Our lilacs have already bloomed and are starting to wilt away. I have no idea if they bloom more than once a year, but they are my favorite scent. From one day to the next, I can’t remember all the things I love. I should keep a list. And maybe write a little program that will pop out a requested number of random selections. Hmmm…

People still like greeting cards? People still like greeting cards! So I decided to make some of my own. I love the idea of greeting cards. I am too disorganized to use them regularly. I even worked at a Hallmark store for a while. I think we got a free card a week or something.

So, I did a greeting cards class on Domestika. A good one! I like her process, which is now something I plan to incorporate into my own workflow. Basically: come up with a theme, write a bunch of text options for each type of card in your collection, pick your phrases, find typography to go with the mood, and get to work. The above are watercolor and gouache, my new favorite technique. I will show more of the process for each later. Unless you guys vote for lots and lots of process pics, I might actually start a blog just for process stuff because it can be so long.

Speaking of process, I have to remember I can show my art even when it isn’t finished. Here is a pencil piece that I started while at Emerald City ComiCon. I am not sure where I want to go with it, so I haven’t worked on it anymore. I thought about changing to ink, but now I think that paper might not be great for ink…

This week my art has made it into a real live store. “Brick and mortar” as you might call it. It is called Art and Happiness and is basically the store I would open if I were to open a store. The co-owner is a freaking delight and the store has a magical selection of items.

These images are from their Instagram. This is definitely a write-up that I need to keep for when I am feeling down. Really, just going to the store is something I need to remember I should do when I am feeling down!

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Soon at the Jansen:

• May 24: feathers and fur curios, and Abe’s class on taking better cellphone pics

• May 31: eyes curios

• June 27: plant curious

June 24 to 26, 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 (yes, pictured above!) 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.

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

I have to stick with Art and Happiness. Yes, I am recommending a store. They have collections of pretty paper sorted by color. Mini craft kits EVERY WEEK (that you can buy online and have shipped)! All sorts of paper and stationery and a whole bucket of buttons. Lots and lots and lots of work from local artists. I wish they had a list online, but other than me, there is also Angela Wright (who is another Jansen teacher and the one who told me about this place) and Erika Rae Heins are the only two I can list.

I hope your day gets better from here!
-Angela

P.S. Wally is so glad the weather has dried up a little. He no longer has to be toweled off every time he comes inside. I am sure you are also enjoying not toweling off after every outing.

P.P.S. That ball is actually huge. Less than a foot. Maybe 10 inches? He loves loves loves it. I’m sure you can tell.