The Sport of Doodling

I have been inspired by the doodling or zentangles of other "Sketchbook Challenge" artists. So while watching with friends the Packers vs Bears game and the Steelers vs Jets I doodled. I probably missed a lot of the games action...but look at my doodles!

Bumper Cow - Madison, Wisconsin

Every once in awhile I google my name and this image came up. One of my accomplishments before I started this blog. My husband and I made this for Cow Parade Wisconsin 2006. 101 cows were displayed in and around Madison. I designed and painted the "Bumper Cow". My husband Mark fabricated the seat and opening. He also attached the pole and steering wheel. After they were done being displayed, the cows were auctioned off to benefit various charities.

The story behind this is Mark had surgery on both big toes and his knee before it was due. He took a little time to recuperate before finishing the fabrication. This left me with only 1 week to paint the entire cow, so being stressed out, I gave myself a migraine which lasted the entire time. Sometimes we can't enjoy the process!

Art Journal Page

A wash of dioxazine purple and nickel azo gold acrylics. Do you see what I see?
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He is just staring at me...
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I see a buffalo, so with the help of colored pencils I bring him out. I have no journaling inspiration of my own for this buffalo, perhaps it is because I live in Wisconsin, and I have no personal experience with them.

Next I google "buffalo quotes". I find this - "What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the Wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset." Crowfoot

I write down the quote. Then pencil in snow and a bit of buffalo breath, which were not in the plan until I found the quote.

A cold snowy day today, I doubt I will see buffalo breath though :)

Edna Has a Full Page Ad

This is Edna's full page ad that appears in the latest issue of the Coast to Coast, a magazine of The Boston Terrier Club of America My daughter Brook is a graphic artist and was the designer. Her company is Gunther Graphics, named after her first Boston. Yes I am biased, I think my little Edna is adorable!

Today's Art Journal Page

My journal entry for January 15, 2011:

First, I looked for a face

and found her, with eyes wide open.

Then I gave her a dove,

so she could be at peace with what she saw.

RAEvN



Today I tore down a watercolor paper into 8" x 10" sheets. Then I painted washes on them. This one has a wash of Burnt Umber and Phthalo Blue. Isn't it amazing all the colors that can be created from mixing only two colors? I turned the paper around in all directions until I settled on this one. From this wash of paint I created the journal entry above using colored pencils.

bleeding hearts

My latest art journal page. I'm dreaming of Spring, bleeding hearts are one of my favorite flowers. I purposely used black ink for my journaling so as to not compete with the drawing and somewhat camouflage it. In retrospect using a white gel pen may have made it more visually interesting.

Jack in the Pulpit

After drawing the Jack in the Pulpit I needed some inspiration of what to write. I wandered around on facebook, seen a post by Jill K. Berry, visited her blog...and found a poem that I liked by Wendell Berry. Thank you!

Rufus - Sketchbook Challenge - Highly prized

My posting for the "highly prized" theme of the Sketchbook Challenge wouldn't be complete without Rufus. I am on a journaling roll. I hope to continue this pace for the rest of 2011.

Sketchbook Challenge - Highly Prized

I decided to join the group The Sketchbook Challenge. One of my goals for 2011 is to try and work in my Art Journal every day. Jill K. Berry is hosting the group this month. The theme for the month of January is "Highly Prized". Jill and I have worked on several projects together and I am looking forward to being inspired by her and the camaraderie of being in a group.

I drew Edna first, our little "Champion". Next was Spanky. Then Ziggy and I want to draw Rufus yet.
Journal pages of Noel the Christmas pigeon. She was with us for just a short time.


Drawing of my Dad. It's most difficult to draw people that you know!

New Years Day Toad. What can I say?

Always have trouble deciding on subject matter. Picasso and Willie Nelson. Two very different artists.

I needed to accomplish something quickly.

Sketched while sitting in the foothills near Asheville, North Carolina.

Merry Christmas from Olive

A Pigeon in a Pine Tree

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me "A pigeon in a pine tree!"

Two weeks ago today I was driving to West Bend to do some Christmas shopping. On the way I noticed a bird huddled by the side of the road, it was sleeting out. I pulled over to check it out and it was a pigeon. I stooped to pick it up and it didn't even try to get away. It's wing was broken, eye bloodied and blood coming from the beak. The prognosis didn't look good, but I put the pigeon on the mat rubber side up in the back of my car and scooped up a bit of snow. At least it would be out of the elements (I hate Winter, and being cold). I checked on it at each stop and noticed it took a drink of the now melted snow. I did my planned shopping and when I arrived home the pigeon was still alive. So I put it in a crate with some water and food. It drank a little water. The next day Noel, the pigeon, was moving around a bit and it's eye was mostly cleared up. I taped the wing up and hoped for the best, which would be to release it back into the wild. Noel has recovered except for it's wing. I guess I now have another pet. The pigeon is quite friendly and enjoys coming out of the crate. Time to find a bigger cage!

Etsy Shop Updated

I have been busy uploading items to sell in my Etsy shop RAEvNsNest today. Besides art I am also listing collage, assemblage and other art supplies. All of this takes so much time! I have been telling myself all year that in the Winter this will be my focus. So lets keep trying :)