Red-Eyed Tree Frog

In honor of my trip to Costa Rica last month, I decided to paint this Red-Eyed Tree Frog, who, yes, lives in Costa Rica. I'm really quite happy with how this turned out, and I very much enjoyed sitting down and painting it while listening to Top Chef Masters in the background. It was fun to use so many great colors and I like how the background has an unfinished look to it, even though it is absolutely COVERED in blue paint. I've never painted a frog before, and I think this was a pretty good first try!

Materials: 8x10 canvas panel, acrylic paints.

OMG, I did something creative!

Yes, for the first time since February, I picked up a paintbrush, sat down at my artist table, and painted. It felt good, although somewhat awkward since so much time has passed. I'm not crazy in love with the image, but it's a good start. The painting is actually of a stack of bangles, although I suppose it kind of looks like a layered cake as well. I painted the lower layer in acrylics, and then did the outlines and gemstones in puffy T-shirt paint, to give it a nice three-dimensional look. Maybe now I will be inspired to do more.

Materials: 8x10 canvas panel, acrylic paint, t-shirt paint.

Hollow

I wonder
If you ever think of me
Late at night
When your eyes are a bright reflection
And your mind is cataloging
Your life.

You have hollowed me out,
Carved a hole in my chest
That still
Somehow
Manages to ache.

Costa Rica Pics 5

Costa Rica Pics 4

Costa Rica Pics 3

Costa Rica Pics 2

(Because I can't figure out how to get more than five photos in one post.)

Costa Rica Pics 1

Costa Rica

I leave for a ten-day trip to Costa Rica this Sunday. I will explore the rain forests, lay on the beach, dip my feet in hot springs, visit museums, and hopefully catch a glimpse of a volcano. And that's in addition to all the other lovely things scheduled for our tour. You can see our itinerary in the above picture; it's a lot to pack into ten days, but it should be worth it, even if I do have to get up before the crack of dawn on a few mornings. I hope to come away with lots of good pictures, some color in my skin (although I have bought SPF 85 sunscreen for my pale, delicate skin so that is unlikely), and the desire to continue traveling the world and broadening my horizons. I am going to miss Mister Bingley very, very much, but I know that he will be in good hands, with friends stopping by every day to play with him and take care of all his needs. I think one of the hardest things about leaving is the fact that I won't have access to the Internet, which will either kill me or make me a better person. (Yeah, right.)

I will hopefully post some pictures upon my return, and who knows? Maybe I'll even get the old tubes of paint out and be productive.

Some Good Blogs

Since I'm not really drawing or painting right now, I figured I would share some blogs I've discovered in the past few months that I think everyone should check out. All blogs will open in a new window.

• The Spohrs Are Multiplying - Heather and Mike Spohr tragically lost their 17-month old daughter Madeline last month. Despite this horrible turn of events, the blog is filled with stories and memories of Madeline. Most people know that I am not really the kind of person who enjoys children, but Madeline is different and special. I sent Heather and Mike a card yesterday (I should add that I do not know them at all, as they live in Los Angeles), and I think of them often. Madeline is very inspiring and I think everyone should get to know her.
  
• Daisy the Curly Cat - Daily blogs about Daisy, a Devon Rex cat, and her little brother Harley. I adore Harley. He's so cute and silly! The best thing about this blog is that the kitties actually wear clothes, which I find endlessly amusing.
  
• Passive Aggressive Notes - How often do we come across these? I've been known to leave a few in my time as well.
  
• Another Damned Blog - Written by Moff from Gawker.