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Ms. Vivienne would likely have invented burning man sometime in the near future, if it didn't already exist. As you can see she channels the spirit! This series is from our end of summer block party. Vivi had striped to her diaper and pink crocs, had her tummy painted with a pink bunny "totoro" and found herself a hula hoop to dance through the street with. She looks so happy and full of herself, it was a joy to behold. That's one happy baby.
When I unpacked my art boxes last, what was it March? Oh no even longer, it was January!, I found a big box full of oil paints, linseed oil, damar varnish, and lots of unopened matt varnish. I thought for sure all the oils would be dried up and unusable. I didn't fret too much about it as it's been twelve years so my expectations were not high, plus I haven't made art in so long I didn't even know if I'd want to paint with oils again or use photographs as my canvas as I had in the past. In fact I thought it would be better to choose a non-toxic direction (green brainwashing) so I gravitated toward water color. At the same time, I've been slowly building an encaustic studio. I've been dreaming about melting, smoothing, and carving into beeswax. With my most recent splurge at dick blick (thank you Sherry!!) and Flax, I finally have the tools and supplies I want to work with. I started by drawing on a wood panel with the intention of waxing over a painted image. Of course the water colors I've been using weren't satisfying on wood and they don't work with a gesso'd ground since the water won't absorb. I considered acrylics— but really? I've never liked them (I feel snobbish saying that!). So there I was face to face with my box of old and potentially dried up oils. I started opening them one by one to see if I could even get the tops off or if they were squeezable. Indeed they were! About 85% are not only fine, they are still lovely and ready to go as though time hadn't past. As I opened them I remembered how much I love painting with oils. I had a really sweet stroll down memory lane as I tested each one. The sennelier paints are by far my favorites as they have unusual colors and rich pigment but are suspended in more oil than the other brands and glaze really well. They also held up beautifully after all these years. I had to start melting wax and painting that very day. . .it starts with a single step as they say. I'm walking now.
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By way of Karin's Style Blog, I found a great new to me site, artists who blog, which then led me to gennine (and to her etsy site — boy etsy is a dangrous place for me, makes me want to spend more money!) I like her use of watercolors, white acrylic overlay and collage. I'm attracted to her subject matter of birds and water life too which feel uplifting and calming.
Max and I went to see the darling film "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" in 3-D. We had a great time. He was obsessed with his milk duds and I was quite happy eating a bag of movie popcorn. Good times all around.
Vivienne and I enjoyed a wonderful sunny day playing at Children's Playground in Golden Gate Park and luncheoning at Pacific Catch. It's so easy to spend a day with Vivienne. She's care-free, happy, curious, engaging, and self-entertaining — seriously, wow! I'm in awe of her spirit and energy.
I like the japanese format and composition of this diptych, the glorious use of green too but most especially I like the vignetted glow surrounding the lovers and the reader as they enjoy the park. Below is another park view by Leslie Lowinger found by way of the Graphic Arts Workshop. sadly my blog format doesn't allow for long horizontal images (a redesign is on the to do list) so I chopped this up. I love the pink hues and childhood-like feel.
This is what we should make with all the zucchini's papa gives us — looks so yummy. The closet cooking blog I found this on is AMAZING! There are a zillion recipes I want to try and the photography makes all the food look so delicious. This guy can cook and style his food what a combo. I bet he'll have a book deal shortly.
Chocolate Zucchini Bread
(makes 1 loaf)
Printable Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup zucchini (grated)
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
1 egg
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup walnuts (chopped)
1/2 cup chocolate chips
Directions:
1. Mix the zucchini, sugar, oil, yogurt and egg in a bowl.
2. Mix the flours, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cocoa powder and cinnamon in a bowl.
3. Mix the wet and dry ingredients.
4. Mix in the nuts and chocolate chips.
5. Pour the batter into a greased 5X9 inch loaf pan.
6. Bake in a preheated 350F oven until a toothpick pushed into the center comes out clean, about 50-70 minutes.
This is a photo of Max's self portrait from his first week of "tk" (transitional kindergarten) school.
