My bountiful bosom has always made a good shelf. The rain has kept all activity indoors this weekend. Did venture out to the movies to see Atonement. Good movie and followed the book well. But I was anxious to come home after a dinner at California Pizza Kitchen to work on my socks. Sock no. 1 is done and no. 2 will be done by tomorrow evening. Aren't they pretty? No sketching happening today.
Hot Pink Socks!
Saturday, January 5, 2008
at
6:50 PM
My bountiful bosom has always made a good shelf. The rain has kept all activity indoors this weekend. Did venture out to the movies to see Atonement. Good movie and followed the book well. But I was anxious to come home after a dinner at California Pizza Kitchen to work on my socks. Sock no. 1 is done and no. 2 will be done by tomorrow evening. Aren't they pretty? No sketching happening today.
Posted In
knitting
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10
comments
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Mug Series: Shon no 2
Thursday, January 3, 2008
at
12:01 PM
I've stayed home from work since yesterday feeling under the weather with some sort of vague virus which had me with fever, chills and nausea. I'm feeling better but thought it best to just rest up and make sure the symptoms have subsided. So feeling inspired and more energetic this morning I have spent the morning in my studio listening to the novel 'Atonement' while making a color chart of my colored pencils. I haven't used them in years but plan to start bringing them out to play more often. The tug for a quick watercolour spurred me to do the mug I keep on the studio table with pens and brushes I never use. LOL! I think the colored pencils should go in there now.
My friend Shon and I have been friends since we were 6 years old. Two little girls who were so very different but shared the joy of friendship and creativity. My mother often wondered what we talked about since Shon was always so quiet. I thought the question absurd as Shon and I talked about EVERYTHING!
We loved to play together, go for neighboorhood walks and make all sorts of creative art using what little supplies we had and found....like the flower fairies we'd make from the flowers from our mother's gardens.
As we grew older our friendship continued, we married, had babies, went back to school and ventured into new careers; I nursing and she teaching. At times we've lost contact with each other and have reconnected through the most bizarre circumstances; proving to each other that the bond between us is heaven meant.
A few years ago she gave me this mug, with the purpose of holding pencils and whatnot. The simple sunflower is a constant reminder of how two little girls have loved each other all their lives. A tribute to you my dear Shon, I love you.
Posted In
color pencil,
moleskeine,
thoughts,
watercolor
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6
comments
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The journey begins anew
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
at
7:09 PM
Posted In
color pencil,
fountain pen
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6
comments
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Sunset: painted by God
at
5:18 PM
The wind is howling this evening, it's getting cold out there. When I glanced out the studio window the view took my breath away. I don't think I could do this scene justice with my pen and brush; I show you this photograph instead.
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4
comments
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Buñuelos de Año Nuevo
Monday, December 31, 2007
at
6:42 PM
When I was a little girl the family always gathered together to welcome in the New Year. There was music, food, drink and much laughter. My abuelita (grandmother) would often make buñuelos for that special evening. I never learned how to make them but they have always been a warm memory of my abuelita.
Tonight we are gathering at my home. Just a few of us who are left from what once was a big family. They will soon be here and I am surprising them with my buñuelos! I am happy to say that I couldn't resist and had to try one out and they are just yummy!!!
Tonight we are gathering at my home. Just a few of us who are left from what once was a big family. They will soon be here and I am surprising them with my buñuelos! I am happy to say that I couldn't resist and had to try one out and they are just yummy!!!
To prepare:
about 1½ dozen uncooked flour tortillas.
note: I bought them pre-made but uncooked at Cosco. For a history and recipe to make flour tortillas go to: Wikipedia, Tortillas
Next I heated about an inch deep of canola oil till very hot then fried each tortilla till golden on both sides; draining in large paper towel covered pan.
While still warm you can sprinkle cinnamon sugar over the buñuelo and enjoy or you can prepare a 'meil' (syrup) from about 3 cups of water, 2 piloncillos, 4 cinnamon sticks, whole cloves and slices from one orange ( I used a blood orange from my tree).
Bring water and rest of ingredients to a boil, reduce heat and simmer stirring constantly till mixture thickens into a thin syrup.
If eating with the syrup do not sprinkle with cinnamon sugar but instead breakup the buñuelo into a bowl and ladle the warm syrup over the flakey buñuelo.
after note: They were a big hit bringing back memories for my sister and I from when our abuelita made them for us when we were little girls!
Wishing all of you a great year full of creativity and good cheer!
Posted In
photo,
recipe,
thoughts
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6
comments
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Developing
at
6:41 PM
I intended to take a nap in the studio today before preparing for the evening. But instead I found myself trying out a new 9x12 sketchbook with 65lb drawing paper. I just picked something in the studio, an old Kodak Brownie camera that used to belong to my husband's mother. The sea shell I don't remember where it's from and the luggage tag a souvenir from a cruise we took on the Queen Mary last December.
Posted In
pencil
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2
comments
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Before the curtain rises....
Friday, December 28, 2007
at
9:46 AM
I took a few minutes before the performance began to do this quick sketch, adding color at home. We went to see the Rocketts at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. It was such a fun evening! Those legs!!!! I remembered when I was little and my sisters and I would pretend we were Rocketts; kicking up our legs higher and higher! (I can still do it!)
Posted In
fountain pen,
moleskeine,
watercolor
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3
comments
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In Memory: Benazir Bhutto
Thursday, December 27, 2007
at
1:37 PM
Inspired by my friend Laura from Lauralines who painted a beautiful tribute to this charismatic lady, I too took comfort in the quiet of my studio and my graphite sticks.
graphite sticks on 50# sketch paper 18x24 inches
I am always so saddened when hope is extinguished.
I am always so saddened when hope is extinguished.
Posted In
graphite
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9
comments
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Flipping through recipes
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
at
6:02 PM
Amy is visiting for the holidays. Today we went to the gym where she put me through some moves. Then Rudy and Aaron joined us for an afternoon at Borders, lunch at El Torito and to the movies to see I Am Legend. She bought a cookbook at Borders and here she is flipping through recipes as I sit and sketch her.
It was good to get back to doing some sketching. :)
It was good to get back to doing some sketching. :)
Posted In
fountain pen,
moleskeine,
watercolor
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5
comments
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Feliz Navidad
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
at
12:51 PM
Well if I have to spend my Christmas at work, at least it's with a good looking doctor. I brought a piece of my Christmas Tea ring for him and I to enjoy this morning. I make it for my kids for Christmas morning, left it on the kitchen table for them but cut a couple of servings for Doctor Jose and I. Feliz Navidad Doctor Jose, gracias for breaking bread with me; I wish you good fortune and success where ever life leads you.
and Feliz Navidad to all my artist friends around the world...I hope your day was filled with family, love and laughter....marta
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1 comments
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