Took some time to scribble a bit…wanting to learn to use pastels and played around a bit. Wondering why oh why I have no idea just what to do with them…I have  a very lonnnnng way to go in that area. I will eventually post something for you need to have a starting point. Now mixed media…I can make use of pastels to add color to a Digital print….but to create an entire painting….need lots of practice Until I get the courage to paint and post I will just post a few more scribbles. These were done in a small sketch pad…reg. pencil.  Someone inquired the ther day why I squeeze so much onto one page…because

I had several phone calls to make….so not sure what many do when on the phone…you know those conversations when the other person does all the talking and your going….yes, yes….hmmmm….well I confess…most of the time I am paying attention…I swear Then there are those occasion’s that my attention span, well I drift off…one hand reaches for the pencil….the other the sketch pad and I just scribble away. Which leads me to the thought of the day….are quick sketches and scribbles art?

Did my best to finish a few things on the pc….the mind kept wandering mid afternoon. I was just not able to concentrate. So….looked around at the puppies….all napping…Niki kept looking up at me wanting to go swimming….which, by the way we eventually did. Picked up the sketch pad and found myself just scribbling away….I find this helps to un cloud the mind…and relax me. Never did get back to the PC so as to show that I just did not goof off all day going to share my scribbles….the good, bad and the ugly….if you look at the middle page, that is the view I have from my chair…picture my chair in the middle looking down. I am always surrounded by fur and love. I guess I was just tooooo relaxed for it seemed to me to be to much of an effort to go into the other room, turn the scanner on….grabbed the camera and just photographed instead….too lazy even for that….set the camera to auto (folks there are rules to follow when photographing in bad light, a white BG with a digital camera….I did not follow any). These images will be used in a class as an example of what Not to do (yeah, like that was really my intention…yep the lazy days of summer are upon us)…..maybe tomorrow I’ll show how to do it correctly…better yet, just maybe I’ll turn the scanner on

                                                              Late this afternoon found myself and the pups sitting out back. While a very warm day…it was not that muggy and for whatever reason there did not seem to be very many annoying mosquitoes to bother us. I brought along my little scribble pad and an old pencil that is in need of sharpening….too lazy ;-) 

The raccoon came to visit, as did I think about Phoenix as a pup…and then watched the birds for a bit. All the while scribbling away all on the same page….the door bell rings. A friend stopped by and I showed her to the yard where we were hanging out and I excused myself for a few minutes to get her something to drink. Come out and she is looking through my scribble pad. She looks at me and asks how in the world I turn them into paintings. I smile and explain they are not turned into paintings but rather just little scribbles and doodles that may one day be used for reference. Now…I am not going to win any awards for my scribble pad…I am always surprised if and when people see it for they looked surprised…maybe they are thinking I am a bit mad?  I usually do not show my scribbles off for they are like my personal notes….things I reflect upon….or just simply little doodles….a wonderful way to relax.

So, fess up….who has a doodle pad?

                                                                        I have a very difficult time getting myself focused on Mondays. I wander aimlessly around thinking of all the things I need to do, but never addressing them. Due to this Monday has become my “official” day off. This morning found me hanging out with the “pack”…we wandered the yard….taking in all the sights, sounds and smells Due to the storms that came through the ground is still wet, several trees down behind the house. As I often do….camera in hand. Noticed Phoenix and Niki taking a break….she just has to place her tiny 20 lb frame next to his…they are too cute together. Also….the lone flower after the storm….the last of the buds has bloomed. Lastly, I did a bit of sketching. An update of the self portrait of Phoenix & myself.

Last break of the day, almost there.

Had a few extra minutes in between other work to work on this a little.

Making some progress…but still very much a WIP.

On the easel for today is a charcoal of the baby I painted the other day. This is just a doodle and just needing to do something without having to worry about anything so in the end it

will be based very loosely on the original subject.

As you can tell, usually I have several sketches and paintings going at the same time
It is a very wise thing to take breaks and walk away….start a new with fresh eyes.

I love using the chalks….while this is a B/W I added color to the eyes to draw more attention to them.

Not everyone wants a portrait painted….so we also can create a portrait by sketching the subject. Paper can be of any color.

I had a time for a quick sketch!

Our booth at the market….we are selling paintings on canvas, 11×14 prints and tee shirts. Hopefully this weekend the mug press will be ready to go….keeping our fingers crossed!