EDM #21 - Draw Something Old, Antique, or Vintage

An Old Iron
Ink and Watercolour

This iron belonged to my dear Mother-in-Law, Maria Grazia Ciolli Tirolese. She used it for many years before getting an electric iron. She would place hot coals in the body to heat up the iron.

We have it now, but it is no longer in use, other than as a sentimental decoration. My mother-in-law gave it to my husband many years ago, as he was admiring it.

Every Day Matters #16 - Draw Your Favourite Tool

My Favourite Tools
Pen and Ink with Watercolour

It seems that electronic devices and drawing implements are tops in my favourite tools category.  This is so true.

I love my iPhone because it can do so much. You can see an earlier version of this challenge that lists many of my iPhone uses. Basically, I use it as a PDA and memory booster. The camera feature is fabulous too because I often myself in need of a camera, especially to capture visual ideas for later art pieces. I even have a gorgeous iPhone case for it.

Back in 2009, I drew an MP3 player as my favourite tool. It still is a favourite tool. I love to listen to audiobooks while I do artwork. However, I tend to use my iPhone now unless it is an incompatible file for the iPhone.

Ever since my husband gave me my first Lamy fountain pen, I have been in love with it. It feels great in my hand, the ink flows beautifully, and I love that I can see when the ink is depleted through the window in its side. I still love my coloured pencils and my watercolours, but there is nothing so pleasurable as drawing with a Lamy Safari pen.

Every Day Matter #15- Draw a Tree, Leaf, or Branch

Maple Leaf with Maple Key
Pen and Ink with Watercolour

It was too hot to be outside and my allergies were acting up so I plucked a small branch off a tree and brought it inside to draw. After turning it around and around I could not find an angle I liked. However, I really liked one of its leaves and I liked the maple keys on it. In the end, that is what got put to paper.

I had a really lovely day on Saturday, July 21, 2012.

We started the day by going to see the new Batman movie: The Dark Knight Rises at the Rainbow Theatre. This was sponsored by Carol and Gord for the customers of L.A. Mood Comic and Game shop. We are big comic book hero fans so we really enjoyed the film. Our only complaint was that it was difficult to always understand what Batman or Bane were saying. We'll have to watch with subtitles when we get it on DVD.

I picked up some buns and cold-cuts at Angelo's Italian Market for a very pleasant lunch.

I don't know how long they have been in London, but Anthony heard about it from a friend from work and told me. I was so excited. I used to shop at Curry's in Toronto all the time! After lunch, Anthony and I went to Curry's Art Supply Store. I browse much slower than Anthony so he ended up sitting in a chair and chatting to staff and customers, while waiting for me. He indulged me and I picked up a handful of new "toys" (art supplies). This maple leaf used the new watercolour pens I picked up today, as well as the new fountain pen ink.

After a lovely day, my friend, Tracey, invited me to go play euchre with her and a couple of her friends. Her friends live a couple of buildings down from me so I just walked over. I don't play cards, never have. I certainly had never played euchre before. However, Tracey, Denyse, and Harold were very patient with me in explaining the rules. They said I picked it up very quickly. Denyse and Harold are gracious hosts and pleasant people. I had a very enjoyable evening with them.

Every Day Matter #14 - Draw What You See in the Morning

My Morning View
Pen and Ink with Digital Colour

This is what I see in the morning as I get up.

Original Pen and Ink Rendering

My alarm will go off and I will either hit snooze or off. If Anthony is still asleep, I wake him. Sometimes Anthony is up before me.

If I don't need the vehicle for the day, then I stay in bed for another hour and start my day at 7:00am. If I need the vehicle, I get up with Anthony to take him to work.

I was going to draw Anthony sitting on the edge of the bed playing his guitar. He usually plays his guitar every morning before getting ready for work. He will play a tune or two, depending on the time. It is really enjoyable. I will draw that scene at a later date.

Every Day Matters #13 - Draw Your Telephone

Vista 390
Pen and Ink with Digital Colour

This phone was purchased in the early to mid-1990s. I don't remember when we purchased it but I cannot seem to remember a time without it.

Vista 390 (Our phone is a cream colour)
Photo from the Nortel Site.

It is a sturdy and reliable workhorse of a phone. It has outlasted 6 cordless phones and countless cell phones. We do have a cordless phone that we also use in our home, but this is the steady phone. It resides in our living room, right in the middle of all the action.

It has all kinds of features, if we chose to use them. However, we just use the basic features. We don't need all the bells and whistles.

On the Nortel Networks site there is a list of all the features of this phone. Or, you may prefer to view the Vista 390 Brochure.

If you are going to have a land line, then I would recommend getting one of these phones. They are very dependable.

Every Day Matters #12 - Draw Your Dinner

Eggs, Fries and Toast
Pen and Ink with Digital Colour

I enjoy cooking and usually make up creative and interesting suppers. My husband and son are pleased that they get a large variety of delicious meals. However, every now and again they want something simple and less creative. This is one of those meals.

Orignal Rendering: Eggs, Fries and Toast
Pen and Ink

Eggs, fries, and toast is a simple meal that my family finds comforting. I have handful of these meals in the back of my head for when they are not in the mood for another Thai Coconut Chicken meal or Black Bean, Corn and Couscous Salad.

For me, cooking up a healthy and delicious meal for my family is a way of showing them that I love them. It is a way for me to take care of my husband and son.

Here is an older version of this challenge: EDM #12

Every Day Matters #11 - Draw your glasses

Pen and Ink

These are my reading glasses that I keep on my beside table.  I am blind without my glasses and must wear them all the time. My regular glasses have those invisible bifocals. This is great for everyday use, however, when I want to read extensively, or read in bed, I find them awkward. I had an old pair of glasses fitted with my reading prescription and they are perfect for extended reading or for reading in bed.

The holder was a gift from our son, when he was much younger. He thought this was hilarious. I find it whimsical, and I always know where my glasses are.

My Reading Glasses on My Bedside Table
Photo by Ana Tirolese, taken with iPhone

Every Day Matters #10 - Draw Your Hand

My Hand
Pen and Ink with Digital Colour

Over the years I have often made drawings of my hand(s). It is a ready model.  Whenever I really want to draw something but am not sure what to draw, I draw my hand.

Hands and feet are frequently said to be the most difficult things to draw. I used to feel this way, but now I have had lots of practice and am no longer intimidated by hands or feet. Noses and ears are another story! 

Here are some previous posts that have drawings of my hands:

• Draw The Palm of Your Left Hand
• EDM 10 - Draw Your Hand (previous version)
• My Last Nerve (and a favourite of mine)
• Errand Day
• March 2, 2009 (at the hospital)

My husband says he can recognize my hands anywhere. He knew immediately that the above was a drawing of my hand. Mind you, he has been looking at my hands for over 30 years!

I have these weird looking knuckles on the middle joints of my fingers with excess skin. It creates valleys and peaks of skin. 

My Hand
Photo with iPhone by Ana Tirolese

I have attempted to take a photo of my hand in as close a pose to the drawing as possible. You can see my knuckles in this photo. (Nails by Bill and Lily of Top Fashion Nails, Sherwood Forest Mall, London, Ontario Canada.)

I took some more photos of my hand (on July 15, 2012) so you can see my crazy knuckles. I have painted my nails silver in hopes of hiding the fact that I am overdue to get my nails done.

My caved-in fleshy knuckles. No matter how thin my
hands are, I always have that excess of flesh around
the knuckles on my fingers.
Photo by Ana Tirolese, taken with iPhone

You can see how my fingers curve upward at the knuckles.
Photo by Ana Tirolese, taken with iPhone

I can do this with my fingers. Yes, it looks awful and painful.
It is not painful. However, it kept me from playing guitar
because they would sometimes get stuck in this position (It has nothing
to do with the fact that I have no musical talent).
Photo by Ana Tirolese, taken with iPhone

A better view of how my fingers curve upward at the joint.
Photo by Ana Tirolese, taken with iPhone

Every Day Matters #9 - Draw Organized Chaos

Organized Chaos - My Work Station
Pen and Ink with Digital Colour

There is a bin near my corner of the sofa where I have a bunch of art supplies, books, and electronic gadgets set up, on top of of the bin. This is where I draw my sketchbook sketches, when I am at home. It is also where I watch television (not pictured) and do some of my artwork.

Here you are seeing some coloured pencils (back), some books, some pens, my HP Touchpad (it is on a stand so I can sit up for me to view), some miscellaneous art supplies, and my little palate shaped tin that I keep my kneaded eraser.

Every Day Matters #8 - Draw a Piece of Jewelry

Pretty Hair Pin
Pen and Ink

Years ago, I saw this lovely hair pin in the gallery shop of the London Regional Art Gallery and Museum. My husband and I had gone to see a display there. I mentioned how pretty I thought this was.  It is silver with marcasites. I love marcasite. It reminds me of my grandmother Leonor.

Photo of Hair Pin in Ana's Hair Circa 2007
Photo by Anthony Tirolese

That year, my husband surprised me with it as a Christmas gift. He is really good at doing things like that.

Every Day Matters #7 - Draw a Bottle from the Kitchen

Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Pen and Ink

We eat low fat meals in our home. However, when I do use oil, I use extra virgin olive oil. I find that olive oil adds a nice Mediterranean flavour to foods.

Unfortunately, this particular brand, Mastro, was convicted in 2010 of fraud. The were claiming that their oil was 100% olive oil when they were mixing it with 50% sunflower oil.  They were fined and the oil was recalled. I am trusting that they have learned their lesson and the the oil is now pure.

I'll admit to purchasing the oil that is on sale, however, I do understand that pure olive oil does cost a bit more, and the better grades cost the most. I use so little oil in my cooking that I just get the least expensive for regular cooking but keep a smaller bottle of the higher grade for salads or for dips.

Every Day Matters #6 - Draw a Childhood Toy

Spider-Man PEZ Dispenser
Pen and Ink with Digital Colour

In all honesty, this particular PEZ dispenser is not a childhood toy of mine. It belongs to my son. However, as a child I did enjoy PEZ and all their really cool dispensers; all of which have been broken and lost over the years.  My husband does have quite a nice PEZ dispenser collection of his own, but he was much better at looking after his toys than I was looking after mine.

I did this challenge before, back in January 2012, when I drew Dollinha. That was an actual toy of mine from my childhood.

This drawing represents all the PEZ dispensers in my life. I enjoy the candy, and how it comes out, one at a time. I love all the different themes the dispensers come in. To me they were great to have, until they broke. Back when I was a child I had no idea how to get refills. Now, as an adult, I know I can purchase refills for my dispensers and that makes them even more fun.

Check out PEZ's history here--> www.pez.com/history/

Every Day Matters #5 - Draw Your Bed

My Bed
Pen and Ink with Digital Colour

My Bed
Original Pen and Ink Rendering

I did the Draw Your Bed challenge back in January 2012, however, I have started doing the EDM Challenges from scratch and felt like drawing my bed again. You can see a difference in the drawings by comparing the two. The first rendering I was showing off the features of the bed. In this one, it is far more relaxed and shows the bed in our bedroom.

The bed had been made in the morning, but I did not draw this until after my husband's afternoon nap. I considered remaking the bed before drawing it, but I thought this would be more real -- more "in the moment".

Our bed is quite comfortable and, in my opinion, attractive. It is a Euro-style sleigh bed (the foot board is low -- see original post). It is part of the Fontaine Collection of furniture made in Durham, Ontario, Canada.

Our bedroom is quiet and peaceful.

Every Day Matters #4 - Draw Your Mug or Cup

My Mug
Pen and Ink with Digital Colour

My husband brought this mug back for me from The Museum of Civilization. It has an image of one of Alex Colville's paintings on it: "To Prince Edward Island" Alex Colville is one of my favourite artists.

My Mug
Original Pen and Ink Rendering

I enjoy at least one cup of coffee a day, usually in the morning. My husband gave me a Tassimo Coffee Maker several years ago for Christmas. It is great because I can make one perfect cup of coffee as I want it. The Tassimo also makes lattes, cappuccinos, hot chocolate, teas, and more. I can make a black coffee for myself, a hot chocolate for my husband, and a chai latte for my son, one after the other!

My morning coffee being made in my favourite mug with my Tassimo Coffee maker, also a gift from my husband.
Photo by Ana Tirolese with iPhone

Coffee for me is more than just a beverage. It is also a chance to get together with friends for visits.

Every Day Matters #2 - Draw a Table Lamp

My Lamp on My Bedside Table
Pen and Ink with Digital Colour

This is one of those lamps that you touch to turn on and off. It has three brightness settings and goes from low to medium to bright with each touch, then off with the fourth touch. Unfortunately the lamp has stopped working. It does not turn off now so I have to unplug it to turn it off. I have not decided if I am going to get it repaired or just get a new lamp. I have had this one over 25 years. 

My Lamp on My Bedside Table
Original Pen and Ink Rendering

This is my bedside table. On it is my lamp, the current book I am reading (sometimes I have a paper book and sometimes I have one of my eReaders with an eBook that I am reading), a small decorative box of treasures, my reading glasses on a whimsical nose-shaped holder (a gift from my son when he was little), and my Jesus (a gift from a priest when I was 12 years-old).  

Actual Bedside Table
Photo by Ana Tirolese, taken with iPhone

I did not draw the doily or the teddy bear that is also on my bedside table. I also have my glasses case for my everyday glasses, a box of tissues, an old clock radio, and my iTouch that I use as an alarm clock.

Every Day Matters #1 - Draw Your Shoes

My Shoes
Pen and Ink with Digital Colour

Danny Gregory started drawing the Every Day Matters (EDM) challenges from the beginning again and he spurred a bunch of us on to do the same.

These are my current comfortable-everyday shoes. They are easy to slip on and off and I can wear them with most of my pants, including jeans. They are my everyday shoes.

The ink in my Lamy Safari fountain pen is not waterproof so I am not able to add watercolour to the drawing without smudging it to heck. I have to purchase some waterproof ink once I run out of my current ink. I drew the challenge in pen and ink and added digital colour in Photoshop.

My Shoes
Original Pen and Ink Rendering

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.