Cactus vs African Violets

As you can see, I am not a green thumb when it comes to cacti! It's quite sad because I think they are so interesting. It seems like magic when they flower. This one still has some hope as it has already survived for ten years!

African Violets are a different story! Some are from old family members so they're very special. 

Linocut of Rabbits

Now that all the holidays are behind us (phew!) I finally have time to show my recently finished rabbit linocut to go with my series of three animals in a print. The colored background has three separate colors blocks and the black is printed last. I like this affect with the colors and the black together. Maybe I will continue this series...the mind is still contemplating that decision! It's a lot of work carving linoleum but I did find that if I warmed it up on a warming plate (one used for keeping party foods warm) that it was much easier to carve. That linoleum can get pretty stiff!

4 1/2'" x 9"

Printing the Rabbits

Inking and making a mess! There's no way around it.

The Strange Intruder

This past summer I stayed at a Bed and Breakfast and all of the books in the room were sea stories. I love sea stories! But there was this one addition which was very curious.

Rabbit linocut

I’m moving along on my rabbit linocut. It’s another in my series of three, as in three rabbits, crows or sheep! The background will be somewhat similar to the others but I’m just not sure what to do yet. I do plan to figure that out before the week is over. So anxious to see how it comes out!

Avignon Adventure at Musee Angladon

After my art workshop in September near Venasque in Provence, France, I went to the nearby city of Avignon for a few days before returning home. I didn't want to go home after such a short stay :-(
So many interesting things to do and not enough time! Free to do whatever I wanted, I was feeling pretty spoiled. This is one of the museums I visited. I couldn't believe that there was a Picasso exhibit of etchings. How fortunate for a printmaker!

Painting Provence with Tess #2 in Roussillon

My watercolor teacher, Tess, took my class to a pretty hilltop village called Roussillon. When I visited ealier, I was fascinated with all of the warm colors of the landscape and buildings. It is noted for its large ochre deposits found in the clay surrounding the village. Large quarries were mined there from the end of the 18th century until 1930. Now mining is prohibited in order to protect the site from being ruined. :-) And tourism has become an important source of income. Imagine that!

Le Sentier des Ochres

Usine Mathieu, an old ochre factory, now a workshop museum

A scene we painted from the cafe across the street.

I like this studio!

Painting the rocks along the path.