Je Dessine: Rima

 

Yes, this girl is a bit wild. 

Emma posed for me sitting in Sabrina's armchair.

I did a quick warmup sketch in pen -- then proceeded to sketch it out on a canvas making sure to cover the whole surface with paint. Her face started becoming less and less Emma-like.

Then I removed the armchair and the blue scarf and drew a leopard under her seat.

Then I changed the planters and the sky. And then I embellished her shirt with feathers. Then she started having leopard spots. She started to remind me of "Rima" -- William Henry. Hudson's heroine from Green Mansions.

Oh my. Sabrina wants me to continue changing her. But I'm afraid I've grown too fond of her. What's going to happen next?

Je Dessine: My Office Companion

This painting was the first time that I used small sketches all over the canvas. Also the first time that I removed sketches I didn't like (originally my sleeping kitty was just a cat face).  I just painted right over them and redrew my cat sleeping in the office desk drawer and removed the woman and worked with the paint on the background. It really took a bit of hutzpah for me to do. Sabrina has been encouraging me for a long while to not get stuck on the way things look -- just keep altering and see where it leads me. It certainly freed me up to go exploring!

 

In My Travels: Happy Halloween

Kentucky Pumpkins

My Old Kentucky Home

Quintessential "Kentucky" Courtier Looking at the Bluegrass

There are people and places that just stay in your blood. (What is that song by the Beatles? Oh yes, "In My Life I Love You More".) These people and the feelings they engender weave through the cells of your body and seem impossible to eradicate or hold onto. Memories, and the stories we weave around them, become the fabric of our life -- there is much bittersweetness there and there is also much joy. And it is also good to remember that even though we make up in varying degrees stories that help us live our life, we are not imprisoned there. The feeling is ours to carry with us and enrich our life whether or not the people remain present. And with this openness to change there is always another direction to take, there is always another grace to be given.

I spent a week in Louisville last month visiting my mom and brother as well as attending my 40th high school reunion. I haven't had the desire to go to any of the previous reunions, but something called to me this time and I made arrangements. My classmates may have changed physically, but there was an overall sweetness to the re-meeting and acknowledging the passage of time and the lives that have been lived valiantly. Even if someone would not claim this adjective to describe their life -- I will for them. You live your life the best way you can, you love the people, the animals, the places, in your life the best way you can. Some you love more than others, some you may not keep in touch with and still feel deeply about. Maybe it is imperfect, but most people give their very best to living and to loving others. This I believe is living your life valiantly. This is the journey.

"Je Dessine" ("I Draw") Show-and-Tell Mondays

Emma in the Garden

(acrylics, pencil)

I've been taking a break from blogging, social networking, and being online. I have been spending most of my time in my art studio trying to step up my work discipline by putting in 30-40 hours a week. That's either making jewelry or working on the marketing and business side of things that I am so reluctant to do. As a result a lot of things have been pushed aside, including my daily journal pages. Well, I'll catch up over this month. My drawing practice is nil, too. But I did make my art lesson last Tuesday with Sabrina and I am so glad I did. This is my second painting -- I worked from a photo -- and painted with acrylics on a 2' x 3' canvas board. Again I wasn't sure what I was doing, but Sabrina just kept giving me direction (without looking at what I was doing) as she read her magazine. When I just turned off my n and just layered the color, or scrubbed it or drew with the paint brush -- it all seemed to come out. Actually there was a point where I again experienced the feeling of awe...and gratitude. Makes it all worth the effort, yes it does.

"Je Dessine" (I Draw) Show-and-Tell Mondays

Yes, it's Wednesday. But my excuse is that I've been traveling in Europe (and recovering) for the past 2 weeks! I went with sketchbook and pencils and Aquacolors, and the good intention to draw amidst the hectic, creativity-inducing environment of London and Paris. I did zero -- well maybe not "zero". One afternoon my husband and I revisted the Luxembourg Gardens. This is a beaiful park, very relaxing, with winding paths, statues, fountains, a small vineyard, a sailboat fountain, pony rides, etc. While my husband read the newspaper in a chair, I took some photos of a nearby fountain then quickly sketched a commemorial statue under the trees and some gesture drawings of people on benches. Nothing I'd like to post here, though!
On the transAtlantic flight back from Paris, I was reading in a current favorite book (actually one that has kept my attention for two years) Trust the Process by Shaun McNiff. I've been doodling and drawing in theis book as I go. So I drew an imaginary room. No view out the window though. Just couldn't imagine what might be out there!

"Je Dessine" ("I Draw") Show-and-Tell Mondays

Drawing: Marsha in Rocking Chair 3.8.11

 In my drawing lesson last Tuesday, Sabrina said that I was going to have my first color painting lesson -- so don't worry about the details -- just get a quick sketch down then go at it. Our model was Marsha today. She sat in the old rocker and I quickly (HAH!) drew her, the chair, and a down coat. I worked with both acrylics and Neocolor 2 crayons. I felt kind of out of control -- but the main thing I learn over and over again is not to think -- JUST DO! Sabrina liked the colors I chose and the way I painted her pant legs (which I thought were pretty ugly -- so much for what I think!). I also brought home a drawing I did of Sabrina and a floral arrangement sometime last fall and colored with Neocolors. I like the kind of quick, abstract way way I did it. It's been fun to see my artistic fits and starts over the last year. And today I drew in one of my journal posts. So that's my Show-and-Tell Monday!

Drawing: Sabrina and Orchid Fall 2010

"Je Dessine" ("I Draw") Show-and-Tell Mondays

Gesture Drawing: Four Hats 3.1.11

Well, I am very behind on all of my Daily Pages and postings. I have been creating everyday because I have been attending the Right-Brainers in Business Video Summit and doing exercises from The Right Brain Business Plan book by Jennifer Lee, all creatively executed. I'll be posting more about this terrific course this week. But I do have these drawings I made last week. I returned to my weekly drawing lessons with Madame Sabrina TerHeune. The last lesson that I had was in October. I took a long break because of a month-long flue, a heavy dance performance, and the holidays. I took her all of the drawing I had made since I started my commitment to draw every week. She was thrilled with my work and could see what I took away with me from our sessions...she was very, very pleased. We also spoke French in the class -- which was great since I am going to Paris in April with my husband (in April we celebrate out 30th wedding anniversary!. I have been taking les lecons francais for 3 months in preparation for my trip.

Imaginary Drawing: Paris Tea 3.1.11

Here are two drawings from class last week -- I felt awkward but just forged onward -- I seem to be doing that more and more in my life nowadays -- and I am certainly getting more done when I don't tarry on the task at hand! And here is a drawing that I made last September. I like the strength in it, and somehow it speaks of where I am heading.

Pup in Lap 9.21.10

"Je Dessine" ("I Draw") Show-and-Tell Mondays

Contour Line Drawing: Dentist Rinse Cup

I think it's interesting that I drew this sweet little cup and hearts on the wall (all imagined -- it's not that colorful or creatively decorated) waiting for my dentist. The week before I had experienced a Godzilla of a dental technician torturing me with her gum shredding equipment. My dentist is an angel. Must be a bad cop good cop routine.

"Je Dessine" ("I Draw") Show-and-Tell Mondays

Dr. Jen Green's Office 

 

 

Having had my sister for a visit last week threw a crank into my regular activities...so although I was creative every day with her every single day, I didn't do my regular posting/blogging. Mary came for a ten-day visit. I adore my sister, and she me, and almost every single moment we spent together: creating art, shopping gleefully and very bad-badly, she attended my most recent Collage Cafe, cooking together and supporting each other in a diet we've both been on for the last month. I did manage to make a few drawings over the last ten days so I'm posting them now. And some gesture drawings, which amuse me. I'll be catching up on everything -- posting my journal pages etc. -- in the next few days.

Angie on the Green Comforter in Bed

Gesture Drawing: Waiting in Line at Peet's

Gesture Drawing: Someone Working on Jen Working on Mary

My Grandmother's

My grandmother, Virginia Moremen Lindsay, was creative person: she sewed dresses and Easter bonnets for me, she crocheted, she drew, she painted, and she made ceramic bowls, horses, jaguars and panthers, and birds. I spent many hours in my childhood watching her working on some project. She would always give me something to work on -- a piece of clay, paper and crayons. But as talented as she was, I don't think she was a good teacher. I do not have memories of being encouraged by her, so I usually got frustrated because what I made always seemed fall short. I can't really blame her or my mother (the same talent and temperament) though, I think I just had to find my own way to art. There is a timing for everything in your life.

This beautiful display she made and I can remember how she would spend hours it seemed on a specific flower or the curve of the bird's wing. She made I think seven pieces in this series. My mom has the rest. I am so glad I was able to bring this one home with me.

Pink Lady Strawberry Cake

Strawberry Heaven: Looking forward to making this again!

(This photo is from Tammy's Sassafras Cafe blog -- where she discusses the ample virtues of strawberry cakes)

OK, this is one of my favorite cakes to make and eat. Only every once in a while, because it's chockful of things a health conscious girl might like to avoid. But when you want a taste of pink heaven, this is the cake for you. Lisa from Curious Girl blog got this blog post started. Her post the other day Nostalgia Rocks is about strawberry soda pop, and other things. It brought to mind a recipe that was given to me by my great-grandmother, Nana. When I got married in the 70's, my grandmother gave me a brown spiral notebook,

Nana's Recipe Book (showing a photo of her, her brownceramic squirrel,and a clipping of a "Kentucky Whiskey Cake".)

in which her mother, my Nana, had pulled together all of her treasured recipes. Although the recipe came from the Louisville newspaper, I have a hand written recipe she gave me as well. It looks so homey, what with her vintage handwriting, and the cooking stains.

Nana's Handwritten Pink Lady Strawberry Cake Recipe (with evidence of prior use!)

This is an absolutely delicious cake, although it is made with a box of straberry Jello and a box white cake mix. The interior is bright pink...

A Slice of Pink Heaven (from Amy E.'s Made in Mississippi blog)

...and the buttercream frosting has a lovely pink color from the addition of thawed frozen strawberries. For a homemade from scratch strawberry cake recipe without the in-the-box ingredients go to this post from Latest Addiction's blog.

My Grandfather, Jesse Scott Lindsay as a Young Man

This is an oriel pendant I created featuring my grandfather as a young man or teenager. He's probably on the farm he grew up on near the Ohio River. Here's what I wrote about him:

"...(circa 1915)-- taking a break from squirrel hunting on the family farm in Ghent, Kentucky. I love his dramatic pose -- Kentucky rifle, floppy hat drawn low on his face, and smart leather leggings. My grandfather was good looking, a cut up, and fun loving. He adored me and I adored him. He passed on to me a love of horses, horseback riding skills, and equine savvy..."

To read more about this oriel and my other custom heritage or vintage pendants, please visit my Kentucky Girl Etsy Shop!

"Not a Typical Mother's Day"

To quote my blog friend Chrissy's post title...I spent part of Mother's Day in the hospital with my mother. She's not off the ventilator yet, but her spirits have risen and she's more aware than ever of the necessity of being patient and letting her body get stronger. My mother has little patience, but the strongest will of anybody I know (besides me!). So if anybody can survive an ordeal like this, she can. As I could not bring her food -- I bought a Mother's Day cookie, brewed a cup of strong coffee, sat down at her living room table, and said "Here's to you, Mom!"

As I was writing this, my brother called from the hospital and said "Listen to this..." -- my mother rasped a hello -- she's off the ventilator! How about that!

...Sigh...

Plehn's Crullers...My Personal Comfort Food

Kentucky Comfort: Foods That Make You Feel Good

A "Plehn" Exterior -- Hides Treasures Within!

Leah at Plehn's with Some Beautiful Mother's Day Cookies

I was thinking that Kentucky is home to so many comfort foods, but that is a bit of a grandiose statement. How about Southern Comfort ? -- well, that's a bourbon whiskey made in Tennessee, so I can't use it as an example. Comfort foods don't necessarily have geographic boundaries, but some do, so around the second day of my mother's hospitalization I headed straight for mine at Plehn's Bakery. Phehn's has been in Louisville, Kentucky -- for what? eighty years? and it is home, at least to me, of the world's best cruller with vanilla icing. I have been indulging myself with these baby's since I was an itty-bitty girl. These odd-shaped donuts are simply heaven to me -- I take a bite of its icing-coated-ridged-lip-smacking goodness and I am one happy girl. Sugary, fat-soaked comfort food that momentarily takes away uncertainity, depression, anger. Yeah baby -- I have a standing order for two of these angels every morning, and pick them up on the way to the hospital. I am not even thinking about the calories. I don't care -- it's necessary fortification --my brand of Southern comfort.

Travel

Stars on Wall in Dallas Airport

Photo on Wall at SFO

Took the red eye to Louisville to be with my 87-year-old mom, who had to have unexpected surgery. Actually had to fly into Cinncinnati, rent a car and drive to Louisville -- because no flights -- or cars -- were available in Louisville -- because it's Kentucky Derby weekend! I was worried and uncomfortable on my flight -- hyperconscious of catching some damn bug (OMG --swine flu!) I sat next to a software salesman who dreams of writing poetry again. Go for it George, don't give up the dream, live it!