Ink Vanilla

Outside My Window

Early morning, upstairs in my studio, I enjoy latte and scone. Meanwhile it's a matter of gathering pencils, brushes, papers, paints, and inks. Taking cursory glances out my studio window, sun peaks through clouds. From the other side of my house, in the next door neighbor's driveway, loud thumbing sounds emit from a basketball. Although I can't see them from my window, I know all too well the neighborhood kids habits. Most weekday mornings just before the school bus arrives, six boys gather together to shoot hoops, tease, laugh and shout. Around eight thirty, the bus arrives. It stops before a line of mail boxes opposite the front of my house. For several moments, engine idles. I envision the kids climbing aboard. Perhaps their thoughts fill with anticipation as to what the day may bring. Will it be good or bad?

Just as the bus pulls away, the neighbor's dog (Gus) begins to bark incessantly. This will last for nearly ten minutes. But soon persistence unheeded, he offers mere whimpers. In turn, this quietude provides complete concentration on my work. Watercolor brush receives clean water from a glass jar. Prussian blue leaves a light stain on Arches paper. Brush hairs barely touch the edges of black ink strokes. For nearly two hours, I'm in my zone. Finally, when I feel satisfied with results, I look out the window. Eyes widen.

Large snow flakes fall swift like flour sprinkling from a giant's hands. "I can't believe it. It's actually snowing," I mutter. Indeed... a big surprise. The past few days had been showing signs of true spring. Much warmer temperatures were here. Buds bursting forth on branches. Crocus bringing forth purple colors after long months underground. Surely this snowstorm is just a springtime fluke! It lies deep on the ground. Trees are laden yet beautiful. I look for birds. No sign.

And so goes the mysterious behavior of weather no matter what the season.

~ Moving onward ~

I would like to offer a big THANK YOU to Monica over at M&Co

She wrote a wonderful post about my blog. Suffice it to say, it's left me speechless. Anyway, be sure to visit Monica's blog. You'll be delightfully rewarded with fascinating posts about decorating, gardening, cooking, and other lovelies like her two dogs. I adore Luna even if she is deservedly spoiled.

Note: When able, I would like to send gifts to Monica, Lisa, Juan, and other individuals who've contributed what I believe to be genuine comments, emails, including those of you who've featured my blog. You're kindness and efforts deserves something special in return. Rather then just thanking you with written words, I want to send a handmade gift. Once the shop goes online, I'll do my best to contact all of you regarding this offer. Of course, that's if you want one! 

Until next time... Cheers!

Btw, possibility I might not post again until two weeks from now. Just really need to give full attention to producing my products. Once I get the shop online, I would like to also return to writing my storybook about Edmund Dawkins. And send some new children's book illustrations to book editors. I'll show you some of these in April. Lots to do!

New Design For Shop

Here is a small sampling recently completed to use as my new design for upcoming Junes Melange Online Shop. This one is for keeps. Slogan reads: Timeless Art and Craft...From the studio of June Parrish Cookson. Felt previous design was too gloomy. If interested in viewing what it looked like before, check out November 8th, 2007 post. Perhaps you might prefer this lighter more elegant version? I certainly do.

Meanwhile, busy working on lots of products to sale at the shop. Also continually designing website! Original product designs will consist of primitive to somewhat contemporary motifs. There are hand-painted Chinoiserie designs on linen scrolls including paperclay sculptures; a variety of figurative and landscape motifs applied to boxes; folk art portraiture similar to styles of Rufus Hathaway, Ammi Phillips, Dennison Limner to name a few. The portraits are painted onto wooden panels including linen and canvas. Finally, watercolor and ink on paper depicting subjects such as floral, insects, and mammals. Printed paper is applied onto wooden plaques then covered with a layer of melted beeswax. All of these products are taking a lot of time and effort to design and produce. My goal is to create art with a bit more decorative appeal for people's homes.

Once I'm confident items meet my particular production standards including website properly working, I'll finally be ready to open for business. At first, only a few will be showcased then gradually add more pieces to sale. Nevertheless, your patience greatly appreciated.

Well, that's it for now. Hope all of you are doing well.

Until next post ~ Cheers!

Blogiversary!

One Year says the little birdie!

How time flies since the very first post went online here at Typepad on March 12th, 2007. First and foremost, a very special thank-you goes out to the lovely and very talented Lisa Tutman Oglesby . Her kindness and support are always most appreciated! Others appreciated, visitors who've left inspiring comments and/or emails. Your constructive opinions and/or kind thoughts about my art and blog inspire me to continue maintaining Ink Vanilla. Also, would like to thank previous clients who've hired me to create artwork for them. And lastly, a special thanks to Typepad for continual  mention thus far of my blog in New & Notable Blogs sidebar; others who feature my blog whether past or present: Notebookism, Drawn!, Moleskinerie, Charming Sam; and last but not least, the newly discovered Kathleen at her feminine and elegant blog Brocante. If I've left out anyone, it's not intentional. Please forgive, just can't recall presently.

Anyway, forever Grateful to Everyone!

So... look forward to continuing the blogging journey. Many, many, new endeavors yet to come!

All the best, June.

Inside the Studio: Wall Art and Cart

Hello.

Here is the last post regarding the appearance of my studio. Above is a photo of area beside the closet seen in previous posting. Bottom shelf contains some Junes Melange items you might recognize. Top shelf, miscellaneous objects recently created just for fun.

Below the shelving is metal cart on wheels. The newly painted blue drawers belong to an old dresser now in retirement. The top drawer holds art tablets and some frames awaiting artwork. The other two, I refer as my lazy drawers. Here, various drawings and art reference materials are set aside to sort through on another day. As you can see, no orderly manner happening here.

Above photo is the area where my work desk is located (see February 6th studio post). As mentioned in previous post, here is the other five dollar curtain panel used to hide various art supplies such as glues, varnishes, paints, and much more. Some of the pictures on wall were purchased several years ago at Shorey's Bookstore located in Seattle. Sadly, the bookstore dealing with used rare books and prints, closed in 2000.

Behind the candle holder is a beeswax plaque discovered at flea market. Later, I'll take it down and shoot a closeup. Appealing due to antiqued appearance and European city scene. Also, love the miniature pictures of antique chairs displayed in old frames I painted with milk paint medium. Lately, these depictions of chairs have inspired me to draw my own version of some antique decorative chairs. So, perhaps in the very near future.

Closeup of shadowbox I recently made. The picture of birds comes from magazine tearsheet. Here's a game: Can anyone guess what those bunches of small objects with round heads are? No guess? Answer found somewhere in this post.

Handmade bulletin board hangs above my work desk. Pictures pinned to canvas are inspiring due to color or subject matter. Still in pursuit of a hanging vintage birdcage to replace the chandelier.

That's it for Studioscapes and clothespins. Ha,Ha.

Onward to something different. Stay tune for Wednesday, March 12th!!

Cheers!