Sketching, painting, and creative play

I'm still working on finishing the double-page spread from our trip to Wellington Point last weekend. I decided to do a pen sketch from one of the fig tree photos I took that day. I gave it a stylised look which I really like it and it gives the double spread some interest.  I was inspired by Jeremy Collins, a climber and artist/illustrator.  I have his book titled Drawn and I also bought his documentary movie which featured him sketching. The book is amazing and so inspiring filled with his sketches and hand lettering among many photos too. You can see a great review of the book which includes lots of pictures HERE.

Here is the link to the trailer in case the video trailer won't play for you -
https://vimeo.com/100062478

Drawn trailer from Jeremy Collins on Vimeo.

Linking up with Sunday Sketches again this week...and again, a little late. 

To see the work of the other participants for this week, click HERE.

I never did get around to posting photos of the other two abstract/decorative pieces I whipped up for the new colours in the house.  These were done in a flash, free-hand, and they were a lot of fun to do. The one below is in the family room area.  I went with a pattern to kinda tie in with the cushion.

And the following is my bedroom.  

It was impossible to get a decent photo of this one due to the lighting in my room 

but, trust me,  it looks so much better in person. 

When I was driving home from dropping Aaron at school through the week, I noticed a large group of ibis in our street.  I just had to stop and take a pic as it's been quite a while since I've seen so many ibis together in our area.  

No doubt they have been pushed off their local habitat as even more housing developments are being built in our area.  It worries me to see even our local bush areas bulldozed down for human take-over. Where do they expect the wildlife in those areas to go?  It makes me so sad that we often label displaced animals/birds as pests when the real pests on this planet are humans. Our numbers have multiplied to unsustainable levels and we literally destroy whatever is in our path. It's always the innocent who suffer.  I am trying to live more consciously and be more aware of the footprint I leave behind.

I had the pleasurable company of these two adorable artists on Saturday.  Mikayla on the left and Maddy on the right.  We had a wonderful day together!  Painting, sketching, doing collage, even a picnic in the back yard....it was a blast!  I adore time spent with my Grandkids!

 I'm working my way through some online courses and having lots of fun! 

I'm thoroughly enjoying Andrea Joseph's Creative Lettering class.

 We even played with graffiti....my name in graffiti below. 

These are all quick and rough references for future use. 

There are tons of graffiti styles to play with.

And that pretty much sums up last week.
I hope you all have a lovely and creative week ahead.

Sketching and a day trip

It's been a couple of weeks since I last posted.  I've been busy with more house decorating after deciding to carry the black, grey, and white accents from my bedroom throughout the rest of the house.  This meant a couple more, very quick abstract paintings and some coats of paint on some ornaments.  I've also been taking Andrea Joseph's Sketchbook Skool class - Creative Hand Lettering. I'm enjoying the class so much and I've already learned some new techniques which I'm very happy about.  I did this class mainly because I want to add a bit more pizzazz to the pages in my illustrated journals.  Some illustrated pages can seem plain and boring but creative lettering will take them to a more interesting level. I look forward to experimenting more.

In a recent blog post, Liz Steel talks about being satisfied with simple sketches which is something I need to do.  Below is a quick pen sketch I did on our trip to Wellington Point yesterday.  I tried to keep it very loose and simple which is very hard to do considering I'm pedantic about details.

And with a splash of watercolour 

I'm late again for Sunday Sketches but linking up anyways. 

To see the work of other participants for this week, click HERE.

Some of my letter play this past week 

And some pics from our trip to Wellington Point yesterday. 

It's one of our favourite family spots.  

The weather was perfect!

I have walked this jetty many times
and it is a part of memories I hold very dear.

The beach side of the point

The sea-breezes are perfect for paragliders

And part of a walking trail that we discovered after all these years.
That's Bradley, my eldest child who recently turned 33...
goodness, where have the years gone???

The Moreton Bay Fig trees are beautiful! 

These ones sit just up behind the beach.

I'll be back soon to share some pics of my abstract paintings...

Have a beautiful week!

Sketchbook: Every Day Matters challenges

A quick post for today...

I managed a few pen and watercolour sketches this week

more Every Day Matters challenges 

#2 - Draw a Lamp

This lamp has been through quite a few changes over the years 

to fit in with chosen colours and themes of the moment.

A coat of paint and a change in lamp shade

has really worked some magic over the years. 

#3 - Draw a wallet 

For a while now, 

I have kept all my important cards in an RFID card holder 

so I was able to downsize my wallet to a simple purse-style. 

Much more convenient.

#3 - Draw a mug

My regular mug is quite plain

so I opted to draw my owl mug. 

I'm linking up with Sunday Sketches from England this week.
To see the work of other participants this week, check HERE. 

Sketchbook: My Birkenstock dilemma

Happy 1st of the month to you! 

My sketch this week for Sunday Sketches is late, sorry. 

I figure it's still Sunday somewhere in the world so I hope it's okay.

Birkenstock sandal in A6 sketchbook 
sketched freehand with a Platinum carbon fountain pen.

You can check out the other participants for this week HERE.

I bought my Birks over two years ago 

at a time when I was suffering with very painful feet. 

I thought that Birks might help due to their design and they surely did. 

They are a very comfortable shoe to wear 

more due to their design rather than what they are made of.

I was then faced with a dilemma when
I became a vegan just over a year later

what to do with my Birkenstocks?! 

My Birks were already quite worn

so it's not like I could have donated them to charity. 

I didn't feel right about throwing them out either 

because I felt that was somehow 

dishonouring the life that once was.

So as some vegans do with their pre-vegan items, 

I opted to keep the sandals until they are completely worn out.

Every time I wear them
I acknowledge with love and respect 

the life that once was.

I recently had my first year vegan anniversary and

I am still fully committed to my vegan lifestyle.

I am also happy to report that  

VEGAN Birkenstock sandals are available 

should I decide to get another pair in the future. YAY!!!

What is a vegan? - "A philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, animals and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals."