Portfolio work: a public domain book by Arthur Gray. Drink up! It’s tea time! Photography: Alicia Schwab with clipart.
Human activity can trigger earthquakes, such as when industries use fracking to extract oil and gas from the ground. The movement of magma under a fault can also trigger an earthquake.
STEM/STEAM: Other triggers for earthquakes
Jam Book: Three
Portfolio work: A cookbook from the public domain by Maria Parloa.
STEM/STEAM: Ring Ring! Earth is Calling
Did you know, earthquakes can make sound!
Q: On Valentine’s Day what did the Volcano say to the Tectonic Plate?
A: “I lava you.”
Jam Book: Two
Portfolio work: Jam cookbook from the public domain.
Jam Book: One
Well, a lot has changed since this book was published 100 years ago. There’s a plethora of DIY information on how to start canning on the internet.
Bee Book: All Together
Portfolio work: This is a public domain book written by D. B. Casteel.
STEM/STEAM: It's All Our Fault(s)
Q: What do cows make during an earthquake?
A: Milkshake!
Bee Book: Seven
When viewed from the side, it is clear why it is called honeyCOMB!
Check out this young bee activist, Scarlet Harper of Winnetka, Illinois.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/save-the-bees-campaign-scarlett-harper/
Last week, a hungry Hummingbird was trying to get the last of the nectar from my Bergamot/Bee Balm flowers. All my flowers are drying up early this year due to the drought. I installed a hummingbird feeder that lights up at night like an all-night nectar diner.
STEM/STEAM: Earthquake Book
I feel for the people of Haiti. They were recently hit again by a major earthquake and are suffering. To better understand the situation, I illustrated, designed, and heavily edited an earthquake book from a public domain book to make it an up-to-date STEM / STEAM middle grade book for kids.
IN ONE DAY
On August 25, 2021, the Hawaii Volcano Observatory reported 140 small earthquakes (1 to 3.3). Fortunately, no-one was hurt. But it may indicate that Mount Kilauea will start erupting soon.
THE CARIBBEAN PLATE PUSHES EASTWARD
But earlier on August 14th, 2021 a major earthquake (7.2) struck Haiti. The small country lies on the western end of the island of Hispaniola. Haiti was devastated by an earthquake in 2010 (7.0) from which it still hasn’t fully recovered.
There are two faults in this region of the Caribbean, one is “dominantly strike-slip and the other is a small component of subduction plate.” This strike-slip fault is extra destructive because as the two plates slip past each other they get stuck. However the Caribbean fault continues to push east while the tension increases until it breaks free, (like when you snap your fingers). The people in Haiti are starving and desperate for aid. There’s lots of ways to help. Google “how to help people in Haiti” for suggestions. Educate yourself. It’s always good to learn something new.
Echinacea from my garden. For some reason, my dog likes to munch on Echinacea. She’s a weirdo. LOL
Bee Book: Six
List of Pollinator Friendly Plants for your yard
Pick the right plants to attract native pollinators. By planting native plants in your area, you will attract native bees, honey bees, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds. (Source)
The honeybees are working hard to collect nectar from the Echinacea in my garden. The native plants in my yard are drought tolerant.
It’s been a rough summer in Minnesota for bees. Like most of the United States, we have also been experiencing a very long drought and at least a dozen forest fires in northern Minnesota.
Bee Book: Five
4000 native bee species in north America
1/4 species at risk of extinction
1/3 of your food is pollinated by bees.
Bees pollinate $15 billion worth of crops every year. (source)
Maps source: https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?MN
Bee Book: Four
Portfolio work: bee anatomy and leg work.
Shake a leg! The honeybee takes a short break and uses its hind legs to clean itself on a Cutleaf Cone Flower in my garden.
Bee Book: Three
Busy as a bee. There are 20,000 species of bees and wasps. That’s a lot! But only eleven of those species produce and store honey.
Bees dance to show the others where to find nectar.
Bee Book: Two
Bee Book: One
Here is a new design for my portfolio. The book is from the public domain.
Final post for this image. I removed the chair and added lighting, shadow and a hotter fire. Who’s that visitor? Stay tuned.
Cinderella Final Art-Three
I switched out the fireplace and wall behind Cinderella. I painted a quick chair. But I don’t like the chair.
Cinderella Final Art-Two
Top: I made a quick scan to see how the line art is overlaying the acrylic paint. I’m doing the line art as a separate (editable) layer so I can change stuff, as needed. This is the “ugly step-sister” phase. Literally.
Bottom: I tried out a chair. And I’m also second guessing my choice in fireplaces. What is the status of this family? Do they live in a one room cottage with that kind of wallpaper and curtains? I should make the fireplace look more like a parlor. Cinderella can cook in the kitchen, another time.
Cinderella Final Art-One
Meanwhile, I get the line art finalized and start on final color.