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
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Fran |
Creative Every Day, Creative Therapy, art, drawing |
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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
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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
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Fran |
art, drawing, fabric, friends, pouches, sewing, watercolor |
2 comments
I’ve 
kept up with my drawing for the Every Day in May challenge. I have been like a madwoman with my mannequin drawing this week! I think part of the appeal is being able to pose them - reminds me of playing with Barbie as a kid. Granted, it’s been a long time, and the mannequins are not as disproportionately built as Barbie! 
I don’t really want to post all of the pictures, (you’ll get bored rather quickly, I’m sure, since the subject is the same with just some difference in gestures, but here are a few of the highlights. 
For more, you can go to my Every Day in May set in Flickr. Some are good; some not so much! But it’s all practice and I see the proportions much better.
The hands need much more work, so that’ll be tomorrow’s plan, I think. I just posted here one of the hand pages that includes a full 
mannequin. It’s one of the best. I’m not sure I like the hand mannequins. That may be my problem. But I’ll continue to try and I might get brave and try to draw real hands, too!
Yesterday I arrived at an appointment early. The day was beautiful and I sat in my car blasting Michael Buble on my iPod while I drew the scene right in front of my car. It was the tree, in particular, that caught my eye, but the trash can next to it was an interesting juxtaposition.
I’m sure there will be more drawing tomorrow. Thanks for visiting and have a great day!
May 13th, 2008
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Fran |
Creative Every Day, art challenge, drawing, sketch |
2 comments
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
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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
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.
May 8th, 2008
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Fran |
Creative Every Day, EDM, drawing, sketch, watercolor |
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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?
May 6th, 2008
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Fran |
Creative Every Day, EDM, art, art challenge, drawing, sketch, watercolor |
one comment
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!
May 4th, 2008
Posted by
Fran |
Creative Every Day, EDM, art, art challenge, drawing, journaling, living with chronic illness, sketch |
3 comments
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?
May 2nd, 2008
Posted by
Fran |
Creative Every Day, EDM, art, art challenge, drawing, living with chronic illness, sketch |
4 comments
