The Found Sketchbook

Posted on by Sandy Webster

Here it is with the first group of drawings dated 2009. That must have been when I made it. It was designed to take with me to some place away from the studio. I had some canvas material that I used acrylic paint to surface design. Then fitted that fabric over a card stock(probably large file folder) to cover the outside and inside. Plus the added pocket to hold my set of watercolors, pencils and brushes.

The spine shows the several signatures stitched in with the idea of being removed and replaced when necessary.

I am sure the papers inside are drawing paper that I had in abundance because I bought an entire roll of it many years ago. I used a nice brown paper to separate signatures.

It wrapped over with the flap holding the pocket for paints being the part that the strap was anchored to tie around the entire book and tuck inside itself. In the back were large pockets to hold extra supplies and additional notes to myself on ways to improve my practice. This one had a velcro closing.

I used up the excess paint to color the pockets. Here are the paintings/drawings/sketches. I was starting out using the view finder kept in a pocket to isolate sections of the yard outside my studio.

These last two in graphite were done in 2013…nothing since in this sketchbook but I would like to do more.

Today I photographed the many turkeys outside the window.

Added to the Bird Stories book following suggested lines made by the rusting stains and a bit of imagination.

And this beautiful view from the front door side window.

And from the dam and riverwalk these past few days.

And this poetic gesture of someone bringing the old stump at Riverwalk a small rose.

Til later….

 

 

 

Back To Being Alone

Posted on by Sandy Webster

It is now just the two cats and myself. Marla left today with a car loaded with more books, clothes, antiques, artwork and furniture. The past five days were spent loading up boxes, sorting books and watching Anne of Green Gables, a wonderful new production filmed in Canada. And of course playing with Dilly and Sadie.

We also kept up our morning walks at the dam in the fog.

And the river in the frost.

Yesterday we took a walk on Lee’s trail to see the changes and think of him.

And his rock piles now covered in leaves.

I closed on the new house building yesterday. Now I no longer say, “I am going to build a house”, but “I am building a house.” Footings are in place.

This will be my last fall here and I am taking pictures of the lovely color that is left.

This morning another walk on the river but turning left instead or right. Beautiful!

When Marla and I were looking deep under shelves she found an old sketch journal that I made many years ago. It is worth a whole blog on itself. I intend to use it much more now that it has been “discovered”.

There is little left unturned around here. Now that the laundry is finished I will restore the guest room for Patrick who is coming for Thanksgiving to take another trailer home of tools and lumber. He has to make the mantle for the new house before he packs too many of the tools.

I need to find another series to watch on the television and maybe pour the last of our boxed wine.

And I almost forgot! Marla and I got all our Christmas cards dry pointed and printed on our individual presses. Here are mine of a snowman handing off a Christmas stocking that he can’t find a foot for. First the out takes getting everything set just right and then some of the edition.

Til later….

 

Much Needed Additions

Posted on by Sandy Webster

Meet Dilly. One year three months. Yesterday she had been left at the shelter an hour before my friend and I went “to just look.” Here she is in the “to go box” just arriving home.

And meeting Sadie. They are getting used to each other.

There is no need to change her name. It is perfect. We used to live on Dilly Rd. before we moved south.

She is very affectionate and playful. Reminds me of our dear old Spooky with Patches markings.

The walk at the dam was pretty cold yesterday morning. Very few people out.

A new drawing in the Bird Stories Book.

I like adding these very soft watercolors to the graphite drawing after I have sealed the pencil marks.

And being inspired by the birds, I have added a chickadee to the hemp panel. Next will come a scrap cloth nest and then some more patchwork before another bird shows up. I do most of the bird off the hemp then add it where I want it and add more stitching to finish it off.

Marla and I are designing our Christmas cards today for fine etchings on our presses. She brought down her new Sissix one to try out.

Now I am going to go play with Dilly.

til later….

Moving Right Along

Posted on by Sandy Webster

 

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It has turned colder. The walks have required bundling up…especially at the dam where the wind whips across the long expanse to reach the other side where the path through the woods gives protection.

And the Riverwalk is so closed over in fog when I go out so early.

And this tree extended out over the river that I have been watching so as to see its bones.

When I return home after the walk or other errands my road is also inviting.

And closer to the house…

This seems to be the last of the color this year. A poor fall showing.

But some Anzac cookies seemed in order. A few given to the yard man to eat on his way to the next jib.

And this week I am back to my Bird Stories book.

And…

These birds have inspired me to also stitch some to add to the long scroll of stitching. Birds among the patches of cloth and stitched patterns. I will make the birds first and then stitch them to the length of hemp. I was thinking I would take the suggestion of copying my drawings onto cloth and adding that to the strip but then I was reminded of my Night Critters and will use the scraps of cloth to make nothing but birds among the held together patches. That is today’s thinking anyway.

Today the cleaning lady came and I took off to do my walk, get a paper notarized, fill up my gas tank and attempt to get the oil changed. That last bit required another trip to town later where I waited an hour and a half to get the job done. The person in charge told me that some parts for cars cannot be found now due to shortages and people have no choice but to park their cars until these shortages ease up.

Sadie seems so sad now that Patches has left. I may go to the shelter soon to find her a friend.

Yesterday I had a good long call with one of the few people there is to talk about art with. It felt good to hear someone else lament how much art with meaning and message has taken a back seat to just “making stuff” that can be marketed.

I finished my latest short story today…Loose Threads. It can be found on my website under “short stories”.

I think it is time to have a glass of wine. A friend comes down this Friday to spend some time helping with packing up things and being good company.

Til later