Selby Gardens, Pen and Ink Drawing

 My sister and I visited Selby Gardens in Sarasota and were amazed by the Orchid display (see below). It had a circus theme, if you can imagine that. I also love the huge trees with their gnarled roots. I have a thing for roots, but drawing them is like doing a puzzle. 

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Sleeping Boats, 5.5 x 3.5 Pen and Ink Drawing

My sister and I were visiting Maine when I saw all these boats at rest. It was a wonderful trip in a beautiful state. 

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Georgia Cabin, 8x6 Pen and Ink Drawing

 

I have been viewing a class on Sktchy.com on crosshatching and this is my first effort. In retrospect, it was a little crazy to start with a such a complicated subject. The class is taught by David Morales and his beautiful drawings inspired me. I'll find a simpler subject next time. Can't wait to do this again.

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A Couple More Pages from my Journal

 I'm almost done with my sketch journal for the Brooklyn Art Library project. It's certainly given me something to occupy my time during the pandemic, not that I'll ever run out of things to do.

In Florida we are under what I'd call Wimpy Lockdown. They haven't enforced much so far, so my expectations are low.

It's funny the things you are forced to notice during isolation. I can't go to the nail salon for a pedicure and I'm wondering when my toes got to be so far away.

The virus has certainly improved the looks of our yard. We have spent our time in isolation whipping it into shape, and it is much improved. I wish I enjoyed cleaning out closets as much as I enjoy gardening. Maybe this summer I'll be able to do some more paintings while standing in the pool. It's the only way, what with global warming and all. It's going to be a scorcher of a summer.

My Sketchbook Project for the Brooklyn Art Library

I am painting a mural in our church and working there every day but Fridays, but in my spare time I am part of the Sketchbook Project. I will complete a sketchbook called My Life in Limericks and send it to the Brooklyn Art Library, where it will be digitized, go on a tour, then remain in the library for visitors to view. There's no money in it, just a lot of joy.

Here are some excerpts. Click on the pictures to view larger.

Batten Down the Hatches! Dorian's Coming.

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I'm scheduling this drawing to appear on the day we will most likely be evacuating this island because of the powerful hurricane that seems to be bearing down on us. We've put up shutters, stocked up on water, filled the tub, bought non-perishable items, brought in anything loose in our yard, etc. Meanwhile the storm is out in the ocean building strength in the warm waters. If it does as predicted and pounds us for three days, we've never experienced anything this bad, so your prayers would be appreciated. To my friends and family here, please stay safe.

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Finding My Roots, 8x10 Pen and Ink Drawing on Paper, Smoky Mountain Scene

I love twisty, wandering roots. These were spreading over a ledge in the Smoky Mountains, and I have to say that it was quite meditative drawing them.

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Lake Junaluska Journal, Adventures in Remodeling

We just returned from a big trip to North Carolina, helping our friends remodel their second home. It was very ambitious and involved bringing a huge double wide refrigerator upstairs and another one downstairs--two flights--and tearing out and installing a kitchen. Flooring was laid throughout, wiring and plumbing moved, ceilings scraped, doors and windows moved, and everything painted.

It only took 200 trips to Lowe's and two to the Buttered Biscuit, where the biscuits are 10 inches tall.

Below, two movers were hired to move the fridges and the one in charge constantly berated his helper, Joel. Even when carrying a refrigerator up the stairs, he never stopped talking.

This garden was a few steps away. 

 We took one day off to go to Clingman's Dome in the Smokies.

  

 My motto is: When you can't take another step, stop and paint!

Blowing thistles on Clingman's Dome

A lot was accomplished and there were many sounds of moans, groans, laughter and singing throughout!

Gull Cottage, Pen-and-Ink Drawing, 5x7

In the past two weeks I have painted a large oil painting, drawn this pen-and-ink drawing, and painted 8 x 20-foot flats for a play. Oh, and below are journal entries I did during my stay on North Captiva in Gull Cottage (above).

Pretty good for a woman of certain age.

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Whitewater Grannies, 11x14 Pen and Ink Drawing, Cartoon of a Real Event

This is the tenth anniversary of the first Pieces of Eight artists' retreat, when we went to Carol Schiff's home in North Carolina. The highlight of the trip for Denette, Donna, Carol and me was our whitewater rafting adventure in the Nantahala River. We had some trepidation at first, but soon became confident and--truth be told--smug. We had a great time until we hit something called The Slot, which is a little waterfall that eats rafts. I saw Donna fly by me and reached out to catch her, not realizing I too was airborne. We were rescued by a kindly man in a boat we had earlier complained about going too slow! Shame on us! As we met again on the shore, Donna said, "We have bonded over a near-death experience!"
Below are our Before and After photos. Notice we have no helmets? Safety precautions were sadly lacking but we were clueless.

I had one of those cheap underwater cameras sold in drugstores, so we got to commemorate the moment. 

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Mermaids, 36x22 Pen and Ink Drawing on Nautical Map

This map is different from the nautical charts to which I've added sea creatures (see my posts on July 25th and August 27th), but I think it works. I especially like the colors. Click on it to see more detail.

Three of us Pieces of Eight painters will be taking the Elio Camacho workshop again on Amelia Island. That is always an adventure in colorful painting and also an adventure in shrimp. The area is known for the very best shrimp, and it is hard to resist eating it every day. It's just like the scene in Forest Gump where Bubba is describing all the different ways of cooking shrimp. So many shrimp...so little time.

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Fancy Feathers, 5x7 Pen and Ink Drawing

This is one of my most popular pins on Pinterest. It has been repinned a lot, although not as much as my husband's handmade guitar wine holder, below. I have decided that zentangles just don't look right in my Etsy shop. My shop is varied enough by having oil paintings and collage art, and when I look at an overview, the zentangles stick out like a sore thumb. It just doesn't look consistent.

Every January I get the urge to simplify my life, and during the course of the year I manage to complicate it more. After reading Marie Kondo's book about tidying up my house, I realize I need to do the same to my online house, because it is not, as Ms Kondo says, "sparking joy."

I created a shop just for zentangles on Etsy, set it up for digital downloads; then I said to myself, there I go again. Yet another online thing to tend to. I've become a cyberhoarder! So today I am taking the shop down. I'll post a zentangle on this blog now and then and that's that. Simple.

My main thrust for the year will be painting some larger paintings for a show in April in Virginia. Details will be forthcoming.

Buy on Etsy

Carmen

Banyan Tree, 5x8, Pen and Ink Drawing in Cypress Gardens, Florida

My friend Kathy Garvey and I went to Legoland recently, which is on the site of the former Cypress Gardens. To our delight, Cypress Gardens is still there as a section of Legoland.

Cypress Gardens gave us an opportunity to sit, rest, and sketch in our journals. Above is the giant Banyan Tree that was planted in the 1930s. My drawing is only a small portion of the tree (see below). It's so big that paths wind through it.

There are no longer belles sitting around in big dresses, but there are some made of Legos.

When I was six years old Esther Williams made a movie at the Gardens and my mother took me there. Ms. Williams was sitting around with no makeup and no one noticed her but my mother, so I got to meet the star who inspired me to learn to swim. She was very nice, which made me love her even more.

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The Little Bridge, 5x7 Pen and Ink Drawing

$30, Click to Purchase

Every time I draw one of these cottages it takes me back to my childhood, reading Grimm Fairy Tales. Those were my favorites The ones that were really grim were the ones by Hans Christian Anderson. They used to scare me to death. He was Stephen King for children. One title I still remember: The Girl Who Trod on a Loaf. Terrifying.

The brothers Grimm had some scary ones too, but fortunately my book had such winners as Cinderella and Rapunzel. There's nothing wrong with a happy ending.

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Paintangle, 5x7 Pen and Ink Zentangle-Inspired Drawing

Since my surgery I have been trying to be inspired to do something artistic, yet nothing came to me. Then I realized that most thoughts have been about pain, so I decided to draw my perception of pain. It's jagged, it has little bursts now and then, it's sharp and pointy, and it's not pretty. I am not whining, because I feel I am doing very well and getting better each day. Over and over in my head Carly Simon is singing, "I Haven't Got Time for the Pain..."

I haven't put a price on my pain drawing, because who would want it? I don't even want it. Perhaps we shall have a ceremonial burning when the pain wears itself out.

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Daily Painting Book by Carol Marine

I am so happy to report that my zentangle drawing above is included in Carol Marine's soon-to-be-released book Daily Painting. Some of the most amazing artists are in the book, and I am so honored to be included! Release date is November 4th on Amazon, or you may pre-order now for a discount of about $8. Here is the Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Daily-Painting-Creative-Productive-Successful/dp/0770435335/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412907428&sr=8-1&keywords=daily+painting

This is a really bright spot for me during what I call the Month of Worries. My loved ones have experienced eye surgery, knee surgery, bypass surgery, pneumonia, and blood clots. I myself am still recovering from my knee replacement and it is going well, so I have no complaints. The meds make me really stupid but that too shall pass. I hope.

Zen Pineapple, Pen and Ink Drawing, Zentangle-Inspired 8x10 Matted

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Our friend Dave has a green thumb. He grows very healthy pineapples, and when I saw this one with the jaunty top of gorgeous leaves I started drawing patterns in my mind. One of these days maybe I'll do a big drawing like this, and the more complicated the better. It's my moment of Zen.

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Zennacle, 8x10 Pen and Ink Drawing, Black and White Fantasy Art

$35, Click to Purchase

I am  becoming obsessed with tree designs. When I paint in oils I have to see the finished painting in my mind before I start. When I do zentangle drawings I just let the pen take me where it may. I may decide to draw a tree or a bird, but after the initial outline the whole creation is about patterns and values. It just gradually grows until I am satisfied with the result. I highly recommend it as a meditative exercise with sometimes surprising results.

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Fairy Cottage, 8x10 Pen and Ink Drawing, Zentangle-Inspired

$35, Click to Purchase

When I am making up my own little fantasy world like this it is almost as good as reading fairy tales as a child. I start with a simple drawing, then let the patterns take me where they want to go. I try to use different values to add interest and form. 

I put my drawing in a double mat, which really gives it a nice finished look. It is ready to frame now.

Still Life with Zen, 9x9 Pen and Ink Drawing

Click to Purchase, $35

I haven't been doing much artwork this week, except for illustrations for a memoir I am working on. It's now time for me to paint the cover art, and that will be a relief, after sitting at the computer for three days straight getting the book laid out.

The drawing above was our challenge presented by Kathy Garvey to the Pieces of 8 last week. The challenge was to make everything look flat and one-dimensional. I think I slipped up with the zentangles inside the mango (between the glass and the teapot.) They are giving it some shape. I admit that's my favorite part of the drawing.

No. 10 on my list of things we should not put up with, yet we do:

Grocery products are getting smaller, yet costing more. There is either less in the package (like coffee and sugar), or the product itself shrinks (like toilet paper that is getting narrower and narrower in width), yet the cost is higher. You might say less is more.