I'm experimenting with a new structure for this monthly blog post. Enjoy!
On My Work (Art) Table
This is a quick alcohol ink piece I did over the weekend. Sometimes I just like to put color or lines on a page without a specific goal; it's just part of the creative process. I might find a new color combination or just clear my mind so that a better idea has room to come to the surface.
In The Kitchen
When I was looking for a non-caffeinated tea that wasn't mint or chamomile (harder than you think!), I found Tazo's Glazed Lemon Loaf tea. It seemed to be very popular at my local Target, judging by the limited number of boxes on the shelf, so I took a chance. Once home I looked it up and found this article from People.com. Apparently it was quite the tea a year ago with one reviewer calling it "liquefied cake." I don't know that I'd go that far, but it's good. I like mine with a little bit of almond milk.
What I'm Reading Now
Sourdough: or Lois and Her Adventures in the Underground Market by Robin Sloan. It's the story of a computer programmer who learns to bake bread and becomes part of this new type of farmer's market in San Francisco. A light, slightly odd read!
On My Library Hold List
Downton Shabby by Hopwood Depree. (I'm hold number 2 out of 4.) When doing some genealogical research, a man discovers an old, dilapidated castle in the family and decides to fix it. What could possibly go wrong? I tend to enjoy this fix-it subgenre of memoir, as it often has a lot of humor. We'll see!
What I'm Watching
The Golden Girls! I like a funny show to watch while walking on the treadmill. When Betty White died, I realized I'd only ever seen the occasional clip. It's fun to watch an older show and see what held up or what did not. (Spoiler alert: Some of those 1980s fashions . . . did not.)
Made Me Laugh
Liechtenstein Maritime Law Book [photo]
You'll want to zoom in and read the text in the book for the joke.
Marge Simpson [photo]
Art I Admired
This DVD case [photo] designed by Studio Ghibli makes it looks like the characters are checking their reflection in the water. So cool!
New in the Shop
I recently made this postcard as an experiment with an abstract brushstroke design on the same side as the address. You can write over the design, as well as use the entire back of the postcard if you have more to say. I really like the uncoated paper which is very easy to write on. My next challenge with this artwork is to see if I can make it into a pattern that could be used on larger pieces like throw pillows.
Bonus
Other items that caught my attention in the last month, but didn't fall into a specific category:
- Why Silicon Valley Fell for an Artist and Her (Robot) Dog
I admire the artist for thinking outside the (paint)box, but it is a little discouraging to learn that people would rather pay money--a lot of money--for art created by a robot than a human. - She Found a 2,000 Year Old Sculpture at Goodwill
This is the kind of story I always find fascinating, as who doesn't fantasize about finding something valuable in a thrift store? - Folding Peace Cranes for Ukraine
I somehow missed this story from March. It's easy to feel that you need to do something big when it comes to war, so I enjoyed this smaller story of how even a little action can make a difference. - Poet Mary Ruefle's Decaying Book [photo]
My mouth dropped open reading this. I'm horrified, amazed, and . . . part of me wants to to this, too, with something I've written.