make ready / get ready

L - Nikon / T- iphone

“Failing to prepare is like preparing to fail.”
- John R. Wooden

exciting / boring

L - Nikon / T - Nikon

I received the most beautiful piece of art in the mail today. It's a Puffy Wall Heart with Birdie Love Bird and I am in love. This piece is beautifully crafted of porcelain. Now I just have to find the perfect place to hang it. Don't you just love etsy? I have to say I'm sort of addicted to shopping there. / i was pretty excited when i first got those packages from amazon. but then i remembered mom had ordered all my text books from there... not as excited anymore. but truthfully i do like my classes so far, i'm just saying this isn't exactly my idea of pleasure- reading books.

crackling / dripping

L - Nikon / T - Nikon

Much of my weekend was spent on my etsy site – opening a new one and adding photos to both. It was a very productive weekend but I was getting rather tired of looking at the computer for so long so yesterday afternoon I took to the outdoors with a book and a cup of hot spice tea, built a fire and just sat listening to the fall of leaves and the birds fighting for berries, and the fire crackling. I didn't read 2 pages of the book - just sat and poked at the fire and listened. And tried to keep Evee from stealing logs off the fire (no, she's not so smart). It was wonderful. / i've spent this whole weekend working on a mural-type piece for the dog rescue center that i've been volunteering at. since the owner knew i was interested in art, she recruited me to design the new storefront and paint it. a bigger job than she knew. but i've really enjoyed this new way to be creative. it's something that's completely not in my style so it's pretty fun to jump out of my comfort zone and do something very different from what i'm used to. today's task took place twenty feet above ground on scaffolding and i'm far more tired than i expected to be for working six hours. taylor's bed-time keeps getting earlier and earlier, haha."

sea creature / land creature

L - iphone / T - phone pic

August Break 15

Today was a great day. I met my cousin in Watkinsville to go to the Annual Pottery show -50 potters displaying and selling their work. There were so many wonderful pieces there that I coveted. Then we had a nice lunch and drove to Athens to meet T. She took us to see an exhibit of Edward Curtis' - Native American Indian photography - a beautiful collection his work from the book Shadow Catcher. She also gave us a tour of the art building - there were giant paper mache sculptures of safari animals, huge portraits in charcoal, elaborate color wheels, and 3-D wood sculptures. This one of the seahorse is made out of toothpicks. / mom and my second cousin came to visit so i sort of played hostess of athens. i took them a photography exhibit and to the art building and then to the local coffee joint called jittery joes. we were sitting outside on vintage metal glider chairs in the shade and this little guy came up and surprised me. after my initial skittishness and my cousin informed me that this little guy was harmless - then i wanted to try to pet him. i guess i stressed him out by trying to catch him because his chest pumped up all pink. sure wish i had gotten that shot - against that bright orange chair it would have been cool.

prismacolor / sharpie color

L - Nikon / T - Canon

August Break 12

We both submitted our designs for the Dolphin Parade and are anxiously waiting to hear back. A celebration for the opening of the new dolphin exhibit at the Georgia Aquarium will feature 5' dolphin fiberglass sculptures painted by artists. We're hoping at least on of our designs will be chosen.

I rendered my design with Prismacolor pencils /i did mine with sharpies.

Funny, these photos were not shot in collaboration for this post but were taken randomly. I just thought they fit together.

show / tell

solo post - L, Nikon

I don't have any adventures to share, or stories to tell or even any good photos to show you. The work hours have been long, so it's pretty much been work and sleep. Well there's eating in there too but nothing very exciting, except... there was dinner at my parents the other night. My dad had sourdough bread right out of the oven and it was the best ever. There was corn on the cob, chicken, roasted potatoes and beets, plus he had made a pecan pie – best thing of the week so far. We ate dinner as we watched the birds outside their bird window - the little wren was going in and out of the bird house and the flicker had come to eat suet my mom had hung, the little chickadee was drinking water from a cup filled with fresh water every day. And very briefly we saw a hummingbird. Taylor laughs at my fascination with watching birds and the fact that I always have a camera around my shoulder. I told her that I always had it because I was always trying to get that one great photo of a bird and have yet to get it. She said, "here give me the camera" haha
Since there's still no great bird photo to share, I'm going to have a little 'show and tell'.
Taylor and I went to a nice art festival the other day and I made two purchases. The two little espresso cups caught both of our eyes so I decided to get a pair. She picked out one with more wood knot texture and mine has a special imprint for the thumb - similar but both unique. They are made by Regina Wolff from Atlanta and her work is really exception. I was drawn to it because of the glazes she uses and because her work is inspired by nature. Another artist that is inspired by nature is Jeri Landers. I had seen her books before and liked them but didn't have a child to buy them for. This time I decided why not just buy it for myself. When she asked, "who is it for" I hesitated and said "me". Then she wrote, "For Leslye. Please have tea - Sharp at 3... with Mrs Whiskerkins and me!" and drew a little picture of a bunny. When my niece and nephew come to my house they like hunting and counting all of the bunny things in my house and yard. This book will keep them busy - there's supposed to be 400 bunnies in the book, many of them are hidden.
I enjoy going to art festivals. Do you?

fictional / historical

L - Nikon / T - phone pic

I just finished a book title "The Great Man" - the story of a fictional 20th-century New York figurative painter and the women he left behind. It was a book I picked up in our work library to read while having lunch one day. It keep my interest enough to take it home and finish it. It was an enjoyable read but I don't do a good job of reviewing books so I'll let you read about it here. / i think this looks pretty familiar to a picture that was on the blog last year- the infamous art history notecards. i really do enjoy the subject of art history, i just wish that it was more specific to art i was interested in. it's tough to be enthralled by a clay jar or the remnant arm of a statue sometimes. but it'll all be over with tomorrow at noon! and then i'll be able to take upper level art histories, maybe even the history of photography!

mail delivery

L - solo post, Nikon

My mail box is usually filled with nothing but junk mail, every once in a while there's a piece of important mail (got one the other day for my tag renewals) but this time of year it's more catalogs than anything. However, today I got two pieces of mail that I was very excited about. Show tickets and handmade cards from a special friend.
When T was home a few weeks ago we drove downtown and saw a huge tent set up where they usually have the Cirque du Soleil tent. However this one was white instead of yellow and blue so we weren't sure what it was for. Then we saw... Cavalia is coming to town. This tent we saw is the largest touring big top in North America. The show... a larger-than-life fairytale - blending dramatic visual effects, live music, dance and acrobatic with the bold presence of over 60 magnificent horse. I just had to get tickets. The only day that T would be able to go was on 11 -10, so I went online and it kept coming up that none were available. I thought I would have to give it up. but I decided to make a call. Turns out the entire place was bought in groups but a representative called me the next day and said she had some tickets - really good tickets. We will be seated eight rows back, middle right, just one row back from premium seats. I can't not wait! I put those tickets in a safe place. We'll just say it's an early birthday present to myself, and T gets to reap the benefits as well.
See those beautiful cards there on the left? I bet most of you can recognize who did this lovely work. Elk recently opened an etsy shop and I went shopping there as soon as she did. These cards were packaged so nicely and I have to say they are even more beautiful in person - you can tell they are truly made from the heart. I'm not sure if I will be able to part with them - might just frame them for myself instead of writing a letter on them. You should check out her shop for yourself when you get a chance.

random / planned

L - iphone / T - Nikon

"Fiery colors begin their yearly conquest of the hills, propelled by the autumn winds. Fall is the artist." 
- Takayuki Ikkaku

This morning there was autumn magic on the lawn – the winds and rain carrying the russet, amber and tangerine-orange leaves down to blanket the ground in a mosaic of color – a work of art really. By this afternoon there will be a thick carpet of color atop the emerald grass and the soft pine straw beds. I will feel a strong desire to rake them up and jump in them – taking me back to childhood. But... I'm too old and besides, it's raining. I'll be satisfied to rustle my feet through them and kick them in the air. / this past weekend we had perfect weather - it got me in the mood for carving a pumpkin. i had the idea all in my head and even sketched it out before i started. i can't say it turned out exactly like i planned but it looks great all lit up. i'll show you that later. : )

neat / organized

post - L / photos - T

T designed this computer desk and my dad made it for her. He built it according to her specifications and then she sanded, painted it white, stained and varnished the top the color of her floors and added the little glass pulls. Doesn't it look nice and neat? It will be something she can use for years to come. Just as my mom used this drawing table that my dad built for her when they were first married. She used it many years as an illustrator for the Baptist Sunday School Board, and later as a painter. I used it in my paint studio when I went off to college and now T has it to use. When something is made well, and and taken care of, it can last a lifetime and more. Maybe T's children will one day use this desk that she and her Opa built.
These are the markers here... those were mine back when I did markers comps - you know before computers. I was shocked that they still worked - they have to be at least 15 - 20 yrs old.
I thought it was kinda funny... I took these supplies to T last weekend when we met half way for lunch and before I even got home she had sent this photo of it all set up - the colors in perfect order. I know she couldn't stand it until they were in the proper order - she's kinda OCD like that ; ). It brought back memories to see this all set up in working order - the t-square and triangles, ellipses and french curves, and all the colors of the rainbow. Now let's see the work, T.

unexpected

words by L, photo by T

The other day T had told me about her first photo assignment and some of her ideas to carry them through. She had a series of 5 images to take. And because it's fun to act like a student again, I brainstormed my own ideas, but felt like my ideas were a pretty conventional and ordinary. I was so anxious to see what she would come up with. She showed me all of them except the one for "landscape" and I knew she was running out of time, even daylight. In my mind I was a little bit frustrated that she waited so late to complete them all. She told me she might go over to the abandoned house. My first thought was "no, that's not what the assignment is" but I kept my thoughts to myself.
here was her assignment:
make 5 color pictures using a digital camera from each of the following topics. you must shoot at least five images per topic, but turn in only one image per topic for critique. you will also have to turn in a digital contact sheet.
1. never again: make a photograph of something fleeting, something temporary. try to photograph an image that can never be photographed again. attention to light and time.
2. monochromatic color: make a photograph containing variations of only one color.
3. landscape: make a photograph that relays the emotional connection you do or do not feel with the environment
4. light and texture: use the ability of light to enhance a subject. make the ordinary extraordinary by allowing us to see something peculiar, obstructed, or intensified.
5. documentary: document a person, a moment, an event, or a place. pay attention to environment and detail. the information recorded should say something about the place, time, or emotional experience of the chosen subject.

When I pulled this image up late that night, I immediately smiled, clapped my hands in excitement, and said to myself, "oh Taylor!". I smiled to think, "why did I doubt her ability, even for a second". I expected her to do well, but it was unexpected just how. I have to say she amazes me – that's a mother talking. But apparently her teacher was astounded as well, and told the other students to take note of how T used light in all 5 of her assigned photos. I also doubt that the teacher expected such conceptual thought.

jumping frogs / jumping color

solo post - L , you really need to click on the image to see it better.
Taylor has been busy painting furniture and packing up for the move this weekend. Sorry she has been absent from the blog lately.
Today I got the sweetest thank you card from my niece. She is always so thoughtful and remembers to write her "thank you's" without even being told by her mother. Sometimes she just draws a picture and sends us a letter just because. I love that – I love getting mail. She is about the only one who I get snail mail from. Such a sweet girl. Her brother is very thoughtful as well. We stayed at my cousins river house after the reunion and the children wanted to draw a big "thank you" (using the 3D chalk I gave them) for her to see when she came home. They were sorry she wouldn't have the 3D glasses to look at with – said the colors really jumped out at you when you had the glasses on. My cousin was delighted when she saw and hoped it never rained and washed it away. Don't you think children's art is the best? I wish I had saved every precious drawing T created? As the years go by, the marks of her innocent mind become even more treasured.

a blissful day

photos by T

Since this has been such a hectic week and have had no time for photos or blogging I asked T to share 2 photos from her week. I didn't know what she would come up with. I was hoping for a shot of her dirty self after her hard day laying sod in the rain. She's been helping her dad with landscaping this week – doing very hard and dirty work. The kind of work that makes you feel good and tired at the end of the day. Or a photo of the pieces she hung in a gallery. She prepared and hung 3 large photo pieces in a local art gallery for a showing called "pin-up" Show and Sale. It was an interesting concept - all pieces had to be no larger than 18 x 24 and unframed and unmated and able to "pin" to the wall with no more than 4 push pins (she said she used 6 - hope she's not disqualified) and must be priced under $100.
And she's probably not counting but I can count at least 6 different friends she has made time for just this week. She's staying busy that's for sure. And that a good thing. / these photos are from last week when i spent a day in athens with my friend. the weather was perfect. the day was an unstructured day. we bought subway lunches, laid a blanket in the grass, amongst the clover, made clover necklaces, read our books, talked and listened to music.

hatch / seek

L - Nikon / T - phone

You may wonder what THIS is all about. T called today with an idea for her new 3D project. She wanted to create a sculpture out of a book (have you ever seen Su Blackwell's work?). So we brainstormed awhile over the phone - hatched up some ideas like we used to do when she was home and had an art project. We're a good team. It's ok that I suggested some things isn't it? She wanted to create a nest out of the pages of the book - I'll leave the rest a mystery. So since I had easy access to scrap paper and an xacto knife at work I did a little test and sent her a phone picture of how it might work. Meanwhile she was shopping for used books. / i'm pretty excited about the new 3D project. my idea is to do a sculpture using the pages of an old book. so i went to the habitat for humanity trift store to seek out some interesting books. $4.28 got me the books i thought i could use.

wet day / wet paint

L - iphone / T- Nikon D40x

I have no words to speak of tonight but I'm pretty excited about the pair of photos we have. When I got to work this morning, coming in from the rain, I looked down at the chair that I had dropped my things on and realized wow that's a lot of color (and I don't usually wear bright colors) - so I took a picture. But that was all I had for today - an assortment of bright objects. Then when T sent me her photo this afternoon I said to myself, "no way!" I was thrilled to see all those bright colored inks we bought for her when she was home on break, and to see the project she has been working on too - the green circles mimicing the very inside of my raincoat. I wish you could see my full umbrella - it's the rainbow colors of her ink boxes; my purse almost like a palette of paints. It's all a very colorful part of this rainy gray day / i was glad it was raining today - i have so much work to do and if the sun had been out i would be tempted to play. i've labored long on this "illuminated manuscript" assignment and finally i'm ready to put color to my pen and ink drawing. i love getting out fresh new art supplies - new brushes, new colors, even a new palette.

dripping / draping

L - coolpix 990 / T- phone pic

I took this photo when I got home. It's a drippy, rainy day and a little chilly too, but see these dogwoods - they're loving the rain and they will be bursting in their white glory come Easter. I'm always amazed at how, no matter when Easter falls, the dogwoods always seem to be in full bloom in time for Easter. / Taylor sent this photo late tonight but she didn't send any words to tell about it. I know that it is some sort of installation at her art building and it looks very interesting - I'd love to know more about it. It took me a minute to figure out what it was exactly. If you can't tell from the small photo, those are pieces of clothing all connected in some fashion - draping off of the second story. Maybe she'll tell us about it later.

final strokes

solo post - L

Ok today, after I finish breakfast, I'll make the final strokes on my painting. But then I'll just have to turn away and stop critiquing it so harshly. I look at other peoples artwork and I like so many styles - sometimes it makes me wish I had a different style of my own. I've always been told that I have a unique style and really that's a good thing I suppose. I think it's important that an artist establishes their own personal technique and approach - that a piece by them is recognizable as theirs at first glance. I talk about all this art stuff more on my other blog site.

blossomed / evolved

Just last weekend the sun was shining and the temperatures where warm - the trees and plants felt it was time to spring forth and blossom. This weekend the temperatures are going to dip into the low 20s. I sure hope it doesn't kill all the tender developing buds and what has already blossomed. (weird, I didn't realize until after I posted this that the corresponding post is so similar and I didn't plan it that way) / i'm really happy with the way this project has turned out! i determined that my faucet looked like a reindeer, or more specifically the dog from the grinch, so i decided i would mount it like a trophy. i found some twine lying around the art school and used that to give the metal some texture, found some forks to make parts of the antlers and the hooves at the bottom, and mounted it to a piece of wood. i like the graphic look of it and the way the paint on the twine looks. we have critique tomorrow, so wish me luck!

adore / adornment

In a previous post I said that I wasn't the mushy type and I don't think I am - at least not in person. However I can be sentimental when it comes to my childhood and anything having to do with my own child. And you might say I must be a romantic of sorts because I am drawn to books of this type - books about love and especially books that have beautiful illustrations and fanciful words and poems. Why do I buy these books? This particular book has little envelopes on the pages with "real" letters you can pull out and read - like you've discovered someone's private treasure box. Letters like this: " I cannot get that beautiful afternoon out of my head, above me where I lay the grass was silhouetted against the blue of the heavens, small clouds were rushing past as the wind drove them on an endless journey. Then close to me was the most lovely of all, your soft hair against my cheek, your kisses so cool and unearthly and my happiness was so great." - Julia Lee-Booker to Lieut. Pat McSwiney, a British soldier 1940 I buy them because I think you would call me is a hopeless romantic. / today my roommate and i went to michael's to take advantage of a coupon we found. i had forgotten how much i love that store! every time i go in i regret the fact that i never took up scrapbooking. there are so many cute little stickers and stencils that i would love to utilize somehow, but every time i do decide to buy them they end up stuck in the back of a drawer somehow. i remember the scrapbook i made after my 8th grade trip to washington dc and how good it turned out, my whole class thought i was just "so artsy." anyway, every time i go in, the decorations seem to get cuter and cuter. maybe i'll find a way to incorporate them into an art piece somehow [:
(p.s. the price differences between michael's and the athens art stores are ridiculous! i want to support the locals, but from now on i think we're going to hit michael's up...)

emerge / morph

L - Nikon D40x 200mm / T - phone pic
Today was an absolutely gorgeous day. I drove up to Athens to look at another house with my daughter. It was so warm I opened the sunroof! Before I left Atlanta I was outside with my dog and noticed the sproutings of spring. With temperatures like this for a few days I bet we will see more little surprises emerge. I remember one year in particular, on Feb 12th, (1990, the year my daughter was born) that the Bradford pear trees were in full bloom and the jonquils too. unusual. / our newest assignment in my 3D class is to create a "found object" sculpture piece with anthropomorphic or zoomorphic features. my teacher suggested a good dumpster to go to behind the foundry where there would be a lot of metal and wood scraps (without having o deal with food items). my roommate and i went over after breakfast and got to work dumpster- diving. the students doing metal work probably knew we were freshman assigned some crazy foundations class project and were laughing at us, but it was still fun. my finest find was this faucet. my roommate and i decided it kind of looked like a dog or a reindeer. what do you think it looks like - what can this faucet possibly morph into? i need to add more objects to make a full creature. help, i'm having trouble getting inspiration.