Category Archives: journal

Mimi’s Cactus

It is the time of the year when my grandma’s cactus blooms. The Fabriano paper was doing its weirdness; I added other colors to the mix and saved the background! “To fully inhabit grief is to hold the contradictions of … Continue reading

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CC’s Sunflower

When I was sick with this cold, I painted things that made me happy. CC had such a cheery image of one of her sunflowers! A huge sunflower with a deep brown center… To hear about classes, follow me on … Continue reading

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USk: City Market and Blue Moon Cafe

I was just getting sick the weekend of the USk worldwide walk. I managed a couple of sketches that were not painted until later — I’ve wanted to paint the marigold City Market in Autumn against fiery trees… now that … Continue reading

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Thanksgiving Cow Goddess

Two days off — this is a big deal this year as we’ve been working round the clock. As I’ve not been up to snuff (bad cold!) we didn’t do some things we might have — Like putting up twinkle … Continue reading

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Apple Pie

Apparently we found the culprits making our bodies swell and ache with arthritis. We are giving up these kinds of desserts; kinda heartbreaking. The good news is feeling better in our bodies again AND not having to do drugs AND … Continue reading

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California Tiles

I love watercolors with tobacco ink… These are mostly my new Da Vinci watercolors sparkling, running, mimicking the lovely California tile glazes…  I love working with California painted furniture. California tiles take me home, to open houses and arched doorways … Continue reading

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Jilanne’s Dogwoods

Jilanne Hoffmann has a great blog on writing, and is a blogging buddy. She shared her dogwood poem with me; I had to put it into my art journal. I am grateful for the friends I’ve made through blogging. Thank … Continue reading

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Gratitude, Everyday Practice

I’ve journaled for ever.  It is only since picking up watercolors that my journal entries have gone beyond sketching and perhaps colored pencils into what I do now, but the discipline and connection to reflection and sustenance was embedded long … Continue reading

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Monterey Platform Rocker

I’m a lucky woman.  I am paid to work in brilliant color on pieces of California history. I love the smell of oil paint when I open the studio door. Catching the wavy base and angles in this drawing — … Continue reading

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Lake Oswego Tree

We were going to a client meeting before the leaves dropped, and the Lake Oswego trees were exceptional! I had a chance to sketch before coming back to the studio.I tried this technique unsuccessfully (not what I was going for, … Continue reading

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Hahnemuhle Nostalgie Journal Wrap-up

I’ve been so busy I forgot to post my flip side-show on my last journal. Thankfully, no music accompanied this one. (Mac tends to continue to override my commands.) This journal is from July to October 2017… Yes I omitted … Continue reading

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Quan Yin

My first entry is the lovely god/dess Quan Yin, aka Kannon, or Kwan Yin. She began life as a he, and over many years evolved into she. The goddess of compassion, akin to Avalokiteshvara / Chenrezig and the Taras. Line … Continue reading

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Nostalgie, Beginning a New Journal, Hygge

I wanted to tell my readers that I am sorry I missed so many comments for many weeks, and am now going back through them. I wasn’t being lazy or busy (I was busy) — WP notifications changed! I opened … Continue reading

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Table Legs

I had the opportunity to repair the finish on these lovely legs from a family table, and now I paint them.  They were stacked in my finish studio for a long time in this manner and reminded me of ancient … Continue reading

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Inktober, 20 Diwali, Festival of Lights

Happy Diwali, of course done the eve of not today! Auspiciously, I filled the last available page in my journal on Diwali Eve with this prayer for Diwali; I opened my next journal the next morning. We light the candles, … Continue reading

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Inktober, Cherished Blogfest 2017

I’ve been remiss about the Cherished Blogfest this year but it must have been in the air because I have company!  It has been extended, and so, here is my entry… AND YOU HAVE TIME TO WRITE ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE … Continue reading

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Inktober, 16 Four Sunflowers

Sunflowers make me sooo happy. They follow the sun, turning their faces upward and twisting to watch it. They are strong, never needing man-made support, a testimony to evolution. Their colors are brilliant and clear. Strength, clarity, ever hopeful, focusing … Continue reading

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Inktober, 13 DeNoble Farms

Dancing light started this watercolor on top of the inked drawing on this page of sketches. I had to add lavender for her. This little stack of pennies on the edge of a stoop I could not get out of … Continue reading

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