Black Magick, Volume 1: Awakening, Part One

49. Black Magick, Volume 1: Awakening, Part One by Greg Rucka

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Sucked me right in. Loved it. Rowan Black is an compelling character, a police detective and witch trying to keep those lives separate. The artwork is truly beautiful.

Can't wait to read more!

#Earpers, I bet you'd like this.


8 years ago on TTaT: And that's a picture wrap on Fall

Self-Defeating Niceness

Mom had called me into her room to point out an odd log on the ground that could be seen from her window. It was strange. In the recent snow, it looked like a dark path in the woods.

Mom went back to making her bed and continued talking to me.

I stood in the doorway listening. She looked up and said, "Why are you still here?"

"You were still talking..."

"As long as you're standing there, I'll keep talking," she said. "You have a case of self-defeating niceness."

I laughed and repeated, "Self-defeating niceness," mulling it over. "That's tweet worthy," I said with a smile before walking away.


10 years ago on TTaT: Pinky pain

Life of Art SitRep #350 New Prussian Blue Watercolor Scale Pattern

Did a bit of painting this week, 3 small pieces. Scanned two and did some quick edits in Photoshop.

Shot 11 photographs experimenting with a V flat background a bit. Culled 4.

Culled 249 photos and 1 video from last week's massive shoots. Want to do one more pass on those.

Rated another folder of photos.

Finished adding my design Prussian Blue Watercolor Scale Pattern to items in my shop:

Modern Prussian Blue Painted Watercolor Scales 3 Ring Binder
by RocklawnArts

Dark and Light Blue Watercolor Overlapping Circles Wrapping Paper
by RocklawnArts

Evocative Painted Blue Scale Pattern Stickers
by RocklawnArts

Lovely Painted Light and Dark Blue Scale Pattern Throw Pillow
by RocklawnArts

Dark to Light Blue Watercolor Scale Pattern Fabric
by RocklawnArts

Diagonal Light and Dark Blue Fan Shapes Fleece Blanket
by RocklawnArts

Ethereal Painted Blue Scale Pattern Desk Lamp
by RocklawnArts

Pretty Blue Watercolor Scale Pattern Ornament
by RocklawnArts

Check out the collection of Prussian Blue Watercolor Scale Pattern products.

Rocklawn Arts blogged New Prussian Blue Watercolor Scale Pattern. (It should post next Tuesday.)

Signed up for dlvr.it to replace Twitterfeed since it's shutting down. Won't quite do all of what I'd used Twitterfeed for but it's a reasonable start. (Apologies if you're seeing double the tweets @RocklawnArts for a few more days.)

Updated my store's twitter bio while I was at it.

How was your week?


11 years ago on TTaT: From my other life (a #FBF worthy photo)

People Watching Madlib #3

Day 20, People Watching Madlib from 28 to Make, a free series of creative prompts from Creative Live. (Still free, so check it out!)

10 years ago on TTaT: 37

Visualize Sound

Day 18, Visualize Sound from 28 to Make, a free series of creative prompts from Creative Live. (Still free, so check it out!)

The task was to draw what a jackhammer and paper crumpling sound like. (There was also children playing and waves crashing, but I don't like how those came out as well.)

10 years ago on TTaT: Breaking points are necessary...

Tangrams

Day 17, Tangrams from 28 to Make, a free series of creative prompts from Creative Live. (Still free, so check it out!)

I did cut out the shapes and play around with them but it was easier to draw what I'd done than to scan them:

10 years ago on TTaT: Yacht Rock, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

Wonder Woman By Greg Rucka Vol. 1

48. Wonder Woman By Greg Rucka Vol. 1 by Greg Rucka

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


It turns out that this is a collection of other volumes which I'd already read including The Hiketeia, The Mission, Down to Earth, Stoned, Ripples, Leaks, Bitter Pills. On the upside, I'd been thinking recently about rereading them and this collects them all in one place.

The Mission and Down to Earth are my favorites. I like that Diana has no secret identity in these. She's Wonder Woman, the ambassador of Themyscira, a member of the Justice League: she doesn't have time for a secret identity but we do get to see her more as Diana whether she's talking to fellow Amazons or her embassy staff or at a reading of her book of essays on her beliefs and philosophies.

One of my favorite Wonder Woman runs.


11 years ago on TTaT: What are the odds?

Life of Art SitRep #349 New Metal Prints and Prussian Blue Watercolor Scale Pattern

The weather was unseasonably warm for a few days this week, so I spent more time outside hiking and photographing than I'd anticipated.

Shot 669 photographs and 9 videos. I've just started going through them but have far to go. A bit past peak autumn but still beautiful and there was some gorgeous light. Also took some epic panoramas that need to be stitched. Did a few today, one I think was comprised of 11 photos! I should've taken a few placeholder start/stop images to make it easier to tell what was intended for panorama or not.

Added some select photographs to new Metal Art Prints and also created a new collection for them:

Modern Metal Photo Prints
by Claire E. Skinner

Rocklawn Arts blogged New Modern Metal Photo Prints at Rocklawn Arts (should post next Thursday).

Started adding new Prussian Blue Watercolor Scale Pattern to products in my shop:

Prussian Blue Watercolor Scale Pattern Poster
by RocklawnArts

Light to Dark Blue Watercolor Scale Pattern Bandana
by RocklawnArts

Painted Blue Scale Pattern return address labels
by RocklawnArts

Painted Blue Watercolor Scale Pattern Birthday Card
by RocklawnArts

Prussian Blue Watercolor Scale Pattern Postcard
by RocklawnArts

Lovely Prussian Blue Watercolor Fan Shapes All-Over Print Tank Top
by RocklawnArts

All-Over-Print Blue Watercolor Scale Pattern Tote Bag
by RocklawnArts

More to come soon! Follow Rocklawn Arts on Twitter to see new products first.

Rated another folder of photographs in my archive.

Rearranged categories a bit in store.

How was your week?


10 years ago on TTaT: Better and better

The Story of Ferdinand

47. The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Somehow I'd never read this as a kid, but I kept seeing it in the movie The Blindside and wondered if it was a real book. Lo and behold, it is, and it's awesome!

Ferdinand's an introvert which I love. Also, the illustrations are wonderful.


10 years ago on TTaT: Downs and Ups

People Watching Madlib #2

Day 13, People Watching Madlib from 28 to Make, a free series of creative prompts from Creative Live. (Still free, so check it out!)

10 years ago on TTaT: The Go-To Name

Earp Your Day

While getting my teeth cleaned, my dentist popped in to see if my hygienist needed him to check anything. She didn't, but we chatted teeth for a minute while he looked at my x-rays and notes from last time.

Just as he was about to step back into the hall, I said, "On an unrelated note, watch Wynonna Earp." I know he likes sci-fi, so I thought I'd throw it out there.

He leaned forward and asked, "What's that?"

I took a breath and said, "Wynonna Earp is the great-great-granddaughter of Wyatt Earp and she kills revenants, demon outlaws, that Wyatt killed who are resurrected. It's funny, it has great action. It's not sci-fi, but if you liked Buffy, you'll like it."

"That sounds great!" he said with genuine enthusiasm. "Where's it on?"

"SyFy. The first season's done but it's coming back for season 2 next year, so you have plenty of time to catch up."

"And it was good?"

"Yeah, it really is."

"Thanks for the recommendation," he said with a smile.

"You're welcome!"


11 years ago on TTaT: I have an underwear drawer!

Blind Contour Self Portrait

Day 10, Blind Contour Self Portrait from 28 to Make, a free series of creative prompts from Creative Live. (Still free, so check it out!)

You put the pen to the page and then look at yourself in a mirror and draw without looking back at the page until you're done:

My sense of scale for hair to face was wildly off. Fun exercise though. :)


10 years ago on TTaT: Fine, be that way!

Note to Self, vol. XXV

The brassieres you'd forgotten about in the back of that drawer were there because they are ill-fitting. Since I have no plans to gain 20+ pounds—which is what it would take for any of that weight to start showing up in my chest—I'm going to get rid of them.

In theory this means I could put the bras I actually wear in the drawer instead of hanging them from my doorknob. The doorknob storage is pretty convenient though and gives me a visual reminder of when I need to do laundry, so probably not.


10 years ago on TTaT: The 11th Dimension is Time

Bird by Bird

46. Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Yeah, that hit the spot. A book about writing that invites us into her brain and a writer's life with humor, clarity, and helpful suggestions.

Highly recommended!


10 years ago on TTaT: The Road is my Favorite Place: Day 8

Life of Art SitRep #348 More Painted Blue Watercolor Ogee Pattern

Went to another museum this week to see the second half of an art exhibit from another venue and some other exhibits. Could have lived without seeing a couple of things in their spooky for Halloween exhibit, but otherwise, thumbs up.

Shot 62 photographs and 4 videos. Culled 34 photos, 3 videos; also 114 photos, 1 video from previous shoot.

Made a couple HDR images with various levels of success. Definitely helps to uncheck "autotone" in Lightroom.

Finished creating the collection of Blue Watercolor Ogee Pattern products:

Dreamy Blue Watercolor Ogee Pattern Ceiling Lamp
by RocklawnArts

Stylish Painted Blue Watercolor Ogee Design Light Switch Cover
by RocklawnArts

Painted Light and Dark Blue Ogee Pattern Pillow
by RocklawnArts

Diagonal Light and Dark Blue Ogee Pattern Fleece Blanket
by RocklawnArts

Geometric Light to Dark Blue Painted Ogees Binder
by RocklawnArts

Light to Dark Blue Painted Ogee Design Clipboard
by RocklawnArts

Sophisticated Blue Watercolor Ogee Pattern Wrapping Paper
by RocklawnArts

Diagonal Light to Dark Blue Ogee Pattern Ribbon
by RocklawnArts

Geometric Light to Dark Blue Painted Ogee Pattern Fabric
by RocklawnArts

Check out the collection of Blue Watercolor Ogee Pattern products.

Updated OtterBox iPhone 7 Cases as needed.

Made new collections: Rugged OtterBox iPhone 7 Plus Cases and Bold iPhone 7 OtterBox Cases

Rugged OtterBox iPhone 7 Plus Cases
by Claire E. Skinner

Bold iPhone 7 OtterBox Cases
by Claire E. Skinner

Rocklawn Arts blogged New OtterBox iPhone 7 Plus Cases at Rocklawn Arts!, New Blue Watercolor Ogee Pattern (next Tuesday), New Bold iPhone 7 OtterBox Cases Collection (next Thursday), New Rugged OtterBox iPhone 7 Plus Cases Collection (following Tuesday).

How was your week?


10 years ago on TTaT: 36

Scribbles & Shapes

Day 9, Scribbles & Shapes from 28 to Make, a free series of creative prompts from Creative Live. (Still free, so check it out!)

10 years ago on TTaT: Free mammograms

30 Circles

Day 8, 30 Circles from 28 to Make, a free series of creative prompts from Creative Live. (Still free, so check it out!)

10 years ago on TTaT: Maybe safe-mode is enough

People Watching Madlib #1

Day 6, People Watching Madlib from 28 to Make, a free series of creative prompts from Creative Live. (Still free, so check it out!)

11 years ago on TTaT: Another Monday, another tip

Life of Art SitRep #347 Blue Watercolor Ogee Pattern

Shot 311 photographs and 6 videos. Haven't really looked at them yet but the sky was so blue for a couple of days! Also went to an outdoor sculpture exhibit at a location with cool architecture and had a grand time. Soul food.

Started adding my design, Blue Watercolor Ogee Pattern, to my shop. It's a mix of hand-painted and digital elements composited that I'm proud of.

Tiled Blue Watercolor Ogee Pattern Bandana
by RocklawnArts

Lovely Blue Watercolor Ogee Pattern Tote Bag
by RocklawnArts

Geometric Blue Watercolor Ogee Pattern iPhone 7 Case
by RocklawnArts

Beautiful Painted Blue Ogee Pattern All-Over Print Tank Top
by RocklawnArts

Prussian Blue Ogee Pattern return address labels
by RocklawnArts

Modern Blue Diagonal Ogee Pattern Medium Table Runner
by RocklawnArts

Check out the collection of Blue Watercolor Ogee Pattern products, more to come soon!

Updated descriptions as needed on new OtterBox iPhone 7 Cases.

Created Stylish Case-Mate iPhone 7 Cases and Distinctive Case-Mate iPhone 7 Plus Cases collections:

Stylish Case-Mate iPhone 7 Cases
by Claire E. Skinner

Distinctive Case-Mate iPhone 7 Plus Cases
by Claire E. Skinner

Rocklawn Arts blogged New Stylish Case-Mate iPhone 7 Cases Collection at Rocklawn Arts, New Distinctive Case-Mate iPhone 7 Plus Cases Collection, and New OtterBox iPhone 7 Cases at Rocklawn Arts! (will post next week).

Worked on my photograph archive some, rating photographs, setting in/out points on videos.

Rearranged categories in store a bit.

Watched Jared Platt's webinar on Lightroom.

Made monthly backups (which is not to say I don't back up more often than that, I do). Have you backed up lately?


11 years ago on TTaT: Nate Cushman (part 2 of 2)

Draw What's In Your Bag

Day 4, Draw what's in your bag from 28 to Make, a free series of creative prompts from Creative Live. (Still free, so check it out!)

I avoid carrying bags of any type whenever possible, so I drew things from my top right pocket:

[Day 3 was draw your favorite album art which I did, but I don't have the rights to share those sketches.]


10 years ago on TTaT: The Road is my Favorite Place: Day 6

Draw a Houseplant

Day 2, Draw a houseplant from 28 to Make, a free series of creative prompts from Creative Live. (Still free, so check it out!)

Another small quick sketch in my datebook:

First page of a Moleskine I'd been reluctant to start using:

10 years ago on TTaT: Sidetracked