, floor standing stereo speakers have been replaced with smaller shelf speakers and the stereo stand moved to below the TV. With the new TV, I can now use a VGA cable to connect it to the computer. I bought a VGA switch box, a long VGA cable to connect the TV and a short one from the switchbox to the computer. Along with a wireless keyboard and mouse, I can use the TV to view photographs and control the computer from my drawing board. This has allowed me to sketch from photos that I have taken. Drawing from a distance is a different experience than from having a printout right next to the drawing paper.<br />
Winter has been lingering here in the uppper Midwest, I haven't done anything in the backyard except to remove some of the covering from the Tulip tree sapling. Besides the weather, my recovering knee is restricting how much outdoor work I do. I don't want to deal with ice and snow; Don has been doing the sidewalk clearing this winter.<br />
Slowly the leg is getting better, I am back to swimming three times a week again. I park my truck in front for easier access. <br />
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Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03687809918074442656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-680592885250486435.post-87686273965974824142013-02-24T11:02:00.002-06:002013-04-05T10:42:03.814-05:00I'm Back!I am home now from having a Total Knee Replacement for my left knee on February 4. I spent two weeks in a rehab center for physical therapy twice a day, five days a week. I am nowhere near done with PT yet. But now it will be outpatient three times a week. Because I had my left knee done, I can drive myself. Next winter I will have my right knee done. I have now one leg shorter than the other. <br />
Here is one of my projects done before surgery.<br />
This gorgeous hibiscus is in the Buffalo NY, Botanical Gardens greenhouse. Last fall we drove east to see Niagara Falls. <br />
12" x 16", color pencil on white Stonehenge paper.<br />
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Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03687809918074442656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-680592885250486435.post-82928460504211051852012-07-11T20:57:00.000-05:002012-07-11T21:06:07.513-05:00Report on our trip this spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here it is another four months since my last post in April. In April and May we took a trip down to the Gulf Coast. But first we went to Indiana and Ohio. We stopped at the Studebaker Museum in South Bend, IN and The Auburn, Cord, Dusenberg Museum in Auburn, IN. Then we went on to Grimes Field in Urbana, OH were the B-25s were gathered for the fly-in to the Air Force Museum the next day to celebrate the 70th anniveresary of the Doolittle Raid. Don went for a ride in one! A tight fit for him.<br />
At Dayton, OH, we participated some in the celebrations. It was also an opportunity to sketch in the museum.<br />
Here are some of the sketches done so far:<br />
<em> Dusenburg Museum</em><br />
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<em>B 25 at Grimes Field, Urbana, OH</em></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W8IXWB1jIcc/T_3ZYGIg6XI/AAAAAAAAAzI/y-qKYk15D_g/s1600/B25atUrbana.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="207" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W8IXWB1jIcc/T_3ZYGIg6XI/AAAAAAAAAzI/y-qKYk15D_g/s320/B25atUrbana.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em>Air Force Museum, 1918 flight suit</em></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--nSXpg9Aymw/T_3ZaQrA_rI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/BMhwxtxsdu4/s1600/AirForceMuseum_1918flightsuit.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--nSXpg9Aymw/T_3ZaQrA_rI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/BMhwxtxsdu4/s320/AirForceMuseum_1918flightsuit.JPG" width="206" /></a></div>
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<em>Maid in the Shade</em></div>
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<em>Axis Nightmare</em></div>
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Then we drove through Kentucky and Tennesee. First stopping at Berea, KY for shopping and then at Sevierville, TN at the Smokey Mountain Knife works for more shopping. Then we drove through the Great Smokey Mountains National Park over the mountains to Georgia. </div>
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<em>Plein Aire painters in the Smokey Mountains</em></div>
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In Altanta we visited the Atlanta Fine Arts Center on a Thursday night. The night they have a free jazz concert. They had an electric scooter available which made it more comfortable for me. It is a great museum. The main drawbacks were the loud amplified music and the big crowd on the main floor for the concert.</div>
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At Columbus, GA was the Civil War Naval Museum and the Museum of the Infantryman at Fort Benning. Both worth the time to visit. At the Civil War Naval Museum was the added bonus of a car show!<br />
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<em>Car Show</em></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3hG2ZzuZs9k/T_3fA9uvMSI/AAAAAAAAA0w/r-gagg2XAs8/s1600/CivilWarNavalMuseum_carshow3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="173" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3hG2ZzuZs9k/T_3fA9uvMSI/AAAAAAAAA0w/r-gagg2XAs8/s320/CivilWarNavalMuseum_carshow3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em>Remains of the CSS ironclad <strong>Jackson</strong></em></div>
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<em>The Museum of the Infantryman</em></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdQaI6YURRg/T_3f-jTAyAI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/6G28k47-HS0/s1600/Infantrymuseum_WWIIerabuildings.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="196" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZdQaI6YURRg/T_3f-jTAyAI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/6G28k47-HS0/s320/Infantrymuseum_WWIIerabuildings.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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At Pensacola, FL is the Naval Air Museum. Another very interesting place. I got a chance to do some sketching here also.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mJcU-sKZnM8/T_3Zg-qlY-I/AAAAAAAAAzY/EkJzuRd_zCw/s1600/NavalAviation_helicopter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="234" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mJcU-sKZnM8/T_3Zg-qlY-I/AAAAAAAAAzY/EkJzuRd_zCw/s320/NavalAviation_helicopter.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Driving west brought us to Mobile, AL and the Battleship Alabama museum. There was also a display of aircraft, the USS submarine Drum and various tanks.</div>
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While Don went all up and down the ship, I stayed on deck and sketched.</div>
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We decided to bypass New Orleans on this trip and crossed the Mississipi River at Baton Rouge. I-10 was mostly a causeway over rivers and bayous. We stayed overnight near Lafayette, LA and ate at the Blue Dog Cafe: good food.<br />
Our destination was Houston, TX. We went to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Where they had an annoying photo taking rules, some of the permanent collection could be photographed but not others. And their security staff was unfriendly and intrusive. (trying to enforce those lousy phototaking rules!)<br />
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<em>The same subject done in terracotta and marble</em></div>
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<em> Houston skyline</em></div>
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<em>Courbet landscape at the Fine Arts Museum</em></div>
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The next day we visited the Menlil collection. We had wanted to see the Byzantine Chapel but that had been returned to Cyprus. Since this was a private collection, no photos were permitted, but I was allowed to sketch. The collection started out with a nice selection of Paleolithic art, ancient and medieval art and African art. Then they started to collect "contemporary art" which sucks! Most of it is dull and meaningless. And not worth your time to look at.</div>
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<em>A sketch of a Roman statuette of a bronze bull</em></div>
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The principle reason to come to Houston was the Battleship Texas. It is the only remaining Dreadnought style battleship. It is docked next to a pleasant park.</div>
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On the way back east we stopped in Beaumont, TX and toured the Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua. The church was restored only a few years ago and it is beautiful!<br />
We took lots of photos of the stained glass, the mosaics and paintings.<br />
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We crossed back over the Mississipi River at Baton Rouge again and drove north to Vicksburg and drove through the batttlefield park and toured the museum at the hull of the USS ironclad gunboat <em>Cairo.</em> A conversation with my mother reminded me that a great-great uncle of mine (a Bendickson) died at Vicksburg. From Vicksburg we drove north through the Mississipi Delta. This is very flat land and went through some thunderstorms to Memphis, TN. After Memphis, we spent all day driving through Missouri and Iowa back to La Crosse. The most direct route took us off four-lane highways and onto two-lane state roads.<br />
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<em>A couple of the many memorials at the Vicksburg Battlefield Park</em></div>
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<em>The hull of the USS Cairo</em></div>
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Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03687809918074442656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-680592885250486435.post-41741376875419699642012-04-13T10:33:00.004-05:002012-04-13T11:36:07.170-05:00Spring! Where did the winter go?After four months I am finally catching up with this blog. It had been a mild winter. Which is good since we put in a new tree last fall to replace the rock elm that was taken out the year before. This little sapling is a tulip poplar and the city forester warned us that the very young trees are very vulnerable to winter. But Don still insisted on getting one from the Arbor Day Foundation<br /><br /><br /><div>The early warm spell has me planting greens, radishes, onion seeds and carrots. Though there was a heavy frost last Wednesday night. I covered up the garden bed as a precaution.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Monday, for her eighty-first birthday, my mother went into surgery to remove a bowel obstruction. Fortunately it doesn't look cancerous. But at her advanced age there can be complications, so she still is in the hospital.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Here are some of the drawings I have done.</div><br /><br /><br /><div><em>Pasture Codgers,</em> tinted charcoal on charcoal paper, I just had to use both of these trees; they reminded me of two old guys arguing with each other!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z7QMhuOgq3U/T4hKou8XiII/AAAAAAAAAwU/mAdmN_QCMbk/s1600/pasturecodgers_cropped%2526adjusted_reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 279px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730912589485410434" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z7QMhuOgq3U/T4hKou8XiII/AAAAAAAAAwU/mAdmN_QCMbk/s400/pasturecodgers_cropped%2526adjusted_reduced.JPG" /></a><br />I did some drawings in conte crayon this winter. I found it was easier to convert the original photo to gray scale first. The conte color range is black, sepia, bistre, sanguine, light gray and white. Most of the landscapes where taken at the height of summer when all was green, and that was too distracting.</div><br /><br /><br /><div><em>Disintegrating House</em> </div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2npBAcbyxy0/T4hLE6KVX7I/AAAAAAAAAwg/exZMQNDh2BA/s1600/disintegratingHouse_cropped%2526adjusted_reduces.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 294px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730913073533116338" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2npBAcbyxy0/T4hLE6KVX7I/AAAAAAAAAwg/exZMQNDh2BA/s400/disintegratingHouse_cropped%2526adjusted_reduces.JPG" /></a></div><em>Big Old Barn </em><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aRzxE6Yl9ws/T4hMrL7ZDEI/AAAAAAAAAxE/GpUE9bYxqHQ/s1600/bigoldbarn_cropped_reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 309px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730914830648937538" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aRzxE6Yl9ws/T4hMrL7ZDEI/AAAAAAAAAxE/GpUE9bYxqHQ/s400/bigoldbarn_cropped_reduced.JPG" /></a></div><em>Pasture,</em> on tan charcoal paper<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JE8O04x0UXc/T4hNPfg8HdI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/LPtYahfyQlU/s1600/pasture_cropped_reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 306px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730915454381989330" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JE8O04x0UXc/T4hNPfg8HdI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/LPtYahfyQlU/s400/pasture_cropped_reduced.JPG" /></a><br /><em>Stone Head,</em> on light pink charcoal paper, compare this with the drawing above; same colors but different background paper. That make a big difference in the look. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F2JjtPgEUv0/T4hNygoCVgI/AAAAAAAAAxc/TsaCNv2oJps/s1600/stonehead_cropped_reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 353px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730916055975613954" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F2JjtPgEUv0/T4hNygoCVgI/AAAAAAAAAxc/TsaCNv2oJps/s400/stonehead_cropped_reduced.JPG" /></a><br /><em>Madonna Statue,</em> Black & white conte on dark gray paper.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F0MzFNzJXkw/T4hLsYHbdyI/AAAAAAAAAws/XfCWiOIVF9M/s1600/madonnastatue.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 326px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730913751588894498" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F0MzFNzJXkw/T4hLsYHbdyI/AAAAAAAAAws/XfCWiOIVF9M/s400/madonnastatue.JPG" /></a><br /><em>Oliver 55,</em> on medium gray paper. Yes, Oliver tractors are green! and that is an overturned white jug on the exhaust stack.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E3GbpluxOE8/T4hMHp3hu_I/AAAAAAAAAw4/WWnJYr04JXM/s1600/Oliver1515.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 302px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730914220210502642" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E3GbpluxOE8/T4hMHp3hu_I/AAAAAAAAAw4/WWnJYr04JXM/s400/Oliver1515.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Here is a drawing that combine two of my interests: cats and leaves. The original had a gray and white cat that didn't show up that well against the background. So I used photos I had taken of Lou as a stand in for color and markings.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bu-qIpW9Bak/T4hQp3Ok7-I/AAAAAAAAAxo/sRKKRfKiP8s/s1600/Creekside_inprogress1_cropped%2526reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 375px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730919205958905826" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bu-qIpW9Bak/T4hQp3Ok7-I/AAAAAAAAAxo/sRKKRfKiP8s/s400/Creekside_inprogress1_cropped%2526reduced.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em>Creekside,</em> 11.8 inches by 18 inches, colored pencil on gray Canson Mi-Tients paper. This drawing is entered in the Colored Pencil Society of America contest this year.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EPOWT_lIn7s/T4hRPNqoyLI/AAAAAAAAAx0/vbv22bpPBQw/s1600/creekside_reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 264px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730919847637338290" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EPOWT_lIn7s/T4hRPNqoyLI/AAAAAAAAAx0/vbv22bpPBQw/s400/creekside_reduced.JPG" /></a><br />Lou has been further inspiration. One day I looked up from my computer and saw Lou napping in the hallway. I did a quick sketch and then since he wasn't moving, I took some photographs.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GVaLjTB3MBc/T4hSkUqvfRI/AAAAAAAAAyM/bEbPZ97EtoY/s1600/Lounapping_reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 308px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730921309805706514" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GVaLjTB3MBc/T4hSkUqvfRI/AAAAAAAAAyM/bEbPZ97EtoY/s400/Lounapping_reduced.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><em>Lou's Afternoon Nap,</em> In progress, 11.5" x 16", colored pencil on Eggshell Canson Mi-Tients paper. For compositional purposes, Lou was flipped so he was facing the center.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P6w700UPLLk/T4hR_b9jBbI/AAAAAAAAAyA/FxFV6WPO1Wk/s1600/afternoonnap_inprogress_reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 282px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5730920676108469682" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P6w700UPLLk/T4hR_b9jBbI/AAAAAAAAAyA/FxFV6WPO1Wk/s400/afternoonnap_inprogress_reduced.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7OGSAvPmXt0/T4hJm-XbrAI/AAAAAAAAAwI/VIjaO6qvg3w/s1600/pasturecodgers_cropped%2526adjusted_reduced.JPG"></a>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03687809918074442656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-680592885250486435.post-10780480687510890672012-01-16T13:21:00.007-06:002012-01-16T13:28:39.393-06:00Cat sketchesThe new cats hang out with me in the studio, when they aren't playing with each other they curl up in their special places nearby and nap.<br />This has inspired me to get out my old sketchbook and pencil case and keep them handy. Here are some of my better efforts done on Blick 80# sulphite drawing paper, 9" x 12" with soft sketching pencils or a soft charcoal pencil with some blending done with a tortillion.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ev7osnWWzsU/TxR53twjQDI/AAAAAAAAAv8/5t56s8lPU00/s1600/Millie%2526Lou1.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698313426613518386" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ev7osnWWzsU/TxR53twjQDI/AAAAAAAAAv8/5t56s8lPU00/s400/Millie%2526Lou1.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SbQra1QAks4/TxR5qTzGtdI/AAAAAAAAAvM/BtyrLsG1gNQ/s1600/Lou1.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 277px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698313196306609618" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SbQra1QAks4/TxR5qTzGtdI/AAAAAAAAAvM/BtyrLsG1gNQ/s400/Lou1.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l4u5A1q5L44/TxR51G1DH6I/AAAAAAAAAvw/iT7p2jL8hec/s1600/Millie1.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 310px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698313381803663266" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l4u5A1q5L44/TxR51G1DH6I/AAAAAAAAAvw/iT7p2jL8hec/s400/Millie1.JPG" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1XSJkv6SHHM/TxR5x4QsvJI/AAAAAAAAAvk/ILyQE0XCUt8/s1600/Lou3.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698313326353497234" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1XSJkv6SHHM/TxR5x4QsvJI/AAAAAAAAAvk/ILyQE0XCUt8/s400/Lou3.JPG" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HiQj4SrsVQI/TxR5tmC0qhI/AAAAAAAAAvY/zp_O1lmmbkI/s1600/Lou2.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698313252743981586" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HiQj4SrsVQI/TxR5tmC0qhI/AAAAAAAAAvY/zp_O1lmmbkI/s400/Lou2.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03687809918074442656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-680592885250486435.post-27043639263368921222012-01-12T15:46:00.006-06:002012-01-12T16:06:20.736-06:00The New Year!First snow of 2012 today! It has been a warm and dry spell for December and January. Then today it snowed about 2 inches. This meant going out and shoveling sidewalks. Luckily the restaurant next door had the front sidewalk cleared this morning so this afternoon I only had to shovel off the extra inch or so that had accumulated. The wind had drifted the snow some and was deeper in some parts.<br />I finally finished the Red Oak Leaf & Others colored pencil drawing. This took a long time. There were times when I had to stopped and do another drawing instead, or else I would end up rushing and doing a less than satisfactory job.<br /><br /><div></div><br /><em>Red Oak Lead & Others,</em> colored pencil on white colorfix paper, 12" x 18"<br /><br /><div><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 261px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696866059053383682" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MOAlE4rbUnY/Tw9Vf1bbQAI/AAAAAAAAAu0/a1UyrFAoSB0/s400/RedOakLeaf_cropped%2526adjusted.JPG" /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>These are some of the other drawings I did as relief from the Red Oak Leaf drawing:</div><br /><div><em>Winter Evening,</em> Oil pastel, 18" x 24"</div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-exPxyB-QQdE/Tw9VZT7XEsI/AAAAAAAAAuo/hoRLNk6D8u0/s1600/winterevening_cropped.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 284px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696865946981307074" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-exPxyB-QQdE/Tw9VZT7XEsI/AAAAAAAAAuo/hoRLNk6D8u0/s400/winterevening_cropped.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Old Dairy Barn, 18" x 12", Derwent tinted charcoal on homemade grit paper<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z2ZU1ZMbf8Q/Tw9VJ-jc2zI/AAAAAAAAAuc/yTeraX64roo/s1600/pinkbarn_cropped_reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 258px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696865683545840434" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z2ZU1ZMbf8Q/Tw9VJ-jc2zI/AAAAAAAAAuc/yTeraX64roo/s400/pinkbarn_cropped_reduced.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><em>Tree Line,</em> 18" x 24", Oil pastel on Stonehenge ice blue paper covered with clear Golden pastel ground.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VuroFozdgj8/Tw9VFsyabzI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/ocoxSljZfiA/s1600/Treeline_cropped%2526adjusted_reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 298px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696865610057281330" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VuroFozdgj8/Tw9VFsyabzI/AAAAAAAAAuQ/ocoxSljZfiA/s400/Treeline_cropped%2526adjusted_reduced.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>A drawing did as soon as I finished that Leaf drawing. Wanted to change pace, so this drawing of a horse was done in Conte crayons on blue Strathmore charcoal paper.</div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oypSsi31VoI/Tw9WvXRcsdI/AAAAAAAAAvA/ePBmek9Xr6s/s1600/BayArabianHorse.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 330px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5696867425348006354" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oypSsi31VoI/Tw9WvXRcsdI/AAAAAAAAAvA/ePBmek9Xr6s/s400/BayArabianHorse.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div></div></div>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03687809918074442656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-680592885250486435.post-67362145290217175522011-12-09T11:22:00.012-06:002011-12-09T12:38:35.114-06:00New kitties! and update on drawings donePreviously I wrote about the death of our Thunder cat. It was sad but it created an opportunity for a new home for other cats. The day after we got back, Don check the classified ads online and found two cats needing a home just down the street. A young couple just had a baby and realized they couldn't afford a baby and two cats. She wanted them adopted together, the male cat was very shy and adjusted very poorly to change; having his companion would help him. The problem was that potential adopters wanted the personable young female and rejected the shy male. We wanted two cats that got along together and understand the need for patience in having a cat adjust to a new home.<br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div>Along with the cats we got two large ceramic food bowls, cat food, cat litter, a carrier and a cat toy. The cats had been neutered, the male was declawed, and current on their shots. As soon as they were released from their carriers, they went and hid in separate areas of the house. After only a few hours the young gray & white female, Lily, came out and made friends with me. It was days when the yellow & white male, Louie, was seen. We knew he moved about the house while we where sleeping. After 3 days of not seeing him, we had to take action in getting Louie to accept us. I bought a kennel, set it up in the studio with a litter pan, food and water. I also set in a sleeping shelf. Then we cornered Louie in the bedroom and nabbed him. He hated that and struggled. I still bear the marks. Into the kennel he went. I spend most of my day in the studio. He became accustomed to me and let me pet him through the cage. Eventually I would let him out in just the studio and put him back in when I left the room. After about three days of this he was comfortable with me, though not with Don. </div><br /><div>The kennel saw further use when the female cat was declawed and she was kept in there to restrict movement while convalescing. </div><br /><div>We decided the names Louie and Lily sounded too much alike so Lily became Millie and Louie was shortened to Lou. Though sometimes I call him Louper (Lou + leaper) since in playing chase the string he would take great leaps into the air or Lanky Lou since he had proportionaly longer legs and tail than Millie. Lou, once he trusted, is an affectionate, cuddly cat.</div><br /><div>I could on further about these cats, maybe in another post!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IVvHh2lAe50/TuJLWNdzmdI/AAAAAAAAAs8/jKUv_bta2YI/s1600/Lou%2526Millieonsofa1.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 384px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684188524638869970" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IVvHh2lAe50/TuJLWNdzmdI/AAAAAAAAAs8/jKUv_bta2YI/s400/Lou%2526Millieonsofa1.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>I did two more oil pastels after coming home. Then it was time to put them away and do leaf drawings in colored pencil.</div><br /><div><em>Marsh in Flood,</em> 18" x 24", oil pastel</div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XP0PEQhEt2A/TuJMRGsH9QI/AAAAAAAAAtI/SyZFhPwbu8I/s1600/marshinflood_cropped_reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 307px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684189536432157954" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XP0PEQhEt2A/TuJMRGsH9QI/AAAAAAAAAtI/SyZFhPwbu8I/s400/marshinflood_cropped_reduced.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><em>Floating Leaf,</em> 16" x 20", oil pastel</div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jvO5mYY5PEg/TuJMWD0a3aI/AAAAAAAAAtU/rnqeCClpTDk/s1600/floatingleave_cropped_reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 314px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684189621560991138" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jvO5mYY5PEg/TuJMWD0a3aI/AAAAAAAAAtU/rnqeCClpTDk/s400/floatingleave_cropped_reduced.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><em>Maple Leaves on Pebbled Concrete,</em> 7" x 10.5", colored pencil on gray paper </div><br /><div>This drawing is an entry in the Prismacolor colored pencil contest, please go to </div><br /><div><a href="http://apps.facebook.com/contestshq/contests/172075/voteable_entries/37924549?ref=nf">http://apps.facebook.com/contestshq/contests/172075/voteable_entries/37924549?ref=nf</a></div><br /><div>and vote!</div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MOuGzeBoGYc/TuJM-Htg6hI/AAAAAAAAAtg/-Aewj2JDQMw/s1600/mapleleavesonpebbledconcrete_cropped%2526reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 259px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684190309800536594" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MOuGzeBoGYc/TuJM-Htg6hI/AAAAAAAAAtg/-Aewj2JDQMw/s400/mapleleavesonpebbledconcrete_cropped%2526reduced.JPG" /></a></div><br /><br /><div><em>Backlit Oak Leaf,</em> 7" x 10.5", colored pencil on gray paper </div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QsWVxQgXzIE/TuJNEF0oIwI/AAAAAAAAAts/_or5Y4FH9Ao/s1600/backlitoakleaf_cropped_reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 260px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684190412372714242" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QsWVxQgXzIE/TuJNEF0oIwI/AAAAAAAAAts/_or5Y4FH9Ao/s400/backlitoakleaf_cropped_reduced.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>In progress, <em>Red Oak Leaf,</em> 12" x 18", colored pencil on grit primed paper. </div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kp1VFCjG0eA/TuJNs-eYwpI/AAAAAAAAAt4/CA-sVbPUabQ/s1600/redoakleaf_inprogress1_reduced.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 284px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684191114775020178" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Kp1VFCjG0eA/TuJNs-eYwpI/AAAAAAAAAt4/CA-sVbPUabQ/s400/redoakleaf_inprogress1_reduced.jpg" /></a><br /><br />This drawing was a tryout for a set of 12 Creatacolor Soho Urban Artist colored pencils. I bought them on sale some time ago, put them away and just rediscovered them. I took a printout of a Tang pottery horse from my "do it someday" file and did a drawing on my homemade grit paper. The colors came out more brilliant than the dull colors in the source photo.<br /><em>Unglazed Tang Pottery Horse,</em> 10" x 12", colored pencils on homemade grit primer applied to coldpressed watercolor paper.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N0a21fA7O2I/TuJQ4lp8VwI/AAAAAAAAAuE/lRBy4MXctQA/s1600/tangunglazedhorse.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 357px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5684194612805916418" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N0a21fA7O2I/TuJQ4lp8VwI/AAAAAAAAAuE/lRBy4MXctQA/s400/tangunglazedhorse.JPG" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03687809918074442656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-680592885250486435.post-9054429826227352012011-11-27T21:28:00.003-06:002011-11-27T22:04:55.008-06:00A change in our householdIt has been three months since my last post! We spent three weeks in September on a 7,000 mile trip out West. We went to Ogden, UT (the Great Salt Lake) Crater Lake, Lava Beds National Monument, Lassen Volcanic National Park, drove through San Francisco, drove on the Pacific Coast Highway, toured Hearst Castle, stopped to visit my aunt in Fresno, Yosetime National Park, drove the pass over the Sierra Nevada, saw Mono Lake, went to Death Valley, Las Vegas, Pipe Springs National Historic site, went shopping in Gallup, NM and Taos. It was quite a trip.<br /><br /><br /><div>We started this trip on a sad note: just before leaving we put down our old black cat Thunder. She had been taking medicine for hyperthyroidism for about two years. She had little interest in eating. We would tempt her with different varieties of canned food and put the medicine in. She would like something then didn't want it anymore and we would try a different variety. She has been deaf for several years and her primary interest was lying on our laps and napping. She got very skinny and stopped grooming herself and sometimes her hind legs would give out. </div><br /><br /><div>For our trip last year we had someone come in to feed and give her the medicine everyday. This year she was worse and there was a fear that she would die while we were gone. So the morning we left we went to the vet, said our goodbyes and watched her as she died. </div><br /><br /><div>Thunder came to us at our previous house. The summer of 1992 was a wet one. One day Don discovered a black stray kitten sheltering in the van engine compartment. She knew soft touches. We fed her and after a short while agreed to adopt her. But before taking her inside to meet our other cat at the time (Blitzen), took her to the vet for a check up. This little kitty had worms, an eye infection and was pregnant. All of that was eventually taken care of. She came to us with a kinked tail and a fang bent out of place. So she had quite a time in her short life before coming to us! </div><br /><br /><div>Thunder tore up the old house pretty good with her claws and had an independent attitude. Unlike Blitzen who didn't seem to get enough human contact (she was a stray too). When we moved to our current home, Thunder got declawed and she also had less of an independent attitude and Don's lap was her place. She outlived three other cats: Blitzen, Brillion and Gracie. </div><br /><br /><div>All of our cats were special in their own ways and all had their stories. Thunder's finally came to an end.</div><br /><div><em>Thunder, 1992-2011</em></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YYerMRJyXI8/TtMHJWOK_eI/AAAAAAAAAsw/la3dCxgctw8/s1600/thunder.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679891412209565154" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YYerMRJyXI8/TtMHJWOK_eI/AAAAAAAAAsw/la3dCxgctw8/s400/thunder.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03687809918074442656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-680592885250486435.post-3623793462273768172011-08-29T12:32:00.010-05:002011-08-29T12:53:32.183-05:00More Oil Pastel Mania!The weather has certainly turned very pleasant. Temperatures are in the 60s to low 80s degree fahrenheit. I got my Auto PAP machine but getting the benefit from it has been not easy; I still wake up in the night and feel tired in the morning. I went to a help forum and found out that is a common situation; it can take awhile to get used to the mask and everything else.
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<br /><div>Here are more of the Oil pastels I have done this summer. They are all 18" x 24".
<br /><em>Rocky Hill</em>
<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xSMPTU3yu50/TlvPHIeN8BI/AAAAAAAAAr4/s6kFaL746-w/s1600/rockyhill_cropped_reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 280px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646334279279308818" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xSMPTU3yu50/TlvPHIeN8BI/AAAAAAAAAr4/s6kFaL746-w/s400/rockyhill_cropped_reduced.JPG" /></a> </div>
<br /><div><em>Squash Blossom</em>
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<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a7hwyb2P9mw/TlvPXnxXe-I/AAAAAAAAAsA/G4WtL846S1o/s1600/squashblossom_cropped_reduced.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 298px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646334562559032290" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a7hwyb2P9mw/TlvPXnxXe-I/AAAAAAAAAsA/G4WtL846S1o/s400/squashblossom_cropped_reduced.jpg" /></a> </div>
<br /><div><em>Calm Evening Sky</em>
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<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7a0MyqHPBz8/TlvPq26r6II/AAAAAAAAAsI/9AIXlIIzLmc/s1600/calmeveningsky_cropped_reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 298px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646334893042165890" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7a0MyqHPBz8/TlvPq26r6II/AAAAAAAAAsI/9AIXlIIzLmc/s400/calmeveningsky_cropped_reduced.JPG" /></a></div>
<br /><div><em>Root River Bottom Land</em> </div>
<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cChnt7hhRPA/TlvP99QP2HI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/EV2QEeIWFWk/s1600/rootriverbottomland_cropped_reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 290px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646335221160728690" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cChnt7hhRPA/TlvP99QP2HI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/EV2QEeIWFWk/s400/rootriverbottomland_cropped_reduced.JPG" /></a> </div>
<br /><div><em>Tree On Cliff</em><em>
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<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HbedjhqDS1U/TlvQOO6e_mI/AAAAAAAAAsY/AiE5I9K1CoU/s1600/cliff%2526tree_cropped_reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 294px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646335500779191906" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HbedjhqDS1U/TlvQOO6e_mI/AAAAAAAAAsY/AiE5I9K1CoU/s400/cliff%2526tree_cropped_reduced.JPG" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kJnGLG4suFU/TlvQiP82rgI/AAAAAAAAAsg/nZYE1oKzjTY/s1600/foggypasture_cropped%2526reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 296px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646335844654951938" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kJnGLG4suFU/TlvQiP82rgI/AAAAAAAAAsg/nZYE1oKzjTY/s400/foggypasture_cropped%2526reduced.JPG" /></a> <em>Foggy Pasture</em></div>
<br /><div><em>Pickwick Mill,</em> in progress</div>
<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vy6UMHjSci4/TlvQ4BzRXiI/AAAAAAAAAso/XFhzO_7TajE/s1600/pickwickmill_underpainting_reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5646336218813783586" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vy6UMHjSci4/TlvQ4BzRXiI/AAAAAAAAAso/XFhzO_7TajE/s400/pickwickmill_underpainting_reduced.JPG" /></a>
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<br />Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03687809918074442656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-680592885250486435.post-19981456252912157182011-08-18T11:08:00.002-05:002011-08-18T11:46:43.626-05:00Working on a new Me!Two months again have passed before an update. This summer has been different for me. In May my left knee got very bad and painful, cortisone shots weren't helping. Finally I got X-rays done of that knee. It was become worse with bone spurs all around and being uneven. This was enough to recommend an <em>off-loading brace</em>. Despite being a bit larger than the largest ready-made brace, the PT opened up the top frame enough to fit my thigh. With better mobility I can move around more and combined with calorie counting I am losing weight.
<br />This past week I also had a sleep study to check for <em>sleep Apnea</em>. Sunday night I was wired up with lots of sensors and was in bed by 10:40 PM and woken up at 6:30 AM. I had to get up in the night to use the restroom, which required the technician coming in to unhook me so I could get out of bed! That day at home I was very tired and went to bed in the middle of the day for three hours.
<br />The doctor's consultation recommended a second test using the CPAP since the test showed two incidents of mild apnea. Fortunately, I could get in the next night. I used the nose mask, was in bed just after 10 PM and got up at 5:30 PM because I was awake and bored. Using the CPAP was a success! I got the very important prescription, went home and was active all day, doing extra activities, like cleaning, which I don't normally do.
<br />Don had researched online for a travel sized Auto CPAP and we ordered it along with the mask, heated reservoir and some other accessories last night. I am looking forward to being more alert and active all day.
<br />Because of the severe knee pain this summer, I did only the bare minimum of gardening and yard work. After the knee brace I was catching up with yard work and then the major hot and humid spell hit! It was really too dangerous for someone in my physical condition to do much work in that weather and the brace was uncomfortable in the excess humidity. After what seemed to be weeks of this the hot spell broke. Finally I partially drained the watergarden and fixed the leaks were the old and new liners joined. The water does drop slightly but that could be from evaporation or leakage from the water features.
<br />Next post I will show more of the oil pastels I have been doing this summer.
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<br />Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03687809918074442656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-680592885250486435.post-44581682944063928262011-06-20T13:15:00.010-05:002011-06-20T13:43:18.812-05:00Oil Pastel Mania!I have been neglecting my blog this past 2 months, but that doesn't mean I haven't been busy!<br />I started a series of oil pastel drawings, most of them 18" x 24" to make it easier to frame them. So far most of them have cooperated and were willing to be that format. The business next door has finished its remodeling and is now an upscale restaurant (Pogreba Restaurant). Don and I went over to have our complimentary meal for being good neighbors. The construction crew have been well fed since they were given the opportunity to try out the chef's creations.<br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div>There was a tornado in the southside of La Crosse last month. It tore up a few blocks pretty good.<br /></div><em>Wisconsin Landscape II</em>, 13" x 26", oil pastel<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PzpXgZLe9Cs/Tf-QLf5C-HI/AAAAAAAAAq4/dRALivN4Eb8/s1600/WIlandscape2_cropped%2526reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 206px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620369387195398258" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PzpXgZLe9Cs/Tf-QLf5C-HI/AAAAAAAAAq4/dRALivN4Eb8/s400/WIlandscape2_cropped%2526reduced.JPG" /></a></div><br /><em>Yellow Asian Lily,</em> 18"x 24", oil pastel<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tz16P4AH-mE/Tf-Qnz47U_I/AAAAAAAAArI/HbxV2uQanfc/s1600/yellowAsianlily_onwall_reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 322px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620369873599943666" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tz16P4AH-mE/Tf-Qnz47U_I/AAAAAAAAArI/HbxV2uQanfc/s400/yellowAsianlily_onwall_reduced.JPG" /></a></div><br /><em>Marsh Footpath,</em> 18" x 24", oil pastel<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O1FiT9mV1E4/Tf-RBPfWAnI/AAAAAAAAArQ/ROkzDlkA5RM/s1600/marshpath_finished_reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620370310505562738" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O1FiT9mV1E4/Tf-RBPfWAnI/AAAAAAAAArQ/ROkzDlkA5RM/s400/marshpath_finished_reduced.JPG" /></a></div><br /><em>Marsh Foot bridge,</em> 18" x 24", oil pastel<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x4uNGfryeFQ/Tf-QWq6QFCI/AAAAAAAAArA/-vs49Dvniso/s1600/marshfootbridge_cropped%2526reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 304px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620369579131802658" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x4uNGfryeFQ/Tf-QWq6QFCI/AAAAAAAAArA/-vs49Dvniso/s400/marshfootbridge_cropped%2526reduced.JPG" /></a></div><br /><em>Two Wild Roses,</em> 18" x 24", oil pastel<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_eCBZ1Y6wQA/Tf-RG_lBdwI/AAAAAAAAArY/6CMN82Zfgcc/s1600/2wildroses_onwall_reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 306px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620370409313629954" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_eCBZ1Y6wQA/Tf-RG_lBdwI/AAAAAAAAArY/6CMN82Zfgcc/s400/2wildroses_onwall_reduced.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div><em>Goldfish & Waterlily,</em> 18" x 24", oil pastel, in progress.<br /></div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JSnRXzeGnNo/Tf-SBGXyKRI/AAAAAAAAAro/LocdcVvFzeM/s1600/goldfish%2526waterlily_unfinished_reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620371407569561874" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JSnRXzeGnNo/Tf-SBGXyKRI/AAAAAAAAAro/LocdcVvFzeM/s400/goldfish%2526waterlily_unfinished_reduced.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div><em>Large Tree by River,</em> 18" x 24", oil pastel</div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8gHx4UbT4hs/Tf-UUfh_ANI/AAAAAAAAArw/HpDE29BmDsI/s1600/largetreebyriver_adjusted_reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 284px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620373939764003026" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8gHx4UbT4hs/Tf-UUfh_ANI/AAAAAAAAArw/HpDE29BmDsI/s400/largetreebyriver_adjusted_reduced.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03687809918074442656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-680592885250486435.post-5234544834637885762011-04-26T12:46:00.014-05:002011-04-30T18:07:51.318-05:00Spring! MaybeThis month just can't make up its mind. Nice weather, then snow. On April 19 there were at least two inches of snow here at the house, other places in the region got more! Maybe it will settle down and leave like a lamb. Currently there is one of those April showers that bring May flowers.<br />I did get some yard work done: cleaned up the flower bed near were the large tree was taken out last fall, picked up and sift the white rocks that where on the path through that flower bed (the new tree will be put where path was), cleaned out more flower beds and remulched. Still more, always more! I wish the window installers at the catering business would finish. Their scaffolding is over my rose bushes.<br />I needed change from all the tree drawings that I have been doing, they were starting to look alike. In my "will do someday" files is a photograph of a yellow rose "Topaz Jewel". We have two bushes of this variety and they have spines like cat claws. Though not quite seasonal, it is a nice change of pace.<br /><em>Topaz Jewel,</em> 18" x 24", oil pastel<br />Stage 1, I gridded the white primed colorfix paper and did the basic drawing with yellow and green pastel pencils. and blocked in the background with blue-violet.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aC66egSxm0U/TbcHDMwQ5OI/AAAAAAAAAqs/fuN4ysy66Yg/s1600/topazjewel_stage1_reduced.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599952413203162338" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aC66egSxm0U/TbcHDMwQ5OI/AAAAAAAAAqs/fuN4ysy66Yg/s400/topazjewel_stage1_reduced.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Stage 2: I finished blocking in the background and leaves with my cheaper, harder oil pastels and just starting with the petals.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ouSmmm6YZZg/TbcG1MhS44I/AAAAAAAAAqk/QgiEhSilP1s/s1600/topazjewel_stage2_reduced.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599952172622209922" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ouSmmm6YZZg/TbcG1MhS44I/AAAAAAAAAqk/QgiEhSilP1s/s400/topazjewel_stage2_reduced.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The finished drawing: this is when the nice, expensive Sennelier Oil pastels are used. The colors are toned down from the garish under painting. To reduce the brightness the leaves were gone over with a complementary red-violet color.<br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PA8Rrn78Wy0/TbcFz0jj4jI/AAAAAAAAAqM/jvrDWunBQd0/s1600/Topazjewel_onwall_reduced.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 304px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599951049497764402" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PA8Rrn78Wy0/TbcFz0jj4jI/AAAAAAAAAqM/jvrDWunBQd0/s400/Topazjewel_onwall_reduced.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div></div>As relief from the large, demanding flower oil pastel drawing, I did a smaller, quicker drawing in a medium I rarely use: Conte crayon. The subject is my late Gracie cat. She had to be put down last fall. She was a faithfull companion in the studio. For this drawing I used a tan background to stand in for the bits of light brown fur mixed in with the gray and white tabby stripes. Gracie was what is know as a grey or dilute tortieshell cat. A regular tortie has black, dark brown and red fur with much more dramatic contrast. I did this drawing with out gridding first.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8l4o6fTMllk/TbcFreHQAYI/AAAAAAAAAqE/uObtVgkWfUY/s1600/Gracie_onwall_reduced.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 294px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599950906034487682" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8l4o6fTMllk/TbcFreHQAYI/AAAAAAAAAqE/uObtVgkWfUY/s400/Gracie_onwall_reduced.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>For even a further change of pace I did two drawings just in graphite pencil. The dead tree is from an old slide I took many years ago at my parents. The barn was a color photograph with little contrast. I did a lot of "pruning" on the foreground trees to the barn could be seen better.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4MnMKlfEsMM/TbcFgI6H1hI/AAAAAAAAAp8/Gw5Ze3NSVy0/s1600/deadtree_pencil_reduced.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 316px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599950711363720722" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4MnMKlfEsMM/TbcFgI6H1hI/AAAAAAAAAp8/Gw5Ze3NSVy0/s400/deadtree_pencil_reduced.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gV_VZYAzT20/TbcFWtm7JiI/AAAAAAAAAp0/I2ehfmDIMQY/s1600/oldbarn_pencil_reduced.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 363px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599950549416617506" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gV_VZYAzT20/TbcFWtm7JiI/AAAAAAAAAp0/I2ehfmDIMQY/s400/oldbarn_pencil_reduced.jpg" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03687809918074442656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-680592885250486435.post-30497316923934280782011-04-11T12:45:00.003-05:002011-04-11T13:31:57.775-05:00Spring has sprung!March has been doing a lot of transitioning from winter to spring. On March 23 there was heavy snowfall here in La Crosse. Here is the view from my studio window. Then it warmed up, melted off then snow again on April 1st! The temperatures are very nice now; up to 70 degrees Fahrenheit on Saturday. Last weekend a major thunderstorm system went through spawning tornados and hail, fortunately not in La Crosse itself. The weather warning siren went off, prompting us to turn on to the Weather Channel and finding this area the center of attention with at least five tornados sighted on the ground in the three state area (Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin). <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cwHoIGs5xIk/TaNABJf68iI/AAAAAAAAApk/1d4y3F7TYLU/s1600/Marchsnowfall_3.23.11.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594385550598140450" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cwHoIGs5xIk/TaNABJf68iI/AAAAAAAAApk/1d4y3F7TYLU/s400/Marchsnowfall_3.23.11.JPG" /></a> I finished <em>Coulee Pine Tree</em> and posted it on <strong>Wet Canvas</strong> for critique. It was suggested that the tree was too dark for the scene and the forground grasses where unnecessary. So I erased back the green on the tree, lightly went over it with a dull red colored pencil and erased back the yellow sky in the upper left corner and put in light pink. Redoing the foreground was a major undertaking. I removed as much color as possible with tape and poster putty, then erased with a soft white eraser and picked up the crumbs. The erased area got two light coatings of white opaque watercolor. Then I colored in with blue and white colored pencils, dissolved them with Odorless paint thinner and smoothed the layers out with a piece of wool felt. If you look very carefully at the actually drawing, some of the original grasses faintly show through. I also wasn't careful enough in layering the white watercolor and had some hard edges that showed up when colored over. This has been a learning experience and an idea what to do next time major changes are needed. <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wv0U_hBA3TA/TaM_q20yoXI/AAAAAAAAApc/A257yMHu0ps/s1600/couleepinetree_onwall_reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594385167628280178" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wv0U_hBA3TA/TaM_q20yoXI/AAAAAAAAApc/A257yMHu0ps/s400/couleepinetree_onwall_reduced.JPG" /></a> <br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c7H63xrRIZ4/TaM_keh-GhI/AAAAAAAAApU/16GCUL8uk_8/s1600/couleepinetree_foregroundredone_reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 269px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594385058027674130" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c7H63xrRIZ4/TaM_keh-GhI/AAAAAAAAApU/16GCUL8uk_8/s400/couleepinetree_foregroundredone_reduced.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div>For a change I did a drawing in <em>Derwent Tinted Charcoal.</em> The subject is an old apple tree at my parents. The source photos where taken the previous March. <em>Old Apple Tree,</em> 16" x 20", tinted charcoal on gray charcoal paper. </div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RrHRTEnRtOA/TaM_SN2E7sI/AAAAAAAAApM/ICn2GQc1-Sk/s1600/oldappletree_reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 295px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594384744310959810" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RrHRTEnRtOA/TaM_SN2E7sI/AAAAAAAAApM/ICn2GQc1-Sk/s400/oldappletree_reduced.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div>The remodeling at the catering business next door isn't done yet! The original windows that where covered up when it was resided about 25 years ago are now opened up with new windows. I was concerned for our privacy and the window installers said there will be stained glass inside. That should be beautiful at night. I will have pictures of that later this summer. </div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sAusqXIDQtc/TaM_E65gpOI/AAAAAAAAApE/3rV2DaXn8dA/s1600/newwindows2.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594384515886785762" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sAusqXIDQtc/TaM_E65gpOI/AAAAAAAAApE/3rV2DaXn8dA/s400/newwindows2.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sAwv04gl9j0/TaM-8WPhyVI/AAAAAAAAAo8/f9Y3kzaRNq0/s1600/newwindows1.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594384368608069970" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sAwv04gl9j0/TaM-8WPhyVI/AAAAAAAAAo8/f9Y3kzaRNq0/s400/newwindows1.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div>Gardening is coming along, I had covered a bed to warm it up faster and last week planted kale, spinach, bok choi, chard, red onion sets, radishes and carrots. The radishes have sprouted. I still have all the white onions from last year and will harvest them before the rest of the seeds are planted. </div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m_ZDLpRNXok/TaM-u3lDH1I/AAAAAAAAAo0/zt8vbUx8bag/s1600/GardenbedsApril.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594384137038536530" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m_ZDLpRNXok/TaM-u3lDH1I/AAAAAAAAAo0/zt8vbUx8bag/s400/GardenbedsApril.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The watergarden has a leak and will need to be drained and the join between the old and new sections redone. That won't happen until next month. </div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ULrC3MDIutM/TaM-mVDN-dI/AAAAAAAAAos/fnVcUEfJWaA/s1600/watergardeninApril.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594383990330882514" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ULrC3MDIutM/TaM-mVDN-dI/AAAAAAAAAos/fnVcUEfJWaA/s400/watergardeninApril.JPG" /></a> <br /><div></div></div>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03687809918074442656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-680592885250486435.post-30324492608527860532011-03-18T10:16:00.008-05:002011-03-18T10:43:57.499-05:00Winter Almost Over! Getting those winter themed drawings done.This March so far has been a typical March: Snow, then melting, maybe more snow, rain instead. Just waiting for that last gasp snow storm.<br />Don and I went for a drive one Sunday and surprised a bald eagle feeding on roadkill. He wasn't too shy, just flew up into a nearby tree and waited for us to move on. I took some photographs and used one as a basis for a drawing.<br /><em>Eagle in Tree,</em> Derwent Drawing pencils on gray Stonehenge paper, 15" x 12".<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kCFKu2ipneI/TYN3-e9dQiI/AAAAAAAAAoU/7GEggPVK1JA/s1600/eagleintree_cropped_reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 324px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585439878215975458" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kCFKu2ipneI/TYN3-e9dQiI/AAAAAAAAAoU/7GEggPVK1JA/s400/eagleintree_cropped_reduced.JPG" /></a><br /><br />For a change I did a couple of oil pastels on primed paper. <em>Over the Hill,</em> oil pastel, 13" x 26" was also based on photographs taken during a recent drive. The format is and unusual 1 : 2. While cropping the source photo the picture just didn't seem right in a more conventional format.<br /><div><div></div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mr9x-0xhp7w/TYN309gVXiI/AAAAAAAAAoM/NxhwyHNQ86M/s1600/overthehillreduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 199px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585439714616630818" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mr9x-0xhp7w/TYN309gVXiI/AAAAAAAAAoM/NxhwyHNQ86M/s400/overthehillreduced.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><em>Late Afternoon Glow,</em> Oil pastel, 18" x 24", is more conventional in dimensions but just as colorful. Oil pastel is an opportunity to use subjects with little detail but lots of color. It also uses more larger arm muscles than the fine finger muscles used in controlling color pencils.<br /><div></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gcXp4o9msA0/TYN3sr48cgI/AAAAAAAAAoE/glU1iV_rjH4/s1600/Lateafternoonglow_cropped_reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 305px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585439572449063426" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gcXp4o9msA0/TYN3sr48cgI/AAAAAAAAAoE/glU1iV_rjH4/s400/Lateafternoonglow_cropped_reduced.JPG" /></a><br /><br />My current work in progress is done with oil-based color pencils on primed paper. I could count on the fingers of one hand the number of drawings done in oil color pencil. <em>Coulee Pine Tree,</em> oil color pencil, 11.75" x 18"<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5yNW-2eQw18/TYN3dJ5SSzI/AAAAAAAAAn8/sYQD7yH9GIg/s1600/Couleepinetree_inprogress_reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 291px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585439305625652018" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5yNW-2eQw18/TYN3dJ5SSzI/AAAAAAAAAn8/sYQD7yH9GIg/s400/Couleepinetree_inprogress_reduced.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br />The melting snow has revealed the garden beds and I am wondering when the plastic sheeting should be put on to pre-warm the soil for early planting. The catering business next door has been doing remodeling all winter with reshingling, and an addition put on in back. The roofers had to come into our back yard to work on the south side. I pruned back the rose bushes radically last fall in anticipation of this and looking forward to lots of new growth. The watergarden has a leak and we will have to reseal the liner joining between the old and new watergarden sections. Hopefully that won't be too much a bother! (Knock on wood!)<br /><br /><div></div></div>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03687809918074442656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-680592885250486435.post-50294531020785491862011-02-22T14:35:00.007-06:002011-02-22T14:50:44.851-06:00Back to the drawing board<em>3 Trees at Quarry Hill</em> is done and on the wall for evaluation. So far I am pleased with it. I added more dead leaves on the right side tree to balance the compostion some and left the woods in the background more open than the source photo showed. Let's hope I feel the same way in six months after I take it out of storage for review!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lbu7syB2Pus/TWQesBJ2wUI/AAAAAAAAAnc/nQ_Zsi6aun0/s1600/3treesatQuarryHill_reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 291px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576615980164366658" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lbu7syB2Pus/TWQesBJ2wUI/AAAAAAAAAnc/nQ_Zsi6aun0/s400/3treesatQuarryHill_reduced.JPG" /></a><br /><br />As a break from my larger, more elaborate drawings I did a series on 12" x 9" black Canson Mi-Tients. The first two shown here are done in Derwent White charcoal. <em>Searching </em>is based on an orginal photo of a nineteenth century marble sculpture at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fQf4Q7WSmgI/TWQeoEE9_qI/AAAAAAAAAnU/piwQ8f-lC5k/s1600/searching_reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 302px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576615912229699234" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fQf4Q7WSmgI/TWQeoEE9_qI/AAAAAAAAAnU/piwQ8f-lC5k/s400/searching_reduced.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><em>Chinese Metal Horse<br /></em><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_qMdz_OD8GM/TWQej9FP1eI/AAAAAAAAAnM/wEJJTEu5Y7g/s1600/chinesemetalhorse_reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 302px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576615841632343522" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_qMdz_OD8GM/TWQej9FP1eI/AAAAAAAAAnM/wEJJTEu5Y7g/s400/chinesemetalhorse_reduced.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><em>White Chinese Horse</em> is done with a silver colored pencil. It looks white in the photo, in person by moving the paper around the silver gleams.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WjlDhJ4PoxI/TWQed6YTf7I/AAAAAAAAAnE/8fqNW51JEGc/s1600/chinesewhitehorse_reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 276px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576615737827753906" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WjlDhJ4PoxI/TWQed6YTf7I/AAAAAAAAAnE/8fqNW51JEGc/s400/chinesewhitehorse_reduced.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><em>Painted Han Horse</em> is done in Derwent Drawing pencils. They are quite opaque and cover the black paper well.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2moo7KBgnTw/TWQeXduClMI/AAAAAAAAAm8/hXkwUKyp454/s1600/paintedHanHorse_reduced.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 306px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5576615627055076546" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2moo7KBgnTw/TWQeXduClMI/AAAAAAAAAm8/hXkwUKyp454/s400/paintedHanHorse_reduced.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03687809918074442656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-680592885250486435.post-9939682904433316222011-02-03T11:10:00.005-06:002011-02-03T11:33:33.974-06:00Winter WorkThis past month I haven't been doing much drawing. I have a large watercolor and color pencil drawing in progress. I have also been doing matting and framing of my work, making a great effort in getting caught up with that. I have a dozen done so far, then ran out of matboard. While waiting for more matboard I worked on my drawing. <div><div>As is usual for my WC and CP drawings, the background washes simplify doing the sky and snow and the colors help set the mood: a clear, cold winter evening when the deer come out to feed. <em>Three Trees at Quarry Hill</em>, 17.75" x 24" Water color and Prismacolor and Faber-castell Polychromos color pencils on watercolor paper.</div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rBLi7nmbSVw/TUrkHNNzP7I/AAAAAAAAAms/O8PaF9qRV6k/s1600/3treesatQuarryHill2.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 282px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569514701654802354" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rBLi7nmbSVw/TUrkHNNzP7I/AAAAAAAAAms/O8PaF9qRV6k/s400/3treesatQuarryHill2.JPG" /></a></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rBLi7nmbSVw/TUrkOReIgJI/AAAAAAAAAm0/oYIQM06HXfQ/s1600/Pinto_onwall.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 247px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569514823056130194" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rBLi7nmbSVw/TUrkOReIgJI/AAAAAAAAAm0/oYIQM06HXfQ/s400/Pinto_onwall.JPG" /></a>I forgot to post this drawing last time. This drawing spent quite some time in the planning stages. The inspiration was a herd of horses spending their winter in a bare yard and large shed for shelter. This pinto horse standing in front of the open shed door basking in the winter sunshine caught my eye. There were a lot of adjustments done around him to improve the composition. The window was moved and the foreground hay feeder was from another part of the yard. I also experimented with a tractor tire feeder that was there too, but decided I needed something in the foreground that could overlap the background. <em>Pinto</em>, 11" x 16" Derwent Drawing on tan Canson Mi-tientes.</div></div>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03687809918074442656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-680592885250486435.post-14807175017369982392011-01-21T17:51:00.008-06:002011-01-21T18:26:10.788-06:00I'm back, with some changes for the new year and more drawingsThe past month has been busy for me, with Christmas, other personal activities and drawing. I resigned from VIVA Gallery this month. Sales are very poor there for me and the monthly fee and long drive every month aren't worth it any more. Last weekend, Don and I drove to Viroqua and removed everything. To try something different I opened an Etsy shop to sell the matted reproductions, marbled paper prints and digital art cards. Later this year I will be checking out some galleries in SE Minnesota as a place to sell my original art. I am still at Gallery La Crosse and there personally every month for the First Friday receptions from 6 to 8 PM. <div><div><div>Another change! Today, we drove over to Kasson, MN (14 miles west of Rochester, MN) and taped a session for Brushstrokes.tv <a href="http://www.brushstrokes.tv/">http://www.brushstrokes.tv/</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>The topic was <em><strong>Paper for Colored Pencil.</strong></em> The taping when smoothly and easily. I did need help with appying makeup to reduce shine. I general avoid using makeup, it is just a complication I never wanted or needed. I don't know when my presentation will be available. We might do more. Just keep checking! </div><div><br /></div><div>Here are some of the drawings I have finished in the past month:</div><div><em>Bronze Han Horse,</em> Derwent Drawing pencils on oyster Canson Mi-Tientes, 15" x 12"<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rBLi7nmbSVw/TToho-TMEII/AAAAAAAAAmI/4nYxEpRXN3I/s1600/bronzeHanhorse_onwall.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 313px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564797277371633794" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rBLi7nmbSVw/TToho-TMEII/AAAAAAAAAmI/4nYxEpRXN3I/s400/bronzeHanhorse_onwall.JPG" /></a></div><div><em>Leaves in Gutter,</em> Prismacolor pencils on gray Canson Mi-Tientes, 11.5" x 16"</div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rBLi7nmbSVw/TTohyUkO-JI/AAAAAAAAAmY/svvYPuua5fE/s1600/leavesingutter_onwall.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 278px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564797437967530130" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rBLi7nmbSVw/TTohyUkO-JI/AAAAAAAAAmY/svvYPuua5fE/s400/leavesingutter_onwall.JPG" /></a></div><div><em>Grounded Oak Leaf,</em> Derwent Drawing pencils on brown Canson Mi-Tientes paper. 11" x 16"</div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rBLi7nmbSVw/TTohtUhlEII/AAAAAAAAAmQ/Lu85XJTl71Q/s1600/groundedoakleaf.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 287px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564797352057049218" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rBLi7nmbSVw/TTohtUhlEII/AAAAAAAAAmQ/Lu85XJTl71Q/s400/groundedoakleaf.JPG" /></a></div><div><em>Icy Oaks,</em> Prismacolor pencils on light gray Stonehenge paper. 11.5" x 16"</div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rBLi7nmbSVw/TToh6N07CWI/AAAAAAAAAmg/emmZ4C-ftoc/s1600/IcyOaks_onwall.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5564797573597432162" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rBLi7nmbSVw/TToh6N07CWI/AAAAAAAAAmg/emmZ4C-ftoc/s400/IcyOaks_onwall.JPG" /></a><br /><br />May you all have a happy and successful 2011!</div><div></div></div></div>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03687809918074442656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-680592885250486435.post-79589829547494370562010-12-06T11:59:00.009-06:002010-12-06T12:29:09.847-06:00Drawing and more drawing!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rBLi7nmbSVw/TP0mDCB9YGI/AAAAAAAAAl8/fPr-AnMGOtQ/s1600/Autumndrive_onwall.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 398px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547632149516869730" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rBLi7nmbSVw/TP0mDCB9YGI/AAAAAAAAAl8/fPr-AnMGOtQ/s400/Autumndrive_onwall.JPG" /></a> I finished the oil pastel "Autumn Drive" and pinned it to the wall. I am not completely satisfied with it, the forground with the road just doesn't work but I can't see any alternative to it.<br />Winter weather has settled in: Friday, La Crosse saw its most significant snowfall to date: about 5". The new pump has arrived and is now in the watergarden keeping a hole open in the ice for the benefit of the goldfish. I also noticed that I have forgotten to remove all of the solar-powered garden lights! However the frozen ground will make them impossible to remove.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rBLi7nmbSVw/TP0lQL3P7LI/AAAAAAAAAlk/nvNyPZYiIyk/s1600/Leafonboards.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 309px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547631275982974130" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_rBLi7nmbSVw/TP0lQL3P7LI/AAAAAAAAAlk/nvNyPZYiIyk/s400/Leafonboards.JPG" /></a> I am in the mood for more leaf drawings. This little drawing actually took much time in designing and altering from the source photograph. An evening could be spent in adjusting light/dark patterns, changing formats and moving elements around in search of the best composition. Derwent Drawing pencils on fawn gray Stonehenge paper.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rBLi7nmbSVw/TP0lKV4NPuI/AAAAAAAAAlc/N8AZDulg8OA/s1600/settlingbarn.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 330px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547631175592132322" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rBLi7nmbSVw/TP0lKV4NPuI/AAAAAAAAAlc/N8AZDulg8OA/s400/settlingbarn.JPG" /></a> Derwent tinted charcoal pencils got some use. I did this barn on laid charcoal paper and did a smaller drawing based on the same source photograph of just the silo. Old barns and charcoal seem to go together well.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rBLi7nmbSVw/TP0lGIjc0NI/AAAAAAAAAlU/j697afGbMd4/s1600/silo%2526snow.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 302px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547631103295934674" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rBLi7nmbSVw/TP0lGIjc0NI/AAAAAAAAAlU/j697afGbMd4/s400/silo%2526snow.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rBLi7nmbSVw/TP0k9cQwAVI/AAAAAAAAAlM/7ZAlRzjO5sg/s1600/holdouts.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 339px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547630953967386962" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_rBLi7nmbSVw/TP0k9cQwAVI/AAAAAAAAAlM/7ZAlRzjO5sg/s400/holdouts.JPG" /></a> This drawing of yellow leaves was my demonstration piece done at Gallery La Crosse. It is done on dark gray paper with oil-based colored pencils. I did most of it that evening but later I changed the background some.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rBLi7nmbSVw/TP0kx5q_iUI/AAAAAAAAAlE/82y3z9O_bP4/s1600/leavesingutter_inprogress1.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547630755703654722" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_rBLi7nmbSVw/TP0kx5q_iUI/AAAAAAAAAlE/82y3z9O_bP4/s400/leavesingutter_inprogress1.JPG" /></a> Here is my latest work in progress: "Leaves in Gutter", Prismacolor pencils on felt gray Canson Mi Tients. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03687809918074442656noreply@blogger.com0