30 More Sleeps

There are 30 more sleeps until we go to Japan for our annual (or not so annual, lately!) family summer trip! Otherwise known to the teenagers as FORCED FAMILY TIME in Japan! :D

We have great fun planned, meet ups with friends old and new, sleepy, slow days and new places to explore! One of the things I'd like to do this time is scout out some new coffee shops and cafes and do some writing and dreaming for the future. Another thing I am looking at doing is making art in Japan--not sure what yet--but if not actively making art, definitely looking out for new supplies and yummies.

Mostly, I just like BEING there in Japan. The sights. The sounds. The people. The perspectives. The old and ancient contrasting with the new and modern.

There are also some new to me flea markets that are catching my eye and I hope to go wandering about and gather up some treasures. I'll be sure to take you along with me, with nearly daily posts, especially on Instagram--so follow me there if you haven't yet! :) Just 30 more sleeps!

A New Sketchbook

I got a new sketchbook to play in. The quality of the paper is great, and takes gouache paints so nicely so far! It's small and compact and I hope to be playing in it lots more soon.

I really didn't know what I was doing here, just filling in the white space. It felt good just to get the brushes out and really let myself meander and play. Hopefully, more coming soon!

The Rain Keeps Coming Down

The valley was so awash in rain this morning, that all I could see out my window was a mist of rain--the mountains were disguised back there somewhere, unseen and unsettled. I hunkered down for a few more minutes of shut eye, burrowing myself in blankets deep, wishing it weren't a work day.

Now, here at my work the rain keeps dripping into a newly formed pond outside my window. The pitter patter is like a metronome, and I find myself mesmerized by the constancy of the droning drips. Soft voices float outside my window now, children making their way to school under umbrellas and sweating in crinkly rubberized rain jackets.