Ana's Strictly Sketchbook

EDM 6 - Draw a Childhood Toy

2012-01-14T21:51:00.001-05:00

Dollinha (Doll-ee-nyah)

I brought this tiny doll with me from the Azores (Portugal). My grandmother gave it to me. When Anthony, my husband, saw her he immediately named her "Dollinha": the English word "Doll" and the Portuguese diminutive suffix "inha" (meaning cute and small). The name stuck.

There is a whole Dollinha mythology and back story that Anthony created for this little doll. He even created an anthem for her that he and I sing at the top of our lungs. It is a march.

When I was looking for a name for my online self, I had Dollinha (the doll) sitting on my monitor, and decided to use that name. I have been Dollinha online since the early 1990s!

Here are some photos of the actual doll, that I took today. As you can see by the photos she is tiny and she has been handled a lot. She was and is a favourite doll of mine from my youth.

My little Moleskine sketchbook is 5½" tall and each page is 3½" wide. That should help with sizing Dollinha.

EDM 5 - Draw Your Bed

2012-01-13T13:03:00.000-05:00

I love my bed. It is very comfortable and I think it is beautiful. It is made of solid cherry wood and stained very dark.

We were originally looking for a traditional sleigh bed but chose this Euro-Style because I would be less likely to bump my knees against it as I walked by. I also like the lower foot-board. Alexander, who is quite tall, can inherit this from us and fit in it.

I rarely tuck in the bed-spread (comforter) like this, although it does look nice. I did it so I could show off the frame. Normally I have the bed-spread just hanging out, all around the bed. It looks nice that way too, and is a lot less work (and a lot less scraped knuckles).

When we know we are having guests over I put on extra-fancy spreads and fancy pillows and pillow throws.

For everyday use, I just have the sheets, a warm bed-spread, and three pillows. Two pillows in dark pillow cases are Anthony's and that one pillow in a light coloured pillow case is mine. I do this because it drives me crazy when Anthony uses my pillow. I like my pillow to be "just so" and when he uses it it gets all hot (and sweaty in the summer months) and he crumples it in ways that are not comfortable for my neck and head. To be fair, he doesn't like it when I take his pillows either. He says I get them too hot as well.

Well, that is our bed.

Alexander's Page

2012-01-11T01:00:00.000-05:00

Alexander and I were waiting to pick up my husband after work and Alexander was bored. I handed him my sketch book and he drew this. He drew this because he knows I don't like it when he draws feces. Need I say more?

Rooster Stamp

2012-01-10T01:00:00.000-05:00

While I was walking through Michael's Arts and Crafts store this little stamp caught my eye in the discount bin. I picked it up and put it down several times. I went and grabbed the things I had gone into Michael's to purchase, and as I walked back to the cashiers to pay for my goodies, I pass the discount bin again. The little rooster stamp was still there. This must have been an omen so I dropped it in the shopping cart.

I don't stamp often, but I do enjoy it. Somewhere, in a box, I have a whole set of stamps and peripherals from when I took it up as a short-lived hobby.

Roosters are a mild passion of mine. I am not certain why I enjoy them so much, but some people have suggested it is because I am Portuguese (by birth) and the Portuguese love their roosters. Here is a story that explains why: Barcelo Rooster.

Portuguese Good Luck Rooster
Found on site "Good Luck Roosters"

There is an online shop that caters to the Portuguese Rooster. (Wow, there is just about a site for anything you can think of on the internet!)

Perhaps it is because of being Portuguese that I enjoy looking at roosters, but I don't know for sure. I just find them beautiful. I have lots of rooster wall-art, bowls, napkin holders, coasters, etc., in my home. However, despite my love of them, I have not created any art with roosters in them, yet.

EDM 3 - Draw your Wallet, Purse, or Bag

2012-01-09T01:00:00.000-05:00

This little wallet is just a little bigger than my had and fits in any of my pockets as well the smallest of my purses. It holds everything I need to carry in a wallet. Often I just slip it in my pocket and don't bother to carry a purse.

The front has six slots to carry cards, including a pocket with clear front so you can carry your photo I.D.. The back has a zippered area for loose change and a pocket for paper currency folded in half. I ordered this from FlyLady's FlyShop. This was money well-spent. I love this wallet!!!

This is the most perfect wallet, as far as I am concerned, and I am thinking of getting one for my son to carry too. He could use something that is easy to carry in his pockets without weighing him down.

Trek Nation

2012-01-08T01:00:00.000-05:00

The above was done, in pen and ink in my small Moleskine sketchbook, while I watched a very interesting documentary about Star Trek's influence on the world as seen through the eyes of Gene Roddenberry's son, Eugene (Rod) Roddenberry Jr. It was also about father/son relationships, and his, in particular. I found it fascinating.

Here is the description from their FaceBook Group:

Trek Nation Documentary film directed by Scott Colthorp examining the positive impact that Star Trek and creator Gene Roddenberry may have had on people's lives as seen through the eyes of his son Eugene Roddenberry, Jr. ("Rod"). It includes interviews with cast members and crew from all five Star Trek shows, as well as various fans and celebrities who were markedly influenced by the show while growing up. Rod Roddenberry also visits Skywalker Ranch to interview George Lucas on the influence that Star Trek had on him. Lucas shares how he had gone to Star Trek conventions prior to creating Star Wars. The film premiered on November 30, 2011, on Science.

Links:
IMDb Trek Nation
YouTube Trek Nation Channel
Vimeo Trek Nation
Trek Nation: Director’s Log Featuring Deleted Interview Clips

Sebastien

2012-01-07T01:56:00.013-05:00

Sebastien is my nephew: my brother, Mylo's, son. He is a special boy full of energy and imagination. I am not sure why he is pulling his turtle neck over his face, but he is likely creating a superhero alter-ego.

Sebastien loves to read and write. He fills notebook after notebook with his stories. It is important he has a notebook because if he runs out of paper he will write on any surface he can get his hands on. I noticed, at my brother's Christmas party, that the Kleenex box was covered with writing.

It is always interesting to see what he will come up with next.

Willow

2012-01-06T01:48:00.015-05:00

Willow lives with my brother, Mylo, and his family. She is so ugly she is cute. And, she has a great personality. Willow is a very sweet and friendly dog. She steals your heart the moment you set eyes on her.

This sketch is done in pen and ink with coloured pencil.

I love Willow's face and may revisit this as a larger, more detailed, piece in the future.

Rough Sketch - Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind

2012-01-05T02:03:00.003-05:00

Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind film was playing on television so we decided to watch it again. I tried to draw Richard Dreyfus's character molding the mountain out of mashed potatoes. I did not quite capture the likeness but I think I captured the intensity.

I really need to learn how to control pen and ink. It is not a medium I am very versed in. My friend, Raven O'Keefe, does amazing pen and ink portraits. I hope to some day be even half as good as she is with pen and ink.

EDM 2 - Draw a Lamp

2012-01-04T01:57:00.000-05:00

This lamp is on a side table in our living room. I drew it with Pelikan black ink and Drewent water soluble coloured pencils (with water).

The base is a silver globe with little indents in it. It helps shine the light brighter in the room. It looks really nice both on and off, and suits the table and the room.

EDM 1 - Draw Your Shoes

2012-01-03T01:38:00.002-05:00

Unlike many women in North America, I do not have a lot of shoes. I have a pair of dressy shoes, a pair of everyday-kick-around shoes, a pair of sneakers, a pair of flip-flops (to quickly go down to the laundry room), and a pair of black converse with bright red laces.

I love my converse high-cut shoes. They support my ankles and I can wear them with casual long black skirts or jeans. The red laces matches my lipstick and adds whimsy.

These shoes are casual, comfortable, and cool. Need I say more?

Sitting Around Watching Television

2012-01-02T02:54:00.003-05:00

I was just sitting around, watching television, and decided to grab my sketchbook instead of my laptop.

Normally I sit with my laptop on my lap as I watch television. Sometimes I multi-task and work or play as I watch TV, sometimes I watch a movie or other television program during the commercials of the one I am watch live, or sometimes I look up info about the program I watching and/or the actors in the program. I love computers!

However, this time I decided to just draw. The first image, above, is just one of my generic cartoons. It is not very interesting so I added some festive streamers to it and some colour. Still, was not thrilled with the image. Then I decided to draw a "Crumb" girl. Well, sort of in his style, but not quite. Alexander (my son) draws in the Crumb style much better than I.

We watched a three day marathon of The Big Bang Theory.

I figured I may as well try drawing one of the characters so I sketched Penny, above. I may revisit this show later and draw all the characters. This can be decided at a later time.

One of the disadvantage of watching three days of the same show is that you end up dreaming about it. It is difficult to turn off your brain so it is like watching the show 24 hours at a time! Ugh. LOL.

Nonetheless, I still enjoy the show.

Graphic Novel Group

2012-01-01T02:41:00.002-05:00

The Graphic Novel Group (GNG) meets monthly in the basement of L.A. Mood Comics and Games shop to discuss a graphic novel. It is basically a specialized book club. We really enjoy attending. The conversation is always stimulating and interesting. Sometimes we have guest speakers in the form of graphic novel writers and/or artists.

Normally I just sit and listen, and contribute when I have something to say. This day (November 12, 2011) I had my little sketchbook with me and a pencil so I sketched the people around me.

Anthony always has interesting things to contribute. He is really good at finding meaning in the novels that others miss (okay, I miss). I love listening to him speak.

Ink is Water Soluble

2011-12-31T03:25:00.003-05:00

Ignore my spelling please.

I spend a lot of time waiting for things. In this case, as with every Tuesday and Thursday, I spend time waiting for the Lotus Health Clinic to open in the morning so I can go for my appointment. I usually park across from the door and wait. While I wait, I have my coffee and get caught up on my reading on my iPod. I use the Instapaper app to capture web articles I want to read then read them offline when I have time.

This day I had my sketchbook and pen with me so I started by drawing one of the icons on my iPod. I quickly got bored with that so I drew the building and entrance to the Lotus Health Clinic.

When I got home I decided to colour in the image using my water soluble coloured pencils. Imagine my shock when I discovered the ink was too water soluble! (I checked the carton the ink comes in and it does not say "permanent" on it anywhere, but I had not noticed this before). Well, now that I know it "runs" when water is added I will have to be careful never to drop my sketchbook in a puddle, bathtub, toilet, or sink. Also, I can use the runny quality to my advantage.

Doodle

2011-12-30T04:19:00.003-05:00

My son had asked me to come up with an idea for an album cover for an upcoming music release. I was waiting somewhere and I doodled this. This is NOT the idea that I came up with, but it got me thinking and it helped me come up with the final idea (which I cannot share until the album is released).

Sometimes I use my sketchbook to sketch out ideas for final projects and sometimes to work out or on ideas for larger projects. This is an example of that.

This, particular, sketchbook is a catch-all sketchbook. There is no theme to it. I draw it in when I feel like it, when I am bored, when I am waiting, or just for the heck of it. It is a small book that fits easily into my pocket or purse. I originally got it with the intent of carrying it around with me.

The above, rather cartoonish, image is a bit of a nightmare scene. There is a snake eating itself, disembodied mouth and eye, floating in the sky, some bombs (mushroom clouds) going off, and a man, dressed like "the invisible man" in the foreground. It is all a bit cliché.

On the Road Again

2011-12-29T12:11:00.001-05:00

October 14, 2011

My terrible scribble says "Driving home from Cambridge where we went to Phidon Pens again. (I picked up black ink and a new Lamy)". This was quickly sketched along the miles and miles (or in our case, the kilometres and kilometres) of our drive home. As soon as I started to draw, I realized I was not in the mood to draw so I scribbled this quickly and then went to sleep.

You can see the next page bleed through this. Ugh. I added the colour digitally with picnik.com effects.

Anthony and I had gone to Phidon Pens in Cambridge, Ontario to pick up a new nib for Anthony's pen. While there I picked up some black ink because I was not thrilled with the blue-black I had been using. I also picked up an extra-fine point Lamy pen for myself. We took advantage of being there and picked up a Sailor Music Pen for Alexander as a Christmas gift.

It is always a pleasure to go to Phidon Pens and seeing Mano. She is interesting and pleasant. The shop is small but well equipped and full of delightful treasures. It is such a treat for us to go to Cambridge and to Phidon Pens shop.

Phidon Pens Limited
63 Dickson Street
Cambridge, Ontario N1R 7A5
Canada
Tel. : 519 624 8787
Fax : 519 624 2044
Email : phidonpens@bellnet.ca

After we got back to London (Ontario) we picked up Alexander and went to Smoke 'n Bones for lunch. I quickly sketched Alexander with my new Lamy. I also scribbled the Smoke 'n Bones logo.

We had a lovely, rare, lunch together.

All-in-all, it was a good day!

Quick Sketched Tree

2011-12-29T04:40:00.003-05:00

While waiting for Anthony to get off work at the London Health Science Centre, Victoria Hospital Campus, I started to draw the tree next to my parking space. I did not get to finish it as Anthony came out.

It is basically just a quick scribble, but you get the idea.

Waiting

2011-12-28T23:49:00.001-05:00

This time I started drawing the building as I waited for Anthony to come out after finishing work. It is a relatively new building. This section is new (last year or so). There is a lot of glass, concrete and steel.

It is actually quite attractive. I wish I had added colour.

Laura LaCount's Baptism.

2011-12-28T18:42:00.000-05:00

Laura LaCount's Baptism was on September 17, 2011. Anthony and I had the honour of being her Godparents.

I snuck this little sketch (above) while the Fr. Peter was doing the sermon. It is not a very accurate sketch, but it was fun. I added the colour on the computer.

We had a lovely time. Laura had a good time too.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T01:00:00.002-05:00

Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas or whichever holiday you celebrate at this time of year. May you have a joyful and peaceful holiday season.

Sketchbook Project 2012 Slideshow

2011-12-22T19:25:00.000-05:00

EDM 15 - Draw a tree or trees, leaves or branches

2011-12-18T13:29:00.001-05:00

These are more doodles than realistic representations of a tree, leaves, and branches. I had two pages left in my Sketchbook Project 2010 sketchbook and some time to kill so I started drawing the above doodle. I liked it in the simple pen & ink lines but decided to add colour to it with coloured pencils. I had an idea in my head, but it did not translate into reality, as I saw it in my mind's eye. I immediately regretted adding colour and hated it. So, I redrew the image (more or less) on the last page of my sketchbook, as you see below.

Initially, I liked the black and white one better. However, when I scanned these onto my computer a month had passed between the time I had created these and the time I scanned them in. Now, I like them both. I like the coloured one just fine.

Neither of these are in my usual, realistic, style. They are more whimsical than I normally draw. As it is, most of the work in this sketchbook, although fairly accurate representations, are not in my usual "finished", "tight" style that I use for larger pieces and commissioned work. I purposely decided to keep things "loose" and casual in this sketchbook.

For the most part, most of my sketchbooks, are filled with loose lines and raw drawings. I use my sketchbooks to work out ideas, capture moments, and relax. I leave my more detailed, finished, work for larger pieces that are either commissioned or are meant for display at an art show and for sale. My sketchbook work is not normally meant for public display or art shows (although I do use this site to show my recent sketchbook work)

This is the 3rd to last post about the Sketchbook Project 2012. I will have one post showing all the work together, and then one last post when my sketchbook is up on The Art House Coop site, with tour dates.

Lotus Health Care Clinic Physiotherapy

2011-12-17T23:26:00.001-05:00

Near the beginning of 2011 I woke one morning with the feeling that I slept on my arm funny. There was stiffness in my left arm, radiating to my jaw and back. I did not think of anything of it. I often wake up with stiff joints that get better with movement in a few hours. However, as time went, my arm was in more and more pain. It got to the point, a few months later, that I could no longer move it. I went to emerge and urgent care a few times and was told I had a torn rotator cuff. Pain medication was not having much effect. My doctor sent me for ultrasound. The ultrasound showed my rotator cuff was fine. I had what is known as frozen shoulder.

The frozen shoulder joint
and inflammation.
Medical Multimedia Group

Yes, I know I should have had my arm checked out sooner, but at this time my husband was going through some pretty serious health issues, himself, and it did not seem the right time to be out of commission, myself. I also kept hoping it would just get better on its own.

I started physiotherapy with Pan at Lotus Health Care Clinic. Pan is amazing. He is a very pleasant person too. He laughs at my corny jokes. The physio is extremely painful, however, it is working.

We had a set back when I fell in the kitchen two weeks into the therapy. I had been carrying something into the kitchen and my ankle gave out. I fell hard on my arm. Pan was very patient with me and quickly got me back on schedule.

I now have full mobility back, although it is still painful. I am working on strength now. My arm is still weak, but getting better and better.

The drawing of the building was done one morning while I waited for the clinic to open. I usually get there 15 minutes before they open and I sit and have a coffee and get caught up on my internet reading (using instapaper on my ipod). This day I happened to have my Sketchbook Project 2012 sketchbook with me and decided to do a quick drawing while I waited. This was done in about 15 minutes, while sitting in my car, parked across from the door.

Lotus Health Care Clinic
1225 Wonderland Rd N
London, ON N6C 2V9
(519) 473-5911

EDM 134 - Draw a familiar person place or thing, but from an unusual angle

2011-12-16T16:53:00.000-05:00

This self portrait was created by looking at a mirror in my lap. I drew it upside down just to make it that more unusual. This was just a quick sketch done with a few scribbles of my pen.

\
You can see the image better when it is right side up.

Here they are together so you can see them better.

This is not the best drawing I have ever done, but it was fun to do.

EDM 56 - Draw a Self Portrait

2011-12-14T11:29:00.000-05:00

As much as I hate to admit it, this pretty well looks like what I look like right now. I would have loved to draw me young, svelte, and beautiful, however, that would have been an illusion at best and a lie at worse.

One of the inevitable things in life is that we age, and our bodies change as we age. Some people age better than others. Me, I look younger than my age, but I certainly look matronly now. I joke that I look like a Portuguese mother now. Of course, I am a Portuguese mother!

The colour red goes beautifully with my olive skin tone. It is a colour I enjoy wearing.

The background is organized chaos. That is more or less what my mind and life is like: organized chaos, with little dangler bits to grab a hold of, now and again.

Generally speaking, life is good.

EDM 17 - Draw a Musical Instrument

2011-12-13T22:59:00.000-05:00

Here is my son, Alexander, playing one of his bass guitars. My son has been compared to the wonderful Victor Wooten (whom he admires) in his playing. Alexander is a very talented multi-instrumentalist musician.

I chose to just draw Alexander with one of his bass guitars here.

Alexander also goes by the stage names of LowTalk, LowTalk T, and LowTalk Tirolese.

I don't have many links to share with you that will show Alexander's talents. However, here are a couple of links to some local bands he plays with on occasion.

FunFact
Drop32

He does a lot more than that, but I do not have access or permission to share anything else at this time.

EDM 80 - Draw something that makes you happy

2011-10-17T22:15:00.003-04:00

One morning a week several tenants from the apartment building I live in get together for a coffee/tea social. We have a social room where we meet. Most of the people who, except me, are senior citizens.

They are a great group of people who are very interesting and pleasant. It really makes me happy to join them for these regular coffees.

I only drew 5 of the people. These were the ones that showed up the day I decided to draw. Usually we have a lot more people in the group but that day we only had this small group.

EDM 125 - Draw a Bird

2011-10-15T01:23:00.003-04:00

This is our beautiful Oscar. Oscar is a cockatiel, which is part of the cockatoo family. He and Anthony are best pals. He loves to come out to play with Anthony every day. He will play with Alexander and me on occasion but Anthony is his favourite.

I was originally thinking of doing the above sketch in pen and ink only. However, Oscar is so colourful I could not help myself: I grabbed my coloured pencils. I felt Anthony and Oscar interacting with each other left in line drawings complement the full page of colour. What do you think?

Cockatiels are great pets full of personality. They don't talk very much but they can whistle like no one's business! They have an irritating screech when they are annoyed. However, Oscar rarely screeches. He moslty whistles, says "Hey Booboo" and gives lots of kisses. He loves to get neck scritches too, as long as it is Anthony who is doing it.

Anthony's 55th Birthday

2011-10-13T02:19:00.003-04:00

On August 3, 2011 Anthony celebrated 55 years of life. I am modifying EDM 97 (Draw a present you have received. Why is it special?) a little to be gifts that he received rather than gifts I received.

Anthony was overjoyed to hear from two dear friends from his past. Over the years he has regaled us with stories about both these friends, and he has tried to find them. Both of them contacted me through Facebook, to reconnect with Anthony, days before his 55th birthday! This was the best gift he could have received.

When initially drawing the above images I had intended to add colour to them. However, when I finished the line drawings I really like them as they are. I debated whether or not to go ahead with the original plan to add colour but in the end I decided to keep them as line drawings. Anthony likes them as line drawing too.

We (Alexander and I) took Anthony to Swiss Chalet on the day of his birthday. There is one walking distance from our home. We had not been in over a year, so it was quite pleasant and a treat.

Alexander and I went in together to get Anthony an iPad for his birthday. He is thoroughly enjoying watching movies on it. Anthony has been at home sick for over a month with severe cellulitis in his right leg. It is extremely painful and so it is nice that he has something he can entertain himself with while stretching his leg out on his bed.

We also gave Anthony the movie Forbidden Planet in a commemorative tin.

Oscar is sitting on Anthony's head here. He had been sleeping with his head tucked under his wing. I drew him with his eye open as he was looking at me looking at him. He woke up when he felt me staring at him. Oscar spends a lot of time with Anthony. They are best buds. Oscar likes to sit on Anthony's head when Anthony's hands are busy. Otherwise, Oscar spends his time on Anthony's shoulder, chest, or nearby within Anthony's reach. Oscar is a cockatiel.

Errand Day

2011-10-11T16:25:00.005-04:00

EDM 10 - Draw your hand or hands

EDM 86 - Draw a traffic sign

EDM 96 - Draw something sweet

Errand Day

Every two weeks I have a day called Errand Day where I drive around and do a bunch of errands. The parking metre was a view from my vehicle while I waited for a shop to open. I was in the parking lot but there were metres on the street.

The two dangling cuties are hanging off our rearview mirror. They are made of wrapped string. The one with red hair my husband has named Herbunculous and the other one is Pirozingura. These are adorably sweet. Anthony has named them all and makes up stories to go with them. We have 6 of these altogether. I only drew the two.

On this Errand Day I also got my nails done. Anthony and I go together to Top Fashion Nails in Sherwood Forest Mall to get our nails done. Anthony gets three nails on his right hand done so that he can play his guitar (He plays fingerstyle guitar). Bill, Lily, and Tammie at Top Fashion nails do a fabulous job on our nails. My nails look wonderful and do not chip or flake at all in the two weeks before getting a fill done. Anthony's nails remain strong and perfect for his guitar playing (and look so natural that you have to really look hard to see they are not).

Top Fashion Nails
Sherwood Forest Mall

1225 Wonderland Rd N
London, ON N6G 2V9
(519) 472-4110

EDM 46 - Draw something holiday themed

2011-10-09T00:22:00.003-04:00

Left Page:

46 - Draw something holiday themed

177 - Draw a flag

Right Page:

180 - Draw something in your favorite color

222 - Draw your favorite drawing tool

On Canada Day I had a little ornamental flag on a toothpick given to me by the people from our coffee clutch in the building's social room. (We have coffee once a week.) I drew the flag here on top of the words to O Canada (Canada's national anthem).

On the facing page is a drawing of my new drawing pen. It is a Lamy. Anthony purchased this for me as a gift. We went to Cambridge, Ontario to a shop called Phidon Pens to purchase this (and some other things). Anthony purchased a new Moleskine sketchbook for me as well. (I have not started using the new sketchbook yet.) I really enjoy using the Lamy and will be using it a lot going forward.

I have more than one favourite colour. I really like red, burgundy, mauve, magenta, pink, and purple.

2011-10-07T00:19:00.003-04:00

Here are two people that I love very much.

My son, Alexander had a short haircut for the first time in his life. A couple of years ago he had his first haircut to shoulder length hair. Before that he had hair that went down to his bottom, and he normally wore it in a braid. Here I am showing you a before and after images of his haircut.

My husband, Anthony, is sitting on the sofa reading a book. He always wears his glasses on his head when he reads. He was very patient about allowing me to draw him. I will be drawing Anthony again, later in the sketchbook, with Oscar, our cockatiel, on his head. Correction: Oscar, Anthony's cockatiel.

EDM 20 - Draw something ’Dad’ - in honor of Fathers Day

2011-10-05T03:22:00.003-04:00

This was our first Father's Day without our father, Vasco Fernando Bettencourt. He passed away on July 10, 2010.

My family got together at his grave on Father's Day. Here I have illustrated his tomb stone with my brother, Mylo, fixing the flowers that are being put by his stone. (My mom eventually planted flowers around the stone). After going to the cemetery we went back to Mylo's home for a small get-together.

Dad loved the colour green and red roses. I have made this drawing predominantly green for him. Some of those flowers are supposed to be roses, but I did not do such a good job of drawing them.

EDM 24 - Draw a piece of fruit

2011-10-03T04:43:00.002-04:00

The original drawing is better than this scanned image.

Fresh fruit is so delicious. I love it when fruit is in season.

EDM 72 - Draw somewhere new.

2011-10-01T04:37:00.004-04:00

Alexander and I went to Tillsonburg, Ontario for the first time ever on June 10th to support my friend Darylnne McAvany and her family in the Relay for Life 2011 fundraiser. My friend's family fundraise under the banner "Jackie's Butterfly Brigade" in memory of their mother who died of cancer.

The above drawings represent our visit. The little angels were in the small parade around the site, then beside that drawing, is Darlynne in a golf cart in same parade. The two bottom drawings are of Darlynne and Alexander at the camp site. Alexander is playing his ukulele and singing for us.

It was wonderful to see Darlynne again, and great to meet her sisters and family.

The McAvany family have a great banner and display. They won best decorated campsite. They also raised quite nice chunk of change for the cause.

Darlynne McAvany - Survivor

We met when I went to work for Nationwide Advertising Services (1985) and Darlynne was the Senior Graphic Designer and Illustrator. She was not only my mentor but my friend as well. She is an amazing person. There is nothing this woman cannot do. She has an exceptionally generous spirit and it is a real pleasure to know her.

It was with great sadness that I heard about her bout with cancer. It was a shock to see her so diminutive and frail. However, true to spirit, she is a fighter.

I feel blessed to know Darlynne and to be counted as one of her friends.

EDM 205 - Draw a soda can

2011-09-29T02:33:00.000-04:00

The Intruder

"Intruder"

By Peter Gabriel

I know something about opening windows and doors

I know how to move quietly to creep across creaky wooden floors

I know where to find precious things in all your cupboards and drawers

Slipping the clippers

Slipping the clippers through the telephone wires

The sense of isolation inspires

Inspires me

I like to feel the suspense when I'm certain you know I am there

I like you lying awake, your baited breath charging the air

I like the touch and the smell of all the pretty dresses you wear

Intruders happy in the dark

Intruder come

Intruder come and leave his mark, leave his mark

It drives me crazy that my husband and son leave the pop cans on the coffee table. This is called Intruder because of the one Diet Coke can in the midst of the Dr. Pepper cans. I tend to call the cans "Tin Soldiers".

As the second image in the sketchbook I got a little carried away an added more detail to this drawing than I had originally intended. This image is created with coloured pencils.

EDM 23 - Draw Your Foot

2011-09-27T02:02:00.000-04:00

First drawing in my sketchbook for The Sketcbook Project 2012 is of my feet. This allows me to start this project somewhat relaxed. This was created while I sat on my sofa with my feet up.

Sketchbook Cover

2011-09-25T01:44:00.000-04:00

EDM 56 - Draw a self portrait

Original self portrait draw with pen and ink, then scanned and manipulated in picnik.com. Finally, it was printed on a clear label sheet, cut to size and pasted on the sketchbook cover. The white areas were painted on the underside of the clear sheet (the sticky side) with liquid paper before pasting it onto the front cover of the book.

For the most part, this sketchbook will incorporated the Everyday Matter challenges, while documenting a small cross-section of my life's timeline. It will be a time-capsule, of sorts.

--Originally posted on Ana's Ramblings & Art Corner on August 28, 2011

The Sketchbook Project 2012

2011-09-23T01:55:00.001-04:00

Thousands of sketchbooks have been sent all around the world to people who have signed up to participate in The Sketchbook Project 2012. The books that are returned by January 31st, 2012 will be part of a traveling world exhibit. Once the exhibit is over the books will enter into the permanent collection at The Brooklyn Art Library.

If you need to sign up by October 31st, 2011 if you want to participate.

I will be sharing my entry on this blog over the next few weeks. I will attempt to make most of my pages coincide with EDM Challenges.

Anthony's Leg

2011-09-21T04:51:00.002-04:00

Anthony has cellulitis which caused his leg to swell in size and become lobster-red. It is very hot to the touch. This is excruciatingly painful too. That scar on his leg is from when a vein was removed when he had his quadruple bypass surgery for his heart 12 years ago. It did not heal well.

After I drew Anthony's leg, I was still bored, so I drew an electrical outlet, which was right beside me.

It took 4 weeks for Anthony to heal enough to go back to work. He is feeling much better.

Doodles

2011-09-19T06:29:00.002-04:00

I coloured this while I waited at Victoria Hospital in London Ontario while Anthony was having his leg looked at. This is basically just pen and coloured pencils.

EDM 15 - Draw a tree

2011-09-17T05:00:00.005-04:00

On errand day I found myself waiting for a shop to open so I drew the tree across the street. The above is the original sketch done in pen and ink with my Lamy pen. Below is the same drawing with digital colour added in Picnik.com.

Happy Birthday to my Mom

2011-09-16T05:41:00.002-04:00

I threw this into my sketchbook on September 16, 2009, while sitting at a downtown McDonalds. This was during that time I was waiting before going to work in the morning.

Well, here it is September 16 again. Today is my lovely mother's 77th birthday. I want to wish her a very happy birthday!

@ GNG Summer Potluck

2011-09-15T05:00:00.003-04:00

Cartoonist/Illustrator James Wood drew his dog, Rosie, in my Moleskine with my new Lamy.

This was at the GNG (Graphic Novel Group) summer potluck.

Herbunculous

2011-09-13T05:15:00.025-04:00

Herbunculous is a string doll that hangs from our rear-view mirror. Anthony named this doll and he made up a whole back story to go with it. Of course, I cannot remember what that is, now that I am wanting to write about it.

It is really cute. We actually have 9 of these string dolls dangling from our rear-view mirror. They are all different and Anthony has named them all and given them all stories.

This was created drawing with my Lamy pen, then I used water colour and markers to add colour. I enhanced it a bit with the digital manipulation tools at Picnik.com.

My New Lamy Pen

2011-09-11T05:35:00.003-04:00

Anthony purchased this gorgeous pen for me as a belated anniversary gift (our anniversary is June 6) . It is beautiful and works really well.

We drove to Cambridge, Ontario (about an hour and a half away) and went to a shop called Phidon Pens. We met a lovely woman named Manno who helped us out.

The whole day was most pleasant.

Bad Sketch

2011-09-09T06:55:00.002-04:00

I debated whether or not to post really bad sketches. In the end, it is more honest to post all sketches from my sketchbook, excellent, good, medium, poor, bad, and horrid.

This sketch was done while I waited in a doctor's waiting room. I was facing the man who was staring at a television behind and above my head. It is not a great sketch, and does not really capture his likeness, except for the blank stare. I was listening to CBC's Laugh Out Loud podcast while I waited. I wrote down their URL so that I could go to the site and check something out.

The purpose of my sketchbooks are many. I use them to kill time while waiting, to draw things I want to remember, to practice techniques, to play with layouts and ideas for larger pieces, to record life events, as a visual journal, and just for the heck of it. Most of the images are just scribbles or quick studies. I rarely do any highly detailed finished-quality pieces in the sketchbooks. These books or more for my own edification and amusement and not necessarily for others to view.

So, why am I sharing these images publicly?

I am often asked to share my sketchbooks. People seem to like to see how artists' minds work. Of course every artist is different.

It may be helpful for some people, especially beginner artists, to see the process of keeping a sketchbook and to see that not all work is slick, detailed, and finished. It is okay to just have a few scribbles and doodles. It is okay to draw things that are ugly and unbalanced, to try new techniques, to experiment with styles, media, subject matter.

The sketchbook can have themes or be random. The beauty of the sketchbook is that it can be anything you want it to be. You can keep it completely private, for your eyes only, or you can share it on the internet for the whole world to see. There are no right or wrong ways to keep sketchbooks. There are as many ways to work in a sketchbook as there are artists.

I hope to encourage people to go out and draw, not be afraid to put marks on paper, whether or not they feel their images are good or beautiful.

EDM 10 - Draw your hand

2011-09-07T09:10:00.000-04:00

I am showing off my nails.

Bill at Top Fashion Nails at Sherwood Forest Mall did my nails for me. He did a French tip with squared off nails. This image was illustrated after the first time I had my nails done.

I am not sure why I wanted to remember rosemary honey, but I must have written it down to remind myself of it for a reason.

Anthony now goes with me to Bill to get three nails done on his right hand so he can better play fingerstyle guitar. His natural nails curve too much and hook the strings. Bill makes Anthony's nails look very natural and Anthony is play better than he ever has (which is beyond amazing).

I have my nails done in a rounded style now, and I get them much shorter. It is better for typing on the computer keyboard.

Waiting Room

2011-09-05T09:06:00.002-04:00

I had to take our Hyundai Santa Fe for a regular maintenance tune-up and decided to wait rather than get a ride home. This is the waiting area. They always have fresh baked cookies on the table, and there is a coffee machine and hot water for tea. The chairs are quite comfortable. They have satellite TV and a large screen for the customers, as well as all the requisite magazines and newspapers.

I moved across the room, to the chair in the first drawing, after I got up for more coffee and these two ladies sat down where I was originally sitting. It is okay that they sat there. There are plenty of seats for everyone, and all seats are close to the cookies, magazines, and television.

I did not finish this drawing (the chairs should be black) because I my vehicle was ready and I went home.

Mandala Moment

2011-09-03T13:00:00.000-04:00

This doodle reminded me of a mandala so I called it Mandala Moment at MacDonald's. Here is the definition of mandala:
Definition of MANDALA

: a Hindu or Buddhist graphic symbol of the universe;specifically : a circle enclosing a square with a deity on each side that is used chiefly as an aid to meditation

: a graphic and often symbolic pattern usually in the form of a circle divided into four separate sections or bearing a multiple projection of an image

(Source: http://www.merriam-webster.com/)

As you can see, it is not a true mandala. Also, I spelled McDonalds incorrectly. However, I did entertain myself for a hour and a half while I waited for the doors to open at work.

EDM 56 - Draw a self portrait

2011-09-01T11:37:00.002-04:00

Not one of my better efforts, but a self-portrait, nonetheless. Again, this is at the downtown McDonalds as I await the opening of the work doors. Here I am doodling to kill time. My hair is much shorter here than it is now, and I have it pulled off my face in a most unflattering way.

You can see that instead of coffee, I am having a cold drink. If I remember correctly, it was orange juice.

EDM 146 - Draw a favorite food

2011-08-29T01:12:00.002-04:00

I drew this from a McDonald's place mat. I really enjoy Greek salad. It and Caesar are my favourites.

Balloons

2011-08-27T01:07:00.001-04:00

Just some doodling to pass time.

EDM 16 - Draw a favorite tool

2011-08-25T00:54:00.001-04:00

I am stretching the definition to "tool" here, but this is as much as tool as anything. I enjoy listening to audio books while I work. It makes housework go by faster (and be less odious). It is also great to multi-task and listen to an audio book while I draw.

I will have to admit that when I draw and listen to a book, I cannot listen to anything "heavy" or else my hands stop working and I just sit and concentrate on the book. For doing artwork, I find a nice light read is best.

This is my 4GB Coby MP3 player that my son gave me as a gift. I really enjoy using it. It plays wmv files too.

Everyday Matters

2011-08-23T01:50:00.002-04:00

Everyday Matters is a friendly group of people of all ages, cultures, ethnicities, and experience / skill levels that enjoy keeping illustrated journals. This community of artists, from beginners to pros, stimulate creativity by encouraging daily drawing in journals. There are challenges to help inspire ideas. As of this writing there are 323 challenges posted in the EDM Facebook Group. New challenges are added regularly.

This group grew out of Danny Gregory's website.

For more information about EDM, please also check out these links:

EDM Yahoo Group

EDM Flickr Group

The EDM Superblog - inactive

Danny Gregory's Blog

EDM Challenges - Facebook Document

EDM 215 - Draw your thumb & EDM 146 - Draw a favorite food

EDM 36 - Draw out in public

2011-08-23T00:46:00.003-04:00

Part of the morning drawing sessions at the McDonalds downtown. There was a young lady across the restaurant from me. She was having breakfast and daydreaming.

EDM 222 - Draw your favorite drawing tool

2011-08-21T23:37:00.000-04:00

I am way behind in uploading images from my sketchbook(s) to this site, so I will try to catch up over the next few weeks. The computer my scanner was attached to crashed and it took me a while to attach the scanner to another computer.

The above image was sketched while at the downtown McDonalds while waiting for the doors to open at the job I was working at. This was shortly after MyWebCollege.com had opened and I was still a telephone jockey. Later I was promoted several times into management, and eventually let go. They refused to pay me for my last weeks work, I filed a claim with the Ministry of Labour, and they ruled in my favour. However, that is another story.

When I drew this, I was still happy, passionate, and hopeful. My husband dropped me off downtown on this way to work and would pick me up on his way home from work.

In this drawing there is my moleskine sketchbook, a black drawing pen, an eraser pen, and a black drawing pen. Of course, there is my coffee, as well.

Here my favourite drawing tool is my moleskine sketchbook.

EDM # 77 - Draw something cold or cool

2009-06-02T09:15:00.003-04:00

EDM # 77 - Draw something cold or cool

Okay, I am taking liberties with this EDM challenge.

This is Ruby Dhalla. She is a minor Canadian politician.

She has been recently accused of allegedly abusing caregivers hired to look after her mother. It has come out that she is a difficult person to work for and that she treats all her employees badly.

How true is this? I have no way of knowing. However, I suspect there is a grain of truth to the rumours. She looks like someone who feels entitled.

EDM # 138, #147, #151, #208

2009-06-01T12:32:00.006-04:00

EDM # 138 (Draw something soft)

EDM # 147 (Draw something made of wood.)
EDM # 151 (Free choice)
EDM # 208 (Draw something out of place)

This scene is the corner of our living room. This sits beside the loveseat, in front of the fireplace (that we don't use). This is where my husband sometimes practices his guitar.

The something soft (138) is the pillow on the floor at the base of the stool, which is made of wood (147). I just felt like drawing this so it is one of my free choice (151) drawings. And the thing out of place (208) is the box of needles that my husband uses to inject insulin. It is sitting on the corner of the coffee table, right where all the musical items are (you can see the edge of a guitar case behind the coffee table). It is only out of place because it is not music-related, but not out of place because it is Anthony-related (the music is Anthony-related). The other thing that could be considered out of place is the soft pillow on the floor. This is a hand made decorative pillow that has a photo of our son, Alexander, with our old dog, Sherry, on the pillow.

This drawing was done with ballpoint pen and coloured with my woodless coloured pencils.

My Living Space

2009-05-31T10:43:00.004-04:00

This is NOT to scale.

I was trying to explain to someone why my husband, Anthony, tends to look over my shoulder when I am on the computer, either laptop or desktop. I came up with the idea of drawing out my living area so it would be easier to explain.

Anthony usually sits in the love seat (N) and I often sit on the sofa (O) with my back towards him and my feet out on the couch. So, he can see what I am doing on my laptop. If I am on the desktop (J) he can see what is on the screen. That is why he can often comment on people's artwork that I am viewing, or on the photos on the screen. Cool, eh?

Playing Catch Up

2009-05-11T12:08:00.004-04:00

I have been dealing with health issues, mine, my son's and my husband's. Therefore, I have gotten a little behind in posting. I am playing catch up now. These were done in March and April. I will be drawing again regularly now that things are getting back to normal.

The above is EDM # 215 (Draw your thumb) but I was not happy with it and tried it again later. Also EDM # 12 (Draw your dinner).

While in the waiting room of St. Joseph's Hospital Urgent Care, Alexander drew the above. It is of one of the other people waiting. He was bored so I allowed him to draw in my book again.

This is my second attempt at EDM # 215 (Draw your thumb). I like it better.

Alexander had a second pocket of infection near the original area where he had surgery. The doctor surgically removed the second pocket of infection. It was smaller than the original problem. This time he only had 3 feet of packing inserted into the wound. He is down to about 2 inches now. I drew the above when he was at about 6 inches of packing. It shows what he has to go through every day. It is very painful for him. It is an uncomfortable area to have an open wound. This is in the upper buttocks, lower spine area. Alexander gave me permission to post these. I had done them for my own records, but he said he did not mind if I posted them. I would not have done so if he was not comfortable with it. (Also, these are very cartoonish and don't look very realistic.)

March 15, 2009

2009-03-15T21:43:00.006-04:00

Anthony and I went for a date today to Chapters and had a Starbucks' treat each. I had a berry chai infusion tea and a lemon poppy seed cake loaf and Anthony had the new coffee blend and an oatmeal cookie. It was a lovely afternoon.

I messed up the saying on the back of my coffee cup. This is what it should have said:

When I was young I was misled by flash cards into believing that xylophones and zebras were much more common.
-- Amy-Elyse Neer (Starbucks customer)

On Anthony's cup it said:

The manual arts have always taken precedence over the fine arts. Remember somebody had to build a ceiling before Michelangelo could go to work.
-- John Ratzenberger (Actor)

March 14, 2009 (EDM# 9, 27, 30, 54 & 217)

2009-03-14T20:28:00.009-04:00

My son, Alexander, asleep on the sofa holding his cell phone. I thought it was pretty funny. He did not find it as amusing as I did. He insists that I am making it up. But, honestly, he really was holding his cell phone as he slept on the couch. I am using the above image as EDM # 54 - Draw someone you love.

The above illustration will include a few different EDM challenges (listed below). This is a small section of our living room/family room/living space. It is the corner of our coffee table, piled down with books (one of my hobbies: Reading). You can see the mug-o-stuff, illustrated in an earlier post. There is a chair in the background that Anthony or Alexander will use when playing instruments. You can also see three of Anthony's guitar cases. This is a bit of "organized chaos".

Everyday Matters Challenges:

#9 - Draw a bit of "organized chaos"
#27 - Draw a book
#30 - Draw a chair
#214 - Draw something representing a favourite hobby (Reading, and listening to my guys play music).

March 13, 2009 (EDM# 86 & 178)

2009-03-13T22:00:00.006-04:00

EDM # 178 - Draw something red
EDM # 86 - Draw a traffic sign
EDM # 54 - Draw someone you love

I drew the above stop sign while waiting for Anthony. I was picking him up from work, again, as I had the vehicle again.

The inset was later in the evening. We were watching Double Indemnity on TCM and Anthony fell asleep.

I just uploaded a my latest portrait in my regular blog. Please take a look there, or go to my ArtWanted site or my regular website.

March 11, 2009 DSDF Week 25-26 Challenge - Sushi

2009-03-11T23:29:00.007-04:00

I had the vehicle today so I drew the above when I went to pick up Anthony and was waiting for him after work. This is from inside the vehicle in the waiting area. Anthony works as a clinical laboratory technologist in the virology laboratory for London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) St. Joseph's Hospital Campus (SJHC).

I saw that the Different Strokes from Different Folks challenge was to draw a sushi reference photo. I really don't have time right now to do a detailed drawing, but I like sushi and and I liked the reference photo so I thought I would attempt it. It is done very quickly (about 15 minutes or so) with pen, ink, and coloured pencil (Koh-I-Noor Woodless). It was a fun little sketch. If I have time before the deadline, I may try a more detailed version (but I am not holding my breath).

March 9, 2009

2009-03-09T22:29:00.009-04:00

Alexander had a follow-up appointment with his surgeon, Dr. Ward Davies, this morning. While waiting for Dr. Davies to come in to check his surgery wound, Alexander entertained himself by playing on his cell phone. I think he was on the web checking out the new band he is going to be playing bass for. (I will not mention it's name here until he is actually playing with them, so I don't jinx it. He is auditioning this week, but it sounds like they want him).

Dr. Davies said the wound looks good and is healing well. He put some silver nitrate on it, which hurts like the dickens, but is supposed to help cauterize the wound. I have to keep the wound covered with damp gauze.

Later tonight I went to Williams Coffee Pub to meet with my friend Patti for a coffee. Her son, Drew, plays soccer at a nearby school and she has an hour to kill in my neighbourhood. It is always nice to see Patti. Williams has a display of art by Lido Pimiento. Lido's art is light and whimsical. There were soft sculptures and painting on display. We were sitting under the sculpture illustrated above. I thought the work was amusing. You can see more of Lido's work on her blog: http://mishimushi.blogspot.com/

In the drawing above you see the sculpture on the brick wall. There is a black pull-down shade on the window beside the wall (where I wrote) and beneath that you see the reflection in the window of the woman at the next table.

March 7, 2009 (EDM # 51)

2009-03-07T19:58:00.007-05:00

Our friends, who own the comic book shop L.A. Mood, had a special screening of Watchmen this morning. It was really quite good. If you like comic books and/or graphic novels, then you will enjoy this film. We are going to have to watch it a few more times because of all the things going on in the film. I won't spoil it by telling you about it (as tempted as I am).

EDM # 51 - Draw your TV.

We were watching OASIS HD channel. We like that channel. We tend to watch a lot of documentaries and nature programs in our household. We also like movies and Sci Fi (now known as SF).

March 5, 2009 (EDM # 23 & 25)

2009-03-05T20:03:00.002-05:00

EDM # 25 - Draw a glass (the kind you drink from) and EDM # 23 - Draw your foot

We went to Ben Thanh Viet-Thai restaurant. It is our favourite restaurant. The food is fabulous and the prices are good. Anthony always has the Beef Satay soup (#128) and Alexander and I have the Pad Thai. YUM. I usually have a chocolate bubble drink too.

At home, later in the evening, I put my leg out to rest my swollen ankle. The Beethoven bust sits across the room under the television set.

March 4, 2009 (EDM # 213)

2009-03-04T18:10:00.006-05:00

First, let me say that both Alexander and I are feeling much better. Alexander is going to take a little longer to recuperate, than I, but with lots of rest he will be up and around in no time at all.

I spent most of Tuesday and today catching up on work so there has not been much time to draw.

EDM # 213
Draw a Microwave

Our microwave oven is white and sits in a white kitchen. You see a partial collection of roosters and chickens sitting on top of my microwave. I collect roosters (and chickens) and have them all around my kitchen. That is a microwaveable kettle, also on top of the microwave, that whistles when the water is boiled. I use it to make pots of tea so I keep it out all the time.

I belong to the FlyLady group. On the door you see my FlyLady sticker. FlyLady is a group to help you get control of your home and life 15 minutes at a time. It has helped me a lot. I find her methods work well for highly creative, extremely easily side-tracked people, like me.

March 2, 2009 (EDM # 10)

2009-03-02T20:39:00.002-05:00

All the images on this blog (so far) have been created in my little, pocket-sized Moleskine sketchbook using either pencil or pen & ink, and roughly coloured using Koh-I-Noor woodless coloured pencils. These are quick sketches averaging anywhere from two to twenty minutes, each.

Alexander did not sleep at all last night, being in pain all night. We decided to take him in to University Hospital this morning to see if anything could be done about the last bit of his surgery scar that was not healing (he the surgery in June 2008 and a little bit, about a centimeter in diameter is refusing to heal).

When I drove him over, I was experiencing chest paints, tingling in my left arm and fingers, and difficulty breathing. Just last week I spent several hours in a walk-in-clinic and SJHC's Urgent Care because of my difficulty breathing and chronic cough. I booked myself in to UH as well and they did an ECG, blood work, and chest X-Rays. End result --> NO heart trouble, blood pressure still a little high, and pain could be from all the coughing. Now that I know I am not on death's door, I will get it looked into by my regular physician.

I am going to use the above drawing of my hand for EDM # 10 (Draw your hand)

Alexander was seen by the E.R. doctor and she called in the surgeon's intern to come look at him. The last little bit was not healing properly and there was some granulation that was sticking out, causing pain, and not allowing the final healing. The surgeon froze him up with a local, right there and then, and cut out the granulated piece and cauterized the rest of the wound. Alexander is in excruciating pain, but I think it will finally heal! I drew Alexander's backside (this is at base of his spine). He said it was okay to post this since half the world has seen his backside over the last year of this illness, "may as well have the other half look at it." I did not draw it very realistically on purpose. That is several pieces of gauze over the incised area to stem the bleeding. Hopefully this is the last of this. This has been a long and painful experience for Alexander.

On all the paperwork in emerge it was noted that Alexander was in for pediatric emerge. Alexander is 6'3", 250lbs and hairy as all get out! Every single medical health professional did a double take and asked him "how old are you?!" and were surprised to hear him reply "17".

I am so pleased to be back home.

March 1, 2009

2009-03-01T23:55:00.002-05:00

Today I went to the United States to help celebrate our friends' 35th Wedding Anniversary! David and Joyce have been happily married for 35 years!

Anthony and Alexander could not go, so I got a ride to Farmington Hill, Michigan with Ian and Storm. We had no problem going over the border.

Unfortunately David's father was not able to make it, unexpectedly being in the Cardiac Unit of their local hospital. David spent the morning with him.

Many of their family and friends were there. I finally met their eldest daughter, Allysa, and of course, it was a pleasure to see their younger daughter, Michelle. Both girls are beautiful, intelligent and super kids!

Joyce looked stunning in a lovely bright peach ensemble. She sparkled.

On the tables were "take home gifts" for all the women. The men had lottery scratch cards with their place cards. The women received rose scented soap petals shaped like roses inside a clear plastic heart. They also received a pretty 3-tier wedding cake shaped candle. Both are lovely.

The meal was fantastic. I had steak, cooked to perfection, potatoes, and vegetables. We had cake for dessert.

All in all, it was a wonderful time and I felt honoured to be invited to help share in their love and commitment. We have only known each other a short time, but have become good friends.

I got a ride back to London, ON with Bill and Lottie. Bill and Lottie live right near me so it made more sense to get a ride back with them. It was a pleasant ride. No problem at the border and the weather held out, both ways. It was a lovely day to drive.

February 27, 2009

2009-02-27T23:48:00.002-05:00

This was done in the waiting room of Urgent Care at St. Joseph's Health Care (London, ON). I was there for several hours waiting to be seen. Alexander came with me. He drove me down because I have been feeling light-headed from all the coughing. The woman across from me was cold so she was using her coat like a blanket.

When I was eventually seen, they had the chest X-rays done, and then it went pretty quickly after that. Turns out I did NOT have double lung pneumonia, but rather a severe asthma attack. I was told to continue with my aggressive treatment of the asthma, and the doctor added a short term dosage of prednisone plus an antibiotic (just in case). He gave me the first dose there and I picked up the prescription this morning. Already I am feeling much better. I am still coughing, but not as much, I can breathe, and suddenly I have energy again.

Alexander was bored so I allowed him to draw in my Moleskine sketchbook too. His drawings are below.

The drawing on the first page, above, is more like his regular style, as is the one on the second page (below). He was trying out several of my new pens, the first pages above were done with a fine tip brush pen, and below with a broad tip brush pen. He likes the fine tip better. I added the colour because he finds colouring to be torture. He has always hated colouring and never got excited about crayons. But, he LOVES pens! Strange.

The above, second page, is a visual representation of me. This is how he sees me, a painful bunch of bones and joints with bad lungs. LOL. It really made me laugh.

February 26, 2009

2009-02-26T23:27:00.002-05:00

The above image is of a stuffed toy that sits near our television. It is sitting on a stack of magazines on a little child's chair. It is supposed to be a mythical creature from H.P. Lovecraft's works.

Anthony and Alexander finally convinced me to go to a walk in clinic regarding my chronic (and annoying) cough and my difficulty breathing. I was disappointed that Dr. Swift was not in. He had surgery and so a Dr. Lucy was looking after the clinic. She thought my lungs sounded very congested and thought I had double lung pneumonia. She also said my blood pressure was particularly high. She suggested I get chest X-rays done to be sure.

It was too late to go for X-rays by the time I got out, so I went home, sat on my sofa, and drew the brush above, that I use to remove pencil dust and eraser crumbs as I work on my art. The mug you see above was a Father's Day gift from Alexander to Anthony when Alexander was quite small. It was done at a mall and they took an image of Alexander's little head and put it on Superman's body on the mug. The other side says "Happy Father's Day". Anthony keeps some of his treasures in this mug. There is a parrot pen that Alexander gave him, a Charlie Brown pez dispenser, and a "Super Dad" super hero sculpture that Alexander made (out of pipe cleaners, paper and a bead for the head.) for his father when he was little. He made this to help his dad recuperate from heart surgery. All the treasures Anthony keeps in this mug were special gifts from Alexander. Anthony keeps these near his end of the coffee table so he can look at them whenever he needs a "pick me up".

February 22, 2009

2009-02-22T23:12:00.002-05:00

Anthony and Alexander got me a strawberry chocolate Boston cream cake for my birthday. It was delicious. I had the last piece on February 22 (which is not too bad considering my birthday was on the 19th)! I also used this as an EDM (Everyday Matters) assignment: draw a shadow.

Below is a quick slideshow of my birthday. You can read more about it on my regular blog.

February 20, 2009

2009-02-20T22:55:00.000-05:00

I used this as an EDM (Everyday Matters)assignment

February 12, 2009

2009-02-12T21:25:00.001-05:00

Leena and Ingelbert surprised me with a visit. I have not seen them in ages, especially Leena. When Leena lived here, in London Ontario, she and I were very close. She was my best friend and I shared everything with her. Since she has moved back to the States, we are still close but it is difficult with her so far away. I really miss her.

We had a great visit, but it was too short.

The above was done while I waited for them at Williams Coffee Pub (one of my favourite places to go because they have excellent coffee and food, comfortable chairs, and great atmosphere).

Leena gave me some lovely birthday gifts. I have illustrated them below.

February 7, 2009

2009-02-07T21:22:00.001-05:00

February 5, 2009

2009-02-05T21:08:00.001-05:00

February 2, 2009

2009-02-02T20:46:00.002-05:00

Most Monday nights, for the last little while, I meet with my friend Patti Murphy at Williams Coffee Pub for a coffee. Patti comes into my end of London (Ontario) from Lucan (Ontario) on Monday nights so that her son can attend a soccer practice at a local high school. It is great seeing her once a week.

Last night I arrived a bit early so entertained myself by drawing in my new Moleskine sketchbook. I drew what was in front of me on the table. The sketchbook is 3½" x 5½" so this is a pretty small drawing. Since so many things were incorporated in this drawing, I decided to use this as a submission to several EDM (Everyday Matters) challenges (listed above). The above sketch took about an hour to do. I started it while I waited for Patti and finished it later, at home (added the shading). That is a lipstick stain on my mug.

You can see the bleed through from the first page (the pen & ink) that I did. Although I liked the way the ink laid down, I did not like the bleed through. The graphite worked very well and smoothly.

Tools used on above sketch:

Moleskine sketchbook
2B Mechanical pencil
Kneaded eraser

February 1, 2009

2009-02-01T20:30:00.000-05:00