tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4248249325552017972024-03-13T07:21:12.310-07:00Dream Space"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."
Henry David ThoreauAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452887462197286336noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424824932555201797.post-31899310563725001142013-12-17T16:49:00.000-08:002013-12-17T16:54:50.056-08:00The Wonder of Snow<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Its
official, I hate winter. We were under a constant cloud of snow for days, now
we are in a deep freeze of minus 30 degrees C!
On top of that, when things warm up, it is supposed to snow again. I agree that from the vantage point inside a
warm house, looking out one’s window and sipping a hot drink; the scenery is
breathtaking. But it is quite a different kettle of fish if one is stranded in
the dark, in the middle of nowhere, in a disabled vehicle in a blinding snow
storm. I have already been out for a couple of solitary skis’ and I don’t mind
being by myself in the bush at any time of the year. It can actually be
peaceful or epiphamic, depending on the journey.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">When
I look out my frosted kitchen window and notice each intricate delicate pattern
of an ice crystal or snowflake, I want to capture it; either in the early dawn
of golden sunlight, or the waning light of tinted blue.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h6-E9B13ZSE/UrDup5Ted3I/AAAAAAAABjc/ajLMir0Vflk/s1600/light+ice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h6-E9B13ZSE/UrDup5Ted3I/AAAAAAAABjc/ajLMir0Vflk/s400/light+ice.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Each
crystal is miraculously different or unique in pattern and design.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SFPD1tN-Rks/UrDvshaSeDI/AAAAAAAABjo/A73Y6D1qtXU/s1600/Ice+crystals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SFPD1tN-Rks/UrDvshaSeDI/AAAAAAAABjo/A73Y6D1qtXU/s640/Ice+crystals.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">However,
these equally beautiful snowflakes are deadly when multiplied in the thousands
coming down in heavy flurries, high winds and virtually zero visibility.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E3xBT9FrgrM/UrDwKidtuOI/AAAAAAAABj8/jlsSD0l9YQU/s1600/Brighter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E3xBT9FrgrM/UrDwKidtuOI/AAAAAAAABj8/jlsSD0l9YQU/s640/Brighter.jpg" width="371" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">That
is nature, the delicate balance of beauty and deadliness that reminds me just how
small and insignificant we humans truly are. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">When
I was stranded in a terrible snowstorm on a closed highway, I felt terrified
and alone. I depended on the kindness of strangers to get me through. I had
been feeling since then, that I didn’t matter; that I am an insignificant
speck, ready to be snuffed out of existence. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Jon Kabat-Zinn in his book </span><i style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Wherever You Go There You Are</i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"> states, “We
resonate with one another’s sorrows because we are interconnected.” (pg.162).
His premise of practising love and kindness uncovers “what is always
present...usually our ability to touch them, and be touched by them lies below
our fears and hurts, below our greed and our hatreds, below our desperate
clinging to the illusions that we are truly separate and alone. By invoking
such feelings in our practice we are stretching against the edges of our own
ignorance...and in the stretching, painful as it sometimes is, we expand, we
grow, we change ourselves, we change the world.” (Ibid, pg.167-168).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452887462197286336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424824932555201797.post-29406423100161874442013-12-11T13:05:00.001-08:002013-12-17T16:56:12.985-08:00Sketches in Progress<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I'm afraid I've fallen behind with my posts. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Life has a way of doing that.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">With
the end of the year approaching and the holiday season, things tend to get
busier especially at work. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">I’m inclined to be a slow painter anyway, but trying to get back
into a routine of sorts.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">While
the snow is falling heavily outside, I find as much time as possible to spend
in my studio working on new sketches.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ra7wSFB-ufU/UqjSQuWIaaI/AAAAAAAABgw/_A6fSfUsYac/s1600/More+plums+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ra7wSFB-ufU/UqjSQuWIaaI/AAAAAAAABgw/_A6fSfUsYac/s400/More+plums+a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Sketches
are the building blocks for the finished product.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kkW6RYhBRRg/UqjS46YvGgI/AAAAAAAABg4/zFNCIU7miNs/s1600/More+chippy+a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kkW6RYhBRRg/UqjS46YvGgI/AAAAAAAABg4/zFNCIU7miNs/s400/More+chippy+a.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">They
are the vehicle to the creative process, getting the juices going. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">These
are a few ideas that I’m working on now.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pYBloZbL12A/UqjTbe-_t8I/AAAAAAAABhA/GVVn79i0aYc/s1600/Poppies+sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pYBloZbL12A/UqjTbe-_t8I/AAAAAAAABhA/GVVn79i0aYc/s400/Poppies+sketch.jpg" width="275" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452887462197286336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424824932555201797.post-69428048689213949152013-05-23T13:33:00.002-07:002013-05-23T13:33:54.110-07:00Looking for Spring<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">The
weather is dismal, with<b> </b>rain and
grey. The temperature is to drop to 0
degrees C, with the risk of frost tonight! I started a fire in the woodstove to
keep the basement warm as the temperature drops steadily throughout the day.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The
sun has attempted to permeate the gloom to no avail. I am craving colour. I
am working on sketches for another painting<b>,
</b>possibly<b> </b>Trout Lilies ( <em><span style="background: white;">Erythronium
americanum)</span></em><em><span style="background: white; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> and Spring Beauties </span></em><i>(Claytonia virginica)</i>.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qb3y-yZW6SQ/UZ56glDOCnI/AAAAAAAABfE/ySJh8EpAPtg/s1600/Trout+lily+study+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qb3y-yZW6SQ/UZ56glDOCnI/AAAAAAAABfE/ySJh8EpAPtg/s400/Trout+lily+study+1.jpg" width="381" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Inserted, are some examples of sketchbook drawings and photos on my walks,
as I prepare for the next piece. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BAddDVhaqIk/UZ56-G5NfcI/AAAAAAAABfM/txUJbePjk78/s1600/Yellow+trout+lily+study.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BAddDVhaqIk/UZ56-G5NfcI/AAAAAAAABfM/txUJbePjk78/s400/Yellow+trout+lily+study.jpg" width="371" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M9foQFDaOVA/UZ57Uc1RIjI/AAAAAAAABfc/JTMqTIKuD7U/s1600/butterfly+sketch+and+trout+lily.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M9foQFDaOVA/UZ57Uc1RIjI/AAAAAAAABfc/JTMqTIKuD7U/s400/butterfly+sketch+and+trout+lily.jpg" width="257" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qLYV-GP9Bm0/UZ57MIbeKCI/AAAAAAAABfU/D0nbHgI6MBU/s1600/Trout+lily+study+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="327" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qLYV-GP9Bm0/UZ57MIbeKCI/AAAAAAAABfU/D0nbHgI6MBU/s400/Trout+lily+study+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xBeaCTCoSPk/UZ58RzRPC-I/AAAAAAAABfs/7bbMqhq5MQg/s1600/IMG_5526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xBeaCTCoSPk/UZ58RzRPC-I/AAAAAAAABfs/7bbMqhq5MQg/s400/IMG_5526.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W1dDmGZSVec/UZ58gg5YBuI/AAAAAAAABf0/ZVnxy5UlTN8/s1600/IMG_5549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W1dDmGZSVec/UZ58gg5YBuI/AAAAAAAABf0/ZVnxy5UlTN8/s400/IMG_5549.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-adkWk7C8rmY/UZ58xpaic3I/AAAAAAAABf8/jDysGTgJdNs/s1600/Spring+Beauty+sketch+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-adkWk7C8rmY/UZ58xpaic3I/AAAAAAAABf8/jDysGTgJdNs/s400/Spring+Beauty+sketch+1.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Here is a link for information on our wildflowers: <a href="http://www.ontariowildflowers.com/"><span style="color: windowtext;">http://www.ontariowildflowers.com/</span></a></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452887462197286336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424824932555201797.post-12105274697144705292013-04-15T17:50:00.002-07:002013-04-16T10:04:17.910-07:00Paying Attention<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">“The
capacity for delight is the gift to paying attention”. (<i>Cameron,
Julia. The Complete Artist’s Way, 2007, pg. 66</i>). I woke early and took myself and Phoebe for a
long walk in the bush this morning. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Time
was the essence as there was still a magnificent crust on the snow but it would
quickly disappear as the day wore on.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Temperatures are rising, and today was a different type of day for
exploring.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">The trail was opening up with
large pools as snow melted, falling in on itself. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Swy5HUdrh_s/UWydoi3K0vI/AAAAAAAABZs/4-I22YY_lM4/s1600/River.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Swy5HUdrh_s/UWydoi3K0vI/AAAAAAAABZs/4-I22YY_lM4/s640/River.JPG" width="478" /></a><br />
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EvAGlMmdtEQ/UW2EZk3YlPI/AAAAAAAABbM/cjjHmBWalYs/s1600/Pretty+flat+rock.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EvAGlMmdtEQ/UW2EZk3YlPI/AAAAAAAABbM/cjjHmBWalYs/s640/Pretty+flat+rock.JPG" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty flat rock, on the hill</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
</div>
There
was plenty of activity in the bush, a myriad of tracks and movement.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XvQ1ze8vGnQ/UWyn4EPdogI/AAAAAAAABak/tkdKwxQNhA4/s1600/Bigger.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XvQ1ze8vGnQ/UWyn4EPdogI/AAAAAAAABak/tkdKwxQNhA4/s400/Bigger.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">A
large moose had come down from the hill to get a drink in one of the pools
formed from the spring thaw. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nhyfv1g-V04/UWyet-MceMI/AAAAAAAABaE/8ov4u-g-aHo/s1600/Phoebe+investigating.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nhyfv1g-V04/UWyet-MceMI/AAAAAAAABaE/8ov4u-g-aHo/s400/Phoebe+investigating.JPG" width="297" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">
</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tYxeDJo0LJc/UWyecvEVvZI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7_099zc3uaQ/s1600/Drink.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tYxeDJo0LJc/UWyecvEVvZI/AAAAAAAABZ8/7_099zc3uaQ/s400/Drink.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div>
Phoebe investigates.</div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">There
were different signs of deer activity from the tracks of a buck dragging his
hooves, to that of a smaller doe. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fh6cbjUICm8/UW2DksEX1nI/AAAAAAAABbE/tkJuiZBCs5Y/s1600/More+tracks+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fh6cbjUICm8/UW2DksEX1nI/AAAAAAAABbE/tkJuiZBCs5Y/s400/More+tracks+1.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Wild
turkey tracks were also evident, possibly passing through looking for
food. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eaLq2spvEZM/UWypxVssbnI/AAAAAAAABas/YX0Jz3NHKfM/s1600/more+turkey.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eaLq2spvEZM/UWypxVssbnI/AAAAAAAABas/YX0Jz3NHKfM/s320/more+turkey.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">We
wandered down to the pond and came across a lone mallard; skittish and
wary.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I was not able to get a picture as he erupted
in a flurry of wing beats while Phoebe and I approached the bank to get a
better view.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b17Fc6QAbB0/UWyqJQPmGhI/AAAAAAAABa0/urTd7d9tRAU/s1600/Different+view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b17Fc6QAbB0/UWyqJQPmGhI/AAAAAAAABa0/urTd7d9tRAU/s640/Different+view.JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
<br />
<o:p></o:p><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IY9YUJAgT7A/UWygRVFdcjI/AAAAAAAABac/UXvkqk07wz0/s1600/Lagoon+is+open.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IY9YUJAgT7A/UWygRVFdcjI/AAAAAAAABac/UXvkqk07wz0/s640/Lagoon+is+open.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The lagoon is almost open now.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452887462197286336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424824932555201797.post-54392413112785174092013-04-14T09:49:00.003-07:002013-04-14T09:57:43.961-07:00FinishedI happened to scroll through my posts and realized that I hadn't posted the finished piece of Turtle Lake. So here it is. It will be one of the paintings featured at the upcoming show this summer, at Wood's End Studio.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CoqQ4ARS-T8/UWrd_lHkAAI/AAAAAAAABZc/d9jOL5VCkOQ/s1600/Turtle+Lake+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CoqQ4ARS-T8/UWrd_lHkAAI/AAAAAAAABZc/d9jOL5VCkOQ/s400/Turtle+Lake+2012.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
This is the link: <a href="http://www.woodsend.ca/">http://www.woodsend.ca/</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452887462197286336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424824932555201797.post-45016439399295943872013-04-11T17:13:00.000-07:002013-04-11T18:00:33.994-07:00Remembering Chippy Short-Tail<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">It
feels like we’ve had a very long winter.
Spring continues to stall. Early
this morning, my little dog Phoebe and I took a walk in the bush and we were
able to walk on the crust. This is
unusual for April; however the temperature was -5 degrees C.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Although,
there is still a lot of snow in the bush, we are seeing slow signs of spring;
the ice on the pond blackening, the cooing of a mourning dove and five Canada
geese flying V formation to the marsh on Peace Valley Road. During our walk, we came across a saucy red
squirrel running for cover.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Yesterday,
Phoebe and I spotted a chipmunk in my back yard, one of Chippy’s babies. I called to the chipmunk, as he sat on the
bricks watching us with interest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Chippy
Short-tail as I called her, was a curious little soul that first introduced
herself five summers ago by jumping into my lap one spring afternoon as I was
outside sketching. She came by her name
as most of her tail was missing. I
presumed bitten off, or caught on something.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kXF-4H7GDVI/UWdL3TCXNlI/AAAAAAAABYk/EuwUxX6YY98/s1600/P1020590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kXF-4H7GDVI/UWdL3TCXNlI/AAAAAAAABYk/EuwUxX6YY98/s400/P1020590.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DeFcYwKjF38/UWdPz-atvKI/AAAAAAAABZQ/n--oI9z5Jos/s1600/chippy+sketches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DeFcYwKjF38/UWdPz-atvKI/AAAAAAAABZQ/n--oI9z5Jos/s400/chippy+sketches.jpg" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sketches of Chippy Short-tail. <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">©</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Eleanor Thorel</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wdhWTn6DHB0/UWdM0IPOQBI/AAAAAAAABYs/PA6TAn34ppo/s1600/P1020611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-crSbpsDg1gM/UWdNsYsU1XI/AAAAAAAABY4/jrHQR5Z5eVY/s1600/P1020616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-crSbpsDg1gM/UWdNsYsU1XI/AAAAAAAABY4/jrHQR5Z5eVY/s400/P1020616.JPG" width="400" /></a><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wdhWTn6DHB0/UWdM0IPOQBI/AAAAAAAABYs/PA6TAn34ppo/s400/P1020611.JPG" width="400" /><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">She
became a constant companion each spring, summer and fall, looking for treats
such as sunflower seeds and peanuts. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Rambunctious
and daring, she thought nothing of climbing onto our laps, running along an
outstretched hand and onto a shoulder.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Two
summers ago Chippy brought her two babies whom I nicknamed Percy and Chippy
Long-tail to visit with us. These little
rascals were constantly running into the house and then getting frantic trying
to find a way out. Last spring was the
last time we saw Chippy Short-tail.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jWAbK3VlKrU/UWdOrDq75hI/AAAAAAAABZE/KwcJ_YDaD10/s1600/Chipmunk+sketch+enhanced+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jWAbK3VlKrU/UWdOrDq75hI/AAAAAAAABZE/KwcJ_YDaD10/s400/Chipmunk+sketch+enhanced+2012.jpg" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sketch of one of the chippies in the garden.<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">©</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">Eleanor Thorel</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">She
had lived to be a good age; greying and silver backed her coat still shining
and healthy. We won’t see her this
spring, but she will always be remembered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-CA; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-CA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452887462197286336noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424824932555201797.post-13838947838259276912012-11-27T09:09:00.000-08:002012-11-27T09:09:29.007-08:00Metamorphosis<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This
is the gradual transformation that takes place during the painting
process. I don’t have a name for this
painting yet, but shown below is the set up of my work area and the stages the
painting goes through.</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UPIiTPAnMVA/ULTsntX7TCI/AAAAAAAABVQ/1DI1xhULtSc/s1600/Work+in+Progress+Swallowtail+butterfly+2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UPIiTPAnMVA/ULTsntX7TCI/AAAAAAAABVQ/1DI1xhULtSc/s400/Work+in+Progress+Swallowtail+butterfly+2012.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<br />
<br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--BIWgVA6gnI/ULTutS_16ZI/AAAAAAAABVg/dfNgJT14yss/s1600/work+butterfly1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--BIWgVA6gnI/ULTutS_16ZI/AAAAAAAABVg/dfNgJT14yss/s400/work+butterfly1a.jpg" width="298" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cVd2pxRRsQ4/ULTs9In7R9I/AAAAAAAABVY/cyGIr0yiB1Q/s1600/Paint.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cVd2pxRRsQ4/ULTs9In7R9I/AAAAAAAABVY/cyGIr0yiB1Q/s400/Paint.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I </span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">have my desk set up with sketches and photographs I have taken of the tiger
swallowtail that was feeding from the nectar of my lilacs this spring.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j_4EsEB4O4Y/ULTxDGis_EI/AAAAAAAABVo/xgqRl6xC9DU/s1600/more+work1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j_4EsEB4O4Y/ULTxDGis_EI/AAAAAAAABVo/xgqRl6xC9DU/s400/more+work1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F0kj0GvpjCI/ULTxg0_XqTI/AAAAAAAABVw/2mctCel0Ng4/s1600/Swallowtail+reference.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F0kj0GvpjCI/ULTxg0_XqTI/AAAAAAAABVw/2mctCel0Ng4/s400/Swallowtail+reference.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">As
you can see, I use butterfly studies as well.
All my research has been collected from my many walks. <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">These
have been collected from my butterfly box.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JUhzHJrK9r0/ULTx9IM5F8I/AAAAAAAABV4/TsEjiJQPj1Y/s1600/Butterfly+reference.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JUhzHJrK9r0/ULTx9IM5F8I/AAAAAAAABV4/TsEjiJQPj1Y/s400/Butterfly+reference.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FI7XboIMu5E/ULTy4hcjRVI/AAAAAAAABWA/68F_AbMP6sQ/s1600/Butterly+piece1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FI7XboIMu5E/ULTy4hcjRVI/AAAAAAAABWA/68F_AbMP6sQ/s400/Butterly+piece1.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8JsvCTUC-xE/ULTzVBArwII/AAAAAAAABWI/4O9-g8HS-7I/s1600/More+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8JsvCTUC-xE/ULTzVBArwII/AAAAAAAABWI/4O9-g8HS-7I/s640/More+4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This
is the work so far. As you can see the painting gradually takes on a life of its
own. </span><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">I
have started a page displaying a body of my work. Check it out at </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/EleanorThorel"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">http://www.facebook.com/EleanorThorel</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452887462197286336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424824932555201797.post-15540254228945438602012-09-18T19:26:00.003-07:002012-09-18T19:29:48.367-07:00Rainy Day<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">An
early morning. Phoebe is quietly and industriously
licking her paws. It is a sight to
behold to watch her wash her face meticulously.
Her movements are dainty, almost cat-like. As soon as I stirred, Phoebe yawned and
stretched, asking to go outside. So did
the cats, Willow especially. Everyone is
polite and patient. The cats and dog are
learning to co-exist peacefully while I house-sit. It is raining today, a steady rain now. I have a cheerful fire lit this morning. Hopefully, it won’t blow out with the low
pressure system. I always find it harder
to keep a fire going when it rains due to the down-draft. I love the sound of rain on the roof
top. It has a cozy warm feeling when one
is inside, safe from the elements, warm and dry. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
rain also heralds a more saturated water table, so those of us with wells can
draw a sigh of relief. It has been a
difficult summer, having to conserve water.
We live in a country where water is readily available; so much so that
we take it for granted. Turn on a tap –
Voila! It is as basic as breathing...until
there isn’t any, or very little. I
struggled for weeks in that predicament.
I wasn’t the only one. Neighbors
had moved out of their homes and gone elsewhere when it was critically
dry. There was no water anywhere. Ditches, creeks, even ponds dried out. There were fires in areas of Muskoka that
entailed evacuating parts of the community.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">So
for today, while there is a lovely fire burning and my dog and I snuggled under
blankets, I am thankful for the rain.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ieecOfx0gHs/UFksorH3v6I/AAAAAAAABSc/zpMK-g8caR4/s1600/Rapids+abstracta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ieecOfx0gHs/UFksorH3v6I/AAAAAAAABSc/zpMK-g8caR4/s640/Rapids+abstracta.jpg" width="461" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">This
is an example of a piece that I call Rapids.
It is an abstract and monochromatic look at water. <span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452887462197286336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424824932555201797.post-8014457719948136242012-02-26T13:27:00.001-08:002012-02-26T13:27:32.161-08:00Work in Progress<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It’s
time to get back to the drawing board and prepare for another art show. Although we are buried in snow and frigid
temperatures right now, I am thinking of the lazy, hazy days of summer and am
preparing for the <a href="http://www.woodsend.ca/EnchFor.asp">Enchanted Forest Art Show</a> this August. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">John and Marilyn de Lang are the hosts of
this show each summer at their studio, Wood’s End. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Below
is a work in progress...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eiOOzqeyedI/T0qjjyqMkCI/AAAAAAAABRw/JM2LjIYWFMc/s1600/Work+in+Progress+Turtle+Lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eiOOzqeyedI/T0qjjyqMkCI/AAAAAAAABRw/JM2LjIYWFMc/s400/Work+in+Progress+Turtle+Lake.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452887462197286336noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424824932555201797.post-43414287340588419172012-02-18T18:47:00.000-08:002012-02-18T18:47:29.276-08:00Doodling and Writing<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Many
mornings I come across some wonderful quotes while I’m writing in my journal,
and reading. This is a practice that I
have enjoyed for a number of years, and over time I have a collection of
dog-eared, well worn journals. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It helps
to get some perspective, when writing one’s thoughts down on paper. One of the quotes I came across while reading
a while ago was something I created as a doodle in my journal or “morning pages”
which expanded into a little drawing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This
is a quote from <a href="http://xroads.virginia.edu/~ma01/lisle/dial/lowell.html">James Russell Lowell</a> which I found in Cameron’s book <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_Cameron"><i>The Complete Artist Way</i> (2007).</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6qmArfH2xeY/T0Bij4TkAkI/AAAAAAAABRo/3wSPVy_wVTE/s1600/Book+final+revision+2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="365" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6qmArfH2xeY/T0Bij4TkAkI/AAAAAAAABRo/3wSPVy_wVTE/s400/Book+final+revision+2+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452887462197286336noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424824932555201797.post-13728022153485887182012-01-28T12:30:00.000-08:002012-01-29T06:31:24.574-08:00Another Year<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">So
here we are. Another year has come and
gone. We’re well into the end of January
and I have not posted for quite some time.
My new year’s resolution was to cultivate joy.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
have been reading Julia Cameron’s <i>The
Complete Artist Way</i> (2007) and have found certain gems that have helped me
through my times of blocked creativity. Although
I have written and drawn my thoughts since I was about six or seven years old, my
hopes and dreams of publishing remain unfulfilled at this point, but as Betsy Lerner
has said in her book, <i>The Forest for the
Trees</i> (2000) there’s hope for us “late bloomers”. One beautiful phrase that I read this morning
went like this: “It is very important not to become hard. The artist must always have one skin too few in
comparison to other people, so you feel the slightest wind”. Susha Guppy (Cameron, <i>The Complete Artist Way</i> (2007), pg. 635).<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Well,
no worries there. That describes me to a
tee! Cameron talks about the grey days. The days where one must keep <i>keeping</i> on. I know too well days like
that; when my fears and doubts creep in like dampness that chills to the bone
creating aches and pains. I need to do
just that. Hang on and stay the course.
Sometimes I’m able to overcome days that discourage or fans one’s fears
by taking pencil in hand and draw my way out of the darkness. Other days I read and escape, or busy myself
in the day-to-day tasks: laundry, bookkeeping, something tangible and practical
to keep me grounded. Being thin-skinned
can be very difficult at times.
Sometimes the best thing I can do is surround myself with my books and
heated oat bags, huddle under soft quilts and blankets and write like my life
depended on it, until I find a way back to the positive and find the strength
to keep going. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">One
of the projects I worked on recently was a contest that I entered for a book
cover. I didn’t win, however I learned a
lot and enjoyed the process immensely. Featured
below was my submission.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OxJRiaTW6wA/TyRaqeMo47I/AAAAAAAABRc/k1Jz54KbXvs/s1600/Wild+words+revised+cover+5+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OxJRiaTW6wA/TyRaqeMo47I/AAAAAAAABRc/k1Jz54KbXvs/s1600/Wild+words+revised+cover+5+copy.jpg" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452887462197286336noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424824932555201797.post-19300897564783054012011-09-23T18:02:00.000-07:002011-09-23T18:19:50.234-07:00Skywatch Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4dBWTZTbu7w/Tn0p8gEm-4I/AAAAAAAABQA/hjdlkM52V7I/s1600/059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4dBWTZTbu7w/Tn0p8gEm-4I/AAAAAAAABQA/hjdlkM52V7I/s400/059.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H01ryo5onJA/Tn0pSt5EMcI/AAAAAAAABP8/fdfI-_3ClT8/s1600/049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H01ryo5onJA/Tn0pSt5EMcI/AAAAAAAABP8/fdfI-_3ClT8/s400/049.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were in Southampton the day the tornado touched down in Goderich. These photographs were taken the night of the storm. It's hard to believe that in such beauty was the potential for terrible destruction. The picture below was taken the day after the storm. The sky was still quite wild and unsettled.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rQmjpnzbgQ0/Tn0rfhweOeI/AAAAAAAABQE/6CW_1OMG_PY/s1600/IMG_4043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rQmjpnzbgQ0/Tn0rfhweOeI/AAAAAAAABQE/6CW_1OMG_PY/s400/IMG_4043.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452887462197286336noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424824932555201797.post-83444248134049025252011-01-27T12:47:00.000-08:002011-01-27T13:04:48.453-08:00Lost in Transition<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TUHardY3wKI/AAAAAAAABPQ/rSmoMqGhUuw/s1600/IMG_2963.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566971054564819106" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TUHardY3wKI/AAAAAAAABPQ/rSmoMqGhUuw/s320/IMG_2963.JPG" border="0" /></a> This morning after writing in my morning journal and feeling rather frustrated with my life, I donned my snowshoes and headed out for my first walk in the bush this winter.<br /><br />It is a lovely day, minus 11 degrees C; not too cold for this time of year with the promise of sunshine. I headed out through my back yard onto the property that butts up against my neighbour’s and followed a path that he had groomed with the snowmobile and headed on my way. Only as I launched onto the path, it forked and I took the trail that looked familiar to me and headed further into the bush.<br /><br />It became clearer as time passed, that I didn’t know where I was going at all. Nothing looked familiar to me. I stopped to take a few pictures of the white blanketed landscape, admired the sunlight glancing through the treetops, and started on my way.<br /><br />The further I pressed on, the more unfamiliar my surroundings became and I had to admit that for the first time in years on this property, I was getting lost. Yes, me who is more at home in the bush than surrounded by people in a busy metropolis. The further I pressed on, there were more and more trails, forks in the road to choose...which direction would I take, where on earth was I going?<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TUHbQwGWaYI/AAAAAAAABPY/1DRToRvVgFM/s1600/IMG_2955a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566971695242570114" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TUHbQwGWaYI/AAAAAAAABPY/1DRToRvVgFM/s320/IMG_2955a.jpg" border="0" /></a>I became thoughtful as I pondered that not only did I find it hard to make a decision on where I was going in the bush, I was lost in my life as well.<br /><br />I wondered about my decisions over the past few years, the long time marriage I ended, the hurt and anger I felt over disappointments. Just as I kept coming to more forks, more paths that were unfamiliar, I was finding that my life was becoming more and more distant and unfamiliar as well.<br /><br />Where was I going, and how did I get here? Each trail I took was taking me further and further from home and the familiar...just as my life was doing.<br /><br />The marriage I ended was familiar and safe...my husband a faithful provider, hard worker. Yes I felt lonely and unhappy but had I chosen the right thing? I found that I had run from my pain, and myself...and now I had run out of steam...I was forced to look at myself and my choices.<br /><br />What did I want out of life, what was I looking for? I had to admit to myself after taking trail after trail that I was getting further from home and still didn’t know where I was, so I decided to backtrack and follow my tracks. In life, do we get to do that? Do we get second chances or are we doomed to be lost souls wandering around in circles? Do we get to find our way home?<br /><br />My husband has since remarried and made a new life for himself. I think he is better off. We are now able to talk to each other and deal with the day-to-day parenting challenges and guide my son. We have both grown.<br /><br />I have become more independent which is what I craved, but I am still lost. Could I have found my way in my marriage? Could I have managed to fulfill my needs had I stayed? These are questions I suppose won’t get answered any time soon.<br /><br />The further I went along the trails I was following the more I had to finally admit it was time to turn around and follow my tracks home. I was not going to find my way today. This was hard for me to admit to...and I guess the same goes for my life.<br /><br />At times I feel I did the right thing, and then I feel panic that I didn’t. Whatever the decision, I can’t go back now; I have to keep going forward. The way is unfamiliar to me, and at times really scary. I get very lonely and I’ve lost my family. We have had to re-invent ourselves, no easy task. I have heard that the amount of single people out there now outnumber those that are married. I wonder if marriage is a dying practice.<br /><br />I was lost in thought my whole journey back and confess I stopped enjoying my walk. My sight was turned inward now and I was missing the scenery around me. Nothing looked familiar to me until I was almost home.<br /><br />I found when I reached the beginning of my journey that I had actually taken the wrong trail. I took a path that I thought looked like the right one but it was actually the wrong one. Now I’m wondering if I have taken the wrong path in my life as well.<br /><br />Hindsight is 20-20 as the saying goes. I don’t know. All I can do is keep going and make the best of the choices that I have made, and live my life to the best of my ability. For those of you that are struggling, and we all do, I tip my hat to you, and wish you the very best in whatever you choose and the path you take.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452887462197286336noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424824932555201797.post-88834000891027231542010-07-29T16:15:00.000-07:002010-07-29T17:37:10.378-07:00The Lore of the Butterfly<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>I find butterflies fascinating. I have studied them, collected them, and drawn them. They have been a source of inspiration for poetry and painting. This group of captivating insects is categorized in the order of Lepidoptera. According to the literature, butterflies have been the subject of Egyptian hieroglyphs as much as 3500 years ago) (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly">Wikipedia). </a><br />According to Lafcadio Hearn, butterflies have been depicted as an embodiment of a “person’s soul” </div><div>These photos were taken with my cell phone while we were in the Butterfly Gardens at Niagara Falls. That was a wonderful experience of light and colour. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIVyvr3-MI/AAAAAAAABMs/mvwfWkVKJ5U/s1600/Photo_092708_003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499482056510929090" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIVyvr3-MI/AAAAAAAABMs/mvwfWkVKJ5U/s200/Photo_092708_003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIWOM6OGAI/AAAAAAAABM0/vc3lipQLM1A/s1600/Photo_092708_026.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499482528212195330" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIWOM6OGAI/AAAAAAAABM0/vc3lipQLM1A/s200/Photo_092708_026.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIWaDYKZqI/AAAAAAAABM8/B0Cv27Ng1MU/s1600/Photo_092708_021a.jpg"></a></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIWaDYKZqI/AAAAAAAABM8/B0Cv27Ng1MU/s1600/Photo_092708_021a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499482731811858082" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIWaDYKZqI/AAAAAAAABM8/B0Cv27Ng1MU/s200/Photo_092708_021a.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><div><br />Below are examples of sketches of butterflies from text books and dried specimens I’ve collected over the years. They’ve shown up in my paintings and on my art boxes. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIWwhfDcZI/AAAAAAAABNE/lNbh2TJaqpU/s1600/butterly+sketches.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499483117850947986" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 230px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIWwhfDcZI/AAAAAAAABNE/lNbh2TJaqpU/s320/butterly+sketches.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIXEsUzzAI/AAAAAAAABNM/0j1WV0-JYgA/s1600/Cabbage+moth+sketch.jpg"></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIXEsUzzAI/AAAAAAAABNM/0j1WV0-JYgA/s1600/Cabbage+moth+sketch.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499483464358153218" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 279px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIXEsUzzAI/AAAAAAAABNM/0j1WV0-JYgA/s320/Cabbage+moth+sketch.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIXSRzcRrI/AAAAAAAABNU/u1DSaOxp9BI/s1600/Papilo+sketches.jpg"></a></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIXEsUzzAI/AAAAAAAABNM/0j1WV0-JYgA/s1600/Cabbage+moth+sketch.jpg"></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIXpn1MrnI/AAAAAAAABNc/-90VBZB8QCk/s1600/Green+butterfly.jpg"></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIXSRzcRrI/AAAAAAAABNU/u1DSaOxp9BI/s1600/Papilo+sketches.jpg"></a></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIXSRzcRrI/AAAAAAAABNU/u1DSaOxp9BI/s1600/Papilo+sketches.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499483697757046450" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIXSRzcRrI/AAAAAAAABNU/u1DSaOxp9BI/s320/Papilo+sketches.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIXpn1MrnI/AAAAAAAABNc/-90VBZB8QCk/s1600/Green+butterfly.jpg"></a></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIXpn1MrnI/AAAAAAAABNc/-90VBZB8QCk/s1600/Green+butterfly.jpg"></a></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIXpn1MrnI/AAAAAAAABNc/-90VBZB8QCk/s1600/Green+butterfly.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499484098806984306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIXpn1MrnI/AAAAAAAABNc/-90VBZB8QCk/s200/Green+butterfly.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIXpn1MrnI/AAAAAAAABNc/-90VBZB8QCk/s1600/Green+butterfly.jpg"></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIYJTCQGpI/AAAAAAAABN0/1wl9j7vSc54/s1600/Swallowtail+art.jpg"></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>These were examples of <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIYC6KBFtI/AAAAAAAABNs/WIaAP_SPtHw/s1600/Butterly+art.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499484533222872786" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 174px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIYC6KBFtI/AAAAAAAABNs/WIaAP_SPtHw/s200/Butterly+art.jpg" border="0" /></a>raised folk art that I designed. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFId8RXgfsI/AAAAAAAABO8/EFOzPCe_2vE/s1600/Swallowtail+art.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499491016264154818" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 249px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFId8RXgfsI/AAAAAAAABO8/EFOzPCe_2vE/s320/Swallowtail+art.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIYcr_xnvI/AAAAAAAABN8/ucDoyOPhGaY/s1600/IMG_1175a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499484976098418418" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIYcr_xnvI/AAAAAAAABN8/ucDoyOPhGaY/s320/IMG_1175a.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Here is an example of an old cedar box that I keep my butterfly collection in. I have decorated it with a tropical butterfly.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIYoK1wyLI/AAAAAAAABOE/FH6iXV9Xmvc/s1600/IMG_1177b.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499485173356480690" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 290px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIYoK1wyLI/AAAAAAAABOE/FH6iXV9Xmvc/s400/IMG_1177b.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This is my watercolour box, which I treasure. I have decorated it also with a pair of tropical butterflies. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIY1ZpwCNI/AAAAAAAABOM/Bn0tnJMpquA/s1600/IMG_1178a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499485400670931154" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIY1ZpwCNI/AAAAAAAABOM/Bn0tnJMpquA/s400/IMG_1178a.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIZApZQIkI/AAAAAAAABOU/9ZUh3swVXTM/s1600/IMG_1181a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499485593875259970" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIZApZQIkI/AAAAAAAABOU/9ZUh3swVXTM/s320/IMG_1181a.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>A close up of a Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) one of my watercolours.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIZYO58cxI/AAAAAAAABOc/RbmAGPWBmIA/s1600/Painted+lady_edited-4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499485999081485074" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 285px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 217px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIZYO58cxI/AAAAAAAABOc/RbmAGPWBmIA/s400/Painted+lady_edited-4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) on Ingres paper.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIZioqhvtI/AAAAAAAABOk/aOcJu_PPrmY/s1600/Mourning+cloak+butterfly_edited-3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499486177794834130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 360px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIZioqhvtI/AAAAAAAABOk/aOcJu_PPrmY/s400/Mourning+cloak+butterfly_edited-3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Monarch (Danaus plexippus) part of a watercolour and acrylic painting.<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIZuSzq94I/AAAAAAAABOs/TMaxWNl6FcU/s1600/The+vine+that+bears+fruit+monarch+butterfliesa.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499486378086037378" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 370px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIZuSzq94I/AAAAAAAABOs/TMaxWNl6FcU/s400/The+vine+that+bears+fruit+monarch+butterfliesa.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIZ3NyRezI/AAAAAAAABO0/bgOk5HuZf8I/s1600/Red+admiral+close+up.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499486531356818226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 291px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 352px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TFIZ3NyRezI/AAAAAAAABO0/bgOk5HuZf8I/s400/Red+admiral+close+up.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) Original watercolour and acrylic.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452887462197286336noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424824932555201797.post-53158209221072278702010-07-04T06:58:00.000-07:002010-07-04T07:52:08.481-07:00Today's FlowersI am rejoicing in the warm weather we are now experiencing. After a week of rain, my garden is bursting with colour. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TDCcJhN0JLI/AAAAAAAABJk/Ye0KFoe_yMo/s1600/IMG_1149.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490059633113703602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TDCcJhN0JLI/AAAAAAAABJk/Ye0KFoe_yMo/s400/IMG_1149.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TDCeW2oUGCI/AAAAAAAABKM/cOi2NL0FCTo/s1600/IMG_1240.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490062061223548962" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TDCeW2oUGCI/AAAAAAAABKM/cOi2NL0FCTo/s400/IMG_1240.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TDCfi0_4OOI/AAAAAAAABKU/A1hKiu5_bdU/s1600/IMG_1183.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490063366455572706" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TDCfi0_4OOI/AAAAAAAABKU/A1hKiu5_bdU/s400/IMG_1183.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TDCcpbfhstI/AAAAAAAABJs/RbqHwn1bVzk/s1600/IMG_1167.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490060181333193426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TDCcpbfhstI/AAAAAAAABJs/RbqHwn1bVzk/s400/IMG_1167.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TDCdFBWzxrI/AAAAAAAABJ0/y6aTKh5fd_A/s1600/IMG_1345.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490060655353644722" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TDCdFBWzxrI/AAAAAAAABJ0/y6aTKh5fd_A/s400/IMG_1345.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TDCdYR2ocyI/AAAAAAAABJ8/DzNgVFbownI/s1600/IMG_1350.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490060986199601954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TDCdYR2ocyI/AAAAAAAABJ8/DzNgVFbownI/s400/IMG_1350.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TDCdzm_B3uI/AAAAAAAABKE/NdnWwdplJjw/s1600/IMG_1238a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490061455728434914" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/TDCdzm_B3uI/AAAAAAAABKE/NdnWwdplJjw/s400/IMG_1238a.jpg" border="0" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452887462197286336noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424824932555201797.post-51187341314008559442010-05-24T20:33:00.000-07:002012-01-29T06:39:41.655-08:00The Art of DyingLast night I hit a deer. Actually, the deer hit me. I was travelling Northbound on Highway 11, coming home from Burlington to visit a friend. It was late at night and all I wanted to do was get home and crawl into bed.<br />
<br />
I had fled there for some solace, to cry on a friend’s shoulder about the slow demise of a very difficult and painful relationship. My reverie was shattered when I noticed in my peripheral vision a large deer jump out of a side bank and there it was.<br />
<br />
I tried to brake but it was moving at a terrific speed and smashed into my right side, taking out the fender and front headlight, pushing in both doors on the passenger side. I was driving under the speed limit, but that was no help in trying to avert disaster.<br />
<br />
It seems indicative, that I am unable to change the trajectory my life path is taking. One thing that living alone forces you to do is reflect. I think about our human longing for fellowship. We crave companionship and dread the idea of being irrevocably alone, or dying alone.<br />
<br />
In my job I have watched over and over the path that those are dying take. How it affects each individual and their families. For some it’s a letting go, and a relinquishing of their hopes and dreams, looking back on their lives as a celebration of what has been, others it is a terrible struggle, anguish, pain, even savagery.<br />
<br />
I have started reading George Bowering and Jean Baird’s book <a align="left" href="http://www.thebukowskiagency.com/Heart%20Does%20Break.htm">The Heart Does Break</a> . It is an anthology of grief and mourning, personal poignant accounts of loss. I have been mourning the loss of a relationship that was very important to me.<br />
<br />
Like the author, I find that the way to make sense of something is to research it. I seek books, information, knowledge on loneliness and despair, to help me through this time of dying and mourning.<br />
<br />
Today was a very difficult day...I spent a lot of it in tears and the only thing I could really accomplish was this drawing of a jack-in-the pulpit plant in one of my gardens.<br />
<br />
These elegantly shaped plants are one of my personal favourites. The jack-in-the-pulpit <em>(Arisaema triphyllum)</em> plant is also called Indian Turnip. They are apparently pollinated by flies.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I have associated this plant with death, and the folklore surrounding them dates back to certain aboriginal tribes that used to chop the corm and mix it in with meat to be left for their enemies. It is the oxalate acid and asparagine in the jack-in-the-pulpit which make it poisonous.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S_tHqDAuaTI/AAAAAAAABJM/QePSV2enyss/s1600/Jack+in+the+pulpit+2010+1.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475048559687395634" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S_tHqDAuaTI/AAAAAAAABJM/QePSV2enyss/s400/Jack+in+the+pulpit+2010+1.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 400px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 303px;" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452887462197286336noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424824932555201797.post-56577518182499936722010-05-02T15:24:00.000-07:002010-05-02T15:51:02.505-07:00NestingI have been pretty quiet these last few weeks. Aside from working, there has not been too much creativity happening, and I have been battling with some personal difficulties.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S93-mj3rMBI/AAAAAAAABIM/Pp_1pYYbsCg/s1600/IMG_0839.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466805461114892306" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S93-mj3rMBI/AAAAAAAABIM/Pp_1pYYbsCg/s320/IMG_0839.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I am not certain if artists tend to pull away from the mainstream population, or we are just a different kettle of fish but I do know that I struggle with being hypersensitive at times which can be beneficial at “seeing” things a certain way but difficult and painful in other aspects of life. </div><br /><div></div><div></div><div>Aside from all that, I have some wonderful photographs to share of a woodcock nest that my friend and I came across. He actually graciously showed me, and they are wonderful references for future work.</div><br /><div>Woodcocks are one of my favourite birds as they are very secretive and unusual in appearance and behaviour.</div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S93_NNKdEeI/AAAAAAAABIU/9yU-45oifag/s1600/IMG_0832.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466806125034541538" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S93_NNKdEeI/AAAAAAAABIU/9yU-45oifag/s400/IMG_0832.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S94AXqTNouI/AAAAAAAABIc/kHxI4LOOW2U/s1600/IMG_0838.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466807404166226658" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S94AXqTNouI/AAAAAAAABIc/kHxI4LOOW2U/s400/IMG_0838.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S94A5a9iZTI/AAAAAAAABIk/1Q8fvkqXw7k/s1600/Woodcock_edited-1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466807984164332850" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 272px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S94A5a9iZTI/AAAAAAAABIk/1Q8fvkqXw7k/s400/Woodcock_edited-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>A woodcock sketch.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452887462197286336noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424824932555201797.post-82466354122601543792010-04-08T11:53:00.000-07:002010-04-08T12:09:31.203-07:00Spring FlowersFor Easter I bought tulips. I find although the Easter lily is a gorgeous flower with a wonderful scent, the fragrance can be overpowering especially for those of us that suffer from allergies. I thought tulips were a wonderful idea, as I can plant the bulbs after the blooms fade.<br /><div><div><div><div></div><br /><div>I sketched them over the Easter weekend when I had a couple of days off. Like many of us in the health care field we work the holidays and don’t always get to spend them with family. Here is the outcome of that sketch.</div><div></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S74m9REzIDI/AAAAAAAABHo/5vU5A223Wx8/s1600/Tulip+sketch+2010a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457842632417026098" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 281px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S74m9REzIDI/AAAAAAAABHo/5vU5A223Wx8/s400/Tulip+sketch+2010a.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Previous springs I have experimented with still life and my cut spring flowers from the garden:</div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S74ndle2-pI/AAAAAAAABHw/4zs77HYlrnY/s1600/still+life1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457843187650853522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S74ndle2-pI/AAAAAAAABHw/4zs77HYlrnY/s400/still+life1.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br /><div></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S74n5zcql1I/AAAAAAAABH4/FAiBUaUwdXM/s1600/Vase.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457843672436086610" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 256px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S74n5zcql1I/AAAAAAAABH4/FAiBUaUwdXM/s320/Vase.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S74og8UHh8I/AAAAAAAABIA/N5nh3w-z-6w/s1600/daisy+sketch.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457844344831051714" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 227px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S74og8UHh8I/AAAAAAAABIA/N5nh3w-z-6w/s320/daisy+sketch.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>I admit it’s a little early for daisies, but it won’t be long before they are in bloom. Enjoy this beautiful spring day; although it’s raining, it’s bringing the promise of new life. </div></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452887462197286336noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424824932555201797.post-3801747101134404572010-03-22T15:11:00.000-07:002010-03-22T15:24:56.024-07:00Working on a CommissionI’ve been sick in bed since yesterday, so I thought I’d work on something while I’m in bed. Yes, I guess I’m a bit of a type A personality, someone who doesn’t relax very well.<br /><div><div><div><div><br /></div><div>I was asked to paint someone’s husky a while back. The person who requested the piece wanted a fairly large piece of work and they lived out of town. I received photographs of the dog, but nothing more.<br /></div><div>I hadn’t laid eyes on this animal and wasn’t going to be able to. Let me tell you it’s pretty difficult to get the subject’s personality when you don’t get to see him/her, but I endeavoured to try.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>First I did a number of sketches....<br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S6fro1Mfs2I/AAAAAAAABHA/bLZx-oH41lc/s1600-h/Husky+sketches.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451584960662057826" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 228px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S6fro1Mfs2I/AAAAAAAABHA/bLZx-oH41lc/s320/Husky+sketches.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S6fr7cNmMtI/AAAAAAAABHI/dhzGpwoCqbE/s1600-h/Husky+sketches+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451585280373306066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S6fr7cNmMtI/AAAAAAAABHI/dhzGpwoCqbE/s320/Husky+sketches+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S6fsPDbr6yI/AAAAAAAABHQ/n7tDq3uVCAA/s1600-h/husky+sketches+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451585617318898466" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 230px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S6fsPDbr6yI/AAAAAAAABHQ/n7tDq3uVCAA/s320/husky+sketches+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div>Then I worked on a few color sketches like this one below...</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S6fsyElmmOI/AAAAAAAABHY/37c92cLbo-Q/s1600-h/Husky+sketch.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451586218924349666" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 282px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S6fsyElmmOI/AAAAAAAABHY/37c92cLbo-Q/s320/Husky+sketch.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div></div><div><div><br /></div><div>At last I was ready for the final piece.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S6ftbl202nI/AAAAAAAABHg/xQsWv2BVf2Q/s1600-h/Bobby+Siberian+Husky+original.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451586932229593714" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 419px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 286px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S6ftbl202nI/AAAAAAAABHg/xQsWv2BVf2Q/s400/Bobby+Siberian+Husky+original.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Thankfully the owner of the husky really liked the piece. In fact he said that I had captured his dog’s personality! I think however, it’s always best to get to know the subject of what you are commissioned to paint. </div><div> </div></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452887462197286336noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424824932555201797.post-70893815097220153192010-03-20T16:23:00.000-07:002010-03-20T16:52:36.088-07:00The Art of HeartbreakThe art of heartbreak...when a relationship is in trouble or comes to an end, what does that heartbreak looks like? We know how it feels but if you could paint it, visualize it, how would you convey that pain? What would it look like?<br />This is what I imagine it to look like. Each of us has our own picture of pain. This is what I came up with today, it’s rough but here it is...<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S6VfsoIgJkI/AAAAAAAABGY/wAVlhAILfrI/s1600-h/Heartbreak+original+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450868144293815874" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 318px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S6VfsoIgJkI/AAAAAAAABGY/wAVlhAILfrI/s400/Heartbreak+original+1.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S6VZhMRoOvI/AAAAAAAABGQ/jdi-IHVipbs/s1600-h/Heartbreak.jpg"></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452887462197286336noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424824932555201797.post-10586932775314682542010-03-14T15:11:00.000-07:002010-03-14T17:37:51.377-07:00Blog Sunshine AwardThis is my first blog award and I am honored. I have been awarded the Sunshine Award from <a href="http://cafebyjw/">http://www.cafebyjw.com</a>. Thank you Cafeby.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S51gz0abitI/AAAAAAAABGA/1AOY78MG1uw/s1600-h/sunshineblogaward%5B1%5D%5B1%5D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448617567547263698" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 175px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 170px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S51gz0abitI/AAAAAAAABGA/1AOY78MG1uw/s320/sunshineblogaward%5B1%5D%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The rules for accepting the award are*<br />Put the logo on your blog or within your post* Pass the award onto 12 bloggers* Link the nominees within your post* Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog* Share the love and link to the person from whom you received this award.<br /><br />The twelve blogs to whom I am passing the award are:<br /><br /><a href="http://heather-heatherofthehills.blogspot.com/">http://heather-heatherofthehills.blogspot.com/</a><br /><a href="http://www.cedarravenstudio.com/">http://www.cedarravenstudio.com/</a><br /><a href="http://muskokariver.blogspot.com/">http://muskokariver.blogspot.com/</a><br /><a href="http://impressionsofnature.blogspot.com/">http://impressionsofnature.blogspot.com/</a><br /><a href="http://digitalflowerpictures.blogspot.com/">http://digitalflowerpictures.blogspot.com/</a><br /><a href="http://mandyhiggs.blogspot.com/">http://mandyhiggs.blogspot.com/</a><br /><a href="http://lilacgate.blogspot.com/">http://lilacgate.blogspot.com/</a><br /><a href="http://waterblossoms.blogspot.com/">http://waterblossoms.blogspot.com/</a><br /><a href="http://originalbliss.typepad.com/original_bliss/">http://originalbliss.typepad.com/original_bliss/</a><br /><a href="http://thefishingguy.blogspot.com/">http://thefishingguy.blogspot.com/</a><br /><a href="http://longislanddailyphoto.blogspot.com/">http://longislanddailyphoto.blogspot.com/</a><br /><a href="http://joo-dailyhaiku.blogspot.com/">http://joo-dailyhaiku.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br /><br />The rules for accepting these awards:Put the logo on your blog or within your postPass the award onto 12 bloggersLink the nominees within your postLet the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blogShare the love and link to the person from whom you received this award <a href="http://thailand-in-photos.blogspot.com/">http://thailand-in-photos.blogspot.com/</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452887462197286336noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424824932555201797.post-74910709832619784372010-03-10T16:13:00.000-08:002010-03-11T19:02:40.419-08:00StoriesThis month the Creative Every Day Challenge is “Stories”. I have had the opportunity to illustrate one children’s book that was published independently.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>It was my first experience, involving plenty of learning. </div><div> </div><div>I find it an interesting challenge to have the written story (which is not my own), and produce characters which will carry the story along and hopefully meet the author’s expectations or vision.<br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>The story briefly is about a fairy that has a flaw and the struggles she encounters as she builds her self-esteem and friendships. This was the initial idea of the main character, </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S5g2zYXgoEI/AAAAAAAABEg/PINxXjhOTLE/s1600-h/Broken+wing+sketch+1-1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447164005646901314" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 254px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S5g2zYXgoEI/AAAAAAAABEg/PINxXjhOTLE/s320/Broken+wing+sketch+1-1.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br />and the final piece...</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S5hI5PkWxvI/AAAAAAAABEw/U1Yklt90R4g/s1600-h/Broken+wing.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447183897573377778" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 270px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S5hI5PkWxvI/AAAAAAAABEw/U1Yklt90R4g/s320/Broken+wing.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Some of Brokenwing’s adventures and fellow characters:</div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S5hJvfNdYmI/AAAAAAAABE4/XrBAz-Qw4Us/s1600-h/Broken+Wing+and+Darkett+2_edited-1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447184829485245026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 223px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S5hJvfNdYmI/AAAAAAAABE4/XrBAz-Qw4Us/s320/Broken+Wing+and+Darkett+2_edited-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S5hKnrz4CcI/AAAAAAAABFI/WSNSvtNLHdw/s1600-h/Broken+Wing+and+the+Unicorn+3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447185794940275138" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 221px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S5hKnrz4CcI/AAAAAAAABFI/WSNSvtNLHdw/s400/Broken+Wing+and+the+Unicorn+3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S5hLSdLbX_I/AAAAAAAABFQ/LFXQeRaNTQM/s1600-h/Broken+Wing+and+the+dragon+edited-3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447186529746903026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 306px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S5hLSdLbX_I/AAAAAAAABFQ/LFXQeRaNTQM/s400/Broken+Wing+and+the+dragon+edited-3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>It has always been a dream of mine to illustrate children’s books. Growing up, my sister and I spent many hours creating a host of characters in our fantasy world. </div><div> </div><div></div><div>It was a world full of witty, bumbling and sarcastic animals that were used as vehicles to help us navigate our childhood. </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S5hL8XJlyOI/AAAAAAAABFY/IWF_6Yx5IVw/s1600-h/The+fairy+dew+queen+rough-1.jpg"></a></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S5hL8XJlyOI/AAAAAAAABFY/IWF_6Yx5IVw/s1600-h/The+fairy+dew+queen+rough-1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447187249683089634" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 253px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S5hL8XJlyOI/AAAAAAAABFY/IWF_6Yx5IVw/s320/The+fairy+dew+queen+rough-1.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S5hL8XJlyOI/AAAAAAAABFY/IWF_6Yx5IVw/s1600-h/The+fairy+dew+queen+rough-1.jpg"></a></div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Imagination is a gift that is priceless and is important to foster in children. </div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S5hMwpQLuyI/AAAAAAAABFg/u-0aD39bRtg/s1600-h/Sean+the+Leprichaun+edited+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447188147895778082" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 239px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S5hMwpQLuyI/AAAAAAAABFg/u-0aD39bRtg/s320/Sean+the+Leprichaun+edited+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /></div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S5hNtJePqgI/AAAAAAAABFo/qayyd3b56SM/s1600-h/Fiinished+mole+brokenwing+edited+1.jpg"></a></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S5hNtJePqgI/AAAAAAAABFo/qayyd3b56SM/s1600-h/Fiinished+mole+brokenwing+edited+1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447189187336841730" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 231px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S5hNtJePqgI/AAAAAAAABFo/qayyd3b56SM/s320/Fiinished+mole+brokenwing+edited+1.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>I remember a story my dad used to tell me about an eagle soaring over the ocean as he searched for food. </div><div> </div><div>He would say this as a “bed-time story” and as he described the eagle and its flight, I could see it perfectly in my mind’s eye. </div><div> </div><div></div><div>I could even feel the earth drop out from under me as the eagle plummeted toward the water, searching for fish.</div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S5hOiICvBCI/AAAAAAAABFw/vmVWA4R0mjk/s1600-h/Mermaid+frame+34_edited-1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447190097486087202" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 381px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S5hOiICvBCI/AAAAAAAABFw/vmVWA4R0mjk/s400/Mermaid+frame+34_edited-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452887462197286336noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424824932555201797.post-20565829957361632862010-02-14T14:08:00.000-08:002010-02-14T14:16:29.827-08:00Valentine’s DayIt’s hard to believe we are in the middle of February. Winter is dragging on. We’ve endured a very stressful week with a family crisis. Thankfully all went well and there is light at the end of the tunnel.<br /><div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>I have a bit of a battle ahead for me as I deal with some challenges to help my son, but I’m hoping for the best. I admit I hit a few dark places this week when the stress became too much. Especially when I had to go to work and put my problems aside. </div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Now that the dust has settled and we have a chance to breath, I want to take a moment to focus on Valentine’s Day. We tend to think of flowers and chocolate with Valentine’s Day.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>These are some garden flower watercolor sketches. A rose...</div><div></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S3h05_pysYI/AAAAAAAABEI/UWOtuHYbl50/s1600-h/Rose+sketch1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438225089737961858" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 373px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S3h05_pysYI/AAAAAAAABEI/UWOtuHYbl50/s400/Rose+sketch1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div></div><div> </div><div><div><br /></div><div>Wildflowers, Spring Beauty...</div><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S3h1PJdgu0I/AAAAAAAABEQ/a0gFSClyX2M/s1600-h/Spring+beauty+sketch1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438225453148060482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 333px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S3h1PJdgu0I/AAAAAAAABEQ/a0gFSClyX2M/s400/Spring+beauty+sketch1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S3h1vDXTpjI/AAAAAAAABEY/J5NjwKSiL4A/s1600-h/wildflowers+2a.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438226001267238450" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S3h1vDXTpjI/AAAAAAAABEY/J5NjwKSiL4A/s320/wildflowers+2a.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>This is a day to show those who are special in our lives how much we mean to one another. I count my blessings for this man who has been by my side. </div><div> </div><div>Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!</div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452887462197286336noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424824932555201797.post-61871038384277166142010-02-05T09:43:00.001-08:002010-02-05T09:50:35.936-08:00Skywatch Friday<div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S2xY95fvPrI/AAAAAAAABDQ/n5I5pjQRub4/s1600-h/sunset+southampton.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434816670758551218" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S2xY95fvPrI/AAAAAAAABDQ/n5I5pjQRub4/s400/sunset+southampton.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><p>Another beautiful Southampton sunset.</p><p>What I've always called "Islands in the Sky"...</p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S2xaQ5An7ZI/AAAAAAAABDg/Soq1m3lUnA0/s1600-h/another+southampton+sunseta.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434818096557190546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 296px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S2xaQ5An7ZI/AAAAAAAABDg/Soq1m3lUnA0/s400/another+southampton+sunseta.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><p></p></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452887462197286336noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-424824932555201797.post-79148742897038146512010-02-01T13:57:00.000-08:002010-02-01T14:02:07.817-08:00HomeSo I’ve decided to get a jump on things and I’m going to do the Creative Every Day post early this month. The theme is “home”. When I think of home, the words “safe haven”, “refuge”, and “sanctuary” come to mind. I find that only the people closest to me come into my surroundings.<br /><div><div></div><br /><div>I think this has to do with wanting to feel safe growing up. Home for a child is the buffer from the outside world. We all have to leave the nest at some time or another, but as children, this is the one place where we learn, are loved and kept safe.</div><br /><div></div><div>Below are some sketches of me and my son as he was growing up...<br /></div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S2dO2ZRwGkI/AAAAAAAABDA/TfkKBgOKWxQ/s1600-h/nursing+week+2a1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433398171851037250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 294px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S2dO2ZRwGkI/AAAAAAAABDA/TfkKBgOKWxQ/s400/nursing+week+2a1.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S2dPL85VwzI/AAAAAAAABDI/f2bJb5NBLMo/s1600-h/nursing+week+4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433398542189577010" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 333px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ge6du8K3vQo/S2dPL85VwzI/AAAAAAAABDI/f2bJb5NBLMo/s400/nursing+week+4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06452887462197286336noreply@blogger.com8