...and the stockings were hung...

Even though it seems like every day is the same (tedious COVID-19) the time is flying by.  Hard to believe Christmas is almost here.  I worked on my Christmas cards a couple of weeks ago.  This year I chose to do a two-sided card rather than a folded one.  I had the cards printed at Costco - they are very affordable, great quality, and fast turned around.  

I kept Richard busy putting the return address labels and stamps on the envelopes.  

My intention was to have a little "fun" with COVID-19!

The great reveal:

Have a joyous holiday however you choose to celebrate!

Pumpkins on the Stairs...

In the fall of 2013, Richard and I took car trip to Charleston, SC.  It's a fantastic place.  I remember the weather was glorious.  We took a walking tour around town when I saw the pumpkins on the stairs of an antebellum home.  It's one of my favorite memories from that trip.

What a Pain!

Painful knee - doctor appointments, x-ray, MRI - looks like a partial knee replacement is in my future...not happy!

Driving Rain...

I got caught in a downpour on Wednesday afternoon. I do not enjoy driving in the rain when it’s almost impossible to see out the window with cars zooming past me.   I was DEFINITELY not singing in the rain!!  When it rains like that, I like to be at home, reading a book and/or sipping scotch.

The Color Purple...

Remember the book "When I Am An Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple" edited by Sandra Haldeman Martz?  I noticed the book on the shelf while dusting (yes, on occasion I do dust!). The poems and personal stories in the book are just wonderful - the inspiration for this painting in my COVID-19 journal.

"When I Am An Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple and Very Red Lipstick!

Summer Getaway...

On Instagram I saw an oil painting "Midsummer" by Romona Youngquist, an artist whose work is absolutely beautiful.  My artwork is no match for Romona's by any stretch of the imagination, but I simply wanted to give it a try.  When I saw her piece, I thought that's where I want to spend my summer even if it's only in my COVID-19 journal!

2014 Budapest

 in 2014, my husband and I took a trip to Budapest, Prague, and Vienna.  This mixed media piece was inspired by one of the many photographs I took while there.

loose drawing in sketchbook; once again on journal page with Micron pen

journal page

Lest we forget...

Sometimes I forget and get too close.  I need to remember SOCIAL DISTANCING!

I found these fantastic Blackwing pencils at Dick Blick.  The color is nice and rich making sketching fun.

Remember 6' apart!!

the end...

 Finished this spread in my COVID journal. Inspired by a poem written by Harold Adamson.

"Time on My Hands"

Mixed media - Micron pen, watercolor, ink, image transfer

"Make Mine a Double!"

Inspiration comes from the most unexpected places!  Mixed media: Micron pen, watercolors and acrylic paint 

Publix has flu shots available - comes with a free $10 gift card too.  I'll let you guess what I spent my $ on.  Richard bought himself apple turnovers from the bakery department.

"Make Mine a Double!"

The Woman Who Performed Shakespeare

An interesting article in the newspaper yesterday about Margaret Holloway.  She died of the Coronavirus in May and was remembered by friends as a gifted actor and director.  I was captivated by her smile and her hat - oh that hat!  My little drawing really doesn’t do her justice.  

First Things First...

I'm always looking for something to keep me occupied during COVID-19!  I love making journals and decided to challenge myself to make one out of whatever was hiding in my studio closet.  

I haven't eaten oatmeal for quite some time.  A few years ago though I started out EVERY day with a bowl.  I would buy jumbo size boxes of Quaker Oats at Costco.  The cardboard is very sturdy.  I saved the boxes thinking that I would use them one day - a brilliant idea for a substrate that can withstand plenty of abuse in my art-making.  I really have no direction at the moment - just letting it happen!

the boxes

cut to size (7x6.25)

Sand down the printed side of cardboard

decide on placement of holes and punch out - these will be used for the binding

after adding two layers of gesso on both sides of the "pages" -

 allow to thoroughly dry then weigh down with bricks to flatten

add several layers of acrylic paint on both sides in relatively neutral colors - allow to dry

The theme is "Home is Where the Art is" - this scrap cardboard will adorn the front cover

front cover

front cover complete (maybe...) - the real fun begins on the inside - this will take a while but with the pandemic keeping me indoors so much, I have plenty of time