Rainbow Lorikeet - Work In Progress - Stage Six

Another cold, bleak day greeted me this morning but, despite the cold studio, I rugged up and managed to squeeze in some time to work on the lorikeet just before lunch. Unfortunately, I did waste some of that time cleaning up a spill over the painting table when, at one point, I blindly reached out for the reference image only to tip over my full mug of hot, green tea instead. I'm sure I'm not the only artist to have studio mishaps like that? Thank Goddess I don't have sugar in my tea. lol

So, here are my efforts from today's time in the studio -

Acrylics - Work In Progress

Rainbow Lorikeet - Work In Progress - Stage Five

As promised, here is yesterday's efforts on the Rainbow Lorikeet painting. The whole canvas is filled in and I can now focus my attention on the lorikeet. I have roughly mapped out his colour placements and it's ready for layers and detailing.

Acrylics - Work In Progress

Nature Hearts and Rainforests

Yesterday (Sunday), we went for a relaxing, country drive up to Mount Tamborine.

After a hot lunch, we went for a browse down the Gallery Walk which is basically a street with lots of stores selling handmade crafts and souvenirs. Soooooo many goodies and sooooooooo tempting!

After the gallery walk, we followed a trail through the rainforest. The drop in temperature was incredible as the tall, rainforest canopy (below) kept things very cool.

The trees are huge and amazing! Aaron posed beside/inside this one which had quite an unusual base. Almost like a comforting arm beckoning one to enter it's secret cave within. To the right of Aaron, there was a large alcove.....almost cavelike.

I mentioned to the kids that I was on the look out for 'hearts in nature' and Beau spotted this upside down heart almost immediately. Notice the heart shaped leaves surrounding it?

Then Beau's girlfriend, Tiffany, spotted a heart-shaped leaf on the forest floor. Neat!

I spotted this heart-shaped leaf vine too.

We walked on to Curtis Falls -

Very soothing......

All in all, it was a lovely day well spent.

Today (Monday), I managed to paint a little more on the Rainbow Lorikeet. I will post a pic tomorrow. I even managed another Zentangle. Some time in nature was just was I needed to feel rejuvenated again.

Zentangle

Another zentangle which I worked on while in the waiting room at the hospital on Wednesday.

Michelle and Alex came to visit today and we had such a lovely time. We assembled our own homemade pizzas for lunch which were absolutely delicious! We watched family videos back to when the kids were all little and reminisced about good times. We also had a good laugh at some of the funny moments and, of course, my tight curl, 'helmet' perm (what was I thinking?! lol).

Michelle and Alex gave me a beautiful pink dressing gown for Mother's Day which I am currently wearing as I type. A storm moved through last night and left behind some cold, icy winds for today so my dressing gown is perfect for keeping me cosy and warm. I think I will go to bed early tonight and snuggle up with a good book and a hot mug of chai tea.

Rainbow Lorikeet - Work In Progress - Stage Four

I didn't get to work on the painting yesterday due to another specialist visit but, today, I did manage some time in the afternoon. I worked on the mug of tea and I'm fairly happy with it. Still more work to do on the arm and sleeve. I did get the bird's beak blocked in today and ready for more layers. I'm eager to get to the bird but the zebra painting is also calling to me. I sure wish there was more time in the day.

Acrylics on canvas - Unfinished

I meant to post these pics a week ago. When Michelle and Alex stayed overnight for Skye's 18th party, we had extra mattresses spread out on the floor. Aaron decided to make good use of them the next day. Here he is in his 'tent'. lol

And with his partner-in-crime, Cody

Rainbow Lorikeet - Work In Progress - Stage Three

I'm a little late to post this, sorry, but here is stage three of the Rainbow Lorikeet painting. It's still progressing slowly as I seem to have a lot of distractions going on at the moment with my personal life. The arm and sleeve are not finished yet and need more work so please bear with me.

Rainbow Lorikeet - Unfinished - Stage 3

Happy Mother's Day!!

I hope all the Mum's out there had a terrific Mother's Day! I had a lovely, quiet one at home with the kids, minus Michelle, and my Mum and Dad. I made a nice hot lunch and we played cards in the afternoon. I missed not seeing Michelle this year but, to be fair, Alex's Mum missed out last year spending Mother's Day with him so it's only right that we take turn. Michelle did call me in the morning so that was great!

Here is a pic of the new slippers Aaron bought for me. They are so comfortable and sure to keep my tootsies warm as toast in winter.

I leave you with a saying I like by Elizabeth Stone -

Making the decision to have a child is momentous.
It is to decide forever to have your heart go on
walking around outside your body.

Hommus and Hot sauce.....YUM!!!!

Since I last posted, I've been down for the count with the rotten flu. I was not a happy camper. My niece's 18th birthday party was on Saturday night also but I think the medicine I was taking helped me cope....or maybe it was the wine. lol Whichever the case, it was a fab night!!!

I did manage to get a little more done on the Lorikeet painting and will post that tomorrow so stay tuned.

Today, I popped out to Coles to buy some groceries and I found THIS!!!

PURELAND Organic HOMMUS

I've been a vegan for nearly three months now so I'm trying out all the non-dairy, non-animal foods that are available and it's been quite a treat so far. I have never tried Hommus before and I can tell you this taste sensation is going to be a staple in my fridge from now on. It is DELICIOUS!!! I have to force myself to stay away from it. I'm serious....it is THAT good!

While at Coles, I picked up more hot sauces. I ADORE food with a hot, chili heat to them.

I've tried the Nandos Extra Hot Peri-peri sauce before but I've never tried the Cholula hot sauce so I'm looking forward to it. I LOVE the cute, little bottles!

I'm still not feeling 100% so I'm taking things easy at the moment. I will try to get back on track with my posting though plus I have heaps of my fave blogs to catch up with too.

Blessings and hugs to all of you and I hope you are all fit and well.

Rainbow Lorikeet - Work In Progress - Stage Two

This one is progressing slowly as I haven't had much time in the studio this past week. There have been a lot of distractions in my personal life plus I think I'm coming down with a rotten cold. It's that time of year, I guess.