A Gorey Friday the 13th

I looked over at my drawing board just now, and this is what I saw.

For many years I've been collecting antique photos. 

So, naturally, when I'm looking for inspiration for an upcoming picture book set in Victorian times I get to revisit my 'old' friends. 

Of course I need to take a stroll through the world of Edward Gorey, because no one captures the quirkiness of those times like he did! 

In the above picture you'll see a bit of a frontispiece that he did for Amphigorey Again. The copy inside the scroll reads,

"Frivolity, at the edge of a Moral Swamp hears Hymn Singing in the Distance and dons the Galoshes of Remorse."

  

Happy Friday the 13th! 

Wishing all of you an inspired day!

Where Buffalo Roam...

Oh give me home... Where the buffalo roam...

in Iowa?

We stopped at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge on our way home from a college visit to Iowa State yesterday. 

Not only was the prairie preserve awe-inspiring and breathtaking (even in this brown-grass time of year), 

but the buffalo--- 

crossing the road in front of our car--- 

coming right up beside us, 

close enough to touch--- I felt transported back in time. 

 

(here's the shot you get when you hand your 14 year old son your camera. No cropping involved.)

 

Truly beautiful. If you're lucky enough to live in Iowa--- gotta go. 

And if you're ever passing through this lovely state, it's a quick trip off the highway, and well worth the new perspective.

 

A Little Art History

Titled, "Walter and the pathetic plant", here is my latest illustration promo. I've been collecting old tintypes and photos for years. I've recently started doing paintings and stories inspired by them. 

I hope to have them, eventually, for sale as greeting cards in my etsy shop, jbreinhardt.etsy.com

Thanks for visiting!

The Metropolitan Community Center

Perhaps it was part of an old badge.

Or a commemorative button.

Wonderful old architecture...

Now makes lovely neckware, at Age Before Beauty.

A Blur.

I've been freezing at a lot of track meets lately. Driving the Mom Taxi frenetically  back and forth to dance rehearsals, pictures, and practices. 

As I looked back through some recent track pictures I came across this one. 

An obvious accident. A miss-take as someone crawled over me in the bleachers. And then I thought that as this school year spins chaotically to a finish, this picture, perhaps says it all?

Stories

Tintypes...

Snippets of history.

Each person's story. 

Don't you wonder what they did? Felt? 

Who they loved and who loved them back? 

Some are small "gems"(which is what they're called). 







 

Some are much larger (this one is 5 1/2 x 4 inches big). 

Some are timid... 

And some are bold. 

 All such lovely, precious, lost stories.

Bad Mommy Moment Number 1,498,256,003

While driving in the car with my daughter I said, "This has been a long winter break--- I thought you went back to school on Monday, but not until Wednesday?"

My daughter, "Yep, Wednesday".

Me, "Wow.... Wednesday?".

"Yep".

"Wednesday? Uch".

"Uch?????!"

"I didn't mean "Uch"".

"But you said, "Uch"! You meant "Uch!"

"No, no I didn't mean "Uch"... um... I didn't... really... ?"

"Uch."

A word of advice to all over- stressed moms who have had meals, and laundry, and company, 

 and santa, and, and, and...

choose your gutteral sounds wisely.

 Happy New Year!

Peace!

An Age Before Beauty Alphabet...

A is for Antique Ambrotype.

B is for Black Cameo.

C is for a Curious Comb.

D is for a Darling Dog.

E is for an Enchanted Evening.

F is for Fabulous Flowers.

G is for Gorgeous Garnets.

H is for Happy...

Happy,

Holidays.

at Age Before Beauty.

Being Thankful...

I do feel very grateful this year...

For family and friends who have battled illness.

I'm sad remembering that some loved ones are no longer here--- and I hug a little tighter those who are.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone--- Blessings to all!

Gathering

 Each morning I fight the urge to slip back under the warm covers.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

The kids walk to the bus stop in the dark. Jackets, hats, and gloves are resurected from the bowels of the hall closet. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nature is slowing down, getting ready to go to sleep. 

 Poodles, however, are another story.