Krohn Conservatory Sketch

Last week Christina, Amy and I went sketching at the Krohn Conservatory.  It was crazy crowded with kids because of the Costa Rica butterfly exhibit so we made our way over to the far room and found a bench.  We sketched for maybe an hour and then Amy showed us that she had had her sketchbook stamped with a butterfly as she left that exhibit.  When we got up to leave I asked the man so stamp my sketch down in the bottom left corner.  He had other plans and stamped the butterfly right in the middle of my water.  As you can see there is a slight remnant of butterfly in the water.  It was a happy accident because I don't know if I would have used that color blue for the water and I ended up liking it.  Next time I go I want to sketch the bonsai trees.  You can see Christina and Amy's sketches here.

Cast Iron Collection

Last year I photographed my cast iron collection for a creative lifestyle magazine project with a friend of mine.  We discussed different ideas for the magazine and one of the ideas we came up with was to do a feature on collecting in every issue.  Because I already had quite a collection of cast iron insects we started with them.  It was so much fun to work with these metal creatures.  Many of them have moving parts and each one has it's own story.  I was also able to work in some of my favorite vintage fabrics.  I love the way the red petals in the photo above suggest pincers. 

Although the print magazine is on hiatus, the idea of creating a creative community has morphed into a new and exciting project called The Juice Cast.  Check it out here.  I just participated in a podcast with the Juice Cast where we interviewed Gina Weathersby, an amazing local photographer.  Listening to Gina talk about her passion for photography reminded me how much I enjoy it too.  She talked about the importance of doing work where she was her own client and free to do exactly what she wanted.  (And when she put that work out there the response was amazing - you can see it here.)  That is why I enjoyed this photo shoot so much... it was very much me.  So I encourage you all to get out there and do the thing you love, just for the joy of it.

"Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do.

When there is love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong".  

-Ella Fitzgerald

(click on images to enlarge)

Happy Mother's Day!

This little sketch was made from my backyard.  It is the first time I actually sat, drew and painted while sitting outside.  (I usually do a pencil sketch and then take a photo to finish at home later.)  The card started out to be greeting card size (5''x7'') but I ended up cutting it in half because the right side of my drawing was not so hot.  I have been trying to work on my fear of making mistakes and not being so perfectionista all the time...and watercolors are a good way to do it. 

The nice thing is that no matter what I send my mom, whether if be chicken scratch or a masterpiece, I know she will like it because she is my mom.  Sending lots of love to you mom!  Happy Mother's Day!

Maple Helicopters

On my walk last week I came upon these maple helicopters and their beautiful color and ruffled wings stopped me in my tracks.  The next day I returned with my camera and took a ton of photos because I have a crazy idea in my head.  I don't want to spoil it and it might take me a while so you have to wait to see what it is.

When I was googling maple helicopters I was surprised to learn that you can eat these.  You can read about the details here but the gist of it is to harvest when they are green and then boil them.  I think it may be too late this year for us to eat them because they are all brown now.  But if you are still able to try it where you live let me know how it goes!