E.T. at The Huntington Gardens

After having tea with a bunch of friends I decided I try to do a quick watercolor in my book before I headed back to work. The Huntington was packed with people because it was Free Admission day so I felt pretty lucky to find a somewhat secluded place under a tree. I get my book and travel paints out and I'm ready to go when a man appears beside me.
"So you're going to paint," he says.
Now I have to tell you, my biggest dislike in painting plein air is the people who come to "watch". They never just watch, they too also paint and want to tell me all about it while I'm trying to paint. No matter where I go and where I've painted this same conversation always happens. And, I'm still amazed. My response is usually the same. I politely smile and nod and turn back to my work. Most get the hint. However this man continues.
"I paint from my dreams." he says. And I smile and nod and I think whispered,
"O, cool."
"Mostly I paint Extra Terrestrials," he continues with all seriousness.
Of course he does. I know this because he's talking to ME. If there is a odd ball in the park, they find me.
"Wow that's pretty imaginative, I can only paint what I see, " I say and turn back to my sketch. He stayed and watched for a bit. (I really would have loved to see his ET drawings.)
I didn't get very much done because security came by at least five times to let me know when the gardens closed.
NOTE TO SELF: Just pay the $15. Going on Free Day - too crowded and no parking.

Peter McCarty

I don't go to many art exhibits simply because my time is so limited and there are so few exhibits that are worth the time investment for me. I'm sure I could fill my weekends with exhibits and that would mean NOT working on my own stuff. But whenever I hear of a children's illustrator art exhibit, I go. Seeing the work of illustrator Peter McCarty was a true pleasure. His art has such a soothing beauty to it. His children's picture book Hondo and Fabian just makes you want to reach through the page to pet and play with the animals he draws. Simple yet complete.

Maundy Thursday Commission

"Creativity flourishes not in certainty but in questions. Growth germinates not in tent dwelling but in upheaval. Yet the seduction is always security rather than venturing, instant knowing rather than deliberate waiting." -- Sue Monk Kidd

I found this quote recently and I have to say it gave me a great deal of relief that the tension I so often feel in creating something is truly a good thing. (sigh) This painting is a commission I just completed for Ecclesia for their Maundy Thursday service. It's a departure from what I "normally" paint - colorful, flowery, "pretty" stuff. But I found this energizing and exciting and hope to do more . This is a collage consisting of handmade papers, wax, salt and watercolors.

First 39th

What's the best way to celebrate your first 39th Birthday? HIGH TEA! In fact, I find that High Tea is the best way to celebrate ANY birthday. My lovely friends and I met up at the Vintage Tea Leaf in Long Beach, put on old hats, sat up straight as we carefully dropped sugar cubes in our bone china tea cups and sipped the hot brew with our pinkies pointing straight out. It was DEEElightful! I will never out grow my love for a girly tea party. Whenever I travel I try to find a tea room. I do need to mention that the best scones in Long Beach are at Starling Diner. In Washington D.C., the scones at the Ritz Carlton melt in your mouth. I'm still searching for the best in New York City and San Francisco. So stay posted, because I WILL find them. So here's my Sassiest of Friends in her feather hat - wearing it as if she never knew a day without it.

The Layout

As you can see I'm a very visual person and laying out the whole book on butcher paper just works best for me. I drew 14, 2-page spreads and wrote the page numbers of the book. (A picture book starts on page 7 if you count the cover and the end papers as pages too) Doing it this way, I get a better feel on how things flow. I have the manuscript and write what I want on each page of the book using post-it notes (that way if I change my mind or want to try something else, it's easier than an erasing it.) I only got about half way through when I realized I needed to make some adjustments on the story. That's what I'll be working on for a couple of days when I get a moment. However, I do need to get it off the table and tack it on the wall, because my art supervisor (my cat, Baby Kitty), walks on it too much and moves my post-its around when I'm not at home. Maybe she's editing it????