Thankful...

So thankful to be able to steal away some time with my girl.  We escaped to the city to protect ourselves from the flu. Unfortunately, half our family is really sick.  My daughter and I spent the day shopping,  going to the World of Coke, and riding Skyview Atlanta. It was a perfect day.

I took my sketchbook along to capture the day.  I can't wait to share my new sketchbook cover from Sula Jane and Earl. It is made from the softest leather.  Inside it has a pocket perfect for my small watercolor kit. A pen, pencil, and  (of course) my sketchbook fit in perfect slots made just for them.  I love having it with me where ever I go!

A Day in the City...

I had my own little sketch crawl yesterday. I boarded the Marta train and rode the train into Atlanta.

I drew a few of the passengers as they were heading home from work, to the airport, or into the city for fun. I got off the train at Arts Center and walked to the High Museum of Art. On the way I saw the most interesting house Named Fort Peace or the Castle. It is interesting the way it is still standing in the midst of the skyscrapers.

 

I sketched for a few minutes while sitting on a wall by the street. The problem with going on a sketch crawl by yourself is that you are by yourself! Sitting on an empty street by yourself may not be very smart. So I took a picture and walked on to the museum.

 

On the lawn of the High there were a bunch of little girls having a birthday party. They were so cute running around a playing on the big lawn.

 

The High has a special exhibit Go West! Art of the American Frontier from the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. It was very interesting. They only had a few watercolors. Most of the paintings were oil on board.

 

I bought a few little things in the gift shop. Check them out!

 

 

I bought a pin (a High Museum pin), a pen (a High Museum pen, LOL!), and a brush. Funny thing is the brush is a pencil! imagine and brush and a pencil together, what a great idea! Afterwards, I went to Binders and picked up some supplies.

 

 

Here is my page in my sketchbook...

 

What a fun day. I enjoyed spending time in Atlanta!

 

Thank you for peeking inside my sketchbook.

 

A Nice Little Travel Palette...

Hello All!

Tonight I made myself the cutest little travel palette for my purse. I had been using a tin gift card box from Michaels but the top wasn't attached so their wasn't a way to mix my colors without putting something down. I had a very thin (5 inch x 5 inch) metal CD case I bought at Sam Flax (sorry, I don't see it offered on their website) I thought would be perfect for this. I had been storing my handmade stamps in it. 

Here is how I set this up...

Step #1

First, I prepared the lid to make a palette area to mix paint. I cleaned the lid with rubbing alcohol and used painter's tape to tape off the edges so I would get a nice sharp paint line. 

Step #2

Then I used some white acrylic paint and paint the inside of the lid.  All I had was an expensive tube of Golden. I usually have some regular acrylic white paint hanging around, but not today! Only the best for my little box. 

Step #3

I had to figure out something to do while I waited for the paint to dry!

Step #4 

I labeled my little 1/2 pans I bought from Daniel Smith and filled them with paint. Okay...for you paint nuts, here are the colors I chose:

Holbein Ivory Black

Daniel Smith Lunar Black

Daniel Smith Sepia (a fave!)

Holbein Burnt Umber

Holbein Peacock Blue (a fave!)

Holbein Ultramarine Blue Deep 

Holbein Terra Verde

Daniel Smith Hooker's Green

Holbein Antique Spring Green

Windsor Newton Quinacridone Gold (new fave!)

Holbein Yellow Ochre

Holbein Permanent Yellow

Holbein Antique Orange

Holbein Vermilion Hue

Holbein Crimson Lake

Holbein Opera

Holbein Titanium White

Step #5

I ran to Michael's with my 50% off coupon and bought a new brush and some magnet sheets with adhesive backing. I used Glue Dots in my last box but if the paints are left in the hot car in Georgia, the glue gets loose and the pans move around. I wanted to maintain the flexibility of changing out my pans but I want them to STAY PUT. We'll have to see if the magnets will work. I attached the magnets to the bottom of the pans and stuck them to the metal box.

Step #6

Note to the family: Buy me some beautiful travel brushes! Don't wait for my birthday...show me some love NOW! Binders in Atlanta has a beautiful set of travel brushes available for purchase in a display case right by the front door. Don't wait!

...

Well, since my plea didn't work I had to saw off the end of the beautiful new brush I bought so it would fit in the box. I put painter's tape on the brush to protect the paint and used my handy Dremel to saw that sucker off! (Note here: I probably could have used the money I spent on the Dremel a couple of months ago to buy the travel brushes but the thought didn't occur to me at the time). I dipped the end of the brush into some acrylic paint and hopefully the paint won't chip.

Step #7

I painted a little reference card to include inside the box. On the card I always put my phone number so if I leave my paints (sketchbox, shoes, coat, etc) in a rental car again, the Enterprise guys will call me to come get them. (Yes, this happens all the time.)

Ta Da...

A little travel palette all my own!

A Study in Blue...

I purchased a couple of new colors at Binders Art Supply in Atlanta. Little did I know that I have driven by this art store many times in the last month. The day was beautiful and it was nice to visit a cool store and stock up on supplies! Plus, I loved playing in the city!

I purchased Holbein Peacock Blue and Horizon Blue. I have tried 5 different watercolor brands and Holbein remains my favorite. I won't list the brands I don't care for because I believe I'm still too much of a novice to be an expert on brands. I'll leave that to the pros! 

The ceramic egg holder is one of 2 I picked up off a clearance rack for a couple of bucks (an after-Easter find). These work great for paint!

The finished products...

Thank you for peeking at my study of the "blues".

My New Studio...

I would like to show off where I work. About a year and 1/2 ago I downsized in a big way by moving from my large home in a crowded suburban neighborhood to a little house near the lake. One of the perks of the new house was a beautiful room that was once used as a plant room. It has large skylights and 2 sliding doors. I immediately thought it would be my studio and I set myself up to have a perfect work space. 

Well, life intervened and my sister and I decided we would combine the 2 families and they moved it too! This has been a great experience for us. Both families complement each other and there is always someone at home. Unfortunately, I lost the studio and it became a totally adorable boy's room. 

For a few months I tried different spaces in the house to paint (and work) but I just couldn't find a place that worked until just recently. I moved a drop-leaf table into my large bedroom and set up shop. It is a little space but it is working great. 

My daughter leaves for college in a few months and everyone will shift rooms. My sister and her husband will take over my daughter's large bedroom. My nephew will move to their room and I will reclaim my studio!!! Don't you think it's fair that I get 2 rooms and everyone else gets 1? I'm not complaining.

Let's do a little shout out for a cute little workspace!  Wooo Whooo!!! 

Thanks for touring my little (hopefully temporary) studio!

Atlanta...

It has been a good week. I have traveled many miles and have seen beautiful mountains, lakes, and rivers. As I drove through Atlanta, the sun was out reflecting off of the skyscrapers. I made a quick sketch of the skyline and added watercolors when I got to my hotel room. 

Oh! I forgot the lettering on the street signs! I'll have to figure out what exits are there and add the lettering.

Thanks for peeking in my sketchbook.