Reading Window

I bought some new graphite pencils from Prismacolor. They are called Ebony Sketching Pencils and are advertised as jet black and extra smooth. I made this sketch to try them out. They do seem pretty smooth, and I'm satisfied with the result.

This sketch is based on a 1910 photo taken at a Paris design house called Callot Soeurs.

Spring Flowers

This is the last month of spring! Spring is a great time to see the Netherlands and experience everything in bloom. Here are some photos from spring, starting from the first crocuses at the end of winter...

...and then the daffodils and narcissus.

From there it's a progressions of bulbs, shrubs, and trees in bright colors and sweet aromas.

Indulge in a Little Fantasy

I've been finding some great fantasy themed ACEO artwork on Etsy and wanted to share the recent additions to my collection. The first one is titled "Golden Shadow" and comes from Switzerland! It is beautifully done in watercolor. I really like the perspective, as if we are silently and powerlessly watching the scene unfold from a not-so-distant mountain. The artist is Natalia Demakova of Elf'sArt.

Next is a very unique encaustic wax landscape titled "Rainbow Valley 15." The artist is Carole Boyer, from England. I love how her landscapes inspire the imagination--what sort of world is this and who lives in it? Take a look at her shop at CaroleBoyerArt.

Finally, this pair of serpents come from the United States. Jessi Bencloski uses scratchboard to create her fantastic creatures. I wouldn't want to be on the wrong end of that amphiptere's fangs! The other guy doesn't look so mean though, he looks old and wise and I feel like he'd at least offer a cup of tea before he eats me. The photo doesn't do justice for the depth she achieves through her use of light, dark, and color. You can find more of her scratchboard work, as well as the other mediums she is skilled with, on her website Benwhoski.

1930s Cape in Silver and Turquoise

I've knitted another 1930s bed-jacket. This one is a simple, light weight cape with an arrowhead shaped lace pattern and basket-weave-y trim. It's made with cotton yarn and is finished with a vintage ribbon from the same period. I'm debating whether to extend the ribbon around the neck to give it some structure and a more snug fit, or to leave it as it is for a light and flowing feel.

Glacier National Park of Canada

Tour Canada: British Columbia

 

We did a loop through southern Alberta and British Columbia, beginning with Banff National Park. I will confess, I didn't much enjoy the tourist trap aspect of Banff and we moved on pretty quickly. It was a relief to come to Glacier National Park (not to be confused with Montana's Glacier NP), which had both beautiful scenery and less crowds.

The scenery includes dramatic waterfalls flowing down mountain-sides.

One of the rangers described Glacier as the "forgotten" national park. Parks such as Banff began drawing crowds with development by the railroads and the construction of famous hotels such as Chateau Lake Louise and Banff Springs Hotel to receive the tourists coming by train. These hotels and other tourist services are still thriving for current visitors to enjoy.

Glacier began in much the same way, but in contrast to the continual development of other parks, Glacier had lost its rail service and grand hotel by the mid-1920s. The park is located at Rogers Pass, the original route the Canadian Pacific Railway Company used to cross the Columbia Mountains. Near the summit the railroad built Glacier House, a place for passengers to stop for a hot meal, warm bed, and to stretch their legs with a guided hike towards Illecillewaet Glacier. However, the pass was an ongoing struggle against avalanches that buried the tracks. Finally, in March of 1910, a tragedy occurred: 58 men who were clearing the tracks of an avalanche were struck by a second slide. There was only one survivor.