Owlrageously Wise
10.5"x14.5"
mixed media on an old cupboard door
The theme this week at Inspiration Avenue is "owls" and I couldn't resist!
And* since it wouldn't be a Sunday without a sketch (or a visit to Sophia's blog)...
(The sketch that started it all.)
* And now for something completely unrelated to owls...
Since I've started sharing my writing publicly on this blog, I've noticed that I often have my high school English teacher's voice in my head. I have been plagued by the thought that every time I start my sentence with and or but the grammar police are going to show up at my door. This morning I decided that enough was enough and I looked it up. Imagine my delight at the following discovery:
"Contrary to what your high school English teacher told you, there's no reason not to begin a sentence with but or and; in fact, these words often make a sentence more forceful and graceful. They are almost always better than beginning with however or additionally. Beginning with but or and does make your writing less formal; — but worse things could happen to most writing than becoming less formal."
-Lynch Guide to Grammar and Style
-Lynch Guide to Grammar and Style
Wishing you an Owlrageously fun Sunday!
OMG Kristin!! I always started sentences with "And" and heard the same voice in my head! lol but then I realized that I use it alot because it feels more like how I would talk. I so agree with that quote!
ReplyDeleteAnd I LOVE your owl!! The sketch is great and the painting even better! Very cool!! :)
Oh, the wise owl! I´ve been looking for a "personal" image of an owl, one I could relate to and this is the most absolutely gorgeous owl I´ve ever seen. And that moon in the blue night sky is the perfect background (yes, I started a sentence with "and" ;) )
ReplyDeletelove those eye glasses, really accentuate his beautiful green eyes! AND that's quite a neat grammar discovery Kristin!
ReplyDeleteAwesome Owls! Well done and so creative!
ReplyDeletethanks, namaste, Carol (Share the Creative Journey) linked with Sunday Sketches ^_^
And here is another lovely painting that I wish I'd thought of doing. But doing any birds or animals in a painting or sketch is hard for me. So happy that they're not hard for you.
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT! The glasses are a perfect touch! Bravo...OWLSOME and OWL-trageously 5 HOOTS and Hollars! :) And one more thing...ok, had to go there! SMILES! POP ART MINIS
ReplyDeleteYay to modern grammar!!
ReplyDeleteThat is one smart looking owl (in every grammatical sense!)
First of all, that owl is awesome! That and the beautiful night sky in the background is just mesmerizing. I would love to see a print of this in your etsy shop.
ReplyDeleteI fight with myself all the time about using "and" or "but" at the beginning of a sentence when I blog. Thank you so much for sharing that little tidbit, now I can relax a little more. :)
This owl is amazing. I love the sketch as much as the finished piece. That background is perfect for the wise owl. Those glasses really made me appreciate your owl so much more, too.
ReplyDeleteSince I also have a tendency to use the word "and" at the beginning of a sentence, I try to go back and edit it out. However, it often sneaks in. Thanks for the tidbit of wisdom. I actually think it goes well with your wise owl.
I love him!!!!
ReplyDeletesuch a great drawing and idea!!!
The owl is wonderful.....so wise (as is fitting for an owl!) Love that we can begin with But or and since I do it all the time. I also have a habit of adding "..." as you can see above! Now if only I could find a rule that would allow me to end a sentence with a prepostion! Just did a quick google search and found that this rule too may be bogus! http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/ending-prepositions.aspx
ReplyDeleteLove that owl. Thanks for the English update... very handy to know.
ReplyDeleteyour owl is awesome and the background really makes it pop!
ReplyDeleteoh, this is so clever! Love his 'horns' and green eyes.
ReplyDeleteLOL, I knew he'd be wonderful but the glasses were a surprise! He's so unique!. I start sentences with "but" all the time and I always remember that I was taught not to but then do it anyway. Otherwise. I'd get some really loooong sentences!
ReplyDeleteYour owl is amazing--very wise-looking and an awesome background! And, that's for the updated grammar lesson!
ReplyDeleteHi Krisin, I love your wise ol' owl! Thanks for your sweet comment over at my blog! Have a lovely Sunday!
ReplyDeleteHe is a hoot! :) Love the glasses. And I use and and but to begin my sentences a lot. :)
ReplyDeleteJust love the glasses :).
ReplyDeleteStay inspired!
Michelle
wow - Kristin, I love this - there is so much texture here - i really like how you did that...the owl looks real! LOVE the glasses too...and its on an old door? I love that!!!! i think he's my new fave! xo
ReplyDeletereally beautiful owl krisitin. provides much needed inspiration. thank you!
ReplyDeletehow Owlrageously AMAZING is this :) You are the Queen painter of puns and never fail to bring a smile with your wonderful quirky sense of humour....tickles my funny bone everytime as well as awes me with your talent xx
ReplyDelete:)
ReplyDeletei have an outrageous headache but i wanted to stalk over and tell you that i joined jane's class specifically because you spoke highly of it.
xx
a
Owl be derned!!:) What a beautiful owl and with glasses to. great job Kristin. Awl luv im.
ReplyDeleteOwl, Owl, who's got the Owl! Today I'm acting crazy.:)) You have talent owl say.
And I always thought my English (as a second language) was bad. But you proofed me wrong!!
ReplyDeleteJust like a wise owl you are!
Your owl is quite the gut - those glasses are his way of making a fashion statement I guess.
Love this post, both for the awesome artwork and the grammar quote. And another thing......... Nothing. I just wanted to start a sentence with 'and'. Lol
ReplyDeleteKyles :D
Kristin, Wow, I love the finished piece. Beautiful. A short-sighted owl :)
ReplyDeleteEvelyn
Looks like a stern librarian :) Absolutely lovely. Thank you for sharing your process with us. So, that's how you managed such amazing symmetry :) :)
ReplyDeletehaha... I hear the same voice in my head. I also wonder if they are coming after me for typing so many ha ha's and smiley faces!
ReplyDeleteThe owl turned out just wonderfully!
xx Jaime
What a wise owl he is :) love the background. When you get to writing it gets even more complicated dealing with what is allowed in America vs that in the UK, and don't mention commas, they are pesky little devils :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a hoot! I love Gloria's " owl be derned " I bet I'll be using that at work now, ha! Excellent painting Kristin! Deb
ReplyDeleteGreat owl great glasses - so wise! love your diatribe on grammar - totally agree!
ReplyDeleteYou never disappoint! I love his glasses...so much better than the John Lennon spectacles owls usually wear! ♥
ReplyDeleteI love this, Kristin! And you know what? (sentence started with and) I WAS a high school English teacher and I LOVE to start sentences with 'and' and 'but.' I love it too much, in fact. I usually go back to edit out HALF of my sentences started with 'and' and 'but' in my blog posts! HA! :)
ReplyDelete