tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3508743416901262462024-03-13T05:35:59.229-07:00Paper WingsLeslie Dukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09596397877249044195noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350874341690126246.post-82895211146717769312012-10-05T14:44:00.001-07:002012-10-05T14:46:00.524-07:00NPR & Urban Bears<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZFnG3EVQ7iZ51T_Ajrbck6gaS629LZMVaj6ndA8epjvAhcAa3BbYpZPmsbSHCgO-LCwbA52cd3XR4FZdqGOis-hxOfKVN-slrJYd02IS2y-vkbdIfj8YzG04Rb0UpuJZsVHhD-hq0TA/s1600/Picture+4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZFnG3EVQ7iZ51T_Ajrbck6gaS629LZMVaj6ndA8epjvAhcAa3BbYpZPmsbSHCgO-LCwbA52cd3XR4FZdqGOis-hxOfKVN-slrJYd02IS2y-vkbdIfj8YzG04Rb0UpuJZsVHhD-hq0TA/s400/Picture+4.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
The <a href="http://irrational-fears.com/" target="_blank">Irrational Fears blog</a> has a brand new look! You should probably <a href="http://irrational-fears.com/" target="_blank">visit the site</a> to get the full effect. A big thanks to my talented designer friends, Jana and Collin Cummings, for the beautiful design.<br />
<br />
Also, this must be mentioned. NPR ran <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2012/10/05/162300544/coyotes-in-the-city-could-urban-bears-be-next?guid=1349459104454#commentBlock" target="_blank">this article today</a> and I did <a href="http://irrational-fears.com/post/32951921513/i-fear-urban-bears" target="_blank">this post </a>a while back. Coincidence or prophesy? You decide. All I have to say is that it's happening (sorry Collin).<br />
<br />
Keep a wary eye on the Irrational Fears blog. I have a few new fears up my sleeve.<br />
<br />
<br />Leslie Dukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09596397877249044195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350874341690126246.post-5086830653874629162012-09-24T11:43:00.000-07:002012-09-24T11:43:46.884-07:00Mad Tea Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7fiWdSjzJzSqutAySP_gRygxbal_QrB9wjcBSvX8IjVqxU0QbKRSA8qXkNl_Jm_eO6sM0A5AsCx1xBwnHFhlHzr44Q6FeO88g_dJvI9_LnT2iG5gGAtIbj1E8VA2U_pyv22Xn_XGI998/s1600/Mad+Tea+Party+LDuke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7fiWdSjzJzSqutAySP_gRygxbal_QrB9wjcBSvX8IjVqxU0QbKRSA8qXkNl_Jm_eO6sM0A5AsCx1xBwnHFhlHzr44Q6FeO88g_dJvI9_LnT2iG5gGAtIbj1E8VA2U_pyv22Xn_XGI998/s400/Mad+Tea+Party+LDuke.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Another piece for Ten Paces and Draw's artist swap. This one was especially fun for me. I can't help but love drawing/painting hair and decorative details. Check out all of the original sketches and other pieces <a href="http://www.tenpacesanddraw.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.Leslie Dukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09596397877249044195noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350874341690126246.post-19071201162618844712012-09-14T12:15:00.000-07:002012-09-14T12:15:01.006-07:00Not from Belgium<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifizgBWMRsgKjQ0ZHelxagOKNFesNjq4KJSm0zqiE_v2ArJlZWgv-2vKamRCsZxrva-utKRPt4em-ZdTUU0uQbym2tBTcr9RetEYDRuW9MClLLjOnCr-y-DLw89Nz1E17hOFVQkKjNP58/s1600/big+squint+Jess.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifizgBWMRsgKjQ0ZHelxagOKNFesNjq4KJSm0zqiE_v2ArJlZWgv-2vKamRCsZxrva-utKRPt4em-ZdTUU0uQbym2tBTcr9RetEYDRuW9MClLLjOnCr-y-DLw89Nz1E17hOFVQkKjNP58/s400/big+squint+Jess.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This is not a picture from Belgium. Just to clarify. It is a picture of a study I did in what my husband and I fondly call "the art cabin." Maybe sometime I'll post a picture of the beautifully wood-paneled walls that make "the art cabin" feel quite literally like a shack in the woods.<br />
<br />
Anyway. This is my sister who kindly sat for me for two hours. Currently I'm practicing my oil painting skillz and working on a body of work to submit to galleries. During this particular session I was focusing on getting the "big squint" down, or in other words, getting the correct values while creating pathways for the lights and darks. It's not perfect, but I'm happy enough with it to post on the inter-webs.Leslie Dukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09596397877249044195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350874341690126246.post-17294981921386723592012-09-12T09:50:00.000-07:002012-09-12T09:50:00.801-07:00And then I went to Belgium<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1j_S3m5gEL2Nse_24Lon-J4PVAqC-qhyphenhyphenr4DbdoETbJ7NqO2CoqnwVcW2MjCfbvBGGYE_s2fevVyacYi9azHGT2km30Mhl39yjtZN_xfNK0SDhu9-nyzbOoPRBUQhZgK03pcTFOQMP37Y/s1600/apple+Belgium+post-glaze.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1j_S3m5gEL2Nse_24Lon-J4PVAqC-qhyphenhyphenr4DbdoETbJ7NqO2CoqnwVcW2MjCfbvBGGYE_s2fevVyacYi9azHGT2km30Mhl39yjtZN_xfNK0SDhu9-nyzbOoPRBUQhZgK03pcTFOQMP37Y/s400/apple+Belgium+post-glaze.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Prepare yourself for a tragic story.<br />
<br />
I spent the month of June in Belgium. (No, this is not the tragedy.)<br />
<br />
I spent my days drawing and painting. I took lots of pictures of my drawings and paintings. I visited incredible museums. I took pictures of the incredible artwork there. I ate incredible food. I took pictures of the incredible food. Get the picture? (excuse the pun)<br />
<br />
Then I came home. I procrastinated organizing my pictures and inviting my dearest friends to a slide-show event. A month or two past, and still those photos were left untouched. Unseen. And then, my computer was stolen as well as both, yes BOTH, of the hard drives which contained the backups on these lovely pictures.<br />
<br />
And yes. Belgium was all but forgotten in the midst of the police reports, insurance adjustors, calls from the detective and never-ending gathering of information. (Wait, that's all still happening...) UNTIL I acquired a new computer from a new company that I'm working for and now, finally, I have the courage and means to post what few pictures that remain from my month-long Belgian adventure. (Fortunately I'm paranoid -- for good reason, apparently -- about completely deleting my SLR's memory card, which means I have a handful of pictures left.)<br />
<br />
So for the next several days I will be posting a few images here and there. (To be honest, I haven't even uploaded all of the pictures to this computer yet...) Today's post is a bit meager, but important none-the-less.<br />
<br />
This is the still-life I spent the month painting. It is the unfinished version, but I wanted to post a picture of the painting actually in Belgium simply on principle (those damn thieves may steal my life/computer/hard-drives but they won't steal my spirit). I had just finished glazing the apple and was really loving the brilliant color it achieved. I still love it, and will post the finished version later. For now, glory in one of the only pictures that remains of my stay in Flanders. More to come.<br />
<br />
<br />Leslie Dukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09596397877249044195noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350874341690126246.post-36346107664417510182012-09-10T11:29:00.000-07:002012-09-10T11:29:00.341-07:00Images of My Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjed1pqffYInqZUd-4z-WH8q_4RanKXwLndqJJLtTZ_j-p0-X9tCnZO-WC2tcvpSUMJz3zHLyq29NQS5uXdjJnY2zQbt9jOBTyJMBX34tzNnz3rYYWIYeHIx1JKL3Lb4rjtdwMp7ylbNIM/s1600/short+hair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjed1pqffYInqZUd-4z-WH8q_4RanKXwLndqJJLtTZ_j-p0-X9tCnZO-WC2tcvpSUMJz3zHLyq29NQS5uXdjJnY2zQbt9jOBTyJMBX34tzNnz3rYYWIYeHIx1JKL3Lb4rjtdwMp7ylbNIM/s400/short+hair.jpg" width="391" /></a></div>
<br />
I chopped my hair off and dyed it red. The initial dye was a little on the orange side but has since calmed down a bit. I drew this soon after the great hair adventure, without even thinking. Apparently my subconscious thought it was a bit orange as well.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCaTM_0bxjaYfgGX87kvpt6xiA2NgJm8vnOsO0tYK4ZChv3ak6rtFfgNyJabaSdarFeiV6sXt-nDKOVGD41KxAqBzOFQ5EKWmgb_fBzKqle-4OAv70n3zc42kM5vLZllcaktGVNyVXgU/s1600/Church+&+canals+web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCaTM_0bxjaYfgGX87kvpt6xiA2NgJm8vnOsO0tYK4ZChv3ak6rtFfgNyJabaSdarFeiV6sXt-nDKOVGD41KxAqBzOFQ5EKWmgb_fBzKqle-4OAv70n3zc42kM5vLZllcaktGVNyVXgU/s400/Church+&+canals+web.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I attended a month-long classical painting workshop with <a href="http://www.williamwhitaker.com/">William Whitaker</a> in Brugges, Belgium. While there I ate much chocolate, waffles and frites. It was lovely. I'll post more about my stay there very soon...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZuCpiCzapsJrlhrjVYwXQkoZ3ODEaeVAfBOS_ML2PwA6eGVab267Z4ft0lI9En2I3tC__IDKTbHwTBoc8eXOs2DH8NTpB8skvhLG5ams9yePWNAxwubF1J8qzDZJn70CEWlnAFvwt80/s1600/Phone+WebVersion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZuCpiCzapsJrlhrjVYwXQkoZ3ODEaeVAfBOS_ML2PwA6eGVab267Z4ft0lI9En2I3tC__IDKTbHwTBoc8eXOs2DH8NTpB8skvhLG5ams9yePWNAxwubF1J8qzDZJn70CEWlnAFvwt80/s400/Phone+WebVersion.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We moved. In the process I found a few old images I'd totally forgotten about. Most of them aren't worth showing, but I was rather pleasantly surprised to find this one. I remember disliking it before, but looking at it again there are some things that I rather like about it.</div>
<br />Leslie Dukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09596397877249044195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350874341690126246.post-2529869458998649232012-09-06T21:43:00.000-07:002012-09-06T23:02:25.979-07:00Ten Paces & Draw<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOUMjgYoKLD5LCMvO8TJVWXbilCrJvn98TFTSXXDnbHMGKVwm_b9VhpKZINvV0k2vUc9yWflMzeTszrP4AYvYp4JA_Vm8C3VpdpEcqJeOPgAHyapcgP17azkPOkv_X10XPg2Ww8rGWRE/s1600/Greek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiOUMjgYoKLD5LCMvO8TJVWXbilCrJvn98TFTSXXDnbHMGKVwm_b9VhpKZINvV0k2vUc9yWflMzeTszrP4AYvYp4JA_Vm8C3VpdpEcqJeOPgAHyapcgP17azkPOkv_X10XPg2Ww8rGWRE/s400/Greek.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Last month I participated in <a href="http://www.tenpacesanddraw.com/">Ten Paces and Draw</a>'s "artist swap." Basically they have a group of artists do pieces for a specific theme, BUT there's a catch: each artist submits a sketch and then is given someone else's sketch to illustrate. Kinda crazy right? Some crazy artist fun. Check out all of the sketches and finals <a href="http://www.tenpacesanddraw.com/portfolio/swap-greek-mythology/">here</a>.<br />
<br />
The theme was "Ancient Greek" and the sketch I was handed is based on the theory that the Ancient Greeks mythology about giants originated from a few Greek guys finding some dinosaur bones.<br />
<br />
I'll be doing more of these artist swap things in the not-so-far-distant future, so keep a wary eye...Leslie Dukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09596397877249044195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350874341690126246.post-30041765267136548702012-04-11T23:22:00.001-07:002012-04-11T23:29:19.551-07:00Sidewalk Portraits at the Bijou Market<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1r4EGRd2TqWzdskzJQf-HBDO8Zdd_9zb75QFAjWfnpMATcYc4HSYiPHSIvzSN6uvll3LDKUKneDMFrcYmWkcNME9Er1eScDT3_3Jgn6_LCaHRi2WMyHnVwVGUtTVbsz1IugGHCNTqE9Q/s1600/Example.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1r4EGRd2TqWzdskzJQf-HBDO8Zdd_9zb75QFAjWfnpMATcYc4HSYiPHSIvzSN6uvll3LDKUKneDMFrcYmWkcNME9Er1eScDT3_3Jgn6_LCaHRi2WMyHnVwVGUtTVbsz1IugGHCNTqE9Q/s640/Example.jpg" width="491" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This Saturday I'm going to be at the <a href="http://www.bijoumarket.com/">Bijou Market</a> in Provo doing portraits. Hooray! What does this mean exactly? It means, my friends, that you can sit for a live session (or bring a photo) and walk away with an original piece of art for a steal of a deal. So bring yourself, your BFF, your honey, your puppy...you get the idea...and come find me. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Artists <a href="http://www.hueandhum.com/2012/04/art-market-surprise.html">Lady Hue</a> and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/ashmae">Ashmae </a>will be doing portraits as well. Take a look at their work if you haven't already. </div>
<br />Leslie Dukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09596397877249044195noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350874341690126246.post-60685436940754752092012-02-02T21:23:00.001-08:002012-02-02T21:26:08.076-08:00great scott!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHztZzg_Iwk41ISEu9f4ClHgXMdQfH7txakCJGOHX5NpwGtgf6wDCSDRrgedy_ZWQdfhXAuGRpejMUa2S3VfqIDW10VQ1FjHq3mH38k3ixd-X-Q5VV0JonIavN8w5qAaRFNmGUZSdaJms/s1600/Good+Work003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHztZzg_Iwk41ISEu9f4ClHgXMdQfH7txakCJGOHX5NpwGtgf6wDCSDRrgedy_ZWQdfhXAuGRpejMUa2S3VfqIDW10VQ1FjHq3mH38k3ixd-X-Q5VV0JonIavN8w5qAaRFNmGUZSdaJms/s1600/Good+Work003.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Leslie Dukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09596397877249044195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350874341690126246.post-55541732733065128812012-01-25T19:27:00.000-08:002012-01-25T19:41:44.192-08:00Happy (very) Belated Birthday Jess!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>question:</i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></i></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HijTYT6AtGIi4BA4FEh2jkrpXsLayJ60HPi7FEVTaCj4aY0bOPaT48hj9tNcQ5NyDImtmUe5AfDP1cmBIsUTLB1Jw0eVqI9S3JonMDRcKS9AZCwjbS5GGSjmV1DX5mSJoyqIPT6YqCs/s1600/Riddle+Me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HijTYT6AtGIi4BA4FEh2jkrpXsLayJ60HPi7FEVTaCj4aY0bOPaT48hj9tNcQ5NyDImtmUe5AfDP1cmBIsUTLB1Jw0eVqI9S3JonMDRcKS9AZCwjbS5GGSjmV1DX5mSJoyqIPT6YqCs/s400/Riddle+Me.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>answer:</i></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghBYe2gsPf5vEpUS1Y1Njv-PsN8lpmaHhAO8IDiFPtAXQMBvBnU5i2uX57W4f8avQy-3D5sJfj75BwqDMuJxXGLBYdoxoInraPayI1QnR_UlWAYc31F3qGUKsNUQNuxqsmr4HspQQRty0/s1600/Bird+Brain+-+Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghBYe2gsPf5vEpUS1Y1Njv-PsN8lpmaHhAO8IDiFPtAXQMBvBnU5i2uX57W4f8avQy-3D5sJfj75BwqDMuJxXGLBYdoxoInraPayI1QnR_UlWAYc31F3qGUKsNUQNuxqsmr4HspQQRty0/s1600/Bird+Brain+-+Web.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i> </i> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">It all started with a quick doodle in my sketchbook, which transformed into a promised (but unfinished) birthday present for my sister, whose painting approach transformed after I flipped through a few John Singer Sargent books, (and whose color scheme changed after peeing in a grayed cerulean blue bathroom stall with my black coat and dark beige colored bag hanging on the door), which finally led to the finished (and <i>very </i>belated) birthday gift above (sorry Jess). Personally I'm pretty happy with it. Hopefully it was worth the long wait.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"></span></span></span></span></span>Leslie Dukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09596397877249044195noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350874341690126246.post-59315074357896914662012-01-08T00:09:00.000-08:002012-01-08T00:27:32.671-08:00Snow Day<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkDYVeQnWDPygRSpjd0Y7yyYfibSCWwCqUggW80d7kQ0EaFZQm8jyumEZ0Q00_sE9-pmaehYm48loVqhvYNwh-IsoqW58StIGdxC49xd7rbK_6JFNeS_x0Fn4a1kfWQlgh8dzctU3L8Y/s1600/Orange+Scarf031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkDYVeQnWDPygRSpjd0Y7yyYfibSCWwCqUggW80d7kQ0EaFZQm8jyumEZ0Q00_sE9-pmaehYm48loVqhvYNwh-IsoqW58StIGdxC49xd7rbK_6JFNeS_x0Fn4a1kfWQlgh8dzctU3L8Y/s400/Orange+Scarf031.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
This morning I woke up to snow on the ground, which generally isn't a happy surprise for someone like me -- but today was different. The snow covered everything so beautifully, how could I not be in an awesome mood? Of course I'm sure that sleeping in until 10:00 AM, eating homemade crumpets with honey butter for breakfast, enjoying some quality time in the studio and spending the day with <a href="http://www.fictionist.com/">my better half</a> didn't hurt my good mood either... Whatever the case may be, I'll take it. </div>
</div>Leslie Dukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09596397877249044195noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350874341690126246.post-18035735019771248672011-11-01T13:56:00.000-07:002011-11-01T13:56:25.942-07:00Happy (belated) Halloween everyone!<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/30834940?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vimeo.com/30834940">The Wedded Dead</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/marikaphoto">Marika Photo</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</div><br />
<br />
I realize it is no longer October 31st...but I just have to share this with you! This is a video that my <a href="http://www.fictionist.com/">husband</a>, <a href="http://www.clairemarika.com/">my friends/wedding photographers Claire & Andy </a> and I put together. It was so much fun to put this together. Thank you Claire, Andy & Emily (our outstanding make-up artist).<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">PS -- Yes, I did indeed tie the knot recently. I blame both wedding planning and mononucleosis for my rather long absence from the blogging world -- but I'm back and drawing away. More to come. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Leslie Dukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09596397877249044195noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350874341690126246.post-40662854164116330422011-07-29T17:23:00.000-07:002011-07-29T17:23:53.936-07:00the birds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeT6khCPqFrVaU0zbjQgtQoLvIHd09FSx2kYj6JO_r8mVAzC6Beq-pu1CexDFSEqkWEInitTCTRL1GOQckgpxYDy1WwaDINISAV2DtJNYuw4cloxOmWiAbzggTA10Y5uX989Vytg2OC0g/s1600/bird+hair013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeT6khCPqFrVaU0zbjQgtQoLvIHd09FSx2kYj6JO_r8mVAzC6Beq-pu1CexDFSEqkWEInitTCTRL1GOQckgpxYDy1WwaDINISAV2DtJNYuw4cloxOmWiAbzggTA10Y5uX989Vytg2OC0g/s640/bird+hair013.jpg" width="340" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Once I was sitting on a beach in Seattle, when all of a sudden a flock of seagulls flew over my head and, while my head was turned, a seagull dropped a bomb right on my ankle...which also splattered on my pants and purse.<br />
<br />
Gross.<br />
<br />
I still like birds though. This piece proves it! It's a gift for my sister and still a work in progress but should be done soon.Leslie Dukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09596397877249044195noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350874341690126246.post-83204395958366230772011-06-28T21:49:00.000-07:002011-06-28T21:49:37.060-07:00brainstorming is hard work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTJaTMFB32lGrnJBGszuO8m7tfecjGJLulStVsk9zYu5i-OQdpeRSgwNhfADWtbJ4H-Melmh5LLAqgYOqzkDGOQn-NyriuG_xuNO4t0h1niUemvjRv97bEfH7wj6FZzeKITMs64NKl50/s1600/brains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTJaTMFB32lGrnJBGszuO8m7tfecjGJLulStVsk9zYu5i-OQdpeRSgwNhfADWtbJ4H-Melmh5LLAqgYOqzkDGOQn-NyriuG_xuNO4t0h1niUemvjRv97bEfH7wj6FZzeKITMs64NKl50/s1600/brains.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Leslie Dukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09596397877249044195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350874341690126246.post-40972225729030724842011-06-14T22:06:00.000-07:002011-06-14T22:07:16.044-07:00sunshine and cough drops<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">How is it June already? More importantly, how is it that I have a cold when it's 80 degrees outside? Not ok; not ok at all. At least I can still draw.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquK3-QZVrvWMS5kIdb_iq_pwaQ8I10XiZ1HEcxs3YTQIKDLwdfZdJoRHQcQHRb32aFwbiSQHzhQAX6qi7I1WK_BwMq_4d3VOFP-d5xMFgwPOTPjDW8_qCYYPtbWLK6bOObz9KHVLxwEQ/s1600/pianoman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquK3-QZVrvWMS5kIdb_iq_pwaQ8I10XiZ1HEcxs3YTQIKDLwdfZdJoRHQcQHRb32aFwbiSQHzhQAX6qi7I1WK_BwMq_4d3VOFP-d5xMFgwPOTPjDW8_qCYYPtbWLK6bOObz9KHVLxwEQ/s400/pianoman.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznUnI11JQH71UppTIx6KrWPYB7_qzM0QY5b9uaSejADtgL5d6SrFf60YQIifGzRGFWTJogaOjrR8Q9uyzNpsxJvVyhR3-O2LRjsBD74xRKjbJNayn8qHRr8tYCPanflDQobd0VbqnADU/s1600/cups.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjznUnI11JQH71UppTIx6KrWPYB7_qzM0QY5b9uaSejADtgL5d6SrFf60YQIifGzRGFWTJogaOjrR8Q9uyzNpsxJvVyhR3-O2LRjsBD74xRKjbJNayn8qHRr8tYCPanflDQobd0VbqnADU/s400/cups.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAKS4cs0w__Q6wlnh_a2jGrt7RDwwU2HzfJdZ2DjfLq_fFc8vy-RdiusE6j-CEEqB-hzxShLq7LJXOoUHqilFJd9UWSeRtgyD7gWWHFcTn4zX_y_-P0Ndyo6Pqju11Bh1D9gWZVBmOOs/s1600/allergies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQAKS4cs0w__Q6wlnh_a2jGrt7RDwwU2HzfJdZ2DjfLq_fFc8vy-RdiusE6j-CEEqB-hzxShLq7LJXOoUHqilFJd9UWSeRtgyD7gWWHFcTn4zX_y_-P0Ndyo6Pqju11Bh1D9gWZVBmOOs/s400/allergies.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Leslie Dukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09596397877249044195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350874341690126246.post-18631776363834906152011-05-10T21:54:00.000-07:002011-05-10T21:56:12.497-07:00Fighting boredom one drawing at a time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nklqoH5wTd_3xah2thnAZFXwa0M0FmIF_lTlu7wVuwFtp8ZPpq0XDIHTaVGD5fvrGGPevcQr0YTmcv5AivYmDmDntSYQfkh2vca3HJPhuK-zaFKavA-POWmuzgtlJK4OBRMxl6P3sqU/s1600/girl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5nklqoH5wTd_3xah2thnAZFXwa0M0FmIF_lTlu7wVuwFtp8ZPpq0XDIHTaVGD5fvrGGPevcQr0YTmcv5AivYmDmDntSYQfkh2vca3HJPhuK-zaFKavA-POWmuzgtlJK4OBRMxl6P3sqU/s1600/girl.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The other day I was bored, but instead of twiddling my thumbs and staring blankly into space, I pulled a few dying Prismacolor and Sharpie markers out of my bulging pencil case and went to work. It was really fun, especially the hair and shirt -- oh man, I love drawing hair and any sort of pattern. And aren't the colors pretty? That green is quite possibly one of my favorite colors around. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Leslie Dukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09596397877249044195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350874341690126246.post-75899869210131338122011-05-04T08:30:00.000-07:002011-05-04T08:30:00.278-07:00Excited, excited!Just wanted to share the thumbnails for a few pieces I'm working on and am really excited about. They're not my usual subjects...I think Mother's Day being around the corner had something to do with it. Soon they should be done and ready for your viewing pleasure. Until then, use your imaginations.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbtmLuYezMVoFo6otE4-WH6fMH_qf8bTZV8lqKUkFrgcMhKBSVA8YVnTEFEdMcxbZVdbhWhQMx2TimUDEyWl6BqKvTEvNb3A3_ueqApavnpZA2A8YsBhIDIStFsEOiFO8mtLbhSY-rhk/s1600/newsketch006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbtmLuYezMVoFo6otE4-WH6fMH_qf8bTZV8lqKUkFrgcMhKBSVA8YVnTEFEdMcxbZVdbhWhQMx2TimUDEyWl6BqKvTEvNb3A3_ueqApavnpZA2A8YsBhIDIStFsEOiFO8mtLbhSY-rhk/s400/newsketch006.jpg" width="287" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsIY4pFdBc6NKAeKd1KG6WcY6yShh5A28JSZ1zvlcZrDdrUnNZ_XMM-yjLRWZ0rM3YJessvw99pRCFzsRUTJBmPAnSKW-4ofrUuwddtEJtg7A83zrav2VdMXUfPje0PJU4aBszS3xsUw/s1600/newsketch7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsIY4pFdBc6NKAeKd1KG6WcY6yShh5A28JSZ1zvlcZrDdrUnNZ_XMM-yjLRWZ0rM3YJessvw99pRCFzsRUTJBmPAnSKW-4ofrUuwddtEJtg7A83zrav2VdMXUfPje0PJU4aBszS3xsUw/s400/newsketch7.jpg" width="348" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Leslie Dukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09596397877249044195noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350874341690126246.post-43784462057262209592011-04-28T21:22:00.000-07:002011-05-03T21:58:24.848-07:00Breaking in the sketchbook<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKdburOZ3fMB30F1MJnfeHu5UD7q396GSqpkXpdmFgj5KaybNo45GZfC53ydrOG8aWPQu2KUAFZmEx9zxl6mueQFbP51GP7ldAvYIF0V7oY9tdHVyqa5HabBklJ7P9CsyAiO_K1McghQo/s1600/newsketch005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKdburOZ3fMB30F1MJnfeHu5UD7q396GSqpkXpdmFgj5KaybNo45GZfC53ydrOG8aWPQu2KUAFZmEx9zxl6mueQFbP51GP7ldAvYIF0V7oY9tdHVyqa5HabBklJ7P9CsyAiO_K1McghQo/s400/newsketch005.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflmQi-l5Y4Ze3FhffcSvrx4im0h0mRAGp1xNHCvWPy3TBr29NVWw8zRqXSLbZEpzZrvLx7JydlEopYLR_Y2j_iTLOIJGmAPEHh6hvlJloYwpw_4vrL7jYYCpg0j0OlOfL8sr30DxkMmI/s1600/newsketch004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflmQi-l5Y4Ze3FhffcSvrx4im0h0mRAGp1xNHCvWPy3TBr29NVWw8zRqXSLbZEpzZrvLx7JydlEopYLR_Y2j_iTLOIJGmAPEHh6hvlJloYwpw_4vrL7jYYCpg0j0OlOfL8sr30DxkMmI/s400/newsketch004.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8i2QsgmLBJ_1X4PJTncmtjCwg_5McCsdzsGzReVd3ejrLwzUVzu1TsQNXdhKgy_73PC6iMc9SzbQHqgCrhWKZCZ1ZGTTpaWB0_er9owcU1VZTBEmkefY5ftreKkh9dE5cXUTg4Rxp5_g/s1600/newsketch003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8i2QsgmLBJ_1X4PJTncmtjCwg_5McCsdzsGzReVd3ejrLwzUVzu1TsQNXdhKgy_73PC6iMc9SzbQHqgCrhWKZCZ1ZGTTpaWB0_er9owcU1VZTBEmkefY5ftreKkh9dE5cXUTg4Rxp5_g/s640/newsketch003.jpg" width="396" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgueRKT4nj8SEzVi1PA5nDjjaGWEB8nYp17cB5wpOrwQNTZogEUjNys9W3p7ZRHITPjyCB1Y0L_-qZ7Q5RtUrKX8SM6G42qSIYvGSA79U3YN8j6H76yeFdYgwZNPx7Td3efisn2plCMXtE/s1600/oldsketch002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgueRKT4nj8SEzVi1PA5nDjjaGWEB8nYp17cB5wpOrwQNTZogEUjNys9W3p7ZRHITPjyCB1Y0L_-qZ7Q5RtUrKX8SM6G42qSIYvGSA79U3YN8j6H76yeFdYgwZNPx7Td3efisn2plCMXtE/s400/oldsketch002.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFXEi-IB6bnbUExvTeDOncprzn9LQM6V6cHM7vItBEBxaDoN4-w6FcknPQFDtojRYs0T64XgpJeGv5DIZkCqm1KxOXeRkNoYwfXFRgt9nTUlsiL_rEnCHHFl9Ko3Nxk-JqmLTITofCDs/s1600/oldsketch001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrFXEi-IB6bnbUExvTeDOncprzn9LQM6V6cHM7vItBEBxaDoN4-w6FcknPQFDtojRYs0T64XgpJeGv5DIZkCqm1KxOXeRkNoYwfXFRgt9nTUlsiL_rEnCHHFl9Ko3Nxk-JqmLTITofCDs/s400/oldsketch001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div>New sketchbooks are intimidating strangers. Their covers are smooth and pages blank, daring you to make that very first mark. Unlike those sketchbooks that are faithful companions for months, new sketchbooks don't hold any of your experiences, successes or frustrations. New sketchbooks are waiting to have their character decided by you. Intimidating. <div><br />
</div><div>Or maybe I just think too much.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Either way, I finished my old sketchbook and bought a new one. As usual it's taken me a while to get going in it. For whatever reason the first few pages of my new sketchbooks get me into a rather frustrating "sketchbook block." Hopefully that ends soon.</div><div><br />
</div><div>These are a the first few pages of my new sketchbook and a few of the last pages from my old one, listed newest-oldest.</div>Leslie Dukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09596397877249044195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350874341690126246.post-64255536768645192502011-04-13T13:08:00.000-07:002011-04-13T13:13:21.353-07:00Wacom tablets are F-U-N<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi389Ja2UvZBy79Rcl9rex8HPTSSG5gDgtJHIUU2b6Hf79HTxLpEoSsPbj1-svtw246UYBeRdxgNSU4qMMCEXLM_Rg5MvkSbhhWWHjofGUXWzK0CjWYZRWlH5NyMbGy4LCR0VFAfIRl5MA/s1600/Elephant.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi389Ja2UvZBy79Rcl9rex8HPTSSG5gDgtJHIUU2b6Hf79HTxLpEoSsPbj1-svtw246UYBeRdxgNSU4qMMCEXLM_Rg5MvkSbhhWWHjofGUXWzK0CjWYZRWlH5NyMbGy4LCR0VFAfIRl5MA/s400/Elephant.png" width="341" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJcXind7pe5m4H3_vj2xtecJA2A2JkjVnAb3bu1crlL2M_vhywfmYFDo_eui4j1gk7oyoNHPP3yZM-_AWhnzB04qadpMc57zmURJ-br2Cb1-mjPjQiVXQmttpNn4WLmm7GABedRjIu0A/s1600/Rainy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJcXind7pe5m4H3_vj2xtecJA2A2JkjVnAb3bu1crlL2M_vhywfmYFDo_eui4j1gk7oyoNHPP3yZM-_AWhnzB04qadpMc57zmURJ-br2Cb1-mjPjQiVXQmttpNn4WLmm7GABedRjIu0A/s400/Rainy.png" width="335" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZI2ovIAISFsPxoFAMbE38qMF9N9fErNAJ52qLfZiKJcQ_MWbantwVh-MczUDqmr1kN0tSvP4IrG6eAKoPMaTFe79baEDHDSQ5llAesomMYzKndax5X8MLSIQyEcXSf7bpigwNv4jXbQo/s1600/Girl%2526Dog.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZI2ovIAISFsPxoFAMbE38qMF9N9fErNAJ52qLfZiKJcQ_MWbantwVh-MczUDqmr1kN0tSvP4IrG6eAKoPMaTFe79baEDHDSQ5llAesomMYzKndax5X8MLSIQyEcXSf7bpigwNv4jXbQo/s400/Girl%2526Dog.png" width="306" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Last week I made an important purchase: I BOUGHT A WACOM TABLET! Hooray for technology! I've been wanting one for a while now and finally bit the bullet. Let me just say that bullet has been well worth it.<br />
<br />
To celebrate, I drew the silly images above. They're a bit different than my normal style but I figured what the heck, why not branch out a bit? My personal favorite is the elephant. I couldn't help but giggle as I drew him.Leslie Dukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09596397877249044195noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350874341690126246.post-32177283167551670472011-04-12T19:15:00.000-07:002011-04-12T19:20:04.714-07:00Vote vote vote!!<iframe height="373" scrolling="no" src="http://www.rollingstone.com/choosethecover/widgets/small/fictionist" width="300"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
Ok everyone. It's down to the last week of Round 2 for the Choose the Cover of the Rolling Stone Magazine contest, which means that <b>FICTIONIST NEEDS YOUR VOTES! </b>No idea what I'm talking about? <a href="http://lesduke.blogspot.com/2011/03/good-music-anyone.html">Learn more here</a> in a past blog post.<br />
<br />
<b></b><br />
To vote, simply:<br />
<br />
1. vote above or visit the <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/choosethecover/widgets/fictionist">Rolling Stone Contest website</a><br />
<a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/choosethecover/widgets/fictionist"></a>2. listen to Fictionist's music and/or watch a couple of their music videos (my personal favorite is the last one listed on the video reel)<br />
3. click on the number of stars you feel they deserve<br />
4. like them on facebook and tweet about them<br />
<br />
Easy right? Right. Now hop to it.Leslie Dukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09596397877249044195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350874341690126246.post-75996434513420684372011-04-05T20:46:00.000-07:002011-04-05T20:58:03.866-07:00Painting party at my house<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9d8m5bZsGjiiIGMutoIPH1MWCmtHwSlUpfJm9SyxS385nsPjRbexxiAUyQYnNwj5uQxPmMHSSW5HlQZUG3mqAuUU-SZfdWp6JVEMDVtDDz-ChH_GVbauv-uHPx9hBdCskXDF1V0QHaPw/s1600/IMG_5097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9d8m5bZsGjiiIGMutoIPH1MWCmtHwSlUpfJm9SyxS385nsPjRbexxiAUyQYnNwj5uQxPmMHSSW5HlQZUG3mqAuUU-SZfdWp6JVEMDVtDDz-ChH_GVbauv-uHPx9hBdCskXDF1V0QHaPw/s400/IMG_5097.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br />
</div><br />
<div>I have been procrastinating today for quite some time. This is mostly because, well, I simply haven't wanted to do the things that were on today's to-do list. What was today you ask? The answer is STUDIO HOUSEWORK DAY! Hooray...? This means that I:</div><div><br />
</div><div>1. Budgeted the studio monies. </div><div>This is by far the worst thing about studio housework day. It simply takes much longer than it should to budget and plan monetary stuff when your right-brain has engulfed most of your already rather feeble left-brain.</div><div><br />
</div><div>2. Designed promotional mailers. </div><div>Honestly I rather like doing this, it just takes time away from what I love most, which is painting/drawing. But thanks to self-discipline, you'll be seeing them soon Mr. Postman (or Ms. Postlady)</div><div><br />
</div><div>3. Worked on the new design for my currently rather simple, but functional, <a href="http://www.lesliedukeart.com/">website</a>. </div><div>This also isn't really a terrible task; in fact it's rather satisfying to take something that already works and make it even better. I'm just so much more partial to working with my hands than a screen that the thought of designing for an extended period of time makes me feel a bit anxious.</div><div><br />
</div><div>4. Went to the gym.....</div><div>Wait; that's not technically studio housework...but let me just say that running 3 miles was very much necessary for the preservation of my already rather fragile sanity, especially after crunching numbers and sitting in front of a computer all day.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Today's outcome: Success, most definitely. </div><div><br />
</div><div>My reward: a yummy apple fritter from my favorite local bakery + a "paint whatever I want" party. Happy studio housework day, Leslie. (It wasn't so bad.)</div><div></div>Leslie Dukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09596397877249044195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350874341690126246.post-58722723744871688332011-03-31T23:32:00.000-07:002011-04-05T23:33:23.293-07:00New Irrational Fear: Urban Bears<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ourirrationalfears.blogspot.com/2011/03/urban-bears.html"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomYUzd_gxmN1OGpvWEjX2cwM3JzRg_wQ_l0qUX59S67digapM6gMJM8KlOAmYchtqeBV8QzHgVhRUSmDbc9ubtbRQsWApqhGVc-Et7PIT3SIDDcAV_CzTKQWArJ882dbikMOsm0Vy9Io/s1600/UrbanSubwayBear2WEB.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Urban bears?!! *gasp!* Visit the<a href="http://ourirrationalfears.blogspot.com/2011/03/urban-bears.html"> Irrational Fears Blog</a> for the complete version...</div>Leslie Dukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09596397877249044195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350874341690126246.post-33000948260079566272011-03-23T10:27:00.000-07:002011-03-23T11:12:23.106-07:00Print Sale! 4 days left...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaBBs7CpBt50HkIcWvZkfpxp-XSkDFicIspLMBgA-bSBDmzPWa4XFFdWTDr4bRxfr4Q-CAz_vUAqkqUA7CGZzG34-SU26PcQbH125lShY3_Z8Cng_pZ2rKP5-znoyDHteokVbqznJNFY/s1600/Wolf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaBBs7CpBt50HkIcWvZkfpxp-XSkDFicIspLMBgA-bSBDmzPWa4XFFdWTDr4bRxfr4Q-CAz_vUAqkqUA7CGZzG34-SU26PcQbH125lShY3_Z8Cng_pZ2rKP5-znoyDHteokVbqznJNFY/s1600/Wolf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaBBs7CpBt50HkIcWvZkfpxp-XSkDFicIspLMBgA-bSBDmzPWa4XFFdWTDr4bRxfr4Q-CAz_vUAqkqUA7CGZzG34-SU26PcQbH125lShY3_Z8Cng_pZ2rKP5-znoyDHteokVbqznJNFY/s1600/Wolf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaBBs7CpBt50HkIcWvZkfpxp-XSkDFicIspLMBgA-bSBDmzPWa4XFFdWTDr4bRxfr4Q-CAz_vUAqkqUA7CGZzG34-SU26PcQbH125lShY3_Z8Cng_pZ2rKP5-znoyDHteokVbqznJNFY/s1600/Wolf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaBBs7CpBt50HkIcWvZkfpxp-XSkDFicIspLMBgA-bSBDmzPWa4XFFdWTDr4bRxfr4Q-CAz_vUAqkqUA7CGZzG34-SU26PcQbH125lShY3_Z8Cng_pZ2rKP5-znoyDHteokVbqznJNFY/s1600/Wolf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaBBs7CpBt50HkIcWvZkfpxp-XSkDFicIspLMBgA-bSBDmzPWa4XFFdWTDr4bRxfr4Q-CAz_vUAqkqUA7CGZzG34-SU26PcQbH125lShY3_Z8Cng_pZ2rKP5-znoyDHteokVbqznJNFY/s1600/Wolf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaBBs7CpBt50HkIcWvZkfpxp-XSkDFicIspLMBgA-bSBDmzPWa4XFFdWTDr4bRxfr4Q-CAz_vUAqkqUA7CGZzG34-SU26PcQbH125lShY3_Z8Cng_pZ2rKP5-znoyDHteokVbqznJNFY/s1600/Wolf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaBBs7CpBt50HkIcWvZkfpxp-XSkDFicIspLMBgA-bSBDmzPWa4XFFdWTDr4bRxfr4Q-CAz_vUAqkqUA7CGZzG34-SU26PcQbH125lShY3_Z8Cng_pZ2rKP5-znoyDHteokVbqznJNFY/s1600/Wolf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaBBs7CpBt50HkIcWvZkfpxp-XSkDFicIspLMBgA-bSBDmzPWa4XFFdWTDr4bRxfr4Q-CAz_vUAqkqUA7CGZzG34-SU26PcQbH125lShY3_Z8Cng_pZ2rKP5-znoyDHteokVbqznJNFY/s1600/Wolf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaBBs7CpBt50HkIcWvZkfpxp-XSkDFicIspLMBgA-bSBDmzPWa4XFFdWTDr4bRxfr4Q-CAz_vUAqkqUA7CGZzG34-SU26PcQbH125lShY3_Z8Cng_pZ2rKP5-znoyDHteokVbqznJNFY/s1600/Wolf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaBBs7CpBt50HkIcWvZkfpxp-XSkDFicIspLMBgA-bSBDmzPWa4XFFdWTDr4bRxfr4Q-CAz_vUAqkqUA7CGZzG34-SU26PcQbH125lShY3_Z8Cng_pZ2rKP5-znoyDHteokVbqznJNFY/s320/Wolf.jpg" width="236" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPC1VTTGr6MbxmrJ78-RYJpeEotsw4kNPnnmoHw-mr7fmM2vBmz5MQlJ1eyq8ve2HlwWrcgklr8bgmekb4hupwkHipfrhmviEl_RW_RT6f8FZmTtri80FBGofLrLDm-HXss-A7zjQzUM/s1600/UrbanBearmole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPC1VTTGr6MbxmrJ78-RYJpeEotsw4kNPnnmoHw-mr7fmM2vBmz5MQlJ1eyq8ve2HlwWrcgklr8bgmekb4hupwkHipfrhmviEl_RW_RT6f8FZmTtri80FBGofLrLDm-HXss-A7zjQzUM/s320/UrbanBearmole.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
Looking for some snazzy artwork to spice up those bare walls? Look no further. I recently opened up a print shop online and am offering <b>20% off prints through Saturday the 26th! </b>The current prints are shown below.<b> </b><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b></b> If you see something you like, simply:<b> </b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1. go to my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LeslieDukeArt?ref=pr_shop">etsy shop</a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">2. choose a print</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">3. use coupon code <b>OPENYAY3261 </b>at checkout</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyvhMHDi6Mo">Easy beasy!</a> If there's a piece that isn't up there that you'd like a print of (maybe you saw it on my blog or website), then just email me at leslie@lesliedukeart.com and I'll get it up there in a jiffy.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyxjw2txKGktMju5sWusTuQ61RX_uMaQWfw0hux-l8_n32nxetFNkiCaXSkr9L2iUJwNeCNTKINDX6WUbOyjanTi5e88vN7I_QgYWvnpnM8XzODJkp6yp_xudlU0kIYqULIPM0MF2YMQ/s1600/Bloodwed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyxjw2txKGktMju5sWusTuQ61RX_uMaQWfw0hux-l8_n32nxetFNkiCaXSkr9L2iUJwNeCNTKINDX6WUbOyjanTi5e88vN7I_QgYWvnpnM8XzODJkp6yp_xudlU0kIYqULIPM0MF2YMQ/s1600/Bloodwed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPyxjw2txKGktMju5sWusTuQ61RX_uMaQWfw0hux-l8_n32nxetFNkiCaXSkr9L2iUJwNeCNTKINDX6WUbOyjanTi5e88vN7I_QgYWvnpnM8XzODJkp6yp_xudlU0kIYqULIPM0MF2YMQ/s320/Bloodwed.jpg" width="217" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnP0lb3xSxmQPDe-0KcPlpOdTV_pMXk49TbjDR2xUUDV_CVVlPNP13PWJCsl6lxv95y8CIhpK-Xmp8sB6muUMwCzSzKU7p8-Ih1oUeWpDe9_YHMzwY-W-8YB0KYl2N06atXEhSqSkvKWg/s1600/birdbrainsketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnP0lb3xSxmQPDe-0KcPlpOdTV_pMXk49TbjDR2xUUDV_CVVlPNP13PWJCsl6lxv95y8CIhpK-Xmp8sB6muUMwCzSzKU7p8-Ih1oUeWpDe9_YHMzwY-W-8YB0KYl2N06atXEhSqSkvKWg/s320/birdbrainsketch.jpg" width="184" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnP0lb3xSxmQPDe-0KcPlpOdTV_pMXk49TbjDR2xUUDV_CVVlPNP13PWJCsl6lxv95y8CIhpK-Xmp8sB6muUMwCzSzKU7p8-Ih1oUeWpDe9_YHMzwY-W-8YB0KYl2N06atXEhSqSkvKWg/s1600/birdbrainsketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_tIYIrCEVWJbqMaG4jbrbBcCkyCQOxA50uyAmqFrvNRItqiXcxxwlFKN18V7PfSr2HycYbjwFtEfpPbqkq70xD_xCzpmkjn9HTBPPVLUtJb5xSUED31Z93LkBDDMcdCyHcsOb9ZFupM/s1600/AsYouLikeIt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_tIYIrCEVWJbqMaG4jbrbBcCkyCQOxA50uyAmqFrvNRItqiXcxxwlFKN18V7PfSr2HycYbjwFtEfpPbqkq70xD_xCzpmkjn9HTBPPVLUtJb5xSUED31Z93LkBDDMcdCyHcsOb9ZFupM/s320/AsYouLikeIt.jpg" width="232" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOOvHiXE7h6hJRJFSWirpVWYn4oQQ3iW5W-k5zNZmEQoS-e-7jGVmrqnWGN0pW20Cool29b3zr_q2SKPo0bqZmHfiZ_SJyEhhLlQiD0fbsEA-Gm2FjOk60xtW4rxuiJAniDNZeF-Gm74/s1600/LittlePrin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnOOvHiXE7h6hJRJFSWirpVWYn4oQQ3iW5W-k5zNZmEQoS-e-7jGVmrqnWGN0pW20Cool29b3zr_q2SKPo0bqZmHfiZ_SJyEhhLlQiD0fbsEA-Gm2FjOk60xtW4rxuiJAniDNZeF-Gm74/s320/LittlePrin.jpg" width="204" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_tIYIrCEVWJbqMaG4jbrbBcCkyCQOxA50uyAmqFrvNRItqiXcxxwlFKN18V7PfSr2HycYbjwFtEfpPbqkq70xD_xCzpmkjn9HTBPPVLUtJb5xSUED31Z93LkBDDMcdCyHcsOb9ZFupM/s1600/AsYouLikeIt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a>Leslie Dukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09596397877249044195noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350874341690126246.post-77207751429146594312011-03-20T17:52:00.000-07:002011-03-20T19:29:50.537-07:00Drawing a cow really isn't that hard.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On Saturday I got to hang out with my little cousin Lexi. Every time she visits Lexi wants to break out the paper and colored pencils so we can draw and color together, which I personally think is fantastic.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>First Lexi taught me how to draw a cow. Can you tell which one is hers and which one is mine? Apparently drawing a cow is one of the easiest things ever to draw (or so I was told). Thanks to Lexi I am now a qualified cow-drawing teacher, so if anyone needs lessons just let me know.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzS4jncr17pzojCC-27AlyZtxag8XiD7EkntiJ2TmRR8XihLEwsiiJcdlrxn1o5Hwv9Phr1dYwE7T3Qq7_q2BmV7bDBsyl8nVTdvzQiuCh4Qk_09mp5mLomIOt982ECXwyZMrIpa7YS8/s1600/LexiCow046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtzS4jncr17pzojCC-27AlyZtxag8XiD7EkntiJ2TmRR8XihLEwsiiJcdlrxn1o5Hwv9Phr1dYwE7T3Qq7_q2BmV7bDBsyl8nVTdvzQiuCh4Qk_09mp5mLomIOt982ECXwyZMrIpa7YS8/s400/LexiCow046.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-moUOwG9TCAqF4r5-VuhfUQHkqM7rbyt3l9a2EruhxF-ajehRhTRPkJBfQ4XFz8iaIQbnjB2EWjhnxBLlVh29zgyTF8kxPlO51KqdjL5FnIV3XPmc0UzcMug5RR9gQLYzM5dKY2Hf1M/s1600/LesCow047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-moUOwG9TCAqF4r5-VuhfUQHkqM7rbyt3l9a2EruhxF-ajehRhTRPkJBfQ4XFz8iaIQbnjB2EWjhnxBLlVh29zgyTF8kxPlO51KqdjL5FnIV3XPmc0UzcMug5RR9gQLYzM5dKY2Hf1M/s400/LesCow047.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
After drawing a couple of cows, we moved on to paints. Lexi wanted to make a birthday present for her mom and I needed to work on an illustration for <a href="http://foliosociety.com/">the Folio Society</a>, so it worked out quite well. We set up my "special paints" (acrylics), found some "hard paper" (illustration board), grabbed my palettes (styrofoam plates) and spent the next hour making pretty pictures together. Lexi really got into her painting and discovered that she loves mixing colors (a girl after my own heart). It was so fun to watch her concentrate on mixing and painting.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjGz3TL5EPA_NUjp9kXhGPn-_SMohlzOfdx4yuEbhwzuegPs895G2jwWE0cUGoLK2GixTIXymJv8vf9G7a2gzKv1aWQq4UOC8HJTRuHZa3YMD8cUdP1zQaE1zDf8RqX5Pp9Ki0sOKB0Y/s1600/lexi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjGz3TL5EPA_NUjp9kXhGPn-_SMohlzOfdx4yuEbhwzuegPs895G2jwWE0cUGoLK2GixTIXymJv8vf9G7a2gzKv1aWQq4UOC8HJTRuHZa3YMD8cUdP1zQaE1zDf8RqX5Pp9Ki0sOKB0Y/s400/lexi.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Her painting turned out really well, don't you think? Needless to say, her mom loved the painting. I loved spending time with her and wish she could be my studio buddy. Too bad she has to go to school every day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3B3AvnA7fROyqEZ6rpEFyPhE3CleLgBVgfA5HX3Nyc5enf-VZ68E0P2F2BS2KDi3GqiAY9t62A1Q96yztA4xZA6tCcMAW-8V6AwG5dT3GO6sYu5VGnhjeFKyt5ysUDrSW6x23_BOOd3c/s1600/lexithepainting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3B3AvnA7fROyqEZ6rpEFyPhE3CleLgBVgfA5HX3Nyc5enf-VZ68E0P2F2BS2KDi3GqiAY9t62A1Q96yztA4xZA6tCcMAW-8V6AwG5dT3GO6sYu5VGnhjeFKyt5ysUDrSW6x23_BOOd3c/s400/lexithepainting.jpg" width="341" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Leslie Dukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09596397877249044195noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350874341690126246.post-83588334826642795242011-03-18T06:47:00.000-07:002011-03-18T06:50:33.920-07:00Why yes I am a color enthusiast<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKD3q4AB9S3bz4scenVnGK9NAQpvDggkc5Rtpoj5y7IUYxhH71_ght5KdiTTlBJu-hcxhq66k76h6iBZyBM1tU3XYwd9LjHtb6rkP6_XcS1CTMM1AXBH_oIar9sah2744mcVXJ3pKCqI/s1600/purpleblue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKD3q4AB9S3bz4scenVnGK9NAQpvDggkc5Rtpoj5y7IUYxhH71_ght5KdiTTlBJu-hcxhq66k76h6iBZyBM1tU3XYwd9LjHtb6rkP6_XcS1CTMM1AXBH_oIar9sah2744mcVXJ3pKCqI/s320/purpleblue.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9tqZcVpOWQN0MOSRmLtUEbuieSXpRirYwQHVUlDwcO5ClOHfa_ijziiF8-KfGRoYnKhvZ5yTDJGKzweYi_GkaDTobbN0RyTIYw26lhALsxi8CsthjayCFuRcGJUCMT4PvnnKZbbZdqU/s1600/purpleblue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGMaEQ9kDzQC6Cng27zh2FcvPORKilOu7fGajZGEs8LbLAYGQLVF7I4qRBawudbXaz4SM_j0R044X-XxDknk3fLDEAgxqRo0BrFb4S1tyRY8r6Jtf0OIY_3GyuHn3dPVvf6GXEwsEPts/s1600/greenyellow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixGMaEQ9kDzQC6Cng27zh2FcvPORKilOu7fGajZGEs8LbLAYGQLVF7I4qRBawudbXaz4SM_j0R044X-XxDknk3fLDEAgxqRo0BrFb4S1tyRY8r6Jtf0OIY_3GyuHn3dPVvf6GXEwsEPts/s400/greenyellow.jpg" width="265" /></div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2bGajVF5ut7mCfheQWAIx2Kd1saB0yw8KJkXKQiZrt4HJF1PHifL9Qlr-ZfK3HnoOtHDeye_Tr9ISoe-_-o-C-iwbtVekd5FTkXaPMoHFF-PCCq3psFg81anf45Rq0DTBLbDh3qfAF4/s1600/anika.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2bGajVF5ut7mCfheQWAIx2Kd1saB0yw8KJkXKQiZrt4HJF1PHifL9Qlr-ZfK3HnoOtHDeye_Tr9ISoe-_-o-C-iwbtVekd5FTkXaPMoHFF-PCCq3psFg81anf45Rq0DTBLbDh3qfAF4/s320/anika.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqD31LBbPvWAbVD_s-jVJG6fYejC5xvpkULMHJm2QLEnw5OGAL6WVRPwyr8jJw1n0dhyphenhyphenkM5EVfx8TlUeoaUpYCtpwEaYAQWBydi55sWrFaQNcH2iwf2XIbJSupSfRbNEddq6ldXr7Waw/s1600/bw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqD31LBbPvWAbVD_s-jVJG6fYejC5xvpkULMHJm2QLEnw5OGAL6WVRPwyr8jJw1n0dhyphenhyphenkM5EVfx8TlUeoaUpYCtpwEaYAQWBydi55sWrFaQNcH2iwf2XIbJSupSfRbNEddq6ldXr7Waw/s320/bw2.jpg" width="201" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRKgLb5kJx9LqZ-UmqCRWKVjVh9R5-b4Pr86gIw8CoRktLCftmzEgSuoUzjV0jQ3yD69KsllpY3f1291cwCPCrCBAlD4lCRkA5hHCkXmI02lu8Z4NL6Nim3GVu8L3BdCx2kTmoF-e0sg/s1600/bw1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRKgLb5kJx9LqZ-UmqCRWKVjVh9R5-b4Pr86gIw8CoRktLCftmzEgSuoUzjV0jQ3yD69KsllpY3f1291cwCPCrCBAlD4lCRkA5hHCkXmI02lu8Z4NL6Nim3GVu8L3BdCx2kTmoF-e0sg/s320/bw1.jpg" width="203" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjetmBQH5PxKp1yTw5ESnTq-8_hQkD-E284D4gXikTkSWHTHdcRQr1jJBElVdgJ80yPy2iuGwUVVBjoucVaRKJereu708yqz3SHML0rca4RqPwP3bdCIfZlUWkINZoQhwNh1BXJC9yBX8/s1600/purplegreen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjetmBQH5PxKp1yTw5ESnTq-8_hQkD-E284D4gXikTkSWHTHdcRQr1jJBElVdgJ80yPy2iuGwUVVBjoucVaRKJereu708yqz3SHML0rca4RqPwP3bdCIfZlUWkINZoQhwNh1BXJC9yBX8/s320/purplegreen.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rL3QwlmvavXTGOar2fLzsrUlDoLRVXxMqWgEQthGdR3gDthRf0Sl6hr13ULXL0tLfp2UrKTfMChV7dFoVvXq86SRBvTaGDC-Mg_jl8gARM-tbrh6Gfqbr-Suh4kJ_jbnCMRrk3a9XQs/s1600/lastone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rL3QwlmvavXTGOar2fLzsrUlDoLRVXxMqWgEQthGdR3gDthRf0Sl6hr13ULXL0tLfp2UrKTfMChV7dFoVvXq86SRBvTaGDC-Mg_jl8gARM-tbrh6Gfqbr-Suh4kJ_jbnCMRrk3a9XQs/s320/lastone.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjetmBQH5PxKp1yTw5ESnTq-8_hQkD-E284D4gXikTkSWHTHdcRQr1jJBElVdgJ80yPy2iuGwUVVBjoucVaRKJereu708yqz3SHML0rca4RqPwP3bdCIfZlUWkINZoQhwNh1BXJC9yBX8/s1600/purplegreen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKG-9T2pOPmndXZL5vBb0Ksufb73sMLRyNZGKa3KKL0t7OFAlAj-qsoLCwk8GtjzKa7YsULpRIYICXjS3aSatpAA6YzRKfB0Vk3mjuS6dnH1sGV99MGMcHztBz59ArWOCvSgzUCzobiqc/s1600/redgreen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKG-9T2pOPmndXZL5vBb0Ksufb73sMLRyNZGKa3KKL0t7OFAlAj-qsoLCwk8GtjzKa7YsULpRIYICXjS3aSatpAA6YzRKfB0Vk3mjuS6dnH1sGV99MGMcHztBz59ArWOCvSgzUCzobiqc/s320/redgreen.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Earlier I mentioned going to a 3-day intensive color theory workshop with <a href="http://www.billperkinsstudio.com/">Bill Perkins</a> and it was AWESOME. Bill talked about color and value and edges and all sorts of other nerdy goodness. The workshop was based on situations with live models, NOT color chips (oh man those things are boring). We painted for 8 hours each day and by the end of the 3 days, we had over 20 paintings to show for it -- needless to say my feet were super sore by the end of Saturday (being the practical person I am, I most definitely wore cute flats each day isn't of shoes that had more, um, foot support; can you blame me?). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So here is a smattering of what I did. Each image was meant as "color sketch" instead of a "painting," so there wasn't much stress placed on the drawing. As I painted I tried to match blocks of color/value, as well as paying attention to my edges. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Just a note, those scratch marks on the paintings aren't intentional. I thought they were dry and stacked them....and well, they weren't completely dry. Sad day, but still happy color sketches.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjJedRFV5_AYldr3hInLeCq9afxyceqtg04-5x9cxtvREGl8vfvDsq-edbnT5LtbN018shkq2bHznuzD5R6jHZO4qh77Yw8_9ZMMXfPG46IEqPRGuEIIFXUCzvlENNm5bmC8HzwJ-Qfg/s1600/redgreen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjJedRFV5_AYldr3hInLeCq9afxyceqtg04-5x9cxtvREGl8vfvDsq-edbnT5LtbN018shkq2bHznuzD5R6jHZO4qh77Yw8_9ZMMXfPG46IEqPRGuEIIFXUCzvlENNm5bmC8HzwJ-Qfg/s1600/redgreen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjJedRFV5_AYldr3hInLeCq9afxyceqtg04-5x9cxtvREGl8vfvDsq-edbnT5LtbN018shkq2bHznuzD5R6jHZO4qh77Yw8_9ZMMXfPG46IEqPRGuEIIFXUCzvlENNm5bmC8HzwJ-Qfg/s1600/redgreen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjJedRFV5_AYldr3hInLeCq9afxyceqtg04-5x9cxtvREGl8vfvDsq-edbnT5LtbN018shkq2bHznuzD5R6jHZO4qh77Yw8_9ZMMXfPG46IEqPRGuEIIFXUCzvlENNm5bmC8HzwJ-Qfg/s1600/redgreen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a>Leslie Dukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09596397877249044195noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350874341690126246.post-21183425365493748752011-03-16T13:54:00.000-07:002011-03-16T13:58:01.727-07:00Studio Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTy7XsMfuQFBQG_y_QizQySqEHVDgCELQsxIEbJLu9zJ2pxw4uq1SiD1mkCpgw7LrsqZYq26HQtlsJysNKdwHnHZ5uxOJJgiVAghQZwGRydMP59NA6VnlhkxALB4jftI1DHiI3SRRNysY/s1600/IMG_5029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTy7XsMfuQFBQG_y_QizQySqEHVDgCELQsxIEbJLu9zJ2pxw4uq1SiD1mkCpgw7LrsqZYq26HQtlsJysNKdwHnHZ5uxOJJgiVAghQZwGRydMP59NA6VnlhkxALB4jftI1DHiI3SRRNysY/s400/IMG_5029.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
A few people have asked if painting in a studio all day gets lonely. The answer is yes, actually, it does. At times I've found myself talking...heaven forbid...to myself. But that's why you <i>share </i>studio space. Then when you start talking, someone<i> </i>is there and even if they're not <i>actually</i> listening or you're not actually speaking directly to them, you don't feel completely crazy.<br />
<br />
This is my studio buddy, Bri. She sleeps on the chair, I paint at the desk; she sits on my lap and critiques my work, I throw her favorite toy back and forth. It works out well.Leslie Dukehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09596397877249044195noreply@blogger.com1