All posts by horatioandemily

I'm a Librarian and paper artist. Unless otherwise noted, the art on this blog is mine. I made it, and I don't authorize anyone to use any of it for anything. Just look at it, and tell me if you like it or hate it...don't steal it. Thanks!

A day to rest…tonight, I mean…

I have a full, regular day of work happening here, but I am sleepy. I couldn’t fall asleep last night until nearly midnight, then woke up at 730.

See…I’m not a morning person…never have been.

Before I went back to school to become a librarian, I was a Bartender for a decade.

Now THAT was a great schedule for me!

The only thing that keeps me trying this morning shit is the fact that I LOVE my job.

One of the main things I get to do is Help People find the information they need right now.

Sometimes that’s the location of the latest Mystery, or help with research for a school assignment, often it’s assistance with printing or scanning, and most importantly, it can be directions to the restrooms.

I get to assist with these and SO MANY other informational needs every day and I LIVE for this shit!

My roomate, Angelina (age 10) created this.

So…here I am…ready for bed. Time to curl up with this lovely furbaby:

Goodnight!

A new Art Space is being formed

My Love has been organizing the items that have been stored in the spare room at his place. This is the room that will become my Art Studio there.

An EXCELLENT start…

I’ll bring my Ott Light to replace that lamp in the corner, but this table is SUPER sturdy, and the chair is nicer than my work chair.

My Love also brought the art supplies I’ve had in the dining room, into this room, and sorted them really well, truly.

The cardboard in the window will be replaced by one of my wonderful tapestries.

I am looking forward to making some art in this room.

More importantly, this was all done by the Love of My Life, because he supports my Art Practice and Process.

I love this photo….

I am incredibly blessed and lucky.

Song of the Day

*day 5, under the wire cuz I’m on the West coast.

Back from Monterey

We got up early and headed south, then west…Had some WEAK SAUCE McDonald’s coffee on the way, but made up for it at Tidal coffee at the east end of Cannery Row.

Nearly everyone was wearing a mask…

…even Steinbeck.

This is very different than what we generally encounter at Lodi Lake Park.

Then we found out why:

THIS is how you do it.

There are gorgeous views of the water, and many sights to see…

I pass the JB factory on hwy 12 twice a week…my favorite flavor is pear.

We visited Kelly and Megan at Megan’s ADORABLE little place in Pacific Grove, where they fed us amazing food, and I got to meet the 4 cats:

The Count.
Pickle
Olive

I didn’t catch a photo of Queso, unfortunately.

It has been a very nice Easter Sunday for us, but imma go to sleep now…

G’night

Taking care of my familiar…

Emily and I are currently waiting in Shelley (my frankencar) outside the vet’s office.

BabyGirlKid jail.

We are just here for her yearly checkup & vax update. A year ago, she had her right, lower fang removed due to decay & the only slight concern I have is that she might be a li’l chubby now…but aren’t we all?

After we close at 5pm today, I’m off for a 3-day weekend (WOOT!)

With this guy:

Freshly vaccinated

I feel possibilities ahead. It’s more than just spring…um…springing. it’s the potential hiatus from *waves around* all of the past year/few years.

The great staff at Bayside Vet in Vallejo just came out and got Emily. The folks here are excellent…one of the Vet Techs works p/t at my library and I love knowing someone so well, who will watch out for my baby.

This is where I brought my Boys when it was time for them to go…It was a sad, but beautiful, experience thanks to the staff here at Bayside.

My Merry
My Pippin

The weather here in Vallejo, CA is perfect…sunny with the river breeze.

It will be warmer in Woodbridge (it most always is), but we might road trip on one of my THREE days off (but I repeat myself) to the coast, perhaps.

OK! So Emily is done here and it’s time to take her home.

She has a clean bill of health, besides a little too much weight. She was 11lbs last year & she’s up to 13lbs now. I just have to feed her twice a day instead of leaving food out for her constantly.

Home again…

Happy Friday!

Guess who’s back…back again…

I have not posted a thing for over 4 months and I’d say that’s not like me, but it TOTALLY is. I haven’t blogged or made any art for about that long. I’m not sure what has been holding me back, but I suspect it has to do with *waves in all directions* all of this.

Postcard from spring 2017 swap with iHanna.nu

So…I’m participating in Effy Wild’s Artfully Wild Blog Along this year to put myself back into the creative zone.

There is nobody quite like Effy to give me a “gentle” nudge towards a healthier Art Practice.   I began with Effy’s teachings in Journal 52 2018. I jumped to BOD in 2019, and this is my 2nd year in Moonshine.

I have done next to nothing but lurk on the pages for this year so far, but I am a firm believer in starting where you are, so…April it is.

I received my Moderna vax last Thursday and I have to note the weight that feels lifted from my shoulders about it is NOT missed.

My coworkers have all received their first shots at least, and I feel much safer about our whole library team because of that fact.

My Love, Matt, received his shot the same day I did, but he’s team Pfizer. 

My career, Librarian Supreme, is running along nicely, now that we have a new (MUCH better) Supervisor.  My former BOSS* and I are like oil & water.

The services we can provide are limited compared to pre-Covid times, but we do all the things we can for folks, and we are preparing for the future-times when we can do Programs and Outreach again.

#hoodielibrarian 2021

My work weeks are spent with this character…She makes me laugh every day.

The cute…it slays me.
Cuddles Forevah!!!
Emily Bird Starr

Work weeks include 40hrs of Librarian goodness, not enough sleep, and good times with my little roomate family (Amy and her kids: Erik and Angelina)

Weekends include THIS Man:

He is My Heart.

Yep…I am pampered, fed, loved, listened to…It’s a rough life, but I think I’ve earned it.

So…here we are. Today is a good day. I had an eye Dr. appointment where they dilated my eyes, but I’ll get spiffy new specs in 2-3 weeks.

Ok…that’s enough for today…my eyeballs hurt.

Ciao,ya’ll!

*BOSS* per prison slang = Stupid Son Of a Bitch

Over the past month or so…

I have been working on faces.

Drawing, activating watercolor pencil, spraying with workable fixative, painting, stenciling, shading faces.

Love her.
The arrows are raised (3-D). I like her heart shaped face.
She just showed up from FAR away…
She just came out. I think she’s as incredulous about current events as I am.
I love her. She looks beautiful in spite of having too many tabs open (story of my life).
I started all of these in one week.
Step one: drawing with watercolor pencil.
Shading
Activated watercolor pencil on hair, etc.
Activated the rest of the shading
Painted

The pic above is an homage to my HS friends, Andrea and Lorri. Andrea is still my dearest friend.

Back in the day

I have received a Commission to paint a work mate’s portrait. This will be my 2nd Commission.

I am an artist. Apparently I am becoming a professional artist.

I rule, ya’ll.