November 8, 2007 

do many things besides write on the magazine, work and run the farm. From the time I was little, Mom would make sure my brother and I were well supplied with art supplies. Not just coloured paper, we got into some serious art tools in many mediums. Our parents also dabbled in art stuff. I found these drawings in one of my boxes today and wanted to share them with you guys. I think I was in the 7-8th grade when I did these when mom had me in a drawing class through Community Education classes.
  

I used to do lots of little projects. Drawing was one of these projects. I have not drawn in years and have probably had the Muse of Artists leave me long ago. My artistic talents are probably in another direction now.  No. I did not think of the originals, I saw them and drew them in my sketch pad. They are done in charcoal, which is why the donkey's tail is smudged. About the same time is when I wanted to run away to Disneyland to become an animator. I wonder if they would have hired a 12 year old?

This winter, I want to do more things with art. One of my plans is to work on more scribe work, which I have not been able to do for about 4 years. I have really been wanting to work on illumination and gold leaf again. An illuminated manuscript is a handwritten book that is embellished with brilliant inks and dyes (especially silver and gold). Many were created in the monasteries of the middle ages. By the mid-1400's, guilds that specialized in the production of illuminated manuscripts were firmly established. These guilds produced many beautiful works before the printed book became popular. 

Homesteading in the winter months, especially with the winters we have here, you should come up with things to do which are fun and pleasing and not the television set. I have not quite found all my calligraphy nibs yet however. The hunt is on. Why don't you find or encourage art projects for your whole family this winter and discover what hidden talents there are in your household? For some reason I was looking up Jim Bosley a weatherman from KATU whom retired many years ago. I found out in his retirement he is making magnificent hand cut glass flower vases.