The Listeners at the Storytelling Festival '09

The Storytelling Festival '09 in Jonesborough, TN was wonderful as always.   For the three days we were there, I could see how all the different stories touched hearts and tickled funny bones.  I spent some time drawing the faces around me and have posted them here.  I hope you enjoy them and are able to see the wonderment and pathos the masterful stories elicited.  

The Listeners at the Storytelling Festival '09

The Listeners at the Storytelling Festival '09

The Listeners at the Storytelling Festival '09

The Listeners at the Storytelling Festival '09

The Listeners at the Storytelling Festival '09

Drawings from the Week of 9/11/01

 

These are the drawings I made during the week following the disastrous events on 9/11/01.  I've never shown them before but felt like sharing them today in remembrance of all those who lost their lives and/or were witnesses to the destruction and terror.   

#15 A Tree

Stone Mountain, GA in the middle of a heatwave.  My daughter can sniff out Starbuck's like no one else, and she found one at a resort hotel on the mountain.  We went in and I had my usual Venti Lowfat Iced Chai and cooled off enough to draw this tree that was right outside the window.  Ahhhh.  

#86 and #182

A truck and a road sign somewhere in Alabama on I-20.  

#60 Cars

Drawing while riding in the car with my husband and two sons, listening to Blues Traveler and reminiscing about the great weekend we had in Atlanta and Augusta.  

#35 A Bicycle

My husband kindly tried to stay behind this car long enough for me to get the details I needed.  We were on our way home from AtlantaFest, a 3-day Christian music festival.  It is hard to draw as we are hurtling 75 mph down the road but I persisted.  

#58, # 118, & #134

Someone familiar (my friend Sandra) from an unusual angle, her hair, and her hat.  We were sitting at AtlantaFest listening to music, and I was sitting behind Sandra, drawing.  Her daughter is a vocalist (amazingly beautiful voice) for our kids' band, LifeJam.  It was a fantastic three days on top of Stone Mountain.   

#40 and #228 Funny Folds

Again, at AtlantaFest.  This guy was not going to miss the speakers or the music, but used a t-shirt on top of his head to block the rays.  It made me giggle.  I really enjoyed drawing this young man as he sat so still listening to the inspirational messages.  

#217 & #178 A Red Umbrella

This red umbrella was actually hooked up to someone's chair at the AtlantaFest.  It was being used to block the sun in the extreme heat on top of Stone Mountain in Georgia.  There was nothing to do but sit and listen and draw, a group of us sat in the shade of one of those portable shelters and tried not to melt from the heat.  We were visiting the AtlantaFest because our kids are in a band called LifeJam that qualified for the Talent Search.  A great time was had by all!  

#29 Something Architectural

This is the building where my boys have taken guitar lessons for the last five years.  I have spent many quiet hours sitting outside this building, reading, working the crossword, or listening to music.  This was the first time I've ever drawn it.  

#10 My Hand

Here is my hand, holding down the sketchbook so I could draw it with my other hand.  I have some new watercolor paints from Russia, so this was my first paint sketch with my new paints.  I mixed them with gouache for the skin tones.  

#227 (Tote Bag) and #1 (Shoes)

This is the tote bag I made for myself this summer.   It is large enough for whatever summer throws at me, plus I can carry my sketchbook around in it.   The shoes are super-comfy Skechers and I wear them often.  

Another Simple Woman's Post

For Today (or tonight)...

Outside my window...stars and humidity

I am thinking...how the simplest things are sometimes complicated, and vice versa.  

From the learning rooms...very quiet, it's summer and the kids are tired from band practice...school is at a minimum
I am thankful for... my family
From the kitchen...the unwashed evidence of a wonderful, tropical meal of Mahi-Mahi Burgers with pineapple salsa and avocado.  
I am wearing... blue jeans, white top with lace on sleeves and neck
I am reading...World Made by Hand
I am hoping...that there will be a good outcome for the two journalists in North Korea
I am creating...art
I am praying...for faith
Around the house... books, guitars, dogs, art supplies, grocery bags, phones off of their chargers
One of my favorite things...sitting in the living room with my husband, winding down after a long day
A few plans for the rest of the week...finish Spanish II, Exodus and Astronomy Exam

#52 Who's a Good Boy?

This is our beloved dog, Apollo.  He is so named because my husband and I grew up during the Space Race and my dad worked on the Apollo launch missions.  He is a really good dog, a lab/St. Bernard mix so is constantly trying to rescue us from danger.  Here I have captured him taking a much needed rest.  He's such a great dog that we really don't mind if he takes the best chair in the house from time to time.  :)  

#90 Something with Wings...for my daughter

This little dragonfly was sitting on the porch table yesterday.  I drew it for my daughter and sent her the image over email, because she loves dragonflies.  Several times they have just come to her and sat on her shoulder.  One of her friends said it is because she is magic.  Anyway, here is Lizzie's dragonfly drawing.  

#122 Shady porch

This is a drawing of my front porch, light and shade are exaggerated for the sake of the drawing.  I struggled with this one and still not sure if I like it, but there are elements that I do like.  

#224 Draw a Jug or a Pitcher

This pitcher was given to me a few years ago by my good friend, Dolores. 

#76 Draw Some Flowers

I drew this hibiscus on a very sunny but windy day.  

#96 Draw Something Sweet

This is my sweet little Grandson, Jackson.  I don't know anything sweeter, except perhaps his baby brother.  I caught a few minutes of sketching while he was being read to by his mom.