They're Back

 

April Showers

 

Recently in these parts we have had a lot of April winds and some showers; however, I prefer blue skies and sunshine.  Fortunately, regardless of the weather, I can always grab a pen and draw patterns that I love....and voila  -- spring appears in an upside-down umbrella.  What a great pick me up as I get lost in the beautiful blooms, vines and leaves that emerge from the marker and spread joy everywhere.

"When spring came, even the false spring, 

there were no problems except where to be the happiest."

                                                                                                                                                              --Ernest Hemingway

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

In light of "Earth Day" (truly, each day is Earth Day) and a particular exhibit of upcycled goods, I refurbished this cardboard box.  The package was intact so my job was easy as I simply used scraps of wallpaper, washi tape, scratch paper and markers to create something unique.  This project was fun as I enjoyed all the colors, and different materials as well as the process.

The first image shows the box after I disassembled it in order to begin the re-beautification process.

"Creativity is making marvelous 

out of the discarded."

                                                                                                               --Unknown

"Eggsplosion"

 

"Easter is the only time when it's safe 

to put all your eggs in one basket."

                                                                                      --Evan Esar

An Idea

 

The inspiration for this Zentangle-inspired drawing originated with the way in which one might select plants for a particular container; i.e., use a filler, a thriller and a spiller.  Essentially, the three main ingredients include a centerpiece or main event, a second item that flows beyond the borders and moves in all directions and a third selection that occupies space and coordinates well with the others. 

Anyway, for a class I am currently teaching, I chose fillers, thrillers and spillers as the theme for this session.  Needless to say, we are having fun exploring tangles in those categories and then creating something that incorporates the three components.  

Now take a moment to revisit my work.  Notice anything?

"Hide not your talents.  

They for use were made.  

What's a sundial in the shade?"

                                                                                                     --Benjamin Franklin

Want to Tangle?

In order to register, please go to www.carnegiestout.org and do so using the events calendar.  It is simple and lots of fun.  I look forward to seeing many of you in these upcoming virtual events.

Shorebird

 

"My soul is full of longing for the secrets of the seas,

and the heart of the great ocean sends 

a thrilling pulse through me."

                                                                                        --Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Seasons Collide

 

"Nature does not hurry, 

yet everything is accomplished."

                                                                                     --Lao Tzu

Recently in these parts more of the white stuff arrived on the landscape and blanketed re-emerging perennials.  Of course, I have to admit that even though I was less than thrilled with snow, the contrasts created on the landscape were beautiful, and I began to imagine names for this art installation just outside my door.  My favorite title referred to the sun and shade sections in a bullring as well as to a beverage known in Spain for its combo of dark and clear spirits -- Sol y Sombra.