My seasons are spent completely opposite. Winter is when I am mostly outside gathering ideas and I spend almost all of my summer days inside, working. Along with another set of Simple365 b&w photos of my everyday life, today I am sharing a few in-process photos of this book I made as my husband’s birthday present. Included is the photo of the redwoods that inspired it. I have another Outside the Lines art supply review of my favorite brush pen for you today as well.
Simple 365 – Set 14
Here is another set of Simple365 photos from a year of everyday black and white photos. We had rolled into the first few days of October by this time. Naturally, I started taking October-themed photos.
Please Click on the image thumbnails to see the photos.
I created a page with all the previously shared photos from Simple365. That way I can relive my journey through the year via black and white photos, like in an old photo album.
We made one special trip to Los Angeles to bring our kitties home. The haze of the California desert at Hwy 395!
Tavish, the orange one, Pemberley in the middle, and Merwyn at the front – the merry band of the Ink Torrents Atelier staff!
The colored photo of the winter forest painting that appears in b&w in the Simple365 set. As I mentioned in the previous post, I enjoy working on monochromatic watercolor paintings.
On the last post, I shared process photos of tiny little books and travel inspired paintings. If you missed that post, you can read it here.
I am really happy to share that the last post and other recent posts were featured on these link-ups.
Thank you so much ladies!!
Outside the Lines – Art Supple Review
Kuretake No 8 Fountain Brush Pen
Brush pens are mostly used for calligraphy, but I use them for drawing too. The variable line width that can be created with a brush pen makes it very versatile. On my search for a brush pen that is refillable, I came across the Kuretake N0. 8 fountain brush pen.
To get a feel for the pen, I filled it with permanent fountain pen ink and scribbled a few coffee cups with it. The coffee-addict me approves.
This pen uses cartridges. I like using my own ink. Kuretake does not make a fountain pen converter, but a Platinum Fountain Pen Converter can be used with this pen. It’s the middle piece in this photo; it holds ink for fountain pens and can be filled with any ink of your choice.
Since the pen does not have the capillary action of a fountain pen, I fill the converter by dipping it into an ink bottle directly. Since I use permanent, non-water-soluble ink, I always fill the pen half way. Permanent ink left in a pen can clog it up pretty badly. By filling it halfway, I can use up the ink before that happens. Every now and then, I clean up the pen thoroughly with water between uses.
Once the converter is filled and attached to the pen, I push the ink to the brush tip by turning the screw of the converter gently until I see ink tinting the brush tip. Once that happens, I prime the tip by drawing lines until I get a set of smooth lines starting from thin to thick. Then I know it is ready for use.
I created lines of varying thickness for the trees and then used the same pen for shading. Once I finished drawing the picture, I used watercolor for the background. I kept it super simple by using just two colors.
I really love this pen. It is one of my staples for not only drawing in journals, but for writing too! If you do calligraphy, I highly recommend it for that as well.
Here is a very quick painting I did of the Girl and Her Cat standing at the edge of a forest. It’s a misty day and they love playing in the forest with leaves and butterflies on such days.
A Book from the Time in the Forest
We love visiting the redwood trees in the north of California during the winter months. This is a very narrow and twisty road at Redwood National Park. We drive up there during the early evening hours and stay until the darkness completely envelopes us. The looming darkness makes these towering trees look even taller. Perfect for story time! Sometimes we listen to audiobooks; sometimes we read sitting in the car.
For a book for my husband’s birthday present, and I drew this tiny, tiny picture with our car on that road.
After that I started working on the book itself. Book cloths are paper lined so the glue does not seep into the cloth. I made the book cloth for this book myself using cotton quilting fabric that I had at hand. I left an inset in the cover for the picture. I also added little matching black and silver bands at each end of the book aligned with the spine. Finally I affixed the picture on the cover inside the inset.
I wanted to make something for him with our shared times in mind. The drawing and the book felt right. I should mention that I finished the book way after his birthday. He was surprised, and very happy too. That made my day! Since then, I get requests every now and then to make books for his notes and I am happy to oblige.
While I am looking forward to being outside again, I am using this time to work and spend time with the kitties in my atelier. I hope your summer days are going well.
Until next time,
-Soma
I am linking up with the linky parties on my Links page. Please pay a visit to some of them.
49 thoughts on “Opposite Seasons”
Steph@Crazylittlelovebirds September 4, 2025 at 19:01
That quick drawing you made of the little girl and her cat in the forest was adorable. I am so happy you shared your post with us at The Crazy Little Lovebirds link party. I’ve been enjoying visiting your blog. :)
Jayne @ Sticky Mud and Belly Laughs August 31, 2025 at 09:59
Aw, what beautiful kitties! They are adorable.
I love the book you made for your husband, and especially the redwood sketch. Redwood trees are so majestic.
I think you are the only person I know who can doodle a coffee cup and make it look like an amazing piece of art! So talented, Soma. xxx
Mary August 30, 2025 at 15:33
I know you are looking forward to those winter months. Your kitties are beautiful and look so content sharing that upper perch. K’s book is beautiful. Your attention to every detail is such a labor of love and, I’m sure, genuinely cherished. Your description of the ink cartridge stirred up memories of grammar school when we had to use pens with ink cartridges. They could be so messy in the classroom.
RachelSwirl August 30, 2025 at 13:25
My gosh you have such talent – thank you so much for sharing and for participating in #MySundaySnapshot.
Nikki - Notes of Life August 30, 2025 at 13:02
Such beautiful kitties and artwork! There’s just something about black & white photography, I love it.
Sarah MumofThree World August 29, 2025 at 23:05
Your cats are so beautiful! What a beautiful and thoughtful present for your husband too. I love that you’ve included your car in the picture.
Min @ Write of the Middle August 29, 2025 at 14:36
Hi Soma, I love your collection of black and white photos. And again am impressed with your book making and this time the beautiful picture depicting your visits to the redwood forest with your husband. That forest looks divine and I love your drawing of it, and including your car! I think that’s such a lovely gift. Love the look of that brush pen too. I’ve noted the name of it down. Thank you for sharing with us at #WWWhimsy xo
The Joyful Quilter August 29, 2025 at 13:35
What a wonderful gift, Soma! You make the most beautiful books. Thank you for the pen review and a look at your latest 365 photo collection!
Kirstin August 29, 2025 at 05:59
I always love your posts. So beautiful!!!
Lydia C. Lee August 27, 2025 at 14:47
I love the B&W lego pics – and the coffee’s are sweet. :Lovely #WWWhimsy
Comedy Plus August 27, 2025 at 06:56
Love the kitties in the window the very best. Adorable babies you have.
Thank you for joining the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop.
Have a fabulous Wordless Wednesday and rest of the week. Scritches to the kitties. ♥
Jennifer Jones August 26, 2025 at 20:53
Beautiful photos. There’s something about black and white photos. I love them.
Jim, Sydney, Australia August 26, 2025 at 17:00
Cool
Natalie August 26, 2025 at 15:57
Soma, I’m back to say beautiful art works and thank you for linking up with #WWWhimsy.
Chrissy August 26, 2025 at 15:49
You do such a lovely art! How beautiful. The Redwoods is one of my dream places to visit. Maybe one day!
handmade by amalia August 25, 2025 at 21:11
So much inspiration! I love the coffee cup drawings and winter. I adore winter.
Amalia
xo
image-in-ing August 25, 2025 at 08:35
You make art look so simple and natural and easy.
For me, at least, it ain’t. You have quite a gift.
Beautiful works of art! Thanks for sharing at
Carol August 25, 2025 at 05:36
I always enjoy your art and look forward to visiting each week for something new. The kitties are so cute! #MMBC
Anne Sweet August 25, 2025 at 05:26
I do love black and white photos. I used to be more of an outdoor in winter person, I don’t think it’s strange. I love the little book you made for your husband, I bet it’s really special for you both.
Lisa | Handmade in Israel August 24, 2025 at 23:15
Such beautiful kitties, and of course your brush pen art is stunning too!
Janine @ rainbow Hare August 24, 2025 at 13:08
Your kitties are beautiful and I love your husband’s present. Your artwork is wonderful and I enjoyed learning about the brush pen. I have only tried children’s felt tip brush pens and I would need a lot of practice to control them properly!
Kathleen Howell August 24, 2025 at 08:27
Your work is beautiful! And I love your kittens names!!
Yogi August 23, 2025 at 13:37
This post just blows me away. You are so creative and obviously have a vision and you also have the technical skill and knowledge to put your vision into reality. What a gift you made your husband. The handcrafted gifts are the best.
A woman I used to work with found out that I been keeping a diary since I was 16. Sometime later she gifted me a diary she made herself. It was like wow, I was overwhelmed. She made it herself. I filled it up and still have it. We lost touch.
janet trieschman August 23, 2025 at 10:27
I’d love to have you share
Maria August 23, 2025 at 09:51
Your art is lovely. I can see that nature is your greatest inspiration. The redwoods and my friends is what I miss the most about California.
Lavender Dreams August 23, 2025 at 07:35
We have to spend more time inside during the summer months because of the heat. But I love all of you nature art! You are so talented!
Amy Johnson August 23, 2025 at 04:27
You do live the opposite life of most people! Although, I am learning to get out and enjoy winter more. I love your kitties. They are so beautiful. Gorgeous artwork as always.
Eileen August 23, 2025 at 01:52
Hello Soma,
I do love your art work. You made a lovely gift for your husband.
The Redwoods are one of my favorite places, beautiful trees.
Cute photo of the kitties, they are adorable.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a wonderful weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
Debbie August 22, 2025 at 19:24
i am so happy to be following you, your art always inspires me. your art is exceptionally creative and unique. your kittens are adorable!! as much as i love being outdoors, i enjoy being indoors working on crafting!!
Natalie August 22, 2025 at 18:33
What a beautiful and thoughtful gift for your husband. Clever use of the Kuretake No. 8 fountain brush pen. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.
tomthebackroadstraveller August 22, 2025 at 15:55
…Soma, I like how the truck pops on the desert highway.
Melissa August 22, 2025 at 14:45
Hi Soma! First, please tell your kitties pspspsps for me! They are so lovely! Second, your photographic eye and artistic talent never cease to amaze me! I am so inspired by your arts and am so glad to have found your little corner of the internet through Natalie :-) I hope your weekend is a lovely one!
Christine August 22, 2025 at 12:39
Lovely
mireille August 22, 2025 at 09:53
Beautiful art work! I am always in awe for creative people. I still have one of my ink pen that we learned to write with in France, it is in a drawer somewhere!
Dixie August 22, 2025 at 07:22
Beautiful art and stunning photos; I especially love
the redwood drawing and photo. A wonderful book for your husband too!
Your kitties are darlings! They look so inquisitive.
Gillena Cox. August 22, 2025 at 06:31
Wonderful art and photos, Soma
Thank you for linking to AFFF
MUCH♡LOVE
Kim Carberry August 22, 2025 at 05:59
That book is beautiful, what a lovely gift for your husband.
Your photos are stunning as always!
Erika N August 22, 2025 at 04:44
Black and White photos are always much more dramatic than color. The one looking down on the highway is stunning. And I’ve been to the redwoods, and I love how you sit there as it gets dark and read or listen to a book. I can just imagine that. Those trees are just amazing. Have a wonderful week and stay cool inside. hugs-Erika
Debra She Who Seeks August 21, 2025 at 14:16
Everything is beautiful as always and your kittens are adorable!
an artist reflects August 21, 2025 at 14:04
Precious kitties and fantastic art work ~ love it all ~ hugs,
Linda August 21, 2025 at 13:50
Very beautiful and creative art! Your cats are absolutely adorable! I am a true cat lover, I suppose my blog posts show this.
I smiled when you referred to your cats as staff. “Dogs have owners, cats have staff” is what came to mind. :)
Thank you so much for sharing your amazing talent…and lovely cats!
Warm greetings from Montreal, Canada.
Kathy August 21, 2025 at 11:58
Thank you for sharing your art with us-I enjoy seeing it Your kitties-are just special
Hugs
Cat August 21, 2025 at 09:20
First of all, I had not seen your complete kitty crew. Such beauties! I love the impressive ear tufts on Tavish.
My other favorites are the picture of the birches – I love birches so much and included them in one of my embroidery pieces – and of course the redwoods. I remember the redwoods, they are so majestic!
Tammie August 21, 2025 at 09:18
It looks like you are enjoying summer with travel and arts. It all looks wonderful.
Plus a cuddle of kitties ;-)
Sandra W Magle August 21, 2025 at 08:33
How lovely and thoughtful. I also enjoyed your tips on the refillable ink pens and the brush pens. These are new to me, though I have a few inexpensive ones that I have not used, yet. Always a pleasure to view your posts. Thanks for the info and inspirations, Sandi
Joanne August 21, 2025 at 07:38
Your black and white photographs are lovely! Though I also love seeing the tree branches all in blue.
Connie Griffin August 21, 2025 at 07:31
Love your 365 pics, the castle is my favorite, reminds me of England :) Wow that is a bare picture of that Highway.
Your kitties are so sweet, great picture of them all together!
Wow I can’t believe how well you draw with that brush pen.
Your book is so wonderful, you do such a great job of applying the fabric, of course your hubby loved it!
Enjoy your time with those kitties while waiting for Autumn and Winter to come :)
Linda at Texas Quilt Gal August 21, 2025 at 04:49
I love your kitties! They are so pretty, and I bet they are merciless as your snoopervisors. :D Your photos are beautiful. What a lovely, thoughtful, and exquisite book for your husband – a lucky man.
Life Images by Jill August 21, 2025 at 02:02
Thankyou for the hints about the brush pens. Your drawings are lovely. I spend most of my time inside in summer – too hot outside to do much. Enjoy your week and thankyou for visiting my blog this week.