Owl

In honor of the owls nesting up at the lake, here's a weekend watercolor. 

I'm not 100% happy with it, but then, that's usually the case. But I learn a little more with each one. 

This watercolor is 5"x5",  which might seem small. But I'm working on paintings for the miniature show at Parklane Gallery, the largest of which is 3"x5".  The smallest, if it turns out, will be 2"x2".

 If I'm going to keep painting miniatures, I need to buy a mat cutter.  The framing people look at you like you're missing a few marbles when you ask for a mat cut that small.  But I love the immediacy of it.  Even with my level of detail, I can finish a painting every day or two.

Toad-em Pole

Here's a copy of the latest pen and ink. My hands and eyes are both hurting after this one!

This is the black and white version - I'm not happy with the visibility of the top toads, with the busy-ness of the background. So this weekend, I'm going to add watercolor, and see if I can get the toads to pop more. (And since this is safely scanned, even if I screw it up it won't be a disaster.)

This afternoon, I'm going to start working on a piece w/bees and butterflies. It's going to be smaller. Part of a smaller series, actually. I like working small. (the toads are 9"x12", and took forever)

Pen and ink lends itself to smaller work, and I like the rush of finishing a piece. (As, I'm sure, all artists do.)

In other news, Danny is still under consideration for the job in Burlington, VT. It would be quite a change, but probably for the better. I'd certainly love to get back to Eastern forests!

Wish us luck!

Morning

8:10 AM.
Zoe is spinning and leaping through a sunbeam in the living room.

"What are you doing?"

"MO-OM! I'm chasing dust motes!"


Ah, to be that easily amused.

The Key

Busy day, but since Zoe had a playdate, I FINALLY finished this. It will be a bookplate, but I always do the "ex libris" as a separate piece, and combine them in PhotoShop. That way, this can be used for other things.... Such as coffee cups.

This design is available at Cafe Press. Click here.

As you can see, Zoe had a fabulous birthday. This is the party room at the WOW Children's museum. After cake and presents, they spent the rest of the time running around like loons hopped up on sugar. I still can't believe my baby is 4! Happy Birthday, Zoe!