Vintage Washing Machine

Every Day Matters #28 - Draw an appliance. pencil sketch, watercolor paints, Pigma pen. Sept. 30, 2012.

"From my original photograph, at an antique store in Snohomish, Washington. I remember when I was little helping my Grandma crank the wringer on her old washing machine. Then to hang all the clothes on the line to dry. Even after she got a newer machine, we still hung the clothes to dry. After struggling this week to get a new washing machine after ours broke down, I can sympathize with the effort washing clothes used to be. I even have an old "wash board" that I found stuck next to the laundry baskets. Why do I have that?"

Red Rusty Chair

Every Day Matters #30 - Draw a chair. pencil sketch, watercolor paints. Sept. 29, 2012.

From my original photograph, rusty red metal back and seat, on painted wooden legs. I love the curves on the back.

Fire Hydrant

Every Day Matters #66 - Draw a Fire Hydrant. 5" x 8" journal page, pencil sketch, watercolor paints, Pigma pen, silver metallic marker and white gel pen. Sept. 29, 2012.

"From my original photograph, someone had planted tulips next to the fire hydrant on a corner, in front of an ivy hedge. The tulips were such a surprise at that location. Spots of rust were just beginning to show through the fading yellow paint. For years we had an old fire hydrant on our front porch . It was heavy cast iron, and a good conversation starter. We always said "if you can lift it, you can have it." We finally gave it to a friend for his dog in the back yard. Wish we still had it.

Los Dos Amigos I & II

Both 5" x 7" watercolor paper, pencil sketch, colored pencils, Pigma pen. Sept 25 & 26, 2012.

Los Dos Amigos Mexican Restaurant, corner of Garden Valley & Stephens, Roseburg, Oregon. Sketched while on break on my school bus, the first pic is slow and deliberate, over several days, of sketching, coloring and inking. A ruler would have been useful, I got a few of the angels off, and wish I'd drawn it smaller so it fit on the paper better. The second, I did in about 10 minutes, color and ink, no pencil sketch, I was trying for quick and energetic, loose and fun. Again, I wish it was smaller, so I didn't have to squeeze in the flags. Not sure if I got the quick fluidity I was trying for. Being cramped up working on my steering wheel, may have contributed to the stiffness. It is an all brick building with a red metal roof. It used to be a Fire House Pizza restaurant, so that's why the architecture is the way it is.

Calla Lily II

6" x 8" watercolor paper, pencil sketch, masking fluid, watercolor paints, wet on wet. Sept. 25, 2012.

"I did not like how all the brush strokes showed on my first calla lily painting. So I tried it again on better paper. I like this one better. My sister has a whole row of large calla lilies along the side of her house. One year a lady paid her $1 per stem, for about 50 flowers. Another year someone came and stole them all. I hate flower thieves!! Over the years, someone has stolen, sunflower heads, all my foxglove, daffodils, lilacs, and one new iris, that I was waiting to see bloom, and the deer eat anything else. I would love to see my garden bloom some year. I work hard in my garden, terraced areas, cobble stone paths, lots of fancy iris, spring bulbs, shady maple tree with benches under it, and I want to see the fruits of my labor." Here is the first pic also for comparison.

Three Crows

Computer paper, 6" x 8" hand carved linoleum stamps, black Flair marker. Sept. 23, 2012

I was working on photo transfer techniques with gel medium, and printed one of my crow photographs on paper. I decided to finish it, I would need to carve a linoleum stamp of a crow from another photo. I made the linoleum stamp double sided, 'cause it is such thick material, and now I have two nice crow stamps. I stamped samples onto paper and added a quick black Flair pen sketch of leaves and branches to go with it. I used a plastic stencil I just got at a garage sale to stencil "3Crow" across the top. I will finish the photo transfer print next.

Japanese Stone Lantern

5" x 8" journal page, pencil sketch, watercolor paint, rubber stamps. Set. 20, 2012.

I painted this from my original photograph, I like the way the background shrubs washed out. I also love the rubber stamp symbols of beauty and hope. The lantern is in a garden around the block from my place, I have photographed it several times, in different light. I decided NOT to go over it with my black pen, I think it would really help define the leaves etc. but I like the soft look too.

Bounty

Double Journal page, 8" x 10" pencil sketch, water color paints. Sept. 18, 2012.

"Pumpkins have always been a big deal at our house. Carving Jack-o-lanterns when we were kids was a huge production. My Dad brought home a 120 pound pumpkin once and we cut it with a saber saw and put a light bulb in it. We were the envy of the neighborhood. We played spooky music on an old record player, and decorated the front porch area. I have always carved pumpkins as an adult, and try to find the largest one I can get. I cook the pumpkin into mush the next day and make pumpkin bread and pies. My pies are more creamy-eggy than sweet potato pies & store bought pies. I have people pestering me, "when are you making pumpkin bread?" Sketched from my imagination.

Toothbrush

Every Day Matters #39 - Draw your toothbrush. Journal page, 5" x 8" pencil sketch, watercolor paints, Pigma pen, Sept. 16, 2012.

I discovered I like to write in my journal space, when I was doing individual pages, I wrote on the back of each, about why I choose that object or view, and what it meant to me. Now in the bound journal I wasn't doing that. But I like to write and missed it, one of the reasons I did not, was that the journal paper was thinner, and you can see some bleed through on the painted side of the paper. But any way, to write... "My husband has always gone crazy trying to find the perfect toothbrush holder. The holes can't be too small or too large. It has to hold more than two, but not as many as 6. It has to be easy to clean and stable so it doesn't tip over. Sometimes they stuck on the wall, too difficult to clean and sometimes they were huge hand made ceramic. Of course they had to be blue to match the Cobalt Blue tile work in the bathroom. We've had this one the longest, you can see it matches all his criteria. Perfection!" Now to find the perfect soap dish.

Horse Chestnut Leaf I & II

Every Day Matters #34 - Draw a Fall Leaf. Journal page, 5" x 8" pencil sketch, watercolor paints. Sept 14, 2012. 2nd heavy watercolor paper and paints 6" x 8" 9-15-12

The horse chestnut tree down the street, turns a beautiful golden yellow, then after it falls, the veins turn a warm brown, creating a bold contrast. My first attempt in my journal, has good yellows and markings, but you can see the paint strokes. So I decided to work with heavy watercolor paper and use a wet on wet technique. The yellow is brighter and blended nice, and the brown is a warmer shade. The violet background adds contrast and defines the shape of the leaf better. I was going to do more background on the first one, but NOT.

Calla Lily

Journal page, 5" x 8" pencil sketch, watercolor paints. Sept 12, 2012.

I painted this from a picture in a watercolor painting book, it looked so simple. Deceptive uh? It was cheaper paper in the journal, not really great for watercolor paints. It is ok, but I don't like the way the paints did not blend very well. I wanted a dark background to give it "Pop" but it is still dull.

My Keys

Every Day Matters #37 - Draw some keys. Journal page, 5" x 8" pencil sketch, watercolor paints, Pigma pen, rubber stamp. Sept. 10, 2012.

My set of keys, with a key chain name tag, that was a gift from friends who went to the Grand Canyon, one of the few places I've missed seeing in the US. I had fun with the rubber stamp too.

Blue Onion

Every Day Matters Challenge #31 - Draw something you collect & #43 - Draw something china or ceramic. Double Journal page, 8" x 10" pencil sketch, colored pencil. 9-9-12.

I have been collecting Blue Onion China since high school, when I got a set of dinner ware at a garage sale. I loved the graphic blue and white. It is not to be confused with blue willow, the blue onion is a traditional Jacobean pattern, not oriental. Many manufactures have made it over the years in varying quality. It has also been called Blue Danube, and Blue Nordic. I have collected most of it from garage sales and antique stores, the best pieces have pieced edges. I have vases, tea & coffee pots, spice sets, bells, platters, egg cups, canisters, tureens, match boxes, cheese boards, candlestick holders, trinket boxes with lids, as well as a dinner service for 12+. Not all of it matches exactly, different manufactures, but it all has the tree of life, with various flowers, and the large double leaf at the base. Most have blue onions on them as well for a decorative element. My favorite tea is red Rose decaf, and I collaged a few tea tags at the top also.

Green Man

Journal page, 5" x 8" mechanical pencil, Sept. 8, 2012.

Sketched from my original photograph, taken in Oakland, Oregon of the historic buildings, in town. The posts framed a doorway and held up a wooden canopy over the door. I believe they are plaster, not carved wood as there are several of them on the facade. Next time I go back, I'll find out which building it was and the date it was built. All the buildings in downtown Oakland have plaques and dates on them. It was a challenge to draw the face as it was white on white, and only the shadows created the expression. I have been having fun with the Everyday Matters Challenges but I am also having fun drawing from my photographs, I'll have to print out some more for reference.

Boat

Journal page, 5" x 8" pencil sketch, watercolor paints. Sept. 8, 2012.

I painted this from my original photo, that I took at Charleston marina, several years ago. I'll also post the photo, but I don't think it is the original color, I think I photo-shopped it. The proportions of the cabin are a little off, but if you don't compare to the photo it is ok. And I cut out the background stuff. I did NOT use a Pigma pen to outline, instead I went back with a fine brush and used black watercolor. I like the way this turned out, it feels watercolory to me.

Art Supply Travel Kit

Every Day Matters Challenge #19 - Draw something you made. Sept. 7, 2012. Journal page, 5" x 8" pencil sketch, watercolor paints, Pigma pen, white gel pen.

This is the carrier I made for my travel art supplies, it folds in thirds, and has a hair scrunchy clasp & large ceramic leaf button, and a front pocket with button leaf. The top folds over and snaps down, to keep the pencils and stuff from falling out the top. I learned quickly when I had 24 loose colored pencils in the bottom of my backpack. It has in the pockets, from left to right, 6" x 8" paper assortment, 24 colored pencils, watercolor paint tray, fountain pen, brushes and graphite pencils, pen assortment. In the front pocket I have a pink eraser, pencil sharpener, and pencil leads for a mechanical pencil. I made a brightly colored one for a friend's granddaughter and she loves it. I has been very handy, of course I would like to add, ink pens and nibs, watercolor pencils, charcoal and buff sticks, glue stick, etc... I think the supply list could be endless. So far I have no way to carry water for the watercolor paints. I'll find something soon.

Sophie's Dress

Every Day Matters Challenge #22 - Draw some clothes. 5" x 8" Journal page, pencil sketch, watercolor paints, Pigma pen. Sept. 7, 2012.

"Ice dyed rayon sundress for my niece Sophie" I dyed this dress when the Fyber Cafe group had their fabric dyeing workshop this summer. Meredith gave me the dress and I used an assortment of green dyes because my niece Sophie loves green. I used the darker colors at the bottom, blue,emerald green, sea isle teal, turquoise, green and chartreuse, then I added lemon yellow over it all to make sure the blues turned out green. I'm going to send it to her as soon as I finish sewing my sisters kitchen curtains. It was fun to play with the watercolor paints to replicate the splotchyness of the ice dyeing.

Watercolor Chart

6" x 8" Journal page, 8" x 10" pencil sketch, watercolor paints, Pigma pen, white gel pen. Sept. 6, 2012.

I painted my tray of watercolor paints, and did a color chart, with blends of the different colors. It is a cheap kids dollar store watercolor kit. I have managed to do fairly well with this assortment, it is a challenge to try and see how well I can get the colors I want. I think it helps my skills with the color wheel, to practice with this limited pallet. No fancy names like alizarin or pthalo. I am used to Crayola crayon names.

Rotary Cutter

Every Day Matters Challenge #16 - Draw your favorite tool. Journal page, 5" x 8" pencil sketch, colored pencil, Flair marker, silver metallic marker. Sept. 5, 2012.

My 45mm Olfa Rotary Cutter, I use it constantly to cut fabric for my quilts. In 20 years I've only cut myself a few times. Before that everything was hand cut with scissors, one piece at a time.

Cell Phone

Every Day Matters Challenge #13 - Draw your phone, land line, cell or other type. Journal Page, 5" x 8" pencil sketch, Flair marker, colored pencils, Sept. 4, 2012.

My Tracfone, plain silver gray, not very colorful, I can see why people get fancy covers for their phones. Even just so you don't loose it. "I never answer my phone, I am not tied by an umbilical to any one. It is for emergencies only. It startles me when it rings. DON'T TEXT AND DRIVE!"

Ben Irving Reservoir

Every Day Matters Challenge #15 - Draw a tree, branches or leaves. 2 Journal pages 8" x 10" pencil sketch, collaged into journal, watercolor paints on sketch and background page, Pigma pen. Sept. 3, 2012

We went to Ben Irving Reservoir on Labor Day, almost no one was there, so not much to sketch. I did the picnic table, then some trees and the trees across the water on a full sheet of paper. I hated most of it it was all scribbled, but I did detail a dead tree and the one next to it. So I decided to cut it up and just use the good parts, so I decided to collage it into my NEW Artists Loft brand Journal(Michael's House Brand.) I put it on a 2 page spread and did some watercolor painting on the background, so the white cut outs would show up. I even added blue to frame the pieces of paper. I added watercolor to sections of the sketches, just to highlight some of it. So it is my first collage, my first two page spread and my first use of my new journal.

Feather

6" x 8" card stock, mechanical pencil, Sept. 3, 2012

"A found feather in the dirt. I took a photo, so I can look back and see how I did. Mechanical pencil sketch. We went to Ben Irving Reservoir and the place was empty on Labor Day. No kids, no picnics, dogs or geese. So not much to draw. This duck or goose feather was on the ground next to our picnic table. It's brown color was the same as the dirt."

Charlie on the Trail

6" x 8" watercolor paper, pencil sketch, watercolor paint, Pigma pen. Sept. 2, 2012.

" 'Charlie at Fall Creek Trail' From my original photograph on the trail to Fall Creek waterfall, spring 2010. Doing this in watercolor, helped me make a value study for a future art quilt. I already have this enlarged and made into a pattern. It has been on my design wall for a long time, as I thought about color, value and how to handle the background. I think this really helped me figure out some things. I can scan this and make value notes for my quilt. We loved walking all the trails along the North Umpqua River(Oregon) they all lead to waterfalls. Fall Ck was our favorite, it follows the creek up the canyon and you can get right down to the pool at the falls and swim. You can also take a trail to the top. We've also been to Susan Ck, Wolf Ck, Toketee, Watson, Clearwater, Cavitt Ck, Grotto falls and Shadow falls. Watson Falls is the tallest in Oregon." I liked the finished watercolor, but I still decided to use the pen to add detail, I didn't like the black pen on the face, so colored it in with white and peach colored pencil, now it looks too washed out. But he looked too mad with all the dark pen. Let me know which you like. My scanner does not have enough pixels to give a clear copy of the fine lines of the inking so it doesn't look as good, as in person.

Wind Up Parrot

Every Day Matters Challenge #6 - Draw a well loved object or childhood toy. 6" x 8" drawing paper, pencil sketch, watercolor paint, Pigma Pen. Sept. 2, 1012.

"My husband Charlie collects reproduction tin wind up toys. They all move somehow when you wind the key, jump, roll over, bicycle, twirl or roll and flip. I've gotten quiet a few of them for his birthday and Christmas, and we have found a few at garage sales, and antique/thrift stores. We love looking at the antique ones in the stores, but they are very expensive. Every year at Christmas we get them all out and wind them up, and let them go on the kitchen linoleum floor. Toys are to be played with, not stuck on a shelf."

Balsamic Vinegar

Every Day Matters Challenge #7 - Draw a bottle, jar or tin from your kitchen. 6" x 8" drawing paper, pencil sketch, watercolor paint,Pigma pen, metallic gold marker, white gel pen.

The two prettiest bottles in my cupboard are the balsamic vinegar, both imported from Italy. The labels are elegant gold printing, not cartoon colors like so many other American labels. It will be a challenge to paint the dark brown richness of the vinegar. I just got a new metallic gold pen, a much lighter yellower gold color. It is Saturday morning and I am waiting for my neighbor to walk to the Saturday Farmer's Market."

Watch

Every Day Matters Challenge #8 - Draw your watch or other jewelry. 6" x 8" drawing paper, pencil sketch, Pigma pen, metallic silver marker. Aug. 31, 2012.

"This was actually quiet simple, pencil and pen, then highlighted with silver metallic and white gel pens. A light green colored pencil on the screen, added a little focus. The computer scan probably won't pick up the silver and green. I have had four of these Timex Indiglo watches. They all keep on ticking, but the chrome peals off and gets sharp edges." I like wearing a big "men's" watch, it has a large face, and the light helps me see the time when I am driving my school bus in the dark.

Sewing Room View

Every Day Matters Challenge #18 - Draw the view from your house or apartment. 8-31-2012 6" x 8" drawing paper, pencil sketch, watercolor paints, Pigma pen, white gel pen.

"I was going to draw this with a window frame, but I like the grid better. There are two distinct areas of my garden, and they weren't fitting in the window view. I like the balance and the tree tying the areas together. The painted white trellis was hard to do, I had to put in a background wash, and go over and over again with the white gel pen. The grids let me label the plants, which I would not have done on a landscape view. I love watching the birds in the feeder and bath, we have sparrows, finches, blue jays and squirrels. The deer nibbled the aster last night and I think they are drinking from the bird bath. The area is drying up before the fall rains, there are a lot more deer, down in the neighborhoods."

Tarza

6" x 8" brown kraft paper, white and black charcoal pencils. Aug. 30, 2012.

I wanted to try my white charcoal pencil, I looked up and had a picture of Tarza on my design wall, from my beach scene art quilt, that I am working on. Tarza is a friend's Border Collie I was playing fetch with one day, when I took the photograph. It is ok, I need to work on making fur! I got the shape and proportion right, and blended the colors ok, but it needs another try. I also did not get a good curve on her tail.

Apple

Every Day Matters Challenge #24 - Draw a piece of fruit. 6" x 8" drawing paper, pencil sketch, watercolor paint, white gel pen. Aug. 30, 2012.

"Fortunately I had some fruit in the house. The bananas had gone bad, and I ate the watermelon and honeydew. I'm still using the kids watercolor set, but I decided not to use the Pigma pen, why do I need a hard outline around a circle? I have a capital letter "A" in my rubber stamp collection, which I would not have known about, if I had not sorted through my stamps. I tried to go back and shade the word apple, which was a mistake as it just made it look clunky. Maybe some white gel pen to highlight it?"