The Imitation of Ruby

You know that The Colonel and I are Historical Voyagers. That is the name we go by when we assist with the county's historical services programs. We even have the T-shirts to prove it.

Back in mid November of last year (now you know how far behind I am in my blogging), The Colonel and I helped with the county program entitled: Archives Art Lessons. It is a free program to the public (although reservations are required) and it starts with a presentation on an artist and their collection which is housed in the Charlotte County Archives. Then participants will create their own artwork in a similar style with guided instruction. All art supplies are provided.

Our job as Historical Voyagers for this program is to get all of the art supplies in order and pass them out to the participants. We put dabs of paint on a paper plate or palette and hand them out along with canvas boards, brushes, paper towel and a cup of water for rinsing brushes.

Usually there are enough supplies left that the Voyagers can participate in the program too if they would like.

The artist covered in this program was Ruby C. Williams. I was intrigued by her artwork, so I did participate in the painting process along with the program participants.

Ruby C. Williams grew up in Bealsville, Florida. It was a community that was formed by freed slaves in the 1860's.

Image from the Internet

She ran a produce stand alongside State Road 60 and to get the attention of passersby, she painted brightly colored signs.

One day a gentleman noticed her colorful signs for her fruits and vegetables. He and others coaxed Ruby, a spiritual businesswoman, minister and grandmother to pursue her painting. It has led her into classrooms, galleries and museums in Florida, as well as nationally.

 Image from the Internet

Ruby has illustrated a children's book entitled, I Am Ruby. She was honored with a Florida Folk Life Award and was included in the show, "On Their Own - Selected Self-taught Artists" at the Smithsonian Anacostia Museum in Washington D.C.

You can see more of Ruby's artwork on line. Her painting of a watermelon was my inspiration to paint in her style. Ruby often paints sayings and dots on her artwork.

Here is my take on Ruby C. Williams' Florida Folk Art style...

One of the participants saw my finished painting, read the words and began to guffaw...exactly the reaction to the double entendre I was going for.

Old Dog, New Tricks

Yam has learned how to knit and she tried to show me how to a while back. For Christmas, I asked Yam for the same knitting kit she learned on. She got me the Mini Scarf D.I.Y. Kit from Loopy Mango. The kit was for the absolute beginner and according to the box, 1-8 years old and one hour to complete. Now the pressure was on for me to succeed.

The wool was 100%, #5, Merino Wool and there was 37 yards of it. The kit came with 15mm knitting needles. The instruction card within the box said to "cast on" 5 stitches. I watched a video lesson on how to cast on and how to begin knitting.

I cast on, began knitting, and restarted a few times before setting aside my needles and yarn to wait for Yam to come over on New Year's Eve to give me a lesson in person. She set me straight right away.

After dinner, we chatted and watched some television before Yam began my lesson. Once I got the hang of it, I knitted away as Yam, The Colonel and I waited for the new year to arrive (they continued to watch television...I had to keep my eyes on my work).

I did not get my scarf done before the ball dropped in Time's Square. I finished it the next evening after dinner. Yam said I could tell everyone that it took me 2 years to finish my scarf...which I guess is technically correct (one-hour completion time my arse).

Once I neared the end of my mini scarf, it was time to watch another video online. I had to learn how to cast off my scarf from the needles. Yam sent me a link to a video that showed me how to cast off. I watched it and I think I kind of did it correctly...at least my scarf is complete and off the needles. The ends of my scarf may look a bit rough and unorthodox though.

I enjoyed knitting my mini scarf. I am looking forward to doing more knitting. Thanks again for my Christmas gift Yam!

Happy New Year!