A wedding of flowers to do this weekend, next week Indie Craft Parade! Oi!

Today watched my weekly batch of little boys for a kid-watch swap I do with another mom from church. . . we made these little boats inspired by the Jonah story and prop a smart teacher did for the kids in Sunday School this Sunday. . . I wish my own audience had been entertained for longer by them, I think I could have made them all day! Here are some directions to fold your own. Its fun to cut out sharks and schools of fish to lay around on the floor. . . if you actually have the time, I did consider an ark of animals, but my paper wasn’t quite big enough.

Watercolors brought out after a long repose. He seems to have more patience with them now. I love how he gravitated towards my own favorite colors and put them in little swatches. I watch him walk to the fridge and touch the papers, “look at all my colors, i painted them” he says over and over.

Below, he received a homemade card from his Poppi with flaps over pictures to lift. He asked to make “doors” too, so we did, it was so fun! And hurrah, he got to use his favorite adhesive, tape! I drew monsters and spiders for him to hide under his scribbled doors, howling and cringing in fear for his little boy humor. Thought- speaking of little paper doors, I think my husband should design advent calenders, I couldn’t help but remember the beautiful ones from my childhood sent over from “grandparents’ in Switzerland ever year.

The world is a beautiful place, especially where people are very poor. Interesting.

By Steve McCurry, always good at what he does.

and more, beautiful Russians, and more beautiful Russians, old Russians. Both from wonderful TeenAngster

Here’s to hoping these are around when Marshall is a bit older and reading Kipling stories. . .  I don’t suppose these lovely paper puppets would withstand the ferocious impulses of a toddler. Animal Poetry by Furze Chan.

Farmers Market flowers for the kid show, I forgot to include this one. The marigolds were so stinky at first, but they were so perfect I had to get them anyways. And look at that Cock’s Comb! Actually it should be called Cock’s Brain I think, it was a bunch that had grown together.

Made by Joel, a blog by an amazingly creative dad, such great ideas, I feel shamed that I do not spend so much time figuring out fun stuff for my kid to do. . . clicked on it first at I Made it So.

and Freunde von Freunden, a German sort of site like The Selby, thank you Emma for posting the link.

KID ART SHOW @ White Whale Studios & Gallery from Chris Koelle on Vimeo.

The kid show. I am terribly exhausted, but, it was the best show I have ever hung. The walls of this old house have never been so refreshed I think.  What a night, downpour of rain that made a river through the walk, Dan swooping in like a hero, the clouds peeling pack with my prayers, and many more adoring art fans than I anticipated. I wish the world could have seen these pieces, especially the titles, I’ll post some more about that tomorrow. I am now the owner of Jude’s “the bluish shine” and Helena’s elegant wire face, should it not be in the MOMA?

More etsy art, I’ve been stashing quite a lot in the ol’ fav folder. From the Dr. Kennedy Jones shop. Bright and antique, interesting combo.

Some more pics of the most recent drawings for The History of Redemption book, mostly pencil, some ink here and there, all piled for the eyes of ye faithful.

I started posting previews of recently completed illustrations (or in progress) on Dribbble, so follow along if you’d like to see what’s the latest.

As I mentioned before, alot of the inspiration for some of the illustrations are after older works of art, by lots of different old masters from different eras.  It’s sort of like a sacred art remix, and it’s a blast (you art historians might notice Bosch, Velazquez, etc)… I’m really excited about everything.

About 50 illustrations… full pages, two-page spreads…  this thing is going to be a monster.  I’ll post more completed illustrations soon!

Original watercolor paintings from the etsy shop of United Thread, love them, colors that compliment each other brilliantly, subtly actually.  Something unpretentious about them. I like the emphasis on pattern and the signature textures of watercolor. I’m not used to loving watercolors so much!

I had already bought the little gray dove and then we did a trade for a few more. . . look at those eyes! Aren’t they wonderful? The  strong brush strokes and shining feathers. Thank  you Diane for the honor of a trade!

Fresh white paint and thin lines on old pages. . . find more in the etsy shop Restless Things.

And, oh goodness gracious, my absolute ideal jewelry, totally going on the christmas list, the “if I sell a painting” list, the perfectness of the new Vamoose shop.

The title, what Marshall says for “little bit”, usually used when asking for a taste of my ice cream, or wanting more of a cartoon. . .

Images, preview of the Kid Art Show we are throwing at White Whale, Saturday August 14th at 6:30 pm. There will be cookies made by the mothers of all the artists (all are great cooks actually), hopefully a dry sidewalk for chalk drawing, and a sheet tent I have yet to configure. And lots of great art, painted and drawn with a rare abandon that most of us since have lost.  Some of the pieces will be for sale, others reserved for archives.  The monster (google eyes), triceratops (blues with pink pencils), and collage by Marshall. The photos of the cake and the sculpture were taken by Mollie, they are done by Jude and Henry. We are all hoping for more cakes, I have a feeling that one’s for the archive. . .

I can’t remember where I saw these abstract landscapes, but they’re awfully nice. The colors are extremely alive, I especially love how the darks have subtle variations of tone under all those bright strokes.  Great paintings you have there Katherine Sandoz.

More!

Just did an interview with Kent Ambler for his upcoming show at Art and Light, read it and see some more photos of his work here. The show is this opens Friday, please come, the work is beautiful as usual!

As Annie already mentioned, I recently got back from Comic-Con 2010, and I’m still recovering.  To say it was overwhelming and overstimulating is an understatement.  But I’m already looking forward to next year.  Met so many great new friends, artists I’ve long admired… good times.

After getting back home, I started and finished a portrait commission for a certain Nick, a surprise birthday present from his awesomely thoughtful wife.  Nick loves icons and he makes the benediction gesture a lot (really).  Yay for me:  I recently picked up a fantastic old book full of giant color reproductions of icons, MAJOR inspiration as of late, so this commission was such a blast.  I can’t wait to hear about his reaction…. YAY

Some pics of the finished piece, some showing the glossy coats of varnish.  I’ll probably post some in-progress pictures after this so you can see the various stages.

Found, creepy clown book. Brilliant painted illustrations, love the polka dots. That Bear doesn’t look particularly happy to be riding that scooter. Maybe he just doesn’t like the ruffle collar.

More colorful ideas, bright hand painted dresser, triangles galore, Elle Decoration.

The happy face brooch from Made By Anna

And this many patterned pillow from fav pillow maker, Sukan

I found this book about a year ago, then I lost it when I put it away, then I found it again and I haven’t put it away since. Each page that has a different bird on it has its call written out in a few notes and the phonics to go with it. I’m sure you’ve figured already, but I love it. I love it.

More images of Artur Marokvia here.