Saturday 25 February 2012

a funny pooch, inspiration, motivation, sketches & a self portrait

I just had to share.
I couldn't stop laughing out loud while watching this pooch.
Too funny!


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 And here is an inspirational story on TED by a young woman who, at the age of four, escaped to Australia by boat with her family.  I hope her story makes people who are against the 'boat people' really stop and think.  These refugees are real people who have suffered greatly and are only looking for a safe and better life.  In case the video doesn't work, here is the link - Tan Le - My Immigration Story.

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I was quite devastated yesterday after attempting to watch a movie called Earthlings narrated by Joaquin Phoenix. It shows atrocities committed against animals around the world by human hands. I guess it is hoped that people will take a stand and make a difference.  It shows the truth of it all. The movie is over an hour and a half long but I could only make it to 17 minutes before I was crying my eyes out and feeling physically ill. I just couldn't watch any more and don't know if I will be able to. It truly hurt my heart and soul and, if you're the type of person who empathises deeply with animals like I do, I would advise you NOT to watch it. Some of the images are still haunting me and, no doubt, will continue to haunt me for some time to come. Seeing things like that can truly make me hate the human race for what they do, or choose to ignore, when it comes to the animal inhabitants of this planet...and even their own kind, let's not forget the Holocaust.  We are all God's creatures and animals deserve our respect, compassion and love too.  I just can't comprehend how some of us can be so indifferent and desensitised to another creature's agony and suffering?  It's those people who really need to watch this film from beginning to end as hopefully it might restore some of their humanity. I can only pray that things change for the better.

I now feel motivated to get back to focusing my art on animals.
I also want to consider other ways I can make a bigger difference apart from my donations and bringing awareness via my Animal Love links.

 My actions are my only true belongings.
— Thich Nhat Hanh

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Speaking of art,
here are a few recent sketches in my journal.


The birds in our family - Maelik (pronounced 'mail-ick'), Surya (pronounced 'sue-ree-ah') and Jacob.
Budgies are native to Australia and, over the years, have fast become a popular pet around the world.  In America, they are known as parakeets because they are a member of the parrot family.  As far as talking goes, the male budgies are much easier to train whereas it's not very common for the females to talk.  One tip - If you want to train a budgie to talk, it is best being on its own in a cage as another budgie companion will just distract it.  That's why they say not to put a mirror in their cage either.  These little birds are full of personality.


The finished page I started the other day.
Here, my main focus was sketching directly with ink pens - no pencils - so I only added a hint of colour to the background.

And a collection of Asian influences around my home.
The leafy plant is called Lucky Bamboo and lives in a large vase of water.

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Week 8 in the 52 weeks of me 2012 project.

Contemplating what to sketch next perhaps?

We're having a very rainy weekend here with humidity and temps alternating between muggy and cool.
I'll just have the coolness please.


OH, I received a date for my hysterectomy surgery!
March 22nd - the day before my birthday which means I'll be in hospital on my birthday.  Ah well, at least I won't have to cook. lol

Btw, I think Blogger heard the outcry about people being frustrated with the NEW Word Verification.  I've noticed that, while it is still the two words, they have done away with the indecipherable B&W wonky word...YAY!! While I still hate Word Verification on blogs and refuse to use it on my own, at least Blogger has opted to make the words easier to decipher.

I hope you're all enjoying a beautiful weekend!

~ Love, light and peace ~

22 comments:

  1. Yes, I noticed that the word verification is easier. Your sketches are wonderful! I know I could not watch that movie as I don't understand how anyone can hurt any creature. Cruelty is just beyond me. I saw the tennis pooch on The Today Show earlier this week. So cute! We have a dusty, drizzly day here. Very dark outside. Great for staying inside. :) My birthday is tomorrow. No plans. Just hanging out at home and that's good enough for me. :) Wishing you a wonderful rest of the weekend. Tammy

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  2. Your love for animals and your voice on their behalf cannot help but make a difference. Your sketches are beautiful. All of them teach so much about color and shape and the topic itself.
    The top is back up on the car and the heat is back on. Spring has vanished again but at least I know it will be back soon.
    Love your self-portraits each week.

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  3. Such a wonderful and thought provoking post! Love that about you, Serena! You not only share your amazing art, you ask us to think and feel compassion and concern for things we may not have even known about before. I guess I shouldn't say 'we' and speak for others, but I know you do great things for me! Thanks honey!!
    Good luck on that surgery, you'll be in my prayers for sure!

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  4. I'll make sure to skip that movie!

    I took in a budgie from my brother, because he wasn't looking after it properly. I'm pretty sure it was male. Anyway, even though he had a little mirror and was over a year old when I took him in he learned to talk a bit. He also learned to agrivate the dog by making squeaky toy noises, and loved watching Animal Planet (he'd screach like mad if I turned it off in the middle of a show).

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  5. You have such a kind and tender heart. I wouldn't be able to watch that movie either. I can't stand knowing about cruelty to any living creature, human or animal.

    Your sketches are beautiful. You make it look so easy but they wouldn't be for me.

    I hope your surgery helps you and that you feel 100% when it's all over. I'm keeping you in my thoughts.

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  6. Your Budgie family looks much like mine! I love the little clowns~~I always think of the book I bought about them before purchasing one as a pet; "Parakeets have SMALL voices"......AH-HAHAHAHA!!!
    Not mine, and they let me know just what they want too.
    Hope all goes well with your surgery; I may be doing the same thing later this year. Whoopee. ;-)

    XXOO~~
    Anne
    P.S. I too hate the word verification, as even now with my eyes, I have an awful time reading them.....Blogger--ACK!!!

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  7. I love your pictures and your self portrait is so pretty. I think the date is auspicious for the surgery, because it is a new moon, a good time to start on new paths, and plus you have all your online friends who will be thinking of you and sending you good energy.

    I would never ever watch that Earthlings video. I cannot stand it, and those images pollute my consciousness and make my heart suffer as well. I was cringing as I thought of you trying to watch it!

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  8. wow wonderful sketches of the parakeets -so beautiful and your other sketches are great too.

    I hear ya about animal abuse. It hurts my soul too.

    I'll have to watch that video later of the refugee.

    Great self portrait - very contemplative look.

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  9. I love how you equate not cooking to be compensation for your surgery. At least there is not long to wait now. I also detest cruelty to animals I can't watch things like that any more. Your bird sketches are wonderful!
    xxx

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  10. Beautiful sketches of the budgies Serena. I don't think I would like to watch that film either. Enjoyed your video of the dog. I have done away with the word verification and the moderation. I am getting spam but it is being caught by the spam catcher now however it still comes into my in box which is annoying. Ah well hopefully blogger will find a way to get that sorted out too.

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  11. Beautiful sketches of the budgies Serena. I don't think I would like to watch that film either. Enjoyed your video of the dog. I have done away with the word verification and the moderation. I am getting spam but it is being caught by the spam catcher now however it still comes into my in box which is annoying. Ah well hopefully blogger will find a way to get that sorted out too.

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  12. very nice photo for the week :)

    i probably couldn't watch that movie, i cry when i watch animal cops on animal planet when they show the mistreated dogs :/ so would break down watching that movie

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  13. I love your sketches and would love the chance to sit and flick through those books and marvel at your skills... think we should be pooling our efforts and sending out vibes for the end to this humidity... how nice is autumn going to be when it arrives, no more humidity playing havoc with the paper... xx

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  14. So budgies=parakeets....I had seen the name before but never knew they were one and the same. The sketches of yours are beautiful! It's amazing to me that you can do that with no pencil :)

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  15. LOVE these scenes from you sketchbook, Serena... I admire your creative style! So glad you're finally getting your much-needed hysterectomy soon. Not much fun to be in hospital on your birthday. But maybe this birthday will signify an new year of wellness for you once you are post-op. ;o) Happy Days ((HUGS))

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  16. Serena, as usual, your sketches and paintings are incredible. You are obviously a friend to ALL animals on the planet. :-) And like you, i wouldn't be able to get past 15 minutes of the movie either. I used to feel guilty at swatting a fly (which i don't do anymore). :-) Keep painting and posting. Love your stuff... xoxo

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  17. The bouncing dog is so funny! I'm going to go back and watch the Ted video. Love the budgies. I have had several of them over the years. Five were rescues I found homes for. Always happy to see your sketches. And how did you get that picture? It's just great!

    Earthlings. I forced myself to watch the whole thing. Cried and cried and cried. That is when and why I stopped eating meat a couple years ago. It's gruesome and horrible, but more people need to know how the animals are treated before they show up in the grocery store all packaged neatly. I haven't been able to work up to watching Food, Inc. since I watched Earthlings, but maybe one day...if I need reminding.

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  18. love your birdie sketches.... your handwriting too! I'll be keeping you in my prayers re: your upcoming surgery. xoxo

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  19. Serena, I adore the sketches of your birds. Just beautiful!!! I couldn't watch a movie like that either, I am looking forward to seeing all the animals in your future sketches/paintings as well. I am glad you have the date for your surgery and wish you a super speedy recovery so you can get on your way! all the best:)) FranTxo

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  20. beautiful budgies Serena....just popping in to say hi...from Portugal.... yep.... just finally saying hello via computer after being here a week. We are all sick with a rotten cold but are still managing to get around to some of the famous spots. Like Porto.....and did we taste some magnificent port!

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  21. Lovely sketchbook pages Serena, especially the budgies.

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