Music Monday - The Wedding Song

I leave in the morning for the final week of wedding prep for the son and his fiance (the actual wedding and first reception are on Saturday). Wish me luck. Sanity. Survival.... In the interim, here is the quintessential wedding song, IMO -

And here are some shots of the kids... Summery ones. I'll return with more wintery ones. :-)

Sunday Sketching -

In the teensy purse Moleskine balanced up on my knee.....

Figure Friday

Long pose day (although my pre-wedding to-do list is far too long and I only stayed for half).

WIP Wednesday - Justin Gerard Workshop (assignment!)

Justin Gerard (whose workshop is coming up in March!!!) has posted his assignment and material list. Behold! Looks awesome!

Sunday Sketching

In the teensy purse Moleskine balanced upon my knee....

Succulent Saturday - FaerieCon West, Part III

 We also squeezed in as much time with the fun vendors as possible.

 This gal makes pointy, leafy, leather ear-tips. Clever and really cute on.

 I loved this guys' hand-made stuffed goblins. 

 And this gal makes the most gorgeous, traditional Venetian papier mache masks -

 Cyndy (the mask maker) also did a face-casting demonstration - 

 It looks immensely doable... I may have to try this at some point!

Aren't they gorgeous? Maybe my favorite thing of the day.

Succulent Saturday - FaerieCon West Part II

The panels we attended were exceptionally good! Impressive, articulate, smart and informative panelists. (This one was actually on Steampunk - which was fun and ironic. Musician, modder, and authors).

(they seemed just as enamored of the audience as were with them. :-)

There were a number of authors there that I've read, or now want to read. I recently finished up Lisa Mantchev's Theatre Illuminata trilogy (fun and theatrical!). 

Also got to chat with Julie Kawagawa, Charles de Lint, Jesa MacBeth, etc...

There were a number of artist's also in attendance. Brom (who is guesting everywhere this year!)

Daniel Merriman, Amy Brown, Toby Froud, and more artistic goodness!

The talks on the state of publishing were a bit overwhelming and potentially depressing - things are changing SO quickly, it's hard to know how to keep up or where to go next. Robert Gould (super mega-transmedia mogul and the Con's organizer) had many impressive, thought provoking things to say. I have much to think on now...

Succulent Saturday - FaerieCon West Part I

Today, a friend and I attended the first iteration of FaerieCon West here in Seattle...

One of the enjoyable aspects of these types of conventions are all the fun people in character.

(see the dressed up people checking out the other dressed up people. :-)

And it's always fun seeing those in costume doing things like eat at the mundane bar. 

This is just a snippet. There were many many many more. You'll have to go yourself to see though. :-)

Figure Friday -

Costume model day (routinely my favorite life drawing week of the month)

1 minute gestures.

5 minutes.

10 minutes -

20 minutes -

40 minutes. Charcoal on newsprint.