Fish Creek, Wisconsin Vacation

If you want some toys for your garden, you could find all kinds of things here. It's so colorful! And half of the things are whirling or twirling in some way! Anyway, it's fun to visit.

The Rusty Rabbit in Ephraim, Door County, Wisconsin

We were vacationing in Door County, Wisconsin this summer and I found a nice shop in Ephraim called The Rusty Rabbit. I seem to be seeing rabbits everywhere! I wonder if it would fit in my garden. It's a very arty community with lots of galleries and art studios. The weather is usually cooler there so it's a great break from the hot and humid weather of the coast of Viriginia!

Another Day at the Beach - etching

When I was at the beach recently, I saw these seagulls and thought that it would be a good time to do something local so I made this etching. I worked hard trying to wipe the ink on the plate just right before I printed it. Printing an etching can be very challenging! Anyway, it was good practice for a bigger one that I want to do. It gives me a good excuse to go back to the beach to search for my next models!

6" x  8"

  

Gardenias

What flower has a lovlier fragrance than the gardenia?
My grandparents had a gardenia bush right beside one of the outside doors of their house and it always smelled so wonderful when I would visit during the summer. I had to have one of my own.
Someday, I can see a butterfly painting....

Jack Rabbit Etching

It seems I like rabbits as I've been working on another one, this time a jackrabbit. I like the big ears! I've had some trouble understanding my difficulty adding aquatint but I'm almost sure that I have solved the problem. I was getting  discouraged because I was making many test plates and not finding the right clue.
I don't mind a few test plates but after awhile, it becomes monotonous! Now I think all is well. We'll see next time!

9" x 12" plate
some screenprint in background
Rives BFK paper



ready to be printed inked-up plate
hard to avoid reflections!
always a big challenge to decide how much ink to leave on the plate



Flight of the Butterflies IMAX Movie

Last Thursday when I was out running errands, I decided to stop by the the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center to see the new IMAX film, Flight of the Butterflies. It's the true story about a scientist, Dr. Fred Urquhart, who after almost 40 years of research, finally discovers where the monarch butterflies go in the winter. It is the most incredible migration on earth as millions of Monarch butterflies travel from Canada across the U.S. to a few isolated mountain tops in Mexico. It's a beautiful film and very entertaining as it's in 3D! If you get a chance, you must see it. Here's a preview of the movie to tempt you:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY3YhvRrFx4



The poster for the movie.

The science museum on a rainy day.



Monarch on its way!
pencil drawing