A Scorching July

Despite scorching temperatures in July, interesting things happened. I continued with Joanne Sharpe's online class, which resulted in cheerful mantra pages.

I managed to keep track of time.

For a cultural evening, I attended Verdi's Aïda at the Roman theater in Carthage. So I did blind sketches in the dark. 








Unfortunately, it was a poor performance.



We left at the intermission (first time I've ever done that!).



I went South to Djerba for a week with family members. 
Despite the heat (50° C.= 122°F.), it was an enjoyable vacation. Nice hotel, beautiful beach with a warm Mediterranean.



I enjoyed sketching the well-kept, beautiful camels and horses for tourists on the beach.

Camels fascinate me--they're so full of personality and have such interesting faces.


















Thanks to the heat, I managed to do some stitching in my fabric journal as well. Basically, I was glued to the AC while just moving my fingers...

June Zoomed By, Too

"Follow Your Bliss"

June's mantra pages were fun to do. 



As usual, my sketching was quick, but enjoyable to do.





We spent several days with the grandkids in Nabeul at the beach and visited ceramic shops. The many Russian tourists couldn't get enough sun and were mostly lobster red.

I am in love with my garden terrace. We have finally gotten the overhead jasmine and grape "ceiling" growing in the right direction and creating lots of shade...besides giving us some excellent organic grapes.

It's magic!

Then May Zoomed By

Looking back, May was such a pleasant month, with very pleasant temperatures.

I played around with watercolors in Joanne Sharpe's online class.









I managed to keep track of time...








and do some quick sketching.











I haven't shown my garden for awhile. 
I found an interesting branch that turned into the first of a wood folks series.


I gave him/her (?) a pink hat to go with the geraniums.

I regrouped some of my mosaic pots and replanted a couple of them.

Indeed, a pleasant month...

April Zoomed By...

My day job consumes my day, and I instantly fall asleep with needle in hand in the evening...sigh...

However, art and creativity still structure my world. I added a frame with a quotation to a painting of my gate in my journal.







I attached the frame at the top of the page.
































We took a short trip to Beja and Tabarka in northern Tunisia at the beginning of April. 



Everything was Spring green.

I felt like I was in another country. We sat in on an academic conference while there. Lovely trip.

And so, April zoomed by...

What Happened to March?

Keeping track of time in my art journal does not help slowing things down. 

The month of March zoomed by, but I managed to stay on track...somewhat. My mantra page has collaged letters onto a small box that I took apart, painted yellow, and glued to the gray background in my journal.






Playing with pattern, suggested in Joanne Sharpe's online class, "Artfully Inspired Life," I got carried away.










It was a colorful month--I had fun!

My Day Job

My Day Job has taken over my life.
"And what is your Day Job?" you might ask.
Answer: Tree Climber. Yes, as I get younger and younger, I'm doing more and more "kids' stuff," making it hard for me to keep up with blogging. Here I am, perching in a lemon tree. This Day Job forces me to s-t-r-e-c-h, everyday.---->











However, I have managed some sketching.




And, some stitching on my utility quilt.











Thanks to Joanne Sharpe's on-line class, I've kept up with art journaling for February.










Lots of bright colors for this short month.











I've managed to keep track of my time.














It is Springtime in Tunisia. I enjoy the wonderful weather of this season. You'll find me perching in a tree!

Starting 2018

At the end of every year I make my refrigerator calendar (you know, the kind that has big spaces to write in) from the ugly Post Office calendar. I glue on Canson paper and paint. This year I used Derwent Inktense pencils and chose three colors for each page, which I picked from a color study in my journal/sketchbook.

Well, I'm a bit late this year, but six months are ready to go.

I also decided to follow Joanne Sharpe's online class "Artfully Inspired Life" tm, to keep up with journaling and to stay cheerful in these trying times. Not only is "The Circus in D.C." journal dragging on, but, rioting by thugs in Tunisia dominates local news. A worrisome year ahead...My solution is Joanne's cheerfulness. 






For January: a mantra and a lettering page,

and, of course, a journaling page.

Hope 2018 is starting well for you.