allsorts

My creative space

This is for Kirsty's My Creative Space Wednesday... at long last, some new photos of my studio! They are not great photos mind you, the light in here is very uncooperative in the afternoons. It blasts into the two westerly windows so I usually have to close the shutters by 3:00 or so. But, today the room is as clean and the most organized it has ever been, so I thought I should document it.

My favorite part is the Liatorp buffet from Ikea that stores my fabric and tons of other supplies, and quite stylishly. Before, I had ugly white shelving. Boy was I glad to see that go! Someday I hope to replace the Scandia pine shelving and desks, too. I can't even bring my self to show you a photo of that wall. Yuck.

Ugh, I didn't realize how bad these photos are until now.  I need a better lens for my camera, and maybe learning how to use it wouldn't hurt!

The three red frames hold fantastic papercut prints from Elsa Mora, and Ro brought me the lanterns from Singapore. Right now the floor has horrible old berber carpet on it, but that will change as soon as I figure out what I want to replace it with. The worktable is a huge old map desk. I covered the top with oilcloth and painted the base. I keep tons more stuff in Ikea boxes that fit perfectly underneath. I have three of those blue buckets that I use for trash and recycling. My felt is organized by color in the white stacking bins to the right of the worktable.

So that's it! My creative space!

Cheers,

Jenny

Friday Archives - sketching at the DMA

A few years ago I was suffering from a serious case of artists block. I was so uninspired and really struggling. What pulled me out of it was sketching at the Dallas Museum of Art, and in particular, the sketch shown above. On Thursday nights they had a loosely organized group you could join and sketch from the museum's collection.

Most nights were spent in the largest galleries full of contemporary works and large sculpture. But one evening they led us to the wing where they recreated the French Villa La Pausa where an amazing collection of masterpieces were originally displayed. In these tiny rooms were the most unbelievable works of art by the greatest masters. I chose this pen and ink sketch (shown below) by Van Gogh called Cafe Terrace on the Place du Forum, Arles, at Night, plopped myself down in front of it, pulled out my pencils, and started to draw.

Something happened as I sat there, drawing the same lines, imagining Van Gogh himself sitting and sketching the same scene as I was. It was the breakthrough I needed.

I've had a bit of dwindling inspiration lately, so it was a nice boost when I found this sketch at the back of a drawer I was cleaning out. Maybe its time to grab the old sketchbook and head down to the museum again!

Cheers, again! Wow, two posts today... wonders never cease!

Jenny

Unfortunately...

How about a little diversion? 

I have been cracking up all morning over this meme that Monica shared on her facebook page.  Here's how to play... just do a Google search of the phrase "unfortunately, _______" but put your first name in the blank (be sure to enclose it all in quotation marks).  The resultant phrases are hilarious if you have a slightly twisted sense of humor and an appreciation for random absurdity.

Some examples...

Unfortunately, Jenny never had much of a chance; she was sidelined into 'tramp' roles from the word go.

Unfortunately, Jenny's good, but she's not that good.

Unfortunately, Jenny can only accept cash or a personal cheque.

Unfortunately, Jenny has very little to do in this movie except look pretty, but even her great beauty is concealed most of the time.

Unfortunately, Jenny is anything but honorable, she’s obsessive, manipulative, immature and flat out bipolar.

Unfortunately, Jenny wasn’t able to pick up the puppy until after 4:00 p.m.

Unfortunately, Jenny's bullying dark side is what she'll be remembered for.

Unfortunately, Jenny is possessed by Muriel's ghost, and the fun (revenge) begins.

Unfortunately, Jenny didn’t throw her Diet Coke on Mark and scream, “Shut the **** up about that homewrecking ****!"

Unfortunately, Jenny didn't wield the cowbell on Breakin' Up.

I think that last one might be my favorite.

Go ahead, try it! If you decide to play along leave your favorite result in a comment, and a link back to your blog if you like.

Cheers,

Jenny

ps - I thought an image from A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket would be fitting. This is from book six, artwork by the amazing and masterful Brett Helquist.

Hope your Valentines Day was lovely

Hey, something else I can put in my Ikea frame! A couple of vintage Valentines cards.

However they are not yet up on the wall as you see. Soon, I hope.

Today my sweetheart and I spent the afternoon picking out the perfect Valentines gift for each other... a new grill for the courtyard! The old one was on its last leg... er... post.  Hey, nothing says I love you like barbecue!

Love and hugs to my bloggy Valentines!

Cheers,

Jenny