Author: Shelly

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Happy Chickens

Shelly

Well, I got home without the help of a boat. I’ve never seen flooding like this before, though. The lowly White River is girthy as the Mighty Mississip’, and it isn’t supposed to crest for another couple of days, at least. Not knowing if I’d be able to get back into town for the next few days, I stopped at the grocery store and bought veggies, pepsicokesodapop, and a few other necessities. I also picked up a cheap-o, uber-low-res digital camera, since my old one won’t play nicely with my new computer.

Putting away groceries meant that I had to clean out my fridge. I’ve been putting it off for awhile, dreading it, but today was The Day. That also meant that I had a ginormous sack of various goodies for the neighbors’ chickens. So, I took the goodies and my new toy camera next door. The care package was well recieved, as you can see.

For me, watching chickens is a bit like watching fish. They soothe me and make me feel all warm and happy. I love the little cooing and chirping vocalizations they make and the ruffly noises of their feathers. I took several pictures of them eating.

Photo008a
Happy Chickens

Photography

Here Comes the Flood

Shelly

Spencer Flood January 2005
Flooding in Spencer, Owen County, Indiana

Oh my. Apparently we’re in the midst of what is likely to be a 100-year flood. My house is in no danger of flooding, but I may not be able to get home, since the only road to my house is likely to soon be under water. When I came in to work this morning, the water was already level with the road and it’s going to continue rising for at least a couple of days. Access to the south end of town is cut off because the bridge is under water.

I’m leaving work early so that I can hopefully get home before the road is closed. Maybe I should start building that ark?

Art

Vessels: Well

Shelly

I’ve been home sick for two days, so I’ve been taking advantage of the time off work by arting, getting some of my newer stuff scanned, and–flaky phone lines permitting–uploading the new images to my website.

Today, I had some time to work on a new piece for the An Art a Day group. This week’s challenge is the Blaue Reiter group. I love their work. It never occurred to me before, but I think my sense of color was inspired as much by them as by Gauguin and the Fauves. Mmmm, yummy color. The softened forms I create also harken back to them.

Anyway, today’s piece is oil pastel on chip board. The little landscape hanging on the wall is collaged, using a photo from an Indiana tourism magazine and a frame from an art supply catalog. If I become extra motivated, I may replace it with one of the landscape photos I’ve taken. I may also do a faux gilt finish on the frame, since it’s in a gorpy Rococo revival style.

Ultimately, this piece will be bound into a large-format book.

Okay, I’m waiting for Hello to finish downloading on my slooooow connection, so I’m going to whinge about the bloody weather. I’m officially sick of Indiana winters. 20ish” of snow, then -15F temps, then a week and a half straight of rain which has now turned into sleet, freezing rain, and snow. It’s official–God hates Indiana.

Even the dogs are unamused. While it was sleeting sidedways, they asked to go out. As soon as her feet hit the deck, Harriet turned tail and scooted back indoors. Heh. Elliott squinched up his eyes and soldiered on. He enjoys the cold weather, but I think the perpetual gloom is getting to him, even. He did manage to coax Harriet into about 30 minutes of fearsome biteyface, though, so at least she isn’t bouncing off the walls.

I think we’re ready to give this a try. Fingers crossed

A Book of Vessels: Well
Vessels: Well
oil pastel on davey board