When life gives you lemons, draw them, 11 x 14 inches dry pastels, graphite on paper

"When life gives you lemons, draw them." (Nikki)

"Color! What a deep and mysterious language." (Paul Gauguin)

inspiration

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Temple of Horus

Wednesday, September 18th, 2024


 

Temple of Horus, Edfu Temple, Egypt, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper
Temple of Horus – Edfu Temple, Egypt – Falcon, Ruler of Skies and deity of the pharaohs, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper

Cam’s crab shell

Tuesday, February 6th, 2024


 

Cam's Crab Shell, taped then painted with acrylics

Who sees a crab shell on the beach and thinks, “I wanna paint that thing!”? … my 12-year-old grandson. We took him to see the Pacific Ocean for the first time when he visited us during Thanksgiving last year. He also gathered a lot of shells to create a video of smashing. When I go to the beach, my imagination only ventures as far as how pretty it would be as a pastels-on-paper seascape, but true creativity knows no bounds. I love it!

Day Lilies

Saturday, July 10th, 2021


 

Day Lilies, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper
Day Lilies, 18H x 24W inches soft pastels on paper. After 5 days of chasing an unsuccessful forest piece, I ripped it up, broke free of the frustration and had some fun with a new subject, colors and a completely different style. Art: no rules! This is my answer to “if you’re not enjoying it, why are you still working on it?”

Serenity

Wednesday, August 12th, 2020


 

Serenity, The Moor Klein Bylaer, Holland - 16H x 20W inches soft pastels

Serenity, The Moor Klein Bylaer, Holland – 16H x 20W inches soft pastels on paper. Photo inspiration thanks to Willem van Leuveren Sr. Here is his main website. I never use other’s photos for my artwork but I was so moved by Willem’s photo, I asked for his permission to use it. Finished pieces are not replicas of the photos I use to create them. They stir up a lifetime of experiences and memories. Thanks so much, Willem!

Monte “maskot”

Sunday, April 5th, 2020

Monte maskot face mask
Yellow and pink Monte masksAbove: Monte “maskot” face mask for our social responsibility while out and about during COVID19.
The Monte Files were listed on my very first website (2003) with the invitation for you, whoever and wherever you are, despite your age or artistic capabilities, to send in your version of Monte or a character inspired by him, and add it to the collection. The invitation still stands.
Your character can be created using any sort of media. Copy any version of Monte in the Monte Files and re-invent him, trace him or print out pages from the Monte Coloring Book at the bottom of the Monte Files page and color or paint it, write a joke or add hand gestures (as in Monte Cycles 2006). There are no rules except have fun with it; Monte’s up for anything!

Lifetime supply of Monte

The pattern I used is here. I found that the suggested interface makes the mask too thick and not porous enough for breathing, so I made some without and they are much more comfortable. It depends on the kind of fabric you’re using, but the mask still holds its’ shape with double-folded fabric.

Smiley face mask


Monte Earthbag with pockets and change purse, black with sky blue lining

Decorative vine balls

Monday, July 30th, 2018


 
Decorative balls made with periwinkle vines

Tidying up the garden mid-season, the periwinkle benefit from an aggressive cut-back, so these decorative balls were made with the vines that would otherwise end up in the yard waste bin. These vine balls can be created any size and the larger ones don’t require much more effort than the small. Tomato cages prop up larger balls perfectly if you don’t have hooks. Inexpensive solar lights were removed from the stakes and snuggled into the top of each woven ball where they emit a peaceful glow at night.

Inexpensive garden solar lights are snuggled in the top of the ball, very attractive at night.

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Periwinkle vines stripped of leaves. Make a loose wreath, wire-wrapped at two endsHow to create: use fresh periwinkle vines stripped of leaves. Dried vines are difficult to work with, and even soaking does not reconstitute them satisfactorily, so plan to make balls the same day vines are harvested.
Pull out 1/4 of the vines on each side of wreath and wrap with wire. Continue wrapping groups of vines together in a symmetrical fashion.Make a loose wreath, wire-wrapped at opposite ends. Pull out 1/4 of the vines from the main section to each side, wrapping centers with wire. You will then have 2 wreaths interlocked. Continue adding and weaving in extra groups of vines in a symmetrical fashion. Keep pulling smaller groups of vines together until the ball is compact, constantly judging and defining the shape.

For a while it seems like a chaotic mess, but keep pulling smaller groups of vines together. Constantly judge and define the shape.Like anything made by hand, the first stages are most difficult and may seem like a chaotic mess, but stick with it and you’ll be happy you did.

Tips: 1) 24 gauge florist wire is most finger-friendly 2) the solar lights don’t sufficiently recharge if dropped inside so are placed on top where they still show off shapes nicely in the dark. 3) Virginia Creeper is excellent for this except it irritates the skin, so check into that if experimenting with other materials. 4) don’t use blackberry vines.

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Inexpensive solar lights removed from the stake are placed in the top of each woven ball.

A Creative Twist

Saturday, January 19th, 2013


 

  Sugar cookies: leaf-shapes placed over twisted waxed paper create 3D effects

…well, just a twist of waxed paper actually. The leaf-shaped cookie dough was laid gently over twisted pieces of waxed paper. After the cookies baked and cooled the waxed paper was removed, so they’re a little more interesting than flat cookies.  The Sugar Cookies recipe is the same as used for Culture Cookies, which is listed at the end of the article. While you’re munching on the cookies you bake, browse back to the top and read the article!

 

The insight of a nine-year-old

Monday, June 25th, 2012


 

“It does not matter how much you see, it matters if you appreciate what you see”

Fintan Fox, 9 yrs old. Below, an angel fish drawn after snorkeling in Figi

Fintan Fox, Angel Fish, pencil crayon on paperI recently had the pleasure of conversations with nine year old Fintan Fox, the son of a good friend whom I had not seen for over 35 years. My friend Julie and her son, Fintan, both created blogs about their extensive travels beginning in England where they live, to Russia last August, then through China, Thailand, Cambodia, to Australia, Figi, and now through western North America. They are on the last leg of their year-long trip around the world, stopping to visit us in Oregon on their way to Canada.
This drawing is one of Fintan’s blog entries, an Angel fish drawn after seeing some while snorkeling in Figi. So impressive! With a minimum of information, the style is bold and confident… simple, yet accurate. Similarly, he writes with matter-of-fact wisdom, and surprisingly well-thought-through opinions. Wow, nine year-olds can be great sources of inspiration.

Dr. Ip

Friday, November 25th, 2011


 

Dr. Ip's Home Improvement Tip

The move west, and renovating homes around that, has unfortunately thrown my career on the back burner. Hence the home improvement tip brought to you by Dr. Ip, another new character based on good ol’ Monte, who has evolved since 1974 and still plays a part in my expressions today. He’s getting a good work-out these days!

The secret life of wall paint

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011


 

The Secret Life Of Wall Paint

Monte paints wallsI have a whole new respect for all trades-people! All I’ve had time and inclination for art-wise are a few little cartoons using my laptop now and then. I’m going a little nutty with all the wall painting here in Ottawa (Canada), renovating a townhouse to get it ready to rent. With no TV in the evenings I’m having some fun with the secrets revealed to me as I work. Monte is optimistic….

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