Playing with the templates

I've been playing with the templates, redesigning my blog.  I'm not satisfied with the look yet but now that I have an idea what is available I'll work at it. 

A Day Of Plein Air

It was a beautiful day Saturday and I had an opportunity to paint with a group of artists, all of us taking a workshop lead by Helen Kleczynski.  It was “The Art of Journaling” but it became a plein air session too which was fine with me.

Two friends who went with me sit on a log and sketch

We spent the morning at the beach, my view above.  We broke for lunch and then went to a park near the museum where I started this little piece but didn’t finish – rain started.

It’s been a very long time since I’ve done any plein air painting so when my friend, Betty Dobbie, asked me if we couldn’t set a regular time to do it this summer, I didn’t hesitate – yes let’s.  And so we will, every Tuesday starting this week.  

I didn’t learn much about painting in the workshop but I did get some ideas about  handy things to have or make for plein air painting.  Helen K’s set up worked wonderfully for her.  I may adapt it for my own use but not until I’ve been out a bit more and determine what works for me.  Here’s her set up.

 

I’m looking forward to Tuesday!

Plein Air and Jewelry

It isn’t really a plein air piece just practice.  I am committed to doing plein air this summer.  It’s something I quit doing a few years back and I miss it.  Seems I needed a push to get going again and I got just that from a friend who has taken up painting.  She wants to learn so she asked me if we could set a time to do it on a regular basis this summer.

We’re starting a week from tomorrow.  When I saw this image on the Weekend Drawing Event (WDE) over on the wetcanvas site it seemed a good image to practice on.

I’m also working on some poured pieces but they go slowly.  So while waiting for things to dry there I made more jewelry.

The first two pieces are Steampunk, a necklace and a broach.  Both have watch parts, a cameo and part of an old bracelet.  The broach is backed with part of a doily that has been stiffened with gel medium and the necklace is backed with an old poker chip. 

The third piece is another necklace, this time made from a scrap of copper, part of a painting on canvas that I didn’t like so I cut it up, part of a Godiva Chocolate tin and a few beads.

The jewelry is just for me and maybe some gifts; I’m still a rank beginner at metal jewelry so I don’t feel ready to sell any of it.  However, I do have one of the best instructors around.  I wish she would get her website going so I could point you all over there.  I am having fun doing it and may end up doing some wall pieces using the metal – fabric combination. 

I’m still dealing with computer issues; however, I am beginning to find my way around a bit easier.  Changes to the site are still in the thinking stages but changes will be coming.

Frustration

My computer is still sick; it’s frustrating and causing me to slack off on things I should be doing on it.  Love ‘em when they’re running well but when they’re not it’s hell.  Well, not exactly hell but not a good thing either.

I’m gradually figuring out how to get to programs; however, the one I use for updating my blog is one that I have trouble finding every time.  It’s not that it moves, it stays put but I seem to lose the way to get to it.  I can’t blame that on the computer, it’s my mind that isn’t working.

So where does this leave my blog?  Well, I still plan to keep it going but as long as I’m not able to post as often I’m going to spend some time thinking about the direction I want to take it.  It’s time to do some revamping to make it better for me and for readers.  I hope you’ll stay tuned.