Inside Today

The prisoner

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:03:58 +0000

I am so happy that I got this finished. I’ve submitted two drawings to the cover competition for Drawing Magazine. I have been able to see some of other artists’ submissions and am pretty impressed with how talented some people are. Overall the competition is going to be a good one and I will be curious to see who makes the cover issues of American Artist, Drawing, and Watercolor. To view some of the other entries follow this link. Wish me luck!

Special thanks to Justin Van Alstyne for the use of his photography

The next sketch

admin — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 15:38:44 +0000

I’ve been working as much as I can to get this drawing under way. I will be very excited to finish. It is pretty rewarding to see a piece of art transform, but my favorite part is drawing the eyes. Capturing the exact expression and emotion behind a set of eyes is a challenging achievement, but I’m fairly confident that I can do it perfectly. The hardest part of a drawing is working all of the areas that come before doing the eyes. It is important to work from left to right so that my hand which rests on the paper isn’t smudging the work I’ve already done. After I get the eyes drawn everything else seems to fall into place and becomes easier to finish.

The view

admin — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:33:58 +0000

I truly love where I live. I live at the end of a private (dirt) road on the outskirts of Fort Collins, CO. I took these photographs while standing at the western edge of my property. My front windows showcases this view of the foothills. It is quiet, peaceful, and beautiful. One of my favorite places to reflect is down by the marsh. The air is always moving in Colorado and it is almost hypnotizing to watch the cattails sway in the breeze. It’s comforting to know that nothing is ever going to be built in this particular area…at least not anytime soon. I think it is adorable that Parker has become so attached to his bulldozer. It is what comforts him, and I love that he is such a boy.

Ryan’s portrait

admin — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:10:55 +0000

I am finished. It always takes me longer than I anticipate to complete a portrait, but being sick for over a week didn’t really help that process either. I am now fully recovered and back into the swing of things. All I really know about this guy is that his name is Ryan and he was in a local Fort Collins band called Miss Anne Marie that I never got to see play. I was at one of their shows but ended up not being able to stay, so I never officially met him and his band.

Special thanks to Isaac Madera for the use of his photography.

I couldn’t resist taking a picture of my little helper this morning, still in his jammers, toting around his bulldozer and dump truck. So cute!

On my needles

admin — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 07:18:15 +0000

I’m experimenting with some Tahki Cotton Classic yarn, and liking it so far. Wish me luck with how it all ends up.

New do

admin — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:55:57 +0000

I can’t believe how much he is growing up.

Pick me a pear

admin — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 21:25:42 +0000

I am in the middle of looking for as many pear recipes as I can find. The pear tree is getting so close to harvest I can hardly contain myself. Our apple trees smell so delicious outside and I think the deer would agree. Lately I have had a little issue with the deer helping themselves to the branches of my tomato plants. I can’t really blame them considering the garden is pretty open for temptation, and the apple trees are also right there for them. I haven’t confirmed it yet but I have a sneaking suspicion that a raccoon is helping itself to the grapes. I am still very thankful to have fruit even if it does attract the critters.

The drawing is on hold until I feel better. I have been sick since Monday which has been strange and draining and a total drag, but I think I am starting to feel a bit better and will look forward to my energy level rising and being able to breath through my nose again.

I have finished one glove from my latest knitting design. I love it! I still need to weave in the ends and block it, but am feeling really good about this pattern and should be able to knit up the left hand fairly quickly, with a pattern to follow!

In the works this week

admin — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 18:26:59 +0000

Oh gardening, how I love thee. This week has brought us 2 zucchini, and a few tomatoes. I made zucchini bread and muffins (Parker is a big fan), and my friends have given me some beets and cucumber. Last night the beets dressed up our plates along with the beet greens, homemade potato fries, and cornmeal crusted tilapia. Our apricot tree has been incredible. Unfortunately a lot of the fruit was damaged by various pests, but I still ended up with more than enough apricots to make Apricot Almond Frozen Yogurt and Apricot Sorbet. I can’t even count how many fresh ones I simply ate off the tree. Next year I hope to have a better plan for harvesting and want to get a handle on the pest problem. Now I am waiting for the pears!

Another piece of the puzzle from my first drawing submission. I know if I can finish it up this weekend I will be in good shape for the other drawings that I need to do. Eeks!

New drawings

admin — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 14:31:44 +0000

I have a goal and a deadline. I am currently working on making that a reality. Here is a sneak peak at one the in-progress pieces.

Beautiful music by Freelance Whales

admin — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 06:23:35 +0000

I think that I owe a lot of gratitude to my mother for instilling a great sense of musical passion in me. Even though I play guitar, I have always been partial to the banjo. I am in love with this music. I am in love with this blog, Today’s Letters. They are so in touch with their inner child and demonstrate an intoxicating amount of love for one another. The posts are so positive and happy that I really enjoy reading every one of them. Oh, and her taste in music is phenomenal.

Freelance Whales: Generator 1st Floor

This will definitely be the song that Parker and I will dance around the house to this week.