Random Fact # 5

Again, I'm going to double this fact as one of my EDM challenges - Challenge #26 - Draw anything you like.

Random fact #5 - SAMBOY barbecue flavoured potato chips are a major weakness of mine. I simply can't say no to them and SAMBOY barbecue chips are the only flavoured chips I will eat. Other than that, I am purely a plain-salt, potato chip gal! Sometimes, when I open a packet and munch into that first chip, the taste and smell instantly transport me back to a time when I was around 20 years of age and at a Drive-In to see the first Rocky movie. Kinda like when a certain song will drag up a past memory. Do any of you get that reaction with a certain food too? I can tell you this drawing was lucky to make it this far as it took all my willpower not to grab the bag of chips, open them and just munch away. lol
Pigma Pen and Derwent coloured pencils in A5 sketchbook - © Serena LewisClick on image to enlarge

Random Fact # 4

Sorry to be a party-pooper but I don't like clowns. Rather than make me laugh, they just give me the creeps. I'm not afraid of them, I just find them....freaky! I don't like clown paraphernalia either whether it be ornaments, toys, pictures or dolls....no thank you!! I have to admit that even drawing a clown for this random fact about myself was difficult. I started out with one image in my mind more like the clown out of Stephen King's IT (even though I've never seen the movie) but once I started, my pencil did the talking and, the drawing changed a few times ending up more a child clown.....not my intention but I do wonder if there is a significance behind it.

Child Clown - Graphite in A5 sketchbook - © Serena LewisClick on image to enlarge

Random Fact # 3

An opportunity to also write off another EDM Challenge - #44 Draw an animal.

My favourite animal of all time is the wolf. I have always felt drawn to them ever since childhood. I think they are a beautiful animal and often misunderstood. Native Americans see the wolf as a symbol of truth, loyalty, strength and knowledge and you can learn more about wolves at the International Wolf Center.
Wolf - Graphite in A5 Sketchbook - © Serena LewisClick on image to enlarge

RSPCA to the rescue!

Over the past week, my youngest son and I have been observing a pair of Plovers with two baby chicks. Our street is near a creek and, daily, the adult pair take their chicks for a walk around our street as if on a scenic tour of the neighbourhood. Unfortunately, I had to warn a few young boys away on more than one occasion this past week as they seemed to think it fun to menace the birds with sticks. Sadly, the boys must have waited for the birds back at the creek yesterday as, today, I noticed that one of the adults had a broken wing. I was very upset and concerned that it would now be vulnerable to cats, dogs and more cruel boys so I called the RSPCA and, within an hour, they came to the rescue. They have taken the injured bird away and, hopefully, the wing will be healed so that it can be returned to the area. In the meantime, the other adult bird must now protect the chicks and fend off predators alone. It's so sad to watch her waiting on her mate to come back and I can only hope she and the chicks will survive. I will be sure to keep a watchful eye over them as best I can though. Here is a pic I snapped of one of their chicks today.....it's a little blurry as I had to use my zoom because the adults don't let you get too close to their chicks without swooping at you. Plover chick - © Serena LewisClick on image to enlarge

EDM # 56 - Self Portrait

This was indeed a real challenge for me. My first ever self-portrait! I placed a mirror on a chair and sat opposite while I did my best to draw the image looking back at me. One thing I discovered is that it's definitely not easy trying to relax, hold a pose and, at the same time, concentrate on drawing my own image. I can see a likeness and the kids agree, however, I can see areas that are not right....my nose is not that long so I think, if it were shortened a little, and the eyes and upper part of my head were moved down a fraction thereby rounding my face a little more, it would have looked more like me. Another point to note is that this is drawn from a mirror image and, in reality, my hair clasp is on the right side of my head etc. Next time, I think a few glasses of vodka and orange juice before I start drawing wouldn't go astray either.

Self-portrait - Graphite in A5 sketchbook - © Serena LewisClick on image to enlarge
Added to post on 24-09-07 - As a matter of interest and to see if my observations in where I went wrong were correct, I took the pic into Paintshop Pro and shortened the nose area, then I moved the top part of my head down....I think it is definitely more like me in this altered pic as my face is more the round shape it should be. This challenge, while daunting, has been a wonderful lesson for me.Self-portrait digitally adjustedClick on image to enlarge

EDM #13 - Draw your phone

I thought it was high time I did another EDM challenge......
My mobile phone - Graphite in A5 sketchbook - © Serena LewisClick on image to enlarge

What's YOUR personality type?

I found this Personality Test on Linda's Blog and thought it might be fun to share with my readers.

Your Personality is Very Rare (INFP)

Your personality type is dreamy, romantic, elegant, and expressive. Only about 5% of all people have your personality, including 6% of all women and 4% of all men You are Introverted, Intuitive, Feeling, and Perceiving.

How Rare Is Your Personality?

Definitely finished!

Okay, being the nit-picker that I am, there were a couple of little areas that I just HAD to adjust.....a litte more definition to the head feathers, particularly around the base of the neck.....oh well, it gives me an excuse to post today. :)

Bald Eagle - Acrylics 16" x 16" - © Serena Lewis
Click on image to enlarge

Bald Eagle - Calling him finished.....I think ~

I think I will call him finished now. I know I probably took the easy way out in choosing to paint a plain blue sky for the background but then, a lot of photographic images of eagles show just a blue sky as the background so I think I can get away with it this time.

Bald Eagle - Acrylics on 16" x 16" Gallery Wrapped canvas - © Serena Lewis
Click on image to enlarge

Bald Eagle - Work In Progress

This chap has been sitting to the wayside for over a year now while other things have taken priority but, the other day, I finally got around to getting back to work on him. Still a ways to go yet but thought I'd share a work in progress pic with you.

Bald Eagle - Acrylics - Work In Progress - ©Serena LewisMy reference image was courtesy of WetCanvas patron, Crias - Thank you
Click on image to enlarge

Random Fact # 2

As a young child, I was painfully shy to the extent where I would hide behind doors when people I didn't know very well visited our home. I guess you could say I grew up with the 'middle' sister syndrome. I lived in my older sister's shadow as I was an introvert whilst she was a born extrovert. I was so used to my sister having all the limelight that I would become very uncomfortable and afraid when attention was ever focused on me. My younger sister was Daddy's little girl so I was just.....there. I have learned that shyness can be a huge drawback in personal growth and it's still something I have trouble trying to overcome.  There were also a couple of traumatic events that happened in my early childhood which I'm sure contributed to my shyness also. Sometimes, I think back to the little girl I was then and my heart cries for her. Yes, I am still shy around people I don't know and I still feel uncomfortable when attention is focused on me but I'm not as fearful as I used to be. As an adult, I guess I've learned to deal with it in better ways.

Please don't notice me - Graphite in A5 sketchbook - © Serena Lewis
Click on image to enlarge