Our Wood’s rose started blooming this week. Our wee little Nootka rose bloomed a week ago. But it’s not a race. In either event, they both lost to the lilac.

The past few years, we have had a few California poppies growing on our drain field (aka, the Fetid Tomb). Those flowers hung on way late into autumn. I kept expecting the wind to blow the petals right off. So they were my inspiration for my first Embroidered Watercolor class (Wednesday, July 9, at 5pm, at the Jansen). What do you think? Is this a class I should try to teach online? I could make it a longer class, maybe multiple sessions with watercolor one day and embroidery the next. That way we might be able to finish the piece in class. I’m making my CraftArt group test a wee stitch sampler at our next meeting.(I hope they’re ready.)

I did one class on surface pattern design, and now I am obsessed. To no one’s surprise. I started making a bunch of patterns that are definitely first passes. But one of the great things about art is that I don’t have to share them with anyone if I don’t want to. You’ll get to see the later versions, though. For now, I do have a couple of simpler patterns from this early batch that I already adore. Raindrops (above). I had painted some practice letters using only “fill”. So I turned those into a pattern, too: PNW. For Pacific Northwest, where I live.

I also submitted to the Spoonflower Design Challenge: Palm Springs. Mine is Pink Flamingo Kitch with Fan Palm Trees on Yellow. Kind of the opposite of PNW, when you think about it. Anyone can vote; you just need a login. There’re 17 pages of entries, but they are randomly ordered for each person, so you don’t have to look at them all. There are some really good patterns in there.

I’ve loved dogs since my first memories. So I wanted to make a game where you play as a dog. Dog Park Discovery! Pretend you are a dog. Explore a dog park. Basically, be me when I was 5.

You’ll frolic with other dogs and find all sorts of landmarks. Every time you play, it’s a new map that you are exploring, and I’d love to see your maps. And if you draw your dog portrait, please send it to me. Via socials (@angelabcomics) or email. I just gotta see those!

Explore the park

Released at the end of May: The Books of Clash, Volume 5. I am currently working on volume 7, so we are closing in on the end of this very long project. It has been a fun ride.

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June 24 to 26 at the Jansen, I am teaching at the kids’ summer art camp! I’ll be doing a daily class on drawing animals, with different kids each day.

Later this summer:

• July 9: embroidered watercolor poppies and Abe’s still photography
  (Can you tell we are commuting together?)

• July 23: pieced block stamps (like my bloberry totes) and Abe’s photography of moving subjects

• August 6, inking with a nib and Abe’s how to take pictures of people (he’s really excellent at this.

• August 20, embroidered photos and Abe’s macro photography.

I hope your day gets better from here!
-Angela

P.S. Wally says it is hot enough. It is time for the pool to come out on the porch. (This is him in the pond.)