Introducing the new and improved website

I am happy to announce that I am "done" (for now) with the overhaul of my website!!! It is not going to be redirected to karineswenson.com until probably next week, due to some technical issues. However, you can still see it by clicking here. I chose the second header, since that one was voted most popular by all of you, my beloved blog readers. I did get a little help from a good friend on the font. You will be able to see it in action! This will be so nice, because I can update the website myself. My husband used to all of my web work, and he did a great job, but it was time for me to take it over.

I celebrated by buying some of this incredibly decadent ice cream Starbucks makes called Java chip. This stuff is dangerous, but amazingly good. It probably has absolutely no nutritional value, but I will say it is good for the soul. And it will cool a person off on a hot day. We have plenty of those here in Joshua Tree. (For example, it is currently 6 pm and 99 degrees F outside.)

Pono the dog and I came across a jojoba bush (photo at the top) this morning on our daily run/walk. For those of you who aren't familiar with Simmondsia chinensis, this bush is most famous for the oil found in the jojoba nut. It is often used in fragrances, lotions or other cosmetics. Coincidentally, I just bought some body butter today that has jojoba oil in it! It is also being researched for use as a biofuel. How benign it looked, just sitting there in the sandy ol' desert. For more reading about the jojoba, click here. Here is a close up shot of the jojoba nut, which is still green. Eventually, it will turn a dark brown color.

Header Headache and carpal tunnel

Way too much time has been spent on the computer lately. Who knew I would obsess over a header for my website? Especially considering that I don't even have a header on this blog!!! Sheesh. I have been making myself crazy, trying to design a header I like. I have so far designed about 5 of them.

I guess I need some input. I will post a couple of my favorites here, and maybe you all could vote for one you like the best? Maybe that would help me. Even if you don't like any of the ones I have designed, maybe you can tell me what I could do to improve on an idea I have. I would really appreciate some help, because I am at the point where I have been looking at it too long now.

The website itself is also taking forever. I know I can always update and add more things, but somehow I want it to be perfect right to start! I should know better, having been an artist for so long. Aren't I funny? Well, I hope to get it live soon. Just a few more tweaks. I need to stop obsessing and get on with it, already.

Here are a few of the headers I've come up with (please keep in mind that I am NOT a graphic designer!):

I think the paintbrush is "cute", but maybe it isn't professional looking enough? I created it in Photoshop, so I suppose I am a little too attached to it now.

Updating the website

I am slowly settling in to the desert once more. I am still a bit tired from the trip to Colorado. Or could it be that I am tired from working on my website? I suppose it could be a combination of both. I am not much of a computer person, despite this blog. I have teamed up with a company called gigshowcase.com to help me with the website. It is reasonably priced, and I can create a website without learning html or javascript. If any of you are looking for a way to have a website that doesn't cost thousands of dollars, I recommend it. (Mention that I sent you!)

Even though I don't have to learn code, there is still a bit of a learning curve, plus I have a lot of art to put on the site. So it is taking much longer than I had anticipated. Isn't it always like that? I am hoping to have the site up and running in a week's time. I will be sure to let you know when that happens.

Mr. Pono the dog and I have been taking our walks early in the morning, before it gets too hot. I have never been much of a morning person, but it is beautiful at that time of day. Most of the flowers have dried up, but the cat's claw is blooming. These bushes have thorns that look like a cat's claw, and I have discovered if one isn't careful, they will draw blood! Ouch. It seems like everything in the desert has a spine or thorn of some kind. Yet, you can see they are not without beauty. The bees are enjoying them, too, because when I walk past the bushes, they hum!

I will leave you with a watercolor I did before I left for Colorado. This is a postcard sized painting, measuring 6 x 4 inches. The Ladybeetle.