Peg Kerr's Blog, page 6
October 15, 2015
An apropos picture
A friend, who presumably saw my last collage "Fall" shared this picture with me on Facebook, with the caption "Be who you want to be--even if you want to be a dragon."
Nice!
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1740426.html. There are
comments on the post.
Nice!
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1740426.html. There are
comments on the post.
How odd...
Seen today on my walk from Minnehaha Falls to the river and back.
I have no idea what that was about.
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1740152.html. There are
comments on the post.
I have no idea what that was about.
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1740152.html. There are
comments on the post.
October 14, 2015
52 Week Collage: Week 7 Fall
Week 7: Fall
The beautiful and familiar are falling away, leaving bare spaces for winter's approach.
I think this may be one of my favorite cards I've ever made.
The original title for this was 'Leaf Fall' which I originally visualized as one word and then realized that wouldn't work. And because I'm limiting myself to just one word as titles for these cards, I played around until I realized that 'Fall' could refer both to the season and the falling of the leaves. Excellent.
One of the impetuses for this was a discussion I had with Delia about an art project she was working on for her Introduction to Drawing class. She was to draw a common object (she used a hole punch) and then draw it different ways over the course of fourteen days, using a different medium each time. The trick is to keep finding new ways to convey the object when you start to run out of ideas. I suggested that the line could be conveyed by negative space. Two of the ideas I gave her were 1) to use pinpricks through the paper to outline her subject, and then 2) to use cut outs: negative space in other words, like you see in some of the marvelously ornate pumpkins that people have been carving the past several years for Halloween: you suggest the line of an object by illuminating what's around it.
The autumn here has been gorgeous, and the fall colors just about reached their height last week. Even as I was enjoying the colors, I've been feeling increasingly uneasy about what's coming next. I was struck by the very strong correlation between what I'm going through, with this job search, and the leaf fall all around me. When I was laid off, I had my severance period, I could enjoy my suddenly free time, take walks, visit with my family, etc. A lot of people who are laid off initially treat this time as a mini vacation. But I'm aware that world I lived in of my job (routines, friendships, tasks) has fallen away. It felt a little unreal at first, but it really feels real now. My severance period will eventually be coming to an end, and then my income will drop precipitously when I go on unemployment. And if I can't find a job then...
So I see the beautiful leaf fall and at the same time, the bare spaces left behind that are growing. Winter is coming. Hard times are coming. Have I stored up enough acorns to see my family through?
I loved, loved, loved making this card, and to do so, I used a method I've never tried before. I cut out small delicate leaves from my collected images, but instead of gluing them on the card, I used them as templates; I laid them over the card and drew tiny brush strokes of paint away from the leaf edges, first in white and then with a wash of autumnal colors over the white (the color on black alone wouldn't have shown up). Then I peeled the leaves away, leaving the finely edged outline of a leaf behind. Finally, I added a few, spare touches of gold.
I had a tough time capturing a good scan of the card with the scanner app I have on my iPod touch. Reflections of light on the black kept washing out the paint. Finally got a good one on my screened in porch (indirect light) and toned down the brightness to make the scrim of white reflection disappear while keeping the leaf color true, but that made the card look almost as if it is deep purple rather than black. Then I had to monkey with other parameters to make the card look black again.
Made this card yesterday, as part of a lovely day I spent with
minnehaha
K. Thanks for the use of your paints! And I really enjoyed your company.
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1739981.html. There are
comments on the post.
The beautiful and familiar are falling away, leaving bare spaces for winter's approach.
I think this may be one of my favorite cards I've ever made.
The original title for this was 'Leaf Fall' which I originally visualized as one word and then realized that wouldn't work. And because I'm limiting myself to just one word as titles for these cards, I played around until I realized that 'Fall' could refer both to the season and the falling of the leaves. Excellent.
One of the impetuses for this was a discussion I had with Delia about an art project she was working on for her Introduction to Drawing class. She was to draw a common object (she used a hole punch) and then draw it different ways over the course of fourteen days, using a different medium each time. The trick is to keep finding new ways to convey the object when you start to run out of ideas. I suggested that the line could be conveyed by negative space. Two of the ideas I gave her were 1) to use pinpricks through the paper to outline her subject, and then 2) to use cut outs: negative space in other words, like you see in some of the marvelously ornate pumpkins that people have been carving the past several years for Halloween: you suggest the line of an object by illuminating what's around it.
The autumn here has been gorgeous, and the fall colors just about reached their height last week. Even as I was enjoying the colors, I've been feeling increasingly uneasy about what's coming next. I was struck by the very strong correlation between what I'm going through, with this job search, and the leaf fall all around me. When I was laid off, I had my severance period, I could enjoy my suddenly free time, take walks, visit with my family, etc. A lot of people who are laid off initially treat this time as a mini vacation. But I'm aware that world I lived in of my job (routines, friendships, tasks) has fallen away. It felt a little unreal at first, but it really feels real now. My severance period will eventually be coming to an end, and then my income will drop precipitously when I go on unemployment. And if I can't find a job then...
So I see the beautiful leaf fall and at the same time, the bare spaces left behind that are growing. Winter is coming. Hard times are coming. Have I stored up enough acorns to see my family through?
I loved, loved, loved making this card, and to do so, I used a method I've never tried before. I cut out small delicate leaves from my collected images, but instead of gluing them on the card, I used them as templates; I laid them over the card and drew tiny brush strokes of paint away from the leaf edges, first in white and then with a wash of autumnal colors over the white (the color on black alone wouldn't have shown up). Then I peeled the leaves away, leaving the finely edged outline of a leaf behind. Finally, I added a few, spare touches of gold.
I had a tough time capturing a good scan of the card with the scanner app I have on my iPod touch. Reflections of light on the black kept washing out the paint. Finally got a good one on my screened in porch (indirect light) and toned down the brightness to make the scrim of white reflection disappear while keeping the leaf color true, but that made the card look almost as if it is deep purple rather than black. Then I had to monkey with other parameters to make the card look black again.
Made this card yesterday, as part of a lovely day I spent with
minnehaha
K. Thanks for the use of your paints! And I really enjoyed your company.This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1739981.html. There are
comments on the post.
October 11, 2015
From Fiona's Tumblr
From Fiona's Tumblr:
Me: *sees a female character doing something terrifying and badass*
Me: *deep breath*
Me: *delighted pterodactyl screech*
She really does this. Screeches like a pterodactyl, often as a commentary on something. I don't know how it is I know how a pterodactyl sounds, but she nails it. It's her sound.
It's absolutely adorable.
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1739733.html. There are
comments on the post.
Me: *sees a female character doing something terrifying and badass*
Me: *deep breath*
Me: *delighted pterodactyl screech*
She really does this. Screeches like a pterodactyl, often as a commentary on something. I don't know how it is I know how a pterodactyl sounds, but she nails it. It's her sound.
It's absolutely adorable.
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1739733.html. There are
comments on the post.
October 6, 2015
New professional portraits
I love the picture I've been using as my portrait on my DW, LJ, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn Profile, but I've gone back to wearing glasses and have a new haircut and it's four years out of date. Given that I have to spruce up the LinkedIn Profile, I went to a friend at my church and asked whether he would be willing to shoot some professional shots for me. He did a beautiful job, and we agreed that I would pay him once I get a job.
This first one is the one I'll use for LinkedIn:
These are nice, too:
And in this one, I'm just being silly:
Photo credit John Walsh. See his website here.
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1739340.html. There are
comments on the post.
This first one is the one I'll use for LinkedIn:
These are nice, too:
And in this one, I'm just being silly:
Photo credit John Walsh. See his website here.
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1739340.html. There are
comments on the post.
October 3, 2015
52 Week Collage: Week 6 Confusion
Week 6 Confusion
My thoughts are flying in a million different directions.
I have been working hard on job hunting this week. But I have nothing to show for it. That's because job hunting has not yet reached the point of having a resume because I DON'T KNOW WHAT I AM LOOKING FOR. I have done assessments. I have done worksheets. I have listed accomplishments. I am flailing around, and it's a most uncomfortable feeling. And I'm going to feel quite sheepish when I show up at the job support meeting on Monday and still don't know what I want to do.
It didn't strike me until this week that all of my cards so far are more or less self-portraits.
Oh, by the way: results of my Strengthfinder assessment:
1. Strategic - Create alternative ways to proceed. Faced with any given scenario, can quickly spot the relevant patterns and issues.
2. Achiever - Has a great deal of stamina and work hard. Takes great satisfaction from being busy and productive
3. Input - Has a craving to know. Collects and archived all kinds of information
4. Individualization - Intrigued with the unique qualities of each person. Can have a gift for figuring out how people who are different can work together productively.
5. Empathy - Can sense the feelings of other people by imagining themselves in others’ lives or others’ situations
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1739170.html. There are
comments on the post.
My thoughts are flying in a million different directions.
I have been working hard on job hunting this week. But I have nothing to show for it. That's because job hunting has not yet reached the point of having a resume because I DON'T KNOW WHAT I AM LOOKING FOR. I have done assessments. I have done worksheets. I have listed accomplishments. I am flailing around, and it's a most uncomfortable feeling. And I'm going to feel quite sheepish when I show up at the job support meeting on Monday and still don't know what I want to do.
It didn't strike me until this week that all of my cards so far are more or less self-portraits.
Oh, by the way: results of my Strengthfinder assessment:
1. Strategic - Create alternative ways to proceed. Faced with any given scenario, can quickly spot the relevant patterns and issues.
2. Achiever - Has a great deal of stamina and work hard. Takes great satisfaction from being busy and productive
3. Input - Has a craving to know. Collects and archived all kinds of information
4. Individualization - Intrigued with the unique qualities of each person. Can have a gift for figuring out how people who are different can work together productively.
5. Empathy - Can sense the feelings of other people by imagining themselves in others’ lives or others’ situations
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1739170.html. There are
comments on the post.
52 Week Collage: Week 5 Anvil
I made this card last week, but I've not posted it until now as we wanted to talk with the girls to let them know that Rob had come out of remission before writing the CaringBridge post and informing DW, LJ, Facebook, etc.
This is what it felt like.
Week 5: Anvil
It just feels like getting clobbered out of the clear blue sky.
By the way, we've had the results of the biopsy tests back. The lump was cancerous (to NOBODY'S surprise. The oncologist, however, is content to wait until Rob has his next follow up in November--although we should call to get in right away if we see anything else suspicious, of course.
I suppose they don't want to give the poor guy a PET scan too often if they can help it.
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1738898.html. There are
comments on the post.
This is what it felt like.
Week 5: Anvil
It just feels like getting clobbered out of the clear blue sky.
By the way, we've had the results of the biopsy tests back. The lump was cancerous (to NOBODY'S surprise. The oncologist, however, is content to wait until Rob has his next follow up in November--although we should call to get in right away if we see anything else suspicious, of course.
I suppose they don't want to give the poor guy a PET scan too often if they can help it.
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1738898.html. There are
comments on the post.
September 28, 2015
More bad news
I've posted a link to CaringBridge, ominously titled, "Really, it's not been a great month (or) Dagnabbit, Athena."
Rob's head tumor seems to have made a reappearance. We went to Mayo where it was surgically removed today. Click here to read further at Rob's CaringBridge journal.
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1738659.html. There are
comments on the post.
Rob's head tumor seems to have made a reappearance. We went to Mayo where it was surgically removed today. Click here to read further at Rob's CaringBridge journal.
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1738659.html. There are
comments on the post.
September 19, 2015
A start to a fine Saturday morning
Newspaper at the island in my (still newishly) refurbished kitchen, Chocolate Banana Mug Cake (under 400 calories) made in my Jane Austen mug.
Morning, everyone!
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1738355.html. There are
comments on the post.
Morning, everyone!
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1738355.html. There are
comments on the post.
September 18, 2015
Lovely Delia
Here is a picture of Delia that popped up on her Facebook page (posted here with her permission). My, she looks happy and elegant! I'm delighted to see her looking so well.
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1738096.html. There are
comments on the post.
This entry was originally posted at http://pegkerr.dreamwidth.org/1738096.html. There are
comments on the post.
Peg Kerr's Blog
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