My Pretty Desk

While FaceTiming my daughter this morning, I thought I would draw my desk a second time, but with my plume de becasse. My earlier version was done with a fine tipped drawing pen, then inked in monotone. I sent the last one to my daughter who now lives in Davis. I will add ink or watercolor tomorrow. Now off to a busy day in the salon!

Amboise, France

Today was a crazy day so I didn't draw at all, so I thought I would post a little acrylic painting I did last year while I was traveling through the Loire valley visiting castles. The owners of this charming chateau (Les Fleurons in Amboise) are so wonderful. And the chateau is sandwiched between the castle and the river, with amazing views from every window! I did this little painting during the three days we stayed there, and gave it to them as a gift when we left.  Notice their funny cat at the door...he always wanted either in or out!

Sweet Chalet...my Favorite Artisan Chocolate Shop!

Have you been to Sweet Chalet yet? Yes, it is a bit hard to find...you will find it upstairs in the freestanding building by the Pink Mall on Dimond. Here you will find the most beautiful and delicious artisan made hand painted Aurora Chocolate Bonbons! Some say they are too beautiful to eat...but they are too delicious to simply look at. GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFT by the way! Ingrid trained in Paris to become an artisan chocolatier, worked in Beverly Hills creating delectibles, and then POOF! Here she is in Alaska, blessing us all with her beautiful tasty treats! Please do yourself a favor and stop in to see her artful creations. Check out her website at www.sweetchaletalaska.com

More sketching while watching TV

It is tough to draw moving objects, and even harder to make it look like a specific person! This is supposed to be Jim Caviezel in "Person of Interest." Not a good likeness, but a good exercise, nevertheless. I love "urban sketching," but my goal for this upcoming year is to work on portraiture. These exercises are for the sole purpose of developing my eye for features.

By the way, how is your 20 minutes going?

Watching the movie "The Best Offer" with Geoffery Post

Got the flu or something today, so laying low. Cuddled up on the couch and sketching a bit during the movie...it is a great film! 5 stars. One of my favorite movies now! How is it that I had never heard of it?

My 20 minutes today...

...was spent dusting off my guitar, quickly tuning it, downloading a recording app and recording a song I wrote when I was 22 years old. Wow am I rusty! It was fun, though. I sent the music clip to my little sister (who was my singing buddy back in the day) even though the music was pretty terrible. The lyrics are cool, though, so hopefully was an encouragement to her. It is called "I am a Masterpiece," and is a reminder that WE ALL are Masterpieces, created by GOD to be exactly who we are. We can always try to live more Godly lives, but our personalities and physical bodies are "woven in the darkness of our mother's womb" and we are "skillfully and wonderfully made!"

So my encouragement to you is, be the best YOU that you can be. The world needs you.

My Favorite Bakery in COLOR!

I wanted to paint all day, but it was a busy Saturday in the salon and had to wait until we closed. There's Frieda in the back...and her mom is a ghost in the corner! Can't really see the ghost in this photo. But I have heard they don't photograph well anyway.