Venturing out today, we travelled up to Smokey Point to visit The Plant Farm. We have a small list of local nurseries that are our favorites, each with its own unique strong points. The Plant Farm has fish. Dozens and dozens of gorgeous Koi. Armed with a pocket of quarters, Ben keeps himself busy buying fish food to feed the hungry buggers while daddy shops. There is something incredibly adorable about old fashioned vending machines a child with a fistful of change. Amazingly, we did not leave with any plants this time, just temporary pots for our blueberries until they have a permanent home in the ground next year.
There's a Michaels very near The Plant Farm, and as I haven't been in one for-EVER, I indulged in a browse. I even treated myself to a few purchases.
I couldn't pass up a great deal on gesso – I'm low, and this was on clearance. It could by 937 ml at this price, or I could buy a full gallon for about $3 more. I shouldn't be running out anytime soon.
I was pleased to see that Michaels' selection of clays has expanded since I'd been there last – they have several I've never seen in person before. I've been wanting to try La Doll air-dry clay since I first read about it a couple years ago, and although I paid through the nose for it (Michaels is always always more expensive than ordering through an actual fine art supplier, like Dick Blick), I got to take it home today and try it out.
I fell victim to a standing-in-the-waiting-line-offering with this one. I haven't bought a Somerset Studio magazine in several years – I just don't have the mad money for it – but I noticed that this issue's artist porfolio was on our local Teesha Moore. We have met her (and her talented husband) several times throughout the years, at various shows and Artfest – they are very personable and fun people, and Teesha's artwork is a feast for the eyes. Kind of like a buffet at a chinese restaurant – so many wonderful things to devour all in one place, it can be overwhelming. I likely will get up an hour or two early tomorrow morning so I can enjoy some uninterrupted alone time reading this.
I didn't actually buy this book (I'd already spent more than my share of gift money today), but I did make note of it so I could look it up at the library when I got home. There are about a bajillion art journalling books out there, but I guess what sparked my interest about this one was that unlike 99.9% of all the others, this one is authored by men. Flipping through the pages quickly, I didn't actually see what the book was actually about (More technique based vs eye candy? More introductionary vs geared to those already familiar with the basic concepts?) – I found the artwork itself rather inspirational. It wasn't necessarily better, it was just different. More shapes and scribbles and colors and lines, and less flowers and vintage photos and, well, girls. I just found it to be refreshing enough in the two minutes I glanced through it that I already have it on hold at the library.
It feels good to be even remotely artistic again. This has been a long and dark and dry spell.
