by Susan Lobb Porter | Art |
Remember Steve Martin in The Jerk? The scene where he jumps up and down shouting, “The new phonebook is here! The new phonebook is here!!” Well, that’s how I felt when I came home from work and found THE PACKAGE on the front porch. Felt like jumping up and down shouting,”The new paint sticks are here! The new paint sticks are here!!”
For all I know, maybe I did. Sometimes I just black out from all the excitement. I do recall racing down to the studio and tearing open the box. Because a few days earlier I indulged, that’s right–I treated myself to TWO sets of R&F Pigment Sticks. Two sets. Because. I. Am. Worth. It.
Oil Bars. Paint Sticks. Pigment Sticks. If you’ve never used them, you owe yourself. They make oil painting a hands-on experience. And if you’ve never tried R&F, you owe yourself big time. Because they are, without a doubt, the MOST FUN way to paint.
And they’re not paying me to say that. I just love ’em so much I want to spread the word to all my art peeps.
I bought the portrait set, which is a wonderful collection of earthy tones, and the translucent set. They came packaged in cutle little pre-gessoed cradled boards. In other words, there was no excuse not to dive right in.
So I did. Look at that yummy lusciousness. Like lipstick.
Easy as using a crayon. If the crayon was made of soft yummy butter.
Rub some on, then squish with my fingers. Or palms. And yes, I wear gloves. Couple of reasons for the gloves–safety and cleanup.
I had no plan, was just playing. Might tone the colors down a little before the wax. Then again, might not.
Here’s another little one I had lying around. It was boring. Turquoise background with gold/beige square in the center. But a couple hits of translucent yellow and one of the earthy reds and I’m much happier.
Tomorrow: More paint. Maybe some wax.
by Susan Lobb Porter | Life |
Crossed paths with Mr. Coyote this evening. I was on my way up from the studio and, wonders never cease–I had my camera. So I took a couple of photos. You have to look closely to see him because he blends in.
This is going to be like Where’s Waldo? Hint: He’s on the right, in the grouping of three trees. About mid-level in the photo, staring at me face on. There’s a black dot that’s his nose. He’d been on a parallel path to me but stopped when I called out.
This one is a little easier to make out. Upper right, running off. If you’ve never seen a coyote before, they’re about the size of a mid-sized dog. They hunt in packs and have a distinct yip yip yip as they surround their prey. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been awakened in the dead of night by their killing chorus. The yips become a frenzy and then…silence. Total. Complete. SILENCE. And Mr. Bunny (or whomever) is no more.
We’ll hear them every night for weeks. Some nights more than once. Sometimes they sound like they’re right outside my window. Coming from a sound sleep to that racket kicks the adrenalin up. And then the dogs start barking. Because that’s what dogs do.
Really, who needs sleep?
Oh, right…I do.
After a couple of weeks the coyotes move on to fresh hunting and things quiet down. But they’ll be back. Weeks. Maybe a month, they’ll be back.
And looking at those photos I’d say it’s going to be noisy tonight.
by Susan Lobb Porter | Life |
Aside from a bit of rain earlier in the month we’ve been blissfully coasting through autumn around here. Sunny skies. Comfy temps. Everyone saying aren’t we lucky. But today fall became AUTUMN. Like someone flicked the switch.
Woke up this morning and it was DARK. Like, when did that happen? All I wanted to do was snuggle down deeper under the comforter and grab a few more ZZZZZZZZs until the sun came up and it became a proper morning.
But I have a job. So I had to get up. Go to work. Be indoors all day and not realize weather was happening until I got home.
Sure were a lot of leaves on the ground. Like walking through a box of cornflakes. No sneaking up on anyone tonight. Especially since I like to crunch them. Like to kick ’em around and make lots of noise. Because it’s fun. And I can.
The horses’ water looked like pine needle soup.
And Thursday could be snow, depending on who you listen to.
Love this time of year!
by Susan Lobb Porter | Art |
More works in progress. These are all oils on cradled board. Plastered first. I consider these the base paintings for layers of encaustic (hot beeswax). The wax will be incised, scribed, carved, added to…whatever moves me at the time. It will add layers of depth, like looking through clear water.
At least that’s the plan.
It will be a week or so before I can wax these. have to wait until they’re dry. Which is okay. I have six or eight others that are ready that I’ll get to this next weekend. Meanwhile I have a day job and a studio to clean.
Because after the productive frenzy of the last couple of days Studio Grande is a MESS.
Without further ado……………..here’s what I’ve been up to the last couple of days.
Two parter (diptych for my art peeps) First panel is 1’X2′. Second panel is 2’X2′.
Diptych # 2. Same size as # 1 Or maybe it will go as two separate paintings when all is said and done.
May add more to this. Ran out of time but like what’s there. Leave a lot of room for what I do with the wax. 2’X2′
This one was so much fun. The first of several that have a landscape feel. 2’X2′
More landscape feel. Big sucker, 2’X3′. Thinking it’s too busy, may go back and simplify.
And again. 2’X3′
I’ll post before and after photos as I finish these. Should be interesting, especially since Ms. Muse has been dropping hints, little AHA! twinkles but, umm…no real game plan.
And I splurged and ordered some R&F pigment sticks. Love love LOVE those things. Like painting with soft butter. They should be here in a day or two and that could change EVERYTHING. Like giving a teen a can of spray paint and a blank wall. So works-in-progress are just that, subject to change at the creative whim.
Stay tuned for more.
by Susan Lobb Porter | Food, Parents |
It’s Halloween, Mama’s first on the other side. So I baked some cookies tonight. Loaded them with her favorite stuff. I’ll sit down in the oak grove where we buried her ashes and share a couple with her. Probably should bring a beer for my Dad. He’s an old hand at this Halloween stuff. Been a ghostie now for a dozen years but it’s his first one in the ground with Mama. He spent all the others in a box on the cherry hutch. I’m sure he’s much happier now.
As far as cooking goes, I cook like I paint. It’s the mixed media approach. A little of this. Some of that. Never the same way twice which drives my family crazy but suits me just fine. Really. They can make their own cookies.
Edith’s Ghostly Cookies
Here’s what you’ll need. All that nice healthy stuff. Tell yourself that. It helps with the guilt. Oh, and one thing’s missing from the photo–vanilla. Remembered it in time for the batter.
The Rules:
- There must be REAL butter. If you don’t have real butter then go get some. Or steal your kid’s Halloween candy and forget the cookies. Really. Just forget them.
- Use at least 1/3 LESS sugar than normal. Half if you’re brave.
- Stop frequently and taste the batter. That’s the best part.
Ready? Okay.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter softened
- 1/2 cup or less white sugar
- 1 cup or less brown sugar
- 2 eggs…or 1 if that’s all you’ve got
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- scant cup white flour
- scant cup whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cup whole grain cereal (tonight’s cookies=oatmeal)
- chocolate chips to taste
- dried cranberries
- walnuts by the handful
Beat butter and sugar. Taste. Add eggs and vanilla. Taste. Add flour, baking soda, salt. Jump back when beater sends cloud of dry stuff flying at you. Mix it all together. Taste. Add oats. Taste. Sneak into bedroom with bowl. Lock the door. Eat the batter. Forget the cookies.
Or…. add the rest of the stuff. Chocolate chips. Cranberries. Walnuts. Lots of walnuts if Mr. Spouse isn’t home. At this point you may still forgo baking and just eat the batter. Or you can drop by the spoonful onto cookie sheets and bake at 375 degrees until golden brown. Anywhere from 12 minutes to 2 hours, depending on your oven. Mine took 16 minutes.
Oh yum. Yum. Yum again–I can’t stand it!!! Now sit down with a cup of tea and a couple of these luscious little nubbins. Have a nice conversation with your favorite dead person. Wish them Happy Halloween.
