Ugh..... this is bad.

As in - really bad.
As kind as you are, don't even try telling me it's not.

I can make an excuse and say that it's because I didn't have enough time... That would be true, but I know that it would not have been much better even if I had more time.

I'm not going to worry about it.
As long as I get to see my original model every day, I can paint her badly and it will not matter.

A new school year - new hair color.
Hana starts her sophomore year today.
Wish her luck pretty please.

To me also. I'll need luck with her too.

Painting over a painting

I painted over a previously painted journal spread. Unfortunately, I forgot to take the before scan. Maybe this one is not finished yet. I think I will continue going back to pages that don't make me happy and work on them more. Why not? The lovely freedom of a journal!

Online classes

Do you like taking online classes?
I'm entering a super busy period at work, so for a month or so I will have no time to play, but I have a small list of classes that I want to take as soon as I can. I want to list them here, so that it will be easy to access them once the time permits.

Did you know that Sharon's and Deryn's collaboration class "Of Towers and Tourets" started today. 

- photo from Sharon Tomlinson's blog -

They are teaching a number of things that I've always wanted to learn, like making freeform bezzels and riveting. Sharon is going to show secrets to making colorful, amazing collage paintings and finding "sweet spots" in them for the jewelry pieces. I can see myself making these and putting them on journal covers, wearing them, even incorporating in canvas paintings... It just sounds like an amazing class. How do you like this example? Cool, right?

- photo from Deryn Mentock's blog -

Another class that I really want to take is one that Julie Prichard and Christine Cozen are teaching. It's called "Chaos and Calm; over the edge painting techniques". Look at the beautiful examples - they just call me. I wish I could grab my brushes and Golden paints and jump in them now. Luckily, their classroom is always open so I will join in the fun as soon as I can.
- photo from Julie Prichard's blog -

One more on the list is Carla Sonheim's "The Art of Silliness". These are daily activity sheets that don't have to take a lot of time to finish. Just like being a kid and enjoying the pure fun of creating. I just know that this class will be extra fun and inspiring. Just look at it:

- photo from Carla Sonheim's blog -

Jacky is having a giveaway on her blog. The prize? Carla Sonheim's class!

Click here to enter.

This is my list. I plan on taking all three classes as soon as I can.

Do you have a favorite online class that you would add to my list?

Summer finally arrived!!!

Thanks for dropping by, saying "hi" and for the questions. Sharon asked for photos and Darla asked if I'm warm enough. Funny... Yes dear, I am. And I know that you are warm enough too... Warm being the understatement of the year.

I think that in SF Bay Area we are spoiled by our mostly spring like year-round weather. I have been complaining this whole summer that it was cold, so the one day the temperature goes almost to 100 we are all 'dying of heat' and barely functioning. I'm melting.... 

The sun is as yellow as this sweet watermelon. YUM!

Other than watermelons, we are feasting on tomatoes. I wish these were from my garden, but they are not (I'm sure that you guessed Darla - they are from Berkeley Bowl, one of my favorite places).

I would like to paint them, but I don't know how.
Actually, I never tried... maybe I do know.

Are you freaked out by bugs? I am. I almost got a heart attack when this guy jumped while I was taking his portrait. But isn't he lovely, so green in green?

I think he saw me, because he was looking at me on the following photo. I'll spare you of the total close closeup. He looks like an alien.

And just because I'm not sure that Sharon had in mind photos of bugs and tomatoes, let me add a little tiny guy that I was stalking yesterday. He was smaller than the nail on my little finger.

And another one little friend. Look how cute! He didn't have the time to comb his 'hair'. 

I followed him.

Can you see him in one of my future paintings?

Same as the grashopper, this little one saw me too...

Bye for now. Thanks for the inspiration. I'll be back soon with answers to other questions.
xo

It feels like I blogged a million years ago... and I want to start again, but don't know where and how.
Do you have any suggestions?
Any questions for me?

How are you?

I'm back

I can't believe that I have been back for a full week and that I can't get back into the routine... I did find (make) the time to paint a little every day, so I'll share that soon. For now I'll leave you with a photo of one of my new bird friends and a link for the Photoshop action that I used to make it look like it's a hand colored old photo. You can find the link here. Let me know if you try it.