Day 17 of the Sketch Project

Today I was the lucky winner of a 5th grade class. They were actually fantastic. One girl kept saying over and over, "Mrs. Stice is nice. Mrs. Stice is nice." :) Fun times. Here are my room keys for the day:

Day 16 of the Sketch Project

This is one of the cutest porcelain salt/pepper shakers I have ever seen. And one of the saddest: held forever in static stillness when one was born for dynamic flight....

Day 15 of the Sketch Project

Tonight, I participated in my first ever Seder Meal (Passover). It was very moving. I had wanted to sketch the meal in progress, but I forgot, and I'm glad I did. It didn't need any outside distraction. I left feeling humbled, and grateful, and wanting to cry out, "Come, Lord Jesus, Come!" So, when I got home, I free-sketched a wooden cup and plate, some wine, and a piece of unleavened bread:

Day 14 of the Sketch Project

Today, I was feeling mighty tempestuous. So I decided to free sketch from my brain:

Days 12 and 13 of the Sketch Project

Blake and I really enjoy a certain restaurant in town called Ellie's Mutt Hutt, and I just so happened to get a gift card for my birthday :). It is the perfect Saturday morning joint. Especially because of the honey latte. One word: glorious. Just a hint of sweetness is perfection. And it comes in these tall, glass tumblers that add to the glory:

After some Mutt Hutt action, we decided to check out the Redwood Regional Logging Conference. It was surprisingly really cool. They had all kinds of cool logging machinery like saws and heavy equipment to move massive logs. If you don't know, Redwoods grow big enough around you can drive a vehicle through it. I've done it. They even had a Redwood artist who carved animals into tree trunks. And finally, they had a few trains there that ran on Redwood instead of coal. It smelled REAL good. And then, we saw this.... An honest to goodness Steam Roller! I had to sketch it:

Day 11 of the Sketch Project

Confession: My favorite thing to sketch is people.

That said, sketching people is potentially very awkward. Especially when the sketcher is an amateur. And especially when the sketch will be posted online. Therefore, not many people are willing to volunteer. Thus, I became the volunteer, even in the face of seeming narcissistic.

So here is my first attempt at a self-portrait. I considered making a funny face, but decided to give Melissa a gift by being serious. I ended up looking more forlorn than serious. And my eyes (irises) are too large, however the bags under my eyes are true to size :).

This is definitely more challenging than tulips or even bicycles, but that is why I started this journey: to say yes to a challenge!

Day 10 of the Sketch Project

My mother-in-law planted a ton of tulip bulbs awhile back, and they are in full bloom - absolutely gorgeous! There are white, yellow, purple, and pink tulips everywhere. When the sun is shining, right before twilight, the light makes the petals transparent and airy. God did quite the job on those flowers! Here are few that I sketched today:

Day 9 of the Sketch Project

During this season of transition for Blake and I, I have been substitute teaching. I thank God that He has provided me with something to put my hand to. While subbing at a high school today (English), I was in search of something interesting to sketch during my prep period. The teacher I was in for had this incredible skull in the corner of his room. It was textured and sort of spray painted. The eye sockets had green illumination to them - it was overall creepy... and fully awesome:

Day 8 of the Sketch Project

I've been sketching for a week! And I'm so glad I decided to do this. I am often confounded by the concept of practicing an art vs. being inspired to create art. One isn't always inspired, so it is necessary to practice even when you don't feel like it (knowing this and doing this are very different) This project is cementing this idea in my head more and more.

So, today was one of those days... I didn't get home to sketch until after 8:30 and I didn't feel like it. Especially being limited after the sun goes down, I had to find something in the house. I decided on my Hawaiian Volcano Plant that Blake got me for Valentine's day. I love it. It lives on a rock, and I have to keep the rock watered. It is very hardy. And hearty.

Days 5, 6, and 7 of the Sketch Project

I made it back from my mini- ministry trip up to an Indian Reservation in Northern California. We put on a women's retreat there, and it was pretty sweet.

As for sketching for Day 5, I decided to try that layering the cat business (great idea, whoever posted that), and it turned out interesting. I only got 3 different rolls on top of each other, but it sorta works:

For Day 6, Blake and I enjoy going to airports to watch planes take off and land. So, I sketched this cool Cirrus while we were there:

And lastly, bikes with baskets REALLY make me happy. So I sketched this one. However, sketching bikes with baskets DO NOT make me happy. There are a lot of circles (hard) and TONS of straight lines (also hard). There you have it:

Glad to be back :). Happy blogging!

Day 4 of the Sketch Project

I woke up a bit late this morning, so I had to sketch something quicker than usual. I picked my favorite pair of shoes (I promise, I really don't have a foot fetish). They are black patent leather pumps - shiny - and I tried to get some of the light reflection, but it was difficult. Fun shoes, and fun to sketch.

I also am about to embark on a mini missions trip up to the city of Hoopa - would appreciate any and all prayers, and I won't be posting tomorrow, because I will be out of pocket. I will do two on Saturday. Blessings fellow bloggers!

Day 3 of the Sketch Project

This sketch I really like. Partly because I really like feet. In high school, my friends used to say I had a foot fetish, but I honestly wouldn't go that far. I know a lot of people are totally grossed out by feet, but I think feet are beautiful. And so darn sturdy. Such hard workers that don't always get the admiration they deserve :).

I decided to sketch my feet today. Now, in my attempts at shading, I fear I may have sketched cave men feet. lol. My feet really aren't hairy (although some say I have hobbit feet), and while my medium of choice will mostly be charcoal pencils, I threw in some red to ... um... feminize these shaded things (my toenails are really red too).

I also have something called Morton's Syndrome where my second toes are the head honcho of the bunch. My Dad used to joke and say that it was a sign of royalty (I got it from him). I've said that straight-faced, and people have believed me. If you are also a second-toer... you might try it :).

Day 2 of the Sketch Project

2nd day of sketching and I'm really enjoying it :). I am a sucker for any kind of routine or structure, so knowing that I WILL be sketching something daily makes me super happy!

Today, I attempted to sketch the cat, Bob, but was sadly unsuccessful. I thought that since he was napping, I could quickly sketch him in a motionless position. He is an active sleeper apparently. I started a few different poses, but he rolled over multiple times and I gave up.

So I settled on the outdoor fireplace. Those don't move much, and it is beautiful and quiet and warm. All things I love :). I sketched a cold fireplace in the afternoon, and the mantle has some girthy candles on top (in case you are wondering what those are).

Love reading all your thoughts and blessings on your blogrimage aspirations.

Day 1 of the Sketch Project

Happy Monday morning all :). 30 day blogrimage is in session!! For those who don't know, I am starting out on a 30 day blogrimage. In short, I will be doing something for 30 days and writing about it. I chose sketching, because it's relaxing and fun and I'd like to get better at it.

Blake and I have moved around a lot in the last few years. It wouldn't surprise me if most people have no clue whether we are currently in-country or not :). We are. We lived in Tennessee for a while after Egypt, and we moved back to California this past Thanksgiving and are living with Blake's parents temporarily in Ukiah, Ca. They are such a blessing, and God has taken good care of us.

The area is breathtaking when it's not raining. Blake's mom and sister have trained a herd of deer to come up to the house when they whistle. Now, 5 to 8 deer come up every morning and evening and snack on stuff we throw out. It's really cool.

There were two deer by the kitchen window this morning.... perfect for sketching :). They were interesting to watch - kissing and licking each others faces. As you can see, these deer eat good! I only got one before they sauntered away:

The 30 Day Blogrimage of Glory

Well... I was realizing today that it's been 4 1/2 years since I've blogged consistently. I say, that is 4 1/2 years too long to be without blogging. So Joe and Pradeep - so glad you birthed the blogrimage.

The whole idea of a 30 day Blogrimage is to do something... anything... for 30 days and document what happens on a blog. Any and all are welcome. We begin March 15th, 2010.

While pondering the many fun things I could do daily for 30 days and write about, I think I landed on the glory of sketching.

I will be sketching many somethings for the next 30 days of my life, taking a picture of it, and posting it on here.

I'm not that great at sketching, which is why I'd like to practice for 30 days and see what comes out. The Lord knows :).