Potraiture

I started drawing portraits when I was in high school. It started with a desire to give a gift to a friend, but having no money at the time, I had to get creative. I didn't realize how much I would enjoy drawing people.

I've since grown in style and with practice--talent, but my favorite part is seeing the receivers face when I give them the portrait. Maybe it's because most of my portraits have been children, and mothers are extremely fond of their babies faces.

I can only draw from a picture. One with good detail and high contrast. I'm not very good at making up visual information.

Here are a few examples of my work. I only have a few with an example of the photo I used as a reference, so I've chosen to share those over some of my better pieces. But I feel like they give a better picture of my ability to portray with accuracy, since you can see what I started with.



These 2 have no reference photo, But I do have some experience drawing adults and groups of people too.


This last drawing is actually a picture of me with my siblings and a neighbor friend(I think) The 80's were so dang rad!
Can you tell which one is me?

I've been considering taking on new commissions. I've drawn children, adults, sentimental landscapes and buildings and even beloved pets. If anybody is interested, just send me an email and we'll chat.

MotionX-GPS Track: Lakeshore-newmark-broadway

My Saturday run--

Name:		Lakeshore-newmark-broadway
Date:		Jan 21, 2012 10:41 am
Map:		View on Map
Distance:		7.06 miles
Elapsed Time:		1:15:24
Avg Speed:		5.6 mph
Max Speed:		8.0 mph
Avg Pace:		10' 41" per mile
Min Altitude:		0 ft
Max Altitude:		148 ft
Start Time:		2012-01-21T18:41:02Z
Start Location:
	Latitude:	43.409367º N
	Longitude:	124.243388º W
End Location:
	Latitude:	43.409502º N
	Longitude:	124.242971º W

Have I mentioned...

We've been trying to buy a house.

It feels like we've been trying for a long time, but in actuality, it's only been since November. Doesn't that seem like a long time?

It's been an adventure. Lot's of ups and downs. It's like a home buying roller coaster, full of excitement & trepidation. One minute we're celebrating a success and the next minute we're feeling hopeless that we're not going to work things out.

In fact, things still aren't certain... yet.

I'm not sure I'll totally believe it till I feel that house key jingling in my own little hand.

To make a very long story short-
We're trying to buy our very first home.
It's a foreclosure.
Dealing with a Bank instead of a seller is kind of a headache waiting to happen
Some mortgage loan officers are crazy
Jumping through hoops and leaping hurdle after hurdle is wearing us(especially Ryan) right on out!

BUT, just being able to write the words 'I' and 'homeowner' in the same sentence is worth it. Even if the sentance reads-- I 'might' be a homeowner-- for now:) The potential is so exciting! I can't help but make plans, browse color swatches and dream of floor plans!

So, keep your fingers crossed!
If it happens, I'll share my adventures, one room at a time! YEA!

MotionX-GPS Track: Broadway, Ocean Blvd, Newmark

It was beautiful running weather!

Name:		Broadway, Ocean Blvd, Newmark
Date:		Jan 14, 2012 8:54 am
Map: (valid until Jul 12, 2012)		View on Map
Distance:		6.86 miles
Elapsed Time:		1:08:20
Avg Speed:		6.0 mph
Max Speed:		8.1 mph
Avg Pace:		9' 58" per mile
Min Altitude:		0 ft
Max Altitude:		154 ft
Start Time:		2012-01-14T16:54:03Z
Start Location:
	Latitude:	43.409163º N
	Longitude:	124.242745º W
End Location:
	Latitude:	43.409378º N
	Longitude:	124.242883º W

New hair cut

It was time for a change. I'm so excited to have found a new hair dresser that I really like. It's always hard to find one after moving to a new place.

Good bye long hair. See you in a while.

Awesome APP

The MotionX-GPS app

IT's awesome.

I just found it and I'm already hooked. I use it for cataloging my running tracks.
It tracks everything, my speed, elevation, time, distance....and more.
Using the GPS features, all I have to do is push start and it documents everything. It even has a feature within the app so you can listen to your own music without disrupting the status. But, my favorite part is the updates. You can turn on a feature that updates you on your status. It tells you the time that has lapsed, how far you've gone AND how fast you're traveling. Perfect for attaining your time and speed goals.

There's a lot more it can do, those are just my favorite features. Check it out in the app store--you'll love it.

--Jess

MotionX-GPS Track Today

Name:		Virginia-lakeshore-ash-newmark And Back
Date:		Jan 7, 2012 9:09 am
Map:		View on Map
Distance:		6.21 miles
Elapsed Time:		1:02:36
Avg Speed:		5.9 mph
Max Speed:		8.1 mph
Avg Pace:		10' 05" per mile
Min Altitude:		0 ft
Max Altitude:		128 ft
Start Time:		2012-01-07T17:09:33Z
Start Location:
	Latitude:	43.409461º N
	Longitude:	124.243284º W
End Location:
	Latitude:	43.409413º N
	Longitude:	124.243251º W

Oregon Coast Trail

Run

Pretentious...

Maybe, but not intentionally.

Our recipe blog IS called Our Perfect Recipe Quest, after all.

Funny thing is, I sort of meant that we were on the Quest for the perfect recipes, not that ours were perfect. It's all subject to personal tastes anyway right? well, mostly:)

I realized during my holiday baking that I add almost an entire cup of flour to my favorite cookie recipe! Seriously, how perfect is it, if I'm altering it every time? Well, needless to say, I fixed the recipe but I'm on the look out for mistakes. We're always experimenting with food to hopefully add to our repertoire.

Last night I made a Thai Chicken Salad. I've made it 3 times now. The recipe comes from this book:


It's kind of incredible. I mean, without sounding psycho... I really, LOVE this salad.

So, I've decided to add it to our list of favorite recipes. It's that good.

Check it out on our blog here. OR, better yet, buy yourself a copy of the cook book, there's a few other recipes in it that may just make the cut into our favorites list, and maybe yours too!

*FYI--This recipe is available on the OUR BEST BITES website. They've posted it for all to have and share.