IF "Glow"

‘Tis the season, so we hear! The snow has arrived in just the right amount; a trace to dust the grass gracefully. Enough to be able to say, maybe, just maybe, we’ll have the traditional “white Christmas”.

Of course, the idea of the “traditional” can be difficult to pin down. What might be traditional to one, may be new or bizarre to another. In Florida, a white Christmas might indicate the beginning of the end of the world. Unless we’re talking about “white” sand!

As the Illustration Friday topics have come along, I’ve approached them as traditional pieces of art, or cartoon-like illustrations. There is an option for “digital” art which, not being proficient in Photoshop and such, I’ve avoided. Until now… Consider it a new approach to a traditional form for me.

What tradition would you like to do differently? Or would you not want to change a thing?

Hope the illustration reminds you of the beauty of the winter, of the coming of the season!

TMC Hamlin Beach Park

Hamlin Beach Copse
Watercolor Paint 4x6 Cold Press 140# Paper
©2012 BEDeuel

Last autumn (October 2010), Mike took his camera out to try to capture some of the remaining foliage on the shores of nearby Lake Ontario. The last several years, he'd become accustomed to using a digital camera, but wanted to try this venture with his new-ish 35mm.

What he found difficult, after all these years with instant results, was figuring out if he'd gotten the shot he'd wanted. Despite having taken film photographs for decades prior, it was alien returning to the form.

He was disappointed with the results. The day was beautiful but the foliage color was on the dim side, which, in truth was the only problem I could find with his photos. The composition was still excellent, the subject beautiful.

My motivation for using this photo for a 20-minute painting was to demonstrate to him how well his composition translates to others.

Personally, I'm pleased with the piece. Just as I was with his original photograph.

Thanks, Twenty Minute Challenge for letting me share!

Still Here!

I'm still here! Haven't forgotten all my Friends and Fellow Fans of Life!

We've just been busy here in the non-virtual world. Several wonderful opportunities have been stepping up to our door and a-knockin'. We've been taking the time to invite them in for some tea and chat, you might say!

So, we will be back. And, soon, I'm sure. Thank you so very much for all of your continued support!

And, take time to enjoy your non-virtual world, too!

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On another note:

I would love to have your suggestions on a holiday give-away from Bronson Hill Arts! Something easily customizable, or a print, or some notecards (which can be customizable, too), or anything else!

I'm planning on running it next week so that I can get it mailed to the winner by Thanksgiving week, so let me know what you think, friends!

Thanks, again!

IF Hibernate



Hi-BRRR-Nate
4x6 Water Soluble Pencil on 140# Coldpress Paper
©2011 BEDeuel

With the topic at Illustration Friday being "Hibernation" this week, it was too easy to think of cold and lots of protection in which to hide from it. And with the thought of cold, as well as the arrival this week of actual cold weather, it was bound to make me realize something:

It's official: the shortest summer (that I can remember) is over.

In some ways, it's good. In other ways, it's not.

Let me start with the "not" list.

The days are short. The temperature is very fickle, making it difficult to decide how much to wear at any given minute. The gardens and trees are fading. And, the worst, winter is coming up fast and furious. Indoor confinement and difficult travel lay ahead.

The good?

The shorter days make it easier to settle in earlier in the day. It feels good to put on some clothing that is soft and comfy, instead of trying to strip down to the bare basics without being arrested. Once the gardens are done, the workload is cut in half with only the house needing to be tended. The trees will turn gorgeous with vibrant colors to fill the heart with wonder and an urgency to appreciate the quick passing of time.

Winter, though, how can that be good? Unless you're a skier, snowmobiler, or general winter-sports fanatic, what fun is winter?

The fun is the excuse to use the fireplace and snuggle with whatever pleases you, be it a fuzzy blanket, a loving pet, or your best friend and lover. The fun is making sinfully indulgent comfort foods and drinking hot chocolate on a daily basis. The fun is watching the first flakes land and change the world before your eyes. The fun is knowing that there will be another spring in which to enjoy so many other pleasures of living.

With the change of the seasons coming around again, make some fun with it. Take a moment to realize it can all be good.

Here's hoping it is and will be all good for you!

IF Stay(s)

Stays
6x6 Permanent Ink on Smooth Bristol
©2011 BEDeuel

Just a bit of whimsy inspired by Illustration Friday topic, "Stay".

Of course, I thought about obedient dogs, Jackson Browne's "Stay", and stop signs and signals.

For some odd reason, though, the forerunner of the women's corset grabbed me. The curves of the undergarment brought ribbons and curls to life in my mind.

Sometimes it's just fun to play with a sketch and an idea. Hope you enjoy it! I did!

Having technical difficulties posting to IF. Will keep trying! Thanks for your patience!

Organization: Mission Impossible/Giveaway

When Mike and I were working together, we always prided ourselves on how the systems in our store were organized to facilitate as good a flow as possible. We pushed the staff constantly to document details and to prioritize every action taken in the office. Creating a well-oiled machine was the goal.



Ice Fog #1
Water Soluble Oils on Wrapped Canvas

And, while the store runs fairly smoothly, considering the volume of work and customers, it never has become that well-oiled machine we strove to make. Not everyone is naturally inclined to being organized and it is not a trait that can be forced upon an individual. 

String of Spring
Watercolor Pencil on
Strathmore 120#

The sad part of this is that I am not an organized person. Not naturally. Despite decades of trying to become instinctively tidy and timely, it just won’t come. Things are stuffed in drawers, never to be found again. I’m chronically 5-15 minutes late. Projects are never ending. I get so many things going at the same time that everything becomes jumbled and nothing is ever really finished.

I’ve done the list-thing, over and over again, to no avail. I’ve scribbled them and lost them. I’ve started pocket calendars repeatedly and promptly ignored them. I’ve created grids with weekly outlines that get buried under all the other papers I generate. As for the dry-erase board, the last entry I have on it is from before Thanksgiving. Of 2008.

The problem I’ve always had with lists and schedules is that they only work as long as nothing happens that disrupts them. You know: kids, parents, pets, illness, weather, etc. And while the spouse may be unbelievably supportive of your many endeavors, it’s impossible to determine, in advance, how much time you’ll need or want with him/her.

And disruption is not the only challenge. There is also the tendency to underestimate the amount of time any particular project may take. Something that might take your teenager 15 minutes on the computer will probably take you 2 hours. If you’re lucky. I’ve been cleaning my basement for the last 3 winters. I keep finding more things that need to be tossed, repackaged, donated, and cleaned. And we’ve only been in this house 7 years!

At this point in my life, though, I’m not sweating it anymore. It’ll get done when it gets done. I may not be any better organized than I’ve ever been, but I’ve gotten much better at prioritizing.


Ice Fog #2

When I was growing up, our house always had to be immaculate. Now, I tend to think my house is a disaster, but I’ve realized, when apologizing to service people for the mess, it’s really not that bad. There’s no vermin (with the exception of an occasional field mouse), there are clean dishes and linens, and the health department hasn’t shut me down. And, in the recent past, I hold onto this thought my mother expressed: “I wish we had spent less time cleaning and more time playing.”

String of Spring Detail

I’ll still make lists. I have to, otherwise, I’d spend most of my days scratching my head and muttering to myself, “What the heck was I doing/looking for/coming in here for?”

But the key element to what I need to get done, above and beyond the basics, is easy: Is it something I and my family and friends going to enjoy?

It’s no contest between lunch with the girlfriends and finishing organizing the basement. Or dusting the house versus dinner with my parents and husband. And definitely no conflict between spending time with the kids or staying late at work.

I like this new form of organization much better. It’s a much more natural system for me.

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Unfortunately, once again, the response to the giveaway has fallen flat. I do thank Carol & Joan for their wonderful responses. Right now, it's between these 2 lovely ladies.

In the hopes of gaining more responses, the giveaway for the Gift Tag for a Great Day will be continued through Monday, March 7th.

For those without your own blog, you can email me at bronsonhillarts@gmail.com or become a follower and leave a comment to participate.

And, even if you're not interested in the Gift Tag, it'd be nice to hear some uplifting messages about the good things in your life! So, show us that you're a fellow fan of life and join us on the Hill!

Finding Inspiration Everywhere

When first browsing through the wonderful world of blogs, I came across one called "100 Painting Challenge". I was immediately drawn in, watching over the days and months, as so many beautiful paintings were posted so frequently. At the time, I thought that there would be no way that I could produce 100 paintings in a year. I still don't feel that I'm there, but, I'm not as sure that it is beyond the realm of possibility now.

One of the artists, Teri C., is prolific. She works with so many different blogs and projects, she amazes me. And, she is incredibly supportive of artists across the spectrum. By following her activities I found Cactus Monday.

I've been attempting to join smaller, less-commitment laden "challenges" till I'm ready to take on a big, longterm challenge. This is my first try at Cactus Monday. It was taken from a photo of my sister-in-law's pride & joy Christmas Cactus. It's done with Sharpie marker on smooth Bristol paper 100#.

I like the effect of the marker on the Bristol paper, but, I didn't get quite the effect I wanted with the drawing itself, but, that's the point of these exercises: learning how to convey new ideas in new ways. I don't live in a part of the world that has cacti popping up wild and I can't honestly say that cacti are my favorite plants. That being said, this won't be my last attempt at Cactus Monday.

I want to find inspiration in as many unfamiliar places as I can. Where better to start than with something so alien in my world and life as a cactus?

So, thank you, Teri, and all other artists who promote and create these challenges. It's so nice to have my view expanded beyond the top of the hill!

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Speaking of artisans who are taking on "challenges":

Check out Stephanie's work for a colors-of-fall challenge at Crystal Allure Jewelry Blog. The results were stunning! I'm partial to the trendy colors. Stephanie's work is so original and sophisticated that I'm sure you'll find something that you'll have to have! I know I have!

"Sparkling" is living the dream! After exhaustive work honing her wordsmithing craft, she is now spending time getting to know her town and her neighbors and being paid to write about it. With her infectious positivity, she always brings out the best in those lucky enough to encounter her. On the path to success, I just know it!

Christie has started her Etsy shop and wishes for great results are being sent her way! I just purchased one of her Valentine's Day cards, and it was so wonderful: the design, the packaging, the quality. You can visit her at Christie's Scribbles & Stitches. I really think you'll love what you see.