Scavenger Hunt from Life #169 - Aug 30 - Sep 11

[AiArts]

Jade: I probably joined Wetcanvas.com Scavenger Hunt, around Hunt#90, which was about 16-17 years ago. I did a sketch of my 2nd baby, Lily, from hospital baby crib. Now my baby is a big 15 year old girl. We had in total about 700 Scavenger Hunts there (9 day circle) before we moved and start Scavenger Hunt from Life here. There were many artists who come and go; some did a short period. Some did a longer period than others. Our friend here, Fletch, were also involved since the early time of the Hunt.

Joan: Wow, your leafy garden shrub piece is so fantastic. Love all your green and flowers. The shading on the big leave are super nice. The depth overall is stunning.

 

[NedL]

Joan -- Wow! That deserves to be framed, it's fabulous!

Ai -- I always enjoy seeing the students sitting for their exams too. Although I usually feel a little sorry or anxious for them. I was a math teacher for a couple years in Tanzania and proctored exams for the nervous students....

That blue bottle is about 15 cm tall, I have no idea what might have been in it, but the glass is quite thick. There is a steep bank in front of the house that has eroded a long way back from the beach in front. My grandfather told me there used to be a dirt road along the top of the bank, and a kerosene light in front of the house for the ferry boats to navigate by. Every evening a light keeper named Jack would come by and light the lamp. My grandfather was not surprised when I found Jack's old whiskey bottles too

I've been thinking about my grandparents a lot today. They would have been here in the 40's and a little older than the married couple in the picture below.

#2 building or structure ( I took the liberty of "unboarding" the windows and door! )

a couple photos:

 

[Pine Cone]

Jade — Aww, thanks for your words and kindness. Animals truly understand in deep ways, and with great love and affection in their hearts Luv to you and Bob as well

Joan — What you’re explaining about the peeling walls and broken windows tugs at my heart.
I see somewhat similar buildings each day (minus the ocean), mostly abandoned, mostly falling apart, and wonder about their past, what they “felt like” when they were in use, whether they were loved…..
Sometimes I see similar buildings that are weather-beaten, but still standing strong, still being used, even though not necessarily maintained at all.
Is it the sense of being needed, and/or loved that keeps them viable and useful??? Do they fall apart nearly immediately when people move on and abandon them??? Does consciousness mean more than we realize???

Joan again — Gorgeous, lush painting of the garden, what a beauty it will be framed I expect somebody to walk out the door and down the path… or peek out the window at all the artists painting their garden

Ai — Beautiful people, fascinating portrayals of their personalities - super sketch, full of energy (anxiety too probably)

Ned — Thank you for your sketch of the house and all the photos and stories….. I’ve been reading a series by Jacqueline Winspear, heartbreaking times, war years, always…… It means a lot that you have that bottle, those pictures, those memories, and now, your evocative sketch. Thanks for sharing with us

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Jade and Everyone - I went back to Wet Canvas to try and figure out how long I’ve been around. Here’s what I found…..

……. Almost all the early events were lost in the Wet Canvas meltdown.

……. However, SH #11 survived.

……. SH #11 was September 23-30, 2006 (almost exactly 19 years ago).

……. That date suggests that the first event must have been around July, 2006 (plus or minus).

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Also, here is the Hosting Signup List, Page 13, showing hosting dates…

…… from #88 - June 10 to June 18, 2008 (at the top of the page)

…… to #108 - Nov. 1 to Nov. 9, 2008 (near the bottom of the page)

 

[Joan T]

Ai, thanks so much. I treasure the friendships we've created through our art here and back at WetCanvas.

Ned, thanks. I like your sketch of the building. I wonder how big it is inside... Would make a nice art studio. lol Great story about how the buildings were used and how someone came to light the light each night.

Pine Cone, that garden was filled with artists last week, as well as 6 of the owner's 8 grandkids. Some of them were painting along with us and were so sweet. The "neglected" building is part of a very active marina. I guess the boats are more important than the looks of the buildings that are still functioning the way they are. I love going there to paint the rickety buildings. I wouldn't be too happy if they were well-kept. lol It was funny to see all the names on the sign-up list for hosting. A lot of them are still around. I know when the site melted down it lost a tremendous amount of wonderful posts and information. It was sad to lose so much of it. People did such great lessons on there.

 

[Pine Cone]

Joan — Do you have pics of the artists and kids in the garden sketching? I’m not asking you to post if it would violate privacy, but I hope you have pics for your own scrapbook. It sounds like a memorable time for everyone there

About the old buildings, I feel the same way. Also, one of my favorite things on earth is rust. In fact “rust” has a “Phase” of its own in my “Drawing Rehab Plan” lol.

I’m eager to get to the Phase for Buildings and Structures because I have several falling down old wooden buildings that I very much want to try to sketch. And with rust, I have three pieces I’ve been carrying around with me from a fantastic outdoor stairway that leads to a very active and wonderful building. The concrete and metal of the stairs had a few broken bits, and the people who work inside allowed me to take three of the rusty pieces to sketch someday And I already have pics of the beautifully rusted stairway, but I’m not far enough along with re-learning to try to sketch the scene.

Just by way of proof of the loss of my ability (if it ever existed), I was overwhelmed recently as I tried to sketch a single plant. Not a whole garden like you and others can do…just one plant. It was thick with leaves and flowers and about a meter (yard) tall and half a meter wide. I couldn’t do it.

So I started to sketch just two separate “sprigs” (is that the right word?) (or “shoots” off the main stem). A few raindrops fell, and clouds were darkening, so I headed back to my car without even finishing those two bits, but it was still fun

 

[Jade]

Joan - Your garden picture is beautiful.. I need to find more descriptive words lol, but it is.. lovely, vibrant colours. Thanks for sharing re WC, it's interesting to learn who's been around and I googled what happened with WC. So glad you could continue here especially as you'd got to create so much art and friendships over that time.

Ai - thanks for sharing your background with the hunts. How lovely to have made that picture of Lily, 15 years ago! It's obviously been a development of artistic skills but also a lovely way to share your lives and create friendships. I had a feeling our friend Fletch might have been one of the original gang too.

PineCone - thanks for sharing some WC links. I could see our friend Jo in there supporting people like she does today.. really interesting to look back.

And I agree re animals.. they're the best! My furry friend is having a little morning nap atm.

NedL - I really liked your sketch and thanks for sharing more about your family history and that paper cutting too. I think Joan is right about that it also could be a good art studio.. fantastic building and amazing view.