Ronnie's Ramblings

Don’t you just hate it when you put off doing your least favorite thing until the last minute and then you HAVE to do it and you don’t want to do it and you can’t settle down and get it done and you wish someone else could do it for you but they can’t because you’re the only one that can do it?  That’s what I did today.

Writing instructions for pattern packets has got to be the most tedious, boring part of my job.  I would rather do almost anything else.
Here are 10 things I would rather do:
1.  base coat
2.  sand
3.  get a sliver from sanding
4.  trace patterns
5.  paint out something and paint it again
6.  clean house
7.  iron
8.  exercise
9.  go on a diet
10.fall down and break my leg…..not really
Note:  Cooking is NOT on this list because I would rather do almost anything besides cook.  But that’s a subject for another day.

I’ve tried and tried to make it easier on myself.  I think the instructions are very important and I try so hard to write everything I have done on the project.  I even use a little recorder to make notes while I’m painting.  I used to try to write things down but laying down my brush and picking up a pen is just not an option.  It’s also important to list ALL the colors I used.  I do so much brush mixing it makes it hard to keep track of everything.  Then I have to go back and mix the same colors so I can list the mixes.
AND……. If I don’t write the instructions immediately I have a hard time remembering everything.  But I don’t WANT to write the instructions.  So I put it off.  Procrastinate.  Put it on the back burner.  Wait until later.  Put it aside.

Then I end up where I am today.  Writing instructions at the last minute for a rather complicated project.  Just in time for the National Conference.

Why do I do this to myself!?  From now on I’m going to write the instructions IMMEDIATELY.  You DO believe me, don’t you?

I can’t sell pattern packets that don’t have instructions.  So IT is a necessary evil.  But I still don’t like it.  It’s hard to figure out how to put into words some of the weird stuff I do.  So then I make up weird names like Smush; Jab and Flick; Punch and Pull, and the new one Squinch.  So now I’ve had requests for a dictionary to define my weird terms!  A Weirdo’s Dictionary!

Here’s a little peek at the new designs I have coming out in pattern packets.  They’ll go on the website by the end of May.  And yes, all of them have instructions included.

I’m giving away 5 of these Merry Christmas packets to 5 randomly picked comments.  The packet even includes the instructions.  So if you haven’t sent me a comment yet – Now is the time.  It’s pretty easy, and no – you don’t have to include a URL  One comment per person, please.

I’m off to Wichita tomorrow.
Wish me luck.
Ronnie

I went on a photo safari to take pics of trees and horizon lines. One thing we have in abundance in Kansas is horizon lines where earth meets sky.  That’s because there are no mountains in Kansas.

Do you have as much trouble painting trees as I do?  I can hear you saying “yes” because I’ve had so many painters in class who struggle getting trees to look natural.
Evergreen Trees
Deciduous Trees
Bushes
Bare Winter Trees
Spring Trees With Blossoms
It doesn’t seem to matter what kind of trees.  They’re H.A.R.D

Wanna know why?  Because we don’t spend enough time LOOKING at them.  They’re so much a part of our everyday life we just don’t see them anymore.
My solution:
I need photos.  Exactly how does it look where the tippy tops of the trees touch the sky.  What about the bunches of leaves and branches?  Are the trunks straight and fat or are they thin and crooked.  Are you just depending on your imagination?  Just in case you’ve never heard me say it……..you can’t trust your imagination because your brain lies to you.  Yes < gasp > you have a lying brain.  It loves to tell you things that may or may not be true.

Raise your hand if you’ve painted with me and heard me say “you can’t paint what you can’t see”.  And that means – see with your eyes!   If you don’t know exactly WHAT something looks like, how can you paint it?

So that brings me back to my photos.  I put my tree photos on my computer where I could zoom in on them to see some of the detail.  Wow!  Now my painting is looking a lot better and I’m in love with the background.  Yes.  Sometimes I DO like what I’m doing. But not very often.

Now don’t get all nervous and excited about the rest of the painting.  There is still a lot of work to do here.  When I think I’ve got the background the way I want it I’ll continue working on details.  I like to get color on the whole canvas so I can get the overall effect.

Many artists carry a sketch pad and/or paints so they can make quick sketches when they see something interesting or informative.
This requires:
1.  Drawing Skills
2.  Lots of Time
3.  Drawing Skills
4.  Good Weather
5.  Drawing Skills
6.  BIG Erasers
I don’t know about all of you, but I’m really short on all of those things most of the time.  Except the erasers.  I always make sure I have plenty of those.

Nowdays it’s so easy to carry a small camera and with the digital age you don’t even have to spend your monthly earnings printing accidental photos of:
1.  The sky
2.  Your shoes
3.  The dashboard of your car
4.  Your knees
5.  Your husband’s belt buckle
Well…. you get my drift.

My final advice:  take lots of photos and USE them.  Keep them close.  Touch them. Guard them.  Take them to bed.  Dream about them.  Pretty soon your brain will HAVE to tell you the truth!

Okay.  I’m done with my rant.  I love you all
Ronnie