Allergies to dust and grain, maladies, remedies and still these allergies remain. — Paul Simon
Spring is … wonderful … well, except for that little allergy thing that happens every year. I have some generally mild allergies to tree pollen and usually I can count on 5-7 days of itchy eyes, a scratchy throat, and – of course – a runny nose. This morning brings Day Fifteen of the most horrible spring allergies I can remember in … well … a long-ass time! So I did a quick Google search yesterday to see if my Off-The-Charts allergies were a one-off, or not… (really, I should have included a box of Kleenex™ in the above photo because we spent so much time together! lol)
Turns out, it’s a Big OR NOT… sigh.
So this weekend was all about not thinking about my allergy symptoms (and not rubbing my eyes, gah!)
My Mind Over Matter things… knitting, that water color class, and some Word contemplation (this month Ali Edwards is having us look back and look forward a bit, which is such an interesting way to consider my word at the “mid-year” point!)
First up… Knitting. In my Year of Never Not Gnoming, I began my June Gnome (a repeat of Gnombleberry that I had previously knit for Steve’s mom.) I have Gnombleberry’s body done… as well as the start of his “backpack”… which I am going to change up a bit and make it a cross-body messenger-style bag I think. Stay tuned.
Next… that watercolor class. I have watched the “make thumbnail sketches” video twice. The first time, I just watched what Rick Surowicz did. Wow, is he fast! LOL Anyways, the second time watching I picked up my pencil and managed to get two thumbnail sketches done in the time he did four. The first is perhaps too detailed for the watercolor process and the second might be a bit closer to how Rick did his four. The best thing about a video class… I can play the video’s over and over and over if I need to. I am working on letting go of my desire for perfection… but gosh, the struggle is real. Haha. Today I am going to watch the value study video … likely several times.
And that word work… I have made some notes from each month that fell into the “out of sight, out of mind” hole. A mid-year reflection is exactly what I needed to gather up some pieces I do not want to lose!
Finally, another list… and boy, I really wish that this would be the last ever list like this that anyone has to make:
- Philadelphia, PA
- Omaha, NE
- Chattanooga, TN
- Summerton, SC
- Phoenix, AZ
- Mesa, AZ
- Socorro, TX
- Chesterfield, VA
- Macon, GA
- Saginaw, MI
That’s right… 10 cities, 10 mass shootings, 15 dead, 60 injured…during the weekend.
Enough. Really. My gosh.
Your sketches are lovely Kat and I can’t wait to see your newest gnome! With a cross body bag! LOL Let’s not talk allergies (over drive) or mass shootings (WTF).
Your list took my breath away…similarly to how the list of the Uvalde victims, *with their ages printed after their names* brought me to my deepest point of grief in all this at church last weekend. I’m signing up for Sharon’s workshop, too, as I know I need more facts to accompany my emotional response.
But let’s talk about those sketches! Wow, you!! I’d frame those as-is! Sheesh. Are you loving the ‘flow’ you find with this class? (I can only guess you’re in flow, because look at those.)
Good luck with the damned allergies.
Allergies are just so annoying – I have mine pretty well under control, but the watery eyes have yet to be conquered.
Assault rifles and 50 bullets later, they have few ideas who the shooters were here in Philly. Not surprising, but it’s not like the state legislature cares. Ugh.
I also love your sketches, and think they look quite intriguing whether you add watercolors or not. Gnombleberry will look great with a messenger bag. Your list is sobering indeed (but I’m afraid it’s just another weekend in the good ol’ US).
Your gnomes make me smile. Allergies = ugh. And that list is heartbreaking.
I always have seasonal allergies, but they’ve been so much worse this year. I’m taking Zyrtec and Flonase daily.
Did you see that even Toomey was talking about some reforms? If he’s on board, then you know it’s bad — but it also gives me a bit of hope.
I agree with you – video classes do have the advantage of being watched over and over. I admire those of you sketch and enjoy drawing and painting. The NYT’s has published interesting data about what kind of reforms would have stopped which mass shootings. What that tells me is we need a multi-pronged approach on the national level. I am going to keep messaging my reps.
So sorry about the allergies. My middle child also has seasonal allergies and he’s been struggling too. It’s so hard to witness, much less experience!!
Those sketches are lovely. I’m so glad to hear that you’re enjoying your watercolor classes so much. Painting with watercolors sounds like a wonderful way to spend late spring/early summer.
Those are GREAT thumbnail sketches, Kat! And it is SO hard to let go of perfection when it comes to anything “art-y.” I try to remind myself everytime I pick up my pencil or paintbrush . . . that it doesn’t have to be a masterpiece! Sometimes it works, but often? Well. It’s a struggle. XO
A sketch is just an idea, an aide memoir, a rough plan, not a complete finished drawing, that would come later. I think you are getting it, in the last one. Not that I can even draw a competent stick man, but occasionally I will sketch out an idea for some embroidery.
your sketch is perfection! I’ve been dabbling in watercolors these days and art journaling, it’s where my brain needs to be right now.