Today I didn’t have much time for drawing. I went to meet Angie for coffee this morning. She’s getting ready to leave on vacation for a week and we were both in need of a visit! Then I had a meeting with a woman who was interested in seeing the Baha. We met at 10:30 and I didn’t leave until 12:30. It was a long chat, a lovely one, too. We, of course, talked about more things than just the Baha! One of my favorite parts of meeting people about the Baha is learning about them and their lives. During our conversation, I realized that there was a lot that the woman I was meeting with had in common with my MIL and FIL. So, I asked if I could connect them. I’m happy to say that they have connected and will meet for dinner and dessert Saturday evening! What a lovely way to spend a few hours!
After that, I stopped at a quilt shop I’ve been eying for a long time! I haven’t taken the time to visit in a while, but it’s also been a while since I have bought fabric… So, I went ahead and treated myself to some fun fabrics I couldn’t live without! They’re to the right! YUMMY!
And today’s drawing is an EDM Challenge. It’s Challenge #2 - Draw a lamp. It’s the lamp from my art desk. Monochromatic, because the lamp is a brown and white antique-looking Ott Lite. I like it and it’s my constant companion on my table.
That’s all for now. Back to doing some other projects I can’t share until after Mother’s Day!
Yesterday I did a lot of drawing, but I can only share two small drawings with you for yesterday’s Every Day in May challenge. The other is for Sunday’s CreativeTherapy catalyst, which will be revealed on Sunday.
To the right is a drawing of my pencil sharpener. Not a perfect drawing, but a drawing, nonetheless. It’s really rounder at the top than my drawing shows, but I did blind contour drawing and, well, this is how it came out! I used a Pigma Micron and some Albrecht Durer and Lyra watercolor pencils.
To the left is a drawing from the Every Day Matters challenge group - # 91 - Draw an apple. I drew this from a photo, since I’m allergic to apples. Yes, apples. I used a Pigma micron and Albrecht Durer watercolor pencils for this.
Remember how the other day I wasn’t sure whether I liked the paper in the hand*book journal. I’ve now gotten used to working with the paper and I do, indeed like it. I will be happy to take this journal to France when we go. I just need to figure out which watercolor pencils to bring, since I can’t bring all of them with me! That will be part of the process in the next few months.
Today I decided to do some drawing for most of the day. I’m trying to figure out if I really like the feel of the Hand-Book travel journals, since I bought one for my trip to France. I’ll decide after I get some time in with the paper. It’s thinner than what I use when I make the books myself, and that’s a drawback. It means I can’t necessarily use both sides if I’m using watercolor. And, it doesn’t really take watercolor very well. VERY light
washes do OK, so if I decide to bring watercolor pencils, that could work. Today I used some graphite pencils, watercolor pencils and a Pigma Micron .05.
Anyway, here are today’s drawings. I don’t usually draw pictures of men. I decided I should get a sense of the proportions of men’s faces. I did several drawings from photos in a magazine. The drawing of the couple above is loosely based on an ad in a magazine. The man in the picture above I like. The woman’s face however, is a bit off. The drawing to the right is also based on ads in a magazine.
Left is a montage of three different faces from the magazine. I thought it was time to start playing with some color, so I added watercolor pencils for some color. I tried to stay somewhat true to the images in the magazines.
I got brave from here and started doodling some faces. Those are to the right. The hand on the guy on the left of the page is in great need of some rework, but I decided that I probably just need to spend some time working with hands. I tend to freeze up when I look at them and try to add them. That’s something I want to change. Maybe that’ll be tomorrow’s drawings?
It’s May 5th - Day 5 of the Every Day in May challenge. For the first time in a while, I was feeling up to spending time in the studio today. I walked in and immediately decided I needed to paint. I had an urge to get messy! So, I drew the outline of a woman on a piece of Strathmore 400 linen canvas 246lb paper and started to paint with my Golden Fluid Acrylics. I was completely in “the zone” for several hours as I layered paint upon paint.
I finished the 6″ x 6″ piece and then decided it needed a stretched canvas behind it to make it easy to hang. So, I went to my stockpile of mixed-media acrylic canvases. I had one that was a perfect match to the dress of the woman I had painted.
Considering that I hadn’t painted in acrylic in a while, I’m pretty pleased with it. The gel medium holding the acrylic image to the background is still drying (notice the white around the central image!) but it’s done! Now maybe I can do some drawing…
The past two days have been hard for me physically. Yesterday I spent most of the day in bed with fatigue and vertigo. I did draw yesterday - two things, so I’m going to count them as yesterday’s and today’s in case I can’t get drawing done today (but I’ll still try!).
Today I’m tired and achy. But at least I’m up to posting on my blog! To the right is EDM Challenge 23 - Draw your Foot. Since I went and had my manicure and pedicure while Eliana was here, I figured drawing the foot was a good thing to do. I drew the cool little flower and the lines at the top of the big toe - the only one you could really see (I have teensy toes and even more teensy toe nails!). I decided not to use any color in this and to see if I could create it with just the Pigma Micron 02 and 08 pens. I like how the pants leg came out, in particular. I rarely do this kind of shading, so it was a good challenge.
To the left, you see a drawing of my reading glasses. I have several pairs of reading glasses - mostly from Target’s dollar spot! I buy them in bulk when they have them there. I have found that since my 38th birthday (yes, two and a half years ago!) I’ve needed to wear these reading glasses with my contacts to see up close. Reading without the is greatly straining on my eyes. So, I figure some funky glasses should be owned. The pair depicted here is actually black, clear and gray - sort of a plaid.
My husband is just finishing up doing his rounds at the hospital. He’s taking me out to lunch when he gets here. It will be my first time out of the house since last Monday. I’m sure I will be exhausted when we return home, but getting out of the house is really necessary right now. Have a great Sunday, everyone!
Today I am still feeling fatigued from the treatment. No surprise there… However, I am still challenging myself to keep up with at least one drawing each day. Today I did two challenges from the Every Day Matters Group.
EDM 31 - Draw something you collect.
I brought my grandmother’s vintage train case into the den, where I am sitting in front of the TV. I drew the train case open with the photos in it. My grandmother took very good care of it. Her address from The Bronx is still in it, easy to read! The mirror is still perfect, as well. It’s quite heavy, or I’d use it for travel. For now, however, it will remain in my studio as storage.
While the pictures and the train case were here, I posted more of my vintage photos and cabinet cards for sale on my “Supplies for Sale” page. Take a look. If you don’t see what you’re looking for, send me an email and I will see if I have what you need in my collection!
EDM 164 - Draw your camera.
I also drew my point and shoot Canon Powershot Elph. This camera has been with me for a while. It’s 4 mpx, which was huge a few years ago! It will be coming with me on all my trips, since it fits so easily into a purse or backpack.
Now it’s time to relax and try to keep from getting more fatigued. Hmmm… Perhaps a nap?
I’ve decided to participate in the Every Day in May challenge. I’m going to try to create something every day. I already try that, but with family in town and my treatment yesterday, I’ve lagged behind. So, I’m committing to do it this month as much as possible. Some members of the challenge are choosing a theme. For me, the theme will be something from life or from the Every Day Matters challenge list. This morning, I drew a shoe. After the first attempt, I decided I needed to try again. I’ve only posted the second one here.
I had hoped to post more drawings from today, but, as usual, I have some major fatigue from yesterday’s treatment. I’m going to take a nap now…
While my niece was here, I did get some time to do a bit of drawing. As always, drawing always keeps me grounded. That’s why it was even more important for me to do it while I was hosting the family.
To the left is my CreativeTherapy response to “What makes you, you?” which is Catalyst 7. Here is the journaling that goes with it:
“Like a tree growing from the rocks of the Grand Canyon, I am a survivor. I work my way past obstacles that might make others sit back and cry. I may not be flourishing with bright green leaves all the time, but I am strong and I can and have survived many challenges through my life. That makes me, me.”
To the right is a drawing of two pillows that were on the floor of an office I waited in yesterday. They looked so soft and inviting that I had to draw them. Even better, they fit EDM Challenge 138 - “Draw something soft”!
Tomorrow is my treatment. I’m drinking lots of fluids in the hopes that the IV insertion will be a smooth one. Last month it took six tries before we got it in and that’s just not OK! So, I’m drinking lots and lots of water to keep myself hydrated.
Well, it’s been over a week since I last updated everyone on things here. I spent a week hosting my lovely niece, Eliana, and her parents (along with Flat Stanley!) here at Casa Saperstein. The spoons were spent early on but it was a lovely time filled with family, laughs, and new traditions.
Eliana attends a Jewish Day School, where she learns Hebrew and Jewish traditions as part of her daiy curriculum. She picks up languages easily and reads Hebrew really beautifully. As part of the Passover Seder, the youngest person in attendance customarily reads “The Four Questions” about why we celebrate Passover as we do. For over 15 years, I have been the youngest in the Saperstein family. Now, however, Eliana has taken over that role. She read the Questions beautifully in Hebrew, bringing tears of pride to my MIL’s eyes.
While here, Eliana requested two things of Auntie Fran and Uncle Dave - to learn some art from Auntie Fran and to learn some magic from Uncle Dave. We happily obliged. Eliana spent time with Uncle Dave learning to do the “rice paper” trick. If this works right, you should see a video of their trick in tandem!
The other thing she wanted to do was to paint. And, while I don’t have photos of painting with her, I do have a photo of her finished painting. We started with a background. She decided to use blues and greens because she was going to paint a mermaid. While the background was drying on the canvas panel, we drew faces on watercolor paper and cut them out (similar to the style of Katie Kendrick’s work!) and then we glued those on. I taught Eliana a light touch with the paint. And she did a fabulous job. To the right is her mermaid with shell top, long torso, and great green tail and fins! She has a light iridescence all over her body and face from iridescent gold and silver paint. I think she did a lovely job!
To be honest, I was surprised that Eliana was so focused for the two hours we
painted the first day. While she painted, we talked about all kinds of things - how the colors got their names (as she read them from the paint tubes), how much fun it was to spend time together painting, and some things to surprise Papa for his birthday when she comes back in December.
On the day before they left, Eliana, her mother Andrea, and I went for a “girls day” at the nails shop where i get my nails done. I had gotten Andrea’s permission to get Eliana a kid mani-pedi, where they would just file her nails and paint them the colors of her choice. Eliana chose four different colors to use and also wanted flowers on her toes and fingers. Crystal, the nail technician was so fabulously good with her! Eliana actually sat for a long time not wanting her manicure and pedicure to be ruined, while her mother and I had mani-pedis ourselves! I took a photo of her patiently sitting with her nails while Crystal added flowers to her toes. We’re already planning to do it again next time she comes!
I am so honored to have such a strong connection with Eliana. My aunts were so important in my life and I can’t even begin to express their roles in my life. I hope I can be a support to her the way my aunts have always been to me.
Though the visit exhausted me and I did spend some time in bed while they were here, I miss Eliana dearly. My heart is full of the memories of our week together and her sweet hugs. Her drawings surround me and I know how fast the time will pass until I see her again, but I miss seeing that pretty face each morning!
This week, I joined my husband, Dave, on a trip to Chicago, IL. While Dave was at the annual American Academy of Neurology meeting, I met Joanne in Chicago for a few days of fun. We had a fantastic time time!
First, we met for a great dinner at Lockwood, the restaurant in Joanne’s hotel, The Palmer House. I went up to Joanne’s room and we exchanged gifts. FUN! Joanne loved the tote I made for her and said she would definitely use it! She gave me a fantastic doll pin that represented each of us and a fun tote from Target that features spoons! How apropos! We had a lovely dinner and planned to meet the next morning for breakfast at my hotel.
Tuesday morning we met for a long leisurely breakfast. We talked non-stop! And then we went to the Chicago Art Institute. Because Joanne is a member, we were able to see the Edward Hopper and Winslow Homer exhibits without tickets. I had my walker, so we had to find our way through the maze of elevators and floors. I suppose a map would have helped, but neither of us picked up one. The fabulous docents and guards were very willing to help.
We enjoyed both exhibits, but were both pretty tired from standing so long. And, well, we can both always eat! So, we went to the Garden Cafe in the museum for a lovely lunch. We both splurged and had dessert - I had coconut sorbet (YUMMY!) and Joanne had some fabulous-looking ice cream with chocolate sauce. We sat and talked for quite a while and then both decided we were “museumed out”! So we went to the gift shop. It is always fun to walk through museum gift shops. We had fun, but suddenly, I became quite tired. I purchased my gift for Angie and we headed back outside to catch a taxi to my hotel.
We sat in the hotel and talked, waiting for Dave to complete his day of meetings. He came in around 4:30 and we had 5 pm reservations at a lovely little Italian restaurant within a short walk of the hotel, Volare. It was a great meal and very affordable. I highly recommend it. All three of us enjoyed our food!
From there, we grabbed another taxi and wen to see Wicked. Now, for those of you who don’t know, The Wizard of Oz is my FAVORITE movie of all time. Wicked came to Phoenix, but was completely sold out in a short time, so I didn’t get to go. When I found out it was playing in Chicago, I emailed Joanne from my Palm Centro and asked if she was interested in seeing it with Dave and me. We were so lucky to get Center Orchestra tickets! I got an FM receiver from the Auditorium so I didn’t miss a thing. That, combined with my Baha, made for a great experience! If you get a chance to see the musical, do! It’s funny, filled with lots of great dancing, costumes and satire. And the music is so much fun!
The next morning, I met Joanne at her hotel. Our plan was to have breakfast and then to go to the Blick Art Materials across the street from her hotel. It called to us. We had no choice but to visit this two-story art materials mecca. We had so much fun that an hour quickly passed! Joanne was able to get a bunch of Golden’s products she needed for her Art & Soul classes. I was able to find a few things I couldn’t live without that could easily slip into my suitcase! We went back to her hotel to drop off her bounty, sat in the lobby and talked, and then went to a nice long lunch.
I walked back to her hotel with her and we said our good-byes. It was a lovely time, especially knowing that Joanne is coming to Art Unraveled in August, so we will have more time together soon. It was a fabulous time, as we both knew it would be. I’m still amazed at how friendships can become so incredibly strong over the Internet and then can blossom into “real life” friendships.
Wednesday evening, Dave and I went to dinner at Shula’s in our hotel. We were both tired and wanted to have a quiet dinner, which we did. We both needed a good night’s sleep, since Thursday was our travel day and Dave had an early breakfast meeting.
Thursday morning, I slept late while Dave went to his meeting, and then I took some time to draw. I hadn’t taken much time to draw while Joanne was there, since we had so much to share!I was definitely ready to return home. The flight was pretty bumpy, but I didn’t get sick - a huge victory!
I added in some pictures I drew while i was in Chicago. They’re really quite simplistic, but it felt good to have a pen in my hands and to truly observe things. I don’t think I’d have noticed the fabulous columns that make up the Wrigley building without observing it to draw.
Today I’m preparing for our family to visit for Passover. My 7-year-old niece, Eliana, is coming to visit with her parents. We’re having two Seders here at the house. We’ll bring my FIL and MIL over for them and for other days during the week. I’ll be doing art with Eliana! She wants me to teach her some things. I’m happy to oblige! Uncle Dave will teach her some magic tricks, too. It will be a fabulous week, if I can keep track of my spoons!
I'm Fran Saperstein. I'm an artist and writer sharing my life with my
wonderful husband, David. In this blog I will share some of the art I'm
doing, tell you about how I live my life with chronic illness, and
still maintain a positive life here in my Phoenix, AZ home studio. I'll
share what I'm experimenting with, what I'm writing and even (beware!)
what I'm thinking. I am always looking to try new things and to
experiment. I'll share some of my experiments here. Email me.
Today I didn’t have much time for drawing. I went to meet Angie for coffee this morning. She’s getting ready to leave on vacation for a week and we were both in need of a visit! Then I had a meeting with a woman who was interested in seeing the Baha. We met at 10:30 and I didn’t leave until 12:30. It was a long chat, a lovely one, too. We, of course, talked about
more things than just the Baha! One of my favorite parts of meeting people about the Baha is learning about them and their lives. During our conversation, I realized that there was a lot that the woman I was meeting with had in common with my MIL and FIL. So, I asked if I could connect them. I’m happy to say that they have connected and will meet for dinner and dessert Saturday evening! What a lovely way to spend a few hours!
After that, I stopped at a quilt shop I’ve been eying for a long time! I haven’t taken the time to visit in a while, but it’s also been a while since I have bought fabric… So, I went ahead and treated myself to some fun fabrics I couldn’t live without! They’re to the right! YUMMY!
