Well Hello, Monday!

I started with a print using the Gelli Plate (acrylics), and then went back in with pencil, colored pencil, watercolor, ink and marker to pull out the animal.

Have a great week!

When You Suck

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Today I was reminded  of something my college swim coach said to me my Junior year: “Every team needs someone like you.”

What she really meant was: “Every team needs someone who sucks, but is there anyway.”

I was a terrible swimmer by college swim team standards; had there been any swim program to speak of that year I wouldn’t have made the cut. As it was, I was a “body,” and my mere presence counted for a point or two each meet, so there I was.

In February of this year I started working out again (after a VERY long time) with a “cross-fit-like” program at a gym near my studio.

I am not a small woman. I started out wanting to lose weight, but after two-plus months at it, I don’t think I’ve lost a single pound. That’s okay; losing weight is now about fifth on my list of reasons why I’m still at it, after “feeling better mentally,” “no more lower back pain,” “able to pick up and carry Liam safely,” and “sleeping better.”

Still, I’m the worst in the class. When we run around the city block, my fellow runners pass me at alarming rates. How did they get so fast?

But they also cheer me on as they go by. Hearing things like “good job!” and “keep it up!” does, indeed, help me keep it up. Their encouragement is super helpful for me and probably fun for them, too, since they get to be both encouraging AND kick my butt!

😀

Ragamuffin Animals Video

I’m working today on the first Ragamuffin Scrap Animals email… the one-week online class begins on Monday! Steve made this “promo video” which gives a teaser. Join in if you can!

Also, I spent some more time yesterday on Gelli Plate prints:

I do plan to put some animals in some of these, but I wanted to scan them in at this stage because I like them as-is, too.

Have a great day!

Textures Today

I spent part of the afternoon today messing around with a brayer and a Gelli Plate. (Thanks to Kari J. Young for introducing me to it!) Loads of fun!

I hope you have a wonderful week.

 

 

Liam Draws, and the Last Silly Giveaway!

My grandson Liam draws: “Yes!”

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Thank you for joining me this week! I’m overwhelmed and  gratified by all of the lovely comments… thank you!

I wanted to encourage any of you that want to learn to draw; please don’t be afraid! Like my grandson in the video above, drawing is really FUN (you just need to come to it with a “yes!” attitude). 😀

Today is the last giveaway… I’ll pick the winner randomly at noon PST Saturday (4/20). 

“The Art of Silliness” is a workbook-style book that you can draw right into…click here if you’d like to preview some inside pages.

To win a copy, leave a comment now!

(And thanks to Perigee Books for providing the giveaway copies!)

*****TODAY’s Random Winner*****

Pam Brooke said:

This has been fun. Thanks for the five creative chances to win your beautiful book.

Girl on Antlers, and Another Silly Giveaway!

I know, right?!!

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Thank you for all the comments the past three days! Here’s another chance:

Book Giveaway, Day #4!

Lately I’ve been doing a slew of radio interviews to help promote “The Art of Silliness.” They’ve been lots of fun, and it got me to thinking that it’s time to give away some copies of the book!

“The Art of Silliness” is a workbook-style book that you can draw right into…click here if you’d like to preview some inside pages.

I’m giving away five books this week! International entries welcome. Just leave a comment  for a chance to win a copy (and come back each day this week for four more chances!). I’ll pick  today’s random winner at noon PST Friday (4/19).

And please, tell your friends!

To win a copy, leave a comment now!

(And thanks to Perigee Books for providing the giveaway copies!)

*****TODAY’s Random Winner*****

Valerie said:

Deerly beloved, we are gathered here today…

 

Pineapple Flowers, and Another Silly Giveaway!

Yummy Silliness.

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Thank you for all the comments the past two days! Here’s another chance:

Book Giveaway, Day #3!

Lately I’ve been doing a slew of radio interviews to help promote “The Art of Silliness.” They’ve been lots of fun, and it got me to thinking that it’s time to give away some copies of the book!

“The Art of Silliness” is a workbook-style book that you can draw right into…click here if you’d like to preview some inside pages.

I’m giving away five books this week! International entries welcome. Just leave a comment  for a chance to win a copy (and come back each day this week for four more chances!). I’ll pick today’s random winner at noon PST Thursday (4/18).

And please, tell your friends!

To win a copy, leave a comment now!

(And thanks to Perigee Books for providing the giveaway copies!)

*****TODAY’s Random Winner*****

Emma said:

You are so silly-I want a book and some pineapple!

I give you “Batgirl,” and Another Silly Giveaway!

I received a box of vintage photos for Christmas last year. 

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Book Giveaway, Day #2!

Lately I’ve been doing a slew of radio interviews to help promote “The Art of Silliness.” They’ve been lots of fun, and it got me to thinking that it’s time to give away some copies of the book!

“The Art of Silliness” is a workbook-style book that you can draw right into…click here if you’d like to preview some inside pages.

I’m giving away five books this week! International entries welcome. Just leave a comment  for a chance to win a copy (and come back each day this week for four more chances!). I’ll pick each today’s random winner at noon PST Wednesday (4/17).

And please, tell your friends!

To win a copy, leave a comment now!

(And thanks to Perigee Books for providing the giveaway copies!)

Karen Bowers said:

Your giraffe series has inspired me to create my own. I’m in a mixed media swap and all 21 of my pages have a giraffe with “up my game” going up her neck!

*****TODAY’s Random Winner*****

Karen Bower!

“Your giraffe series has inspired me to create my own. I’m in a mixed media swap and all 21 of my pages have a giraffe with “up my game” going up her neck!”

A Giraffe Haiku, and a Silly Giveaway

We’re writing Giraffe Poetry this week in the Year of the Giraffe! 

* * *

We’ve been busy; I know you have been, too! We are a society of busy people. It’s all good!

Lately I’ve been doing a slew of radio interviews to help promote “The Art of Silliness.” They’ve been lots of fun, and it got me to thinking that it’s time to give away some copies of the book!

“The Art of Silliness” is a workbook-style book that you can draw right into… click here if you’d like to preview some inside pages.

I’m giving away five books this week! International entries welcome. Just leave a comment  for a chance to win a copy (and come back each day this week for four more chances!). I’ll pick each day’s random winner at noon PST starting tomorrow (Tuesday).

And please, tell your friends!

To win a copy, leave a comment now!

(And thanks to Perigee Books for providing the giveaway copies!)

*****TODAY’s Random Winner*****

Ruth Dailey said: Wow – tons of comments – tells us how popular your Art of Silliness is – and I love silliness – according to my great grand baby – I am – she says ” so-o-o-o Silly G.G.” – so getting your book would make it a gift for us both – I’s love to receive a copy.

Bluebird-Catching Nose Saddle and other news

 

Hello and how are you? The above cartoon strip was made for the giraffe class, and the brown bird “thing” is actually a “Bluebird-Catching Nose Saddle.” It’s difficult to recognize perhaps as they are quite rare…

I’m getting extra baby time these next few weeks as I try and give a hand to Christi (my son Christer is back to teaching after a short paternity leave). Liam (18 months) and Ethan (3 weeks) are doing well, though everyone is pretty tired. I’m writing this from their couch!

I have had three radio interviews this past week and have several more scheduled. They are both fun and scary (kind of like DRAWING!). I am usually a nervous wreck leading up to them, and then sort of the equivalent of “whistling” when they’re over, having enjoyed myself!

Finally, I got the most wonderful email last week from one of the Draw! online class students. Mom to four, Aimee G. did the 21-day drawing workshop with her two daughters, aged 10 and 12. They all did every assignment and to celebrate they hosted a Family Art Show at their home! 

 

Art filled every wall in their house…

Aimee wrote that their Family Art Show was “perfect for the kids to see all that they had accomplished.”

 

From the figure drawing portion of the class during the third week…

 

… isn’t the work incredible?

Thank you, Aimee, for sharing this with us!