A Whim....3

She's almost done. It's a lot of fun working on this. 

A Whim...2

Some more color.

A Whim

I had this idea in my head tonight. It took a while to process these steps, but I did it. I wanted to add color to my hand drawn image of this young lady. I knew that it could be done on the computer, but I wasn't sure how. I'd read how some artists did it in Photoshop so I gave it a go and this is now a wonderful new tool I've discovered! This is going to be so much fun.

 

I also figured out how to post it into my blog. 

All this may be obvious to some artists, but in my situation it came today. This is Ambrosia for me!

This is a work in progress and you will be seeing a finished product down the line of posts. 

Fresh Starts

I'm anxious to get painting again. This is just a little something I've been playing with. Hope everyone is feeling great and ready to start the New Year! I am. Fresh starts. New chapters. Challenges to conquer. I'm ready to see what is coming our way. Hurray! Best Wishes to All.

In the Spirit

I'm finally feeling the Christmas spirit. I usually get into the swing of things when I get the gifts wrapped up. Mission accomplished, I say. Shopping is not one of my interests and I'm so relieved that I did very little of it this year. The few times I did have to go shopping, I planned so that I would avoid the crowds and take advantage of the specials.

The Toot is great during all the commotion of decorating, shopping and wrapping. She did cause herself to get a nose bleed from picking her nose too hard. One of the hazards of wrapping with my back to her while she patiently waited for me to be done. She's okay, I've just got to get that nose pickin' reasonably restrained. Everyday is another lesson to teach and learn.

These cloudy days are fantastic! I enjoy a drive on days like this. We were out earlier and had the chance to see a helicopter take off from the top of a building and into the clouds towards a small opening of light. It was amazing. The Toot was fascinated by the whole thing. When I look up to a cloudy sky I feel overwhelmed with happiness and I thank nature for all its beauty!

Life is full of wonders!


Here's a little something to give you a chuckle. He's a real cutie! It makes me laugh every time I look at it.

I get carried away

Sometimes it happens. I'd be having so much fun drawing fingers that I sometimes end up with a six fingered hand. At this angel the short digit is behind all these curvy ones. It's there, you just have to imagine it back there. You should see my six digit foot. My specialty.

I miss my Mother and my friend Thelma

I've already had a good cry sitting here scanning her pictures into my computer and listening to her favorite music. Los Hermanos Silva, Cri Cri, Juan Gabriel and I've even got a few Joselito (when he was a boy). There were others. These are just what I have in my computer.

 

It's the holidays that remind me of her and it's still hard to get through them without her. She encouraged me to do my art and whatever I felt a passion for. There are other people I know who miss her company. She was a good listener and confidant. 

The empty feeling hurts. 

I'm going to have her Rosary here in our home in February.

I've also been thinking about my friend Thelma. 

She always called me at Christmas to wish me and my family a Merry Christmas. I think of Thelma everyday too. I used to call her to ask her advice on "issues", and she always had a lot to offer. Now, I just pray and talk to both Thelma and my mother when I'm uncomfortable about something. It helps. Funny, I don't remember Thelma ever playing any music when I visited her. So I have no music to remind me of her. Instead it's nature.

 

She loved the trees with purple flowers. She loved honeydew melon, chutney and raisin bread. 

Merry Christmas Thelma.

This post was a bit of a downer. Yeah, I could easily picture the old me with a bottle of Jack and listening to Lady Day. All by myself. Look on the bright side...I don't drink anymore and so I'm not depressed all the time. I just have my moments of sadness.

 

Smile

Christmas cards

I've gotten sick again. This time I think it's the flu and this is the second day. I was almost finished with making my cards and now I have to stop because I have no energy. The Toot is being very patient. I do need to tend to her needs first and today I'm doing it very slowly. 

The reason I haven't posted anything for a while is because of the Christmas decorating and making these cards. 

I do want to thank the few who come by and check up on my little blog here. I am very pleased when someone posts a comment. Thank you so much! I want to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and great New Year! Live Simply and Be Happy! The same goes for those few who don't post a comment and just like to read and see what's up with my art or anything else I post here. Keep coming back! Thank you!

The Huntington Trip, Successful!

We made it! The sun came out and it didn't rain! I wish we could have stayed longer, but it was getting close to nap time for the girls. We went with two new friends we've made at the Parent Education class. Claudia and her daughter Layna were great companions to stroll around with in the gardens. Beautiful Day!

The Toot going through a tunnel covered with ivy. Fun! She got a kick out of running through to the other side where the light was waiting for her.

The Huntington is becoming one of my favorite places to visit. It has two things that I love, Nature and Art.

Should I put this up on Etsy?

I've been wanting to put up some of my women images on Etsy. What do you think of this one? I finished it today. It was inspired from a movie I just saw from Netflix.
Notes on a Scandal ...I liked the movie very much. Judy Dench was great as the creepy older school teacher. This portrait reminded me of her character...a younger version.
Got to go. The little one is crying for attention. I'd love to write more, but I'm out of time.

So what do you think? "Miss Covett"

Huntington Gardens

The little Po and I are going to the Huntington Gardens this week. I love their desert garden. I'm hoping that it won't be too cold or raining that day. I had to make reservations a month ago to go on this specific day. The little Po is still sick and I'm doing my best to make sure she is warm and drinking her fluids. Please let the sun be out this day.

I'm feeling better today, but now the little one is sick. I haven't had time to post. She's on my lap as I type right now and crying. Sigh....It gets a little difficult sometimes................................okay, she's asleep again.

The good news is that I have sold some of my prints and a painting. My collectors are few right now and I am very happy to have them. I'll keep making more. I just have to. The drive to create art is very strong. When I stop I feel restless. So, I just do it. It feels like Ambrosia! There, I said it. I've always wanted to say that, but didn't want anybody to think I was some kind of a freak. I don't care...i am a little freaky. Ambrosia! Ambrosia! Hello, my name is Ambrosia.

Okay. It's late. I'm losing it. The little Po and I are off to bed. Sweet Dreams..........................

Under the weather

Things have been put on hold. I caught a cold. This is day two and I'm nursing myself back to good working condition (that cave was just too cold and lonely). I leave you with a photo of my little Po. I just hope she doesn't get sick. I'm staying warm and drinking plenty of teas and orange juice. Tomorrow is our Parent Education class and our time to see new friends.

Thanksgiving, Christmas and Oaxacan worms

These holidays are coming too fast for me this year. I've been so busy trying to simplify that I just feel overwhelmed with too many little things to do. I didn't want to photograph our Thanksgiving dinner like I see in so many of the blogs I read (so I borrowed this one). Let's just enjoy and rest. Happy Thanksgiving and now let's get ready for the Christmas rush.

This time last year I made my own Christmas cards and this year I don't see that happening. The little one is a handful and it would be impossible to create 20 miniature paintings to give away as cards.

So, I'm trying to clear my head of recipes and parenting skills to see how I'm going to handle this next holiday. If I get too busy and forget to say, "Merry Christmas!" there it is. Sometimes I wish I could just go in a cave and drink eggnog and eat Oaxacan food accented with worms and crickets and wait for all this hoopla to end. Of coarse I'd take my Itty Bitty and Gorilla. Hey, and give me a holler when it's all over.

Okay enough of my sniveling. Get back to the drawing table and paint!

Showcased on Etsy until 12 pm

A quick note that I am being showcased in the Art Category on Etsy with 24 other artists until 12pm Eastern time. I've also put up three new pieces and they are originals. Come by and take a look and remember it's okay to open up the pocket book today. It's always great to buy Art! Just think how great it would be to own an original from Me!

Buy Nothing Day

Read more about this event and concept here.

I've been practicing this for a year now. I can go three and sometimes four days without buying anything. It feels good not to be spending. It's made me realize that I was buying things I didn't need or have any room for. At first it felt strange, but as time went by it felt natural and actually healthy....our savings account has also been stable and slowly increasing. I've been reading this blog to be encouraged and inspired.

YouTube

I'm learning to put up some videos and found these two Cri Cri clips that were to my liking. The first one I dedicate to my mom and the second I dedicate to my sister.

The Rooster

I've been a little weak at blogging. I've been trying to get started on a new project that involves a rooster and white canvas sneakers. With the little one tugging at my pants and climbing on to me, I can't get to doing anything that involves using both of my hands.


So here is one of my sketches of a stern looking rooster. I like the loose feel of the line quality. Simple and direct. I will be working with a different kind of paint that I'm not used to working with, but it shouldn't be a problem. I just have to get started. I will try to get photos up soon.

Farmer's Market

This is what we got at our local farmer's market. We do this on Sundays and I had to take a picture of our goodies today. Yummy!

I just love fresh fruit and vegetables and if I could grow them I would, but we can't do this when I have no garden. Our farmers market is local so we get to walk over and enjoy the morning with other fresh produce shoppers. It's a great feeling to be around other people who love great tasting fruits and vegetables. I've gotten so tired of supermarket fruits and vegetables that are overpriced and have no flavor.








This one is a beauty. Just as pretty as a dozen flowers I passed on because this was just so glorious.




I should mention that I also bought honey with the honeycomb. This is a first for me. Amazing stuff. I know not to put the honeycomb in with my tea. Fun!

Go Team Go!

I've got a few morning minutes to make a post. These past few days I've been busy with details on my Etsy store. It's important that I be ready for the new items I will be putting up. I've been working on some calling cards and getting some information from other Etsy artists who sell original work. There are a lot of sellers who are helpful to newbies and I am grateful to them. I plan to do the same when I get my sales up as an Etsy seller. So, I keep at it. A little at a time and things seem to be falling into place.

My sweetie said, "You're not going to get a home run if you don't swing at the ball." (I probably screwed up his quote, but that's the gist of it. I'm terrible at re-telling anything. If he happens to read this, I might fix it.)

He has been a big encouragement for me. I am so lucky to have him cheering for me because sometimes I can only hear the crickets in my head. He's my Maude.

Photo from: wikimedia.com

Attack of the Art Bug

I have completed another piece and it's a nice one. It has a japanese feel to it. The Art Bug is on to me like a rich intricate dream...I don't want to wake up.

A cloudy day at the cemetery

My sister wanted to go to the cemetery to decorate our mother's plot, so the Toot and I picked her up and off we went.

It was a beautiful day and I was lucky to get some nice pictures.

We miss our mom, especially during the holidays. I still think of her everyday. Just today as I was driving to my sister's house I had do drive through our old neighborhood and as I drove towards Sycamore Park I saw a small older woman walking up the sidewalk who reminded me of my mother. This was from a distance. Sometimes I like to see things fuzzy because of this. It's easier to image her sweet face when I see something blurry that'll remind me of her.



Sis and Toot...




















The cemetery has always been a calming place for me. It has always been a safe place to just release my worries or forgive and pray in my own way.

Avocado and Flowers

Doing some early morning uploading of work while my sweets are asleep. I've been wanting to do more of these pieces. Landscapes. Calm places that I often have dreams about. Wish I had one of those dreams this morning.

Another tutorial

You're cute!
I've had a busy week and I got another quick lesson from Super Manny on how to put a video on my blog. I was missing out on all these extra tools and now I hope to add more visuals. It sure is a lot of fun to learn some new things to use on the computer. This is a wonderful tool and I'm going to learn as much as I can in, "Mommy Time".

I am still painting and trying to build up a group to sell originals on Etsy.

There is so much to post, but I'm limited in time. We're off to the park in a few minutes and I've got to get the Toot ready to go play a little.

We saw the light.

We went to see an exhibit of James Turrell this past weekend and it was an ethereal experience. An exhibit of light and space. Pretty trippy man!
This was at the Pomona College Museum of Art and it was a nice break from our weekend routine. I loved it! You can read more about the artist here।
It took me almost two hours to get this post up. I'm not going to say much more because the Toot is sleeping on my shoulder and I'm getting hot and tired.

To the rescue!

Super Manny came by and has shown me how to get hyper links on my blog. This is terrific. I learned a lot today and will be having fun with my new info!

Blue Moon and Fire.....New Piece

Lights Not Out in LA

It's such a joke how an event like this in Los Angeles can't be accomplished. Our family participated and it was amazing that the news (an hour after the scheduled event) never mentioned anything about it. I looked online and again nothing. This morning I finally found a small write up by the LA Times and I just shake my head from disappointment. If your interested in reading the article. - copy and paste this link from the LA Times to read it.

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-lights21oct21,1,365977.story?coll=la-headlines-pe-california

A whole year the officials had to publicize this and they didn't do much to make people aware of this event. I didn't hear about it until yesterday morning. A quick blurb in the news. Another is scheduled for March 29th.

Lights Out LA

Let's turn all our lights, tv and radios on off tonight at 8pm to 9pm. Get your candles ready or sit in the dark and just enjoy the dark. I know we'll be participating and we've got our candles and books ready. Toot and I went to the library and I'm so excited to have found Anne Lamott's book, Grace (Eventually). I didn't have to spend a cent for this! You've got to love the library.

Mi Altar para Dia de los Muertos

I haven't had time to post. I've been painting. Adding photos to my altar of family and friends who have passed on. Taking the Toot to her class. Getting her clothes ready for the cold weather. Going to the library to get new books to read. I've baked a pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting for my brother in law Guzie, and it was delicious! I love this weather because I can cook and bake again. Home smells and feels great!

I will be putting up photos of the altar today. My battery is charging at the moment. The little one is sleeping and I've got some Mabo Tofu to make!

I'm going to be working on a group of pieces and I will be posting them on Etsy. These will be originals and hopefully I can get them up in a month. I have to give myself a deadline or else I won't get them done soon.

Got to go. I have to take advantage of this nap time.

...........................I'm back (4 hours later) and here are my photos....

My nephew Gilbert

My uncle Estanislado "Stanley" or "Tanis"

My grandmother Antelma (Anselma)

My husband's father Pedro and brother Peter (top row right and 2nd row #4)

My mother Dolores and grandmother Domitila

My friend Thelma

My mother again

Our friend Bob A.

My uncle Mario and again my grandmother Domitila

My cousin Eric

My dog Ashley

I will be adding more things to the altar as we get closer to November 2nd.

Just for fun

Something from my sketchbook. Having a little fun with the sprinkles.
I'm up late and I'm taking advantage of the quiet time. Today I worked on my altar for the Day of the Dead. I usually start a few weeks before and keep adding gifts, flowers and photos. This year I've added two friends, Bob and Thelma. I will include a photo of the alter in a few days.

Composition 2 " Leaves"

Composition 1 "Leaves"

It would be nice to have a full hour to do some sketches or some simple line drawings. It would be nice. So instead I'm photographing compositions because it is quick and it is the only time I can pinch while tending to the little Toot.
She and I were at the park this afternoon and I got so involved in choosing the leaves for my composition. I loved the warm colors and the delicate dry skins. This made the trip to the park a little more interesting for both of us. I like it when there aren't a lot of kids and parents because the conversations can be so dull. There is so much to discover when I look closely at what is around me. I did see cigarette butts and trash too and I could easily get some disgusting images, but let's not go there. No, let's stick to the pretty. And breatttthhhhhe. Enjoy!

Dusting off my gouache tubes

That sounds funny. I'll go with it anyway.....


Yeah, they're pretty old. But the pigments are still pliable. I hope. I got a blister on my finger trying to open some of the tubes. It's a great feeling when I make an image from what's inside these little fellas. To be painting again makes me grateful.


If you look closely you can see the prices and the names of some art supply stores that haven't existed in over 10 years or more. The prices are also visible.


Its been a long time since you could buy a tube of Winsor & Newton gouache for $1.85. Looking at these old gouache price labels reminds me of Otis and the great time I had there. I am grateful.