today i finally decided on a color for my studio space, but you’ll just have to wait and see because even though i painted all afternoon, i didn’t quite have enough to finish~and i want you to see it all pretty!
went to the library this morning with max and while he played with trains in the children’s area i discovered a whole stash of curious george books~i adore that little monkey! i don’t know who was more excited~max or me!
so now that i’ve kept up my little beloved african violets alive and actually flourishing, i saw these orchids and started daring my wanna-be green thumb to maybe befriend one next time i’m at a nursery.
browsed through the latest issue of readymade mag and liked this article. so glad that the incredibles won an academy award, i just love that movie.
oh and…these wellies have been on my mental wishlist since last fall~i’ve been waiting for them to go down on price though…aren’t they darling? i would wear them everyday like max wears his, rain or shine. (except maybe not to church.)
*i painted a little pattern in my kitchen breakfast nook~it’s like this on the opposite wall too~just to shake things up a little bit*
i’ve been listening to azure ray while carving out some mad linoleum blocks the past few days. i’m truly feeling the blockprinting groove baby. it’s nice to leave and come back to, which is the most important thing right now. (pictures coming soon soon soon) so anyway, azure ray~i have a particular crush on the songs “november” and “displaced” (mpfrees on their site!) female vocals+violins & guitars=heart melts for me. if anyone wants a similiar sound, try jen wood. she’s one of my favorites because not only does she rock, but i saw her perform many a time in seattle when she was just beginning her solo act.
if anyone has any new music suggestions please send my way! my ipod sounds are getting too stale and familiar. and everything seems more fulfilling when serenaded by something quiet and thoughtful.
so today has been like any other day so far, just chores and some organizing and throwing away of “stuff.” m was helping a family move all morning and some of the afternoon and i just couldn’t believe it when he said how many times they filled a large uhaul with their possessions. more then three times, yikes! they only have one more little person than us too. i guess something in me wants less less less. so i can think straight. so while he helps them with all their stuff, i bare ours down. there are constant piles and clutters building up these past few weeks in the house of winter hibernation and its been driving me mad! i really just like less. edit, purge, change, feel new and fresh.
*pictures of some necklaces i’m working on…
whew! i was up late late late last night moving my creative gear into the sunroom. and painting the walls. and setting up camp. there is a lot more space to spread out and keep an eye on max while i’m making. it’s perfect for his two-year old stage right now. two archways (blocks by gates mind you) give me quick access into the family room, so he can dance to sesame street or drive cars while i play in my own way. since moving into the house a year ago, my “studio” space has been moved from upstairs, to the detached backyard garage, and now finally to it’s rightful place, the sunroom. it’s perfect because it’s away from the computer (such a distraction!) and closer to max (and a sink to wash rollers and brushes, etc!) i actually got some work done on some paintings today, so the new studio spot has proven itself absolutely worthy. i’m happy with the new spot because i am going to bed feeling peace that there was something done in those slots of time, jumping the gates during naptime and welcomed by brushes and lots of light waiting. im absolutely exhausted right now, but i will post pictures soon!
added some more journal designs to the shop. i have always found magic and humor come from the simple equation of animal people. especially when i think back on all the children’s books that i love~and how animals can come to life so easily.
today has been a slower pace than usual. like my mind knows that it’s friday and my sesame street slippers and messy hair are proof that if i end this day with only having done some laundry and played in photoshop and max’s room, that’s okay. sometimes i remember those summers out of elementary school, when there was nothing going on but riding bikes and street hockey, trading painted rocks and going to the park. and it’s nice not to be a storm of productivity and just be for a morning, afternoon, or even a whole day. (it always seems that the rest from getting thigs done and going ay off the day after.)
tonight m and i are going out together, maybe a bookstore? we have no ideas yet.
my illustration friday submission for this week is showing the way i felt getting my haircut(s) lately. the newest flippy one gives me wings, like magic. jenny in flight. already thinking about the next one. it’s addicting.
car commercials can be so genius. this one sends my heart a flutter because it combines singing in the rain gene kelly with vw, enough said.
my latest favorite song another day by the album leaf. it’s just a beautiful song that i would pick if i had to do a music video of my life right now.
went to the salon again with the gift certificate m gave me for christmas, hair is short and flippy now. it’s a nice change. the weather has been absolutely perfect lately. it feels like spring is here prematurely. so yesterday i dug out some flower beds in the front yard and began lining them with bricks, not that i really know what i’m doing~hope i’m not jumping the gun here, but the weather has been so nice! i think it already looks much better to have some kind of design laid out, even though the only plants there in front are imaginary ones until we get something from the nursery. the main street library surprised me and had rows and rows of gardening books that i’ve been reading. i’m most impressed with a more formal layout, seems like the gardens i love are always from england! i love geometric shaped boxwood and yew, with the symmetrical plantings of flowers and vegetables. i walked into the backyard yesterday to collect some brick from and realized how much potential the yard has, and how much work it’s going to be for such a novice as myself.
max and i have already been to two playgroups this week and have had so many valentines treats, i cannot believe how nicely he has been taking it! cookies, candy, punch…maybe it will hit later on. at least i have been preparing healthy dinners with all the recipes i’ve been collecting. sometimes i look back on my day and think how insanely driven i am to do so many things~and wonder where that comes from. i have projects going right and left and some days it feels like i can barely grasp one of them long enough to finish it. it always starts in my mind. marcus says that he’s glad that he married a dreamer because he is so practical. we are a good balance. i see or wish for something, visualize and work my way through the best way i know how, experimenting and going about it the long way, and sometimes i mess up pretty bad. but i’d rather try than just wish i knew how to do it perfectly, or think that things aren’t possible.
today i am wishing for~
*flip-flop & freckle weather
*chocolate soy ice cream
*more time for projects
*self-cleaning rooms in my house, or maybe a robot to do that?
I walk into a room and am blown away
I see someone looking back this way
The big brown eyes are a delight to see
And my heart melts cause they’re looking back at me
“Beautiful,” I whisper. a smile appears on my face
I get a smile in return my heart starts to race
The familiar features, where have I seen them before?
Did I have deja vu or did destiny bring me to this door?
The hair appeared soft and velvety to the touch
I’ve seen a lot of people, but none have effected me this much
Should I get a name, a number? Is this my fate?
Would I get rejected if I asked for a date?
I went to make my move and ran into a sink
All of a sudden things got much clearer
It’s Valentine’s Day, I’m single and standing in front of a mirror.
~written by my twin brother, Ben Johnson
discovering good music to paint to here. finding out how stuff works. laughing at a completely hilarious and true song about ebay.
while i was shoving stuffing life into his new monster, i asked max what his name should be. his reply, “ummmm….Cairo?” i have no idea where he got that from, but here he is! (sans the fuzzy fur and mouth that i will add later.) i’m thinking that these silly and soft creatures would be a good present for my little neice, ryley. she has a bday in march too.
p.s. never did figure out that machine, it was all threaded right (an hour later) and finally i was ready and it just stopped working altogether. might need someone to help me because making these by hand might go too slow for the amount of things i’ve been getting into lately!
beginning max’s stuffed monster today (inspired by rhya!) which means finally tackling the green monster sewing machine and it’s instruction booklet. yes, i do not really know how to operate one, something i want to change. i dream of designing my own skirts, creatures, blankets and softies~but i never do anything about it. so today i am.
just came across this postal service video which i think is made by the same director as napoleon. it’s funny.
also a kitchsy magical shop with fun pictures and items. i might get a card or two. they remind me of alice in wonderland. hopefully i will get basically capable at sewing so i can make a contribution to this month of softies, which is a wonderland theme.
