EDM 18 - View from My Window

The View from My Window
Mixed Media

When I sit in my corner of the sofa, I am close to the patio-doors in our living room. We don't have windows in our apartment, but rather two patio doors, one in the bedroom, and one in the living room. We are on the 10th floor of our apartment building and face the street.

What you see here is my view from my sofa corner. I pulled the curtain back a bit so I could look outside. That is my brown curtain on the right. At the top you see the roof our our balcony (or the bottom of the upstairs balcony). Then you see cloudy sky. The two black areas is my veranda (railing). You can see the tops of buildings between the top and bottom sections of the veranda (railing). At the bottom you see a bit of street and some tree tops between the bottom of the veranda and the floor of my balcony.

I used ink, watercolour, and Derwent Inktense pencils, both wet and dry.

642 Things to Draw #22 - A Dolphin

a dolphin
Pen and Ink

People like dolphins because they always look like they are smiling.  Any time we see them on television or in movies it is in a positive light. We hear about dolphins saving people. We see dolphins playing with people. We hear that they are an exceptionally intelligent mammal.

I am certain all that is true. I also believe they can be aggressive, like any wild animal, if confronted or if they feel threatened.

Some of my friends collect dolphin things. I don't. (I collect chicken and rooster things).

You can either imagine my little dolphin drawing swimming in the ocean or jumping out of the water. I chose not to give it context so you can use your imagination.

642 Things to Draw #21 - Ironing Board

an ironing board
Pen and Ink

This is my ironing board. It is a table-top version.

I really dislike ironing so this ironing table rarely sees the light of day. Most of our clothing is wash-and-wear. It is small and folds away conveniently. On the rare occasions that I actually need to iron, it comes out and sits on a table. I like this because it is tall enough not to hurt my back.

Every Day in June #11 - Draw a Rope

Every Day in June #11 (EDM #196) - Draw a Rope
Pen and Ink

Every Day In June #30 - Something You Keep in your Pocket

Every Day In June #30 (EDM #326) - Draw something you can keep in your pocket.
Pen and Ink

This is the last drawing of the June Challenge.

I rarely carry a purse so I usually carry my keys and my wallet in my pockets.

On this key ring I have a miniature flashlight, a "Be Happy" fob that makes it easy to grab, front door, apartment, and mail room keys, and an old DriveSafe tag.

FlyLady Wallet

My wallet is the one recommended by FlyLady. It is small and sleek and fits nicely into my pockets or small purse. It carries everything I need and does not take up a lot of room.

There is a sketch of this wallet in my post: EDM 3, Draw your Wallet.

Every Day in June #28 - Draw a Snack

Every Day in June #28 (EDM #306) - Draw a Snack
Grapes

Watercolour with Pen and Ink

Fruit is my favourite snacks. I very much enjoy grapes right out of the refrigerator.

Every Day in June #26-27 Draw a Shirt and Something Orange

Every Day in June #26 (EDM #286) - Draw a shirt 

Every Day in June #27 (EDM #296) - Draw something orange

Pen and Ink with digital Colour

I got a little behind on the drawing so I did two challenges in one with this one. There really is nothing to say about this drawing.

642 Things to Draw # 19 - Fangs

Fangs

Pen and Ink

There is a huge "Vampire" following these days with all the vampire films and books coming out. I chose to draw vampire fangs to show the sign of the times. Quite frankly, I am tired and bored of all the vampire hoopla.

This is just a quick sketch. I considered adding some colour (red) but in the end thought I'd leave it as is. The paper in this book does not take well to wet media, therefore, watercolour was out, and I was not up to grabbing my red coloured pencils.

Every Day in June #23 - Draw Something Bubbly

Every Day in June #23 (EDM #256) - Draw Something Bubbly
642 Things to Draw # 18 - Bubbles

Pen and Ink

There is not much one can say about this drawing. It is just bubbles. I was thinking of children blowing bubbles when I drew this.

In order to get the perfect circles I used a circle template and carefully cut out the circles with an X-acto knife on thin cardboard. I then put the cardboard down and used a brush pen filled with ink and went over each circle to get the clean edges. I then took a clear plastic (green) circle template and drew the inner circle with a .5 pen tip (to leave the thin white edge). I freehanded the rest.

There you go: Bubbles.

Every Day in June #22 - Draw Some Gloves

Every Day in June #22 (EDM #246) - Draw some gloves

Pen and Ink with Coloured Pencil


This is a blue vinyl surgical glove. You can purchase them at drug stores and use them as you would latex gloves (for cleaning around the house and messy jobs). Our son is allergic to latex so we use non-latex products in our home.

I don't use a lot of chemicals when cleaning. But I do wear gloves when cleaning the washrooms, especially around the toilets.

In the kitchen they are great when making messy meals or when you have to mix ground beef with bread-crumbs to make hamburgers or meatballs.

Every Day in June #21 - Draw the Palm of your Left Hand

Every Day in June #21 (EDM #236) - Draw the palm of your left hand 

Pen and Ink

This is the palm of my left hand. Well, as close to it as I could draw it. I am unable to hold my hand open for very long. I have problems with my left hand and arm. So, I propped it as open as I could get it and rested it against the book. I then drew as quickly as I could with my right hand before my left hand seized-up completely.  This is the end result.

My left hand being pushed open against the steering wheel of our vehicle.  I am not wearing my wedding band and engagement ring in this photo as it was a hot day and my fingers were swollen. Photo taken with an iPhone by Ana Tirolese

Every Day in June #20 - Draw a Screw

Every Day in June #20 (EDM #226) - Draw a screw

Pen and Ink

The first (top) image was rendered completely freehand. The second (bottom) image was rendered using a ruler/straight-edge. I did some stippling in on it too.

I find I like the freehand image better, even though the other image is a more accurate representation of a screw. I find the freehand version has more personality while the other is quite static and sterile.

Every Day in June #19 (EDM #216) - Draw your inner critic

Every Day in June #19 (EDM #216) - Draw your inner critic

Pen and Ink with Digital Colour

I was having a bad morning and when I saw this challenge the above image materialized. Too many of us are familiar with this beast.

My son said, "Hey, mom, your inner critic is scary."

Yes, yes it is.

This is my psyche at it's worse.  This is when I lose all confidence in myself; when I cannot remember that there are are good things in my life.

When I posted the above image on Facebook I was surprised at the amount of comments that came my way. Here is a sample of those comments.

Facebook Comments - Used with permission

My friend, Sherry Power, of Power Home Solutions wrote a lovely blog post about this situation entitled Silencing Your Inner Critic. Please take a moment to go read it.

Thankfully I don't go to this place very often, anymore. I have mechanisms in place now to keep me from getting here, or staying long, if I do go here.  

• I have a list of accomplishments that I keep in a file on the computer. I add to this list as I go along.
• I keep emails, letters, notes of nice things people have said to me or about me. I read these when I need to remember that I am not as horrible as my critic is telling me.
• I have gone for counseling in the past, and, although I am not longer in counseling, I would recommend it to anyone who is feeling overwhelmed. It really does help you to see outside the box and get a fresh perspective on what is going on in your life.
• I am on low-dose antidepressant.
• I surround myself with positive people.
• I draw, read, create art, have coffee with friends, interact with people, mentor people (online and off), get involved with others with similar interests

I created this image, that is supposed to be far more positive, in response to the inner critic. This is supposed to be my inner cheerleader.

Inner Cheerleader - More positive image
My family and friends think I drew myself looking too scary.

However, I think it the cartoon of me is just as scary as the critic cartoon. It was supposed to be me cheering, however, I drew the teeth in the wrong angle.  Still, the colours are prettier and the words are nicer. I strive to be the things in this image, although I have not always succeeded. 

There were more Facebook comments left regarding this image.

Facebook Comments - Used with permission

I read a blog post some time ago about 20 Bad Habits Holding Good People Back. It is from the blog Marc and Angel Hack Life: Practical Tips for Productive Living and was written by Marc. I suggest you follow the link to read the full description of the 20 bad habits. It is well worth the read. Here is a quick listing of the habits.

1. Expecting life to be easy
2. Overlooking your true path and purpose
3. Chasing after those who don’t want to be caught
4. Not asking for help when you know you need it
5. Letting one dark cloud cover the entire sky
6. Holding on to things you need to let go of
7. Spending time with people who make you unhappy
8. Not making time for those who matter most
9. Denying personal responsibility
10. Letting everyone else make decisions for you
11. Giving up who YOU are
12. Quitting as soon as things get slightly difficult
13. Doing too much and pushing too hard, without pausing
14. Discrediting yourself for everything you aren’t
15. Running from current problems and fears
16. Constantly mulling over past hardships
17. Denying your mistakes
18. Expecting your significant other to be perfect
19. Focusing on the negatives
20. Not allowing things to be good enough

Through the magic of computers and digital technology I have created a less scary cheerleader image. Here it is.

My Inner Cheerleader - Rebooted 

Pen and Ink, Manipulated Photo, Digital Colour.

Thank you for reading my blog.

Every Day in June #16 (EDM #186) - Draw something you’ve always wanted

Every Day in June #16 (EDM #186) - Draw something you’ve always wanted
Ana Singing

Pen and Ink with Digital Colour

I have always wanted to be able to sing. Unfortunately, I was not blessed with any musical ability and even less of a singing voice. When I was in grade 6 my teacher asked me to just mouth the words to the songs because I had the worse voice she had ever heard. I stopped singing altogether, then.

Sadly, this guy sings better than I.

God did bless me with a musically gifted husband and son who have a lovely singing voices. I thoroughly enjoy listening to my son and husband sing. My husband sings for me daily.

Happy Canada Day!!!

HAPPY CANADA DAY!
Watercolour with Digital Text

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Every Day in June #15 (EDM #176) - Draw something summer
Pen and Ink with Digital Colour

Watermelon is is one of my favourite foods. I could eat this stuff until I am completely waterlogged! When I think of summer I think of watermelon...and ladybugs, and ants...

I enjoy summer, but not when it is very hot and humid. I become quite cranky then. I prefer the cooler days of summer.

The above image was originally rendered in my sketchbook in pen and ink. I then scanned it and modified it in Photoshop. Digital colour was also added at that time. Below is the original, untouched, image.

Original Pen and Ink drawing from Sketchbook, untouched.

Every Day in June #14 (EDM #166) - Draw a fish

Every Day in June #14 (EDM #166) - Draw a fish

Pen and Ink and Watercolour

This is from my memory of going to the Mandarin Restaurant with my husband and son. They have a huge aquarium in the restaurant.

Fish at The Mandarin Restaurant.

Every Day in June #12 (EDM #146) - Draw a favorite food

Every Day in June #12 (EDM #146) - Draw a favorite food

Pen and Ink with Watercolour

Truth be known, I actually have many favourite foods, including bananas. I chose a banana because I could draw it without having to get up and getting a real one as a reference.

I like bananas dipped in chocolate (frozen or not) but don't do that very often.  When I was little, my mother would give me banana dipped in white sugar. My friend, Murilo, was telling me he enjoyed a banana microwaved and mashed with cinnamon. I tried it recently and it is good.  My favourite is frozen bananas that I enjoy during the summer during the summer. Sometimes I will blend a frozen banana in a blender until it is the consistency of ice cream. Yum!

Warning: Be careful biting into a frozen banana. It can break your teeth.

Every Day in June #11 (EDM #136) - Draw Something that’s Alive

Every Day in June #11 (EDM #136) - Draw Something that’s Alive

Pen and Ink with Watercolour

Dexter is a conure/parakeet. He loves to steal food and drink from Anthony. Here I have him enjoying Anthony's orange juice.

Dexter tries to sneak some of Anthony's pineapple.

Dexter has some "pasta dinner" in a plate of his own

Dexter is a funny bird and we really enjoy having him living with us. He loves to spend time with Anthony. He also "helps" Anthony read books, sometimes he is a little too helpful.

Here Dexter is helping Anthony read on my HP Touchpad. 

Every Day in June #10 (EDM #126) - Draw a Sponge

Every Day in June #10 (EDM #126) - Draw a Sponge

Pen and Ink with Watercolour

I thought I would have a little fun with this challenge and draw Spongebob Squarepants. My son used to love this show when he was younger. Oh, who am I kidding, he still loves this show! When he is home he subjects me to hours of it on Netflix.

This was most fun to draw, even if I can hear Spongebob's maniacal laugh in my head every time I look at it.

Every Day in June # 9 - Draw Something Green

Every Day in June #9 (Every Day Matters #116) - Draw Something Green
The Green Lantern

Pen and Ink with Watercolour

I thought I would share my version of The Green Lantern. I am no Alex Ross or James Wood, but I had fun drawing this. I did it as part of a drawing every day challenge in one of my online art groups. Instead of drawing a leaf or a frog I thought I would do something a little different. I really do not do cartoons or comic book characters so this was a stretch for me.

I did enjoy the movie, The Green Lantern.