Illustration

Layers of Media. The first snow is kind of like the first layer of art media being laid down to create a piece. You are somewhat apprehensive, yet also excited for a new experience. Apprehension comes with the uncertainty of how things will play out. Will there be just a dusting and it looks pretty, or will there be layer after layer and you worry it will all be too much? No matter what media I use I'm thrilled to get using my supplies again, but somewhere in the middle I get nervous that … [Read more...] about First Snow

Sculpting and Sewing. Fall is a busy time of year for me. Closing out my vegetable garden. Harvesting apples from my trees, and harnessing the leaf fallout that generously provides us with shade throughout hot summer days. Even though many are gearing up for Halloween and Thanksgiving to follow, I've been thinking down the road to Christmas and winter holidays. Creating items that will conjure memories of youthful days sledding, building snowmen, and waiting for that jolly gift bearer … [Read more...] about Making Faces, Fingers, Frocks.

We Are Gifted. We all have our gifts. Personal gifts, like the ability to draw well. Some people are good with numbers, others with communication, and yet others with athletic feats. So many gifts. I feel it's important to share your gifts with others, not only in profitable ways, but in ways that enrich other's lives. I also believe it's good to try to develop your gifts to their highest potential if possible, otherwise you'll never know what's possible to achieve. Maybe your highest … [Read more...] about Gifts.

Scribbles and Washes. Someone on Bluesky Social Media mentioned Inktense watercolor pencils. Since I like the look of both watercolor and pencil lines, I was intrigued. The small set I picked up made me nervous at first as they were mostly bright colors. I don't know why, but for some reason I'm always worried I won't be able to control the brilliant hues. First impression when applying them to a sheet of simple sketch paper was mixed. They rolled across the paper like butter, but when I … [Read more...] about Trying New Art Tools

Run the Race. My littlest brother (in all aspects of the term littlest), was born the year after we moved to the farm. In the early years of us younger siblings, we were not allowed to bike ride the country roads where large machinery jostled down the road with their drivers occasionally gazing off into the neighbor's fields checking to see who all had their corn planted yet. Our only option was shuttling around the looped gravel driveway on our ramshackle bikes. Fenders clacking and dust … [Read more...] about Keep on Keeping on.