Going to the dark side (they have cookies!)

So would you look at the date of this! 2009! I started another along the same theme, but I didn't finish it in time so you are gonna have to check back next October for that one. (My youngest and her boyfriend both gave it an early thumbs up) I also wish I had seen the dailypaintworks pumpkin challenge before today. I have a funny idea, but I think I've run out of time for that one too.
Well, happy halloween.! Gotta fly!
pencil on velum

Carrot Study (with Justyna's Ribbon)

The other day Lonely Horse (his real name is Tango, but we call him Lonely Horse because he's always been by himself since we've lived here) was calling for a carrot so I pulled this one out of the garden. I was so struck by the way the leaves were springy and yet tumbled that I plopped it in this sweet small jar (that Justyna had created for her sister Ambyr's wedding - see a trend in those names? Huh, do ya? Well, they also have a sister named Melayna so whatdoyathinkofthat?) and started drawing. It is kinda of a shame that I didn't scan the drawing first because I put in a lot of detail in those curly leaves and then when I painted it I ended up using the pallet knife for the tendrils. Live and learn.
Oil on gessoed 300 lb watercolor paper 12x9
And yes, Lonely....er, Tango, got his fresh carrot from the garden. It just wasn't as big or as pretty but he didn't care.
Cheers and God's peace
ks

Greenmilk Weed

My contribution to the WetCanvas Florals/Botanicals mountain flower challenge. I choose Greenmilk Weed in watercolor.

All is getting back to as normal (well, as normal it can be) with her (my snap-dragon!)
Today we have an appointment with the neurologist, but I have no doubts.
Cheers across the cyber-pond and thank you for the kind thoughts.

Pomegranate 2

Well,
thing that go bump in October. Those things being my oldest daughter -
day two of a new medication and she had a seizure. Thank heaven - and Micki - thank you Micki - that she was at Micki's apartment when it happened and Micki was there and ...   thank you Micki.


She is almost back to her usual snap-dragon self.
She asked for one of the pom paintings. Well, of course, she can have one!
Azra, what did I day the other day..... they are resilient. I still feel put through the wringer.

Same size as the other 5x7 oil on canvas   (I'm gonna go lay down for a bit.)

In Quintessence (Pomegranate 1)

The pomegranate tree dropped all its fruit this past month.
I am so disappointed. The squirrels had already been raiding them (I don't mind sharing) but after the drop there was only one left on the branches and not yet split open (which means they are at their perfection state) This one was already hard and drying - but still pretty.
Oil on canvas 5x7
Sung to the song of "In Quintessence" by Squeeze from the East Side Story album.
Listened to all of that album and then on to their Ridiculous album (which I actually like more) while painting this.

Fork (How exciting....)

Ya know how when you look at certain words too long, they sort of... fall apart. Fork. Fork? What a weird word (i before e...except after c    weird..... what?)
OK, I'm rambling again. Bought this lovely and a grapefruit spoon while on vacation and the moment I picked them up I knew I'd be drawing them.
So here's one.  Graphite and colored pencil on Bee paper (ugh, I don't like Bee paper - too soft.)
cheers and God's peace
ks

More randomness (Franco, Statues & Nudes)

 Hi. I cannot believe I haven't posted a thing since earlier this month! Time flies. Anywhoo, this first bit of scratching is supposed to look like James Franco, although I see I "pooched" out his mouth a bit. (I like when I see my work on the computer because it takes it out of my element and I see things differently. Usually the errors are glaring! That left eye is bugging me too! (his left) 

Some statues - 

and some nudes (these from magazine clippings - not life) Trying for that "roundness" quality. Ok, been painting and hope to post that soon. cheers and God's peace. ks

Pastel Fruit and other assorted ramblings including Anthony Waichulis

Buzy buzy buzy! But thought I'd just check in with some randomness.

So, I recently purchased Anthony Waichulis' Drawing Clinic First Steps - which is designed to help his new incoming students tackle the first skills he gives them.  I am believing he must lose a lot of students due to the constraints he first imposes so I think doing this beforehand would help - but as a DVD I wanted a bit more. The exercises are called pressure tests/skills and he makes his students do hundreds of them before moving on. I first saw his hyperrealism pencil drawings a few years back and just about fell over. http://www.aniwaichulis.com/gallery/anthonywaichulis/  So incredible.! 

(Eeek! I added a mouse to my block )

 

I also did some drapery/cloth studies and, randomly, a bit of barbwire  Gonna have to work on the cloth studies a bit more

And then some soft pastel fruit

Not really thrilled with the fruit..... I want more "zing" to them and the soft pastels just don't do for me.

Cheers from me to you!

Fallen

Blazingly hot here
tomorrow is supposed to be about the same or HOTTER!
So,
sitting inside and enjoying the luxury of still life drawing from a LIVE subject (hee hee its really quite a dead and still subject)
Charcoal, Kimberly Graphite sticks, General's earth colored pastel chalk and white charcoal, and a touch of Reeves soft pastel (I don't care for soft pastels - I like the bite of harder stuff) on blue-gray Mi-Teintes pastel paper

Watercolor hotel

Been around but have been doing so much random heres and theres that its almost like I've been on a vacation - so I'll call it that.
Anywhoo, I started this about a week ago and "when I got back" I decided I was done with this. Just kinda lost interest. Straightened a few lines and pronounced it "DUN"!
watercolor on 300lb a mix of tube paint and pencils and that lovely paint brush I commented on before.
From a photo I took while on last year's vacation - a real vacation at that!

(Note to Azra: haahaha! If I find 7 people I'll join in! Thanks for including me in your list! You're the sweetest! :)