More Cat Sitting Sketches

 

Above, I re-sketched from my original sketch. 

And below, more direct sketches.

How I love sketching!

Cat Sitting

A cat I stay with while her owner is away is a muse 

for sketching & for French practice.

This kind of fast sketching 

(a cat's movements necessitate fast)

has been 1 of my favorite pastimes for years.

I love the focus, I love the observing. 

De temps en temps je reste avec un chat pendant l'absence

de sa personne. Elle est ma muse de dessin 

et une inspiration pour 

ma practique du français. 

C'est élémentaire mais c'est OK.

Luna est un minou gris aux yeux verts. Elle est douce est tranquille. Elle aime jouer, et câliner, elle aime s’asseoir sur mes gênoux. Elle ne miaule pas beaucoup, sauf avant son repas. Elle ronronne, elle se lave et elle se gratte. De temps en temps elle regarde la vue par la fenêtre. J’aime caresser Madame Luna et parler avec elle.

 

Learning to Paint Again #2

 

Day #2.  

Trying not to judge. 

I added a final layer of Prismacolor as the raw painting wasn't expressing what I wanted. 

The point of this little book is to keep practicing painting without my  ink drawing skeleton. 

Austin Kleon says, 

"Make stuff everyday. Fail. Get better."

I say, "As long as it's enjoyable."

Learning to Paint: Again

Mostly I draw. But through the years I have

occasionally painted, each time learning a bit more.

 I recently studied someone's gallery painting

because I had to write a poem in response to it.

Oooh, the craving to paint without my ink lines was sparked.

This is Day #1 of a new 5.25 X 3.5 " WCbook. From a photo 

I took in Acadia National Park, 2024

Rules: 

1. No ink lines but pre-pencil design OK.

2. Subjects: WC interpretations of Anything

3. Work fast, with little judgement & deliberation

4. Make notes about what I learned

Holidays = Making Cards

A tradition since childhood: Making my own holiday cards & decorations. Christmas cards! And Valentines, with their limited palettes of pinks, reds, whites & purples. They were simple this year, with my discovery of Caran d'ache water crayons, pearlescent watercolors, glitter markers & Posca white markers, along with the usual gouache & aquarelles. 

Roses are red, 

Art is fine,

Hearts are supreme

And pink is divine.  

Hahaha! 

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

There is a local art shop where I love to go for buying, but also for just browsing as if it was a grand museum. 

It's a fun outing with art friends & with just me.

These glitter markers from Peter Pauper are the latest addition to my materials. I always considered them to be only for kids, but I am having so much fun mixing them in with other media.

Daily Journal: The Spiritual Part

My daily journaling practice has different components. One is a way to

to reflect, to tend to my spirit, to enhance my soulful growth. 

It helps me to be resilient & serene when life is tough. 

Often I mix quotes with personal thoughts. 

This page, is from May, 2021 but still feels relevant. 

Hannukah & Christmas

This year I celebrated Hannukah as well as Christmas. Both fell on the same day. Both holidays were part of my childhood. We had town lightings of a giant menorah & of a tall Christmas tree, in front of our post office. We sang songs & danced. And I sketched my menorah in my journal. Light & miracles, let us hope...Wishing you all a peaceful & bright 2025.