Valentines

Spent the weekend at Old Sturbridge Village as "Esther Howland, Mother of the American Valentine". A Worcester original, she popularized Valentines--and thus Valentine's Day--in America with her handmade cards from 1847-1881.

Here are a few 19th century valentines of my own making:

And since Esther Howland made valentines ranging from $.05 to $50, my attempt at a $.05 card (needless to say, not too many of these, which is to say, none I could find, exist in this price range):

With Love,

Enjoy!

Silhouettes

A few practice silhouettes. If anyone feels so inclined, please post a photo of your profile and I will make one of you as well!

Soon to come: Esther Howland styled 19th c. Valentines

Christmastide 2010

Just a few quick watercolour sketches from Christmas...

...and a Happy New Year!

Sketchbooking

A little play with watercolours while I was out.

OSV Sketching

So very kindly last year at Music and Arts--which was also a success this year--Walter made me a beautiful period sketchbook. This year I am finally getting a chance to really use it, drawing in costume in the village on slow days. I only have a few sketches so far, but I am hoping, if the weather improves, to increase that number very soon.

My sketchbook by Walter

Fishing in the morning with one of the interns

Bullard Tavern

Hopefully I will have some more sketches soon from my 2010 sketchbook too.

Music and Arts Weekend

This weekend June 19th-20th at Old Sturbridge Village, I will be cutting silhouettes in the Fitch House again. Needless to say, I am quite excited:

(image via OSVs facebook)

And a sketch of mine. My camera and computer are not talking at the moment it seems, so it may be a little while until I can ever post the finish of that last painting.

And in other news I am trying to get back in the habit of daily sketchbooking. I am not quite there yet, but I am getting better. Look for those updates soon!

Painting Progress

So I seemed to get very busy very recently so my painting got a little delayed, but I am hoping to have it finished by this evening. So, working my in progress complete with coleus plant propping my illustration board up:

And, to show I am working on them, one of my Old Sturbridge Village sketches; this one of the stagecoach and its driver.

Look out soon for that painting finish. Now back to those Colonial Williamsburg Podcasts!