reduce, reuse, recycle

My contribution to recycling….store acrylic paint in colorful 6-pack beer packages. Not only is it just the right size—it even has a handle!!

latest obsession

I have a confession to make. I have an addiction. An addiction to art supplies. I said it. I feel so much better.

I can’t walk into an art supply or craft store without leaving with SOMETHING. A new pen or paintbrush. A pad of paper. A tube of paint. Pencils. Markers. Whatever. I have a room FULL of art stuff. You never know when the urge will hit to MAKE ART so you have to be prepared for anything.

My latest obsession is creating my own stamps. I bought a Speedball Linoleum cutter. To practice on, I also bought some cheap erasers. That’s all it took for the addiction to set in!

These are my first attempts. Very sloppy. I’m getting better. The trick is to go slow and take your time, which is very hard for me to do.

This stamp is very large and full of a variety of marks. I plan to use this one with watercolor paint to add texture to a painting.

Look here for a great tutorial on stamp carving. Geninne makes it look so easy!

flower doodles

Another flower doodle. It’s been so hot here (near 100 everyday for over a week) that the garden doesn’t look very pretty anymore. Everything is looking so dried up and wilted. We could use a good rainy day here to perk things up but I don’t think that’s going to happen anytime soon.

illustration friday - caged

Caged is the word this week at Illustration Friday. Cages come in all shapes and sizes.

my theory

I read an article the other day about a woman who has studied birds, specifically, their sounds and she can translate (somewhat) what they are saying.

For example, a robin will make that shrill call just before dawn. Over and over and over and over. You know, the one…when it’s right outside your bedroom window. Well, this call lets other birds know that this robin has staked out a territory. You’ll hear this call especially during nesting season.

There is also a shrill call when a predator is near. It’s a warning to all birds in the area to alert them to danger, i.e., cat nearby or hawk overhead.

Well, after years of studying cats, I believe I have successfully translated what they have to say. These eight little phrases pretty much cover everything a cat thinks about. They like to get right to the point.

i love my job

Yes, I love my job. Very few people I know feel this way about their jobs. I’m very fortunate.

I work with great group of talented people.
I get to be creative every day. Well, as creative as the Corporate Brand people allow but it works for me.
I telecommute from my home. My office is a room with a large window... something I never had when I worked in the office.
But my favorite thing is my “uniform” and, no, it’s not my jammies. Shirt. Shorts. Flip Flops.

I remember the old days, when dresses and panty hose were required dress for work. We’ve come a long way, baby!

Yes, I love my job.