One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

Yesterday was a pretty good day. Finished a miniature I started weeks ago, finished up the Viking drawing (I think), finished two small commission pieces, and managed all day without the crutches.
This morning my knee is not so good again......back to the crutches and sofa. I will try to get some photos of mini and viking today.

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A New Perspective

I started this drawing last night while watching TV. We set up a makeshift drawing table next to the sofa and I can keep my leg raised and still draw. I used my husband, who will be the monk, and my brother in law who is going to be a viking. You probably can't tell from this photo, but I have such a good likeness of the my brother in law, I really hate to cover most of his head with a viking helmet. The reason I am showing you this is to point out how important it is to get a new perspective when you are working on something. I like to photograph my art and then look at it on the computer. I am always amazed at how this quickly shows me what is wrong with the art. I was actually thinking this was a fantastic drawing until I saw it on the monitor. I immediately see that his cranium is too large on the backside and his legs are twiglike. In my defense, they are not really drawn in, just indications of where I want them positioned. I also have not done justice to his sinewy physique. I will bulk up his arms and legs when I return to the drawing. I also may have bulked up my husband a bit too much. That may be grounds for divorce. I will correct that immediately.

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Check out http://www.gamblincolors.com/newsletters/getting-the-white-right.html

I love anything related to art and got this new newsletter site the other day from Gamblin Artists Colors. Granted it is a bit technical and lengthy, but we all owe it to ourselves to learn as much as we can about our process and tools. I read the newsletter in small increments to avoid information overload. It is very informative. A few days back I reviewed the new Fastmatte oil colors from Gamblin, did not give them my seal of approval at that time, but now after reading more on the subject, I am going to try the colors again. They are well suited to someone who paints with deadlines looming over them.

Knee Injury Culprits

I saw two doctors today. I had tripped on a kitten toy in the dark a few days back. Did not seem injured at all and went on with life for three days and then my knee fell apart. Today an x-ray confirmed that the knee cap has a fracture. I have an appointment on Friday for an MRI to see what other damage there is in the ligaments and soft tissues. This is Monet, Picasso and Rockwell. Monet the solid black kitten is the owner of the toy that I fell over. Oh well, they can keep me company for the next few weeks while I am confined to the house recuperating. I now have a horrible leg brace that makes it impossible for me to drive.

Another Bad Knee Day

Got out the crutches this morning....the knee keeps going out on me and the pain is horrible. I am definitely going to a doctor tomorrow. Geez, getting old sucks! Its good that I have two projects going that require me to sit and work on them instead of standing at the big easel today.
Sometimes it feels like I take two steps forward and one step back. My husband and I were finally on a roll with the walking each morning and cutting back on the junk food. Now we have lost four straight days of walking and I am hearing the refrigerator calling my name even with the boom box at mega decible level. I am determined to be in peak physical condition this year when I return to the Illustration Master Class. Absolutely no limping around up there this year and I WILL be 50 pounds lighter by then.

More Organizing

It's really dreary here today, drizzle and cold. No walk this morning, just as well, since my knee is on the mend and I don't want to reinjure it. So, I am going to spend part of the day continuing to merge two studios and get better organized and then spend the remaining part of the day working to finish two pieces of commissioned work. Tomorrow, a good friend is coming by to pose as Flora for my upcoming solo show series. Next week, the hubby returns to work and I get my sanity back.......I am dedicating every hour next week to the solo show pieces.