Fort Jackson

     I'm going to show you something I rarely show anyone.  A partially finished drawing!
WHY?  I hate doing this because an unfinished drawing is UGLY, and people think, "what kind of artist are you?" They can't see the finished product the way I can envision it.
     But, I want you to understand the process, and it IS a process that can be quite messy in the middle.  So, I'll walk you through what I've worked out to date.  I'll show you more in a follow up posting.

     This is the entrance to Ft. Jackson in Bootheville, LA.  The Plaquemine's Parish Orange Festival is held there in December.  We, and especially our kids and dog, spent many a fun time there.

     Here, I've traced the picture onto Bristol Board from the printout upper right.  I use it and the photo on glossy paper for color reference.
     Then I used the Derwent Inktensive Blocks to color in my background colors.  Brushing with a wet brush brings out the intensity of the color and fills in all the little white spots that regular color pencils leave behind.

     Now I've come back with the Prismacolors and started blocking in my darker areas to help me with value balance.  From here on out it will be up to the Prismacolor color pencils.  I'll keep you posted.

Have a creative weekend,
Kareen

From Glory to Gloom and Back

     I meant to post this Sunday, but the blog got too lengthy.  It has been so hot here in Oklahoma, and Honey and I have been struggling with the heat.  Not being able to walk as much is a real bummer for both of us.  Fortunately, Hannah at Paved By Pawprints came to the rescue with these homemade dog toys.  I made some for Honey to help her with the boredom of being cooped up inside so long.
     That said, Sunday early morning proved to be a real treat.  Cooler with a bit of breeze.  So, we went the half block to the park.

The walking trail is a mile around the perimeter.  What a glorious morning.  It was a lovely time alone to soak in all God's grandeur - a time of refreshment after a busy, hot week.

Just thought this was a fun pic!

Midway on our walks is Honey's favorite part  of the park - the cement picnic table - a cool place to watch the other dogs and their humans.

     So much for the glory!  Today it rained.  Rainy days are so depressing for me and Honey too.  We can't walk.  Rats!  

     But, when I sat down to do this post and saw these pictures, it reminded me that this is only temporary ( I'm so impatient). God still loves us.  I don't have to go to the garden and eat worms.

There will be more beautiful mornings and lovely, long walks in the park.

So I hope you all have a glorious week despite the weather,

Kareen

Weeping and Itching

     It started out quite simply this morning.  Honey and I left the house to begin our morning walk at early light to beat the impending heat.  It is 99 degrees in Tulsa right now.  We got as far as the middle of the driveway when she balked, turned around, and headed back.
     She was hungry.  Normally, we walk first.  But, since she had the cortisone shot two days ago for allergies, she has been ravenous.

This is Honey when we first moved to the neighborhood.  There are six pecan trees on our lot.  The whole neighborhood is in a two hundred year old pecan orchard.

And this is Honey (on a good day) with stains from allergy tearing.

     She's been pretty stable with Benadryl.  But, lately, she's had a rough time - hence the cortisone.

HELP!  Do any of you have this much problem with dog allergies?  Are there any good home remedies that work?  I wipe her down after our walks with a wet cloth - sometimes with a mix of apple cider vinegar thanks to the Good Flea.  It helps a little. 

     I hate her having to have steroids.  That can't be good long term.  The vet recommended Selenium, vitamin E, and Omega 3 & 6.  I started her on them.  But, I guess that is long term maintenance. Are any of you using these for your fur babies?  Any good results?

     Sorry to be whiny, but, I think you doggy mommies understand the angst when our fur babies are hurting.

Give your fuzzies an extra hug today,

Kareen

Kareen's Artwork: When Nancy Came Down

Kareen's Artwork: When Nancy Came Down:      Nancy came down the road from New Orleans (70 miles) in the winter  of the early 2000s. Nancy Newfield  works with LSU and travelled a...

When Nancy Came Down

     Nancy came down the road from New Orleans (70 miles) in the winter  of the early 2000s.
Nancy Newfield works with LSU and travelled around South Louisiana during hummingbird migration season.  She stayed quite busy banding hummingbirds.  I honestly don't know if she is still so active, as I have lost touch with so many people from the area over the last 10 years.  But, when Nancy came down it was a fantastic experience I'll always treasure.
     We had a feeder just outside our office window and loved watching them. Those bad little rascals could be quite vicious with each other and even larger birds who came near their "territory".  We had met an ornithology student who was staying in the area.  Jeff Stratford contacted Nancy on our and another neighbors behalf.  He is the one who originally found the Great Horned Owl nest and taught us so much about birds and the local migrations.

    

Nancy and Jeff collecting hummingbirds from her homemade trap.  Quite ingenious with a remote control trap door that she shut whenever one flew in to the feeder.

Hummingbirds are in the bags and complaining noisily.

Nancy's mobile office.  The amazing thing about it all is how the bird goes into a state of torpor when held.  Sure looked like they were dead - but only zoned out.

They are so tiny and so lightweight.  In your hand they almost feel like they're NOT there.

Here she's blowing the feathers to see if the bird had gained enough weight to make the long journey over the Gulf of Mexico.  She also banded it after weighing and recording all it's vitals.  Then she added a bit of color on its forehead for easy tracking by other bird enthusiasts who reported its siting.

These kids had the thrill of a lifetime letting them go after Nancy did her magic.

This little fella hung around the feeder for a few days before the big flight.

     We go about our busy days hardly ever noticing the marvels all around us.  Thanks Nancy and Jeff for making us aware of all the beauty of God's creation that surrounds us every day.  I've become more attentive to the little things in life and become more grateful for God's majesty. 

     If you're wanting to know more about these little jewels, Nancy has some books on Amazon you can check out.  And no, she is not aware I'm plugging her books.  She is just a remarkable woman who needs the recognition she is due.

So, look around this weekend - stop and smell the roses - and enjoy God's beauty,

Kareen