River Voyage & Polar Exhibition

River Voyage, a photo by megan_n_smith_99 on Flickr.

This is one of my recent paintings -- a river voyage. Or perhaps a river drift - I've left off oars OR a sail. Perhaps this dapper bird can use his wings as a sail. He could adjust them at will.

River Voyage
8x8"
Watercolor & Ink
Available on Etsy

I am currently listening to the audio book of The Worst Voyage in the World
by Apsley Cherry-Gerrard, which is the story of Terra Nova Expedition of 1910. This was one of Robert Falcon Scott's attempt to reach the South Pole.

It certainly has a bit of the Victorian pluck - particularly given how the expedition ended-- The narrator, one of the survivors, seems to take everything in robust stride - "The dogs are trying to eat the ponies? Jolly good." etc.

It also amuses me just what they considered necessities on such a voyage -- real silver cutlery, a phonograph, hot cocoa (ok, I agree with them that one.) Shackleton, on his earlier expedition, brought among other things 252 pounds of honey, several oil paintings, and just about every variety of tinned fruit you could imagine. Though I suppose that was practical for preventing scurvy. They brought tea of course, Lipton (odd choice?) though there is no record how much tea they brought. They brought at least 2 teapots.

Another thing that amuses me is that it seems that the polar explorers of that era thought nothing of abandoning food in camps (where it would later be found at eaten by another party, who cares if it sat open for months or years? It's in a giant icebox.) Having been that careless about food, they still took the time to stop and bury any dogs who died, with cairns and one supposes full military honors.

I clearly do not have what it takes to be an arctic explorer..

A Fun Acorn Project for Autumn

more acorns!, a photo by megan_n_smith_99 on Flickr.
I made these acorns using the tutorial at Resurrection Fern. You can make a whole bunch of these in just a short time and They would make quite fetching holiday ornaments!

Ballard Sunday Market

Ballard Sunday Market, a photo by megan_n_smith_99 on Flickr.

I had such a nice afternoon, strolling through the Ballard Sunday Market. I got some apples, and peaches, and cauliflower. And some gluten free cookies. And I sat on the curb for a while, in the sun, with tiny golden leaves raining down on me, drawing and watching people. Well, mostly watching small children and dogs, because they were at my level and sometimes more interesting than adults.

This photo is of a pair of street musicians. I do love an upright bass. The bridges are the size of a kitten.

Theo Ellsworth

Theo Ellsworth, Understanding Monster 1 and Capacity, a photo by megan_n_smith_99 on Flickr.

Do you know who Theo Ellsworth is? Well, you should. He is one of my favorite pen and ink artists. I was lying in the sun yesterday reading his new book, Understanding Monster 1. And looking back and another favorite of mine - Capacity. You should visit his blog and his
website.


Enjoy!

Two Falling Leaves

Two, a photo by megan_n_smith_99 on Flickr.

It is turning out to be a beautiful autumn. Crisp days with occasional morning fog and cool nights. The sunsets have been gorgeous, though unfortunately that's more to do with particulates in the air. I have been watching the sun set over the Olympic Mountains every evening. I wish I could capture it - maybe one could with a good camera, a long exposure, and for that matter a tripod - but really you'd never quite capture it. Every night and it still feels like a luxury. I think I am banking light, like most people in Seattle. We know it isn't going to last much longer. If you can sit in the sun and drink a Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte, then you know its a mild autumn.

I leave you with a quote:

“Soon it got dusk, a grapy dusk, a purple dusk over tangerine groves and long melon fields; the sun the color of pressed grapes, slashed with burgandy red, the fields the color of love and Spanish mysteries.”
― Jack Kerouac, On the Road


Today's painting:
Two
5 x 5"
Watercolor & Ink
Available on Etsy.

New! Luxury Shawls

I've launched a new project. I've been working on knitting one-of-a-kind luxury shawls. These are wearable works of art! They'd be great for weddings, holiday parties, prom, and any special occasion. I think they'd be perfect for bridesmaids. I have several in my Etsy Shop and I can also take custom orders.

Show at Miro Tea in Seattle Washington

I just wanted to remind you that I have a show up at Miro Tea in Seattle, Washington:


5405 Ballard Avenue N.W
Seattle, WA 98107.
• Monday through Saturday from 8:00 A.M. until 10:00 P.M.
• Sunday from 8:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M.

There will be a reception as part of Ballard Art Walk:
Saturday October 13th, 6pm to 9pm.

My artwork will be on display until October 31st.