Fabulously Flatulent Rain Pants, Travel Art Supplies & the Excruciatingly Slow Death of a Rule Follower
I can NOT stop laughing at these pants.
Welcome to The Nibbler by me, Jill Myer, a bi-weekly brief focusing on art, inspiration, creativity, snacks, and joy.
Hello, my Hot Buttered Rum Besties,
Happy Tuesday!
I am writing to you early on Sunday morning. It’s quiet in the house with the exception of the hum of a heating vent, and all is quiet outside on the street, so quiet that I can hear the unrelenting roar of the ocean more than a mile away.
It’s King Tide weekend!
I am tucked deep into the couch in an extra fluffy quilted pajama hoodie. I’ve got my warm cozy slippies on, a GIANT mug of creamy Earl Grey tea, and a soft blankie, and there are buttermilk biscuits in the oven - they smell scrumptious, and I’m ready to chat!
Hi! Hello!
How ARE you?
Are you hanging in there? Are you looking forward to the holidays, or are you nauseated by everything yet to do?
I’d love to know; you can reply to The Nibbler anytime!
I am well.
I am home.
I’ve been away from home for a few weeks, from a Thanksgiving spent in Montana to then staying with and helping to care for a friend who is/was recovering from a major surgery—in which her cats realized I’ve had thumbs this whole time.
I became a person of interest rather quickly.
On previous visits, I have not fed the cats, so they didn’t know I could open cans of food.
Which is to say, while I enjoyed my travels and visits immensely, it's good to be home, on my couch, snuggled up with Roxy, sleeping in my own bed, and with my Jacob mugs!
ON THE BLOG
The Excruciatingly Slow Death of a Rule Follower
I listen to the "Learn to Paint" podcast and also receive the newsletter—I highly recommend both.
However, the other morning, I was reading the newsletter, and while it was about painting, it broke something deep inside of me—something ancient and untouched in my 49 years on this planet.
And that something was my desire, nay, my need to follow the rules.
To please.
To be “good”.
As an only child, I had no reason to act out to gain my parents' attention. I had all the attention I could ever desire, and breaking the rules had the possibility of bringing on the wrath of Mother Trucker.
While she's only 5 feet and 1/4 inches and weighs in at 92 lbs, soaking wet, making her mad was never in my best interest.
So, what was it that broke me?
What could I have possibly learned about painting that could have caused such a substantial shift internally??!
MY CURRENT FAVORITE SNACK
These frozen buttermilk biscuits!
They are NOT free (read: stupid expensive) but gosh, on a damp blustery winter morning they make for a very special treat!
But since I live on the coast and all winter mornings are damp and blustery, I’m committed to making my own buttermilk biscuits.
In exploring that option, I found this—which I think will make things easier!
I’ll let you know how it goes!
✨GLIMMER HUNTING…
OMG, my new rain pants!!!
I am dying! 🤣
Roxy is a scent hound, so when we are walking and she is on leash, she stops to sniff a lot.
The first part of our walks involves a lot of starting and stopping, which indignantly upsets my Apple Watch.
The watch that suggested we "record a workout" to begin with!
Are you done with your workout?
Are you done now?
What about now? Are you done?
Now? Now? Now?
OMG STFU!!!
To keep my Apple Watch from harassing me, I do knee touches or squats while she's sniffing*.
Also helloooo boootay😉🍑!!!
Enter my new rain pants.
I got new rain gear because - Oregon.
When you live in OR, It’s something you do annually, like rotating your tires, but I hadn't worn these pants yet.
AND OMG!!! I was laugh-crying because I was doing squats, and my new rain gear made a peculiar, hilarious noise.
*Suggested Apple Watch features:
-An “I have a cat on my lap and can’t move at the moment” setting so the watch can stop prompting one to stand up and stretch.
-An ”I have a scent-motivated dog” walking workout that does not require squats to keep it going each time the dog stops to sniff.
IN MY STUDIO
My travel “studio” / art supplies I can’t live without.
The MVP three items I take with me always is:
(these are not affiliate links)
Sailor Fude Ink Pen - the pen tip gives lots of line options from thin to super thick!
Staedtler Mars Technico 780 Lead Holder - 2 mm - never needs sharpened - no mess
Pentel Aquash Water Brush - creates an ink wash, or a quick watercolor sketch, no mess, no fuss - just go!
NiBBLeR MiNi SHoP UPDaTe
Mini shop updates are unique and original artworks not offered elsewhere, and in extremely limited quantities.
**Paid subscribers receive pre-notice, followed by subscribers, and then general public.
Today’s Nibbler Mini Update is: King Tide at Boiler Bay
An ORIGINAL framed gouache seascape that I painted after viewing the last set of King Tides!
I feel like I’m finally cracking the code on gouache, which is a lot like watercolor but is a highly pigmented paint that is opaque instead of translucent like watercolor.
5x7 original on paper
Framed in a natural wood frame 6.25x8.25x1.5 inches
$68 includes shipping
*The photograph has been shot with the painting unvarnished, so there would not be any reflection issues. I will spray a fixative / varnish on the painting prior to shipping to protect the art, as there is no glass in the frame.
Until next time!!
<3 Jill
Paintings, prints, cards, and mini-card bundles are also available in the For ArtSake Gallery.
“Broken Perfection” is available on the Minted.com website in various sizes and frame options. I receive a percentage of each purchase. Thank you!
HAPPY TUESDAY!
Thank you for being a subscriber and for your support!
Jill
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