Mandala Moment

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

1

: 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

2

: 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 # 77 - Draw something cold or cool

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

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 with our old dog, Sherry, on the pillow.

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

March 15, 2009

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 11, 2009 DSDF Week 25-26 Challenge - Sushi

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

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 5, 2009 (EDM # 23 & 25)

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)

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 1, 2009

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 26, 2009

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 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 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 our son to Anthony when our son as quite small. It was done at a mall and they took an image of our son ittle 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 our son gave him, a Charlie Brown pez dispenser, and a "Super Dad" super hero sculpture that our son 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 our son  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

My family 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.

February 20, 2009

I used this as an EDM (Everyday Matters)assignment