Ode To Summer
Our Garden Fence – (C) 2008
“A languid atmosphere, a lazy breeze, with labored respiration, moves the wheat from distant reaches, till the golden seas break in crisp whispers at my feet.
My book, neglected of an idle mind, hides for a moment from the eyes of men; or lightly opened by a critic wind, affrightedly reviews itself again.
Off through the haze that dances in the shine the warm sun showers in open glade, the forest lies, a silhouette design dimmed through and through with shade.
A dreamy day; and tranquilly I lie at anchor from all storms of mental strain; with absent vision, gazing at the sky, “like one that hears it rain.” – James Whitcomb Riley, A Summer Afternoon
Treasures
This little sketch/painting started as an idea for an ATC card which quickly turned into a much bigger project than expected. I ran into problems when giving the book a title.
It suddenly dawned on me that the artist trading cards are so small you would never be able to read the title of the book. Time for me to put this aside for awhile so I can decide where I am going with this.
Treasures – Combined Media – 7 X 8 inches
“There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.” – Walt Disney
Quote For The Day
“When my daughter was about seven years old, she asked me one day what I did at work. I told her I worked at the college – that my job was to teach people how to draw. She stared back at me, incredulous, and said, “You mean they forget?” – Howard Ikemoto
Artist Trading Cards
Over the past few days I have been working on ATC cards instead of my other paintings, patiently waiting for me in the studio…
ATC cards are miniature works of art created on a 2.5 x 3.5 card, that are traded between artists. I am having so much fun and will post a few when I”m finished.
“Tell me the landscape in which you live, and I’ll tell you who you are.” – Jose Ortega y Gasset –
Woman of Inspiration
Here is a wonderfully inspiring story about a woman in her early 60’s who has run more than 20,000 miles across 12 countries in five years.
She began her journey on her 57th birthday in 2003, and is expected to end her round the world trip in August. What an amazing woman!
You can read all about Rosie Swale Pope’s around the world run adventure, and see some amazing photos here.
Happiness Is …
…papaya with a poached egg & raisin bread toast.
Have a beautiful, wonderful day! ~rose
Tuesdays Are Perfect for…..
…tea in my favorite teacup & a little sketching.
Female Head
Figure & head studies
Herbs & Plants
Yesterday, we made a trip over to The Luther Burbank Gardens to purchase a couple of plants. I found Pink Texas skullcap, and a couple of other treasures to plant in our little herb/flower garden.
Texas skullcap is not considered a medicinal herb, yet I love its delicate pink flowers which are reminiscent of tiny snapdragon flowers. I planned on planting them early this morning, but never got around to it.
Instead, I ended up cutting some lemon balm to dry, and puttering around in the garden.
Lemon Balm
Lamb’s Ears
“Ale with herbs, a dish of strawberries of good taste and color, haws, berries of the juniper, sloes, nuts. -Irish Poem
“When brilliant summer-time spreads its colored mantle, Sweet tasting fragrance! Pignuts, wild marjoram, green leeks, verdant pureness. – Irish Poem
Totoro Forest Project
The Totoro Forest Project is an charity auction to help preserve Sayama Forest. This beautiful sanctuary is also known as Totoro Forest, and was where Academy Award-winning animator and director Hayao Miyazaki got the idea for the film “My Neighbor Totoro”.
Pixar Animation Studios will be hosting the art auction on September 06, 2008, which will be featuring over 200 top international artists donating their artwork for this event. All proceeds will go to The Totoro Forest Foundation.
“The 21st century is a complex and unforeseeable epoch. Our thinking habits and our values, which until now looked settled, are being challenged.” – Hayao Miyazaki
Raven Woman
I’ve been working on this painting for a week or so and it’s almost done. The woman here represents a shape-changer, a being which has the power to alter form and bring about great changes in people’s lives.
In her human form she enters an ecstatic state in order to travel away from this reality into the invisible realms which are dream like, flowing, fluid worlds, where time ceases to exist. A place where every nuance, thought, and transformation takes place in the blink of an eye.
The spirit of the raven watches over her, protecting and guiding her through this place between heaven and earth, teaching her various ways to heal her people, as well as how to see through false forms, lies, and tricks of others. Mostly the raven teaches her how to appreciate the humor in life.
Raven – Combined Medium – 8 X 10 inches
“She perches upon the threshold of the worlds, both flesh and spirit” … – Brenna Gwyn