Wood for Hagrid

Posted on August 9, 2021 by Lisa

There was an article in The National Audubon Society’s newsletter about
photographing birds. The author mentioned that one could set up a perch with a
branch and place it in an area that would be ideal to take pictures of birds, yet not
disturb the birds too much.

I found a stub branch in the yard. I placed it first on a chair, then a table in the yard.
I watched for a time, but birds were not landing on it.

My focus then changed.

Hagrid, our Bearded Dragon, has been growing bigger. When we bought him he
was about 4-5 months old.
At this point he’d grown enough that we needed to get a bigger enclosure for him.
We bought a 120 gallon enclosure, from Zen Habitats.

Our daughter wanted the stub branch.

I had to prepare it before putting it in the enclosure with Hagrid.
First I bake the branch on low in the oven on tin foil. Baking gets rid of any bacteria.
I baked it for 4 hours, checking on it every 10 minutes to make sure it was fine.

Next step was cutting and sanding.
There were a couple of thinner branches and sharp points that could possibly cause
cuts or scratches to the reptiles skin. Though a reptiles skin looks tough and bumpy,
the skin is sensitive. I cut off the thin branches. Then sanded the ends of branches and bark smooth.

I had some experience working with wood before. I had taken a wood carving class
years ago. I have one carving I did of a foal. I really enjoyed the class.

It’s good experience to try working in other mediums.

The stub branch is now part of Hagrid’s home.
Hagrid can bask on it, as well as use it to rub up against to help him when he is
shedding skin.

Best,
Lisa G.

Wood ready for enclosure.
I like that the sanding brings out the grains in
the wood. It’s just perfect for his environment,

*Hagrid relaxing on the wood in his enclosure.*

PS: Other recent posts at View from a Highly Sensitive Person

“Beardie: Research and Reward”
“Good Morning, Kenji”
“Good Morning, Hagrid”
“Around the Yard with Kenji”
“Hagrid: Pencil Drawing”
“Hide and Seek”

Enjoy,
LG

Art News

“The Horse Gift“
Several artists in the Equine Art Guild were a part of this unique tribute to the horse. Click
on the image above to read all about it and the artists who participated in it’s creation, as
well as see where it will be coming to a location near you in the coming year!

Soldier Portraits
Darla Dixon organized a group of artists who will create no-charge compassionate
portraits for the families who have lost a loved one in Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation
Enduring Freedom. We are looking for artists to join our efforts, and also for non-artists
who will help spread the word about this free service and token of our gratitude to families
who have sacrificed so much.”
For more information, contact Darla (darla@darladixon.com) or visit SoldierPortraits.org.

A Bunny and A Beardie

Posted on June 7, 2021 by Lisa

I’ve been working full time hours for my job with United Cerebal Palsey organization. I work with disabled adults in their apartments. It’s good purposeful work.

I have sent out my manuscript with sample illustrations to publishers. So now there is an amount of waiting to see what response I get.

As any creative person, I must keep on creating.

I’m someone who loves animals. We had a couple of Beta fish for a time.

Yet our daughters wanted a different pet.

I can’t have a cat because I’m allergic to them.

Well, we have two pets that you could call unique.
A Bunny and A Beardie

I’m writing about our experiences with them at my View from Highly Sensitive Person blog. I’m including illustrations and photos with my writings.
Link: https://viewfromhighlysensitiveperson.blogspot.com/

A Bunny and Beardie

Baby Bunny Kenji

Baby Bunny: Burrowing and Boxes

Baby Bunny: Inside and Out

I started with Bunny stories since we got Kenji first in January. Then in April we got our Beardie, Hagrid.

It’s Spring Time

Posted on March 27, 2021 by Lisa

“It’s Spring Time”

I was looking out the window, when I noticed two Mourning Doves near the tree.
One approached the other. The Dove that was approached moved away. The
Male dove chased after it. Then they went back to eating.
Thus the beginning of mating season.
It’s Spring Time here.

As active bird watchers, my daughter and I have witnessed many birds courting.
There was the American Robin. Strutting and showing off as a female was foraging
in the yard. He followed her around the yard where ever she went. She would just
move to another spot. He’d follow. At one point she seemed to have had enough
and flew. He flew right after her. My daughter interjected, “My Lady”.

Then there were the Mourning Doves. The Male would be near a female. The
female was eating away. The Male would do a little shimmy up next to her. She
would hurry away. Slowly but surely the male would approach her again. She
would hurry away again. At some point she’d fly up to a tree branch.

It’s good to take in time to witness the natural happenings around us. It reminds us
that there are seasons, times and life abounds, even when things can seem dark.
Best,
LG

Mourning Doves, Watercolor Pencils 11X14 $300

Art News

Soldier Portraits
Darla Dixon organized a group of artists who will create no-charge compassionate
portraits for the families who have lost a loved one in Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation
Enduring Freedom. We are looking for artists to join our efforts, and also for non-artists
who will help spread the word about this free service and token of our gratitude to families
who have sacrificed so much.”

For more information, contact Darla (darla@darladixon.com) or visit SoldierPortraits.org.

Virtual Art Tour, Jan 24, 2021

Posted on January 27, 2021 by Lisa

Sisterhood of Temple Beth El present Virtual Artists tours.

Jan 24, 2021:

Aileen Quinn shared her watercolor landscapes and seascapes from 3 to 3:45 p.m.

Sisterhood member Lisa Guarino shared her nature and animal works in pen and ink, watercolor pencils, pastels, and scratch board from 3:45 to 4:30 p.m.

Sisterhood_Virtual Artist January 24 2021 from Temple Beth-El on Vimeo.

Happy Holidays

Posted on December 23, 2020 by Lisa

May your holidays
be filled with
warmth and happiness.

Note Joy

Posted on December 8, 2020 by Lisa

“Note Joy”

In dark times we can find ourselves wondering and feeling anxious.
Yet we can note things that make us feel joyful, even in a small way, to help us move forward.

My daughter and I like to go bird watching.
We have a feeder in our yard and so we can watch and note the different birds that come to the feeder.

We also like to go to parks and scenic places.
One place we like going to is Blackstone Bike Path near Albion Falls. The water Fall is soothing to listen to as the water rushes over the dam. A walk down the bike path takes you to a section where the river is slower moving. In little openings in the trees we can spy to see and find birds.
One day we stopped for a few minutes at one of the little openings in the trees. It was about late summer and the brush was still thick.
Yet at one point I noticed some brown and a little white just above a bush.
I said quietly, “Did I see what I think I saw or was it my imagination.”
My daughter said, ” I saw it too.”
What was it?
Well it was brown and a little white like a deer’s tail. So it must of been some deer behind the bush.
It must of noticed us and moved off. We saw just a glimpse of it moving off.
How cool.
On another walk there, we were walking along talking. We heard some birds flying over. We looked up to see a flock of Starling fly over the trees. Their bodies darkly silhouetted against the blue sky. A few more Starling in a second flock flew over a moment later. We felt such joy in seeing them flying together above us.
My daughter wondered how it must be to be a bird: To fly anywhere high above.

Currently the weather is getting colder.
Yet there are still things to note.
It snowed the other night. The snow gently falling and gathering on the ground.

Note Joy.

Best Wishes for this Holiday Season.

Warmly,
LG

Deer scratch board

Art News

“The Horse Gift“
Several artists in the Equine Art Guild were a part of this unique tribute to the horse. Click on the image above to read all about it and the artists who participated in it’s creation, as well as see where it will be coming to a location near you in the coming year!

Soldier Portraits
Darla Dixon organized a group of artists who will create no-charge compassionate portraits for the families who have lost a loved one in Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom. We are looking for artists to join our efforts, and also for non-artists who will help spread the word about this free service and token of our gratitude to families who have sacrificed so much.”
For more information, contact Darla (darla@darladixon.com) or visit SoldierPortraits.org.