Peace Doodle (Sunday Sketches)

Sat out by the pool in the beautiful sunshine, doodling, while the kids splashed around. A very lovely day. I originally used fine markers to colour but they weren't covering very evenly, so I switched to my heavier markers. Certain colours sort of over power others, which is disappointing but still a fun doodle to work on. Happy Sunday Sketches!

Buddha (Sunday Sketches)

This guy is in the garden at the cottage where I'm staying. I absolutely love him and want one for my garden. My kids say he's the stuff nightmares are made of :(

Sort of compromise, I've drawn his face a little differently, less scary (all agreed!) I'm still going to look for one for my garden...they can just look in the other direction...lol. Sketchy (pun intended) wifi signal up here so I'm amazed I got this posted. Going to try and look at other Sunday Sketches while having my coffee. Happy SS everyone.

Imagine (Sunday Sketches)

Simple sketch today due to another busy week around here. The original was of course by the master, Picasso. Not a huge fan of all of his works but I think his simple line drawings and paintings are quite beautiful. The song Imagine, by John Lennon has been playing in my head all week (though I'm yet to actually go to YouTube and put it on) The song makes me think of this dove drawing or at least a similar one.

We've had a sad week here. This past Tuesday we found out that even with the radiation and 3 rounds of chemo, my Father-in-law's tumours have grown. Now he has basically given up and I'm not even sure he'll last to the end of the month let alone the end of summer. Also on Tuesday, my Mom got a call from the home where her partner has lived for the last 5 years (he suffers from dementia) and was told that he wasn't doing well. We went there to see him and knew we were going to lose him, which we did on Tuesday evening. Though he's been in a home for quite some time, this was still a shock because for the most part, he had always seemed healthy.

His funeral was yesterday and I didn't bring my kids. Such a hard choice. They hadn't seen him in years because he didn't remember them, but for some reason my youngest had memories of being with him. He took it quite hard when I told them, but then by the next day he had bounced back, with just a question or two, here and there. I think the idea of death was what affected him most (not that he didn't care about this person or my Mom's feelings). So my children, who have never lost anyone in their lives, will inevitably be experiencing a lot of loss in a short time this summer. My kids are very close to my father-in-law and I'm so worried about them (well mostly my youngest) stressing that everyone is leaving them.

Anyway, all of this is probably the reason Imagine and the dove have been playing around in my head. Didn't mean to do a full unload but honestly spending a little time drawing something to share for Sunday Sketches has probably been the most relaxed I've felt in days, even if it was for less than 10 minutes.

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Doodles

I really want to have a pencil and a marker in my hand a lot lately, but unfortunately my time hasn't really been my own much lately. So, I figured I might as well doodle because it doesn't take a lot of time and it's fun and relaxing. I'm not quite done the second doodle. I want to add more to it and to get it coloured. The peace/love/laugh doodle is one I found online and I love it. There is just something about the simplicity and the doodle/graffiti style. I've made it my desktop wallpaper and I may have to put it in a frame.

Trees (Sunday Sketches)

I've been wanting to draw trees lately.  I finally finished one I started a couple months ago. Then I worked on a simple one (with the swing) with my 8 year old drawing beside me. I love how his turned out but he doesn't want me to share it.

I started a faerie picture for faerie day but I can't seem to get back to it. I don't know if trees are inspiring me because of what is going on in our lives with my father in law being so ill but for some reason, trees seem to fit the bill of what I need to be drawing.

We celebrated my father in law's 70th birthday this past weekend and it was a lovely day. He was so alert. He ate, joined in conversation and laughed a lot. I'm so glad he was able to have a birthday like that. There are days when he is feeling so unwell and despondant that we wonder if he will be with us at the end of the summer.

Anyway, maybe the trees signify life to me...beauty, strength and being alive...

Faerie Day (and Sunday Sketches)

I absolutely adore anything to do with magic, mystical and faeries. I was so excited to read on Victoria's  Pencil and Wing blog that June 24th is Faerie/Faery Day. Over the years I've drawn quite a few faeries. I've picked a few of my favourites to share here, along with a drawing of a Faerie Tree (that looks very simplistic but took a very long time to complete) I'm working on a new one to add to the group for next Tuesday (June 24th). I haven't drawn anything magical in a bit so I'm excited by this.

**Even though these are pics weren't drawn specifically for Sunday Sketches, I've never posted them there so I'm going to include them for this week. Hopefully we can get more people knowing about Faerie Day that way and adding more to the magic.

Wordless Wednesdays- Wonder what they're thinking?

They were goofing around in all the pictures but for some reason this shot came out so serious.

Full Moon (Sunday Sketches)

A full moon on Friday the 13th... that's gotta be giving off some magik energies. Apparently it's called the "Honey" moon and it won't be seen again for another 35 years. If you are interested in reading a blurb on it click HERE.  I found this pic in my facebook feed from a crystal place that I follow. It doesn't have quite the same impact without colour but it's still kind of cool.

btw...can anyone tell me if they can see a slide show of my art in the "at a glance" section on the upper right side of my blog. It's not showing up for me anymore but it says it's because my security blocks it. If no one can see it though, I might as well take it down. Thanks! (EDIT: I've removed it. It's been gone for a while for me and it's driving me crazy every time I sign onto my blog...thanks Tammie for the the feedback)

Girl in Sunglasses (Sunday Sketches)

Quick drawing today. This is another one of the pics I've seen on Pinterest. I debated colour but decided that I want to start going back to my old style for a bit, which is all graphite. Feeling excited about drawing again. :)

Happy Sunday Sketches everyone!

Hope picture complete

Thought I'd post a pic of the completed gift for my Mother in Law. She absolutely loved it. Please ignore the flash blob.

Hope (Sunday Sketches)

"Hope" is my Mother in Law's word. It holds special meaning for her and helps give her strength. We will be celebrating her birthday on Sunday. I've drawn and decorated the letters of hope and I'm planning on taking pics of my boys holding the letters and framing them for her. I know these past few months have been hard on her and I know she will need strength in the months to come. I'm hoping that by seeing people who love her, combined with her special word, will help.

Sea Turtle (Sunday Sketches)

Today I felt like I needed some colour and whimsy. I've been finding myself looking at a lot of beach pictures lately. It's one of my favourite places to be...sand & sun...feeling warm to the core. I've been needing to feel that safe place. We are still kind of reeling from hubby's dad's diagnosis. He is on his second round of chemo but unfortunately one of the meds is causing his heart rate to increase to a scary number so they've taken it out. This med is also a major part of the chemo so...  

Anyway, I've noticed a lot of sea turtles in my beach browsing and decided to draw a mosaic type one because I knew I'd get a chance to try a lot of different designs and colours. I don't know why I chose the patterns I did but looking at it now, I can see how they all make me think of some of the different emotions jumbled up inside of me. 

It feels great to have drawn something again and to be back on Sunday Sketches. Thank you Alexandra for hosting this art community. I hope you are feeling better. I've been avoiding the art blogs for a bit because I didn't feel inspired to do much. I'm really hoping with the beautiful weather that's finally here, that I can get myself back on track and keep making new things.

Life...

I'm so disappointed that I haven't created anything for over a month now. I've been online...googling, reading, watching videos, wasting time, but have had no motivation to start something.

I know the reason for this funk and I am trying to work through it. For me, it feels kind of awkward to share personal stuff online but maybe putting this out there to others, who may have been through similar things, can be helpful. My Father in Law was just diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. It is aggressive and spreading quickly. It really took us all by surprise, he is a very active, non smoker who is coming up on his 70th bday.  Anyway, my husband is taking it ok, but has moments when it overwhelms him. He isn't a big sharer of emotions so he doesn't like to talk about it much. So I just worry quietly for him. My oldest son is 15, he knows what's going on but he is still young enough to hold on to hope that it will all go away. My youngest knows Grandpa isn't feeling well but as far as he's concerned, its like a bad flu and he'll be well soon. My kids have never lost anyone before so I have no idea how they are going to take this.  Basically, it really sucks.

It's also made me do a lot of soul searching. Thinking about things like how important it is to be around people and do thing that bring you joy. I know art brings so much pleasure to my life, yet it's always one of the first things I cast aside when something else is going on. So, my goal now is to start taking it more seriously and taking myself as an artist more seriously...Maybe serious isn't the right word here. I think what I mean is I'm going to place more value on it, give it a place of true importance in my life. I plan to get back to the communities that I've been working with and if anyone has any other community suggestions, please share. I just find that if I have a goal with a deadline I tend to work much better.

Thanks to everyone who has left comments on my posts. I feel very honoured that you come by to see what I have been working on. I appreciate the compliments but I also appreciate the tips, suggestions and critiques.

BTW...does anyone know what's going on with the slide show app for blogger? My "at a glance" hasn't worked for a while and I haven't done anything different with it.

Dreaming of Spring (Sunday Sketches)

This is not complete but I think if I don't post it now I won't get a chance to put it up for Sunday Sketches. I'll continue working on it tonight. The original flower was one I've seen online but when I took a screenshot I only saved it under flower...I know...anyway, I will look for the link and add the source to the post.

I am desperate for Spring to come. I'm just at the tail end of my second cold of this year...which I am blaming on the weather. It honestly knocked me on my back for the last few days. I don't usually nap when I'm sick because I'm always having to run with kids somewhere, but this week, I called people to help and if it was something I had to do I would set the timer on the stove and crash on the couch. Hubby and the kids were helpful but they fully enjoyed the fact that I had no voice (at all...nada) for 5 days.

So bring on sunshine and warm weather. I am truly done with this white stuff.

***ok, I've finished with the colours. Happy SS!

Tree WIP (Sunday Sketches)

I've been working on this tree but unfortunately I have to put it away for a bit this afternoon. I do plan on getting back to it tonight but right now real life is interrupting. There is still a lot of detail to add and maybe (most likely) there will be colour.  (The inspiration is on the Art with Mr. E blog)

There is so much gorgeous sunshine outside right now though it's still -14. It's funny how the sun can just make your day. Happy SS

Jump In (Creative Tuesdays)

This year, for me artistically, has been about trying a lot of new things. I'm hoping to join some art communities like Creative Tuesdays so I can experiment, learn from other artists and have time goals to get a sketch done.

This drawing really isn't something I'd normally think to draw. I took the theme "Jump In" and drew something quite literal. My scale is off and I'm not sure if you can tell that the girl has her knees bent when she is jumping but it was fun to try this and realize that if I did take the time and keep trying, this could turn into something more. I've been so focused on using colour lately because I'm desperately craving it with all the white we've been living in for months... it was almost weird just to use a graphite pencil on this.

My hubby and oldest son both like some of the new pics I've done but have asked me when I'm going to start drawing something in my 'real' style. Maybe that's a compliment on my portrait style but I'm having too much fun trying new stuff right now to focus on one type of art. This was a good theme for me because I feel like I am 'jump[ing] in' to all sorts of new and good things.

So Nothing's Happening With My Room but...

I'm going to have plenty to put on the walls. :)

I may have mentioned how much I loved this lettering art. I drew 2 more pics yesterday, plus finished my drawing for next week's Creative Tuesday. It was a wonderful day...no clearing out of the art room though. I just didn't want to put my sketch pad and markers/ pencil down.

Art and (lots of) Stuff (Sunday Sketches)

I have a spare room in my home where everyone stores a lot of stuff. Ugly, tall, brown bookshelves down one whole wall, full of books, games, knickknacks, both my kids hospital bracelets and release papers (my oldest is now 15), papers and things no one wants anymore. There is a huge desk with a corner middle part and 2 long sides, plus an extra storage section, taking up 2 other walls. The fourth wall is a closet. Then there is the floor, which is covered (and I mean walk carefully, covered) with more stuff. Baskets of old school work, toys that are now too young, Christmas wrap, bins of out of season clothes... lots of stuff.  Ironically, it's also called Mom's room. So hubby and I started talking about truly making this my room years ago. Part of me would just like to gut it but another part is always worried I'll throw out a treasure. So here I sit years later still working on art projects at a tiny little computer desk in my kitchen...very sad.

BUT...this week (March Break of course) I decided to start claiming my space. I started clearing stuff out a little bit at a time. It may take a while yet but I'm feeling positive that I will have my very own art space this year. So in the spirit of those positive feelings, I decided to create something that I could hang up on the wall when I finally get my space the way I want it. I found a pin on Pinterest by Olivia and Co. that does clip art. I absolutely love the style and decided to try it, to make my first art room sign.

Colour on a very white day

We had a blizzard here today so I sat down and worked on the Zentangle pic I started from the YouTube tutorial last week. It's not perfect but it was a lot of fun to do. I think I may have to do more of these.

Happy Colour Blobs

So yay! I finally got the type of watercolour blobs that I was looking for. I definitely have to keep working on it but at least I feel I'm headed in the right direction. My marker in this was a little too thick for the faces...so note to self: buy a fine tip marker. Right now, with no end to winter/snow in site, I'm desperate for colour and looking forward to trying more things with these paints. This was another pic I found on Pinterest (linking back to Bing.com)

 

Zentangles

I was so excited to start this new drawing. I really think that zentangles look so cool and you can make them so colourful. I started this last week, following this YouTube tutorial. This woman is good at what she does. It's funny because the actual face, I think, is supposed to be such a minor part of the drawing with the focus on all the hair details. I'm so used to drawing portrait style that it was really hard for me to put such little effort and no shading into the facial features. I erased it so many times, then realized that no matter what I drew, it really isn't my drawing style and was never going to become what I thought it should be... so I took a deep breath and moved on.

Unfortunately, life does tend to change plans. My oldest son was in a drama festival this past week. Drama being a very accurate word. The stress levels and dramatic disorganization in our lives was through the roof. So of course, I got sick. I didn't actually realize I was getting sick until the day everything was over because honestly, who had time for that. I went to see his show and though I'm normally always freezing, I was so hot that my friend sitting with me said she could feel the heat coming off me. Should have been my first clue, but of course it wasn't until I could barely get out of bed the next day did I realize I had a fever.

So why all this rambling...well I'm not even close to done my picture but I'm just going to add what I've finished already, just to get me back on track with working on my art. I'm hoping now that I'm feeling a little better I can finish it today or tomorrow and get to use my new markers that I bought before all this started.