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!

 

Posted with Blogsy

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.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Sheralee

coffee to go

healthy for christmas

 

This has been my big Christmas wish this year.

So far, so good.

thrift store porch

Posted with Blogsy

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.

 

Posted with Blogsy

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.

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

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.

 

Posted with Blogsy

at the monastery

I spent last weekend at the Holy Trinity Monastery

in St. David, Az. This crucifix was in my room.

 

Posted with Blogsy