Out of the Comfort Zone

I’m really liking graphic art lately and I’ve been wanting to create something different (at least for me). Wanting to go (a little) out of my comfort zone. I came across some large ledger sheets that I forgot I had hidden away (not usual). I just started doodling and cutting and pasting. Two of these came out (somewhat) to my satisfaction.

I really like the artwork of swallowfield, jp-art and abbyjane among many. Eventually I want obtain some carving tools and try making a couple carved blocks to try my hand at block prints. I just love all the two color graphic art you see everywhere. I see fabric, pillows, curtains, etc. in all the home dec. magazines. I’ve just got so many ideas floating around, and I’ll never live long enough to do them all.

A Trip to the Zoo

A huge weird flower

A couple weeks ago I was having a bad time, so I took a little trip to stay with my oldest DD and grand D. I had to put down one of my jack russell terriers so I just had to “run away” so to speak, and not be in the house where I knew it would be tough. I wanted to go to the San Francisco Zoo with them as I hadn’t been there in many years. In fact my youngest DD and son were tiny the last time we went, maybe 12-14 yrs ago? I was a little dismayed as alot of the exhibits were closed and areas of construction were evident. But there were many new exhibits/enclosures that were modern and soo much better for the animals. I'm sure it will be really nice once they finish.


The giraffes had a 1 yr old and a 5 mo. old baby. We watched them at feeding time and talked to the keepers while we watched.



These were all juvenile gorillas, doing much of nothing. They had a nice enclosure with a viewing window.



The last flamingo was doing this dance in the water where he/she stompped his feet each in turn and then spun around while doing it. I told the grandbaby that the flamingo was dancing for her!


This prairie dog sat at the viewing window for the longest time, like it was in a trance. Then all of a sudden just turned and ran away. Cute!



I could watch the meerkats for hours, they're such characters.







I don't remember this "island" with birds of prey from before, everyone rushed to the edge when they saw this bald eagle emerge to drink. I had to wait until it was clear of people to get a decent pic.





The female lioness was down in the corner of the "moat" grooming! (because she can!)


I had the best time with my granddaughter!

Fire in the Sky

sunset and moonrise

Here's a couple pics from earlier in the week, and of course its because of the smoke in the air that they look like this. We've had more clear days lately. I haven't even checked the news to see what fires are still going. Like I've said before, and I'll say it again, we've been lucky so far--no fires near us. I live near a road that people take to reach part of the American River. We always seem to get at least one fire near the river canyon where some idiot obviously throws out a cigarette or something to start the fire. I don't know how many times I've been on the freeway and I see some idiot hauling his trailer full of toys and the connecting chains are dragging on the ground shooting off sparks. Duh! all it takes is a little spark (like Smokey the Bear says) to start the fire, and they just keep driving oblivious to what they cause. Ok enough of that!

I put together a sewn paper banner, my first, but I'm not too happy with it. I wanted to use some embelishments I already had on hand and incorporated them with some of my trims and papers. I decided to start out small and used the word "NEST" as my inspiration. I'll be putting it in my etsy art shop.

A confused butterfly