Day 273 - 365/2014

Day Two Hundred Seventy-Three

I had an idea with the big blue fluffy guy and I took a few photos and posted them to my Facebook page.  People seemed to like the idea.  I added a video and I got good responses.  I have been thinking about it all day, I worked on the mask a little more, re-shot the photos (so that they are less blurry) and re-shot the video.

Supposing this guy turns out to be a biteyou...

...and I tweak the paper mask some more...

...and it starts looking more wolf-like...

...maybe he could be a wolf-like creature who is transforming under the full moon...but he is still really just a little biteyou.

Tomorrow morning I will be having coffee with Joan, Leann, and Jan...the mask will be what I will be working on, so I needed a little bit of a sketch.  It may change between now and tomorrow, but at least I've got a plan.

Something to start with.

Day 272 - 365/2014

Day Two Hundred Seventy-Two

I have a number of projects I want/need to be working on.  One of them is the big fluffy blue creature with the stitched moon.  I was thinking today that maybe he could be wearing a mask and I could make the mask (or face) separately and then stitch it to the collage, too...to tie in to the stitched moon.  The problem I see with this is keeping it from becoming too craftsy. 

Here are the photos of today's experiment (so far).

The mask made out of white card stock, blue tissue paper, and dark blue Unryu paper.

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I think I want to embellish the mask with stitching but I need to reel myself in a bit and not let it get too out of hand.  I just don't know yet.

Day 271 - 365/2014

Day Two Hundred Seventy-One  (updated)

I wasn't going to work on this today but it was bugging me too much to leave it alone.

I erased the light pencil mark face with an Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.  Then I filled in the rest of the unpainted area.

There.  Now I feel better.

And no -- this will not be a biteyou...but here is what it might have looked like as one.

update:  9:40pm  -- Oh heck...I decided to just touch everything up and while I wasn't paying attention too well I accidentally painted from the left side into the bottom of the empty space a little bit.  At first I was mildly annoyed with myself, then I figured that space was going to need to be painted anyway, so I might as well start with a solid color and not worry about getting paint on the legs.  Now it is all smooth and pretty well covered.

Day 270 - 365/2014

Day Two Hundred Seventy

Oh man...what did I get myself into?  I really dislike painting -- especially walls.  What the hell?

This is as far as I got tonight.  I bought a quart of the color I did the outline with and it looks a bit darker than the little tester pot.  No biggie...this is just the base coat/outline any way.  I am so unused to doing stuff like this anymore and I can't take too much physically (apparently).  I was very annoyed to find it difficult to step up onto the fireplace ledge thing...cripes. Oh well...what is going to happen is what will happen...I have fairly high hopes for this project.  It will take me forever, though. 

A few of the drawings from this afternoon...still not sure where I am going with this.

Practicing the "gonna getcha" hands.

Where I stopped last night.

As far as I got tonight...this takes a lot more balance than I was considering...also, it is pretty fumes-y.

Day 269 - 365/2014

Day Two Hundred Sixty-Nine

I keep staring at that blank fireplace wall in the den...not exactly sure what I want or how I want it to get there.  Very first very sketchy sketch.  NOT locked into anything yet...not even close.

I am just thinking this sort of thing could be something I could do myself..."life size".

Day 268 - 365/2014

Day Two Hundred Sixty-Eight

My sister Sue is still healing (and progressing pretty darn well) from her horrible broken leg.  Tonight was the first night that she was able to groom her baby herself.  I helped by brushing out his mane and tail, but I worked as quickly as I could and then moved my upside down bucket/"seat" out of the way.  Sue did all of the other grooming chores.  It took roughly two hours (but it didn't feel like it) and it was so good to see Sue and Kleegal have time together again. 

We got over to the barn just as Chris was bringing the horses in for dinner.  Kleegal is very mellow after that and the whole process is really relaxing and calming for both Sue and Kleegal.  We kept him in the stalls barn and it is a lot smaller in that aisleway versus the larger barn with the indoor arena and lockers area (where we were the last time).

Sue and barn owner Chris down at the entrance to the stalls barn.

Kleegal still in his stall -- I got to put his halter on and lead him out to the crossties.

Sue and Kleegal -- I was choking back the tears during their initial reunion.  Sue was able to get close(r) to him a couple of weeks ago in the other barn, but she still couldn't do anything with him at that point because she was still on crutches.

I am amazed at what the wind does to his mane...it is almost like it puts it into tiny braided sections...but it goes a step further and somehow ties knots at the ends. 

Just so strange what the wind does!

Kleegal and one of the owner's horses...I can't remember his name, but he was a race horse.  Kleegal was slated to be a harness race horse but (thankfully) it didn't work out.

Look at that gorgeously combed out tail!  Sue is starting to work her way around his legs, checking for whatever she was checking for.

Just look at that mane now!

Sue getting started on his ears.

And yep, she used all of this stuff!

Finishing up cleaning out his last foot.

I made Sue sit for a little while.  Kleegal is not used to seeing Sue sit down and take a break while she is grooming him.

Nearly done...just taking an enforced break.

Sue probably won't be ready to ride for another month or so.  She said for sure she won't be getting back on her bike until at least next spring.  Sue's daughter Devon (and Devon's boyfriend Sam) have helped to groom and do groundwork with Kleegal, but Sue has really missed the closeness with Kleegal and doing the hands-on grooming herself. 

I enjoyed being with Sue and Kleegal and I enjoyed combing out his mane and tail, but I am SO not cut out for this sort of work!  And then there was the babystep walking on unfamiliar and very uneven ground outside of the barn to the car in the near-dark.  Wow.  Yes indeed...I need indoor companions!

 

Day 267 - 365/2014

Day Two Hundred Sixty-Seven

I spent an absolutely lovely day with Peggy Kerwan.  I am going to have to break our adventures into two parts because there are just too many photos and it becomes a bit overwhelming to take it all in.

We started our day with a visit to Gilda's Club in Royal Oak to see the murals that Peggy worked on as Kate Paul's assistant painter.  The murals are just magical and transport the viewer into other realms of fantasy and make believe.

I was so lucky to get a (somewhat) guided tour through the various lands...all I can really do is show you a lot of photos I took.  If you are ever in the area, you really must visit and see for yourself!  It is a constant source of amazement for me how your brain knows that the walls and paintings are flat, but your eyes and heart take you right into the fantastical landscapes and you wander over hills, behind trees, around bends (chasing kangaroos)...you just really need to see for yourself.

Gilda's Club Metro Detroit

3517 Rochester Road, Royal Oak, MI 48073

HOURS: Open 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Monday through Thursday

Closed Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Holidays with the exception of special weekend events and workshops

PHONE: 248-577-0800