Staircase and Old Singer

I love our staircase. My industrious husband worked hard to change it from an eyesore of 'peach' pink carpeting stained with the footprints of a family of five. He put in treads of beautiful pecan wood. Then with the help of a welding friend cut out every second baluster and replaced it with a twirly whirly one, adding a little more visual interest. For my birthday this year we got the old Singer sewing machine. I've wanted one for yonks as my Mom had one and many childhood memories seem to be attached to it. Mine is a little more ornate than my Mom's one - but I'm very happy with it. About the sketching of all this... I've drawn this little slice of home several times - and battle with the gentle curve of the staircase, which throws all the lines off slightly. I will probably draw it over and over again, till the cows come home - and in doing so - will hopefully observe more and more carefully- the subtle changes of lines, curves, angles and shadows.

Pippa squirrel watching

When she watches squirrels, she sits or stands as still as a statue for at least 2 or 3 minutes, so intense is her concentration! Great model for a quick sketch! Her ears should be bigger though. I wanted to add softer shadows with ink brush - but - - - did not get round to it!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VIVIENNE - Can't believe you've reached that big number - whew!

New Neighbours

The house across the street has been for sale for quite a long time. The owner, who has moved out, stopped by the to check on things the other day. He walked over to me as I was collecting mail, to tell me he has a serious buyer - and is hoping the sale will close next month. This causes much curiosity about our new neighbours... Shall I go over and ask to borrow a cup of sugar or an egg a few days after they've moved in? (Ha ha ha - I promise I won't!) Mr. R. - the seller, told me the buyers are South African folk - yay!

If you sit on our couch and watch telly (as I've been doing these past few days, nursing this dreadful cold...) this is the view from the window, except more cropped of course, because of the window frame. I love the live oak trees on our front lawn - there's a "twin" to the left of this one. The little puff ball - spidery things you see in the tree is Spanish moss starting to grow. I thought it was a parasite, but on consulting the fount of all knowledge - Wikipedia - it's apparently an "air plant." It's not harmful to the trees but when it grows in abundance, it slows the trees growth, blocking light to the leaves. When these self-sustaining little bundles fall to the ground, I love picking them up and studying them - they are amazing plants. But I've since learnt that once they fall, they become home to chiggers! Not good! Quaint folklore also surround Spanish moss - I copied and pasted this from Wikepedia...

In Charleston,South Carolina; the following tale is told: A Cuban came to the area with his Spanish fiancée in the 1700s to start a plantation near the city. The most striking feature of the bride-to-be was her beautiful, flowing raven hair. As the couple was walking through the forest to reach the location of their future plantation, they were attacked and killed by an army of the Cherokee tribe, who were not happy to have these strangers on their land. As a final warning to stay away from the Cherokee nation, they cut off the long, dark hair of the bride-to-be and threw it up into an oak tree. As they came back day after day, week after week, they noticed that the hair had shriveled and turned grey and had also spread throughout the tree. Wherever the Cherokees went, the moss followed them and would eventually chase them out of their homeland of South Carolina. To this day, if one will stand under a live oak tree, one will hear the moaning of the woman and will see the moss jump from tree to tree, defending itself with a large army of beetles.

In Hawaii,the introduction of Spanish Moss has made it so common that it has acquired the common name "Pele’s hair" after Pele the Hawaiian goddess.

Sunrise cactus - ink

I should have posted this one first, but forgot about it. I painted the w/c (below) afterwards. Back on the couch last night watching American Idol, feeling like my head was made of cotton wool - I added to what I considered was a finished drawing, more intense fine lines. I think it has improved the drawing - given it more contrast between light and dark. And when one can't think straight, drawing parallel fine lines is very therapeutic!

Sunrise cactus

I started this last month and got discouraged and bored with it. Yesterday, while nursing a sore throat on the couch, I decided to have another go at it and... yay, managed to finish it. The actual plant has lost all its flowers and the leaf stems are growing UP, not hanging down as in my watercolour. I had to fudge it a bit - its lacking shadows and dark / light areas. I'm just glad its finished!

The Boy in the Red Vest

I saw this and thought of my little "long arm" sketch of my son... and that large ear too...!

Pippa and Calvin

Half way through February already and no posts! So I found this little doodle sketch, drawn on my daughter's birthday, which will have to do for a while! Thank goodness for dogs and their availability to be convenient "model material."