Tonight I decided I wanted to sketch and watercolor, so I grabbed some oranges and put them on my art table. After I drew them, I saw I had a lot of room left on the page, so I drew the things around them. The I used my sweet Sakura Koi Watercolor set to add some color. Before I even started, I really wanted to just go to bed. I had a long day, and the heat is exhausting. So I thought a quick sketch would be the best idea. Of course after I started, I got in to it and felt more energized! You can see the rest of my posts for this project here.
Now, I’ll back up a little in time.
Remember at the beginning of the month when a large tree branch fell on my trailer? It was from one of two trees in the alley that the city had said months earlier, they were going to cut back, and maybe even take one of them out. But things weren’t really happening. My neighbor and I started our own little campaign because the trees were in all of the utility lines, and on a transformer. So if we had a big storm, it could cause some damage. Long story short, we finally got results! Yesterday the electric company came out and did some trimming around the utility lines. Then today, the city tree trimming crew came and did some major work on the trees. I found it all fascinating, so I of course photographed it. You can see by the fist picture why I wasn’t able to see if the branch that fell did any damage to the top part of the roof. It’s impossible to see, and too tall for normal ladders.
In this last photo, you can see . . .no more big limbs hanging over my Art House! I was pretty nervous while they were taking those off. I was afraid they were going to fall through the roof (the tree limbs, not the workers). They did tell me there was some damage to the shingles from the limbs brushing against the top (from the wind blowing). So I’ll have to figure out how to deal with that. But I’m so relieved not to have to worry about any of the utility lines, or my art house from those big ol’ trees. And I’m also thankful they didn’t have to take either of the trees out. To top it all off, they gave me and my neighbor some nice mulch from the limbs!
From the time I’m hitting “publish”, you have less than an hour to sign up for art supply giveaway if you haven’t already!
I think it’s wonderful that you got a crew to come out and take care of your trees. I’m not sure our power company or the city would do that. I think they’d fine us for letting the trees grow, and make us hire someone to come out and trim them. I’m moving to Kansas! Well, not really, but it’s tempting!
I spent my day cutting things out, and bought a couple of discarded books that will make great journals. You can see them here:
http://artiphytheheart.typepad.com/artiphytheheart/2011/07/more-than-meets-the-eye.html
Barbara, The only reason both crews came out is because they were the cities responsibility since they were in the alley (and not on my property). Because yes, normally anything on your property is yours to deal with, even if it’s in the utility lines.
The “Art House” is beautiful!!! Glad the crew finally came! I love your watercolors. That is on my list of figure-out-how-to!
it is sad that such beautiful trees cannot live with us. now you will be safe when the next storm comes over. The last few days I have managed to do nothing except shuffle papers around. perhaps going through your entries will result in action!
Traci, glad to hear and see that your Art House is safe from harm. I wonder if the city would pay for any of the shingle damages on your Art House since it was their trees that created the damage.
Day 22 http://alchemy-artmemories.blogspot.com
PS
I will be out of town starting tomorrow not due back home until Monday night. I don’t want to take my lap top with me, I’m going to a conference in DC, scared of losing it and stuff. So I will continue to get my art on with my travel art journals and post upon my return home. I tried downloading a Blogger app for my HTC phone to see if I could load images and blog via my cell phone but I could not get the app to work correctly. If you know of a way to do this please share. Thanks;-)
Traci, I love the sketch and I’ve been hearing alot about that Koi watercolor set! I have to look into that. I have been trying hard to keep on with the challenge, we’re in the process of moving (this weekend) but I’m trying my best to keep creative! Here is what i am up to http://wethree3.blogspot.com/2011/07/creative-challenge.html
Thank yoU!