". Arranged Words: Fire in the Sky

28 Feb 2023

Fire in the Sky

                                                               

 Hi everyone,

     


Sometimes getting up early really pays. So happy to see this lovely sunrise recently. Definitely "Fire in the Sky."

 Google tells me Smoke on the Water--a song with the words fire in the sky in it was written by Deep Purple.

* * *           

Looks like Blogger is having issues. A few people have told me that they can't leave a message here, or that they had a very difficult time in doing so.

I have also tried to visit a few blogs and received a message that said something like this blog is open to invited readers only. The blogs were listed in a blog hop, so I'm sure visitors are welcome. 

I return visits so I hope they get it fixed soon! Also, if you can't leave a message and  wish to leave a comment, there is a contact form on the sidebar here.  (Hope it works.)


Started a Commonplace Book.  Not a journal per se, but a place for quotes, notes and whatever you like to write in it that you find interesting and that strikes your fancy.  So far, I have started a list of the books I would like to read this year, and also started a section for quotes. 

I do write things down in my journal, but that doesn't always make for easy access, especially if it is quite full.  ( i.e. Oh where, oh where did I write that?) 

This book is ruled and the spaces are rather large between the ruled lines. Could be smaller. But, then again, any note book will do.


 

               Assortment of dried flowers and leaves that I picked last summer. And a Primrose drawing--looking down on the potted plant.



I save the bits and dust from my pastels and then grind them down and add a bit of water to make a stick.

With no mortar and pestle, it's difficult to get a powder form, but I don't mind a few raised bits for texture and a bit of rogue colour.

  Not everyone does this, but, hey,
depending on the brands sold, one pastel stick can cost $7 to $9. 

Good pastels are made by hand.  Just pure pigment with a little binder mixed in and then hand rolled.
 
 Roche pastels from France are very expensive.  $20 euros for one in open stock. 
Cheapest listed $16.00 euros.

 Roche pastels were used by Degas. 
They are so rich and beautiful. I know this from pictures only.

They must have many secret recipes.

* * *


Meet Strawberry. She belongs to a friend of mine who owns a strawberry farm. Hence the name. I call her Miss Berry. What a darling kitty. It was love at first sight.
Birdie bookmark. 


* * *
                                     
                                          Second time reading this book. It's excellent.
                                      You can have a look at several pages here. 

Cultivate Your Dreams

                                   Linking to Link Parties via my link party page. 
                                                Thanks to all for hosting.  



25 comments:

NCSue said...

That's a breathtaking sky - gorgeous!
Thank you for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2023/02/some-rural-memories_0978938360.html

Peabea Scribbles said...

Yes, I want the kitty. I miss having one, and this one is adorable. Love the sky/water photos.

Peabea Scribbles said...

Oh, and as always such creativeness with the flowers and love the drawing.

Suzana said...

I think it's normal what you do with the pastels. I wonder if that powder could be mixed with varnish? Or with acrylics?
Beautiful images as always! And definetely they were secret recipies, but probably they are lost. But I think could be retrieved by chemistry, if there is a strong wish.
Thank you, Dixie! And Strawberry is so cute!
Have a beautiful Spring! 😘❤️

Jeanne said...

Beautiful colors in the sky!

Veronica Lee said...

Love the gorgeous sky, cute kitty and drawing.

Happy Thursday, Dixie.

NatureFootstep said...

love your flower and cat :)

Jeanie said...

I love taking a glimpse into peoples' journals and sketchbooks and I love yours! Ms. Strawberry is a darling and thanks for the recommendation on the landscape book. I could use more than a few hints!

Christine said...

Lovely art, leaving comments are frustrating on some blogs.

My name is Erika. said...

I got the same message about blogs being only open to certain people. But I got through to yours and enjoyed that pretty sunrise. And your flowers are pretty too. Happy March! hugs-Erika

Tom said...

...we have a calm morning with a red sky, a storm is coming our way. Take care and stay warm and well.

Andrea @ From The Sol said...

Yes, my blog was one that gave that message ... very disappointing to come find you have no comments. I tried resetting my blog in my settings. I am hoping that will work. Blogger has been messing with everything. I sure hope they get it figured out. And, I assume you are okay because I am having no problem writing a comment for you. Your sunrise is spectacular and definitely a warm color. Love your idea for a commonplace book, though I have a feeling that I would have trouble finding anything in it the same as a journal ... but I like the idea of having a place to go to look for things when I know they are there :0 Love your flower art, Birdie bookmark and oh, Miss Berry is adorable. I have books on art, but am not very good a learning from them ... I tend to go by the seat of my pants :( Well, fingers crossed all will be back to normal this week ... be well, Dixie ...

Andrea @ From the Sol

Gillena Cox said...

Your sunrise is awesome. Thank you for sharing. Luv the bookmark abd hope to see the finished art when you put colour to those flowers. Thank you for linking to Art For Fun Friday

Much💜love

DVArtist said...

Yes, that is a gorgeous sunrise. I really love the flowers your drew. They have great depth. I too take a knife and scratch off my pastels to brush on leather art. It works so well. Thank you for joining FFO and have a very nice day today.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

My apologies for not visiting sooner. I was called out of town suddenly to spend time with a dying friend, I just returned this morning.

That is a gorgeous bookmark and a fabulous cat. I learned a lot about pastels in your post. i HAVE A SET OF CHEAPIES,i'M SURE. OOPs. Ignore the accidental cap lock. Mine were a gift, so I am not sure what brand they re, but I am sure they are not expensive like the ones Degas used.

Lovely sunrise, too.

Kim said...

A commonplace book to jot down thoughts, ideas, quotes .....is an excellent idea. I think of things to write down for later and can't remember what it is I thought of. Strawberry is a sweet kitty. Another great idea of yours to save the bits and dust from your pencils. Art can be an expensive pastime. The bookmark is lovely. Oh, what a glorious sunrise you saw. Those colours....a gift for an artist such as yourself.

dee Nambiar said...

That is FIRE! Stunning sky, there.
Lovely artwork, too.
I enjoyed scrolling thru the pages of the book on landscapes, too. :)

Tommy and Teaghan said...

Beautiful warm orange red sky! I paint with watercolors and have a hard time doing those colors. Thanks for sharing and writing about the pastels. I wonder if I could get those glorious colors using pastels?

Spare Parts and Pics said...

Gorgeous sky photos. It really does look like fire in the sky. That was a huge hit for Deep Purple!

Joyful said...

Gorgeous photos!

Photo Cache said...

I've never seen one fiery sunrise in person yet.

Worth a Thousand Words

Rain said...

The sun/sky photos are spectacular. And interesting about the Commonplace Book! Dixie, art supplies are so expensive, good for you for being frugal with your pastels. Love to hear that!

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

You have a lot going on. Blogger seems to be testy every once in a while but I'm not having a problem on your site.

I love your concept of a diary. I kept a diary since i was 16 years old. I'm rereading it now and my gosh, how cringy!!

Kinga K. said...

Impressive sky <3 Yes blogger still have some issues

Kinga K. said...

Have a great week :D