Sunday Sketch and a page from my sketchbook

hi everyone. Two weeks in a row I have a Sunday Sketch, yay for me!! I've never had trouble sketching, in fact when I watch a movie, I keep a sketchbook beside my in case an idea comes up.  My problem has been sticking to a schedule. Joining Blue Chair Diary's Sunday sketches is forcing me to stick to it.  The above sketch is what I worked on this afternoon. I wanted a whimsical kind of fairy girl face, which I may turn into a painting at some point.  Too many projects!

A Page from my Sketchbook
Last week I enjoyed sharing one of my sketchbook pages, and thought I would do it again. This is one I did last night when I went to bed. I had some ideas for my little owl ACEO series, and wanted to get them down before I forgot. Today I am working on the bunny and owl one, and I swear, sometimes (lots of times actually!) my rough sketches are better than the finished drawing. I get them down on good paper, then make so many bad decisions with color. I signed up for a color workshop a month or so ago and have yet to do the first lesson!! In fact, I won't even tell you how many workshops I have signed up for, it's embarassing, lol!
This page isn't by any means pretty, in fact it's quite sloppy, no shading or details, but this is how I work. I'm curious as to how other artist sketchbooks look.   Feel free to share one of your pages if you like....

Peaceable Kingdom

My friend has been talking about seeing this movie: ' Peaceable Kingdom' for a while now, and I have been resisting. I know it will break my heart. It just opened at the Canada International Film Festival and took home the Grand Jury Prize. It gives me hope to know that people are starting to wake up to how animals are treated. 
I watched the preview video, and know that I must buy the DVD when it is released.  I read some reviews and it sounds like an inspirational film, which shows farmers who change how they view animals and try to help them. 
Any of you vegetarians out there,  I would love to hear how you made the switch, and feel free to share your tips or favorite cookbooks.  
This is such a tricky subject to write about. Basically for me, I believe in treating all living beings humanely, and with respect.  I know there are some small conscientious farms out there, and with a bit of research, if someone so desires, they can find one to support that they can feel better about. Factory farms for me are disgraceful, and do not belong in a loving world.  I don't believe we will ever have  peace as long as they are allowed to thrive.


Please note: even though this is a preview, there are some sad scenes....but overall this film looks inspirational, and hopeful. 

Sunday Sketches

I'm joining Sophia at Blue Chair Dairy in her Sunday Sketches. I'm not always able to stick with something, but sketching doesn't take too much time, so hopefully I can keep it up. Here is my first one, a simple sketch of a face.  The eyes are a bit funny which I didn't notice until now. Take a look at Sophia's blog to see her sketch, as well as other artists who are joining in.

If you were to look through my sketch books, you would see mostly rough ideas. Pages and pages of them. I rarely take the time to create a decent sketch, mostly getting them down for later.  I hate to admit this, but I almost feel like since time is so valuable, that I can't afford to take an hour on a sketch that no one will see but me.


Below is a sample page from one of my sketch books, as you can see, all I draw is whimsical faces.  Although lately, I have been working on ACEOs because they are more popular. I would love to get back to my larger paintings, but have been finding it hard to get motivated. They take so many hours to do, and it feels like time is speeding up. Whenever I have a free day, it seems to fly by and before you know it, it's too late to begin. 
One thing I do know, is that you can change things in a moment. Any day now, I know I will just pull out a canvas, and begin.  Isn't that an encouraging thought?

Sunday Update

Hi folks. Last night we had some  wicked weather  It rained all day, the winds were howling, the trees were bending, it was awesome! Then in the evening it turned to snow.  I love this kind of weather, it makes me stay in, and hopefully, do something productive. I managed to create 3 new owl ACEOs for Easter, and watched a few movies, all of them having to do with horses.

Recently I have found myself loving anything to do with horses.  This isn't new for me, when I was a little girl, I was obsessed with horses.  I would read books about them, and dream about them, but of course, people grow up, and I soon forgot about them.  I live in a small city, so it's not like I would ever have the opportunity to have one. Anyway, seeing them at the Vet college by my workplace, and visiting a farm recently, started me up again.

Now I am on the lookout for books on drawing them. Like I don't have enough to do with art, lol!
I find it hard to focus on one style of art, or one theme. I need to try different things, and I believe some of you fellow artists feel the same way. There is a thrill to trying something new.  I was really happy with the raccoon drawing I did a couple of weeks ago, even though it wasn't perfectly rendered, and I am looking forward to trying my luck at horses. 

Ok, I need to stop reading blogs now, and get back to work. Thanks for reading :-)

Goodbye Renee

Today I saw a blog post I was hoping not to see, but it was inevitable. Many of you know Renee from her blog and have been following her.   She has been fighting breast cancer for a while now, and has finally succumbed to her illness. 
I remember finding Renee through her comment on another blog, and discovering what an extraordinary woman she was. She was always so supportive of everyone, had a wonderful sense of humor, and was a strong and brave woman. I know I will miss her so much. She was a special lady who touched everyone she met, a true angel on earth,  and I am grateful to have known her.
Rest in peace dear friend.

Do not stand at my grave and Weep

Do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush

I am the swift uplifting rush 

Of quiet birds in circled flight

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry;

I am not there. I did not die.

Mary E. Frye

Goodies in the Mail

hi everyone, I haven't been on my computer as much as I like, due to crappy internet service! I swear, it's slow as molasses, and if they don't fix it, I'm changing providers.

Now on a positive note, look what I got in the mail, beautifully packaged! I won these 3 votives from the OWOH event, and I am looking forward to using them. Thank you Ashley!
I found out I won in the strangest way, I was heading over to Ashley's blog to let her know she was my second place winner, and saw my name there, lol!