Wednesday, March 25, 2009

No Time At Work

No time at work to doodle much, but I did sit in the car today and sketch this piece. I rather like it. It is from something in the latest Smithsonian magazine....which hasn't folded as of yet, thankfully! I flipped through the magazine to find something interesting to draw...I always stop on people.

I listened to my latest book on CD while working on the sketch. The Independence of Miss Mary Bennet by Colleen McCullough takes up the story of the Bennet sisters made famous by Jane Austen. The story is told through the eyes of their spinster sister Mary. Mary has gone through quite a transformation during the 17 years since her older sisters marriages to Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley. I'm not sure if I completely like the author's suppositions of what has become of the Bennet women, but I am finding the book a nice respite from the overly spiritualized tomes I've read recently.

You might remember the author from her previous best sellers which include my favorite, The Thorn Birds, which I read when my oldest boys were still very young.

I'll let you know whether this one gets a thumbs up or down when I finish it.
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16 comments:

  1. IndieMarch 26, 2009 at 12:48 AM

    Slightly off topic, but I love the grandbaby pics. I don't know why you're not gushing endlessly about it. I will probably be unbearable when there's a cute little button like that around here.
    :)

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  2. skywindMarch 26, 2009 at 1:16 AM

    Whose portrait is this?

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  3. Lisa at GreenbowMarch 26, 2009 at 5:37 AM

    Love the portrait drawing. The color really brings her alive.

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  4. steviewrenMarch 26, 2009 at 5:51 AM

    Indie, I haven't seen the baby in a couple of weeks. His parents and my schedules haven't been in sync with one another. I told my daughter that it's time this weekend. I did spend last weekend with another of my grandsons. We had fun together.

    Skywind, my drawing is of Boy In a Cape and Turban by Jan Lievens, c. 1631 which I saw in March issue of Smithsonian magazine.

    Thank you Lisa. The mouth is the only thing I'm disappointed with. I didn't quite capture his petulant look about the lips.

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  5. Carol MurdockMarch 26, 2009 at 5:54 AM

    Sounds interesting if it stays in line with Austen but I don't like it when an author attempts a sequel
    then goes a different direction from the original. Let me know what you think in the end.
    Carol

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  6. Christian - Modobject@HomeMarch 26, 2009 at 6:16 AM

    Keep us posted on the book... this one intrigues me.

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  7. ZuzanaMarch 26, 2009 at 6:43 AM

    Lovely sketch.;)
    What an interesting twist to a story; to write about what happened to the sisters from Jane Austen novels. I have always loved the Austen books, never read anything from Collen McCullough. Although I am familiar with the Thorn Birds.;)
    I am looking forward to hear what you think of the book.;)

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  8. Betsy BrockMarch 26, 2009 at 7:39 AM

    Sounds like a perfect, stress relieving lunch!

    I just love that baby picture on your sidebar...it makes me smile!

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  9. ChaChaneenMarch 26, 2009 at 8:58 AM

    Good morning! I lurve Jane Austen and related reads and I especially LOVE books on CD for car use! I've got Northanger Abbey in my car right NOW! Love it and your drawing... as usual. It makes my heart leap to see the REAL thing and not something tech-generated.

    To answer your question, no one else but you has said anything about the readability of the blog. You should see a white background with the paisly design only on the outer sides. Depending on what screen resolution is set at, some people don't even see the side bar design, like myself for about 2 years. ha ha

    Sounds like your not seeing the solid white background. Hmmm. Perhaps clearing your cache case (cookies, temp internet files, history, etc) and any other settings that you think of and perhaps reloading the page again. I hope that helps!

    Have a great day!

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  10. SarahMarch 26, 2009 at 10:18 AM

    So I'll have you know Stevie, that the other day I followed your lead and tried to draw a photo of my son.... However, it was somebody else's son's face that I found on my paper. I just couldn't get it right! The body was fine, but I couldn't get the eyes and nose right. (He's just as cute as a button; couldn't replicate it!)

    Anyway, I guess I'll have to live vicariously through you, dear! :)

    Have a good one! Talk soon,

    Sarah

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  11. Tess KincaidMarch 26, 2009 at 12:21 PM

    This is my 11:11 sighting for today!

    Nice drawing, Stevie!

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  12. LaviniaMarch 26, 2009 at 4:22 PM

    This portrait adds a suitable touch of the exotic to your blog. Something very colonial India about it.

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  13. julie kingMarch 26, 2009 at 4:48 PM

    you really have a knack for drawing people. it's very impressive. i remember the author and the book the thornbirds. i got my daugher megan's name from that book. it is on my top ten favorite books of all time!!!

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  14. MescrapMarch 26, 2009 at 7:22 PM

    of Course , "Thumb UP !!!"

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  15. MescrapMarch 26, 2009 at 7:22 PM

    of Course , "Thumb UP !!!"

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  16. Melissa Barrett-TraisterMarch 26, 2009 at 10:47 PM

    Cool sketch.
    Thanks for sharing,and I agree about updates related to the book.

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I'm glad you stopped by and I look forward to your comments. As Dr. Fraser Crane would say, "Hello, I'm listening."

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