mlaiuppa

Are you familiar with Bats at the Ballgame by Brian Lies? It’s a children’s picture book. One is a series. (Bats at the Beach, Bats at the Library, etc.)

I’ve also been a collector all my life. My parents used to refer to my room as “The Museum.”

I have teapots, Wendt & Kuhn figurines, Met Museum jewelry and objects, autographed books,…[Read more]

Elliot has certainly grown in four weeks. He looks like he’s doubled in size. The ears seem to be in constant flux. Will they stand up? Will they lay down? Will they flop over? You may not know for months. One thing is for sure Elliot seems to be a “stick man.” My Diana is a “ball girl.” Freyja seems to go for plushies.

OMG. This is *exactly* what I need. I haven’t even been looking for it.

I have two vintage round wooden gilt frames that I have been dying to paint something to go in, but have been too lazy to measure and then have to cut regular watercolor paper to fit. This block will fit my frames exactly.

Now I have to get a block and start painting to…[Read more]

How long did you last? About four weeks? I lasted about two months after I lost Caesar. About two weeks after I lost Ramses.

At first, you can’t imagine how you can live with a dog. Then you can’t imagine living without a dog.

I am thrilled you found another companion. This was obviously meant to be. Elliott sounds like he is an old soul…[Read more]

Thanks so much for sharing this. Much info and many ideas.

I have been mulling over designs for my own leather journal. I want to hand tool the cover so want to reuse it. That has been the sticking point as I want to be able to change out whatever is holding the paper, plus am not sure how much stuff I want to pack in it. Loops for brushes…[Read more]

It’s a two-fold gift. A gift you give to them and a gift they give to you.

Wow, I had no idea there was this kind of paper. I have no idea what I would use it for but I want it just the same. Thanks for the thorough review.

Great review. I prefer a sketchbook with 100% cotton rag and heavier than the normal 90 lb. So not easy to find. I know the quality of Hahnemuhle so I will be checking this out. I do like the covers to be a bit stiff and to extend beyond the paper like a book. I find the elastic bands tend to stretch out and become useless after a bit but that is…[Read more]

I know exactly how you feel. And I’m not being trite. I mean exactly.

My Ramses was diagnosed with among other ailments, cancer. He had lost his appetite a bit but his pain was managed with meds. He had a great Thanksgiving Eve with my parents and their dog, having a walk in the neighborhood. He was almost his old self, bouncing around. But on…[Read more]

I bought their little ceramic palette in a can but haven’t tried it yet. Nice to know the quality of the paper. Cotton and 110lb certainly got my attention. I don’t do PU as I have had too much fall apart after few years but the cotton covers are something that intrigues me. I am curious about the pocket. The design is great as having it open to…[Read more]

Might I add, the difference between a good painting and a great painting is knowing when to stop. It’s also one of the hardest things to learn.

I’ve only used the professional watercolors in their lovely travel palette. They are quarter pans. I’ve tried a few other smaller palettes for travel and find I keep coming back to this one. It holds 18 quarter pans and I got mine from Jackson’s Art in the UK. Lovely enameled metal case with even room for a small brush. Great for sketching and…[Read more]

Sometimes it’s hard to move on from old friends. You feel like you are betraying them. Or you simply get stuck in a rut and don’t think about change.

I started with a set of 24 Pelikan watercolors my Grandfather bought me when I was 12. I still have them. I used them off and on until I was 62. After I retired I got them out and started going to…[Read more]

Excellent review. I ordered it and am looking forward to getting it. You’re right, it’s very dear at $14 a tube and then $14 for the shipping. But this may be the only opportunity for us to experiment with a new watercolor pigment like this. I am going to be trying it with some of my Daniel Smith Primatek colors as I think it is close in color…[Read more]

My parents’ Bob used to visit the fish pond but could never reach deep enough to catch any. They have a new puppy now and my Diana visits often enough that I think Bob has wandered off to greener, easier pastures.

I shall make a note. All raccoons are named Bob. Even the girl ones.

Just so you know in case Phineas strikes up a friendship with any squirrels, my Mother informed me at a young age that all squirrels were named Petey, even the girl ones.

Bob looks like quite a congenial fellow. I’m glad he’s learned the rules of the house, er, deck.

Really great review.

I have an Expeditionary Art palette with Greenleaf and Blueberry paint (limited edition) and really like it. I’ve taken it out more than once and really enjoyed using it.

Now that Accurasee seems to have discontinued my beloved sketch caddie I’ve been reviewing other options and this has now gone to top of my list. I…[Read more]

These are the sorts of sentimental memories you cannot manufacture. They simply happen at random. That is why they are so endearing and precious to us.

In our family it is the chocolate ball. Or maybe it’s just for me. It is a medium size mercury glass ball that is about 65 years old. It used to be red but back in the day when the lights on t…[Read more]

Thanks so much for this. I’ve been looking at that Miya Art set. I suspected it was more of a child’s set given the cuteness but figured I could always refill it when the paint ran out and I’d have a nice little travel set. The only thing holding me back was the weirdly folding palette.

I also have my eye on those postcards in a tin but…[Read more]

For me it would be rain and popcorn, rain being our winter here.

I think we all have a quirky holiday movie we love along with the classic favorites. For me it’s We’re No Angels, the original with Humphrey Boghart, Peter Ustinov, Aldo Rey, Basil Rathbone, Leo G. Carroll (1955). I used to be able to see all of my favorite classics on broadcast…[Read more]