Artist, Photographer, Soap Maker, and Human

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arthouseflunkies

Since it has been a while since I posted, I should

Since it has been a while since I posted, I should add more cat photos.

#catsofinstagram #catlife #aquariumlife

He wore himself out playing with a twist tie. I ho

He wore himself out playing with a twist tie. I hope someday to find that much joy in something as simple as a twist tie. Lol!

#catlife #catsofinstagram #persiancat #fancycattoy #dontbuyexpensivecattoys

This guy sleeps in weird positions. At least if yo

This guy sleeps in weird positions. At least if you wedge yourself in, you can't fall off the window sill while you sleep.

#catsofinstagram #catlife #persiancat #sleepycat

I am falling behind in posting pics if I am truly

I am falling behind in posting pics if I am truly going to evolve into the crazy cat lady. These are to catch up.

@salemfriendsoffelinesus - Another update as promised. He has trained us well. 🙂

#catsofinstagram #catlovers #aquariumlife #adoptacat #persiancat

I couldn't sleep this morning so I drew one of my

I couldn't sleep this morning so I drew one of my fish. Started around 5 am, finished just after 8 am. Nice and simple for so early in the morning.

#coloredpencil #inkdrawing #fishart #angelfish #carandache #strathmore #art #redbull

This guy. Still no name, but he is loved. #catad

This guy. Still no name, but he is loved.

#catadoption #catsofinstagram
#catnap #thatfacetho

So this guy from the Ukraine lives at my house now

So this guy from the Ukraine lives at my house now. He even came with a passport. #catadoption #sheltercat #thatfacetho

This big guy is a hoot! He's a talker and likes to

This big guy is a hoot! He's a talker and likes to scold you if you visit without bringing food. After he is done giving you what for, he sulks in a corner. Lol!

#bettafish #betta #feedme #fishofinstagram

I don't officially name my fish. I like to call th

I don't officially name my fish. I like to call them whatever name matches their personality that day. My Oranda was def a Bertram today. The Black Moor was acting like a Winston. The other blurry spaz, who photo bombs everyone, continues to be referred to as a ham sandwich.

#fancygoldfish #fishofinstagram #whatsinaname

My dwarf gourami was kind enough to put on a show

My dwarf gourami was kind enough to put on a show for pics. He is an elegant dancer. Mostly in a give me food kind of way.

#fishofinstagram #fishkeeping #aquariumfish #aquariumhobby

Diamond Tetra and a Phoenix Rasbora. I don't just

Diamond Tetra and a Phoenix Rasbora. I don't just have goldfish....

#fishofinstagram #fishkeeping #aquariumhobby

I need to get a better lens! I just can't with the

I need to get a better lens! I just can't with these chuckle heads....they make my day!

#fishofinstagram #goldfish #aquariumfish #hamsandwich #fishkeeping

It's not in focus. I don't care. Just look at this

It's not in focus. I don't care. Just look at this little ham sandwich!

#fishofinstagram #goldfish #fancygoldfish #aquariumfish #newcamera

#blackouttuesday

#blackouttuesday

Fun little oil pastel piece I just finished. Not e

Fun little oil pastel piece I just finished. Not everything needs to be an epic damn masterpiece. Sometimes smaller is just as impactful. (9x12 sennelier oil pastels on canson sanded paper)
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#oilpastel #blackmoor #artistsoninstagram #artistsofinstagram #fish #fishart #sennelier #pastel #cansonpaper

New year, new oil painting sketch. This was just a

New year, new oil painting sketch. This was just a quickie to warm up. It's been a while since I painted anything, so I thought it best to ease back in. #artistsoninstagram #oilpainting #artistsofinstagram #justforfun

Had a great time with @entilzah at the @elsinore_t

Had a great time with @entilzah at the @elsinore_theatre watching the new #jayandsilentbobreboot movie. I laughed, I cried, and I wanted to punch a drunk guy in the face for taking up everyone's time by asking dumb questions during the Q & A. Regardless, it was fabulous! Thank you @jaymewes and @thatkevinsmith for an excellent evening and congrats for making another excellent film!

Taking a break from soap to play around with some

Taking a break from soap to play around with some oil paint. First layer is done. Now to let it dry some before toning it properly. #gamblinoils #medusa #oilpainting #workinprogress

Decided to try making cold process soap....and com

Decided to try making cold process soap....and completely boo boo clustered my first ever batch. But I saved it! Well, maybe... I wanted to make a simple 2 lb batch. I prepped my lye water this morning and it was good, battle station set up with all pre prepped colors and fragrance, and I have read several books coupled with weeks of marathoned YouTube videos. I set a clean cup of water next to where I was working to put my stick blender in the water when I was done blending. I was ready.

I take a deep breath, grab my cup of lye water, pour it into my oils, and start blending. I was trying to be careful not to over mix, but I noticed nothing seemed to be happening. I took the blender out of the oils and went to grab the cup of water I put out. It wasn't there. I thought I left it by the sink, until I realized my CLEARLY MARKED lye water was still on the table....full of liquid. Yeah, my genius self had poured my plain cup of water into my oil mixture... (Insert chain of explicatives here.) Huge thanks to @katiewcarson and @theearlofsuds for making excellent videos, recommending a soap calc, and repeatedly telling my bone head to use recipe percentages, measuring by weight. A million times thank you!

As I followed their advice I was able to reverse engineer the god awful mess I made, figure out how much plain water I put in the oils, re calc it all, add extra water and lye to my existing solution, and add additional oils to make up the defecit. I ended up with a 6 lb batch to fix my bungle Doo Doo.
In the end I mixed to emulsion, split the monster into 3 batches, colored, blended, and added fragrance to get what you see here. I barely squeaked out the last batch without it being too hard to pour. As long as it runs through gel phase, doesn't crack, etc. I am golden!

I learned a lot today and I had a good time... laughing at myself. Tomorrow I am going to try that again. But without the extra shenanigans.... #soapmaking #coldprocesssoap
#royaltysoaps

Last of the doodle pastels for the day. #carandach

Last of the doodle pastels for the day. #carandache #portrait #oilpastel

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