nine cool things on a tuesday

November 4, 2025November 1, 2025 ~ jama ~ 8 Comments

“Fear not November’s challenge bold. We’ve books and friends, and hearths that never can grow cold. These make amends.” — Alexander L. Fraser

1. Hello, November! We need a nice big bowl of homemade soup to warm us up. Do you think our badger friend will share some of his? I definitely think so. 🙂

When all feels chaotic and unsettling, escape to the English countryside with Emily Duffin’s charming watercolors. Based in Northamptonshire, England, Emily enjoys depicting the everyday lives of animals. Since she grew up on a small farm and currently lives in a village that has Shetland ponies (and a donkey!), it’s no surprise she’s endlessly inspired by the wildlife in her area.

After graduating with a Fine Arts degree from Northampton University, Emily worked as an estate agent for about a decade. She then met her husband who encouraged her to start drawing again. They moved into a beautiful old cottage with apple trees in the garden and a family of bunnies under the hedge — quite an idyllic setting for creative work.

They had a daughter, Molly, commissions were starting to come in, and she even received an invitation to illustrate a book. But after tragedy struck with the death of her partner, Emily’s life was upended for about a year.

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Joni Mitchell: ultimate blue

October 25, 2024November 6, 2024 ~ jama ~ 32 Comments

“I sing my sorrow, and I paint my joy.” ~ Joni Mitchell

*Joni Mitchell photographed in the Nevada desert by Henry Diltz (1978).*

It’s no surprise that the ultimate “blue” song comes from a musician who’s also a painter.

Joni Mitchell has said that she applies the principles of painting to her songwriting. One of her old art teachers once told her, “If you can paint with a brush, you can paint with words.” In “Blue,” the title track from her iconic 1971 album, she sings the color of her heart — a plaintive love song and “somber lullaby” of haunting beauty.

Mitchell is one of the few singer-songwriters whose lyrics read like poetry. She’s largely inspired by personal memories, relating her stories through vivid imagery, striking metaphors, judicious use of rhyme and inventive turns of phrase. “Blue” is achingly honest; there is insecurity and resignation, but also optimism.

*“Portrait of James Taylor” by Joni Mitchell (Christmas 1970).*

BLUE
by Joni Mitchell

Blue songs are like tattoos
You know I've been to sea before
Crown and anchor me
Or let me sail away
Hey Blue, here is a song for you
Ink on a pin
Underneath the skin
An empty space to fill in
Well there're so many sinking now
You've got to keep thinking
You can make it thru these waves
Acid, booze, and ass
Needles, guns, and grass
Lots of laughs lots of laughs
Everybody's saying that hell's the hippest way to go
Well I don't think so
But I'm gonna take a look around it though
Blue I love you

Blue here is a shell for you
Inside you'll hear a sigh
A foggy lullaby
There is your song from me

~ copyright © 1971 Joni Mitchell Music, Inc. (BMI)

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nine cool things on a tuesday

June 4, 2024August 22, 2025 ~ jama ~ 7 Comments

1. Happy June! Are you ready for the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer? In her charming watercolors, Louisiana artist Amariah Rauscher captures the magic of childhood play. Remember those long summer days when you had the leisure to daydream, look for fairies in the forest, befriend dragons or catch a falling star?

I was first drawn to Amariah’s treehouse pictures, delighted by the prospect of visiting a bakery, candy store, greenhouse, or ice cream shop perched high atop the branches. Of course there are lots of adorable animal friends to keep you company and share in the fun.

Amariah is the illustrator of the Princess Truly book series written by Kelly Greenawalt and published by Scholastic. She has a Masters in Communication but prefers spending her time painting pictures. She also enjoys reading, watching cartoons, playing board and video games and spending time with her two daughters. A peanut butter and jelly fan, she can attest to the joys of wearing slippery socks in order to slide into every room of her house.

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nine cool things on a tuesday

December 5, 2023August 22, 2025 ~ jama ~ 7 Comments

1. Ho Ho Ho! Or maybe we should say Ruff Ruff? In any case, Happy December, the month of merry making, gift giving, egg nogging, and tree trimming.

These adorable canine friends were created by UK artist Louise Rawlings. Couldn’t resist the furry faces, cute poses, and happy feelings they generate. Love me some wintry whiskers!

Louise (b. 1969) currently lives and works in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, and graduated from De Montfort University in Leicester with a degree in illustration and surface decoration. She’s had a long and varied career as an illustrator, working in areas such as giftware, stationery, ceramics, fine art, and book illustration. Her artwork can be found in galleries across the UK, and she works for publishers worldwide, primarily selling greeting cards.

Though she paints in watercolor, her real love is working in a naïve mixed media style in her favorite medium, acrylic. She’s inspired by the views captured while on long walks with her two dogs in a nearby park and by domestic holiday spots, especially the British coastline.

Louise’s original paintings may be purchased via her Official Website and Etsy Shop. Greeting cards are available online at Dry Red Press, Calypso Cards, and the Blank Card Company. Keep up with her latest news at Facebook and Instagram.

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nine cool things on a tuesday

November 7, 2023August 22, 2025 ~ jama ~ 13 Comments

1. Happy November! Though it’s past peak color in most places, we’re still celebrating the beauty of autumn with more art by London based artist Laivi Poder. Who says November has to be bleak?

Last time we featured her wintry scenes, and now we’re all about the golds, russets, reds, browns, magentas. Originally from Estonia, Laivi enjoys creating dreamy and peaceful atmospheres and derives most of her inspiration by visiting nearby and distant woodlands, forests, meadows, lakes, botanical gardens and parks.

She uses a lot of stamp brushes in her work, all of which are created from hand drawn images. After painting backgrounds in watercolor, she uses Procreate to add details digitally.