toadstool inspiration, more sketching & self-portrait

as it turned out, i was sick on St. Paddy's Day topped off with a migraine which had me lying on my bed feeling very sorry for myself for most of the day.  hence my self-portrait for week 11 (52 weeks of me) - a photo of me, lying on my bed, sick and feeling sorry for myself.

funny thing was that, even though i was sick, i was itching to sketch!

i had taken this photo of two toadstools early that morning before i felt sick.

so delicate and fine

and they became the subject for a quick sketch

again, no pencil....just an ink pen and some watercolour in my pocket Moleskine watercolour journal

i found it quite therapeutic too

we had some light rain recently so, a few days later, i found even more toadstool inspiration

i wonder if any fairies sheltered beneath them overnight?

it was kinda sad to see them wilt away to nothing when the heat of the day set in

i also managed another sketch for the Julia Kay Portrait Party Flickr group

drawn freehand using F, 3B and 6B graphite pencils in my Moleskine large sketchbook
Reference image here.
Erica's Photostream here.
Julia Kay Portrait Party here.

i've also been busy trying to finish up my last official 'Pay It Forward' gift and, after that, i still have an unofficial one to do.  thanks so much for your patience, Norma and Nicole.

i hope you are all enjoying a beautiful week!

~ love, light and peace ~

catching up

Hi everyone!

Yes, I'm still here but haven't had much time online because I've been busy getting used to my new computer and the windows 7 operating system.  Aaron and Brad also had trouble with their computers so I took on a new title of - computer tech - this past week while I researched and fixed Aaron's computer. I had to format and reinstall the operating system on Brad's computer hoping that would do the trick but, although it's behaving a little better now that it's back to scratch, we think his computer is dying a slow death. Anywhoo, this all meant late nights into the wee hours of morning.

I'm happy to say that I have been squeezing a little artwork here and there.

A sketch for the Flickr 'Julia Kay Portrait Party'

Graphite in Moleskine sketch book

Ref. image - here
NC Mallory photostream - here
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Another page in my art journal

acrylic/mixed media in A4 journal
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And, of course, I've been spending some precious time with Mikayla (my granddaughter) who is growing by the day!  She is really taking note of everything now.

Michelle, Mikayla, Aaron and I dropped over to visit Mum and Dad the other day as they hadn't seen Mikayla, their first great granddaughter, since they visited Michelle in hospital.  They were so happy to see her!

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I also squeezed in my weekly self-portrait....in my PJs with Jack, Aaron's little dog, lying between my feet.

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The massive flood clean-up has been under way over the past week.  The damage is mammoth and they say it will take at least two years for Queensland to get back on her feet. I wish I could physically get in and help but this body of mine is wracked with pain even after 30 minutes of weeding or housework.....my hands and feet suffer daily pain which isn't improving and, if anything, is getting worse.  I would only be in the way at the flood sites....my donation, thoughts and prayers will have to suffice. Our local supermarkets continue to ration staples due to shortage of supplies but, that's okay...there are people so much worse off.  Our southern states also copped the flooding in areas due to the rains.  Thankfully, we've had a break from the rain the past few days although, with temperatures in the 30's C (90's F), it isn't a great relief.  More rain is forecast....let's just hope it's not to the extent we've already had over the past month.

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I'm trying to get around and visit blogs as I can....I have missed my daily interaction with my blogging friends. I hope you're all enjoying a beautiful week!

~ Love, light and peace ~

just when you thought you had escaped my...

self portraits....UP pops another one!!!

i did try '52 weeks of me' back in 2009 but i only got as far as 19 self portraits.

you can check them out here.
so i figure i'm going to try again and, hopefully, this time i will reach 52...after all, it will be my 52nd birthday this year so that might be a good sign I can do it. lol

i think the self portrait project fits in well with my 'SELF' word for the year.  i've never been a photogenic person plus i'm the one who usually blinks JUST as someone snaps a photo....at least, with self-portraits, i have a little more control.  viewing myself from different perspectives may also help with my low self-esteem.  i'm not going to choose a specific day so, be warned, i may pop up on your screen any time of the week.

YOU CAN CLICK ON ANY IMAGE TO ENLARGE
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i have been playing in my art journal daily so here's a peek

and i'm back to doing portrait sketches for the 'julia kay portrait party' flickr group.

Freehand graphite sketch in Moleskine sketchbook - © Serena Lewis
Reference photo here.
Mariah's Flickr Photostream here.

so far, i've been quite pleased with my SELF in getting some daily art done, riding the exercise bike and doing my daily meditations.  stay tuned...

~ love, light and peace ~

I've joined a Portrait Party

hi everyone,

thank you all so much for all the well wishes you have sent me over this past week. it has meant so much to me. the CT scan of my brain came back clear which was a huge relief for us and the doctor now feels the pain may be radiating from my neck.  maybe i cricked my neck somehow while sleeping, not sure?? so, this past week, i have been popping pain pills and applying heat-packs pretty much on a continual basis and today, for the first time in two weeks, i've actually felt signs of improvement.  i'm still in pain....just not as bad as it has been so now i'm thinking acupuncture may be the next step towards a full recovery.  it worked wonders for Michelle when she had her whiplash injury and our symptoms are almost identical.

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a couple of days ago, i signed up to Julia Kay's Portrait Party.

 it's a Flickr group where the members basically draw/sketch/paint portraits of other members in the group.

this was my first contribution

i used graphite pencils in my moleskine sketchbook
reference image here used with permission.

for now, i can only sit at the computer for short periods of time but i hope to be back on a more regular basis as my condition keeps improving.

i wish you all a wonderful weekend.  

~ love, light and peace ~