tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46241123959915066482024-03-12T16:53:44.916-07:00Cynthia DiBlasiIllustration, Photography, Fine Art, Crafts and MusingsCynthia DiBlasi - Fine Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799598085159440461noreply@blogger.comBlogger229125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624112395991506648.post-38190967130565629552015-01-01T20:42:00.001-07:002015-01-01T20:42:36.828-07:00Hello! It's been a while.I have taken a little break and became a new mom back in 2010 to a sweet little boy who is now three. Being a mom has kept me very busy! I am now focusing on painting and have started a new blog at <a href="http://cynthiadiblasi.blogspot.com/">cynthiadiblasi.blogspot.com</a>. Stop by and say hi!Cynthia DiBlasi - Fine Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799598085159440461noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624112395991506648.post-8992773308424786022011-03-07T05:08:00.000-07:002011-03-07T05:08:34.365-07:00Cactus Monday - Painting in Photoshop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-7NuvB__zZvmn6J90DtPzN_fG04QDeRria9Kvxkj2yOodxV0dj6R4V6ItXCrluQTlw3NKgKQbA68_vtkR1AuG1xNM0JINIMQFJKbguo-Lv2VfWHcOWGFCrgkaS3S4IFVSlzRVItmo_U/s1600/PricklyIllo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-7NuvB__zZvmn6J90DtPzN_fG04QDeRria9Kvxkj2yOodxV0dj6R4V6ItXCrluQTlw3NKgKQbA68_vtkR1AuG1xNM0JINIMQFJKbguo-Lv2VfWHcOWGFCrgkaS3S4IFVSlzRVItmo_U/s400/PricklyIllo.jpg" width="308" /></a> </div>Painting in Photoshop. . . who would have thought? For the past few years I have been scratching on my tablet mostly in Illustrator and trying to master it, and I forgot about painting in Photoshop like I used to. I have been inspired by some of the images I've seen created in this program as of late. Very painterly and beautiful. So I thought I'd give it a try again. <br />
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Here is my creation for Cactus Monday of a blooming prickly pear. . . vector free! What do you think?Cynthia DiBlasi - Fine Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799598085159440461noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624112395991506648.post-63324552212693346292011-01-24T18:19:00.001-07:002011-01-24T21:30:27.066-07:00Sketchcrawl at the Talking Stick Resort and Casino<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0LVBpdwLzhoR_TRt3iAptTKlB5CvuNyIwHtiMgoIXExcqeA4IKZO2OiKP9KgvX2qS5EF2BIxD0XRyZekQt6WB44pdJXTxwrzY9hv2BX43zMgkGrG8rKwqEOw93DrOjTk3K5JEncKBspg/s1600/TalkingStick1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0LVBpdwLzhoR_TRt3iAptTKlB5CvuNyIwHtiMgoIXExcqeA4IKZO2OiKP9KgvX2qS5EF2BIxD0XRyZekQt6WB44pdJXTxwrzY9hv2BX43zMgkGrG8rKwqEOw93DrOjTk3K5JEncKBspg/s640/TalkingStick1.jpg" width="394" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXmzTvKcajmTsrFmrebIdEdL_FOebrTwUtYEjjQfhWOZTOFax-3Y7MqHIOeA9ikScgRfuaEti-Jg50EdCM8G28UdneIqIqa9mZevoex2s-DbAZnELbf_P-XQSkxMb_4S5gvny3mr8yig/s1600/TalkingStick2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXmzTvKcajmTsrFmrebIdEdL_FOebrTwUtYEjjQfhWOZTOFax-3Y7MqHIOeA9ikScgRfuaEti-Jg50EdCM8G28UdneIqIqa9mZevoex2s-DbAZnELbf_P-XQSkxMb_4S5gvny3mr8yig/s640/TalkingStick2.jpg" width="386" /></a></div>Last Saturday I attended the January Sketchcrawl at a local Indian Casino in Scottsdale. Just two watercolor sketches completed. . . as I ran my mouth most of the time instead of sketching! But that's what it's all about, right?<br />
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It was nice to meet a few new crawlers, and see some familiar faces from the previous ones. I didn't do any casino sketches as it was dark in there and crowded. Above is a sketch of the grounds and another of inside the hotel lobby. Enjoy!Cynthia DiBlasi - Fine Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799598085159440461noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624112395991506648.post-44767067976722133132010-12-01T05:16:00.004-07:002010-12-01T05:31:31.126-07:00Sketchbook Project, page 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3lA4xLggV5l1zDBdhXrIkvBPKEp04vvWeGvLxX2NAxeLIK-cpSqjNbCg4Wi1pZhtagrNLYnSSQGO9BYlxzn-FhfhgFDrSaSET1ZBFaAzugE60g37BUySNbXVDLI5luGKERINDcopIKE/s1600/SketchbookPg4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3lA4xLggV5l1zDBdhXrIkvBPKEp04vvWeGvLxX2NAxeLIK-cpSqjNbCg4Wi1pZhtagrNLYnSSQGO9BYlxzn-FhfhgFDrSaSET1ZBFaAzugE60g37BUySNbXVDLI5luGKERINDcopIKE/s400/SketchbookPg4.jpg" width="243" /></a> </div>And the sketching continues. . . Today's sketch was a special request by my artist gal pals here in the Phoenix area. They wanted to be sketched. The inspiration for this piece was a picture I snapped on my camera phone of them tearing into a clothes rack at a cute little boutique. The shop owner came out to observe the scene and said that they looked like a bunch of piranhas devouring the clothes. Amber (far left) replied, "Gnar! Gnar! Gnar"! Ah, I love those ladies! Yes, many purchases were made, and I got me a cute frilly scarf. <br />
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Not all sketchbook pages are going to grace the blog. However, I WILL post all of them on my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/?sk=messages&tid=1242407435629#%21/pages/Chandler-AZ/The-Art-of-Cynthia-DiBlasi/109604215726592">Facebook Fan Page</a>. I hope that you will "Like" me so that you can see them. And who knows. . . you just might find yourself in there!Cynthia DiBlasi - Fine Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799598085159440461noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624112395991506648.post-7461712150319911622010-11-30T05:49:00.002-07:002010-11-30T05:56:12.576-07:00Sketchbook Project Progress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZryAUwMAMiLWPu7n4G0APh1THm9k1c7S-O7i7QcP0QxttiVAWsTTs1cT4ViBYckLhqFt-7PETzL2E1S2DaUJzRtyWuwCeF-R0jWUICQG9QSjLnt1ZyWc33GHU1hZD5csAqDGwCcalEA/s1600/SketchbookPg3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZryAUwMAMiLWPu7n4G0APh1THm9k1c7S-O7i7QcP0QxttiVAWsTTs1cT4ViBYckLhqFt-7PETzL2E1S2DaUJzRtyWuwCeF-R0jWUICQG9QSjLnt1ZyWc33GHU1hZD5csAqDGwCcalEA/s400/SketchbookPg3.jpg" width="241" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I finally have begun to fill the inside pages of my little sketchbook. Here is a glimpse at one of the pages. Portraits are calling me lately, and there's going to be a bunch. I know it sounds crazy to do the cover first, but it just sort of happened that way. Since time is limited, I'm just going to go with the flow of the creative process and see where it leads. It's always more fun that way! </div>Cynthia DiBlasi - Fine Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799598085159440461noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624112395991506648.post-73979179957355135312010-11-29T02:31:00.000-07:002010-11-29T02:31:24.086-07:00Cactus Monday: Nest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOUmD189JlfaQy42Yma74keH7Ir5VQYT5y1N3iLz61IB3PaS3wg0mhVppEHLjeOpPDUVu82EnUUBRmY4TnkPgvRd2vzukFx1snO8wQcOLWBneKdD4hbQBKIQhNYThlDyYFIbfFvNHkQg/s1600/nest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOUmD189JlfaQy42Yma74keH7Ir5VQYT5y1N3iLz61IB3PaS3wg0mhVppEHLjeOpPDUVu82EnUUBRmY4TnkPgvRd2vzukFx1snO8wQcOLWBneKdD4hbQBKIQhNYThlDyYFIbfFvNHkQg/s400/nest.jpg" width="300" /></a> </div>A teeny little nest snuggled between two pricklies. This photo was taken with my camera phone, since I didn't bring my good one to a spur of the moment trip to the Desert Botanical Garden. Happy Cactus Monday! Cynthia DiBlasi - Fine Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799598085159440461noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624112395991506648.post-65422205175420202862010-11-29T01:17:00.000-07:002010-11-29T01:17:40.476-07:00New Facebook Fan Page!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chandler-AZ/The-Art-of-Cynthia-DiBlasi/109604215726592?v=photos#%21/pages/Chandler-AZ/The-Art-of-Cynthia-DiBlasi/109604215726592"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0t0QSH6qsNfZhn6W7Vd4RPbdrNu8r8_lwYOZT5GNbl7zq-I61YUV0TaoRXS93kVI7t7Dann2Dn8ZwvQ0ss8JWzvtwg9lCEC7FVw2WARtAB9btVumljkVOJrodWuCZ338OAoIngmubqDc/s320/FBfanPage.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>It's about time, right? Click on the image to go to my page and find out everything I am up to that may not get posted here. I hope you "Like" me!Cynthia DiBlasi - Fine Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799598085159440461noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624112395991506648.post-40373789041195342042010-11-23T05:34:00.001-07:002010-11-23T05:36:14.338-07:00Sketchbook Project: The Cover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicF78sTokzdDN45F1yHEQHDrLYFHNPqhD5Z77QhL4WMyRGoQQaNfThCnWVALMtJjSD3O40gz86Lr5lg751Phkzre9DocUTYiTEpfvZoP2Kxby7E4soVFfuKDV8-aI4x8e4jeD6-HzlDJQ/s1600/SketchbookProjectCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicF78sTokzdDN45F1yHEQHDrLYFHNPqhD5Z77QhL4WMyRGoQQaNfThCnWVALMtJjSD3O40gz86Lr5lg751Phkzre9DocUTYiTEpfvZoP2Kxby7E4soVFfuKDV8-aI4x8e4jeD6-HzlDJQ/s400/SketchbookProjectCover.jpg" width="251" /></a> </div>Well I finally started it after a month or so of trying to figure out my take on the theme I picked. . . "Adhere to Me". I have until January 15th to have it completed and postmarked by that date. I'm going to be sketching like crazy!<br />
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Stay tuned to see how it unfolds. . . I'd like to know that myself! Cynthia DiBlasi - Fine Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799598085159440461noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624112395991506648.post-74103156207380569742010-11-21T23:49:00.002-07:002010-11-22T02:11:03.144-07:00Cactus Monday: Moleskine time at the Desert Botanical Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAYu5noip0E9TOIUes9JCZ3El7DjeY_sCNbiml7Y1NmJZ0K2M02_wxwVJ7iIVSrvechoCZynIzust5XbOkuU9Zj4RDqaxHVOkIT6dVG_fG6td-goYwj-Ypm4OHHfiDqIGRhNgwrMFpRk/s1600/BotanicalGarden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFAYu5noip0E9TOIUes9JCZ3El7DjeY_sCNbiml7Y1NmJZ0K2M02_wxwVJ7iIVSrvechoCZynIzust5XbOkuU9Zj4RDqaxHVOkIT6dVG_fG6td-goYwj-Ypm4OHHfiDqIGRhNgwrMFpRk/s400/BotanicalGarden.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lunch with an artist friend always seems to end up with a drawing session or some sort of creative process at the end of the day. I love that! Annie over at <a href="http://vanannies.blogspot.com/">Chaos in color</a> and I, went out for some good local Mexican food and decided to jet off to the garden and we stayed until twilight. Twilight in the desert is my absolute favorite time of day to capture in art form, everything is so beautifully illuminated in amethyst hues, bouncing off of the green cacti. I love that place, can't get enough of it. Above is the sketch I did on location. Another good reason to always have my moleskine and watercolors on hand and ready to go in my purse! </div>Cynthia DiBlasi - Fine Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799598085159440461noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624112395991506648.post-38121366088416764302010-10-18T21:16:00.002-07:002010-10-18T23:27:33.853-07:00Sketchcrawl 10-16-10 at the Phoenix Zoo, and the after party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmz4HSg0A9leZ0RnoNnLT7TN4HFSuvuYeajezu0sXIIw7EJqoLtDGmnecm_OAvoBMC4tpigzC-yjyjKrJekZHmleQP2fpMl_eOkF9mCYPOsP3XM-F_P2vM7SqeUoHGHlhJU5KAPXKf6Q/s1600/gang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmz4HSg0A9leZ0RnoNnLT7TN4HFSuvuYeajezu0sXIIw7EJqoLtDGmnecm_OAvoBMC4tpigzC-yjyjKrJekZHmleQP2fpMl_eOkF9mCYPOsP3XM-F_P2vM7SqeUoHGHlhJU5KAPXKf6Q/s320/gang.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>A day at the zoo for a sketching marathon = lotsa fun! I haven't been to the zoo since I was a kid, and had a blast. I met up with a local group I belong to called <a href="http://www.meetup.com/SketchyDoodle">Sketchydoodle</a>, and we all hung out and sketched together representing the Phoenix group for the worldwide SketchCrawl. Above is just a few of us crawlers. <br />
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Here are some of my watercolor sketches from the day, in order completed:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSG8_mpgeagtvxx0wRg7yUibt9xRyQJ6RDo377th1KMyIreW678Cc1Ms8roNQgnMCdaix5e5LjRUQj4WJa0XCysZ-uiyMIKmx5QxOUpTxSRCHA5Q32myZhl2NVVVialZ8qTHQrcvFnSbM/s1600/1+turkeyVulture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSG8_mpgeagtvxx0wRg7yUibt9xRyQJ6RDo377th1KMyIreW678Cc1Ms8roNQgnMCdaix5e5LjRUQj4WJa0XCysZ-uiyMIKmx5QxOUpTxSRCHA5Q32myZhl2NVVVialZ8qTHQrcvFnSbM/s320/1+turkeyVulture.jpg" width="208" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> First sketch. A handsome and curious little turkey vulture preening his feathers, watching us sketchers and enjoying the attention.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOaE2QOCnRBoSagrU3Jl87IRIfdSdT05SIMOswkqFAUkpZhp-ZhvMBChp52DD7wCAdooT0tRhCRJ6GvKBNBiXOmXZobW3M420kBbs8xpfpkFPkwpy8qFZUz0NOhEeeNeUMxODSCXXQCk/s1600/2+Rhino.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOaE2QOCnRBoSagrU3Jl87IRIfdSdT05SIMOswkqFAUkpZhp-ZhvMBChp52DD7wCAdooT0tRhCRJ6GvKBNBiXOmXZobW3M420kBbs8xpfpkFPkwpy8qFZUz0NOhEeeNeUMxODSCXXQCk/s320/2+Rhino.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Depressed rhino with his snout in the mud.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHGWU8qnpMPpNQfIf-CnffIcC7segBvmH6c12IZ52WOpywpA_umYNE87AJlEckw8e_axczZdxcp4nkrmr5yRB0XrLAIg9MEgzbuSBAW5zoHpB6fTRXwwWH0XD1tWeewZADCrcQ8CWhyc/s1600/3+Gazelle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHGWU8qnpMPpNQfIf-CnffIcC7segBvmH6c12IZ52WOpywpA_umYNE87AJlEckw8e_axczZdxcp4nkrmr5yRB0XrLAIg9MEgzbuSBAW5zoHpB6fTRXwwWH0XD1tWeewZADCrcQ8CWhyc/s320/3+Gazelle.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>One horned gazelle basking in the sun and being a perfect still model.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9b4GshaPNr48kEkJEZHYaMQHbIyzMEuJLaUlV3BGSCW8Od4N-F7VFH2V2JuAhVLUs471bUzvF8yAVTxrk3GtOUyoc_h0u51rsCznmlOnSg-tK4FRUrKQl1d-DJlC94oChkPs6t_q7pY/s1600/4+Flamingos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9b4GshaPNr48kEkJEZHYaMQHbIyzMEuJLaUlV3BGSCW8Od4N-F7VFH2V2JuAhVLUs471bUzvF8yAVTxrk3GtOUyoc_h0u51rsCznmlOnSg-tK4FRUrKQl1d-DJlC94oChkPs6t_q7pY/s320/4+Flamingos.jpg" width="196" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> Pink squawky Flamingos fluffing their feathers, establishing the pecking order.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Following the zoo was the after party, purple themed with wine and chocolate. What fun! One of the group members hosted a party at their house and hired a model, Crystal, who is a burlesque/fire/belly dancer. Those gals make for great models, with those flamboyant costumes and artful makeup. I decided to keep it simple and did an ok job. . . considering that I had a few glasses of wine! What do you think? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghb8o1svEvKy7V8mhm-lmxvuH5vDix519nek3g9TGf2VjB0Jzbhz5u4go0EghGkOqZwAkX41HBLsUoiJ306h3IMnOveDInZh0dI-0OtMY2igDgrHA1pTQD9NtsgrR3Cn3znklB-iYe1uw/s1600/5+Crystal2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghb8o1svEvKy7V8mhm-lmxvuH5vDix519nek3g9TGf2VjB0Jzbhz5u4go0EghGkOqZwAkX41HBLsUoiJ306h3IMnOveDInZh0dI-0OtMY2igDgrHA1pTQD9NtsgrR3Cn3znklB-iYe1uw/s320/5+Crystal2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjjVebAQxOeSP06JlaUi-KFtM4tzRk6CFlzBizmqhtTWzy2WSb7BBYy0ppWZIfSBFfdQit1TrbgkY0_5Urj75Owd3pPcRcCgaXndiv0ixx7fBt7CPh2xIyEKNzc6Zowuyuiv7tNaxdGM/s1600/6+Crystal1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfjjVebAQxOeSP06JlaUi-KFtM4tzRk6CFlzBizmqhtTWzy2WSb7BBYy0ppWZIfSBFfdQit1TrbgkY0_5Urj75Owd3pPcRcCgaXndiv0ixx7fBt7CPh2xIyEKNzc6Zowuyuiv7tNaxdGM/s320/6+Crystal1.jpg" width="197" /></a></div>Cynthia DiBlasi - Fine Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799598085159440461noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624112395991506648.post-30922557845083829402010-10-18T18:36:00.000-07:002010-10-18T18:36:37.171-07:00Cactus Monday: Desert Watercolor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQc-U16O_FSEZjIYWBZW1hXYPzJmBaU9YDdQeN6TJef3Y8GDhoLH2TSMBinA_TCONx17ovCsldHURXb5wzCM7gzR7CixGI4W5S6sMtIIR5q-qSLo7gZhIdDuThyMYIWceI91nh54jjpe8/s1600/DesertWatercolor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQc-U16O_FSEZjIYWBZW1hXYPzJmBaU9YDdQeN6TJef3Y8GDhoLH2TSMBinA_TCONx17ovCsldHURXb5wzCM7gzR7CixGI4W5S6sMtIIR5q-qSLo7gZhIdDuThyMYIWceI91nh54jjpe8/s400/DesertWatercolor.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>I did a quick piece today in my new Moleskine watercolor sketchbook, just for Cactus Monday. I never really work in watercolors, but love this new technique that I've been seeing for quick and easy portable color rendering. Not to mention, the book and supplies fit nicely in my purse, yay! It makes me want to carry my sketchbook everywhere I go, like I did when I was a kid. This is a scene from the Desert Botanical Garden, featuring that very special cactus, a Saguaro. . . a few barrel cacti, ocotillo, rocks and a mountain view. Many more watercolors to come! Cynthia DiBlasi - Fine Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799598085159440461noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624112395991506648.post-80085905519859613952010-10-13T03:12:00.000-07:002010-10-13T03:12:25.752-07:00IF: Transportation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUFmQhwwJYMAtEArUtqwQD76YH3PPQhG1qq1_vx25yA_lnDBIh2xEu_ueOsGhzIYrYJhMsJsdhUw3dmUPDkqIt1RPk20VaKKUnk4tYwt4NSzBZBf3AgnN-RqHeW9n3O1Wm3en_L_ymv8/s1600/Transportation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUFmQhwwJYMAtEArUtqwQD76YH3PPQhG1qq1_vx25yA_lnDBIh2xEu_ueOsGhzIYrYJhMsJsdhUw3dmUPDkqIt1RPk20VaKKUnk4tYwt4NSzBZBf3AgnN-RqHeW9n3O1Wm3en_L_ymv8/s400/Transportation.jpg" width="302" /></a></div>I couldn't resist illustrating a cute little hot air balloon for this weeks theme.Cynthia DiBlasi - Fine Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799598085159440461noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624112395991506648.post-53773070231562365162010-10-11T22:55:00.000-07:002010-10-11T22:55:06.588-07:00This is what blogging is all about.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsoU6PD6wgbq41Gl2zO_f8Vd3kCB_mvEarfYP0D7UQjB-VVTv8RHkhI1Ily-4ZjqTtfSuYzJONVe4AGzTGAxL_FivNWW_GPNH4bUMefG4BJievD6avdsfv4PgkDK1CCIZSZG2dYoRFK_A/s1600/MeAndDeborahMori.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsoU6PD6wgbq41Gl2zO_f8Vd3kCB_mvEarfYP0D7UQjB-VVTv8RHkhI1Ily-4ZjqTtfSuYzJONVe4AGzTGAxL_FivNWW_GPNH4bUMefG4BJievD6avdsfv4PgkDK1CCIZSZG2dYoRFK_A/s400/MeAndDeborahMori.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Beautiful and talented lady Deborah Mori over at <a href="http://lifewithoutnovacaine.blogspot.com/">Life without Novocaine</a> and I met for breakfast this morning while I was in her town of San Diego. <br />
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I can't even express how wonderful it was to finally meet a friend that I have been conversing with and really getting to know these past few years. We have laughed together, cried, sent packages, cheered each other on and celebrated each others' successes. It's really amazing how people all over the world can connect with like-minded others and develop meaningful friendships over the internet. She is one of those special ladies that I really admire, and have gotten to know. Deborah, it was so nice to meet you finally! Cynthia DiBlasi - Fine Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799598085159440461noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624112395991506648.post-51454777486935679292010-10-07T01:14:00.000-07:002010-10-07T01:14:28.583-07:00Well look what I got myself into!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMk7c9WhII-zOWPV4MKJM4VbS66U-X3QwTInBeGpYUtqaPqUODucgTwC1NUQEvexKFvitSlgzeK-tXkOxBIIIMsgrtojyFzNCTT9Ya-w2tO_CUsB6uTFrxDhFWLU0N3-AuJ9QbTB2YZY/s1600/sketchbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMk7c9WhII-zOWPV4MKJM4VbS66U-X3QwTInBeGpYUtqaPqUODucgTwC1NUQEvexKFvitSlgzeK-tXkOxBIIIMsgrtojyFzNCTT9Ya-w2tO_CUsB6uTFrxDhFWLU0N3-AuJ9QbTB2YZY/s320/sketchbook.jpg" width="219" /></a></div><br />
After what seems like a long absence from my last post, I decided to take on a big project to make up for it. Yes that's right, I signed up for the <a href="http://www.arthousecoop.com/projects/sketchbookproject">2011 Sketchbook Project</a> and got my sketchbook in the mail today. Excited!!! All boxes have been unpacked, furniture has been re-arranged a billion times in the new house and now I am ready to get back into my creative routine. <br />
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So what is this Sketchbook Project you ask? It is described to be like a concert tour but with sketchbooks. My little sketchbook along with thousands of others, will make it's way around the country for all to see. It will have a barcode on the back so I can track how many times it has been viewed. After the tour, it will arrive to it's permanent home at the Brooklyn Art Library in NY. Which makes me happy, because I have a good friend in Brooklyn who can check it out whenever the mood strikes. Keep an eye on her for me Bridgette!<br />
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Each sketchbook has a theme, and I chose "Adhere to Me". I'm not quite sure exactly how I will execute the theme, but you can count on things being adhered with adhesives. Maybe a cut and paste is in order of all of my archived sketch books throughout the years. Maybe some collages. Maybe a little of both. Will it tell a story? I don't know. We shall see how it evolves!Cynthia DiBlasi - Fine Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799598085159440461noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624112395991506648.post-53112787438963237922010-08-16T11:04:00.000-07:002010-08-16T11:04:58.901-07:00Cactus Monday: Sedona<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hvnL9lh8fUzMPBWLGgox_TIpZDTMbQs5orVxVD2OV_lJ_xpu_dl245u-VHx8r69ybXce_FlysnedU3AybF7OH7Op39nsbZNPEMFU51ilXFeQJWEJHQVtNDPS36Xe_geZg9R_ffIWvqQ/s1600/Sedona.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hvnL9lh8fUzMPBWLGgox_TIpZDTMbQs5orVxVD2OV_lJ_xpu_dl245u-VHx8r69ybXce_FlysnedU3AybF7OH7Op39nsbZNPEMFU51ilXFeQJWEJHQVtNDPS36Xe_geZg9R_ffIWvqQ/s400/Sedona.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> Prickly Pears and Mountain View</b></div><br />
It's been a while, but I'm back! Life is sort of chaotic right now, as we are trying to get our new house set up in time for house visitors and still going out and enjoying the sights of Arizona. We had some friends visit from back home in Maryland, and stayed with their Mom at her house in Sedona. It was my first time there and I absolutely fell in love with it. Sedona is only about two and a half hours from where we live. A little less then a trip to Ocean City for my friends and family back East. I would trade Sedona for a weekend getaway any day for Ocean City!!! <br />
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Just look at these pictures:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQuTuhPAUW32etGQJ-cHJ8_P8zQoeB0Ss66QoeB_oGKT0RhbVTRVBNNjr7kT_kbS3G0j7ojCr13LzoNLMotEss9MtaPKIB6wDlX_h5LI2FDMatqWtBQJhY86cwe0SsSnUzBpQiR55Jzg/s1600/trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQuTuhPAUW32etGQJ-cHJ8_P8zQoeB0Ss66QoeB_oGKT0RhbVTRVBNNjr7kT_kbS3G0j7ojCr13LzoNLMotEss9MtaPKIB6wDlX_h5LI2FDMatqWtBQJhY86cwe0SsSnUzBpQiR55Jzg/s400/trail.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Red rock trail overlooking mountain views</b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZh1eLsUlI3gF_6QvzJ-TODh4SriZPYBl1M9pqN-ZVHzPPdnaZWT7Tv53Z3iIatqexkK2NnSZbuYYLNwRnIu541YkWayTs9nsTOPxv3XDAP6QWRgA7206ZlxQoYUbSHy4DTN1Wk_-lAQA/s1600/plane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZh1eLsUlI3gF_6QvzJ-TODh4SriZPYBl1M9pqN-ZVHzPPdnaZWT7Tv53Z3iIatqexkK2NnSZbuYYLNwRnIu541YkWayTs9nsTOPxv3XDAP6QWRgA7206ZlxQoYUbSHy4DTN1Wk_-lAQA/s400/plane.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>A cute little red biplane. </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBiTZ4SjT96sq9ACT3i1Y05uYyDx2iBS6NsEO1Cg5u1W3VmD8br4GDGS5kZf3bQzzmMQYzbMkwZywzwxptWn0aI0sI8STSG_K27meGpjrilUdtQZHrbyBaRHhyphenhyphenKYymMZW7FGlYhSLTe0/s1600/sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBiTZ4SjT96sq9ACT3i1Y05uYyDx2iBS6NsEO1Cg5u1W3VmD8br4GDGS5kZf3bQzzmMQYzbMkwZywzwxptWn0aI0sI8STSG_K27meGpjrilUdtQZHrbyBaRHhyphenhyphenKYymMZW7FGlYhSLTe0/s400/sign.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>The plane sorta looked familiar, but when I saw this sign it was kinda weird. I mean. . . look at my blog header! Sedona looks exactly like it!!! </b></div><br />
Next week we will be going to Vegas, which we have been to twice. My husband and I got married in Vegas almost 10 years ago. We thought it fitting to drive there and make a vacation of it with friends and family flying in for a 10 year vow renewal ceremony. Same place, same day! Not much art creating lately, but certainly lots of excitement. <br />
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I'll be back creating soon, don't worry!Cynthia DiBlasi - Fine Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799598085159440461noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624112395991506648.post-33685002497703917402010-06-28T14:18:00.000-07:002010-06-28T14:18:23.593-07:00Photo Friday: Motionless<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IYhLaP9RBipr-_zYPWXqpHsKh2vHsGAM06lPkff8gQqUHRkAqXa3bYmfPHyFdDNG0ZksNVJYflMg2zCoJAcoxbLNcb-00t2hzy8oxcAyIlTCTEWkp5IvSt2pLT5zQgiN5XaEKtndAbU/s1600/compass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IYhLaP9RBipr-_zYPWXqpHsKh2vHsGAM06lPkff8gQqUHRkAqXa3bYmfPHyFdDNG0ZksNVJYflMg2zCoJAcoxbLNcb-00t2hzy8oxcAyIlTCTEWkp5IvSt2pLT5zQgiN5XaEKtndAbU/s400/compass.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Above is a photo taken of an embellished compass that sits on the top of a lookout point in the South Mountains of Phoenix. The closest arrow in the photo points in the direction of the Superstition Mountains, and I am sure they aren't going anywhere any time soon! Hence being the theme for Motionless. There are many points of interest on the compass, I just so happened to quick capture this one. With taking 600 plus photos that day, I have to say that this one is my favorite. Cynthia DiBlasi - Fine Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799598085159440461noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624112395991506648.post-49865106499090823432010-06-28T03:17:00.000-07:002010-06-28T03:17:00.292-07:00Cactus Monday: Quail with a Prickly Pear<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMXCdfKu9-393EuaLOYVQCNdJJ8xI74Dl0ZzINg6wzIncvtv136YfTxO2cAVjSgfT2sbu52oSJES-W7Jm8ZehSh3NeblJ4-pvY7KH2mEXv-iLQxG5Eln9VIzCa5dpsDgIawtxG1MSwWlY/s1600/QuailPainting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMXCdfKu9-393EuaLOYVQCNdJJ8xI74Dl0ZzINg6wzIncvtv136YfTxO2cAVjSgfT2sbu52oSJES-W7Jm8ZehSh3NeblJ4-pvY7KH2mEXv-iLQxG5Eln9VIzCa5dpsDgIawtxG1MSwWlY/s400/QuailPainting.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>A quick whimsy and loose little 4" x 6" study on balsa wood with acrylic paint and pen. I have a bunch of these cut to size, and think that they would make perfect mini paintings to keep around while in the middle of moving again. Paint has been calling me back, and that's all I want to do lately! <br />
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The inspiration for this piece is this past weekend's full moon I was admiring, and the stately little quails I often see on evening walks. The scenery and the wildlife is very different around here, and so inspiring!Cynthia DiBlasi - Fine Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799598085159440461noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624112395991506648.post-83792088330423009902010-06-21T05:36:00.001-07:002010-06-21T05:44:47.714-07:00Cactus Monday: Our New House<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnEEEDmnMbV6YUV67FROWZAWNml4YB0TW_qZhhRhcFR83lyE_qml2IN32ATXtiFUNxNfI8GZrDuXje4EjVv6Q2G2hDH4jwz68wuAk_qsJ-bAxlQZVU1NFfYaErEkE9vGODO21JFqd9spo/s1600/house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnEEEDmnMbV6YUV67FROWZAWNml4YB0TW_qZhhRhcFR83lyE_qml2IN32ATXtiFUNxNfI8GZrDuXje4EjVv6Q2G2hDH4jwz68wuAk_qsJ-bAxlQZVU1NFfYaErEkE9vGODO21JFqd9spo/s400/house.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>We found it! And much sooner than anticipated. This house was just on the market for one day, and we snatched it right up. . . unknowingly beating another couples' bid. Can you believe that? It pretty much has everything we are looking for, except for that big Saguaro in the front yard I was really, really hoping for! But let's be realistic, those things cost some big bucks. So I'll just quick Photoshop one in from my sketchbook and dream, LOL!<br />
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We settle July 19th. So in the meantime, I'll be doing lots of sketches of yard concepts. I'm thinking desert in the front, maybe a few Palms off to the sides and in the back. The back especially needs work. We got an incredible big lot full of rocks, and I'd love to make it nice and lush. Any suggestions or recommended landscapers in the Chandler area from my fellow AZ friends would be greatly appreciated! Wow. This is exciting and intimidating taking on this big project. I'm so glad we finally found our house!Cynthia DiBlasi - Fine Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799598085159440461noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624112395991506648.post-40367201264721670702010-06-14T14:01:00.000-07:002010-06-14T14:01:44.745-07:00Cactus Monday: Renewal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVO5_-bBXP2rY3jyzoEniQdA5T7iHpNdn6wo7Lrms1vClJ7oxX810FNznabSirT4AE89Lk-KzVz8ZK911NCEOlnVBG4J6bzY7s3iIwsk5hr1-TH2xzYg3Dd5-afQ3VyyoIcOjJ-ROy1k/s1600/RedBloom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCVO5_-bBXP2rY3jyzoEniQdA5T7iHpNdn6wo7Lrms1vClJ7oxX810FNznabSirT4AE89Lk-KzVz8ZK911NCEOlnVBG4J6bzY7s3iIwsk5hr1-TH2xzYg3Dd5-afQ3VyyoIcOjJ-ROy1k/s400/RedBloom.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>A pretty and perfect red bloom, taken at the Desert Botanical Garden.</b></div><br />
Just the other day my Mother-in-Law told me that she misses my Cactus Monday posts. I missed two of them simply because I forgot! I have been so pre-occupied with life events and getting settled, that I completely just forgot until Monday had come and gone. Yikes!!!<br />
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Between house hunting and planning our 10 year anniversary vow renewal trip back to Vegas where my husband and I were married, my mind has been somewhere else! Well, a fresh start is what I wanted, and that's exactly what I got. Renewing our wedding vows just seems fitting at this moment, and the 10 year anniversary date just convienently happens to be coming up. I feel like as soon as we find our house, we can truly settle in. . . our new life here in Arizona. I'm looking forward to that.Cynthia DiBlasi - Fine Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799598085159440461noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624112395991506648.post-65193902326891697252010-05-25T00:39:00.001-07:002010-05-25T03:46:54.584-07:00A Special Request<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMdbdiEWzbUohkRt-WVIzCvZ60Hk4soK-KR13QofhqBL8hQx2bW_48g3UpyHgR5lMV2BRLlDA-roBKoniPSfHslVlYpQnKQLqj9U4-rJKCjYzTUDZoUmC6sMZ0BTBqRMZqQCFD9QQzw-4/s1600/ladybugPainting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMdbdiEWzbUohkRt-WVIzCvZ60Hk4soK-KR13QofhqBL8hQx2bW_48g3UpyHgR5lMV2BRLlDA-roBKoniPSfHslVlYpQnKQLqj9U4-rJKCjYzTUDZoUmC6sMZ0BTBqRMZqQCFD9QQzw-4/s400/ladybugPainting.jpg" width="326" /></a></div>I got a beautiful card in the mail today, with a little ladybug on the front that had angel wings and a halo. Now if those weren't the two very things that my Mom loved best (ladybugs and angels), instantly I thought of her. The card said, "Sending a little guardian angel your way. . . to protect and care for you everyday. Signed, "From your Mom and Me". <br />
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And of course I knew right away who the sender was, my sweet Aunt Diane. She has been sending me out of the blue cards like this my whole life. She's a special lady I tell ya, and I bet I wouldn't even be interested in art if it wasn't for her. She was the one who fostered the budding artist in me from the very beginning, with many museum trips and art starter kits. She would gather all the newspaper clippings she could find about art, and send them to me in the mail. And she still hangs all of my artwork from various stages of my life, all over her house. I could go on and on about all the wonderful things she's done for me, and how incredibly kind she is!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZz5WxAeEJl8EMG4FihofsYeeZcmTDfE3zdMBY0z-qlNxKwemXaKAElBicGRMqowQwi0Iw-OshFMNaqWVvlH4359IGzYc2yvYd2VO9LM1kh9quEbFzSFk9u-lVODklzV4QRTsn_PSlZg/s1600/IMG_1075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZz5WxAeEJl8EMG4FihofsYeeZcmTDfE3zdMBY0z-qlNxKwemXaKAElBicGRMqowQwi0Iw-OshFMNaqWVvlH4359IGzYc2yvYd2VO9LM1kh9quEbFzSFk9u-lVODklzV4QRTsn_PSlZg/s200/IMG_1075.jpg" width="141" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoH4uKzJUMcrrMqNCeK0UP7z9wDNv4HiiLGcvA26rrng9ryjEiI_Ld1ZcTG_xTowZhATYMrzn9Fl6CxvgwezY1RnwmhAJ_vuOa8-K2sik-RqOITF4DflbCqbCAg07g7Xvwm6KDwuALQ-4/s1600/IMG_1076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoH4uKzJUMcrrMqNCeK0UP7z9wDNv4HiiLGcvA26rrng9ryjEiI_Ld1ZcTG_xTowZhATYMrzn9Fl6CxvgwezY1RnwmhAJ_vuOa8-K2sik-RqOITF4DflbCqbCAg07g7Xvwm6KDwuALQ-4/s200/IMG_1076.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>So when I got this special request written in the card, "Have you ever done a painting of a ladybug? I'd love to see one!" I did just that. In honor of my Mom's memory and for my Aunt Di. The painting is on a teeny tiny canvas, 2 1/2" x 3 1/2", and will be on it's way in the mail to her in a few days!Cynthia DiBlasi - Fine Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799598085159440461noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624112395991506648.post-13652473205572262662010-05-24T12:54:00.000-07:002010-05-24T12:54:45.192-07:00Cactus Monday: Prickly Pear Bloom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLrNRgD79QYhe61iRycJQaG69-iRUzHuqdqwCJaPnjVU91XOQdyv7mRiVKU7aOqhrPvOmy1Vt-I2zDH56VC1voSNiSu30Vi3Nu9vgZjl2ARwwgOMg0TV6AIC4MrZDfEKpVlGRcKcoIo4/s1600/PricklyPearBloom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZLrNRgD79QYhe61iRycJQaG69-iRUzHuqdqwCJaPnjVU91XOQdyv7mRiVKU7aOqhrPvOmy1Vt-I2zDH56VC1voSNiSu30Vi3Nu9vgZjl2ARwwgOMg0TV6AIC4MrZDfEKpVlGRcKcoIo4/s400/PricklyPearBloom.jpg" width="327" /></a></div>Yesterday I went out and got myself a new Moleskine sketchbook and some new pens for sketching. I really had my eyes peeled for a watercolor Moleskine, but didn't find one. So I decided to see how it worked on the first page, a heavier stock. I also wanted to get a set of Windsor and Newton watercolors in palette form so I can easily stash them in my purse with the Moleskine along with a portable brush that is hollow to act as a water reservoir. Have you ever seen them? They are pretty cool! The only one I could find was this extremely cheap set found <a href="http://www.dickblick.com/products/sakura-koi-watercolor-sketch-box-sets">here</a>. Determined to make this work, I tried it with what supplies I had. You can't tell, but the page is really wavy from the water. . . and I knew that would happen. I just had to do it anyway and get it out of my system! <br />
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Do you ever do that? Ignore the rules and try to make your idea happen anyway, and use whatever you have on hand to make it work? Well, I feel much more satisfied that I tried, I'll tell you that! Cynthia DiBlasi - Fine Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799598085159440461noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624112395991506648.post-12030458293557243172010-05-23T14:50:00.002-07:002010-05-23T14:56:39.226-07:00Saturday sketching with the Phoenix sketch group<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrdkr5PmvyQPfAOh8RJdUcay4KJHxAxtR0SiEO8TKC_n5XoL-lQpPmnJgbU63nugmiQFt63a8KVUTuSIXjNeFN0tTiECO78yWK8znLvx5H62aWzAHHcYGTT5dh_gLpgG2912S1zA4yKQ/s1600/Anita2Lo-res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRrdkr5PmvyQPfAOh8RJdUcay4KJHxAxtR0SiEO8TKC_n5XoL-lQpPmnJgbU63nugmiQFt63a8KVUTuSIXjNeFN0tTiECO78yWK8znLvx5H62aWzAHHcYGTT5dh_gLpgG2912S1zA4yKQ/s400/Anita2Lo-res.jpg" width="253" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Charcoal and ink on chipboard</b></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmyezbtcz-B8OGmA7TvPsysbBXis-j5xCTEf_io1hInkGn5WeeuwQmPMDjoPZop3ff6XnUb59zTD9VcWbR8R0bXnBk5qTQ3ivQfTYnte6cmovT5aqdBfZEYQEzFW0_Fbm70U5fppFMh8/s1600/Anita1Lo-res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmyezbtcz-B8OGmA7TvPsysbBXis-j5xCTEf_io1hInkGn5WeeuwQmPMDjoPZop3ff6XnUb59zTD9VcWbR8R0bXnBk5qTQ3ivQfTYnte6cmovT5aqdBfZEYQEzFW0_Fbm70U5fppFMh8/s320/Anita1Lo-res.jpg" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Charcoal on chipboard</b><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">Yesterday I met up with the <a href="http://www.meetup.com/SketchyDoodle" target="_blank">sketch group</a> in Phoenix at <a href="http://www.visiongallery.org/" target="_blank">Vision Gallery</a> for some life drawing. These two sketches are the last two 30 minute poses that I'm content with. I say content, because I still feel there's room for improvement with my sketches. Its so funny how you can get so easily out of practice if you are not continuously working in all different mediums and sketching all of the time. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I found myself bringing an array of different drawing supplies and surfaces to see what works best. Out of the different charcoals, graphite pencils and even watercolors, I wound up grabbing an ink pen not intended for drawing and found that I liked that best, go figure! I also really like the idea of a darker surface to add white highlights. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I've been hearing about using chipboard from other bloggers and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/Cre8tivemark#p/a/f/0/Ga6WjxaXRC0" target="_blank">YouTube demonstrations</a> that my group organizer <a href="http://vanannies.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Annie</a> has been posting. Having a stock-pile of that stuff for a few years intending to use it for binding books, I put it to good use for a drawing surface. I love the drama it creates with the speckled texture and light and dark charcoals and ink. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Getting back into drawing without the trusty Wacom tablet feels great! Not to mention finding a drawing group and making other creative friends in the area. I'm so glad I found my little sketch group!</div></div>Cynthia DiBlasi - Fine Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799598085159440461noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624112395991506648.post-49286717372718099142010-05-22T00:53:00.001-07:002010-05-22T01:14:20.006-07:00IF: Early<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_WjEKgW_EiSuNSvacTrOdQ62w6fhoXjzuubJmbHe9mQFES5u64PRdLsvLvLLGxr2Vep1aRBb2FdSSCVdXouaqcKJQnX-PlB3o8U8rTW1mUFULmS5ANAV8gTv9oxlP9yG9e-L8lTkk_WI/s1600/SwawkyBirds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_WjEKgW_EiSuNSvacTrOdQ62w6fhoXjzuubJmbHe9mQFES5u64PRdLsvLvLLGxr2Vep1aRBb2FdSSCVdXouaqcKJQnX-PlB3o8U8rTW1mUFULmS5ANAV8gTv9oxlP9yG9e-L8lTkk_WI/s400/SwawkyBirds.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> Early Birds on a Century Plant, squawkin' away very early in the morning.</b></div><br />
So yeah, they say that the early bird gets the worm. I am surprised of just how many early birds live in Phoenix and squawk and sing and chirp and coo very early before the sun rises outside my bedroom window. Thanks early birds for waking me up hours before my alarm clock goes off! I work from home now and I like to sleep in, you know. Your songs are pretty and very different from the birds back home in Baltimore, but that is just too freakin' early guys. <br />
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<b>The birds they sing at break of day, "Start again!" I hear them say. -Leonard Cohen </b><br />
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So I guess I need to become an early bird too. Are you an early bird? I've always been more of a nocturnal creature myself.Cynthia DiBlasi - Fine Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799598085159440461noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624112395991506648.post-48363418445481023282010-05-17T12:31:00.000-07:002010-05-17T12:31:30.636-07:00Cactus Monday: Sketchcrawl!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPzPNY8u-3bOtNggelqSWlqO6VsCqj8Don1zbm4S6ArtkpZpF9SafC0fLXA9_SfjGvcFrCTUeKjm_wjT2CQphtqL1j_Q4C2xTXllCgc-gYiGp-qPPRXMzHj6yQ8qalYNSVj_JVzSJBWA/s1600/OrganPipeCactusSketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPzPNY8u-3bOtNggelqSWlqO6VsCqj8Don1zbm4S6ArtkpZpF9SafC0fLXA9_SfjGvcFrCTUeKjm_wjT2CQphtqL1j_Q4C2xTXllCgc-gYiGp-qPPRXMzHj6yQ8qalYNSVj_JVzSJBWA/s400/OrganPipeCactusSketch.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Organ Pipe Cactus under a Mesquite tree - Conté and ink. </b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5JwaWQDo8rQAqYUA-ge-8O4XiUbo88Un8hvl4TstiNsle-BusBBHpREGkcSjVY_ONhMuRlLF3EpKFDFk3UzuSMaFlrox2Rs-JDUH1AxF1HD4KN7auo4EIpYQMpFCfc1haO6c8tfsuAU/s1600/DBGsketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5JwaWQDo8rQAqYUA-ge-8O4XiUbo88Un8hvl4TstiNsle-BusBBHpREGkcSjVY_ONhMuRlLF3EpKFDFk3UzuSMaFlrox2Rs-JDUH1AxF1HD4KN7auo4EIpYQMpFCfc1haO6c8tfsuAU/s400/DBGsketch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Garden scene with a mountain view - Ebony pencil.</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Last Saturday, I attended my very first Sketchcrawl at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. <a href="http://www.sketchcrawl.com/">Sketchcrawl</a> is a worldwide event where artists gather from all corners of the world and join in a day of sketching and journaling, and then share their work on the online sketchcrawl forum. I encourage all of my artist friends to get on the forum, find your city and join! The next worldwide Sketchcrawl will be on Saturday, July 31st. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I have met some wonderful people and had great conversations. We also exchanged useful techniques as well as each others' supplies to try out. I can't wait to try a new method for the next Sketchcrawl and my idea of sketchbook journaling has since changed forever. I have been so busy working digitally, that I sort of forgot how it feels to get back to the basics with raw materials and get my hands dirty. Although I felt a little rusty, it felt great to be sketching again.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I found out about the Sketchcrawl through a drawing group in the Phoenix area called <a href="http://www.sketchydoodle.com/">Sketchy Doodle</a>, and I'm looking forward to more drawing sessions. A big thanks to my new sketch pal, <a href="http://vanannies.blogspot.com/">Annie</a> for being the group organizer. Pop over to her blog and say hello, and check out her art. Being an Arizona resident, I think she would have fun with the Cactus Monday group as well!</div>Cynthia DiBlasi - Fine Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799598085159440461noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4624112395991506648.post-33674457609889635852010-05-10T14:03:00.006-07:002010-05-11T01:50:46.569-07:00Cactus Monday: Messing with Cholla<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKaxeFSTQjdG4n9IU_2sRPp26iequ4l6_ByLyQuQQVDSPeK-uMTzQafF_96L7JhTnYPvpGvVTFEFknFoNdA07asZGSh7dGqBt2CZ0i70fbT8ibx9z8WtmpWA1dHepiQKEZ4IkCnvK68zE/s1600/IMG_0679cholla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKaxeFSTQjdG4n9IU_2sRPp26iequ4l6_ByLyQuQQVDSPeK-uMTzQafF_96L7JhTnYPvpGvVTFEFknFoNdA07asZGSh7dGqBt2CZ0i70fbT8ibx9z8WtmpWA1dHepiQKEZ4IkCnvK68zE/s400/IMG_0679cholla.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><b>Well hello there you cute and cuddly Teddy Bear Cholla! You are so cute and plush and little and fuzzy, but I've got your number now you slick little cacti! </b><br />
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Above is a picture of my husband poking at this little Cholla with a stick, testing the theory that it jumps. It didn't. And of course he thinks I'm crazy because I swear a spider jumped on me once years ago as well as this particular type of cacti, most recently. We have a long running joke that just got a little funnier of awkward things jumping on me, that aren't supposed to jump in his opinion. <br />
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But as my fellow cactuteers know, Chollas DO in fact jump, (so do spiders!) and latch their little segments onto you, through your clothes and into their host's skin. OUCH!!! Just think of it like the force of a magnet near metal, once you slightly brush their little spines. Slick little devils.<br />
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I took this photo at the <a href="http://www.dbg.org/">Desert Botanical Garden</a> just yesterday, as well as many others. There are so many beautiful pictures I have taken from yesterday, that I have to pace myself and post just a few at a time! This botanical garden has it all. From abundant wildlife, gorgeous blooms, rolling scenic landscapes, mountains and all species of cacti. Beautiful sculptures can bee seen throughout, and a Chihuly glass installation greets you as you enter the garden. Did I ever mention that Chihuly is the sole inspiration of my glass blowing hobby?!!! Just 15 minutes from my house, I got a yearly membership. I plan on doing lots of reflecting there as well as photo shoots, plein air painting and sketching. If you can't find me, that's where I'll be! In cactus heaven.<br />
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<b>Update: I will be at the garden this Saturday at 8am joining a <a href="http://www.vanannies.com/blog/sketchcrawl-invitation-may-15-2010">sketchcrawl</a>. And if any near-by fellow Cactuteers would like to participate, that would be sweet! I've got one free guest pass just for you.</b>Cynthia DiBlasi - Fine Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06799598085159440461noreply@blogger.com7