Sketchbook Series: Painting

I am working on a group of paintings this year. This is one I started and ended up finishing last night. Crank it out, baby! Here it is in progress:

I enjoy painting the human face and/or figure more than anything else, but I only have myself to use as a model. Don't worry, not all my paintings this year will be self-portraits. I have a few animal themed ones and some geometric ones and geisha themed.

I'd like to honor the spirit of Japan through my geisha paintings and express my respect for the culture that is undergoing so much trauma right now. Of the geisha themed art I sell this year, I will dedicate the proceeds 100% to the relief effort.

Vacation

Well, it was kind of a long drive down to Charleston.

There was a lot of screaming, but s'tch-k because we had earplugs.

I sat in the back with the kids for just the last leg of the trip and they were a little happier. I read them some of the most annoyingly silly books on the planet (Sandra Boynton --whom Beatrice LOVES). Amby got really cute.

We had a great time Saturday night with our friends! Robert and Lindsay and their little guy Zion had us over for dinner. We left our camera at the hotel, but Lindsay took some pictures of the kids playing in Z's room.

Tony and Desiree came over too and Amby loved being cuddled by a pretty girl:

We got back to the hotel around midnight and got the kids in bed. It was kind of a long night. Bea kept waking up and freaking out because she didn't know where we were. But we made it through and got up in time for the continental breakfast. Where we got some much needed COFFEEEEE!

After getting ready, packing up the car, turning in our hotel key and playing a lot, we headed downtown to meet up with Tony and Desiree. They showed us their place and we all went out for lunch. They have a cool ride:

 Then we took Beatrice to see the ocean. She lit up when she realized what it was and she took off running!

The ride home was just as long as the ride down. What a fun trip we had, though! I can't wait to go back again when the water is warmer. And can't wait to see all our lovely friends!

Lindsay sent a picture of the quilt I made for them:

Buy Me These Things!

 

here

here

here

here

And get ready for it...

(I'm not giving you the link because I know you'll just buy it for yourself and I HAVE TO HAVE THIS.)

Have you ever had that feeling that if you just had that certain something, you would be happy? Well, I know things don't give happiness. But we all still have those days. 

I'm not going to the gym tonight because I'm exercising right now.

Exercising my Will Power.

Waiting in the Breezeway

Done!

Last night, Lily finished the quilt she's been making for our friends in Charleston. It's a queen sized quilt! I got a picture of her closing up the last edge:

If all goes according to plan, we will be hand delivering it this weekend!

Style Inspiration

My friend Lucy dresses cool.

 

Her style represents so many elements that I love: color, goofiness, effortlessness, girly-ness...

Pandas, slouch boots and belts!!!

Usurp*

 So now whenever I want to use my sewing machine (which is frequently) I have to change out all the thread because someone else has started using it too. James is making his own clothes these days and this machine ain't big enough for the two of us, baby. No, really, I don't mind at all. I think it is inspiring that he can all of a sudden decide to try something that is completely new to him. He is not intimidated at all. He went out and got some really big ladies pants from the dollar rack at Goodwill and has gotten the fit just about right except for the crotch. "Crazy Crotch" as Michael Kors would say.

*Usurp is a word that made me laugh the other day when a know-it-all with whom I work was confused by it.