King Protea Block Print

A few weeks ago our little family was finally able to visit the islands. We have never been but every single one of our family members have, which gets a bit depressing after a while. In fact my brother in law is from Oahu and so my sister and her children have been going every other year for years. My nieces talk about ice shave like it's as common as a 7-11 slurpie.

While we were there on Maui, we stopped off at the Kula Botanical Gardens and though it was off season for many of the plants we enjoyed it immensely. One of the flowers I have seen only in pictures is the Protea which I completely fell in love with. I wasn't home but a day and got to work on it!

I chose to use linoleum blocks for this design and I just love the results!

First I design the look I want, trace it onto the block and carve the negative out. Then, using block printing ink in black I roll on the ink, lay the paper over it and press with a barren made of bamboo. When they have all dried on my very advanced system of twine on my wood clothes drying rack, I hand paint each one with watercolor.

I do love the results that painting each one by hand gives they flowers. They are in the SHOP now but are limited to only 8 prints since I prefer to work in very small batches.

Alert! This is not an actual print. Just using up the rest of the ink on a scrap of paper to clean off the block.

Next in line is this little print featuring Mount Hood. They are drying on the rack as I type and I hope to complete them by the end of the week but this glorious spring sunshine keeps me wandering outside to garden! We Oregonians have to grab the opportunities when we can. 

Sketchbook- Yachats, OR

We were able to run away for three night to the little town of Yachats OR during spring break. The coast weather is always sketchy so I wanted to get a home that 1. We could afford and 2. Had room to watch the ocean storm.

Most homes were taken but the photos online looked crisp and clean and big with this home so you can imagine my surprise when we pulled up to this. I wish I got a photo to give you perspective of the homes on either size. This was a glorified shed. 

However, after I got over my initial shock and toured our little shack I found that the room was sufficient for what we needed. It felt like a very clean and modern RV actually. 

With the sun shining we spent most of our time on the front porch. And because the house was so small and set back we hardly had any wind! No wind = Painting!

If you are ever passing through you must eat/drink at the Green Salmon. I get an orange mocha EVERY time I go. It really doesn't matter what time of day it is. The main restaurant in town is great but hey also have fine dining at Ona and a cool pub right behind it with loud music and actual biker guys. Don't come here to shop though. You are better off meandering up the beach and stopping at the other small towns along the way. 

There are several trails to hike and there is one "trail" that will take you from one side of the Yachats coast to the other though some of it is on small residential roads. 

Here are a couple of doodles from my sketch book:

I like to experiment with different looks to my paintings and some times it is time that dictates that.

The view of the little bench across the street from us. Being on the ocean front street really made us feel connected to the community. Everyone walking by says hi and some are interested in what I'm painting. 

This is what one looks like in progress. We went down to the beach for a bit but I decided to hunt  for sand dollars for a while instead of finishing this up. 

Summer 2013 Part 1

Every summer starts with our trip to Sunriver OR. This time was a bit longer then most but because of the rain I was only able to sketch a few pages. I have been sketching exclusively in my large moleskine allowing me to write more about where I am when painting and what I am experiencing. I especially love watching people look through it and read the stories. 

Not a few days after this trip we were off to the coast to camp with family; my oldest sis Angie from Dear Spring Green and her family along with my mom and dad. It was so great spending time with my niece and nephews. Mark went diving twice in Depoe Bay and we dreamed together of one day owning a house on the beach. We drive around looking at signs and collecting flyers. Does anyone else do that?

At some point, and I honestly don't know when because I'm getting old, we went fishing. Very, very  early in the morning. The morning started out with high hopes. El had just gotten a new bright pink fishing pole that lights up when you real in and I was fully prepared with sunscreen, snacks and a fabulous hat!
Within the first hour we caught our first fish! We all clap and take pictures and congratulate each other. Hour number two goes by... nothing. The other boat holding Mark's brother and friends continue to catch fish. We say "yay!" and clap for them the third, fourth and fifth time but by fishy number six we could only manage a weak "yay" followed by a grumble. The sun was not warm on our faces anymore. We lacked the excitement we once felt when we cast our line. Life was meaningless.

I love my photo bombing daughter

 After five hours we went home and took a nap. Life got better.

And, as always, there is the CONSTANT harvesting going on here. Because we had such unseasonably warm weather in June our cherries, basset berries, strawberries and rhubarb all came on at the same time. My fingers were stained brown from all of the cherry juice for a few weeks, but I now have a gallon of dried cherries and countless gallons of seeded pie and bing cherries in the fridge.

In my search for a good cobbler recipe for the bings I found THIS one by Martha Stewart. I would double the filling though because there is a ton of crust in this recipe.

Now the blueberries are consuming our evenings and the blackberries and apricots are on their way! I am also working on harvesting our lavender for my handmade sachets and to make infused vodka!

I will spare you the details about worming the sheep and move on.

Finally, we are enjoying every sunset here at Bramblefield and I look forward to sharing more of my summer projects with you soon.

Sketchbook-Coast Trip

This spring break we were able to get away for a few days to the Oregon coast. Our friend's family beach house is in Garibaldi and they were kind enough to invite us for a couple of night. Needless to say I spent a lot of time filling  up my little moleskin as well as eating entirely way too much cheese from the Tillamook Cheese Factory around the corner. Oh how I love squeaky cheese..*sigh*

View from where my friend and I were bundled from the cold. 

The kids spent a lot of time playing in the sand. I of course was still bundled.

This was the view from the back porch. Though the fog was rolling in I was sunning myself on the porch. 

The final day we drove to Waldport where the sun was, and in 70+ degree weather we had a bbq with our small group. I can not remember the last time I had so much fun. It felt like I was leaving the Summer behind as we drove away.

Sketchbook- Remembering the Sun

As an Oregonian, February is the hardest month. The winters are not crisp and white in the valley but grey and dreary and grey. Did I mention it is grey? In need of a reminder of what sun looks like I turn to my sketchbook and there it is; lush greenness, warm water, vibrant color. 

Sun!

Here is a little place I have never been. My sister in law had a picture of a garden she recently toured on her phone so I sketched it out quickly. I would give anything to be sitting in that chair right now.

Here we are on our last vacation. St Marten was not at all what I thought it would be so we found a relatively quiet place to sit and I painted the sailboats coming in for the evening. The palms shaded us from the nearly 95 degree weather making it a bearable 90. Yuck. I'm at my best in the mid 70's

Here was a late spring day last year looking out the window of my studio. After working on the computer for hours I wanted to relax my eyes and play with green. Immediately outside my window is a large rhododendron that blooms pink in March. Once the petals have dried and gone the purple bearded iris pop up and are gone just days later. As you walk through the yard and pass the trifurcated gingko tree you will find a broken stone path under the trellis leading to a secret garden....in progress.

To see more of my work you can always stop by my shop!

Hang in there everyone. The sun has to come back some time.
-Elizabeth

Up the Mountain

This past weekend was a treat. We rarely make it up the mountain to see Mark's mother but were able to carve out some time and just relax. She lives just below Government Camp on Mt Hood here in Oregon; about a three hour drive for our home.

She is surrounded by majestic firs with a moss covered floor. This is seriously their view. Over the past few years they have been renovating their split level into a lodgy cabin in the woods. Under there recent addition they built in a small room for creating her pottery which I am so excited to use! 

One stop that we ALWAYS make is to Timberline Lodge. This is not just a local ski lodge. It is a monument. The work that has gone into the design and structure are noting short of amazing. 

Not many people know that this was the place where the interior hall scenes were filmed. Very scary. El wanted to know if she could watch it. I dont' think so. I watched it when I was 19 and it is still seared in my brain. And now I am a bit scared of axes. And people dressed as bears/bunnies. And this hallway.

Through the main level that you enter there are walls of photos from construction and the early years of patrons. There is even a room to watch the making of it! I'm a documentary nut so I watch it every time. 

You might also recognize this pic above from your high school peechee. The  skier is a model form the mountain. Just a fun fact :) 

After touring you must eat upstairs or at least have a drink. Sometimes we just get a hot chocolate but this time we all split fondu and I drank a Motlaporter beer. Yay for dark beer! My belief is if you can't see through it, it tastes better.
We have only stayed the night once and it was terrific. If you are unable to get a room with a fireplace just bring a book and snuggle up to the ones in the center of the lodge.

Disney 2012

Well, we are back to work after a three day trip to the happiest place on earth. Sad. This time we went with a few friends and despite getting over a terrible flu I had a great time.

When I was in high school I dreamed of working for Disney. Who knows, it could still happen but until then I am content painting with my little water colors and staging themed parties for my friends and family to enjoy. Another creative outlet has become our own home which I hope to show you details of in the coming year. 

California Adventure is now a day trip in itself. The food selection and shops are far better than before and the rides and attractions have really improved. Don't forget to fast pass the World of Color in the morning (after  you fast pass the Cars Ride) so you can get the best seat possible without having to stake your claim on a spot across the street and wait for hours before it starts. 

When I get a bit too tired we make our way to the Hollywood side to the Animation Studio just past Off the Page and rest white taking in the amazing scenes and music that surround you on giant screens. 

With the new Cars Land up and running since June California Adventure is attracting so many more people so expect crazy lines. We always plan for the week before Thanksgiving to avoid crowds, but to still be there for the Christmas decorations. Without the greenery and the light it's just not as magical. 

Though we live in Oregon the trip down is really an easy/cheap one so frequenting Disney is one of our favorite things. One of our dearest friends was able to come with us who had not been for 16 years. Mark was eager to play tour guide. Sure, we don't know every hidden mickey but we know how to avoid lines, the best and thriftiest places to eat, and how to park hop to eek every moment out of your ticket.

I adore The Nightmare Before Christmas so it is a great treat to see the mansion change to a snowy wonderland. And because I am an Arts and Crafts geek I had to take pictures of wallpaper along the way. Many take pictures of friends and family but my phone is full of wallpaper, ceramics and woodwork. On my way home I got to sketch a bit on the plane...another pumpkin. I have a problem and I need help. 

I was drawn to these two prints but am not thrilled with the quality of picture. The print on the left reminds me very much of the wallpaper we chose from Bradbury and Bradbury for our recent bathroom update.  The photo on the right was a bit awkward to take because it was in the ladies bathroom. In fact that is where most of the best tile work and wallpaper can be found. 

It was to my GREAT delight that California Adventure now hosts a Starbucks. As I entered the authentic box beam ceilings and scalloped knees caught my eye. But there was no time to waste as I scampered to the counter for my fix so the next day I came back to take these pics. This year we will  install something like it in our dining room but on a far smaller scale.

If I were to make a top ten list of what to do/see in Disneyland & California Adventure it would probably be:

1. Watch anything that lights up. This includes: Fireworks, Fanstasmic, World of Color, the lighting of both the castle and It's a Small World building. Some of these are seasonal only. 

2. Eat at the Mexican restaurant Rancho del Zocalo  at night next to the Thunder Mountain Railroad. It is especially nice to dry off under the heat lamps after getting off of Splash Mountain. Everything on the menu is tasty and affordable

3. While we're on the subject of eating; eat a dole whip every day, a couple times a day. Sorry, that sounds extreme so mix it up with a dole whip float.

4. Relax. Ride the train, monorail and sit in the Disney Animation Building.

5. Ok, back to eating. Go get a corn dog by the Plaza on Main Street. Watch your husband though. He may eat the rest of yours while you turn your back thinking you were "done with it" or "too full". I'm still bitter. 

6. Thrill rides back to back. Run from Tower of Terror, use your fast pass on Scream'n (because you are smart and proactive) then hop over to Goofy's Flight School which is NOT a kids ride. At least that is what I believe.

7. Take time after Lunch to see Aladdin. It's still fun to see though they no longer let them fly over you on the flying carpet 

8. If you have kids find a way to do any type of character dining you can. This is something mine have been too old for, for a long time and I miss it. If you can't get in to any last minute in the parks then have brunch at the Story Book Cafe in the California Grand Hotel. No kids? Still Eat at the Story Book. It is quite nice. 

9.Use your early magic morning hour to book it to either Space Mountain or (like us) Peter Pan. Mark get's a bit serious about this one. I have footage.

10. Interact with the staff. They all have hints and tips for us every time we go. Even the janitorial staff hand out buttons and tell jokes! Many of the cool things we have been able to do are because of what we have gleaned from ride and shop attendants. Now if we can only get them to give us a tour of Club 33! 

On our final night we were so tired but still sad to say goodbye. The castle is lit up so beautifully each night before the fireworks and the park is nearly void of strollers. If you plan on going this month to be part of the festivities have a dole whip for me.

Hoping you have a magical day, 

Elizabeth

Sketch Book- Sunriver

Here is my sketchbook. You are the first outsiders to see it.  It began as a challenge to myself. Every day seemed too busy to practice painting and though I longed for my studio/office/laundry room, I couldn't seem to make it there. So, thanks to a local specialty art store called Oregon Art Supply I was able to take my studio with me.

After following Sketching Spirit blog for months I decided to paint whenever I had a little extra time on vacations rather than take a picture. My first attempt was at Disneyland sitting on a bench in Pooh's Corner with notebook and watercolor pencils in hand. It was a muted, confused accident. Teaching oneself a new technique while on location is just stupid. Mistakes, and several ugly pages behind me, I packed up a Tupperware tote with one brush, a napkin, three different colors and my trusty notebook and explored Sunriver, Oregon on my cruiser. Mark and I would stop along the way and I would give myself 20-30 minutes to capture the moment while he sat in the shade of a pine tree reading The Big Burn.  

I normally plot out my picture very carefully with pencil but this time I only put down a few directional lines, a wash, a few details then inked with a fine tipped sharpie. This is also the first time I have attempted landscape since I was twelve so I was pleased with the whimsical look I got. Among my many dreams and aspirations I would love to illustrate a children's book some day.  
Sunriver has become a tradition thanks to Mark's sister Lisa. As soon as school is out we pack up our bikes, insane amounts of food and head out. The above painting was taken while my niece swam and rafters drifted by eager to talk and see what I was doing. Everyone is a friend in Sunriver. Maybe that is one of the reasons we love it so much.

Hope this brought you a little sun in this cold weather.
-Elizabeth