Pencil Shavings

Just Breathe

My online artist friend Jan Tanton has started something new this year.  The Five Daily Gratitudes Challenge.  The idea is simple, make a concious effort to think of the everyday stuff that you are grateful for.

As I sit here listening to the soft (occasionally clanky) rotation of the clothes dryer I realize just how many everyday things we take for granted that make us a bit happier, or make our lives a bit easier.

I do believe that the more we recognise the good things in our lives the happier we become.  

Today I was grateful for purple pens. I know it's a fivolous thing to be grateful for, but in all honestly just writing with purple pen makes me feel just a little happier.  And every time we do something that makes us just a little happier, well, isn't that a good thing?

I also found out, after posting my five gratitudes today that a lot of my friends love purple pens too.  How would I have known that if I hadn't "said" it publicly?

Something else that I have noticed is that when I sit and think about the things I am grateful for first thing in the morning, my day starts off on a positive note.  This is also a really nice side benefit.

If you want to follow my five gratitudes you can do so on twitter, you can also follow me on Google Plus where I am posting them daily, as well on Google Plus I post a lot of little doodles and strange/funny things that happen to me during the day.

I would love to see you there.

Doodle Du Jour: Ink and Wash kitty

I picked up a tiny watercolour sketchbook the other day, and then I painted my sleepy kitty.

Doodle Du Jour: From January 6, 2012

It's fun to draw with my kids.  Because nothing is wrong and you can try anything!

 

What Do You Wish For?

Today at the Science Centre there was a wishing tree.

 

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

 

What do you wish for?

Not Just Your Average Bunny

A little character sketch I worked on during a break from studying

A Little Sad Mouse for You

I think he's sad because I spilled coffee on his sketchpad.... or maybe I'm just projecting.

Doodle Du Jour: Digital Art

I made this one on my iPad (in Sketchbook)

He's kinda like a Flamingo version of Frank Sinatra.

On Being Grateful: #3 - Art Shows.

I got some really great news this week, My C3 Van Gogh digital painting is going to be in a digital art show at the Little Gallery (Little Gallery, 6th Floor, Art Parkade, University of Calgary) over the Christmas break   

My Media Arts instructor said that I have a bright future as an art forger wanted by INTERPOL .

I think that's a compliment.

I think the show starts on December 21st but I will post again when I have confirmation of the dates.

The University is really quiet during that time, but I would be really grateful if you could plan to stop by between rounds of gift shopping.

Woo-Hoo!

My Daniel Smith Art Supplies Winter Sale catalog came in the mail yesterday.  

I don't suppose it's any kind of secret if you have been reading my blog for a while that Daniel Smith is my favourite online art supply store, and it's taking all the will power I can muster to not put the catalog under my husband's pillow with a note attached that says "buy all this for Chirstmas"

One thing that I have wondered for a while though is....  Since Daniel Smith is located in Seattle, why does their logo have a cactus on it?

On Being Grateful: #2

As I am sitting here writing this, my husband is snuggled up in bed with our two girls and is reading them one if his favourite books.  The oldest one has her head on his shoulder and is reading along, the youngest is curled up, and, I suspect, sleeping.

I am so grateful for my family.  There are probably a thousand sappy things I could say about this, but one thing that I know, having had an unstable family life when I was my kids age, makes me realize how lucky we are to have this, right now.