Sketchbookery Begins

Got around to working on a few things for the class.  I cannot believe that in all the years I have done art of some kind, this is the very first time I ever made a color wheel. I kept dropping my brush, hence the smears here and there!

 

 First blind contour drawing, done in an old calendar book over gesso, so it's pretty pale, hard to draw over gesso.  Of course I did that because I was afraid to start out on my w.c. paper.  Duh!  And the background is so messy, but decided to show anyhow since it is the first time attempt.

 

 

Other blind contours. On the one of the husband I think I may have glanced back at the paper once.  Got a good laugh out of these.

Summer Hibernation and Taking a Class

Welcome to Summer and my annual "hibernation" period.  I am making ready to stay inside as much as possible during July and August.  So here's the routine.  Out in the early a.m. to run errands and maybe sit in the garden for awhile.  By the time it is getting really hot, I'm inside, puttering around in the art room or doing some stitching.  Maybe some reading.  Anyhow...after sunset I may creep outside again, to visit with the neighbors or go hear some music someplace. Yes, that is how I plan my summers, here in Texas...where we say "yes we really do live on the face of the Sun". 

Artfully, I have not done a lot the past few months.  So I took the opportunity to sign up for a new class from Mary Ann Moss.  SKETCHBOOKERY   The class starts on Tuesday July 1st.  I have been reorganizing my work space so I have room to leave everything out and really concentrate on this.

More From Anthropologie

My last two store visits.  One in Boise, Idaho, the other in Austin, TX.  Both sometime in May.  Not necessarily in order.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Botany Lesson

And the name of that plant is....drum roll.... ACANTHUS MOLLIS . The reason I mentioned it was a serendipitous moment, is the very evening I came home from seeing this plant in San Antonio, I checked in with one of my favorite local blogs, and saw a link on their site that sounded good... I'd never been to the site before. Vive Verde  so I clicked on it and there the plant was! It was on a list of strange plants.  Definitely going to put this one on a list of things I'd like to try somewhere. I appears it can be invasive in some climates. so would have to keep an eye on it. I don't think it would do well in Idaho, at least over the winter, so will have to plant it in Texas.

Road Trip to San Antonio

Wow, long time no stopping by, huh?  This had become my place to post Anthropologie photos for quite some time. I have still been going to Anthropologie, just not posting here.  I have  been putting them in my Flickr and the group I love Anthropologie.

Anyhow, took a road trip to San Antonio over the week-end for a wedding.  On Sunday before heading back to Austin, we went to the La Cantera mall for a visit to the Antropologie store there.

Entrance to the store

Balloon display from inside looking out towards mall.

 

We saw this gorgeous plant when we first came  in, there were several used as part of their display.  We asked an employee if she knew the name of it.  She sent over Chelsea, who offered to see if she could find out what it was.  She came back with several names of what it could be, but not quite.

Beautiful huge leaves

 

close-up of blooms



The lovely and helpful Chelsea. 
 



We had a very nice visit with Chelsea. I noticed her pear necklace right away. She collects them, as do I, so we talked about that, along with mine and hubbys' admiration for all things Anthropologie, and our travels and visits to all the Anthro stores.

 

 

A few shots of displays.  Notice how I am always drawn to the green and blue?

bamboo and reeds/cattails?

Giant clock display behind one of the desks

A few green ceramics

Mirrors hung from bamboo rod supported with metal hardware

The mirror I have

Lamp with rope base

 

Patient hubby

Check back for my next post regarding the Serendipity of my finding out the name of the mysterious plant above.  Since it has taken me all week to get this post done, I need to save the plant story for another post.