Happy Easter!

Happy Easter Egg Hunting!

"swim"

Illustration Friday "swim"

It's been a busy weekend---I worked on my print "The Nest" in my friday night class as I needed to get it done for the NH Art Association Print Show drop-off on Sunday. Saturday I went back to the Institute to pick up the prints from the drying rack, and headed to AC Moore for the frame, then down to the hardware store for a piece of glass. I measured and cut the mat, then spent time trying to pick out the best print for the show. I taped the contenders onto the dining room wall, and had my husband and daughter pick the one they liked the best. We came to a consensus, even though I was still wavering Sunday morning when I finally put the frame together. I had a pleasant drive to drop off the print as it was a beautiful sunny day with temperatures in the high 40's. I'm listening to the Audiobook, Pillars of the Earth, right now, so I don't mind being in my car, as the book is very entertaining and as it deals with many characters, plots, and the building of a cathedral in the Middle Ages. I just finished another Ken Follet book, Fall of Giants, and have the next book in the series, Winter of the World, waiting in the wings.

I'll post an image my new print this week as soon as it dries completely and I can put it on the scanner. If that doesn't happen I'll take some pictures with my camera. Well it's almost 10pm, and I'm just happy to  have gotten my Illustration Friday drawing posted before the weekend ended.

Think Spring!

"Eyeglasses"

Illustration Friday---"Eyeglasses"

Seems like this is a bit redundant, but I'm home from school again today due to a snowstorm. We're expecting about 12" throughout the day and into the evening. As you can probably guess, everyone is sick of the white stuff, and praying for some spring-like weather.

I'm working on a new print, and may be able to finish it today. While out walking last month, I noticed a small bird's nest in the shrubs near the river. I liked the idea of the resilient little nest in the winter landscape. I'm working in a slightly different manner for this print. Instead of going from light to dark values, I printed a dark background, and am working toward the white. I also printed some on black, blue, and brown Canson papers to get more contrast. I will post the finished print when I'm done.

"Sadie" Print

I finally finished printing the last layer of this reduction block print of my cat, Sadie. Using a soft-cut block, I cut out the white areas, and printed a light gray layer first with Akua ink. The next layer was light beige, then an orangey tone, with black being the top layer. She has a lot of variety in her fur patterns, so I found it challenging to carve them in reverse, as well as thinking about which layer needed to be cut away. She's a sweet cat, and I'm pleased her impressive whiskers are still evident in the final state of the print.

Yesterday

"Sometimes it seems like it was just yesterday"

This is what my backyard looks like today. It's the 10th of March and my little fenced-in (woodchuck protection) vegetable garden is still covered with snow.

The weather was mild this weekend (high 40s) and I took a good long walk each day, as the sun was shining for the first time in a while. We didn't have school on Friday as it was snowing like crazy the night before and into that morning, and the roads were terrible. Fortunately, the past two days were lovely and Spring-like. I hope the snow is all gone by Easter, which is only 3 weeks away!

Talent

The refrigerator is the best place to display "new talent"!

Winter seems to be tenaciously hanging on into March. We're expecting another storm tomorrow into friday---heavy wet snow and rain---everyone is dragging around looking up at the gray skies and dreaming of some sunshine. Fortunately, we turn our clocks ahead this weekend, so the days will be lighter longer, and that should improve our moods.

It's been a busy week, so I'm posting my black and white version of this week's Illustration Friday theme before it's friday again.

Think Spring!