Birthday Tutu

Hi Everybody! (I sort of have to wonder... is anybody really there?)

Today I made a tutu for Anabelle to wear on her 1st birthday which is rapidly approaching. It was a fun project, and while I worked on it Anabelle played quietly on the floor nearby. This never happens, so that is certainly something to write home about. Her naps seem to be a lost cause which leaves me with little time to do my art. BUT. She is sleeping like a champ at night -- down at 7pm (no later because she's so tired) and up sometime between 5:45am and 6:30am. What is this refusal to nap????? Anyway here is her tutu:

Aaaaand I wasn't going to post a picture of her in it till her birthday, but how can I resist?

I have so many ideas for projects and drawings to do, but I just don't have enough time. If I was lucky enough to be an insomniac like my friend Doreen, maybe I could really crank it out. Joking. I cherish my sleep. Such projects include:

another mobile

finger puppets

sachets

more greeting cards/drawings like this one:

Ok. I have to go cook up the flank steak I have marinating in the fridge. Pat just got home from work, and I should quit eating chocolate chips now. ;)

Pat and His Too-Tall Hat

Here it is so far!! Don tells me that Pat looks like a cone head because his hat is waaay too tall. I'd have to agree, so there will be a bit of tweaking, but I'm at a good stopping place for now. This evening Pat and I are headed to Moab, Utah to meet up with our friends Anna and Doreen. We are going on a white water rafting day trip on the Colorado River tomorrow! How's that for adventure?

Mom and Don are staying with Anabelle till we get back on Wednesday. Three cheers for fun grandparents!

A big huge thanks to Lara who is a seriously impressive artist (check out her portraits - wow!) and who answered my call for help with this drawing. She gave me some really great ideas. I think it is about the coolest thing in the world that I can connect with other artists who are across the country. My goal is to have a big artist community someday.

I used gesso to cover up some of the areas that I overworked. This adds a bit of a painterly feel which is a nice contrast to the pen lines, and it also adds a bit of depth. You can still make out some of the lines behind the paint. I'm really pleased so far...

Have a good week!

How's this for pure goodness?

An oldie

This is a painting I did last year for Pat's dad.

Oh Buzz!

Buzzbuzz. What a guy!

Ohmygoodness, this economy is so ugly

Here's an excerpt from time.com's article "Less Vegas: The Casino Town Bets on a Comeback." I finally understand exactly what a "short sale" is... and it's not pretty:

Boemio [a realtor] specializes in short selling, in a particularly Vegas way. Basically, she finds clients who owe more on their house than the house is worth (and that's about 60% of homeowners in Las Vegas) and sells them a new house similar to the one they've been living in at half the price they paid for their old house. Then she tells them to stop paying the mortgage on their old place until the bank becomes so fed up that it's willing to let the owner sell the house at a huge loss rather than dragging everyone through foreclosure. Since that takes about nine months, many of the owners even rent out their old house in the interim, pocketing a profit.(See pictures of modernist houses available for rent.)

Tons of people were doing this, but there were consequences. Renters were being evicted, through no fault of theirs, with a couple of days' notice when the house finally went on the market. People are now paying a premium to live in apartment buildings, which in Vegas are almost always owned by a corporation. Sure, short selling damages the sellers' credit rating, but they just bought a new house, so they don't care.

It's an entire city of John Dillingers, feeling guiltless for stealing from the banks. Boemio is well aware that short selling isn't ethical and is exacerbating Vegas' economic problems. People, she believes, should make their payments, accept their paper losses and ride out the crash. "Guess what, a______s of Las Vegas. That's what gambling is about. That's what investing is about," she says. "It's greedy. But we're all doing it. Because why not?" It's very hard, she says, to suffer as the one honest person in a town of successful con artists.

ugh. Are we the chumps for NOT walking away from our house?!!! The article is right; "everyone" is doing it - it seems it's become the norm. The stigma of foreclosing or short selling is gonegonegone. Our community sometimes feels empty -- so many houses sitting sadly vacant.

All of this has me feeling very down. And on top of it I should be:

folding laundry

doing laundry

making a grocery list and planning some meals for the week

cleaning out the fridge

I've been looking at other artist blogs (so much fun!) and daydreaming of a "real" summer via the photos they post. So many handfuls of sweet home-grown tomatoes, farmer's markets, even the soft summer light the photos capture... I'm going to go sit in the hot Vegas corner and cry now. boohoo.

i'm pretending i don't hear anabelle because she is supposed to be napping now

i haven't posted because life has just been chugging along - days made up of naps, heat, runs to the grocery store... the usual. but yesterday we had a fabulous family day! pat, anabelle and i spent the afternoon at mandalay bay's shark reef. we saw komodo dragons, sharks, jellyfish and lots and lots of fish, including lacy and papery lionfish. anabelle was mezmerized in her own laid-back sort of way...

last night pat and i left anabelle with maria and we went back down to the strip to sushi roku for dinner. what a fun night!!!! cocktails, yummy sushi, fabulous strip view and good good chats. afterwards we meandered around the forum shops, wandering in and out of stores like niketown, y-3, nanette lepore, brooks brothers, louis vuitton...

now. on the art front...

my portrait of pat is coming along:

my good ol' friend anna came to town last weekend and among other things we talked art. she gave me lots of good inspiration and ideas. ideas that involve: scale, repetition using different materials, color to create depth, sewing with thread, sewing machine without thread. love you anna!

and then -- OH NO -- i got completely carried away, distracted and i overworked it in a big bad way:

how does one fix a pen and ink drawing?????? ugh, i can't and won't touch it until i figure out how. help! it's heavy and off balance and pat told me he suddenly feels jealous of the house (which i think in art talk means that my two subjects are not working together to make up a very nice composition.)

ok, off to sunday morning yoga class. have a good day!

She stands!

Anabelle can now pull herself up to stand!  She works very hard at it, and she is very proud of herself when she gets there.  She huffed and puffed today, and then... voila!  she was standing next to me while I sat in the rocking chair with a huge grin on her face.  Now she is pulling herself up left and right.   She is good enough to eat.

I'm starting to see a pattern in my work

While Anabelle screamed herself to sleep last night, I cringed and worked on my portrait of Patrick.  It helped to put all of my nervous energy into something productive.  She fell asleep after 20 minutes, and I let out a huge sigh of relief and went up to bed.  He looks very serious in this drawing - unlike his silly personality.   

I started photographing some more old work.  This is a painting I did after my grandma Baba died.  I had a strange dream that the whole family was sitting at a long table, and there were waiters wearing tuxedos.  I had also just learned that a group of crows was called a "murder." Seemed so creepy and romantic all at the same time.  I love this piece because it was so UNforced.

These two are so strangely similar to what I am doing now.  These are marker and pen, and they are around 5 and 9 years old respectively!!

The Latest

After yesterday morning's Hallmark moment, my day fell on its face and went splat. I had a wrestling match with Anabelle to get her into her carseat, she screamed all the way from Child's Play to home and my car's air conditioner on its very highest setting wasn't high enough. I cursed the 111 degree heat, and I cursed Las Vegas and called it "God forsaken."

Though my haircut appointment (and thus my moment to bask in trashy magazines and stare into space while someone else washes my hair) was cancelled at the last minute, I didn't cancel my babysitter. I went to the art store to buy myself some bristol board and new pens. Then I went to the library and drew for an hour. Heaven!

I continue to struggle with quieting my inner critic, but talking to my mom this morning I realized again that we all struggle with that -- no matter what medium you work in. For those of you who might not know, my mom's a journalist for the Evanston Roundtable.

Speaking of my mom, she gave me this "recipe" to make for dinner during my cooking strike:

avocado

black beans

fresh corn

cilantro

onion

tomatillo

fresh lime juice

queso fresco

YUM!!

Here are some pics of what I've been working on:

Here is the start of a portrait of my wonderful and fabulous husband Patrick:

And here are my new favorite pens:

The Best Ever

This morning before breakfast Anabelle and I sat in the green chair and listened to Neko Case and a skipping Crystal Gayle.  She seemed so happy there on my lap, bouncing on my knees, which surprised me because she is so wiggly now.  Pulling herself over to the floor lamp to yank on its legs (watching me while I warn her with my eyes, grrrr) is her new favorite thing.  And then, oh this is so my favorite part, she snuggled up close and lay her head on my chest, and we just sat there together.  It was 30 seconds of everything that's good in this world.  

Here are some more Best Evers:

Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood's podcasts on www.craftsanity.com

I mentioned her website before; I have been listening to her interviews with artists everyday while I draw.  Jennifer is a very insightful interviewer, and now I feel like she is a link to the art world for me!!

I learned about Jennifer's podcasts because she interviewed Abby Glassenberg, an artist/blogger/mom who I stumbled upon one day while I was searching the web.  The name of Abby's website,  www.whileshenaps.typepad.com

caught my eye and inspired me to do my art "while she [Anabelle] naps."  Pretty cool huh?

I've also recently learned about www.spoonflower.com

You can create your own textile designs, and at spoonflower there is NO MINIMUM order to print your very own design!!!!  Whaaaa?!!  Will my dream of creating textiles really come true some day?

Ho Hum

It's a hot hot July day in the desert, and the Brown family is bored.  After a jaunt to the bookstore, we are back home drinking iced lattes and wondering what to do with ourselves.  Pat googled "Summerlin upcoming public events" for family activity ideas, and the response was a very meager one:

no upcoming events. 

Oh my.  This leads me to the question on many Vegans' minds: is Las Vegas truly "a soul-less city" with no roots and no culture?  Or maybe Pat and I are bored because in actuality, we are just boring people. 

There.  Some topics to ponder this afternoon.  

Champagne Grapes and the Un-surprise Party

Hello all!  

Patrick's 31st birthday was on Wednesday, and I planned a surprise party for him - which was indeed a surprise until I blew it the day before.  Our conversation went something like this:

Kate:  Are you suspicious?

Patrick: No.  What would I be suspicious about?

Kate:  Are you suspicious that I'm having a surprise birthday party for you?

oops.

Anyway, there were 11 of us, and it was so much fun!  Anna helped me cook all day which was challenging with Anabelle army-crawling over to Buzz's water bowl every chance she got.  We made watermelon/blueberry/mint salad,  a really yummy spinach salad from epicurious, and a coconut cake from Barefoot Contessa.   I set out several cheeses, champagne grapes, salami, edamame, yummy bread and nuts for starters, and even though Pat wasn't surprised he really appreciated it all.  

We have about a pound of champagne grapes left over lucky for Anabelle.  They are the perfect size for her little fingers.  She LOVES them, and why wouldn't she?  They are as sweet as candy, and they go POP in your mouth.

Here is the recipe for Pat's birthday salad straight from epicurious.com:

Spinach Salad with Grilled Chicken, Mango, and Raspberries Szwarc

Gourmet  | July 1996

Sandy Szwarc: Albuquerque, New Mexico

yield: Serves 2 generously

ingredients

For dressing:

• 2 tablespoons raspberry vinegar*
• 1 tablespoon balsmic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 3/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 1/2 teaspoons minced peeled fresh gingerroot
• 1 garlic clove, minced and mashed to a paste with 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 whole skinless boneless chicken breast (3/4 pound), halved
• 1 bunch spinach (about 3/4 pound), coarse stems discarded and leaves washed well and spun dry
• 1 firm-ripe mango, cut into 1/4-inch thick slices
• 2 plum tomatoes, sliced thin
• 2/3 cup raspberries, picked over
• 4 scallions, chopped fine
• 1/4 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped coarse

• * Available at specialty foods shops and some supermarkets.

preparation

Make dressing:
In a bowl whisk together all dressing ingredients except oil. Add oil in a stream, whisking, and whisk until emulsified. (Dressing may be made 2 days ahead and chilled, covered.)

In a shallow dish or a resealable plastic bag coat chicken with 3 tablespoons dressing. (Marinate chicken, covered and chilled, 2 hours.)

Heat an oiled well-seasoned ridged grill pan over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and grill chicken, drained, until cooked through, about 7 minutes on each side. Transfer chicken to a platter and cool. (Chicken may be made up to this point 1 day ahead and chilled, covered.)

Cut chicken into 1/4-inch-thick slices and in a large bowl combine with remaining ingredients. Drizzle remaining dressing over salad and toss gently to combine well.

On another note, I have been listening to podcasts on craftsanity.com, my new favorite website.  There are over 100 audio interviews with artists.  The one I am currently listening to is with a master quilter named Sharon Schamber (www.sharonschamber.com).  Her creative process is SO interesting, and her quilts are absolutely unreal.  She talks a lot about getting into her creative zone -- allowing the right side of her brain to completely take over (and that is, in my opinion, when you lose track of time and your surroundings fall away - love that!).  While I listen I have been working on a drawing and trying my hardest not to let my inner critic take over; I just want to see where my hand takes me.  I find it incredibly difficult not to forecast what the end result of my drawing will be -- what the composition should be, whether the drawing is any good, whether people will like it.  I am trying my best to just enjoy the journey and see what comes of it.  

Already I am so inspired by the detail in Sharon's quilts that I am determined to take this little drawing I am doing and make it larger -- 24" x 36" or so...  I love being able to use the hours when Anabelle naps to delve in and do my art.  However my struggle remains, as always, what do I have to say as an artist?  Is my final product just... to be pretty?  

Here's a detail: 

Hairdryer Hot

We are back in loverly Las Vegas where the temperature outside is a whopping 109 degrees. Ugh.  It feels like we are in a big hairdryer.    

We had a wonderful month in Boston, Cuttyhunk and Evanston.  Pat is happy to have Anabelle and me back at the ranch, and though I miss being surrounded by all the family, it is nice to set up shop in our own home again.  Anabelle is back to sleeping well; yesterday she napped for a total of FIVE hours between her morning and afternoon naps!  Lucky for me because I napped too.    

I have NOT been busy making art, but I have been busy in the kitchen and the laundry room.  I am actually really enjoying it!  Unpacking and sorting and cleaning has given me a real sense of... calm.  Plus it gives me real satisfaction to be cooking Anabelle's meals again.  Here is the cookbook I LOVE:  Top 100 Baby Purees by Annabel Karmel. 

Here's a picture of Anabelle on Cuttyhunk.  I love it because everything about her looks soft. During our month away she perfected her wave, learned how to clap and how to put her arms up in the air when you ask her "how big is Anabelle?"  SO BIG!

The Jolly 4th

HELLOOO fellow followers! oh my goodness, now that i actually have a following i have been lagging on my entries. vacation apparently makes me a bit too lackadaisical. in any case. i would like to formally tell you all thank you! for supporting my endeavors. it warms my heart.

we are now in evanston at my mom and don's for a couple of weeks. anabelle has learned to give kisses - a direct result from all the love she has been getting, i'm sure. she dives forward with an open mouth and plants one on a cheek or a mouth, whichever comes first. she has mastered waving, and now we are working on the art of sharing -- passing her new ball back and forth. she's only just discovered that she can let the ball go, and then what happens is that she will get it back.

we went to Lighthouse Beach the other day. What a strange transitional time i am going through... last time i was there i was a kid myself, lolling in the shallow water and ordering Chaco Tacos from the ice cream truck. now i find myself sitting in a circle of young moms, prying fistfuls of sand out of our babies' mouths. anabelle sat rather quietly there in her pink addidas pants (ha) inspecting the sand, and it wasn't until we were getting ready to drive home that i realized she was gumming a little black stone.

today is overcast, but hopefully the rain will hold off until, well... tomorrow. we just can not be bothered with it today; there is a parade to go to, and bbqs to attend!!!! pat and i went to the wilmette fireworks last night. the 4th of july has truly become one of my favorite holidays, and evanston today is america at its best.

I have not forgotten my art. it will continue, i promise.

Green

anabelle and i are visiting my dad and sarah here in boyleston, massachusetts where the green is so green it all looks like a big jungle compared to the sparse and jagged landscape and red red rock of las vegas. today she sat in the grass for the very first time. she hoisted her elbows up so high they almost reached her armpits, so unsure she was of the prickly mess she was sitting atop. i showed her how to pat it and wiggle her toes in it, and that made her giggle. we sat in the hammock which overlooks dad's gardens, and that also made her laugh. she clung to the ropes and refused to rest with me. who can blame her -- it's all so new! i showed her a bullfrog and a Full Moon japanese maple, let her touch the rough bark of a tree, and we picked a small purple violet. soon both of her chubby hands were filled with clumps of limp greenery.

then upstairs we went for her "morning" nap - i am clinging to the remnants of a tattered schedule - and as i nursed her to sleep (for shame, i know) i wondered if her mind is just now seeing only the greens of dad's garden. the hundreds and thousands of shades - the dappled green of the grass underneath the trees, the chartruese of the hostas... all nameless and wonderous. each leaf, each blade seen in great detail and up close, the big picture just a big blur.

Crave

This is definitely more "beg" than "crave," but time was short this week.  This is Buzz, our eight and a half year old bulldog.  I LOVE sketching him because he is really the most unbelievable shape.  He is like a:

burrito

tootsie roll

sea cucumber

piggy

He has a fabulously enormous head, and paws that look like big muffins.  Believe it or not he can sniff out watermelon if we are eating it, and he goes crazy for it! 

Anabelle gets a huge kick out of him -- she lights right up when he saunters by.  She pulls on his ears and yanks on his fur, and he either ignores her or he licks her, bless his heart.  

Adapt

We don't have daffodils out here in the desert, but Chicago's spring and summer weather has been on my mind lately.  There they light up the rainy spring days like little lanterns.  And the best part is that whenever the sun shines, all their little heads turn to follow the light.  That is what I consider a perfect example of adapting.  Each flower shifts its trumpet to make the most of its environment - to fit in, to survive, to be happy.  As my dad always says "you can get used to hangin' if you hang long enough."

I found this note on my drawing yesterday.  Pretty awesome, huh?!  

Purpose

It is an overcast morning in Las Vegas, and I love it.  We hardly ever get cloudy skies, so it feels like a cozy treat when we do.  

I've been working on my illustration for the word of the week ("adapt") at night after Patrick and I finish dinner and after we clean up.  Anabelle goes to sleep at 7, so we have the rest of the evening to ourselves.  (To draw or space out as the case may be.  duhhhhhhhhhhhh)  It feels absolutely delicious to be thinking creatively again.  It puts purpose to my days - roots them down so that every time I sit down to my paper I feel like I'm coming back to... myself. HOWEVER I also get really wound up from working which is not the best thing right before hitting the sack.  My brain just starts going and I feel like I could work and work and work. Good thing I am much too sensible to do that -- Anabelle wakes up at 6am if not earlier.  So the time that I do have to work is like a little gem.  

It's great to have a weekly due date because it keeps me from getting overly attached to each piece.  They are exercises rather than masterpieces.  I'll post "Adapt" in the next couple of days.

Older work

JOURNEY THROUGH A QUILTED SUBCONSCIOUS

I did this about two years ago when I first moved to Las Vegas.  I made no plans in terms of composition; I started in one corner, fitting each piece together like a puzzle or quilt, almost "weaving" it all together like a tapestry.    

FALLEN

Here I was inspired by the shapes and colors of sea creatures.  There is an endless supply of inspiration there!  I worked in the same way - the scene unfolded as I went along.

UNTITLED

Here I was exploring the power of two contrasting colors and values.

UNTITLED

This was my latest one.  You can't see, but there is a portrait of Buzz, our English bulldog on the right hand side.  ;)