MsAdventures

Sunday, October 16, 2011

At Last...

Belize City, Belize

Costa Maya (Mahahual), Mexico

I finally did keep my promise. I said, literally years ago, that I would publish my sketches of Belize and Cozumel, which were on the same trip as the Cayman Islands that are somewhere down below this post. Whether I just forgot about it or got side-tracked, I couldn't tell you. And wouldn't -- because it might be something I'd rather forget...

Sunday, October 09, 2011

A Fresh Start

I have recently become re-inspired to keep my blog posts more current. I thought that it might motivate me to greater productivity in my artist's journals if I was committed to posting some of my journal pages on a regular basis. Anyone who knows the joys and agonies of periodic artist's block knows how that one goes and usually, it only takes a small commitment at the sketchbook to get the rhythm flowing once more.

In my case, I always have more than one journal that I am working on. I have my "everyday" journal that contains bits and pieces of my life as I experience it, but I also have my travel journals: Western Europe; The Caribbean Islands; and most recently, Montréal. I am also seriously considering doing a journal for the International Fake Journal Month next April. There is an artist named Roz Stendahl who issues the call to action on that one.

Bottom line... I love my journals! Sometimes, the only art commitment that I can make is a short, temporary commitment. It's gratifying to be able to sit down and put something on paper, no matter how brief the time...

Sunday, September 11, 2011

September 11th

The best thing any one of us can do is to remember...

[Budweiser ran this commercial only one time, immediately after 9/11. It was never shown again.]

Monday, April 02, 2007

Yippee!

This one is hot off the presses...

I received word yesterday afternoon that I have just been awarded an Honorable Mention at a judged art show for the Society of Bluffton Artists. Actually, they told me about the award and then said, "the check will be in the mail." Even better.

Usually, I don't have anything ready to frame and submit to these shows, so this is only the second time I have entered a judged show. I paint, but unless I love a painting enough to want to hang it in my home, my paintings go into a storage box under my bed. I already have about six framed pieces tucked into corners around my house because storage space is limited. So, unless this piece sells, It will have its own place on the wall. Maybe even a prime location.

The painting is called, "Oh, My Gourds!" It's a still life of a pumpkin, some gourds and an opened chestnut. The title came because I just couldn't bring myself to call it, "Still Life with Gourds" or some other really dull thing like "Autumn Harvest." So, when I was painting, I just called it, "Oh, My Gourds!"

So, with no more build-up, here it is!

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

From the Heart

I promised quite a long time ago that I would post some of my watercolor sketches of my travels for you, so on this day of Valentine's, I thought perhaps sharing some of the work of my heart and of my hands would be more special for you. So, from my heart to yours, let me share some of my little adventures.

Georgetown, Cayman Islands

The view from the tender as we approached Georgetown is perhaps the most comprehensive view of the town that you can see. The pavilion to the right of the tender -- that's "boat" to non-nautical types -- with the yellow roof is a hospitality area provided by the tourist board. This is the place from which most of the tours depart. The large red roof is Kirk Freeport, a very large retail store selling luxury goods. Directly in front of the tender is the local Tourist Bureau, which also houses the local museum.

The Gift Shop, Hell, Cayman Islands

Hell is an intriguing place... and no, I am not making that up! (Although, for my critics, I can now sincerely state that I've been to Hell and back.) What makes "Hell" into Hell, is a huge area of limestones and dolomite that have been eroded over centuries by algae which eats away the calcium deposits within the rock. As a result, it leaves behind a field of grotesque, pointy rock formations that become stained black by the algae.

There is a gift shop in Hell where one can buy touristy types of things such as a T-shirt that states: "Hell -- wish you were here." It also has it's own post office, so if you go to Hell, be sure to think up some catchy wording so you are fully prepared to send appropriate messages home.

The Rooster from Hell...

Okay... I acknowledge a certain weakness for critters of any kind, so while I was preparing my sketch of the gift shop, this handsome fellow strutted in front of the rock upon which I was perched and seemed to demand my attention, which he earned by repeatedly coming up to my toes. (The cookie I had just eaten had nothing to do with it.) So, since he insisted, I took a few minutes to sketch him, as well. Once he was satisfied that I had noticed, he puffed up his broad little chest and strutted off to find some female attention of the feathered sort. I think I may have dated his brother once.

The Rooster from Hell, Cayman Islands