Samson and His Bride...

Today I had the pleasure of a photo session with an incredibly attractive couple.

A handsome, powerful Samson...


And his precious bride... an arrestingly beautiful woman, who definitely has nothing but her beauty in common with infamous Delilah.


Together they make a stunning couple. Visually and otherwise. You two rock!

Nothing is Ruined

After playing with parts of the face in my work for the last session, this sketchbook cover seemed appropriate...
We focused on printmaking this time. I hastily carved this boy's face during one session to be used in exploring a number of techniques:
Here he is printed on a patterned background which we stamped in a previous session. I know, the colors aren't true to life, but doesn't this color scheme epitomize childhood fun?
Here we explored printing on a patterned background, then adding color and hatching to enhance the design. See, I can do more a more representational color scheme...
Then we were introduced to cross-hatching...
And once home, I experimented adding charcoal and pastels to the same print for an entirely different feel... And all this with only one stamp. I have enough inspiration with my archived photos to devote years to stamp making alone.

But we moved on to techniques with Shiva Oil Sticks the next day. We were instructed to bring out one of our "disaster" acrylic experiments (I had a difficult time choosing from my extensive collection) to transform. Here is my final choice...
After the application of the Shiva Sticks, I could see this woman wanting to come out of the paper. So I pulled out the pens to help her show herself.
I will share the astounding lessons learned from this process:

1. Don't be afraid to experiment, even if you think your final product is hideous! Mistakes are a vital part of the learning process, so don't fear the ugly outcomes...
2. Art (and life) is a process. It isn't usually completed in a single sitting or with a single process. It is built up in layers and in reaction to what has come before..
3. Patience and fearless determination may sound (and be) painful, but can yield surprising rewards that make the process worthwhile. Remember childbirth? Art can be just like that...
4. And finally, nothing is a total disaster. There's always Shiva!
   

Inspired by Photos Long Past

Before returning to class this time Imade up all he unfinished work. What follows are samples...Inspired by this photo, taken in 2003
I carved a stamp from which I made this rough print. Hm-m-m... I wonder if any of my past clients would find this type of transformation of their favorite photo of interest... as wall art or small stamp or digital print? A great Christmas idea, if I do say so myself. Perhaps the grand kids would like a stencil of themselves on a tee-shirt...
Also inspired by the above photo...
Then I found a picture from Melissa's graduation and used her eye for inspiration in these drawings...

And this stencil. Okay, not bad for a first try, I think...
And this series of cut-outs...

Hi-ho, hi-ho, It's Off to School I Go...

Another round inspiring classes at Gail Harker Creative Studies Center (http://www.gailcreativestudies.com/) begins for me tomorrow. Homework for the session is complete, this time, so I'm feeling pretty proud of myself. Looking forward to this session like never before because I've chosen my theme for the next year. Surprise, surprise, it is "Faces." I can draw on the past years photos to create new art. What follows is a simple example:

This seriously out of focus photo below (which I happened to love anyway)...


Became the inspiration for a graphic image cut into a block print and printed on the apron below...
I can imagine numerous ways this technique can be used for future projects. Can you? I'd love to hear your ideas.

Have an inspirational week. I certainly will!

To Market, To Market...

I have lately begun a new habit on Saturday mornings. In the quest for fresher, healthier food and in keeping with my mission to support local business, I head out to the Bellingham Farmer's Market. A number of Whatcom County Organic farms offer the fruits of their labor downtown on Railroad each Saturday until about 3pm until December (I think). Armed with 2 empty (reusable, thank you) shopping bags, the week's grocery allotment and a spirit of adventure, I venture out to see what the market holds.

This past Saturday was a brisk, but beautiful sunny day, so I chose to take the trail through the woods and enjoy the dry weather while I still could. We "Hamsters" know we will be wearing rain gear soon enough, so we are wallowing in these last sunny days.

Trees beside the path have taken on their last burst of color as if in defiance of winter's fast approaching robbery.
Nearly there, I pass the mead shop's welcoming, but closed, back entry.
And the bigger-than-life bicyclers adorning an old metal building's wall.

The Market always has a festive air, stirring the senses. Musicians, magicians and storeytellers performing at the ends of each aisle between the booths delight the ears. The aroma of kettle corn floats through the air along with scents of lavender, homemade herb and floral soaps, Indian food and fresh coffee. Colorful fruits, vegetables, hula hoops, wool and the eccentric dress of locals provides changing and abundant eye candy. The fresh and plentiful samples of apples, sprouts, chai tea and various cheeses tempt the taste buds...

And everything is so fresh. The tomatoes and carrots came home with me this week along with the season's last eggplants, a couple of types of kale, mustard greens, broccoli and cauliflower. Oh, and honey crisp apples - YUM.
The grapes were plump and delicious, however, my bags were loaded and my money spent...
So I viewed the lovingly placed, autumn pumpkins, squash and sunflower heads with appreciation...
And the lush dahlias...


I made my regular stop at the Periwinkle Art Shop to get an inspiration boost. If you haven't been in here, you are truly missing a happy spot. Three local ladies share this space across from the Market stairs (by the restrooms) and are open only during the Market. Definitely worth a visit.
Heading back along the trail I caught glimpses of Bellingham Bay dotted with end of the season sailers.

The bright hues of the leaves against the blue sky left me breathless.
My Saturday morning walks are part of the simple life I'm enjoying here in the Pacific Northwest. Good food, fresh air, work that stimulates and nourishes my soul, precious children (yes, you too, Crystal) and grandchildren and married to the love of my life (and best friend), my life is full. And good.

Northwest Critters

A few weeks ago I took the Chatterbunch to the Seattle Zoo, a two and a half hour drive away through freeway-land. The seven (yes, 7!) of us bundled into my trusty Grand Caravan, along with cameras (Lucas & me), drawing materials (Jada), cool hoodies (Ed, Maurice, Lucas), classy purse & jacket (Crystal) and a stroller, diaper bag, snacks, drinking cup, etc, etc... (Xavier). I'd forgotten the paraphanalia that accompanies a day tripping 2-year-old. I'll forgo whining about camera gear in the future...
The weatherman had promised us a sunny hot day and silly woman that I seem to be, I had dressed without MY cool hoodie or classy coat in a short-sleeved t-shirt and capris...

The animals loved the rain. The otters were playing with their food and the normally sluggish grizzlies ran to get the food being served on the fly. Even the lion female strutted her stuff for us.
In spite of the show the animals put on, the critters who captured my heart were these.




I will return another rainy day with my camera to capture the animals dancing. I'll even wear rain gear and dress in layers like a good PNW resident. Try as I might, I guess I'm a Nanni first. These faces are my favorite source of artistic inspiration, whatever the medium.
I mean, how could I resist a face like this one?

Thank You, Teddy

Last weekend my honey and I got away for a time of R&R. We revisited a favorite spot, introduced to us years ago by Keith and Chris (many thanks, guys!). Loading up the camping gear, a borrowed air mattress, a feather comforter, and throwing assorted food items into the cooler, we took off for the clean air and solitude of Crescent Lake on the Olympic Peninsula.
Just down the hill from our campsite was our own private beach where I did some sketching while Ed pondered the mysteries of the universe...

Setting up camp uncovered some surprises. Ed filled the air mattress, bringing it over to where I had set up the tent, only to discover the tent was made for a double mattress. After wrangling it inside the dome, the tent floor lifted from the ground...
While laying the fire we discovered we had forgotten the axe to split the wood. It went like this:
"Jenny, where is the axe?"
"I don't know. Didn't you bring it?"
"No... I thought it was in with the camping gear."
"Oh... I thought you had packed it separately."
This conversation preceded frantic searching through the camping gear, revealing we had overlooked a few other items essential for cooking over an open fire. Thank goodness we both had brought aluminum foil and a sense of humor... As we shuffled foiled-encased chicken and salmon over the flames, Ed declared, "No axe, no spatula, no skillet, no tongs... NO PROBLEM!"

We played on and in the cold and incredibly clear water and were gifted with glorious sunshine...
And took a walk through the silence of the forest. We got re-focused and refreshed in this pristine setting thanks to the vision of one individual: someone neither of us have ever met personally. In 1938 the Olympic Peninsula was set aside as a National Park by then President Theodore Roosevelt. A single person, pursuing his or her dream can certainly affect the lives of generations yet unborn. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise... Go for it. my friends.

Gratitude

Every morning when I toddle off to the kitchen to refill the cup my husband places at my bedside (yes, I'm spoiled, I know) as he leaves for work, I open the living room blinds to reveal what face the bay is wearing today. Today the water was ruffled and the trees at the park were waving their branches. Something about the changing weather fascinates me...


We've had a run of warm, sunny days lately, something we don't take for granted here. I admit, I do love these August summer days before the leaves begin to change. The garden bordering my deck has flourished, offering lettuce, tomatoes and the occasional strawberry for the persistent seeker.
The sunflowers planted by the birds have done well this year and Rocky hopes I remember to refill the feeders for his daily amusement. He has seen a variety of unsual visitors on the deck rail this year among the songbirds: a couple of crows, a pigeon or two and the odd seagull who dwarfed him into stillness...
Once the coffee does it's job and my journal meditation is finished, I settle at the bright red drawing table, a long ago gift from my friend, Theresa, and begin the day's adventures in art. Life is good.

Thank you for stopping by today. May you find a bit of gratitude floating through your day's meander.