Janeys Journey

An Artist's Hand

About 6 years ago I took a workshop with Sherrill Kahn.  She had just released a line of stamps and the day was of full of stamping and coloring with colored pencils.  We traced our hand and then colored it in sections.  At the time, it didn't spark anything in me.  I hadn't started drawing yet and the pencils seem to take too much effort (patience of a 2yr here).  Then yesterday I wondered onto this site Zentangles.  So I remembered my hand and Sherril's class and these are the results. 

The Zentangle site sells a kit to do them for $49.00 which includes a dvd and pens and a stack of 3 1/2" paper in a pretty box.  Seems a bit much to show someone how to doodle in b&w.  They have a gallery on their site and the drawings are pretty neat.  It's supposed to be zen like drawing them but I go a little headache.  I had to take my glasses off and draw with my nose to the paper.  If I did the 3 1/2" ones I'd be blinder then I am.

Let's Polka

A Giftee

My birthday is fast approaching - Jan 5th.  I think I'll be 39, again.  It was a good year (if memory serves) so I think I'll repeat it.  41 was good too but I already repeated that year a few times so I'll give 39 a try. If like it, I might do it again next year.  I've always wanted to try the Gocco and have been googling it like crazy.  Found some really wonderful blogs too of professional artists using it and not a greeting card in site. The big gocco prints 6"x9" and the $ matches the size.  I'm not sure if 39 was such a good year that I want to celebrate with that kind of splurge for self birthday gift.
It would be a nice little gift wouldn't it though?

Gifting the wrap

My mom tries to untie the ribbons and saves the paper.  I cut the ribbon and tear the packages apart.  If nothing else, I am my mother's daughter.

 
8 1/2 x 11, pen and marker.

I know I've said it before (and before and before) but I'm a capitalist and it is that holiday season so go out and buy stuff, preferably my stuff, on Etsy.

The night before the first day

Of going back to work after 4 days off.  Watercolors here.

Mo and friends

This is little Mosely and his friends.  You know Mo, Olive lives with him. 

And I tried to get this guys tail to twist.  Looks a little like a hammer instead.

 

 

Drawing the Figure

I found a neat site called the Figure Drawing Factory.  It had a write up in Drawing magazine.They post photos on the site and you draw from them.   Sounds ideal.

Meet Leo

A while back I made a quilt for a little guy named Jack who I've never met.  Well Jack and his mom and dad are coming for a visit.  I can't exactly let him go home empty handed so...here's Leo to keep him company.

Leo is named after a little orange cat with a very pink nose who liked belly rubs and scratches behind his ears.  I'm sure that he wakes to that every day now.  So this little guy is named after my little guy who I still miss very much.  And I'm so very sure that Jack will love Leo lots.  He's made from a thrifted felted sweater and is very soft and cuddly with a floppy tail and a hand embroidered felt face.

Olive Sleeps

And dreams of, of a different life.

 

8 1/2"x11", marker over crayon on pink paper.  The paper's nice.  It has mottled parchment feel to it.

Olive's Gift

These are all crayon and markers.