EKjourney Backup

Goodby February, March is just a leap day away! The children had 4-H on Thursday and did photography and made strawberry freezer jam.   Sawyer's photo Evi's photo Jubilee's photo The children taking photos was actually quite stressful for me.  I had to relinquish my camera, which I do not like to do.  I guess my camera feels very personal.  I would love for them to have their own cameras to record the adventures of their childhood.  Club 4-H!  I am grateful for my friend Michelle, that despite having a two week old baby, is running (hosting) 4-H every month in her home.  It has been such a fun experience for the children! Such a great place to play...er...take pictures. A beautiful group of girls! I spent weeks pondering a Blick order (online art supply store).  I read up on journals, journaling pens, surfaces for oil pastels, and finally decided on an order.  It came this weekend and I was so excited to open up a box filled with art supplies...

The weather is changing, the storms area less steady and more wild.  The air is warmer, the sun beams are once again cozy.  The bright greens of Spring are not quite here but the beginnings of the spectacular Spring flower show are!  The flowering trees are budding and the magnolias are starting to unfold.  It seems quite early but I guess March is almost here! Phil is gone this weekend, so the children and I are on our own.  We walked downtown (about a 2 mile round trip), played uno games, and had dinner at my parent's.  I realize how taxing and time consuming homeschooling is on this rare day of being with the children alone and NOT doing school.   So much more time to get chores done and do other "fun stuff" like playing outside, walking, games, and read alouds.    Downtown The statue of "Bobby". This friendly little bantam escaped her yard so the girls took care of her most of the afternoon. Frog hunting Hole digging My garden is awakenin...

Beautiful sunrises, the mornings are becoming lighter and soon I will be able to walk again before Phil leaves for work. Saturday morning playtime Evi's creations using magnets, nuts, bolts, screws, washers, etc.. Doll making Lego and car play Art in stages:  I made this with matte medium and fabric scraps, then gesso, then acrylic paint (and water) just painted on with my fingers.  Next step is to do oil pastels.   My mom's latest hobby - making trees with vintage jewelry.  She made this one for me!  Can you see a picture starting to form?  In my oil pastel class, we sculpted with dry wall mud on clayboard.  I decided mine was too textured so I sanded it down and then primed it with tinted  matte medium.  Now it is ready to be painted. Phil is making a plaque for my deer head. And speaking of deer heads.....here is a sneak peek! The lighting is terrible but I just got it finished today and I was so excited about it, I just had to record it. ...

I took an oil pastel art class this weekend up in Portland with the very talented Jane Aukshunas.  It was such a great class because it really pushed me beyond my comfort zone and defined the areas that I need to work on and push past (namely, abstract composition and loosening up).  I learned so much about working on different surfaces, what oil pastels can do, and mixing different mediums with oil pastels.  It was a 2 day class (10-3) but we really could have used another day!   Come and visit Jane's website and see some of her fabulous art work featuring the beautiful Pacific Northwest! http://janeaukshunas.com/ Jane's studio and some of her work: There were 6 students in a u-shape around this center table.  Jane worked on the pieces with us. Jane demonstrating cloud drawing. Art work, Day 1 Art work, Day 2 My work space First piece: Working on primed tyvek (in this case, a postal office envelope).  Jane made me put away my sketching pencil and just go f...