Maxine's BD: P.'s Misery (ca. 09-02)

...Where P. (aka Maxine) mulls over her looks. (ca. 09-02)

About the comics... (09-30-08)

[. . .] As for the comics, since they tend to be the way I tell personal issues, I realize that I am taking the risk that people will think, "Well, she's so darn shallow, with her obsession about her appearance," etc. But this is ME, take it or leave it. Meet me halfway, and you'll see that we have a lot in common.
I am not looking for advice; I am not looking for solace. I think that inner peace is something that is gained from life experience, and obviously, I still have a lot to learn.

No Objectivity Necessary or Required (09-30-08)

I was going through some of my old sketchbooks, and revisited some old situations and feelings, as I had interpreted them at the time. My sketchbooks are so precious to me that, -and this is something I have thought about many, many times, if my house were on fire, they are what I would want to pull out (assuming everyone is safe, etc.), along with my thumb drives, since they hold my written journal texts.
When I write, it tends to be in the "I-Hate-My-Life" style, while the sketchbooks hold so many moments of sheer wonder, happiness and pleasure (such as the drawing of my husband's hand with a paper heart next to it, a sketch of someone's toddler asleep on a plane, or an architectural detail on a building...), that words could not convey appropriately. Of course, I could write, "The child was asleep now, her soft, gentle face was peaceful..." and how BORING that would be. There is nothing like drawing it.
I decided to post some old entries from my sketchbooks. There is no specific order or reason that will dictate my postings, just whatever catches my attention and makes me smile at the memory.
I may at some point also post my pages on politics, -some are funny, while most express how helpless I feel in a world that is out of control.
[. . .]
I am not looking for advice; I am not looking for solace. I think that inner peace is something that is gained from life experience, and obviously, I still have a lot to learn.

Maxine's BD: Shopping for clothes (ca. 09-08?)

...Where Maxine faces an existential crisis.

A sketch of Paris (ca. 07-08)

Here is one of my favorite recent sketches: in July, I was lucky enough to draw one of the rooftops of the Paris Courthouse.

Why I draw (09-25-08)

My sketchbooks are a source of comfort and pleasure. Whenever I feel bored or unsure about a situation, or when I plain don't feel like being sociable, I know that, in my purse, a world of escape awaits. They are my memory of events I enjoyed, my record of places visited, my outlet for what can't always quite be said in words.

Maxine's BD: Willamette Writers Conference (ca. 08-08)

...Where Maxine explores her altruistic side as a conference volunteer...

Tree cutters at work (09-16-08)

G. and I went for a walk tonight and, on our way, we walked down two blocks over eastward and were stupefied to see that the very tall and beautiful cedar tree on the edge of the second house from the corner was in the process of being cut down.
Now, this is a house that had been for sale for close to $700,000 in the past year, by far the nicest house in the neighborhood and, of course, part of what made the property attractive was the tree on the left side of the property.
There was a contractor's van on the street and scaffolding in front of the house. In my opinion, whomever has the money to buy such an expensive house, then remodel and cut trees down that were perfectly fine... (I won't finish my sentence).
Of course, the excuse will be invoked that 1) the tree was "sick," 2) it could be "dangerous" (so could Mt Hood blowing up), 3) it was "old" (see excuse #2), 4) it was "messy" (it shed needles/pinecones/horse chestnuts/leaves, or whatever else).
It makes one cynical.

Maxine's BD: Paris, Part 4 (ca. 07-08)

...Where Maxine gets frustrated...

Maxine's BD: Paris, Part 5 (ca. 07-08)

...Where Maxine reflects on sight-seeing and on her trip...

Maxine's BD: Paris, Part 3 (ca. 07-08)

...Where Maxine eats on the cheap and goes on the Champs-Élysées...

Maxine's BD: Paris, Part 2 (ca. 07-08)

...Where Maxine stays in a luxury hotel and has no money to spend...

Maxine's BDs: Paris, Part 1 (ca. 07-08)

...Where Maxine arrives in Paris on Bastille Day...

Photos of Kitchen (ca. 09-08)

Photos of my kitchen, designed by Yours Truly.

Since the house is for sale, I figured I might as well post a couple of photos of my favorite space: the kitchen I designed. I think the project turned out fabulous, especially with the color tiles on the wall.

I really enjoy watching house redo shows; it makes me laugh when I see "experts" walk in a house, criticize everything and turn it into a "staged" space that makes it look bland and banal. Unlike some of the houses I see on these programs, I like houses with personality.

Today's Sketch: The Lady with the Camelias (09-07-08)

With a nod to Alexandre Dumas, here is "La Dame aux Camélias."

It is rather unusual for me to draw from imagination, but the opportunity presented itself today. I used a (leaky) Pilot Vball 0.5 pen.

A sketch I did last Thursday (09-04-08)

Drawing from imagination is very different from when I look at something. Lines are generally more defined, features are a bit out of proportion, shadows are less defined. A different style altogether.

My Recipe for Coffee-free Frappuccino (09-04-08)

And here it is, dear audience, my super-extra-addictive-no-coffee-much-chocolate recipe for Frappuccino. No need to rely run to your local (unnamed) coffee shop anymore, because you can make it at home.
And, oh, it IS so difficult to resist making it...over and over. Just like right now.
It sure looks like I'm going to make me one of these delicious chocolate-flavored drinks, since I won't have to share with a bunch of people (J. is asleep, V. is upstairs, M. and K. at work, G. is at a meeting; only C. is downstairs)...hehehe.