#2967 looking ahead and art gallery

The good news is that Mac is back to her usual playful self. I really think she ate something on our Wednesday morning walk that was bad for her tummy. Even though I try to watch what they sniff and put in their mouths, I don't see all the things, and I know she was chomping on something Wednesday morning. 

The best things I can say about Friday is that the temperature was not over 90 degrees, and I was in bed by 9 PM and sound asleep by 9:30. I'd put clean sheets and a light blanket on the bed and it felt luxurious. I find that I am usually really tired by 8:30 or 9, but I push myself to stay up a little longer, and then it's midnight before I get to sleep. I woke up around 6:30 Saturday morning feeling refreshed and ready to go. I really need to make an effort to get to bed earlier during the week.

Saturday was pretty mellow. I recorded blooms, paid the bills, and did some laundry. I bought a couple of clothing items to take on the trip next month that I'm certain I will wear often. I did a little writing and went to bed by 10 PM. 

Today I worked the docent shift at RBGA. It was really slow - we only had 13 guests take the complimentary tour, and one driver did all four tours. The other driver hung out and chatted with me, which was nice. The weather this weekend has been incredible with highs in the mid to upper '80s and lows in the 60s. Such pleasant sleeping temperatures! I didn't even have the swamper turned on last night and it was nice and cool anyway. We've got some hot days coming up, but I feel like fall is coming! Another tell-tale sign of fall: anemones have started blooming in the Children's Garden.  I love fall.

I've got a busy week coming up: 

• On Monday, Mac is going to the vet for a checkup and vaccinations. That night, I will do a recycling shift during the My Morning Jacket concert. 
• On Tuesday, T has an appointment with a physical therapist. His quad muscle has healed, but he has pain in his calf muscle and numb toes, plus, he can't stand all the way upright. I figure we'll go to the physical therapist and move on from there.
• On Wednesday, Stella has an appointment at the groomer for a bath and a haircut. That night, I will do a recycling shift during the ZZ Top concert.
• Thursday and Friday are clear. Friday is my 32nd wedding anniversary. It will be the first anniversary MT and I have been in separate states. (He is doing fine, BTW.)
• On Saturday, I'm planning to take my car to the emissions place to renew the registration. I'll also record blooms, then that night, I will go see Chris Stapleton in concert at Mountain America CU Amphitheater (formerly USANA Amphitheater.) I may take a Lyft to the show, but maybe I'll just pack some water, a snack, and my kindle and hang out in the parking lot after the show. It's always a shitshow getting out of the parking lot, so I might as well relax.
• Next Sunday, the 17th, I'm planning to just stay home and rest. I even put up my docent shift, so I won't be going to RBG. I want to clean up the house and seriously prep for my September trip.

It's fun to have things to look forward to, definitely, but I realize it's a lot. Maybe that's why I like fall and winter. More low-key!

Want to see some art I've made in July and early August? If you don't, stop scrolling now! Otherwise, scroll on...

All of these pieces were based on prompts from Jill Badonsky, aka Jill the Artist.

The prompt that inspired this one was self-portrait with butterfly. I took a photo of myself, then drew it without looking down at the page (blind contour.) I added the blue butterfly in the center afterwards and laughed.

What I Would Look Like If There Was a Bug On My Face

The next prompt was a Marc Chagall appreciation. I looked at several Chagall paintings, and I really liked this one:

Marc Chagall (1887-1985) L'Oiseau Bleu, 1952

Here's my take:

Inspired by Chagall's L'Oiseau Bleu (Sandy's Version)

The next prompt was Black Bird. Scrolling through Pinterest, I saw something like this, and I really wanted to try it. I ripped a page out of The Time-Traveler's Wife, glued it into my sketchbook, dabbed some paint on it and drew some birds. 

Birds and Words

The next prompt was pretty interesting. Jill posted a pic of a woman holding a giant pink owl. The instruction was to render it anyway we wanted, but to be quick about it. I did a partial blind contour, meaning I mostly looked at the image, only occasionally checking where I was on the paper. I used a gel pen to draw, then dabbed some water on the sketch in places. I did all of it in about 90 seconds.

Mystery and Wisdom

The prompt for this last sketch was to make up a celebration for the month of August since it doesn't have any holidays. I love to eat outside, so I decided that August could be National Dine Al Fresco Month. The tiny umbrella and chairs are kind of Seussian, maybe.

That's all for today! Have a great week. I'll likely check in here on Thursday with a report of the week's adventures.