Janeys Journey

Moving to Typepad

2005-04-12T20:15:00.000-04:00

I've moved on over to Typepad. This blog will remain open but not updated so visitors can see previous posts. My website has all the pictures posted here and the site and blog both have links to each other.

So, come on over and visit. If you'd like to link to me, it's http://janeysjourney.com.

Thanks for visiting

2005-04-09T21:38:00.000-04:00

My blog is moving - but not yet. My blog will be moving to Typepad. I'm redesigning my website to match the new blog. The galleries on the left take you to my site which links back to the new blog. If you have a minute, have a look and an opinion or suggestion left here would be nice.

2005-04-09T09:24:00.000-04:00

Illustration Friday Challenge Alone (2) - A poem by Auden reminded me of a Egon drawing which in turn prompted a 2nd Illo for Alone. Here are the lines from the poem (in case you can't read my scribble):

A raged urchin, aimless and alone,
Loitered abut that vacancy; a bird
Flew up to safety from his well aimed stone:
That girls are raped, that two boys knife a third,
were axioms to him, who'd never heard
Of any world where promises were kept
Or one could weep because another wept.

2005-04-08T22:14:00.000-04:00

Illustration Friday Challenge Alone - Here's that last piece of my favorite pie on my one green dish. The pie is unfortunately store bought and the dish is a thrift store find. Both are the only one of their kind for now. And pretty soon that green dish will be the only one of both kinds in my kitchen. It's a very simple drawing after all I'm still practicing heads and haven't gotten to pies yet.

2005-04-08T08:40:00.000-04:00

My blogger email notification isn't working so I don't know when a comment has been left. If you would like to contact me, please use the link on the left.
Well, now it's working - Maybe I'll try Typepad!

2005-04-07T22:03:00.000-04:00

Everyday Matters Challenge Organized Chaos - Ok, I didn't want to draw a pile of things. I've done my pens before and a pile of pizza boxes would be rather boring. So how about a field of flowers. The first time it appears as if everything is all over the place, just a riot of color without any order. But there is order. Not a plan but order. We just can't always see it. There's an ecological reason why these flowers and grass and weeds are here. I could look up it but I'd rather just enjoy the chaos. This is done in art markers (what else).

2005-04-06T21:39:00.000-04:00

Postcards for the Asking - These are postcards I sent out a few days ago. They're 4X5 .

And these postcards are drawings of Alexander Calder sculptures.

2005-04-06T21:28:00.000-04:00

A Little Practice, A Few Doodles and some more Twig and Berries - These are only a few of the ones I've done in the last few days. They're all over the place. Just no time to work on my site.

2005-04-06T21:00:00.000-04:00

2005-04-04T21:52:00.000-04:00

Biking - Hey, is your bike is sitting in the back of the garage or with a flat tire, get it out and get it fixed and go for a ride. I like riding my bike as much as I like drawing. I even rode a bike in NY which was kind of hard seeing as I lived in a 4th floor walkup and had to store my bike(s) in the basement and they kept getting stolen. My last bike was a throw-away someone gave me. I spent all of $40 getting the brakes fixed and new tires. It was still stolen. I always tried to think of the thief as someone who needed that bike more then I did - wishful thinking huh? But I digress.

Living in Florida is perfect for biking. There's a section of the Everglades called "Shark's Valley" which of course is not a valley. It's about a 1/2 hr outside of Miami and I'm about 1 hr from Miami so it takes awhile to get there. Shark's Valley is a strip of concrete that stretches straight into the Everglades 7 1/2 miles and loops back 7 1/2 miles. So, it's a good 15 mile ride which isn't much right? Try it in August, 92 degrees in Florida. You can loose a few pounds in sweat. If you park outside you don't have to pay the Park entrance fee, you just ride your bike in.

They have a 10am bike tour also. You ride along with a Park Ranger and stop along the way for little lessons. I asked the Ranger why she carried a gun. She said the alligators don't know you're just site seeing. You're breakfast to them and then gave us a little lesson on how to run away from an alligator - now that was fun. When you get to the 7 1/2 turn around there's a tower about 3 stories high. You climb the tower and look down and can see for miles across the Everglades. At least you can after you get over the shock of seeing about 40 or so alligators napping in the mud at the bottom of the tower.

I usually ride out to a small park about 10 miles from where I live. It's just the most lovely spot. And there's no one ever there. There's a few benches and a little playground and fishing dock on a large canal. There's lots of trees which camouflage the houses and not much traffic. There's a sign that says Beware of Alligators so I just sit far back from the water. I like to just sit there and close my eyes and listen to the silence. I would never have found that park if I wasn't riding my bike.

Wow, it's late, gotta go to work in the morning. I just wanted to tell you about my bike.

2005-04-04T19:09:00.000-04:00

Illustration Friday Travel - Travel means transportation so here's my favorite mode of transportation when I travel. And here's a story about my bike.

First, my bike isn't these colors, I wish it was but nope. I bought it last year after I got tennis elbows. I don't play tennis so how you ask did I get tennis elbows? I like to ride and Florida is ideal. It's flat, very flat. The only hills are overpasses and garbage dumps. So I would ride for 30 miles which would take about 3 hours. I wasn't training for the Olympics just like to take in the scenery. Well, my bike was unfortunately not made for someone 5' 2 1/2 so I had to lean forward and put pressure on my arms for 30 miles at a stretch. And I got tennis elbows. After a year of physical therapy and no riding, it was time to buy a new bike. And my new bike is thing of beauty - not really expensive I mean they had bikes for $3,000 so $400 was not much. The handle bars are adjustable so they are high up and the seat is pushed closer to the bars. I can ride sitting up and no pressure on the arms. And it's got shocks and a very big seat. I love my bike yes I do. I know it's a long story but I like to write stories for my drawings.

2005-04-03T16:46:00.000-04:00

Softie Two - Meet Florence, Diogenes' little friend. Now Diogenes wasn't named after that Greek guy but for a dog name after that Greek guy. Both Di and Florence are named after characters in my favorite Dickens novel. It's only in the 70's today so Flo is wearing her scraf.

Well, back to drawing.

2005-04-03T00:17:00.000-05:00

Softie - I haven't sewn since I started drawing again and I just had the urge. Why else would I be up at midnight. Since Softies are all over the craft blogs and sites I thought I do one too. So here's Diogenes but you can call him Di. He's 10" tall and wider when he stretches his arms out. I usually give away the dolls I make but I just might keep little Di and maybe make him some friends tomorrow.

2005-04-02T08:34:00.000-05:00

Me and Mom - Today is The Delray Affair. It's a big, big art festival in the next town over. I'm an art festival junkie, I go to all of them. This one is the best and biggest. So I called Mom and told I was going to the festival. She said "but it might rain". I said "but it might not". And that's the difference between me and mom. She lives her life as if it might rain. I live mine or try to as if it might be sunny.

2005-04-02T06:15:00.000-05:00

Practice, Practice, Practice - My new moto. There was a quote on someone's blog that "you learn to draw by drawing" which I think equates to practice. I have a hard time doing real people. So, I'm compartmentalizing them. Right now I'm drawing heads, that's why there's so many of them. I think if I get the body parts down right, I'll be able to put them together - sort of like my own grid system.

Next up is a series of heads with expressions, happy, sad, angry etc. Then it's on to hands - lots and lots of hands.

Thanks to Jim and Steve for all the suggestions.

2005-04-01T22:11:00.000-05:00

Post Cards - I just received a few requests for postcards. There's no obligation to send one to me. It's really rather selfish of me. I'm doing it to feel good that I'm doing it. It's sort of like letting someone give you a gift because it makes them feel good to give the gift. Does that make sense? In fact, I'd rather you send a postcard on to someone else unasked then return one to me.

Of course, I'm always up for a trade of any kind - postcard, atc, pins whatever but that's different then this. And unless I receive hundreds of requests for postcards which isn't happening anytime soon, it's never too late to ask. I'll have the postcard here with a link to your blog or site a few days after I send it out so you'll be surprised. And foreign requests are ok too. Postage won't break me. So, just ask and remember to pass it on.

2005-03-31T21:25:00.000-05:00

Added New Fav - Learning Daily is a great blog and Cin's drawings are beautiful. Have a look and say Janey sent you.

2005-03-31T20:52:00.000-05:00

Janey's Postcards - Kymberlee and Penny asked for Postcards. They're on their way. Want a postcard? Just send an email to Janey@janeysjourney.com with your name and address and it's yours.

2005-03-31T17:26:00.000-05:00

Everyday Matters Challenge Favorite Jewelry - This is my non entry because....I don't have any favorite jewelry. I loose things so I don't buy much jewelry because why bother, won't last. But these guys have every piece of jewelry they ever owned. So, here are the Macivety Triplets (mom couldn't count). The last little guy is cousin Ed.

2005-03-29T22:14:00.000-05:00

Portrait Practice

2005-03-29T21:04:00.000-05:00

A Portrait or as Steve said "Practice, Practice, Practice". Oh, and I'm also practicing my signature. It's fun.

2005-03-29T20:28:00.000-05:00

Every Day Matters Challenge Kitchen Stuff - It wasn't until after I finished drawing this that I actually looked at the challenge and it's really for jars, tins and bottles. Oh well, I just drew everything I could think of in my kitchen and labeled them. I'm a list type of person. There's lists all over the apartment. Doesn't make me more organized, just means I like to write lists. And it's just one step from lists to inventory. So, here's my kitchen inventory.

2005-03-27T22:19:00.000-05:00

Plethora of Pears - You have to go over to Sketches and Stuff. Jim's entry for Illustration Friday is a Plethora of Pears in a Pear Pseudopod. My favorite is the third from the left (and I don't even like Pears).

2005-03-27T21:51:00.000-05:00

Just some scribbles - I drew all morning but those will take longer to upload so here are some faces on ATC cards.

2005-03-26T23:24:00.000-05:00

Saturday Night Palm Tree - 8 1/2 x 11, art markers what else. Happy dreams all.

2005-03-26T20:37:00.000-05:00

Illustration Friday - Crowded - Here's my entry (2 for 1). It's a real quickie. I hope to do a better one later. The first is me of course and is in answer to everyone who ever said "what were you thinking about when....". The 2nd is yet one more installment in Post It People. But, I have a new name for the Post It People series - Twig and Berries. Don't you just love British slang? It's so refined.

2005-03-26T06:39:00.000-05:00

Post Cards - Here's a postcard I sent to Nine-ah because - she asked. Want one? Just send me an email (janey@janeysjourney.com). No guarantee what you'll get, whatever is my favorite at the moment. And you have to go her Journal. She sold a painting is on up in the clouds right now. I'm sure she'd love to hear from you.

2005-03-24T20:52:00.000-05:00

My First Watercolor - It really is. And of course I used the wrong paper - card stock because I didn't have any watercolor paper. I used a brush shaped like a fan and very dry. I did the grasses with art markers. I liked it better before I added the large tan stalks. But since the paper is kind of warped anyway I'm going to redo it. This time on either watercolor paper or bristol board. I don't really like the way wc paper absorbs the ink. Anyway, it's my first one and I kind of like it.

Anyone suggest a watercolor set for a beginner?

2005-03-23T22:58:00.000-05:00

Lending Talents - Joleen of Joleen's Artistic Talent started a blog - Lending Talents which will be the host for charity auctions. This drawing is for a chunky book (5x5) which will auctioned and the proceeds donated to Unicef. So, please visit Lending Talents and contribute some of yours.

I've lived through 6 hurricanes since I moved to Florida. And without fail, the day after always looks as if the world were born all over again. When you walk outside, it's like walking into the day for the first time. No matter how bad I feel or how dark the shadows, as long as there's another day, then there's always hope. Maybe it's a little Pollyanna of me but it's how I feel and it keeps me going even during the worst times.

2005-03-22T20:59:00.000-05:00

In response to Steve (aka Poison Pen), I have that fire in the belly feeling. It takes the form of an itch to have a pen in my hand and splash color over everything. I'm no Grandma Moses and at this stage in my life I really doubt I would ever make a living at this (not many people do I guess). What I want is to just do it. Just draw, color, learn new things and share what I've done. I guess it's something like outsider art. Those people had an absolute need to create and it didn't matter if anyone ever saw their work or not. It was simply not something they could not do. They had no choice. I feel like that. It's like breathing now. I'm more fortunate. I live in the era of the blog so I can share what I create.

And it's a good thing too. When I show my stuff to friends they can't seem to understand why I bother. Why bother with a website, why a blog, why draw that picture or make that quilt or that doll. What are going to do with it? I'm not doing anything with it. I'm creating it, that's the "doing with it". And now I can share that journey (and it really is one) with the world. And that person out there in Kansas or Italy or Japan will see it and maybe feel a little less odd, a little more connected and motivated to keep on creating. That's what this blog has done for me. I connected to a community of artists I never would have known existed except for this.

Well, gee that felt good. Thanks Steve.

2005-03-22T18:16:00.000-05:00

New Favorites - I' ve added a 2 new favorites which both beong to a really great artist, Jim Bumgarner - Sketches and Stuff and Some Art. Check him out and say hi from Janey.

2005-03-22T11:54:00.000-05:00

Comments - I want to thank Steve and Jim for those helpful hints. Everyone loves it when someone says they like their work. I mean, I do a snoopy dance when that happens (and when I get linked to). But more important than that is when you get those comments that change your work, that open your eyes to doing something different. So, please everyone and anyone consider this blog a classroom for Janey. Suggest a new technique, leave a helpful hint, reference an artist's work. I'm open for any suggestions. I want to be good at this and you can help!

2005-03-21T21:29:00.000-05:00

Rededication - Poison Pencil was right - what a difference a heavy line makes. In the first set all you saw was color, now you see the cups. See, I said he gave good advise. And these are done in art markers. I've haven't tried digital (yet).

2005-03-21T20:38:00.000-05:00

Dedication - These cards are dedicated to Poison Pencil because he can draw and he's encouraging and he left lots of comments on my blog! A color study of cups - well actually more like a color splash of cups in happy colors.

2005-03-20T17:25:00.000-05:00

I'm still new to all this paper art and being on the obsessive prolific side, finding an outlet for all this stuff isn't easy. I've now added what could be a potential new obession - mail art. I've sent out postcards to a Yahoo Snail Mail group but that's not the same as mail art (I think). This postcard is made for a trade in Italy. It's very different from the rest of my work. Can't get much more different between all that color and Egon. But here it is, drawn and collaged and on the way to Italy.

If anyone would like a postcard (no trade necessary), just send me a note. There's no guarantee what kind of card you'll get. Might be Egon, might be Palm Trees. You'll be my own PostcardX.

2005-03-19T23:06:00.000-05:00

My take on Egon Schiele - died at 28, 1918. Drawn with pen, colored with art markers and oil pastels. And I finally broke that big blank white page phobia barrier thing - these are 8 1/2 X 11.

2005-03-19T18:51:00.000-05:00

Illustration Friday's Theme is Bloom - I thought of the bloom that radiates off a baby's face with that powerdy fresh smell, straight from mother nature's mint. And we have the power to create that - amazing. And I'm not very good at drawing faces yet. Takes practice, practice, practice right? Well, here's some practice.

2005-03-19T09:05:00.000-05:00

Stamp Carving - I'm taking an evening colored pencil drawing class in a local artist's studio. Her name is Anita Orsini and she's good. Take a look at her work here - it's amazing. I'm drawing a leaf and I think I've discovered something. I don't really like drawing with pencils. My hand itches for a pen and I have a real disdain for erasers and it takes all my self control to not just attack the paper. So, instead of working on my leaf, I started a stamp carving. And I like it and I haven't cut any fingers off yet either. And like Poison Pencil suggested, I'm going to try the Post It People on a carving. So here's my first ( 4x6), not completed yet. It will look familiar to anyone who's traded ATCs with me.

2005-03-17T21:20:00.000-05:00

Post It Colors - Now what these guys needed was a little bit of color, don't you think?

2005-03-17T18:27:00.000-05:00

Fav Links - I added another favorite link. Poison Pencil linked me last night and Frips linked me today and I'm doing a snoopy dance! My first 2 links. Really doesn't take much to make me happy - a new pen, a purring cat, James Marsters with a job (JM/BTVS ultra fan here) and someone linking me. Life is good.

Frips site is about mailart - something that I've started doing now. I've been making postcards for everyone I know. And started sending some to PostcardX. Really neat site that SnowJoe sent me to. People post their names and addresses and interests. You can just randomly pick someone and send them a postcard. It's not about trading but just a nice gesture. Try it out, it will make you feel good. As soon as I get a chance, I'll have a page on my site for the postcards. I wonder - do you think Post It People on postcards would make it through the post office?

2005-03-17T18:21:00.000-05:00

Post It People - Why Atlas Shrugged and YoYoMen. What's next you ask? Greeting cards? Gift Tags? Book Marks? You betcha!

2005-03-16T22:11:00.000-05:00

Added a some fav links - I'm constantly amazed at how many talented people are out there and they're all blogging. Check out Poison Pen and detlef jumpertz. now these guys can draw.

2005-03-14T22:19:00.000-05:00

Post It People - Surfing the web during lunch today I came across Kristen's Sketch-Blog (much talented artist) and she doodles on post its. So I tried and they're really fun. It's a good way to loosen up. After all, they're just post its. Combine that with a library book on Australian Art and you get my Post It People. I think Kristen invented a new art form. Here's a few but there's lots more (and more to come during surfing lunches) here . And yes, they are a little strange.

2005-03-14T21:10:00.000-05:00

Every Day Matters - Toy. This is a real quick sketch - a really bad quick sketch but I won't have time during the week so here it is. When I was a little kid I used to pester - read whine, beg, cry that I wanted a puppy or kitten. Well, my mom was terrified of animals. My dad got tired of hearing this all the time and every time he would promise me that I could have a puppy. So much for the trust between a parent and child but that's another entry. Instead I had this little toy dog on wheels that I would drag everywhere with me. Then one day there was a fire in our apartment and everything was lost. I remember walking in there after the fire. I was maybe 5 years old but I can still remember seeing my little dog all burnt and broken. By the time I was 20 I was living on my own and the first thing I did was get 2 kittens. Lots of years later, I have 3 well loved cats who every now and then appear in my drawings. But I really loved that little toy dog.

2005-03-14T20:21:00.000-05:00

Illustration Friday Theme - Fragile. I was thinking about this all day. I could draw a leaf falling from a tree or an old person or a baby or even a house of cards - one breath it's gone, can't get more fragile then that. Then I started thinking how fragile life really is, how fragile I really am. So I drew my hand. If I really wanted to, if I felt that tired, it would just take a cut across that very fragile layer of skin to the vein beneath and life would just drift away. I could do that, I could be that strong that I could break that fragile bond that holds me to life. Well, that's my entry. And I'm not suicidal, really. Just like to think dark thoughts every now and then.

3/16/05 - From the emails and the comments I've received on this post, I think it must have touched alot of people. I'm grateful for all the concern and the comments. One thing I've learned about dysfunctional families - you either come out of it strong or not. Fortunately, I took my family as role models on what not to do, the kind of person not to be. The memories I have are there, they'll never go away, my childhood made me who I am. The pain may fade but the scares remain. That's just life you know. Not much you can do but stand up, smile and keep on drawing.

2005-03-13T16:51:00.000-05:00

For Snowjoe - This drawing is for Snowjoe who takes pretty pictures and makes them prettier. Actually, it's a copy of his photo which you can see here. I don't know how to do a night scene yet so mine's a sunny afternoon in Florida. I like Snowjoe's better. Art markers and crayons (8x10).

2005-03-13T11:05:00.000-05:00

Here's a drawing in honor of my friend Doris who said I never posted a picture for her in the blog. Here's the pix Doris and it's for you. Dawn from my patio, a paintbox sunrise.

2005-03-13T10:56:00.000-05:00

I sold (let me repeat that), I sold 3 drawings. Three palms (8 X 10) which will be in one frame for a bathroom (it's a room). Here's 2 of them. I still can't believe someone is actually going to frame let alone buy a drawing.

2005-03-12T22:52:00.000-05:00

Something new - Feeling a little muted tonight, pastelish (new word). Blame it on new pens. The Apples were done last night. The others just now.

2005-03-12T07:07:00.000-05:00

Blogger problem - looks like there's a problem with the AOL browser and Blogger. Comments isn't working. Either nothing happens or the user gets the screen that says no such blogger exists. Comments can be left if your using Internet Explorer though. I sent a note to Blogger Help and they're looking at it. Meanwhile, if you can't leave a comment, just send me an email at janey@janeysjourney.com.

2005-03-09T20:42:00.000-05:00

Art Stamps - Something new. I'm trading postcards and made a few art stamps. These are 1 1/2 sq. Anyone want to trade?

2005-03-08T22:28:00.000-05:00

Illustration Friday Ancient - Ok I know, I need new sneakers. Maybe I could donate to the Smithsonian or sell them on Ebay. Really ancient pair of sneakers up for auction - guaranteed worn at the parting of the Red Sea or maybe at Pompei- explains all that mud.

2005-03-08T18:49:00.000-05:00

Sisters Trading Card Swap - I just received my cards from the STC Swap in Zurich. Their site is the start of it all. You send 20 cards and receive back 15 plus your own. I've received cards from Spain, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada and the Netherlands. Since you also receive the name and address of everyone in your swap, I came home today to find cards in my mail from everwhere asking to trade. These 20 cards were the first ATCs I made. I just sent another batch out.

I think I might have an outlet for all those cards I make everynight!

2005-03-08T18:37:00.000-05:00

Books I'm reading - Michael Nobbs The Beany and Danny Gregory's Every Day Matters . These are 2 very talented people and if you haven't seen their work, you should go there now. I go to Michael's site everyday for some inspirition and now subscribe to his little zine - The Beany.

2005-03-07T12:21:00.000-05:00

I forgot to mention that the little toes sticking out from under the bed are my cats - Leo, Gertie and Zoe. Notorious lurkers when it comes to clean up but very good at messing things up which is probably why nothing matches. And I wasn't hanging from the ceiling fan when I drew this. I just took on Fredrico's perspective. F. is Leo's imaginary little birdie friend (imaginary because he'd be eaten if he wasn't).

And thanks for everyone for their nice comments on my picture. Much appreciated.

2005-03-06T20:35:00.000-05:00

Everyday Matters My Bed - Just a few things here. I really am neat. I was just cleaning out my closets today and taking inventory - hence the inventory. And nothing I have matches. Seriously, nothing. Which is not a bad thing really when you want to buy sheets. I just buy whatever I like because, after all nothing I have matches anyway. Most important though - this is a big drawing not 2 1/2 x 3 1/2. I'm getting closer to that every elusive journal!

2005-03-05T08:33:00.000-05:00

Well, I changed my blog template, added links to my site, more links coming soon. Here's the old one (janeys testblog). Got an opinion?

2005-03-03T16:54:00.000-05:00

I want to make something perfectly clear - I hate jelly beans. You might as well eat a gooey sugar cube - yecch. But I do love the colors.

My eye operation (detached retina) 4 years ago left me very sensitive to light and color. And sometimes lines are a little more than squiggly, sometimes I have to concentrate to draw a straight line since that's not what I see. Outdoors I get that Clint Eastwood thing going and indoor fluorescent light can give me headaches. The positive side of this (besides still having sight in that eye) is that colors are brighter for me then most people. On a good day, they sing and on a bad day, they scream bloody murder. Hence my drawing style and the colors. I also have cataracts in both eyes. I told the surgeon when colors don't seem as bright anymore, I'll know it's time to get that taken care of. But hey it's ok, I have my eyesight and I have all those colored pens and I get to have a 21" monitor at work. Life's not so bad and it's downright colorful.

2005-03-02T19:55:00.000-05:00

My Diner Mug or is it Dinner - whatever. My entry for Everyday Matters Challange. I don't drink the hot stuff just lots of ice tea but if I did this is what my mug might look like. And the colors aren't real you know that right? Salt isn't green, pepper isn't blue, sugar isn't lavender and ketchup isn't that shade of pink. But, wouldn't it be nice if we could see the world in jelly bean colors.

Everyday Matters - Lamps

2005-02-27T22:29:00.000-05:00

My entry for the Lamps challenge at Everyday Matters. I'm working my through the Ikea catalog - hey it's a goal. Not everyone has an earth shattering ambition. The lamps are Ikea's, the colors are mine.

2005-02-27T19:42:00.000-05:00

After a night of ATCs - The Blissful Trader (Not a Self Portrait).

This is a Self Portrait - my hand after a night of ATCs.

Everyday Matters Lamp Challenge

2005-02-26T21:09:00.000-05:00

Joined Everyday Matters and Draw_Paint ATCs groups at Yahoo a few days ago and have been happily trading and posting ever since. Here are my lamps for the Everyday Matters challenge. I live in Florida and after 3 hurricanes in a row there's a hurricane lamp in every room (battery operated of course).

Post Cards

2005-02-24T18:58:00.000-05:00

Now these are fun to make. They're Postcard drawings of ATCs. They started out as a giftee sort of thing for a Snail Mail Group on Yahoo. Well I made and mailed 24 to the group and now everyone in my phonebook is getting a card. I'm only posting these 3 until I know the cards have been received. Don't want to spoil the surprise.

Illustration Friday - Sorrow

2005-02-21T19:43:00.000-05:00

Here's my Illo for Sorrow. I always thought that there was a dictionary of words to describe happiness. It was an emotion washed in color and kind of messy like life. But sorrow is grey. Simple lines, simple colors.

2005-02-20T08:19:00.000-05:00

OMG 2 people want to buy/commission my drawings. I repeat OMG. 2 for a kid's room and 3 for a bathroom (it's a room isn't it?). The bathroom gets Palm Trees and the kid's room anything I want. You know what this means don't you? It means I can buy more pens! It also means I have to draw something bigger then 2 1/2 x 3 1/2. Well, you know that big, blank page phobia is a hard one to overcome but I'm working on it.

2005-02-19T08:09:00.000-05:00

Well, my website is a mess. So I'm going to concentrate on the blog for now. Added links to web pages took down the index page. The only working link is to the ATC page but the others will be soon. Next is to publish to my server instead of blogger so no more "blogspot" in the url - that learning curve on website design is a little curvier then I thought.

2005-02-16T17:46:00.000-05:00

Just a few newbies. More can be found here.

These were my first ATC and first collage. The vase was part of a 20 card trade (my first) with Artist Trading Cards in Zurich. The little quilt was made with paper punches with the borders sewn on.

Illustration Friday - Flight

2005-02-14T19:49:00.000-05:00

Well good news for awhile. Surgeon said that there's no detachment and my vision loss may be due to the swelling. So, I go back for checkup in 2 weeks. But, this may be a sign of the beginning of a detached retina. Wait and see I guess. Meanwhile, there's color, color and more color even though it's a little blurry it's still bright!

Here's my drawing(s) for Illo Friday - Flight. I just joined a mail art group. Haven't done anything with them yet but that gave me this idea. Mail art taking flight from my hand to yours.

2005-02-14T11:30:00.000-05:00

Saw the dr at 9am and it's not a detached retina but he said there was dramatic decrease in vision in that eye. And I said you didn't have to be so descriptive. So I've got an appt at 3pm to see the retina specialist who was actually the surgeon who operated on my other eye. One of life's little blessings I guess - you like to draw, you like color ok let's take care that and blur everything. I think I'll just sit here til 3pm and be depressed and get it over with.

2005-02-12T21:34:00.000-05:00

Something with my right eye now. Flash of light and really large floater makes it hard to read. Funny how all this happens as I rediscover my love of color and drawing. I'll call the doctor from work on Monday. If he takes me right away then there's a problem. The last time this happened, I called at 10am was in the doctor's office by 10:30 and then surgery the next day. I think I'll draw all day tomorrow and use the brightest colors.

2005-02-11T22:04:00.000-05:00

I did these this morning before work (and what's wrong with obsessions?). I put these glass vases on the white table on the patio. I've never draw glass before. Don't know if it worked, maybe.

2005-02-10T19:54:00.000-05:00

I made these ladies a few years ago. They're 23-28", with wire armature, needle sculptured and painted faces. I make the wigs, the clothing and jewelry for each. Lots of fun but they do take lots of time too. I sell them by word of mouth mostly - one person tells another and someone sees one. I tried selling in a local store but they have to double what they pay for the doll and they get too expensive. And if they don't sell, they're not in a very sellable condition when I get them back. I donated one to an auction last year and that was the last one I made. There's just no place to store them. So here's Martha Louise, Sofia Rose and LeAnne.

haiku girl

2005-02-09T21:35:00.000-05:00

h aiku girl is moving to a new city for a new job and new life. And she likes my pictures so I drew this for her.

February Theme for ATC Group on Flickr

2005-02-09T20:50:00.000-05:00

Kim @ Kim's Suitcase suggested a theme for the ATC Group at Flickr of "Still Lives". So I was surfing the Illos and saw nic squirrell's blog and her drawings of her cats and this all resulted in a frenzy of cat drawings. The first card is of Zoe. Zoe means Life in Greek and since Zoe was sound asleep and very very still, this was my entry for Flickr. The next is a portrait of Zoe, the next 2 are front and back of a card for my trading buddy Andrew (he's 9) who likes cats. Altogether there's Zoe, Gertie and Leo. The birdie is just a figment of Leo's overactive imagination.

Illustration Friday - Year of the Rooster

2005-02-08T20:27:00.000-05:00

This is my friend Georgie, the rooster- a very primitive drawing of Georgie. And there's also a pix of him. When I like to do something (which for me equates to being obsessed) I usually do alot of it and then move on to something else. Several years ago I made small stuffed dolls and animals and I made so many of them I had to give them away. I don't even remember who I gave most of them to and since I didn't have a digital camera at the time, no pix. Well, I was walking past someone's cube at work and there was this little guy - felt like finding a long lost friend. I grabbed him to take home for some pictures. But since Illo is about Illos, I also drew him. So, here's my Year of the Rooster - 2 for 1 entry. And the drawing really doesn't look like Georgie because even though I went to buy a white pen, I came home with every color but white. And since he's is also a Softie, I guess I'll post him on that site too. He has to go back to his other home tomorrow but I do have visitation rights and I will always have these pictures.

2005-02-07T22:10:00.000-05:00

Not everyday is a sunny one in South Florida - at least not when Janey has new grey pens.

2005-02-06T21:58:00.000-05:00

Pens, Pens, Pens - Now let me explain, I didn't go to Pearls to get another pink pen. Ok, I went to get a white pen just one white pen. My friend Doris went with me and it was her responsibility to stop me from buying anything except that one white pen and she didn't stop me. I bought a set (24) of Prismacolor double ended markers and they happen to have 2 pink pens ok. I wasn't too sure of the broad tip since I work so small but they really look great on the paper. They're not as thick as the Tombo and so don't warp the card stock. The color is bright but not as bright bright as the Tombo so their bright but sort of muted bright and have a different look - especially on the background. I'm doing 20 of these for the Sisters Trade in Zurich. I haven't received my first set back yet and I just can't wait.

2005-02-06T07:19:00.000-05:00

I guess I'm addicted to color as much as ATCs. There was a movie with River Phoenix where he was in a high school music class and the teacher asked what made Beethoven so different. He replied that his highs were higher, his lows were lower and his sound was louder (something like that anyway). And that's what color is like in Florida. We're having a cold spell and it's about 60 this morning (actually had the heat on) and it makes everything seem a little sharper and as I look out my window, the green is greener then any green I've ever seen and sky is azure (beautiful word- color of a cloudless sky). The sun is a blinding yellow and fills my room with light. I stand on the patio with my eyes closed and head raised to the sun and it just fills me up. Anyway, I love Florida (and brush pens).

More Non Journal Pages

2005-02-02T22:14:00.000-05:00

Here are more non journal pages (I'll do a real one someday - one of my new year's resolutions). Fortunately, you probably can't read them the way I wrote them but I rather like the colors so you can see them as a visual thing rather then poetry which would be just fine with me. Oh, and all the drawings posted here are ATC size.

Illo Friday - Friendship 2

2005-02-02T20:31:00.000-05:00

Here's my 2nd Illo for Friendship. A real quickie - just some smiling happy faces. No big meaning here (just big noses) and friends make you smile right?

2005-02-02T17:25:00.000-05:00

Too busy surfing the Illos to draw much last night. Here's 2 for my own Illustration Tuesday. The horse is 5X7 and the sun is an ATC (very tradable). The poem is by Thoreau.

jawjie asked "what are ATCs"

2005-02-02T05:31:00.000-05:00

ATCs or Artist Trading Cards are measure are 2 1/2" X 3 1/2". They are little works of art traded in person or by mail. It's a way to see what other artists are doing, very addictive and lots of fun. I find a large blank white piece of paper very intimidating. I don't even think about that when I'm doing these cards and I can do anything I want on them - draw, collage, photos anything. The only rule is the size and they can't be sold just traded. Just type "Artist Trading Cards" in google and go for it. Or if you'd like to trade with me, just send me a note. Not everything here or on my site is still up for trade, some have already been traded. For me, I just like to be surprised - it's part of the fun. I just haven't had time to update my site on what's been traded. Too busy on blogger and making ATCs.

Friendship for Illustration Friday

2005-01-31T20:47:00.000-05:00

This week's entry for Illustration Friday - Friendship. I think I rushed this one. I guess I'll just have to do another. Hope you enjoy!

A few ATCs at Kim's request

2005-01-29T21:01:00.000-05:00

I joined a ATC trading group at Flickr.com. I found them via Kim's Suitcase. Kim requested some Florida scenes to warm her cold little toes. So here they are. The first one is actually one scene drawn across 2 cards.

Illustration Friday - Gluttony 2

2005-01-28T18:56:00.000-05:00

I had to rush home to do this for Illustration Friday - a 2nd Gluttony. I just had to have a slightly different shade of pink brush pen, I mean did I have a choice? Could I say "no" to that slightly different shade of pink? Even a pen has a life, has a meaning for existence which is to be next to my 10 other shades of pink brushes right?

Non Journal Pages

2005-01-27T21:34:00.000-05:00

These were the beginnings of my journal before I had a journal. They're on my website but since no one visits my website (no names, you know who you are) I thought I'd post them here. They're my non journal pages (not for trade). And one pink dresser.

Helpless

2005-01-27T21:21:00.000-05:00

Helpless, captive of my pen.

I NEED HELP - Someone trade please quick now

2005-01-26T22:46:00.000-05:00

These are endless. 3 more - A Lady and a Quilt. Well, I said I quilted. This is the fastest quilt I've ever done. Mitered corners, raw edge applique, sawtooth borders, Sulky thread and it's beaded! I think I'll do a Log Cabin Quilt next. Well, there's a trip to Ft Lauderdale this weekend for more pens and maybe I'll try watercolor. I don't think I've painted in 20 years. Blame it on the ATCs. Again, she ain't me. Actually, I think I'm alittle too fond of the first 2 so sorry - no trades on those.

Can you say Obsessed?

2005-01-26T20:45:00.000-05:00

I don't know where these came from because I never draw people. Came home from work and colored these from this morning. Can't decide if I like them with or without color. I've been so busy doing ATCs that I haven't had anytime to get them on my website. But, really blogging is so much easier. And no, there's no self portraits here. Maybe I'll do these for the Perpetual Trade on the MSN ATC Exchange group.

Illustration Friday - Gluttony

2005-01-26T18:44:00.000-05:00

My entry for Illustration Friday. The topic is Gluttony. I've been trying to work up the confidence to submit and here it is. I'm going to enter every week - habit instead of confidence?

2005-01-26T06:18:00.000-05:00

5AM, Eggo in one hand, pen in the other. I think that Nexus pen has a life of its own. Color and repost these tonight.

Artist Trading Cards - Poetry & Roses

2005-01-25T21:25:00.000-05:00

I just finished these ATCs - Poetry and Roses (not every Rose though). Are these addictve? Yes. Do I have an addictive personality? Maybe. I just know that I can't stop doing them. I haven't drawn in so long that it feels new again. Time doesn't stand still but it feels as if memory is holding the pen. I wish I could draw them in my sleep and wake in them in the morning full of color, bright shining saturated color. They'll be on my website as soon as I get a chance. And I am fond of e.e. cummings. Note me if you want to trade.

More Hoglas

2005-01-25T19:03:00.000-05:00

Here's the last of my first Holga film - ordered more on line yesterday. The first one is a pix of my rubber duckie collection (partial pix actually). The 2nd is a double exposure taken at sunset through my patio screen - I'll have to try that one without the screen. And the last 2 are taken with an IZone - better focus but same kind of quality as the Holga. And I just bought a Polaroid SX 70 on Ebay. Can you say addicted much?

I've got a Blog!

2005-01-24T00:01:00.000-05:00

I've got a Blog. Ok, now what do I do with it? Well, for my first blog I'll post my first Holga pictures. I bought a toy camera and put a Polaroid back on it and now I've got a very large toy camera with rubber bands. You see this is a really cheap toy camera and the back falls off which you don't want to happen if you've bought a $100 Polaroid back for it.

The first 3 pictures are with the Polaroid lens that came with the back and the last one is the Holga lens. The little streak of light on the tree trunk in the first picture is light leaking into the camera. The pictures aren't as distorted as I was aiming for. Actually, I wasn't really aiming since the Polaroid back covers up the view finder. I've been told that's one of the joys of the Holga - you never know what you're going to get but you're going to have fun getting it. Another joy is buying lots of film on line since most stores don't sell this type of film.

If you'd like to see my other stuff go to my website - Janeysjourney.com.