Angel Wings, Pacific Beach CA So...continue pity party...me, cats, hanging out at home with Netflix, pillows, Aleve and a heating pad. I decided to work on my June self-portrait while I watched that 80's movie, Heathers.By the way, that is one crazy movie. I digress... I had the idea when I was in California to do a variation on my usual 'angel pic' as the inspiration for my June Self-Portrait. I should probably give some back story on the angel pic...John and I take 'angel pics' every year we go back to visit San Diego. There are some wings painted on a wall just around the corner from our old apartment in Pacific Beach. I think we first discovered them shortly after we moved into that little studio apartment, we were always walking around, reveling in how great it was to have so much cool stuff within walking distance. And then one day we found those wings. It was 2006. We took some pictures, I think that might have been the day that we walked to the jetty. When folks came to visit us, we had them take 'angel pics'. We still have some vertical frames up in our place with the pictures of the people that came to visit us during our short time on the west coast. When we left CA, we each took an 'angel pic' then headed out for the long cross country drive with our two cars and all of the belongings we had out there. I loved living in California. For me, it kind of represented really stepping out on our own. We didn't have anyone out there really, so everything was what we made it. We found jobs, found a place to live, made friends- everything was on our time. I am often torn when I think...would I want to go back? On one hand, it is so far. But there is a certain amount of life that it brings int both of us. So, for now, or from now on, which ever it may be...we promised ourselves that we would go back every year to visit. And we have. We moved in June of 2007 and we have been back every summer since, taking an 'angel pic' at the end of each trip. So that is the story of the wings. And here are some 'angel pics' from 2006-2012. Kind of fun to look at 'em, at least for me. What does this have to do with my portrait? Yes, thank you for getting me back on track. ('You' of course is my imaginary audience) I took my regular pic, but then I had the idea to get John to take a picture of me holding my blank sketchpad in front of the wings with the intention of drawing that picture... My idea was to use that drawing and somehow insert it into the photo to make it look like I was holding the drawing of my picture. Now, keep in mind that I was doing this using my limited graphic design skills. My friend Jessie (yep- the one that I was supposed to be with in Miami)...anyway, she would be my go-to person to get the image inserted and have it high resolution, etc. So...what I did tonight is kind of like a preliminary. I am not 100% about what I made tonight, certainly not the image inserted into the image...but also about the actual drawing...might redo that.
Well, here is what I came up with;
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It was a little tough to keep this here blog updated on the last two days of our trip...with trying to take in our last hours in San Diego...to the actual travel day, which involved driving to Los Angeles....it got a little chaotic. However...there was time to make some art, even if I didn't have a minute to write about it. Currently...I run the risk of going on a sleep deprived tangent if I start writing...didn't get much sleep on the flight...so, let's just say CA was amazing, can't wait to go back...so glad to be back here in FL...missed Mackie and Scooter tons (my cats)...CEDs 169-170 are done...I have tons of stuff to do to get ready for the ANE show tomorrow night...and now...I will sleep.
Special thanks to Jessie, one of my cheerleaders from last year, for taking care of the cats. They spoke, er, meowed highly of you : ) A visit to Ocean Beach, coffee...thriftin'...pizza...dropping off art work...then off to La Jolla...got to see the seals! And made some art! Bettie in a coffee cup...VW Bettie and CEDs 167-168
Having a great time back in California...it's like we are living here again! Love it! Here are some pics of the trip so far... ...and...my hand is 'working' again. Guess I was having an off day. I decided not to try to salvage any of my 'Bettie Bloopers' and just made two new pieces...these are a combination of detail pencil drawing and watercolor chaos on bristol board.
...still in San Diego...and still artin' despite some changes in our dwellings for the week...hoping tomorrow for a much more inspirational space...but I did manage to create CED #164
..still out here on the West Coast and just loving life. I didn’t really sit down and do any drawing in San Diego, but take a minute this morning and draw a little something, working within a circle format. I think I may do five more of these, I like the confines of a circle, like it is containing the drawing- a little visual tension. And I think we all know I will be breaking out of the circle in later drawings, but for now it is nice to have a boundary for the drawing to ‘live’ in. Today, heading out to the Sawdust Arts Festival in Laguna Beach…ready for some inspiration from the local artists....special thanks to Lauren and Ryan for being such awesome hosts, and planning this amazing day! |
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