Journaling the Quarantine

Since I have been remiss in my journaling lately, I decided to catch up. There's not much to say since we have self-quarantined since March. Click on the picture to see it better.

I did finally make some successful masks, and since we have never had this much time to work in the yard, it's looking really good now.

Carmen

My Life in Limericks, Back to the Azores

I have not posted anything in weeks because I've been sick. I'm better now and have done a bit more in my journal. In the last post we were living in Bermuda. Click on the picture to view it better:

This was our second tour in the Azores, and we had a great time there. I started working at Lajes Air Force Base, and the rest of the time we were playing sports. We got our first horse there, a little Portuguese cart horse named Canasta. It was a great place to raise children.

Carmen

More from My Life in Limericks by Carmen Beecher

We were living in Charleston and Suzanne was a baby when President Kennedy was shot.

Next came Bermuda. Can you imagine living in Bermuda for three years? Yes, it was wonderful. We lived in Diamond Cottage on Suffering Lane. That was our whole address. 

The water was turquoise, the beaches had pink sand in them. Snorkeling was great and we could stay near the shore. Beautiful fish were abundant. It was a great place for kids.

Carmen

Sketchbook Project at the Brooklyn Art Library by Carmen Beecher

I am participating in the Sketchbook Project, a challenge by the Brooklyn Art Library to fill a sketchbook by August 15 using one of their suggested themes. Limericks were one suggestion, which is right up my alley. My book is called "My Life in Limericks," and I am writing and sketching about all the places I've lived. I have lived in a lot of places. Here is a bit of my book.

I have come to the realization that art is not all about making money. I am enjoying this project so much, and I hope my enthusiasm continues at this level for all 29 pages. This is a sentimental journey.

Carmen

A Day in the Gardens

L

Left to right, Denette, Kathy, Donna and Fay

My journal page 

Carmen Beecher

Twenty-Minute Challenge, Small Paintings

Donna Vines introduced me to artist Mary Gilkerson's 20-minute challenge, which means doing a small painting in just 20 minutes. Here is my first attempt, a scene in Florence, Italy. I learned from this one that the subject was a bit too complex for a 20-minute execution!

This was my second attempt, and it went much easier. No buildings or people!

I was more deliberate with this last one, and stopped panicking over the time ticking by.

If you want to paint more loosely, this is a great exercise. One important tip: mix up your paint before you set the time.

Below is a page from my sketch journal, starting with my gym class the other day. Jean Thomas's class really inspired me to sketch more about everyday happenings.

Carmen

Pacific Northwest Journal

We've been in the Seattle area visiting relatives and friends, and I recorded various events in my sketch journal. What a handy dandy thing that is. When I can't remember what year or month I did something, I find it in my journal, along with happy memories. First we were in Sequim (pronounced "Squim", where lavender farms are everywhere), with my cousins, Bill and Louise.

Hap and I in the Big Chair at a lavender farm. 

Opera music plays in the Sequim rest rooms. They appropriately played a selection from "Carmen" when I walked in. What a wonderful small town with a great community spirit and an appreciation for every shade of purple.

Carmen

South Florida Leisure Trip

My husband and I enjoyed a trip to South Florida a couple weeks ago, and we visited Worth Avenue in Palm Beach, then went for a cruise on the Jungle Queen out of Ft. Lauderdale, where we saw a gigantic home with a huge yacht docked beside it. The man's yacht took up more than his waterfront space, encroaching on the neighbor's dock. The neighbor complained, so the man bought his house and tore it down. How did he get all that wealth? He is a foreclosure lawyer. His yacht's name is Misunderstood.

Doesn't it just make your heart bleed for him? Awww...nothing so pitiful as a misunderstood One-Percenter.

After not traveling for quite a while, I'm glad to be able to sketch in my journal again. On my next trip I'll be walkin' in Memphis.

Carmen

Sketching Downtown

On Monday the Pieces of Eight took to the streets--some painting en plein aire (outside) and others sketching in our journals. The weather was perfect and it was so peaceful. On the left side you can see the 905 Cafe, where Denette and I get the Brie Apple Nut Melt every time. Yum. The giraffes were in the window of the store Go Fish.

My journal so far has various places in Virginia, the Natchez Trace, Memphis, the Everglades, Clinton, Iowa and locations here in Brevard County, Florida. I recommend a travel journal for every artist. Fun!

Carmen