Weigh Anchor

Exploration + Things I Like

2012-01-25T10:53:00.000-08:00

So my wintwin Kelsey is back in California, and yesterday we (I'm looking for a word but I can't find it - is recommenced a word?) met up again for our weekly Win Twin Tuesday, wherein she makes delicious food and I take photos but mostly just eat it all. Then we went on an adventure down to the canyon near my house: I am personally a big fan of getting good and muddy when traipsing through a foresty area, especially when one has big boots, and one manages to not fall on one's behind. I was not disappointed. It was a good walk, and hopefully there shall be more in the future!

Also, here's some Things I Like:

This Week

2012-01-20T10:44:00.001-08:00

I'm sick with a gnarly headcold - hopefully the medicine will kick in and I'll be able to do some art (or clean my room which desperately needs it) but until then, I'm sitting in bed and sipping coffee and dayquil. All I've got in terms of an update are a few pics from the week, so enjoy: It's finally raining in San Francisco! The best way to spend a day off is home in bed listening to rain pour outside, in my opinion. Hope everyone's doing well, and have a good weekend! xo.

New Ink + From the Sketchbook

2012-01-17T18:28:00.000-08:00

My co-worker gave me a little jar of walnut ink to try out, and today I thought I'd give it a shot. It's awesome! It's like a watercolor and ink in one, and the perfect shade of brown.
Just finished watching the new season of Sherlock and it's incredible. So I doodled John Watson and Sherlock Holmes.

John turned out much better than Sherlock. Surprisingly. Why can't I draw you, Benedict Cumberbatch, with your amazing cheekbones?

And because I have nothing else to share, here's a few doodles from the sketchbook from lately. The pages of blind-contour people are how I keep myself entertainted while waiting for planes to board at the airport.

New Paintins

2012-01-13T11:21:00.000-08:00

Just a small note to let you all know there are some new tiny (3x3 inches-ish) paintings in the shop! Feel free to check them out!

Tutorial: Watercolor Sketch

2012-01-11T18:47:00.000-08:00

So I was doing some watercolor sketches of whale skulls today, and I thought maybe you all would like to see a quick little step-by-step of how I do them? This technique (If you can call it that) is super messy and fast - perfect for if you're on the fly or traveling or just don't feel like committing too much time to a piece but want to play with some color.

So first you start with a sketch. I did mine in 3B pencil last night while waiting for something to load or something. It's a sperm whale skull! Hence the teeth on the lower jaw.

Then I did a light wash of yellow ochre and burnt umber. I used this freebie sumi brush but it sucked.

Another, slightly darker wash over the darker areas. Switched to a better brush this time.

Then I decided that this baby needed a background, so I mixed some burnt umber with some red and washed away.

Then did the darkest darks on the skull. I didn't have a reference picture, so who knows if the shadowing is accurate or not.

Blend out the darkest darks. Dang, this sketch is wet!

Another layer of darkest darks.

Blend the darks out again.
And there you have it! One Sperm Whale skull watercolor sketch done. Took about 10 minutes total, and most of that was drying time. Watercolors are so fun to mess around with and experiment with! Hope everyone enjoyed this dumb little tutorial! Bye for now.

Things I Like

2012-01-10T17:40:00.000-08:00

Here are some things I am currently digging:
Spent yesterday and today watching all of The Office (UK). So fantastic.
Sherlock season 2. Haven't watched the second episode yet but the first was fantastic and I can't get enough of these two. (I seem to be on a Martin Freeman kick.)

And pretty things:

All photos link back to their sources.

New Digs!

2012-01-06T16:30:00.000-08:00

Well everyone, it took me about two days total, but check out the new layout! Ooh aah, right? I've even got PAGES up there (which I haven't put any real content on yet, hahaha). It took me AGES to figure out how to get a background image behind them, holy moley, but I can say I learned a few new things about CSS today. Still a few things to fix, but I think I like this layout a lot.

One of my New Year's Resolutions was to take a photo every day, and so far, so good, but I dunno, I think I had better go on an adventure or two sometime soon because taking photos around the house is pretty boring. Although I did get to start my new year in Seattle, so I have a bit of a variety, photo-wise.

Things I Like

2012-01-02T17:11:00.000-08:00

Well kids, my stay in Seattle is winding down. I'm heading back to the bay tomorrow, away from this gray weather and my mom's amazing cooking and these great thrift stores. And so, since I have nothing else to say of much importance, and since my new computer doesn't freeze every time I go on tumblr, how about some things that I like right now?Happy 2012 everyone, hope you're all enjoying the new year!

Holidays

2011-12-28T11:51:00.000-08:00

Wow. Trying out the new blogger interface and it is weirdddd.

Hi everyone! Hope everyone's having an awesome holiday season. I'm up in Seattle enjoying the lovely (gray & wet) weather, and eating myself into a food coma.

Speaking of holidays, I got quite a haul for the Christmas, including this epic stack of used books. (I love a good used book. Especially these, which were on clearance, what whattt! Thank you Half-Price Books in Seattle.) Here we see the Somnambulist by Jonathan Barnes (I have no idea if this book is going to be good or not but hey, two dollars.), The Man Who Would Be King and Other Stories by Rudyard Kipling, A HUGE biography on Napoleon Bonaparte (thanks, Mom!) by Alan Schom, the classic Jurassic Park by Michael Chrichton, What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew by Daniel Pool, Fallen Founder: The Life of Aaron Burr by Nancy Isenberg, and Men Against the Sea by Charles Nordhoff. Quite a strange stack, but I'm totally stoked.

My Mom also helped me get a brand new computer (soooo necessary, my old one is on it's last legs) and it was insanely generous of her, and it is so awesome! So much faster and better than my other one! Oh, and maybe my favorite thing about Christmas?

WHALE KNEE SOCKS. AHHH.

Kat in the Kitchen - Or, Failure.

2011-12-20T11:30:00.000-08:00

So the other night my friends picked me up from work and we went to see the midnight movie of Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.

I recommend it. If you are like me and enjoy the Victorian era and slow-motion explosions and, you know, Robert Downey Jr, then this movie is well worth your twelve dollars. (Man, remember when movie tickets were like 7 dollars? Those were the days.)

Also last week my pal Kelsey made these amazing cup pies. They are so freaking good. You should check them out.

I am currently trying to make a frappuccino a la this recipe, but it's all foamy and I don't think I like it. Maybe it's because I used fat-free milk? Or didn't put in the xanthan gum? Maybe the coffee isn't strong enough. This is why Kelsey has the cooking blog - I can't even make a dang mixed drink right! I guess I'll stick to being behind the camera!

In which Kat cuts her finger and talks panini

2011-12-12T10:11:00.000-08:00

If you're looking for something easy and delicious to make, head on over to Trial and Error and try your hand at these amazing panini. We made them last week and hooooo man, what a sandwich.

It's hard for me to type now because on Saturday I was trying to cut a very small piece of bread after not eating most of the day and -whoops!- sliced a huge chunk into my finger. My first thought was: 'That's it, Ive lost my finger- I didn't even get to say goodbye,' and then, 'oh god I need stitches,' and then I just put my head between my legs and tried not to pass out.

My friends have since convinced me that I am a big baby and no, I did not need stitches and I will, in fact, be fine. But as a person who doesn't injure themselves very often, I was a bit worried. Oh well.

The holidays are fast approaching, but I think I've finished all my shopping! Huzzah! If anyone has a bit more shopping to do, you know where to go, eh?

My heart also goes out to all the art students out there - I know it's finals week, so good luck! I can't wait until they're over for you either, since I work at an art store and there's been a mad finals AND holidays rush! So good luck everyone, and I'll talk to you all soon!

Time Traveling or Kat's Adventure in Victorian London

2011-12-06T16:30:00.000-08:00

So last weekend I got in my time machine with my roommates (yeah, we have one of those) and went to Victorian London. Oh, you don't believe me? You want proof? Here's some photos:

Here's my roommate helping Captain Nemo feed a Giant Squid:

Also, for extra proof, Queen Victoria herself was there (with the adorable Prince Albert):

Pretty much an amazing day. I want to go to there. That's what I've been up to!
Also, new layout up in here. Hey hey, gettin' fancy.

December Hath Come!

2011-12-01T10:59:00.000-08:00

Well it's been a while. No excuses, just sometimes hiatuses (hiati? haitus...ow) happen, right?

There are some new baubles at my shop, and there are more to come in the next few days! So, got someone nautical-minded on your holiday gift list? Eh? Hop on down and get em while they're hot! I also do custom work, since I have about 8,000 pieces of seaglass on my shelves in every color imaginable.

Working on a new layout for this place and even contemplating a move, gasp! Stay tuned!

And if you haven't already, check out my pal Kelsey's blog - she has been away in New York and having many adventures, but last time we made Stuffed Pumpkin Pancakes, and soon we will be back with a vengeance!
(Wow, check out that amazing photography, what a great photographer she must have- oh wait, that's me HARHAR.) Man, I can't wait to get back to eating and creating devastatingly delicious food.

Paris, Part Four - Versailles

2011-10-28T10:21:00.000-07:00

What I am still lacking in new artistic content I am trying to make up for in sheer prettiness, and what better way to do that than photos of Versailles? Yes, for years and years 'Go To Versailles' has been on my Things-to-do-before-I-die list, and this summer, I was able to put a big fat check next to it. Done. And when I say done, do I mean it. We were there promptly 30 minutes before it opened and stayed for hours, and I don't think I sat down longer than the 10 minutes I took to eat a sandwich. We walked from the Chateau to nearly the end of the gardens and back, and still didn't see everything! I want to go back already!

For those unfamiliar, "The court of Versailles was the centre of political power in France from 1682, when Louis XIV moved from Paris, until the royal family was forced to return to the capital in October 1789 after the beginning of the French Revolution. Versailles is therefore famous not only as a building, but as a symbol of the system of absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime." (Thanks, Wikipedia!)

Mid October Already...

2011-10-19T23:10:00.000-07:00

Well, if you're wondering what I've been doing, the answer is:
1. Going to Disneyland

(The Little Mermaid ride is so amazing! It is still my favorite Disney movie, maybe even my favorite movie period. Also we met and took a photo with Captain Hook! Check that off the Things-To-Do-Before-I-Die list! Now I've got photos with Jack Sparrow and Captain Hook!)

2. Playing with my roomie's new kitten, Snuggles!

Yes, his name is Snuggles, and yes, he is adorable, and yes, the first thing we all did when he was brought into the house was hold him up and sing the Circle of Life. Weirdos? Us?

3. Working. Boring.

4. Taking photos for Kelsey of her delicious foodings.

Also been working on some paintins; I painted beetles today, that was pretty cool. Someday I'll get my scanner back up and running and be able to show those off. Anyhow, stay awesome everyone!

Paris, Part Three

2011-10-06T10:54:00.000-07:00

I am currently sipping coffee at my kitchen table waiting for various virus-scanning software to do their thing - yes, my computer has been infected. But I had my awesome computer-savvy friend Mat look at it, and so far so good - I think it is on the mend! However, since I have nothing in the way of art-y content to share while I am waiting for things to scan, I figured I could bore you all with more Paris photos from earlier this year!

This time we visit my favorite museum in the whole world - the Louvre. I went there three times in the two weeks we were there, and still didn't see nearly enough. I could stay there for months, easily. I did get to spend a ton of time sketching there, which was an amazing experience, even though I got stared at a lot!

It's October Already!

2011-10-04T11:33:00.000-07:00

The weather in San Francisco is finally starting to get yucky - it rained yesterday and it was awesome. I worked at the store and spent the day being complained at by customers saying, 'Ugh I can't believe this weather! It's so awful and wet!' and I would smile and say, 'I KNOW I LOVE IT.' The beauty of being from Seattle.

Been taking photos like crazy for my pal Kelsey, who has been cooking up a storm. Not only has she made Bailey's Irish Cream Scones but also Pulled Pork Sliders (I die for these every time she makes them.) Right now I am taking a break while her latest venture cooks up in the oven!

The nautical party we had was a success, unfortunately I forgot to take any photos. Whoops! Too busy putting decorations up and then dancing the night away. That's usually how our parties go.

Needless to say, I've been a bit too busy for art lately. Boo! I've got plans, though, and soon I hope to have a bunch of work started, if not finished. In the meantime, enjoy our latest video, that I am actually in (yikes):

Real Life

2011-09-19T22:35:00.000-07:00

Ack, September is over half gone already! Boy the time does fly, especially when you are keeping busy busy busy like I am!

Last Saturday I attended the opening reception for my very first official art show - that was pretty awesome! Everyone's work was amazing, it was so cool to be part of such a great show. I wish I had taken pictures, but I was worried about bringing my big bulky camera around that many people. Next time! (If there is one - and I hope there is :))

Speaking of my big bulky camera, my very awesome friend Kelsey started a food blog, and asked for me to help her take photos to document the delicious process that was bacon beignets. Oh my goodness, the photos cannot even begin to do them justice. If you are cooking-inclined (and even if you are not) you should head over to Trial and Error and make some yourself!

Other bits of news: we've been filming lots of fun stuff - this one came about when we decided that certain songs from the 90s probably had the power to kill someone, The Ring-style. The ultimate irony is, I think, the fact that this was born out of our mutual hate for this certain song, and now none of us can get it out of our heads.

I just finished editing a new skit that'll be up soon, and I'm working on soooo many party decorations for our upcoming nautical party. Also it's really hot here suddenly, which automatically means kiddypool time in the backyard. Hope everyone's doing well!

New Work + Things

2011-09-09T13:43:00.000-07:00

New work! Hurray! This is the rarely seen Narwhalship - half narwhal, half ship, completely awesome! He is a small 6x9 piece, that I painted one day while waiting for other work to dry, and I just love him. Painted with my fancy new Liquitex Heavy Body Acrylics. I really recommend these paints - not just cause they're smooth like buttah but also because the packaging is really nice. Yeah, I judge a book by its' cover. (The Narwhalship could be yours!)

So because I work at an art store and someone opened a set of gouache (and if you are like me and have no idea how to pronounce it, it is, in fact, pronounced 'gwash'. Just fyi!) tubes and stole the red tube, I got the rest of the set free, so I decided, hey, I should try using gouache! This is the first painting I've ever done with gouache, and I gotta say, I like it! I used both Winsor & Newton Designer's Gouache and Holbein Acryla Gouache, and I think I prefer the Holbein, because it's easier to get the right consistency with the paint. Everyone should try it out! I know I want to do more with it! (Pst, also, it's up for sale at my shop, if anyone's interested)

In other exciting news, between going to the Wicked Plants exhibit at the Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park:

...And having crazy awesome adventures:

...I'm also going to be in an art show! My co-worker is curating one, and almost everyone at work is going to be in it. I'm going to help him hang it today, but I'm so nervous - I've never been in an art show before! I spent a bunch of time framing my stuff today and I even got some fancy mats, so I hope it turns out well. I'm so scared I'm going to put my stuff up next to everyone else's and they'll be the worst ones there, hahaha! Oh well, at least I'm giving it a shot, right?

Tomorrow we're filming a fake trailer for a movie spoof, next weekend is the gallery opening party, the weekend after that my Mom is coming to visit (yay!) and the weekend after THAT is our big nautical house party - so many decoration ideas, I will keep you all posted. Hope you made it through this epicly long post, and have a great weekend, everyone! Xoxo!

Paris, Part 2: Chartres

2011-08-30T09:18:00.000-07:00

More pictures of Paris from July 2011, this time of our amazing little day trip to Chartres. The Cathedral as we know it today was built mostly between 1193 and 1250, is still in amazing condition, and has two mismatched spires (one was rebuilt in the 16th century over the older one). The facades are what really got me, though - besides the insane amounts of intricate stained glass windows. Every outer wall of the cathedral is covered in sculptured figures - from the ground all the way to the top of the spires. My mother and I spent a good long while walking around the outside, trying to figure out who was who, and what scenes of the Bible were being portrayed (aw yeah, Catholic education!).

There's something about the smell of old churches that you just don't get anywhere else. They're so dank and cold and full of incense and burning candles - I feel like I go back in time a bit when I enter one, especially one like Chartres Cathedral. In a cathedral that big and that important, you feel like you are a bit lost in history!

Next time: more of Paris, perhaps the Louvre? Also I have been working on some art so expect that soonish. Bye for now!

100, Paris, Pt. 1.

2011-08-25T10:29:00.001-07:00

Hey, this is my 100th post! Amazing! In celebration, and since I have nothing better to say, how about a few photos from my trip to Paris in July? And while I did take over 5,000 photos (good gracious, did I ever look up from my camera??) you needn't fear, I've narrowed it down to only 701 of them that I like, and I'll only show a few of those. So, without further ado: Paris 2011, Part One.

Next time: a trip to Chartres!

Getting There

2011-08-05T17:59:00.000-07:00

I'm about ready to throw this thing out the window - that's usually when I know a painting is about done. I had to stop because my wrist got really sore from all the stupid little details. Not stupid. ...Detaily little details. I like how the spine looks, though...

Still having weird dreams, I guess it's - oh wow, I'm really dumb, I just realized I just started taking my fish oil again, no wonder I'm having weird dreams. HAR HAR.

It's really foggy outside and I am totally digging it. Also I have a day off work and I'm totally digging that, too. See ya!

Guts! Dananana...

2011-08-03T09:36:00.000-07:00

Worked on a new painting yesterday, with my fancy free watercolor canvas, ohoo. It's cool to be able to use watercolor effects on the canvas, but eh, I don't know if it would be worth it to spend that much money on one for real. Also I used a lot of Dr. Ph. Martin's Concentrated Watercolor for the very base of the background, which is rad because they are more like a dye, so when I painted over them they didn't really pick up, the way the rest of the watercolor did.

I had a dream last night that there were bugs in my bed and when I woke up I had kicked off all of my covers. Then I dreamed that I had to fly to Germany but I had accidentally flown back to Seattle from San Francisco instead of waiting for my connecting flight so I started crying when I went to get a coffee, and a really nice flight attendant took pity on me and helped get me a ticket. Why are my dreams so stressful?! No wonder I don't feel rested when I wake up!

Having a new timed coffee maker is the bomb, though. Seriously, everyone should get one. Thanks Kerry and Owen, it's the best thing ever.

Oh yeah, and our awesome house is planning yet another awesome party for next week. The theme is this music video:

Man, it's the greatest. I want it to be my life. This party is going to be insane.

Hope everyone's awesome, xoxo!

New Digs

2011-07-27T10:33:00.001-07:00

I finally finished my ceiling mural! I couldn't lift my arm for a full day afterwards, hahaha! It's really impossible to get a good picture of the whole thing, since my room is quite small and my camera lens is not at a very wide angle, but there it is, both hemispheres complete, glow-in-the-dark stars and all. I'm relatively happy with how it turned out, but I think it's safe to say that I doubt I'll ever feel the need to do it again!

Also new, and going along with the completed ceiling, my new room is finally all moved in and finished! Complete with new desk, Napoleon poster from the Louvre, and signed Harry and the Potters poster from their latest tour, I think I'm going to be getting out of this art rut very very soon. I already feel more creative than I have in a while! I wish I didn't have to work today so that I could stay home and draw!

Last but not least: a question for the readers out there. I'm looking for a scanner that does at least 9 x 12 scans, anyone have any ideas? I'm so sick of scanning my images four times and piecing them together in Photoshop! It's maddening! Any help would be much appreciated :)

That's all for now, adios!

The Return

2011-07-20T11:13:00.001-07:00

If anyone is still reading this blog, hello! I have not posted in months, but I think I can officially say that my temporary hiatus is over!

I've been gone for so long for several reasons. First and foremost, I went to Paris, France with my Mom, who won a trip!! It was so amazing, we were there for a little over two weeks, and I don't think I ever stopped moving the entire time - so much to see and do, so many macarons to eat, so much amazing coffee to drink!! I took over 5000 pics, so I'll share a bunch once I finally pare them down to a decent amount.

We have also been undergoing major changes in our house - roommates moving out, new roommates moving in - I just yesterday moved into a new room myself! I painted the walls a lovely white, and I'm working on a mural on my ceiling:

Not the best photo, but I think you can get the idea - I'm doing a star chart of both the Southern and Northern Hemispheres on my ceiling. And if there are any Astrology nerds out there - yes, I will confess: I completely messed the arrangement of the constellations up. Once I realized I had been looking at my reference image wrong, I figured I'd just forget accuracy and just go for pretty, hahahaha! Also, what ceiling star chart would be complete without glow-in-the-dark stars? So, naturally, All the constellations are painted out with glow paint that looks pretty rad, if I do say so myself. Now I just have to get the strength up to do the other half... My arm is so sore, though!

Well now I have to get ready for work. Thanks for reading, and I hope I still have some followers after that long absence :) I'll have a real art update soon, I hope. I'm getting a new desk and setting up my easel as soon as I clean the mess that is my new room, so now there is no excuse to not be creative!!

Also, if anyone's looking for something awesome to spend some time reading, I've been browsing this blog, Far Out Flora, for the past two hours - We're trying to turn our backyard into a legit garden, and it's awesome to have great inspiration, especially from fellow San Franciscans!! Go check it out for some serious gardenspiration!

Temporary Hiatus

2011-05-09T11:31:00.000-07:00

It's that time in my life again - that time when I'm working all the time, and the weather is so nice on my time off that I'm out having adventures at far-off beaches and parties and barbeques. Not much time for art lately, I'm afraid. Thus, the lack of content in this blog.

I can feel inspiration slowly approaching, though! I'm sure soon I'll have lots to post about. But until then, I'm going on a bit of a much-needed internet break - Maybe for the month of May, but probably just for a few weeks. Thanks for reading and keep checking back, I'll be back soon :)

Hope everyone's enjoying spring and May and all the good things in this time of the year!

Friday, Friday, Gotta Get Down on Friday...

2011-04-15T09:51:00.000-07:00

I should just rename this blog 'photos of Roman being cute on my bed, oh and also some paintings once in a while.' But that's a pretty long blog title.

Did a quick little watercolor sketch last Tuesday because I was feeling really uninspired and just wanted to get SOMETHING down on paper. Ever have those days? I had my pallette all nice and laid out, my brushes and water and paper ready to go, and no ideas what to do with it. I tried working on this other painting, but I might just give up on it.

I was actually looking at this image when I was painting it - so it's very VERY loosely based on it. I also had the sky this ugly yellow, then an ugly blue, then I just gave up and Payne's Grey-ed it up. Mostly I wanted to practice painting the sea - waves are really hard (for me at least).

Apparently my camera memory card erased itself - anyone know if I can recover anything once that happens? I think it had all my U.K. photos on there, but I think I also saved them somewhere in the bowels of my computer, so I should be alright.

Speaking of cameras, I'm about to buy a new lens for myself with my etsy proceeds! I've never bought a new lens, I'm so excited! It goes to f1.8, heck yesssss, since my lame kit lens only goes to f4. stoked.

Oh yeah, there's also a teeny sale at the shop so check it out if you want a teeny painting or two! I want to start doing notecards again soon, too... Any other ideas?

Life, the Universe, and Everything

2011-04-10T22:44:00.000-07:00

Well, I bought new watercolors since I lost them a while ago. I still have no idea where they are. A tragedy! Good thing I work at an art store and get a discount now. They're just cheapy Van Gogh brand (dang they are hella cheap on the website!) but I like them a lot. I also don't have the money for some Old Hollands up in here.

So yeah, in between working shifts at the store I've been slowly working on some old paintings as well as knitting my scarf, which is getting really long, and I'm on my second skein of yarn already! I can't wait to be done with it - I really don't have the patience for long projects like this!

Someday soon I'm going to set my easel back up and do some really intense acrylic paintings. I've got the itch. Unfortunately, I still don't have much in the way of inspiration. Maybe this weekend I can hole myself up in my room and just draw and art.

The kids and I have been working on our filming - we're currently still making shorts, and we're right now working on a longer short film that is a bit of a secret but involved us going to the park this weekend and running around like weirdos. We have fun.

Things I Like

2011-03-30T12:06:00.001-07:00

My life's been pretty boring lately, so how about I share some of the internetty things that have been occupying my time off work lately?

This is the blog of a girl in Japan who takes photos of herself levitating - I think it's totally rad! She's got some amazing photos, it makes me want to give it a shot.

For all of you Age of Sail and Aubreyad fans like me, there's The HMS Surprise Radio Play that I've been listening to. Kinda love it!

And if you want a tune to get stuck in your head for a while, here it is.

New Paintings

2011-03-21T09:59:00.000-07:00

I got off my lazy bum the other day to do some painting! After looking for my watercolors for about two hours (I still can't find them!! I guess I have to go buy new ones :( ) I finally settled on acrylics, and did these three new ones. It feels good to accomplish something, even if it's just little paintings!

This wall has sortof become my gallery wall... Mostly because I am afraid that if I don't put a finished piece up there as soon as it's done, I'll lose it!

That last one is an attempt at the constellation Cetus, the whale. I mostly just wanted to try painting the night sky, with all the deep blues and purples. Also I apologize for the pictures, but because we're still in the middle of a gnarly storm here in San Francisco, the days are really dark, making well-lit photos a near impossibility. I also should have opened the curtains.

How I Spend My Day Off

2011-03-18T14:17:00.000-07:00

Roman and I are chillin and knitting and watching some Lord of the Rings while it rains and pours and the wind blows like heck outside, and my window leaks. It's a pretty good day so far. We were up a bit late last night for St. Patrick's Day, drinking Guinness and singing Irish songs.

Apparently this happened this morning, hence the storm and wind. What the heck, world! What is with this insane weather?! A tornado in San Francisco!?

Chickens

2011-03-13T18:55:00.000-07:00

New in my life right now: chickens, job, diet, art supplies, daylight savings time adjustment... Currently working on that scarf from last post; I have about 4 inches done now! I've also been marathoning movies in between yoga and working, so that I have some background noise while I knit and/or crochet. Last night I watched two of the Pirates of the Caribbean films, and I think tonight I might start on Lord of the Rings. Maybe. Oh, my exciting life!

Purl

2011-03-09T17:13:00.000-08:00

I learned how to purl! Finally! I had decided long ago that it was impossible, but the other day I said to myself, 'Oh, go look it up on youtube, if other people can purl, I'm sure you can.' So I did. And I can! So I'm making this scarf with some yarn I had lying around. I hope I finish it soon, but I think it's going to take a long time - I hope I have the dedication to finish it! If anyone's interested, this is the video I used to learn how:

In other news, I got the job!! I officially rejoin the population of the employed tomorrow at noon! Here comes a whole new chapter of my life.

Because.

2011-03-07T10:11:00.000-08:00

Job interviews. I have one today, and even when I feel pretty confident about them, I still get so nervous! My current worries are: I didn't write the time down right and I'll actually show up three hours late, I'll say something extremely stupid, I won't be able to think of anything to say at all... The list goes on and on. Someday I might get over this, right? It seems doubtful. Anyone have any anti-nervousness tips?

In order to distract myself from my public-speaking and interviewing woes, I would like to share a story with you all: it is called "The Day Mat Decided We Should Stretch a String Across the Two Peaks of Twin Peaks." It begins with Rhonda coming into my room and saying, 'Do you want to come to Twin Peaks and stretch a string across the peaks?' To which I replied, 'What? Why?'

'Because,' Rhonda responded.

'Because why?' I asked, still confused.

'Because!' Mat shouted from the kitchen.

'I don't understand,' I said, getting up and putting my shoes on, 'but should I take my camera?'

'Yes,' was the unanimous reply. And we were off. The rest shall be told in photo form:

We stretched a string across Twin Peaks. Why? Because!

A Little Literature & Etc.

2011-03-04T14:28:00.000-08:00

That's right kids, I've joined the twitterverse - I am now a legit member of society. Don't ask me how I've gone this long without tweeting, but I have a feeling I'm going to get quite addicted quite fast. Anyway, I'm still learning the Twitter ropes, but I would love some followers, and some people to follow, so add me and I'll add you back! I'm pretty excited about it!

I also thought I'd share a glimpse of what's been taking up a lot of my time lately - this huge stack of books from Half-Price Books in Seattle! Most of them were $2.00-$.50 in clearance, so I didn't feel too horrible about buying that many. Plus, they're used, so, you know, green shopping! Right? Who doesn't love doing some green shopping?

So excited to have the whole Harry Potter series again. Once I finish a few more Aubrey/Maturin books I'll reread those. It would be great to reread them all before the last movie comes out this summer! Oh gosh, I'm so excited for that. Also excited to get started on that Nelson book.

I have a job interview set up on Monday, wish me luck! Also working on some new seaglass jewelry and more tiny paintings check back soon if you're interested in those :) Thanks always for reading, and welcome to my new followers! Hope you enjoy my little blog! Xoxo.

Secrets Revealed

2011-03-02T13:27:00.000-08:00

So this is the 'secret' project I've been working on this month - a couple of posters for a local Seattle band! These are just the roughs. Done in ink, ink, and more ink. I haven't worked with actual ink washes in so long that this was really fun to do! Plus I love it when someone requests a drawing that has "skulls, crows, steampunkery, and gears." Talk about an awesome assignment.

Also, there's now an 8x10 print of Fatal Attraction in the shop! I'll probably start offering the cards again soon, but I've run out of envelopes! Whoops!

It's stormy today, and I just finished doing some yoga so now I'm sippin on coffee and planning out future projects. Gotta start using all the new canvas I bought at Blick!

You Better Run, Better Run

2011-02-26T14:24:00.001-08:00

My workplace. Currently a mess. I decided to put all the paintings I had lying around up on the wall, so that I could actually look at them instead of storing them out of sight. I quite like it! Oh Queen Elizabeth and Horatio Nelson, it's been a while since I last saw you! And remember Max? I really loved painting that one.

I went to Blick a few days ago and bought about 100 new canvases, (really, more like 10) so I hope inspiration strikes me very soon and I get a ton of new paintings done!

Also, while I was washing out the seashells I got from Seattle this past weekend, I found this tiny crab hiding out! He was already dead, alas, but almost completely intact, so I popped him in a little bottle and some alcohol, and now he sits on my dresser next to my tiny-bits-of-seaglass collection! I love his little claw and little eyes.

Busy Busy

2011-02-24T12:08:00.001-08:00

I'm going to put a more decent post up soon, I pinky swear.

Been really busy lately with a bit of traveling, lots of doctory things, and more super secret projects. Also used book shopping, holy moley. Holy moly? Holy mole?

SO ANYWAY, since I have nothing of substance to post right now, want to see some of my current inspirations? Lately I've been obsessing (as usual) over Age of Sail things, specifically old paintings:

I don't know where I found these - somewhere through google search, so if you see any that need credit or anything just let me know! See you all later!

This is Why

2011-02-15T21:52:00.000-08:00

New things new things in the shop! Exciting.

There is currently an amazing storm ripping through San Francisco - as I type this the wind and rain are pounding against my window and my lights are flickering like they're about to go out, and I am so happy. I love a good storm. As long as I don't have to walk through the rain to get somewhere important! Don't get me wrong, there are few things I love more than a good walk in the rain - but when you have to be presentable afterwards? Not so much.

I hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day! We spent it hanging out and playing beer pong - good times! And we made this goofy little V-Day message for everyone on our up-and-coming production company's youtube channel. Check it out, sorry if it's weird, we're odd ducks. Talk to you all later!!

Super Secret Project #1 - REVEALED.

2011-02-13T18:28:00.001-08:00

That's right - now is the time to reveal one of the Super Secret Projects I've been working on lately - Marlinespike Design! My friend and I started a jewelry design etsy to sell new things we're working on! They're all made from black acrylic for now, lasercut to perfection and looking nice and shiny! So far we only have 8 online, but rest assured, we have a LOT more designs up-and-coming. Including a series of Sherlock Holmes-inspired necklaces.

Oh, so exciting! Go on and check them out! There's also some rad squid and whale designs!

I'm still working on another Super Secret Project, and I've been working on new tiny paintings! I've done so many that I've run out of tiny canvases. I'll have to go buy more!

Hope everyone had a spectacular weekend, and a great Valentine's Day tomorrow!

80th post!

2011-02-10T11:44:00.000-08:00

Have I shown you all my new business cards?

Aren't they the cutest? I needed new ones so badly, and I whipped these out in about an hour, and I love them!

I've been sick lately, but I'm finally feeling better and today we're going to work on filming our short film that might just end up being submitted to some film fests! We're pretty stoked about it, and I have to say, I think it's pretty funny and cute. We still have so much work to do on it, though, and almost every shot has some level of special-effects so it is a LOT of work for a very small amount of footage. But it's fun, and that's what's important.

Also coming up is my super secret project that I'm working on with a pal. Actually TWO super secret projects now! Busy busy! But for now, I have to hop to the post office to deliver an order.

I love doing wax seals. I wonder if I should do a tutorial on them sometime soon? I only just recently learned, when I was working at the art store. They are so much fun, but so easy to mess up if you don't know what you're doing! Obviously I am not a pro at them yet, but I'm working on it :) It also doesnt help that I just started a new stick of wax so it drips all loosey-goosey... Anyway! See you soon, everyone!

All the Other Kids

2011-01-31T18:51:00.000-08:00

My life lately has been a bit busy. Going to job interviews, walking tons of dogs, cleaning cleaning cleaning my room and house, working on starting up a new etsy with my friend, getting eaten alive by mosquitoes in the park, reading, and most of all, enjoying the amazing weather!

We had a birthday party for a friend last week, the theme of which was 'Childhood Dreams' - we all dressed as what we wanted to be when we grew up. I was a cowboy. But of course, no childhood dream party could be complete without a pin-the game, and what better than pin-the-moustache-on-the-dinosaur? So I drew a Dilophosaurus, a few moustaches, and we had a blast.

I've been spending the rest of my spare time making more seaglass pendants and necklaces. And watching Skins series 1 & 2.

3 2 1 And I'm Having Fun

2011-01-23T16:50:00.000-08:00

I just finished this painting recently, and I sortof love it. The girl drifting in the water, barely seen, and the likewise barely-visible constellation of Cetus in the night sky are by far my favorite parts. Yeah sailors!

Watercolors can be so frustrating because I can never get them as dark as I want them, even after hours and hours and layers and layers. I guess the only way to work around that is to practice more, or just come to terms with the fact that they will just never be dark enough!

We had a huge party at the house last night, and it was pretty darn successful and a ton of fun, and today we went and got PHO, which is my most favorite of favorite foods. It's good on a hot day like today, on a rainy cold day in Seattle, on a foggy day in San Fran, or hey, any time!

Keeping busy. Working on things. That's my life. Hope everyone's swell!

Dance Dance Til You're Dead

2011-01-18T15:00:00.000-08:00

I don't know if anyone's noticed, but I can never think of clever post titles, so I usually just take a line from whatever song I'm listening to at the moment. Usually it's the Decemberists. Today it's Heads Will Roll by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Just thought I'd share.

I painted this yesterday for my new Valentine's Day cards set which is available here. Oh gosh, I love it so much. It came out exactly as I wanted it! Poor squid and sperm whale, their love is so epic and fated. Are they the Romeo and Juliet of the deep sea?

HUGE shop update currently happening and continuing today and tomorrow. Prints! So many prints! Cards! Original paintings! I made a fancy ad image that I'll use in the next post, woohoo.

In other news, I've been doing lots of art, working on a design business thing with my friend on the side which shall be unveiled soonish, finished another book - this one was Sherlock Holmes vs. Jack the Ripper - good fun. I also have been enjoying the nice weather! It's gotten so much nicer and hot and sunny!

Hope everyone's doing swell. Til next time!

Everybody Wants Their Shoes in the Sunshine

2011-01-09T16:35:00.000-08:00

Thanks to everyone's advice in my last post, I've finally found some inspiration! Finished one painting, and currently working on this one - I call it "guts" for now, as a fond nickname. In the library downstairs, I have an anatomy book for nurses from 1908 that is one of my favorite things to look at lately. It's funny, because anatomy, blood, anything inside the body used to gross me out - since we had to watch an open heart surgery in 6th grade and I passed out in class. But now, I can't get enough of it. Madness.

Almost through Post-Captain by Patrick O'Brian- second book of the new year, in the first two weeks! Yay! It's been so cold in San Francisco lately - bundling up with a book and a hot cup of tea has been just blissful.

When I was in Seattle over the holidays, we went to the Harry Potter Exhibition for my little sister's birthday (she's the one in the middle, I'm the one in the hat making the really doofy thumbs-up) and it was AWESOME. They had the whole place set up like you were actually walking through Hogwarts; it even snowed at the train platform, and the portraits on the wall moved. It was magical. Yes I am a nerd. They had a bunch of props on display, including all the books and Weasley products and Quidditch merchandise - I swear, designing those must have been a graphic designer's dream job. I am so jealous!

Hope everyone's enjoying January and 2011! Thanks for reading!

Blank

2011-01-03T23:53:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!! Hope everyone had an amazing holiday season! I know I did!

I've had no inspiration for over a month now. No inspiration to do anything. How do you combat that? What are you supposed to do when you don't feel like doing anything?

I have to start looking for a job which is never a fun experience, especially in this day and age. But it's got to be done. Wish me luck on that front, I beg you all :]

I've been reading a lot lately - just finished the first novel in the Aubrey/Maturin series, Master and Commander, and am going to start the next one tomorrow! I love them, oh my goodness, these novels have actually made me put down my precious Horatio Hornblower, of which I have just finished another three novels. Nothing like some awesome naval drama.

Back in San Francisco and having a good time, I just wish I could figure out how to get some inspiration to draw or paint or something! Argh!

Holiday Prep and Stuff

2010-12-16T22:11:00.000-08:00

I've been sick for EVER and I'm finally feeling a bit better and it's been raining but it's awesome and I'm done with all my Christmas shopping and we just got a Christmas tree and it smells really good.

I've started drinking tea. I know, what. I've been trying to start drinking it forever now but I don't want to commit to buying one and not liking it, so I've been drinking all my mom's now. Hahaha! I LOVE IT. More tea!

And painting. Getting done. Pretty much finished one today. WOO.

More interesting posts someday, after the holidays, I promise.

Travellin

2010-12-06T11:33:00.001-08:00

Ever since I got back to San Francisco from Thanksgiving break I've been all depressio. So what am I doing? Going back to Seattle early. Hopefully it won't snow on me this time.

The story of my flight into Seattle in the middle of a blizzard is a long one. Suffice it to say, I was supposed to get into SeaTac Airport by 7:55, and didn't manage to get home until 3 AM. It was a miracle I got there. The flight was delayed five hours, the traffic to and from the airport was stopped, the lightrail only went to Rainier Valley...Madness!

The snow sure was pretty, though.

I haven't been doing any art, or much of anything for that matter. Hopefully a few days in Seattle getting back in my groove will change this! I always get mopey this time of year.

What have I been doing? Watching Horatio Hornblower. A lot. All the time. Nothing like Napoleonic War Naval Drama. LOVE IT. Don't suppose anyone knows of any other Naval Drama Movie/TV shows they can recommend? Although that Master and Commander made me pass out, when they cut off that kid's arm - I am terribly, terribly squeamish.

Well kids, talk to you soon, hope all the holiday madness and school finals aren't too horrible!

Tutorial: Simple Paper Snowflakes!

2010-11-26T14:13:00.000-08:00

So here's the deal, kids. The holidays are fast approaching. It's time to start decorating! And when you're a starving artist like me, you need to decorate on the cheap! So the other day when I began to ponder cheap-as-free decorations, one thing came to mind: paper snowflakes!

Now I figured nearly everyone and their moms know how to make paper snowflakes, so I grabbed some paper and sat on my bed and then realized that I needed some reminding for how to make them! So for all you people out there like me, here's a little refresher course:

You Will Need: Paper. this is 8.5 x 11 regular old printer paper. Scissors. Imagination! And a flat surface for folding. Optional: some Planet Earth to put on as background noise.

Step One: Fold in half diagonally.

Step Two: Cut excess off so that it's a perfect(ish) square. KEEP THE EXTRA PIECE. You will see why later.

Three: Fold in half diagonally again.

Four: Fold in half diagonally one more time. Then lay it flat.

Five: Using your scissors, cut the top of the triangle off, so that it forms a curve. You don't have to do this, but it helps make your snowflakes more circular instead of square-ish. The crease from your last fold-in-half should be on the right side of the triangle, as you hold it in your hand.

Six: This is the best part! Just cut some shapes! Make it as insane as you want, it doesn't matter what you do.

Seven: This is what mine looked like. If you want a hole in the center, cut the bottom point off.

Eight: Unfold and shabam! You have a beautiful snowflake! Aren't you amazing! Aren't you creative! Don't you want to make a bazillion more? Go for it! BUT WAIT. There's more!

Nine: Remember this little guy? Since I am a bit obsessed with wasting as little paper as possible, I figured this piece of excess paper would be perfect for a mini snowflake or three!

Ten: Fold in half diagonally, making a tiny square. Cut off the excess paper again.

Eleven: Fold in half again, and then once more, just like with the larger one.

Twelve: Cut the top in an arc again, then cut some crazy shapes into it like before.

Thirteen: Unfold and viola! A pocket-size snowflake! How cute is that! You can make a good three out of one sheet of excess paper from a large snowflake.

Fourteen: There you go. Large and Small snowflakes, for next to nothing. I made a ton of them and then strung them on some twine with a hot glue gun, and hung them through the house. They add just the right amount of seasonal flair and each one is different! You could make them out of patterned paper, that would be awesome, or hang them on a tree - one year we strung them individually from the ceiling at varying heights so it looked like it was snowing indoors.

Does anyone else do any D.I.Y. holiday decorations? Any favorites?

Lumos

2010-11-19T11:20:00.000-08:00

Saw Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 last night. Amazing. Nice to see that the kids can finally act convincingly - they've improved a lot. The movie was intense and timed well and the only boring parts were, well, the boring parts of the book that they couldn't really do anything about. I can't wait for the last one! What will we do when Harry Potter is over? The end of an era!

We wrote a script for a movie this weekend, started editing some stuff. I've made a bunch of seaglass and beachcombed ceramic necklaces that I'll be putting up on my etsy soon. Just in time for the holidays! Also I'm currently working on a bunch of watercolors, might submit them around a few places.

That's all that's new an exciting with my life. Going back home to Seattle for Thanksgiving on Monday - it's supposedly insanely cold up there, so that'll take a bit of adjusting! I love the cold weather, though - it's my favorite to take long walks in!

Hope everyone's doing well and having a swell week, and hope everyone has a good weekend! xoxo!

The Warmth of the Sun

2010-11-12T11:13:00.000-08:00

I'm in Santa Cruz right now hanging out with my Mom, who I have not seen in forever (okay, since September). Having a blast! The weather is amazing and the beach is beautiful and we have been drinking all the Verve coffee we can. So good.

About to start painting - I think it'll be a whale, maybe a jellyfish... Lately I've been all about small canvases. The biggest one I brought with me is 8x10. It's nice when they're smaller because I don't feel the pressure to make something absolutely amazing, like I do with larger canvases. Smaller ones make me feel more relaxed, because if I don't like what I paint, I can always gesso over it and not waste too much gesso!

Since I have no amazing photos right now, I shall show all you fine kids this:

We like to dress Roman the dog in ridiculous outfits. This one was an aviator. Naturally I thought we needed a movie poster to go along with it, so I made one lickety-split around midnight. The fruits of my boredom!

Happy Dia De Los Muertos!

2010-11-02T22:35:00.000-07:00

So how was everyone's Halloween? Ours was pretty awesome, that's for sure. Here's pictures to prove it.

So we went with the 'Haunted Hospital' theme. The living room was the 'Psych Ward', hence the padded walls and chains. This room also doubled as the dance floor, of course.

Rhonda and Kerry got into it. We were all crazy/dead nurses and doctors. There was blood everywhere.

Even Roman dressed up!

There's lots more photos at the flickr, including the ice baths, the morgue hallway, and the siamese skeleton Rhonda and I made out of paper bags. Hope everyone had a blast!

Myah, See?

2010-10-28T18:17:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. I've been immersed in the land of Halloween decorating this past week - so far our house is starting to come together as the Haunted Hospital! But until that's all finished and I can take photos, here's what else I've been up to.

I finished the Gatolupe painting. Complete with the receiver's cats and her friend's cats, and one cute kitten. This painting was so much fun. I want to do more, hahaha!

It is a well-known fact in our house that we are complete and utter Scrabble nerds. So when we sat down for a game a day or two ago, and Rhonda busted out 'tuition' on her first turn, we were all astonished. Our first BINGO. So exciting! And 50 bonus points! Someday I hope to be cool enough to get a bingo myself. Ahh, dreams.

Then yesterday was our roomie Mat's birthday, and we decided there was no better way to celebrate than with a barbecued chicken dinner and a spontaneous Gangster dress-up party and a ridiculous photoshoot. I'm the one on the far left making the goofy face, as I am wont to do. We're very strange, I will admit it.

Saturday is the Halloween party, I'm so excited~. Hope everyone is going to have an awesome Halloween, and be safe! Til then, kids! xoxo.

Like Silent Raindrops Fell

2010-10-23T11:49:00.000-07:00

I was commissioned to do a painting earlier this month. We are calling it 'the virgin mary of Gatolupe'. She's surrounded by kittens and roses. I haven't yet taken a photo of the finished product, but the client was pleased indeed, hahaha. Goofy paintings are really fun.

The weather has been awesome lately. Sortof foggy, sortof stormy - I woke up at 4:30 last night to rain hitting the windows; ahh, one of my favorite sounds! We were hanging out at Bean Hollow on Highway 1 last weekend enjoying the stormy weather and paying our respects to the beached blue whale there.

Right now I'm jamming to Simon & Garfunkel, wearing some argyle legwarmers, sippin on cold coffee and trying to get my printer to work so I can offer some rad prints in the shop again! Because I want to buy some groceries! Hahaha. Also I just finished a bunch of awesome watercolors which I shall be premiering soon, keep your eyeballs peeled!

Also, who's STOKED for Halloween?! We're having a Haunted Hospital themed house party, and I am already soooo proud of the decorations we've done. I will definitely share pictures once we have the whole house set up, if anyone wants to see! :] I'm going to be something like a Victorian-era nurse. What's everyone else going to be for Halloween?

Heat Wave

2010-10-13T16:13:00.000-07:00

It is FAR TOO HOT in San Francisco these days! We're in the middle of a heat wave, and while I'm all for warm weather, this is just ridiculous. It's better than when it was in the 100s a few weeks ago, I guess... But it's 90ish degrees right now and I'm sitting in my house sweltering. Ugh. Anything above 75 is too hot for me. I guess I'm too much of a Northwestern girl!

Rhonda and I explored Chinatown a few weeks ago, here's some pictures from the adventure. Sometimes it's nice to play tourist in your own city! I love the tourists in Chinatown that stop in the middle of the street to take photos when there's a cable car coming, and the ones that get so tired halfway up a hill. Haha, Oh tourists.

Right now I'm working on a commissioned painting and finishing a project I can hopefully share with you all soon, woo hoo! Also I'm looking at this oatmeal I just made and debating whether to eat it or not. It's just too hot for hot oatmeal...

The Game is Afoot

2010-10-04T10:33:00.000-07:00

Just a few shots from that photoshoot a few weeks ago. Hahaha, it was way too much fun. I would like to mention that since I was manning the camera, every shot was done individually with the tripod, then we were put together in photoshop. We're special.

In other news, I'm currently working on editing some video, a painting commission, and a webcomic that should see the light of day in the near near future! Also I'm eating oatmeal like it's going out of style. Mm, grainy goodness.

Jewelry!

2010-09-24T21:08:00.000-07:00

I made new necklaces! Aww, they're cute :]. I'm putting them up in the shop. What do you think?

Clinging to the Shrouds

2010-09-21T00:05:00.001-07:00

So I was looking back through old entries today, when I came upon one in which I mentioned a painting I was working on that was not finished yet. This painting was pretty huge, especially when compared to the ones I just finished, and I recall getting only so far before I promptly gave up on it. 'I'll come back to it someday,' I told myself, as I put it in the garage, 'When I am more inspired.' It sat there for at least five months. Five! A few weeks ago, I finally decided to finish it. Here's what it looked like in February, and all through until August:

Yeah, remember that one? Oh Mick, you didn't look too good at all. Here's what it looks like now:

Much better! Now that I look at it, he may be suffering from a case of big-headedness, which I tend to represent, but it could be the angle at which I took the picture. Either way, it's a pretty solid transformation! I can hardly tell it was once the same painting!

I forgot about the photoshoot I mentioned last time - it went swell! I'll share pics next time. We went with a Sherlock Holmes theme. I was Watson. Hahaha. See all you kids later! xoxo.

New New New Things!

2010-09-14T22:21:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the new-and-improved Weigh Anchor! I made a brand new layout, isn't it swell? I even made the background - I've never made a tiled background before. It's not the best, but hey! Learning experiences! I'm digging it. There's also a new etsy button on the left-side information bar.

Also on the new-radar, I present to you:

Brand new things at the etsy! (Whew, a million links to the etsy shop so far in this post) I'm really proud of these little guys; they're all about 3 x 3 inches small, and they were so so so much fun to paint! The Mick one has iridescent paint that glitters fancilly (I have coined that! It's mine!), the sloth just looks so happy, the little whales and owls...goodness, I just love them! I hope everyone else loves them too!

Tomorrow my friend and I are going to have a photoshoot in either the cemetery, an abandoned fort, or the woods. Me behind the camera and her as the model. It's gonna be a blast! I love getting out and getting stuff done!

It feels so good to have the etsy back up and running. It's been so long. I hope I get some business, as I am currently taking a break from the employment sphere, hahaha. Anyway, please check it out and now, that's all for me, lovely people! Happy Tuesday! xoxo!

More Things

2010-09-12T17:10:00.000-07:00

Hey kids!
I've been in Seattle for the last week and a half going to my cousin's wedding and being sick out of my mind (they thought it was strep, mono, many things, then it turned out to just be some nasty tonsilitis) but now I'm back in San Fran!

I spent all day today painting - i got 5 paintings done, woo! But since I don't have pictures of them yet, here's a few more Ireland photos to tide you all over til I have an art post!

The Giant's Causeway and just a shot from the road - hoo man, I'm still stoked on that trip. I might have to do a bunch of drawings and paintings inspired by it. Anyhow, peace out for now!

REMEMBER ME?

2010-09-01T10:47:00.000-07:00

HELLO EVERYONE.

Can you believe it? I'm posting here! That last hiatus (how many months long?) was completely unintentional, I assure you. My life has been CRAZY lately, so many things to do, leaving my job, traveling the world with my family... Did I say traveling the world? Yes, that's right! Want to see where I went? Well.

Oh, nothing special, just IRELAND and SCOTLAND and ENGLAND. Can I just say right now that it was freaking amazing?! I took over 5000 photos - I haven't even finished editing the London ones yet. We saw so many things and had such a great time and drank so much Guinness! I miss it already.

We went to the Dingle Peninsula on our last few days in Ireland, where our Irish ancestors (my great-grandfather's family) were from, and even saw the land where the old farm was - oh my gosh. Nothing but rolling green hills and huge calm beaches - I could have moved there in an instant! It was gorgeous! Of course it rained the whole time we were there, but come on, we're from Seattle. I loved it!

Now I'm back in San Francisco and I've been painting up a storm, so everyone prepare yourselves - hopefully my art is going to be back in full swing asap. I'm so excited to be back! If you're reading this, thanks for awaiting my return, or just checking out my blog in the first place! xoxo!

PS. if you want to see some more photos (I havent even finished uploading the Ireland ones, good gracious, there are so many...) of my european jaunt, feel free to scope out my flickr!

She Sells...

2010-05-25T21:35:00.000-07:00

So I kindof have this huge shell collection, since I have this thing for beachcombing. Lately, I had been wondering what to do with these bags and bags of shells sitting around my room. The other day, I finally got my answer - display them! In shadowboxes!

The frames were all black before I started. All I did was buy a few shadowboxes, spraypaint them white, then take my shells, hot glue them to a backing of rice paper and cardboard I had lying around, and make a little label for them. It was a fun project, and it only took me about an hour to do all three of these.

I have so many more to do, though! I have all these bones and other shells and random things I've found in the sand...It's going to take me forever to get it all finished! Anyone have any other ideas for shell collections?

What You Did Before

2010-05-13T09:59:00.000-07:00

Yes, it's been over a month since I last updated. I'm not going to deny it. Real life has been getting in the way of internet time, as of late. Lots of work, lots of seeing friends, lots of going out, lots of getting sick. It's been madness. But here I am now!

Oh Dolores Park, so full of hipsters and good times. There were TWO guitars in this group of kids! How could I resist taking a picture of that? The weather has been awesome in San Francisco lately, it makes me want to get up and do things and go on adventures. Maybe I should just change this blog from an arty-blog to an adventure-blog.

Speaking of arty things, I'm desperately trying to get back in the groove of drawing, making art, scanning my stuff in. At least I doodle in my sketchbook every day before work! I've got lots and lots of ideas swimming around in my head, waiting to be made into real art pieces, and yet so little time to do them. I feel like that is my excuse for everything - no more excuses, Kat! Just do it!

I'm in Seattle right now, hanging out for the weekend. It is SO nice to be home; I always forget how much I miss Seattle until I come back up. The weather is amazing today, I already went and got a coffee (apparently the cafe I went to didn't have 'iced coffee' just americanos. which is fine with me, but they looked at me like I was kooky when I asked for iced coffee, hahaha.) and soon I'm going to hang out with my older sister, maybe do some thrift shopping (!!!) The thrift shopping is so much better up here than in San Francisco, alas.

I'll leave you with a shot from my last venture into thriftdom in the Mission - possibly the creepiest mug I have ever seen. I almost bought it just for the creep factor, but I can barely look at the photo - having that thing in my house would have given me nightmares!

Til next time, kiddos!

100% Precipitation Looks Pretty Nice

2010-04-05T19:46:00.000-07:00

Yeah, the weather channel said it was definitely going to rain today, but it looked alright, so we chanced a trip to the beach anyway. I'm glad we did! It was amazing. Perfect beach day. There were a ton of sanddollars on the beach, fields of them.

There's way way more images at the flickr, of course. So then we got home and chilled out for a while, and then DUNDUNDUN. I busted out the acrylic paints! YES YOU HEARD ME RIGHT, I DID A PAINTING. Can you believe it!?

The colors are closer to the ones in the second image. Anyway, it's Max from Where the Wild Things Are, obviously. I got the idea for the image at work while I was zoning out at the back register. Now if only I can keep being productive!

Life, The Universe, And Everything

2010-03-23T20:40:00.000-07:00

This blog is turning into a photojournal, instead of an art blog. Sorry kids.
I pressed some flowers. I love them. I think I'm going to do a ton more. That's about all I have to share with you for now. Gonna go back to eating homemade garlic bread and pasta, mm mm boy.

Pages From the Sketchbook

2010-03-16T23:34:00.001-07:00

I haven't finished any art lately. I'm sorry. I've been trying. Not really. I did manage to clean my room and my closet this weekend, though. And I donated a bunch of stuff to Goodwill, so I sortof got some stuff done. I am planning on doing some real art soon! Until then, here's some pages from the sketchbook!

Last Weekend

2010-03-10T20:39:00.000-08:00

I went to Santa Cruz with my mom last weekend. We had a great time - I havent seen her in months. I'm a total mommy's girl. We got to walk on the beach and collect sea glass and get Verve coffee every morning and go shopping (new clothes! woohoo!!). In all, it was pretty much a great weekend. I've been having a lot of those lately. I guess I'm pretty lucky.

As always, there's boatloads more at the flickr. I'll have an art update soon, I've been doodling a lot, I just need to get around to scanning the old notebook in. Sigh.

Dead Things

2010-03-01T22:38:00.000-08:00

Lately I've been all kinds of inspired by preserved animals and dead things. We went to the Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park today and I was in heaven. I took 500 pictures, some of which are up at the flickr. Here's just some from the day:

Also, happy March, everyone!

New Things Going On

2010-02-23T23:32:00.000-08:00

Sorry it's been a while since my last post. Here's what I've been up to lately. I started this painting on Monday, he looks all creepy cause he's going to be holding a lantern and it's going to be way darker, though honestly, I'm not too fond of it, so it's possible I'll never finish it. This is why I need to finish my paintings all in one sitting - otherwise, I never get anything done.

Some doodles from the sketchbook. I'm doing this thing where I try to fill the page with a bunch of doodles, rather than just one doodle on each page. I'm kinda liking it. There's a bunch more scans at the flickr, of course.

So that's about all that I've been up to. Working a lot. Making a ton of future plans. Working on a portfolio website soon, also thinking about making a Mick webcomic, but who knows.

Hope you're all doing well! xoxo.

don't give up on your dreams, boy

2010-02-07T23:13:00.000-08:00

Today was a pretty amazing day. That's pretty much all I have to say about it.

This is less than half of the seaglass we collected in about an hour. Yeah. Pretty much one of the best days ever.

And the plan is for terrarium building and painting starting tomorrow. I'm loving it.

Don't you worry about the atmosphere

2010-02-04T20:22:00.000-08:00

Not much going on lately. Started a new sketchbook. I have a cool new painting planned, hopefully I'll work on it this weekend. I wanted to last weekend, but alas! I did not.

It's raining again, hooray hooray! I've been listening to a lot of Andrew Bird lately. Love.

Me Gustas Tu

2010-01-23T23:05:00.000-08:00

I tried some light-writing with my new camera. I still have a lot to learn, hahaha. It's harder than it looks!

That storm might be finally over, which is too bad since it was pretty much amazing, but also good because I had a gnarly leak in my window, and there was probably as much moisture in my room as there was outside!

I started finishing those historical portraits! Today I did Queen Elizabeth and Horatio Nelson. They are really fun to paint, and I love how Queen Elizabeth turned out!

Not much else to share with yall, my life hasn't been very exciting lately. I'm jamming to some Manu Chao, sippin on diet pepsi and eating warm chicken broth out of a mug. This is how I spend most of my free moments.

Stormy Waters

2010-01-17T15:03:00.000-08:00

There was an amazing storm last night and this morning. The sun is starting to shine through the clouds now, unfortunately. There is nothing I love more than a good storm. There's something about them that is so amazing, not to mention how awesome it feels to hole yourself up in your bed, wrapped in your covers, warm and snug, while you're listening to the rain and wind pound at your window. Oh, I hope it returns tonight.

I spent my morning watching movies and starting some paintings that have been swimming around in my head. They are doodles of some interesting people in history, mainly because I love drawing historical outfits.

The backgrounds are vintage sheets of music that I picked up at the Vintage Paper Sale in Golden Gate Park the other day. I thought they would be cool to paint on, we'll see how it goes. I'll keep you posted!

Hope everyone's having a good weekend! (mine just started, woohoo!) Xoxo.

Kings Among Runaways

2010-01-15T23:56:00.000-08:00

New layout! I'm still working on a new background image, but for now, I think I like it. Still working out the kinks. What do you think?

I'm going to be painting this weekend, I hope I hope. I have so many ideas for paintings, I can't wait to get started! It's pretty much all I think about while I'm at work. That, and I make to-do lists. Lots of them. And then I don't do the things that I write down on them. I'm cool like that I guess.

Well, I just thought I'd share some sketches and doodles with you, along with this new layout. I drew the header image while I was at work, too. Hahaha. Alright, now I'm going to go back to watching The Office. I bought Season 5 on DVD last month and I've already watched it all the way through about six times. It's truly the best thing to put on in the background while you are doing anything at all.

Everyone, have a good weekend! Xoxo!

things

2010-01-11T15:54:00.001-08:00

I'm working on a new layout for this place as we speak. It's gonna be pretty cool, if I do say so myself. Much better than this old grey thing.

That photo up there is a painting I did a long long time ago that I realized I have never shared with the internet world. I think it is the first Mick painting I ever did. He's changed a bit, but I still like this one. As strange as it is, I find it very soothing, despite the fact that he's being pulled under the waves by what looks like a giant octopus. Something about the colors calms me down, I guess.

Oh blog, I miss you. What else can I write about.

Oh, okay. So. I have a confession to make. I've seen Sherlock Holmes four times now. Don't look at me like that. I've only paid for it twice. And you know how you have friends that are all, "oh I haven't seen it yet, will you come with me?" and if you are at all like me, you say, "holy moley, yes! another chance to see Robert Downey Jr? sign me up!"

Anyway, if you haven't seen it yet, I recommend it.

Forgive me for rambling, I have a cold and am on a lot of medication and not making much sense at the moment. You should hear about the weird fever dream I had last night. Let's just say it had a sea-rhino, a dragon who was actually just a guy pretending to be a dragon, my boss telling me and my coworker to go steal all the rulers from a chinese prison, and me becoming a soul reaper a la Bleach. It was very, very odd.

I'll leave you with that. I have a TON of doodles and art to get scanning, expect to see them soon!

The New Year!

2010-01-01T16:45:00.001-08:00

Happy new year, kids! I'm trying to fulfill my resolution to start posting more here! I don't have a lot of stuff scanned right now to share with you, but I have a huge pile of stuff waiting to be uploaded places. Until then, here's an in-progress shot of a necklace a friend commissioned from me:

Alright.

2009-12-22T23:19:00.000-08:00

So here's the deal, kids.

The new year is fast approaching. As such, New Year's Resolutions will be forthcoming. On the top of my list is 'Start posting in this blog again and start doing more art!' And I fully intend to.

So I'm just giving you all a heads up, if you are still interested. Soon there will be more. Much, much more. Oh, I have plans. So many plans.

I know, promises, promises. But this time I mean it! Sometimes you need to take a few month long break to really realize that you want to go back to doing what you were doing. Not that that makes any sense. It doesn't matter.

I will be back. Soon. Ever so soon. I do hope you will all join me when I return!

Thank you if you are still reading this. xoxo. Until we meet again. In the near future.

Oh My Goodness

2009-10-12T12:37:00.000-07:00

It has been far too long since I posted here. I'm trying to get better at things like this, so hopefully I will start posting more frequently now. The past few weeks have been a little overwhelming; I threw myself into the job search life and ultimately came out successful! I've got a new job at an art store (gasp! hooray!), and this week was my first week. I'm glad to be working again but also sortof not glad, as it means 40 hour work weeks and not a lot of free time to draw or sleep. I've been doodling a lot at work, at least.

I also think my computer has a virus, or at least a very big problem. It keeps restarting itself on its own and sometimes it's reallllly slow. I know almost nothing about computers, though, so I guess I'm just stuck with it like this.

Well, hopefully I'll see you all soon! Sorry again that it's been so long!

Ships and Sailors

2009-09-21T11:42:00.000-07:00

Hey kids! I've not been up to a lot lately (but I plan on changing that asap), but here's one of my almost-finished works. I still have to edit it because the background is slightly not white and that really bugs me. I like her, though!

How is everyone? The weather is beautiful here in San Francisco - it's been nice and clear and hot during the day and then it gets foggy and cold in the evening, just like I like it! (Everytime the fog rolls in I think 'It's Black Pearl weather!' Hahaha, I am such a dork).

Hopefully I'll have a shop update soon, but I dunno. Any suggestions? What would anyone like me to put up? What would you like to buy?

I was thinking of doing calendars for Christmas presents. That means I should probably start drawing some pictures for them! Yikes!

I leave you with Mick. Looking pensive and content in the snow. Even though he's probably freezing to death. Poor Mick.

OH YES: That SALE is only until TOMORROW, so if you want em, go get them!!

xoxo

Sale Sale Sale!

2009-09-18T22:00:00.000-07:00

I'll have a real, honest-to-goodness post soon, but I just wanted to report to all y'all that there is a SALE at the shop! Hurry while supplies last!

Before the Mast

2009-09-11T10:38:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry I haven't posted in a long time. Our internet is still reaaaally dumb. I have to call comcast and complain - it makes it way too hard for me to update my blog, since it is sooooo slow. The only reason I can update right now is because I am in Seattle for my Mom's birthday.

Anyway, I guess I should just show you kids what I've been working on lately. How does that sound? Here goes:

Here's the bigger views of the images that are on the cards:

Thanks for looking, have a good day!
xoxo

I'm Back, Finally!

2009-08-26T20:25:00.000-07:00

I've finally gotten settled into my new house, and we've finally got internet access! I haven't had the internet in so long I was forgetting how to use it.

The move went well, then of course a lot of partying and drinking ensued for the next few days. I got that IKEA bookshelf for my room (and it looks awesome - pictures to follow soon!) and I've been having an awesome time. Also, I've found some time to work on some art things, so it looks like I'll be back in the swing of things soon!

Speaking of, how about I make this short and sweet and just show off some of the jewelry I've made lately? Here:

Also, here's a painting I did last night:

Oh one more thing, since I always seem to end my posts with a question: our internet sucks! The connection keeps pooping out and restarting, anyone have any suggestions on how to fix it?

Take a Long Drive With Me

2009-08-03T20:59:00.000-07:00

Somehow we made it to California.
And then I realized that I left my camera in Seattle.
:[[[[[[[[[.

I WANTED to share my awesome desk makeover that I am working on, but since I left my camera in WASHINGTON, I guess I can't. Boo. I'll be able to show you the after some time, but suffice it to say that I bought this desk a while ago and it was this totally uggo ivory/green color with dark green on the details, and a mismatched chair with ugly mauve velvet cloth on the seat. The ugliness has been bothering me for the longest time. Finally, today, I had had it. And now, it is a delicious white. YUM. I'm going to reupholster the seat with some cute canvas. I also got new drawer pulls - they're LION HEADS. Way too cool, hahaha.

Umm, not much to say, sorry. I really want to get one of these:
For my new room, to use as storage and a room divider - hopefully I can cram everything I want into my room! Hahaha.

Also, does anyone know anything about smells? I have an old dresser that I really like, but it smells SOOOO awful. It's this old, musty, grandma's-basement kind of smell. Anyone know how to get rid of it? I'm going to try to put cedar blocks in it and probably spray it with bleach...

That's all for now, xoxo!

Of Shoes and Ships and Ceiling Wax

2009-07-30T13:42:00.000-07:00

The time has come, the walrus said. For Kat to move to San Francisco. Ack, I'm leaving on Saturday like FOR REAL. I've still got my fingers crossed that all of my stuff will fit in the van for the long drive down; my mom doesn't seem to think there will be a problem, but we'll see.

It has been hotter than HECK up here in Seattle. Yesterday it got up to 107 and the day before it was 105, and yes, my mom and I did spend about five hours every day for the past week moving furniture up and down stairs and running boxes to the local Goodwill in this heat. I imagine it's good exercise, but I'd rather do my moving in cooler weather and keep a few lbs on than do this ever again! Ugh! I don't recommend it at all. I cannot figure out how to spell reccommend right now.

In other words, I don't have a lot to say or share with you all right now, as I've finally finished packing everything I own into little brown boxes (Little Boxes by The Decemberists just started playing on my iTunes!) and I'm sortof in limbo. More updates will come later, I suppose - and eventually more art! Doesn't that sound amazing?

Thanks for reading, and everyone who is feeling this heat - stay cool!
xoxo

Live At Marymoor Park

2009-07-18T18:33:00.000-07:00

So last night I saw the Decemberists in Redmond. Um. It was sortof the most amazing moment of my entire life. There are really no words to describe how radical it was. Really. They played the whole Hazards of Love album, ( The Rake's Song - Holy God, I thought I would die.) and then came out and played even more! The Crane Wife 3, O Valencia, July July, The Bachelor and the Bride, the Apology Song - and their finale was Sons and Daughters! I nearly had several heart attacks. It was pretty much the best night of my life. And ugh, they were all so incredible and adorable and ughhhhh. Amazing.

In other news, I quit my job - moving to California! The house down there is amazing, I'm still packing all my stuff up here, helping my mom move, painting a little, but mostly just freaking out about seeing the Decemberists.

California, Here We Come

2009-07-07T15:55:00.000-07:00

I've just arrived in Santa Cruz, California, where I'll be staying at the family beach house for three days, while I check out and move some stuff up to our new place in San Francisco! I'm currently sitting on the porch with a belly full of burrito, listening to the waves crash on the beach, contemplating a walk on the sand in a few minutes.

I'm not moving until August 1st, but I'm already so excited! I haven't even seen the house yet! I love moving - not so much the actual moving bit, but actually getting into a new space and getting to arrange my furniture and things - what a blast. I wish I could do that for a living. Oh wait, isn't that called Interior Design? Harharhar.

Still no fun art things, though I doodled a lot in my new notebook on the plane while the baby behind me screamed in my ears and I tried to drown it out by playing songs about sailors really really loud on the ol' iPod. It sortof worked, but I was pretty impressed that that kid managed to scream through the entire flight without stopping once. That takes some kind of stamina, I imagine.

Alright alright, I think it's time to go for that walk on the beach. I was stupid and forgot my camera, so no pictures of the new place tomorrow, but oh well! Everyone have a good Tuesday!

Ready to Sail

2009-07-03T20:57:00.000-07:00

So here's a quilt I finished a few weeks ago, since I have nothing more to share with y'all. It's made entirely from materials found at Goodwill - the top is a patchwork that I cut out of single sheets and pillowcases, and the backing is a huge piece of tan fabric I found that is a little bit itchy, but a lot bit awesome. I am quite fond of it, and the top, because the sheets have been washed many times already, is soooo soft. It is wondrous.

I have a lot of new arty projects planned but haven't gotten up to do them yet. They include a painting of some whales and icebergs, seaglass jewelry, possibly more shrinkidinks, cutouts, and more paintings. Also I am working on crocheting a zigzag pillowcase cover that is pretty darn cute.

One of the reasons I haven't been getting anything done lately is that I am moving to San Francisco on August 1, and my mother and sister are moving to an apartment around the 25th of this month, so we've got a LOT of packing and organizing and not so fun stuff to do! I am really excited to move back to California though, I can't wait!

The other big reason I haven't been able to art the way I usually do is because I am almost done with reading Wuthering Heights. It was a little slow for me to get into it, but now that all the drama is in full-force, I can't tear myself away from it! I'm pretty sure I'll be finishing it sometime this week, maybe even by Sunday. Then I have Jane Eyre to re-read, and I just bought two ginormous books of Victorian-era poetry from Goodwill. Oops! At least my mind is getting a workout, I just have to force myself back to arting!

More updates soon, I hope - the etsy has been very very quiet as of late, so if anyone has any urge for some cool prints or jewelry, they should stop on by. Wink wink nudge nudge, say no more.

My Precious Captive Swan

2009-06-24T17:23:00.000-07:00

I watercolored a quick painting of my barn owl girl the other day, when Leigh and I went on a picnic to the beach near my house. Barn owl girl always looks sad; I think she is being forced to marry a foppish peacock gentleman while, in fact, her heart belongs to another. Maybe.

Less than a week between blog posts! Are you all proud of me? There's been a lot going on in my life, too. We found a house in San Francisco, I hear, so I'll be moving down there in August! (Hopefully I will find a job before my money runs out, har har.) I'm excited anyway, I love San Francisco and the people I'm moving in with. Hooray~

I think tomorrow I will take the bus out to the beach again. I've become a total beachcombing addict. Not that I haven't been all my life. When I was a kid I had a huge shell collection - stupid me decided to throw it out when we moved. Idiot! Here's the haul I got from my birthday last week, when I scoured the beach with my mom:

We even found two tiny pieces of blue and one tiny one of pink! I also found some pottery shards, which always excite me. I think it's the history geek in me. Anyway, I better figure out what to do with this stuff before I run out of more room - What do you all think? What do you do with seaglass and shells? I'm thinking I might make some jewelry...

Well, until the next time we meet, thanks for reading and have an awesome day!

Things and More Things

2009-06-18T17:42:00.000-07:00

I know I know, every time I post here I start it with 'Wow it's been forever since I posted here,' so I'm not going to say it this time. Except I just did. Oops?

It was my birthday on the 14th, and I went thrift shopping and beachcombing with my mom, and on Tuesday my friend and I went out drinking - wow, what a night! Yikes, hahaha.

Well today I spent the day finishing up the new shop update! I finished eight new necklaces and pins, I quite like them, despite the fact that my pictures really aren't that good, harharhar. Anyway, here they are:

Not much else to say. Talk to you all soon!

Another Friday, Another Post

2009-06-05T16:43:00.001-07:00

Let me just start out by saying this: holy moley, I want this lamp. It is one of the most amazing things I've ever seen, and I've wanted it forever. Maybe I will buy it as a birthday present to myself?

Anyway, that was random. No real art update today, since my friend came up from California on Wednesday and we've been spending my two days off running around Seattle in the insane heat and shopping. But really. Yesterday it was at least 90 degrees out, that is just insanely hot. I live in Seattle so that I won't have to deal with that amount of heat! Although there was a very very cool wind storm last night. I approved wholeheartedly. ...Wholeheartedly is a very strange word.

Hopefully there will be an art update soon, as I've been spending all of my breaks at work sketching new ideas for things in my sketchbook, and I might have some time to accomplish them this week - I'm pretty sure somehow that I got three days off. Even though there is a day of work in between them, it's still pretty awesome!

I hope all you readers out there are having a great day and the ones of you with regular people schedules will enjoy the weekend!

Friday

2009-05-29T22:18:00.001-07:00

Post number 30! Woo! I don't know why I'm so entertained by that.

I just finished this today, I sortof like it. I dunno about how the colors scanned though, I might have to tweak it some more. Then I might put it up at the shop. Any opinions?

Went to Salvation Army today, and got a cute owl thing, frames that fit my Harry and the Potters posters, and a cool lamp! So awesome! And all for about 20 dollars. I may put pictures up soon, if I ever get around to it. I also just finished rearranging/cleaning my studio, and I love how it looks, yay! OH and I finally potted the succulents I have been collecting today. They look so cute! I put these little tiny ones that I found from fallen off pieces (what the heck am I trying to say...clippings?) that had grown some roots into teacups! Adorable!

Uhhhh, what else what else. OH so, after saaaaam's comment, (I had to count the a's, hahaha) I've started thinking about shipping to Canada... Anyone know how much more expensive it is? I dont see why I couldn't start doing it ... And so, I probably will!

Okay my battery is running low on my laptop and this post hasn't made a whole lot of sense AND I have to work tomorrow, so I'm taking off. See you later, kids!

Okay Alright, It's Been Too Long

2009-05-23T08:28:00.000-07:00

Holy Moley. I hadn't realized it had been so long since my last post. Uh. New York was a blast, everyone! I made it back alive! Sorry for not speaking for two weeks! I'm not going to give a bunch of excuses, we all know I've been working and when I am working I tend to get home and pass out rather than get on the computer and update my blog.

Anyhow! I've been making new stuff, believe it or not! Check these out!

They're all up at the shop, obviously. I'm sortof in love with them! I half hope no one buys them so that I can wear them around all the time, but on the other hand, I HOPE SOMEONE BUYS THEM. hahaha.

I've been working on two new paintings, too, one of which is already finished, I just need to scan it in and do things in photoshop, so hopefully I will have an art update soon too. Also I have a lot of other ideas swimming around in my mind! So hopefully there won't be another two week pause between posts, I'm sorry again!

That's all for now, I hope you enjoyed :]!

Alright, Alright Alright

2009-05-07T06:48:00.000-07:00

I'm off to New York to move my sister out of dorms! I hear the weather is nice over there, let's hope so. She's in for a shock when she comes back to Seattle where it is windy and pouring down rain, hahaha.

I'm actually sortof in love with barn owl girl and peacock guy up there, I may have to do a painting or something of them. We'll see!

Alright, I'll see you all when I get back, tata!

Keep On Keeping On

2009-05-02T20:15:00.000-07:00

Wow kids, it has been far too long since I've updated this place! Work is just killer lately, and on my days off I just sit in bed and try to recoup. I know, it's the same excuse over and over again! Well no more - I'm getting back in the groove of things.

And speaking of the groove of things, here's a little something I've been working on lately! It's inspired by the latest album, The Hazards of Love, by The Decemberists, whom you may have seen on The Colbert Report the other night.

But Father, don't you fear
your children now are here
singing oh, the hazards of love

The story is that this guy (the Rake) decided he didn't really like his children so he killed them all, and then they come back and do away with him. In short. That's just part of the album. It's sort of amazing.

ANYWAY. Yes. It's a 4x6 shadowbox as a frame. I painted the inside white. Cut out the Rake from some white cardstock, and the ghosts of his children are from tissue paper (which is extremely hard to cut!). I left the back off to let the light through. I think it looks pretty darn cool!

Well that's all for now. I'm working on some new paintings and lots of other things. Tata and see you soon!

Alive Again, I Promise

2009-04-23T17:35:00.000-07:00

Back from Disneyland and had a fabulous time! It was very hot and I sunburned my head, but I got to go on Pirates of the Caribbean and Indiana Jones a million times, which means it was a very successful trip. I've actually been back for a while but I haven't gotten to posting because I've been working full time since I got back, and sometimes I'm a little lazy when it comes to editing/uploading pictures, sorry!

However, today was spent (and is currently being spent) with Leigh in my studio making lovely arty things. Hopefully I'll actually watercolor some of these babies soon and have them up in the shop! Yes you heard me, some new prints/cards might be on the way! AMAZING.

Also, thanks to everyone who liked my tutorial!! I'm glad it was so popular.

Tutorial!

2009-04-15T00:03:00.000-07:00

If anyone is interested, and I know a few of you are from the comments in my last post, I finally made a tutorial for how to do these paintings. You can find it here at craftster. I hope it helps and I would love to see anyone's work they make from the tutorial!

In other news, I'm going to Disneyland! I won't be back until Sunday, so for now I will say adieu!

Wind my Heart

2009-04-10T11:49:00.000-07:00

I've been doing some silhouette cutouts today and yesterday. Hurray! I love them, they are fast and fun and who doesn't like cutting things with exacto knives? It was always my favorite part of my Graphic Design classes. That, and peeling off the excess rubber cement with those fancy square erasers. Hahaha, I am so easily entertained.

Of course there had to be a Mick one. I accidentally forgot that you have to make bridges when you are cutting things, or else whole chunks will come away because they are no longer connected. DUH, Kat, you are so smart!

Now I think I will do some masking fluid watercolor portraits, because I find them very entertaining and quick to do, and I really enjoy the way they turn out. Maybe I'll make a tutorial or something? Though I'm not sure anyone would be interested.

Yet again a post with pretty much no content, I'm sorry. Next time, I promise, I will have something to talk about! Maybe.

My Neglected Blog

2009-04-02T16:53:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted in forever because I have been working full time. And it SUCKS! I am probably one of the least motivated workers in the whole world. At least I have a job and am making (some) money, right? Could be a lot worse, especially in this economy.

Anyway. I had a day off today and I "locked" myself in my studio (except it doesn't have a door) thinking, 'Okay. This is the day I will get a ton of painting done.' But I didn't get anything done at all! I did paint a picture frame and frame my Moby Dick poster (which looks awesome, btw) but I started painting three paintings and just...gave up. Why, Kat. Why!?

Maybe this weekend I'll be able to force myself into painting. Or get inspired to do it, that would be even better. I had a dream I went to the beach with my mom last night, and they were having this huge furniture sale, but everything was free? It was all thrifted stuff too, I was in heaven! I remember there was this pair of lamps that were carved wood in the shape of birthday candles? Or maybe candles on those little old-fashioned candle holders. And I really wanted to get them and paint them white! My mom thought they were really ugly, hahaha. I wish that would happen in real life!

I love this song. And the video. The Regency era had the best clothes, good gracious. Plus Matthew Barber has an awesome voice, come on. A win-win combo.

Beach Combing

2009-03-23T16:50:00.000-07:00

I've always secretly wanted to be a beachcomber. Since I was young it was always in the back of my mind as what I wanted to be when I grew up. It's really too bad it isn't a profession. I guess I'll just have to create some way to make enough money to be able to be a beachcomber someday and not have to work!

I was thinking about this desire to walk on the beach every day for the rest of my life while my mother and I were out at Shilshole on Saturday. It was our reward for spending an hour cleaning the house, since neither of us were in the mood to clean at all. It's very hard to clean when you aren't in the mood for it. When I am in the mood, watch out - just cleaning my room will take hours, because I always go through absolutely everything and end up with at least four bags of garbage, recycling, and/or donations. It's sortof intense.

Uh. This post is all over the place. Here's some other random things:
I have been having a lot of nightmares lately, some of them involving very large birds. (I am afraid of birds.)
I start work tomorrow. I work at the zoo. I am a cashier. It is really really boring.
I should go finish vaccuuming.
I have been hearing strange noises throughout the house all week. It's starting to freak me out. Good thing I'll be gone all day every day starting tomorrow.

Someday I'll have another art update. I just finished inking two paintings and have at least 4 more sitting around waiting to be inked. So. Someday.

Leigh Has an Etsy!

2009-03-21T13:53:00.000-07:00

Everyone should check out my pal Leigh's etsy likerightnow. Not only is her banner insanely adorable, (and yes Leigh, I was watching you over your shoulder like the whole time you drew it) but she also has awesome pendants and necklaces that she makes and I love. I think this is my favorite:

But I am also a huge fan of the M&M! How cute is that!

In other news, I've sketched out about 8,000 new paintings and I'm planning on expanding my merchandise to a few things. Perhaps some tshirts or bags or some cool clay necklaces that I am dying to make lately. Does anyone have any opinions on what I should sell? I also might offer some original papercuts soon, too, since I'm doing a commissioned one right now. Woohoo!

It's Saturday! I want to go thrifting! But thrifting fails on the weekends! There are too many people! I did get some super neato frames and SHIPCURTAINS at Value Village the other day. But now I guess I will just be stuck in the house all day cleaning, boo.