tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71151273394319354972024-03-05T10:52:41.487-05:00Dispatches from the Art ShackWhitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104566542822261169noreply@blogger.comBlogger108125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115127339431935497.post-23023367763826542382016-03-22T09:30:00.000-04:002016-03-22T09:30:00.191-04:00I might be insane.Yes, I might have just lost my tiny little mind...because I agreed to do an art festival next Saturday. And yes, my son is only just about to be 7 months old this week. Yeah...I might be crazy.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrfTHV2z_YMKKWRpG3aRyLZ2V-b_81cPrmhagKLf6tJ_vYUz0lkmVbgN1EZipJCOBmTgdnd4iwbLl-kR3u4QyrA8rsy0xOG1lMlyw7O6OnQf7XathmPihEtFOqBvSgOX-HxD1B2Far0uO/s1600/magnetdisplay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrfTHV2z_YMKKWRpG3aRyLZ2V-b_81cPrmhagKLf6tJ_vYUz0lkmVbgN1EZipJCOBmTgdnd4iwbLl-kR3u4QyrA8rsy0xOG1lMlyw7O6OnQf7XathmPihEtFOqBvSgOX-HxD1B2Far0uO/s320/magnetdisplay.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back on the show train...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But! It's a new show, I think this is their first one, and I'm getting in on the ground floor of it, so it's super exciting. It's called <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1690036714601104/">Off 22nd</a>, it's a home/yard show, and it's looking like it's going to be really cool. They plan to do more, maybe partnering with local businesses to have art shows in front of coffee shops and places like that...so this could be the start of something great!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The usual show prep insanity is a little different with a baby...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a>...which means it pretty much takes place during his naps. :P Fortunately those are still pretty frequent (he's taking one right now in his stroller! The excitement of walking around and Mom taking pictures of palo verde knocked him out). I got to make a couple new pieces for this show (the show organizer mentioned liking my painted boxes, so I made some more of those), but not as many as I normally would have back in the old days B.B. (before baby). I'm sure this will change again in a couple years A.P. (after preschool).<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I debated about whether to take the baby to the show with me...but I would have still needed someone else to come help me with him if he got bored and cranky. And then there was the problem of fitting the show stuff AND baby stuff in the car...something I might just not be able to do. So he's staying home. Fortunately it's a one-day show for six hours, so I won't be away for too long.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Here are the new boxes I'm bringing...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9eOnC-9NXlc4hdFu7UzIQFrEUdMeaI1Gx_48YC6qOePoPx8YdGaMcEg6Pc3Yrvlm_m-LcSWVJ7Lv2hXrHouBa_HKhyphenhyphenBp4NsQ_SEe4RagQcZhyphenhyphenwv-PHsokIVsh4J7_lSDHAY4Zw7TqGYkw/s1600/rainbox3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9eOnC-9NXlc4hdFu7UzIQFrEUdMeaI1Gx_48YC6qOePoPx8YdGaMcEg6Pc3Yrvlm_m-LcSWVJ7Lv2hXrHouBa_HKhyphenhyphenBp4NsQ_SEe4RagQcZhyphenhyphenwv-PHsokIVsh4J7_lSDHAY4Zw7TqGYkw/s320/rainbox3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KywuupQ834p7tkw2nZHo9LIMP43khksrWQg7sMVyxtS0fQZ85YtF1pJkjCP_4amGhqgJjyexAlmh3WHrsNhQuFq5LzPIiOMD8PMWf560_rH7357lg8Q34T3IRkOCMPtgxdJkkHmJFXzJ/s1600/rainbox4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KywuupQ834p7tkw2nZHo9LIMP43khksrWQg7sMVyxtS0fQZ85YtF1pJkjCP_4amGhqgJjyexAlmh3WHrsNhQuFq5LzPIiOMD8PMWf560_rH7357lg8Q34T3IRkOCMPtgxdJkkHmJFXzJ/s320/rainbox4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rainbow mandala box</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSGqXxlifF523itc81paPXNhVDjl9GYEEUUXx_w6-Ah2PwTh4ptstBLzcwUHLKHzZv8RY-Xq0vfOQAk9WyhI3B-66aJpjsQBaT7tBFYeT4Xkzyr686f2bGB4gDiodKZ0QCUqG0nz4lNJy/s1600/redbox2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSGqXxlifF523itc81paPXNhVDjl9GYEEUUXx_w6-Ah2PwTh4ptstBLzcwUHLKHzZv8RY-Xq0vfOQAk9WyhI3B-66aJpjsQBaT7tBFYeT4Xkzyr686f2bGB4gDiodKZ0QCUqG0nz4lNJy/s320/redbox2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4jpo9RBcB3w7iHkcw2_TOx6_5HRQPzJHvIMFiv-B9gFem85xQPAB3P1GgD_cBJwpFTiRE7jg19KIasjoqoEC_Q6UIUoFQT3Eie5XQCyUizxAUIDNxSKPqH6styVsQG-aa8BgWdPBN6Ec/s1600/redbox4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4jpo9RBcB3w7iHkcw2_TOx6_5HRQPzJHvIMFiv-B9gFem85xQPAB3P1GgD_cBJwpFTiRE7jg19KIasjoqoEC_Q6UIUoFQT3Eie5XQCyUizxAUIDNxSKPqH6styVsQG-aa8BgWdPBN6Ec/s320/redbox4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">red "double happiness" box</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As much as I would have liked to have time to make more, I'm just glad I managed to get these done, honestly!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I still have to decide on what else I'm bringing, pack everything up, buy a folding chair and a cash bag (I gave my other one to my mom's business), maybe buy another smaller folding table, a receipt book, hope that my new Square reader comes in time...still lots more to do. But it'll be exciting!</div>
Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104566542822261169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115127339431935497.post-71187369282245176332016-02-29T09:00:00.000-05:002016-02-29T09:00:12.082-05:00A rare two-handed day!I am gradually coming to terms with the fact that my productivity, art-wise, will just be low for a while. And that's okay. Of course, if I get commissions I will still fulfill them in a good amount of time, but in terms of just day-to-day doing art stuff...yeah, I won't be setting any "do two paintings or more a month! Paint a stone a day!" type goals for a long time.<br />
<br />
Except for that magical time called Babysitting Day. And then I can do anything for a few hours!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPxHZZHfHnF3xHKsdoFin62YOtisvPrTYmuzjtfh3FEo4B1VNHy5_beYxybyBkPD2LYkkhfaC9G5rZxqDI_cBw2zeenmEVb9i1oUyWOwum3KcpNjRvefoysciUUIcHU_uEpJ3NGFl1-Rm/s1600/springskull.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCPxHZZHfHnF3xHKsdoFin62YOtisvPrTYmuzjtfh3FEo4B1VNHy5_beYxybyBkPD2LYkkhfaC9G5rZxqDI_cBw2zeenmEVb9i1oUyWOwum3KcpNjRvefoysciUUIcHU_uEpJ3NGFl1-Rm/s320/springskull.jpg" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These will be coming to Etsy one day...as soon as I get enough time to take pictures of these skull necklaces on some other surface than my desk...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm really lucky to have a bunch of baby-minders that I trust...mostly family, mostly the grandparents, but one particular non-family friend comes every week or every other week so that I can have a break. Of course, last week I had to use that break to get my tax papers together (yay...), but this week, and the week before that, I got to use that time for ART.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a name='more'></a>I hadn't painted a stone in probably a year...it kinda shows, huh?<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPVO2bZ3eG50CjM59k9eIm687Y2L9NYSwyhTh9Fgy_qousEo2XmCIfAatCRyzOs1LgvEOi_VmE_TZG5UWzk94VmNrGgMN-LoqoB11OjFamCEvRUeX3I7rHUtPJ6NCXVvNCFHvw0UgBsMU/s1600/springgreen2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBPVO2bZ3eG50CjM59k9eIm687Y2L9NYSwyhTh9Fgy_qousEo2XmCIfAatCRyzOs1LgvEOi_VmE_TZG5UWzk94VmNrGgMN-LoqoB11OjFamCEvRUeX3I7rHUtPJ6NCXVvNCFHvw0UgBsMU/s320/springgreen2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm trying to simplify my future stone- and box- and pendant-painting operations...maybe keep it to two or three colors, and abstract mandalas. Those seem to be more popular anyway. I painted a bunch of stones in bright, springy colors, and I'm going to make plain white mandalas on them, like this one. I really like the look of this. I'm also going to experiment with painting the natural stones, without putting a color down first. Y'know, whenever I have time. :P</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And I finally finished this painting, which I'm pretty sure I had started before my son was BORN.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLEBYc1aqJni8gmHSh5iW8rYdcx6oH7fHqlNA7JPJw1N3z4HO5qo6VGajnzPVH4NcVfKko5FFzH_urxdC1lZgEVB9IEecG3T5SB4Ez9dItv8HxOShCJs09T2p9WsYRpGpfANlOKHXVUdQ/s1600/saguaro-blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLEBYc1aqJni8gmHSh5iW8rYdcx6oH7fHqlNA7JPJw1N3z4HO5qo6VGajnzPVH4NcVfKko5FFzH_urxdC1lZgEVB9IEecG3T5SB4Ez9dItv8HxOShCJs09T2p9WsYRpGpfANlOKHXVUdQ/s320/saguaro-blog.jpg" width="249" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I had originally painted this painting in the dearly departed Brushes app on my phone, where it looked like this...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUzCT0J1IJtsNTzpn5BjxUxn0S2ivR0GZPpIBu4AvZK1G5OFygcjeAzIIjb0oS5cMLhsPZHKp3wl5b_plwawJhAIhWSciPs29Hqii3K_8rLhTyN7sY6iO3JJzCukGGtqAhSlbZ5ZmyE-z/s1600/IMG_3332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUzCT0J1IJtsNTzpn5BjxUxn0S2ivR0GZPpIBu4AvZK1G5OFygcjeAzIIjb0oS5cMLhsPZHKp3wl5b_plwawJhAIhWSciPs29Hqii3K_8rLhTyN7sY6iO3JJzCukGGtqAhSlbZ5ZmyE-z/s320/IMG_3332.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And I really liked it, so I wanted to make it a real no-kidding painting on canvas. I like the results! I have other pieces I did in Brushes (and come on, someone make a version for that that works with the current IOS, already!) that I want to convert into acrylic someday too. I wish I had more time to paint with acrylics these days.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I have some more digital pieces lined up, too. Now these, I can do with a baby on my lap! Here's a preview...just the sketch so far:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXuZYqAOXFoSIpJ9ndQAFoM99qRi-jTVWLlHon_WWFWhzpV3vPAUBazOc7aVFqqzeFxpkIh1TwipdxyvdRfVqD2FAs96r3CIXjOoAnXadswhR0FD94m1ma390QCiTGEiIIWt9lxqacMGa/s1600/rabbitsketch-blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXuZYqAOXFoSIpJ9ndQAFoM99qRi-jTVWLlHon_WWFWhzpV3vPAUBazOc7aVFqqzeFxpkIh1TwipdxyvdRfVqD2FAs96r3CIXjOoAnXadswhR0FD94m1ma390QCiTGEiIIWt9lxqacMGa/s320/rabbitsketch-blog.jpg" width="285" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Not necessarily for Easter, but just because I like rabbits and I thought this would look cool. :)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So that's my productivity as of late...wedged in between figuring out teething remedies, watching old episodes of Downton Abbey (I just finished Season 2, nobody tell me what happens!), and scheduling repairs at our house and our rental house (fun...). Um...hashtag #blessed? Actually, yeah...my life is different than it was two years ago, ambition-wise and art-output-wise, but it's pretty darn good. </div>
Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104566542822261169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115127339431935497.post-42059943865514410602016-02-09T09:00:00.000-05:002016-02-09T09:00:00.189-05:00Stuff I needed, that maybe you need tooPeople make it sound so easy. "Oh, it must be nice to be able to work from home, so that you can take care of your baby!" I mean, it is, and even I thought it would be easy before I actually had to do it. But as it turns out, babies need a lot of attention. Duh. Gigantic understatement. :P<br />
<br />
You know what's saved my life on numerous occasions?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhrqOFzzz0kgWeb9d5osYArO3hadicdKSrhqZx_OnShHL4a92C92G7OC6Jpgx9QshPFWsuBJZZEL_NeiXEXH7bL7PiirLlyFjRz_VM_BsXT2LHTqgO3ulGRS0oNg4kDRrXWpyAEdpjY6l/s1600/lifesaver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhrqOFzzz0kgWeb9d5osYArO3hadicdKSrhqZx_OnShHL4a92C92G7OC6Jpgx9QshPFWsuBJZZEL_NeiXEXH7bL7PiirLlyFjRz_VM_BsXT2LHTqgO3ulGRS0oNg4kDRrXWpyAEdpjY6l/s320/lifesaver.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ack, I just realized in this picture it's on the precipice of the futon. It's not usually that precarious, I swear!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Among other things, <a href="http://amzn.to/209yTPl">this Fisher Price rocker</a>. (They're not even paying me for this, either! Although that is an Amazon affiliate link, for full disclosure.) Stephen pretty much lived in this for a while...he would only ever sleep in this, and couldn't stand sleeping in the Pack and Play we had for him (he didn't like lying flat, because he had reflux, and the rocking chair elevated him a bit). Then I would just move the rocker into the studio for the day, park it next to my computer, and let him nap in there in between feedings and playtime.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
What other baby gear do you need as a work-at-home mom? Well, let me tell you:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYwJOwhUGZu9Gb3swVYj9mX9rcOiQQN62kEpAfWByGmZ-nyRnHLkVKB7X3PpuFDtHDakYw1gx4jziBagADdOBk22pT-NwH_u8PwsaS4fe9XTTgLw5xU1M6GhzD9WIqy47OMcaoEYO5njT/s1600/ergoselfie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYwJOwhUGZu9Gb3swVYj9mX9rcOiQQN62kEpAfWByGmZ-nyRnHLkVKB7X3PpuFDtHDakYw1gx4jziBagADdOBk22pT-NwH_u8PwsaS4fe9XTTgLw5xU1M6GhzD9WIqy47OMcaoEYO5njT/s320/ergoselfie.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tired Mom Selfie! I have tons of those. :P</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This, right here. The <a href="http://amzn.to/1nO0ObZ">ErgoBaby carrier</a> has been a great thing to have too...I haven't tried any other types of carriers or methods of babywearing, but this one works for me. It took some getting used to, and I still find it hard to do anything that involves a lot of bending down with it on (laundry, loading dishwasher, etc.) but it gives me two-handed computer time! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And I can also carry the baby in it while I'm using this handy thing... </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HPDIaX19g1JelfbAnJoTXeicfwEM90zXMnGSMfe5jWAOGJmWEmIYdeJg6RMaH5UmLZamq7Fu0TTcHJs6JLP45nqSjHBReKlobj3duJ3ZtNyqwsMLrnOzHcXk-BXxe6u6D5a9_pnN5mUH/s1600/crockpot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HPDIaX19g1JelfbAnJoTXeicfwEM90zXMnGSMfe5jWAOGJmWEmIYdeJg6RMaH5UmLZamq7Fu0TTcHJs6JLP45nqSjHBReKlobj3duJ3ZtNyqwsMLrnOzHcXk-BXxe6u6D5a9_pnN5mUH/s1600/crockpot.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Product photos from Amazon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://amzn.to/1S3V2Pw">Seriously</a>. At one point, I said to my husband, "you know, I don't remember when the last time was that I made dinner NOT from the crock pot, do you?" It's really hard to cook anything labor-intensive with a baby. And by labor-intensive, I mean that even <a href="https://www.verybestbaking.com/recipes/32005/no-bake-chocolate-peanut-butter-bars/">these no-bake bars</a> were kinda difficult to achieve (but I did achieve them, and they were delicious!). But this makes things so easy! If nothing else, I can throw in some chicken, a bottle of buffalo sauce, and then shred that and put it on buns with ranch, lettuce, and tomatoes, and you have buffalo chicken sandwiches. Or put in some chicken and salsa, and bam, burrito filling. Or take that same chicken and salsa, add some broth, canned beans, canned corn, and you have tortilla soup, just crumble some corn chips on top. Simple.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
I've also started making freezer-to-crock-pot meals, mostly from <a href="http://newleafwellness.biz/2015/08/06/31-crockpot-freezer-meals-for-back-to-school/">this post</a> and some of her other ones like it. Lifesaving. The week before Stephen came home from the NICU, I made half a dozen meals, and those lasted us a couple months (well, freezer meals alternated with pizza or pre-made things from the grocery store like rotisserie chickens and bagged salads). </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjurtigc5nu3RsBfT4m4E6YMrKN_N7qhIeYJaGrjUoq7s2F8C_SbgT0R8MYhVJEF0eBDfbMzkX1b3KIH7-ItK2gZkk0rwjdMe6ZoDc37yxqmXg-XXCNUzlm4qEYqouaJi599ObkAH9iRGhv/s1600/mobile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjurtigc5nu3RsBfT4m4E6YMrKN_N7qhIeYJaGrjUoq7s2F8C_SbgT0R8MYhVJEF0eBDfbMzkX1b3KIH7-ItK2gZkk0rwjdMe6ZoDc37yxqmXg-XXCNUzlm4qEYqouaJi599ObkAH9iRGhv/s1600/mobile.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Apparently babies like to look at high-contrast pictures with simple shapes at first. So all that watercolory pastel nursery art (which I am guilty of making, too!) is not actually their preference of things to look at. He seems to like this <a href="http://amzn.to/1S3VihE">mobile</a> with black and white pictures, though, and he can occupy himself with it for quite a while...and we have this "<a href="http://amzn.to/1K1GNIx">car seat gallery</a>" of black and white cards too, and that's just fun. </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKXG7UTxG_ahh4sZqvQb-3HtityZhvoDDxPwfacg2lJQuat44KGPLGkfZaS0PI8SOcgHD9D1WCxp0kDnZ3-obMhLWZGKcH2R3kADMGpUET7L8mzaMH-4fUZnbGEJTSyehH8Ajws5WGuCd/s1600/playplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKXG7UTxG_ahh4sZqvQb-3HtityZhvoDDxPwfacg2lJQuat44KGPLGkfZaS0PI8SOcgHD9D1WCxp0kDnZ3-obMhLWZGKcH2R3kADMGpUET7L8mzaMH-4fUZnbGEJTSyehH8Ajws5WGuCd/s320/playplace.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Stephen has two play mats, <a href="http://amzn.to/1UPfulj">this one</a> given by his aunt and another that was a hand-me-down from my husband's coworker. They're awesome. It's fun to watch him go from just staring at the hanging-down toys, to reaching for them, and then kicking them. His other play mat has inch measurements on it too, which is really cool, because you can see easily how "tall" he's getting! (and his dad is 6'4", I'm 5'7"...he's gonna be tall.)</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDa4rEk3Ry46rQVcvZb7sO2e_-xGtHbiEZqs80AUCF6E693G2VKoaFwDO6KH3aRjYXIUS0s64G1a3JCeoCz2wraNb2VGxDzbQ7EzLqu2J5_xydf1yKiR-uuspwH4pMirEhiPZfgmufmYs/s1600/gripewater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDa4rEk3Ry46rQVcvZb7sO2e_-xGtHbiEZqs80AUCF6E693G2VKoaFwDO6KH3aRjYXIUS0s64G1a3JCeoCz2wraNb2VGxDzbQ7EzLqu2J5_xydf1yKiR-uuspwH4pMirEhiPZfgmufmYs/s320/gripewater.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sadly, Stephen has had just about every gastrointestinal ailment known to babykind. I'm not sure if <a href="http://amzn.to/1QgtNLS">gripe water</a> actually works, but it seems to, or at least it makes me feel better to be able to give it to him. We had to take out the big guns and get a prescription medication for his reflux, though, but we still use this. I just get the store brand at the grocery store, it's less than half the price and it works just as well. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHluZCO5JAeDBLr5iJVKBZnpFXbU9sRrezRxNdV9uD1Pk7KmcdG5AG_gr4qaKl7qOsHot0gxsrFMauVbx7Vgnm9U4BBdV4PJaQQ08dwPRT8Vx82E4e8jali57XyilrEZ4shDsQGTQre0Y/s1600/burpcloths.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHluZCO5JAeDBLr5iJVKBZnpFXbU9sRrezRxNdV9uD1Pk7KmcdG5AG_gr4qaKl7qOsHot0gxsrFMauVbx7Vgnm9U4BBdV4PJaQQ08dwPRT8Vx82E4e8jali57XyilrEZ4shDsQGTQre0Y/s1600/burpcloths.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Before having a baby, I had thought <a href="http://amzn.to/1K1H91S">burp cloths</a> seemed silly. Boy, was I wrong. You really can never have too many. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaLS2A5TucJYsXjnmjZlI0TXeFPoj8s9lx1sJUIJ-x_-985mEqrk3SSlRQzdRv6a91KrT7tJ7YFWkdT71-SEVy5u7dWI_fokXmdnMgMPuSh7-TecMgcI4sZjiG1BRYMj_qoicHrOKpDxDD/s1600/pacifier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaLS2A5TucJYsXjnmjZlI0TXeFPoj8s9lx1sJUIJ-x_-985mEqrk3SSlRQzdRv6a91KrT7tJ7YFWkdT71-SEVy5u7dWI_fokXmdnMgMPuSh7-TecMgcI4sZjiG1BRYMj_qoicHrOKpDxDD/s320/pacifier.jpg" width="309" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We have different colors of <a href="http://amzn.to/1nQH33u">these pacifiers</a> all over our house. Seriously, everywhere. These work better than other brands, for some reason.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QKBvtyJZfyUo_XMznw9AX6qG7D7NgGgMvVPZUK6ldWEdHV7eWP6END7sTQzPu4UedyDZ4V-lh-NCi8wMWadzJs3E-eO5Ri0SuHNVFedNo-n5s12am7XLLsX-_aYHsd-zyyAqdpcO30Vg/s1600/diaperbag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8QKBvtyJZfyUo_XMznw9AX6qG7D7NgGgMvVPZUK6ldWEdHV7eWP6END7sTQzPu4UedyDZ4V-lh-NCi8wMWadzJs3E-eO5Ri0SuHNVFedNo-n5s12am7XLLsX-_aYHsd-zyyAqdpcO30Vg/s1600/diaperbag.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
I've admired Orla Kiely for a while now, and when I saw that she had a line of <a href="http://amzn.to/1QgyuFu">diaper bags</a> at Target, I couldn't resist this one. I felt like I needed to get a fairly neutral-looking diaper bag, at least on the outside, for my husband's sake. :P I wasn't going to get one of those cutesy Vera Bradley-esque patterned ones, and chevrons are out of the question. But this one has a cute green lining, which I like, and yet it still doesn't embarrass my husband. It's a good compromise. ;) </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZYyHQaId5fChyFjzFog7qZ_uFshZbKrMcXxoc9SnbJd5mt9MolGgzB1dgNZtZYrDECVyXGyDcEk2AnyM-7RCU7_k22XLiG3fTTFqDD4jThOWogKUtWP0RFFKeB44VDBni8Hpzvms1N6_/s1600/poobags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZYyHQaId5fChyFjzFog7qZ_uFshZbKrMcXxoc9SnbJd5mt9MolGgzB1dgNZtZYrDECVyXGyDcEk2AnyM-7RCU7_k22XLiG3fTTFqDD4jThOWogKUtWP0RFFKeB44VDBni8Hpzvms1N6_/s320/poobags.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Forget about the Diaper Genie, man...that thing kinda creeps me out, anyway. At the moment we're just using a regular trash can with a lid, and if there's a diaper that, er, is not very fresh-smelling...I just put them in one of <a href="http://amzn.to/20d5fsm">these diaper bags</a>. It's like the poop bags you bring to the dog park for your dogs! Except for diapers! I also do this whenever I need to change diapers in public so they don't stink up the public bathroom trash. (Stephen, aren't you so glad I'm posting this on the internet? Ha ha...)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And on that note... </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFRpISoty5-SyVLFLopv3wGUgRxLkj4NiCJj6DImjLMjcujHCtJ4uhCl_E9SJlyvjMuR_-f0AkOKO8sfUiGhv01gWCUqKXBLubhS6kPhaG172Az2F396o6lBj9-Eq59Ycpa4Ikn32sRrs/s1600/candle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSFRpISoty5-SyVLFLopv3wGUgRxLkj4NiCJj6DImjLMjcujHCtJ4uhCl_E9SJlyvjMuR_-f0AkOKO8sfUiGhv01gWCUqKXBLubhS6kPhaG172Az2F396o6lBj9-Eq59Ycpa4Ikn32sRrs/s320/candle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
I've always liked the Mrs. Meyer's products scents. The <a href="http://amzn.to/1UPgq9n">lavender candle</a> is an especially good nursery scent, I think, because it smells soothing, and these candles REALLY block out smells, in a way that not all candles do. And when you're working at home, you really want your environment to smell nice, since it's the only place you go. So thank you, Mrs. Meyer, whoever you are! </div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now, on the other hand, here's stuff that I had wanted/bought prior to baby-having that hasn't worked or I haven't needed:<br />
<ul>
<li>the special anti-colic Dr. Brown's bottles. I don't know why, but Stephen was just not able to eat out of these. And there were too many darn little parts.</li>
<li>all the breastfeeding accouterments I got (pump; nursing bras; the bra maxi pad things to, y'know, prevent leakage; nipple creams; etc). Well okay, they worked, but I ended up not needing them since I couldn't breastfeed. That really is a whole other post for a whole other time, since I have a lot of thoughts on this subject...well, at least I got some new, well-fitting bras out of the deal!</li>
<li>not one but TWO giant bottles of hand sanitizer. Since they were so stringent about germs in the NICU (and for good reason!), I had thought I would be the hand sanitizer nazi when we got him home too. That lasted about three days.</li>
<li>the eco-friendly Seventh Generation diapers. I got some of these, but they smell weird (before being used, even!), and it's turned out to be way more economical to just get the Costco store brand. Wipes: ditto.</li>
<li>any sort of fancy soy or anti-colic formula. Costco brand once again, baby! Costs half as much, and apparently tastes just as good, I wouldn't know.</li>
<li>bibs...maybe just because he isn't on solid foods yet, but I haven't needed 'em yet.</li>
<li>a fancy baby-food-making blender. Again, he's not on solids yet, but I have resisted the urge to go get a Nutribullet solely for baby food purposes. </li>
</ul>
You know, to stay on the ostensible topic of this blog, I should do these lists for art supplies...god knows I've bought some useless (or absurdly single-purpose) art gadgets in my time, and also some really cool useful ones that I ended up using over and over again. That's a whooooole 'nother post, though. </div>
Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104566542822261169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115127339431935497.post-80434313986478842812016-02-04T09:00:00.000-05:002016-02-04T09:00:18.665-05:00A new print site and some Valentiney goodnessOne of the things I forgot to mention during my late-pregnancy scramble last year: I joined another print site! It's <a href="http://www.boomboomprints.com/">Boom Boom Prints</a>, and <a href="https://www.boomboomprints.com/shop/artist/MaxfieldAndMadison">here is my store</a> on there. It's more geared towards families and kids, so in addition to t-shirts, shower curtains, tote bags, etc. like on <a href="https://society6.com/maxfieldandmadison">Society6</a>, they also have onesies, maternity t-shirts, lunch bags...they even have dog clothing.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZ0GMTcuXt9Ohf-IqwFrXvPJuJvvnAgH4CZDtGjRnvZsHAYE-zl8UvyvNkHXOXWwMDE4ujMaQWuhVXIHQO48y1iwPZlNSS-7BIdfnDSe8ZbrtJJbNhHGrhGGENhmK2I1dmKSsIy4jX6bi/s1600/purplecow.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZ0GMTcuXt9Ohf-IqwFrXvPJuJvvnAgH4CZDtGjRnvZsHAYE-zl8UvyvNkHXOXWwMDE4ujMaQWuhVXIHQO48y1iwPZlNSS-7BIdfnDSe8ZbrtJJbNhHGrhGGENhmK2I1dmKSsIy4jX6bi/s320/purplecow.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can get a purple cow onesie! Isn't that kind of the thing that's always been missing from your life?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
You could even, theoretically, get a portrait of your dog ON a dog shirt, and they can wear their own likeness, if you were so inclined!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqm-noHP5lLO5o6XOA9AZLgo44ZISFt3p5bUkxoCheqFiv-oMpiIZ6a1oizs76n4TBzaGuY3lnrvR9Ii7siJ2G7QRnFEdQ5WEtAmSwXBvwWAPCMrzGtgW3oLJS1vDlVzuy-g8272spgRb1/s1600/dogshirt.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqm-noHP5lLO5o6XOA9AZLgo44ZISFt3p5bUkxoCheqFiv-oMpiIZ6a1oizs76n4TBzaGuY3lnrvR9Ii7siJ2G7QRnFEdQ5WEtAmSwXBvwWAPCMrzGtgW3oLJS1vDlVzuy-g8272spgRb1/s320/dogshirt.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DOGCEPTION!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I've been trying out a new style, which I'll be rolling out onto Boom Boom Prints first, since it seems to fit there better...<br />
<a name='more'></a>Here's an example:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVfFhQwcik6Supfpj5d8Fbq_eLTZaFyazxvWDF1Q6hDGldrj2IhOZKHeOYblp_jQZHY3k0-viGNQEuTcMYu3BXU6oS9yaXK_QeMT33lx4pDjr8gfpHUh2hYpYvuLPXpRkSjkxDUqsvYJii/s1600/ombre-hearts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVfFhQwcik6Supfpj5d8Fbq_eLTZaFyazxvWDF1Q6hDGldrj2IhOZKHeOYblp_jQZHY3k0-viGNQEuTcMYu3BXU6oS9yaXK_QeMT33lx4pDjr8gfpHUh2hYpYvuLPXpRkSjkxDUqsvYJii/s320/ombre-hearts.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It's simple, but it <a href="https://www.boomboomprints.com/Product/MaxfieldAndMadison/Watercolor_Hearts/Art_Prints/">looks really cool</a> on t-shirts, bags, etc.!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I did this in the same way I did my "<a href="http://artshackdispatches.blogspot.com/2015/04/summery-things.html">digital watercolors</a>"/<a href="http://www.eric-carle.com/home.html">Eric Carle</a>-esque pieces, putting the piece together with flat colors in Illustrator, and then bringing it into Photoshop to add the watercolor texture. It's fun, it lets me play with colors, and I can do this kind of art with a baby sitting on my lap and watching me do it! It's a win-win.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I have a St. Patrick's Day one that I'll be putting up on Boom Boom soon...the one problem with this site (and Society6) is that you have to make a different-sized image for each product you offer (shirts are one size, prints are another, duvet covers are another, pillows are another, etc.) so you have to paste your painting into like 20 different jpgs and pngs of different sizes. So it takes a bit of time...but fortunately resizing the image is also something I can do while the baby "helps"! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But I love the stuff that Boom Boom offers, the variety of products, and the general aesthetic of it. So I'll be working on bringing more of my pieces over there, and putting the pieces I already have there on more products. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In the meantime, don't you think this makeup case would be a cool Valentine's Day gift?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMT0ozIY7gWtYW94mbDKa4-HC3NE1ujci8wdXma5s8yBVgwwHjnE4e6ErUAsb_WwKMJaEnT9BJ0HGM9VqZNs27o8hMVYqNo_gjrV6fzxIOaJo5JVvcoPwfo_fZisruPwVAc4RiDrxqNzP/s1600/makeupbag.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMT0ozIY7gWtYW94mbDKa4-HC3NE1ujci8wdXma5s8yBVgwwHjnE4e6ErUAsb_WwKMJaEnT9BJ0HGM9VqZNs27o8hMVYqNo_gjrV6fzxIOaJo5JVvcoPwfo_fZisruPwVAc4RiDrxqNzP/s320/makeupbag.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's not a hint, really it's not!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104566542822261169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115127339431935497.post-8743251408463737082016-02-01T09:00:00.000-05:002016-02-01T09:00:23.178-05:00Inspired Monday: Itzchak TarkayWhen my husband and I were on our honeymoon, we were on a huge cruise ship (yeah, can't afford to do that anymore, and wouldn't want to with a baby!). It almost literally had everything. There was a bowling alley, a casino, tons of bars, pools, restaurants, an Irish pub, a theatre that showed Blue Man Group, a comedy club, an ice bar...and an art gallery.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dybYg05B2kMtCmj2YG4tsmtKDDfBGd1M34qargnvU3b5CpPBUfNnFuN0UCWD00-2QwWL_gm6l76wf9IErDrF1VfQa6gjGXgzpi6NJa4TEI149mcShhHZYvuyz4ZufuzuMSaCXUm-3LVe/s1600/IMG_0071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4dybYg05B2kMtCmj2YG4tsmtKDDfBGd1M34qargnvU3b5CpPBUfNnFuN0UCWD00-2QwWL_gm6l76wf9IErDrF1VfQa6gjGXgzpi6NJa4TEI149mcShhHZYvuyz4ZufuzuMSaCXUm-3LVe/s320/IMG_0071.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And some HUGE chandeliers.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We spent an inordinate amount of time in the art gallery...they rotated paintings every few days, they showed Salvador Dali films, and, well, sometimes they had free wine. But of course we also loved seeing the art, and being introduced to new artists by the very friendly and well-informed gallery staff, and that's how I found out about <a href="http://www.parkwestgallery.com/artist/itzchak-tarkay">Itzchak Tarkay</a>.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a>This is a pretty typical Itzchak Tarkay painting:<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-uZyZyieKFCKay4FiaoeafyGP1a70JyfFPYQh3F4yPWLy8WhofMU6fqeTH8ENev0ZXWTYd8tl1R7SWLvcr0RlXsv8zbvw5sO4uvj_-q09K_07_pKNJXVxe5cJ3ljRvDy2GW4SXKFnvQWJ/s1600/tarkay1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-uZyZyieKFCKay4FiaoeafyGP1a70JyfFPYQh3F4yPWLy8WhofMU6fqeTH8ENev0ZXWTYd8tl1R7SWLvcr0RlXsv8zbvw5sO4uvj_-q09K_07_pKNJXVxe5cJ3ljRvDy2GW4SXKFnvQWJ/s400/tarkay1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">images from <a href="http://www.parkwestgallery.com/">Park West Gallery</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
They seem to often involve women in long, colorful skirts, sitting at tables in a cafe, and sometimes the ocean.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44D4cS36KsQzHfEdYHgX12nl4b3BNksedFPq68MDAx6IwNEH1DfG9aTf646W_Vslbt5oCAxmqSvYdOrRSFGZeYe-DuJVGoxULDYhf04dr_28yvTBTEaoQdRgj5jYC9msN9oOxcCuNGXwO/s1600/tarkay2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi44D4cS36KsQzHfEdYHgX12nl4b3BNksedFPq68MDAx6IwNEH1DfG9aTf646W_Vslbt5oCAxmqSvYdOrRSFGZeYe-DuJVGoxULDYhf04dr_28yvTBTEaoQdRgj5jYC9msN9oOxcCuNGXwO/s400/tarkay2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But not always! He has some really cool landscapes, for instance...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISdU8rMwpy0jqoQlIXt-8NNaxlnrO-Gh4ndrYfB_s2iAjRIoU8b5sslZ9l9Sh10A9hMTP6kyhoGNwUsKCO4idCP72Y-22DWG9yo5jCV6qvYNEy1BrOAmLtB7iBL_tLi3cbwiQADxWDFvw/s1600/Itzchak-Tarkay-Oil-painting-Art-printing-on-the-canvas-Home-font-b-wall-b-font-decoration.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhISdU8rMwpy0jqoQlIXt-8NNaxlnrO-Gh4ndrYfB_s2iAjRIoU8b5sslZ9l9Sh10A9hMTP6kyhoGNwUsKCO4idCP72Y-22DWG9yo5jCV6qvYNEy1BrOAmLtB7iBL_tLi3cbwiQADxWDFvw/s400/Itzchak-Tarkay-Oil-painting-Art-printing-on-the-canvas-Home-font-b-wall-b-font-decoration.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I love the boldness of these pieces, the color sense (Tarkay said that he didn't have any technique for choosing his colors, just that when he paints "the color is coming"), I really like the lighter colored linework in some of the skirts. I don't know, sometimes there's just something about certain artists that appeals to you, maybe triggers a memory, maybe just makes you want to live in their world, but that's how Tarkay is for me.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Maybe it's just because I have happy memories associated with his paintings, and because the pieces themselves remind me of the Mediterranean cities we visited on our trip...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrEQbhmkHjNzY7a-KKydabp3Tqoiup4rtEDPcAZfZ45CoS7kCIrTvOwASbSuJBxMspUiJ-cfLrHxMkqprBQAudxF0QJq48B8s0tbgXqqQvtG-hHBGX7tm25ulTB-ORXDpW00EDX-ym0B1B/s1600/tarkay_89391_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrEQbhmkHjNzY7a-KKydabp3Tqoiup4rtEDPcAZfZ45CoS7kCIrTvOwASbSuJBxMspUiJ-cfLrHxMkqprBQAudxF0QJq48B8s0tbgXqqQvtG-hHBGX7tm25ulTB-ORXDpW00EDX-ym0B1B/s400/tarkay_89391_3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image from ArtBrokerage.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
On the ship, they also had some of his watercolor studies up for auction, which I almost like better than the finished pieces...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6H7Cfhq7kJLp02GHsyekZA6ij0kxtDf4XnT5CjH3Voy6C0CHc15F-WgFgeLfEtha1MI2NuB11oXmrG5lhPSKXbmh1wh2eXS5Smwq4piPRv8D3va5LkP7T93_SVVxECJEnGD4oUCeEooC/s1600/Itzchak_Tarkay_Breakfast_Chat_Watercolor_15x22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6H7Cfhq7kJLp02GHsyekZA6ij0kxtDf4XnT5CjH3Voy6C0CHc15F-WgFgeLfEtha1MI2NuB11oXmrG5lhPSKXbmh1wh2eXS5Smwq4piPRv8D3va5LkP7T93_SVVxECJEnGD4oUCeEooC/s400/Itzchak_Tarkay_Breakfast_Chat_Watercolor_15x22.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sometimes these come up on Ebay, but not for less than probably three of my mortgage payments. O_o The limited edition serigraphs they were selling of his on the ship were pricier than I could do, too, but we did go to an art auction, just to watch, and I stared covetously at them (and the amazing <a href="http://nanolopez.com/">Nano Lopez</a> sculptures...man).</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
However, after trolling Ebay for anything Tarkay-related, I was able to snag this beauty, and for not too much money either:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEM-fbFRo5vn5KWuZTius4-7291yOiagP9vdUBf6atrkyX2s3nhUKSkKCasu3oFgNNzT6J3CzrUUCu9T8pWi6IRPasKPMezyUXqUVOKUexj8DyWCdFt6RyNQz0jQTArraNs4skf7a4qT8/s1600/mytarkay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEM-fbFRo5vn5KWuZTius4-7291yOiagP9vdUBf6atrkyX2s3nhUKSkKCasu3oFgNNzT6J3CzrUUCu9T8pWi6IRPasKPMezyUXqUVOKUexj8DyWCdFt6RyNQz0jQTArraNs4skf7a4qT8/s400/mytarkay.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It's a serigraph (the signature is printed on too, it's not actually hand-signed), and it's HUGE. It's 16x20", and I don't know where I'm going to put it, or what I'm going to do for framing (I almost want to get this one professionally done...I usually do all my own framing and matting, but this maybe should have something special). Love it, though! Highly recommend Ebay for unusual art pieces...this may be old news to all of y'all, but I only just started using Ebay last year, and I've been kind of obsessed with using it to find weird stuff.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So although I'm almost running out of wall space for art in the house, I'm glad I have this. It'll go in my studio and not only inspire my painting, but remind me of my honeymoon. :)</div>
Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104566542822261169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115127339431935497.post-9525314227085467662016-01-26T09:00:00.000-05:002016-01-26T09:00:05.258-05:00El Cuarto de BebeSo I have a babysitter today, and it feels really weird to not have to worry about the baby while I'm writing this...normally he'd be in a carrier attached to me, or napping off to the side while I work on the computer, and I'd always have one eye on him. But now, no worries! Weird. And yet, awesome. And yet...still a little stressful, because I feel like I have to make the most of this time that I have. Ah, the life of a WAHM (work-at-home mom).<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudh-TQFiMaQ12DJTenz5najBql4ho52kDlvLop-Bxhuy2PpGgdDsw5yvIH2rfuv9suhsoOtqh49_RatP-TKoXmpSkz3GvQtej1QUf3u76mmZz2M29VjOW4tWrBc_hb41NvMzqoiGYEHza/s1600/insta-twelve.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudh-TQFiMaQ12DJTenz5najBql4ho52kDlvLop-Bxhuy2PpGgdDsw5yvIH2rfuv9suhsoOtqh49_RatP-TKoXmpSkz3GvQtej1QUf3u76mmZz2M29VjOW4tWrBc_hb41NvMzqoiGYEHza/s320/insta-twelve.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only ones in the studio now are me and the 12th Doctor.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /><div style="text-align: left;">
But I'm afraid this will still be a baby-related post, since now I have to show you...The Baby Room.</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><div style="text-align: left;">
Here's Stephen's room...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvuwetizHSBmy4_Yzm_xnvdbWn9i5DM2W7tPYIPsMoTDgIQbax7pR2MDAXCySna1ruNo1dWbn7gD-U25sz4jGuxlP7rX1vX4HYus6G0ciU3_exM320K9uanqwzirKVDW6iOW1FsGIPIna/s1600/babyroom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvuwetizHSBmy4_Yzm_xnvdbWn9i5DM2W7tPYIPsMoTDgIQbax7pR2MDAXCySna1ruNo1dWbn7gD-U25sz4jGuxlP7rX1vX4HYus6G0ciU3_exM320K9uanqwzirKVDW6iOW1FsGIPIna/s320/babyroom.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spot the baby in this photo!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It's come so far...here's what it looked like before we started sprucing it up:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpUyp9SvX5WgDLJOpFfzxX_TdbyB3tJ1JFRGnxGmnRprxIJ1CdErNtdKssehkocu7Wc8TzDV8sn3DUCTvHF2TLy-A2MGx9dyhkVbN7jEMJ26EHmgi4awbSwOF0YgHhUfxG1MvRK2CvAIN/s1600/pregoinbabyroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpUyp9SvX5WgDLJOpFfzxX_TdbyB3tJ1JFRGnxGmnRprxIJ1CdErNtdKssehkocu7Wc8TzDV8sn3DUCTvHF2TLy-A2MGx9dyhkVbN7jEMJ26EHmgi4awbSwOF0YgHhUfxG1MvRK2CvAIN/s320/pregoinbabyroom.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm about 26 weeks along here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We had been using the room as a dumping ground since we moved in...for random storage and also "here's all the crap that has to go to Goodwill." It was also the same ecru color as the rest of the house at the time...it's a nice color, but I thought the baby room needed something more special.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So we painted it green...with a mural!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgodISsfg-XLLe05IWeoXfa2JX70zHRBqpGEiRl9qyVGXPQJ07WlZwN5Fc0nfbDBCYHXNMJ6VBZw61mSgc0ACA4Y7YhwA6pQ71_mFLJ5y_3rcjn-cqzO81y2BZGltcqmmtsApmD1lWQ5N/s1600/finishedwall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWgodISsfg-XLLe05IWeoXfa2JX70zHRBqpGEiRl9qyVGXPQJ07WlZwN5Fc0nfbDBCYHXNMJ6VBZw61mSgc0ACA4Y7YhwA6pQ71_mFLJ5y_3rcjn-cqzO81y2BZGltcqmmtsApmD1lWQ5N/s320/finishedwall.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Some progress shots...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-AvcvREg97eU1CXHDq3prfHzw9dhsOm86Op9KN64jg2bJfeg_euYXb2FU5mPxvqPQZgpafALemgKITHKwpsfWexOG2HisFxOBTUcFS3laRnHOZ6xgXkRDXFmAwdLqN6AT_7wAbwrwHmed/s1600/stephensdoor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-AvcvREg97eU1CXHDq3prfHzw9dhsOm86Op9KN64jg2bJfeg_euYXb2FU5mPxvqPQZgpafALemgKITHKwpsfWexOG2HisFxOBTUcFS3laRnHOZ6xgXkRDXFmAwdLqN6AT_7wAbwrwHmed/s200/stephensdoor.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwogS1LOYSZI3RWa_5rqoRTA7zY4dUxu0GEozgcVkyZTgeo3QpnsLX8xdOLqez3EEWTeYu8GlBwoSCBVJkAXCBMEgPSiPezrttvIsxSMQeruybWZy6vB2yGcC0tGF0nkh2gtDCKMycrmpD/s1600/stephensroom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwogS1LOYSZI3RWa_5rqoRTA7zY4dUxu0GEozgcVkyZTgeo3QpnsLX8xdOLqez3EEWTeYu8GlBwoSCBVJkAXCBMEgPSiPezrttvIsxSMQeruybWZy6vB2yGcC0tGF0nkh2gtDCKMycrmpD/s200/stephensroom.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn78_rFwhenK6HD4tFiWjT6AFDmuTs7VrcksULYA5Ln4CGaAWYmNxW_vmpv8eoZ9pz_UFFUBVN0VpELkw69QSxuWPHP9ixGL7adhnc6nc9UyVFe2VkK8H9E1wnIXLYfRnKGoNglN1Or2AJ/s1600/mural2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn78_rFwhenK6HD4tFiWjT6AFDmuTs7VrcksULYA5Ln4CGaAWYmNxW_vmpv8eoZ9pz_UFFUBVN0VpELkw69QSxuWPHP9ixGL7adhnc6nc9UyVFe2VkK8H9E1wnIXLYfRnKGoNglN1Or2AJ/s200/mural2.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4IT5HlNMYllUN8_DjdzLi4FgDXKXrEvZLyb2K9HcvUMGSdc5Y9f6BuxAPIAmBayMZ934DDMnoNVs6JlzaSyLsxdOz8TXjv03DAMDgIa-oViCRHSo4lTvsH-8vJFPhs81TJkplC-q-bEAr/s1600/mural3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4IT5HlNMYllUN8_DjdzLi4FgDXKXrEvZLyb2K9HcvUMGSdc5Y9f6BuxAPIAmBayMZ934DDMnoNVs6JlzaSyLsxdOz8TXjv03DAMDgIa-oViCRHSo4lTvsH-8vJFPhs81TJkplC-q-bEAr/s200/mural3.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I knew I wanted to have a green nursery from the start, and I was going to do a foresty/jungle theme regardless of the gender of the baby. In fact, there's pretty much nothing in this room that I wouldn't have also put in a girl's room...except the girl's room would maybe also have a cool Rey from Star Wars mural <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/juliareinstein/this-mom-surprised-her-daughter-with-a-rey-mural-and-it-was#.gvOLe7vMr">like this one</a>.<br />
<br />
However, we do have a Wookiee!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-kDgG1OAVExzZLkoosPIuIx6a4YqErxX-eVZ1643Ikp5Rzb7EwjoyASzVgcIqUmr_eDq8fKfpRRmwZLve56dYSn0arFkGunShJvp9HTosFsrq3WmeNOtF-KJyPkH6FEu-UL8WmQOR-Is/s1600/wookiee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-kDgG1OAVExzZLkoosPIuIx6a4YqErxX-eVZ1643Ikp5Rzb7EwjoyASzVgcIqUmr_eDq8fKfpRRmwZLve56dYSn0arFkGunShJvp9HTosFsrq3WmeNOtF-KJyPkH6FEu-UL8WmQOR-Is/s320/wookiee.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This part my husband painted. Isn't it fantastic? He drew an Ewok too that we might add in later...and he drew a Death Star on the ceiling. I feel like I want to add in the USS Enterprise, y'know, for balance. :)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYw9OF3SgYFg_6w2SQcLTI7ce0ukELaKwtMySv3iXCB1MB0hVdhkmwsvpMBRrN9DDGj0jZXNa-fF7rQc0F_xs_gVoZJA5zYBb796OK1jt3SEs4BGLFP6kaJtmNZXT6jqlUglgHPM6GBbV/s1600/mural6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYw9OF3SgYFg_6w2SQcLTI7ce0ukELaKwtMySv3iXCB1MB0hVdhkmwsvpMBRrN9DDGj0jZXNa-fF7rQc0F_xs_gVoZJA5zYBb796OK1jt3SEs4BGLFP6kaJtmNZXT6jqlUglgHPM6GBbV/s320/mural6.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I had to throw a Tardis into the mural, though...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YUq3ePj1W2aUatjhGQHNhfEkv_dZv-giRMUuNEGzMbAUq5iYpkzGfD9H70VqYmv2N0AMdgWIH6TxpOtYSaZm6sfxf4HT4C-258PY38stKnVPUEvbIXG5MBgUyX2hquXG9jPSy3YknOQB/s1600/mural4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YUq3ePj1W2aUatjhGQHNhfEkv_dZv-giRMUuNEGzMbAUq5iYpkzGfD9H70VqYmv2N0AMdgWIH6TxpOtYSaZm6sfxf4HT4C-258PY38stKnVPUEvbIXG5MBgUyX2hquXG9jPSy3YknOQB/s320/mural4.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyLUX6GDVTDItRjqNfXnW1m25H3WSn507Car0S2d8UtGFnlYsRw9mvDupAEwqy2yxNaw_uSG0JecX03znc_S4gH3DLWZ2y_sqKbR8gcH5dB1SJHeATqnJMoGHzLxO46p2AhHlynXjBtzt/s1600/mural5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNyLUX6GDVTDItRjqNfXnW1m25H3WSn507Car0S2d8UtGFnlYsRw9mvDupAEwqy2yxNaw_uSG0JecX03znc_S4gH3DLWZ2y_sqKbR8gcH5dB1SJHeATqnJMoGHzLxO46p2AhHlynXjBtzt/s200/mural5.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqB56HVT9i1hlRbk8Pb7ePRIxN2I6UG_UZ2B8g7W0qK1GbqqESFi0fQGCudQLumRis0iBISUr4q0tzJMz6oFl3gtucpBnTPGOgIWpz7iL2ZriHg7uPHYODUgzFEsbNcCWffhyphenhyphennbB_XhoD/s1600/mural8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqB56HVT9i1hlRbk8Pb7ePRIxN2I6UG_UZ2B8g7W0qK1GbqqESFi0fQGCudQLumRis0iBISUr4q0tzJMz6oFl3gtucpBnTPGOgIWpz7iL2ZriHg7uPHYODUgzFEsbNcCWffhyphenhyphennbB_XhoD/s320/mural8.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
He also has dinosaurs, and a quetzal bird (which have always been very special to me, since my trip to Panama/Ecuador...plus, they're just the coolest looking birds around). We might add more later, maybe as he gets interested in more things and he puts in requests for who he wants to have on his wall. That's the benefit of the way this mural is set up, we can always just paint some more characters in there, hanging out in trees or hiding behind bushes or wherever.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUN44f70n5ol7PMxXyfKRrIgnlI0itiVsDQ1N5VZ3XeCiesLoWN9vRfeMRSewfRueCGG64PSvgpjUdA5PZl2AWv7paYDBQvrigk40qAOTH0U2sChZ2GjrvHOfY7dPjgKtVdmhm8X5FfQC/s1600/doorsign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipUN44f70n5ol7PMxXyfKRrIgnlI0itiVsDQ1N5VZ3XeCiesLoWN9vRfeMRSewfRueCGG64PSvgpjUdA5PZl2AWv7paYDBQvrigk40qAOTH0U2sChZ2GjrvHOfY7dPjgKtVdmhm8X5FfQC/s320/doorsign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This is a name tag they made him in the NICU, which I love. :) So that's on his door. And of course I also had to frame his name watercolor I made, and put that up...I need to get and/or make some more pieces for that wall! Then at some point, maybe put up cork tiles and pin his artwork up there, as he starts making things.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYB93SR1oPB-yzg9QS5LUl06rRCqOmJsBqWqnNKofr6P0OvcIBU4V5UjQi7LC5eVo07z-5JTgvDfEXnDUijc7omBwxPM_2Z3ENLwqoTKcM0dp9jKa28_HnRKLUw1vHPnV5JS923-wkaB_U/s1600/changingtable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYB93SR1oPB-yzg9QS5LUl06rRCqOmJsBqWqnNKofr6P0OvcIBU4V5UjQi7LC5eVo07z-5JTgvDfEXnDUijc7omBwxPM_2Z3ENLwqoTKcM0dp9jKa28_HnRKLUw1vHPnV5JS923-wkaB_U/s320/changingtable.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I've had this mirror for years, and I figured it should go in the baby room. It's out of reach (for now!) so he doesn't pull the little fruits and vegetables off. On the other side is <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/93947630/southwest-art-print-chidrens-art-kids?ref=shop_home_active_6">this print</a>...I love this artist, Laurie Manzano, she's amazing at capturing Arizona life. This print is totally the kind of thing I would do when I was a kid...just go out into our big desert-y backyard and check out bugs. (And get cactus in my ankles, and turn rocks over with sticks to find scorpions...man, there's a lot of things I'll have to teach Stephen about living in the desert.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKXG7UTxG_ahh4sZqvQb-3HtityZhvoDDxPwfacg2lJQuat44KGPLGkfZaS0PI8SOcgHD9D1WCxp0kDnZ3-obMhLWZGKcH2R3kADMGpUET7L8mzaMH-4fUZnbGEJTSyehH8Ajws5WGuCd/s1600/playplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZKXG7UTxG_ahh4sZqvQb-3HtityZhvoDDxPwfacg2lJQuat44KGPLGkfZaS0PI8SOcgHD9D1WCxp0kDnZ3-obMhLWZGKcH2R3kADMGpUET7L8mzaMH-4fUZnbGEJTSyehH8Ajws5WGuCd/s320/playplace.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And that play mat almost warrants its own post...I'll have to make a post of "baby gear that has saved my life/sanity." Maybe even a roundup of mom blogs, podcasts, and specific articles that saved my sanity, of which there are also many. These will come soon...I really am going to try to get on a regular posting schedule, guys! If not every week, then maybe every other week. Hey, if Serial can do it, I can too!</div>
Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104566542822261169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115127339431935497.post-54856176071728734192016-01-11T08:00:00.000-05:002016-01-11T08:00:31.000-05:00I'm still here!Yes, don't worry guys, I AM still here! And so is this guy...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdxvr1NnICBfyauCVsQFo0Bc-HKnMDfkLrV2vKQp5LfCVeC0hhnt0Voc5L3Mj0UC3njlFqbruvIDKaI_6POPMQ6q_O3GzSLehQlRPxFiyeQ7e8OWDUyKn9TjA8fiRRAEga6CTg-Qzp2OU/s1600/babyfeet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdxvr1NnICBfyauCVsQFo0Bc-HKnMDfkLrV2vKQp5LfCVeC0hhnt0Voc5L3Mj0UC3njlFqbruvIDKaI_6POPMQ6q_O3GzSLehQlRPxFiyeQ7e8OWDUyKn9TjA8fiRRAEga6CTg-Qzp2OU/s320/babyfeet.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I haven't decided how much I'm going to share of him (who am I kidding, I'll probably post his face eventually, because it's so darn cute), but for now, here, some baby feet!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I did, in fact, have my son. But things did not go as planned, as he arrived in August. "But wait, Whitney," you say, "weren't you due in October?" Well, yes, I was. Baby had other plans, apparently! (won't be my WHOLE birth story after the jump, there will be art news, too, I promise...)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So in addition to now having a baby, and all the cliches about never sleeping and, uh...never sleeping, we also had a preemie, which is a whole other set of challenges. Basically for the first eight weeks of Stephen's (that's his name) life, he was in the NICU. They really do try to be as welcoming and gentle as possible there, and NICU nurses really are angels, but it's its own special kind of hell. And nobody talks about this before you're actually in it, either! You don't even consider it as a possibility when you're pregnant, that the baby could have to be taken from you right after birth and LIVE in the hospital for months, and not come home with you! But that's a post for another day...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And then I couldn't breastfeed, which is a whole other post for a whole other day. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And then I had my gallbladder removed! This is one of those weird things that could maybe, possibly, probably not, happen to you during/after pregnancy, but it's only less than one percent of pregnant women who develop gallbladder complications as a result of the extra estrogen, so they don't even bother to mention this to you in any of the "what to expect" books. Which is good. If anyone had told me, "oh by the way, four days after you give birth, your gallbladder will attack you and it will actually be the worst pain of your life, 50 times worse than labor, and you'll think you're literally dying, and then they'll have to surgically remove it," I would probably say, "uh...never mind, then."</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Well, no I wouldn't. I would have done it anyway, and it's all worth it. Because of this.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRUaNLH3dcbkOPDFoj9mdPIJ3R-IV8GvFIKcR1Ux_zblppuWy1eADW9SShGvLyZ83qkBa7N7IgBA8nCv1jomaSUgaFhVr_MgIhyF6l0TCemOEtQdLoO8i1tQLUuCNcT_L7alcYfGKuCa_/s1600/baby2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRUaNLH3dcbkOPDFoj9mdPIJ3R-IV8GvFIKcR1Ux_zblppuWy1eADW9SShGvLyZ83qkBa7N7IgBA8nCv1jomaSUgaFhVr_MgIhyF6l0TCemOEtQdLoO8i1tQLUuCNcT_L7alcYfGKuCa_/s320/baby2.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The real reason I'm coming back to the blog now, though, is because you may have seen these pop up in my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/maxfieldandmadison">Etsy shop</a> and on Maxfield and Madison's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/maxfieldandmadison/">Facebook page</a> a couple days ago...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOyrpn5edS-UYrqc9vfPybjTIXxITzna_nhmN7CKwHXq6d3gSZDbhHh4h4CrkvUkTDZMsW11OzCZIlJqHmdS-pQGmYj8rKcBoEjbaUUhicnWrBp7om1AG3_YrmWvzVp8NL0xZ71p3CMD7/s1600/stephen-etsy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOyrpn5edS-UYrqc9vfPybjTIXxITzna_nhmN7CKwHXq6d3gSZDbhHh4h4CrkvUkTDZMsW11OzCZIlJqHmdS-pQGmYj8rKcBoEjbaUUhicnWrBp7om1AG3_YrmWvzVp8NL0xZ71p3CMD7/s320/stephen-etsy.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_iRnajBm2Jo85faFw5Gs-zO_7_d3OwtS7O9dFsjBCkqiN1p5JjxOAor5xifXzUE3hDxhVRVz3JgJiCcMVhbN8Vmc3kuaeOV8GCcQQJQ4NQ13KWMOWcf4u3KMF7dcWgJ2NRmIM7lRZVeu4/s1600/sophia-etsy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_iRnajBm2Jo85faFw5Gs-zO_7_d3OwtS7O9dFsjBCkqiN1p5JjxOAor5xifXzUE3hDxhVRVz3JgJiCcMVhbN8Vmc3kuaeOV8GCcQQJQ4NQ13KWMOWcf4u3KMF7dcWgJ2NRmIM7lRZVeu4/s320/sophia-etsy.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
Yes, as I had said a while back I was going to do...finally I'm getting more into nursery art! I'm going to start offering original <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/263101803/custom-baby-name-watercolor-nursery-kids?ref=shop_home_active_2">baby name watercolors</a>, customizable to whatever your nursery decor and color scheme is. The one on the left is one I made for my son, and the one on the right is a sample of another possibility (and if you actually have a baby Sophia Theresa, this one is up for sale as well!). <br />
<br />
Similar to my <a href="http://artshackdispatches.blogspot.com/search/label/word%20art">word art</a>, I would make some digital thumbnails of different font and color possibilities, so that people can pick their preferences. And the theme possibilities are pretty much endless: jungle, underwater, horses, Celtic knots (for those little Connors and Aidans out there), butterflies, any animals really, trains, dinosaurs, outer space, whatever you can think of! I could potentially have so much fun with these...and I'm thinking of offering similar stuff for weddings, as well, so stay tuned.<br />
<br />
Of course, there will be more baby-related art coming your way soon...and non-baby art, too, don't get me wrong! And you can expect to see, in addition to my usual art-related musings, posts musing about motherhood and how I balance that with this art business. (spoiler alert: sometimes I don't.) <br />
Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104566542822261169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115127339431935497.post-8008091563932756122015-06-17T14:15:00.003-04:002015-06-17T14:15:58.471-04:00Whoa, passage of time...Hi guys. Well, I'm still pregnant (over halfway through now!), it's still hot as Satan's you-know-what here, so I'm taking lots of naps and I'm not being very productive. But, on the upside, monsoons will be starting soon...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Xl-Q6fqiKDyHdf62v7KUCsmZqjGk0bBkkCdUqZJhFcFwyOfu5fv639148hpGgNz1_MihiikbqM8Dvz7sP7beKF9DMi5VKFlCrc4nBXfRFZRXtZAHnFx_y2lYIL9IJKPVwEug7LmwTsBM/s1600/oohmonsoonsmaybe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Xl-Q6fqiKDyHdf62v7KUCsmZqjGk0bBkkCdUqZJhFcFwyOfu5fv639148hpGgNz1_MihiikbqM8Dvz7sP7beKF9DMi5VKFlCrc4nBXfRFZRXtZAHnFx_y2lYIL9IJKPVwEug7LmwTsBM/s320/oohmonsoonsmaybe.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's just teasing us now.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Oh, and this weekend, I actually picked up some paints for the first time in way too long! (the progress picture goes under the cut, because, well, it's in progress and as such it's kind of unsightly...)</div>
</div>
<a name='more'></a><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtC8EX3yxDk-T3xybhkRmK5Bn0Nbw1YLPc0_RwBwY0AD98bceBu6PObsnL7Ofa3iI5frS-lXsD8ccTCPOyDmIidf3p0Qg0knYYhEyHXWU7V76Tg5uufaK5tRXdWyrsz6QLZw-62XLSZrbk/s1600/scotty-inprogress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtC8EX3yxDk-T3xybhkRmK5Bn0Nbw1YLPc0_RwBwY0AD98bceBu6PObsnL7Ofa3iI5frS-lXsD8ccTCPOyDmIidf3p0Qg0knYYhEyHXWU7V76Tg5uufaK5tRXdWyrsz6QLZw-62XLSZrbk/s320/scotty-inprogress.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I know, it looks like a drug trip. :P The blue is meant to be highlights eventually, and will be a lot lighter in the final. The only things that are mostly done are the eyes and background. A teacher once told me that if you get stuck on a painting, just pick one area (like eyes) and, he said, "render the shit out of it." So then you can see the level the rest of the piece will eventually be like, and use it as a guideline and/or as inspiration.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Other things I've been doing lately...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- Working part-time at a place I'd worked before, helping them get their online sales going, among other things.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- The usual freelancing and trying to maintain my art business in some meaningful way...sadly, I don't think I will have any more craft fairs pre-baby, but <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/maxfieldandmadison">Etsy</a>, <a href="http://whitney-morton.pixels.com/">Pixels</a>, and <a href="http://society6.com/maxfieldandmadison">Society6</a> are still up and running!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- Reviewing books (mostly children's and young adult books) for <a href="http://portlandbookreview.com/">Portland Book Review</a>. A friend of mine runs that company now, and she asked me to be a reviewer. SO fun for a book nerd like me! Plus, I get free books, more than I could possibly have space for...but at least when Mini-Me emerges he'll have quite the library.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- Oh, and another thing I did was find out that IT'S A BOY! Very exciting. My stepson is stoked to be a cool older brother. :) </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- Getting stuff fixed around our house. Mainly, all our electricity started acting like it was possessed this past weekend. The TV turned off and on, so did the desktop computer (thank goodness for laptops with surge protectors), so did the internet, the microwave was not heating anything up...so yeah, we had several different repair people coming in and out this week. In the end, it was a busted ground wire, so the electric company fixed it for free. Nice, eh?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- Taking pictures of my dogs doing weird things...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHn-kv5Og-ErGmNV-TZBa-jUHWB5RVYHwxBVd38okOgNZAOmrjop-xFpr58tLVCgW5GSgmwFYwZqZuXSvrY98BCAhIyW1AOqYpDudICvv7UEUyv2OBNootCCOe-vyvQQVqu32c4G3GY2V/s1600/maddieinashelf.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHn-kv5Og-ErGmNV-TZBa-jUHWB5RVYHwxBVd38okOgNZAOmrjop-xFpr58tLVCgW5GSgmwFYwZqZuXSvrY98BCAhIyW1AOqYpDudICvv7UEUyv2OBNootCCOe-vyvQQVqu32c4G3GY2V/s320/maddieinashelf.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can't explain this picture, or why Madison thought it would be a good idea to wedge her butt into a shelf. At least she wasn't stuck.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- Cleaning out the studio! I've found storage space for most of my art supplies and stuff now, storage space that's not "leave it in the box we moved it in"...a huge triumph. We even have a couch in here now! Which just means that in between cleaning I can now take naps IN the studio. :P<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCWebzQ_OsRuckk67yUXHopcl-STe4xV8_js668EpgZEz1wB5dwHzEM8UKDRUeEDXke7mRhKXTkqxoqaKu1cU2_Knr4rR1v-1uGJ0DcOauxWjmcBEH5ubH3GY1p-_rXnofF6-qctUwpv0/s1600/scottyfuton.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCWebzQ_OsRuckk67yUXHopcl-STe4xV8_js668EpgZEz1wB5dwHzEM8UKDRUeEDXke7mRhKXTkqxoqaKu1cU2_Knr4rR1v-1uGJ0DcOauxWjmcBEH5ubH3GY1p-_rXnofF6-qctUwpv0/s320/scottyfuton.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scotty loves the futon too. Maybe because it camouflages him, so he can take sneaky naps, like a ninja.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- Cleaning out the soon-to-be baby room! We had previously been storing a bunch of junk in there, so we made a couple big Goodwill runs. Now I'm organizing my son's already huge wardrobe...what can I say, he has lots of family just waiting to spoil him already! And then, once the cleaning is done, hopefully by the end of this month? PAINTING. Yesssss!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- Eating frozen custards, since my workplace is close to a Culver's. It's awesome. (okay, that's weird...I saved this post, went to another site, and immediately got a Culver's banner ad. That's just creepy, Blogger! Stop tracking me! I don't need ads to remind me to get frozen custards, I do it anyway.)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- Eating the requisite Weird Pregnant Lady Food(tm). Mostly, this just means putting hot sauce on everything. (or, for sweet things, putting jam on everything, including ice cream and waffles.) We went on a trip to a friend's wedding in North Dakota last month, and they just don't do spicy food as much as we do in Arizona...I got way too excited when our hotel had Tabasco out at breakfast.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bAeDOQ96KeWXI_iAL2AluvHFlZU6YCnQ-soEuCPBzf4vxOTs2WCFnEgdLpgUbTqSB829x-OzTrLQZzT8b-gokIlIoOfVtwxiaO8G0C_i5KiLtys_QN5TO64nK5bcKs42dhENHeZ1BFF8/s1600/hotsaucebagel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bAeDOQ96KeWXI_iAL2AluvHFlZU6YCnQ-soEuCPBzf4vxOTs2WCFnEgdLpgUbTqSB829x-OzTrLQZzT8b-gokIlIoOfVtwxiaO8G0C_i5KiLtys_QN5TO64nK5bcKs42dhENHeZ1BFF8/s320/hotsaucebagel.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I even mix hot sauce with cream cheese on my bagels now. This is actually really tasty! This baby is apparently going to be a spicy food fanatic. Or he will breathe fire.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- And of course, outgrowing all my pants. On the upside, maternity pants are SO comfortable! How come no one told me this before? How come women don't wear these ALL THE TIME, regardless of pregnancy status? You can have jeans that don't cut into your flesh, while at the same time they cover up your shirt-pants gap? Man, pregnant women get all the good stuff!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
What I plan to do in the coming months? More of the same. Plus hopefully more painting, and damn, I owe you guys an Etsy update...there will be good stuff on there, as soon as I photograph it and post it.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And, as always, more pictures of my dogs being the weirdos that they are.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4q4yoIP0w25B6UxHY8bzHq7k6cox5VT5hYQQjJNX9WHC4PlDyfC4Kv6dXVJvpdfflUlT2Jc4fN5sXqmRazF1XA4ktyPL8Djeevw5kI3I_cOrLhGzSgSWUYD4Cud0H50YbggPrMgWd43Y/s1600/scottyiscrazy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4q4yoIP0w25B6UxHY8bzHq7k6cox5VT5hYQQjJNX9WHC4PlDyfC4Kv6dXVJvpdfflUlT2Jc4fN5sXqmRazF1XA4ktyPL8Djeevw5kI3I_cOrLhGzSgSWUYD4Cud0H50YbggPrMgWd43Y/s320/scottyiscrazy.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I also cannot fully explain this picture. Scotty was in the middle of eating grass and I just took this at the appropriate moment. Or he's insane.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104566542822261169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115127339431935497.post-66848250523887775002015-04-17T11:21:00.000-04:002015-04-17T11:21:25.470-04:00Summery things...Okay, first, allow me a brief pregnant-lady rant: so, non-alcoholic beer? It's not good. One of my husband's friends had a beer-tasting party last weekend, and I went anyway, and brought some different near-beers so I could taste-test those, and...yeah, they were crap. I love a good beer, especially in the summer, and these just tasted like weird, bitter, vegetable-soup-flavored sodas.<br />
<br />
But then, that was just O'Doul's, St. Pauli NA, and Kaliber (the one that's made by Guinness...still not good, not vegetable-y, but sort of cinnamon-coffee-ish in a bad way). What's a good non-alcoholic beer that tastes somewhat real, internets?! I need help.<br />
<br />
Other than that, we've been having some nice days, so I've been using my back porch "office" some more...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6ajiiPS3EnuhJJ09pyKDTwex2KyHFydIHNQC4YRbAGBnnYDryKeq76khVOgyIaXdd4kOAeKpHGG9-1zWR6yTB58KRHfkj4dc1-ddbGaif7xhUL_rEl9M4wpCDWOQtdUzivEhjIoEfdDI/s1600/IMG_3895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6ajiiPS3EnuhJJ09pyKDTwex2KyHFydIHNQC4YRbAGBnnYDryKeq76khVOgyIaXdd4kOAeKpHGG9-1zWR6yTB58KRHfkj4dc1-ddbGaif7xhUL_rEl9M4wpCDWOQtdUzivEhjIoEfdDI/s1600/IMG_3895.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scotty is still an awesome back porch coworker.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The warm weather, plus the constant marketing of summer stuff that's already begun (swimsuits, pool toys, beach stuff in Target even though we live about eight hours from any beach) inspired me to do a piece of summer art yesterday:<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzX95M4Qb1wA6cjGd_rnxAk51VGS4ed_PcAldMJRWPwHs7CQSxu_jKYk2L0iRmcLzRX5aI6AK6-FZEKe-i3rmpIBsf7ncLa9E_6Wre-qsQV69i_moKwECiF1JuBtSizV4ylQGin7_PELxZ/s1600/lifebeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzX95M4Qb1wA6cjGd_rnxAk51VGS4ed_PcAldMJRWPwHs7CQSxu_jKYk2L0iRmcLzRX5aI6AK6-FZEKe-i3rmpIBsf7ncLa9E_6Wre-qsQV69i_moKwECiF1JuBtSizV4ylQGin7_PELxZ/s1600/lifebeach.jpg" height="255" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This was so fun. :) It's done using the same technique as the <a href="http://artshackdispatches.blogspot.com/2015/04/monday-cheap-cadbury-egg-day.html">Easter eggs </a>where I drew the shapes in Illustrator, then brought them over to Photoshop and layered watercolor texture on top.<br />
<br />
Here's the shapes without texture, which I also kinda like, although it's plainer:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4n9if7PMgXEmJZVyoEltzqZ8r_TVbMP_GA1ZM4ieCl7LyAglfdvoQ23pK0pBDAartw4kjiSJQHm8bsoIungBeLa-14hY-y3BL_Mq8IT__-6lcG1BoXRlDnjClc4FliU3K5u7CfA9v37t/s1600/lifebeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4n9if7PMgXEmJZVyoEltzqZ8r_TVbMP_GA1ZM4ieCl7LyAglfdvoQ23pK0pBDAartw4kjiSJQHm8bsoIungBeLa-14hY-y3BL_Mq8IT__-6lcG1BoXRlDnjClc4FliU3K5u7CfA9v37t/s1600/lifebeach.jpg" height="204" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
And here's the "sketch" I initially did in Photoshop with my Wacom. Very rough, very ugly, but hey, it's part of the process.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84kEQCeqPtRVKagOca4fcRivfYJiw9raX07EUc6JYpmOBXHUtIczrtU5N_nXhuMzlqjy5hqGUNYc6owGLwxlhqCG7IuT_uLKrUrsRgjfZyUmAAHeAxNiuAACfcyZW7kKc7YEq_Q2avTKi/s1600/lifesabeach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84kEQCeqPtRVKagOca4fcRivfYJiw9raX07EUc6JYpmOBXHUtIczrtU5N_nXhuMzlqjy5hqGUNYc6owGLwxlhqCG7IuT_uLKrUrsRgjfZyUmAAHeAxNiuAACfcyZW7kKc7YEq_Q2avTKi/s1600/lifesabeach.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I'd also done a pencil thumbnail sketch in a sketchbook, but I was too lazy to scan it in so I just redrew it in Photoshop instead. :P It initially had a bathing suit on the girl, with just a strap slipping off to show her sunburn, but I thought it would look clearer and more striking with no suit on.<br />
<br />
And of course, this is now on <a href="http://whitney-morton.pixels.com/">Pixels</a> and <a href="http://society6.com/maxfieldandmadison">Society6</a> for print/t-shirt/etc. purposes! Wouldn't this be a great beach tote bag? It totally would.</div>
Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104566542822261169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115127339431935497.post-71379779011220085082015-04-09T13:23:00.001-04:002015-04-09T13:23:53.096-04:00Trying to re-green my thumb...You know what's the best thing about March/April? Well, besides palo verde trees being in bloom. And all the other flowers. And besides slightly warmer weather but not too hot yet. And besides Cadbury eggs. Okay, so...it's one on a very long list of good things about this time of year.<br />
<br />
You get to PLANT STUFF!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiak76iVuAPZ6WFRCrMvLhjZTnkJv6a5GK-jVjAP77Pg-Unlr6FQM2mbIB1gwalY-12qfYSNxpIyyapXBB66w2KRG_Uh6xB7pyfikUKrFGV-6VIuvMJ0BJUpf86ddpnVwIqQQTCWXNnEg9R/s1600/allherbs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiak76iVuAPZ6WFRCrMvLhjZTnkJv6a5GK-jVjAP77Pg-Unlr6FQM2mbIB1gwalY-12qfYSNxpIyyapXBB66w2KRG_Uh6xB7pyfikUKrFGV-6VIuvMJ0BJUpf86ddpnVwIqQQTCWXNnEg9R/s1600/allherbs.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I got some mini pots of herbs at Lowe's a couple weeks ago while picking up some other things for around the house...about $3 each, but they've already grown a lot, so I predict I'll get a great return on that investment.<br />
<br />
More pics and some other plants...<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a> <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8PQzG4VkgDISw0CIo5gycRQEwm1Q_EEWgZyqx72b_d__Z0yg6FtS6N_hKbHQ3POXrZ7ZwohVyXXRGd80fYO6mXA39eXJDS-KNyuy0kmYm33EBl-PEV8ApvG_NLRy3HKDcgNxxgrPAoUz/s1600/basil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8PQzG4VkgDISw0CIo5gycRQEwm1Q_EEWgZyqx72b_d__Z0yg6FtS6N_hKbHQ3POXrZ7ZwohVyXXRGd80fYO6mXA39eXJDS-KNyuy0kmYm33EBl-PEV8ApvG_NLRy3HKDcgNxxgrPAoUz/s1600/basil.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8C-1Q4zqKdVaa-6V8M5Fy_n7V4jLu3oi5E2xjILzpTkJ9iVWZQMwO5mxjKTIlmNc4qTtBluyhTOxTddQzv5wANMB5Qu_KVNc6zmYdd0z34dkB5Bx-AN7SIAvpBrF8ZTUnnN1lRiBg3ixE/s1600/oregano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8C-1Q4zqKdVaa-6V8M5Fy_n7V4jLu3oi5E2xjILzpTkJ9iVWZQMwO5mxjKTIlmNc4qTtBluyhTOxTddQzv5wANMB5Qu_KVNc6zmYdd0z34dkB5Bx-AN7SIAvpBrF8ZTUnnN1lRiBg3ixE/s1600/oregano.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I had to get basil, of course. It already smells SO GOOD and I'm excited for pesto. Got an oregano too, which I hadn't grown in quite a few years. Fresh oregano is always better! There will probably also be spaghetti sauce in our future, especially since...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrjDSFX-OBSNrjAfflQSu6lQx5MW0syqo5l1e-FRrQ890PNLlvfhoHmvIILJ3UHFCgZGw6eAKDgqkk3VmeFNsY_iFZ1w5FlCPltzheyPJmhw0P153VCjLEdjm77Z9-vDDc4-sCDPyfLC8/s1600/tomato.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrjDSFX-OBSNrjAfflQSu6lQx5MW0syqo5l1e-FRrQ890PNLlvfhoHmvIILJ3UHFCgZGw6eAKDgqkk3VmeFNsY_iFZ1w5FlCPltzheyPJmhw0P153VCjLEdjm77Z9-vDDc4-sCDPyfLC8/s1600/tomato.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
...we also have a tomato plant. (that's Scotty and his sheep in the background. Scotty doesn't care about herbs, he only eats our lawn, because he's a weirdo.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqfbWB_vyJNgTIgcLXD0sbH2P6fC_zP1tvt5sL1Cjj-ZrHRdDSmNFG1UDVCk2YWKgQP93fUwhlSNPdYxUf6Blmnd5aCK5t3A2j2KGW2kiZxKRxDMaEwnrvlGJlQ3Zw3UOc1Ag88HQ68Ph/s1600/mint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtqfbWB_vyJNgTIgcLXD0sbH2P6fC_zP1tvt5sL1Cjj-ZrHRdDSmNFG1UDVCk2YWKgQP93fUwhlSNPdYxUf6Blmnd5aCK5t3A2j2KGW2kiZxKRxDMaEwnrvlGJlQ3Zw3UOc1Ag88HQ68Ph/s1600/mint.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Here's the sad mint plant...before I was able to transplant it into this pot, it apparently decided that its water needs weren't being met, and it started to get really droopy. Had to water it extra to nurse it back to life, and now?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmd1QvSjTuRB6DS_Hw5Vx8mVik1EpxxGjj7S79QpRZXc8a41ZTsGgaxiOVHpUItJkWLGD4_bmNKqB7CLCgDTc_EZanuySxu6FKkuMJ1z_uwzCSK_4WeObqRMaEtl5FKbQvg5qU1GLz9W5E/s1600/happymint.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmd1QvSjTuRB6DS_Hw5Vx8mVik1EpxxGjj7S79QpRZXc8a41ZTsGgaxiOVHpUItJkWLGD4_bmNKqB7CLCgDTc_EZanuySxu6FKkuMJ1z_uwzCSK_4WeObqRMaEtl5FKbQvg5qU1GLz9W5E/s1600/happymint.JPG" height="262" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Happy mint! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Also got one more indoor plant...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lPF30DbuLbhOYNlJ4EIRpY0u7PbPekuyiIi47e2_37aJm4Fck2gRC_pGvWsO3gZy5e9x5HWgegox-W2cxnVlRrjvTLgk-NPDOu7et5bcfb3MiWNCfFa95eVB8ELJnhDJytLnjLaMBf_m/s1600/jadeplant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lPF30DbuLbhOYNlJ4EIRpY0u7PbPekuyiIi47e2_37aJm4Fck2gRC_pGvWsO3gZy5e9x5HWgegox-W2cxnVlRrjvTLgk-NPDOu7et5bcfb3MiWNCfFa95eVB8ELJnhDJytLnjLaMBf_m/s1600/jadeplant.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I love jade plants...you barely have to do anything with them, and they will continue to sit there and look pretty, essentially forever. (Just don't expose them to too much sun, at least not in Arizona, as I learned the hard way with my last jade plant.) Also, the one plant can make more of itself, if you break off a leaf and plant it (or wrap it in a damp paper towel for a few days, wait for it to grow roots, and then plant it? Haven't done this, so not really sure). Some other succulents, I haven't had much success with, and I don't know why...but jade plants are pretty reliable.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Since our house came already pre-landscaped (and really beautifully done, too), there's not actually a lot more I can plant in the yard...it's mostly maintenance right now. And that's fine, although I do sometimes have the urge to add in some more shrubs, or to take out some existing ones and maybe use some of our planting bed space for vegetables or something. Maybe someday. But for now, little container gardens are where it's at.</div>
Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104566542822261169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115127339431935497.post-66711890696223325632015-04-06T10:30:00.000-04:002015-04-06T10:30:03.880-04:00Inspired Monday: go outside!Guess where I'm writing this from today?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIhGtkBQaOcEevnJLOzY0N778VKN6HOxKqDbSk45hrGP16XXfnaQX3K6yx7jHTqVcfcLn2ySg-hsnX4OQN6Dds-9VbFmLMviwV71vhbHzrGF0R_11ZJeGqEbPNt9V9EFSVwdM_DALouct/s1600/scottyoutdooroffice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpIhGtkBQaOcEevnJLOzY0N778VKN6HOxKqDbSk45hrGP16XXfnaQX3K6yx7jHTqVcfcLn2ySg-hsnX4OQN6Dds-9VbFmLMviwV71vhbHzrGF0R_11ZJeGqEbPNt9V9EFSVwdM_DALouct/s1600/scottyoutdooroffice.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It's our patio! We're fortunate in this house to have a big shaded patio area - our old house had almost no shade in the yard, so during a lot of the year it was just too hot to be out there for very long. But this patio is perfect for taking my work outdoors, especially this time of year! We have this futon on the patio, so Scotty and I can sit out here, I can work on my design assignments, and he can come up here to take breaks from running around on the lawn with a toy sheep.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Plus, you can't beat these views...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5prP5aiFF33v0XQCVV9e11TgqiIIlLIy5EKA_eGh3ZLeKDODyr5yju8Mj1g-N23gSUUQYZRXNGxWJcgLLLoHSFZX3uob8jt-vzq5OKz5GljzlAGFHTeDstob_cAiuair55YyXv5SWERYD/s1600/insta-pretty.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5prP5aiFF33v0XQCVV9e11TgqiIIlLIy5EKA_eGh3ZLeKDODyr5yju8Mj1g-N23gSUUQYZRXNGxWJcgLLLoHSFZX3uob8jt-vzq5OKz5GljzlAGFHTeDstob_cAiuair55YyXv5SWERYD/s1600/insta-pretty.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know, a lawn in the desert, so wasteful, etc...but it provides the dogs with their fiber and vitamins. Seriously. It's their salad bar.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
I really should just do all my work out here...it makes it way more fun. Maybe even bring my painting stuff out here! I used to paint alfresco a lot in college, and it was always fun to get out of the studio and into the fresh air for a while. Plus sometimes if you're painting in public places you strike up a lot of interesting conversations. I also sometimes got kids coming over and oohing and ahhing over my paintings, which was encouraging. :)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Digital art is a bit more portable, in terms of taking it into the outside world to work on. (And less messy!) Maybe I'll come out here and work on some more digital pieces like the <a href="http://artshackdispatches.blogspot.com/2015/04/monday-cheap-cadbury-egg-day.html">Easter eggs</a>...plus, you have your color palette inspiration right here!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInL0VEPgAMTR6XFPUV9hq91YX8glTz-Vias3V6VpHVbRHEQ5lfHnnGQ5YGBsYDW43YzHWtfBuPQmAqk8AZ52p1lVRa9R2YWegDbhPrWRJI-ckc8-tUkPi8ljR_bBrSrLyJwW-HBLkhqAo/s1600/lantana.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInL0VEPgAMTR6XFPUV9hq91YX8glTz-Vias3V6VpHVbRHEQ5lfHnnGQ5YGBsYDW43YzHWtfBuPQmAqk8AZ52p1lVRa9R2YWegDbhPrWRJI-ckc8-tUkPi8ljR_bBrSrLyJwW-HBLkhqAo/s1600/lantana.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the colors of these lantana...maybe they should be my next piece.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As I have mentioned before, a <a href="http://artshackdispatches.blogspot.com/2014/07/inspired-monday-change-of-scenery.html">change of scenery</a> is always good for jump-starting the inspiration, no matter what scenery you change to. Somehow, just being somewhere different from your usual work environment just makes your brain waves start doing different things. I'm sure that's a thing proven by science somehow...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Even if it's not, I'll probably keep coming out to the patio until it's too hot to do so. Which might be sooner than I'd like, because it's Tucson, but I'll enjoy it while it lasts.</div>
Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104566542822261169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115127339431935497.post-31326343275766333812015-04-03T16:05:00.000-04:002015-04-03T16:05:55.999-04:00Monday = cheap Cadbury egg day!Happy Easter weekend, guys! Here's a quick Easter piece I did, a bit of an experiment...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjny1UC6tx2sMrdRBZQyCxb5CZ6r8tAt84n2nNnny45y0Rz13Kf3PVUzDRTH8IXd9AUFlctyKsqNxIx_7Qy4ttsd4wOaCG6KDi8w_4Dzirmhrspdss0Io2goW027d6QcBzTDMTscaShmUC_/s1600/eastereggs-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjny1UC6tx2sMrdRBZQyCxb5CZ6r8tAt84n2nNnny45y0Rz13Kf3PVUzDRTH8IXd9AUFlctyKsqNxIx_7Qy4ttsd4wOaCG6KDi8w_4Dzirmhrspdss0Io2goW027d6QcBzTDMTscaShmUC_/s1600/eastereggs-1.jpg" height="320" width="235" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2smtHHOX3R1jUCkx3695y4bFLbyIVATI9_D8_zuzK8xYFnzMm6Kcl9DovjUr2ANu5UUaeozAY2QliCDO1J5uA-lSUnamyG9BSbrcYepMGXatudOi3iIrB5k2GLtIcdVf4xQYuBkXYkTKg/s1600/eastereggs-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2smtHHOX3R1jUCkx3695y4bFLbyIVATI9_D8_zuzK8xYFnzMm6Kcl9DovjUr2ANu5UUaeozAY2QliCDO1J5uA-lSUnamyG9BSbrcYepMGXatudOi3iIrB5k2GLtIcdVf4xQYuBkXYkTKg/s1600/eastereggs-2.jpg" height="320" width="235" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
In two different colorways, just for fun...egg shapes were made in Illustrator, with a collage of different watercolor textures layered on in Photoshop. Left side is Screen blending mode, right side I believe is Hard Light (looks kinda <a href="http://www.eric-carle.com/home.html">Eric Carle</a>-ish to me). These will also be up this afternoon on <a href="http://www.society6.com/maxfieldandmadison">Society6</a> and my <a href="http://whitney-morton.pixels.com/" target="">print store,</a> in case anyone wants some last-minute Easter-y goodness...hint, hint...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We're not doing anything in particular for Easter...I just wanted to draw eggs. But I'm realizing that in a couple years, though, we could be getting into the baskets-and-egg-hunts phase of childhood...which is great! I'm kinda looking forward to doing all the holiday trappings that you do with a kid. And I'm pretty good at hiding eggs, so I hope our kid is a good finder. ;)</div>
Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104566542822261169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115127339431935497.post-48405262019615908032015-04-02T10:00:00.000-04:002015-04-02T10:00:06.455-04:00Big news, baby...Okay, I think that it is now safe to talk about the other, er, "project" I've had in the works for a couple months now...the news is out, so I might as well release it on this blog too.<br />
<br />
So. Guess what this is.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_tR1ek7MwAFFyf7DC5CHPvYa0m_9_KkcvZZ-Nxy1C1KNDpXa9NGUAvPSVWuBoQNTEwg7mn-e8gx8uXHQMB_rpnINRgnEelXJ4NZui9gsbYtf3HOZto4LKDX-3oPdzdzHQdTDWNQs9FDF/s1600/ultrasound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_tR1ek7MwAFFyf7DC5CHPvYa0m_9_KkcvZZ-Nxy1C1KNDpXa9NGUAvPSVWuBoQNTEwg7mn-e8gx8uXHQMB_rpnINRgnEelXJ4NZui9gsbYtf3HOZto4LKDX-3oPdzdzHQdTDWNQs9FDF/s1600/ultrasound.jpg" height="220" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This, my friends, is my, well...new creation! Due to arrive in October. Yep. I'm pregnant. (It's for real! I had to post this today and not yesterday because the timing would have been...bad.)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
More boring stuff about that under the cut...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a>My husband and I had planned on this for a while...in fact, it's why we bought our new house, because it has more space for a new addition. I got the big ol' positive pregnancy test in mid-February, and over the last few weeks we've been telling our family and people we know about it, since I'm at twelve weeks, my blood tests all came back normal, and we're in "the safe zone" as it were (knock on wood).<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Still, you never know how exhausting it is to be pregnant until you're there. I pretty much have to budget out half an hour to an hour of time to nap every day, which has really cut into my productivity. Although thankfully, I didn't have morning sickness. Yay! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
No, this does not mean I'll be expanding into baby portraits as well as pet portraits. Because honestly, babies are hard to draw and not have them come out weird-looking. Of course, some babies ARE weird-looking, but I've just never been able to really capture the likenesses of any kid under two, try though I might. I probably won't be able to draw mine, either. Besides, based on my baby pictures, my kid will probably look like the baby troll from David the Gnome.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfS1AZZzf1qtTQsECJ_PUJvGeQCNsRTYalC_NupzIU7a0f2WqvxgqD6kjsHs05DuTscCRp-qbMRlCZc0NugJz1Snolt43cNeNlok6o4KbEgJAdMzuOpV7fvdGui643T8nZwF-S7PjHh-Ze/s1600/zgiDzaVquN_w320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfS1AZZzf1qtTQsECJ_PUJvGeQCNsRTYalC_NupzIU7a0f2WqvxgqD6kjsHs05DuTscCRp-qbMRlCZc0NugJz1Snolt43cNeNlok6o4KbEgJAdMzuOpV7fvdGui643T8nZwF-S7PjHh-Ze/s1600/zgiDzaVquN_w320.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's very cute, just...very hairy also.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I might, however, try my hand at some nursery art, both for our nursery and to offer as <a href="http://www.society6.com/maxfieldandmadison">prints</a>. I've had an idea for a while about offering custom baby name art (maybe like <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/93455250/customized-baby-name-art-print-with-name?ref=sr_gallery_28&ga_search_query=baby+name&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery">this</a>, but handpainted?), and I might just have to enact that idea now. Plus we're thinking of painting a nursery mural. (My stepson wants it to be Star Wars, I was thinking more jungle animals...we'll compromise.) </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So there will continue to be exciting artistic developments as the months progress, fear not! I will try not to make this blog, or my art, the All Baby All The Time zone. I will probably take off a month or two after the birth, but then, I plan to slowly resume normal operations.</div>
Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104566542822261169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115127339431935497.post-74648378010199065642015-03-17T14:26:00.000-04:002015-03-17T14:26:24.849-04:00Hey, I'm still here!Hi! Happy St. Patrick's Day! I hope everyone is wearing o'the green today, and not drinking o'the green (beer), or...turning o'the green from drinking too much. Perhaps later on today we will be mowing o'the green (lawn).<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjijYpF_Tl9jvB4F_2XqFpWGz47HWu0eqh3LT9GKhnQxgal9wDG21c2on-TNAND32tWJWJCqpPPPZlLn38dfH8w9rxDzZp_I0h_Gy1uZF0ApB9Wg3-UGR-dER9w08j0XPA9f_YwvmF8Ubsw/s1600/scottylawn.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjijYpF_Tl9jvB4F_2XqFpWGz47HWu0eqh3LT9GKhnQxgal9wDG21c2on-TNAND32tWJWJCqpPPPZlLn38dfH8w9rxDzZp_I0h_Gy1uZF0ApB9Wg3-UGR-dER9w08j0XPA9f_YwvmF8Ubsw/s1600/scottylawn.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scotty helps us mow the lawn. He does! He eats the grass that comes up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I feel bad for not writing in here more often, but I do have a couple good reasons for it. There are some projects taking up tons of time right now, some of which I am at liberty to talk about now, and some of which I'm not....plus the usual ongoing process of making the house look nicer and function better, maintenance of dogs, and making sure my family is eating properly (and one of them is a 16-year-old boy, so that is a hard job, my friends).</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a name='more'></a>One of the projects has been designing a website for a business one of my friends started. Over the past few years I've mostly been maintaining already-built websites (including my own), so starting one from scratch has been a whole different ball game. I've had to learn some new tricks for this one, which is great...now I want to bring some of my new tricks to redesigning my own website.<br />
<br />
Also, I got to go on a pretty sweet business trip to Las Vegas to meet with the company I was doing the site for. That was awesome.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAJz3v0xV5yRfAXT_oBYu6POHky0ou9p-mIPdEoz2t2ABnaczPgE-mf3KNFWz6-Mf60DrkDvU-GyTf-GsH39z0tPOjN1N1sb8e16lbMOv94Cfm_ThegERYHd_rtRUOcr6Vo2urL_vf6ZE/s1600/morevegas+(31).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpAJz3v0xV5yRfAXT_oBYu6POHky0ou9p-mIPdEoz2t2ABnaczPgE-mf3KNFWz6-Mf60DrkDvU-GyTf-GsH39z0tPOjN1N1sb8e16lbMOv94Cfm_ThegERYHd_rtRUOcr6Vo2urL_vf6ZE/s1600/morevegas+(31).jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dale Chihuly at the Cosmopolitan? You don't realize this until you get there, but there's actually TONS of art in Vegas, and realizing that the place clearly employed soooo many designers was kinda cool.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
However, creating a website is pretty left-brained, at least once you get past the initial design phase and get into the coding and actually piecing things together. It's exercising different muscles, for sure. And I love doing it, but it's making me miss painting and other right-brained things! Gah, I need to carve out some more time to just PAINT, now that the first phase of that project is over with.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm also in the process of deciding which art festivals will be worth the investment this spring...and I have to decide pretty fast. There's one coming up that sounds PERFECT but the entry fee is expensive...ah, the eternal dilemma of a craft fair artist.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But when I'm not glued to my computer screen, I'm just enjoying the spring weather we've been having, and seeing the flowers that come up in our new yard. That's one of the cool things about a new house: seeing how the seasons differ there. Apparently we have lots of flowering plants, which we didn't know when we bought the house in November!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyk46VrZVqlAYikQQPnqhUfnTJTFusPt9453qufOK9R3lRSqLN4aWSVvld0deP3mwhyphenhyphenjEJPp4lpWXltPjyqhhCMBrPP03sTPfu3KE0lvlpcZtScAZZWhYHAheakdUutuBM6UxQMwChC_7t/s1600/IMG_3745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyk46VrZVqlAYikQQPnqhUfnTJTFusPt9453qufOK9R3lRSqLN4aWSVvld0deP3mwhyphenhyphenjEJPp4lpWXltPjyqhhCMBrPP03sTPfu3KE0lvlpcZtScAZZWhYHAheakdUutuBM6UxQMwChC_7t/s1600/IMG_3745.JPG" height="320" width="320" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Like a real, no-kidding rose... </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdyEwRHxUMyqEiM3EZlMXCEGEWXx6Qb2N-bw4e9ZIO2GTnBxfPLuyYZISNcVCvwgmdb_2svMTtqGGx2BbX0za6XHYuFyJUE2DuB0mD1vQ0BwMf9Cf-XbasYWn_jBFLM50XEk2l2xZtLs3Z/s1600/IMG_3754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdyEwRHxUMyqEiM3EZlMXCEGEWXx6Qb2N-bw4e9ZIO2GTnBxfPLuyYZISNcVCvwgmdb_2svMTtqGGx2BbX0za6XHYuFyJUE2DuB0mD1vQ0BwMf9Cf-XbasYWn_jBFLM50XEk2l2xZtLs3Z/s1600/IMG_3754.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Some lantana... </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0VzSowyMqiv4k3vovZIjEASSLD-dY-nWjuZZ4rAxPIxUGOk6rH3xUoRuhMc22hBGcknM7pjEs3opuH5uouRLjVWEJFbeOhg21OnVWGMa9d9Fz9jq_XPX5CcY7KcBkALXas89e7ct1t-2e/s1600/IMG_3775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0VzSowyMqiv4k3vovZIjEASSLD-dY-nWjuZZ4rAxPIxUGOk6rH3xUoRuhMc22hBGcknM7pjEs3opuH5uouRLjVWEJFbeOhg21OnVWGMa9d9Fz9jq_XPX5CcY7KcBkALXas89e7ct1t-2e/s1600/IMG_3775.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And...I'm not sure what this is, but it's a pretty color.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDr1WDNIVdOzOWdbtbmzJ2jbTokEBUL8gMzNBCVBrPIhYpbQBf-zzrg9NquZLZschkrO808z3EP2x9ExppiTy9cb9yTeQYAGEId3RfYe9DHznJWsOOz3N01Z5BCBFQ-QV3WdGLfPxvvZrG/s1600/IMG_3755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDr1WDNIVdOzOWdbtbmzJ2jbTokEBUL8gMzNBCVBrPIhYpbQBf-zzrg9NquZLZschkrO808z3EP2x9ExppiTy9cb9yTeQYAGEId3RfYe9DHznJWsOOz3N01Z5BCBFQ-QV3WdGLfPxvvZrG/s1600/IMG_3755.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
And JASMINE! This is right outside the front door and every time I go outside it smells sooooo good. Plus the citrus trees will be blooming soon, which will also smell awesome.<br />
<br />
So that's been my spring so far. I truly will try to be back on here more often (and PAINT more often!), and I'll let everyone know about the new stuff coming up as soon as I can!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104566542822261169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115127339431935497.post-70270297057617522582015-02-05T12:00:00.000-05:002015-02-05T12:00:04.627-05:00Tiny spaces of no messIn the process of moving, everything kinda gets turned upside down...and yes, we are still in "the process" even after almost three months. I finally got us another bookshelf so we can contain our book collection that somehow multiplied, like they're Gremlins or something, but there are still boxes of books, boxes of things to hang on the wall, boxes of things I'll need for taxes all too soon...there are still a lot of boxes, let's just say that.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIacd7MJOlDDR-73Xe0KPlDVvX4wkjauorHBI2GyPOQmVD2aIg04wBuTwzspZJ8E4BlQRTTsDtgMOiH7PwNlSgB8HDhIEtSzUPXuZgmcRTNTZy5TwbjY2AGt4btqhHg6ZCgbWhbzzLZMZB/s1600/sidonabox.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIacd7MJOlDDR-73Xe0KPlDVvX4wkjauorHBI2GyPOQmVD2aIg04wBuTwzspZJ8E4BlQRTTsDtgMOiH7PwNlSgB8HDhIEtSzUPXuZgmcRTNTZy5TwbjY2AGt4btqhHg6ZCgbWhbzzLZMZB/s1600/sidonabox.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one is Scotty's watchtower for some reason.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But I've found a way to sort of carve out little oases in the chaos...<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>...by building, well, "vignettes" I guess you'd call it? "Tableaux"? Places where I've cleaned off some of the detritus (and found places to put away the detritus, hopefully), and arranged some objects in what is hopefully a stylish manner.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Tfl1F47hX6fzQy2MTIq7IcZ10ArvLeKr6dhRVeUUB-2dF5p0uRVRc0IN2Dzs9hws2vKc0L4wJ8XyP2XO9wyL8JnMcZWmc88BOvYgA5i2kss2d0pJxtKpfh6IGnI7yWTDx0XxTfEVsxgx/s1600/tableau3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Tfl1F47hX6fzQy2MTIq7IcZ10ArvLeKr6dhRVeUUB-2dF5p0uRVRc0IN2Dzs9hws2vKc0L4wJ8XyP2XO9wyL8JnMcZWmc88BOvYgA5i2kss2d0pJxtKpfh6IGnI7yWTDx0XxTfEVsxgx/s1600/tableau3.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Like this, by the front door...we needed a key drop zone, so I found this olive wood bowl at Home Goods (for $5!) and plunked that down there with a couple of vases. (The right one has peacock feathers in it that are from a real peacock. One of my previous workplaces used to have a feral peacock...it's a long story...)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0P6tpayH1xnnFcS7QO6sYyJpC1lGrH3fCugKVTUvZPGyteI9ll6a-r7cURHRF_qVGOFR3Ci-c17fbX6e0A5_96uvFcKNORjxAqFwQFXLbnstqEoK5-9vMn5D-Bl4n0CC-suIuBJ9S71Zb/s1600/tableau6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0P6tpayH1xnnFcS7QO6sYyJpC1lGrH3fCugKVTUvZPGyteI9ll6a-r7cURHRF_qVGOFR3Ci-c17fbX6e0A5_96uvFcKNORjxAqFwQFXLbnstqEoK5-9vMn5D-Bl4n0CC-suIuBJ9S71Zb/s1600/tableau6.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This is also near the door. I love fake plants...and those are my wedding flowers in the green vase on top of the table. I kinda not-that-successfully hid the Playstation and various controllers on the lower level of the table.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNGcsdfTgEm4607zP34mlW1dlMX2OUzv79LP_ck4ZE84olbc4KqCSQNo-uWW0i31D2mzL9vJGFNcO5yY-_c-56c6XYUhgQQ8hcKADb3cCgXlWvciy_bJch7WeFArOtKwt3prgDqTeP50U/s1600/tableau4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNGcsdfTgEm4607zP34mlW1dlMX2OUzv79LP_ck4ZE84olbc4KqCSQNo-uWW0i31D2mzL9vJGFNcO5yY-_c-56c6XYUhgQQ8hcKADb3cCgXlWvciy_bJch7WeFArOtKwt3prgDqTeP50U/s1600/tableau4.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This
is from a brief period where I cleaned off my desk...before I started
painting things and inevitably got it messed up again. The fake ferns
were on sale at Target, and the coffee canister is from the <a href="http://www.columbiarestaurant.com/">best restaurant in Florida</a> (I miss that place). Plus my "<a href="http://pixels.com/featured/bless-and-release-whitney-morton.html">Bless and Release</a>" print on the windowsill behind that. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxhiW2MO3wrT_G7Ao8nlz-kfYRwzaIX9zxWwF5hiiMQeAbA0EOd0E93m6UanivUpHvjAW8ggMUxKK5UhLSoBI5GwxTX0ll4CXIULDYV_WULC2vJdbMGZAIy7bnQcndN424tv0XnsGX2aA/s1600/bathroomtableau.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIxhiW2MO3wrT_G7Ao8nlz-kfYRwzaIX9zxWwF5hiiMQeAbA0EOd0E93m6UanivUpHvjAW8ggMUxKK5UhLSoBI5GwxTX0ll4CXIULDYV_WULC2vJdbMGZAIy7bnQcndN424tv0XnsGX2aA/s1600/bathroomtableau.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
This is my favorite...it's in our bathroom, where I stuck some creosote branches in a vase. Creosote can live up to seven years without water (!), so they're still going strong a month later, still got green on' em and everything. Plus the humidity in the bathroom makes them release their scent, which for any Arizonans smells just like <a href="http://artshackdispatches.blogspot.com/2014/09/inspired-monday-by-products-of-storms.html">monsoon season</a>. Ahh...bliss. </div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Our hall bathroom has no particular decor in it yet, but it does have this...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnUKmSfP6hqvAaYpDLAdWRBb6CjdV144BAdTeuxcohrG3nvsAMVNDzuQ-1rs6JgfKVq204Q41gndv7kjrT_NKz-qZ7omI7BjaZjy-S4QScNxBCHYe3sc1HehnhzkepgR-cM0ByIDithZn/s1600/bathroomsign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnUKmSfP6hqvAaYpDLAdWRBb6CjdV144BAdTeuxcohrG3nvsAMVNDzuQ-1rs6JgfKVq204Q41gndv7kjrT_NKz-qZ7omI7BjaZjy-S4QScNxBCHYe3sc1HehnhzkepgR-cM0ByIDithZn/s1600/bathroomsign.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Yes, we are very crass in our household...we had this on the bathroom door in our other place too. It's a print of an old WWII poster we got in Ireland. Makes it easy to tell people where the bathroom is... "Just go down the hall and look for the gas mask on the right!"</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I also came across this at a thrift store and decided it should be wall art in our bathroom: </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWV-4PrUe6QKhTCenYWvXdLGcfaillJ1uPHhEv9ycEvA1oonIEQ4ZAZzqEJwukD5gMgJtvRWhLQ3dh8IsDiyPRn9ff04ZNDtVAYQZtlL5bIlIIpO11wUtuFRXwvcE-9dYBmfGBT3C7SRu/s1600/bathroomdecor.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWV-4PrUe6QKhTCenYWvXdLGcfaillJ1uPHhEv9ycEvA1oonIEQ4ZAZzqEJwukD5gMgJtvRWhLQ3dh8IsDiyPRn9ff04ZNDtVAYQZtlL5bIlIIpO11wUtuFRXwvcE-9dYBmfGBT3C7SRu/s1600/bathroomdecor.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Bathrooms are tricky because you don't want to have paper in there, even if it's under glass...the humidity in there would make it curl and generally mess up the piece. (No watercolors in the bathroom! Ever!) This was printed on metal, so I figured it would work okay. Kinda goes well with the bathroom, and there was already a nail in the wall there, so it was just crying out for something to hang there.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So, although there are still parts of the house that look a mess (many, many parts), I'm glad that there are at least a few places where I can rest my eyes on something aesthetically pleasing, at least for a short while. That's important to me.</div>
<br />
Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104566542822261169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115127339431935497.post-15962409205543925632015-01-19T10:00:00.000-05:002015-01-19T10:00:04.696-05:00Inspired Monday: it's back!Hi, folks! Bet you wondered where this feature had been, eh? Well, it went away for a while this fall/winter when I got really busy moving and prepping my old house to rent out, BUT...I think Inspired Monday will be back on a sporadic basis.<br />
<br />
And this Monday's is a big one, one that's super-inspiring to me...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBsjsYa2ZEaMY6zhgMvfIRlt0amHyDdZlQwT0MGkpDsAI3fKoPUkQITjN6SGjFzgha3AnkVvOoNj2DQjNRRueZN7cxT9b8zVkhA7uyOHYe5s2cztIE9v6a4wpH4JEZRhyG0dCDNgWWRK4/s1600/1607089_614903915295822_4148731097382987236_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBsjsYa2ZEaMY6zhgMvfIRlt0amHyDdZlQwT0MGkpDsAI3fKoPUkQITjN6SGjFzgha3AnkVvOoNj2DQjNRRueZN7cxT9b8zVkhA7uyOHYe5s2cztIE9v6a4wpH4JEZRhyG0dCDNgWWRK4/s1600/1607089_614903915295822_4148731097382987236_n.jpg" height="320" width="232" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
It's <a href="http://www.carolrossetti.com.br/">Carol Rosetti</a>, whose work you might have seen posted around Facebook or anywhere that cool, life-improving images can be found. Her art is inspiring on many, many levels...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a>Carol's "Women" series takes women from all walks of life, some of whom might be relateable to you, and some of them are women you might see and have certain stereotypes that might come to mind.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizORbUwpz6YyuNUeNDiI73NWQf51OjBTmIQRy7QdO-U9UZ-mMfiZLmbF7DUMjrIw3Vl5vE7IFlm5wkE4V2-R0dkIqzFNWYIwbgNyRcHCSCBoNWbiDXsU7HzMo2oNJWcau1Jgf9TamCwXUu/s1600/10438139_667521996700680_386988175548542849_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizORbUwpz6YyuNUeNDiI73NWQf51OjBTmIQRy7QdO-U9UZ-mMfiZLmbF7DUMjrIw3Vl5vE7IFlm5wkE4V2-R0dkIqzFNWYIwbgNyRcHCSCBoNWbiDXsU7HzMo2oNJWcau1Jgf9TamCwXUu/s1600/10438139_667521996700680_386988175548542849_n.jpg" height="320" width="222" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ncXWWyDcYqKfsWiYflv28-MYwcg00mqXhruBVlYtDq6l72idr3u55hP3OiF-vdLzO7RBiuoCa04pWMLWWbVE5Foq13koYf6LC-hHMxzDA13r4qlSL1jiGJgvuMfscBk1mnOkuqZ1xmeJ/s1600/10415637_607627249356822_7319651340761856396_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Well, Carol takes those stereotypes and smashes them to bits.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJWjogU7g5VH4KRAwd-0eOcmKitR-hvD_gN9HNtej-Z2cXPceiL4XWHaDI3DLhl0cZpK36xPibb4yIS4vxEdz7wkjok7pPDdQ_hCMCktQ4rZDyLSEePSsBUwGJ06BojPaQUg9pRhVL_Sw/s1600/10633347_670093793110167_2595454030451649746_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJWjogU7g5VH4KRAwd-0eOcmKitR-hvD_gN9HNtej-Z2cXPceiL4XWHaDI3DLhl0cZpK36xPibb4yIS4vxEdz7wkjok7pPDdQ_hCMCktQ4rZDyLSEePSsBUwGJ06BojPaQUg9pRhVL_Sw/s1600/10633347_670093793110167_2595454030451649746_o.jpg" height="320" width="221" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
These are two of my favorites, and ones I find especially relateable...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWlg_9VozAiszYVM8q7BBSx-NPxb2YMhUVLDENKxdU6ToptFNu2TAb6lZm6PBE4J4vxRAYCkbP40GnJzQGaTzslxVLR4ZrcMtTWrl6sESRwRD5uo1mN8SyulF_gLuyor3TJVbcco6SEKi/s1600/10402890_667522000034013_250313244462674598_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHWlg_9VozAiszYVM8q7BBSx-NPxb2YMhUVLDENKxdU6ToptFNu2TAb6lZm6PBE4J4vxRAYCkbP40GnJzQGaTzslxVLR4ZrcMtTWrl6sESRwRD5uo1mN8SyulF_gLuyor3TJVbcco6SEKi/s1600/10402890_667522000034013_250313244462674598_n.jpg" height="320" width="221" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzO-K200V3IQKQRR_EJoSwgaxl6COV-7RuhAyyLUOtYREvnEQcNyXmoHtc1rtUchwtxkY22ItA1j3XoZcCPYhNS_6wEpBt_VeYcMrm2GPARbyL1GgKHadnoWdMK-5K6x4AZSfCZDLibjBz/s1600/10409729_607627319356815_206281368455712139_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzO-K200V3IQKQRR_EJoSwgaxl6COV-7RuhAyyLUOtYREvnEQcNyXmoHtc1rtUchwtxkY22ItA1j3XoZcCPYhNS_6wEpBt_VeYcMrm2GPARbyL1GgKHadnoWdMK-5K6x4AZSfCZDLibjBz/s1600/10409729_607627319356815_206281368455712139_n.jpg" height="320" width="232" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
She's had the stories on her images translated into several languages, which you can find on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/carolrossettidesign">her Facebook page</a>, where she posts new work, both from the "Women" series and otherwise. (And if you know a language that she doesn't have translated, and you like the work, why not help her translate? These should be seen by as many people as possible!)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqE-CdspiImeWBAGNoUNPrK_mGn4Aa2m1-x9Tnapd7xld0DXqb1-3pQfTUsVpgQPD7m4hi0_5F_5h1MYre7nl-Z2utSzYgB-ciH0WUUWSpC7fjXKm_CwLNtI2sZWMwzQ2MtxORs5adisSA/s1600/10433104_614904011962479_4992022576469584496_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqE-CdspiImeWBAGNoUNPrK_mGn4Aa2m1-x9Tnapd7xld0DXqb1-3pQfTUsVpgQPD7m4hi0_5F_5h1MYre7nl-Z2utSzYgB-ciH0WUUWSpC7fjXKm_CwLNtI2sZWMwzQ2MtxORs5adisSA/s1600/10433104_614904011962479_4992022576469584496_n.jpg" height="320" width="232" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now, getting a little personal...there was a time in my life a couple years ago when I was trying to lose weight. And while I did pick up some new healthy habits, and that's a good thing, the process of weighing myself and constantly comparing made me miserable. That, coupled with having friends who were also on "weight loss journeys" (I kinda hate that phrase), and would constantly talk about them, and how "bad" or "good" they were being with their food and exercising, and how they hated that they'd gone up to (gasp!) a size 10, while meanwhile I'm sitting over here in my size 14 jeans drinking my beer and being like, "uh...hi." That was not a recipe for happiness, OR health.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So I intentionally sought out more positive images and blogs, created a body positivity section on my Pinterest (and unfollowed any boards entitled things like "getting fit for my wedding!" or whatnot), and...it could all be a whole other Inspired Monday unto itself. But Carol's work was one of those sources of positivity and acceptance I found, and it was really helpful to me.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ncXWWyDcYqKfsWiYflv28-MYwcg00mqXhruBVlYtDq6l72idr3u55hP3OiF-vdLzO7RBiuoCa04pWMLWWbVE5Foq13koYf6LC-hHMxzDA13r4qlSL1jiGJgvuMfscBk1mnOkuqZ1xmeJ/s1600/10415637_607627249356822_7319651340761856396_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ncXWWyDcYqKfsWiYflv28-MYwcg00mqXhruBVlYtDq6l72idr3u55hP3OiF-vdLzO7RBiuoCa04pWMLWWbVE5Foq13koYf6LC-hHMxzDA13r4qlSL1jiGJgvuMfscBk1mnOkuqZ1xmeJ/s1600/10415637_607627249356822_7319651340761856396_n.jpg" height="320" width="232" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So thank you, Carol!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Anyone else have art (or writing, or blogs, or websites) that makes them feel more positive about themselves, more accepting of differences, more like "okay, everything is fine with me and my world"? Please share!</div>
Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104566542822261169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115127339431935497.post-62919691006231896662015-01-15T13:51:00.002-05:002015-01-15T13:51:52.741-05:00Starting off strong...Well, art fans, it's shaping up to be an exciting 2015 already, and we've barely even started! I don't know what I did, but for some reason the universe has decided, "here, have some sprinkles on your 2015 cake!" If, y'know, sprinkles were jobs and dollars. I don't want to jinx it, but there's a project I'm in the running for that would really be a great opportunity...challenging, but that can be fun sometimes.<br />
<br />
For another thing, we got our old house rented!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0NFdKLjCnHRysgnJVhJioAHYNrQlKbQxXme0yWM9UGNd3st0WUf-VdjPm6Y41ogYaKSiq-uFwaw-cXTWy03t3j0vrt5pMH0Tlf6Z-LK4z4G_P-Eh0jVIku3VPvJttxMAeUHpO6dkBlwL/s1600/IMG_2275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP0NFdKLjCnHRysgnJVhJioAHYNrQlKbQxXme0yWM9UGNd3st0WUf-VdjPm6Y41ogYaKSiq-uFwaw-cXTWy03t3j0vrt5pMH0Tlf6Z-LK4z4G_P-Eh0jVIku3VPvJttxMAeUHpO6dkBlwL/s1600/IMG_2275.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scotty will miss the Art Shack. As will I.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And we didn't even have to use a management company, so no management fees! Of course, this means that I have to add "property management" to my long list of part-time jobs that I do, but I don't mind. I'm just happy to have the house taken care of and not have to pay two mortgages anymore, let me tell you...</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I also got my first Etsy custom order! This is exciting.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a>And it was for a product I hadn't even really thought of offering...pet portraits ON a painted stone, which is then made into a pendant! Why didn't I think of that sooner? Or a stone magnet would work too, or a painted box, or...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RMvMtOQc1BiddfBRLuU4w-UY8_ykhSReO0VnfpM1eUOnNVXlIyYLR6MaRNHYDeh0hjV6cPmlRRvN2ZQHXGhl3Glf8mHpfSQ9jxUxWEI4wcs3j-zsu7fX9Djbh-RGDJYog49BmlkeflzE/s1600/pugpendant.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RMvMtOQc1BiddfBRLuU4w-UY8_ykhSReO0VnfpM1eUOnNVXlIyYLR6MaRNHYDeh0hjV6cPmlRRvN2ZQHXGhl3Glf8mHpfSQ9jxUxWEI4wcs3j-zsu7fX9Djbh-RGDJYog49BmlkeflzE/s1600/pugpendant.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just call me the Official Painter of Pugs in Fancy Dress.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Cute pug, huh? I'm pleased with how this came out, and the customer loved it too, which is the real important thing.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This opens up a whole new world now...I'm going to start offering this as a regular product, and give it its own listing and section on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/maxfieldandmadison">my Etsy store</a>, but for now you can just click on one of the "request custom order" buttons to get one. They're $34, which is the regular stone pendant price plus a $10 custom fee. And then you can show your love for your animals in a cute little necklace!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I also have some of these...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008K1QSOI/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B008K1QSOI&linkCode=as2&tag=lacaspri-20&linkId=BNFIFL7ZTSMZPJR7"><img border="0" src="http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B008K1QSOI&Format=_SL250_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=lacaspri-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=lacaspri-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B008K1QSOI" height="1" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
...which may have to get painted and become pendants, too. I almost think it'd be cute to have the natural wood color as the background, and paint a little dog or cat face on it. Or hamster, or horse, or betta fish (oh, please someone commission me to do a portrait of their fish, that would be so fun! I used to have a koi pond and I love drawing fish).<br />
<br />
So we're off to a good start to 2015 so far...things are kicking off! Let's continue this trend, shall we?</div>
Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104566542822261169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115127339431935497.post-73779641575748869322015-01-01T17:45:00.001-05:002015-01-01T17:45:45.551-05:00Snow time like the present? (I know, booooo...)Happy New Year's, guys! Guess what we had last night, right here in Tucson, Arizona...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwSTzZguuKOOa-kMk0SQjTIxShR76e7ExGX8odZlUYty7Vh_TztifJ1J0hVnCuzp2obrfG45bGr7hL-zGPtr3vwq-mvqYybkC53NVzjzfukHbcOjKj_yGXwRuW63UgMPaFZNRcDY0hvAl/s1600/IMG_3504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEwSTzZguuKOOa-kMk0SQjTIxShR76e7ExGX8odZlUYty7Vh_TztifJ1J0hVnCuzp2obrfG45bGr7hL-zGPtr3vwq-mvqYybkC53NVzjzfukHbcOjKj_yGXwRuW63UgMPaFZNRcDY0hvAl/s1600/IMG_3504.JPG" height="260" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Snoooowwwww! It fell for quite a long time last night, actually, and it stuck! Wow, did that take me back...I hadn't seen that much snow fall and stick since I lived in Idaho. It was still around this morning, too! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This kind of thing is exciting to us Arizonans...I know it might not look like much, but it was enough for my husband and I to throw snowballs at each other and the dog, and that made us very happy. (Maybe not the dog, though...)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
More snow pictures and New Year's ramblings under the cut...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVdnNQ10QqfbV4bkriTglDerFgaEHnf7Il1oPvZESFYfgXcGG82KAd0oNMc6iSeSaL4cg8m31R5vFbYiyDMc60bI11xz0f8Tv2ROu0YAAbifVv-izqvhwUEzv-roGwKUWwj_x3yZ5Kg0v/s1600/IMG_3499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVdnNQ10QqfbV4bkriTglDerFgaEHnf7Il1oPvZESFYfgXcGG82KAd0oNMc6iSeSaL4cg8m31R5vFbYiyDMc60bI11xz0f8Tv2ROu0YAAbifVv-izqvhwUEzv-roGwKUWwj_x3yZ5Kg0v/s1600/IMG_3499.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This was last night at a party we went to...seriously, this is a lot of snow for Tucson, stop laughing, you northerners. :P <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20RC6rRoj8alnCsRrxKpFhEP6wcwqrC8bCn6wlPNEToBKSNpmaHiMsH_bm3Rjc7tHKP7-dy7l6KSdS-lXZTTPk3BXo2h_IdbnxyWtQKysYRsvN8RxuiWneQ02YG9h9Fw7TRaL44HL1kOA/s1600/IMG_3508.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20RC6rRoj8alnCsRrxKpFhEP6wcwqrC8bCn6wlPNEToBKSNpmaHiMsH_bm3Rjc7tHKP7-dy7l6KSdS-lXZTTPk3BXo2h_IdbnxyWtQKysYRsvN8RxuiWneQ02YG9h9Fw7TRaL44HL1kOA/s1600/IMG_3508.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Scotty actually kinda liked it! He was poking around being all like, "omg what is this stuff on the ground?" and running back and forth, poking at his gator chew toy he'd left on the lawn and being very confused as to why it was crunchy and cold. Then he started eating snow-covered grass. Weirdo...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrNnJVrq7z4_Vx3XDtS01X-9Exy7TulWH-sz5NiBPr-6ZmZlRmrTsfcugDFm9eMB_teDzmyjIXPM2cnxmjPOQ10EsO4XVInIzVUXCQ_CljImuy3IRYOb0NmM_3V58A_tqCrBBuXhEo00t/s1600/IMG_3505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrNnJVrq7z4_Vx3XDtS01X-9Exy7TulWH-sz5NiBPr-6ZmZlRmrTsfcugDFm9eMB_teDzmyjIXPM2cnxmjPOQ10EsO4XVInIzVUXCQ_CljImuy3IRYOb0NmM_3V58A_tqCrBBuXhEo00t/s1600/IMG_3505.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snowy Buddha. My favorite of my snow pictures!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now...it is a new year. I mentioned in here <a href="http://artshackdispatches.blogspot.com/2014/02/happy-year-of-wood-horse-everyone.html">before</a> that I don't tend to make resolutions until Chinese New Year, because it gives me some extra time to think about them, and to get a feel for the year and see what might actually be doable.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I thought of this last night, though: one of my words for 2015 will be <i>de-escalate.</i> What does that mean? It means that whenever I feel my stress getting out of control, or whenever something bad happens that could totally tank my mood, instead of letting it do that, I'm going to try to consciously de-escalate the situation in my brain.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
For instance, last night I parked my car badly and damaged my rearview mirror (and I wasn't even drunk at all!), and I was all set to be mad at myself and irritated that I would have to go get it fixed, and it would cost money, and just go into a big downward stress spiral. But I took a breath and de-escalated. It was just an accident, and if all else fails, I could temporarily duct-tape it on, no worries! (probably won't, though, because it would look terrible...I'll probably just suck it up and go get it repaired)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Upset that I didn't get into an art show that I thought was a sure thing (which actually did happen a couple weeks ago)? De-escalate. It doesn't mean that now I suck, it might just mean that they aren't really accepting ANY painters (which turned out to be the case), and to find some other shows.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Feeling angry at someone, either in a work or personal context, for a perceived insult or whatever other thing? De-escalate. Prove the insult wrong by being the better person. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Annoyed at some everyday thing like bad drivers or overcooking dinner? De-escalate. Take a breath and let it go.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Starting to feel stressed when there's too much on my plate? De-escalate. Just do one or two productive things a day to make a dent in the stressful situation (like unpacking boxes, right now...oy), but then take some time to relax at some point in the day.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Who knows if this will work or if I'll keep it up all year, but I'll give it a try. De-escalate! Might have to make myself a <a href="http://artshackdispatches.blogspot.com/search/label/word%20art">word art</a> that says that and keep it at my desk as a reminder...who's with me?</div>
Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104566542822261169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115127339431935497.post-86926801567033062482014-12-19T19:34:00.001-05:002014-12-19T19:34:07.105-05:00Painting outside the box. Literally.Hello! How's everyone enjoying this winter so far? Arizonans, how are you liking all this rain we're having? I love rain...even when I lived in rainier places, I still loved it, even if it was almost every day. It was raining Wednesday morning when I woke up, and I just wanted to lie in bed all day, listen to the rain, drink tea and cocoa, and read...darn responsibilities preventing me from doing that.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGlDD0ctXlK6Mh3-cGLqkw-R2qMKXauQjtmMb7GKa01n_KTYHjJt2Wzl9Ug8y7Ohb2QNoAjU4N6KVsUsS0wHfD-Z8-zmiqOKWYzPZKLk4Gspa1XHmQeHr-wtRHqU35CfPciIgqMaPw20a/s1600/IMG_3456.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGlDD0ctXlK6Mh3-cGLqkw-R2qMKXauQjtmMb7GKa01n_KTYHjJt2Wzl9Ug8y7Ohb2QNoAjU4N6KVsUsS0wHfD-Z8-zmiqOKWYzPZKLk4Gspa1XHmQeHr-wtRHqU35CfPciIgqMaPw20a/s1600/IMG_3456.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Everyone ready for the holidays? We have our tree up, some lights in the window, I've been wrapping presents, and I'm sending out holiday cards which, of course, I drew...after the holidays and once everyone's gotten theirs, I'll post it.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Also have one last holiday craft show tomorrow, and a couple new pieces for it...you'll want to see these.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a>I had a couple more <a href="http://artshackdispatches.blogspot.com/2014/08/soon.html">wood boxes</a> around, and I knew I wanted to paint them, so I worked on that on Wednesday, so I'd know they'd be all finished, sealed, and dry by the time of the craft fair on Saturday.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvn20ahyWSMdpHB0-2vKwmu8HIZGRbGV2pw3ddsy6lIhiGpr1TU0TxFfoBgMB9Q5capAa3WJAKCifT2_bS3YrJ7jENp3STAET-XeBd09nF2HzILMjcCdrQrfSsokW5L8LL_HEetCO-X83/s1600/bothboxes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvn20ahyWSMdpHB0-2vKwmu8HIZGRbGV2pw3ddsy6lIhiGpr1TU0TxFfoBgMB9Q5capAa3WJAKCifT2_bS3YrJ7jENp3STAET-XeBd09nF2HzILMjcCdrQrfSsokW5L8LL_HEetCO-X83/s1600/bothboxes.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
These are the two new ones I made. Kinda cute, huh? I will definitely be making more of these, because they're just fun. You get a bit more surface area to work with than the <a href="http://artshackdispatches.blogspot.com/search/label/painted%20stones">painted stones</a>, so you can put more details in.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
With this one I wrapped the design around the box, too...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqcL-nWdUPBWBxR1n2GF70JMoVJ2VDNC3EdJfGqv-HA8wNvKnXe0VAKlW7VL1pHDpnVV9rnWN6b-5zUUzyEM1eBJ7l_T7ZngZGMbjOfiZQ7mBqz48CxN3tP8gyaIhjFE-cICUKEX6-nVxW/s1600/greybox1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqcL-nWdUPBWBxR1n2GF70JMoVJ2VDNC3EdJfGqv-HA8wNvKnXe0VAKlW7VL1pHDpnVV9rnWN6b-5zUUzyEM1eBJ7l_T7ZngZGMbjOfiZQ7mBqz48CxN3tP8gyaIhjFE-cICUKEX6-nVxW/s1600/greybox1.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I like it. I'm a fan of grey in general...it goes with everything, and it adds some elegance to your surroundings.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1lBu99J9CPW58pcH_iIRn8PScZl3a9ehJCuFk_oDL4Ik29VBVgpERZPR43Pu6Q9B-qhYheiXtakbFYsX9J3mW4hrzPDUytM96No2Au3pEQeGKWCnGz72EGU-TCL8gZV1yP5cBsmRx1Qqd/s1600/greenbox1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1lBu99J9CPW58pcH_iIRn8PScZl3a9ehJCuFk_oDL4Ik29VBVgpERZPR43Pu6Q9B-qhYheiXtakbFYsX9J3mW4hrzPDUytM96No2Au3pEQeGKWCnGz72EGU-TCL8gZV1yP5cBsmRx1Qqd/s1600/greenbox1.JPG" height="219" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The green one also has leaves on two sides, as well as the vaguely Celtic knot motif on the top. Both are just painted solid colors inside, although with my next ones I might play with designs on the inside too, who knows? There's a lot of possibilities for these little boxes...and you can get the plain wood boxes (and other wood things) fairly inexpensively at Michael's. I love that aisle of unfinished wood things...so much potential!</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And where will these be? At the <a href="https://makerhouse.org/">Maker House</a> Last Minute Holiday Gift Show, 11 AM - 5 PM! It's tomorrow...so seriously, if you need any last-minute gifts, even if it's just for yourself, this is the place. </div>
Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104566542822261169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115127339431935497.post-10888743242162191082014-12-06T11:00:00.000-05:002014-12-06T11:00:01.567-05:00Color of the Year excitement!So, you may have heard...this is Pantone's new "Color of the Year" for 2015:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYZowaDGsbZ5NcDHJTHF3Y188zeq5DAHKd5IgQP_H-d6iIZuXfL9A2-jDSJ6OFTZPubJgyzbadq0VX7eqPplcUb-M4JyvAG6eCse6ekmrtwYpIBfbVyIEelhiUeuNVyz_GsBWRb0i5EYQ/s1600/Pantone_Introducing_Color_of_the_Year_Marsala_banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYZowaDGsbZ5NcDHJTHF3Y188zeq5DAHKd5IgQP_H-d6iIZuXfL9A2-jDSJ6OFTZPubJgyzbadq0VX7eqPplcUb-M4JyvAG6eCse6ekmrtwYpIBfbVyIEelhiUeuNVyz_GsBWRb0i5EYQ/s1600/Pantone_Introducing_Color_of_the_Year_Marsala_banner.jpg" height="230" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image courtesy of <a href="https://www.pantone.com/pages/index.aspx?pg=21163&from=hp">Pantone</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It's called Marsala...I would call it "brick red, but snazzier," or a "warm dusty wine red" maybe. And you know what? I'm actually really psyched about it.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a>I had an adjustment period for Radiant Orchid...sure, I ended up painting my craft fair booth sign that color, and that looked nice...<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbVLZRasM3sUmKiqp8KX9CmMCbQxJHo5Ye7mKufCwVFTPxjrxF9vIpdAwjIoXOxrTgtFD3QrbeaZEfEZBJ6ZLg5aOXmDhyphenhyphenlFgm04UaTW4zf3C226QA3CQYvc1SzmxXAxJ1rN3cSrTCL6C/s1600/sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbVLZRasM3sUmKiqp8KX9CmMCbQxJHo5Ye7mKufCwVFTPxjrxF9vIpdAwjIoXOxrTgtFD3QrbeaZEfEZBJ6ZLg5aOXmDhyphenhyphenlFgm04UaTW4zf3C226QA3CQYvc1SzmxXAxJ1rN3cSrTCL6C/s1600/sign.JPG" height="153" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
...but on me, Radiant Orchid would have made me look seriously ill. And it didn't combine well with a lot of other colors, it was more of a statement in itself. It would also have been overwhelming to use as a whole-room color scheme. Bleh.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Marsala, on the other hand...this is a color I could get into. It would look smashing on lots of different people...it's one of those colors that goes well on many different people's skin tones. It would make a room look sophisticated but welcoming, as a main color or an accent color. It's the color of garnets, red wine, red velvet cake...these are awesome (and aesthetically pleasing!) things. What's not to love?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In fact, looking through my art, I realize it's a color I have gotten into before...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRgn8B_tKzVeCWyibAOoegq0e1c56Kdm7nQUu2i7uhpVbvOVvMMz9FNXDlOdhLnLHWxw7ExwJF3diW48FGiOCC_O6XUcPuH-rDmk9Y8yFG5-X0AEDOx16Eh83bLbRcJYtyAbbXZB9yMvc/s1600/lucy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRgn8B_tKzVeCWyibAOoegq0e1c56Kdm7nQUu2i7uhpVbvOVvMMz9FNXDlOdhLnLHWxw7ExwJF3diW48FGiOCC_O6XUcPuH-rDmk9Y8yFG5-X0AEDOx16Eh83bLbRcJYtyAbbXZB9yMvc/s1600/lucy.jpg" height="320" width="277" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqVsLfVDuu-Eg60DzMf2rc08EG2bn7n6339eMokcEHRLccVbt5jPkclPyQGGE6YpzpzgZjJ4IK7kHErx4o7HcTxPjk2gxw5bwWIOZB-gzlL5ZuFV5Qxx3XAUFZPgFcCcbjkMRJzbo-fpR/s1600/lacaterina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihqVsLfVDuu-Eg60DzMf2rc08EG2bn7n6339eMokcEHRLccVbt5jPkclPyQGGE6YpzpzgZjJ4IK7kHErx4o7HcTxPjk2gxw5bwWIOZB-gzlL5ZuFV5Qxx3XAUFZPgFcCcbjkMRJzbo-fpR/s1600/lacaterina.jpg" height="320" width="195" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://fineartamerica.com/featured/lucy-whitney-morton.html">Lucy</a>'s background was sorta marsala-esque, and <a href="http://fineartamerica.com/featured/la-caterina-whitney-morton.html">La Caterina</a>'s blouse was too...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSD4ikx8n7eMgjRrikQznAWZ8x_joitUE7qO2ZLPUetawfvPnOdXaUwcElxD4nvjZv-2RTgNTsrVVu84p7h2uHrAEo35xOqBlV5hQnN9MRF_0LIEFn1WBIIBCCipikmpW4n9bjlKM5evq/s1600/imadethis.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSD4ikx8n7eMgjRrikQznAWZ8x_joitUE7qO2ZLPUetawfvPnOdXaUwcElxD4nvjZv-2RTgNTsrVVu84p7h2uHrAEo35xOqBlV5hQnN9MRF_0LIEFn1WBIIBCCipikmpW4n9bjlKM5evq/s1600/imadethis.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
...and so was this papier-mache W I painted for my living room, as I pointed out in <a href="http://artshackdispatches.blogspot.com/2014/12/still-photographically-challenged.html">my previous post</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's some other marsala-flavored artworks I found while browsing <a href="http://www.pixels.com/">Pixels</a>, the site that supplies my art prints... </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG11fJI6nIqbXyQNFAoeMQTWYfil4h-WtM5piL028AaqBL2o3Ch80YhbqF1-spzj39Dxg97r7oK4UwzNxvd8KcItEoYePN27YHZjcExVBHHjdKJU2-ac7EASg12f_kdEIh6ATvWIAupIuZ/s1600/sunhorse-pat-erickson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG11fJI6nIqbXyQNFAoeMQTWYfil4h-WtM5piL028AaqBL2o3Ch80YhbqF1-spzj39Dxg97r7oK4UwzNxvd8KcItEoYePN27YHZjcExVBHHjdKJU2-ac7EASg12f_kdEIh6ATvWIAupIuZ/s1600/sunhorse-pat-erickson.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fineartamerica.com/featured/sunhorse-pat-erickson.html">Sunhorse</a>, by Pat Erickson</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Marsala makes a great background color for portraits, since it sets off so many skin tones so well...and that applies to horses too, evidently.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqz6F043I7pHFNxtGRfFSaBEvnC489MT30BAVrU92trArNOVzWN7n_2qfXxzJaRbH4yjXCrxcFy_k-8Qxt6tRh3U4wQ-7mIE02qk57-_ekta_miERU3yjM0GLlhr-TbFwSn_CzirF1BjU/s1600/happy-friday-fabrini-crisci.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrqz6F043I7pHFNxtGRfFSaBEvnC489MT30BAVrU92trArNOVzWN7n_2qfXxzJaRbH4yjXCrxcFy_k-8Qxt6tRh3U4wQ-7mIE02qk57-_ekta_miERU3yjM0GLlhr-TbFwSn_CzirF1BjU/s1600/happy-friday-fabrini-crisci.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fineartamerica.com/featured/happy-friday-fabrini-crisci.html">Happy Friday</a> by Fabrini Crisci</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Goes well with different blue shades, too! The red color of the guy on the right's outfit really gives this piece a decadent feel...and I just love this style, very unique.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9u6fw37AQui365-z8MMy3nIr_OC9gmKlZgmUfvMsLdIRj31ELinHwFs0z0GkXPowKHlKpcQI5OvyTJ2VG2_tB0bIGVeaDhec48Ue4qdt4C-yGZMm2dva_MWokfJsZsiqi8PzI-A5YCWZ/s1600/bobs-chili-parlor-craig-shillam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9u6fw37AQui365-z8MMy3nIr_OC9gmKlZgmUfvMsLdIRj31ELinHwFs0z0GkXPowKHlKpcQI5OvyTJ2VG2_tB0bIGVeaDhec48Ue4qdt4C-yGZMm2dva_MWokfJsZsiqi8PzI-A5YCWZ/s1600/bobs-chili-parlor-craig-shillam.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fineartamerica.com/featured/bobs-chili-parlor-craig-shillam.html">Bob's Chili Parlor</a> by Craig Shillam</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Marsala is a good color for evoking that classical Americana feel too, as evidenced here...it's a color that reminds me of vintage soda ads or wine ads.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8JLYjee5UjcC_RM2T5QZvymz2ZFFuh_3GjFnqBsjUxP0hFZst8H5keX3lRhOlw7TCUwtKfcY-PBNhnOD60-t3s5bFDOz_LhACwmOGIk6hCibOTxvqLl2OYaxTuKw0XlIy8G9uEAbTskeH/s1600/rose-rolled-in-newspaper-minaz-jantz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8JLYjee5UjcC_RM2T5QZvymz2ZFFuh_3GjFnqBsjUxP0hFZst8H5keX3lRhOlw7TCUwtKfcY-PBNhnOD60-t3s5bFDOz_LhACwmOGIk6hCibOTxvqLl2OYaxTuKw0XlIy8G9uEAbTskeH/s1600/rose-rolled-in-newspaper-minaz-jantz.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fineartamerica.com/featured/rose-rolled-in-newspaper-minaz-jantz.html">Roses Rolled in Newspaper</a> by Minaz Jantz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Love this photo - you have to click on the link and see it bigger, because the little thumbnail I was able to pull from the website really doesn't show all the gorgeous colors and textures, or give you a sense of all the rich red colors. Marsala paired with other reds is just delicious.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ApyxS-2cbMaMm2YX3fTwu7JE3MXCdbQOJn87kqW7t3hGjWOISLrCjlRH8vNIGywY51aufUknLlRYsQhnNUVVmDZ6oq6fU3846wiL3JbAuZt1qCaE3UAucLg7hLGwSopKB98cjRER-TRY/s1600/2-la-jungla-rossa-guido-borelli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ApyxS-2cbMaMm2YX3fTwu7JE3MXCdbQOJn87kqW7t3hGjWOISLrCjlRH8vNIGywY51aufUknLlRYsQhnNUVVmDZ6oq6fU3846wiL3JbAuZt1qCaE3UAucLg7hLGwSopKB98cjRER-TRY/s1600/2-la-jungla-rossa-guido-borelli.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fineartamerica.com/featured/2-la-jungla-rossa-guido-borelli.html">La Jungla Rossa</a> by Guido Borelli</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Again, you really have to click on this and see it full size...I hadn't been expecting to see a landscape where marsala was the dominant color, but I saw several, and I love this one! Like <a href="http://pixels.com/featured/leaving-her-city-whitney-morton.html">this painting</a> I did, it's an interesting challenge to try and use no blue in a painting, and make the sky some other color.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Shoot, now all this talk about marsala is making me crave chicken marsala...maybe I'll have to figure out how to make that sometime this week...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
What do y'all think of this Color of the Year? What would you like to see in Marsala - cars, rooms, clothes, artworks? Comment about it!</div>
Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104566542822261169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115127339431935497.post-77977131856430601132014-12-04T16:56:00.002-05:002014-12-04T16:56:48.779-05:00Still photographically challenged...As promised, here's the second half of my November photo-a-day challenge...plus a few extras.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLW2lYa_CQaQEojUvmdVwPHQhvMUXgQxFQgi2e-iIcNBwD79hsKIyk5WhTpb0LfT77IR4hzXw3TiBXgw3Vu5lr9A3lSxWS7CcaSXfVUaQl8we9nAipR6BgdemBKlqmudaOKziWnNigAl-h/s1600/IMG_3422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLW2lYa_CQaQEojUvmdVwPHQhvMUXgQxFQgi2e-iIcNBwD79hsKIyk5WhTpb0LfT77IR4hzXw3TiBXgw3Vu5lr9A3lSxWS7CcaSXfVUaQl8we9nAipR6BgdemBKlqmudaOKziWnNigAl-h/s1600/IMG_3422.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not part of the November challenge, but...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've started to take more photos in general after doing the challenge...especially since winter is actually very picturesque in Arizona. We're only now having some fall foliage, as can be seen above...our pomegranate tree at our house turned bright orange, and some of the neighbor's trees have too. Fun to see, and lovely to take pictures of.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's the rest of the challenge, starting with the 16th...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Day 16: after</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCyYABcX7hKxBOqiQ1AVvOrB-4XXWi9V88JG6vq3nZLxIBRneoholJT0kvj42xjNv2IE-s_usw4EcbyhGsoZrDbROHWCQ6hG67ABAEbMGVWCM_7q86j3J_a22I-Fo5GOrUTgX7gsVmUnB/s1600/after.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoCyYABcX7hKxBOqiQ1AVvOrB-4XXWi9V88JG6vq3nZLxIBRneoholJT0kvj42xjNv2IE-s_usw4EcbyhGsoZrDbROHWCQ6hG67ABAEbMGVWCM_7q86j3J_a22I-Fo5GOrUTgX7gsVmUnB/s1600/after.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
We had a fire in our fire pit that night, for the first time at the new house...this picture was <i>after</i> getting it going, and it was also <i>after</i> a long day for everyone, so it was a nice little unwinding thing.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Day 17: cooking</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidA5ib-3shDC4WzK7NkOWN3SbFvPJxrTlIpHBh4aLofyuUuBW1N4piAC8xyiwNmIm9g7-L_NU2WvxRErfXJL5ogN8OWgoqeN3tuAfTK7sURcbL1ziR7faZN4rVEjM_ZSfIlscPWxre5gOp/s1600/cooking.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidA5ib-3shDC4WzK7NkOWN3SbFvPJxrTlIpHBh4aLofyuUuBW1N4piAC8xyiwNmIm9g7-L_NU2WvxRErfXJL5ogN8OWgoqeN3tuAfTK7sURcbL1ziR7faZN4rVEjM_ZSfIlscPWxre5gOp/s1600/cooking.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Heh...this was more of a cooking fail (damn the vagaries of our new oven...), but it turned out okay in the end. Chicken and biscuits.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Day 18: I love this!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqObgmQRWkYG8ytClsc1LDH8nD-PVIoL3mz_F9pvndceiJabNDe-MS1BzfDbOR8BeT0fWXAZrYceYtH-iiivaBdb0H7UWMG3nK9ipdXUpMPhRU5_vVHowtszqkCwW1sfPK-OAp7lkz1B5/s1600/ilovethis.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqObgmQRWkYG8ytClsc1LDH8nD-PVIoL3mz_F9pvndceiJabNDe-MS1BzfDbOR8BeT0fWXAZrYceYtH-iiivaBdb0H7UWMG3nK9ipdXUpMPhRU5_vVHowtszqkCwW1sfPK-OAp7lkz1B5/s1600/ilovethis.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
I went browsing at Home Goods on this day, so there were lots of things I loved, but this funky Chinese-toile-esque chair topped the list. And with the turquoise end table! And the fake plant behind it too! It's just too bad I'm not in the market for a chair right now...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Day 19: whole</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8M18bPzEpLCMqVIz5YF_zEVlapvqG8C-Nxp-gy1HZw7KIfP09YJVjB-3OzPKHPlvJQtht-Rpb680E31HWapapLFrt-Qc7yzyWkQ9KO4Vv8hZc9mgqUk_a_cmfB3ngxaTnkRaxmj6zPhu/s1600/whole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8M18bPzEpLCMqVIz5YF_zEVlapvqG8C-Nxp-gy1HZw7KIfP09YJVjB-3OzPKHPlvJQtht-Rpb680E31HWapapLFrt-Qc7yzyWkQ9KO4Vv8hZc9mgqUk_a_cmfB3ngxaTnkRaxmj6zPhu/s1600/whole.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
Ack, this was my least favorite day...and apparently my phone agreed with me because it somehow deleted the Instagram-ized version of this picture. I honestly couldn't think of anything so I was just like, "eh, screw it, this is my 'whole' dinner and that's that."<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Day 20: bright</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_790hR0nGSoeYDYcnOV4mf_wGT_Ke4VpGny8sw1RoI8QWmupRnKgdQaGmtGxmOJQ5LgnK_C4UKY8UYlXXDrGnI1bwswPJLUEF4WW1UefkG3DTRqMlv4MWn_sANPAIqAi8_0ulqzFINKYi/s1600/bright.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_790hR0nGSoeYDYcnOV4mf_wGT_Ke4VpGny8sw1RoI8QWmupRnKgdQaGmtGxmOJQ5LgnK_C4UKY8UYlXXDrGnI1bwswPJLUEF4WW1UefkG3DTRqMlv4MWn_sANPAIqAi8_0ulqzFINKYi/s1600/bright.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Leaves! Changing color! In my front yard! I never had this at my old house...but this new house has all kinds of foliage all around.<b> </b>I'm still not sure what half of it is, but it's pretty.<b> </b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Day 21: shoes</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgsNQ8HiPjhRmc_iqycgo9w3Rxj1EZ-DF9jXXFEBqO-x7Ct-CSyvDy8j1ygHIrJ1vWnAjoNrT4CHkZ-udSPOveMzXrZ6KkKnQb06w5GXcR_7fp3k-3h79-KFsXAsdAE34B2KYuZl7qsuR/s1600/shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgsNQ8HiPjhRmc_iqycgo9w3Rxj1EZ-DF9jXXFEBqO-x7Ct-CSyvDy8j1ygHIrJ1vWnAjoNrT4CHkZ-udSPOveMzXrZ6KkKnQb06w5GXcR_7fp3k-3h79-KFsXAsdAE34B2KYuZl7qsuR/s1600/shoes.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
I arranged my shoes into a rainbow. Sometimes you gotta have fun while you're moving/unpacking, otherwise it's just deadening.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Day 22: a favorite thing</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-iEbu_I4T-W29t69npmLwXc4Z64BJU9VEi2nhn8rxzbems2pzHhvucr2nTVIeApeNv8ZQWqno3SbmNsoWVMFlHu5cuHW9FDzlWOr-57wn4h1LFgoDC0rCojpvrj9G_2S3fNboHgmiNFJ4/s1600/favoritethings.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-iEbu_I4T-W29t69npmLwXc4Z64BJU9VEi2nhn8rxzbems2pzHhvucr2nTVIeApeNv8ZQWqno3SbmNsoWVMFlHu5cuHW9FDzlWOr-57wn4h1LFgoDC0rCojpvrj9G_2S3fNboHgmiNFJ4/s1600/favoritethings.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
My dogs are favorites for me. And my husband's foot is in the background, under his desk. Granted, they aren't really "things," but...<br />
<br />
My runner-up favorite thing was these:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBm_hkjRgToVte-PEnbpEq_O3nxxpxnmBVH94rHKJHQNd7eVzhFYTBnpOcYF8bnSCmDK3slaNLWVaP0hJSa_iEcsE0iGYQzExsuCGGqWDX-x28L_ir6_ruXuyDh3824MhnZuAyNrC_hivN/s1600/IMG_3365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBm_hkjRgToVte-PEnbpEq_O3nxxpxnmBVH94rHKJHQNd7eVzhFYTBnpOcYF8bnSCmDK3slaNLWVaP0hJSa_iEcsE0iGYQzExsuCGGqWDX-x28L_ir6_ruXuyDh3824MhnZuAyNrC_hivN/s1600/IMG_3365.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Gummy bears...they're from a local health/organic food store, so I pretend they're a health food. :P<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Day 23: I made this!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSD4ikx8n7eMgjRrikQznAWZ8x_joitUE7qO2ZLPUetawfvPnOdXaUwcElxD4nvjZv-2RTgNTsrVVu84p7h2uHrAEo35xOqBlV5hQnN9MRF_0LIEFn1WBIIBCCipikmpW4n9bjlKM5evq/s1600/imadethis.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSD4ikx8n7eMgjRrikQznAWZ8x_joitUE7qO2ZLPUetawfvPnOdXaUwcElxD4nvjZv-2RTgNTsrVVu84p7h2uHrAEo35xOqBlV5hQnN9MRF_0LIEFn1WBIIBCCipikmpW4n9bjlKM5evq/s1600/imadethis.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
This was something I made over a year ago, actually...but I unearthed it while moving and I decided to photograph it, since I hadn't made a lot else lately. It's one of those papier-mache letters from the craft store, which I painted red (hey, it's the 2015 color of the year, Marsala! It's all trendy now), and then added gold paisley designs to it. Gotta find somewhere to put this too! <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Day 24: I need to do this!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh021PN-MhdWO-hZ5ZLZDaUOVlJwHXFwgxfgSpq7LkBES8wVj08SOC4bJGh5s_n-HL8EHcsX4bTj7yT9Waime_TE8-bGR38eWHJX3PK8cuCl1v6hqH8Y633mm_Saza_k2P-_Ju-E3_WXO23/s1600/ihavetodothis.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh021PN-MhdWO-hZ5ZLZDaUOVlJwHXFwgxfgSpq7LkBES8wVj08SOC4bJGh5s_n-HL8EHcsX4bTj7yT9Waime_TE8-bGR38eWHJX3PK8cuCl1v6hqH8Y633mm_Saza_k2P-_Ju-E3_WXO23/s1600/ihavetodothis.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
This was the day I re-dyed my hair...it was an attempt to dye the pinks out, although it didn't quite cover them up entirely. Think I may need to bring out the big guns and use some permanent color on it, much as I hate to do so and would prefer to use something more natural like this henna-based dye that doesn't damage my hair so much. Them's the breaks.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Day 25: time</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rcPsUSris2SbBdOZhw6KmlKRr7HJPzIagSBEaFIs0wMTOpym-urMGoGZjdQmFydzKJEERoSrYzD9edG5-F2azoIxWGZLyMZ8tqmggYAA0ERztVCrnieMVpNFIROAY1D_9M7tTuG4YCur/s1600/time.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rcPsUSris2SbBdOZhw6KmlKRr7HJPzIagSBEaFIs0wMTOpym-urMGoGZjdQmFydzKJEERoSrYzD9edG5-F2azoIxWGZLyMZ8tqmggYAA0ERztVCrnieMVpNFIROAY1D_9M7tTuG4YCur/s1600/time.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
How do you take a picture of "time" anyway? My logic was that cooking for Thanksgiving requires quite the time balancing act...things like your pies and cranberry sauce will keep for a couple days, so you can make them ahead, but for hot dishes it's better to make on the day of, so they're fresh. This is my spiced port wine cranberry sauce that everyone always asks for...easy and also delicious.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Day 26: wall</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNe2-XhDxWuAiNjwea6QX-2dpyxuFzJZ2kBocVgYjEp9dJydbncilBCSCpTa-uK4pb3aQrOI9qHTvLwdmRbSSV5pgXyhtJIinFXFMns28Qt8AWyvWE7W90FRIVisxW7HamCvuJPSorZFh/s1600/walls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNe2-XhDxWuAiNjwea6QX-2dpyxuFzJZ2kBocVgYjEp9dJydbncilBCSCpTa-uK4pb3aQrOI9qHTvLwdmRbSSV5pgXyhtJIinFXFMns28Qt8AWyvWE7W90FRIVisxW7HamCvuJPSorZFh/s1600/walls.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
I was downtown, and there was this cool old mural on a building. I don't think it's really a Mexican restaurant anymore, but it's kinda a fun mural regardless.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Day 27: I'm thankful for this</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8LKG0nt8uN1wlWBGDAtcdiWsOdIfCjmaYo0COpfWp3tu3JsoXq3K1u-pUeP5i43IXD62EYj2od914zcwMvoESQZeWcFkpMGw93Y06uYkeArmx2d6a_J1aDswNOSc5WtisHYl0N6tqBpg_/s1600/thankfulforthis.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8LKG0nt8uN1wlWBGDAtcdiWsOdIfCjmaYo0COpfWp3tu3JsoXq3K1u-pUeP5i43IXD62EYj2od914zcwMvoESQZeWcFkpMGw93Y06uYkeArmx2d6a_J1aDswNOSc5WtisHYl0N6tqBpg_/s1600/thankfulforthis.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Not the table itself, mind, but my family who sat there with me for Thanksgiving dinner. (This is my mom's place...isn't it cool? You can't see it well in this photo, but I love the rainbow handpainted hutch in the corner.)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Day 28: black</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6twI-3gW2dJozsjQlBJTUMQAetmEjqzf50YSl0_A8PkMUuMRWFoFws4grvPlNhZB8zqDqPpn-rT9-RLrmHZGqI1MIW8fj98knUCFArOp9A62mLh93X2N4UKIUfdj7TzE9POpIv2talEz_/s1600/black.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6twI-3gW2dJozsjQlBJTUMQAetmEjqzf50YSl0_A8PkMUuMRWFoFws4grvPlNhZB8zqDqPpn-rT9-RLrmHZGqI1MIW8fj98knUCFArOp9A62mLh93X2N4UKIUfdj7TzE9POpIv2talEz_/s1600/black.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
We didn't do Black Friday...we usually don't. Instead we made some turkey-grilled-cheese sandwiches and watched Star Wars with this guy. (I've been using my dogs in a lot of these photographs for this monthly challenge, haven't I? Dogs and coffee...that's the theme of my life, I suppose.)<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Day 29: so this happened...</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VCiTHda898dgKkA1AGWjn0fxbgGN2uCT0juO1sJ5fMWrMvec8XFLWvkuHzjIp89E4vTEACR5KsWz4rKeZ7MT-1rZSv7BouScyyn6Pgd6tWohZ1kTC1BQFv2khNMWQcgVWMujPCV8tKf3/s1600/sothishappened.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5VCiTHda898dgKkA1AGWjn0fxbgGN2uCT0juO1sJ5fMWrMvec8XFLWvkuHzjIp89E4vTEACR5KsWz4rKeZ7MT-1rZSv7BouScyyn6Pgd6tWohZ1kTC1BQFv2khNMWQcgVWMujPCV8tKf3/s1600/sothishappened.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b> </b>Scotty chewing his gator toy. This was just one picture taken during a playing-on-the-floor session with the dogs...we took a break from unpacking and goofed off for a little while.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Day 30: I bought this </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWOe50b_jMcYpL7t6HlATwhRmhO5bcZwLGykZyCNo0TQjdQScxiNA30keSJckgvg31lydpSbu131ZLojHjW8K0rEcVBLt0sIKFeZWlhTSx4Ll2dmm-eBG2bzM3aVNoEK3Alw4Lzczl6x7/s1600/iboughtthis.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWOe50b_jMcYpL7t6HlATwhRmhO5bcZwLGykZyCNo0TQjdQScxiNA30keSJckgvg31lydpSbu131ZLojHjW8K0rEcVBLt0sIKFeZWlhTSx4Ll2dmm-eBG2bzM3aVNoEK3Alw4Lzczl6x7/s1600/iboughtthis.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Our house! Since I hadn't bought anything for Black Friday, or really for the whole week before (except for food), I used this as a fallback. I like how this picture came out, though.<br />
<br />
So that was my month...dogs, coffee, and the new house turned out to be the themes of the month, which I feel is pretty accurate. :)<br />
<br />
I'm still thinking up a daily doodle challenge, probably in February...stay tuned for the announcement, and keep those doodling skills sharp! If I can get even one person to do it along with me, it'll be fun.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104566542822261169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115127339431935497.post-65285178617101608532014-12-01T16:56:00.001-05:002014-12-01T16:56:31.358-05:00Attitude of gratitudeFirst off, as an online business I am compelled to plug a Cyber Monday deal: $5 off everything and free worldwide shipping in my <a href="http://society6.com/maxfieldandmadison">Society6 store</a> today! You know you want <a href="http://society6.com/maxfieldandmadison/the-earth-without-art-is-just-eh-1a7_bag#26=197">this tote bag</a>.<br />
<br />
Secondly, Thanksgiving Weekend just ended for us United Statesians, which means a few different things: you're probably figuring out where to put all the stuff you bought on various Black Friday sales (I didn't go to any...I try not to, and especially not since I'm moving and have enough stuff to tidy up already!), you're probably still eating turkey and various turkey-related leftovers, and hopefully, it also means that you thought about things you're thankful for, i.e. the real meaning of the holiday, not just eating lots of food and buying cheap electronics.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn15bXfyg9867g4JVYvFanSqlCslERRaciHo7ikoCwfHNZBEhnA5LAXy42uPSnwuWnwHYYr3T29VlluzPEdy9rMk7Mfq348rKbhHyyK2fySPBIB6aANIADN72FLxlxEBzODFmHsPT13Cop/s1600/10628347_665502725869_1514998381791882030_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn15bXfyg9867g4JVYvFanSqlCslERRaciHo7ikoCwfHNZBEhnA5LAXy42uPSnwuWnwHYYr3T29VlluzPEdy9rMk7Mfq348rKbhHyyK2fySPBIB6aANIADN72FLxlxEBzODFmHsPT13Cop/s1600/10628347_665502725869_1514998381791882030_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-Thanksgiving table setup at my mom's house this year. Invisible chairs!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
So here's a shortlist of things I'm thankful for...<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
- My family, friends, dogs, and all the nice people I know and have worked with over the past year...there's a lot of y'all, and you are awesome!<br />
<br />
- The ability to (albeit with great difficulty sometimes!) buy a house and move into it with my husband and stepson...this new place is much better suited to us, and we're going to have a lot of fun here over the years. (And we are NEVER MOVING AGAIN! I say that every time, but seriously, this time we're really not.)<br />
<br />
- Being able to still get by financially - a huge blessing.<br />
- And as a subset to that, all the little material/technological comforts we're able to have...it may seem like a small thing, but just to afford a cell phone and electricity and a computer and enough food in the fridge...it's a big deal, and people take it for granted.<br />
<br />
- The various artistic (and theatre!) opportunities I've had over the past year: exhibitions, art shows, the open studio tour, and the connections I've been able to make, and hope to strengthen over this coming year.<br />
- Sub-heading under this one: I recently lost out on an opportunity (don't want to get into too many details), but it really turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Under other circumstances I might have let the lost opportunity devastate me, but a little perspective (and a little sour grapes!) goes a long way.<br />
<br />
- Being able to get back into the craft fair game, possibly very soon! I had to drop out of a lot of shows during the fall season, due to schedule conflicts and just being too darn busy moving house, and that was a bummer. But I've applied to a couple for the spring season, and I might even have one last pre-Christmas show coming up...watch this space.<br />
<br />
- My health, and that of those I love.<br />
<br />
- Having the time/energy/wherewithal to dedicate myself more to art and my art business this year...it can be discouraging and hard to motivate myself sometimes, but it pays off!<br />
<br />
- And, uh...chocolate. One should always be thankful for chocolate.<br />
<br />
I used to keep a gratitude journal a couple years ago...I've dropped off in the frequency that I write in it lately. But I should start back up with it again, it really does help you put things in perspective. What's everyone out there thankful for? Drop me some comments about it!Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104566542822261169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115127339431935497.post-33945565473564259032014-11-21T18:33:00.000-05:002014-11-21T18:33:44.379-05:00Instagrammically challengedSometimes you'll come across these "[blank]-a-day for a month" challenges on blogs or social media...I've tried to do a couple of them in the past, but when you're not posting the results you're not really accountable to anyone, you know? So I never finished the couple I'd tried before.<br />
<br />
But then I saw this on Twitter...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghloJtnPbovAzko1Tn50NJWKuHTkrK3_MmsrBt_Tno9NKZdHjuTK5sGaHt_Y82okNV_KSGDtpo9To1PlwQz_z9K43TgCEjRd1ovwg_qDdFVTVxEMtFBqnEGUSnZZEHgBZX6sErb_jnjRyN/s1600/photoaday-november.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghloJtnPbovAzko1Tn50NJWKuHTkrK3_MmsrBt_Tno9NKZdHjuTK5sGaHt_Y82okNV_KSGDtpo9To1PlwQz_z9K43TgCEjRd1ovwg_qDdFVTVxEMtFBqnEGUSnZZEHgBZX6sErb_jnjRyN/s1600/photoaday-november.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
...and it linked to <a href="http://fatmumslim.com.au/how-to-play/">this</a>, and I thought, why not? I'll play it this month!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a>Taking a photo every day really does open your eyes to your surroundings...and having a theme every day was inspiring most days, although some days very challenging (what the heck can I photograph that's "whole"? That encompasses just about everything!). Here's the first half of my month...<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 1: something blue</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85h6DxBmyAjHXjVoh8vyZArle15rR-szaJgDaQIsTSjwNCq7EJOZ9yU5YRkU1-XivgHdN_U4seVC8QbjGhjsIPcglWyfbylY0Iw20mDa6C0jE40wZOGPqJjxNVB_JqyWYzBRt3lKMJ9yY/s1600/somethingblue.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj85h6DxBmyAjHXjVoh8vyZArle15rR-szaJgDaQIsTSjwNCq7EJOZ9yU5YRkU1-XivgHdN_U4seVC8QbjGhjsIPcglWyfbylY0Iw20mDa6C0jE40wZOGPqJjxNVB_JqyWYzBRt3lKMJ9yY/s1600/somethingblue.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Just the sky. I went pretty basic on this one...<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 2: I saw this!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9GA4WXtdqhaQTf3xzyRIka6LrXM9q6SS8r6GYT01ktafaxHq-260HwOGg-xI5mH17Rg9zV7lhlcQ-R0qhZeww3DIcAWmQ_Z1qcckAGWesYAxOVfMp5xsRC76V7W6bT8zh94GHnCPjkVu/s1600/isawthis.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs9GA4WXtdqhaQTf3xzyRIka6LrXM9q6SS8r6GYT01ktafaxHq-260HwOGg-xI5mH17Rg9zV7lhlcQ-R0qhZeww3DIcAWmQ_Z1qcckAGWesYAxOVfMp5xsRC76V7W6bT8zh94GHnCPjkVu/s1600/isawthis.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Gargoyles! I love these sculptures...I would get one for the house but it would scare my stepson. ;)<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 3: weather</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JroKNwvZwHt2MHlpzfnw6xQdURqVDxSXLhJy2fSbvBdyB9Ml-Tp5ElpPJJUDzF8ULCRcwFeiz8DDnJF9WKbkhCMOa5wMP7rgGD2TLemthrp5JwpT4xDuB1lih1kWPCYWmzFiTPrHhZWI/s1600/weather.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2JroKNwvZwHt2MHlpzfnw6xQdURqVDxSXLhJy2fSbvBdyB9Ml-Tp5ElpPJJUDzF8ULCRcwFeiz8DDnJF9WKbkhCMOa5wMP7rgGD2TLemthrp5JwpT4xDuB1lih1kWPCYWmzFiTPrHhZWI/s1600/weather.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Around late October/early November it was finally starting to get cold enough that we had to sleep with a blanket, instead of just sheets...that's a favorite moment for me during the year, the moment when I get to bust out the quilts! Got this one at Target a few years ago. It's very chipper. Scotty likes it too.<b> </b><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 4: can't live without</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXGijeAU9ET_IbRkknGY3nNiyJw5A-avsCwU2PTyNIv3C9r78tDwNMLoBjI9b1qn_EHN_DRDjPPQlgzs29cwhTtfK5AKzOyAvaei4JoFNhGz5eFPwYScqlUP5ALl9M_Tx1WmWiJPomrnT/s1600/cantlivewithout.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXGijeAU9ET_IbRkknGY3nNiyJw5A-avsCwU2PTyNIv3C9r78tDwNMLoBjI9b1qn_EHN_DRDjPPQlgzs29cwhTtfK5AKzOyAvaei4JoFNhGz5eFPwYScqlUP5ALl9M_Tx1WmWiJPomrnT/s1600/cantlivewithout.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Sleep. :P Lame, yet true.<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 5: 8 o'clock</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96Wx-5YLJqscWnJb79VsWSNGqBg5N1Uyca8Ex7e5dWxMrPeC28tyJufDiz88-hO67b1F1RZx9V2GeJDjX_-xmKG411XDN9iWRsisCsq7x7fIY4srr-4fZcqxuTtwka0LfqkxH4K-7AXRD/s1600/8oclock.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96Wx-5YLJqscWnJb79VsWSNGqBg5N1Uyca8Ex7e5dWxMrPeC28tyJufDiz88-hO67b1F1RZx9V2GeJDjX_-xmKG411XDN9iWRsisCsq7x7fIY4srr-4fZcqxuTtwka0LfqkxH4K-7AXRD/s1600/8oclock.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
The curtains in my stepson's room looked really cool at 8 in the morning...and that's his Groot figurine lurking behind the curtain. <br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 6: made me smile today</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5m_ho5NO8lf7H4q39lmVXBQ2VLbG8zbhDxXVTzZPzEJteEDCY-4bSxB23Lg0jRL1vO35JPh6E7hXmU_J9DKlGjRn1ZWS9qIB-AiAD4399RQwSHsdNZDV1X0trpLRc9H6w289Ztlk2Ni6/s1600/mademesmile.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5m_ho5NO8lf7H4q39lmVXBQ2VLbG8zbhDxXVTzZPzEJteEDCY-4bSxB23Lg0jRL1vO35JPh6E7hXmU_J9DKlGjRn1ZWS9qIB-AiAD4399RQwSHsdNZDV1X0trpLRc9H6w289Ztlk2Ni6/s1600/mademesmile.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
We had just closed on our new house two days previously, got the keys this very day...and it was my birthday! (I got a house for my birthday, heh.) So after picking up the keys, I got myself some celebratory croissant-donuts and iced coffee and had breakfast for the first time on our new house's patio. <br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 7: on the floor</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEQzIYApGoM5H8YojGIVZOZZBIVvdOyXIhvzIoePhHRv5FdyCowDdfaNdjdlkbyPKPvyBDHPgPGLNXb6_HcB4xV8y17qaHoF_akLC4Fkyb7i4CbyG5TnngC55t3jBKyv1U5l8XbnzMV4U/s1600/onthefloor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEQzIYApGoM5H8YojGIVZOZZBIVvdOyXIhvzIoePhHRv5FdyCowDdfaNdjdlkbyPKPvyBDHPgPGLNXb6_HcB4xV8y17qaHoF_akLC4Fkyb7i4CbyG5TnngC55t3jBKyv1U5l8XbnzMV4U/s1600/onthefloor.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Madison's under-bed hidey hole. I don't know what it is with dogs liking small, enclosed spaces...is it a cave/den thing? Max used to sit in shelves, Scotty likes to burrow under covers...dogs are weird.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 8: a place</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-qht5RGZSleuv5YMNyQuws9e20P8fMDm6_c5c-fKDAkNFzk0vNSSW7pKnwWBcfAOAYRjtmd2nqsMc0O-5iq3z9GwAPLyD8IweHhvRvPjMgL7lTnxly57hivbwQCJr3Ie8HXflmeSC1bs/s1600/place.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-qht5RGZSleuv5YMNyQuws9e20P8fMDm6_c5c-fKDAkNFzk0vNSSW7pKnwWBcfAOAYRjtmd2nqsMc0O-5iq3z9GwAPLyD8IweHhvRvPjMgL7lTnxly57hivbwQCJr3Ie8HXflmeSC1bs/s1600/place.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Tucson is my place. (I was petsitting for someone who lived up in the foothills, and they had this beautiful view from their driveway...I love going up there.)<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 9: heck yes!</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtdNnge5-HHSjkzITtiXXhzbSLNl8tVVNYYiH2aauPUhEkClrAVhdjPfbwHeLUAYHi81w22LpKhMT40mlhmvVlU-wBPJV32k_iAa4IykO-fz7BXkAXP3StJ9KpojVuzYgUz_CdunLfobT/s1600/heckyes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtdNnge5-HHSjkzITtiXXhzbSLNl8tVVNYYiH2aauPUhEkClrAVhdjPfbwHeLUAYHi81w22LpKhMT40mlhmvVlU-wBPJV32k_iAa4IykO-fz7BXkAXP3StJ9KpojVuzYgUz_CdunLfobT/s1600/heckyes.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Shallow, but I felt like "heck yes!" after someone at the Open Studio Tour asked me, "so you go to the U of A, right?" Being mistaken for a college student when I'm almost 30...heck yes for good genes. :) (Okay, it was probably also the pink hair. Still! Genes!)<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<b> </b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 10: I do this every day</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWSpzZ4aAqzTsdNqSsOn3YMNECOaO2edwlVrBxO-BQCY0uHxK0thA9LeYzeCAovbD2uA9XEdUGbWpPHrd892c5Tnh92oiy-_p33bOtksmYn4GXjqHIxhVawACiCNAepV86nODbyP4J2QD/s1600/doeveryday.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWSpzZ4aAqzTsdNqSsOn3YMNECOaO2edwlVrBxO-BQCY0uHxK0thA9LeYzeCAovbD2uA9XEdUGbWpPHrd892c5Tnh92oiy-_p33bOtksmYn4GXjqHIxhVawACiCNAepV86nODbyP4J2QD/s1600/doeveryday.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Drinking coffee at the computer. Wow, a lot of these photos involve coffee...<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 11: set</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvxKHOhMndkAIJCbtj3ogAdfUOykIvKH-UvWRZBCBit0u9LjiOE8pQJMONwON9tFfnEppCgGfJcZMv5zLEaym_G53XGmvchuytac7tZ047xMOikjstLFWldL9VSSHj4yKfdasOLW9uIWJ/s1600/set.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvxKHOhMndkAIJCbtj3ogAdfUOykIvKH-UvWRZBCBit0u9LjiOE8pQJMONwON9tFfnEppCgGfJcZMv5zLEaym_G53XGmvchuytac7tZ047xMOikjstLFWldL9VSSHj4yKfdasOLW9uIWJ/s1600/set.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
On the 11th, we were moving things into our new house all day...we were very excited to be able to utilize the built-in wineglass rack in the kitchen and set all that up. <br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 12: normal</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDiEjkTlBEefE6oZuXmPQnyUdRi_ArXCkRlkH4NoMDVuD3jNS0TtrFuRCo0HXz0EdyEk1Z3pgTDThX26XY1gwU51hva4t70IT2e3nrhDi3yqPz0sjOgGXPGuOg7wjL-yM8zJWNUcOBI9zE/s1600/normal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDiEjkTlBEefE6oZuXmPQnyUdRi_ArXCkRlkH4NoMDVuD3jNS0TtrFuRCo0HXz0EdyEk1Z3pgTDThX26XY1gwU51hva4t70IT2e3nrhDi3yqPz0sjOgGXPGuOg7wjL-yM8zJWNUcOBI9zE/s1600/normal.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Kid and dogs...even in the midst of moving chaos, some things never change.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 13: letters</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiyU8O-DIuP25-dBobW4Dr4FOD-dq4hxPg3lCPL8JMD1dzNY0dgOEkW_JeCkgpZG3l5MHkE2-rjNFLhVcbXHAmbYTMdSNPXZHRy9bFOWL5cfiZai8YJo2kWPQrhL1qMysWb_6zTm_BC76/s1600/letters.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpiyU8O-DIuP25-dBobW4Dr4FOD-dq4hxPg3lCPL8JMD1dzNY0dgOEkW_JeCkgpZG3l5MHkE2-rjNFLhVcbXHAmbYTMdSNPXZHRy9bFOWL5cfiZai8YJo2kWPQrhL1qMysWb_6zTm_BC76/s1600/letters.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
As I was cleaning stuff out to move, I found this sign I had painted for the production of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Laramie_Project">The Laramie Project</a> I directed in 2007. (I feel like every time I direct a play, I end up bringing home one of the props to decorate my house with.) I had lots of fun making this...now I need to find somewhere to display it in the new house!<br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 14: for me</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-OV1cgVhlBk7HsXpa4ojedZLSMjqYL8X1uhIBBQCMYB9Z-wT6T8cC_Knyuk1qeU4sOT6mJO-W5XeW2d0LI33JklB9Jc0opWXmNW9Ic1I16-REAw4np_3Hcws5-UCym4_IOZXuxWISQ7W/s1600/forme.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-OV1cgVhlBk7HsXpa4ojedZLSMjqYL8X1uhIBBQCMYB9Z-wT6T8cC_Knyuk1qeU4sOT6mJO-W5XeW2d0LI33JklB9Jc0opWXmNW9Ic1I16-REAw4np_3Hcws5-UCym4_IOZXuxWISQ7W/s1600/forme.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
See what I mean about the coffee? It was appropriate for this day, though, because I'd just set up the coffeemaker in the new house, and I'm really the only one who uses it, so it made the house feel more like home to me.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Day 15: hot & cold</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinIPFEPUj044qTIRIP6ubTnfKo-s7HiKBK00JZQyYEorQzUkqsvCfvhVK_UeTmBMDKzhyphenhyphen7pLQPdCyeWSry-RT07uoSYi6twIof7uCaHfKCCW_3co94GMyWg35fQ-xGt0RnXxBLiYJxvsNN/s1600/hotandcold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinIPFEPUj044qTIRIP6ubTnfKo-s7HiKBK00JZQyYEorQzUkqsvCfvhVK_UeTmBMDKzhyphenhyphen7pLQPdCyeWSry-RT07uoSYi6twIof7uCaHfKCCW_3co94GMyWg35fQ-xGt0RnXxBLiYJxvsNN/s1600/hotandcold.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
Talking about temperament here...this cat I was petsitting was often hot and cold with me! (He was nice, he just liked to play with my hair and keys...and then snag his claws in them so I couldn't escape.)<br />
<br />
A couple days I did sketches in Brushes that went along with the theme...here's one for "hot and cold," although this time I went with colors, not temperament:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQFoTvocf56vjmqKm5vUcBJWOY6vNtq9PB6EQpyeB_xa4NGl7NCX0CLUyn4X_qatrU2bFkO2la5MAIuFA69U5OTHInEbS1HAgDPfpj_7O_41PW3lDLE0tDd_ihKse1fjKFP2wPNZEKR40/s1600/IMG_3332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQQFoTvocf56vjmqKm5vUcBJWOY6vNtq9PB6EQpyeB_xa4NGl7NCX0CLUyn4X_qatrU2bFkO2la5MAIuFA69U5OTHInEbS1HAgDPfpj_7O_41PW3lDLE0tDd_ihKse1fjKFP2wPNZEKR40/s1600/IMG_3332.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I almost feel like this should be a study for an actual painting at some point down the line...we shall see.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
I've been getting back into Brushes lately...I might even do a monthly challenge of Brushes doodles, and invite other artists to participate with me, how about that?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
At the end of the month I'll post the rest of my photos from this project...it's been fun so far, though. Will I do it every month? Probably not, but maybe I'll do it again at some point.</div>
Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104566542822261169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115127339431935497.post-5802656162093542472014-11-17T12:00:00.000-05:002014-11-17T12:00:00.081-05:00My studio is always openSo, the weekend before last was the <a href="http://www.tucsonpimaartscouncil.org/programs/open-studio/">Open Studio Tour</a>...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4m-PPsKkxM4HFyekEL0UOG98OdVajZIkWnOMZBixfxtaqsIkjaT1YbJ0S3whANkygS6K9dN1F-2Drcj7TjgDL-7CZ-5WbLrJGGfDaMLtsoKErZH85p7CUpP7vr_bMB0vyO4TnMKyDI48j/s1600/IMG_3292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4m-PPsKkxM4HFyekEL0UOG98OdVajZIkWnOMZBixfxtaqsIkjaT1YbJ0S3whANkygS6K9dN1F-2Drcj7TjgDL-7CZ-5WbLrJGGfDaMLtsoKErZH85p7CUpP7vr_bMB0vyO4TnMKyDI48j/s1600/IMG_3292.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My setup...art on the wall, supplies, reference photos, finished cow painting and unfinished dog painting on watercolor pad.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I got to set up in a gallery at <a href="http://www.oldtownartisans.com/">Old Town Artisans</a> (very cool place, highly recommended to visit if you're in Tucson! The restaurant there is also very good). I got to meet some other artists, see a couple of them work, and finish a painting while I was at it. It was a nice couple of days.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a> The trouble with Tucson sometimes is that during the busy season (October - April, basically any time when it's not sinfully hot) lots of events end up falling on the same weekend. So this was also the weekend of the big All Souls Day parade, so some streets were blocked off for festivities on Saturday, and that reduced our traffic. But what are you going to do? This weekend is a big craft fair, the weekend before the Open Studio weekend was another art show in a nearby town, and then after this you're starting to get into Thanksgiving...so I get why this was the best weekend for this to take place.<br />
<br />
But anyway...on to the painting! I took progress photos at different steps in the painting process...except when I got caught up in painting and forgot to take pictures. It happens.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSIaBTNuHGlS7aixCZ3s1hMuCeIeetqYERDovyfHcxmR-jNaHwF9TpKQGyQYwMFPLN1gLO5SDZ6IyjK1S4cUEpVpSBfcsTAapb6cFnx5tiT-R_WNTM1xIPYfJWc3qavcFC-UkZvUL3Pz4/s1600/IMG_3293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSIaBTNuHGlS7aixCZ3s1hMuCeIeetqYERDovyfHcxmR-jNaHwF9TpKQGyQYwMFPLN1gLO5SDZ6IyjK1S4cUEpVpSBfcsTAapb6cFnx5tiT-R_WNTM1xIPYfJWc3qavcFC-UkZvUL3Pz4/s1600/IMG_3293.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
I printed out a bunch of my photos of dogs (mine and others') beforehand, so that when I got there I could decide what I wanted to paint. I knew I wanted to do a watercolor pet portrait, though, so I settled on the famous Maxfield (on the right), with my mom's dog Oscar (on the left). I had pictures of both of them lounging on couches, separately, so I put them together in a composite.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0ui-UX9yGGJFiNL7CKNFWyT8BJHjgoJctoTGHsLu5PyN2IqPQZAOqLF59vk2wh71MWug9y_DEP-hdtgV2rbxXvdPYgDAs_O-4ZnToPI0wJVvEV2mhK0ph1O1LvrR3ooCRRfarNyt7YlD/s1600/IMG_3294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR0ui-UX9yGGJFiNL7CKNFWyT8BJHjgoJctoTGHsLu5PyN2IqPQZAOqLF59vk2wh71MWug9y_DEP-hdtgV2rbxXvdPYgDAs_O-4ZnToPI0wJVvEV2mhK0ph1O1LvrR3ooCRRfarNyt7YlD/s1600/IMG_3294.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
Started painting light shadows on Oscar...he's white with brown spots, so I used violet shadows on the white bits. Also added the darkest darks in Max's face at that time. (argh, blurry picture...)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipaLkfs4eN4g_rW-l2uQQO0HfNerWU_CCzMOlA05Ja05ZnEfCd8p7MCc991_kP0AfBdoIjr3LLOJ25kx4iKALLZkDzEWxvSlwZFpUztpoO2B-xpc6r55RZsmc-PqLZR8kGOEvSpHS-lvMg/s1600/IMG_3297.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipaLkfs4eN4g_rW-l2uQQO0HfNerWU_CCzMOlA05Ja05ZnEfCd8p7MCc991_kP0AfBdoIjr3LLOJ25kx4iKALLZkDzEWxvSlwZFpUztpoO2B-xpc6r55RZsmc-PqLZR8kGOEvSpHS-lvMg/s1600/IMG_3297.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Put in his brown spots, added to the shadows a bit. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYRIKikokUMJktCU84gZ4GWlZWpq2ep7qWCDJRTPVvTMWaUZAsRIBSM7K59ofXLqeM1xiWkDZzEqahvr8vQkVvTDH7_G39kIOYxflg9bowVhRtcr29Eca3qUBGVTiXoK_82swCUMUTXAV/s1600/IMG_3296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYRIKikokUMJktCU84gZ4GWlZWpq2ep7qWCDJRTPVvTMWaUZAsRIBSM7K59ofXLqeM1xiWkDZzEqahvr8vQkVvTDH7_G39kIOYxflg9bowVhRtcr29Eca3qUBGVTiXoK_82swCUMUTXAV/s1600/IMG_3296.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
Oscar starts to take shape, plus some more shadows on Max...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipk05RQ08yFjrZyAQEAsZXrAMZgLUoJwcEyGCv2nwP8PYQzRZAkIPJk_yysThwSe382_lxZLp0K6ZtP8d_NrXUlS1g6LRuLJYiUXRAhABS99K0WSiB6jzboglQ_uV6cqWmSBHw9U1qmQ6p/s1600/IMG_3298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipk05RQ08yFjrZyAQEAsZXrAMZgLUoJwcEyGCv2nwP8PYQzRZAkIPJk_yysThwSe382_lxZLp0K6ZtP8d_NrXUlS1g6LRuLJYiUXRAhABS99K0WSiB6jzboglQ_uV6cqWmSBHw9U1qmQ6p/s1600/IMG_3298.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
Around this point I started working on Max's face, but it got muddy. I blame the fact that another artist wandered by and commented, "oh man, watercolors are so hard! It's so brave of you to use a medium where you can't fix anything!" It psyched me out. (or it could have just been that this was mid-afternoon and I was tired and paying less attention...)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULNBXgIWdSC-q1UJcACmR3mUPG631HKj1dx9JF45Q_L-y7ViCcIVAswHhEFDLtLSVvla7hd1v_CjnVMsFSAqMuFui4p4L_Ry6APZThw-XIx_jWJE3hzOD7-2ohyphenhyphenQ6AmZyCW55w3NYpc07/s1600/IMG_3302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhULNBXgIWdSC-q1UJcACmR3mUPG631HKj1dx9JF45Q_L-y7ViCcIVAswHhEFDLtLSVvla7hd1v_CjnVMsFSAqMuFui4p4L_Ry6APZThw-XIx_jWJE3hzOD7-2ohyphenhyphenQ6AmZyCW55w3NYpc07/s1600/IMG_3302.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
Managed to fix Max up a bit, added some more shadows to Oscar. The dogs are just about done now, so it's time for... <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_17OJJRDwopyJkCZQqJ4NMcROjXnk5PlIK0yedqx1gwTMsllZ27Mxf8pvNSb2BataMNLLKKgKZed5MnX1lykClucbGM4kGyEI-vb9glzFiyjtpG9mGSfxhugZ6p8wwgek3rTb-RW8O0G/s1600/IMG_3306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_17OJJRDwopyJkCZQqJ4NMcROjXnk5PlIK0yedqx1gwTMsllZ27Mxf8pvNSb2BataMNLLKKgKZed5MnX1lykClucbGM4kGyEI-vb9glzFiyjtpG9mGSfxhugZ6p8wwgek3rTb-RW8O0G/s1600/IMG_3306.JPG" height="224" width="320" /></a></div>
...the background! Honestly, the background was entirely invented, I just thought those colors would look nice and set off the dogs' colors. Since the dogs have some purple and red/orange in them, I decided to pick some complimentary colors, orange and green. Although I could easily have picked analogous colors and gone with different shades of red and purple for the background...but my green <a href="http://artshackdispatches.blogspot.com/2014/08/confessions-of-wacky-watercolorist.html">watercolor crayons</a> were looking neglected, so I felt driven to use them. My paintings are never complete without green, it seems...<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPu7lnDiyPT9Girbs6VsjBdrcR8gsA3qqcAQc6Z6IEkpWluGHlgD7tUvgcj9Gx2gRf3WBcwCxbd4P7SUh2lbzYyXPHVrdTItzSmQCxt7PGEqRr-0F3qw21sOZksDghnGdrA_cEg1OWwOLI/s1600/IMG_3311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPu7lnDiyPT9Girbs6VsjBdrcR8gsA3qqcAQc6Z6IEkpWluGHlgD7tUvgcj9Gx2gRf3WBcwCxbd4P7SUh2lbzYyXPHVrdTItzSmQCxt7PGEqRr-0F3qw21sOZksDghnGdrA_cEg1OWwOLI/s1600/IMG_3311.JPG" height="290" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And here they are, finished! I went in with a little ink pen afterwards...not too much, not solid lines around everything, but a little. Like my cow painting, I didn't use ink lines in the background at all, so that the focus would be on the animals.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And that's them! I really enjoyed just doing a relatively quick watercolor "sketch" almost...using half the sheet of watercolor paper meant that this and the cow were half the size of my usual watercolors, so they went a bit quicker. Kinda fun for a change! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Watercolor crayons also have the advantage of being very portable...with traditional watercolor (or acrylic) paints in a tube, you have the big plastic palette with wet paints sloshing around, just ready to spill everywhere if you're painting plein air (or, er...plein indoors?). But you can't spill a crayon!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Since then...I have been literally either moving or working, all day, every day, for about...oh, well over a week. Moving sucks. Don't do it. :P But today is my day of rest...Monday and Tuesday are my "weekend" this week. Of course, I'm still unpacking...but I'll try to do something slightly more interesting this week to blog about. </div>
</div>
Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104566542822261169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7115127339431935497.post-14876154466644378452014-11-06T16:18:00.001-05:002014-11-06T16:18:30.728-05:00"Events are in the saddle, and they ride mankind."That quote (supposedly Ralph Waldo Emerson, but the Googles weren't sure) is pretty much my life for the past month or two. I don't think events have even put a saddle on me, actually. I think they just have spurs and a bullwhip and are running me ragged. Sheesh.<br />
<br />
But...I have returned from my honeymoon! <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zfB5rtshbBJqL8h8TRh6140n7XYucN9FKUWx8i1mQsKicP-GUQZ_bcrlkM-mQ2vYV2Fs_lmtZQeG7fJ1m68koTfaW3Cgs7RaOFnNRlhretO_Apz_VcGuJSpBVHfllT-6pSIUa9VkqBMV/s1600/IMG_0230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2zfB5rtshbBJqL8h8TRh6140n7XYucN9FKUWx8i1mQsKicP-GUQZ_bcrlkM-mQ2vYV2Fs_lmtZQeG7fJ1m68koTfaW3Cgs7RaOFnNRlhretO_Apz_VcGuJSpBVHfllT-6pSIUa9VkqBMV/s1600/IMG_0230.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A statue I saw in Cannes. I didn't know they had cactus in France!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It was lovely. Due to wireless internet on the cruise ship being expensive (over $1 a minute? What?!), I didn't check ANY email for the whole trip, from the time we were in the Chicago airport about to leave the country, until we got to the hotel where we were staying the night before leaving Italy. It was kind of a relief, actually. I was FORCED to unplug! And since getting back, I haven't been fiddling with my phone as much either, which is good. You can actually accomplish things that way! Or just notice your surroundings, how about that!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Anyway, highlights of the trip include...</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTxtewsQLXRV8GnyQTBns4Xn03aowDp13Noua9qr9YwU_ChGbFZj_sNtM5cqVIq-tYiR5-Qf4nDg4UOPh_SyzXBaOkjHFItQbEyWUaQ_7hSjzeg8fCV_oWLVnWzb3pUv6RrSq79sP_2vn/s1600/IMG_0104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTxtewsQLXRV8GnyQTBns4Xn03aowDp13Noua9qr9YwU_ChGbFZj_sNtM5cqVIq-tYiR5-Qf4nDg4UOPh_SyzXBaOkjHFItQbEyWUaQ_7hSjzeg8fCV_oWLVnWzb3pUv6RrSq79sP_2vn/s1600/IMG_0104.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- Seeing the original David in Florence</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- Real Italian gelato! Not to mention cappuccinos, espresso, and my new favorite, Santa Rosa pastries (like a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sfogliatella">sfogliatella</a> but with candied lemon peel in the filling...so good).</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg35U-dlSlTqljri8fRaTRewFJ8kgtTZrl0-cqwepSTGZY3NHIDnfNc0JZNBnMjYJjpYcIvICa1CwA4k7bncWkFqnkMTIwzpOhDv__obeWZhg_slyzC9Q7JwWghyphenhyphenp91yK0AdJTNXQBrTk3/s1600/IMG_0268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg35U-dlSlTqljri8fRaTRewFJ8kgtTZrl0-cqwepSTGZY3NHIDnfNc0JZNBnMjYJjpYcIvICa1CwA4k7bncWkFqnkMTIwzpOhDv__obeWZhg_slyzC9Q7JwWghyphenhyphenp91yK0AdJTNXQBrTk3/s1600/IMG_0268.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- Cannes, which was beautiful.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifS6pqiQbktGWMqHCVUsHqZllZ0DRpxylezmKEznqmqcuRKTXJPNU4PwnSeiErVvuoZuHkPWoz0iiG1PqCRMFdsuCg92M66AjXyFkEb5UYZ7YoCVh_qL_VSL-kh1KFSSF96vcKHwSwuv9J/s1600/IMG_0294.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifS6pqiQbktGWMqHCVUsHqZllZ0DRpxylezmKEznqmqcuRKTXJPNU4PwnSeiErVvuoZuHkPWoz0iiG1PqCRMFdsuCg92M66AjXyFkEb5UYZ7YoCVh_qL_VSL-kh1KFSSF96vcKHwSwuv9J/s1600/IMG_0294.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
- Baffling European street art. I get a huge kick about walking around a new city and seeing all the little weird ways people have embellished it.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5iMLJV275mQglWbUJnORzqwFlEm7y5vKfG6cXt8oatKXHFab20TZuFNvdXtRQifoDzd4uzElSA996WhfBd4c5uWfHvRa2pZBq38v3vCANSBKNub8Wv8XXiDAdEUbkOpzhBjusLaCWx6fb/s1600/IMG_0249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5iMLJV275mQglWbUJnORzqwFlEm7y5vKfG6cXt8oatKXHFab20TZuFNvdXtRQifoDzd4uzElSA996WhfBd4c5uWfHvRa2pZBq38v3vCANSBKNub8Wv8XXiDAdEUbkOpzhBjusLaCWx6fb/s1600/IMG_0249.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like this. What does this even mean? Oh, Europeans.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- Seeing a random German marathon in Palma de Mallorca. I swear, I should have studied German before going on this trip, not Spanish. I barely used any Spanish, but at least with German I could talk to the other tourists!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGxxTEGc3bM2HF09tgpqlWeg1XKGLv65icG9bV8lRhZL7DnOHhK8kjTzT9oCp3YP96lzp_0VxEqUmr-csyMS5r0wmNqnda512iIZJEUTppoTvogAOA3ksc8p2t9XgkSnxbdy3yF9sG3A_/s1600/IMG_0329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYGxxTEGc3bM2HF09tgpqlWeg1XKGLv65icG9bV8lRhZL7DnOHhK8kjTzT9oCp3YP96lzp_0VxEqUmr-csyMS5r0wmNqnda512iIZJEUTppoTvogAOA3ksc8p2t9XgkSnxbdy3yF9sG3A_/s1600/IMG_0329.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cathedral in Palma. Now imagine that there are hundreds of very sporty Germans doing laps around it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- There were also lots of cool little parks and sculptures sprinkled throughout Palma, including this sculpture by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joan_Mir%C3%B3">Miro</a>:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJRjmnalkkGdsmvFhR6EvSNQWacWTIrlbcO89KtfQWQFVgWrbgZWDK6ACyFWAqSkft0D-URA2Cl7eNJG1tXZwxK7TMrPhCIZ7veR0ST43yp9o3supW7fumkW6K1hivwyLQn6kVRG0qZ_4/s1600/IMG_0358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJRjmnalkkGdsmvFhR6EvSNQWacWTIrlbcO89KtfQWQFVgWrbgZWDK6ACyFWAqSkft0D-URA2Cl7eNJG1tXZwxK7TMrPhCIZ7veR0ST43yp9o3supW7fumkW6K1hivwyLQn6kVRG0qZ_4/s1600/IMG_0358.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- Getting to see <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagrada_Fam%C3%ADlia">Sagrada Familia</a> in Barcelona again...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjD7wJItixzgvQ5OFmyhXvLIYzCPLGoU2Txhs95b0_SlKsguR0t3lOMDQm6cieS9k6GBBGQ_RXCGazYD4X_eVm0dU9Y0a088jTA22uZRCalt27pQfTJiPHyDZjT_0D0FGjWIcYd12x5L4/s1600/IMG_0414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUjD7wJItixzgvQ5OFmyhXvLIYzCPLGoU2Txhs95b0_SlKsguR0t3lOMDQm6cieS9k6GBBGQ_RXCGazYD4X_eVm0dU9Y0a088jTA22uZRCalt27pQfTJiPHyDZjT_0D0FGjWIcYd12x5L4/s1600/IMG_0414.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I last visited Barcelona in 2006, and it was much different. It's been constantly under construction for over 130 years now, and will be finished in 10 or so more years. When I was here before, there wasn't even a roof on this church (nor was it even an official church, not until 2010!). This time, there were some new turrets, and we got to go inside, and it was magnificent.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8adDArn7skEw0Ynjp4ysIHJngd74o39LXnGqZyQtohk9_vSubbSlbYLG8uUJ_4v2dFHbH-JgBbt3vDxydOsjC-ez8jpG2yWngKT97VkBw_9IaQgIih7R8-9xZ7Bd2gZ4TC5qat8PcQP8E/s1600/IMG_0436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8adDArn7skEw0Ynjp4ysIHJngd74o39LXnGqZyQtohk9_vSubbSlbYLG8uUJ_4v2dFHbH-JgBbt3vDxydOsjC-ez8jpG2yWngKT97VkBw_9IaQgIih7R8-9xZ7Bd2gZ4TC5qat8PcQP8E/s1600/IMG_0436.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- Real Spanish paella, and cava! Spanish food is one of my favorite cuisine styles, seriously.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- The art gallery on board the cruise ship. I discovered a lot of cool modern artists that way, and I was sad I couldn't afford to buy some of the pieces (there were two <a href="http://www.parkwestgallery.com/artist/itzchak-tarkay">Itzchak Tarkay</a> prints that I reeeeeally wanted). They had an art auction, which was actually very educational to attend. They also showed the Dali/Disney collaboration short film "Destino" one night, and were auctioning off beautiful prints of stills from the film (again, sadly couldn't afford).</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- The water slides on the cruise ship were pretty neat too. :) Yes, I did go on them. Yes, I am almost 30 years old. No, I don't care. :P There were older people going on the slides too, and going "WOOOOOOO!" as they slid down. I didn't feel too old in the slightest, so there.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjFcf-dOsHPlU3RvPVfFllz3U1pdwm-zq1EpFmRoR6agzYkusdewNpFqNUAUPQM0XyM77_WqCm7ulpsnB0t24q_sf7vpOm6M2OBSsv77aFkAHq80fYdkCv9qi0gyP1Axtal-pPrEQj9fo/s1600/IMG_0062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIjFcf-dOsHPlU3RvPVfFllz3U1pdwm-zq1EpFmRoR6agzYkusdewNpFqNUAUPQM0XyM77_WqCm7ulpsnB0t24q_sf7vpOm6M2OBSsv77aFkAHq80fYdkCv9qi0gyP1Axtal-pPrEQj9fo/s1600/IMG_0062.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- The array of food on the cruise ship too. There was a whole level that was basically a giant buffet, and was open most of the day. It was awesome.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- The cruise ship even had an ice bar. Of course we went in and had some drinks there, duh. It had ice statuary of bears and vikings.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- The Amalfi Coast. There are insufficient words to describe how beautiful that place is.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-R046hT5IRoLSl1YNV3jEhpSzoGhQpWaM4OKHEmRvK4M27yBN_oseOYJnMY6YPvNgrLdfxLUCqe5iSMKpcrOLK6OkED9LnmO3Yl2dxaP2Dy1nwcijyax1mThbhNN3mL_Thj6i5RIjTXUz/s1600/IMG_0614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-R046hT5IRoLSl1YNV3jEhpSzoGhQpWaM4OKHEmRvK4M27yBN_oseOYJnMY6YPvNgrLdfxLUCqe5iSMKpcrOLK6OkED9LnmO3Yl2dxaP2Dy1nwcijyax1mThbhNN3mL_Thj6i5RIjTXUz/s1600/IMG_0614.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- Seriously, look at this.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JCw0WiCCu89XbE8FExpvk0FBFzAETmGc6b8ZIDfgRZhbjb5EhUK-odvkonDDWSax_f81r6Fwys0VKEC_iDLD6l8GRdQ2IOj1SUA0l9FdaMZ84kqWEay03KyTgyVfQpSi8v1Ng6dZ2nR2/s1600/IMG_0545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-JCw0WiCCu89XbE8FExpvk0FBFzAETmGc6b8ZIDfgRZhbjb5EhUK-odvkonDDWSax_f81r6Fwys0VKEC_iDLD6l8GRdQ2IOj1SUA0l9FdaMZ84kqWEay03KyTgyVfQpSi8v1Ng6dZ2nR2/s1600/IMG_0545.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhzxN9eeGSIuS2hSEEIcKfMsQlZxofFF_kgSl_iEbzRCD782pxUe1usWUuLRrarrWafQQ7c98lNdLWACBFPuQs0IypUf7j7etiDjPIxkIB9SWLYJT05ncLSbZQETiR0yVOjHgO5MBBIP3/s1600/IMG_0654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhzxN9eeGSIuS2hSEEIcKfMsQlZxofFF_kgSl_iEbzRCD782pxUe1usWUuLRrarrWafQQ7c98lNdLWACBFPuQs0IypUf7j7etiDjPIxkIB9SWLYJT05ncLSbZQETiR0yVOjHgO5MBBIP3/s1600/IMG_0654.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure what these purple vines were, but they were everywhere.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- Wow.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWN2mz5Tre4f7RZR_6H3FvOmFPd0cB-L24iLdziwNcvylrfifLtlavxl-yCl4BzYOUkLMtVuv27hFL0W25TnFh8cPhKk4xUorp5wXZUM5ABCxV91JoFN4y2kd4txvO5gle2kKxFM7rCbU/s1600/IMG_0565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWN2mz5Tre4f7RZR_6H3FvOmFPd0cB-L24iLdziwNcvylrfifLtlavxl-yCl4BzYOUkLMtVuv27hFL0W25TnFh8cPhKk4xUorp5wXZUM5ABCxV91JoFN4y2kd4txvO5gle2kKxFM7rCbU/s1600/IMG_0565.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- Pompeii was cool too.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- A non-highlight...the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trevi_Fountain">Trevi Fountain</a> had scaffolding all over it. Bummer.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- Getting to see the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheon,_Rome">Pantheon</a>. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz50h-ACksrhnYLGX70KFVHkJZTdx4ZRAGID_Z332bst9LKHwyCiAd82WFLOEHYmSodXhBRE-zRAal5MJNQhmFtjwCx6fqlbPmLT3UW4p_x8LGGVjymuVlLMSQ_eqm0u-5BTKBlLcBcaJz/s1600/IMG_0806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz50h-ACksrhnYLGX70KFVHkJZTdx4ZRAGID_Z332bst9LKHwyCiAd82WFLOEHYmSodXhBRE-zRAal5MJNQhmFtjwCx6fqlbPmLT3UW4p_x8LGGVjymuVlLMSQ_eqm0u-5BTKBlLcBcaJz/s1600/IMG_0806.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- And <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fontana_dei_Quattro_Fiumi">this</a> Bernini fountain.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- The Coliseum is cool, but <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palatine_Hill">Palatine Hill</a> next to it is just as awesome, I think. I love all these earth-brick buildings.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixaiLZjH5BZz3vyi0dBRUghcFPTG7E7tp0S2tTvyy-lmOIsVHYMDWlgRbM6IR9F-gAeoDDSVwwhNsOBjI3g96eFpE87BfnxY1Ai1v3-NkuY5nf2pwbQmv4avVYeB2bxvwjm6cookctK77K/s1600/IMG_0757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixaiLZjH5BZz3vyi0dBRUghcFPTG7E7tp0S2tTvyy-lmOIsVHYMDWlgRbM6IR9F-gAeoDDSVwwhNsOBjI3g96eFpE87BfnxY1Ai1v3-NkuY5nf2pwbQmv4avVYeB2bxvwjm6cookctK77K/s1600/IMG_0757.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
- Finally, on our last day we stayed in the little town of Fiumicino, near the airport, and just had some good seafood and wine and relaxed in our cute hotel. With almost NO other Americans around! (I like doing that on trips too, finding places where I'm the only tourist. It's not as hard as you'd think!) That was a nice end to the trip.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnODPTGKs0M44MhAGnmZqvwxVN66zXlAJg339s9n7p-enYh8C-KLOZyDByv6Fa8DXSlK6wYnOFCzbTDlE_tXn0g2w_LeMzlbGYQS8vCJk2tI-20n5SODoZaybg7NoertJl-iBFJS_yVMZc/s1600/IMG_0864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnODPTGKs0M44MhAGnmZqvwxVN66zXlAJg339s9n7p-enYh8C-KLOZyDByv6Fa8DXSlK6wYnOFCzbTDlE_tXn0g2w_LeMzlbGYQS8vCJk2tI-20n5SODoZaybg7NoertJl-iBFJS_yVMZc/s1600/IMG_0864.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#nofilter! Seriously, I didn't even have to edit this photo. Mediterranean sunsets are just that brilliant.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now we're back for the foreseeable future. (Because I can't afford to go on another trip again for a loooong time!) And we are in the process of moving...but I'll save that story for another post. </div>
Whitneyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06104566542822261169noreply@blogger.com0