World Watercolor Month Week 2

Here are the pieces from Monday, July 4 - Sunday, July 10.

What you see above is Day 10. I used my compass to create the "seed of life" drawing which I've done before. This time, however, I used watercolors to to color the negative space. This ended up being more of a color study than a completed piece. I used three colors from Daniel Smith - Quinacridone Gold, Perylene Maroon and Neutral Tint. Using two colors at a time, I created several colors. Plus I added salt while the paint was wet to create the texture. I may use this again for othe tri-color combos.

Day 9

Sometimes when I'm stuck for an idea, I just draw myself drawing in my journal. It's a good practice to draw the hand. I'm disappointed in how light the hand is.. I always forget watercolors dry so much lighter. 

Day 8

Many things in nature follow a spiral pattern, petals in a flower, how leaves arrange themselves, pineapple rind, etc. There is a special sequence called Fibonacci numbers that appear quite a bit in nature. The sequence is simple, you start with 1 and and you add the previous.. So the sequence goes 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, etc. These numbers appear in nature. For example, the number of petals in a flower is one of the Fibonacci numbers. If you divide the two consecutive Fibonacci numbers, the quotient approaches 1.618 as you go higher in the sequence. That number is called the golden ratio. There is a relationship between the golden ratio and how petals are arranged. Ok, enough math. So I used my math knowledge to create the flower above. Pretty needy but so cool.. 

Day 7

My new favorite color is Neutral Tint by Daniel Smith. It's a wonderful grey/black on its own and it's great with mixes with other colors. So I used neutral tint in my journal and dropped tiny alcohol drops. Alcohol repels water and moves the color out to produce this light puff. 

Day 6

Here is another math related art. This is a tessellation art. Tessellation is just repeated patterns. You can slide, rotate or do a combination of both. I created a pattern out of a triangle and created a rotational tessellation art. The cool thing is trying to "see" what the pattern shows. I saw a bird, a butterfly, and a fish and decided to go with birds and butterflies. I should have gone with the fish. But I'm happy with the results. I decided to go with analogous colors (next to each other on the color wheel) for each. And I used a quote by MC Escher, who is know for his amazing mind-bending tessellation and optical illusions.

Day 5

Ok, the only watercolors you see are on the small piece of art.. I made that for a Facebook friend who is not doing well physically. But I also created that cool zentangle piece. I love transforming one pattern into something else. 

Day 4:

I actually worked on two pieces because I got up at 3:30 am and couldn't go back to sleep. So I fished one piece and started another. I love both quotes. The bamboo fountain piece was done in a realistic method so it took awhile it to complete. I used to love to watch these bamboo fountains as they fill and and empty. The second one was done without a pencil or pen for pre-drawing. All was done with watercolors. I was happy with the result..

So this concludes the second week. There are over 3000 artists that are part of this group on Facebook and it's amazing the talent! Check out the hashtag #worldwatercolormonth on various social media for pieces submitted!

Check out the website to order merchandise that benefit the Dreaming Zebra Foundation to provide art supplies for underprivileged children.

A Bubble Bath

I must admit I'm not a big fan of bubble baths. But today is National Bubble Bath day so I am pretending I enjoy it. The idea of a relaxing bath, drinking wine, listening to Chopin appeals to me. You're surrounded by warmth and floating in a sea of bubbles.

Unfortunately, I keep thinking about all the bacteria than can be present, especially in a tub with jets. Lol, that certain kills the mood. 

Starting this Sunday, I'm teaching 3rd grade Sunday School at our synagogue! I'm really excited to work with kids again! Whatever you have planned this weekend, I hope you have a good one!

Hump Day Cure

Hope you're having a great Wednesday! I'm a bit late getting my daily prompt done because I had quite a todo list this morning including getting my dog, Vince groomed.

He is such a cutie. After all my errands, I stopped at my local Starbucks for a Skinny Vanilla Latte. I don't go there often as it is a very expensive habit to maintain.  But what is nice about this particular one is that the barista knows my name. I don't have to spell it for him nor do I have to make up a name like "Ann" so that I don't have to hold up the line while they figure out how to write it. 

It was extra nice this morning because it's still raining here in Phoenix and it has been since Monday. Like the theme song says, sometimes you want to go where everyone knows your name.. I used Kuretake Tambi Gansai Watercolors today.  

Merry Christmas

For those of you celebrating, I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas! 

Every year on Christmas Eve, our synagogue hosts a peanut butter and fluff sandwich making day for our local food bank. We have participated in it the last three years. It's always fun to get together with other families making sandwiches. 

We took with us 6 large PB, 12 fluffs, and 12 loaves of bread. We ended up making 20 loaves worth of sandwiches.

We had a wonderful time!

I don't celebrate Christmas at home, my family will celebrate with my side of the family when we visit them in Arkansas. It is now my sister and mom. When dad was still with us, I used to bake variety of cookies for him and mom. His favorites were these Cream Cheese-Lemon Bows.

These are delicate and sweet. You put the dough in a pastry bag and pipe a bow shape before baking. The cream cheese and lemon give these cookies a sweet/tart combo. 

Here is the recipe (From Martha Stewart Holiday Cookies)

1 cup unsalted butter, soften

3 oz. cream cheese, room temperature

1 cup of granulated sugar

1 large egg

2 tsp lemon zest plus 2 tbsp lemon juice

3 cups of sifted all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp coarse salt

Powdered sugar for dusting.

1. Preheat oven to 375 degree F.

2. Put butter and cream cheese in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on medium until creamy.

3. Place the dough in a pastry bag fitted with a large fluted tip. Pipe 3.5 inch bow. If you don't have a pastry bag, I would roll the dough into a 1/2 round rope and create a bow shape. You can use the end of a fork to create grooves (which makes the powdered sugar stay put)

4. Bake cookies until golden brown about 12 minutes. Once the cookies are cool, sprinkle with powdered sugar.

I hope you give these cookies a try!

The Re-enactment of the Battle of Gettysburg

After months of preparation, 7th students at Desert Shadows Middle School participated in an epic reenactment of the Battle of Gettysburg on November 12, 2015. My daughter, T, was to play the Union captain, George Custer. And I volunteered to grade a group of soldiers so I got to tag along the entire day.

The Preparation

As a captain, T was required to have a sword and she had a strict guideline to make it out of wood and not purchase one already made. After watching a few YouTube videos on handmade sword, I purchased a coping saw and a flush cut saw and started work.

I started with a pieces of balsa wood and

got to work, cutting, sanding, and gluing.

I put the rounded handle on the wrong side so I had to pry the joints.

Once T and I painted the sword, it looked like this.

The uniform was much easier. I went to a local thrift store and purchased a navy suit jacket, blue pants, and boots. I added gold buttons and snaps to the jacket and created the epaulet (the fringed shoulder thingy) with felt, cardboard and gold fringe. On the pants, I sewed yellow ribbon along the side. I added a loop on the belt to act as a sword holder and the outfit was complete.

Students worked with teachers and reenactors to learn commands, drills, and battle strategies. In the classroom, they learned the typical facts about the Civil War. 

The Reenactment

As a grader tagging along with a Union troop, I had to wear something navy so I wore my husband's sweatshirt. The reenactment took place in a park next to the school. There were 25 union troops and 17 confederate troops and when they all lined up, it was an impressive scene (can't post pictures).

Here is my daughter's troop.

Each troop had a flag bearer and 8-10 soldiers. The day consisted of setting camp, 4 learning stations to cycle through and re-enacting 3 days of battles. Before each battle, the troops lined up and heard speeches given by generals and even by President Lincoln. 

Each student was given a fate card for each battle and they were to act that out and after each battle, Taps was played to honor the fallen. And each successive day, students saw the number of wounded and killed grow. It provided a visual account of lives lost.

This is the scene after the third day of battle and for students and spectators, it was a chilling scene.

I was there as a grader so I didn't have much time to draw except when they were at each of the four learning stations. I did two sets of painting for each learning station except for one, one "live" and one after the fact from a picture taken. At the first learning station, I was not confident enough to draw "live" so I took a photo first and drew it while students listened to the lesson.

Station 1

Station 2

Station 3

Station 4

With each set, the first is the "live" version and the second is from a photograph taken. There are things about both versions that I like. In the live version, I think you can feel the energy of what was happening better. And in the second, you see more details. And this was my very first attempt at plein air painting, not only was I painting "live", but I also had time constraint (less than 10 minutes) and I was painting people who were constantly moving. But I would like to try more urban sketching.

Finally, here is a link to a news story about the day and you'll see my daughter at the very end.

http://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/arizona-news/48146989-story2

It certainly was a learning experience for the kids as well as for adults!

Inktober Day 12 - Memories

It was a year ago yesterday when out daughter became a Bat Mitzvah. On one hand, it seems like just yesterday when she stood on the bimah and chanted the Torah. Because she is such a private person, anytime we asked her how her Bat Mitzvah practice was going, she would only say "fine", the famous teenage catch phrase that means anything from "terrific" to "I'm about to have a nervous breakdown!" And when we asked her tutor, he would say she was doing good. And then at the rehearsal, we heard her for the first time, at least we heard some whispers. No matter how close the microphone was to her, we could barely hear her. So we were nervous for her. Her Bat Mitzvah would be in three days and there weren't much we could do. Plus, we didn't want to add to the stress. 

She looked beautiful that morning, a little nervous but otherwise good. Then the service started and we were shocked! She did a wonderful job! Not only could we hear her, but she sounded confident and she knew her stuff. As parents, we can only do so much but it really it really is up to the child to get up in front of the congregation and lead a service. It truly is an awe-inspiring moment. And I feel it every time I attend a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, the sense of connecting to your history. It is such a beautiful moment.

So I'm so glad I got to spend some time remembering with my drawing. I don't know what it is about Jessica that I have never done a good job drawing her. I guess I will keep trying. Here is the original.

And finally, here is the video I put together of Jess which we showed at the party!

Inktober Day 9 - Pumpkin Pancakes

My family has been living a low-carb lifestyle since April. It hasn't been too difficult because I love meat and vegetables. And also because whenever I get a craving carbs, I try to find a low-carb version of that or just give in and have some. I think denying yourself makes you break your diet or worse yet, give it up all together. 

Whenever I crave pasta, I try zucchini spirals or spaghetti squash. When I crave  a pizza, I try making crust out of cauliflower. And cauliflower again for rice. They aren't perfect but they usually do the trick. And when they don't, I just have the real thing. 

This morning, I was craving pancakes... Not just any pancakes but pumpkin pancakes. So I went to my Low Carb Pinterest board for pancake recipes. There is one I've used several times and liked so that's what I chose. And just add a bit of pumpkin purée and pumpkin spice and voilà, I get pumpkin pancakes. 

Unfortunately, my first attempt was disastrous. I tried to half the recipe and when the original called for 3 eggs, I used one. And I forgot to add the baking powder. The result was this.

It wouldn't hold together and it just tasted like coconut flour. Not what I had in mind. I was tempted to get the Bisquick out but I tried the recipe again and used two eggs and remembered the baking powder. 

I added a just a touch of agave and I was satisfied. If you are interested in this recipe, you can find it here  I have lots of recipes pinned to my low carb board on Pinterest if you want other low carb recipes!

Inktober, Day 2

Yesterday was National Homemade Cookie Day. I saw a post on Facebook but was not keen on celebrating it because we (my husband, son and I) are living a low carb lifestyle. But my girls, as soon as I had both in the car after school, not only reminded me that it was the National Homemade Cookies day but started the guilt trip.

"It's been so long since YOU made cookies for us." (They can now make the cookies themselves.)

"We would make them but I have a physics test and an English test (J)."

"The cookies are so much better when you make them."

Lol. Studying for tests means I get to help out so we just didn't have time to make them yesterday. So instead, I made them today. And just so that I can enjoy the homemade cookies too, I made some low carb mini pumpkin cookie balls. They are perfect with my coffee!

So I decided to make this today's Inktober entry. The picture you see above is in my Fauxbonichi which I inked first with my Platinum Carbon pen and colored with watercolor and diluted ink.

Now that I've taken Liz Steel's Edges class, I'm always looking at different types of edges. So I decided to try to color first and then ink.

This was done on 140-lb cold pressed watercolor paper. I do like this version better. What do you think? 

I wonder if my skin would start to turn orange as I've been eating a lot of pumpkin lately.. My girls will be thrilled when they get back from school later!

Playing with Water Soluble Ink

Happy October! I hope you are enjoying the crispy fall air.. Unless you are like me and live in the southwest. I recently discovered there is an art challenge dedicated to the month of October called Inktober. It was started by the artist, Jake Parker who started the challenge to help people improve their ink skills. 

Today, I played around with my water-soluble brush pen. I always looked for waterproof ink pens but there is so much you can do with a water-soluble pens. I drew this leaf using a water soluble pencil and then inked on top of it with my Japanese brush pen. I then used water to add a bit of shading. I'm going to try to do an ink drawing everyday.

While Waiting...

This morning, My daughter had her braces removed! While waiting, I decided to doodle.

The orthodontist office looks more like a trendy bar than an orthodontist office. At least it is a pleasant place to wait complete with comfy chairs and a Keurig machine. 

She was thrilled to get her braces off but even more thrilled that she got a gift from the office.. I know she's looking forward to the popcorn! I just love her smile! 

Childhood Memories

Today's daily art was inspired by Let's Sketch It August prompt, childhood memories and Craftsy's 31-Day  Drawing Challenge, in bloom. It seems that every childhood picture of me has something in my hair..a flower, a decorative comb or other hair accessories. My mother was and still is obsessed with accessories. My hair was always done perfectly and I always had a handbag. 

My art today is my attempt at drawing from a photo. Not bad, I can recognize me. I love hibiscus as it bloomed year-round in Okinawa and it was often my hair accessory. I know I've shared a few photos of my childhood but here are few more. I lost my hair when I was 4. My long, beautiful hair was gone. My mother took me to all specialists and local herbalist to get my hair to grow. Finally, she found a doctor who injected me with with hormones (on my head, I remember screaming). Eventually my hair grew back. But it wasn't the same. My hair was darker, thicker. 

And here are a few after I lost my hair. Even them, mom always put something in my hair..

The above is my kindergarten picture. I'm standing to the right.. 

It's fun to look back. Do you have a favorite childhood memory?