If you would have told me a few years ago that I would be listening to a lot of “new age” music, I would have said you were crazy. But about a year ago, I felt like I needed to find some really relaxing music to listen to while I was at work. Stress was really getting to me, so much so that I developed TMJ. The music I was listening to wasn’t doing too much to keep my head from popping off. I spent a lot of time trying to find stuff that was relaxing and that I liked. Not so easy, a lot of “new age” I find to be a little annoying. But I was able to find some things that I like very much. Also, I found most of this stuff on emusic.

Some recommendations:

Dean Evenson : If you like meandering lovely flute music, you can’t go wrong on any of his albums.

David and Steve Gordon: Nice combo of music and nature sounds. In addition to the album shown above, I also have Garden of Serenity, Garden of Serenity 2, Pillow Music, and Oneness. They are all really good and perfect to listen to while falling asleep.

Liquid Music: This guy used to play synth for Missing Persons back in the ’80’s. His music has a lot of long sustained chords and slow sounds. Very calming and soothing. Really great to listen to while sleeping. Probably not so great to listen to while driving…could be dangerous!

Erik Wollo: This stuff is more in the ambient arena. Very nice and very soothing.

Jonn Serrie : Space Music! This guy composes music for planetariums! Close your eyes and imagine you are floating in space.

Gary Stroutsos: More flute. The album “Pacific Moon” is absolutely fantastic. Beautiful.

Target Lifescapes: Yes, the cd’s they sell on a “relax” kiosk at Target. I have purchased a few of these and they are really lovely. I have “Lifescapes: Music for Stress Relief” and “Lifescapes: Destination Dreams.”

More recommendations later.

I have been using Rapidograph pens for many years. I love the feel of them and I love the line. But they are a pain. You have to fill the ink resorvoir. They clog up. They leak. The tip gets bent. And so on.

So the past few years I have been trying to find another pen that would give same look, feel and lightfastness but less hassle. Until now I have been unsuccessful.

I recently purchased Staedtler Mars professional pens:

These pens are awesome! Much easier to use and I get the same deep black that I got with the rapidograph! It feels a little different…kind of like a really really hard felt tip. The set was only about $20 at Office Depot.

This a watercolor and ink piece. A little different than what I have done before.

Here is a detail shot:

Pictures aren’t very good but I think you can get the idea. I am actually quite pleased with how it came out.

Giving this wordpress thing a try.

My hubbie and I went to see “300″ last night. Our trip to visit my mom got cancelled due to illness so we went out to celebrate our anniversary. I rarely go the movies anymore. In general I would much rather rent dvd’s. People tend to get on my nerves in the theater. For instance, the theater was pretty empty. Only a handful a people. After the movie started, three guys rolled in and sat right in front of us. They had the whole theater and they had to sit directly in front of us!

Anyway, I really enjoyed the movie. I found the visuals to be pretty amazing. Every frame was like a painting. I loved the muted colors and grainy look of it. My husband enjoyed all the battles.

After the holidays this past year, I promised myself I would take two weeks off in the spring. Kind of a gift for myself. No specific plans, no big to do list to work through…just a few weeks where I could hang out, spend time doing what I wanted to do, and take my time doing the things that I need to do.

On Monday “day 1″, first thing in the morning I went to the Art Supply store and stocked up on watercolor paper, watercolor paints, brushes, and some water soluble color pencils. I was already in the middle of a piece that combined gouache and ink but I’ve been wanting to try watercolors. Still not clear to me what the difference is between gouache and watercolors, but I guess I will find out. Last night I finally finished the gouache, ink piece.

I am on day 4 of my “break” and it’s been nice. The weather hasn’t been on my side but that’s ok. My husband and I are going to drive to my mom’s tomorrow (a few states away) to visit for a couple of days. We should be back on Sunday night.

Then I have another whole week before I have to go back to work! Yay!

I got back home a few days ago. We had a snow/sleet storm last night so I might go take some pictures before I try to de-ice my car.

I am going to be away from home for several weeks without access to a scanner so I won’t be able to participate in Illustration Friday for awhile. I do want to mention that all the comments on my Boy George drawing really made my day. Believe it or not, I don’t get too many opportunities to show that drawing!

I haven’t participated in Illustration Friday for a very long time but when I saw this week’s topic, I had to post this. I did this colored pencil drawing in the 80’s when I was in high school. Yes I was a dork.