Sunday Evening

Another overcast day with storms due in tonight. It's rare to have these gray days here, even in the coldest of winter the sun shines.  On the plus side, it's toned down my spring fever and I've had a couple of relaxing days.  Read a new mystery by Nora Robert and watched more TV than I have in months.  I made some silk western bandanas and hand finished them with a rolled hem.  It made me realize how much I enjoy hand work in the evenings and how much I'd missed it.  So I got some work out and am finishing up a baby blanket I started quite awhile ago, it's crocheted in a popcorn stitch.  Took me a couple of rows to get back into it but am enjoying it.  I have a hard time getting interested in television shows and this allows me to listen but still keep my hands busy.

Talking to Strangers

Did your Mother tell you never to talk to strangers?  Or maybe you told your own children that?  There were good reasons we did, and do, teach our children to be safe and those haven't changed. But are you still avoiding speaking to someone you don't know - just because you haven't been introduced?  If so, you may be missing a great part of life.  What a boost to my day when someone says you have beautiful hair or some other compliment, just in passing. The sun shines a little brighter after that. Next time you admire someone or something, just step up and tell them so! You meet some great people.

As I've gotten older I find it much easier to approach a stranger to compliment her on her hair - or maybe ask a question. In Wal-Mart parking lot one evening I saw a beautiful tapestry purse sitting in the basket while the woman put her groceries in the car.  I just made a passing comment on how much I liked it and she stopped to tell me she'd made it herself.  So we talked and she told me how she devised the pattern and why she made it.  I really enjoyed talking to her and when I got home I wished I'd thought to get her phone number - or given her mine - and she seemed like someone I'd like to know.

Along that line I met an attractive, funny and talented woman yesterday in the fabric store.  I'd just run up to get something that was on sale and while I was waiting for a clerk a woman asked me a question about figuring yardage for drapes.  Many years ago I taught drapery making so we laid her fabric out and had an enjoyable conversation about sewing, decorating, colors and laughed about how when we started out harvest gold and avocado green were in vogue.  We got her yardage figured and she was inspired to upholster a chair to match.

I may never see her again, but I did give her my name and phone number.  No matter what comes of it, it turned a boring errand into a fun hour.  I came home and went back to hand rolling hems with a smile :)  Do you have some "random acts of kindness" to share?  I'd love to hear them.

Almost gone!

I'll honor orders received through the end of the month.

Thanks to everyone who has ordered the book, I hope it proves enjoyable and helpful for you.

Changing Hats

You all know how much I love to work with clay, and my passion for facial reconstruction but what you may not know is I have the same passion for fabric.  The women in my family all do beautiful needlework, my grandmother won first place in the Texas State Fair.  I'm of an age when little girls learned to sew and do needlework.  It stood me in good stead over the years, I've used it much more than the other skills I learned during those years, like how to throw a spiral football pass :)

I'm putting together a new website that will have room for all my work.  I love antique linens and enjoy using them to create something new.  Working with fabric is very calming for me, there is something about the feel of the fabric, laces and ribbons that just feels good.  I'll still work in clay and on reconstructions, the next book is already started and will be out later this year.

I was reading over the comments from the past few months, and I'd love to have you all over for a cup of tea and just visit.  We have a lot in common.  My herbs will be coming up very soon now, the roses are pruned and we plan to plant several new ones this year.  I love the old ones, they have a wonderful fragrance.  In fact, I have a bowl of rose pot-pourri on the coffee table and occasionally I catch the scent as I sit here working.

Now that I have more free time, I'd love to hear from all of you.  What you've been doing and what you're working on..

Switched Hats

As soon as we had some extra time I started working on some western clothing for my granddaughter.  She's the director of the Sheriff's Mounted Posse and they are going to be working a re--enactment this spring.  Whenever possible they like to dress in western gear so I'm busy sewing.

I'm also working on a new website, one at a time.  I've always worked with fabric, the women in my family all do beautiful needlework.  My grandmother won first place at the Texas State Fair many years ago.  So even though I love to have my hands in clay and I d

Going Fast

There are just a few books left for the introductory offer if any of you are interested.  It's been fun, exciting and a lot of work!  We've kept the mailman busy the last couple of weeks.  It's a a great feeling to read your e-mails.

Ready to ship!

We have a limited number of books available on the introductory offer.  While supplies last you can purchase the book for $30, including tax and priority mail shipping (USA only).  Canadian orders will ship first class.  If you are in another country you may find it easier to order from Amazon.com or BN.com, but if you do want a signed copy, e-mail me first so I can figure postage.

 

Artists traditionally strive to produce beautiful and/or inspiring art. The goal of a Forensic Artist, however, is to produce a likeness of an individual that might lead to recognition. Using the skull as a foundation, the forensic artist uses various skeletal markers and identifiers to reconstruct the face. This book will provide you with information that will help you increase your skills, enhance your talents, and learn those details that will add additional realism to your figures.

This book is not meant to teach Forensic Facial Reconstruction. It is a guide to sculpting and drawing realistic faces incorporating some of the techniques facial reconstruction artists use. You’ll learn bone structure as the foundation, muscles to add depth and definition, and the details that result in more realistic features.

 

Questions?  e-mail jan@windsongbooks.com

End of August

Where does the summer go?  Almost Labor Day and I'm not ready for fall.  The heat wave is over and as it's cooled off the flowers are beginning to bloom again.  Nice to have the roses back, I love to have a vase on my desk as I work - and - work I am!

Two more weeks till the surgeon releases me but I am using my hand more.  I'm not sure how long the stiffness will be there but it's much better, I can actually type again.  Not like normal but not the two-finger hunt and peck style either :)

Which means the book can progress and should be available in stores sometime in October.  The Winter issue of Art Doll Quarterly will be out November 1st. If you are on the list for the first copies you'll be getting an e-mail by the end of September with ordering information.

Thanks again for hanging in there with me and for all the good thoughts you've sent my way.  My husband used to have a sign in his office, Constant Change is here to stay!  That's how I feel sometimes :)  There are so many people involved in producing a book and so many little details I never thought about  - it's been a real education for me.

Surgery successful

I had the surgery last month, the stitches came out Monday and everything looks good.  Now it's just waiting for it to heal so I can begin to use it again.  I am still hunt & peck typing with one hand and a couple fingers - so it's very slow.  Thanks to all who have inquired and are still waiting for the book. Things should move quickly now.

Storm Damage

Wow!  A brief, but strong, storm passed through last night and in a matter of minutes this is what was left of our beautiful Red Bud Tree.  It lifted it from the ground and threw it about 10' into our driveway.  Another tree in the front yard was split in two pieces, the same tree that had similar damage from lightening a few years ago.  Took about two years for it to grow enough new branches to hide the damage.  This is on the other side so will be interesting to see how it comes back.

Though there were a few tornado warning out, this was what they call "straight line" damage.  Hurricane force winds that travel in a straight line rather than the swirl that signifys a tornado.

Still Out of Commission

Met with the hand surgeon this morning and he is scheduling surgery.  I anticipate another 4-6 weeks of not being able to use my left hand.  It's been a problem having it splinted but fortunately it isn't my right hand.  It's a set back but could be worse :)  My daughter-in-law will be in in a few weeks and will help me catch up.

Fun, Funky File Folders

Taking a break from the computer for a bit of relaxing creativeness.  These are fast and easy to make, especially if you use decorative folders.  The one on the left is made from a sturdy brown folder and the brown check is made from two decorative folders.  If you'd like instructions to make these, just send me an e-mail to folders@windsongart.com. 

Have to admit, it took a couple of days to figure out how to load images to this new blogger :)

A creative bit

A couple of fun, funky, file folders. 

Yes, Summer is Here!

I don't need a calendar, we skipped right to August weather. The lawn, plants, animals and me are all feeling stressed.  Though we don't have extremely high temps here in MO the humidity makes up for it.  I could say I'm feeling it more as I get older but I know the summers have been getting hotter.  The day I got married it was 105 degrees,the hottest day of the year in CA in 1959.  With no a/c the candles drooped in the candelabras :)  When we left CA in 1996 114 wasn't unusual and when we were visiting in August of '08, 112 felt like we had driven into Hades.  Today we stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter and if I had to make a choice, I'd still choose summer.  I don't like to be cold.

The sunlight and warmth energizes me and makes me lazy at the same time.  I want to be outside working in the yard and at the same time want to be inside working in the clay and being creative in some way.  I have to admit though, I've been lax at both lately.  A health problem has taken my energy and created a few problems resulting in unexpected delays. I realize how fortunate I am to be living in this time and have wonderful doctors - yet I get frustrated that I can no longer do everything I plan on doing.  But this too shall pass and I look forward to being active again soon.  Thanks to everyone who has sent good wishes, they do help.

Spring is almost over

Days - weeks - months!  Time is flying by.  Spring goes so fast, there is so much to do in such a short time.  One of my first items is to check the garden. Which perennials are coming up and which ones need to be thinned or moved.  Any bare spots?  Make plans to fill them in.  I always like to do a major spring cleaning, though I'm a little behind this year.

Only a few days till summer is officially here and a whole new list of things to be done.  Projects waiting to be finished, new ones to be started, it's always so exciting to have these long summer days to work.  I love the light that comes into my studio, always energizes me.

Cover of the New Book

Available for purchase soon.  Check here or on-line.

Mother's Day has come and gone!  It will be Father's Day soon.  I'm hoping to surprise my husband with a special gift but not sure yet if it will work out as it involves some travel.

Still finishing up the details for the book, just a dot here and a dash there but it takes time.  I'll post a photo of the cover.

Facial Reconstruction for Artists -- THE BOOK!

Yes, finally!!  Publication date is getting closer and even though I'm tired it's an exciting process.  Realized exactly how much I didn't know about writing a book - it always looked easier :) Watch for the ads in Art Doll Quarterly and CDC, autographed copies will be available on the website and you can order it on-line. This is a self-instructional guide, similar to the class but you can work on it when you have the time and take as long as you need.  I've taken all new pictures and spent time on the drawings. Large 8.5 x 11" format.  If you have any questions, just let me know. I've had a question about the content, this is not a class to teach you forensic facial reconstruction but how to use some of the techniques of facial reconstruction to improve your own work. You can utilize the information in the book to improve your own sculpting - or it's also good material for anyone who draws and paints as the information on the skull, muscles and tissue depths is a good foundation for any type of art.

A beautiful Easter

Couldn't have been a nicer day to celebrate such a wonderous occasion.  Church in the morning then a bar-b-que in the afternoon with my sister and her family.  After things being turned upside down for so long it was wonderful to just relax, enjoy the day and not have to worry about anything :)

A New Month!

March is here and it will be a busy month.  A birthday and anniversary in the first week then some studio time to catch up and photograph work that has been "lingering" on the table :)  New photos soon to come.