Missing the Soph's

I love to wander through Roz Stendal's journal pages. Visiting her blog Roz Wound Up is a daily habit of mine which is filled with technical information and creative stimulation. I especially like her use of gouache which I continue to struggle with, but I get them out every so often and give them a try! Her March 10th post suggested we celebrate dogs and go out and find one to draw. I'm a little late, but here's Sophie in gouache from a photo before our last walk. I really miss my best pal.

Galungan

Today was Galungan, which is one of the most important reoccurring celebrations in Bali. During this celebration the deified ancestors descend on their former family homes and must suitably be entertained and welcomed with prayers and offerings. It is quite colorful with bamboo penjors decorating most of the island. We had offerings placed in several places in our villa—the pool, kitchen, garden and front door, by a Balinese couple from the neighborhood because at one time this property was surely inhabited by Balinese.  Since the former inhabitants were probably around today, they would have expected it. 

Goodbye Maine

Just before I left the USA, I just had to slop the watercolors around on this crazy Yupo before we got on the plane...hello? This is what Maine will look like when I return, in June, when we enjoy the most beautiful time of year on the Casco Bay. I have arrived in Bali and many of my friends have pointed to my skin and said "putih" which means "white". Well, hell, I've been swathed in black fleece and down for two months in that frozen tundra we call home. 

Time to unpack and get outside...

Sushi Rolls—Different Strokes for Different Folks

Last night, I decided to try for the first time, Karin Jurick's wonderful project, Different strokes for Different Folks. Some would call me crazy being I am traveling to Indonesia today, but I couldn't help slopping the watercolors around on this Yupo before I packed my paints and brushes in my luggage. It's a bit of a mess and quite a challenge for this self taught watercolorist, but I had to be brave and submit my first one. Then the rest will be easy?

Death of the Snowman

The Snowman, 3 months, of Portland Maine, met his demise on Saturday March 7, 2009

The actual date of birth of the Snowman is unknown, but he came to live with Sophie in December 2008 after she stole him from the toy box of the dog next door. He lived an active life romping with Sophie and her other toys. He loved to be scooped up, given a good couple of shakes, dragged around the room and then getting his nose gnawed on. He suffered major complications over the weekend and we were unable to save him. Both eyes were missing, the hat was hanging by a thread and stuffing and beans were coming out of a large hole in his side. It was time to say goodbye.

The Snowman is survived by Sophie, the Meercat, the chicken (also stolen), the monkey and the old squirrel.

Enjoying a warm day and Yupo

The snow banks don't have a chance when it is sunny and 58°.  Everyone was out and about  today. Walking in The Old Port and along the water, enjoying afternoon drinks on the deck of the Brian Boru and some brave souls were even in shorts. But, don't put that parka away because tomorrow it's going to snow. We walked around and sniffed a lot...

Practicing for art exchange

As I mentioned below, I am involved in an art exchange with some very talented artists. I considered sending each of them an illustration of one of Sophie's dog toys, but I'm not sure that is what Sharon had in mind when she invited me to join this exchange. In-between making piles and remaking the piles of stuff to get packed for Bali, I wander back into my studio (I use that word loosely) and splash the watercolors around hoping to find a direction. A sure sign of spring because irises are in the stores now. I stole from the vase upstairs. 

Art Exchange

Long, long ago, in January, while I was still warm and living in tropical Bali, I was honored with an invitation to join in an art exchange. Sharon of Flat Sound of Wooden Clogs invited me along with several other talented artists to make this exchange a fun winter project. Of course, my old buddies insecurity, inadequacy and fear came to visit. How could I possibly be part of an exchange with my crazy style. Admittedly, I am a bit of an impatient scribbler. I draw and paint cold New England buildings, unusual Indonesian/Balinese experiences and observations, cats and dogs I don't even know, Sophie and most recently her dog toys. But I said "yes, I'll do it". Of course, I haven't done it yet...but, others have...

Watercolor by Laura Starrett (5"X7")

This watercolor arrived a few days ago from Laura at Laura's Watercolors. I love her style, just look at the reflections of the boats in the water, and her blog is a joy to visit. Thank you Laura for this wonderful watercolor. It is in my studio where I can see it everyday. Of course, it also reminds me that I am a bit of a deadbeat...

Collage by Sherry Thurner (8"x10")

Sherry of Late B(l)oomer does the most amazing collages. Did you see her most recent Virtual Sketch Date collage of Lake Louise here? I had quite admired the above collage she had done for the January VSD and now, it hangs in my studio. How cool is that! Thank you Sherry.

So all the participants will get art from beautiful Bali...soon...I hope...

"Snow-phie"

We awakened to 10" of light powdery snow this morning. Sophie charged out the door and realized that this was going to be a bit more difficult than usual, but that didn't stop her. She loves snow (way more than me) and bounded through the powder to find "the perfect place". Dragging me behind her, we both became coated with snow. It sticks and mats into her fur and she stops to chews it off her paws. Me, well, I'm just a big black blob of parka, fleece, and Uggs coated with the damn stuff.

Sophie

This is Sophie who is clearly, the cutest dog on the planet. She is my best pal and makes me laugh, everyday. When she is really happy, back from a walk or showing off for guests, she grabs one of her many toys, gives it a good hard shake and then runs around the dining room table hoping that someone is running after her. It is amazing how many adults will do this.

It was snowing the other night so I was sitting by the fire sketching Soph. As you can imagine, being the cutest dog on the planet (see above), I have pages and pages of sketches of this dog, most of which I don't post—thank god. As usual her toys were strewn around the room and I started to look closely at what she has done to them in a short time.

This Meercat (I actually have no idea what this is) is not much of a stuffed toy anymore. The squeeker is long gone and so is most of the stuffing. 

This snowman came home with her after we returned from Bali. The eyes are gone now and the hat will be the next to go. She works hard on that nose but it isn't budging.
The chicken is also a new addition. It's squeeker is still intact but makes no noise. There is not much more to say about it, but she loves it and sometimes I find it in my bed...

More snow

The days are getting longer, but it is still very much winter here in Maine. When I started this painting it was not snowing and then as the flakes began, I decided to try to add the snow. White acrylic paint seemed my best option. I guess that makes it fake snow! Now I have to scratch off the white acrylic splatters that are all over my desk, computer and black fleece jacket.

Chickens?

The front page, and continued on the back page, of the Portland Press Herald was quite a long story about allowing people to have chickens in their backyards. I don't know why it made me chuckle to think this was the lead story. Ducky (shown above), a Golden Comet hen, lives in a backyard in the suburbs of Portland. She actually had two color photos including a close-up. I don't know why I think this is so funny...

I couldn't resist a quick sketch of Ducky watching her eggs along with gluing in the headlines. Using the newspaper was inspired by Dee Farnsworth's wonderful weather sketchbooks which are absolutely beautiful and not as ridiculous like this crazy post.

I'm still chuckling...

Up on the roof

A view from our deck over the rooftops in the Old Port in Portland Maine. A balmy 38° but snow is on the way for Thursday—6" to 12"...

February thaw in Portland Maine

We had a brief thaw here yesterday as the temperature rose to 45°. Dirty frozen ice and snow turned into gray puddles of slushy water as we walked up towards City Hall. I try to keep Sophie as clean and dry as possible, but she is happy to jump into a pile of snow, role around, shake it off and look for more.  She has turned into an dingy "urban mutt". 

EDM challenge #207: Draw a shell

It's a balmy 45° today and the sun is shining. Still using this rough watercolor paper for my daily sketching. I keep grabbing from the little stack I have trimmed down to sketchbook size that is sitting at the corner of my table. Maybe it's convenient, maybe it's the challenge or maybe...I like it... 

Another cold, gray day in Portland

I spent years buying paper, paints and all sorts of drawing materials. Intending to draw or paint, only to never even crack open the package. It wasn't until I read "The Creative License" that I started this new life of daily sketching. I am determined not to waste all the papers that I have accumulated over the years. I know nothing about watercolor paper and here I am with a block of 140 lb rough paper. Why did I buy this? I have no idea, but it makes me mad to think I did—ugh. It is a difficult surface for this trained graphic designer to use, but It is good enough for practice. The rest of my rough paper practices are in the building's dumpster.

Surf's up—EDM #209 Draw a shadow

Quick watercolor sketch from a photo of a warm 85° day in Bali. I remember following this young dude wandering along the beach path with his board, waving and chatting it up with the locals. It was 13° here in Portland when I finally wandered back into my studio, feeling a little better and wanting to get back to sketching again.

Happy Birthday little blog

My blog was born a year ago on February 4, 2008. It was a cold day last winter that I finally went onto blogger and posted my first sketch after months of watching all you creative "EDMers" from afar. I wanted to celebrate by eating, drinking and sketching a cupcake and champagne, but I was still down with whatever is still ailing me. So from the couch, I managed to sketch this self portrait of my anniversary celebration complete with lots of mint tea, comfy clothes and Sophie. It's not that good, as I don't feel so good, but I wanted to recognize that "I did it". I love being part of this creative community and want to thank everyone who has visited over this past year—Terima kasih.

Happy Birthday James

A quick pencil sketch of my brother who is four years younger than I am. I still see him as that little kid with a "butch haircut" (yes, it was the early sixties) sleeping with all his toy trucks piled on his bed. So here he is, last summer at our family reunion in Maine. We were both having  a Monster drink (a weird family habit) before a walk along the waterfront in Portland. 

Happy Birthday, James.

View of Portland's Old Port

I'm still laying low with the same thing that has been ailing me for several days. Sketched while sitting on the couch, in front of the fire with mint tea and my dog. I had no energy to even decide what more to paint and the light was changing because the sun was going away. So off it went to the scanner. Oh boy, more snow...