Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Veenie Baby stuff

Above: the twins wanted me to judge their big coloring contest, but I was so delighted and amazed and enthusiastic over both entries, -- I couldn't possibly make up my mind.

Then I thought, "Hey, my blog buddies are a perceptive and decisive bunch -- surely they'll have the courage to decide which of my daughters should be proud and excited, and which should run to her bed and hide under her covers and cry." --- Incidentally, my girly girls love when I blog about them, so they'll most likely be reading any responses posted here.

Below: The Cat-Eater learns a marketable skill for a change. (Because despite what they say, playing video games does NOT give you a real world advantage by improving hand-eye coordination. -- I know this because I used to put it on my resume. And. . . yeah. . .)

One last one. A "bonus video" if you will:

23 comments:

Anita said...

They are sooo cute! But you already know that, right?!

Keri Mikulski said...

Too cute.

I vote for a tie.. One is almost completely colored and the other is very creative and definitely outside the box with the design.. :) Love them both. :)

Paul Michael Murphy said...

I vote for the first one, although I like them both. The use of the green crayon pushes #1 over the edge. I like how the leaves are a darker green than the grass in the background even though it appears to be the same crayon.

Mary O. Paddock said...

It's terrific that your son is learning about the workings of cars. Video games are great, but they aren't much help when you're stranded by a road with just a tool box and the ever so mysterious question "What's that funny rattling sound?"

As for the question at hand, there is no picking one picture over the other here and it has nothing to do with not wanting to hurt anyone's feelings.

Different things were important to each of these artists. One decided that accurate detail was important and one was all about experimenting and expression. I could only hope to grow carrots that beautiful in my own garden and I'd love to have the spotted dog house in my own backyard (really).

If I were handing out ribbons at a 4-H art show both of these girls would get blues because of the sheer amount of effort and thought they both clearly put into their work.

Way to go Veenie Babies!

Kelly Polark said...

You can't possibly think we could pick one over the other, could you?! I love bunnies AND doggies! The flowers and carrots are so beautifully colored and the polka dotted doghouse is perfect for that chihauhua!
Cute vids, too!

K. M. Walton said...

Cute stuff. And, for color contest judging:
- the one with the polka dot house strikes me as a creative thinker - an 'out of the box' sort of vibe. That takes 1st place for me.

HOWEVER, the color choice and magnificent job of staying in the lines with the other entry also screams, "I care about my art!" And that deserves an honorable mention.

p.s. YOU WON 1st PLACE for my contest. Check your email, silly.

Anonymous said...

Coloring contest #1 is exceptionally pleasing to the eye. The colors are absolutely delightful, and I would hire this person to do all of the decorating in my living room, where first impressions are important.

Contest entry #2 impressed me with the polka dot doghouse, bi-colored bulldog, and the bulldog's eyes. This artist will be editing a bizarro magazine in the near future, and I'll submit my work there.

Yes, share your unconventional querying ideas! I feel rather like I'm pimping myself out, and here in Vegas, you don't want to say that kind of thing too loudly. Feel free to chat with me in the comments or shoot me an email at mercedesyardley(at)gmail(dot)com. Cuz I'm all creative like that. :P

-Mercedes

colbymarshall said...

I think they're both great, but if I had to choose, I'd pick the first one, just because it's the wabbits! ;-)

VeeFlower said...

I think your readers are very perceptive in their comments...I agree with most of what all of them said about how the pictures are colored. Because I know the 2 personalities of the artists, and I appreciate and value their different techniques, I think it would be impossible to pick one over the other. I'd rather be struck blind than see one of them cry, anyway.

Ray Veen said...

You people are awesome, have I told you that lately?

Brooke and Paige are loving your kind, well thought-out answers.

HUBBYMAN said...

I AGREE WITH VEE! SINCE I ALMOST FLUNKED KINDERGARDEN FOR NOT STAYING WITHIN THE LINES WHEN I COLORED (EARLY-MID '60S), I LIKE THEIR ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONS AND AM VAGUELY JEALOUS OF THEIR WONDERFUL ABILITIES (I CAN BARELY DRAW A STRAIGHT LINE WITH A STRAIGHT EDGE) (BG).

Angela Ackerman said...

these are awesome. I say you give out two prizes--one for Enhanced Realism (first one) and one for Creative Imagery (second one).

Jim C said...

I was voting for #3, until I realized it was the slide show of your wife, dagnabit. Anyway, the polka dots were the decider, but the carrots kept it close

Serena Woods said...

I compeletly missed this! but I love it. :)

Debra Lynn Shelton said...

I vote for #1. And for #2. They're both brilliant, not that that's much of a surprise given their creative genes. Brooke and Paige - keep doing what you love in life. That is and will always be the key to happiness.

Oh, and don't forget to give your dad a big kiss. Then you can ask him for new clothes or toys or whatever you want and he won't be able to say, "no". (You're welcome.)

Ray Veen said...

Fritz -- I didn't want to tell you this, but the twins make fun of your coloring behind your back. (JK)

Angela -- Hmmm... the perfect solution? Think I'll give that a try.

Dr. C -- Cindy will be flattered that she got a vote. (Because I know it's you, I can't call you 'Jim' -- the Army ruined me for disregarding titles.)

Serena -- Strangely, the contest missed you too. Shall I have the next round forwarded to your inbox?

Debra -- I know you meant to be funny, but guess happened when Paige and I read your comment together... she turned her litle head up to me -- I knew she was gonna do it -- and gave me a big kiss on the cheek.

Then she asked if she could have new clothes and toys.

Anonymous said...

I pick that one... (can't you see where I'm pointing?)

Debra Lynn Shelton said...

Way to go Paige! Way to take the coaching, girlfriend!;-)

Madison said...

Both pieces of art are #1 in my book! Great job, girls! :D

shortensweet said...

I can't pick! Just do bubble gum bubble gum in a dish, how many peices do you pick....

Tracey said...

You know as a mommy I couldn't possibly pick one over the other (that would be against the mommy creed) - they are both special in their own way!

Ray Veen said...

Blackbird -- No, that's my profile picture - not part of the contest.

Debra -- Yeah, I read her the follow up comment there, and Paige is crazy about you now.

Madison -- Thank-you, Madison. Prints are available for in 8X10, and 10X14.

Shorty -- Good idea, only, 'dish' doesn't rhyme with 'pick'. I'll give you another chance to get the right word, but if you get it wrong again, I'll be forced to take away your jump-rope.

Tracey -- I understand. Apparently the 'Mommy Creed' shares some language similarities with the 'Daddy Creed'.

shortensweet said...

Oh RIGHT - it's WISH! Crap..see what happens when you don't have kids...

Now give me back my jump rope