Tiny but exquisite, this little bust was found in a carver's workshop in ancient Egypt.  I was taken by the beauty of the face....even if she did have an odd bean-like shaped head.  This is day 3 - of 42 sketches toward a permanent sketching habit!

Today I was lucky (one could say fortunate) enough to get another opportunity to seem some amazing items from Egypt.  Touted as treasures from King Tut, the exhibit at the Pacific Science Center had many other things from the Egyptian museum.  I've been there, and it is, in the very least, overwhelming.  Nothing of the display expertise that the Science Center put forth.  Lighting, display cases, explanations of what was on view... really beautiful!

So, keeping my resolution....of sketching every day with my 42 Sketches Group over on Facebook (or trying to), I am posting one of my little ditties.  Might post more at a later date...perhaps after fiddling with them a bit.  Until then....here is a Head of Amenhotep III in the Blue Crown of War, from Karnak, Temple of Amun.  What are you sketching?

All-righty....resolutions, New Year, and all those good things....it is said 6 weeks is what it takes to form a habit.  I would like to say I already have a habit of sketching, but in all honesty, I do find many other things to fill my time while putting that particular thing on hold. So....to start this all up again, here is the first of many (hopefully)  sketches, to form that habit again.  Would you like to join me in this?  Come on.....42 sketches (six weeks) to form that lovely habit again in your life.  Let's do this!

Tacoma Loves Artists

The city of Tacoma is a great place to be if you have creativity in your heart.  Nurturing, cooperative, cutting edge, and fun, the people here don't just say they support the arts, they come out, full force, stomping, chanting, and even loving the arts with the totality of their hearts.

November in Tacoma is a perfect example of this.  It is, and has been for 12 years, Tacoma Art at Work month.  A monthlong celebration of everything and anything art related.  Gallery openings, yes, but that, and a whole lot more.  Arts and cultural happenings every day in November.

I am so happy to say I am one of the 55 artists who are opening their studios for the Studio Tours on November 3rd & 4th so that anyone and everyone can go and check out where the art happens.  This year is especially special for me.  My husband, Ken Marks, has recently rediscovered his love for photography.  Embracing his right brain (which is so very cool since he is a Math Teacher, so very left brain) he has carefully crafted with the keenest photographers eye, amazing images of the Pacific Northwest.  I am excited he is one of the 55 artists showing his work, as a guest, in my Jet Cooperative space.

Recently, Ken and I both were highlighted on the Tacoma Arts Blog.  My dash with fame came on September 26th, his on October 17th.  I feel so honored and blessed, to be a part of a creative family, as well as a creative community right now.  Thank you Tacoma for your support of all artists out here.

News Friends

Sure, I don't know this guy, so technically I am still sketching strangers, but I feel like he is part of our life, in a virtual way anyway.  This is my rendition of Brian Williams of NBC nightly news.  We invite him into our home on a regular basis, and over time, more an more of his personality shines through.  I think he would be an interesting guy to sit and have a conversation with over a glass of wine.  Brian, if you are out there....you are always welcome to stop by here!

Roman Emperor Hadrian

The Hadrian portrait group over on Flickr is an interesting place.  There is a show this summer at the World Heritage Foundation site in England near Hadrian's wall.  This little group of artistic talent has been invited to portray a likeness of one of the most powerful Roman Emperors ever.  

I am amazed by how many sculptural busts were made of this man, either he was quite powerful, or he was narcissistic to a fault! 

The source for this photo was used with permission from Danita Copeland. 

This is my rendition of the dude....acrylic paint, ink, marker

Stranger Sketches continues....

I am so very lucky to have this little habit of bringing my sketchbook wherever I go.  A bit back I attended a meeting hosted by several different organizations regarding "Art Carts" in Tacoma, and, of course, I brought my sketchbook.  I was sitting way way way back, but the only person in the room I found remotely interesting to draw was Marty Campbell.  He is a local business owner and a member of the Tacoma City Council.  I don't know him really, only been introduced once, been around the same people here and there around town, but he seems like a really great guy.

Skip forward to this afternoon, wandering the isles of the local grocery store when I passed him. Now, he doesn't know me from Doris Day, but I thought, what the heck.  I called out his name, and introduced myself.  Commence fumbling and twittering on about how he doesn't know me, but I sketched him once and would he like to see it and, well, it was rather embarrassing.  Here I am just trying to introduce myself to this guy, thought I could even get some information out of him which could potentially help me with my art business, and I can't even keep my own composure.  What a fumbling fool I can be sometimes.

So, to complete the humiliation, I am posting the whole ridiculous mess here on my blog.  I mean hey, when looking like a goof, why not show everyone what a complete dork you are!  I need to get over this hang-up about talking to people I don't know about my art.  Hmmmm, now, how exactly do I do that?  Suggestions welcome!