Not Lost...

...just doing stuff. And experiencing camera issues. I originally chalked it up to one bad disc, but as the unpredictability continued - unpredictably - I had to conclude it's either the camera itself, or the new breed of mini cds available. It's not always a big deal, but when 20 teens have gathered in a secret secluded castle of a home, all eager for creative prom night photos, and more than half of them mysteriously vanish (photos, not teens), one realizes just how disappointing it is for a piece of technology to malfunction. As someone who relies in more ways than one on visual stimulation and expression, I accepted it was time to bite the budget bullet and purchase a new camera. After a bit of research, I went with Abe's of Maine (cleverly located in New Jersey), for quick service and free shipping. The Rebel Xsi was ordered Monday, and arrived on my doorstep Thursday. I have much exploring to do, which will be more a pleasure than a chore.
One of the first photo ops came this morning; at the gate of my 7:30 client, I reached out the car window to punch in the entry code, and noticed a pale green fluttering in the pansies. Could it be an elusive luna moth? I left the car to investigate and that's just what it was. But so sad - frantically scrambling, awkward, damaged, unable to fly. So beautiful, so doomed. I collected it and laid it in the passenger seat, hoping it would calm down (or die, to be honest, since I didn't want the dilemna of considering a mercy kill). It settled in the shade of a magazine, where I hoped it would stay while I spent an hour with the client. After that hour, I peeked carefully into the makeshift grotto of the car seat, to discover the moth was gone. Checked that I hadn't sat on it, or that it wasn't about to be crushed on the floor, but it was nowhere in sight. Now there's not a chance it would have flown away, with an entire hind wing missing (bird attack, I presume), so I drove away, figuring I'd give the car a thorough search when I got home. A few blocks down 23rd street I cleverly avoided an accident when I turned my head to the right and caught a startling glimpse of big green moth wing perched on the headrest. Yikes! It stayed there while I shopped for groceries, carried on home, went inside to fetch the shiny new camera (I opted for a silver body 'cos I think it looks classy and camera-like; Tony says it looks cheap), returned to the car, stopped Booger climbing in, and took a few photos.

Later I played with roly polies on mica.


Last Sunday was Dr. Sketchy again. I only attempted a few photos with the old camera, most of which seemed a bit unsatisfactory. This pose is one of my favorites, an not just because I covet the corset.


The moth is still hanging out in my car and I don't know what to do with it, poor thing.

Dr. Sketchy!

Certainly not a waste of time, or money. For a mere $10, the 25 or 30 participants were treated to a stylish hostess, continuous eclectic music ranging from Blondie & The Cure to Louis & Billie, and the charming Elsa the Wolf as model. The evening began with a saucy burlesque routine, performed to "Accentuate the Positive", from which Elsa went right into a series of 1-minute poses.

Throughout the evening, the poses lengthened in duration, up to 20 minutes, a number of drawing competitions were held, with assorted prizes given out, and a bar offered beer, wine, & mixed drinks. Some light snacks were also available for purchase, but clever me had brought along a tub of cherries from home, so I didn't need any of their junk food. (Okay, maybe I bought a chocolate bar.....).

What, you're asking, did I produce from this three and a half hour artistic extravaganza? Several sketches of course, but nothing yet photographed for your perusal. So sorry. Be patient, I'm sure I'll be sharing my educational process before long.
Next month, another Dr. Sketchy event comes to Oklahoma City, this time with a model called Lu Foxxx. You can bet it's already engraved on my calendar.
If my experience has sounded in the least enticing to you, I urge you to investigate Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School, to see if there's a branch in your area. It seems to be growing rapidly, and with little wonder.
Now.....I'm scheduled to pose for the art guild's drawing session tomorrow night. If it doesn't get cancelled due to the layer of ice that's covering everything, I wonder if I should bring along a few props to liven things up?.......