Swap Treasure

I finally received my swapdoodle in the mail! It's Mickey Mouse. I also got a little letter from swapdoodle suggesting a drawing of a cassy animal in a hat. In return, they promise to send a code for a digital, mixed tape. I'm in! This is what I came up with: Fox tie and raccoon hat. I have a new found love for Davey Crockett. On a complete side note, I also came up with this lovely yesterday: This one is just a doodle regarding my mixed emotions. The peacock is a symbol if immortality and everlasting youth. 4:02 is significant but I'm not going there. The keys, well, they are too...get creative or meet me for coffee and I'll elaborate. I plan on sending these doodles in later this week. Maybe they'll end up in your mailbox!

Discovery

After spending most of the day soaking up the rays, the girls and I proceeded to roast some Peeps. We made s'mores. It was quite a way to celebrate Jesus! We stuffed our bellies full of refined carbs and sugar and then proceeded to get creative. We pulled out all the stops. Watercolors, acrylics, pastels, markers, you name it! Among creating the work, we also have lengthy conversations about the derivation and interpretation of the work. T has concluded that the womyn in my pieces are self portraits. I usually disagree. I'm sure they tend to look like me because that's what I know. I see myself in the mirror, I know my body and when I draw a female, I draw what I know, ME. I also sketch things that pertain to my thoughts. Things I like, experiences, relationships, etc. I try not to make my pieces too evident but apparently I fail. Of the three pieces to follow, this was the only one I intended as a self portrait:It should be obvious by the boots. I don't own a blue bra/bathing suit but the girls were animate that this was me.

This one evoked quite the conversation. It was a show stopper. It is not me, AT ALL! I drew the snake and when I asked them what they thought, both T and my cousin offered the same interpretation. I tried to clarify my intentions but they weren't biting. "Fine, if that's what you see I'm sure you're not alone." There consensus forced me to add the knife and blood. I killed it. "There! You guys asked for it. If you're going to take it there, I'll make myself clear." I even tried to convince them that if it were me, I'd use a gun. They laughed.

Tonight, T and I will celebrate this drawing by toasting with Champagne. I've been resurrected. It's a new era. If you're up for celebrating a new year, stop by! Bottoms up at 4pm!

Easter Sparks

Happy Easter! You know the critters are rigorously gathering all those pastel eggs that the 'grown ups' hid to well. Even the loathsome animals look sweet when paired with Easter eggs. This was going to be my official Easter greeting but, like many things, a day late and a dollar short. Since I hold you in high regards, I'm sharing it with you now. I hope you appreciate it. I spent my Easter Sunday in Sparks, Oklahoma (You may recall, this is also where I spent a couple vacay days back in March). Bank located at Main and Broadway. Rumor has it, it was once hit by Bonnie and Clyde. This sums up the small town charm of the near ghost town that is Sparks. I caught Tilapia! After a giant, delicious lunch, I took my cousins and T on a nature walk. I granted them access to my secret places. Lucky! In bloom. We had a great time! It was the nicest Easter I can remember. We were all happy campers!

Lazy Day

Saturday, I paid for my Friday indulgences. Woke up, eyes nearly swollen shut, no sleep, dehydrated and a long road ahead. I made some mistakes, let my naivety conquer, lesson learned. After a little TLC, I decided to flip the switch. It was another spring day and I couldn't waste it sitting inside painting myself blue. I hopped on my bike and headed downtown. I caught these two on my porch screen in broad daylight! It's SPING! Finally. I smiled!

One of my frequent stops-Norman's one-and-only, independent, coffee shop, The Gray Owl. They have a patio. This was my first glance. I sat out in the sun in solitude, sketched a little and attempted to rehydrate. My bike trek consumed about three hours and was a much needed boost. Pretty soon Oklahoma will be sweltering so I've been trying to soak up as much springtime as possible. This is the sketch I started. Again, combining elements drawn from life and my imagination. Bump, bump! Just a fender bender. Good thing I carry full coverage!

Saturday was up and down, consumed with lots of thought and silence. I always try to be optimistic in my post because I can't stand to read blogs/post/books filled with negativity. In reality, I'm a negative person. But, I've learned most of my ills and worries are self inflicted so I'm in the process of changing my attitude. The truth of the matter is, I had a bad weekend but I didn't let it phase me for more than a few hours. I don't spill these feelings often because who wants to read them? So why now? Well, occasionally, it's nice to know that someone else is facing the same issues. Every weekend can't be filled with rainbows and unicorns but even through my strife I tried my best to lasso that prism.

All I really have is time. Since this weekend provided three days of exceptional weather I felt it was my responsibility to take advantage. I've lived through a long, gray winter and I refuse to let anything ruin my spring/summer. I have taken heed of my days, I will be positive even when it's harder than just breaking down. With that being stated, I could still use a hug and a kind word now more than ever. I hope your weekend was better but as I said, I can't complain!

U of Tulsa Visit

I was out the gate by 11am last Friday. In no time I was headed up the turnpike, Tulsa bound. I had several items on my agenda. One being a visit to a prospective grad schools, University of Tulsa. On top of being a fan of the city, TU has a beautiful campus. Throw in a gorgeous (and rare) Oklahoma spring day and I'm sold. Almost. Sometimes I make impulsive decisions but this is just to big to be hasty. I met my cousin and his lovely lady, Ali, who both attend TU and they were kind enough to give me a brief tour. I appreciated their hospitality and insight. I'm still waiting on word from three other schools but TU managed to grab a little piece of my heart on Friday. TU with the Tulsa skyline. Sunshine, a breeze, green grass, my sketchpad and live music. TU loaner bikes. Because they care. A product of my visit. Drawing from life combined with my imagination.

It was a busy day. Unfortunately, I didn't cross everything off my list, most likely a side affect of incredible weather. Lots of decisions to be made, practicalities to consider. Tulsa is something but I have to weigh my options. Send me some luck!

Peek-a-bunny!

Happy Easter from me and mine. Today I was resurrected a new lady.

"A time to build up,a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn.
A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together.
. . . A season, turn, turn, turn . . ."

Sigh. This weekend I raked up the old leaves, burned them and now I look forward to turning the over the new ones. Grilled fish, sunshine, pastel eggs, peeps and the countryside are in my immediate future. Hope your Easter is hoppin'. There will be a recap on this weekend beginning tomorrow. Much Love!

Stitching

Lately I've been toggling between embroidery and watercolor. Occasionally, I fuse the two which is rewarding. I'm in the process of nestling into my niche. Last night I concluded a couple of pieces. I started out with a couple, loose ideas and improvised from there. It's not the most professional approach but it makes for a challenge and potentially, an aspect of surprise. I love surprises and happy accidents. Another revamp of an old trick. I primed the textile canvas but was still left with heavy texture making it difficult to watercolor. I feel like it is missing something?

Arachnephobes beware! This started out as a needlework doodle. Practicing painting with thread. I used a fabric sample and created the spider from some cowhide and leather. She's hairy, scary and large (everything a guy could ask for). I wish you could see her person, she's very textural and tactile. Don't get to close. She bites!