Listening to the Wind
My life these days is so incredibly NOT boring—and yet there is not much to write about (or that I CAN write about quite yet). The artistic muses have been Lit Up and zinging all over the place for me during the past month, and I am having SUCH FUN! I can mostly be found in my studioand rarely pried out of it, so those good friends who insist on seeing me–know to let themselves in and wander back to my little world.
I have fallen in love with watercolor. Ive avoided working with watercolor most of my lifeas I think Ive been a little intimidated by it. Ive always assumed (and correctly so) that it was a very difficult medium to do WELL, and the landscape-y, still-life-y, (*yawn-y*) things I tried were never very successful. However, when I visualized the illustration project at hand, watercolor/ink/color pencil was the only way I could imagine it rendered. My Mom suggested tube paint rather than dry blocks of color, good illustration board, and a few REALLY excellent brushes. Oh. My. Gosh. What a difference those simple things made!!! I still have much to experiment withbut I seem to have taken to it pretty comfortably. Several illustrations happened in a big exuberant whoooosh!!! During this temporary pause I now find myself in, (as the muses are gathering up for the next storm of inspiration), I have been frantically working on a large clay ornament order for the university, a logo here and there, and another exciting, yet related costume project. I have to work fast, as soon I will be caught in another whirlwind whoosh of illustration.
This is my heaven.
NOT so heavenly is the wracking cold I finally caught from the many adorable but germ-y children around me at the grade school two days a weekand which brought me to a screeching sneezing/snorking/sleepless stop. Of course these helpless, miserable moments are when Don becomes his most irritating um entertaining. Its like the rascal wants to see how close he can skate to bringing forth Karen Lee and still get safely away. Thin ice, husband dear. Thin. Ice. These are also the moments when my son Ian becomes his sweetest. Hes moved back home from D.C.did I tell you that? Having him here makes me very happy. So layered in his particular aesthetic of skinny pants, designer t-shirts, silver rings and black, black hair–is the incongruous contrast of my thoughtful boy bringing me tea, and cooking me dinner.
Fortunately, I will be better, if not totally well for my trip next week. *hugs myself in excitement* My sister Pam was asked recently what kind of things in life she truly longed forand her answer was time with her family time with her sisters and brother. That is so true for me as welland apparently true for the rest of us–because Julia, Pam and I are all flying in to converge on Sue for some much-needed sister time. Ahhhh The Aunts! High hilarity and adventure ahead!
But for now, I must get going I hear the wind starting to rustle!
:)xo
Adagio
You sound very happy, and as busy as always. Yay for family time!! (My parents have been here for the past 11 days, and it’s been heavenly). Hope you’ll post some pictures of your newest projects if you can. Sorry about your cold. Hope you’re better soon. Glad your son moved back from DC.
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I can just hear the happiness bursting off the screen here! So glad that life is filled with happy things right now. Good luck kicking that cold!
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Oh, so sweet about Ian bringing you tea. I think I might have melted a wee bit. 😉
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Feel better. And hoping for pictures, too. 🙂
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drink lots of fluids & feel better soon.
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This sounds so good for you –except being ill…I hope you are recovered now and having alot more fun !!!
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Awesome Life! It’s not good to immerse yourself into children…they carry every germ known on the planet (and, perhaps, Mars as well) and are very eager to give hugs and spread them around. Adult immune systems cannot, at first, handle so much love. :o) My best.
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Enjoy your sister time and your creative whirlwind!
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I couldn’t agree more about the watercolours. I never really found those dry cakes of paint to be inspiring, but when I was in college and used to tubes and some nice brushes, I really got into watercolouring 🙂
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Ooo, cannot wait to see the water color creations! I am sure they are enigmatic and faboo! Please hurry up and feel better soon so that you can have an excellent visit with your sister! Family is so precious, isnt it? I am thinking of you often, dear lady. *hugs*
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…well I knew you weren’t sitting around doing NOTHING! Of course not! I’m so happy to hear that one of the boys is back…better one than none! Enjoy your vacation…hopefully you’re fully recovered and don’t pass the sniffles on. 🙂
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Oh, I do envy you your sisters! And your artistic ability and your upcoming tripand and and…:) Good thing I feel no jealousy! LOL! Enjoy, enjoy. **HUGS** RYN: Thanks, and OF COURSE I must return a reply…I’m too type-A not to. LOL! Seriously, I thank you. **HUGS** And don’t forget about those clay flamingos! 🙂
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ryn: all of the essay questions were weird and strange, intentionally. it was clear from the student teachers that this was a personality quirk of the professor, and very unusual in the department. the prof’s thinking was real life gives you awkward scenarios and you have to figure out what the real question is to come up with your own hypothesis to test. (no, she didnt bother to tell us this)the fact that I figured out the question was a feat in itself, some people were unable to do that much, and I figure that’s 50% of the challenge. but being an english major, I had some skills the science types dont usually have. heh. I just (understandably) didnt realize how many times they needed me to refer to star trek (3 was insufficient, 4 was needed) which seems arbitrary to me, but I can see how it would have made my second point very clear which did seem extremely clear to me, but when one has 45 minutes in which to answer an essay, one is going to be a little messy and imperfect, in my opinion, there was no latitude for that given (which is usually given). anyway. I wish they had bothered to tell us all this beforehand. thanks for the hugs, really really need them.
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RYN: Thank you for those very kind words. Much appreciated. **HUGS**
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Glad you got well for the trip and sister fun! Your art ventures excite me. If I can ever find a home/studio I will be dedicating myslef to the same. I did much last winter and it excited my appetite for it all again.
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