Hopalong Hollow....

Hopalong Hollow, where the Blueberries grow sweet, and the moss feels soft beneath your feet.

Monday, February 22, 2016

Maaaaaaaa!

MAAAAAAAAA!!!! 
That's what goats say, as opposed to Baaaaaaa, which is what sheep say.
 (yes, she is standing on the back of a sleeping sheep lady)
 I've kept goats for about 12 years now as a part of the farm family.
Their sweet faces bely the fact that they are very clever 
and naughty little escape artists.

Goats really do believe that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence and will go to any means necessary to taste it and prove their theory correct.
 I would never trust a goat in my flower garden, for sure...
But in a perfect world, they would be charming amongst the Hollyhocks.
Don't ya think?

 Another drawing for  the garden book. This will also be a greeting card and a print, once painted.
When you are creating flat art, consider all the applications it could be used on.  I use my flat art in books, cards, prints, on cups, fabric, flour-sack towels, canvas bags and  punch needle. A little can go a long way.

As I work, I am "watching"/listening, via YOUTUBE, to a great series about World War 1, entitled:  "The Great War" BBC 1964. It's a 26 part series and incredibly interesting.
 I confess, I am a serious History buff and know a LOT about the World Wars. It is something that has fascinated me for many years.
For really interesting British History with an adorable host, watch anything by Lucy Worsley and for humor, see Tony Robinson's, "Worst Jobs in History".

Question for you; How do you occupy your mind whilst working on a project? In silence? DO you listen to music? Books on tape? Talk radio? Movies?

32 comments:

  1. Who can sleep with a goat on your back? Very tolerant lady you have there! Your drawing is so charming for your gardening book, Jeri. When I'm working on a project I like to listen to music or sometimes I totally love silence to be in my own thoughts. I love history as well and love to learn something new. My whole family is crazy about history! ♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Martha, that baby goat grew up to be Cecily Rose, the little red goat on the bottom. She would jump from back to back with the greatest of ease. I knew you were a history lover. Have you ever watched Lucy Worsley? You would really like her videos as she is head curator of the Royal National Palaces and does really interesting stuff from the 15th century and on.

      Delete
  2. Love you goats! When I draw/paint I like to put on the CD that has the just the ocean and windchimes in the background. I lose track of all time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cathy, It is easy to lose track of time when drawing. I like the sound of nature when I am working outside on the porch, the birds, and farm sounds. We also have windchimes hanging outside, so I understand that, it is very relaxing.

      Delete
  3. such a lovely family
    and
    so wonderful to have them inspire your magical beautifully detailed art!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tammy, they are an amusing little group of gals!

      Delete
  4. GOOD MORNING, Jeri!

    I LOVE GOATS. Since my childhood, the entire family (aunts, uncles, cousins and family friends) would gather at a family friend's ranch in the Malibu Mountains. He had a sensational ranch with all the critters you could imagine, and second to horses, the goats were my favorites. You are right; you CAN'T trust a goat in a garden, or near anything that pleases their tastes! But they are fun to watch, pet and play with. We even ATE goat meat and there is one particular party at the ranch that I'll never forget. My uncle dug a pit in the ground in which the adults put the goat meat in a large metal container wrapped in burlap.....that goat roasted for hours and it made the most memorable meal....Ah, but I should not talk of such things in mixed company....SORRY LADIES! teeehehee

    I too listen to music when I am creating. Whether it's Chopin or Motown (yes, my tastes vary!) I am happy when I am surrounded by the rhythms of life.

    HAPPY CREATING! And your goat renderings are stunning!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anita, SHHHH! Mustn't let the girls hear you talk about a roasting pit; (not that they have anything to worry about since they are pure pets). I listen to music when I am cleaning the house, but not while I am creating something. Music gives me energy and what I need when drawing is thought. We all require something a little different, don't we?!

      Delete
  5. Those goats are adorable. I particularly like the brown and white one in the second pic. She looks as though she is up to something and has some definite plans for the day.

    As to your question: I love silence-----there is just not enough of it in the world today. I read somewhere that one of the big differences between now and the pre-industrial world was how much quiet there was in the former. Maybe I was born in the wrong century? Just listen the next time you are in a big supermarket to all the beeping and buzzing and clanking and elevator music that goes on-----and that's just one situation where there is excessive noise. I think some of the problem is that I am easily distracted and noise, even pleasant noise (music etc.), will pull me off course.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Vic, that little red and white goat is Naomi, sweetest goat I ever had.
      I KNOW I was born in the wrong century. It is noisy here in the country too, but with the right kind of sounds, roosters crow all day, sheep baaaing, braying donkeys, the occasional tractor running in the background, song birds, all good sounds. Even if I tried to work in peace, I couldn't find any without earplugs!

      Delete
  6. That is an interesting question Jeri. When painting, drawing etc., I can listen to music or the television. When writing, dead silence has to be the rule. I figure it must be different parts of my brain. I love history also, and the two world wars. Just read Life After Life and Nightengale, both about WWII. I'm not interested in the war in Vietnam though. Don't know why. I love NPR and This American Life.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Donna. same here with writing, I can't have distractions. Do you recommend those books? I am always looking for a movie or book for the WW period. I am not enthused about the Vietnam War because we gave away our certain victory over to the Communists, a very bad ending. But I do like the Civil War period and the American Revolution.

      Delete
  7. Your goats and others I have seen owned by other bloggers look 'sweet'.

    Usually when I create, I listen to soothing instrumental music.

    Happy creating and living life every day ~ FlowerLady

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lorraine, They can be sweet and stinky at the same time!

      Delete
  8. Good afternoon Jeri. If it is warm enough outdoors I love to have the windows open to bring the outdoor animal sounds in. Otherwise I do like some silence as I like to talk myself through projects!
    Oh how I wish I could come and visit your farm and studio! You have welcomed us all in as friends through your website but would love to touch your world. Thank you for inviting us along on your ride! Lover of children's books and original watercolor. Pam, Dexter, MI.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pam, I think that is the nicest way to work sometimes, and am able to do the same in the summer. I am working towards the day, when our bridge is repaired and my studio is expanded, to have open house/farm day here for anyone who wants to visit. I hope to be able to do that in the near future!

      Delete
  9. Another great page for the greatly anticipated garden book! There's no better way to work than in the company of a beloved pet...no sounds required. :~)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Miss Butter, It never fails that I have a purring cat on my table or my lap..that is a nice sound to work along with.

      Delete
  10. Jerri...I love you write goats say Maaaa. I grew up on on a farm....I had a goat who followed me home one afternoon. Our neighbors raised sheep. My husband finds it quite humorous when I tell him goats say Maaaa not Baaaa. You have vindicated me!

    When I am reading, writing or any form of artwork. I listen to Celtic music. When I am sewing, knitting or school work I listen to books on tape or something I have recorded from PBS. Love your sweet goats. I hope you week is going well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bonnie, I remember the first time I heard a baby goat, MAAAAAA....Ahhhh, Maaaa-ah! it is the cutest little tune in the world!
      I too, love audio books and often listen to Librivox, free audio books online.

      Delete
  11. Hi Jeri,
    Tell me, how could you look into those sweet faces and not smile? Your dear goats have such personalty..
    I am in awe of your drawing, and see that you have in fact created a perfect world where they can stand in a sea of Hollyhocks.. Beautifully done, Jeri. Your garden book is really coming along...

    When I sit down to draw I usually like to listen to music.. Sometimes I will put on a old movie.. I love the classics, and listen to the movie. Nature sounds are also one of my favorite things.
    Enjoy your week!
    fondly,
    Penny

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HI Penny, Their little smiles will melt you. But they are very naughty sometimes, butting the sheep and pushing each other out of the way when the the food is served. I am glad I finally drew them after all these years.

      Delete
  12. Now that is a greeting card that I will want to buy from you!!! Lovely. Sheep and goats are wonderful subjects for your artwork. I cannot wait to see more....and even more than that....cannot wait to buy your book!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bev, Sheep are next, then the donkeys and then the peacocks. The greeting cards will be available shortly after I paint these. The book will take awhile, as it has photographs and much text.

      Delete
  13. So cute little goats ! They are nice and beautiful.
    I love your talent Jeri ! You are wonderful.
    When I work, it is silence, or celtic music or classical music. I love celtic music and irish music.
    Hugs
    Nath.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nath, I love the celtic as well. Whenever I do make a youtube video, it has celtic music in the background. I have wondered how your book is coming along...

      Delete
  14. WONDERFUL Goatie pictures and art!!! Jeri, this Garden book is going to be just wonderful!!!

    I love YouTube (In the background of everything)for all the British shows!!! I play things back to back and get on a roll of watching one series over and again,(Lucy W being one) Right now I am on Jeeves and Wooster and I never tire from any of the All Creatures and Miss Marple ~ any Brit Mystery and so on :-) Have you seen Hetty Wainthropp Investigates?? (With the President of Beatrix Potter Society))??? ;-) And I thrive on good soothing music too! And like you I am addicted to History!! But with all that inspiration going on while I create, I sure wish I could produce a fraction of what you put out!! You are AMAZING!! Everything you touch becomes BEAUTY!! Your world is a JOY!!! :-) Blessings Warmth Love and Joy, Linnie

    ReplyDelete
  15. Linnie, I don't think I have watched Hetty, but I will add her to my list. There is simply no end to all the great series and Documentaries available to us. It's almost time to start playing all the gardening videos, there are some fantastic ones out in Youtube land. It's been awhile since I watched All Creatures, I think I need my fix!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Dear Jeri, I don't think that I've ever actually seen a goat up close. How can this be? Well, I hope that the future years will provide me with such a close up. Meanwhile, I am indebted to you for these great photographs and your marvelous drawings. Maaa, not baaaa...that I will remember.

    It's interesting to learn from you and the prior comments what sounds accompany their creative work. When I used to do more painting (and hope to resume painting more this year) I would listen to classical music on the local NPR radio station That was where I got a bit of education about classical music. Imagine my delight years later, when in took on my current job, to actually meet and get to know one of the radio presenters who'd taught me all I know about classical music.

    If I am knitting, crocheting, or perhaps drawing, I'll now be listening to various BBC stations, mostly Radio London or dramas on Radio 4 Extra...or...listening the cable tv network CNBC. What a mix, eh?

    xo

    ReplyDelete
  17. Frances, I bet you will meet a goat up close on one of your travels in the near future, maybe in England?. The BBC has some excellent old radio broadcasts from the 40's and 50's on youtube. The mysteries are a lot of fun to listen to while working.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Jeri, thanks for the youtube tip on the old BBC radio programs. Yes, I am determined to eventually see a goat face to face...this could be the year. xo

    ReplyDelete
  19. Jeri - I can certainly see what an adorable card your goat faces would make. Love the many facets of their personalities that you managed to capture too. Always love to see what you are busy doing. Hugs!

    ReplyDelete

Please do leave a word or two, we SO like to hear from you!