Extra Caffeinated

Yesterday I drank more coffee than usual and was able to do these two pieces before going to bed.

There was a long uncomfortable silence between Mr. and Mrs. Schultz and Mr. Rassmussen

There was a long uncomfortable silence between Mr. and Mrs. Schultz and Mr. Rassmussen
Originally uploaded by vivienne_strauss

This painting was inspired by an old photo, no info with it but it appeared to be after church, some social event or possibly a wedding. By their expressions, I thought perhaps funeral but with the lack of black clothing was doubtful of that. I really wanted to capture that moment of uncomfortable silence when you realize there is really nothing to be said.

watercolor and ink on paper

Eldora didn't have the heart to tell Roland that he would probably never be more than a third rate magician at best.

Eldora didn't have the heart to tell Roland that he would probably never be more than a third rate magician at best.
Originally uploaded by vivienne_strauss

Well, the painting of Frederick in the bunny suit lead to another twist on the bunny theme. I'm still in my silly phase :)

available in my etsy shop.

A lovely headshot of Betty Jayne

A lovely headshot of Betty Jayne
Originally uploaded by vivienne_strauss

These three posts are all from the same scrapbook of Betty Jayne's from the mid to late 1930s, when she was mainly dancing in nightclubs. These particular pieces of ephemera are from roughly 1937.

To see everything I've uploaded so far on Betty Jayne McIntosh, just click on the photo and it will take you to my flickr photo collection.

Muriel tries not to panic, knowing that Mr. and Mrs. Tuggle would be arriving at any moment for cocktails and wishes that Frederick would take off that ridiculous costume.

Muriel tries not to panic, knowing that Mr. and Mrs. Tuggle would be arriving at any moment for cocktails and wishes that Frederick would take off that ridiculous costume.
Originally uploaded by vivienne_strauss

I've gone extra silly with this piece, I'm blaming it on the full moon. In case you're wondering, Frederick does not remove the bunny costume. There is a long uncomfortable silence when the Tuggles arrive and then everyone has as unspoken agreement to just act as if Frederick was not in fact wearing a pink bunny suit.

Welcome to the Dralux Museum of Just Desserts

Welcome to the Dralux Museum of Just Desserts
Originally uploaded by vivienne_strauss

a new piece for Scrapiteria :)

Coeds from the Class of 1928 - Chapel Hill, NC

Coeds from the Class of 1928 - Chapel Hill, NC
Originally uploaded by vivienne_strauss

yearbook sketches for future paintings

Island of Garbage I

Island of Garbage I
Originally uploaded by vivienne_strauss

I know I'm late for the Earth Day celebration but my enthusiasm for any holiday always seems to run late. After hearing about the island of garbage in the Pacific being twice the size of the state of Texas, I immediately visualized collages of all the images I wouldn't use in my regular work. I'll continue to do these until I run out of garbage.

if you want to see the other garbage island collages, click on this photo, it will take you to my flickr photostream.

Winnie Leach Duncan Poses Amongst Foliage

Winnie Leach Duncan Poses Amongst Foliage
Originally uploaded by vivienne_strauss

watercolor and ink on paper

Ever since Gerald and Sylvia spent that month in Madrid, they found that they no longer related to their friends in Totterdown.

Ever since Gerald and Sylvia spent that month in Madrid, they found that they no longer related to their friends in Totterdown.
Originally uploaded by vivienne_strauss

I did a sketch of a man in a matador costume months ago and decided it would be so much better in a humorous situation.

watercolor and ink on paper, available in my etsy shop.

Prom Dance Card, 1932

Prom Dance Card, 1932
Originally uploaded by vivienne_strauss

More Betty Jayne McIntosh mementos. Click the photo to get to the entire set of photos.

Claude Attempts to Keep his Mind on His Studies but He Would Rather Study Clara

Claude Attempts to Keep his Mind on His Studies but He Would Rather Study Clara
Originally uploaded by vivienne_strauss

watercolor & ink on paper

Nick and Nora Share One Last Nightcap Before Bed

Nick and Nora Share One Last Nightcap Before Bed
Originally uploaded by vivienne_strauss

This was a special request painting and so much fun to do because I am a huge fan of Nick and Nora also.

Spring of 1964 in Wicker Park, Chicago, IL

Spring of 1964 in Wicker Park, Chicago, IL
Originally uploaded by vivienne_strauss

watercolor on paper, available in my etsy shop

Party Poster 1941

Party Poster
Originally uploaded by vivienne_strauss

More ephemera from the scrapbooks of Betty Jayne McIntosh. To see more, click on the photo and you can see everything I've scanned thus far.

There was Nothing that Cathy Adored More than Reading

There was Nothing that Cathy Adored More than Reading
Originally uploaded by vivienne_strauss

watercolor on paper

I'm on design sponge today, total excitement!

Miss Lois Schoonover at home with her cats

Miss Lois Schoonover at home with her cats
Originally uploaded by vivienne_strauss

watercolor and ink on paper; I'm enjoying my watercolors more and more!

Vincent & Betty Jayne

Vincent & Betty Jayne
Originally uploaded by vivienne_strauss

This is Betty Jayne's husband, Vincent B. Kathe. To see all the photos I've posted so far, just click on this picture and it will link you to this set on my flickr photostream.

Felicia had a fondness for floral prints and fishnet stockings.

Felicia had a fondness for floral prints and fishnet stockings.
Originally uploaded by vivienne_strauss

I didn't set out to make this piece so full of patterns and busyness, it just sort of happened....

Star Power

Star Power
Originally uploaded by vivienne_strauss

I'm really enjoying putting more color into my collage pieces lately.

A Bit More about Betty Jane

I've fallen a bit behind on my Betty Jane posts, trying to collage, paint and finish up taxes. These are all from her earliest scrapbook, a telegraph about a job, a photo of her and some other dancers (aged 7) and a card from a friend.

a few new collage pieces

I took a much needed break from painting yesterday and completed the first collages I've done in months!

Ever Since Nancy and Bill Gave up Battling the Dandelions, Life Became a lot More Relaxed, summer of 1966

Ever Since Nancy and Bill Gave up Battling the Dandelions, Life Became a lot More Relaxed, summer of 1966
Originally uploaded by vivienne_strauss

watercolor and ink on hot press watercolor paper; I had taken a photo a few days ago of some dandelions in a neighbor's yard and loved the different comments from people. Some viewed them as pretty, others saw them as hazardous to their allergies, and some who do battle with them, trying to keep them from their lawns. I just had to do a painting about dandelions after that! Thanks everyone for inspiring me!

A Young Betty Jane

A Young Betty Jane
Originally uploaded by vivienne_strauss

watercolor on paper

Whenever "the girls" got together, it was the same old thing. Mildred was caught in the middle as Ramona and Francesa quibbled over every little thing.

Whenever "the girls" got together, it was the same old thing. Mildred was caught in the middle as Ramona and Francesa quibbled over every little thing.
Originally uploaded by vivienne_strauss

watercolor on paper.

Estelle and Charles

watercolor on paper

I am showing my work locally!

I'm really excited to have a regular place in Portland to show my work, finn, a fabulous clothing and more store for men. They are located at 132 NW 12th Avenue in the heart of the Pearl District, just a few blocks from Powell's Books.

Betty Jane's correspondence from 1932

I didn't sleep well last night and can't even attempt to guess the date of the photo, Betty Jane is front and center in this shot, obviously the star of this recital. The letter is from 1932 from a former teacher, Gertrude Colburn. I admit it, the letter brought tears to my eyes.

Simone Wonders if She Should Give Harold Another Chance

watercolor on paper, available in my etsy shop

Betty Jayne portrait

This is the first portrait I've painted of Betty Jayne McIntosh, though I did a few paintings already inspired by some of her photographs.

A few more of Betty Jane's things...

Believe it or not, I actually got some work done yesterday and didn't get around to posting any of Betty Jane's things. Some lovely dancer cutouts and an unidentified photo that is one of my favorites in the photos so far. It also provided the inspiration for my last painting of Margaret and Fern.

Margaret and Fern, 1949 by the lake

Watercolor on paper, available in my etsy shop.

Mary Alice and Joan Were Grateful that Dorinda was There So They Wouldn't have to Think for Themselves

Watercolor and gouache on hot press watercolor paper. Available in my etsy shop!

Two pieces of ephemera from the Betty Jane collection

These two pieces really caught my eye this morning while drinking my morning coffee and perusing random scrapbooks of Betty Jane's. What a great way to start my mornings!

Early Dance Recitals

These are all from what appears to be the first scrapbook, Betty Jane is 6 years old and posing in costume. Also a news article from the Baltimore, MD paper about her dancing in a recital given as a student of the Carol-Lynn Studio of Artistic Dancing.

The Life of Betty Jane "Jayne" McIntosh

Yesterday we went to the estate sale of Betty Jane McIntosh-Kathe and my husband gave me an early anniversary gift of all her scrapbooks and family photos. I will try and document her life here and on my Flickr site as best as I can. The majority of things are not dated and a lot of the glue has not held things securely in the scrapbooks so they aren't really in order. I will most likely document things as they inspire me to do so. Her career in ballet began at the age of 6 in 1921 and there are a lot of news articles, dance programs and letters pertaining to dance. These are a couple of paper dolls tucked inside her John Day High School Scrapbook, Class of 1932 and a place card from 1930.