Projects Taking Flight....

Good Morning out there!

Well, it has to be a good morning out there, somewhere, just because we've had weeks of grey doesn't mean everyone else has!!

The fellow at right was from the 'southern hemisphere' exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota. Tiny little menacing guy. He looks like he's either busting the best prehistoric moves ever, or he just surprised everyone with 'No One expects the Jurassic Inquisition!!'

He makes me laugh :-)

I actually did some fun, albeit messy sketching there, trying to decipher the skull shapes and bony functions. Couldn't get close - this one was.....tall, among other things. But it never hurts to try ;-)

Today I am time-lining my project. It feels like it's coming together in a pattern of 'go', rather than no-go, so am adding an extra dose of discipline to the current goal of 6 hours/week studio time. I picked up a planner dedicated to studio hours only, which sounds silly, as I am indebted to Cozi on my phone to save my skin WEEKLY, but for concentrated planning, I need the touch and feel of paper....having my finger on the pulse of time for the month, and also it's more visually compelling to see the perceived space, rather than the intellectual knowledge of numbers and days.

While I have been - roughly - hitting the numbers, it's not been specific enough or stumble-free. Today, I am going to schedule the next concepts, block out the days that No work is going to happen, and see where I can up the time. Even though this fall will open up my days better with my daughter in school all day, I'd rather feel ahead of the game by summer, rather than feel compressed later on.

In trying to be ahead of the game healthwise, I've started pinning articles on pinterest for health and motivation. I was trying to do one day weekly of yoga, but my lousy planning has me at home with my to-do list, instead of in CLASS! Just another way that no routines = no progress!! I did perfect my lemon-cucumber-mint infused water recipe -  the trick is to let the ingredients infuse no longer than 6 hours, to keep the bitterness out. It doesn't taste too sweet or tart, but wierdly enough, it helps keep me from drowning my fatigue in coffee - i reach for it if it's in the fridge as easily as i do for the coffee pot!  It's even better to me in summer time.

Off to work, to plan, and to make sure things happen without stress. That sounds like a good way to start a weekend, right? I wish the same to everyone :-)

s.

Thundersnow.... in April....

A moment to say that even for Minnesota, this weather is ridiculous....sigh.

Taking another studio day today to work on fantasy-inspired art. Waffling between a more cartooney style, a more illustrative brushy style, and a more realistic - classic style. So, today I will lay out the waffles and see which is the prettiest.

I'd post a pic, but just imagine what could be a pretty spring green color in the grass, light yellow-green buds on some now very confused looking trees... and wet, slushy snow falling from the sky.

Cappucino, studio, and quiet time.

off we go....

have a good day out there!!

s.

All Things Bright and Beautiful in the Studio

a vignette in my favorite combo, blue and more blue.

It is bright today. And yesterday, and even the two yesterdays before that.

Not precisely newsworthy, but Minnesota seems to have ditched a horrendous case of cabin fever by NOT still having.....14 inches of snow and grey skies. Last year (which I barely remember, due to the puppy-centric spring) we had snow until MAY. Shiny days with brown grass, brown trees, and brown reeds around the pond are gold, in my book. But to make up for the drab, here are some SPARKLYS!!!!

I've been able to stick to the ~six hour studio time commitment pretty well. I am trapped at gymnastics with my kids for an hour-fourty five twice a week, Plenty of time (though zero quiet) to sketch.  I've found the mornings that work best for sitting down in the office. I can't get used to calling it the studio yet because it's still only half done. Today may be a good day to bribe my daughter to hang out with me in there while I organize. (Unfortunately, the price could be high. Lately she's been talking cell phones. I told her I'd listen to her when she could spell it.)

sketch from a quite blurry pig photo.

Cleaning and organizing aren't my forte, but it's necessary - the trade-off is me being more settled and at-the-ready to do more of
this.


Friday will be the last studio morning for the week, and today is YOGA. I am not good at yoga, I mostly go to provide comic relief to my talented, athletic neighbors. They are dedicated and seem to know what they are doing. I don't particularly enjoy it, but I enjoy it more than running, biking, tennis, or anything else that keeps you running. Certainly, it's more fun for me than football. Eventually, I am hoping to at least forestall a dowager's hump by having one or two core muscles. I'll report back when I am 78.

So, it's off to chug some more water, wake some children, and feed that dog. Probably should see if I can find the yoga pants too.

Have a grand Thursday, and enjoy whatever sunshine comes your way :-)

S.