Journal to a Muse

Well, finally. I managed to sketch a little and whip out the portable watercolor palette. The time does fly by when I'm concentrating (and visually loving) something.

Raspberry dessert
I can see that at a small size, there isn't enough shape-interest or contrast... I paid too much attention to the yummy raspberries (without EVEN getting the color just right!) rather than remembering ANY interest in composition. Raspberries are complicated little devils!
I am pleased with the drybrush wood grain, and amazed by the decency of the plate's shadow...Our new Dansk plate is recognizable! so it isn't all terrible.... I need to be more careful if I'm going to try to do something even semi-representational about metal and reflections.


After the raspberries were gone.
I was still in sketch/paint mode... SO...I painted the paints!
By the way, the watercolor brush I'm using must be at LEAST 50 years old. It belonged to my mother... I'm thinking it is probably sable.... Much of the enameled paint on the handle has flaked off. I can make out Ka... so it isn't Kalinsky... but maybe some previous incarnation. (It was stored for some years in an un-airconditioned storage area... which seems to have had no impact on the bristles, but clearly didn't do the handle any good.
If you ever get to Dallas, Texas, Campisi's Pizza is a tradition.

Watching Leno... Oh, And a present in today's mail.
I think faces are SO hard to get right enough to be a) recognizable or b) pleased with.
In my defense, the TV camera wasn't moving much for the two faces on the left... The lower right hand one was a singer and the cameraman was all fancy with changing angles... so I had a hard time looking and remembering, let alone finding the right mix for a more olive skin tone... My apologies... she was so good and I loved the song, which even though from 10 years ago, I hadn't heard. Be Perfect, indeed.

The earring (I hope you recognized it!!) is one of 3 pairs sent to me by my darling daughter... Since my hair is short and apparently "not long for this world" I am fortifying my "big earring" collection. This one is a lovely "chandelier" of pink and pinker beads with the occasional gold pailette. There were also heart shaped ones (my favorite symbol!) and some pink fimo or enamel... can't quite tell which... ones with a flower motif at the center.

I am feeling very fortunate.
AND, I have paying customers tomorrow... so I'll feel a little useful, too.