I miss them . . . . . .

We’ve had dogs most of our married lives.  In this picture the 3 dogs are (from left to right) Zoe, Maizy, and Molly.  Maizy we lost about 3 years ago and Mollie about a month ago.  Zoe, originally our daughter’s dog, is still with us.  And she’s a joy, but she does miss her pal – Mollie.  I’m currently in pursuit of a companion for her.  ■  I know it’s been a ton of time since I’ve posted – I apologize for that – and I’ll try and do better in the future.  ■  My boss has never had smoked salmon, so today I bought some salmon and as we speak (ok, we’re not technically speaking . . . ) I’ve got it in a brine and  will smoke it tomorrow night.  Salmon is expensive – cost me about $25 for the filet I’m going to smoke.  ■  Got a party to plan for in August and then plan for the annual Chili Fest in September.  Keep your calendars open in September (the 18th) for that one!  ■  And again . . . it’s time for bed.  More tomorrow.  Promise.  ■ 

Every man . . . . . .

“Every man is born as many men and dies as a single one.” - Martin Heidegger.  ■  What does he mean?  I think I know, but I’m not sure.  ■

Do you remember? . . . . . . .

I can’t remember that I remember these Bullfrog trading cards.  We would print them off, bundle them in packs of 4 or 5, and include a stick of gum – just like the old baseball trading cards of years ago.  These really bring back old memories.  ■  Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup tonight!  Go Blackhawks!  ■  Time, as usual, for bed.  ■ 

How to take a good picture . . .

My mother always says that she doesn’t look good in photos.  Generally she’s correct as it seems she always manages to close her eyes, look somewhere else, or makes a face just as a photo is snapped.  So when our good friend and photographer wanted to take our picture she mumbled something about not liking her picture taken, so I made a face – she laughed – and we got something of a good photo.  The photo sequence below shows the action.

The sketches have begun . . . . . .

I did a couple of sketches today with material from the wedding trip.  The drawing above is of “Rocket Billy’s” – a sort of fast food stand/trailer in White Stone, VA.  Good food – especially the seafood.  ■  The wedding was great.  A good party on Friday, a delicious brunch on Saturday, and then the wedding and reception on Saturday night.  And to be able to share it with good friends and relatives makes it very special.  ■  Back to work tomorrow.  I’ve missed it.  ■ 

Lots of trucks . . .

That's good. It means goods are being sold and moving . . .

The wedding was great

Had a super time at and before the wedding. We can't thank our
friends Bill & Cheryl and Terry & Ellyn enough for their help. We
couldn't have done it without you.
On our way home now. Maybe a couple of posts from the road.

Mollie . . . . . .

Mollie . . . 13½ years old and now gone.  She was my baby.  She’d snuggle with me.  When I got out of bed she’d jump up into my spot and force me to get in between her and Holly and have me cuddle her.  Tears are running down my face as I type this.  What a sweet dog.  I miss her terribly.  And Zoe . . . she’s been very quiet.  In face now she’s in her “hidey hole” – underneath the bed in Holly’s office.  It’s her place of refuge.  She’s sad and misses Mollie.  And so do I.

Start to finish . . . . .

This is a drawing I did of an apartment building in New York – from pencil sketch to the start to the end.  I wasn’t sure it was going to work – I’d never done an apartment building before – it’s vertical instead of horizontal.  It does make a difference.  But it worked.  And though it’s hard to see – there are pink flamingos on each balcony on the first floor – and a brass doorknob on the building door.  For the brass doorknob I used gold paint that I had bought to do some reverse-glass-painting.  Doing reverse-glass-painting is a whole ‘nother method of painting.  I’ll fill you in on that in a later post.  ■  I’ve been trying to do one pencil sketch a day.  It’s to try and improve my drawing ability.  I’ve been pretty much up to that one-a-day pace, but missed it today.  I’ll post some of them here for you to look at.  ■  And yes, it’s time for bed.  ‘Night. ■

Keeping the drawing going . . . . . .

I’m still doing a drawing a day.  They’re quick, but useful in helping me develop my skills.  Someday I’ll publish a book of my quick sketches.  Just wait . . . . . .

A little bit of Kalo . . . . .

I finally got to get to one of our Kalo Foundation events today.  Two of our board members gave a presentation on Park Ridge, the arts, and silversmithing.  It was an interesting presentation and well done.  ■  There are a number of other presentations that are being given over the next 2 weeks, but I’m working for most of those.  Bummer.  I’d really like to see and hear the one on Friday given by a family that makes miniature houses/rooms, furnishings, etc.  Think of Colleen Moore’s dollhouse at the Museum of Science & Industry in Chicago.  ■  I’m trying to set a goal of doing one quick pencil sketch a day.  I think it’ll help improve my drawing skills.  ■  I’m a judge for the Lombard Lilac Parade on Sunday.  I’ve been a judge for the past maybe 5 years.  Should be a good time.  ■  As always, time for bed.

Front, or back?

Here are a couple of quick pencil sketches of a home that I need to draw.  Should I draw the front (top), or back (bottom) of the house?  The back of the house is on Chesapeake Bay and the pier makes it kind of interesting.  ■  Your thoughts?

Good gig, cold beer, and shrimp on the barbie . . .

Before I forget – happy Mother’s Day.  ■  Had a pretty good gig this afternoon.  Nice crowd – not as large as we’d like, but it was Mother’s Day, so I wouldn’t expect a huge one.  ■  We did shrimp and scallops on the grill tonight.  Delicious.  ■  The note card above is our invitation to the rehearsal dinner.  It’s a quick pencil drawing of the home that we’re renting and where we’re hosting the party.  Should be fun.  ■  Finally got the guitar that I purchased last December back from being setup.  In all fairness I kept telling our setup guy to put my guitar on the back burner and work on the customer’s first.  I’ll post a picture of it sometime this week.  It’s a very unique guitar for a Fender.  ■  I’ve got two drawing finished that I need to ship out this week.  In one I have to finish drawing in pink flamingos.  Don’t ask.  ■ 

. . . lots going on . . . . .

and it’s fun!  ■  It’s always fun – and productive – to have lots going on.  I’m busy, but that’s good.  Just wish it were bringing in money.  ■  The sketch in this post is a first attempt to draw the home we’ll be renting for our daughter’s wedding.  I’ve drawn it to put on invitations for a pre-wedding party.  I’ll mail those out tomorrow, so I’ll post the final edition in the next couple of days.  I don’t want to spoil the drawing for those on the invitation list.  ■  I’ve started on another drawing, which I had planned on scanning and putting up on the customer’s web page, but I’m a little behind.  ■  Parties – my neighbor Jac, is having another one of his fabulous summer parties.  Can’t wait.  ■ 

It’s been awhile . . . .

. . . . since I last blogged.  I’ve been busy – that’s my excuse and I’m stickin’ to it.  ■  I’ve been working on a pen and ink of an apartment building in NY.  It’s interesting to try and draw this one.  Trying to find the right perspective; get dimensions correct; and even try and see the details that need to go into to the drawing – and trying to make what’s important – to stand out.  ■  No work today at the store.  Business has been poor and we’ve lost some more students to baseball and general summer stuff.  I started working there 4 days, then 5, then 6, and now I’m at about 3.  Not good.  The economy needs to pick up – we need more people to get good jobs.  ■  The oil-spill situation in the Gulf has me very concerned.  Not only do we have friends that live on the gulf coast – about a block away from the beach, but the loss of the great seafood also concerns me – as well as all of the fishermen whose livelihood depends on fishing there.  ■  I’m thinking of opening up a facebook page for my pen and ink business.  What do you think about that?  Let me know.  ■