A2Z Project - Letter G

I have decided to really stretch the letter G subject for this week out of fear of falling behind. (I've got to get going on letter H.) The G is for Graphic. A graphic depiction of fake orchids in a small vase.

The Perfect White Elephant Gift

This vase is a perfect example of what should constitute a "White Elephant" gift.

Just A Few Pictures from Christmas

Just a few pictures from Christmas Eve. Each of the kids got three presents. The adults pulled White Elephant gifts again. I got one that is a perfect example of what constitutes a White Elephant gift... I'll take a picture of it later today and post it. A person from my son's company came, too. The receptionist. She brought her two daughters, a friend of theirs, and her mother. A "Southern Grandmother" according to my son... and he wants his kids to have a 'Southern Gramma' in their lives. (00) Okay. Now if you can just twist it a little..... Fortunately for me, I understand the comment and I have no qualms about it. But maybe he shouldn't have said it out loud while I'm sitting next to him. You know, just to be polite.

The Look of Christmas

"I don't care if you don't want to do it. Now, hug your brother and smile!!"

The Finish Line

The finish line is coming into sight, at least for me. Nine more hours and I will be able to put another Christmas under my belt. Oh. Wait a minute. I don't think its gonna fit under my belt. Oh well, you know what I mean. Once Christmas Eve is over, I'm done with the holiday season. Look at me... I've already started counting the hours. Can you say 'curmudgeon'? Does that word even fit?

Curmudgeon: 2: a crusty, ill-tempered, and usually old man.

Yeah. It fits. Well, except for the 'old man' part. Just insert 'old woman' and everything is kewl.

Hope ya'll have a pleasant little Christmas.

Three Cookies Left

Busy day yesterday, at least for this place. The three girls came over and the cookies were baked. Then everyone (except me) went to a high school basketball game. After the game, 'mom' took the girls home and went to visit one of her friends in the area. So... after the baking I had the place to myself. I caught up with my naps.
You know, because I could.

We started the day off with a pizza.


The kitchen was a bit crowded at times. The 14 yr old kept up with friends by texting. I heard her tell 'mom' that she could text without having to look at the screen.


The boys were demonstrating their belching skills. The wee one is the best at it.


There was Christmas music playing all the while..... LOUDLY.


Darius discovered his love for ipods. And he has his favorite music, too.


Cookies were packed away in an empty tin I had around. These would go with the girls back to their place after the game. Everyone had plenty to eat during the baking of them and we still have three left this morning. They are crunchy cookies. Dried cookies. Good for dunking, that's fer sure.

Christmas Bake Off

We're having a Christmas baking session today. It sounds much more seasonal than it really is... to be more factual, some grand daughters are coming over in an hour or so to bake some cookies. Chocolate chip. Some with nuts, some without. We'll also be getting some you-bake-pizza for lunch. Thats about all I can muster for Christmas cheer... and it wouldn't be happening unless pressured into it. (and there was a little innocent pressure applied, but its all good.) I'm just grateful C is here to do the actual "doing of it". It will make it more fun for the girls. In any event, we will be having a full house for a few hours.

It is my number two daughter's three girls that are coming over, 14,11, and 9 yrs old. Thank goodness my daughter C is here (aka 'mom') to work it for me. I consider her my representative. I am so not a "gramma" in the storybook sense of the word. I would be prone to buying a couple of dozen cookies from a bakery and saying "All Done Now!! Wasn't that fun?!" And at those ages, you can't fool them into thinking just sitting on a couch with an old lady saying "ohmygawd, you're growing too fast!" is fun. That doesn't even work on 'mom's' 4 and 2 yr olds.

The group might end up going to a high school basketball game later this afternoon. I'm hoping the game is free. If its free to get in, then 'mom' will take the boys to the game as well. (insert a group hug here.)

Now 'mom' and I are trying to get the place a little more organized with some manuevering room. "Stuff it in the closet for now!"

The Creative Spirit

I don't want you to miss a good art blog. Roshanda left a comment on an older entry here so I checked out her blog. I thought you might want to check it out too. She does wonderful caricatures.

A2Z Project - Letter F

I am so boring. One of my weak areas is originality. I don't have any. All those little colored boxes over there... they're mine. I wouldn't want to think out side of the box, know what I mean?

I'm not sure why doing these alphabet letters has become a chore for me... I was all gun ho at first. I'm going to blame it on all the noise around here, but really, its a toss up as to what's up with this.

F is for feather. A blue feather. A blue feather that represents a quote from Richard Bach. "Argue for your limitations and sure enough, they're yours."


Just some doodling. The guy is from an ad... I wanted to try the angle and practice foreshortening. The other one is strickly a doodle.



On another note... I finally focused on the garbage disposal and got it to working. The reset button is recessed so you can't just push it. You have to find something slim and stick it up and push.

It looks like things may not be changing much around here for a while. I'm talking about the people staying here with me. You know.... 'mom' and her boys. For a while she was going to hookup again with her ex boyfriend and get an apartment. Neither of them can afford anything on their own, but together they can barely scrap by. But the ex still has all of his issues and anger management problems and it would just be a matter of time, a matter of a short time, before all the drama is engaged again and the same shit happens. I'm glad she's giving it up. Its a lose-lose situation. I just need to be more accepting.

New email address

Since my "normal" email address has gone belly up, I have signed up for a new email account: senile.woman@hotmail.com

I've used the other email for over ten years without a hitch. Now this. Weirdness.

Its amazing how much noise two little boys can make... amazing, but not surprising. LOUDNESS... CONSTANT LOUDNESS.... CONTINUING AND CONSTANT LOUDNESS. Holy Crap, Batman!!

I sent them away for this afternoon. I crammed some gas money in 'mom's' hands and pushed them out the door. "No hurry... take your time. Bye Bye!!" The quiet time is worth the money, at least for now.

Cranky Day

Now don't go and be jealous. Sometimes you have to wait your turn in order to wake up to a cranky day. Lordy.... everyone except me is REALLY CRANKY this morning. "How cranky are they?" They are so cranky I willingly told 'mom' to get out. Of course, I didn't word it that way, but that's what I meant.

"Why don't you get dressed and go take a break? Here's some money for gas."

"Now, when you say break... what does that mean exactly?"

"It means go away for a few hours and come back in a much better mood. It does not mean you have to be back in a few minutes.... nor does it mean you can be gone forever. It means 'Get the hell outta here and don't come back until you are in a better mood.'

Of course the quote only got one ' to it because its not the exact words. I was more diplomatic. And I'm here to tell you that within 30 minutes 'mom' was up, dressed, and outta here. Thank goodness, too. I was about to reach out and bop her one and that would have been very hard on our relationship.

Now, the question is ..... can I survive two small boys who are in a cranky mood? Its gonna be a toss-up.

On another note... I still can't get into my hotmail account. I wonder if I've gotten a virus or something. Sigh.

A2Z Project - Letter E

E is for Eager Emily. Emily is a made up name to fit with the letter E. One does what one must.

 

 

Everything around here seems to be breaking. Is it the munchkins? I don't know, but it makes me wonder some times. Currently the garbage disposal isn't working. The motor hums, but nothing moves... including the water in the sink. It drains very very slowly. Also, the inside of the dish washer falls out. 'Mom' says they all do that. Well, its never done it with me before, but I only used it about three times until 'mom' and the munchkins arrived.

My knee is acting up, too. It does this every so often. I don't know what the deal is, but I'm limping around with a counter full of dirty dishes and a sink full of dirty water. Fortunately, I'm taking it all in stride, especially because I just need to report it and a magic elf will appear and fix it all for me. Any way, that's my plan. (and did you notice the tiny little pun... bummed knee, taking it in stride? One does what one must.

My email isn't working either. I'm hoping its a hotmail problem. The other thing that is not working is blogger's photo upload process. When I get to the place to upload something the entire session closes up and disappears. Gremblins in my pc?

Ree Brown - A Simple Life

Ree, folk artist. The video is about 10 minutes long. Many will yawn, but a few will see. I enjoyed it... a look at a simple life with many layers.

Testing

Can I post anything without a photo? So far, so good. It seems as though blogger isn't going to allow me to post any photos. Good thing the service is free.

Some Days Are Like That

I was trying to post some photos of the floods in Washington State, but blogger doesn't seem to like it, or s/he on a coffee break or something.

I finally got around to calling the property management people and got the oven fixed, the leak in the bathroom sink fixed, and the weather stripping on the door fixed. I was feeling pretty good about the activity. This morning I noticed its wet around the base of the toilet. My first thought was to blame it on the boys and their aim, but I'm beginning to think it might be some other problem. Silly me. I just want things to work right and to continue to work right, you know, like forever.

My daughter, aka 'mom', got a jump for the car and has taken it to get a new battery. It needed a battery and we are all crossing our fingers hoping that is all that it needs. She's also going to take it to get the tags, too. ohmygosh... everything might be legal soon.

Before this, 'mom' had gone grocery shopping. She got a ride (and a jump) from a friend. 'Mom' can be down right handy. A problem arises with me whenever I begin to feel that I'm the only one paying or providing things... that's when I get bitchy. If I know and or feel 'mom' is contributing too, that's when the "team player" comes out.

All of this is leading up to the comment.... "OHMYGOSH, I'VE HAD THE BOYS ALL TO MYSELF FOR THE ENTIRE DAY!!" It started out good... we're playing and goofing around with each other. Then I began to get tired and "poo-poo" was no longer funny. Okay, to be honest, it was never funny to me but the boys think its HILARIOUS!! Then they wanted to play. I wanted them to lay down and take a nap. It was touch and go for a while, but.... snicker..... they're asleep now. Who's the champ. I'm the champ!!

I'm going to go put my feet up for a few minutes while I can. (the sounds of tiny violins can be heard in the background. Poor baby. Bless her little heart.

Anyone speak Brazilian?

Someone has left a comment on the post below (Mogdigliani portraits) and I can't read it. I'm not sure if I'm being asked to remove the video or to pay money for it. I recognize a trademark symbol and I think I understand the word denairo, although my spelling might not be good... but other than that, I get nothink. I checked out the web site s/he requested I add to my blogroll, but I still don't know what its about. If you've got a clue as to what is being said, plz let me know. Thanks.

Mogdigliani Portraits - Video 6+ minutes

A2Z Project - Letter D

Letter D = Dangerous Dougie Doggy, bandana thief.


Delightful Darlene, daring dame.


Unfinished 'Decisions'...

Repeating Myself

I haven't done anything creative. I've had opportunity but lacked desire. Yet I wanted something to post. Even bad art is better than no art. IMHO.
The above was taken from a post card a friend had... she asked me to copy it for her, which I did.

One of those attempts that are never completed.

Foreshortening study.

Nothing much going on here. If anything exciting happens I'll be back.

Kill Me! Kill Me Now!!

But Noooooooo.... that would be too easy. I must pay for my mistakes. I must pay until the end of time. And who knows, maybe a little bit after that. Some mistakes just never go away. Ask my mother.

Twelve hours. I finally got on my pc. Now I have little people waiting at my arm so they can get on and play a game.

I don't really have anything to say. Since I asked to get on my pc I thought I'd make some clicking noise by making the keyboard move.

One of these days I'm just going to snap. Seriously though... thats what people say but they never do it. They never snap. Life teases them and teases them by making them think they will snap and it will all end. But life knows when to pull back just at the last minute.

I want my life back, damn it!

Heather Clements' Web Site

I viewed the video below again ("I Draw People") and then googled the artist Heather Clements to find her web site. I love her work. You can even look in her sketch books. Kewl, huh. I've also added her link to my list.

A2Z Project - Letter C

The letter C stands for Control, remotely speaking.

It also stands for Cup.

I've been working on the side challenge (see post below) but I'm having some difficulty capturing the 'angel's' essense... or even her likeness. We'll see what comes up tomorrow. (All my stuff has been shoved into the closet so there'd be more room. whine. It has helped with more room, but its a little hard to find things when I want to use them.)

Mr. Potato Head's Better Half

Mr. Potato Butt, esquire.

A "Side" Challenge... Anyone up to it?

Anyone up for a little 'side challenge'.... you know, something to work on inbetween the letters? Here's a little angel calling for a portrait. In any medium, etc. Take a week or two if you want... just don't take too long or I will forget what its about.

When you're done and have posted it to your blog, please come leave a comment here so I can come see. (although I'm sure I'll see it since I visit your blogs so often.)

Here, below, is the angel to create... see her wings? If you need to see a bigger version, click here and then click once again on the photo. That will take you to a huge version. Also, there are other poses to chose from if you want something a little different.

Short Observation

How great is this! The only news worth reporting on this morning is holiday consumerism. Live broadcasts talking to shoppers who were up at 4am waiting in line to spend money. I mean really.... how great is that!!

Oh Lordy.... Its the official start of the Holiday Season

Already!

I will be glad when its around 6pm or so, because that will mean the first big holiday will be over. Don't get me wrong, its a nice tradition and its also nice to be with family so you will recognize them if you see them at the mall and all that, but I'm always glad when I've made it through it.

Hope ya'll have a good one!

"I Draw People" Art Video - 2 minutes

Mumbling Over Coffee

Well.... another day. Slurp.

'Mom' is gone for a while and I feel like I should be doing something constructive, but ya'll know what I really feel like doing, right? Yeah. Nothing. I'm so good at it, ya know.

I'm still waiting to get directions to the family gathering place for tomorrow. And still waiting to hear if I need to bring anything. I've got a couple of white elephant gifts that I'm looking forward to giving away. 'Mom' will be getting a couple of toys for the kids... they have their own "white elephant gift giving" thingy, but they don't get trades. We tried that once and the wee one having his gift taken away pitched a fit. Then another time one of the girls got really upset because she didn't pick a "good" gift. She didn't get the doll. Now the little ones get little gifts that aren't so much jokes as they are just little toys. It works out better that way.

I'm such a crusty old crone... I'm getting to the place where it would be fine with me to skip the get togethers. Everyone does not all get along "fine". The older siblings are fairly judgmental in their way. I just try to stay on the fringes and not take any sides. Once you take sides, it seems like everyone switches around. Taking 'sides' is a lose-lose situation, anyway. We are all the way we are and acceptance is the goal. Or tolerance... that would work, too.

I've not done any thing art related in a while. Maybe I'll try for a couple of sketches while I've got the place to myself.

If I think of anything else to yak about, I'll post it.

The Daily Blab

Yesterday I offered my car to 'mom' so she could take the boys away for the day. Nice in the planning stage, but it faltered during execution. They didn't get out of the door until almost 4pm and were back in a few hours. What a waste of gas. I won't do that again.

We finally got an invitation to Thanksgiving. I keep waiting for the time when the kids say they want to do or start a tradition with just their families. Perhaps guilt comes through at the end.

We'll be going to my daughter-in-law's sister's place out in Timbuctu. I've never been there before. I guess my son and family has moved to yet another place and its much smaller. I'm never kept in the loop. I find things out by accident. Sometimes I get a little ticked off about it and other times it doesn't really matter.

We'll be doing white elephant gifts again. That's always good for some laughs.

I'm getting ready to jump in the shower... I give everyone plenty of chances to use the bathroom once they get up for the day. The thing is, they don't get up until 10am or so. By that time, I'm ready for a nap!!

A2Z Project - Letter B

B is for Broccoli. I slapped this together a couple of days ago while 'mom' and the boys were gone for a little bit. "Oh boy", I said to myself, "I've got this done ahead of time. Perhaps I'll be able to do another one. Lets see.... B is for bare bottom." But as you can see, I did not get around to doing the second vision.
But I have 24 more chances to do extra 'projects'.

We had two people killed a few days ago... both happened within a 24 hr. period of time, but they don't seem to be related. Today there was someone who came to my door, showed me a badge (although he looked retired in his regular clothes... maybe he's part of that special unit of retired officers), and asked if I had seen anything unusual during that night. I had not seen anything other than the police cars cruising in search mode.

Still raining here.

Life in the Hood

Christmas has come to the hood already. Below is a picture of Christmas lights on a house around the corner. This pix was taken through the screen in my window in the bedroom.


I hope I can remember the order of the pictures here.... Do you see the plywood board on the mom-and-pop store across the street? Its where the door goes. There was a burglary there. Or should it be robbery? I'm not sure. I think burglary is the breaking in of a place with intent to commit a felony. A robbery is when you take something by force or fear. Robbery would therefore mean someone would have to be present is my guess. Anyway... here's my exciting story. (under the picture.)

Rainy dusky darkness. I stepped outside to have a smoke and noticed a guy across the street standing in the doorway of the closed mom-and-pop store. The store had been closed for a while. I checked out his appearance because I was thinking 'waiting for a drug drop.' Tallish, white, brown hair, sleeveless vest jacket, dark long sleeved shirt, and blue jeans. He was smoking.

I finished and went back inside, Within 5 minutes we heard a loud crashing sound of glass breaking. I jumped to the window and looked across at the store. The guy wasn't there. I couldn't tell if the door was okay or not. It was a glass door. (How inviting is that, I ask you... put in a full glass door so one just has to break the glass to get in. Its like an invitation>) I kept looking to see if I could spy anyone walking around inside the store. (I never focused on anything else, like looking at the parked cars to see if there was damage.) Within a minute or so I saw a dark figure move across the front of the store. I grapped the phone and called the police. While I was on the phone with them, the guy left the store clutching something to his chest area like he was holding something. I gave the police the direction he was walking and the description. Within an hour the police contacted me to come with them to id someone they had apprehended. We drove around a couple of blocks where there was another police car. Lights on him with me in the darkened car. I identified him, but could only say I was 80% sure. He had a white tee shirt on and that threw me. I didn't see one before. It was only after I had identified him that the police said they had caught him with stuff from the store on him (food items) and he had confessed.

Citizens have to become involved in order to help deter crime that is on the rise... on the other hand, I was wondering if he stole food items to feed his family. He didn't look like someone on the edge of drug addiction. (addicts steal anything, including food, and sell it to others for money.) Bottom line, he shouldn't have damaged the store. The owner didn't deserve the damage. He struggles to keep the store going as it is.

The police couldn't find out how to contact the owner... no phone number around or anything. They kept an officer there until someone came to board the place up for safe keeping. The owners/workers arrived a little bit ago and their body language looked surprised. They are sweeping up the glass now... but they are still open for business.

The next picture (below) is showing yet another police car blocking off the street (which is a busy major street.) I think there was shooting going on several blocks over, or there had been one. The street was blocked for almost five hours... that makes me think someone got shot. I'll be listening to the news next time it comes on.


My final picture is of the two boys playing a game on the pc.... so there are a lot of calls going on about someone wanting to get on the pc. The boys seem to like the game a lot and that might give them priority. Anything to keep them entertained.

Blah Blah Blah

We're trying to create more room in the apartment. Its not easy, but I'm sure we'll soon be able to walk a few feet without having to ask someone to move or to jump over a box. (snicker... can you see me jumping over anything?) Oh... I may not have mentioned this in my blog yet... my youngest daughter and her two boys have moved back from California and are staying with me until they find a place of their own. I don't hold out much hope because housing costs are ridiculously high and she doesn't qualify for any housing assistance. Sigh. But that's why we're rearranging things to find more room.

There was a lot of stuff that could be put away without any problem, but I'm having to put away a lot of my art supplies, too. I want to whine, but considering how much I was or had been using the art supplies it really wouldn't apply.

Its raining here. It rained yesterday and it rained today and it will rain for the next seven days at least. (Too bad a little of it couldn't be sent to Georgia.) Its mild, though, and we're not getting snow in the mountains where we need it for water next spring and summer.

As you have already surmised, I really don't have anything to talk about, but I wanted to make an entry anyway.

Portrait of Picasso

Let the viewer see what they see. As for me, well... lets just say a picture is worth a thousand words. I have never thought much of the guy.... and I still don't.

I also have been totally boggled over how some untalented people become successful during their life times, while actual artists with great talent and skills do not. I guess its kind of like justice. Its just not fair.

Tuesday

I still need to pull myself together this morning. If I can come up with a decent excuse I may delay it until tomorrow.... pulling myself together.

Things are filled to the brim around here. Every nook and cranny is full of something. I feel slick whenever I can manage to twist around and scratch my ass, cause there's just not a lot of room available and have you seen my ass?

We had a storm yesterday. Lots of wind, some at hurricane strength, and rain. Real rain. A few folks lost power, some are still out. Several trees toppled over which resulted in power outages and/or smashed vehicles. Today is very nice. The sun is out and there's no wind to speak of, so all is well.

I miss my space just a little, but there's pro and cons to every situation. I'm getting more exercise. I miss not being able to get out some paints or just paper and not have ten fingers touching it and saying 'i wannna do some'. On the other hand, I'm getting told i wuve yu a lot. I don't feel too inspired right now, anyway.

I just wanted to get something out on the blog for now. While I had the chance. 'Mom' is a pc addict!

Design a Logo

'i am' has a project to work on, if your muse tickles your palm...

http://misspennysplace.blogspot.com/2007/11/artist-challenge.html

A friend of hers is looking for a new logo to use. It would be a "for fun" thing to do. No money changes hands... but who knows, maybe it will become famous. You can check out the particulars at the link above.

A To Z Art Project - Letter A

Okay, here's the day to begin the A2Z art challenge. The day to post what my creative imagination came up with to represent the letter A.
.
.
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Did you see it? Yeah, that's right. You're not going blind. NOTHING. I got nothing as I tried to come up with something more interesting than an apple to represent the letter A. Oh sure, I came up with aardvark, armadillo, air, armoire, etc. but I didn't get excited about any of them. So....

I kinda reverted back to an apple. Actually, its about a block away from apple.

A IS FOR ASPARAGUS!! Yipeee.... YaHoooooo!!! How exciting is that?!?!

ink sketch, watercolor, cardstock.

Below is the same drawing, but I intensified the color just a tad and made it a little brighter. You know, just for the heck of it.


Next week the letter will be B. And bending it a little, such as dusty duck did, is perfectly okay. You will also note, maybe, that I changed the name of the game from art challenge to art project. "Challenge" makes it seem like we are in competition with each other and I want to take the 'personal' competition away.

Anyone can join in and at any time. If you're not a regular, please leave a comment here so I can go take a look at what you've done. You'll be a 'regular' from there on, even if you only post a letter art project once in a while.

Bedlam Has Arrived

Its called family life. Or Death by the Demons. Or Blessings by the Bowl Full. Or something in the middle.

 

 

 

No sedentary life now. Its all just constant movement.

They all love... oh look, I typed 'love' but meant 'look' (I'm leaving it in)... the same but a little older. Logical. Vyron is a dare devil who will hop on a scooter without stopping to wonder if he can 'ride' it and head straight for the curb while looking the other way as he giggles. He can also throw a tremendous pouting session for no particular reason. Good thing he's as small as he is and cute. Know what I mean?

Darius is more contained and asks for 'permission' to do things. He also remembers instructions. "Vyron, stop that. Gramma said not to splash water on the floor or else we will have to get out of the bath tub." Of course, Vyron doesn't pay any attention.

At the end of the day V. was very very tired and cranky. He decided to throw a tantrum by sprauling out on floor and WHINING VERY LOUDLY. After a few minutes it was time to put a stop to this. I spoke VERY FIRMLY to V., you know... explaining that 'we don't play that game here!!!' I told him to knock it off and get up. He took a couple of seconds to decide and then got up and went in the other room where his mother was. I suspect this isn't going to work all the time.

Of course, Darius had to point out to Vyron "See... I told you so!"

One of my Favorites

Below is one of my favorite photographs. Its one of Candace taken during a gym class. Its not so much my favorite because its of Candace, although it is part of it, but because of her "pose". I love how she is exhibiting both eagerness and a touch of shyness. Arms/hands held down but a grin on the face... her left foot (on right as you look at it) slightly sideways.

On the back the photo is labeled Candace First Grade 1988. She would have been 7 yrs old.

Its interesting to note that a person's body type at this age is not an indicator of how it will be in adulthood. I have another "favorite" photo of my #2 daughter at about this age. She's very shy looking, slender, looking a bit like a refuge (she was playing hard that day). She's definitely not shy and she is not slender. But she's still beautiful.

Anyone Up for a Long Term Art Challenge? (semi long term)

I was just over checking out Karin Jurick's blog "A Painting Today" and read that she is starting a new series of paintings. Its going to be an A to Z series, but not the typical A is for Apple thing. A would be for other things.

Thats when the pilfered idea knocked me over... "hey", I said to myself, "that would be a kewl idea for 'us' to do... an a-to-z series." ('us' meaning anyone who reads this and wants to do it... even lurkers. This is what we do to keep practicing the creation of things. No skill or talent needed. Just guts to post it. hahahaha But no, seriously... lets just be funny. more laughing at my self and how corny I can be sometimes.)

We could create a piece (or more if so inclined) of art (any medium, style, blah blah) and post it once a week. I say once a week thinking of those who actually have lives to live. (or we could post it any time we wanted to and the challenge would be each individual getting thru a to z without any schedule to keep.) If one found oneself in the zone they could go ahead and create as many alphabet thingies they wanted to and save for posting later. Or not. Post them whenever.

You know what... some times one can be so loose with the requirements that things fall apart. How about commenting on how you'd like to see it done.

Whadda say, gang? We can use my uncle's barn and put on a whole Broadway production with only a bale of hay! (referencing the old Judy Garland/Andy ?? movies. If you don't know what I'm talking about, you're just young so don't worry about it.)

I almost forgot to mention.... I love Karin's painting style. If you haven't already done so, check out the rest of her blog and she also has other sites listed on her sidebar. You won't be disappointed. Well, unless you're into something else.

The Rules MUST BE FOLLOWED!

We are now deporting US citizens. None of us should get to cocky about being safe as a citizen. Okay, the last sentence is for dramatics only. But still...

You may have heard this story in the national news, but you had to be listening very closely. A 10 second viewing.

We have a two year old boy (I'm guessing at the age) who has been in foster care since he was 4 months old. The foster parents want to adopt him. His mother, who has relinquished her rights due to drugs and is currently on the run, is a United States citizen. His Mexican National sperm-donor is a convicted child rapist. (I don't know if that is statutory rape (under age) or a true physical rape.) His "father" has never seen the child. He has never had anything to do with him. He recently got out of prison.

The state of Oregon is going to deport the child to Mexico to live with the sperm-donor's mother before Thanksgiving..... because its the RULE and policy of the Childrens Protection Division to unite children with biological family members whenever possible. And the RULES MUST BE FOLLOWED!!!

And the kicker is that its possible the state will be obligated to pay the grandmother over $300 a month to cover expenses of the care of the child. The grandmother does not speak English, but through an interpreter has said she is looking forward to getting the child because all of her children are grown and she will now have another little child to raise. ?!?!?!

The foster parents are fighting to keep him. I hope they get a really good lawyer, but that takes so much money. Surely there could be something about not deporting a natural born United States citizen that could over rule the Childrens Protection Division rules and policies. Or .... where are the parents of the mother? Maybe they need to step forward and say 'we are the grandparents, too and we want our grandson.'

Its a mess. Any time you get government involved with a situation things get totally screwed up.

Painting People

I was cruising youtube, cause you know, it helps keep me from doing things I should be doing, and I came across a video titled Why Eleanor Day Paints People. (It showed some of her paintings as she was interviewed via phone. Anyway, it sounded like she was talking on a phone. It was a little difficult to hear it well.) I then decided to check for a web site for her and found it here.

I thought of you guys who are doing portraits from photos and thought you might like to take a look. Under her tab/button labeled portraits she has examples of her commissioned work. The first few don't include the photograph she used, but around the second or third line the photos are displayed along side the paintings. I always find it interesting to see the reference source with the painting.

I like her use of bright colors. I also found myself wondering if she used a projector. (to me, it would make sense to use one to eliminate false starts. Some say potato, some say tomato. I haven't read everything on the site so I don't know if its mentioned or not.)

I also enjoyed looking at her work under "paintings".

Old Practice Pieces

I was too busy and too tired yesterday to do any artwork to post here. I kind of like the small 'push' to get something done, even simple things, in order to post something daily. In order to keep something going, I'm going to be brave and post some bad practice stuff from years ago. Encouraging comments are not necessary, so don't feel obligated. I will continue. (she stops for a second. "That could be considered a threat, I suppose." hahahaha I'm just cracking me up, she mumbles.)