Prepping for Two New Pieces

Ok, the bug bit and the itch is quite annoying. Therefore, I'm preparing to start two new pieces. First is a pastel piece featuring poppies. This piece is from my imagination but inspired by a picture taken by my mother-in-law when she visited the national poppy reserve in California this spring. Second, and closest to my heart, is a portrait (my first ever) of my precious grandmother a.k.a. Mamaw. I lost her over 11 years ago and it still feels as painful as that very day quite often. The piece is partly for me but mostly as a gift for my mother and her brothers (I will have prints made for each).

Holding out hope beyond hope for free time, I plan on the piece accompanying a family cookbook that I've been working on for years now, off and on. I have all of Mamaw's old recipes at home and have been working at transcribing the family favorites. Many are so old and time-worn that portions have been literally read using the indentations in the paper since the ink was completely gone.

I will try to be diligent in posting updates to both projects. We shall see how it goes.

On an unrelated note, my thoughts and prayers are with my dear friend (and fabulous pastelist) Tammy. I haven't heard from her in a few months now and have had no replies to messages. I fear that her husband, Bob, isn't doing well at all. May God give peace, comfort, strength and healing to them both.

Photos

I've shot quite a few photos lately, though most were of my son playing baseball. I had one shot, in particular, that showed the late afternoon golden shimmer that I'm so enthralled with, and an iconic symbol of the way I grew up and a simpler, arguably better time in human history. Hope you enjoy!

Yeah, I dropped the ball

I know, 8 months later, I post an update. Sorry folks. I started out well on my Nano novel but life got in the way. I've spent about 2 hours writing and 20 minutes drawing in the last 8 months. ARRRRRRRRRRRG! Anyway, at least ball season's over (until August) and I've been able to break out the camera and start shooting again. Hopefully I'll get to start drawing again soon too.

One thing has helped to boost my spirits though. I gave my oldest son (8) a "How to Draw Dinosaurs" book. He opened it, took a pencil and a piece of notebook paper, and five minutes later had a better T-Rex than I've ever drawn. Looks like he inherited the graphic arts gene. My little girl (5) seems to have inherited the story-telling genes :)

Hopefully I'll be back with more soon. Gas is too high for go much so maybe that'll mean more drawing time.