The Color of Pi

The color of Pi

Hex color code 243f6a

There is actually a mathematical color of Pi!

If you express Pi as a hexadecimal, you get 3.243F6A8.  

Dropping the integer, you get the Hex triplet 24 3f 6a -- 

24-bit color 243F6A -- which is probably closest to Pantone #280 "Catalina Blue."

(I used QoR's Indigo)

Given Pi's infinity, I thought this would be a meaningful first page to kick off a new sketchbook journal!  This one is Strathmore Mixed Media Visual Journal, 5 1/2" x 8"     It handled the watercolors quite well without any bleed through or rippling.

Be Good

Take in the good of everyday experiences.

Practice compassion for yourself and others.

Recognize the good in other people.

Sense the goodness inside your heart.

See the good in the world and the good in the future we can make together.

~Rick Hanson

Saturday Snapshot - Ashton Villa, Galveston

antirrhinum majus

A break from the rain...snapped these beautiful snapdragons in the garden of Ashton Villa - Galveston, Texas

Friday Flashback - Jelly Bean Fabric and Bunnies

I like how the tops of his ears have blue jelly bean extensions!
Serendipitous, I just noticed it.

Tight squeeze in a 5" x 7" frame, so you can
get an idea how big they are.
Feel free to enlarge or reduce them

Very versatile bunny appliqués from the 1991 Burda Easter issue.  I originally made and posted these in March, 2008

The top bunny made an appearance later for the Chinese New Year of the Rabbit in 2011.

-- And I'm still working through the yards and yards and yards of jelly bean fabric I bought over 20 years ago.  I can carbon-date it back at least that far because it was used in my daughter's Easter dress when she was 3.

Truly magical year for Texas wildflowers at the ranch.
A mislabeled rye grass seed bag had wildflower seed instead!

Seriously, I think I bought at least 10 yards back in the day when Wal-Mart had $1/yard fabric.

Jelly beans and bunnies and bluebonnet photos never go out of style.

Thursday Tea Time - Mate Latte - choco-latey

This week - Mate' Latte from The Steeping Room

Cost:  $7 from The Steeping Room in Austin, Texas
Number of tea bags/weight:  2 ounces
Caffeine:  Yes, "High Caffeine"
Type of tea:   Tisane, herbal
Steeping time:  5 minutes
Mix ins:  Splash of Natural Bliss or even just plain
Ingredients:  Rooibos, mate', chocolate chips, cacao beans, coconut, artificial (nature identical) flavor
Fragrance:   Chocolate!
Opinion:  Not only smells terrific when you open the pouch, but tastes great, too!  I have  been drinking this practically every day.  Even though it has mate', it doesn't make me jittery. And I like all the health benefits of mate, bonus this has rooibos, too.  Next time I'm in Austin, I'm grabbing two bags!
Rating:  5

Big chocolate pieces!

Watercolor Wednesday Afternoon

Sue and Zuma (Dezuma Lea)

Watercolor 

9 1/2" x 8 3/4"

My sister had a favorite picture and I thought for funsies I would try painting it.  Never having painted a person I knew, or horse for that matter.  The photo was taken outside in dark in the the winter with a flash.  Not the best circumstances for painting inspiration.   But score points for trying, right?  And a chance to pull out my QoR watercolor palettes - Earth, Introductory and High Chroma.  I used colors from each one and was really happy with the intensity and just overall fun using them.

And with the way the painting turned out...so was my sister!

Positive Negative

Giant Leaf Frog

Phyllomedusa bicolor

White gel pen on Canford Imperial paper, "Russian Green"

In class Monday, we worked on line drawings, using light gel pens on dark paper.  Positive and negative drawing.  Which took my brain more than several tries to wrap that concept around.   I literally wrote on the corner of the paper, "Pen - light, Green - dark"   Our teacher encouraged us to use different shapes/patterns to make the dark light.  (This is knocking my brain cells around even typing this now._  By the third try, this frog, I think I got the hang of it. And started to get over my fear of sketching without using a pencil and more importantly, an eraser.

I stocked up on supplies today to practice some more. . .

A little difficult to find jelly gel pens in white and in stock.  (Apparently the best ones are the Uniball Signo White Gel Pens-Broad UM 153...Update 3-12:   Found at Texas Art Supply today for $2.80)   However, the gold and silver "Sunburst" metallic by Pentel from Office Depot looked nice.  And on a whim I went into Tuesday Morning next door and took a $3.99 chance on these American Crafts Galaxy markers.  I liked them a lot! 

Heal the World

Free Heal the World mug from Penzeys coupon, attached to their Spring 2015 catalog.  (Coupon code 94049C)  It's pretty and no minimum purchase?!   Especially next to the Impossible Coconut Cream pie on the cover.

Matthew 5:7-8

Matthew Chapter 5, Verses 7 & 8
Watercolor - 5" x 7"

A friend gave me "The Beauty of Friendship" year of quotes by Dayspring book, and I flipped to March 8 and found today's quote, inspired by Matthew 5:7-8 --

"You are blessed when you care.  At the moment of being "carefull," you find yourselves cared for.  You're blessed when you get your inside world - your mind and your heart - put right.  Then you can see God in the outside world."

I wondered, how would I paint this?   Upon contemplation, the first thing that came to mind was balance.  What is inside your heart is reflected in your life outside.  And the Karma of how what goes around, comes around.  We are continuously transforming.  I thought a Yin and Yang design with hearts could reflect the verse.  Colors?  Green and blue for Earth and water of our world, and a surrounding yellow glow representing our Creator.  I do realize I'm integrating different religions, Taoism, Buddhism and Christianity, and yes, a wording combination from the both King James and New American Bibles, so be it.  Let's just add water and go with the flow.

I used my QoR paints from their Earth palette set -- Indigo, Sap Green and Naples Yellow.  Great vibrant colors and combination, perfect.  Working wet-in-wet,  it was so much fun to watch those colors dance and come alive on my paper.

(I hope to get and post a better photo tomorrow, I like to take my photographs outside for better lighting and it was raining all day today.)

In The Heart of Texas

Heart-shaped rock along the banks of the Blanco River in Five Mile Dam Park in San Marcos/Kyle, Texas

Thursday Tea Time - Warm me up!

Cost:  $7 from The Steeping Room in Austin, Texas

Number of tea bags:  2 ounces
Caffeine:  Yes, "High Caffeine" per the package label
Type of tea:   Black
Steeping time:  3 minutes
Mix ins:  Just a touch of honey
Ingredients:  Organic black tea, organic cinnamon, natural flavor
Fragrance:   Fig-Cinnamon jam
Opinion:  The package says "a cozy, organic black tea with cinnamon and fig"  I think fig should be listed ahead of the cinnamon.  It has a very pleasant fig scent and flavor.  Not at all artificial or cloying.  In fact, I keep opening the bag to take another whiff.   Next time I will use more than a teaspoon to make it stronger.  It's a generously-sized bag.  I bet it would also be nice iced, too.  But given today's winter blast, I needed something cozy and warming.  It brewed to a delicious amber color.  So pretty, so comforting.  A perfect Fall/Winter weather brew.
Rating:  4

Watercolor Wednesday - Sheepishly

Watercolor sheep grazing
5" x 5"

Definitely a practice piece, these two sheep were the best of the herd.  I sheared off the rest.

We were practicing tracing and re-arranging our composition from photocopies.  However,  I think the photocopies were too dark and we couldn't see all the details.  Our "sheep" looked like bulls, pigs of the bovine and guinea, grizzly bear, jelly beans ("What are those?"  "Sheep in the distance!"), and perhaps even an Australian sheep dog.  The photos actually were taken in Australia.

Best take-away lessons here were learning to save the sunlight atop of the sheep, dropping in and using casein Ivory Black wet in wet letting the paint give them definition and shadow, working with values -- one did the entire picture in Windsor & Newton "Indigo" - just gorgeous and prompted me to run out and grab a tube for my palette! -- and using better photocopies!  Our class was just cracking up and the teacher laughing right along with us.   

You learn by painting...and laughing!

Update 3-14-15-

Framed!  I found a frame at Hobby Lobby, originally for a 4" x 4" photo, I trimmed and placed the watercolor atop the opening, keeping the deckled edge and getting a pretty "linen" border.   The brushed metallic frame was the perfect complement.  (50% off $17.99)

Upcoming Jo-Ann's Pattern Sales

Jo-Ann's "We Celebrate Women" Sale

March 6/8 -
$1.99 Butterick and McCall's patterns

March 8/14 -
$1.99 Simplicity

March 20/22 -
$4.99 Vogue

Thursday Tea Time - Chocolate Raisins

This week - Rishi Limited Edition Cocoa Cabernet

Cost:  $9.99
Number of tea bags:  10
Caffeine:  No
Type of tea:  Herbal
Steeping time:  4 minutes
Mix ins: Nothing
Ingredients:  Organic - red wine grape skins, roasted cocoa nibs, maquis series, cinnamon, acai  powder, vanilla bean, black pepper.
Fragrance:   Like Raisinettes
Opinion:  Brewing to a pretty chocolate-wine color, this tastes well worth the price of almost $1/teabag.  The Rishi website no longer has it, I found it at Central Market.  Judging by Googling, this probably came out in 2013, as the expiration on the box is October 5, 2015.  No problems, it will be gone before then.  I like it, it is different.  It starts out chocolatey, then a distinct wine flavor, closing with a nice tangy berry.  What a tea ride!  It even smells good. And photographs Pinterest posting pretty.   If I'm back by Central Market within a few days, I may pick up an extra box.  Head's up Houston -- There were a couple left.  Maybe not now.   Only dinged because of the price.

Rating:  4.5

Pinterest Pretty Pink!

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Mary - First Sketch

Yeah, I surprised myself, too!
I love how her face turned out.

Trip Value

Value as in practicing my value sketching on the go!

The Strathmore Toned Gray sketch book already adds the middle value.  The black is Winsor & Newton Ivory Black and the white is Winsor & Newton Titanium White watercolors "blobbed" inside a Trader Joe's Gingermints tin.  Toss in my favorite 6F pencils, art gum eraser and a couple of size 6/8 brushes, and I'm good to go.

It's portable and easy to carry in case I'm ever in a place without my computer/wifi, my eyes are blurry and crossing from looking at/using my phone...or have a moment to sketch out ideas for an upcoming watercolor blog series.
(stay tuned!)

I'm trying to get better about doing value sketches or just doing more daily sketching.  Having the materials* at hand with me will help!  And besides, I like things ready to-go for those planned and unplanned moments of time.
_______
(*Inside Ziplocs.  Huge, huge fan of the Ziploc, I buy them at Costco.  I have things Ziploc-ed inside another Ziploc.)
Thank you, imprinting from Girl Scout overnight camping.

Spring green (and Fig season) is on its way

unfurling fig leaf

Happy Chinese New Year!

Happy New Year of the Wood Sheep!

People born in Sheep years (2015, 2003, 1991, 1979, 1967,1955, 1943, 1931, 1919, 1907) are artistic, kind, inspired, very empathetic, and naturally creative. They appreciate beauty in all its forms, and are connoisseurs of the best life has to offer

Source:  Mystic Mama

Thursday Tea Time - C is for chocolate, cinnamon, combo

This week - Rishi Organic Pu-Erh Chocolate Cinnamon Tea

Cost:  $8.99
Number of tea bags:  15
Caffeine:  Yes
Type of tea:  Pu-erh
Steeping time:  7 minutes
Mix ins: Nothing
Ingredients:  Pu-erh tea, roasted cocoa nibs, cinnamon, vanilla bean, peppermint, licorice root
Fragrance:    Cinnamon/spicy with a hint of chocolate
Opinion:  What a cool and yummy combination of ingredients, and what flavor!  The first time I splashed some Natural Bliss in it, and it was...OK.  Then I read the box which said it "tastes divine without the need for milk or sugar"  And the box was right!  The milk hid the myriad of flavors.  It smells and tastes like chocolate and cinnamon, then you get the hit of peppermint and licorice, closing with vanilla.  I'm only dinging it a little because you do have to steep it longer, in fact - I save the previous teabag to put in the mug as I brew and use a new one.  And it is a little pricey.  It does have a good kick and lingering flavor.
Rating:  4

 A little over the top, packaging-wise?

oh yeah, chocolate!

"30 has a nice ring to it," she says...

Ring Watercolor
6" x 4 1/2"

My first time drawing ~and painting~ a hand, or fingers thereof.

Mardi Gras Pumpkin

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

My Halloween Pumpkin is still going strong, thanks to a very unusual Fall/Winter.

Upcoming Jo-Ann's Pattern Sales

Presidents' Day Sale 

February 13/16 -
Simplicity patterns - $1

February 19/21 - 
3 for $5 Butterick patterns

February 26/28 - 
3 for $5 McCall's patterns
$4.99 Vogue

Thursday Tea Time - Rose Flavored Glass

This week - The Steeping Room - The Empress' Cup

(kudos to them for correct placement of the possessive apostrophe)

Cost:  $5
Number of tea bags:  N/A it is loose-leaf.  One ounce pouch
Caffeine:  Yes
Type of tea:  Black
Steeping time:  3 minutes
Mix ins: Nothing
Ingredients:  Black tea, rose, rose petals
Fragrance:   Rose
Opinion:  I tasted and bought this tea on the spot at the Texas Tea Festival in Austin last Sunday.  And next time I am back in Austin, I will definitely buy more.  This is the best rose flavored/scented tea I have ever had.  Even beating out the Numi White Rose tea.   It doesn't need a thing, no sweetener, no cream.  It stands by itself.  I was surprised how sweetI bet this would be wonderful iced, too.   Good thing you only need a teaspoon, hopefully the pouch will last longer until I can return.   There are two locations in Austin and they have an organic, vegan and gluten-free menu.  I'm so glad they had a booth at the Festival!
Rating:  5+

Watercolor Wednesday - Fit to Print

More fun with watercolor. . .paper
I discovered I like this 80-pound weight even more than the Strathmore Inkjet Watercolor weight paper (115 pound)

So does my printer.
And my budget -- you get 25 sheets for $12.99, $2 less compared to $14.99 for 8 sheets - pre 40% off Hobby-Lobby coupon.
I also found that directly printing from my original instead of from my computer retains the colors truer.  I don't know what happens in iPhoto.  The Epson inks really keep the original color true.

I think it is the bottom one

And honestly, when I was showing this to a friend, I couldn't tell her which one was the original and nor could she.

And to turn your day around

The King of Hearts

"The King of Hearts"
watercolor
7 1/2" x 5 3/4"

My Valentine for the Children's Hospital of St. Louis.

(I signed it "Be Brave, Be Strong, Be My Valentine")

It's not too late!

The Mary Engelbreit St. Louis Children's Hospital Valentine's Day Project.  

Mary Engelbreit is collecting Valentines to give to the patients at the St. Louis Children's Hospital on Valentine's Day -- cards only, no candy or gifts.

Please send valentines to:
4814 Washington Boulevard, Suite 230
St. Louis, MO 63108

Not to M.E., but just generally addressed ( for example "for my sweetie pie," or "from your secret admirer!").
Please sign the cards, either with your name, or just your first name, or with a fun fake name like Elmo or Superman or something!

Mary will deliver them to Children's Hospital in St. Louis so that the kids there will get tons of love on Valentines Day!

copyright Mary Engelbreit Enterprises, Inc

Need some ideas?  Check out what Sharon Hendry Art & Design is doing.  Her February 5 post has a link to a PDF for making fabric collage hearts.

Thursday Tea Time - I can't believe it's not butter

This week - Art of Tea Butterscotch

Cost:  $10.99 online - was, it is no longer available.
Number of tea bags:  N/A it is loose-leaf.  Approximately 50 cups
Caffeine:  Yes
Type of tea: White
Steeping time:  3 minutes
Mix ins: Nothing
Ingredients:  Organic White Tea, Organic Cinnamon, Organic Pink Peppercorn, Organic Marigolds, Natural Flavors
Fragrance:  Strong yummy butterscotch scent
Opinion:   Alas, another Limited Edition, and it is no longer available.  I hope they bring it back this Fall.  I like the fact it is a white tea and very delicate.  And it really has a buttery taste!  The first time I added my old standby, Natural Bliss and it was good.  However, this almost tastes better plain.  (Which is good.  I'm back to My Fitness Pal, counting carbs and sugar and calories.  That app keeps you honest and gives you a reality check.  Optional equipment:  Duct tape for your mouth.  Or tea like this!)  This isn't a sickeningly sweet butterscotch flavor like the Nestle chips.  Instead it vaguely reminds me of Butter Rum Lifesavers.  But it's not that strong, and that's why you should drink it plain so you can taste the flavors and not hide them.
Rating:  4, only because I will have to wait to see if they bring it back

Watercolor Wednesday - Who is

Round 2 of this female snowy owl on the snowy shores of Lake Ontario watercolor. . .

Not Leaving

Love's Philosophy

"The fountains mingle with the river
And the rivers with the ocean.
The winds of Heaven mix for ever
With a sweet emotion;
Nothing in the world is single,
All things by a law divine
In one spirit meet and mingle
0 Why not I with thine?"

-Percy Bysshe Shelley

Celebrating 30 amazing years with my wonderful husband today!
Ready to go around again. . .as the sunlight clasps the earth and the moonbeams kiss the sea.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Do good