Have you been over to CreativeTherapy today? Catalyst 16 has been published and I hope you’ll take some ti
me to read about what we all did with this week’s catalyst! To the right is the picture I drew for this week’s catalyst. Click on the image to see a larger version at the site and to read the journaling that goes with it. In short, since it was over 110 degrees outside, I took a photo of our house and then drew it freehand using a Pigma Micron pen on 140# Cold Press Watercolor Paper. I colored it in with watercolor pencils.
I’ll also take this opportunity to say “Au revoir” to my faithful reader(s). I’ll be leaving for France tomorrow, I will not be bringing my laptop, so I’m not sure that I’ll get a chance to post from France. I also won’t be able to respond to your emails while I’m away, but I will be sure to share drawings and photos when I return!
I’ll be publishing additional Catalysts and, perhaps, some other posts while I am away. I’m setting these up to publish while I’m gone (fingers crossed that the technology will work!).
June 29th, 2008
Posted by
Fran |
Creative Every Day, Creative Therapy, art, drawing |
no comments
I can’t believe it’s almost here! Monday we leave for France! I’ve had a mixture of feelings about this trip - anxiety about being in a strange country and with limited knowledge of the language; excitement at the idea of seeing France; trepidation about the flight, since I don’t know how it will affect my balance and my health. But, above all this I am looking forward to time alone with my husband. Yes, we will see friends and colleagues, since Dave is presenting his research during our visit, but much of our time will be spent in the romance of France.
Yesterday I spent the morning with Angie since I won’t see her for a while. She came over and worked on some beading while Max sat in the den and watched the Cartoon network. Max is now obsessed with arm wrestling, and tries really hard when we arm wrestle. I promised him that when I get back we’ll have a rematch!
After Angie left, I decided it was time to start organizing all my “stuff” for the trip. I packed most of the carry-on, making sure I had my quart-sized baggie with all tiny bottles that will fit in it. I packed a few small cases filled with the essentials for the flight. FIrst is an audio case for my audio adapter for the Baha and my iPod. I’m using my Palm Centro as an ebook reader, so I have plenty to read and no bulky books or magazines. I also packed some comfort stuff: special protein bars, tissues, some mints, including all my medications in their original bottles (to prove I have prescriptions for them). I also had to make sure that I had a way of expressing my allergies to the chefs in France - they love their dairy and poultry there, and I’m severely allergic to both, among other things. So, I found a company online, Allergy Translation, that creates custom cards for you to carry in English and the language of your choice! I did this a few weeks ago, since I didn’t know how quickly the process would work. Well, it’s almost immediate! So, I printed out a bunch of cards (this way I won’t panic when I don’t get one back from the kitchen!) and laminated them and put them in my travel wallet. I also made sure that my MedicAlert account was up to date with all my medications and allergies. I’ll be wearing my MedicAlert bracelet on the trip, so if there is an emergency, there will be an easy way to get information.
All that’s really left is for me to pick up some soy protein packs and to finish packing, and to wait for Monday! My art supplies are packed in my day pack, along with my folding cane. I bought some hook and loop tape to make sure that my basket stays on my walker, and it appears to be working. I’ll test it today by adding something to the basket to see whether it holds. And, have the list of things I still need to add and later today, I’ll pack my clothes.
Once I got the carry-on all figured out, I decided to turn my attention to my small travel journal for the trip. It’s a green square handbook journal
. The cover is made of canvas board, and the size is great. But it needed something to make it “mine”. I looked at my pile of collage crap somewhat organized e
phemera and I found text about France, in French, maps of France, and some travel stickers. I had been hoarding saving these things for a special project (no, there was no particular project in mind when I came across these things!).
Well, there isn’t anything more special than our trip to France! So, I began by pasting in the map of France. Then I added some quad paper for some tables (what I did today, travel itinerary, etc.) and to add whatever I wanted to those pages. Then I added some ink to age the pages. It was the last thing I did before turning in for the evening. I was feeling excited, but I knew that there was something missing. The colors were too dull for all the energy I feel about this trip. So, this morning, I added some warm colors - yellows, oranges, reds. Now it looks a lot more like me! It’s all ready for the trip!
I’ll try to post more before I leave, but while I’m gone, my CreativeTherapy Catalyst responses will publish! Have an awesome weekend!
June 27th, 2008
Posted by
Fran |
Creative Every Day, art, health, journaling, life, living with chronic illness, travel |
2 comments
Today I decided to sit in the studio. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do, but I was getting sick of the den and I needed to be back in the studio, with all my creative “stuff”. I thought I’d just clear my desk and sit and draw, but then I talked with Angie and she was talking about her painting from the weekend workshop with DJ Pettitt and Deryn Mentock. I decided I’d paint today! I set up my table easel (which is really a folding editor’s desk that I got back when I was editing!) and pulled out my paints and paintbrushes.
I had come across an image in a magazine. The woman’s face showed that she had lived a difficult life. She was very sad and her face has stuck with me for a few weeks now. So, I knew that I wanted to use that image as a jumping off point.
And a jumping off point, it was. It’s not at all like the photo, with the exception of the facial expression and shape of the features. And that’s fine. I’m not a painter who paints things realistically. That’s what photos are for! I like to get a sense of them, so I’m happy with this. The completed painting is to the left. though there may be some fine tuning tomorrow morning after it’s set for the night. And there is a close-up of the face is to the right.
Have a great day!
June 23rd, 2008
Posted by
Fran |
Creative Every Day, acrylic, art, painting |
3 comments
Well, as usual, I’m completely wiped out from treatment. I woke this morning groggy, but I felt good for about an hour and a half. Then the fatigue smacked me down. So, here I sit, in front of the TV on the den couch with my MacBook. Yesterday I was ok for a short time in the morning and then I took several short naps and one 3-hour-long nap. I suppose by now I should be used to it and I shouldn’t be surprised by the level of fatigue I feel. But I’m an optimist, so I always hope that it isn’t going to be as bad this time. Add to that the additional side-effects of the medication that I’ve been noticing more - hair loss being the one that bugs me the most. Vanity, I suppose… 
Today is Sunday, which means that the catalyst for CreativeTherapy is posted on the blog with our design team submissions. This week’s catalyst is “What’s your happiest memory?” I do hope you take a moment to go visit and learn what is behind the picture to the left. Unlike my usual drawings which ar done with some sort of source image as the basis, this one was done from memory. And, I hope you’ll participate with your own response to this week’s catalyst. Take a look!
June 22nd, 2008
Posted by
Fran |
Creative Every Day, Creative Therapy, art, drawing, health, living with chronic illness, watercolor |
2 comments
Thank you all for your kind notes and thoughts over the past few days. They mean a lot.
I spent Wednesday with Angie and her son Max. Max came over to swim and Angie and I got to do some artwork. I was not quite up for doing much, so I just doodled in my journal. Nothing to show, as the page is not finished, but it was a good way to pass the day and Angie let me tell stories about Aunt Millie. She is so fondly remembered by all who knew her.
I’m feeling creative again, so there is finally some art to share!
This week I made a few cases for our trip. To the right you see the first one. This one is a case for a DVD/MP3 player that Dave and I can watch movies on. Since we’re already bringing our iPods, it made sense to have a player that we could share the movies while on the plane and in France. It has a hook and loop closure so the player is safe.
The second is a pencil and pen case that fits perfectly into my daypack and my purse (so it can be used after the trip!). It fits all my Albrecht Durer pencils and Pigma Microns for the trip. I can even fit a tape runner in there
for ephemera I pick up along the way.
Today I picked up some magazines I had been hoarding saving as collage or source photo material. I found a great photo of a mother and baby elephant and I just needed to draw it. Every time I looked at it, I smiled, and I needed some smiling! So, I drew the picture to the right with my Pigma Micron and colored it in with my Albrecht Durer pencils. It was a good way to start the day.
When I finished the drawing, I went to exercise and then I went out for a while. I had to just get out of the house for a while, since next week is my treatment again. In addition, I have a volunteer commitment next week. I figured it was a good time to do some window shopping and a short trip out of the house. It was good to get out of the house and just have a change of scenery.
That’s the update from here! Now to do some more of the CreativeTherapy catalysts for when I’m away!
June 13th, 2008
Posted by
Fran |
art, drawing, fabric, friends, pouches, sewing, watercolor |
2 comments
Have you stopped by CreativeTherapy yet today?
No? Well, get over there to see some of the fabulous artwork for this week’s catalyst! I hinted that I participated this week, and the image is to the right. To learn about the story behind it, you’ll have to go to the CreativeTherapy blog!
Stop by and check it out! If you participate and post a link in the comments at CreativeTherapy, you’ll be in the drawing for this week’s RAK! Jump in now! Can’t make the Wednesday deadline? And, be sure to join our Flickr group, too!
June 9th, 2008
Posted by
Fran |
Creative Therapy, art, art challenge, journaling |
3 comments
Yesterday the latest of the CreativeTherpy Catalysts was published. I participated, so stop over there to take a look at my response to this week’s catalyst, if you haven’t already! It felt so good to draw again and to pick up the watercolor pencils! I’m trying to work ahead on some other catalysts so I can be ahead before I leave for our trip and so I can be prepared for the health stuff that inevitably happens along the way.
I spent the early part of last week working on finalizing plans for our France trip. We ordered lots of travel things from Magellan’s, so we can have what we need to be safe and comfortable. Since I will have my walker with me, I needed a slash-proof backpack to use while we’re there. Better safe than sorry. We’re taking all the precautions we can to be safe and comfortable during the trip. Thank goodness for Chico’s Traveler’s line. That will be my wardrobe during the trip and I love that it is wash and wear and non-crinkle! We are not bringing computers on the trip. We don’t need the extra weight, especially with airlines charging for checked baggage these days! I’m only planning to bring a small journal, some Pigma Microns, a Koi water brush, an eraser, two dozen Albrecht Durer watercolor pencils, a pencil sharpener, and a graphite pencil. Not much, but things that easily fit into my backpack, and are easy to take out in a small area and don’t take up a lot of space.
If you can’t tell, I’m really getting excited about our trip! It’s going to be a blast! 
June 2nd, 2008
Posted by
Fran |
Creative Every Day, Uncategorized, art, health, life, living with chronic illness, shopping, travel, watercolor |
2 comments
Yesterday Dave and I celebrated our 16th Anniversary. I can remember the first time I talked with him and the first time I saw him. We were set up on a blind date by a classmate of his with whom I worked part-time (to pay for the car that I had to have for my full-time job!). He called and sounded so nice. All I knew was that he was in his second year of medical school and that we had similar political and religious beliefs - sounded like a good start to me! And so we went out to his winter dance and then we went out the next night and three days later and as often as possible after that. Neither of us ever dated anyone else again. We were married a week after he graduated medical school.
We had a lovely day together. Dinner at Roy’s Hawaiian Fusion was lovely. Great service, fresh, fabulous food. And they were so wonderful to make up a dessert plate that wished us both a happy anniversary and Dave a happy birthday. You see, Dave married me the day before his birthday. So, when we celebrate we celebrate both.
As you already know, I’ve had some major vertigo going and, a really difficult few weeks. I was finally feeling better Friday afternoon, and I took the time to work on some projects for Dave. Luckily, Dave had poker on Friday evening and I was able to work into the evening without him knowing! 
You may recall an early post of the first collages I did for Dave’s office. The one that was missing was the collage of the nervous system. Since Dave is a neurologist with a specialty in nerve and muscle disease, this is a rather important image for him to have. However, the source images were not working for me. After many hours with Photoshop Elements, I was able to alter the images enough to make them look more artistic and recognizable. The nervous system alone, well, let’s just say it’s got its beauty, but it’s not really something to collage!
In the end, however, the collage above left 20″ x 16″ came out of the work. I’m pleased with it. It’s a bit darker than I’d like, but it completes Dave’s set and he is pleased with it. That, in the end, is all that matters! And, to the right, you see a long collage I did for him with lots of images of the brain. It’s very bright (red is his favorite color!) and I’m pleased with how it came out. Dave will likely put this one in his exam room or his procedure room with the small collage to the left, an 8″ x 10″ small collage.
I have a lot more to share, but we’re getting ready to head out for lunch to celebrate Dave’s birthday with his parents.
June 1st, 2008
Posted by
Fran |
acrylic, art, collage, family, life |
one comment
I’ve been quiet the past few days, but not because of my health. I’ve been focused on sewing and painting for a gift I created for my mother-in-law as a Mother’s Day gift. I’ve had to keep it under wraps, because my MIL reads my blog regularly (*waves to mom*)! It’s to the left. It’s a purse and a matching pouch with hand-painted images of apples. My MIL collects apples and even wrote a children’s book about the importance of apples in the Jewish holidays. I’m helping her to edit and we’re hoping to self-publish before summer is out.
Today, we picked up PF Chang’s and brought it to their house for a family lunch. I spent time with my MIL editing her book and going over the images she has and needs. This week, I’ll start laying it out to be sure we have all the pictures we need and to make sure it’s going to fit within
the parameters of the self-publishing company we’re going with. It was a nice way to spend the day.
This weekend, I also continued to practice drawing. I did a lot with my mannequin. I wanted to get better at proportions and body gestures.
I photographed only a few pages, but I’ll photograph more tomorrow and post them here. It’s much harder than I thought it would be, but it’s good practice, for sure.
And some of you may have noticed that it’s Sunday! Sunday means the new CreativeTherapy catalyst is up with the responses from our design team. Please stop by and see what we’ve all come up with in response to this week’s catalyst #9, “Something you’re pessimistic about”. It was a tough one for each of us, but I believe we got some great art from all the participants!
In the past, I haven’t really posted mine here. However, this was a really difficult one for me. I spent more than a full day on it - unusual for me. To the left is the picture of what I’m pessimistic about. You’ll have to read the journaling here. And, don’t forget: If you participate, respond in the comments at CreativeTherapy and you’ll be entered in a random drawing for a prize from one of our sponsors!
May 11th, 2008
Posted by
Fran |
Creative Every Day, Creative Therapy, art, drawing, fabric, family, journaling, life, pouches, sewing |
4 comments
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!
May 8th, 2008
Posted by
Fran |
Baha Implant, Creative Every Day, EDM, art, drawing, fabric, shopping |
2 comments
