Sonya

This was my second experiment in adding little lights to the inside of the 6 x 6” wood panel he’s painted; you can see them in the comment. I’m hoping to show this and the last one (the rat astronomer) at a small works show at Fogue Studios & Gallery in December.

#art

The others just called him Maestro. Now and then he’d wander into the pub, order a glass of wine and a little snack, and play his violin. He never really chatted with anyone but was so soft and unassuming that no one minded much.
1/2

Or they were made for him, by one of the crafters in his village. Probably one with very flexible digits, like a raccoon or maybe a very dexterous rat. 🤔

Happy Halloween! My little frog friend says “be whoever you want to!”

Just bird things. A little art, a few fun bird facts; a quiet little weekly newsletter about stuff I find interesting.

sonyar.substack.com

Wunderkammer | Substack A Cabinet of Curiosities. Click to read Wunderkammer, a Substack publication. Launched 3 days ago.

So, I’m tired of algorithm-driven doomscrolling. I started a little email newsletter instead. It’s just nice stuff: art I’m working on, interesting and positive news, no politics or scary headlines EVER. This week: goats, bumpy fish, and a pear torte.
sonyar.substack.com

Thanks! There’s a longer story but not enough room for it. ☺️

A painting of a barred owl, wearing gold wire glasses, and a red ribbon with a key around his neck. He sits in a round wood window frame, behind him a room is lit in warm lantern light. You can see books, plants and various treasures there.

Professor Aloysius Fennelroot lived among books and shadows, in the top story of the tallest tree in Blackthorn Forest. Around his neck hung the Key. No one knew what it opened, though many speculated.

(The professor is acrylics on canvas, 10x10. I hope you like him.)

Sweet Willow 🩷

Portrait of an elderly Boston terrier; gift for his family. He's watercolor, 9 x 12 on Arches hot press.
#watercolor

You bet! I like to monitor these things too.

@emd.wa.gov - Washington Emergency Management Division‪

@pnsn1.bsky.social - the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network.

A painting of a dapper capybara in a grey suit, with a small robin wearing a straw boating hat perched on his head.

A close-up of the capy’s head and robin friend.

Senhor Benedito Capivara is a recent transplant from his tropical birthplace to the cooler countryside where he now lives with his new friend, Orville.

He has taken quickly to the quiet life, and keeps his daily constitutional, rain or shine.

Acrylics on a 12x12 wood panel.
#art #capybara

The chonkiest!!

A huge cat rolling on the sidewalk.

A huge cat rolling on the sidewalk.

A huge cat rolling on the sidewalk.

LOOK at the size of this cat in my neighborhood. His name is Ollie and I adore him. He’s the shape and dimensions of a large watermelon.

🥴

A fox in a long white dress sits in a garden setting, one elbow on a table. She is looking up at a hummingbird that hovers in front of her.

A close up of the fox’s face and the bird.

Clara paused for a moment, looking up from her book; something had caught her eye. For just a moment, a new friend appeared, and then, just as suddenly, was gone.

Acrylics on canvas, 11x14. This took way too long to finish, and I obsessed over too many little details.

#acrylicpainting

And it has a terrific soundtrack!

Scenes from my Chaos Garden. I love this time of year! #seattlegarden

What a perfect day for it: my watercolor tribute to Animal Farm, “Napoleon’s Plan,” went home today with a young man who read the book with his grandfather, saw it at Fogue Gallery, and had to have it. I am so honored. 😌
#nokings #fourlegsgood #twolegsbad

A horizontal acrylic painting on a 6 x 12 wood panel. The artwork depicts two anthropomorphic cats sitting in a small wooden boat surrounded by oversized flowers. One cat leans slightly toward the other, their faces almost touching as if about to kiss. The scene feels romantic and whimsical, bathed in soft, pastel tones with intricate floral details. The overall atmosphere is dreamy and intimate.

“Before the Kiss”
Acrylic on 6 x 12 wood panel.

A gentle moment suspended in time…two lovers in a quiet moment just before connection, where hearts speak softly without words.

#AcrylicPainting

The Ai Weiwei exhibition at the Seattle Art Museum is fantastic. Photos don’t do it justice.

A cheerful me (middle aged woman with running bib and blue hat)

Alki beach on a nice day

Garmin watch showing “Fastest 5k - 30:31”

A perfect morning for a run. And what a run! For me this is fast; not “young person in great shape” fast but something I can be proud of. And I am! Had a great time at the West Seattle 5k.
#running #westseattle

Pale orange iris with purple veins

Purple iris with orange edges

Butter yellow iris

Purple and white iris

The irises were good again this year; here are my top four.

Aagh, that would make me so nervous.

Closeup of pale pink ruffled columbines

The colors of these columbines are just so calming. #garden

Well crap.

Me on a run: a goofy looking, sweaty, but happy 59-year-old woman.

Why do I run? At my age?
• Because I love cheese. And chocolate. And ice cream.
• Because it’s the one time I can get out of my head.
• Because I only have to compete against me.
• Because I want to stay strong as I age. Even if I look like a goofy old lady.
• Because of the calm afterwards.

A yellow peony flower in full bloom

A spider Azalea in bloom

A crowded garden scene

A cat smelling a flower

Everything’s blooming and it’s the best kind of distraction. I keep stepping outside “just to check on the garden” and end up standing there for ten minutes, staring at moss like it might tell me a secret. Softer air, brighter colors, and somehow everything smells good. Not a bad reset button.

(And so am I today. Ugh.)