Getting Ready

The end of the school year consumes all my time and energy. Yearbook production and distribution, art show to prepare for (student show)the grading of final exams and many projects. Then entering grades, clean the entire classroom as if no art teacher ever was there...combined with being a proctor for regents exams.

I have been horridly sick too, but cured miraculously with allergy meds which under normal situations, I would not put in my body. But a girl has got to breathe.

I have barely been in the studio, but with the advent of summer vacation, I will be making it a steady part of my daily routine. I am taking off as soon as they let me out the door on Thursday and heading with artists Pamela Hastings and Loel Barr to beautiful Nova Scotia, to meet up with friends of Pams.

My plan is to have fun on the road trip, read, think, write, and bring along my sketchbook and watercolors. I can't bring my other art supplies with me as we are not taking a big car, but I am sure I can get a lot of sketching done.

I was in Barnes and Noble the other day on my lunch hour, and passed by the bargain isle. I found a few things for gifts, and picked up the book pictured here "Create Your Own Artist's Journal" by Erin O'Toole. I don't know what the original price was, but I got it for a mere 3.50. I will peruse it, and pass it on.

Now I have been sketching in journals for years, and studied the journals of great artists, but there is always something to be learned by other artists. The author uses watercolors, pencil and ink pens, which is what I carry w/me on my adventures. She sketches the landscape, the neighborhood, hands, flowers, weather, at the zoo, at parks, etc. and the book is illustrated nicely with visuals and text. A BARGAIN for the price, and it will provide me with a nice jump-start for the trip.

Off to do a few things in between storms here. I have taken this Sunday slowly, starting with a lovely brunch at 11, complete with Chamboard French Toast and Mimosas. Oh, and of course a vase of flowers to decorate the table from my garden. I may have been refused entrance to the Martha Stewart school of Living, but damn, I can carry my own weight well enough.

patti