Crunch Time

I have one week left to finish up a few paintings for my show at the Pannikin and another one the following weekend in Del Mar. If you're in my neck of the woods, please stop by and say hello. The theme for the Flower Hill Show is "The Beach" and all the artists participating will be donating a portion of their sales to the San Diego Coastkeeper.

Quail Gardens

I know they changed their name to San Diego Botanical Gardens but they will always be Quail Gardens to me.

My nephews asked me to take them there for their birthday. If you haven't been, you really should go check it out. The bamboo forest is amazing and they recently finished building the new kids playground. It's not your regular kids park. They incorporated different educational tools with a tree house, large quail avery, and a vegetable garden.

Can you see the turtle and frog on the lily pads?

Our next class project is underway.

I thought I'd challenge my students with something a little more challenging for their next art project. We are drawing and painting a collection of vintage office supplies which is a great lesson in perspective drawing. Despite some whining, they're turning out pretty cool. There's a couple old typewriters, a stapler, a rotary phone and a chair in the works so far.

You're probably wondering why I have them all blindfolded? This was a little brain exercise to see how they draw using their memory. Then I removed the blind folds and had them draw the same thing with their eyes. Drawing can be a constant battle of the brain telling you what something looks like and the eyes really seeing it. One thing I did notice........ when you cover their eyes, their mouths take over.

Something new

Finally something new right?

The truth is, I actually painted these a while ago but forgot to share them here. My camera really doesn't do justice for these. I tried my best, but couldn't get rid of the glare.

These measure 4x6 and 5x5 inches and were so much fun to do. They were done by glueing down old maps on birch wood, painting out the design in black, and then varnishing over the top. The goldfish one is already sold, but I do plan on making several of these for some upcoming shows next month.

Right now....I'm working on a large octopus painting. I'll be doing a show next month with several other local artists at the Flower Hill in Del Mar. The theme is "The Beach" and a percentage of the proceeds will go to either The Surfrider Foundation or I Love A Clean San Diego.
I will also have my art on display at the Pannikin for the month of July. So as you can see, I need to get to work (aka-play)

Sweet peas

Here are some shots of the sweetest smelling sweet peas in our garden. Art plants them every year in September so that they will be here by Valentines Day. He is so proud of them that he won't let anyone leave without a bouquet.

Now that they are starting to thin out, I'm hoping my sunflowers will be able to put on a good show. Pictures coming soon.

Check it out!

Here's the latest clutch that Briana Edelman has made using my chickadee fabric. It's available in her shop or right here. I just love everything she does.
****this girls got some skills******(pronounced-skii-lllllllllllls)

I love Etsy!

I was approached by Etsy administration about two weeks ago for a special blog feature called "Eye of the artist." It's an article that highlights certain works of art and asks us what are inspiration were for the piece. This weeks subject was the sea. If you want to go take a look, it's right here.

Other than that, life has been pretty darn good this week. Hope you all are having a wonderful week as well. Karin

What's one more....

We call him Hank

So we have a little love bird that has decided to make our house his home. He's been hanging out here for a month now, eating on the ground with all the chickens and flying around happy as a clam. He is forever grateful to the one who left his cage door open.