Pictures As Promised

I'm home!! Since I've been back, there has been so much to do. Besides my boys, I've had my flower, herb and vegetable gardens begging for my attention.  

So in the last week, while I've been weeding and planting, I'm also working on a sketch that I hope to finish soon. Here is a preview...


  I'm using white contra on thick black paper.
Did you notice who was peeking from the background?

Sketch Worthy

This is the last day of my vacation before I return back home,
so soon there will be no more sketchbook slacking for me!

 In a little while, the girls and I are planning a visit to Manito Park in Spokane's beautiful South Hill addition to do a little picnic'ing and a whole lot of drawing. Who would not be inspired to illustrate with all of this beauty?  I truly hope to bring back something sweet for you. ...that is if I can sit still long enough to draw! *Crossing my pastel clinched fingers!*

              Okay then, I'll see you when I get back home!

 

Peter'd Out

I'm very sorry, folks

I'm (literally) tired of trying to fix up my blog mess. I hope you can accept the change. There's so much that I miss about the old format - my twirling bunny, the clothespinned lavender, your missing comments. ):      Oh, well...... I'm heading to bed.

I think I'm going to pull the covers up over my head too.

Good Night,

Guy Talk

I apologize for the change. The new design upgrade took my lavender background away and I don't know how to retrieve it. I'm not a happy blogger right now....Well, regardless, there is one thing that doesn't change and that is a fathers love... 

  

Many poems have been written to explain,
How a mother's love can soothe the pain.
But little has been said about a Father's concern,
So...now...I think it be his turn.

A Father's love for his offspring,
Is just like that of a golden ring.
No matter what, it is unending,
Never breaking; sometimes bending.

His love is as strong as a mother's; although...
Due to his personality, it doesn't always show.
There is no question of how strong..
Or of its lasting...however long.

So no matter if his child is good or bad,
There is no Love stronger, than that of a Dad.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY
TO LOVING FATHERS EVERYWHERE

My Grandma's Garden Book!

My Grandma didn't smell like garlic but she sure knew alot about it. I have to say that I got a warm feeling today when I noticed her name listed with Julia Child in a Booksforcomfort website. Because it's in an author's list of 'C' names, Winston Churchhill's name is there also.

Before my Grandmother's death in 1998, she wrote a gardener's handbook titled Onions, Leeks, &Garlic which was published by Texas A&M University- also being used as a reading theorises in College. Back then, we all received our own inscribed copies which to this day, is still published and sold by many online garden sites.
Editors note: This post was not written to sell more.

Before she left us, my Grandmother thoughtfully wrote another book for all of her grandchildren. It is a personal rendition of her life growing up, her years with my Grandfather who she adored - who also adored her in return. I LOVE this picture of them.

 ...and she wrote about the antics and adventures of their four children that they had together- my father included. It's a fascinating read with all kinds of events which could script a great movie.

There is no Ralphie here

but these pictures are right out of the 'A Christmas Story' era

In the book, she included our family tree, family prayers and tasty downhome recipe's,

some which are family secrets, I'm sure!

She also left behind a large box of books that she had composed. 30 years worth of children's manuscripts in need of a children's illustrator!! I hope to start on them one day. My father who has inherited her writing skill and has a unique talent of his own is an author also. Big steps for me to try to follow but tracks that once made, are always left behind.

My Grandmother lives on in her words and my memories.
Thanks for everything, Grandma!
With all of my love, always

Untimely update!

I just received one of the the nicest emails from a fellow follower.
"Thank You Jacqui!"

She is one of my Bea'liever's from the adorable Magpie Chic so I thought I would leave her and everyone an update. I have felt terrible neglecting my blog. Spring quarter finished last Monday and then on Tuesday, my two sweet girls came to visit so I've had no time to get online until now. They leave tomorrow and it looks like I may be going back with them for a short visit in return. In the meantime here is an update until I can get my blog postings back on track again...

We visited the cutest little barn shop yesterday. It's one of my favorite's and there was a new teacup display! I just had to sneak a picture...or two. (;

Wouldn't this teacup tree be cute in a victorian kitchen?

Well, in any kitchen for that matter!

As we drove, I took a few more pictures. Here are a few from our island area...

Before heading home, we came across a community garden.
Wouldn't Peter have loved what's in this?

Finals.. Finally!!

“Thank goodness I was never sent to school; it would have rubbed off some of the originality.”
~Beatrix Potter

Oh, how I wish I could say that, but I had the opportunity for college and grabbed it. Now I am in the middle of doing finals and just like Beatrix ...
“I am worn to a raveling.”

"Most people, after one success, are so cringingly afraid of doing less well that they rub all the edge off their subsequent work."
~Beatrix Potter

At this time I am nearing the end of a large portrait of a flamepoint siamese cat. I will post it very soon. Once school is over, not only will I be able to keep up my blog but chances are that I will abandon my serious sketches and go back to doing my fun make-Bealieve pictures like I used to do and that I'd rather do. That's my true passion. I will also do my pictures in COLOR!  

...In the meantime, the answers for my last post were... 11 stars, 11 teeth, 11 spots and the number 11 to indicate the cow's jumping motion.  Thank you for your patience. See you soon!

Twist On An Old Nursey Ryme

               Here is something a little different for you.
This was done for my multimedia design class when we had to design our own picture using the numbers eleven and four. It's a little blurry but...
             Can you find the number 11
                 used in 4 different ways?

                            The answer found in next weeks post.

Darling Duckling

Now isn't this adorable? It reminds me of something out of Charlotte's Web. I hope to illustrate this soon.

In the meantime, while searching for a duckling picture, I chose this one because of it's cute inquisitive expression.

In our art class, we have to take what we select and sketch it in black and white.

So this is my black and white duckling sketch.

And this is it updated.

         It's not much for size but I hope you like it anyway!