An on-line lettering class by Joanne Sharpe: Letter Love 201

 About a year ago I took my first class from Joanne Sharpe: Letter Love 101. It was soooo much fun. Pure playfulness. I've just signed up for Letter Love 201 and am looking forward to playing again in this class' I'll share the results of my doodles and experiments. If you'd like to check-out Joanne's classes, visit her blog: http://joannezsharpe.blogspot.com/

Baby Praying Mantis

Matt and I had fun taking pictures of this baby praying mantis. She was only about 2 inches long. I say "she" because her body proportions suggested a female. You know females eat their male after mating?! Still she was a cutie!!!

Walnut ink daisies

This sketch is done with walnut ink and a Zebra G nib (pointed pen). I went back in with a damp brush and softened some of the shadows. I like the way it turned out:>

Find magic in each day

Years ago, while vacationing on Captiva Island, FL, I found myself thinking about how many magical moments I experienced there. It was several years later before I realized it wasn't so much the place as it was my state of mind that allowed these magical moments to be noticed. Now I try to find the "magic" in each day. Often, it's watching a bird or animal, but it could be a passage in a book I'm reading, an event reported in the news, or time spent with a friend. I'll try to share "magic" from my days with you.

July 3, 2011: When I asked my 19 year old nephew (Mike) if he wanted to go see the "Mummies" Exhibit with us, he said "I already have a Mummy. Why would I want to go see one?" To which I replied "But these are old, decaying mummies from all over the world!" Mike grabbed me with a big bear hug and said "But I've got you." A tease..yes...but that hug said it all with warmth and affection.