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My Ántonia
For our November book group meeting, we read a classic American novel written in 1918. My Ántonia by Willa Cather has been both widely praised and strongly criticised; we found justifications for both points of view.
Keeping it loose
Scribble and splash.
nature journaling at the tide pools
We had our third SMMNJC meetup today, and I’m still a-glow, hours later. Fourteen of us met at low tide at Malibu Lagoon State Beach to share a picnic, then marvel at sea hares, anemones, limpets, shrimp, crabs, octopuses, patterns in the sand, seabirds, and so much more. Near the end of our time together, I quoted the immortal words of Kurt Vonnegut, “Well if this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.” My heart is full.
Chamaea fasciata
swiss chard
Growing veggies—planting, tending, harvesting, cooking, then eating them—brings me so much joy. And Swiss chard, with its bright crimson veins and generous ruffles, is one of the most joy-sparking of them all.
champions tunic, done!
Custom label, sewn in. There was a bit of a learning curve on the stencilling, but I’m really happy with the end result. I pretty sure Felix will be too.
constant companion
When you’re been sewing all afternoon, and now it’s time to cook dinner and you realize you haven’t sketched yet today, the nearest object seems like a good enough subject.
drawing people
I just finished a people-drawing course with Pedro Loureiro; I learned a lot! At the same time, I’m re-taking a Buildings course with Liz Steel. Although the subject material differs widely, both teachers emphasise observation, simplification, and understanding the underlying structures.
Setophaga coronata
We recently saw the return of Yellow-rumped warblers to our yard. They breed in the northern parts of the continent and come south in the non-breeding season.
Males have conspicuous yellow patches on the crown, flank, and rump (the latter giving rise to the nickname “butter butt” among birdwatchers). Their Latin name means “crowned moth-eater”, though they eat plenty of other insect species, as well as spiders.
Happy to see them back!
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