Penny Raile

Zentangle Faces

Did some more zentangles this weekend.  After I scanned one of them, I kaliedescoped it as I also do and these faces appeared.  How fun.  Every time I changed the angle setting, I would get a new face.  Below is the original scan.

I saw Iron Man at the theater Saturday night.  Loved the movie primarily because of Robert Downey, Jr.  Without him, the movie would not be good.

Birds to Fish

I told myself, "No more birds in trees!"  So now it is fish.  I really do like drawing with a mouse.  It does have it's limitations, and I do a lot of control + Z (undo).  I have not mastered the use of the airbrush yet, but it is fun to use.  I filled the body with dotted digital scrap paper and used a diamond turquoise scrap for the background.  Below is my drawing before I start digitally painting.

Tree With Birds

I must be on some sort of bird and tree thing right now.  Wonder what the next phase will bring?

Still reading my book on the Sistine Chapel.  Coincidentally, there was a 20/20 special on Michelangelo last week.  And then I picked up 8 back issues of Art and Antiques (from the 90's) and there was a beautiful pull out spread about him and the chapel. 

Pope Julius is quite an interesting character.  He makes me want to read about all the other bad popes in history.  Julius was a father, a warrior (loved starting wars and leading the charge) and feared by most everyone. 

Before painting the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo hid in Florence certain that the pope was going to kill him.  Obviously, they mended their differences, but the relationship was never great.

Bird On A Limb

This was a rather quick mouse drawing.  Not one of my better ones, but I do like the background. 

Monday night I hosted a PEO Cinco de Mayo party at my loft.  I believe there were about 30-35 people.  I started with a margarita bar in my place (with a twenty something handsome bartender) along with a table full of ATC supplies for the artistically inclined.

Then neighbors Eric, Phil and Bob gave tours of their lofts which was fun to see how a basic white floor plan can be transformed in many different ways.

Back to my place for a refill on margaritas and then on to neighbor Suzy and Adam's place where Eric gave a most entertaining presentation on the Neon Lights of Los Angeles.

The biggest surprise of the night was how JJ sat on the bed and welcomed everyone.  Usually the poor soul goes into hiding at the first hint of company.  Instead, he let everyone admire how handsome he was. 

This is the the Zentangle I drew over the weekend.  It is on a piece of 9" x 9" acid free/archival quality paper.  I had no idea what I was creating when I started - which is the beauty of "tangling."  When I was done, I scanned the drawing and used Paint Shop Pro to create a kaleidescope.

Then I added some background for color.

 

Hear and Now

Mark your calendars and be sure to be sitting in front of your TV set on Thursday, May 8 at 8/7 central time to watch Hear and Now on HBO.  This documentary is a fascinating look at a married couple (Paul and Sally Taylor) both 65 and both deaf for life.

The film follows their journey from the time they decide to have cochlear implants to the emotional successes and difficulties following the surgery.

After 65 years, what would it be like to hear for the first time?  Their daughter, Irene Taylor Brodsky, did an amazing job telling that story along with giving the audience a glimpse at her remarkable family.

Besides "Granny" stealing a few scenes, Paul and Sally were a joy to watch and brought both a few laughs and few tears to everyone last night.

At the screening, a usual apathetic LA audience was in no hurry to leave the theater when Paul and Sally took the stage following the film.  They were as delightful in person as they were on film.