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."

Home Decor - Abstract painting

It was a cold, bleak morning in Brissie yesterday.  Brrrrrrr! 

I love winter so I'm not complaining.

As short as they are, our winters are often up and down 

when it comes to temperatures. 

Never constant like the winter I remember in Wyoming.

Our winter mornings and evenings are cold (for us) 

but our winter days can actually get quite warm, even hot.  

Last week, we had a few summer-like days 

in what is usually our coldest part of the year. 

It seems that our winters like to toy with us. 

Moving on... 

As you may have seen in a recent post, 

I changed the colour scheme in my bedroom 

from blues/greens/whites to blacks/greys/whites. 

As the ensuite is connected to my bedroom 

I changed it over to match the new colours. 

I needed a painting for above the toilet so 

a quick abstract was in order to tie bedroom and ensuite together. 

I realise abstract art isn't everyone's cup of tea but I quite like it. 

This is probably more decorative than true abstract anyways.

I painted over an older painting with black acrylic paint,

then the fun began. 

The initial stage 

The end result 

I had to force myself to stop because it was quite addictive.

I will share a secret on how to get those crazy, squiggly lines.  

ACRYLIC HOUSEHOLD PAINT!

HEADS UP - Artists acrylic paints won't cut it
because they contain more acrylic resins than regular household paint.

I bought a couple of affordable sample pots in grey and white 

To get the desired effect, 

I simply dipped a wooden skewer into the colour pot, 

then working quickly, 

before the paint dropped from the skewer, 

I just flicked it back and forth over the canvas. 

I made some circular movements too 

just going with the flow.

The elasticity of the latex paint holds the paint together 

like a very thick syrup. 

You can get some nice, swirly effects with it. 

I did three layers all up - dark to light 

using grey, light grey, and white. 

I allowed each layer to dry thoroughly 

before going onto the next.

the finished piece hanging in the ensuite 

now everything matches the new decor colours

I LOVE IT!!!