And winter goes on...

Counting down the days!   

Hands

There's a temptation to ask people to hold that pose until I finish drawing, but then the whole purpose of trying hands was to work quickly and not worry about a finished piece.  Hands, no matter how often I draw them, are a real stretch for me. And try as I might, I can't recall how they looked once the pose has changed.

Vincent Van Gogh's "hands" are a marvel.  They are humble, strong, and so very, very human.  This site has a number of his drawings.  Enjoy!

Valentine's Package

A little something for the grandchildren for Valentine's Day. I've been making chocolate orange creams for so many years now, I didn't bother to sample them. Typically a third would disappear before giving them out, but I guess I'm officially beyond the taste inspection phase.

Included in their package were watercolors, small brushes, and some tiny little sketchbooks. Every day is a good day to create! And couldn't forget a jar of Maine blueberry jam--which they said they missed.  Enjoy girls!

Good Reads

Three books that I've been enjoying lately are Byzantium: Faith and Power (1261-1557); Glory of Byzantium: Art and Culture of the Middle Byzantine Era, A.D. 843-1261; and Fashion from Egypt to the Present Day by Mila Contini. 

The first two are based on past exhibits from New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art.  You can view some of the artwork here and here.  The later is one my sister found at a yard sale year's ago.  I'm juggling all three evenings where each offers something different. The reading is fascinating and the artwork speaks for itself.

Needlecase

To while away the time until spring emerges, I'm hunkering down evenings with some wonderful icon books-- thank you inter-library loan--burying my nose in colorful seed catalogs, or working on some simple hand sewing.