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!

Through the eyes of fifth graders

I am always greeted by smiling cheering giggling kids when I go into the neighborhood school.  The building is old, drafty, really needs some tlc, but the staff is dedicated, knowledgeable, and kind.  The kids are pretty secure in who they are and how they fit into this little community.  It is so much fun to be there.

I am not sure if they all knew the landmarks of our city I asked them to draw and paint for me, but as I showed the photos of important landmarks, and some not so important landmarks, there were comments being thrown at me like fast balls, stories of experiences, and loads of "I've been there" shouts were heard.

So this is my town, as seen through the eyes of some pretty awesome fifth graders.  I am so privileged to have been able to spend some time with these young artists.  Now, if I can only get them to not forget how much fun it is to draw and paint as they make their way into this world.

Artists sketching artists sketching artists sketching artists (and making things up about them all the while)

Another portrait of an artist over in the Julia Kay's Portrait Party group on flickr.com.  This is r3nn3r, or Cooper, depending on how well you know him.  Obviously shy, his eyes have always been a point of curiosity because of their strange color.  How often do you see purple eyes, other than, of course, the late great Liz Taylor?

You can see the whole stream of artists sketching artists sketching artists (and so on and so on) of the great r3nn3r here.  He was kind enough to do an image of me, so now, I return the favor.

Stranger Sketches . . . Start!

This is Andrew Blandy, otherwise known as treemade. He is an artist on the flickr.com group "Julia Kay's Portrait Party". The entire collection of artists portraits of treemade can be found here.

This is an incredibly active group of artist from around the world. I am just getting started participating in this group, but so far I am loving it! Loads of off shoots of ideas are coming from being involved with these artists. They are dedicated, talented and prolific. Perhaps I could learn a thing or two as well!

Would you like me to draw you? Do you think portaits of strangers are interesting? Or do you only prefer seeing famous people, or only people you know? Tell me what you think...

Watching television can be fun, if not brain numbing. I am constantly wishing I could press the pause button on many many many different scenes (something I do quite frequently when dh isn't around) and sketch to my hearts content. Gonna get one of Brian Williams one of these days.

But, until then, it will be random scenes I run across which inspire. I have no recollection where I found this beautiful face, but I was able to pause and capture a bit of her expression before going on with whatever that glowing box offered.

Do you ever have this feeling? Kind of like life will pass you buy and you didn't jump on the opportunity to stop, capture it, before the fleeting muse floats off?

Over on Flickr.com there is a party going on! I am a bit shy, and like to hang back and check out who is at a party before I go in full time, but I think I am about to introduce myself a bit!

The simple premise is this. I post a picture of me and you make a portrait, and you post a picture of you and I do a portrait of you! Basically artists drawing each other, and posting these at the "Julia Kay's Portrait Party" group site.

So this is my first pic of fellow party-mate Wally Torta, an amazingly talented artist who I am in awe of. So I decided to start with him, and hopefully more to come!

Pogie Pie

This week my sister and her family lost a very special part of themselves. Their beloved Pogie passed away. She was only 5 years old, way way way not enough time for her to be with her people. But in that short time, she taught two boys how to care and love for another, creating compassion and empathy in them which will be a part of their personalities for a very long time. She was a very cool dog, and will be deeply missed.

I am so sorry for my sisters loss, and this has made our family really appreciate our own dog. My boys are learing through her family about what it is like to loose a dog, and how much that can hurt.

Here's to Pogie, February 2006 - January 2011. Thanks for sharing your love with us.

Last night was the first full moon of the year. Also known as the Wolf Moon.

From the always handy Farmer's Almanac: “Full Moon names date back to Native Americans, of what is now the northern and eastern United States,” the almanac explains, noting that “tribes kept track of the seasons by giving distinctive names to each recurring full Moon.”

The Farmer's Almanac also notes that January’s full moon was named a Full Wolf, because “Amid the cold and deep snows of midwinter, the wolf packs howled hungrily outside Indian villages.”