Empire State - Amy

Soft Pastels

This is the reflection of the Empire State Building from a building near Bryant Park. 

gardenia sketch - Amy

Colored pencils


Emma had a great idea this morning - "let's set up some chairs in the front and do some art!" I could not pass up this opportunity (despite having not had much sleep this evening due to partaking in a sleep study).This was such a welcome way to start the day.

lazing on a sunny afternoon - Amy

Another version of kitty finding that perfect sunny spot. This one is soft pastels.

Lazing on the sunny spot - Amy

I used oil pastels on this one. I admire my kitty's ability to find the perfect spot to recharge.

Busy Bee - Amy

I just love watching those bees do their thing.

These claws were made for walking - Amy

A quick pencil sketch - I am planning on exploring this further. What can I say? I like chicken derrieres!

Chicken in Paradise - Amy

Why did the chicken cross the road? That question has been asked for many years. In my world, she pauses, gazes and takes in her surroundings. This is Gertrude in her moment of solace, contemplation and appreciation - enjoying all that is before her and considering what is possible. (Knowing my Gertrude, she is also plotting what plant she could eat up). Perhaps she crosses the road to get a better view or more tasty things to eat? I love the possibilities!

Acrylic, resin sand on canvas

Spring Vineyard - Amy

Acrylic on canvas


I don't fully hate how this came out nor do I fully like it. All I can say is that there is a shitload of greens out there - I have a decent variety of tubes - but I could not find the one that I knew that I needed. Don't ask me which one; it just was not in my art bin.

A mother's work never ends

This is my tribute to Mother's Day. I have discovered that I secretly am a ham and I guess this day brings it out in me! Emma was such a sport. She had no trouble getting into character. My advice to her today (and all days and heck, for everyone)....make me want to say "yes" to you.

doing something - Amy

Oil pastel on velum paper. I wanted to capture the colors of the photo. I'm not feeling it in this one.

eternal seductiveness of life - Amy

 

I have a case of being in the doldrums artistically. My soul, essence, core is telling me to do something, anything! But that old brain and body is saying "WTF? This place needs some straightening out! When you're done, park yourself on the couch and watch some TV." or, "Go ahead and spend a few hours mindlessly surfing the web, read the news: oil spill, Arizona, clean coal, derivatives, reform, deficit...." 

I know this is a trick, but I find myself getting duped, once again. My heart wants to go out to Mississippi and clean the oil slime off some birds, counsel the families of those who lost their life on the rig or in the mine, give some legislator, smarmy executive  a piece of my mind. Do something, anything! 

In lieu of booking a flight to the gulf or writing an angry letter from some communist-socialist-bay-area-tree-hugging-liberal only to be viewed by  blind eyes and deaf ears (no offense to people who are actually blind or deaf), I will do art. It is something.

Pop Art Self Portrait - Amy

Oil Paint on Canvas. I took a self portrait image with my Mac set on the "pop art" effects and then set out to do a painting using only the 3 colors. Overall, I am happy with the results. I wanted to take a stab  at the oil paints again. Working on a larger surface helps! They are still messy. Got a nice splotch of yellow on my jeans. Why didn't I wear my apron? I'll hold back on my critique - other then to say "Measure three times, cut once." That's all I will say.

my window to yours - Amy

I took this photo with my gawd-awful camera on my ancient cell phone. I might try to  paint something from this.

Asparagus - Amy

Pencil, ink pen and watercolor pencil done on the wrong paper for water.

hand in hand - Amy

I really liked this shot, but that damn silver watch kept screaming for some attention. I tried stamping it out in PS, bit it made the arm all distorted looking. Then I settled on darkening it up. Perhaps it is a tattoo? Or a funky bracelet? (both of witch Derek would never adorn himself with)

You say tomato - Amy

These were some yummy tomatoes!  

But oh! If we call the whole thing off,
Then we must part.
And oh! If we ever part,
Then that might break my heart!

My thoughts when the cold weather ends my tomato season.

There you are - Amy

Another shot from my stroll in Sunol.

Bok Choy - Amy

 

This was taken at the Farmer's Market. I really love stacked items. When I see pallets, pipes or lumber on the back of a big rig truck, I just go crazy with delight! To me, it is a transient art show. 

The bok choy was set up perfectly to satisfy my stacking tendencies. I noticed on my stroll down the farmer's market, I was one with my camera. When I am out of contact with my Nikon for a period of time, I get all self conscious when I go out for a shoot. I don't want to bother, or offend anyone; I get all indecisive about what to shoot (guess I still think that I have a roll of 24 exposure film in there). Ultimately I get too into myself to see what is out there. Today, I felt free of that crap in my head. Let's see what tomorrow brings!

Shadow of a tree - Amy

Took a nice hike in Sunol Regional Wilderness Park. It is super green and the creek was flowing. The views are beautiful and every now and then, tiny burst of color caught my eye. Emma spotted a small snake curled between two rocks. I really love the things that shadows do.

Farmer's Market - Amy

I just love going to the Farmer's Market on Saturdays in Pleasanton. We usually run into some we know, or more specifically, someone Emma knows. Today we bought beets, chard, carrots, strawberries and some tomatoes. I love buying local and seasonal items (not sure about the tomatoes).