Silk nest

I love drawing eggs. They are such beautiful shapes and colours. This reference was from Dianna Ponting, who has done a series of eggs in silk using pastels - and quite beautifully too.

I was taken with the image and will likely try it on a larger scale perhaps in pastel or maybe Derwent Drawing pencils. For now its in mechanical pencil in a 7 x 10 sketchbook.

Learning curves

I have been trying to help someone come to grips with some basic drawing skills. The individual wasn't good at following written directions and was at a distance, being online, so I tried a combination of illustrated steps to see if she could follow that way. I chose a simple circle to turn into a sphere as it would provide a number of techniques and would be satisfying.

Unfortunately, I started the demonstration at lunch, so grabbed the first thing to hand - lined paper. Kids - don't do this at home!

Here were the steps that were to be followed:

1. Lightly draw a circle freehand on your paper with a pencil of your choice.
2. Your light source is coming from the upper left of your paper.
3. Begin shading your circle lightly, just cover the surface with a layer of graphite.
4. Then start adding further layers to deepen the shading, remembering where your light source is coming from. Your sphere will be darker on the right than the left.
5. Continue to deepen shading, trying for a smooth transition from light to dark until you achieve the illusion of having a smooth, round ball on your paper.
6. Finally, you can 'ground' your ball by adding a shadow to the right, darkest closest to the ball and lighter as it gets further away.
7. Post your sphere online here at each level so we can help guide and correct you if required.
8. Have fun!






I had great fun drawing this sphere. Why don't you have a go at it and see what you produce? And see what unusual support you can draw it on? Telephone book page? Envelope? Newspaper? Be creative!

Red dot

After Tripod joined the household, I rediscovered an old laser pointer kicking around a kitchen drawer. The red dot that it creates provides hours of amusement for him as he chases it as if it were a bug or mouse all over the living room, up furniture, under the coffee table, finally flopping onto it, convinced he's trapped it. Only to find it has gotten away... The game is now known as 'red dot' and you only have to say the words or pick up the pointer and he's ready for a game.

The laser beam lights up one of his little plastic balls amazingly well, giving it an unearthly light. The cat is looking suspiciously at it. When he arrived, his left eye was partially shut. It seems fine now and I wonder if it was something to do with the injury of his leg on the same side.

Spring

Spring is trying to raise its head here for the last week or so. Its made quite a bit of progress with about half of the snow melting. I can actually see that I have a garden again, not just a broad expanse of white broken occasionally by trees.

Warmer weather means that the ducks and geese like to come out of the barn and wander in the yard. Sunday was warm enough for them to have their first proper bath of the spring. BD (short for Big Duck) and Buddy, the two Muscovy ducks were first in and came out quite sparkling clean. This is unusual for BD as he hates water. Yes, he's a duck and yes he hates water. But he was the first one in this time. After his bath, he spread his wings slightly and gently raised them up and down drying himself.

I offered him a treat of some bread and as I went to the kitchen to get it and came back out, he was clambering up the steps of the porch, waiting for me. For a big duck, climbing stairs is neither safe nor elegant but he managed. I think he stayed there for most of the afternoon because these large ducks manage to climb the stairs, but then get to the top and wonder how they're going to get down again. With a little 'encouragement' he half flew, half fell back down the steps and was reunited with his friend Buddy. I adore these two ducks, they are such characters and despite hissing and tail wagging which some see as aggression, they are as meek as lambs.

Spring is also uncovering things in the garden, some which are good, some not. These rocks emerged out of the snow with matted grass surrounded them. Flaked pieces of the slate were breaking off and the image proved to be a lot more detailed to draw than the sketch that I anticipated doing.

Artist's/Writer's block

Wikipedia defines writer's block as a phenomenon involving temporary loss of ability to continue writing, usually due to lack of inspiration or creativity

I don't consider myself a writer, even though I've written nearly every day for the last 15 months for this blog. In the last few weeks, my writing has become a struggle. Inspiration is slow to find me or me it and I start to view the blog as a chore rather than a pleasure at times.

I know all the tricks to getting through a block, whether artistic or writing, but I haven't put them to much use yet. The reason for the blog was for my art and with my life moving at breakneck speed in many areas, the art is now moving ahead as well as I want it to. All this is in my control I know. Only I can make the time and take the decision to move it ahead.

So my block is a combination of art and writing, as one fuels the other.

Inkless pen

A stainless steel pen, 8cm long. However when you unscrew the top, the 'nib' is a solid piece of metal. There is no ink, yet this pen will write on virtually any type of paper. This is what it looked like when we tried it on a piece of normal paper...

I imagine this is something similar to silverpoint drawing, which I've never tried, but I would like to access one of these pens, if for nothing but curiosity's sake.

The sketch I did a couple of weeks ago. The face was appealing, as are most older faces which have character. I find drawing a young face almost boring at times as there is little substance to draw from and hold interest. Yes youth has its appeal, but an older face is so much more interesting to draw.

CALLING ALL ARTISTS!

The 13th Sketchcrawl is on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th!

WHAT: 14th World Wide SketchCrawl, drawing marathon/fund-raiser for Emergency
WHO: Artists of all ages and skill levels
WHEN: Saturday May 19, 2007
WHERE: Around the globe
INFO: Free registration and location information at www.sketchcrawl.com/forum
CONTACT: Enrico Casarosa, casarosa@gmail,com, phone(415)317-2731

All artists, whether they be professionals or just habitual doodlers, are invited to participate in the 14th World Wide SketchCrawl May 19, 2007. While the event is free, participants will be encouraged through their art to raise money for Emergency, a nonprofit international organization based in Italy that provides free medical care to civilian victims of war, landmines and poverty.

Transitions

I've played with this image for a few days. It started as a simple graphite line drawing, then I found a handful of watercolour pencils in my case so I added some colour. I didn't like the grainy texture it left on the paper so I added a wash of plain water with my waterbrush. Then my Rapidograph was in my hand and the rest is history.

Found supports

No, I haven't completely run out of paper, it just feels like I have. This was a test on the back of an envelope done in pastels and ink, while composing my letter to an art supply company.

I'm not one for complaining directly to companies unless I feel they're really provided awful service, but in this instance I think I am justified.

On March 2nd I placed an order with an art supply company in Toronto and after a couple of emails back and forth regarding items on my list that weren't in stock and my substitutions, I presumed the order was on its way. Silly me. They're an art supply company. They sell things to artists. Should I expect service?? Or even supplies?

Here is Monday's email from them. The fourth email on this order. Big sigh.

I am definitely so sorry for the mix-up concerning this order. It looks like the item that is out of stock is actually the sabretooth grey, not the previously mentioned sabretooth white. So as of now, the out of stock items are:

CP4 – Grey Cotton (Canal)

CP51 – Ontario Flax (Canal)

CP30 – Peat Moss (Canal)

SBGRY – Sabretooth Grey Light

Now that things are clearer, I just wanted to confirm with you which out of the INstock items you wanted to add more quantity of (or if you’d like to at all). Once I hear from you, I can make that change and send the order out as soon as possible.

Make sense to you? Remember now, this order was placed on March 2nd and its now March 14th. They haven't even figured out what is in stock or out of stock yet, let alone process or ship the order. Sigh.

I gave them one more kick at the cat with a substitution for the paper that I asked for with notification that if I have one more email from them about substitutions, I cancel the order and take my business elsewhere. I also asked for a shipping date and expected arrival date. And the store manager's name so I could inform them of the problems with ordering.

So tonight when I got home, I expected an email at the least apologizing for the delays, saying my order was on its way. Yeah, right....there was nothing. So I have no idea the status of this order. But tomorrow I will. I'll be calling them.

D is for...

Ducklings. I've made some initial sketches for the Newfoundland related alphabet book and this is one of them. Ducks aren't peculiar to Newfoundland but there will be something Newfoundland-related or farm related in the background for these little guys.

This was based on a photo of ducklings that hatched last year here. They were an assortment of Pekin and Pekin crosses, ending up with some unusual colours. They are funny, all moving in a group as if attached by invisible cords.

Momentum

Its easy to slide either way, isn't it? You get into the habit of doing something - like the blog for instance - and if you miss a day or two, its easy to justify to yourself why you don't need to keep writing. But if I make myself write something every day, its as easy to turn the justification around and make it work in my favour. The momentum of life keeps me moving, drawing, writing and living.

Looking at the self portrait that I posted yesterday, I see flaws in it. The face length is out of proportion and too long. I won't redo it, it will stand as it is, flaws and all.

I have been following Dianna Pontings pastel class in WetCanvas, but haven't had time to do much with it. I'm waiting for new pastel paper and new pastels to turn up. I decided that I needed my own reference image to play with and dug out a Christmas box of licorice Allsorts and set up a few photos. Here's a sample that I may tackle. I'll keep Dianna's class handy as her colour choices and tips are invaluable. I had to sample a few of the candies while I photographed them but I don't actually like the licorice part, except for those ones with the little balls on them. They're yummy...oops, none left...


Tripod, being Tripod, supervised.

Self portrait

Self portraits are often frank depictions of the artist at a particular moment in time. Artists do self portraits for any number of reasons - lack of another model or recording an event or time period. They also showcase the artist's skills and techniques. Rembrandt, Duerer, and Degas as well as many other artists throughout history have created self portraits that serve as a marker in history, culture and society.

So what is my reason for doing a self portrait today? Perhaps a little of all of the above, as well as simply feeling in the mood to draw a person. Its always interesting to create self portraits. Its it a narcissistic exercise? No, I don't think so. Its simply an exercise in technique and skill with the result being captured for the future.

I draw self portraits off and on during the year. This one can stand as the marker for my 53rd year of life. I'll do another midyear then another in the 54th year. A page of self portraits for comparison at the end of my life would be interesting to review. I'll have to work on the first half of my life a little more as there are gaps. Each portrait is slightly different, some radically different, but the common thread should be there.

Bernice Snowden

Bernice Snowden 1951 - 2007

Tonight I found out that Bernice had died on March 7th. Bernice and I met in a drawing forum in WetCanvas and shared private messages and insider jokes, both of us being in Atlantic Canada. Bernice was a kind, gentle person with a wonderful talent in the art world. We both participated in drawing challenges as well as classes and both chose tomatoes as our demons of choice in a coloured pencil class with Cynthia Brunk.

Bernice will be missed by many people but the product of her work is her legacy.

Her last posting of a drawing - Angel Lamp - seems somewhat poignant now. And one of my favourite drawings of hers - Chrysanthemum - is here.

Old and new

This drawing was done last year, it was a sketch that was going to be turned into something more of a woman and her grandchild. As sometimes happens, life takes over and things that were once important, become less important and are pushed aside to make way for newer, more interesting projects. But the old linger still, perhaps in portfolios or cupboards, waiting to see the light of day again or are simply destroyed.

Dragon breath

I always liked this photo of Kit. It was taken soon after she arrived on the farm in January. The weather was so cold and her hot breath billowed out like smoke from a dragon's nostrils. She had a furry winter coat that made her look totally different than in summer and represented the Newfoundland pony part of her family tree. She's been sold now, to as good a home as I know of. But I still wonder how she's getting on and what she's doing. I dare not ask or go to visit, as I know if I saw her I'd want her back again.

International Women's Day

When I lived in England I worked closely with a community based organization and Women's Aid Federation. I supervised four women's refuges, in addition to other projects in the community. While I enjoyed my years working with community groups, the refuges held a special place for me. Not because they were pleasant places, but they showed me a lot about the human race and how people treat other people, especially women. I have seen things that I want to forget but can't. I have heard stories that come from the deepest darkest parts of human life that people don't want to believe still exist. I have experienced threats with cars, dogs and guns for supporting the women who sought shelter and have had to have police escorts at time to ensure my own safety.

Battered women come from all walks of life and their abusers do as well. I came across police officers, judges, lawyers, professors - educated people who all felt their means of control was through violence either physical or mental. I also saw horrific abuse and bodily harm come at the hands of labourers and white collar workers. Whoever applies the abuse and at whatever level it is equally devastating to those who undergo it.

The most common question is why do women stay with men who abuse them? The answer is that they are scared not to. Its been shown that when the abuser feels most threatened he is most dangerous so when a woman leaves or tries to, she is at highest risk of injury. Also, the mental control that the abuser has is high and depletes the woman's confidence level, so she believes that he loves her or believes that she is not capable of existing in the world without him. It is a form of brain washing, just as cults are.

Victims are isolated from friends and family and become increasingly withdrawn and depressed due to isolation and the levels of control over them, even if they don't realize what is happening to them at the time. Women often go back to the abuser a number of times before the violence escalates enough to snap them out of the fog and make them realize that the situation is not acceptable and that they're run out of excuses for the abuser's behaviour. 'I got in the way.' I made him mad.' 'It was my fault for not having supper ready.' The rationalizing that women make when they are NOT responsible is sad in many ways, but predictable too.

Women rarely press charges against their abusers even if the violence ends up with medical intervention. That goes back to the knowledge that often the violence would become even worse if they did press charges and it would 'anger' the abuser more. It would be one more thing to 'blame' the woman for. And beneath it all, the woman believes, even if she knows better, when the abuser says he's sorry and that he loves her more than anything in the world and it will never happen again. Believe me, it will happen again. And it will be much worse.

What I did discover is that the abusers are, in fact, cowards. They are insecure and unable to control their own thoughts or lives so they resort to lashing out at others around them and manipulating them to make themselves feel powerful. That does not justify what they do or why do it, but simply that they do. And there is no specific pattern to predict who will be abusive.

Police can't act unless charges are laid and are sometimes slow to react to domestic violence especially if they return a number of times to the same scene without charges being laid.

When the woman does leave, there are safe houses, shelters and refuges where she can be secure and get immediate help from qualified staff to get on with her life. A restraining order, created to keep the abuser away from his victim, is not worth the paper it is written on. They are not enforceable unless the abuser breaks the terms of the order which rather defeats the whole purpose of the exercise! The majority of women who have been killed by their abusers had taken out restraining orders.

Women who have undergone abuse often suffer from PTSD - post traumatic stress disorder and may need longterm counseling to deal with it.

What I have learned most of all is this:

The abuser will shower the victim with words and acts of love in an effort to control her.
The abuser will be genuinely sorry and vow that he will never hurt her again. But he will. He may even kill her.
The abuser is a control freak with major anger management issues that need counseling treatment.
The abuser is responsible for his actions of physical or mental abuse, NOT the victim.

The victim needs to realize that the 'love' is not genuine - it is the abuser's control mechanism. No one who loved another would physically hurt them or abuse them.
The victim should have a safety plan in place to escape if necessary.
The victim should be careful about not letting the abuser know she has contacted any organizations or sought help. It could aggravate the situation.
The victim must stop being a victim and regain her self respect.
The victim should seek counseling

International Women's Day is celebrated on 8 March, International Women's Day (IWD) is the global day connecting all women around the world and inspiring them to achieve their full potential. Make everyday International Women's Day. Do your bit to ensure that the future for girls is bright, equal, safe and rewarding.

Grandma's grub

This sketch is of Kiora, my grand daughter, now 5 weeks old. I have affectionately called her 'Grandma's Grub' when I was with her as when I picked her up and layed her against me, she curled up , bum in the air, like a little inch worm. Thus the name has stuck now. I have more images of her and would like to try one as a watercolour or perhaps a pastel if I'm feeling very brave.

I received a webcam for a birthday gift so that I can let her see me and we can interact even if over a long distance as she's in Calgary and I in Flatrock. Technology may have to be the best to offer as in person visits are infrequent due to distance and costs involved.

I am considering creating an alphabet book for the baby. The book's illustrations and alphabet would relate to things in Newfoundland, the farm, the immediate family and other things that she can relate to and remember. The concept is in the early stages and may take time, but she'll receive it eventually I hope and remember it fondly over time. Perhaps it can become the next heirloom as I have no lacy christening gowns or long lists of relatives who provide family history. History is now and in the making. Only the future will turn it into gold.

Mango madness

Its not only the thistle that is prickly today. Perhaps its the time of year or the cold grey days of winter that cause it, but everyone seems to have their tales of woe today. In Australia in Darwin, the northern section, in the midst of the hottest months from September to December, there is something called 'mango madness'. Tempers flare, air conditioning breaks down, people end up in court...

Well I think there is a 'snow madness' that occurs in northern climates that is similar. Its a cross between cabin fever, mountains of snow, hypothermic weather and lack of light that causes people to lose rationale thinking.

Sketch in 7 x 10 notebook, pen and ink and coloured pencil.

Winter teaches us about detachment, numbness. But it’s
a way to get through. From winter we learn silence and
acceptance and the stillness thickens.
- Gail Barison, The Winter Solstice of my Soul

Heat thief

Tripod, the cat who thinks he's a dog, is a thief of warm spots. If I get up from where I'm sitting he whips in there faster than light to suck the heat from the spot and completely resists moving. I gave into his theft - enabler, yes, I know - and sketched his blissful heatsucking slumbers. He has that broad face and solid build of a tom cat and constantly reminds me of Garfield.

This sketch was done in a hardcover sketchbook 7 x 10, mechanical pencil. Unfortunately when I scanned it, the sketch on the next page showed through a little as a shadow in the background.

I'm calling the Pacific Arch finished and still haven't got a good image of it. There's a distinct lack of sunshine here lately which makes it near impossible to get a clear image. I'll keep trying however.

I'll work on finding the right sea arch for its Atlantic companion piece. There are a number of arches around the island and I hope to visit a few once the snow recedes. Meanwhile I'll do some practice with pastels and try to come up to speed with them once again.

Art supplies

I'm nearing completion on the Pacific arch - I think. Getting a good photograph of it is another thing. This image isn't quite there, but heading in the right direction. I'll keep playing with camera settings and my graphics program in the hopes that I can turn out the right image.

I've done a little shopping online to find some decent (I hope) pastel paper and some more pastels to build my collection. I haven't used pastels for quite some time, but I've found that I quite enjoy the process again and working on a larger scale. I was becoming confined to the space of a smaller sketchbook or Moleskine and hadn't broken out of that mold for awhile. It feels good to stretch again.

In my quest for paper and trying to avoid duty payments and large shipping costs, I browsed a few stores in Canada and came across some unique paper made in Montreal on the shores of the Lachine canal - Le Papeterie Saint-Armand. The Saint-Armand paper mill was established by David Carruthers in 1979. They manufacture the Saint-Armand handmade papers, the machine-made Canal papers, and the sanded paper Sabretooth for artists. It is the Sabretooth paper that I bought in sheets of 22 x 30 and an assortment of Canal paper also. Canal paper is machine-made paper from pulped T-shirt cuttings, linen, flax straw, blue denim, sisal and coffee bags. The Saint-Armand handmade papers are made one sheet at a time following traditional methods They have 4 deckled edges. There is no grain direction.

I ordered some new pastels and bought some locally too - Nupastels - as I couldn't wait. When I get something in my head, I want immediate gratification. The full set of pastels that I ordered will turn up in a week or two along with the paper. I have to temper my purchases - good sets of pastels are pricy and I'm going with a middle of the road price and adding as and when I can with other brands and types.

There have been a few alterations in my studio space. A new floor and rearrangement of the space with a computer in that room now and the printer. Also, the cupboard has been refitted with broad shelves to hold my large sheets of paper and drawings flat, so no more covering every available flat table with huge sheets of paper. Yeah, yeah, the guardian bears had to go somewhere ok? They're not doing any harm... All I need to add is some decent lighting and I'll be all set.

Dungeons

This is a sketch of the Dungeons in Bonavista. It is a twin sea arch but this time on the Atlantic Ocean, not the Pacific. Its interesting to see the different rock formations and colours that make up the structure and how they vary from coast to coast. I've been experimenting with other sea arches to see which images I like and what I want to draw as a companion piece to the Pacific sea arch.

I've added more colour and time to my Pacific sea arch but just haven't got a good enough photo of it yet as it always seems dark when I ready to take an image. Tomorrow, I promise myself I will take some photos in good light. For now, here is the best approximation that I can come to for colour in the pastel drawing, but it truly doesn't do it justice. The angle, focus, colours, lighting is all wrong. Sigh.

I lazily watched tv after the news tonight and saw Living Newfoundland and Labrador. Hosted by Krysta Rudofsky, this daily half-hour program is a local guide to better living in Newfoundland and Labrador. It was set at Clovelly Riding Stables in Logy Bay which is where one of my horses was sold - Lady. And sure enough, Lady made a prime appearance. True to form, ears back, being the sullen princess, later surrounded by 3 foot high princesses hugging her and grooming her. I'm sure she's in her element, as she always adored small children but was very wary of adults.

Virginia Woolf:

The beauty of the world has two edges, one of laughter, one of anguish, cutting the heart asunder.

Sleep

Sleeping becomes a preoccupation when you have a small baby, whether you are the mother, father or aunt. My children now know that if you fall asleep - or even if you don't - you're fair game to be in a sketch.

Here are some of my sneak drawings on unconscious people. Done in my Moleskine sketchbook with mechanical pencil.

Pastel update

I've been plugging away at the pastel drawing of the stone arch and its taking shape. Its been many many many years since I've worked in pastel so its a bit of a journey of discovery as I remember what pastels can achieve and how they are applied. The drawing is done on mi-tientes paper with a combination of pastels - most of which are so old that I don't even know the brand name anymore. I think a birthday treat of a new box of pastels is on my cards...

Then getting a photograph of progress is the other challenge. I tried these photos in early morning light with additional overhead lighting but they're still not good. I will have to set up a good lighting corner just to photograph artwork especially during the winter months. Neither of these photos show the true colours of the pastels, which becomes a bit frustrating to say the least!

Just as I was browsing websites on pastel artists, I discovered that Dianna Ponting will be holding an online pastel class in WetCanvas beginning on March 5th. I love it when the right thing happens at the right time. Dianna is a self taught artist who has worked her way up through the ranks to become the first artist in Canada to be recognized with the distinction of both Premier Pastellist of Canada and Master Pastellist Artist of Canada along with the designation of Senior Member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and a signature member of the Pastel Society of America. I would love to take one of her workshops in person, but for now I will make time to participate in this one and see how much I've forgotten about pastel and what new tips I can pick up.

Delays

My travels seemed filled with delays from the start this time. I guess that's one of the challenges of travelling in Canada in winter. Or one of the challenges of flying Air Canada...

My original flight was cancelled due to weather - anticipated weather that didn't happen. Delayed again the next day then rescheduled with a 4.5 hour wait in Montreal to change flights. Eating Montreal smoked meat sandwiches and browsing overly expensive bag shops as well as sketching made use of the waiting time.

It seems that others were equally bored and the conversations that were overheard or taken part in confirmed the joy of travelling and the confidence in Canada's national airline.

The sketches were done with mechanical pencil in my Moleskine.

Snow

There has been far too much snow this month with storm after storm appearing, dumping endless amounts of the white stuff so that it feels like driving and walking in tunnels. These photos give you an idea of just how much has mounted. This is the back of the house and the snow is nearly up to the dining room and kitchen windows which are normally about 7 feet above ground level.

The snow is over the top of the fence and half way up the arbour so unless you have snowshoes it would be impossible to walk in it.

I bought some large (22 x 30)sheets of Mi-Tientes and chose a dark blue to make a start on the stone arch last night. The photo taken this morning wasn't in the best quality light. I've done another 40 minutes work on the drawing tonight but can't seem to get going on it. I've forgotten just how dusty and messy pastel can be. The initial colour study for this piece was done with pastel pencils and now with the main piece I'm using an ancient set of pastels - I'm not even sure of the brand anymore - which have a different range of colours than the pencils so there's a bit of experimenting going on here to get the right values and tones.

More updates will come as the layers go on.

Newness

This is the first of a series of sketches of my new grand daughter, who is now 4 weeks old. This line drawing is done in my Moleskine of my daughter holding her.

I bought some different colours of Mi-Tientes paper today but haven't had time to make a start on the new image yet. I want to do a large scale charcoal drawing on plain paper as well as a colour one in pastel. I have the need to work in a large scale as I am confining myself to small spaces lately and its becoming stifling.

Choices

I came across Stoddard's essay Have as few Regrets as Possible; an excerpt from Alexandra Stoddard's book You Are Your Choices on the blog Paris Parfait. You can read the full exerpt there.

"What are you making of yourself when those around you are lazy and indifferent? What are you doing with your life? It's never too late to choose to change yourself. Do not give up or run away from the opportunity to grow. That is the ultimate tragedy. There's no place to go and hide in life. Your job, your duty, your responsibility is to make the most you can of you." "... Don't regret that you were unable to shape up others; only regret when you don't live up to your own vast potential for good."

"Don't be afraid to do what only you can do. Rather than having chest pains trying to do work you no longer are capable of or enjoy, it may be better to cut your losses. You will feel great joy and satisfaction doing something you know you love to do. What would you choose to do if you knew you couldn't fail? Do that very thing, because it is there where you'll develop your potential."

Today I spent time developing a small study in pastel for a larger drawing that I will create. Its the start of a study of rock formations near the ocean. This one was inspired by the smooth sandy stone arch found on Laguna Beach. It will end up being about 22 x 30 and likely will continue as a pastel as its a medium that I haven't used a lot but once using it, love the feel. I need to find a suitable pastel paper locally that will fit the bill for this. I know I can likely only find Mi-Tientes in the larger size so it will likely be that.

There are a number of naturally created arches in sea rock in Newfoundland and across Canada. I will take time to explore some of these and see how they compare to their Pacific cousins.

Waterscapes

While I was in California last week, I was able to meet an online artist friend, Robin. Doing so was a unique, wonderful experience and I am so pleased that she was able to free up some time to share with me. Robin took me to Laguna Beach where we wandered on the soft, cool sand and marvelled at the colours and shapes of the sea and the rocks around us before exploring the shops and galleries in town then having lunch.

I still can't afford that $56,000 sculpture no matter how much I love it...

Some of the images that I took on the beach will translate into paintings and drawings so easily. I only wish I could magically return to capture the changing colours in the water and the landscape. I will have to rely on my memory and the photos to recreate the colours that appeared there. It will be interesting to do a similar study of the Atlantic ocean. The colours in the Atlantic seem cooler - greys, navy, blue, green, reflecting a rocky coastline, where the Pacific seems to reflect the sandy lighter bottom and pale sky. I will have to choose my subject carefully to find a similar scene for comparison painting. It should be an interesting exercise. This is a photo of the coast in Pouch Cove, about 7km north east where I used to live overlooking the sea.


But right now I will have to make do with snow scenes as I doubt I can get near a beach or waterfront as there's so much snow down and more forecast for tonight and tomorrow. Another month of winter then spring should try to make push forward. Heat is in the future, I just can't see it quite yet.

London Fog

No, not the thick, low cloud that envelopes the inner reaches of Westminster but a old drink with a new twist. I discovered London Fog in Calgary at Primal Grounds, a lovely little coffee shop with fabulous food as well as coffees and teas. They give you one of those old fashioned child's wooden blocks as your table number. (Recipe and directions found on Wikipedia.org)

Recipe

• 16 oz of milk. (2% or whole)
• 1 shot of vanilla syrup per 16 oz of milk
• 1 bag of Earl Grey Tea

How To Make

Step 1: Brew a small amount of Earl Grey tea. (Add about 1/2 cup of boiling water to your mug with the tea bag in it.) You are making Earl Grey tea concentrate. Let steep for 2-4 minutes to achieve optimum flavour.

Step 2: Heat up Milk. Preferably you have access to a steamer, or you might be able to ask your local barista for help.

Step 3: Add the vanilla syrup. (adjust according to taste)

The sketch was done in watercolour pencil and graphite in my Moleskine sketchbook. Purists should avert their eyes from the feeble attempt at the ellipse of the plate. Its hard to draw and eat...

Travels

I'm experiencing the sensory shock that only southern California can produce. Noise, people, traffic, heat, landscape. I went from -21C in Calgary to about +20C. There is greenery and flowering plants everywhere and I have to pinch myself to believe that its February.

I wrote this paragraph a few days ago while in Laguna Beach. I was, and still am, suffering from flu, but that's diminishing. However, my thoughts and memories of my short time in southern California haven't. I only wish I had more time to spend there.

I arrived home today after many many delays in flights and am so tired I don't know which way is up anymore. Delays were weather related - i.e. a pretty hefty blizzard that shut down the city for two days. Of course, that would be the day that I was booked to return home. Sigh.

So now I'm back to a touch of reality - a lot of reality. I have to go back to work tomorrow. I haven't accomplished virtually any drawing while away, but some planning. I still have a cough like a harbour seal and barely know what time zone I'm in

But right now I'll relive a little heat and put myself in a pleasant place before reality hits too hard.