Is that a MONKEY on your back?....I mean HEAD!

Sock Monkey Hats are the CUTEST!

Sock Monkey Hat

I had a chance today to enjoy a refreshing trip up into the Spring Mountain Range and travel the road that runs between Kyle Canyon and Lee Canyon on Mt. Charleston.  The temperature was a mild 74°F, while down in the Las Vegas Valley the temperature was hoovering near 110°F.  That is quite a difference.

As we descended in altitude I watched as the car temperature gauge just kept climbing.  Oh how I hated to come back into the heat but was thankful for the few hours I had and the opportunity to do some sketching today.  I decided to finish this pencil sketch I did of my grandson several years ago.  I used my color pencils to enhance the drawing.  I'm still considering the fact that I want him to appear under his covers in bed so I think I will cover his shoulders with a blanket.  That might actually be a good project to work on developing my Photoshop skills.

I did decide to add the blanket using colored pencils

I also finished a poem that I started to write the other day to go along with this piece of artwork.  As my usual custom is to share my work here on blog I decided to today that I wouldn't even share it first on Facebook but rather just introduce both here on my blog.  I really would love to receive some comments about what you think and if you would like to look at my other artwork and poems then by all means drop by my website gallery and spend some time poking around.  So here goes.....

Judah, my inspiration

Sock Monkey Hat

By

Julie Townsend

You are my favorite winter accessory

Nothing comes close to you, yes sirree

You keep my ears so warm and toasty

Stylish, soft and very roasty.

I love my sock monkey stocking cap.

Everything about you makes me a happy little chap

From your giant cheesy red yarn smile

That you can see for nearly a mile

To your black button eyes all aglow

Always keeping me warm against the coldest snow

My scarf and my mittens are by the door in a pile

But I’m so sad when you’re lost for only just a little while

When I’ve brushed my teeth and said my prayers

And I snuggle down deep into my blanket layers

When the lights are turned down low

And the household is quiet and slow

When no one is looking I slip you over my head

Then I can sleep like a baby in my big boy bed.

You Want to Build a Snowman?

BEST IN SHOW!

That is what my painting,  "First Snowman" was awarded at City of the World Gallery this past week for their annual JOY show.  This show certainly wouldn't be classified much of an art show, but it didn't deter me from putting my heart into this piece as I painted.  

This painting is very personal for me because the little models are actually myself and my younger brother.  I used a reference photo taken in front of my Grandmother's house in Swedeborg, Missouri probably around 1967.  I remember the day because my grandmother took the time to actually help us build this fine snow sculpture.  On our own we were way too small to accomplish the creation of such a magnificent looking chap but she did what Grandmas are supposed to do and that is to spend time with their grandchildren.

 I can even remember going through her button box to find the perfect buttons to complete his blackened stare and his sweet cheery smile. You can see just how happy we were on that day as we posed for the picture.  Bundled up warmly in our coats, gloves and snow boots we don't that a care in the world.  All we have in mind at that moment was loving our grandma and being so proud of our very first snowman.   Even today I find myself humming the "Frosty the Snowman" song as I think about that cold Missouri day.

I might have moved to the Las Vegas desert way back in 1978 but you just can't take the Missouri out of my heart.  Painting is a way for me to clear my mind of the insanity of the world I find that I am now living in and tell a story where for just a moment I can capture a memory or a feeling.  I guess that makes the term "ART FROM THE HEART" clarity.

"First Snowman"- 18x24 Acrylic

Winter on My Mind

The weather here in Las Vegas has been unseasonable cold with several days of temperatures never leaving the 30's.  For almost 20 years we have heated our home exclusively with a wood stove.  This works fine at night to take e chill out of the air, but with these temps the house has been like living in a meat locker all day.  The last few days have certainly been a challenge and my studio has been SO cold that I've been painting in my jacket and scarf.  Mittens wouldn't allow for good brush strokes so gloves weren't an option but for a moment I did consider it.  Seems fitting to have a winter scene in progress on my easel and so yesterday I started working on this 16x20 frozen composition in acrylics.  The weather today is supposed to begin warming up and so maybe spring will soon be in the studio air!