Sunday, December 30, 2012

pulling out the oil paints

So, I did the underdrawing for this painting about four
years ago. It was supposed to be a graduation gift.
It's from a photo that marks an important moment
in a life and a community and I think also somehow
captures the expression of a true identity -- some of you
were there and remember it, right? So I've always wanted
to finish this painting. However, I put my oils away a long time
ago and have just decided to bring them out again. I was afraid
they might be all dried up, but things appear to be
in working order. Now if I can just remember how to paint!
 

Friday, December 28, 2012

washing makeup brushes

So... did you know that makeup brushes are
supposed to be washed prior to their first use?
And then, I guess, on a fairly regular basis after that.
Well, I hardly ever wear makeup, but being
an artist I'm always glad for the right tool
to do any job. So here are some of my new
makeup brushes. They're super soft,
and I'm looking forward to giving them a whirl.

But first I decided to give them a wash.
Apparently, you just have to dampen the hairs,
swirl them around in a mild soap (I used baby soap)
in your palm, and then rinse thoroughly, all
while keeping them pointed down-ish so as not to
get water inside the metal ferrule. Shape them
and dry flat on a towel. Once dry, give 'em a fluff,
and they're good to go! I was quite surprised how
much they acted just like paint brushes, but I
guess that's really what they are. So if you
haven't washed your makeup brushes in a while,
give it a go! They'll be glad you did.
 

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Sunday, December 23, 2012

healthy for christmas

 
This has been my big Christmas wish this year.
So far, so good.

Friday, December 21, 2012

Thursday, December 20, 2012

back to the peafowl

As I mentioned earlier, the monastery I went
to earlier this month had a bevy of peafowl.
Or perhaps it was a muster, an ostentation
or a pride of peafowl. The babies are referred to
as peachicks. Isn't that cute? And the males
enjoy a harem of peahens, in case you were wondering.
A group of the males is sometimes referred to as
a pulchritude. Who came up with that word?!?
Anyway, Steve saw them lining up in the evening
in pecking order to fly high (like 100 feet up!)
into the pecan trees. They were sitting up there
when I woke up the next morning. I've never seen
peacocks in a tree before, and it was pretty fabulous.
 

Thursday, December 13, 2012

closet renovations


Well, for some reason, Eric and I decided
that we had to remodel our closet.
Two weeks before Christmas.
So this has been my scene lately. It's
astonishing how much stuff we had managed to
cram in there. In the past two days, we have
displaced all closet contents, sorted through
(and given or thrown away bucketloads of) them,
reorganized our clothes into drawers and baskets
so that we only have one small section on hangers,
painted the entire closet, built shelves, and
moved what's left back into the closet. Today we'll
put together a desk so all office-related tasks
can happen comfortably in the now super-cute closet.
I'm not sure why these sorts of events have
to happen at the most inopportune of times.
Perhaps it's because there never actually is a
right time for any sort of upheaval.
Plus, who doesn't love a good deadline?
And on we go with life.
 
 

Friday, December 7, 2012

picture day

The monastery I went to last weekend has a bevy of
peafowl (did you know that only the males are
referred to as peacocks?). More to come on that.

Today I am spending a ridiculous amount of time
getting my family ready for a photo shoot.
As I do this, I realize just how rarely we all
get spiffed up at the same time. Tucson is
a very casual place, and even at formal events
there will be a full spectrum of attire,
from shorts to dress gowns. For the four of us,
even the weekly Sunday worship service
(which in many families might motivate synchronized
spiffiness) is very casual. We often wear what
we would any other day, unless one of us
decides to attempt a fashion statement.
But more likely than not, another of us will be
shoe-free within ten minutes of entering
the building. So I am in the throes of making
sure all four of us are freshly bathed with
proper outfits washed and ironed for this
highly unusual occurance.
 

Thursday, December 6, 2012

at the monastery

I spent last weekend at the Holy Trinity Monastery
in St. David, Az. This crucifix was in my room.