I mentioned awhile back here at carolkroll.com that I learned the hard way about not putting varnish directly on one’s paper collage without adding a medium to it first. This is a slide of the piece that came out of that hard (ridiculous) lesson. I see I spared the back of the piece that fate. This was a cheap framed 1930’s illustration that I picked up at the thrift store and then added collage to it. I think I also mentioned how much of an idiot I felt when I did this because my 20 year old self should have known better, but it’s all about the journey now isn’t it.

A long time ago, in another life, I would go out in the world to fairs, rodeos, random horse shows here and there and bring my sketchbook to practice gesture drawing. I’d try to make myself invisible with all the people around (headphones really helped block things out) but being around the animals made it all worth it. I’d schedule a whole day off from work just taking in the sights and sounds of all the animals and glorious fair foods. I’d do it every year and really looked forward to it. Here are a few sketches from my 1995 trip to the Wisconsin State Fair. My sketchbooks were upstairs and flood free I’m happy to report. I’m waiting for the collective crazy in the world to die down a lot more before I entertain drawing in public any time soon.

As I mentioned previously, after today’s Freaky Friday offering, Freaky Fridays will be taking the summer off but return in October just in time for Halloween. I intend on keeping Music Mondays and Studio Closeups in their regular rotation throughout the summer because the truth is, it keeps me focused and inspired.

This past week I came across these Art Trading Cards (ACEOs) I did in 2008 and 2009 and it was thrilling to see them again in person. Especially when a lot of my work no longer exists physically. It was like seeing dear old friends! And then I got a hankering for starting up art cards again to sell so I’ve been working on that lately. Eventually you will be able to purchase things (art, art cards, other weirdness) directly here on my site, but while that’s all being hashed out, and at a later date, I will be selling the art cards on eBay (they sell better over there) and offering various sizes of other watercolor pieces from my Etsy store. These are my huge summer plans. That, and taking my small parrot Toby for walks in his spiffy new “made for crazy-assed bird people” backpack. He loves going places and I need to move more so why not! It's pure joy to watch Toby's face light up while he makes his crazy frog sounds of approval when I take him outside. I’m not a huge fan of summer, but having a pet whose natural habitat is the Amazon jungle changes things. I have found myself remembering a lot of things I used to enjoy about summer but forgot, thanks to him.

Another work from the past for today’s Studio Closeup. Real life sometimes gets in the way of making (and finishing) art but that’s just how it goes. I'm finally making my peace with it. This piece was my commentary on how perfect women were expected to be in the 1940s. That large black shape is a tree and its roots. The lady at the bottom is an example of what happens when you're perfect. It is Acrylic and, Collage on Canvas and, unfortunately, a flood casualty. I am so thankful the slides of my art were upstairs and still exist. Seriously. No idea. It’s so interesting to revisit these paintings. Like time traveling.

A tiny announcement, Freaky Fridays here will be taking the summer off. But don’t panic! They’ll start again in October just in time for haunted ghost season. Music Mondays Carolaoke and Studio Closeup Wednesdays will remain in place with an occasional day off here and there as needed. Sometimes you just have to unplug from the matrix. Thank you for stopping by today!

The lyrics for today’s tune say tarot cards to me and you cannot convince me otherwise. You can do a tarot card reading using a regular deck of cards, you just won’t have the Major Arcana cards available to you. But that’s ok! You have the entire deck of the Minor Arcana within a regular deck of cards.

Hearts = Cups
Clubs = Wands
Spades = Swords
Diamonds = Coins, Pentacles

Suzanne Vega also has an awesome tune about tarot cards - “Fool’s Complaint” which is a nod to the first Major Arcana card, The Fool. And then the Queen of Pentacles. The lyrics in that piece are super clever as always when we’re speaking of the amazing Suzanne Vega. I highly recommend it. In the meantime, please enjoy Carolaoke Scratch Track #38, Sting’s “Shape of My Heart” and thank you so much for stopping by today.