some quick pen sketches

i've been reading a lot lately 

after joining Goodreads for motivation. 

i've always enjoyed reading and

there are so many interesting titles to choose from. 

so don't be surprised if you see the occasional book review 

pop up on my blog.

i have managed a few pen sketches too 

since i last posted.

all the sketches below are done 

in my pocket Moleskine sketchbook 

using only a BIC ballpoint pen followed up with 

Faber-Castell PITT pens.

this is an 'in progress' pic 

initial sketch using a BIC ballpoint pen.

completed sketch

another pen sketch of the small back-pack i use 

for my sketching supplies when i'm going away 

for the day.

the hot, humid days of late flared up my asthma 

and i ended up feeling very weak and sick. 

i found a little relief from my inhalers.

a duck doggy toy! 

it honks like a duck too. 

Cody and Jack love it! 

me...not so much.

i was reading in bed Sunday night while

Cody snoozed at the end of the bed. 

a perfect chance to sketch him 

as he was unlikely to be distracted 

and run off.

speaking of Cody, 

here he is after a visit from the pet groomer. 

pssssssssst!

don't mention the bow to him, 

not sure he'd approve. hehe

i have still been participating in the Life on the Go photo-a-day group 

but will share those photos another day.

i hope your week is going well.

Book Review - Wild by Cheryl Strayed

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I found this to be an honest, raw, and moving memoir. At twenty-two, Cheryl lost her mother to cancer after which her life changed dramatically. Distraught and feeling lost, she found herself spiralling into a pattern of self-destructive behaviours which subsequently led to the end of her marriage. Some reviews stated the author was self-absorbed and dim-witted to undertake such a journey but grief is handled differently by different people so I try not to judge her on that score. It was obvious to me that she was struggling to cope with her grief.

Four years later, and still feeling emotionally lost, she made a spontaneous decision to hike the Pacific Crest Trail solo. I enjoyed reading about her experiences on the trail, big and small. I felt like I was there with her in parts and I enjoyed reading about the people she met along the way. It was a great achievement for her but also a freeing and healing journey where she came to terms with her grief. I will say that, being an animal lover, I was devastated at how she handled the situation regarding her mother's horse. I found myself angry at her for that because I felt her excuses were a little on the weak side. There were other alternatives well before it came down to the big decision. That said, I would read this book again.

View all my reviews

life on the go and a quick sketch

sorry i've been missing in action again. 

it's been another jam-packed fortnight of which 

i'm sure you won't want all the boring details. 

suffice to say, 

i'm back to the grind.

 more daily pics for the facebook group 

Life on the Go

all pictures were taken with my mobile phone -

Samsung Galaxy S3

i missed 5 photos for january 

which i didn't think was too bad. 

day 18 - bridge

this is the bridge Aaron and i sometimes cross

when we go for walks. 

day 19 - gold

i'm not a gold gal so this one was tough.

this piece of fashion jewellery belonged to my grandmother 

so quite sentimental to me.

the pearl-like beads have little gold-toned beads between them.

day 20 - vase
this greenish-glass-vase displays some of my seashells

day 21 - hanger
i painted these hangers quite a few years ago,
they're not only pretty to look at but
i also love how nicely the clothes hang on them.

day 22 - missed 
i ended up with a migraine
due to stiff, sore neck

day 23 - rest
this prompt suited perfectly with the way i was feeling
so i put my feet up to rest.

 day 24 - white

these white plastic baskets 

hold some of my art supplies.

i'm hoping to put them to good use this year.

day 25 - wall 

the brick wall at our front entrance. 

this perspective makes me think of vanishing points.

day 26 - sign

we put this sign on our front brick wall 

to ward off door-to-door salesmen 

and people pushing religion. 

no offence intended but it saves them time 

as much as mine because i always 

tell them i'm not interested anyway.

day 27 - plant 

i love yucca plants! 

we have a couple in our front garden bed.

days 28 to 30 - missed

more migraines, 

my neck sure has been playing up a lot of late!

day 31 - measure 

this tape measure comes in very handy when i sew. 

i have to do some alterations 

on my niece's work-shirt.

*********************************************

a quick sketch to end the post. 

i have this very well-worn, forest green, two-seater couch 

that clashes terribly with my colour scheme. 

however i love the style and quality 

so i bought a stretchable slip-cover for it and

i'm THRILLED with it!!! 

the slip-cover fits like a glove and

it now looks like a new couch!! 

pen and watercolours in pocket Moleskine sketchbook