Happy Sunday everyone! I hope you’ve all been staying warm during this winter. It was very cold here last week but thankfully no repeat of the 2022 winter storm. Anyway, thank you to Deb at Readerbuzz for hosting this chat.
What I’m reading: For my commute I started a new audiobook, Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng. It starts with the dramatic sentence that, “Lydia is dead. But they don’t know it yet.” Lydia being a teenager in 1970s Ohio. I’m on chapter four and am really hooked.
What I’m watching: We love crime dramas and recently discovered Gangs of Oslo. Two childhood friends are now on opposite sides of the law. Three episodes in and so far so good.
What I’m savoring: Given that it’s been so cold it’s perfect soup weather. So we’ve been having a variety of soups and hot chocolate for an afternoon treat.
What I’ve been creating: I mentioned that I’m participating in Wanderlust 2024 and so far have kept up with the classes. Ok, it’s only three but that’s a great start for me. One of the classes we did recently was on watercolors and I love the look of watercolors but always find them so challenging. I think because I have typically worked with oils or acrylics and they can be more forgiving as they allow you more time. But the class I took was great and first step was just to try and make different brush strokes and familiarize yourself with the brushes you have.
I wanted to share a photo of two watercolor spreads of tidal pools. No laughing at the mussels (dark blue items) on the bottom of the page! haha. We were supposed to use a toothbrush to make them and I didn’t have an extra toothbrush lying around so I had to use a small brush. Anyway, I cut up a larger piece of watercolor paper and taped it side by side so I could work on both at the same time. I was actually quite happy with the end result.
What is my quote for the week: “Don’t think about making art. Just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad. Whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding make even more art.” ~ Andy Warhol.
I think this quote can easily apply to any type of creative endeavor. So, hope it also gives you that little push to go and do something creative.
How about you, how’s your weekend going? Any big plans for next week?
I had to go back to my blog to see if I read Everything I Never Told You. I did, and I’ll be interested to hear how you like it.
I’ll check out Gangs of Oslo and see if it’s something my husband and my mom would be interested in. We just finished the second season of Reacher, which was very good. Tried to watch True Detective with Jodi Foster, but after the first episode we decided it was too much of a supernatural/sci-fi show for my mom, so I’ll finish it on my own. We may try Monsieur Spade, which just launched this month. And, of course, there’s always Vera. 🙂
It’s definitely soup weather here, too. I’ve made a couple of different soups this past week and tonight I’m roasting a chicken to have with mashed potatoes, gravy, and peas. Comfort food!
Your watercolors are very good! My sister-in-law started doing a lot of watercolors a few years ago, teaching herself by watching Youtube videos. I’m sure it’s a lot more difficult than it looks! Great quote by Warhol. Words to live by.
In the last couple of weeks we have had Baked Potato Soup and Chili and Tortellini Soup. The Senior Center had a soup exchange last week; I didn’t get a chance to go, but I’m filing away the idea for a future date.
Love the paintings! Watercolor has always intimidated me a bit. I’m taking a drawing class this semester and it starts tomorrow.
It is perfect soup weather! And I love that Andy Warhol quote. I’d love to do more art this year. 😀
“Beautiful soup!” was a great song in Alice in Wonderland!!
A favorite food in all the cold places. Oddly, on our recent trip to tropical Costa Rica we tried a great tomato-based soup called Aztec Soup. It is very similar to Mexican tortilla soup. Not just for cold weather!
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Soup seems to be a favorite this last week. Well, I’m glad the cold is gone and glad it didn’t coincide with the rain that falling briskly this morning. Could have been a big mess again. We had chicken and dumplings in the slow cooker last week. It was quite satisfying. Good luck with your art. I am so very not artistic, but I love to admire what others create. As to your reading, I have also read the Celeste Ng book and liked it. I’ll join Les in being curious what you will think when you finish it. Hope you have a good week, Iliana.
Celeste Ng’s books always sound so good. Your art class sounds so fun. And what beautiful art you’ve created! I wish I could find a good art class for my daughter that fits our schedule. She loves art and trying different mediums. I hope you have a great week, Iliana!
Nice, I like your watercolors artwork; keep it going! Oh the Celeste Ng novel … that’s a doozy. See what you think.
Your watercolors look great! You have so much talent!