finally put some fairy lights around my studio window

Bacon and coffee for breakfast in the afternoon, cheesy Halloween movies on tv, overcast, windy day outside, while inside I'm here with my family. It really doesn't get any better than this.

 

  



I love weekends, especially Saturdays! Later, we'll go to Canadian Tire and I'll buy some potting soil so I can re pot my spider plant and plant some spider babies that I have in water.

Still no painting finished but I do have a clean bathroom closet and the hardwood floors have been washed.

Enjoy your weekend!

Random Photos!



Old building in Boat Harbour



John and I take loads of photos.  These photos have been taken over the last year, all of them taken, except for the Boat Harbour photo, on one of our many walks.

I have my drawing transferred onto watercolor paper which I just finished stretching. I went to the art supply store today and bought some masking fluid, some new paint brushes because I destroyed all of my good ones doing mixed media work, and a tube of yellow ochre. I know I paid too much for these supplies but I didn't want to wait to have them shipped from Curry's. Tomorrow I begin the painting. I have two drawings ready to be transferred which I will do tonight while I watch The Tudors...

Well, I wrote the above yesterday and I didn't get a chance to send it, and here it is 4:30 and I still haven't touched my painting. I did manage to get out my watercolors and practice a bit on scrap paper because it's been so long since I used them, and I couldn't possibly paint in the mess that I call a studio.

I had the car today and it's a sure thing that if I have the car I'll make three or four trips into town before the day is through. Being in traffic wears me out and pisses me off, so by the time I reach home I have a headache.

I did get another couple of drawings transferred to watercolor paper last night while watching my show, and I went through my Christmas magazines to pick out crafts to make for the upcoming holiday season. I love doing that every year.

Work In Progress!

I've been working on this doll a little bit here and a little bit there. I have to finish her hands and glue her into the wooden stand after I paint and varnish it (the stand).

I need to practice sculpting faces some more. I can see from some of the photos that her nose is quite crooked and her eyes are looking in different directions. :)

Her face and neck are sculpted from polymer clay. She has a soft body over a wire armature. I hand dyed the cloth for her dress and robe. Except for a little decorative stitching around her hood she is entirely hand stitched. It takes some time but I really enjoy it. Her face and eyes have been painted with oils and acrylics and her hair is made from wool. I have real doll hair in blonde, brunette and red, but I prefer the wool. She stands around 22 inches tall.

I haven't chosen a name for her yet nor do I know her story. It will come to me eventually when I'm vacuuming or washing the dishes.

Last night I started a drawing for the first watercolor I have done in over a year or more. It will become my Christmas card for this year. I hope I still remember how to paint!

Cleveland





 A lot has happened in my life since these photos of our trip to California in August were taken. Some good and some bad.

I haven't had a lot of time to spend in my studio and there are so many things that I want to do in there. Sometimes I think I would like to go away somewhere by myself for a month and just paint.

Two of my beloved cats have died, Hermione and Cleveland, and I miss them so much. A third cat, Simon, a stray that we took in three years ago is ill. Although Roman and Ickles are healthy and well it seems so quiet around here. We have decided to adopt a new cat, Bailey. She belongs to a friend of ours who can't keep her anymore. She lives in Alberta and will have to be flown here. I'm so excited!

Me standing in front of a giant redwood tree

I also made the decision in May to go gray. I woke up one morning and realized I did not want to dye my hair anymore. Here's a great website, Going Gray Looking Great that has made my transition so easy.

I'm looking forward to the cooler days and longer nights and time spent working on dolls and painting and making new jewelry, and nights cuddled in bed with a good book. :)

And we're not moving to Omaha!

John and I on a hike through the redwood forest.