November Slam, December Exams

I hope, dear readers, that you and yours had a lovely Christmas!

After a busy couple of months, I'm back to blogging. That was just a crazy semester, and it's such a relief to finally have a break! Next semester looks to be just as nuts, however, I am vowing, as a New Years resolution, to stop neglecting my dear blog.

I've been taking a course on art fundamentals this semester, and I like to think I'm getting loads better. My favourite piece this semester turned out to be a still life assignment:

My other favourite is a perspective drawing of the Perimeter Institute in Uptown Waterloo.It's actually hanging in the hallway of East Campus Hall, at the moment. I'll post it soon, along with some photos from my excursion AND tell you why I was nervous photographing the building.

Seriously, I half-expected security to come out and bust me... I just live so dangerously.

Light Through the Thicket

During the summer months, the sunlight shines through the chestnut trees in the backyard and into my bedroom.

Consequently, my bedroom in the afternoon is one of my favourite places to curl up with a book. The light shines at such a perfect angle and creates amazing shadows because of the thicket of branches outside my window.

Inspired...

Think Outside the Box (Think: Triangle)

My high school drama teacher always used to tell us students to "never stand in a straight line with your fellow actors, it's boring. Stand as a triangle, it draws the eye".

In kitchen design, it's recommended to place the three key components of your kitchen (Fridge, range, and sink) in a triangle. It's easier to maneuver around the kitchen.

source

I was wandering around Michael's today, picking up watercolour paper. I starting flipping through the "how to..." section, and picked up a wonderful instructional guide called "Watercolor 1: Learning the Basics of Watercolor Painting" by Caroline Linscott. At one point, she talks about creating dynamic paintings by arranging elements of the painting in a triangle. This helps to lead the eye around the painting.

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It makes me wonder where else I could use the magical triangle.

The Thumb of Michigan

I learned to drive on the "thumb" of Michigan, Hwy 25. I spent my summers lounging on the beach and walking along the pier in Lexington, where beautiful historical neighbourhoods abound.

Gables are wood shingles will always signify beach house to me.

What to do when your hand cramps up

Put down your sketchbook, pick up a good read.

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The Time Travelers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger: Or, "The Disappearing Husband". Henry meets Claire when he's 28 and she's 20... but she's already met him, a long time ago. Very good read, it kept me in suspense and had me guessing where the story, not just the romance, was going to go (or go back??).

Harper Connelly Mysteries by Charlaine Harris: Anything by Ms.Harris is great, but I always lose a night of sleep to finish a new book in this "Grave" series. Our heroine, Harper Connelly, was struck by lighting as a teenager and consequently can now find dead bodies. She discovers them and their stories, which do not always have a pleasant end. This usually raises more questions than answers, where intrigue always follows.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte: This is on my list of "101 Books to Read Before I Die" that I'm plugging away at, but I didn't get around to reading Jane Eyre until this summer. It's one of those books you don't want to end, and because I only have a few chapters left, I'm trying to read it really slowly. Jane Eyre regards herself as "poor, obscure, plain, and little". Thankfully, Mr. Rochester (her employer) does not.

♥

Mr. Rochester tells Jane that her paintings "have secured the shadow of your thought".

Inspired...

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I'll be sharing my end-of-summer reading material at:
Cym Lowell's Book Review Wednesdays

Lighthouse Love

It's great to be home for the summer... 

I keep finding stuff that I had forgotten about over the school year. 

Like old postcards and buried photo albums.

♥

For example, I found pictures of my family's Maritime trip, many many moons ago. 

It got me thinking that if I didn't become an Architect (!)

I would be perfectly suited to be a Lighthouse Technician.

a) I love the water.

b) I love lighthouses.

Inspired...

I'll be sharing the lighthouse love at: 

A Southern Daydreamer's Outdoor Wednesday

Watery Wednesday

The Baby Boom House

The Baby Boom House

 One of my favourite houses is the Cape Cod cottage from the movie Baby Boom.

Baby Boom, starring Diane Keaton, is the story of New York career-woman who leaves the Big City for small-town Vermont after she is given sudden custody of a distant relative's baby daughter. She starts her own business and becomes an instant national success. Her estate in Vermont would be perfect, if it didn't keep falling apart... 

The film was released in 1987 and Diane Keaton is hilarious, as well as empowering. Her speech at the end is very inspiring.

Inspired...

Needless to say, the Baby Boom house has a lot of character, even if it drives Diane Keaton nuts.

Venice Beach Inspirations

Venice Beach Home, Architect: David Hertz

It is WARM out. With humidity levels on the rise, I can't help but think of sunny beaches, and the pretty lakeside homes.

Or ocean-front homes.
Venice Beach, California definitely takes the cake for great ocean-side homes. Takes the cake and keeps on running.

Inspired...