Day 12

I am at a serious crossroads in my life (this sounds better than mid-life crisis does). So I've been thinking bout goals and such. Here's a journal page I started to get me thinking.

Day 11

While I was gone to Missouri, I worked on some journal pages. They are small because I'm not trying to have you read the words, just look at the overall picture. One of the entries is about a humorous/frustrating Steak & Shake experience and how Starbucks saved the day. Another is a little narrative about my dad and Don building a fence.

Day 10 continued

I've had this need to change something in my home. I was thinking I wanted to buy something, but I couldn't decide what that might be. So instead, I rearranged my studio a bit. I've always wanted a chair in here and by moving my bookshelves down a bit, I have a place. I moved this one from my bedroom. Either I'm going to get a new one, or I'm going to recover this one in some wild and fun print.

After I put the bookshelves back together, I took a breather and sat in the chair to look at a book. This is going to be one of my new favorite spots, I can tell.

Day 10

Our theme for this month at my calligraphy guild was Beauty and the Beast. We were encouraged to think outside the box. I have been doing a Beth Moore Bible study on Esther, and I realized that Esther and Haman provided the perfect beauty and the beast picture. In this piece, the dark green block of lettering is scripture describing Haman. The wispy cream lettering introduces Esther, and the blocky lettering running up the side shares one of the main themes of the book. I like the ideas but if I were to do it again, I would execute it differently. The dark lettering was made with a Pentel watercolor brush, but I would have preferred using gouache. The Esther lettering needs to be more prominent, and I would have chosen a background that didn't fight with the words so much. Good practice, though!

Day 9

Here's a detail of the piece from yesterday's post. I do so love this italic form. It reminds me of a ballet - long, fluid movements that express so much.

Day 8

Going to try this again! Did I say I was going to do all 365 days IN A ROW? Maybe there's a loophole here.

Day 7 and following

I can't post to the blog right now because I don't have a way to get my art onto it. I'll be back

Day 6

This is officially my first day to cheat. I am showing an alphabet I lettered a bit ago. It's done with sumi ink and a 'coke' pen (folded ruling pen). Going out of town tomorrow and have plans to post on the road.

Day 5

I finished it! It required quite a bit of altering as the original pattern was for a very loose, floaty garment and I wanted it to be closer fitting.

My friend, Chris Boyd, brought this fabric home from China and gave it to me about 15 years ago. He knew I loved to sew (then). His wife, Nina, got a piece, too. I wonder what happened to hers. Well, mine is finally a new silk blouse that I'm excited to wear. Thanks, Chris!

Day 4

I spent the afternoon sewing on a piece of silk that I've had for years (maybe 15). I only saved a couple of pieces of silk from when I used to sew. I've usually never worn this color, but I like it with my new hair color (natural).

Day 3

To pay homage to the second day of summer, I've lettered a quote by Thomas Carlyle, written in 1839. I would imagine in that day, summer was truly welcomed and may have felt a long time in coming. Written with a broad-edged pen. The paper is paste paper I made a couple of months ago.

The second piece is written with a brush. The alphabet is probably my most favorite thing to write out.

Day 2 Dad

It's Father's Day, and I was unable to be with my Dad who lives a couple of states away. He is truly one of my favorite people in the world. He's a man who enjoys simple things - mowing his lawn, helping his friends (and strangers), a nice scoop of vanilla ice cream with Hershey's chocolate syrup, his church. His example of being a servant is one I will do well to emulate.

His name is Delmar which seems just perfect for him. I like how this lettering turned out and enjoy the obvious disconnect between the memories the name conjures for me and the way the fluid, formal letters look. I drew the letters by hand and then outlined them in Illustrator. One could finesse this type of lettering forever, but I've just given a good first try.

I love you, Pop.

Day 1

I suppose it would have been more logical to begin on the first day of the year or at least the first of a month. I'm only one day away from the first day of summer, so I guess I'll claim that. But really, it was just time to begin - time to take the act of creating seriously.

It's an interesting time as I will be in town for just a few more days before being gone for 10! But that just means I have to be MORE creative in how I post.

To combat my perfectionism, I will post my best tries, even if I am not happy with them. I don't expect to create a masterpiece every day (okay, maybe I do, but I'll get over it). And after today, I promise to keep the text brief.

Well, here goes (and I must admit it feels a little like a repetitive dream I have where I am in a car climbing an enormous hill, fear building as I get closer and sure enough, when I reach the crest and go over, I am airborne!)