Hubs and i were 'down on the Ranch' all day today.. cutting mesquite trees and then 18 holes of golf... So my day started early... On the way South to the Ranch we saw a murmuration of Starlings.. you know that twist and turn and swoop and swirl across the sky.. I haven't seen one in a long time. They are fascinating! Almost pulled off the side of the rode just to watch them.. Above is the latest sketch in the ArtJournal.. Hubby made himself some Guacamole and i stole the pit! Lets see if i can get it to grow.. :) Remember the 'Keepers of the Stars'? I made some cards from the image too..And when i'm not outlining the Koi painting in Gold I've been working on this little 12'X 12' painting of a bench and flower pot.. Trying my best to get some perspective... Trying to make the pot and bench stand out more (therefor seem closer) and the rock wall and flowers not stand out as much ( and theoretically fade to the background) Not working yet but i'm keeping at it.. lol My wonderful Thank You card from CJ was just chock full of goodies.. I hardly know where to begin or end... Buttons.. All of it was much, much appreciated and a delight to receive.. Paper... Tags!! Washi Tape! Thank you so much CJ!And last but not least my ticket to the party.. A recycled photo.... again... sorry.. I'll soon take some Christmas mug vignettes ... I hope you had a great week and an even better week to come.. I'll be around to visit!!! Happy T day! Hugs! deb
... let's update the Koi painting... Here it is with 3 coats of gesso and 4 ( i think) coats of white on the fish and everything outlined with a paint pen.. I don't know if you can tell... but then i coated the fish with 2 coats of white pearl paint.. I had to learn that you really can't brush that pearl on( it leaves streaks) i had to add just a little water (not too much or you dull the pearl.. ask me how i know) so you can flood the pearl on .... And now i'am doing the outlining in Gold.. I found a handy dandy way of doing that. But i'll show you next week.. This may look tedious but i'm really enjoying this part..(while watching old Sherlock Holmes movies.. the ones with Basil Rathbone ) I like detail so this makes my heart sing... Speaking of heart singing.. Happy Mail does that to me too.. :) This is from our Kathy on the Lake.. This is a pic she took herself and turned into a card.. And inside was a lovely handmade Thanksgiving booklet. Thank you so much Kathy! You made my day! And then CJ remembered me for Halloween! Aaaawww..... thank you CJ!!! CJ also sent me a wonderful Thank You card! But that will need a post all its own! Forgive me , my recycled drink photo... and i'll be around to visit everyone at Elizabeth's T party on Tuesday!! Hugs! deb
I think this is where i left you on my Koi painting.. I've made some progress...
Painted the centers of the flowers... And now i'm painting in the fish... they look kind of ghostly here don't they..? lol 
