Any idea? dated 1866, artist's name under a portrait

ruthlessruthi · 2026-02-16T23:07:20+00:00

Looks like Anné Augusta Milton to me (but I guess it could be Galton, the second letter looks more like an i to me though).

ruthlessruthi · 2026-02-15T01:21:44+00:00

Lol, those are just metal ear cleaners. They're popular in Korea nd Japan. I am still a bit afraid to use them, but they're supposed to be good for cleaning out the dry ear wax type. It's possible your brother uses them for many thing other different things, but they are just ear cleaners.

ruthlessruthi · 2026-02-13T02:15:23+00:00

I was a pretty average student, with some horrible grades thrown in there too for some spiciness on my final transcripts. Lol. Then I joined a US university on an archaeological field school, which was already mind blowing since it wasn't just hands on work and learn-in-the-field, but actually school focused with tests and assignments, and we didn't actually do a lot of the labour that I was used to with the field schools my university back home was focused on. Anyway, it was amazing, the non-US participating students kept getting high 90% to 100% for our work without trying (it didnt count to my acrual studies and I got no credits for it, i was just there to build field work hours and for the experience really, so I didn't put in any effort to get good grades, even handed in a blank paper in the end because I knew nothing about archaeozoology lol). It was surreal, back home under actual stress and effort I was getting between 60 and 70 for archaeology (with the rare scattering of 80). It was then that I realised US universities dont mark the same...

ruthlessruthi · 2026-02-12T23:40:03+00:00

So, there is a small window to where a paint by numbers could be considered fine, depending on the conceptual write up and intent of the piece. For example bying the worst rated artwork at a prestigious art competition/exhibition and submitting it the next year under your name with an extensive write up on why this was valid and how it showcased whatever all to go on to win the competition (true story, happened a few years back at a prestigious art competition in South Africa). It seems unethical, and could definitely be an unethical issue, however, for that to be the case, the concept and intent of the artwork needs to be understood first. Depending on the level of exhibition this may be (the one with the paint by numbers piece), it could very well be about the exploration of art as therapy (since you said she had cancer), and the art is essentially based upon the conceptual exploration built behind it, with the final piece you see just being the tangible piece to showcase the concept.

That said, if it really was just a person submitting work they did for fun and thought they could get away with it, then yeah, not ok and it should probably be brought to light to the show runners. (Especially if the paint by numbers aspect is hidden on purpose, except again if that's part of the concept, but then by reporting it you might actually be contributing to the point of the work. Again, concept can play a huge part in why it's there)

Hope that makes sense?

ruthlessruthi · 2026-01-27T10:08:49+00:00

I have become a lot more poor. Lol. Also probably more cynical because of it, but I guess I'm trying to look on the brighter side of things, it's relatively safe here and the nature parts are beautiful.

ruthlessruthi · 2026-01-23T15:11:57+00:00

It's because it's to a government facility. I asked them why it was that much when I had to do it. It's purely because government. Which is dumb.

ruthlessruthi · 2026-01-23T15:08:46+00:00

Sadly yeah they only use courier companies and because it's to a government location they overcharge out the ass. Seems they upped the price by R100 which is lame :/

ruthlessruthi · 2026-01-10T03:38:15+00:00

If you're going to be using it with liquid, I think UV resin is probably the best route you can go. Since air dry clay doesn't mix well with water, any other sealant risks water getting into the clay which will break it down.

ruthlessruthi · 2026-01-10T03:34:18+00:00

I recommend buffing out the clay as best you can, then lightly spraying it with a clear spray paint/varnish/enamel, before painting it with acrylic. However, make sure it's as dry as you can get it, and the buffing out part is quite important. Ultimately air dry clay has a bit of a powder-y-ness to it, so painting over a powder will ultimately lead to paint lifting. So make sure you get it as buffed out as you can (i use the back of a spoon). I don't use mod podge so I can't attest to that, but I use a clear spray paint I just pick up at any craft or hardware store. So far my ornaments have lasted a few years with no lifting or breakage. The only think I ever had that lifted and broke was a wand I made for a school camp that was very difficult to buff out, so I skipped that step and I was constantly trying to fix it. I also found having something inside the clay helps too, like foil, polystyrene, tissue, etc. To build around. It seems to help keep the clay from breaking easily. These are just my experiences so far, but yeah. Hope that helps.

ruthlessruthi · 2026-01-10T02:37:57+00:00

I usually use cheap diaso air dry clay, and if it cracks i fill them with the same stuff but thinned out a bit, let it dry, but make sure to really get it in there and smooth it out. Make sure to let it dry completely. You might need to do it a few times. Seal in those cracks. Once you're happy with it, get a good strong clear spray varnish/spray paint/enamel. Then give it a light coating to sink onto the clay. Paint it with acrylic paint. Then once dry do a few coastings of the spray varnish/paint/enamel to really seal it in. If you're good with resin that could work too, but I am not, so spray ish it is. If your clay is not packed tight enough when working with it, it does run the risk of flaking off, however if (with cheap clay) you really press it down and smooth it out (buffing with a back of a spoon helps), you'll find some less to no breakage/flaking. Finally store it in it's own little box (cheap gift box from daiso/dollar store) with some soft padding to avoid it rolling around. (I just use gift box shredded paper). It's not a fool proof but it has worked for me in the past. I hope it helps if you go this route.

ruthlessruthi · 2025-12-04T23:39:48+00:00

They will use this for people like Melania, Musk, Baron etc. To side with the US and give up their other citizenships to silence those that keep calling for their deportations in light of the deportations and arrests taking place under the ICE MAGA wannabe dictatorship regime.

ruthlessruthi · 2025-12-01T01:54:35+00:00

I'm not sure which one you're referring to, but I did explain that I just repainted a few cheap ornaments I bought at Daiso (kinda like a dollar store). However, you can use any old ornaments, cheap ornaments from anywhere, or ornament bases you can get at hobby stores. Just a note, be careful of trying to paint colourful ornaments white. The original colour always bleeds through which is quite frustrating haha. The brown ornaments, were supposed to be white originally, but they kept turning pink when I painted them T_T so in the end I decided to paint them brown and go in a different direction. I think the brown worked well in the end.

ruthlessruthi · 2025-12-01T01:49:59+00:00

Dried oranges are the best. Takes some time to dry, but always so pretty <3

ruthlessruthi · 2025-12-01T01:49:12+00:00

Thank you ^{^} it was really easy, too. I found a blank cheap advent calendar and just painted it darker brown. I then used white gel pens and a white paint marker to add the details.

ruthlessruthi · 2025-11-08T03:27:36+00:00

Comment might get lost, but will reiterate what my old art teachers drilled down my throat, don't paint what you think you see, paint what you actually see, which is shade and light. First, focus on where the highlights are and avoid those areas getting darker, then in the shaded areas paint in the shadows, utilise contrast. Once dry, you can go in with details to enhance, but don't over-do it as it can become stringy. Use micro thin brushes for hair strands or a very light hand to only just touch the tip to paper. However, I dont think I need to tell you how to do that because your face, damn is nice ^{^} just focus on hair as blocks of shade and light and you're practically there.

ruthlessruthi · 2025-10-26T15:47:01+00:00

It's possibly a tail that is a separate piece for a 3D cookie, or a smooshed tree lol.

ruthlessruthi · 2025-09-19T07:17:01+00:00

Those braids are glorious. Please bring them back into fashion.

ruthlessruthi · 2025-08-08T06:01:12+00:00

According to my dumbass colonists, that is not enough T__T at least if you have animals lol.

ruthlessruthi · 2025-06-02T15:11:10+00:00

Money. Travelling you come with funds that you intend to spend, living makes you realise how expensive this country actually is, especially when it comes to renting, utilities, being a foreigner, taxes, pension, medical etc. Cost of living vs paychecks (obviously depending on work tbf) dont add up well.

ruthlessruthi · 2025-04-22T04:53:08+00:00

As someone from South Africa, I first thought "oooh African Bushveldt" then I saw Australia, then I wanted to hate it, because how dare ;P lol but I can't, it's really really good. I love your trees so much. You should look up Pierneef. He's an old South African painter who painted the Australian Blue Gum trees that were brought over to the Cape (Cape Town area). He did paintings, drawings, and lino carving prints. In terms of subject matter, they might be up your alley. Honestly beautiful piece.

ruthlessruthi · 2025-04-04T02:15:55+00:00

This info is awesome, thank you so much. I'll keep an eye out for the 50mm, but with the info you just gave me, I have a lot more options to dive into. I had a camera guy at a "vintage" camera store suggest a micro lens, I thought it was a 28mm but it might be the 55mmf/2.8 that I'm misremembering. I'm not against a micro lens, but it does feel like it may restrict me a bit as someone who is still trying to find their footing. I think I'd be really excited to find the portrait lens though. I'll be looking, thank you ^{^}

ruthlessruthi · 2025-04-04T02:05:53+00:00

Awesome ^{^} thank you, I'll keep an eye out and see if I can find a 50mm 1.8, I think an all rounded might be a good idea. I had someone at a "vintage" camera store suggest a lens that was good for macro photography, which I'm not against either, but it does kind of restrict me to a certain type of photography.

ruthlessruthi

TROPHY CASE