Library Book

I must admit that I am a regular at the library. I found this book which I thought would help me to better understand Mariannes Mandalas art. She explains very good but I wanted more of a basis to even better understand. I used some markers that have been around here for some time. I can't even remember why I bought them. This project was just perfect for them.

CED

What with trying to be Creative Every Day I have been using my ink pens more often. I like the ability to sit in an easy chair and draw. I am trying to teach myself how to use pens for shading and drawing. It does take a little more thought, or maybe a little less fear. I have never drawn much with ink. I see all of these drawings that people render with ink and I like it. So I am hot on the trail of ink drawings. My mind also keeps going to spring. Wondering what all is under the snow. What will spring out when the snow melts away.

Animal Wednesday - Cat

For my CED exercise I drew these books that I had to take back to the library this week. On top was Dewey which is about a cat that lived in a library. Anyway I decided this would be just right for Animal Wednesday. Haw to you all... and again to some of you. ;)

Blooming Tuesday

The illusive red rose bloom.

Cactus Monday - Saguaro

Happy Cactus Monday all of you Cactuteers...

Rocky Mt National Park

As the snow flies here I am once again painting a scene that I so admired when we came upon it while driving in Rocky Mountain National Park. I have been to this park many times. I love to be in the mountains. When we came upon this scene it was so striking because the Aspen grove was so dark except for the yellow flowers that were like beacons. I haven't forgotten the surprise I felt in seeing these bright yellow flowers blooming in a very dark area. I hope everyone has been having a fun weekend. Keep warm...

St Mark's Lighthouse

A couple of years ago we were in Florida visitng family and birding of course. We stopped at a lighthouse along the coast. The name of it is St Marks Lighthouse. It was a beautiful area. I stood on a lookout tower near by and took a picture of the lighthouse. I remember thinking I wish I could paint this scene. This just goes to show that wishes can come true. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. If you are like me sitting here in 27F weather you will be wishing you were in a warmer climate. Watching the sea breezes swish the palms around. Ahhhh... still dreamin...

Gifts and Thank Yous

I got this wonderful gift of an embroidered tea towel from a friend over the holidays. I tried to replicate it on her thank you card. Texture is difficult to replicate but fun to try.Thank you once again. Thank you all for being here. I appreciate your encrouragement.

Marianne On My Mind

Our dear friend Marianne has been on my mind all morning long. Since one of my new year's resolutions is to act upon my thoughts rather than sit and just think I want us all that know Marianne say a prayer for her and her family. She is going through a tough time with them right now. If you don't pray a positive healing thought going her way will be most appreciated.

Our dear Marianne is such a kind and generous lady. She sends positive energy around in the form of her angelic Sjimmie Mandalas. Even while she is in South Africa she thinks of her blogging friends.

She spreads sunshine from every corner of the world. To this I want to return some of that sunshine and love

through words of encouragement during her though times dealing with a sick Father and Mother. Just remember Marianne you aren't alone in spirit. I am there helping to hold you up.

Animal Wednesday - Donkey

I couldn't resist trying to draw this sweet little donkey that we saw while out birding this past weekend. I didn't get the colro right but I am pleased with the ears. It seems that every time I try to draw horses they end up looking like mules with ears too big for them. This set of ears looks about right for this donkey.

These small donkeys are being kept by several people in this area. They say they make great pets. They are sweet and not a lot of trouble. Most of the time you see them in pairs. They are very sensitive and need to be around their kind. We only saw one in this situation but it was with a herd of cows. A sight one doesn't see often. HAW to you all.

Blooming Tuesday

This rose I started drawing on a shee of watercolor paper that is really rough. I used color pencils first. I didn't like the look of it so I put a watercolor washover it. Can't say it improved it much. This is one of those learning experiences. Happy Blooming Tuesday.

Cactus Monday - Prickly Pear

Happy Cactus Monday to all the Cacuteers.

Zenmandala

This has been a busy weekend. Nothing of great importance was going on we were just busy running around looking for birds that we hadn't seen yet this year. I have come home and plopped into my chair most eveingings. This Zen is one of my CED projects. A good way to relax. I hope you all had a good weekend.

Rosebud

You know I just can't resist some photos I see on Pam's blog. I think she captures images with her camera in a painterly manner. Her rosebud was my latest inspiration from Digging. There are other inspirations out there this morning. Haiku seems to be in the air today. Q's Corner is full of Haiku inspiration if you are in the mood for some. Steviewren also has some Haiku inspiration.

Rosebuds are stuffed
fragrance awaiting release
sweet smell of summer

I hope you all have a good weekend. Stay warm.

Gran Torino

This past weekend we went to the movies to see Gran Torino, the new Clint Eastwood movie. I must say it was a good movie. I think it says a lot about people, families and is very entertaining. If you get a chance you might want to see this. Have a bag of popcorn and coke. Yep, you wouldn't be disappointed. I have never drawn a car before. Cars are necessary evils to me. I can see why it takes so long to dream up a car. There is a lot of detail in a car.

Bloomin Tuesday Zentangle

Teri at Painted Daisies does a bloom on tuesdays. I happen to be able to join in this tuesday. Maybe you can join us too. This bloomin zentangle came to me this week. Happy Bloomin Tuesday.

Cactus Monday - Gila Woodpecker

Goodmorning Cacuteers. I couldn't decide whether to post this picture on Cactus Monday or Animal Wednesday. Well, Cactus Monday won because I have a difficult time thinking of Cactus picutres. This Gila Woodpecker lives in the desert and makes its nests in saguaro cactus. Several other birds reuse their nests.

Discoveries

I went to JoAnn Fabrics this weekend and made a wonderful discovery. They had Micron pens in six-packs of colored pens, with two different sizes. In the past I have had to drive an hour to the nearest store to purchase these pens that I find indespensible. They are so easy to work with and they are acid free etc. Not only that but JoAnns was having a sale (aren't they always) and I had a coupon so I got them for half price. Now that really made me happy.

My bil took a fantastic picture of a Carolina Wren and sent it to us. I couldn't resist drawing it in blue. It made me happy to see one of my favorite birds so well photographed. It is a blue bird of happiness. I hope you all made some fantastic discoveries this weekend and are happy and well rested.

Creative Every Day

I am trying to draw or paint every day this year. I must say this is quite the challenge. Already it has made me delve into some medium that I am not comfortable with but hope to improve upon.

One thing I really like to see are pen and ink drawings of people. I am just facinated by the ability of some that can sit down in a restaurant or church and draw a likeness of someone. My first attempt was of my Dearly Beloved as he was entranced by a football game this week. You can start feeling sorry for him because he is my easiest target so he will probably be profiled often. Ha.. And no this doesn't look much like him. I hope you all have a nice weekend.

Doggie Thursday

Yesterday morning we woke to a skiff of snow on the ground. So I had my Mom go outside with me to ckeck out the garden. This kind of weather is some of my favorite weather.

I like to play hide and seek. Now you see me. I will hide and you can look for me.Can you find me? Awwwwwww that was too easy. Just wait unti we get a good snow. I can hide real good.

Gee Mom, must you take my picture? Yes Dear, it is Doggie Thursday and Soulbrush has asked us to play this game. You can pretend it is hide and seek. OK Mom, I will close my eyes and you can't see me...
Happy Doggie Thursday to everyone.

Animal Wednesday - Dragonfly

This summer there were several dragonflies in our garden. The females are usually nondescript as this one shows. It was sitting in the duff under the apple tree. Happy Animal Wednesday all.

Old Cemetery

While we were out in the country this weekend doing the Knox County Christmas Bird Count we came upon this old cemetery up on a knoll. I find old cemeteries intersting. We often find small cemeteries here and there. The old tombstones are often cockeyed and people don't always take care of them when the cemeteries are old. I often wonder what has happened to the people's families that are interned in these old cemeteries.

Now I don't want to make anyone gloomy but I just had to try to capture the gray day and the lonesome feeling that these places give me sometimes. Maybe because my Grandparents lived by a cemetery years ago and I played amongst the tombstones so they don't bother me. Actually they remind me of my Grandparents who are no longer alive. They remind me that I had to get home before dark when we visited or I had to walk through the cemetery in the dark. I didn't like that.

Thanks for strolling down memory lane with me. I hope I didn't creep out anyone. My DB was asking why I would paint such a picture. Difficult to say.

Cactus Monday

Good morning Cacuteers. It seems like when I am tired I always reach for my colored pencils. That doesn't seem just right because it takes a lot more energy to use colored pencils than it does to use watercolors. I think the reason is because I can curl up in my comfortable chair and keep busy.
While I like my cactus here, it seems a bit disjointed. Not a good composition. But I am pleased that I got a cactus on the board. I knew you all would be disappointed if I didn't. tee hee.... Happy Cactus Monday...

Word of Inspiration

After reading Teri's inspirational post this morning I have been mulling over this New Year's beginning. Actually I have read so many art blogs today my head is verily reeling with inspiration. I want to thank all of you for sharing what seems to be second nature to you.


Teri guided us to Leah's web site called " Creative Every Day". This must have been the button I needed to push to get my creative juices flowing again since I have had this cold. This is just the kick start my creative year needed. Leah has urged us to choose a word that would be our inspiration for the year. The word I chose was VERVE.
I love this word. It seems to express the excitement I feel when I begin every creative project I attempt.

While this doodle I did this evening seems a bit busy, well, it reflects how my mind was working. All of the drawing is of some symbolism to me. This year I hope to glide through the river of change that each year brings. Not forgetting the excitement of fire works that I begin the year with. There is a creative fire that is burning in me that nature fuels.

I already feel so successful with finishing my first sketchbook. For those of you that have closets full of filled sketchbooks you must remember how you felt when you filled your first one. I feel so energized by you artists with your filled sketchbooks. Your generous encouragement is certainly felt here at Artsy Endeavors. I will be here this year experimenting, growing and feeding that verve that I so enjoy. Thank you for being with me on this journey. Welcome 2009.