spt27Sept12: f*ck

spt27Sept12, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

So ... I have not one but two university degrees, including one of those advanced doctoral-type ones; I'm back at school trying to get yet another qualification. What does it take to make the interview list these days?

Tonight is the wallowing self-pity miseryfest I feel entitled to.

And tomorrow? back to crafting that resume - an interview would be a good first step.

wordless wednesday: stretched

saturday doodle: Cat

saturday doodle: Cat:

Cat, originally uploaded by ebbandflo_pomomama.

Griz, at the end of my bed most nights

midlife monday: process

it's good to talk

I'm not very wordy here these days, but I have been exercising them (elsewhere) and my scribbling skills.
Just not blogging about them much.
But I will be bragging soon - in the meantime, here's some work flow of an illustration for a class assignment.

prep photograph

preliminary sketch (Inkscape) with text paths added

mobile version: sketch inked using Infinite Painter for android

line drawing with background and colour fill (ArtRage)

doodle in progress

Tackling some illustration work for a project.

Tech notes - Inkscape tracing of photo, Wacom bamboo pad and stylus

self-portrait thursday: shut in

When all the babysitting attempts fail, this is where you'll find me - sitting at the computer watching the live stream of a science communications seminar hosted by Science Online Vancouver.

I'm near the end of another of those intermittent solo parenting spells which pop up in my life. My previous babysitter, the incredible Nicki, moved to Florida ... or Texas ... whatever. Last night, her replacement, incredible Erin, stood in so I could go to the launch of John Vigna's Bullhead from Arsenal Press (Google it if I can't get the link to link up from my Nexus)(yes, I'm blogging from another android device!). Two nights running would be greedy and my other as yet untested child minder, SuperSara can't stay out late on Thursdays.

le sigh

I will be over 50 by the time I can head off for a night on the tiles without having to worry about who's looking after baby, well over 50. But then I expect it will be me sitting at home, worrying about where my not-so-Wee Guy is at nearly midnight.

le double sigh

wordless wednesday: get wordful with these words

tech tuesday

This evening's scribble - infinite design for android.

September's Featured Artist: Vicki Allesia

September's Featured Artist: Vicki Allesia:

 This month's featured artist is Vicki Allesia. Not only is she an incredible painter but she also finds the time to prepare Blackberry Artist's Society meetings minutes and agendas as our board secretary.

Vicki paints wonderful views of our local area, often using scenes from Indian Arm as her inspiration. Her style is so lush that I feel pangs of jealousy when I see where she's been!

And here she is, in her own words and pictures. I can't be the only person wanting to see evidence of the outgator in the shop?

1. How long have you been an artist?  Since my first drawing of an “outgator” at age 4.  School and interludes of “real” work sadly infringed on my career.
2. Where did you train? Here and there… Cal State Long Beach (Fine Arts), Shadboldt Centre (Watercolour), Emily Carr University of Art and Design (Acrylic and Mixed Media continuing studies)
3. Do you work in a studio or at home? Yes.  I have a wonderful large studio in my home, and a magical, high in the trees studio at my Indian Arm cabin.  Both built by my creative and supportive husband.
4. Do you work as an artist full-time, part-time, or do you squeeze in the creating as a hobby?  Definitely the squeeze, though it is more than a hobby for me.  I am interested in professional development in my artistic skills as well as management of my sales and shows.  My 8 years as Executive Director of the Port Moody Arts Centre gave me a unique perspective on arts management and administration.
5. Describe how a piece progresses, from first inspiration to finished object in the gift shop. Mostly I see something in nature that I love and photograph it.  Sometimes I am lucky and the light is perfect, sometimes I have to wait for the morning or evening light.  I like sun, and deep shadows.  I usually wind up cropping my photo to get a good composition.  Quite often I will do a small (6 x 6” or 8 x 8”) canvas first, then if I feel the idea merits it, I paint a large version.  I generally transfer the compositions by using a grid.  I’ve been having fun with the colours left behind on my palette by working them into small abstracts.
6. What's your favourite piece to make?  I think I would have to say my 24” x 24” x 3” gallery wrapped, extra thick canvases.
7. Who inspires you, and why?  The Group of Seven, Tom Thompson, Gordon Smith, my fellow Blackberry and Port Moody Art Association artists, my family, my greyhound—you have to be in love with what you paint and some of my favourite pieces have been of my kids, my nieces and my dog.

self portrait Thursday; gerbilicious

Thanks to the wonders of science, a bunch of nerve-deaf gerbils can hear again. The little critters were infused with stem cells which repaired the defective bits. Use in human patients is only a few years off. My tinnitus is buzzing with the excitement of it all.

The pic of the gerbil is much cuter than the pic of me, let's face it.

wordless wednesday: eyes down, commute

Monday doodle

From the skecher lite app

New doodling with infinite paint :-)

a series of pleasing lines and smudges

Created with Paint Commander for Android