A Day in a Bug's Life

The other day, a friend of mine asked me what I had done over lunch. It had been another one of those sweltering over 90 degree days and so I said that I had sat a little bit in the park to unwind. Truth was, it was more like I wanted to see how long I could endure the heat before I was eager to go back indoors and unbelievably I was even eager to return to work. My friend then asked me if I had talked to the squirrels again.

Now you know the moment...when you are not sure whether you should be embarrassed at your quirky behaviors or laugh at your friend's candid humor that was directed towards you. I chose the high road and simply acted non plussed and said, NO, I did NOT talk to the squirrels. Actually, none was around because it was too hot for them to be out and about. I did however, have a short tete a tete with a strange looking bug who came a crawling. I mean a calling.

I was trying to do some sketching which ironically wasn't going so hot in the heat. This intruder had really started to bug me. So, I turned the tables and started trying to sketch him. Suddenly, he decided that he did not wish to hang around any longer. I am still way too hesitant when I sketch and so I figured that this was the perfect teaching moment. I tried to draw more quickly before he got away and gave him a gentle poke with my pencil to keep him moving in the right direction. I even tried a few words of encouragement and of appreciation. Eventually, I released him from his duty and watched as he waddled away. We must have become fast friends because very shortly he decided to visit again. YIKES! I looked over my shoulder and there I saw those familiar antennae waving (hello?) at me. But I was tired of playing our game and really hot by now. This time, it was I who quietly crept away.

 This is what I have been working on lately. I wanted to experiment and to try a more abstract floral design on a canvas bag. Not sure what happened. Well, I do know. I enjoy painting butterflies and gardens too much to give them up. I think that I shall keep this bag for myself and maybe try an abstract design again later. My next project is to begin sketching a huge 3' x 4' canvas for this year's Summer Collaborative Art. And already dreaming what I'll do after that...

"Every creator painfully experiences the chasm between his inner vision and its ultimate expression." ~Isaac Bashevis Singer

Age of Aquarius

When Venus aligns with the Sun and Earth is in between, then the outline of Venus can be seen against the Sun. Peace will guide the planets (sing with me)...and love will rule the stars . Well, something like that.

By the way, the next Venus Transit will not take place until 2117 so I hope you had set your camera. I kinda missed seeing this sight as my boat to Mauna Kea, Hawaii did not leave on time. And alas, it was too misty in Pittsburgh to see much. When I think of these miracles events, it does become a tad bit overwhelming. Doesn't nature inspire the best ideas for designs? And it does all the work for you in coming up with the best dramatic color combinations for your organic compositions.

The Venus Transit.
Reminds me of the yin and the yang but only in black and gold.

Sometimes, when I look at a flower that I am studying for a painting, I am totally overwhelmed by the complexities and vastness of the universe. The interdependence of everything and the myriad of eco systems is unfathomable.  One cannot but feel the existence of a supreme power. Omnipotence. Omniscience. Omnipresence. Totally awesome.

It is good practice to try to keep learning about stuff that goes on in the world around you. Learning for me, is also a regular lesson in humility. Everytime I think that I am learning something new, I am blanketed by a feeling of how little I will always know. Understanding how the universe works quickly becomes incomprehensible. I guess that's why they call it faith.

"For a painter, nothing is more difficult than to paint a rose, because in order to do so he must first forget every rose that has ever been painted." - Henri Matisse

Journey Through the Rain Forest with Friends

Enveloped

 I learned that it is amazingly easy to make your own mailing envelopes. Who knew? And talk about going green and being on the cutting edge of tres artsy. You can use those really pretty pictures from those old calendars for the paper. If you are like me, you can never bear to part with the beautiful photographs but never knew what you could do with them. And that shiny paper that some of them are made with is so easy to manipulate and works really well. Wrapping paper and wall paper are also other types of materials that you can try using. Its fun to keep an eye open for other types of paper that might create a unique packing for your that special greeting card.

Aside from being another original, one of the best advantages about making your own envelopes is that you don't ever have to worry about not being able to find an envelope for that hard to find card size.

You can google for easy directions and even find patterns on the web to make your own tailored envelopes. Or you can simply take an old envelope apart and use it as a pattern. Once you start to focus on envelopes, I bet you will never before have noticed all these details. I find it both fun and fascinating but maybe that's just me being quirky again.

As always, I think this is also a good project for children. Will keep them busy for hours. Once you get promoted to Chief Envelope Maker, you can even make your own envelope glue from a simple recipe of clear gelatin and corn syrup and add your favorite flavoring like peppermint or cinnamon. Yum! Then you'll be ready to open up your very own envelope production factory.

Did you know bearcats mark their territory with a popcorn scented excretion? They are really cute little animals whose scientfic name is Binturong and they live in the Rainforest Canopies of Southeast Asia. The original meaning of their name has been lost as the language from which their name was derived is now extinct. Bearcats are also on the list of threatened animals. They make a chuckling sound which makes them sound happy. But make no mistake because that is actually a warning that these vicious animals are really annoyed.

Green Inspirations: Expressions with Found Treasures

I don’t know why anyone would ever buy or send an ordinary store bought card ever again. Ok, so it is probably just me, but I see so many potential exciting and unique things with which to create interesting and quite recyclable green greetings. Pretty sure Hallmark will not wish for many of you to read any further. I call my newest Art Card Line “Green Inspirations by Tamara.” The Art Work also doubles as a "special present." Gives new meaning to "Gift Card". LOL. And with no expiration date to worry about.

It all started with my pursuit of thinking about what I could do with all those really pretty paint chips that I am so attracted to and which accumulated when I was trying to decide on a color scheme. Well, I simply couldn’t toss them out. I am enchanted by all the vibrant colors. And some were sooo shimmery while others were textured.

Then one day, all of a sudden, and out of nowhere, the idea came to me. Voila, another ephiphany. Fun, colorful, and fairly easy to make cards! And a great project for children.

I try to pay attention to the important things during the workday. Really I do. Focus, focus, focus. But sometimes I feel like a flitting butterfly going from one flower to the next and and then simply back to the last one. How many times have I watched them do that and wonder when will they ever learn? Why do they leave the flower in the first place, only to go back to the same one and try again?

Ok, so I am pretty sure that I know that I am not a butterfly. But I am also on a quest. Here’s what I’m really thinking about most of the time. What’s my next quirky art project gonna be? My latest thing is simply looking for items to stash in what I am calling my “found box”. Sparkly things always catch my eye. Yes, I know all that glitters is not gold except it is in the art and craft supply world. I have no idea what I am going to do with this junk treasure. It’s just another way for me to escape for a while and an interesting way to wonder through this universe… keeping your eyes always peeled for a hidden find or an inspirational trinket.

"Build a dream and the dream will build you." - Robert Schuller

Did You Know?

To get a weather report when you are out in the garden...check the Morning Glories. Their trumpet shaped flowers close before a rainfall.

There are more than one hundred natural elements on the periodic table but chlorine is one of the few to have an odor.

Soaring

Eagles can fly above low lying clouds to avoid the bad weather below.

For most of Western culinary history, basil has been viewed with some suspicion, particularly because of its belief that is leaves spontaneously breed scorpions.

Brontophobia is the fear of thunderstorms.

The grass is always greener on the other side:  Look at the blades at your feet and from this sharp angle you see mostly tips. From a distance, you see full blades from the side.

A seagull is not a specific species of bird, but one of many types of gulls that lives near the sea.

So....did you know all of that? Happy Turkey Day from the Quirky Artiste!