Continuing to map

I have been creating maps of my own - the first one was Map of An Unplanned Interaction (this blog post) and now for Map of Wild Things Island: 

It might be imaginary ;-)

 I have no idea where I will travel tomorrow!

Sketchbook Mugging

Every morning I have a large Americano in my favorite mug.  And since I have gotten serious about art journaling every day, my red coffee mug often makes an appearance in some form or another.

This is from a couple of days ago:

From who knows where and where will it lead?   :-)

I used Pigma Micron brush pens and my trusty Namiki Falcon fountain pen for this one.

I will page through my journal and see something I had completely forgotten about.  It may be just the kernel of inspiration I was seeking!  My sketchbooks and art journals are a great resource for forgetful me :-)

Art Journaling Changes

Recently I changed over to a larger format sketchbook for my daily art journaling - a 9" X 12" Strathmore Series 400 Sketch.  The 89 gsm paper is fine for the media I generally use.  I am still using a Namiki Falcon fountain pen with a SF nib and Pilot/Namiki black ink.

I like to sit at the nook table because the light is the best there in the morning.  I have a large Americano in my favorite reg mug:

What are these colored pencils like?

Today's color is from colored pencils, but instead of my regular Prismacolors, I wanted to try out a set of Koh-I-Noor woodless colored pencils.  I believe this set was sent to me quite awhile ago as a sample!

Birthday Boy

Remy's birthday is today.  He is seven years old!   Michael and I brought our puppy home from Fly'N Hi Golden Retrievers in January 2009.

He looked like this:

Tuckered out :-)

This was taken today - my little furball all grown up:

Beautiful boy <3

He's resting his head on a birthday toy :-)

Yucky cap fun

Remy and his best bud Briggs were playing and they found a yucky baseball cap.  They both had fun just running around, rolling, and mouthing it. 

Pam (Brigg's mom) took these two pictures of Remy which she generously shared with me and said I could share with you:

This makes me smile! (photo: P. Hendrickson)

Just the best fun! (photo: P. Hendrickson)

Dogs know how to enjoy life with complete abandon :-)

Routine disruption

Remy and I have a stable routine.  My dog is very sensitive to any changes (I always think of Charles Barsotti's cartoon with the caption, "They moved my bowl.") and Remy knows something has been amiss for the past few weeks.

Consequently he's very concerned not only about when we go "walkies", but some days, will we go "walkies"?

Here's a quick sketch of what I see when I look up - because I sense I am being watched :-)

Ink, Staedtler watercolor crayons, pastel

Remy is very polite.  He stands quietly until we have eye contact; then he will lay down and wait.  Sweet boy <3

Totally absorbed

in my sketchbook, that is.  Waiting at the dentist (nothing awful - a regular six-month check up) is not a bother.  I sketched a few weird birds and this fun dog:

Graphite

Swirly little guy :-)

I call it MOO :-)

I love to write and play with words and phrases.  Thoughts come to mind.  I usually draw them using all sorts of mark-making tools and they can be found on random practice sheets or in notebooks/sketchbooks. 

I thought I would share this one that came out of my sketchbook today:

Pigma Microm pen, Copic markers

I call it MOO which is an acronym for My Own Observations.

Mark it

Incoming info i.e. online classes, blogs, videos, suggest making marks of some sort in a new journal - just to "mess" it up.  I have taken that advice to heart :-)

This morning, sitting at the breakfast table with my steaming Americano and Remy at my feet (possibly waiting for an early morning walk) I messed up the first page of my latest working journal.  I use my name because I do not have to think about it.  The only decision is which mark making tool(s) to use and then begin.

Sharpie pens, Pigma Micron pens, and Copic markers.

If nothing else, this page resolved my yearning for a colorful page :-)

Why he is called Skygazer

Remy and I were on the deck this morning - it is a beautiful, warm, and sunny day - which is a treat because it's the first week of November!  Shorts weather :-)

Remy's birthday is this month.  I've been looking at his puppy photos and videos - he has grown so much but he still has the same puppy face and many of the same "mannerisms". 

This photo is from this morning and it reminded me why I chose his "official" name to be Skygazer:

<3

As a puppy I noticed this proclivity, something I had not seen in any of my other sweet dogs.