When I was little my mom had this set of Noddy books that were a mix of books she and her sisters had from their childhood and, I presume, new ones that she collected for me. Now they sit on a bookshelf in my son's room and we've read through them about three times, some books even more. I even went so far as to buy the ones we were missing so now we have a complete set! The books are dated in some ways... kind of leave an uncomfortable feeling in places, but we sort of edit as we read. Anyway... the point... Chris found a dvd at the library of an animated Noddy series and we thought we'd share them with our son. Tonight as I was getting ready to paint I put it in the dvd player just to see (since we haven't gotten around to watching anything this week). It's always weird to see a beloved group of book characters on the screen. Nothing ever seems quite how you'd imagine it to be. However, it was fun and I'm sure that if our son watched it he'd probably like it. One of the episodes had Sly and Gobbo Goblin in it. They're often the "bad guys" though rather inept. I decided that I would use them as inspiration for tonight's painting.
The painting is a goblin, somewhat like the ones on the series, though not exactly since I had turned it off by the time I actually got to painting. I made his skin green... not sure why, but I did. When I was done I thought his expression was of jealousy... and I think that fits since one episode (yes I watched more than one) the goblins were envious of Noddy's car and stole it. Then, they drove it through town to show off. D'oh. As I said, inept. I called the painting "Jealousy" to go with the goblin's expression.
It's a 4x5 stretched canvas and painted with acrylics as usual. It's pretty simple, and I don't think I got the body quite right, but I like the way the face turned out. Maybe I'll do some more goblins at some point. Makes for good practice for emotions and expressions. :)
I hope everyone is well and happy. For now, I'll bid you good night. It feels like it ought to be Thursday, but it's not. Good thing too or I'd be short a few paintings! Until tomorrow...
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
All Caught Up
Phew... that feels better. I finished last night's painting and did one for tonight. I even, in a burst of productivity, did one ahead of time for while we're on our trip. Whee!
So, last night's painting is now done, it's a 4x12 stretched canvas, and it's called "Ink". Chris, once again, helped out with the title. It's white, black and red, and he said it reminded him of ink running down. So, there you go... I had a bunch of different ideas of what it made me think of, but nothing titular came to mind so we went with "Ink".
Tonight's painting, and the one ahead of time, are kind of a set. Obviously they can be sold separately, but they are almost identical. I did owls. I have wanted to try to paint some owls in a tree for weeks and weeks but just never had a good mental picture. Tonight I went with clean and simple. Oh, and I used my thumbprint for all but one of the owls. The littlest one is my index finger. So, I guess if you want to try framing me for something you should buy this painting. :) Tonight's painting is called "What A Hoot" and the one for later is "Night Owls". At least I make myself smile... I'm sure there are people out there groaning right now.
In other news, my gnomes have not come home and I doubt that they ever will. This makes me sad... but life goes on. Maybe, just maybe, they are magic and did get up and walk away on their own. Send a postcard! We got some more planting done in the backyard and the generosity of our neighbours continues to amaze me. Not only does Mike mow our lawn from time to time, but when Chris returned the garden rake I borrowed Patricia gave him some plant cuttings for our garden. Daisies!! They are very lovely people and I can't tell you how lucky we are on this street. Great people live all around us and we enjoy chatting and spending time with them all. The kids are great, my daughter has a tooth (can't remember if I already mentioned that though I probably did) and my son is on the mend. No more medication and he is having less tantrums so that is good news too. Now if only I could manage to get to the gym, eat less chocolate, and get to bed before eleven... can't win 'em all. :)
I want to encourage everyone to do something neighbourly this week. Get to know the people who live around you... if you don't already. Community is important and I think too often it's easy to lose sight of that. I'm a pretty friendly person and I really like chatting with neighbours because that's how they become friends. So, get out there and chat... the summer is fast approaching and it's a great time to be outside with friends and family. Have fun!
So, last night's painting is now done, it's a 4x12 stretched canvas, and it's called "Ink". Chris, once again, helped out with the title. It's white, black and red, and he said it reminded him of ink running down. So, there you go... I had a bunch of different ideas of what it made me think of, but nothing titular came to mind so we went with "Ink".
Tonight's painting, and the one ahead of time, are kind of a set. Obviously they can be sold separately, but they are almost identical. I did owls. I have wanted to try to paint some owls in a tree for weeks and weeks but just never had a good mental picture. Tonight I went with clean and simple. Oh, and I used my thumbprint for all but one of the owls. The littlest one is my index finger. So, I guess if you want to try framing me for something you should buy this painting. :) Tonight's painting is called "What A Hoot" and the one for later is "Night Owls". At least I make myself smile... I'm sure there are people out there groaning right now.
In other news, my gnomes have not come home and I doubt that they ever will. This makes me sad... but life goes on. Maybe, just maybe, they are magic and did get up and walk away on their own. Send a postcard! We got some more planting done in the backyard and the generosity of our neighbours continues to amaze me. Not only does Mike mow our lawn from time to time, but when Chris returned the garden rake I borrowed Patricia gave him some plant cuttings for our garden. Daisies!! They are very lovely people and I can't tell you how lucky we are on this street. Great people live all around us and we enjoy chatting and spending time with them all. The kids are great, my daughter has a tooth (can't remember if I already mentioned that though I probably did) and my son is on the mend. No more medication and he is having less tantrums so that is good news too. Now if only I could manage to get to the gym, eat less chocolate, and get to bed before eleven... can't win 'em all. :)
I want to encourage everyone to do something neighbourly this week. Get to know the people who live around you... if you don't already. Community is important and I think too often it's easy to lose sight of that. I'm a pretty friendly person and I really like chatting with neighbours because that's how they become friends. So, get out there and chat... the summer is fast approaching and it's a great time to be outside with friends and family. Have fun!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
To Be Continued
Ok... today is a perfect example of how procrastination and poor planning equal an unfinished painting. Bah. I'm so not happy with myself at all. I was waffling about going to the Cabaret Serpentine show at the casino tonight (belly dance for those of you not in the know). Finally decided to go... but inconveniently forgot that if I went I wouldn't have time to paint after supper like I usually do. Big oops! So... got home around ten and started a painting. Well... the background is still not dry. Not good. I guess I could have done something quick on a super little canvas, but that felt kind of like cheating... it's my fault I didn't paint this afternoon while the kids were having their quiet time. I don't know what I was thinking... or not thinking in this case!
So... long story short, I apologize, but I did not finish a canvas today. I do know what it will look like and it will be finished tomorrow along with another painting so that I stay up to date. Not very impressed with myself, but on the up side, it was a pretty cool show and I'm glad I went. Saw some friends, saw some great dancing (Colleena Shakti, you are amazing), and to be honest, saw some stuff I really wish I hadn't... but that's just how it goes sometimes. Besides... it takes courage to perform so kudos to the dancers. All of them not just my favourites. :)
Now there's something to think about... maybe in general day to day life we should be more tolerant and forgiving of others... we don't know what it's taking for them to get out the door in the morning. So many people have stuff going on that we aren't privy to... maybe we should forgive that harried person for cutting us off in traffic, or the grumpy gus on the bus... we don't know their story and maybe it's taking a lot of courage or strength for them to get through their day. Give someone the benefit of the doubt. Good night.
So... long story short, I apologize, but I did not finish a canvas today. I do know what it will look like and it will be finished tomorrow along with another painting so that I stay up to date. Not very impressed with myself, but on the up side, it was a pretty cool show and I'm glad I went. Saw some friends, saw some great dancing (Colleena Shakti, you are amazing), and to be honest, saw some stuff I really wish I hadn't... but that's just how it goes sometimes. Besides... it takes courage to perform so kudos to the dancers. All of them not just my favourites. :)
Now there's something to think about... maybe in general day to day life we should be more tolerant and forgiving of others... we don't know what it's taking for them to get out the door in the morning. So many people have stuff going on that we aren't privy to... maybe we should forgive that harried person for cutting us off in traffic, or the grumpy gus on the bus... we don't know their story and maybe it's taking a lot of courage or strength for them to get through their day. Give someone the benefit of the doubt. Good night.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Ah Hindsight...
Is it just me, or does hindsight show up waving a big sign saying "I told you so" far too often? Why, oh why can't it come to the party a little earlier? Oh wait... that's why it's HINDsight. Bah. Lesson learned this evening: Do the background first... even if you think it can be worked around. Especially if you have wet paint and a time crunch.
Sigh.
Ah well, my painting is ok in the end... just would have been easier and tidier to do the whole background first. Whoever said I wanted to make life easier for myself though? Ha. I laugh in the face of a challenge... I chuckle at wet smeary paint... I, um, ok, not so much chuckle as cringe and wipe madly at it trying to fix it before it's a bigger mess. Lesson learned.
Today's painting is called "Little Kitty". It's on a 4x6 board and it has a primary colour background (looks better than it sounds) and a black cat. It's a doodle of a cat that I've been painting for years. In fact, my inlaws have a painting with a similar cat. Well, at least I think they do... maybe we have it and they have the dogs... it's late and I'm not so sure. Well, anyway... not the point. I like the doodle so it ended up in the year's work. :)
Just want to say a quick hello and thank you to the wonderful people at Wizard Optical down on Spring Garden Road (Halifax, NS). You guys are awesome and thank you SO much for fixing my glasses for me today even though you aren't even open on Saturdays (oops). I was lucky that John and Tracy were there doing inventory... and that I must have looked quite stressed (well my little girl did mangle my specs quite thoroughly). Anyway... they opened the doors and helped me out. So... thank you!! Next time I make fudge I'll bring some by for you guys. Oh, and if anyone local is looking for a place to go with great... no, fantastic service (and excellent prices too)... then go to Wizard Optical. Really. :)
Anyway... it's just a few minutes shy of midnight (again) and I'm going to fall asleep or continue to type random thoughts... so I will opt for sleep and save you all from my babbling. Have a great day and give someone you love a hug. Good night!
Sigh.
Ah well, my painting is ok in the end... just would have been easier and tidier to do the whole background first. Whoever said I wanted to make life easier for myself though? Ha. I laugh in the face of a challenge... I chuckle at wet smeary paint... I, um, ok, not so much chuckle as cringe and wipe madly at it trying to fix it before it's a bigger mess. Lesson learned.
Today's painting is called "Little Kitty". It's on a 4x6 board and it has a primary colour background (looks better than it sounds) and a black cat. It's a doodle of a cat that I've been painting for years. In fact, my inlaws have a painting with a similar cat. Well, at least I think they do... maybe we have it and they have the dogs... it's late and I'm not so sure. Well, anyway... not the point. I like the doodle so it ended up in the year's work. :)
Just want to say a quick hello and thank you to the wonderful people at Wizard Optical down on Spring Garden Road (Halifax, NS). You guys are awesome and thank you SO much for fixing my glasses for me today even though you aren't even open on Saturdays (oops). I was lucky that John and Tracy were there doing inventory... and that I must have looked quite stressed (well my little girl did mangle my specs quite thoroughly). Anyway... they opened the doors and helped me out. So... thank you!! Next time I make fudge I'll bring some by for you guys. Oh, and if anyone local is looking for a place to go with great... no, fantastic service (and excellent prices too)... then go to Wizard Optical. Really. :)
Anyway... it's just a few minutes shy of midnight (again) and I'm going to fall asleep or continue to type random thoughts... so I will opt for sleep and save you all from my babbling. Have a great day and give someone you love a hug. Good night!
Friday, May 27, 2011
Blackjack! Week 21 Pictures
I am constantly amazed at the speed of time. It seems that if one takes on a daily project, life just accelerates more and more with each passing day. I seriously could not believe that today was the 27th of May. Already?! Oh my... of course, then I foolishly stop to think about the implications of that realization. My kids will be starting daycare in August... if it's the end of May, then they'll only be home with me full time for another two months (and a bit). Well, didn't I just start to sob. Luckily my husband, Chris, is very good at dealing with me when I suddenly burst into tears when I was just happy and joking a moment earlier. No, I'm not nuts... and it's not a daily occurrence... but at least he knows the best thing to do is just give me a hug and calm me down again. I have some lingering guilt about putting my daughter in daycare at a younger age than my son... seems like I'm ripping her off somehow. Now, I was in daycare at a very early age because my Mom was a single parent and had to go to work. Plus, we have waaaay better maternity leave now than thirty years ago. I figure, I turned out relatively ok (hehe) so my kids will be just fine. :) I'll probably be the bigger crybaby when daycare starts... my son is doing a once a week for two hours preschool thing now and he is very cool about it. No problem at all... so I know he'll be fine. My little girl... well, let's just say things are great in her world if I'm at her beck and call. I went to the college today for an info session and my wonderful neighbour babysat. When I got back she crawled right on over (at turbo speed) and clung to me like a cute little limpet. My son, who has been tantrum/raging lately was all smiles at first... big hugs and happy face. Then he got mad. I think he was mad at me for leaving but couldn't quite figure out what was happening. It improved quickly though. :)
Wow... ok, so most of you will probably just skip over all that babbling about my life... hehehe. Sorry, but once I get typing... anyone who has had to listen to one of my rambling answering machine messages will totally understand the beginning of this post!
Tonight's painting is a 5x7 stretched canvas piece called "Bond Fire". Chris suggested the name as a play on bonfire. My sister-in-law Alexis said she likes my figures... and I realized it's been awhile since I've done any... so I made these little fire creatures and had them dancing around a little bonfire. They're all holding "hands" so that's probably why Chris said "bond". Anyway... it's down below and I hope you like it.
Here are the seven paintings from this week... click on the titles to go to the day's posting if you want to read more of my life story and so on. Enjoy!
Wow... ok, so most of you will probably just skip over all that babbling about my life... hehehe. Sorry, but once I get typing... anyone who has had to listen to one of my rambling answering machine messages will totally understand the beginning of this post!
Tonight's painting is a 5x7 stretched canvas piece called "Bond Fire". Chris suggested the name as a play on bonfire. My sister-in-law Alexis said she likes my figures... and I realized it's been awhile since I've done any... so I made these little fire creatures and had them dancing around a little bonfire. They're all holding "hands" so that's probably why Chris said "bond". Anyway... it's down below and I hope you like it.
Here are the seven paintings from this week... click on the titles to go to the day's posting if you want to read more of my life story and so on. Enjoy!
 |
| May 21 - Eonglass |
 |
| May 22 - Toxicity |
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| May 23 - Floating Away |
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| May 24 - Chocoholics Anonymous |
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| May 25 - Dandelions |
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| May 26 - Sand Dunes |
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| May 27 - Bond Fire |
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Surprise Inspiration
Well... today was a much better day. Only a few toddler tantrum scuffles... nothing like the full-on blowups so we're good. All in all things are good on the home front. Kids are happy, getting healthier... Chris and I are healthy and happy... what more can one ask for?
Tonight I went to a memorial for a really lovely lady who used to live on our street. She was always so nice and easy to talk to and her sudden passing was pretty hard to take. We weren't especially close, but we were looking forward to getting to know her better with the warm weather. We all seem to stay house-bound during the winter... the occasional wave is about it... but spring and summer sees the street burst to life. It's really a great street to live on!
I think one of the photos in the slide show influenced my painting tonight. I watched the slide show twice and the beach photo stuck in my mind. I didn't really make that connection until just now.... but when I was done painting and trying to come up with a name for it Chris asked what I had in mind when I was painting. I said something about nature, and wind and sky and sea... he said it reminded him a bit of time lapse grass in the wind. I said something about sand dunes and the grasses there... so I called it "Sand Dunes". Just now I realized that my neighbour was at the beach among the waving sand grasses. So, maybe that's why I painted what I did tonight. It was more or less just instinctual painting rather than a form or a scene. I just picked up paints that seemed right to me and let it be what it would be. Interesting results I'd say. So... this one is for my neighbour who was gone too soon. We miss you, and Happy Birthday.
Good night...
Tonight I went to a memorial for a really lovely lady who used to live on our street. She was always so nice and easy to talk to and her sudden passing was pretty hard to take. We weren't especially close, but we were looking forward to getting to know her better with the warm weather. We all seem to stay house-bound during the winter... the occasional wave is about it... but spring and summer sees the street burst to life. It's really a great street to live on!
I think one of the photos in the slide show influenced my painting tonight. I watched the slide show twice and the beach photo stuck in my mind. I didn't really make that connection until just now.... but when I was done painting and trying to come up with a name for it Chris asked what I had in mind when I was painting. I said something about nature, and wind and sky and sea... he said it reminded him a bit of time lapse grass in the wind. I said something about sand dunes and the grasses there... so I called it "Sand Dunes". Just now I realized that my neighbour was at the beach among the waving sand grasses. So, maybe that's why I painted what I did tonight. It was more or less just instinctual painting rather than a form or a scene. I just picked up paints that seemed right to me and let it be what it would be. Interesting results I'd say. So... this one is for my neighbour who was gone too soon. We miss you, and Happy Birthday.
Good night...
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Shan-Delions
I had a nice long chat with my friend Shannon this evening while painting. She suggested I paint some dandelions when they're all white seed thingies. So, I gave it a shot. I usually call Shannon "Shan" and I was tempted to call the painting Shandelions, but Chris and I figured no one else would understand, so I went with the conventional and unoriginal "Dandelions". It's a 4x6 board and has five white dandelions on it. I can't say I did too well with the leaves though. Meh, can't win 'em all.
Today was another trying day with my son... a two and a half hour tantrum this morning... are we sure duct tape is a bad idea? Yes... definitely a bad idea though certainly tempting at especially trying moments.
I also squeezed in a trip to the gym tonight and am feeling pretty good now... a little sore, but sitting down and painting is a calming way to end my day. Sitting on the heated massage chair mat thing my brother gave us last Christmas doesn't hurt either! I often just turn on the heat because it's chilly in the basement, but every now and then when I'm all done painting the lumbar massage gets switched on too. Feels good. :)
So, all in all a very busy day. Now I'm off to bed. But, before I go, if anyone has any painting ideas please send them my way... I'm spending more time staring at blank white canvas than before. I worry my paintings are getting repetitive and boring. So, please help me spice them up again! :)
Good night!
Today was another trying day with my son... a two and a half hour tantrum this morning... are we sure duct tape is a bad idea? Yes... definitely a bad idea though certainly tempting at especially trying moments.
I also squeezed in a trip to the gym tonight and am feeling pretty good now... a little sore, but sitting down and painting is a calming way to end my day. Sitting on the heated massage chair mat thing my brother gave us last Christmas doesn't hurt either! I often just turn on the heat because it's chilly in the basement, but every now and then when I'm all done painting the lumbar massage gets switched on too. Feels good. :)
So, all in all a very busy day. Now I'm off to bed. But, before I go, if anyone has any painting ideas please send them my way... I'm spending more time staring at blank white canvas than before. I worry my paintings are getting repetitive and boring. So, please help me spice them up again! :)
Good night!
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