Memories Journal #17

Continuing on westward home from our 2012 cross country trip, we stopped in Wyoming. Our destination was Devil's Tower, but we were running low on funds and decided not to spend the cash on entering the park. Instead, we admired from afar while eating cold ice cream just outside of the pay booth. 

Probably the biggest regret I have on this trip is continuing on I-90 instead of detouring east to drive through Yellowstone. I had this vision that Montana was going to be more beautiful than Western Wyoming, but I was greatly disappointed until we reached the very northwest tip of Montana. Hopefully this journal will include a memory of Yellowstone and the Tetons in the future. 

Memories Journal #13

On the epic roadtrip of 2012, we stayed the second night in Oklahoma. I recall how thick the air felt, and a lot more bugs than I liked. It was nighttime when we finally stopped, but in the morning we traveled through the eastern part of the state on I40. I was very surprised to see rolling hills, farms, and colorful landscape in this part of Oklahoma. Being from a beautiful area of the U.S.A. (Oregon of course!), it was enlightening to see other parts of America that held their own unique beauty.

Memories Journal #8

In 2003, I tried doing a sales job that I ended up really hating. It did take me to some new places I would normally not travel too. One of those places was the Yakima Valley in Washington. I sold industrial brushes to agricultural industry, which meant trying to get that sale from companies or farmers that grew apples. One of the most difficult jobs that I have a great respect for. After two years of that job, I decided to be an accountant.

Memories Journal #7

In 1999, I moved to Arizona thinking there would be a better life for me in the desert. I thought I would be tan all of the time, and never cold. Well, I stayed very pale and cold because being outside in 110 degrees was terrible. The air conditioning was constantly running, which is why I stayed cold. However, northern Arizona is absolutely stunning. I loved the red rock, the high altitude and cooler temperatures. A year after moving to Arizona, I moved back to Oregon as I was not cut out for all of that sunshine.

Traveling vicariously by Art Journal #2

Since coming back from vacation in March in Iceland, I think I am ready for someplace with warmer temperatures. Don't get me wrong, Iceland is GORGEOUS, and like no other place on this earth I am convinced. But sideways rain, and having to wear snowboots on spring break wasn't as comfortable as the places I would be listed below. 

Despite the giant pythons and alligator-eating-children in Florida, I would love to see Key West. Something about all of those pastel buildings and islands that scream tropical vacation, without leaving the states!

What's even better than Florida? Tuscany Italy! While it may not have warm sandy beaches and cold fruity alcholic beverages, the vineyards and rolling hills seem romantic and dreamy just as well. This is my husband's dream vacation, and I really hope to get there with him for that honeymoon we never were able to take.

Dandelions

Seeing those giant dandelions in my yard, I usually will struggle to pull them. They are easy to break at the root, and just grow back! But then, after doing some reading up on the benefits of this plant, I have a little more respect for it! I still will pull most of them that are invasive, but will definitely make a wish while blowing the delicate seeds.

Memories Journal #4

Southern Oregon is a place like no other. Golden hills, pear orchards, volcanic areas to the east, coastal mountains to the west, and the Rogue Valley is deep. I spent 8 years of my childhood here-from age 6 to 14, and feel like it is truly home. It does not have the rain fall that Portland does, and it can get hot. What is really unique about Southern Oregon is there are not one, but TWO table rocks very close by. I hiked one during a 6th grade field trip, and was amazed by the unique nature there. This sketch shows one of the table rocks. I truly love this area with my whole heart, and feel complete when I go back to visit.

Memories Journal #3

In October 1978, I was almost six years old, and with my 25 year old mother, she drove us from North Carolina cross country to Oregon. I recall spending days in that old car looking out the window, but don't remember much except one place-Texas. This is not one of my good memories. Our car had major trouble and we were stuck. I remember the fear I felt from my mom, and I didn't like the landscape of where we were. There were these ugly 'hammer machines' everywhere, and later I learned these were oil pumps. It was so vastly different from the trees and lushness of where we had come from. To this day, I still see Texas as a negative place. I have only been there once since, and that was on another cross country trip in 2012. No breakdowns then.

Memories Journal #2

Living in North Carolina in 1977, we lived near the beach. I would dig my own little pool in the wet sand, but couldn't figure out why the water would disappear when I poured the seawater from my bucket. When the waves came crashing in, I screamed in terror fearing that I would be swept away. Maybe I perished in a tsunami in a former life?

Memories Journal #1

My watercolor sketchbook collection won't stop growing. I just purchased another Bee Creative watercolor book now made with 100% cotton. This is far superior (IMHO) to the 25% cotton paper. It is an 8 X 8 book with 30 sheets, and feels very high quality for the price.

This new journal will focus on haikus that describe memories I have of various places traveled or lived in. Some of these memories aren't necessarily good ones, but definitely shaped me. Most of us are trying to forget those less than perfect memories that bring back pain, but as time goes on, we realize that pain made us better, stronger, or happier. 

#1 in my book takes place in 1975ish, living in rural North Carolina in an old single wide trailer with my mom, grandma and uncle who was just 10 years my senior. Money and space were tight, but I just remember having my family.

Memories Journal #5

In 1987, my family moved from southern Oregon up to Portland to find steady work. It was a very low point in my life, but I understood it was necessary even at age 14. While the bigger city had malls and a much better selection of things for a teenager to do, it did not have the same feel of home as southern Oregon had. The Portland Oregon area has remained home for nearly 30 years since.

Watercolor landscapes

What I appreciate about watercolor painting is you can use a heavy wet media sketchbook instead of canvas being the best option for gouache, acrylic or oil. These two were done in my Bee Creative Watercolor Journal, which I absolutely love. Paints are from M. Graham & Co., as I love the vibrancy of these paints.

Hollyhocks in England

Twilight in the Outer Banks

Traveling vicariously by Art Journal

Even though I am such a homebody, I fantasize about traveling to places that are majestic and stunning. This is another art journal by Pentalic that I am filling up with places on eARTh that capture my attention and longing to experience that nature. This is a long work in process, but here are the first 9. Number 1 (Kirkjufell, Iceland) I am hoping to see in person next month. 

Kirjufell, Iceland. Hope to see this mountain in March 2017!

Canterbury Plains, New Zealand

Southern France

Arizona-I have seen these cacti up close, and they are amazing

Redwood Forest, California. Mind blowing to see these gigantic trees in real life

Colonial Del Sacremento, Uruguay

Crater Lake, Oregon. This is an incredible sight in person, never get tired of see this work of nature

Sagano bamboo forest, Kyoto Japan

Cliffs of Moher, Ireland

More watercolor birds

I find birds such beautiful creatures of our planet. They are graceful, make beautiful song, are so diverse, and have gorgeous colors. I have dedicated a Bee Creative watercolor book in learning my sketching and watercolor painting. All sketches below use M. Graham watercolors.

Taos

Because canvas is expensive, and I can only hang so many in my home, I began an Art Journal. The Art Journal will feature paintings of places I wish to visit (if I had the opportunity). My goal is to see how I develop over time in practicing a technique in painting. I bought a Bee Creative Watercolor spiral bound pad for this experiment.

This is page one, and it is a replica of a photograph of homes in Taos, New Mexico. I loved the blue sky and the contrasting red clay homes with green doors, and defined the elements with a Sakura Micron pen.The initial sketch was colored in with watercolor pencil, and then I went back over that with Graham Gouache paint. 

Why Taos? New Mexico has always enchanted me, and Taos seems to define that enchantment theme.