Sunday, February 3, 2008

Drawer's block



It's hard to believe but I started a drawing a couple of weeks ago and then I couldn't finish it cause I liked the beginning so much I was afraid I'd screw it up by finishing it. But I finally did finish it and I'm happy with it because it turned out to be a value study. I realized during the process that I'd been drawn to the original photo because it's such an interesting composition. It's a Christmas picture of two of my grandchildren and their furry little dog. Schnauzer to be exact. I didn't go for likenesses, just value - though I like to think I caught the dog pretty nicely!

I haven't been doing well on my resolution to paint or draw every day. Nevertheless I am doing some stuff. I just got some Yupo paper so I'm going to start experimenting with that.

I seem to have a lot on my plate just now, and one thing is that I'm having to give my cat a bath and lime-sulphur treatment twice a week. I've never given a cat a bath in my life until this recent experience. My cat, Grady, has been amazingly patient with the process. He has a form of mite called Demodex Gatois, or something like that. If you know of an easier way to treat it, LET ME KNOW. We're only halfway through the six-week series. I'd be so happy if he could just take a pill, but apparently there isn't a pill for this - rather unusual - form of mange. Leave it to my dippy little cat to have a hard-to-treat skin condition. Oddly, the baths have been sort of a bonding experience. Sort of.

I'm reading a wonderful library book called Vermeer, authors' names Blankert, Montias and Aillaud. Highly recommended if you're an admirer- which I certainly am.