iPad Sketches and Video

I have sketched a couple of times on the iPad for Scavenger Hunt 396.  http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?p=20411147#post20411147

The first one was done with Brushes.  After I finish a sketch I can play back the details.  I haven't been able to figure out how to save them for my blog.  I found that on Sketchbook Pro, if you set the recording, it can be shared via youTube.  So.....

Number 10, cold weather clothing -  Gene's hat for baseball and his bike riding.  Well, whenever as he shaves his head or keeps it cut very short.  This was done on Brushes, so no video to share.

Number 11, plant - a corn plant.  This was done on Sketchbook Pro and recorded to try the video.  It worked so will do a more interesting sketch the next time. 

Happy Halloween! and Sketches

Halloween is not a favorite holiday.  Growing up in a small town, we did go trick or treating.  We went mostly for treats, we were good kids.  A family friend would always recognize my cousin, Carol, and I. We couldn't imagine how he knew us.  It couldn't have been her red hair and my long pigtails and our voices full of giggles.

We could just go all over town with no problems, well, we might have a scare or two by some older kids.  Most places gave out a couple of pieces of penny candy.   We would be sure and go by the house with the turret, I think the Blackburns lived there.  The stairs would be decorated all the way to the third floor where there it was pretty dark, no one around and a cauldron over a pretend fire, filled with candy corn that we could spoon out some for our bags.  Sort of spooky.  Then we would go to the Hughes' house for the last stop.  Mrs. Hughes gave a WHOLE Hershey Bar and a mug of cocoa with marshmallows on top!  That made the night!

When we were in Peru, there were big celebrations on Halloween.  Most of the other countries celebrate All Souls Day and take special food and celebrate at the cemetery.  They would make bread in the shapes of animals in Bolivia or other things the dead person liked.  Usually there was too much drinking for the night and all day.

But back to Peru.  When the parties at school were over they were going to throw the decorations away, so I brought a bunch back to the house.  We had a creaky electric gate that opened somewhat like a garage door.  We hung all the skeletons, bats, cats and such on the inside so when it went up all the stuff hung there.  We got a huge pumpkin - think green squash with yellow inside - that was about 30 inches tall and in diameter and made a jack-o-lantern and put it outside.  I dressed up like a witch and put silver eye shadow all over my face with scars and bright red lipstick.  With all my wrinkles I looked sooooo awful!  Especially with just a little light around.  Larry was under the table that held the snacks and would turn on Thriller music by Michael Jackson and shake the table.  Jennie helped with the candy.  It was really neat, we scared a few of the kids. 

The funny part was that the next year we had company and didn't do anything.  We had a temporary guard at the time and some lady showed up in her Mercedes with a chauffer.  She had a little girl all dressed up in a fairy costume with huge wings. She got out and put the wings on and then looked around a bit surprised.   She asked the guard, "Donde está la bruja?" (Where is the witch?)  The guard didn't know what she was talking about and told her, "Ya se fue!" (She already left!)  The lady was furious and demanded he go get the witch.  She had brought the costume for her little girl from Miami and wanted a photo with the witch.  Ha.  Her demand was not complied with.

I posted a video with photos from the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta in October 2009 with balloons that fit Halloween if you would like to check it out again go here  http://jocastilloartblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/happy-halloween.html

We have never had any trick or treaters in Bastrop.  We live out from town and everyone seems to go downtown to the stores and main street where they have contests, music and fun for the kids.  I always buy some of my favorite chocolates just in case!  I buy candy I like because if there is any left I don't want it to go to waste.

Brandon and Jennie will have some trick or treaters.  Brandon is big and tall.  I think Brandon will give them a scare or two when he opens the door.

I did not sketch any Halloween stuff.  Should have, right?

Scavenger Hunt 380 http://jocastilloartblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/happy-halloween.html
Number 1, something above your head - done on the porch with Brushes and my fingers on the iPad.

Number 2, something smaller than a dime - an earring that is like a silver concho
Number 3, something rolled up - these were done in the big sketchbook with the Micron 05 pen.

My internet friend on wetcanvas, Southwest Forum, Jenna made a sort of spooky metal beetle.  Very nifty.  Look around her blog, clever wire animals and more.
http://thecozyred.wordpress.com/2014/10/29/the-beetle/

Have a Happy Holloween and a good weekend!

For you with no rain.....

It rained for about thirty minutes about an hour ago.  The birds loved it, too.

Painting Marathon and videosC

Marc Hanson is off on another painting marathon.  This time at night.  He is a great artist, you will like following his journey for September.

He pointed me to an interesting video from CBS about Mary Whyte's journey in watercolors.



When I went to see that I saw a great video about Captain Scott Smiley, a blind soldier.