Monday, July 21, 2014

Thanks, Ogden

The Ostrich
by Ogden Nash

The ostrich roams the great Sahara.
Its mouth is wide, its neck is narra.

It has such long and lofty legs,

I'm glad it sits to lay its eggs.

(BTW, Love this ink resist technique!)
(Did I say that already?)

Sunday, July 20, 2014

I've Been Hosed!

Yesterday I tried the ink resist lesson from Val's online course.
First, the pencil sketch, then white gouache applied everywhere except the areas where black is required. Let it dry for the day. Black ink was then brushed over the entire board and it was left to dry overnight. This morning the garden hose jetted all the unwanted under layer of gouache away leaving the ink behind. 
It is now drip-drying in the sink.
I'm quite pleased with my first attempt!
 Lots to refine, but . . . a neat thing to do.

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Goofin' Around

 Thought I'd start another bird today.
Val's lesson this week was about ink resist. I'll try that later on. 
I just wanted to goof around with my paints for a little bit.

Trying to match colours and laying down some areas.
I tend to work slowly. Wish I didn't. I'd love to be looser, but 
my tendency is to be precise.
 Hmm . . . 

Sunday, July 13, 2014

My Very Own Winston

      In 1922 Churchill wrote Clemmie, 
"If only we could get a little country home within our means and live there within our means, it would add great happiness and peace in our lives."
 That was Chartwell.
Churchill built various outbuildings and
 substantial brick walls around his property.

This is Fair Ground.

The wall doesn't quite wrap around the property,

and we'll never have tourists visiting, but . . .

it allows us to live within our means and,

as with the Churchills, it has added happiness and 

peace to our lives.

Friday, July 11, 2014

Oh, Yeah . . . Knitting

Malabrigo sock yarn becoming Anne Meade's 3S Shawl.
Easy, cute and quick.
Optional edgings.
Pattern available on Ravelry.

Deliveries


 Oh, happy day!

 Oh, happy day,

 when Canada Post . . .

delivered Rowan my way.
Oh, happy day.

( PS  the discontinued Felted Tweed Chunky is available from Little Knits )

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Pursuing Phantoms, Chasing Chipmunks

 Like a rocket shot to a ship ashore
Bunny after the chipmunk tore

Like a ripple of wind running swift on grass;

 Like a shadow on green a cloud blows past,

 Like a kestrel chasing,

Like a sickle reaping,

Like all things swooping,
Like all things sweeping,

Like a venomous snake with poisoned teeth,

Determined to flush the creature beneath.

Then dinner calls this hound away
And the chipmunk rests in peace another day.

after John Masefield's The Fox Hunt



Thursday, July 3, 2014

Birdies

Last Monday I started an online course called . . . 

In addition to a block of watercolour paper I also bought this . . . 

We're using Daniel Smith paints which are unfamiliar to me.

I loved them immediately. Val chose a wonderful palette.

 I'm impressed with the way the six colours mix.

 I stopped at 11 pages of sample colours.

 Val gave us many bird photos to begin our study, but I have a thing for 
Shoebill Storks right now, so . . . 

 I think this may be next . . . 

 . . .  or this.

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Canada Day at The Fair Ground


Early morning window gazing

and a chipmunk vigilance.

Late afternoon window staring

 
 and a strawberry cleaning

and eating!

Plus, assisting at the Glen Fitness Studio during the Canada Day Celebrations in Glen Williams and watching D march in the parade with The Sandhill Pipes and Drums . . . but, alas, no camera.