Watercolor Journaling class

I have always been afraid to work with color,especially watercolor !! I am a "black line" person, graphite, ink and sometimes charcoal.
The adventure began,where else, @ the Encinitas,CA  libray....as previously noted my favorite place !
Barbara is a very experienced jouralist , an exceptional watercolorist and a very patient teacher. Her message was journal, journal, journal everyday as often as you can.
 This has been great advice for me !!

My first journal entry unnder direct instruction. I was hooked !!

Thoughts @ the ocean. How can you not feel good hearing the sound of the waves.

I just like moon jellies. Jellyfish are such a peaceful creatures.

This one started a new venture !!

More to follow

You practice it relieves stress and sometimes even comes out pretty good. I have a fear of watercolors and this has allowed me to experiment. Sort of the "Sienfeld " theory just about "nothing ". I have been doing what I feel ,significant to only me !! But I am surprising myself...this is fun and a great destressor.As I venture with color, I am being careful. I don't want anything to be "Kinkade" like. Too,too sweet !! Last time I toured one his galleries, I felt a sugar overload. His pieces are nice, don't get wrong. Just not my style ...if I have a style ???

Figure Drawing Group - First time 1/07/2011

     I discovered this wonderful group of people meeting 1 time per week @ the Encinitas Library,down the Pacific Coast Highway. It is a place I frequent, books,books and more books !! BUT a killer view of the Pacific with patios, bring lunch, read a paper, take a yoga class (free), exhibits and concerts !! Upscale hotels  would love this location!!
     The figure drawing group meets once  a week. Jean ,the facilitator , brings in professonal models from the Artist Models Guild. A donation  is given very gladly for this priviledge.The models are clothed because of the public location but dress in "character"
     It is a three and one half hour session per week.Ten "gesture" poses @ 2 minute per pose are done for warm ups. These are not easy. Two minutes can go so fast !! Then, there are a couple 20 minute poses. The session ends with the long pose.  The models are taped for the long pose. This enables them to resume  as best possible after their break.They are very good !! I could not do their job!!

  The first session ,I was slow. It was hard to complete anything with a time limit.which the models strictly impose. You learn to observe and lay your critical lines down. I left this unfinished when I got home. Like it just the way it is !!

      This is the long pose.  Loved the look. I think less may be better. Before these sessions , I tended to go way overboard with detail. The time limits help the critical thinking process !!!

There is not critiquing within this group. Much discussion !! Observstion is allowed and encouraged by all. Everyone brings their own technique. No rights,no wrongs.!!

Until the next post !!

    

My California "Wine Trees"

A postage stamp yard does not lend itself to being a "Hobby vineyard". I am working on this !!
The oldest tree(vine) is now 3 seasons old and produced a harvest of 39 bunches this year.
My granddaughter Lola Sari and her dad,Peter helped in the harvest.
It was not easy because the netting , which was installed to keep the opussum away , had to be removed.
We shared .
I baked a specialty of Naples,New York ...Grape Pie. One piece is still in the freezer !!
We visited the Naples area while living in the Finger Lakes area of New York,specifically Geneva NY.

I will find the recipe and post later with harvest pixs.
For now the vine is in the prunning stage.

The little vine next to it I will be growing "tree" style.
The newest plant will be grown on a modified "Geneva T" as is the 3 year old.

The "original" California wine tree.

The newest addition 2 weeks ago.

My son,Peter added a Passion Fruit vine to the yard. In has produced in excess of 50 delicious fruits !

After the background about "Wine Tree" I'll get on to posting my journey onto drawing and painting !

Name of the blog

I had the name "Wine Tree" flipping around in my brain for about 4 years or more.
It actually came after I drew a complete blank for the words "grape vine".
So I called it a "wine tree" !!
The little developing plant was growing in the backyard @ my Arbour Lane home in Buffalo,NY.
That kind of blank mind shouldn't occur at earlier ages...but it did !!

Now it brings fond memories of living in Buffalo....waiting to harvest a couple little bunches of grapes...and having my local squirrel take them!!

My neighbor Brenda and I were ready with the cheese ,crackers and bubbly . Just add grapes!!

Last visit to town ,it was still there!!
So was Brenda...missing her!

New blog !!

I've been reading many blogs...now I'm blogging!!
I am trying to get back to my passion of drawing, color and photography.
These were put on the back burner after getting my degree.
Things got in the way !!
Career
Marriage
Travel
Children
Swim team mom
Band mom
Moving 14+ times
Life
Death
Grandchildren

This is a new start for me !!