Scrappy Cat

Grapefruit

2012-01-26T18:12:00.001-06:00

Grapefruit
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
I'm sewing again so I'm not sketching as much these days, but I did manage to sketch my lunchtime fruit before eating it. I used a gray Copic Multi-liner for the sketch and the journaling, which I like but it's pretty light - almost like graphite. And I used a Preppy fountain pen with Noodler's Lexington Gray for the title and border.

Just for Fun

2012-01-25T22:18:00.000-06:00

Take the Jane Austen Character Quiz here!

All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque

2012-01-25T22:16:00.000-06:00

My first book for the WWI reading challenge hosted by War Through the Generations blog was this classic anti-war novel, which I'd never read. It tells the story of a group of young men whose school master shames them into enlisting in the German Army. It describes the fear and horror they experienced much of the time.

"We crouch behind every corner, behind every barrier of barbed wire, and hurl heaps of explosives at the feet of the advancing enemy before we run. The blast of the hand-grenades impinges powerfully on our arms and legs; crouching like cats we run on, overwhelmed by this wave that bears us along, that fills us with ferocity, turns us into thugs, into murderers, into God only knows what devils; this wave that multiplies our strength with fear and madness and greed of life, seeking and fighting for nothing but our deliverance. If your own father came over with them you would not hesitate to fling a bomb at him." (pgs. 113-4)

And it discusses the futility of war to those who fight.

"A word of command has made these silent figures our enemies; a word of command might transform them into our friends. At some table a document is signed by some persons whom none of us knows, and then for years together that very crime on which formerly the world's condemnation and severest penalty fall, becomes our highest aim. But who can draw such a distinction when he looks at these quiet men with their childlike faces and apostles' beards. Any non-commissioned officer is more of an enemy to a recruit, any schoolmaster to a pupil, than they are to us. And yet we would shoot at them again and they at us if they were free." (pgs. 193-4)

I rated this 3 out of 5.

Tangelo

2012-01-25T20:42:00.001-06:00

Tangelo
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
I'm sewing again so I'm not sketching as much these days, but I did manage to sketch my lunchtime fruit before peeling and eating it.

I also doodled in the title (the theme for the Sketchbook Challenge this month is doodling).

How to Make a Journal of Your Life by Dan Price

2012-01-08T17:25:00.000-06:00

This is a very quirky little book hand drawn by hobo artist Dan Price. It was a fun read because I like looking at other artist's journals. If you're looking for instructions on making a journal, you won't find it here, but it's a worthwhile book anyway. I rate it 3 out of 5.

Louie's

2012-01-07T23:21:00.001-06:00

Louie's
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
I intend to start taking my sketching supplies with me more often, so I started by taking it to the restaurant we went to for my birthday dinner (not where we had planned on going, but we forgot how crowded restaurants get on Friday nights).

My Birthday

2012-01-07T23:20:00.001-06:00

My Birthday
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
Roz Stendahl writes in her blog, Roz Wound Up, about doing a little bit of everything you love on New Year's Day to set your intentions for the year. I wasn't able to do that this year for whatever reasons, so I decided it would be a good thing to do on my birthday instead. I spent some time quilting, piecing, sketching, and photo-designing (I'm making a calendar for my husband using his photos). The one thing I didn't find time for was machine embroidery, but I did work on installing my embroidery software on my desktop computer, which is newer and faster than my laptop where the software has been. All in all, it was a good day.

2012 Challenges

2012-01-07T23:01:00.000-06:00

My friend Kathy (Catching Happiness) asked me whether I was doing any new reading challenges this year and I realized that I hadn't posted about that yet. I'm doing one reading challenge this year. It's my 4th year to do the War Through the Generations Challenge, and this year the focus is on World War I. The previous 3 years were US Civil War (2011), Vietnam (2010), and World War II (2009 and my first ever reading challenge). Last year I did 5 challenges, but I selected challenges that I knew I could finish easily, which isn't really the point of a challenge, is it? So I decided to do just one reading challenge, but to choose the Wade level (4-10 books) instead of Dip (1-3 books). I've selected my first 3 books: All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque, A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway (which is the book for the 2012 read-along), and War Horse by Michael Morpurgo (I don't usually read children's books, but I wanted to read this before seeing the movie).

The only other challenge I've signed up for this year isn't a reading challenge; it's The Sketchbook Challenge. I did this one last year too, and participated in 9 of the 12 monthly themes.

Shadow of a Quarter Moon by Eileen Clymer Schwab

2012-01-06T21:29:00.000-06:00

1839 North Carolina - After her father dies, Jacy's unfeeling mother Claudia calls her a quadroon and reveals to her that her real mother is a slave who is still on the plantation. Claudia tries to marry Jacy off to a man whom Jacy fears and hates. Jacy runs away when Claudia threatens to sell her slave mother. While I mostly enjoyed the story, the dialogue felt stilted to me. I also thought that Jacy came to understand herself and her place in the world a bit too quickly. But I did enjoy learning about the role that the Great Dismal Swamp played in the Underground Railroad. While the book was set before the Civil War, it dealt with the issues of slavery and the Underground Railroad, so I included it as a book read for the Civil War Challenge 2011 (I finished it one day late - January 1st). I rated it 3 out of 5.

The Traitor's Wife: A Novel by Kathleen Kent

2011-12-29T11:00:00.000-06:00

This is a prequel to The Heretic's Daughter, which I read in 2010 and reviewed here. Set in 1673 New England, Martha Allen works as a servant in her cousin's household. Thomas Carrier is a laborer for the family with a mysterious past. I enjoyed this book, but I thought The Heretic's Daughter was even better. I might have liked it more if I had read it first, although it was interesting to learn the history of Martha and Thomas. I rated it 4 out of 5.

A Day in Books (meme)

2011-12-26T17:03:00.003-06:00

My friend Kathy Johnson posted about her day in books (here), and I thought it was so much fun that I had to try it for myself. All books are ones I read this year.

I began the day with Abundance.

On my way to work I saw The Falls

and walked by A Room With A View

to avoid The Fiction Class.

But I made sure to stop at Coventry.

In the office, my boss said, “Let the Great World Spin,”

and sent me to research The Curious Incident of the Dog in theNight-Time.

At lunch with The Traitor's Wife,

I noticed Enemy Women

under The Black Flower,

then went back to my desk, Radioactive.

Later, on the journey home, I bought Dinner at Antoine's

because I was Lost in the City.

Then settling down for the evening, I picked up The Book of Ruth

and studied The Shipping News

before saying goodnight to Lolita.

Radioactive: Marie and Pierre Curie by Lauren Redniss

2011-12-21T21:33:00.001-06:00

This was a very unusual book. When I first heard a review of it, I thought it was a graphic novel but it wasn't; at least not like the few (ok, make that two) graphic novels I've read before. It looked more like a children's picture book, but it wasn't that either. It was an artful biography of Marie and Pierre Curie. I enjoyed the book for the most part, but found the jumps forward and backward in time to be somewhat disorienting. It was interesting learning about the Curies. I rated it 3 out of 5.

Backpack

2011-12-20T22:45:00.001-06:00

Backpack
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
This worked really well to carry everything comfortably all over NOLA for a week. The only drawback to a backpack is it's harder to get stuff out of it when you want to, but IMO the added comfort makes up for that.

Comfort

2011-12-18T15:17:00.001-06:00

Comfort
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
All I ever wear anymore is comfortable shoes, so even though we walked all over NOLA, my feet never hurt.

Sweet & Juicy

2011-12-18T11:32:00.001-06:00

Sweet & Juicy
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
I don't buy oranges very often, even though I like them. I was out of orange peel in the freezer, so I bought a few oranges for the peels. But they've been very tasty too. And of course I had to sketch this one before I ate it.

Bagel

2011-12-07T22:56:00.001-06:00

Bagel
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
I did this for an exercise in Danny Gregory's book, The Creative License.

Special Purchases for NOLA

2011-12-03T22:06:00.001-06:00

Special Purchases for NOLA
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
I bought a couple of items specifically for my Imaginary Trip Made Real to New Orleans, although I'll use both of them again. Note - the items are NOT to scale - the stool should be larger or the neck pouch should be smaller! LOL!

My Palette

2011-11-30T22:25:00.001-06:00

My Palette
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
This is in my NOLA Live journal, as it's the palette I took there. I want to document some of the supplies I took with me. And yes, my palette is usually this messy (or even messier!). The list of colors is on the facing page, which I've posted here.

The Artist on the Road - Impressions of Greece by Richard Sheppard

2011-11-29T18:13:00.001-06:00

This is the author's first book, and it is delightful - I hope it's not his last. It is a travel journal of his two-and-a-half-week journey through Greece, with his thoughts and drawings. Since I hope to go to Greece someday, it is especially meaningful to me. Combining this book with a guidebook should help me plan my trip, whenever that may occur. I rate it 5 out of 5.

The Chosen by Chaim Potok

2011-11-28T17:32:00.001-06:00

From Amazon reviews:

In 1940s Brooklyn, New York, an accident throws Reuven Malther and Danny Saunders together. Despite their differences (Reuven is a Modern Orthodox Jew with an intellectual, Zionist father; Danny is the brilliant son and rightful heir to a Hasidic rebbe), the young men form a deep, if unlikely, friendship. Together they negotiate adolescence, family conflicts, the crisis of faith engendered when Holocaust stories begin to emerge in the U.S., loss, love, and the journey to adulthood. The intellectual and spiritual clashes between fathers, between each son and his own father, and between the two young men, provide a unique backdrop for this exploration of fathers, sons, faith, loyalty, and, ultimately, the power of love.

I read this book for my book club. I had actually read it many years ago (probably while I was in high school), and then my husband and I had listened to the audio version a couple of years ago while on a car trip. I decided to read it again in order to be able to discuss it somewhat intelligently and I'm glad I did - I enjoyed it again and it was an interesting discussion. I rate it 4 out of 5.

Germaine Cazenave Wells Mardi Gras Museum

2011-11-26T22:55:00.001-06:00

Germaine Cazenave Wells Mardi Gras Museum
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
I decided to focus in on the part of the costume that interested me the most - the wings or whatever they are on the shoulders. And that way I didn't have to draw the face (of the mannequin)! LOL!!

Beauregard Keyes House

2011-11-26T22:54:00.001-06:00

Beauregard Keyes House
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
This house was particularly interesting to me since I had read Dinner at Antoine's by Frances Parkinson Keyes shortly before going to New Orleans. And we really lucked out on the weather - the day started out looking like rain, but the sun came out just in time for us to sketch outside in the lovely garden.

Lunch at Commander's Palace

2011-11-23T08:05:00.001-06:00

Lunch at Commander's Palace
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
We had a fabulous lunch at Commander's Palace Restaurant - my favorite by far of all the great places we ate.

Breakfast Room

2011-11-23T08:04:00.001-06:00

Breakfast Room
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
We stayed at Place d'Armes, which had a beautiful courtyard. On my free afternoon, I sketched this view of the door to the breakfast room.

Raw Art Journaling by Quinn McDonald

2011-11-22T22:51:00.001-06:00

I worked through this book with one of my Yahoo groups, Artists of the Round Table. We did a section each week for ten weeks. It is a different kind of journaling than I normally do, but I enjoyed the process and will probably incorporate a few of the ideas from the book into my journaling practice over time. The author joined the group and led the workshop and she was very generous with her time. I rated the book 4 out of 5.

Keeping a Watercolor Sketchbook by Brenda Swenson

2011-11-22T22:07:00.001-06:00

After working on Brenda Swenson's 75 Day Sketch Challenge for a couple of months, I realized that I had this book of hers sitting on my shelf, so I pulled it out to read it. I really enjoyed all of her artwork in the book. It has fairly basic information, so I can't say that I learned a lot of new things, but it was still a worthwhile read. I rated it 4 out of 5.

Lafayette Cemetery

2011-11-22T09:28:00.003-06:00

Lafayette Cemetery
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
It might sound morbid, but I actually found our cemetery tour to be very interesting. I sketched this with a water soluble pen.

Oak Alley Plantation

2011-11-22T09:28:00.001-06:00

Oak Alley Plantation
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
We spent the second day of our Imaginary Trips Made Real at Oak Alley Plantation.

Cafe Du Monde

2011-11-21T22:07:00.005-06:00

Cafe Du Monde
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
After our Mardi Gras World tour, we had lunch at Antoine's, a walking tour of the French Quarter in the afternoon, dinner at Mother's, and beignets at Cafe Du Monde.

Mardi Gras World Tour

2011-11-21T22:07:00.003-06:00

Mardi Gras World Tour
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
For the first full day of our Imaginary Trips Made Real, we toured Mardi Gras World in the morning.

Breakfast at The Decadence Shoppe

2011-11-21T22:07:00.001-06:00

Breakfast at The Decadence Shoppe
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
We had breakfast at The Decadence Shoppe the first 2 mornings I was in New Orleans (I went a couple of days early).

First Days in New Orleans

2011-11-16T12:13:00.001-06:00

First Days in New Orleans
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
I went to New Orleans with 8 other artists for Laure Ferlita's first Imaginary Trips Made Real and had a fabulous time! I started sketching on the plane on my way there and continued to sketch every day I was there. There was so much to see and do that we didn't always have enough time to sketch as much we wanted, but I don't know what I would eliminate in order to have more sketching time. Thanks Laure for a great trip!

Bradford Pear

2011-11-15T16:05:00.001-06:00

Bradford Pear
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
This is probably our most colorful tree and I always enjoy looking at it, so today I sketched it. It was a fairly warm afternoon sitting in the sun.

Very New Orleans by Diana Hollingsworth Gessler

2011-11-15T14:43:00.001-06:00

This is an absolutely charming little book - part guide book, part sketchbook, filled with delightful illustrations on every page. It was a great read in preparation for my trip to New Orleans. I rate it 5 out of 5.

Dinner at Antoine's by Frances Parkinson Keyes

2011-11-15T14:34:00.001-06:00

This is one of the books I read in preparation for my trip to New Orleans last week. Antoine's is the oldest restaurant in New Orleans, and the opening scene of the novel is set there. It was originally published in 1948, so the writing style is very different from today, and so are the customs that are described. It is a murder mystery, and while I don't read many mysteries, I enjoyed this book for the glimpse into life in New Orleans. I rate it 3 out of 5.

Imaginary Trip to New Orleans - Gichi Ziibi (Mississippi River)

2011-11-14T22:03:00.001-06:00

Gichi Ziibi
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
I'm taking another Imaginary Trip to New Orleans with Laure Ferlita. It's a great warm up for NOLA Live - Laure's first Imaginary Trip Made Real.

Imaginary Trip to New Orleans - Street Performer

2011-11-14T22:02:00.009-06:00

Street Performer
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
I'm taking another Imaginary Trip to New Orleans with Laure Ferlita. It's a great warm up for NOLA Live - Laure's first Imaginary Trip Made Real.

Imaginary Trip to New Orleans - Hidden Gems

2011-11-14T22:02:00.007-06:00

Hidden Gems
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
I'm taking another Imaginary Trip to New Orleans with Laure Ferlita. It's a great warm up for NOLA Live - Laure's first Imaginary Trip Made Real.

Imaginary Trip to New Orleans - Slave Exchange

2011-11-14T22:02:00.005-06:00

Slave Exchange
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
I'm taking another Imaginary Trip to New Orleans with Laure Ferlita. It's a great warm up for NOLA Live - Laure's first Imaginary Trip Made Real.

Imaginary Trip to New Orleans - St. Elizabeth's

2011-11-14T22:02:00.003-06:00

St. Elizabeth's
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
I'm taking another Imaginary Trip to New Orleans with Laure Ferlita. It's a great warm up for NOLA Live - Laure's first Imaginary Trip Made Real.

Imaginary Trip to New Orleans - Food

2011-11-14T22:02:00.001-06:00

Food
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
I'm taking another Imaginary Trip to New Orleans with Laure Ferlita. It's a great warm up for NOLA Live - Laure's first Imaginary Trip Made Real.

Imaginary Trip to New Orleans - Wrought Iron

2011-11-14T22:01:00.005-06:00

Wrought Iron
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
I'm taking another Imaginary Trip to New Orleans with Laure Ferlita. It's a great warm up for NOLA Live - Laure's first Imaginary Trip Made Real.

Imaginary Trip to New Orleans - Bourbon Street

2011-11-14T22:01:00.003-06:00

Bourbon Street
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
I'm taking another Imaginary Trip to New Orleans with Laure Ferlita. It's a great warm up for NOLA Live - Laure's first Imaginary Trip Made Real.

Imaginary Trip to New Orleans - Shutters

2011-11-14T22:01:00.001-06:00

Shutters
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
I'm taking another Imaginary Trip to New Orleans with Laure Ferlita. It's a great warm up for NOLA Live - Laure's first Imaginary Trip Made Real.

Imaginary Trip to New Orleans - St. Charles Trolley

2011-11-04T08:35:00.001-05:00

Imaginary Trip to New Orleans - St. Charles Trolley
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
I'm back - taking another imaginary trip with Laure Ferlita. It's a great warm up for NOLA Live - Laure's first Imaginary Trip Made Real.

I'm leaving in a little while for New Orleans on Laure Ferlita's first "Imaginary Trip Made Real" and I'm so excited I can hardly wait. I've always wanted to go to New Orleans, and ever since I took my first imaginary trip with Laure I've wanted to meet her in person. So I'm doing both, and I'll be spending a week with a few other artists I've met in Laure's classes - it should be a great week.

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 75

2011-11-01T17:28:00.001-05:00

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 75
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
I finished the challenge. Not a very exciting sketch for my final one of the challenge, but that's the way it goes sometimes. I intend to continue sketching almost every day because it's been so helpful.

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 74

2011-10-31T21:32:00.005-05:00

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 74
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
For Brenda Swenson's 75 Day Sketch Challenge - drawing in pen and ink only every day for 75 days. The challenge can be seen here. Just one more day!!

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 73

2011-10-31T21:32:00.003-05:00

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 73
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
For Brenda Swenson's 75 Day Sketch Challenge - drawing in pen and ink only every day for 75 days. The challenge can be seen here.

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 72

2011-10-31T21:32:00.001-05:00

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 72
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
For Brenda Swenson's 75 Day Sketch Challenge - drawing in pen and ink only every day for 75 days. The challenge can be seen here.

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 71

2011-10-28T23:00:00.000-05:00

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 71
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
I sketched the gourd in pen and then added watercolor instead of shading with pen. I did use pencil for the title and writing, but I figure that doesn't matter, since the gourd was straight to pen. I'm almost through with the challenge - it's been really good for me. I hope to continue to draw almost every day even after the challenge is over.

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 70

2011-10-28T22:38:00.001-05:00

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 70
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
For Brenda Swenson's 75 Day Sketch Challenge - drawing in pen and ink only every day for 75 days. The challenge can be seen here.

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 68

2011-10-27T21:06:00.007-05:00

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 68
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
For Brenda Swenson's 75 Day Sketch Challenge - drawing in pen and ink only every day for 75 days. The challenge can be seen here.

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 67

2011-10-27T21:06:00.005-05:00

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 67
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
I took the opportunity to draw an onion, since I rarely buy them - my DH is allergic to them. For Brenda Swenson's 75 Day Sketch Challenge - drawing in pen and ink only every day for 75 days. The challenge can be seen here.

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 65

2011-10-27T21:06:00.003-05:00

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 65
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
For Brenda Swenson's 75 Day Sketch Challenge - drawing in pen and ink only every day for 75 days. The challenge can be seen here.

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 64

2011-10-27T21:06:00.001-05:00

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 64
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
For Brenda Swenson's 75 Day Sketch Challenge - drawing in pen and ink only every day for 75 days. The challenge can be seen here.

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 63

2011-10-23T15:11:00.003-05:00

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 63
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
This is the fireplace in our cabin at Devil's Den State Park, Arkansas. I actually drew this on day 62, but since I drew other things too, and I missed day 63 (the first day I've missed since I began the challenge), I'm counting it for day 63.

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 60

2011-10-23T15:11:00.001-05:00

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 60
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
We spent a few days at Devil's Den State Park in Arkansas where we met some friends who moved to Little Rock last year. This is the fireplace in our friends' cabin. I did this for the Sketchbook Challenge's current month's theme of View. Also for Brenda Swenson's 75 Day Sketch Challenge - drawing in pen and ink only every day for 75 days. The challenge can be seen here.

Sketching & Watercolor in a Mixed Media Journal / 75 Day Sketch Challenge

2011-10-23T15:08:00.000-05:00

Another online class with Jane LaFazio.

Class Lesson 1 and Challenge Day 56 & 57

Sewing room tools. This is the first time I've sketched in a journal this large (9 X 12), allowing for the addition of several items to a page. Also for Brenda Swenson's 75 Day Sketch Challenge - drawing in pen and ink only every day for 75 days. The challenge can be seen here.

Class Lesson 2 and Challenge Day 61 & 62

Some of the acorns and colorful leaves I picked up around our cabin and on our hikes at Devil's Den State Park, Arkansas. Also for Brenda Swenson's 75 Day Sketch Challenge - drawing in pen and ink only every day for 75 days. The challenge can be seen here.

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Days 36 - 58

2011-10-23T14:49:00.000-05:00

Catch-up post with most of my sketches for the challenge.

Day 36

Day 38 & 39

Day 40

Day 43 & 44

Day 46 & 47

Day 50

Day 51

Day 53

Day 58

Watercolor Fast and Loose by Ron Ranson

2011-10-22T21:49:00.000-05:00

We stopped at a really great used book store in Fayetteville on our way home from Devil's Den State Park (Arkansas) where I bought 4 books; the one in the title, Sketching Your Favorite Subjects in Pen & Ink by Claudia Nice, and 2 calligraphy books. I was disappointed with this one. The artist/author has some lovely paintings in the book. He has a rather unconventional method of painting, with just 3 brushes (a 2" Hake, a 1" flat, and a number 3 Rigger) and 7 colors (Raw Sienna, Ultramarine, Lemon Yellow, Payne Grey, Burnt Umber, Alizarin Crimson and Light Red). The biggest problem is that he doesn't show how he uses the brushes to achieve his "fast and loose" results. It's a classic example of telling rather than showing, but an art instruction book really needs to show. Ranson has written several art books, but I won't be buying any of his others. I rated it 2 out of 5.

The Shipping News by Annie Proulx

2011-10-22T21:14:00.001-05:00

This was my book club's selection for the month, and I didn't think I was going to like it at first. But I stuck with it and I liked it pretty well by the end, and it made for a good discussion at our meeting. It was a very quirky story about Quoyle, a man who flees to Newfoundland with his aunt and two daughters after his wife dies in an auto accident. Quoyle has been badly treated most of his life and has no self confidence because of it. But neighbors and friends in his new home help him to gain confidence and reclaim his life. I enjoyed the story but struggled with the writing style; I rate it 3 out of 5.

Buffalo Land by William D. Berry

2011-10-02T15:55:00.000-05:00

When we stopped at the Visitor Center of the National Bison Range after our 19 mile drive, I picked up this book mainly for the pictures. It is beautifully illustrated with hand drawn pictures of buffalo, antelope, wolves, and other animals. I read it too, and there is interesting information about buffalo and the Great Plains, but the pictures are wonderful! I rate it 4 out of 5.

Two Rivers by T. Greenwood

2011-10-02T15:48:00.000-05:00

Harper Montgomery and his 12 year old daughter Shelly are barely surviving in Two Rivers, Vermont, after the loss of Harper's wife 12 years earlier. When a train derails in Two Rivers, Harper takes in a survivor - a pregnant 15 year old girl named Maggie. Shelly and Maggie hit it off immediately, but Harper begins to worry about why Maggie is really there. It was a good story and I rate it 4 out of 5.

Letter to My Daughter by George Bishop

2011-10-02T15:36:00.002-05:00

Almost 4 years ago,when I first started posting about the books I'd read, I stated, "I want to start keeping track of the books I read and whether I liked them or not. I won't be writing formal reviews or anything, because I'm not that good at reviews." I still feel like I'm not that good at reviews, but my posts have somehow evolved into just that. It's become one more obligation that I sometimes don't have time for. And because I'm behind in posting reviews just like I'm behind in everything else right now, I'm going to do 3 quick catch up posts about 3 books I've finished recently.

A mother (Laura) writes a letter to her 15 year old daughter (Liz) after Liz runs away from home. She describes her own adolescence in the hope that it will bring them closer together. The book is the letter, and it definitely had the feel of a letter written by an anxious mother to a daughter who's just run away. I enjoyed the book and rated it 4 out of 5.

75 Day Sketch Challenge Days 27-33

2011-10-01T21:57:00.002-05:00

I haven't posted much lately for a couple of reasons. First, we spent a week traveling. We flew to Great Falls, Montana, on September 14th. We rented a car and drove to Glacier National Park where we met my brother and sister-in-law. We shared a (very small) 2 bedroom Guest House (aka cabin) at St. Mary Lodge on the east edge of the park for 3 days. Then we headed west and they headed south. We stayed at a really nice bed and breakfast in Whitefish called Good Medicine Lodge. We drove into Idaho and saw beautiful Kootenai Falls along the way. We drove through the National Bison Range and saw bison, mule deer, and pronghorn antelope.

We flew home on the 21st, and then started moving my mother from a 2 bedroom house to a one bedroom apartment in an assisted living center on the 22nd. So, needless to say, I haven't had much time for ANYTHING else! But my mom is pretty much moved in now, and I'm hoping to get back to doing a few other things.

The one thing I have managed to do for myself is to sketch something every day for my 75 day sketch challenge; so far, I haven't missed a day (today is day 44). Rather than do 8 separate posts of my sketches from our trip, I'm going to post all of them in this post (all photos can be clicked on to see larger and to read the journaling).

Day 27

Day 28 - sketched from a photo

Day 29 - sketched from a photo

Day 30

Day 31 - sketched from a photo

Day 32


Day 33 - sketched from a photo

All sketches except one were done with permanent pen first and then watercolor was added; the stove was done with water soluble pen and then water was added. I will upload more sketches as I have time (and a few photos from our trip as well).

On Our Way

2011-09-13T18:03:00.003-05:00

On Our Way
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
I will be continuing my sketch challenge on my trip, but will then add watercolor to many of my pages as I did here. The pen only sketch can be seen here.

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 26

2011-09-13T18:03:00.001-05:00

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 26
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
We're leaving in the morning and I am taking my journal with me in hopes that I'll actually use it on the trip. I also intend to keep up with my sketch challenge. After sketching this in pen, I added watercolor to it, which can be seen here.

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 25

2011-09-11T22:11:00.000-05:00

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 25
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
This nightlight in the shape of a lighthouse was another favorite gift from my son, who is good at selecting gifts for people.

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 24

2011-09-11T22:09:00.001-05:00

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 24
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
This was harder than I thought it would be. It isn't quite right, but it's close enough to be recognizable (I think - it's my hairbrush).

The Black Flower by Howard Bahr

2011-09-10T22:05:00.000-05:00

This was my favorite book about the US Civil War that I've read so far this year. It is the story of Bushrod Carter, a Confederate soldier from Mississippi who serves in General John Bell Hood's Army of Tennessee. It describes the fear and friendships that occur during wartime. When Bushrod is wounded in the 1864 battle in Franklin, Tennessee, he is taken to a house that has been commandeered as a hospital, where he meets and is cared for by Anna. It has that lyrical quality to the writing that I so admire and can't really describe, and it is a really good story as well. I rate it 5 out of 5.

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 23

2011-09-10T15:42:00.001-05:00

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 23
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
The little camera I carry in my purse

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 22

2011-09-10T15:41:00.001-05:00

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 22
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
A shell seemed like a good subject to use a water soluble Tombow pen.

Outside 1

2011-09-05T21:37:00.001-05:00

Outside 1
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
Lesson 4 of Jane LaFazio's On Location class is to get outside and sketch. I went to the OSU Botanic Garden today. I was so taken with this unique metal sculpture that I had to sketch it instead of flowers. I may have to go again to sketch flowers.

This was only our second nice day after setting the record for the number of days over 100 degrees. It was so nice to finally be able to sit outside.

I tested my new camp stool that I'm planning to take with me when I go to New Orleans in November (for an Imaginary Trip Made Real with Laure Ferlita). I'm happy to report that the stool will be adequate for my needs. It also reinforced my decision to take a backpack for my gear rather than a cross-body bag; I just find it so much more comfortable.

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 19

2011-09-05T21:16:00.003-05:00

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 19
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
A metal cat sculpture that my son and daughter-in-law gave me a few years ago. I really like it because it's a cat, it's so unique, and my DS and DDIL gave it to me. I used a sepia pitt pen, even though it looks more like black in the scan.

Unfurl 1

2011-09-04T17:51:00.001-05:00

Unfurl 1
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
I have 3 African violets, and my oldest one rarely blooms anymore. But it is getting ready to bloom any day now. I greatly simplified this, as the plant has divided in the pot a number of times. I wanted to focus mainly on the bud and one leaf.

Done on a piece of Strathmore Aquarius watercolor paper that Laure Ferlita sent me - thanks Laure!

September theme for the sketchbook challenge is unfurled.

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 17

2011-09-04T17:50:00.003-05:00

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 17
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
New rope toy for the dog - he loves it.

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 16

2011-09-04T17:50:00.001-05:00

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 16
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
My cordless phone.

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 15

2011-09-02T10:06:00.005-05:00

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 15
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
I need to wear my glasses to draw, but I have a second pair that I use for the computer, so I could draw them. I couldn't get the angles of the ear pieces right on the top sketch, so I tried again with them folded up. That was a bit better. Since I was on a roll, I did the case too, but ran out of room on the page! I'm pleased that I haven't missed a day in 15 days. We'll see if I can continue for another 60 days.

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 14

2011-09-02T10:06:00.003-05:00

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 14
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
Sketched my sleeping dog with Tombow water soluble pen (no pencil).

On Location - Museum and 75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 13

2011-09-02T10:06:00.001-05:00

On Location - Museum and 75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 13
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
Lesson 3 of Jane LaFazio's class Sketching and Watercolor Journal Style - On Location was to sketch at a museum. I went to the Sheerar Museum, a small museum dedicated to the history of Stillwater, Oklahoma, which is where I live. I was the only visitor during the time I was there.

I used a water soluble Tombow black pen and touched it with water for shading. No pencil on this. I actually had some detail on the braided rope attached to the Speaking Trumpet, but when I touched it with water, it was too dark and I lost all the detail. I tried blotting with a tissue, and it turned the color you see. Lesson learned!

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 11 & 12

2011-09-02T10:03:00.003-05:00

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 11 & 12
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
For Brenda Swenson's 75 Day Sketch Challenge - drawing in pen and ink only every day for 75 days. The challenge can be seen here.

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 10

2011-09-02T10:03:00.001-05:00

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 10
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
For Brenda Swenson's 75 Day Sketch Challenge - drawing in pen and ink only every day for 75 days. The challenge can be seen here.

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 9

2011-08-31T16:59:00.005-05:00

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 9
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
For Brenda Swenson's 75 Day Sketch Challenge - drawing in pen and ink only every day for 75 days. The challenge can be seen here.

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 8

2011-08-31T16:59:00.003-05:00

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 8
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
For Brenda Swenson's 75 Day Sketch Challenge - drawing in pen and ink only every day for 75 days. The challenge can be seen here.

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Days 6 & 7

2011-08-31T16:59:00.001-05:00

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Days 6 & 7
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
For Brenda Swenson's 75 Day Sketch Challenge - drawing in pen and ink only every day for 75 days. The challenge can be seen here.

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 5

2011-08-29T22:02:00.002-05:00

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Day 5
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
For Brenda Swenson's 75 Day Sketch Challenge - drawing in pen and ink only every day for 75 days. The challenge can be seen here.

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Days 3 & 4

2011-08-29T22:01:00.002-05:00

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Days 3 & 4
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
For Brenda Swenson's 75 Day Sketch Challenge - drawing in pen and ink only every day for 75 days. The challenge can be seen here.

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Days 1 & 2

2011-08-29T21:58:00.002-05:00

75 Day Sketch Challenge - Days 1 & 2
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
I started Brenda Swenson's 75 Day Sketch Challenge - drawing in pen and ink only every day for 75 days. The challenge can be seen here.

Coffee Shop

2011-08-23T09:23:00.001-05:00

Coffee Shop
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
Scone and lemonade from my local Panera - my favorite "coffee shop."

The Falls by Joyce Carol Oates

2011-08-21T22:07:00.001-05:00

In 1950, Ariah Erskine's new husband jumps into Niagara Falls after a disastrous honeymoon night. Ariah keeps up a 7 day vigil, waiting for her husband's body to be found. Confirmed bachelor Dirk Burnaby finds himself waiting with Ariah. Eighteen days after the end of the vigil, Dirk drives over 300 miles to Ariah's hometown and proposes marriage, which Ariah accepts. The book follows their tumultuous marriage and family life. I found it fascinating and extremely well written. I rate it 4 out of 5.

Enemy Women by Paulette Jiles

2011-08-18T21:48:00.001-05:00

I read this book for a read along on the War Through The Generations blog, which is also hosting the US Civil War Challenge that I'm participating in this year. It is the story of 18 year old Missourian Adair Colley, who is falsely accused of being a Confederate spy and is sent to a women's prison in St. Louis. The prison commander tries to convince Adair to give him some information so that she can be released. While I mostly enjoyed the story, I found parts to be unbelievable and thought it was not very well written. But I learned about the imprisonment of women during the Civil War that I didn't know about before. I rated it 3 out of 5.

Keys 2 and Everyday Object 3

2011-08-17T21:43:00.002-05:00

Keys 2 and Everyday Object 3
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
My second sketch for Lesson One of my On Location class with Jane LaFazio. It also fits the Sketchbook Challenge theme of Everyday Objects.

Keys 1 and Everyday Object 2

2011-08-13T15:42:00.003-05:00

Everyday Object 2
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
Lesson One for Jane LaFazio's online class, Sketching and Watercolor Journal Style - On Location, is keys. It also fits this month's Sketchbook Challenge theme of Everyday Objects. I don't carry a lot of keys, but this one has quickly become my favorite. I wish I had some cool antique keys to sketch, but I don't.

Everyday Object 1

2011-08-11T15:51:00.001-05:00

Everyday Object 1
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
Theme for August's Sketchbook Challenge is Everyday Objects. Journaling reads, "This soap dispenser just came from JC Penney, but it makes me smile. I have it and a matching soap dish beside my sink in my bathroom."

Watercolor Class

2011-08-11T15:48:00.003-05:00

Watercolor Class
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
I took a watercolor class while we were in Crested Butte for the Wildflower Festival in July.

Journaling reads, "This was my piece from the class on 7/15. We went to the same garden as the day before. We used very cheap paints, but it was still a fun class. I spent a lot of time trying to get my colors right, then painted these flowers. I added the ink border and green cardstock backing today."

Sumi-e 2

2011-08-11T15:48:00.001-05:00

Sumi-e 2
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
Journaling reads, "Class taught by Melissa Neuner-Mason during Crested Butte Wildflower Festival. Of course, we used black ink and sumi-e brushes, while I used Indanthrone Blue watercolor paint and a waterbrush here."

Sumi-e 1

2011-08-11T15:47:00.001-05:00

Sumi-e 1
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
I took a Sumi-e class while we were in Crested Butte for the Wildflower Festival in July.

The journaling reads, "This was my favorite of all the pieces I did in class on 7/14. It is all about how to 'distill the essence of an object in the fewest possible strokes.' I have a long way to go! But the class was fun."

1984 by George Orwell

2011-08-07T19:35:00.000-05:00

I recently re-read 1984 by George Orwell. I had read it in high school, but that was, well, shall we say more than a few years ago. I wanted to read it again because I didn't remember details of the story, and it is truly a classic. This is where familiar terms such as Big Brother, Thought Police, Newspeak, Doublespeak, and Thoughtcrime originated. It's a rare book that can introduce so many new words into the common vocabulary. It's a frightening look into a totalitarian future, made all the more frightening as it becomes more and more real. It was published in 1949. It was my 8th book for the Off the Shelf Reading Challenge 2011 and I rate it 4 out of 5.

The Delicate Columbine

2011-08-04T22:05:00.002-05:00

The Delicate Columbine
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
I sketched this from a photo I took of a blue columbine, which is the state flower of Colorado. We usually go later in the summer, after the columbines are through blooming. This year I wanted to go during the Wildflower Festival in Crested Butte, known as the wildflower capital of Colorado. I'm really glad we did; we saw so many more wildflowers than we usually see, and a number of different ones.

Balloon

2011-08-04T22:04:00.003-05:00

Balloon
Originally uploaded by Cheryl Gebhart
I did a little bit of sketching while we were in beautiful, cool Colorado last month. I did this from a photo my DH took of the hot air balloon we rode in after we landed.

The page is titled "At Last" because my DH gave me a balloon ride for my birthday in 1999 - 12 1/2 years ago - and we finally went this year. We'd gotten close when we were at Lake Tahoe in 2000, but the wind wasn't right.