Back from an informal creative vacay...

Ah, boy! Is summer the most distracting, or what?! I haven't been here in ages! My apologies. It's just that in Seattle one mustn't miss one ounce of vitamin D or warm air while it's available. Luckily I haven't been completely unproductive, I've been stewin' on a few things and doodlin' here and there.

When I posted about my retired art journal back in May I got loads of love from all of you (thank you!thank you! and right back atcha!) so much so that I've decided to post images from my art journal more regularly. :D The idea has been rolling around in my head for some months now, I suppose I just needed a little push. Lets start off with an item I finished this evening, shall we?

...found images + watercolor + colored pencil + pen...

I just got a new computer (wee!) and I'm with out any CS, so the crop is wonky and I can't adjust levels, and so forth. Again, my apologies. Funny how I hated it before but now I miss it ever so much. Someone help me find...please! Anyhoo, I'm hoping to post an art journal item about once a week in no particular order, I'll be reaching back into the retired journal as well as posting what's current. Stay tuned! Tootles!!

News!

I just announced that I, in my Etsy shop, am willing to HAGGLE! (more than willing really, I love to haggle) So if you see something you like but wanna pay a little less, just run it by me in a convo - and we'll haggle! There's been many an Etsy item I've fallen in love with, but I thought to myself "just a few dollars less and I wouldn't hesitate." I don't want people leaving my shop with that thought, so that's where the haggle comes in!

It seems haggling is dying out here in America and I think it deserves a revival. It flourishes in other countries and in small niches like some street markets + fairs and among antique rovers, but why not elsewhere? I see it more among an older generation (wisdom!) but I think it's something we young people could benefit from. It's certainly an opportunity for further interaction and relationship building between community members.

What do you all think? Has anyone else tried this in their Etsy shop, or know someone who has? Experiment!!

Hagglehagglehaggle. What a funny word.

help.

Here's a look at the print I've been working on lately. It's coming along slowly, but it's also more ambitious than any of the other prints I've done, being a fair bit larger (6 x 9-ish) and with more complicated line work. I've gotten this far, but honestly I'm not sure where to go from here. The outline plate is finished but I would like this print to have a few layers happening, I feel it needs some color and texture in the background. Huhhhh, it exhausts me. Any thoughts?

Best day.

Today was the best day, for so many reasons. Sunshine. Yard naps. Ukulele. Matching outfits. (>.<) I could go on, but I won't.

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These are all double exposures - and I love them, especially the last one. Really fun new experiment!

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While I'm here I feel the need to point out that the pictures I take are totally for fun, and are not to be taken seriously (by you or me!) despite the frequency with which I post them. Truth be told, I just love to fiddle with with my camera on an outside day - and the instant prints are so easy and fun to share! Also, not a single one is in the least bit photo-shopped, I'm too lazy for that sort of thing. (It's enough for me to muster a scan and post!) So please, enjoy them as I do - as a simple and joyful diversion, not unlike candy or a popsicle. :D

Pi'tures

Yesterday was the first true summer day I was able to soak in -- and I spent it wandering around in civilization! What's gotten into me?

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I've felt a bit uninspired when it comes to pi'ture takin' lately but some new scenery and subject matter made for an interesting outing. I went for a walk to Volunteer Park, then on a casual meander around Capitol Hill where I was introduced to the most wonderful vacant lot filled with wildflowers! Also, there was this strange piece of trash in the street that seemed to be some sort of former tree with lots of plastic tacked on, presumably to make it more convincingly tree-ish... what? Anyway...I love meandering. And wildflowers. And SUN. More sun please!!

Throwback.

When I was a youngster I collected model horses obsessively. At its peak my collection numbered 300+ holy moly!! Since then my collector nature has diffused itself -- I mainly stash art supplies, fabric and yarn...with a few digressions (a lot can fall into the category of art supply). For real though, I think my days of hardcore collecting are behind me, but that doesn't mean I can't dip my toes in the water. What I'm getting at here is this:

Isn't he just GORGEOUS!! Made by Karen of Song and Branch on Etsy. (Go check this shop out, you won't regret it! All sorts of animal buddies + more!) I am so in love. So in love my brain has stopped and I don't know where to go from here........ slippery slope! Now I won't do it all the time, but the thought of rewarding myself with one of these little buddies every now and again is mighty appealing.

No. 2

A second hand pulled block print, spawned in my art journal now for sale on Etsy!