Holy Jumpin' Cats!

The shaming room

2012-03-14T03:18:23Z

Originally posted by sff_corgi at The shaming room

Originally posted by badgermirlacca at The shaming room

Originally posted by kikibug13 at The shaming room

Originally posted by bajoransmurf at Please take a seat in the shaming room...

Originally posted by denorios at Please take a seat in the shaming room...

Since a number of US newspapers have refused to republish the latest Doonesbury cartoon strip which highlights the way Republicans are attempting to undermine a woman's right to choose, I feel it's important to make sure the message still gets across.

The shaming room awaits.

Sherlock Vs. The Doctor

2012-03-03T22:48:13Z

I'm thinking this will be relevant to certain members of my flist:)

So...

2012-01-29T18:36:48Z

Hi! Been a while, I know. Painting had been on the backburner for quite some time, as it happens. There have been a few new projects since the summer, since I last posted, most of which occurred in December. However, I have been experimenting a bit.

And then I decided to give paintings as Christmas presents. I like how they turned out!

This painting is in honor of Julie Rose's latest novel, Oleanna.

This one was inspired by Heather Domin's epic/romance/epicromance The Soldier of Raetia.

And this one is inspired by Catherine Scaff-Stump's novel-in-progress (which I have been privileged to read thus far) The Substance of Shadows.

This one was for acusa_dora:

And this one for tapestrymlp:

Trying to get away from digital for...well, don't really know why. I just prefer watercolors. Also, the studio is a much more pleasant place to be in since I spiffed it up and actually hung my artwork on the walls. Pictures to come once the whole thing is finished.

So that's that. Am hoping to keep up more online as opposed to just dumping new pictures on my tumblr account, which is so seductively easy. Hope all is going well for everyone!

Baby, it's cold out there

2011-12-26T16:45:49Z

berreh, this one's for you:)

minoukatze @ 2011-12-22T23:11:00

2011-12-25T04:13:56Z

I wish all of you who celebrate it a very Merry Christmas!

NaNoNoNoNoooooo

2011-11-10T18:37:52Z

Snatching bits of time to work on my NaNo story, but it's shaping up to be a pretty hectic month.

Stella wandered about the garden. She pulled dandelions from the ground and blew their fluffy heads into the breeze, giggling when the white fuzz would float back to tickle her nose. Suddenly, she heard a shriek from the house. She ran back to find Mama collapsed upon the floor. Mama raised herself on her hands, shaking, and little Liam was underneath, horribly still. She stared in shock as Stella went over to him, picked him up, and hugged him with all of her might. Stella felt her hands burning, but somehow she knew that all was well. She hugged Liam until he squirmed, pulled her hair and complained loudly. Mama, wide-eyed, rushed over to cover her daughter's face in kisses.

"How did you do that?" Mama demanded, taking and inspecting Liam, who seemed no worse for wear.

"I dunno," Stella shrugged. "I just did. He's okay, isn't he? Did I save him?"

"Yes," Mama looked concerned. "Yes, you did, and I am so proud of you, my darling. But Stella, you must never tell anyone about this."

"Because you fell on Liam?"

"Uh...yes," Mama replied hastily. "Because of that."

"Okay, Mama!" Stella grinned, and skipped back outside to play.

Three days later the white carriage arrived with a priest and three huge men in black armor. As the neighbors peeked out of their doors, Mama shrieked and sobbed and denied any evil at work in her little daughter. Papa, stunned, ushered the confused Stella over to the strange men. When it became apparent that Stella was being taken away, she flew into hysterics.

"But I promise I'll be good! I promise!" she wailed. "Is it because I ate the gingersnaps? I'll never do it again, I'll be good!"

The priest waved a silver staff over Liam, who lay squalling in his crib. "The boy is free from taint. You may take comfort in that."

He motioned for the armored men to depart, dragging Stella by the arm.

"Mama! Papa! Why don't you stop them!?" Stella cried, frantic, pawing at the steel grip of the guard. "Mama!!! I don't want to go! Don't you love me anymore?"

Papa and Mama held each other, miserable, seemingly unable to speak. It was this last image of them that Stella carried with her.

Stella passed the next three days in a numb stupor. It seemed that the journey would not end, and Stella hoped that she would wake up soon in her own bed, calling Mama over to comfort her. Then, the carriage crested a huge hill, and Stella gasped in awe and horror. Stone walls rose from the ground to reach for the sky, encircling...what? It was the biggest place she had ever seen. Stella shrank into her seat.

"What is that?" she asked the priest in a small voice.

"It is the Hold." No change in expression.

"Why are you taking me here?"

"You are Devil-touched. It is where all of your kind go."

She thought she would cry once more, but it seemed that her tears had been all used up. The carriage drew her onward toward that massive place, and she thought that her fear had passed when she saw the skeleton mounted over the gates. Stella gasped.

"Elias the Despised." The priest explained coolly. "A warning to any Tainted who threatens the peace of Aurenos."

The thick doors opened, leading to a courtyard and another wall, another gate, this one festooned with hundreds of skulls. Stella, for the hundredth time, wondered what she had done that was horrible enough for her to end up in this nightmare.

"Traitors, heretics, enemies of Aurenos," the priest continued. "This is their fate. You would be wise to take heed of their folly."

Stella curled up in her seat, tucking her knees under her chin. The doors to the second gate yawned wide, drawing little Stella inside for good.

Hope the week's moving smoothly for everyone!

You Just Do.

2011-10-04T15:14:41Z

I think you all need a Guy on a Buffalo in your life.

Be sure to watch the second one- it's the best one so far:

Happy Friday, all!

2011-09-30T13:01:47Z

May your day be as magical as this guy.

minoukatze @ 2011-07-29T17:53:00

2011-07-29T21:53:32Z

Two more for the road!

minoukatze @ 2011-07-29T08:28:00

2011-07-29T12:28:41Z

I've always loved raptors, especially owls. Whenever we go on vacation, we tend to visit raptor sanctuaries and bird shows if they're nearby. I am proud to say that I've walked around for about a half hour with a beautiful Indian eagle owl named Jessica perched on my arm.

What a beaut!

So I should have been painting owls and raptors all of this time! I suppose I was afraid of all of the detail in the plumage, but now that I've started, it's really a great deal of fun.

Trial and Error Owl

This first guy took quite some time, mainly because I focused so much on the individual feathers, which still don't look particularly realistic. Fine with me, but not my favorite.

Trying a looser style here, which, aside from speeding things up, contributes to a better texture. Still working out the bugs.

Now we're owling!

Theerrrre we go. This guy is far and away my favorite. Watercolor is a great medium for painting birds, as the gradiations in feathers and shades blur in a really nice way. I went a bit overboard on the "ears", but I don't care. That's why painting is fun.

And now, let's throw a hawk in the mix. One of the things I love about raptors is how expressive their faces are, how they seem to look as if they're disapproving. This little guy cracked me up.

So...while I'm working on the rest of the travel log, expect more birds to visit:)

On Oslo

2011-07-23T07:10:52Z

Jumping ahead for, well, obvious reasons. I cannot get Oslo out of my head. I've been obsessively checking twitter and newsfeeds for information, something with which to cobble some sense out of this senseless situation. The best that can be construed is that it was a random act of insanity by a man of extreme right-wing beliefs. Not an immigrant or Muslim (the conclusion many immediately stampeded to), a strapping young fellow with the chiseled blond handsomeness so common in Norway, someone you would pass on the street without giving a second glance (or would, if so inclined). Someone who, if his facebook page is to be believed, enjoyed True Blood and World of Warcraft. Someone who, upon looking at him, you would not guess that inside he had the wherewithal to throw an entire city into chaos or murder scores of kids trapped on an island.

Truth be told, when I was in Oslo a month ago, it did not resonate with me. The museums are incredible, the people pleasant and polite, and yet I was left cold. I balked at the sky-high prices for even the most mundane of dishes and was disappointed by the huge but conventional shopping centers. It's not a fair assessment of the city, I know. Had we seen more of it, I'm sure I would have been won over. But at the time, if I saw Helsinki as a kooky, vibrant artist mama welcoming me to hang out, Oslo was a wealthy dowager who never dressed in anything other than formal gowns, every hair perfectly in place. However, the events taking place today have shown me that the grande dame is so much more than that, a reminder that she can handle any situation that comes her way with grace, dignity, generosity, and bravery.

Her people are truly special. I cannot help but remember the young woman who perched herself perilously between a dock and high platform to fish Catherine's Oslo pass out of the water when it had slipped through her fingers. The businessman who grinned impishly at me through the window upon seeing me take a comically large bite of an unwieldy sandwich. The raucous kids heading in a line toward the Folkesmuseum, proving that children all over the world are pretty much the same. I look back and see that Oslo is an amazing place, one I wish I had better appreciated when I was there.

My heart, thoughts, and prayers are with the people of Norway. May you find peace and comfort in this terrible time.

Adventures in the North! Chapter 2: Hello, Helsinki!

2011-07-18T13:27:56Z

I'd had two destinations in mind when I was to reach Helsinki: Suomenlinna and the Akseli Gallen-Kallela museum. I was more interested in the latter as the artist is one of my favorites, in my opinion up there with Wyeth in skill and visual storytelling. Both destinations required a fair bit of travel and walking, especially the museum, situated as it was in Espoo with at least a 2 mile walk just from and back to the bus stop there. As it was my first and final day in Helsinki, I had a choice. Suomenlinna, the Gallen-Kallela museum, or taking it easy in the city. Perhaps I could have run myself through the first two destinations out of sheer force of will, but after the third dizzy spell during Hotel Linna's sumptuous breakfast, taking it easy seemed essential. As it turns out, three days of travel, a heaping serving of stress, and very little sleep can really take it out of you. Fortunately and unfortunately, one day in Helsinki was enough to make me fall in love.

Well fed, we strolled down the street, and I was immediately intrigued by this:

Why?

I don't know what it signified, but it struck me as whimsical, these lines of bright shirts tied together and slung between elegant 19th century buildings. Soon enough, we came upon a statue honoring the esteemed Elias Lonnrot, collector of the tales which make up the Kalevala.

Not fifteen minutes into our walk from the hotel, and I was already charmed by the city. From what I had read about Helsinki and her residents, I was expecting a cool, reserved place in which people rarely made eye contact and kept to themselves. Helsinki is cool, but not pretentious. There's an energy here like in all of the great cities of world- but Helsinki has a personality all her own: artistic, eccentric, and welcoming all at once. I'd dressed in one of my usual crazy-colored outfits complete with a flower in my hair (hey, if you're going to go all out, it may as well be in a foreign city), slightly worried that I would stick out. Not so. Everyone seemed to have their own individual style, thoughtfully chosen and, for the most part, flawlessly executed. Regardless of age or gender, an interesting hairstyle accompanied by a streak of wild color was the norm. It was wonderful. As for a reserved populace, smiles came easily here, and the people with whom I interacted were friendly and warm. Catherine mentioned that when she had been alone, whenever she checked her map a local would appear to offer help and directions.

After a visit to the excellent art museum (I did get to see some Gallen-Kallela paintings after all:) and a leisurely ramble, we retired to a cafe, where we enjoyed coffee, giant pastries, and the sight of an unfortunate fellow having his lunch swiped by a seagull (and this was in the middle of the city, mind!). Bellies full and brains caffinated, we moved on, stumbling across a small street festival in which there was a dancing contest, a little market of handmade goods, and a guy rapping Biggie Smalls in Finnish. Hipster guys off to the side were painting graffiti on large canvases for an appreciative audience. Smiling tattooed punk families pushed babies in strollers. I was officially smitten.

After dinner, we returned to the hotel where I decided to avail myself of its traditional sauna. There I encountered a charming Scottish mother and daughter duo, and chatted with them while steaming away the tension in my muscles. I'd mentioned my troubles in Iceland, and my regret that I hadn't been able to visit the hot springs there. The daughter laughed and mentioned that she had been, and that if I would go there that I should be sure to wear a bathing suit and bring my own soap ("Ah went with mah school one year. It's natural, so yeh know they can' clean it. Ah grabbed the soap- fulla pubes!" This line also proved that a Scottish accent makes anything sound awesome.). Normally I would be averse to being social in such a place, but gabbing with these funny ladies turned out to be just what I had needed.

I returned to my room refreshed and light of spirit, and found that my appetite, after two days of airport snacks, had returned with a vengeance. It was well into the evening at that point, and my companion very sensibly wished to turn in. However, since I only had a few more hours to spend in this city, I wanted to get as much out of the evening as I could. Led by my roaring stomach, I ventured forth and came across Bar Loose, where I enjoyed the BEST VEGGIE BURGER EVER. Seriously. As a stylishly mod DJ spun 60's tunes, I entrenched myself at a table, took out my sketchpad, and drew for hours. When I heeded the call of nature, I found that the bathroom stall was covered in silly sketches and Spongebob Squarepants quotes. I added a little scribble of my own to the graffiti, and the thought that a little bit of me still resides in a cool club in Helsinki brings me much joy. At around 1 am, I made my way back to the hotel on quiet streets feeling perfectly safe in a way that is rare to find in large cities. Heavy metal dudes nodded genially as I passed. Arriving back at our hotel room, I prepared for bed, already sorely missing Helsinki.

I need to go back someday.

In front of the amazing Hotel Linna, not ready to leave

Muted and Vibrant

2011-07-06T01:19:44Z

Well, I'd had half of my second travel journal entry written, but blogger ate it. So instead, I present two paintings I've done since I've been back. I'm not sure what was going on in my head while I was painting them, aside from wanting to finish the second one after having started it almost a year ago. Both are going to be submitted to the 40 Art exhibition in Doylestown, in which all of the paintings available are 5"x7" and $40, no matter the artist or the medium.

This painting is brought to you by watercolors, coffee, and Neil Gaiman's turntable room (seriously, turntable.fm is addictive).

I'm glad I finally finished this girl. Such a big difference in styles in just a year. I started this one not long after we moved into our house, and am happy enough with it, but much prefer the other painting.

Okay, off to attempt to write the next travel entry!

Adventures in the North! Chapter 1: Limbo

2011-06-28T03:28:46Z

In the days building up to my Nordic journey, I was gripped by all sorts of emotions: excitement, terror...okay, excitement and terror were pretty much it. Yet when I stepped onto the bus which would carry me to JFK airport, a calm passed over me. I was alone. I had no other responsibility other than getting myself on the plane. I could read without interruption. I could listen to music without worrying that mischief may be occurring. I cataloged each shift and bounce of the bus, ready to reference them should any turbulence hit on the plane. By the time I reached the airport, I was in an excellent mindset for the flight. Unfortunately, the flight was delayed for two hours. Refusing to despair, I decide to avail myself of the terminal's nifty amenities, namely a pedicure at the massage parlor (hello, decadence!). Then it's delayed another two hours due to weather in the area. The attendants reassure me that despite the delay and the worker's strike going on, I will catch my transfer flight to Helsinki. Crappy coffee, overpriced muffins, and after a while we are finally loaded onto the plane. I found myself wedged between a sweet Canadian girl and a quiet Finn.

We arrive at Keflavik, all of us confused and searching for answers. The place is a ghost town. After abandoning one empty service desk, we find another, and I find from the friendly attendant that I'm out of luck, stuck in Iceland. He hands me a small pack of vouchers, supposedly guaranteed to take care of my transportation, accommodation for the night, and meals. I make my way out, finding a surly taxi driver to convey me to the hotel. Upon arrival, the driver swipes all of my vouchers, claiming I won't need them. I protest, but he insists upon keeping them. Panicking and too exhausted to put up a fight, I tell him I will pay the fare as long as he returns the vouchers. He finally accedes. Good thing too, as I did need the damn things. Welcome to Iceland!

Always look on the bright side of life, as they say. I was a bit dispirited that I was losing one of my precious Helsinki days (as I only had 3), but decided to check out the little town of Keflavik.

Not too much going on here. There was a 24-hour convenience store nearby, so I got a kick out of checking out the local candy. Had I been less wiped out and more adventurous, I would have tried to find a way to Reykjavik, but after all, I had an early flight to catch. Heh...yeah.

Sleep was not forthcoming. There was a sense of unreality there. The sun did not set, rather faded to a muted glow over the horizon, then brought a brilliant dawn at 3 a.m. I gave up trying to rest and instead admired the view from my hotel room.

At 5 a.m. I went to catch the shuttle, only to be informed by the exquisitely pretty concierge that my flight was pushed back 2 hours. Ergh. I enjoyed a fantastic breakfast, the first of many (if there's one thing the Nordic countries do well, it's breakfast), then returned to my room to watch some tacky British television (seriously- a Cops knock-off) and count down the minutes.

Go back down, catch the shuttle, arrive at the airport, check my luggage, and immediately after find that the flight has been pushed back another two hours. This, as Jayne Cobb would say, was beginning to damage my calm. I took a deep breath, got myself a coffee, and perused the swanky stores the airport had to offer. I buy a small, beautiful Moomin sketchbook and set to drawing. The two hours pass. Another two are tacked on. My second day in Helsinki is fast slipping away. I go to the service desk, where a pleasant and apologetic fellow informs me that the flight has been delayed due to technical issues, that no matter what is announced it was unlikely that I would be leaving before 4 p.m., and that any other transfers wouldn't get me there until the next day anyway. Jittery, exhausted, queasy, and clutching a meal voucher, I begun to plod back to the dining area. I was feeling pretty hopeless then. The vacation I had planned for well over a year was falling apart before my eyes, everyone at home was asleep, and I was feeling utterly alone. Normally, I like being alone, but the absence of my loved ones, especially seeing the families bustling about around me, was hitting me pretty hard. The longing to be back with Pete and Maeve was almost physically painful. Despair was beginning to take hold, and then... my cell phone went off. Poor neumunki was subjected to my pathetic blubbering, and quickly dragged me out of my gloom and brought me back to the realm of (relative) sanity. I will always be grateful for that- thanks, Ben. With renewed spirits, I returned to the food court, drew a bit more, waited until it was decent to call Pete and Maeve on Skype, and caught them up on my progress, or lack thereof. Maeve declared that she was "super angry" for me, and squinched up her little angry bird face. I missed her even more then, and fought the urge to grab and hug the first little kid to come within reach. Then, I just passed the time. Ate some decent yogurt, then some terrible, limp fries. Tried to nap. Eventually, eternity ended, and we boarded the plane. The view leaving Iceland was breathtakingly beautiful, and you may be able to make out a dragon cloud in that second picture.

We landed at 1 a.m. in Helsinki. Via cell phone, I was immediately greeted by Pete, who had been remotely tracking my progress (Did I mention that I love my support network? Because I do. A lot.). Caught a taxi into town, which was still lively and bright and full of people. Upon arriving at the hotel, I immediately smashed my big toe into a metal peg in front of the door. I didn't care. I was finally in Finland, and my adventure had begun in earnest.

Lost in Iceland

2011-06-11T03:10:53Z

I have begun my journey to Helsinki. I had refrained from mentioning it, due to the annoying tendency for plans I look forward to falling apart at the last minute. And...I haven't reached Finland yet. But I'm in Iceland at least!

Thunderstorms on the east coast and mechanic strikes on the island led to a whole toolbox of monkey wrenches thrown into the system, and I find myself resting my sleepless bones at the Flughotel Keflavik at the courtesy of Icelandair. I've lost a precious day in Finland, about which I am trying not to be upset. Fortunately, Keflavik is helping. I enjoyed a complimentary dinner and went on a brief ramble around this small town. It's a quarter to three in the morning, and yet the horizon is a lovely muted dawn, and has been since 11. It is incredibly beautiful and surreal. After hours of tossing and turning, I've given up on the prospect of slumber, trading it for the view. It's a modest scattering of blocky, colorful houses; waves crashing on a starkly beautful shore of black rock; all of which is contrasted by the soft pastel tones of the sky. Gulls arc a regular circuit around the neighborhood, a curious black cat noses around below, and in the distance, a pale blue suggestion of mountains lies across the waters. It is wonderfully peaceful.

It's not what I had planned, but then adventure rarely sticks to a schedule. Still, here's hoping that things go smoothly later in the morning and I reach my destination!

snerk

2011-06-08T00:25:09Z

I've passed by this book a few times, but I think this trailer's sold me on it:)

New stuff! Finally.

2011-06-07T01:58:54Z

I like this picture...sort of. The face is a bit too cartoonish for my liking, but I find the disjointedness kind of appealing. It's probably because I worked on it maybe 15-20 minutes at a time over the past two months, using some spare moments when my brain wasn't too fried from stress or sleepiness. I did actually get a picture done! But I couldn't stop playing with it.

So far, this one has edged out the other two slightly. It seems the most finished. And yet...

Different feel. Different mood. Yay layers! And then...

Kind of spooky. I like this one too.

Mainly I'm just happy I got something done. Things are moving quickly now- in less than two weeks I'm off to Finland and Norway with Catherine Schaff-Stump on a mission of research, and I can't wait to see what inspiration this will bring.

(From the art blog)

Sakura- Charity Art for Japan

2011-03-18T19:46:08Z

This painting of a lovely lady with cherry blossoms is for sale, and all of the proceeds will go to relief for Japan. Click the link for more details.

Feeling Fortunate

2011-03-18T18:53:58Z

Sorry I've been hiding out. It's been kind of a crappy week, but certain things are making me feel very fortunate to be me. Especially my friends. *looks pointedly at miribilist*

Goldburst

2011-02-13T03:06:35Z

The biggest watercolor abstract I've done so far! It's 16" x 22". I like how the colors turned out.

minoukatze @ 2011-01-31T22:15:00

2011-02-01T03:15:17Z

Been working on this one for a while little by little, and feel like I can finally declare it finished! This winter is driving me crazy.

minoukatze @ 2011-01-31T22:13:00

2011-02-01T03:13:38Z

This is Jade. I really like how this one turned out:)

Iris

2010-12-03T22:21:22Z

New picture! Here is Iris.

More at my art blog.

minoukatze @ 2010-12-03T11:52:00

2010-12-03T16:52:27Z

The happiest of birthdays to chrysantza! May this coming year be full of joy and inspiration!

minoukatze @ 2010-11-26T16:15:00

2010-11-26T21:15:34Z

I am spammy today! Here's my latest painting:)