20 Minute Challenge

  Today I committed to artist Michael Nobb's 20 Minute Challenge  www.michaelnobbs.com
  I set my timer and drew for 20 minutes.  Once I was able to block out the ominous "tick tick tick" of the timer I got into my project, and drew and colored quickly.  I used my Pigma pen (no pencil, no eraser).

  I really enjoyed doing this and have caught the drawing obsession again.  I used to draw all the time as a child but got away from it when I was in my twenties.  Now I can see myself clearing the deck of everything else and just drawing.

Today's Journal Page

Stuff from my desk

Not in Wonderland

  I haven't drawn anything in awhile, so I decided to grab an envelope and make some mail art.  I was listening to Blondie's "Rapture" at the time.  My drawing morphed into this Alice theme somehow.

Things in my Studio

  When people come over to our house, eventually they congregate in my studio.  I surround myself there with things I love and inspire me.

  I got this 3 foot tall, richly dressed Hare at Home Goods 5 years ago.  He spends his time consulting his pocket watch, chiding me if I am on the computer too long.

My Latest Painting

 I started this painting so long ago I forgot.  I don't think I've ever painted something and liked it right away or considered it finished right then.  I seem to let them sit and percolate because they are missing "something" to me.
  After being scolded by the very big raven that considers my back yard HIS territory, it was time to finish this painting.  It's a little one, just 4 inches by 4 inches, done in acrylics.
  Maybe I'll try a larger canvas some day.

  " A Murder of Crows"

What Makes it Last?

  It was such a beautiful day here in Tucson.  The sun returned and it felt so good to be outdoors.  I just love my back yard-it makes me happy.
  I started looking around me, wondering what I could find to use in a piece of art?  We have several yuccas and I admit I don't care for them.  Today I REALLY looked at them and found interesting twigs, an almost burlap-like bark and fibers that resembled twine.  All from two yucca plants!  So I gathered a bit of each, plus some eucalyptus leaves from an old floral arrangement.
  Inside my studio I rummaged around and took out two real quail eggs that I saved from last year.  Attached to the dried out eggs were a few quail feathers.
  The paper background is something I painted awhile ago and the white frame came from my stash.  On the one hand I cringe thinking just how much stuff I have.  But I'm using my other hand to pat myself on my back because I used up stuff and some of it was absolutely free.
  The idea to make this piece was inspired by Vancouver artist, Kirsten Chursinoff.  She makes awesome art quilts and pieces inspired by nature.

  While making this I was listening to Stephen Bishop's "It Might be You".  It's "our song".  There's a line in it that says
  "Looking back as lovers go walking past...
  All of my life
 Wondering how they met and what makes it last...."

76 Postcards for Dad Project

  Almost three years ago I started a project called "76 Postcards for Dad".  I wanted to make a postcard for every year of my dad's life.
  Sometimes the creating was easy.  Other times I'd go for weeks without inspiration.  Last night the elements came together.
  I call this postcard "On a Happier Note".