Internet Gremlins messing with me again

...or could it be that Elf on the Shelf? 
Came here to create a post and was 'told' by the cyber powers that my blog was no longer supported by IE how bout trying Google Chrome'.  Sneaky ads.

Can't figure out how to post these last assignments from my art class in a better layout, so this will have to do for now. It has been such a fun class. I hope Laure offers another one soon. I like here style and she is such a good instructor. Her videos are superb. You can find info on her classes through her blog Painted Thoughts.

Where has the sun gone?

Again, where has the time gone? Well, a lot of time has been spent traveling through other people's blogs and I've been busy with my Artful Journaling Classes. I did spend a considerable amount of time getting a few pictures from my hiking trip uploaded and reliving the experience. Here's the link to them if anyone is interested.

TMB-2011

I've also uploaded some of my work from my art class that can be found here Artful Journaling Class

We had some snow last week...depressing! Actually snow and winter here in MI wouldn't be too awful if we had more sunshine. In the last two weeks we have only seen the sun for a few hours at a time One day we had sun all day.

Trip to Lansing with BFFs

Back home from a busy week. Totally over scheduled myself. Was in Lansing attending three conferences back to back. Did have a great time with BFFs.  Calm calendar until we go to Las Vegas. I can focus on my art class and workouts.

New Beginnings - Art class

Beginning a new virtual art class this week with Laure Ferlita. She is such a good teacher and her video demos are wonderful. It would be fun to take a class in person with her. Maybe next fall when she takes a group to Paris. It's always fun to start something new.

Our first assignment was to create the first page of our journals by placing an image on the page leaving about 60% of the page white. The photo on the right is the reference photo that I took last spring of daffodils from my yard. I think it's a pretty good likeness. ;-)

Lost and found

Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time. Thomas Merton

This is another assignment from Laure Ferlita's class.  She is such a wonderful teacher. I hope I can take her class in person.  I found the quote on another cyber mate's blog and thought it was very fitting for me. Ironically her name is Claire also.

Indian Summer

We are experiencing a wonderful Indian Summer here in west Michigan. When I returned from my Trek in Europe the weather was pretty usual for Sept.  Rainy, dreary, just plan ugly then last Monday we hit a warm streak and it has been wonderful.  Unfortunately I can't seem to get a lot done inside. (as is demonstrated by a weeking passing since I have found time to post)

My art class is going nicely and I do see some improvement in my work. In this piece we were working on purposefully creating a border for our work. I decided to use some pieces that I found while walking the Boyz.  I think it worked out pretty well.

Reconnection

 Met with my hiking buddies yesterday. I can't believe it's already been 2 weeks since I returned home. I've been incredibly busy but can't for the life of me figure out doing what exactly! Maggie and I took a hike to Mt. Baldy yesterday but it was nothing like our training hikes nor our actually hiking but it was good to reconnect. We then met Annie and Dave for a little wine, beer, cheese and bread to share pictures. It was wonderful to 'relive' our adventure.

My art class is coming along nicely and I am really enjoying it. The is the 4th assignment. Had to do some corrections. The top picture is my first try and then with a few suggestions from Laure the bottom is the second try.

Again this is the 5 assignment and I needed to do a few revisions. Note the shadow. I made the first one opaque and shadows usually are transparent unless very dark. Also putting a light red wash over the letters helped them show up more.

Artful Journaling Class

This is the third assignment in my art class. I really enjoyed doing this one but do need to work on my shadows.  I can't believe that I have been back from Europe for two weeks today.  I really wish I was back, but can't play all the time I guess.  I am finally getting back into my routine and catching up on things.  Fall is definitely in the air around here. It has rained almost everyday since I've been home.

Artful Journaling Class

 Began a new Art Class this week.  Our first assignment was to write an affirmation and the second one was to draw a piece of watermelon from a reference photo to practice using and mixing color and creating shadows.  I really do like this class.

My Alpine Journey

BB and I just returned home from the most incredible journey traveling, hiking, eating and getting to know new friends. My trip hiking the Alps was most wonderful. I will be posting pictures along as I update my journal.

Hiking Again and etc.

Had another great weekend of hiking with a friend that will be traveling with me. Today was a superb work out day. Started the day at 6:30am with an hour and a half swim, then met a friend to walk for 45 minutes to the Big Red and commune with Lake Michigan for a few minutes (also on the hike was Tom who will be accompanying me on the TMB hike) then walked for 45 minutes with my dear friend who came home from the hospital a year ago today after a very serious life threatening  event.

Now watching The Black Swan and I'm so not impressed!!!!

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

Maggie and I hiked again today for about 4 hours with packs in North Ottawa Dunes  The weather was very pleasant but thunderstorms were predicted. As we were headed back to the trail head and the car we heard thunder. Now you know what they say about thunder, lightening and trees!  We wanted to get out of the woods as quickly as possible. About a mile from the car the rain came and it came down in buckets...we were soaked!  Lesson learned: If it's going to rain, put the 'raincoat' on the backpack. My backpack got soaked too. We are meeting Tom today for a short 2 hour hike through Saugatuck Dunes.

On line class evaluation

I couldn't fine a venu to post this evaluation for 'all' to see so it will just have to live here for now.

I’d just like to comment on an online class that I recently took with Jessica Wesolek titled ‘The Art of the Trip’. I must say that I was very disappointed in the class as Jessica failed to communicate with each student with any regularity. It was left up to us to comment on each other’s work, which is a very good technique, but the instructor should also comment on everyone’s work. ( I do speak from experience teaching several online classes for a major university in MI and am a 27 year veteran of the classroom.) The content of this class was mostly advertising her products and making collages rather than sketch book journaling by using sketches. One student recommended a video about using water color pencils that was found on you tube to answer a question asked by another student and the class was severely chastised for sharing the video as Jessica claimed that she had ‘invented’ the idea and the artist that was doing the video was a professional artist as well.

Here’s the thread of the post. I thought it was very unprofessional and childish as both artists are part of this site. 1st entry is at the end of the italics and then scroll upward.

“This video is a really good example of why it is a good idea to stick to our classroom and not treat this Group as if it were a free-form discussion Group. Actually, I invented this traveling palette idea using Sheer Heaven which is a much better surface for it, and I invented it seven years ago. It is a part of our workshop here, and the fact that we have now introduced a lesser version of the idea taught by another online teacher, and watered down through some demo somewhere, is just not productive. Understand that I know nobody meant any harm, and no apologies are necessary, but please, let's stick to the subjects at hand, and keep the other teachers out of this classroom. If this were a real world classroom, I know you would understand why I would not invite another teacher into the room to introduce a different version of what I planned to teach you - before I got to it. Thanks for understanding.

jessica

--- In attj1@yahoogroups.com, "cfriendhea" wrote: Thanks for sharing this Lorri! What a great idea! Clare

In attj1@yahoogroups.com, "(Name removed) wrote: here is a You Tube video of one way to use watercolor pencils when out and about. She starts off talking about her whole travel kit, then gets into the wc pencils about 3 minutes in. http://youtu.be/ecCahga1Kws

In attj1@yahoogroups.com, (name removed) wrote: Does anyone use watercolor pencils extensively? Anyone have a lot of experience with them? I am just beginning to play around with Caran d'Ache Supracolors and am liking them a lot. Here is my big new set of 80 next to my little sketchbook box of 14: http://bit.ly/pwRtMH If anyone has any advice or tips or pointers on how to best take advantage of/use wc pencils, in the context of a traveling sketchbook, I would be very grateful.

If you are interested in SKETCH BOOK/Watercolor journaling this is not the class for you. There are better classes out there. $70. lesson learned: Check out the class very carefully before you pay your hard earned money.
Clare Friend

Where has the time gone?

I just don't know where the time has gone since my last post. Well, actually I do.  I have been getting ready for my trip both mentally and physically! I did get away from Holland for a couple of days with my friend Kristi. We took the 'bingo bus' to Petoskey and Manistee to do a little Casino Time! Across the road from Turtle Creek Casino there were fields of beautiful sunflowers.  We took a little break after lunch and walked over and of course I had to take a picture with my new smart-phone to post on FB. Not only were the sunflowers beautiful, the sky and clouds were incredibly beautiful.

This 'n that!

Had another good hike with Maggie!  Was very humid though! I always feel so self-righteous after a good workout especially a tough one.

Very disappointed in my art class.  The instructor is actually doing a 7 week infomercial with the class. So far she has only had us do activities using materials that only she sells..The people in the class are great though. It is so much fun talking to people around the world. I remember my first time on 'live' chat back in 1995. Was talking to a woman in Alice Springs, Australia.  Got a new smart phone today..htc Droid Incredible 2. Love it! I love technology. I am so plugged in!

Hiking Buddies

We hiked North Ottawa Dunes today for 3 hours. It was very humid but we have to get in shape. Actually we are in pretty good shape but the Alps are much higher. Today we were only  at 700 ft. In the Alps we will start at 3,000 ft and ascend about 13,000 feet over the course of the 11 day, 105 mile adventure.

Me

 

Maggie



Shipshewana, IN

Road trip to Shipshewana and Amish Acres IN Wed and Thurs. Very interesting but could have done without the heat. (107 heat index actual temp 99)  B. Bear was a little concerned as his fur coat made it even hotter.  He chose to stay in the Hotel room with the AC most of the day but did come out for dinner.  Not my kind of food or Bear's either.  Too many fried foods and way over the top butter and cheese, no fresh vegetables. I would check it off of my bucket list if I had put it on the list. I'll post a couple of sketches that I did for my class.

New Art Class

I began an on-line art class today.  It is a Trip Journaling class, I hope it will help me keep a sketching journal while I travel to Europe.  There are students in the class from all over the US as well as well as Sweden, the UK and Mexico. Some are basic beginners and others seem to be professional visual artists. I think it will be fun. I've  taught several on-line classes for Ferris State University but have never been the student. I like being the student better.

This is our first assignment. It will be the opening page in the journal that I will be taking with me.  (I did correct the spelling error)

Found these two U tube videos of a guy actually videoing the hike that we will be doing.

TMB Part 1

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcjwbWqGBu0

TMB Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP7WsAjQ7cE&feature=related

This is a great slide presentation also.  Be sure to check out Alice's blog for other ventures that she has done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoSgBOYIRU8&feature=related

Great Hiking Day

Had a great day working out.  Did an hour of fartleks and three hours of hiking with loaded backpack.  The weather was just beautiful...old timey Michigan summer day.  Today is supposed to be another good one but the heat and humidity will return for the weekend and into next week. Predicting heat index of 100.  Guess I will be working out in the pool...hummm...how to I swim with a backpack.

Another sketch book fihished

Haven't posted lately as I've been pretty busy with lots of stuff.  Have gotten a few sketches done but mostly have been working on getting myself ready for the trip. I did finish my third sketch book a few days ago and am pretty happy with the last couple of pages. These are the last three of four sketches.  Need to put some color on the last one and will post later. 

Got another hike in today

Hiked Saugatuck Dunes State Park again today. Only 6 miles (2hrs) but with a 20 pound backpack.  I then drove over to Sanctuary Wood to do the stairs there.  Did them 3 times.  Took a walk out to Big Red with my friend and we did the steps once again.  Felt pretty good to get so much exercise in but still have a lot of work to do before I will be ready to Mt. Blanc.

Bear gets a postcard from Germany

I am so excited.  I got a post card from my friend Kristi.  She is visiting my homeland, Germany. I can't wait to see her and hear all about her trip. 
This post card says, 'Kisses from Barli'.  I think that's the bear's, name.  He is an ancestor as he is also a Steiff. Thank you Kristi for thinking of me. BB

Sanctuary Wood and Big Red

Walked out to Big Red this morning with friends. That's the lighthouse in the background.  (My cute friend is Woody who loves to ride on the boat.) Also did the stairs to Sanctuary Wood twice.  This video shows a quick look at the number and steepness of the steps. Very nice walk. After we do the 'stairs' we walk out to Big Red which is on the south side of the channel going out Lake Michigan.  My friend and I always say..."now this is why we deal with Holland and winters in Michigan".

Felt Mansion

Hiked to the Felt Mansion near Saugatuck, MI a few days ago.  Took a break and did a sketch.

New Hiking Boots

Got my hiking boots for the TMB trip yesterday.  Pretty cool! They are Vasque. Was planning on 'breaking' them in today but it is raining again.  While they are waterproof, I just don't want to get them too wet just yet. Bear has his back pack but no boots yet.  Still looking.

New Travel Journal

Found this lovely journal on the sale rack...couldn't pass it up.  I'll use it for my narrative journal for the TMB. I had hoped that it would work for a few WCs as well but the paper is too thin...perhaps a few sketches w/ ink will work.  I will also carry my Moleskine WC journal for the serious stuff.  Note: new hiking boots.

The Critter that didn't get away!

Finally got this little critter.  We took him on a road trip and he now has a new home in the woods. Buh-Bye little possum...actually he was quite large.

Got in my first 'official' hike today with Maggie.  We hiked from Ferry'sburg to Hofmaster park via North Ottawa Dunes.

Loved Letters

Had a horrific thunderstorm Wed. night. Not much damage at our house but was some around us. Weather has cooled down a bit...hoping to turn off the air for a few days.

Loved these letters that Karen used in her 'I am an artist' blog so I thought I'd give it a try through the whole alphabet.

WorldWideDrawingDay

Finally got my drawing finished.  As usual I already see things that need to be fixed.  An art teacher said, 'Don't fiddle'.  That's hard not to do sometimes.

World Wide Drawing Day 2011

Today is World Wide Drawing Day. It will be fun to see what people around the world are doing.

I have spent way too many hours trying to fix this blog so it will look 'pretty'...I think I am going to quit for now and do some sketching...Maybe the gremlins will leave or they will fix my problems.

Another month has slipped by

Where has the month gone? I have been very busy doing things that need to be done but nothing that seems very important. I did take an overnight trip with a friend to the casinos and won enough money to buy a new back pack and boots for my hiking trip in Sept. We will be backpacking  for 10 days, staying in mountain huts while traveling around Mt. Blanc through Switzerland, Italy and France. I will also be taking a side trip at the end of the journey to spend a few days in Munich/Black Forest area of Germany.  Bear went along as usual and was very happy about the winnings.  He is also looking forward to the trip back to his land of birth.

Bear is traveling with a sketch book

Since Bear's Blog was 'banned' while traveling in China, we have been busy traveling and pursuing other interests. I am beginning to keep an art Journal. It has turned out to be a fun project for me and I have found a niche for my drawing practice.  I have joined a group called Sketchbook Challenge.  (Click on the button for more information) Each month there is a new challenge for sketching in my journal.  This picture is of plum blossoms which I can "resist" drawing.  The Challenge for May was 'draw something that you just can't resist".  I enjoy trying to create Chinese type art. I hope this will keep me motivated and inspired.