A Few Sketches

Here are a few sketches done on the previously discussed amazing gray paper--

As you will notice, the coloring of the photos is all messed up. Sorry about that- the lighting just was not working in my favor. The bottom picture that shows some of my color charting/testing, is accurate however. 

Enjoy! 

-Emily 

Paper Love

On Thursday mornings I babysit three of the sweetest children. The family homeschools, so I have the opportunity to help them with their school work and it really is a joy. When they are done with their school work we play games on the trampoline and I think I have just as much fun as them. When I was younger, I always wanted a trampoline but it was always "too dangerous" or "we didn't have a good spot in the back yard." So in some strange way it fulfills my childhood wish.

This past Thursday, upon finishing watching the kids, I met my mom for lunch at Chipotle (delish!) and then took a thorough and leisurely trip to Michaels. It has been months since I have gone in a craft store and just walked through all the isles, so it was wonderful.

I had a couple specific things to buy for the art class I teach, but other than that I just wandered around throwing my favorite goodies into the cart. And boy did I find the goodies. When I use my Prismacolor pencils, I prefer a toned paper. Generally, I end up using a pastel paper, but recently I have been wishing for something with less of a tooth. After seeing some gorgeous sketches done by a friend on smooth, gray paper I have really been wanting some. And lucky for me- Michaels had just the thing! And buy 1 get 1 free!

I obviously scooped up both colors- tan and grey. I have yet to use the tan, but I have done a few sketches on the gray paper and I adore it. The colors pop oh so bright and everything goes on so smooth. The paper came in two size pads, and I bought the smaller (5" x 7") but I will definitely be purchasing the larger as well- I think it was 9" x 12". 

-Emily

Presenting: The Beginnings of (Insert Project Title Here)

Several weeks ago I had this concept for a new painting. I could see it in my mind, but I couldn't quite put it into words. I have been working with Garnet Goldman on this project since that initial idea. We put into words the idea I had and made a little action plan. So far I have a 24" x 24" partially primed canvas and lots of little squares waiting for mini pictures. 

So here's the idea: 

This is a twist on a self portrait. It is not really of myself, but will clearly express my views, interests and lessons I am learning. I am dividing my canvas into 144 2"x2" squares. Each square represents something whether it be an interest of mine or a Bible verse. Several of the squares I designed this week came straight from Psalm 119. Although, that is not clear unless you know it and have the verses in front of you. But that's basically the point. Other squares represent concepts related to the World vs. Christ. For example, the moon represents darkness (world) the square below it, once completed, represents light (Christ). The big swirl represents chaos (world). The vertical lines descending to the people represent glory (Christ). You get the idea, right? 

Here's a close up of a few squares...

Once all 144 squares are planned, I will painstakingly paint each one onto the canvas. An clear, iridescent outline of my face will go on top (confirming that this is a sort of self portrait). I am super excited to see the face, because on top of the paint will be tons of little bitty glass balls. 

As I make progress, I will also make posts about it. So be on the lookout! As of now I have 24 squares down and 120 to go. I am praying for revelation and concepts for each of the remaining squares! 

Also, as you can see, this project is yet to have a name. As I work I am trusting some clever, inspired name will come along. 

-Emily 

Market Peach

Recently, I've kind of had a thing for candles. They look pretty and smell good. Two very positive things in my book. And fire is preeetty captivating- is it not? 

When i walked into Bath&Body Works Today I was pretty thrilled to see their new mason jar candles among the new Spring products. They make five scents- strawberry, lemon mint leaf, strawberry, pineapple mango and market peach. After much deliberation over the pineapple mango and market peach, I chose the latter. However, I'm sure I'll be going back soon enough for the pineapple mango. The candles look fantastic, and did I mention they are only $12.50? 

-Emily 

A Little Me Moment

I feel a little funny just typing all about my life, but this is my blog, so here goes...

One photo can sum up the majority of my time/effort/life over the past 6 weeks and 3 days. (But who's counting, right?)

Not sure what this is? I wouldn't know either. The cover isn't particularly representative. It's a textbook. Specifically, "The Developing Person Through the Life Span." Over the past 6 weeks and 3 days I have spent at least a couple hours a day with this big guy. And I am counting down the next 1 week and 4 days until he goes in a box back to his home, the textbook renters at Barnes and Noble. 

He's so fat and full of information and stuff to spend hours.and hours.and hours. reading, that he deserves a second picture. 

Over the course of this psychology class journey my little brother had a birthday. But as you can see, he does not enjoy pictures so much.

Some rolls. Don't you wish you could eat them? So do I. Last night my mother made these to go with dinner, so my allergic self took pictures instead of eating them. Normal, right? 

Need I comment on the glass head? Its clear. and thick. and head shaped. 

I got a handy dandy Pier1 gift card for Christmas and pulled it out a few weeks ago when I stumbled upon this little lovely in the veeeerry back corner of the store on the verrrryy bottom shelf. It's as if they wanted to save this little gem for themselves! Better yet, when I bought it the cashier told me I needed to purchase a sequin-covered mask because they look creepy if they are on display without one. hmmm? 

So I have a thrilling life, right? 

I have some creating-related photos as well to put up later. I can't wait to tell you all about my newest project!!

-Emily 

Art Class: Layered Landscapes

One morning a week I have a couple kids come to my house and we have a little art class. We've done all sorts of fun things with colored pencils, oil pastels, and their favorite- paint! I'm going to start posting some tutorials of the projects we do together. And the first is: Layered Landscapes. We did this a couple weeks ago, and I've been meaning to post it since then, but school work tends to get in the way of that. But here goes-- 

Materials: 

• Paint (I only gave the kids red, blue, yellow and white. We did a lesson on mixing colors earlier in the year, so this was a chance to put it into practice.) 
• Acrylic paper
• Pallets
• (Not pictured) Oil pastels 

Give each child a piece of acrylic paper. I used the paper for this project because after painting, children will use oil pastels over top and I knew the canvases would end up with a nice, deep concave effect ;) 

Instruct students to draw three diagonal lines across their paper. 

(Hint: it is really fun if they don't know what the picture is going to be at the end. They will draw exactly what you tell them to (a line) rather than what they expect it to be (a hill.) Also, they will spend the whole time guessing with those creative little minds!)

Draw two parallel vertical lines coming out of each horizontal line. Erase the section of horizontal line cutting through the vertical pairs. 

Your drawing is complete! Next it is time to paint. Each hill should be a different shade of green. 

Paint the sky blue, and the tree trunks brown. Let dry

Once dried, students use oil pastels to add leaves, birds, sun, clouds, people, ponds, animals, fences and anything else their minds imagine. One of my students created a fall landscape complete with leaves falling into piles and squirrels scurrying along. Another created a summer escape. He had a pond all ready for fishing with the tackle box and fishing poles not too far off. 

--Emily 

{Monday Mornings}

A picture for this frosty Monday morning...

Cottage in the Woods

A couple days ago, I found a sweet little pattern on pinterest for a little house pouch. I pulled out some felt, printed out the pattern, and plugged in my sewing machine. Not long after, came this sweet little pouch.


-Emily

Mountain Time

I spent a day in Boone and Blowing Rock last week, taking pictures, walking, and shopping. Here are a few pictures from the day...

Enjoy!

-Emily

And Thus A New Year Begins

Happy 2013! I hope a fun, safe NYE night was had by all! And I wish you all the best on your new year's resolutions.
I was rather delighted to hang up this new Rifle Paper Co. calendar. Each month has a new city- and the pictures are gorgeous. This is basically the most perfect calendar for me, because I always feel like I should write commitments and plans and such on my calendar, but never remember to. Or they change and I can't erase my pen. let me tell you, it is a struggle. But! Rifle Paper Co. assisted me by creating a calendar that doesn't even have squares for writing in! And the pictures are of big cities. I love cities. Love, love, love them.

--Emily