click on photo to get a closer look at the little slimy friend (oh ya, and the frog too;-)

It's hard to show the true colour of this picture without a sunny day, since I know squat about photography. I can't use the flash, it shines off of the wax in the pencil and makes a big white blob in the middle of the picture. Guess I know which course I should take next!

Just little details to finish now. The hand and do a little makeover in a few spots. I look forward to the next one and all of the frustration that comes with it!

Light At The End Of The Tunnel

Now the little itty bitty picky little details. Stripes on the remaining part of the shirt, hands, touch ups to the face in parts I'm not quite happy with and finally the frog. I've been putting off working on the frog. I've not worked with green's much since the workshops at Allison Fagan's studio. I'm not familiar with the various shades of greens in any of the coloured pencil companies. Means more time consuming testing before actually being able to properly ascertain which ones I need to apply and in what order.

See that little tool on the left side of the picture? An electric eraser that was a gift. I'm about to give it a run for it's money!

Here's my little work space. It's a cold sunny morning. Perfect for working, yet here I sit on the computer instead! Off I go.

This is yet another I've started. It's part of my "Kids Holding Disgusting Creatures" series. I'm thinking my next one will have a tarantula in it. I love spiders and can't leave them out!

I've accidentally worked this painting on the rough side of the paper. It sucks up a lot more pencil and takes more elbow grease, but will be different, so that's a good thing I guess. I'd like to think that sometimes great things happen through accidents, but since I'm a "glass half empty" kind of gal....well, I can't.

Hello again darlings,

I wasn't expecting to be posting again so soon! The next couple of weeks looks like a real thrill. I'll be heading out to Boston, England and possibly either Sweden or Switzerland. Wish me luck! Hopefully I'll look as fabulous there as I did in Korea!

Hugs and Kisses,

Vicki Stripes
xoxoxoxoxox

I've delivered my first portrait to a client for review. Big sigh. She was happy with it despite the fact that I had not yet chosen a colour to paint in for the background. I was expecting to consult with her and then complete the piece. She liked it just white the way it was. I forgot to photograph it. Live and learn. Once any touch ups are done that may be requested, it will hang in a business on the dark side of the river.

Now that I've started a new piece all of the feelings of self-doubt, uselessness and self-depreciating thoughts can resume until I approach the end stages of the next painting.

On to Day Three

Two of Four

The summer pictures paid off! I've started one of Two of Four. It's on "Madstone" paper. I'm thinking I may not use it again! I only bought it because they were out of Stonehenge at the local Wallack's. I hate to try to venture downtown with a vehicle just for a piece of paper at the other location, so, oh well. Better luck next time.

I'm finding my style has changed slightly to adapt to the new paper. This picture will be a more free, airy kind of painting. Not so photo-realistic.

Elections

Cannon at the back of Parliament Hill. Guess where it's pointing....(giggle) .... Quebec!

Yeah Harper!

I know adventurer, but, I couldn't vote for the Bloq. They're only in Quebec, for Quebec and I'm not French enough for that yet!

As Mr. P. says, "How can Elizabeth May be truely green when she doesn't look like she walks, bikes, or runs anywhere." There's a couch potato if ever there was one. Plus she's convinced that anyone that doesn't agree with her is just plain wrong. (I think that way about my beliefs, but in my case I'm right;-)

Ahhhh, dear, dear Stephane Dion. I couldn't understand him in French or English. I think that we're taxed enough without adding some bogus carbon tax boondoggle. Plus he was just so all round silly I had to giggle every time he popped up on t.v. The Preston Manning of the Liberals. Maybe he needs a makeover just like Preston.

Jack Layton, among other things, was promising more doctors and nurses. WHAT? Was he going to create them in his lab? How can you hire MORE doctors and nurses when there aren't any TO hire! Nice little trick that. Make a promise to do something that can't be done right now, but can't come back on you.

Above all else, if I hear one more person whining about carbon credits and environmental change (notice it's not called global warming anymore!) I'm going to have to slap them silly! I've been sitting here freezing my tata's off after one of the colder, wetter summers we've had of recent years while places like China and India are polluting the world and poisoning the people with their little chocolate coins(China). Go bug them first. I show no pitty for any country that poisons such important staples such as milk, grains and chocolate!

That's my rant.

Yeah Stephen!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Bike path under Parliament Hill. That's the Supreme Court (of very ridiculously ridiculous Liberal judges) of Canada on the Left. Quebec on the right.

Oh, and just because I can, a little plug for tomorrows election....GO STEPHEN HARPER!

Parliament Hill

After a humbling morning of expressive drawing of a nude figure in art class, I decided I needed to perk myself up. I haven't enjoyed the photography side of drawing until recently, but, now the bug has bitten me!

I've been in the Parliament buildings, through, on top of, in front, underneath and at the sides of Parliament Hill, but never directly behind. I had heard tell of a feral cat sanctuary directly at the back of the Parliament buildings. After trudging along with about 30lbs of drawing and camera equipment I was about ready to give up! I had found a daycare, oodles of foreign speaking tourists, statues coated in bird poop, RCMP officers and Public Servants, but no Stray cat joint. Just as I was ready to give up, there it was! It actually does exist. I've gotta say though, turns out the MP's aren't the only fat cats up there!

P.S. Doesn't that raccoon look like the cat that ate the canary!

Awk! I've Been Framed!

Ok. Not framed quite yet but, finally complete and at the framing place. I get to do the actual framing when the supplies come in to help keep costs down.

Now, by the way, would not be the time to tell me that you see a little something that should be changed.

Big Sigh (of relief!)

On to my next victim....I mean subject;-)

I was just thinking....maybe I could make this my "thing." You know, my gimmick.

"Why exterminate when you can perpetuate! Have your portrait painted with your favourite roaches, rat, spider or other household vermin! Keep their memory alive long after you eradicate them."

hmmm.....it was just a thought.

Gasp! She's nude!

Started my first art class today. Expressive Figure Drawing. No pictures to post. Nude models and all. When they asked if anyone hadn't worked from live models before I had to admit that I have only worked from photographs. I was the only one. I also volunteered that I was used to bringing the photos right up close to my face while drawing. The model told me not to worry about it, she showered before the class.

There were three men in the class. Regulars from what I could tell. The teacher was familiar with a couple of them. I thought I really sucked at the drawing at first. Until I took a look at the work of a couple of the guys. Two of the men were obviously there for the nude show since their artistic talent was questionable.

We ran through various poses with the longest being 15 minutes and the shortest a minute. I went from taking 40 to 100 hours of painting a detailed coloured pencil piece at home and in workshops to drawing a complete figure, shading and all in three minutes. You can imagine how many poses I was actually able to finish. It was good though. It did loosen me up. I came home and scribbled much of the rest of my current painting in record time. Now I have to find a happy medium.

Oh, and for any guy out there wanting to know.....ya, the model was young and hot! Wonder what the male model will look like.

I leave you with some Inuksuk's with the peace tower on Parliament hill visible in the background. THIS is something pretty to look at on the Ontario side. Yeah, finally!

One of Four with Willie

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel! 3/4 done. I start my art class tomorrow at the art school. Expressive figure drawing. Live models and all. I wonder if they'll be nude?;-) I think it's safe to say that there will be no rats there. At least not modelling.

Hello again Darlings,

Well, I finally got out and about! Just a small tour, but great to enjoy the sunny hot weather. Only one more day to do and I'll be back home where I hear it's miserably rainy and cool.

Here I am about to visit the temple.

Hugs and kisses Darlings!

Vicki Stripes
xoxoxo

This is one of the smaller squashes from the garden. Butternut. The squash, not me. I've never had luck growing these babies before and now I have a couple the size of Toronto. I think I'll carve them for Halloween instead of the pumpkins. They didn't come out quite as spectacularly.

This fellow let me get within a couple of feet of him. He's been taking the neighbourhood trees apart one by one. Unbelievable that one woodpecker can do so much damage. At least I can tell the neighbours I shot him. They just don't have to know it was only with a camera;-)

South Korea

Hello Darlings!

Well sweeties, we made it safely to Korea. Sadly I sit in a hotel room in a suitcase while Mr. P. is enjoying lovely landscapes such as these. I'm plotting my escape as we speak!

Mr. P says that he's sick of noodles and rice. It could be worse! At least with noodles, he knows what he's eating.

Ciao for now loves,

Vicki Stripes,

xoxoxox

Half way there

This painting is about half way done now. Can't wait to finish. Yes, she is cuddling a really big rat. Yes, he liked it. No he never bit. Yes, he reallly loved chocolate too!

Hello Darlings!

It's time to dust me off and take me traveling again. I'm heading out to Korea tomorrow with Mr. P. sweeties! It's 26 hours of travel time before we arrive. I don't expect he will bring me in his carry on or flash me around the plane so looks like I'll be in the cargo hold until we land. That's ok though, he's stuck in econo class until we arrive so I'll be much comfier than he!

Hugs and Kisses loves, see you when I get back,

Vicki Stripes

xoxoxoxoxo

Mr. Yummy Ain't gettin' through!

Remember Mr. Yummy the mailman? Well, this time it wasn't me with the red face! (for a change)

Mr. Yummy rang White Mocha's door bell upon realizing that he had forgotten to get a signature for a package that he had delivered earlier that day. White Mocha answered the door, opening it only a crack. She was concerned that Pepper, her large mailman eating dog, might lunge at him if she opened the door fully.

As White Mocha was signing the necessary form, Pepper, knowing his favourite afternoon treat....mailman.....was on the other side, started to try to push through her legs. She started shifting her hips and legs side to side, to match whichever direction Pepper tried to escape through.

"Don't think you're going to push your way through here!" she said as she swayed her hips and signed the form.

It wasn't until after she had closed the door that she realized that Mr. Yummy had probably not been aware that the dog was attempting to push his way past White Mocha from behind. He had most likely not seen the dog at all. He had probably thought she was talking to him!

Poor man. No wonder he dashes down our street at the speed of light. It appears that there's always somebody hitting on him!

Only two more sleeps and I start doing so serious drawing! Yeah! No more excuses. I think I'm scared! What if my apples start to look like tomatoes and my tomatoes like people. I've been having more than a few nightmares about this. Well, if all else fails, there's always "Welcome to Walmart!"

This is along the beach in Aylmer. Now that we are finally getting summer it's a nice place to visit. Yes, again, the beauty is in Quebec.

"I just wanna sit on the edge and put my feet in the pool." says 4 of 4.

Sound familiar?! Well, next thing I know there's a dog and 6 year old treading water in the deep end of a friends pool.

She had a very wet half hour walk home.

I've gotta stay away from water.

All Dry

Not So Much!

"I just wanna get my feet wet Mom!"

Famous last words as she falls into the water. I managed to get the whole progression of the event. Talk about lucky shot!

Mr. P. suggested that we go to the marina on the Quebec side. That's Ontario just across the river.

One week to go and I'll have time to draw! (insert evil laugh here) Back to school time kiddies!

How's that little ditty go?

"Leaves of three, let it be?"

No. That can't be right because, One of four apparently did everything but lick it. She's got poison ivy up her legs, feet and arms? Not bad, but not pleasant.

"Leaves of three are for me!"

I can walk all through the stuff without harm....so far. Now give me a poison oak plant and we'll talk rash!

These aren't poison anything, but I thought they'd look nifty on my new black background.
Geez I'll miss summer!

God help us! I'm starting to find more of these nasty creatures lying around! Most aren't so pretty as this! It's the first time I've seen a pink maple leaf!

Fall is coming. The leaves are turning. The days are getting shorter. Soon time to hibernate.

I wish someone had warned me this summer was only going to be a blink long. A rainy, cold, musty blink.

This is Two of Four with her new bestest friend, albeit temporarily, Toady. It may also be my next drawing. I have two portraits on the go, but thought with all this extra time I have floating around I'd start a third. RIGHT!

One of Four asked if I was going to include the dirty fingernails in the painting. She was quite appalled when I explained, "If you see it in the picture....you'll see it in the painting."

I guess she won't want it for her room.

These looked good enough not to eat! These were on the golf course which my parents home backs on to.

I found these little gems while looking for golf balls in the heavy brush backing onto my parents backyard. I don't believe I've ever seen fungus this vibrant before! Not even on my bathroom walls!

We stopped on the way home from doing some out of town visiting to take a picture of this incredible view. Before you ask, yes, this is in Quebec. My province isn't as gosh darn pretty.

He walked up onto the over-sized front porch of my favourite cafe in a 100 year old converted home. Late fifties to early sixties, crazy long grey thinning hair blowing wildly behind him. He had to have been a professor at one time, or perhaps worked in the arts. His attire gave him away. Particularly his sandals.

He approached the cushion lady.

Now let me explain the cushion lady. She graces the patrons with her presence, pretty much every meal and coffee break from what I can tell, because she is there almost every time I am regardless of the time of day. When she arrives whatever she sees, touches, tastes, smells, or sits on, near, or around belongs to her. I have learned this first hand after watching White Mocha get a talking down to for sitting on a chair she decided previously would be hers even before she was seated at the table. Oh ya, and she carries a pancake flat seat cushion wherever she goes. Hence, the cushion lady.

Well, the professor decided he would like to read one of the numerous daily papers sitting idle (and belonging to the cafe) on the table the cushion lady had just inhabited. Apparently the professor didn't know the cushion lady's rules and asked if he could read one of them. His request was denied! Apparently she can read five different papers all at once and wasn't willing to share.

He glanced in my direction, appearing to notice me for the first time. I had picked up a copy of "Le Droit" from the chair beside me and handed it out to him. I have no idea exactly what had been said in the previous exchange between the two, as it was in French, and I had my mp3 player on and couldn't actually hear their conversation clearly. In a quick and totally unexpected move the man reaches past the paper in my hand and grabs me mid arm with both hands and shakes me while laughing and repeating "The doit, Ahahaha!" Saying I was stunned would be an understatement. Apparently he didn't know I was English and from Ontario!

In Ontario all persons must leave a minimum two foot radius comfort zone around each individual. We don't touch other people! We're of British decent for goodness sakes! Do you see anybody touching the Queen!? A move like he just made could result in assault charges on my side of the river!

He takes the paper, at least I think he does, who the hell knows, I don't remember much other than sitting there with my mouth gaping open, listening while he chatters on a mile a minute as he sits down with a large smile on his face and a sparkle in his eye. I have no idea what he is saying.

I put my head down and pretend to focus on my book. I can feel eyes boring into me from the table across as the cushion lady rises and moves down to visit with some other patrons, knowing that her papers and cushion will now be safe from the professor. I glance up out of the corner of my eye to see a broadly smiling professor toast me with his copy of "Le Droit." I look down quickly afraid that he might come over and shake me again. Bizzare.

The cushion lady bursts out in boisterous peels of laughter for all to hear. I realize that she is French and therefore somewhat louder than the English, (having a Francophone Grandmother, I'm allowed to say this) but she seems to be overdoing it. She seems to need to prove something to either the professor or myself. Whether it's that she can have what she's not currently using, or that she has people that actually like her somewhere, I'm not sure.

Quebec. What a weird little place.

I started my day bright and way too early for me cycling to work with Mr. P. Today I decided to cycle the long way home. This involved staying on the Quebec side longer and cycling downtown to Hull before crossing over to downtown on the Ontario side of the river. Unfortunately part way there I hit the wall.

Chocolate muffins (which are really chocolate cupcakes under the guise of muffins), the breakfast of champions, do not a good breakfast make! So I happened upon a convenience store along a beach just as I had run out of steam.

I decided some Life Savers would do the trick and went in search of just that.

I didn't realize upon entering the store just how gosh darn sexy I was looking this particular day. Was it because I was all hot and sweaty in my lime green cycling shirt with a frog imprinted on it and skin tight cycling shorts with my oh so stylish clip-less clip-in shoes? Or maybe it was the coffee stain adorning my shirt and left sock. A souvenir from my break at Moca Loca. Maybe I seemed exotic with my purely Anglophone words and accent.

Whichever it was, the very kind purely Francophone clerk offered to make me a fresh breakfast tomorrow morning "....if it's ok with your boyfriend", he added shyly at the end.

Geez I love Quebec. Even I look good over there!

During the Workshops I took, we were told numerous times to take the art and hold it away from us, or up to a mirror. That way errors will show more readily. For me though, viewing it on the computer screen has done the same thing. I see now the things I would change, but probably won't bother since this one was just an exercise. I won't tell you what they are though! You'll have to figure them out for yourself!

In the 30 years that our extended family has owned the cottage, I've never before seen these type of wildflowers. I came across fields of them today. The picture doesn't do them justice!

How a dog enjoys Canada Day Weekend at the cottage.

My Father and me have been taking workshops with coloured pencil artist Allison Fagan. She does amazing photo-realistic stuff. You can find it at:

http://www.allisonfagan.com/

This was my homework. Not quite complete, but due Saturday. Arrrgh!

The May newsletter for a coloured pencil artist, Teresa Mallen, who has been a big help to me is now out. You can find her work, newsletter and blog at:

http://www.teresamallenstudio.com

I've started my next portrait (and photographed for a few more still life and portraits) but can't post my progress until I've asked the parents of the child if it's ok! So here's my description.

She's a dark haired beauty with lovely expressive eyes which beam with life and a definate mischievousness. See if you can create a picture in your mind of what she might look like while I try to capture it on paper. Wish me luck and success!

Now that I am spending my time drawing I find I'm short on words. As an old boyfriend of mine used to say, "you can't have a chick, car and money all at the same time." I guess I should count myself lucky. I may not be able to speak, but as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.

I had to do just that one last thing.....
Now it's turned into one of those things that will bug me because I can't take it back. Sometimes you've just gotta know when to say when, ya know?

My coloured pencils are nibs now. I guess I'll have to find a picture that will make use of some of my other colours to give them fair play.

The painting was bowed when I photographed it for the blog, so the wall behind looks a little bent. It's not in the actual painting.

I went to get an estimate on having it framed. After the estimate I decided it looked lovelier hidden away in my portfolio.

I told Mr. P. this morning, "Well, been there done that, what hobby should I try next?"
That didn't go over well, and apparently I will be doing more paintings.

I've contacted one potential model, and am hoping that maybe out of the kindness of her heart that Adventurer will send some more pictures of beautiful children my way. I have one of a little angel that she gave me that will soon be in the works.

Pout

Here's my newest drawing that I'm working on. Also of someone in my neighbourhood. By about the 30th hour of looking at the same kid I'm really sick of looking at them! I can capture a better, darker picture of this one when it's done.

JUMP!!!

Ah, yes....as a matter of fact they were jumping off the roof! I was not pleased. 4 of 4 was told by Mr. P that she could join her sisters when she turned 6. I explained that that would indeed be a terrible mistake since she turns 6 in the heat of the summer. Maybe if we're lucky we'll have this much snow again next year for her;-)

I've got a couple of stories, but I'll save them for later. A dark and cranky little fellow is staring at me wondering why his little legs aren't bounding through those snow banks. He likes to paint them yellow.

Kitty Kat Complete

Who knew that coloured pencils weren't just for school kids anymore!

Kitty Kat

This one is a work in progress for a different Granny this time, so Grandma C won't recognize her. Any other Grannies out there know who this one is?

Sorry, it is actually darker and more vivid in person, but I can't scan it properly or I'll bend the picture and our camera is currently on loan.

P.S. Adventurer....yours is still in the works, but I won't post that one.

Mailman

Ok. I realize that I haven't been blogging more than a couple of times in as many months, but it looks like the boring dry spell that is my life may be over! I managed to return to my old ways of humiliation in the face of others! And thank God for that! I was starting to feel normal.

The mailman walked by me on the street today. I had been shoveling and stopped to conference with a fellow stay at home slave...I mean mom, "White Mocha" (I have mentioned her before.) Her humongous dog Pepper was lying in the snow, being part Akita and part horse, he loves nothing more than cooling his boys in a fresh frigid snow. Oh yes, and stalking mailmen.

White Mocha puts a restraining hand on Pepper as soon as she sees the mailman coming a full block away. Can't take a chance with this big fellow. A gentle giant with women and children, he is always on guard when there is a strange man lurking in the neighborhood. He's been known to attach his ample vice like jaws to the behind of a stray surveyor or two.

I watch as the mailman passes and seems to be out of earshot from us when I turn to Pepper, who is alert and ready to pounce, and say,

"Ohhhh! Doesn't he look yummy! Mmmmmmm. Growwwwwllllll!"

The mailman stops dead in his tracks, turns, stares. I, not unlike a chameleon try to change colour to camoflauge myself. Unfortunately the only other colour I can be is red on a white snowy back ground.

He looks embarrassed and answers something in return. Neither White Mocha or I have any idea what he just said. I am too horrified to even be listening. Unfortunately I keep talking.

"I just meant the dog. He was licking his lips when he saw you! He thought you looked yummy I guess. That's not a good sign. No, not a good sign at all!" I laugh nervously, still not knowing what he said in the first place.

"No, not a good sign." he replies as he keeps on walking quickly down the street at a faster pace than earlier.

"I hope he knows I was saying the dog though he was yummy and not me!" I turn and whisper to a now snickering White Mocha.

"He was yummy though!" I won't tell you which one of us said that.

I only sent this one to families without young children. No need to have to explain to kiddies why this is a cartoon.

Hey! Mr. P. showed me how to use the new hardware!