Currently Browsing: Backstory 899 articles
In Context: Acceptance
This is from my 5 x 8 inch or so Hand•Book Watercolor Journal I was carrying in my purse at the time. I was sitting in the eye doctor’s office for the umpteenth time, sketching people in line at the counter as I wanted for my appointment. (I am fascinated by winter coats and so […]
Virtual Fair Sketch-In Wrap Up 2020
Thank you to everyone who stopped by, whether to check in, sketch, or simply ask some questions at today’s Virtual Minnesota State Fair Sketch In 2020 We used “out” in the event hashtag (shown below) because I’d already set it up on Facebook. You’ll be able to see some posts already there. You’ll also find […]
What Kind of a Wise Ass Are You?
Look, I’m known as a bit of a wise-ass. No, let’s be honest, I’m a total-wise-ass-pain-in-the-butt-[expletive-deleted]. As such I really respond well to the wise-assery of others. Ryan Reynolds’ movie characters are a particular favorite of mine. Reynolds has the untrainable ability to talk fast, clear, and sassy while still pushing a plot line forward. […]
In Context: On The Work Table
What’s on my work table? Every so often I gather the stuff up and sort it. Some of it ends up in my journal. For the past two years we’ve had problems with our ductless a.c. units. This has meant I’ve had to move everything in the studio to one corner of the room every […]
In Context—More Pep Talks from the Archives
Still organizing scans and papers here. This scan from January contained a note Dick left for me when he went off to work and I was left at home trying to cope with “the Zombie Eye.” (Which is what we call the super large contact lens meant to control the shape of my oddball left […]
Draw the Same Person Over and Over, Especially if He Makes You Laugh
I’ve been thinking a lot about humor lately, and the need for it in daily life. I try to get as much humor in my life as possible. Sometimes the only way it is possible is to find it on TV. Everyone knows I love improv. I watch and rewatch episodes of “Whose Line Is […]
Recipes Always Have a Place in a Visual Journal
I love to make new soups. I take things I have on hand and work out what would taste good together. Keeping track of these improvised recipes in my visual journal means that I’ll be able to remake them and enjoy them again on another day. (Or be able to fix things that didn’t turn […]
Aspirational Hashbrowns
I still haven’t had time to make this onion soup or these hashbrowns, but I dug up this page from my index. I do need to do both before it gets warm again!
Creative Expectations, Creative Execution, Creative Learning: Lauren Lim’s Instant Photo Documentary
In “Instant: A Short Documentary” Lauren Lim sets out to photograph people on the street, and give them the resultant photo. In the process she learns about her own expectations, her own discomfort, and more about what photography means to her and the people she meets. My blog is full of posts on creativity and […]
In Context—Something to Think About
Stephen Colbert is always saying things that make sense to me, and calm me.