Perp's Mom: "That's an ugly sweater! I'm going to buy you a new one."
Me: "No. I like this sweater. It looks nice and it's my absolute favourite in the whole wide world."
Perp's Mom: "I don't care. I hate that sweater. You're getting a new one!"
Me: "This is a nice, respectable sweater. It is warm, soft and I love this sweater!! I don't want one like you have on. It's ugly!"
Perp's Mom: "I won't buy you one like mine, buy I am getting you one."
Me: "Why would you buy something I don't want and have no intention of wearing?!"
Perp''s Mom: "I'm still getting you one."
Me: "I WON'T WEAR IT! DON'T BUY ME CLOTHES. I DON'T WANT YOU TO BUY ME CLOTHES. WHEN YOU BUY ME CLOTHES I NEVER WEAR THEM!!!"
Perp's Mom: "I'm buying you a sweater. One that looks better than that old thing!"

Oh crap! What are we doing? I'm going to spend a week with my parents.

One more sleep until we travel. Since we've decided we don't like the mouse, why go to Florida at all! We're going to stay in the Famous American City that I believe is headquarters for OPE. Since Kurt so graciously denied our request to stay at his house invited, we'll just show up. If I'm right about the city, then I'm sure someone there can tell me where he lives. We'll just ask around on the street. If they don't know him then someone will at least know Todd. I'll print their pictures off of the OPE blog. It's all good, good! See you tomorrow Kurt. We'll be there for supper, so plan something elaborate. Your paying.

I had a Great-Aunt and Great-Uncle that were good at "just showing up!" They would sometimes call, or drop by. More often than not their mail would start to arrive before they would. That's how you knew to expect them. They'd stay for a short visit. You know.....3 to 6 months before the relative they were staying with could take no more and would kick them out. They'd have their mail forwarded to the next hosts house and move along. Saves on rent!

I packed up the dog bed and Mr. Hunter's favorite stuffed toy and brought it to White Mocha's house. Mr. Hunter did not look pleased. In fact, he looked down right panicked! He did not quite understand why he had to leave his ducky there. I know he will be excited when she comes to release him from his prison tomorrow. Especially because she plies him with treats! I don't expect he'll miss us much with the exception of at bedtime. She is under the impression that he won't try to sleep in her bed because of it's exaggerated height. LOL! That's funny! Opps! Hope she doesn't read this until after we're gone.

I want to thank White-Mocha for also caring for the rats, fish and mail. Bus driver Dave down the street will care for our snow accumulation (or hopefully lack there of!) It's kind of funny when you think about it. Someone having to come into our house to feed vermin. In some places they trap them but here we pamper them.

Only two more sleeps until I get to be enveloped in warmth and sunshine! Even if it lands up being cool and rainy their cool is still warmer and their rain is still sunnier than here! I've had enough of -20 to -40!

I have such smart kids. We had a family discussion and decided we collectively hate the famous place that the mouse lives and don't want to go there! Yipppeeeee! Thank God that they aren't falling into that commercial trap!

We went to purchase our American dollars. Ouch! The Canadian one took a dive again this morning. Why couldn't it have stayed at par until after our vacation?!!!!

I hate flying, say a prayer for us! Hopefully we will remain bird free for our flight.

Step 2 - Create Your Map and Base Drawing

Map Drawing

Now that you have your most beautiful drawing, time to turn it into a map.

Take the drawing you did, (it matters not how you got it on to the paper originally, just remember to fix the distortions that may have occurred prior to step 2!) and transfer your drawing onto a piece of tracing paper in pencil (remember, high quality) and then create the outline on the tracing paper with the black marker. By not using the marker on your actual original sketch, you will save it in case you are not happy with the tracing and can use the original to create a new tracing.

As you can see, the actual outlined copy on tracing paper is not pristine. It's all crumpled and I actually accidentally ripped it. Just make sure that you keep your original in good shape in case you require it again.

You may have noticed that I have circles and lines in odd places. This is how I mark where I want a highlight to appear, or where shading may begin. These are all just place markers. It helps to identify approximately where I want things to appear on the work.

This is a good time to talk about paper.

If you choose a light coloured paper: (Not recommended for this picture)

For this step you will be transferring the outline you have created (what I called map) to a fabulously magnificent quality of paper. Most coloured pencil artists I know use "Stonehenge" more than any other types.

Another fair paper is "Bristol", Vellum (not smooth!)

If you purchase Stonehenge it will come in a large individual sheet. Just cut it to the correct size you want and save the rest for your next masterpiece.

Stonehenge comes in various shades. Pick the whitest. Bristol comes in pads. Stonehenge has more "tooth" to the paper and will hold more colour. Very sturdy!

Now you need a light box if you are working on white paper. You can use a window, or lightbox.

Place your "map" copy under the quality paper and VERY lightly outline the map on to your good paper. Every line you put on your good paper will eventually be erased as you replace it with colour. You don't want to score the page with the pencil line either. It will show if you do when you put the colour down.

Congratulations! You have now completed Step 2.

If you are smart and choose a black paper:

Okay. Here's the monkey wrench! I'm going to use black paper. That way I will save on pencil by not having to thickly lay on black since I'm working on a work that is primarily black. For this you will need a piece of white transfer paper. This is the equivalent of carbon paper, only in a white chalky substance. You can also make your own by saturating a piece of paper with white chalk or purchase it a Wallacks for a rather exorbitant price.

Take your "map" drawing and place it on top of the white chalk transfer paper and place them on top of the Stonehenge black paper.

Now use a coloured pencil to gently outline the "map" drawing so that the white chalk will transfer the the good quality black paper. It's important to use a different colour than black pencil when tracing over the lines on your map so that you will know which ones you've already traced over.

Once it's done you should have a white outline of your "map" drawing on the black paper. Before actually colouring with your coloured pencils, you will erase the white chalk marks with a kneaded eraser. But that's all part of the next step!

See you in a couple of weeks (God willing!) for Step 3.

Raspberries to Arrogant People

I'm in pain. A great deal of mental pain right now. I have an addiction and I'm going through withdrawl!

I listened to the news tonight. Just a few minutes. A smidgen really. Not long. Just long enough to get angry. I want to vent so badly! I'm not going to vent. Nope. Not even a bit. No. NOOOO! Okay. Maybe just a little.

I'm not going to vent about the government, transit strike, Canadian dollar....or lack of value as the case may be. I'm just going to say I have a problem liking arrogant people. You know the ones. Confident, pleasant and find a way to tell you what they really think of you without you actually realizing that they've put you down until you walk away and think about it. Sometimes they do this with words and sometimes with their actions. I got both. If I were to tell you the situation you may say I was just being "sensitive." I don't think so though. To the person who has annoyed me....thppppttt! I send you a big ole' raspberry! If you are reading this wondering if you are this person. If you find you are even a little bit concerned that you may be this person....then you're not. This person doesn't really care because they are too important to have to care. The nice thing about being me is I don't ever have to see this person again if I don't want to. And guess what. I don't!

Phew! I feel better.

-40 is -40

.....to clarify:

the celsius and fahrenheit scale converge at minus 40. So -40 Celsius is -40 Fahrenheit. -20 celsius is -4 fahrenheit.

Hey, the beers finally cold, eh! (Canadian)
Damn Canadian cold fronts, huh! (American)

It's been between -20 and -40c here. Since I couldn't spray my toad painting outside I had to use our furnace room to do it. I opened the window for ventilation and got to work. It wasn't too bad at first, but after a while the flying snakes started to swarm around making it difficult to spray the painting without spraying them. Eventually it got done.

I started another portrait, or two, or three after a I took a couple of Advil. I had a headache for some strange reason. I'm having a hard time settling down to work at something new. I haven't found that perfect picture that I have a great drive to create. Well, actually I do have one, but not something I can post the progress of as with many of the portraits of other peoples kids that I do. Flowers are beautiful but just don't grab my interest right now. You'd think I'd learn theres a down to every up after the completion of a work.

I brought it to the framer. I don't have the same sense of satisfaction I often feel. I guess I need to get something back framed to feel the excitement about the next one. I'm still awaiting the return of the previous one as well.

I'm partially completed step 2 of the next part of my coloured pencil demonstration for this blog. I'll try to post it later today.

All Done?

All Done! No wait....I think....what if I just tweaked the colours in the toad a bit and maybe the finger tips. Huh. No, I'm done.....I think......No! Yes! I'm definitely done....maybe.

Now on to self-doubt, loathing, head banging, acceptance, self-loathing again then frame it. I know, I know....we're all the same.

For those of you who are saying to me and yourself, "but I can't draw, whimper, whimper, whine!" Yes you can!

There are many ways to get your subject down on paper. Here are some of the ways:

1.) You can trace it. Usually you will want to actually work from a photo and not the live model as I have pictured here. The photo usually doesn't try to eat your work as it progresses. If you are going to do a direct tracing you should work from at least an 8x10 enlargement of your subject. Otherwise you will have a problem getting those wee itty bitty details I love so much as that make a painting photo-realistic.

If tracing is your method then go to your local art store and purchase a good quality tracing paper. The cheaper stuff is more opaque. You can use a light box or bright window to place your photo on to make it easier to trace.

2.) You can use a grid. This is a whole other method that is excellent, but time consuming to describe. If you are interested in this method leave me a comment and I'll explain about creating your grid and how to size the photo to the paper correctly and how to transfer the image. It's actually drawing using lines on your photo and drawing paper as guides. Similarly you can use a "picture plane."

3.) Even the masters used methods of projecting images onto canvasses. You can too by using an opaque projector or slides. If you use this method be aware that distortion is a real problem. You may have a lot of fixin' to do!

4.) My suggestion is just to draw the blasted thing! I concur with my various art instructors in that you must actually draw the image to bring life to it. My coloured pencil instructor would insist upon the long painful drawn out method of drawing the line drawing from scratch in front of her so there was no cheating! It generally took me longer to do a sketch than everyone else, but my paintings usually had more detail than everyone elses. So simple drawing or more complex, drawing it yourself is definately the best method out there!

You can draw from a live model or from a photograph. In coloured pencil work a photo is a wise choice! You will be looking at it for many hours and in much detail. It's hard to do this from a live model. You will continue to use the photo for a reference during the rendering process to assist you in matching colours, lighting, etc. Live models generally don't do well sitting still for 40 to 100 hours and would probably expect something silly like being paid for their work.

If you do work from a photo having a digital photo is better so you can make any small adjustments you may want. They also can be enlarged to larger sizes without loosing quality. You should work from at least an 8x10. You can work from smaller photos, but try not to choose one with a lot of detail if that is the case!

If you do use one of the other above methods you will need to fix any distortion that will occur in transferring the image. You would be surprised at how much distortion there is in your average photograph! You also won't improve your drawing skills if you trace everything! In my case the nude models tend to get a bit miffed If I get to close to their dangly bits with a sharp pencil in an attempt to trace them!

Which ever method you use, you need to get a basic line drawing down on a cheap piece of paper.

Whichever way you choose to get your picture down on paper, make sure you don't hold your pencil as you do when you are writing. This is something that I have not only read or had artists tell me, but have been taught at art school. Find a different way to hold your pencil so your left brain becomes confused and gives way to your right brain...the more creative side.

Once you are happy with the picture you have, it's time to put it on your good paper. We'll save that for the next time. I have some catching up to do before that step.

Having been told that if you use grey in your work it will muddy it up and make it look dirty, you think I'd keep that in mind. Noooo! I know better and had to try it anyhow. On the plus side, a kid holding a toad with dirty nails also did in fact have dirty hands from spending much of the previous couple of hours "frogging", so it's all good, good!

Hello Darlings,

Well Perp has finally decided it's a go! I get to enjoy the sumptuous sun and heat with the family! I may actually get to tour more extensively this time too! No more being stuck in the suitcase for me.

Visiting the temples in Korea were nice, but a beach is a little more suited to my taste.

See you when I get back!

Hugs and Kisses,

Vicki Stripes
xoxoxo

Rant

Oh.....there are some naughty people out there asking me to blog about certain happenings that they think are rant worthy! I've asked these individuals to please start their own blog so that they can be the angry ranting ones!

If you have a beef to pick with your government at any level, gas companies, drivers, manufacturers or other companies of any sort start up your own blog! I'm in my happy place and intend to stay there for the time being.

Only a couple of weeks until I go to soak in the sun! Ahhhhh! Kurt mentioned that Florida was a pit. Having been to Florida before, I have to agree, but with theme parks on the scarce side in Canada and when traveling with 4 children, Florida will do nicely. Especially when going to stay with relatives. On the other hand....were you to offer.... we'd gladly come and inhabit your lovely abode, albeit not as warm as Florida (if my guess as to where you live is correct), a vacation just the same. Are you offering?

Adventurer, I thank you for your offer of studio space. You have excellent lighting and a household and family atmosphere that I am absolutely addicted to! I will take you up on your offer, but only if you will include your photographic talents and you will let me paint one of two photos of CU2 you have shown me in the past. I would love to sit down and work on one while CU2 is there.

If you are waiting for the coloured pencil session to start, I'm getting to it. I have no excuse other than life, kids and the skating season has opened on the canal.

Peek-A-Boo

This is the painting I started before the Christmas break. Back at it. It's actually not too bad here, but if you are up close to the actual drawing you would notice that the dark area is cloudy and waxy looking. Wax bloom has set in after sitting for so long without being worked on. The two colours I have used to make the black are put on quite heavy, which also causes wax bloom. Wax bloom happens when wax based coloured pencils such as Prismacolor are used. The wax works it's way to the top of the painting while the pigment settles underneath. It can be fixed with a workable fixitive or burnished off with a cloth. The hand is better since there are wax, oil and clay based pencils used. No wax to bloom.

Want to learn to do a coloured pencil painting? Starting tomorrow I'll go through the process with you. All you need for the first step is an ordinary pencil, eraser and blank sheet of ordinary paper. Gather up your supplies and join me. Easy-schmeasy!

P.S. My left brain is constantly in a battle with my right. I find it hard to really settle down to work in my studio space. Can you say "cabin fever!" Anyone have a spot for me to draw? Table will do. I'm begging you now! Save me from my house!!!!!

Politically Correct

Anyone who reads this blog may notice that I've added "Feedjit" to my sidebar. I was curious about the number of readers and who they were. I have to say I thought there were maybe a very small number of people who actually checked out what was happening in my world. After all, what is family for;-) I was shocked to see the map start to light up in places like Scotland, Asia, Australia and multiple sites in the U.S. and across Canada. (I noticed that the Canadian map is suspiciously devoid of visitors from the middle provinces. I don't think anyone between Alberta and Ontario owns a computer.) Since there seem to be people who have happened upon my blog either accidentally or on purpose, (poor souls) I have a bit of a dilemma.

My daughter, Two of Four, asked me for two of my business cards this evening. Apparently she wanted to supply her teachers with my web site which happens to also have a link to my blog. Uh oh!!!!!!! Not only do I have to worry about offending persons from other countries, but now I may have to worry about persons who grade the work of my children! I'm going to have to improve my spelling and grammar! I hate that!!! It made me reflect upon past posts and think....is there anything there that I wouldn't want my Grandmother to read. That's usually a good indicator of readability. Wait, no, maybe not MY Grandmother, but a normal prim and proper Grandmother. Not a rockin', leather wearing 96 year old French Canadian babe grandmother.

I think I'm okay. At least for the last month. (I make no promises for posts before those!) It has made me realize though, that it may be time to tow the Canadian line and become more politically correct. So my goal for the new year is to be (and this is definitely NOT a New Years resolution):

a) Upbeat, positive and happy
b) More politically correct (actually, politically correct for the first time ever!)
c) Not use foul language, talk about unmentionables such as undergarments, and write of interesting body parts with their correct names.

That being said, I will start directly after the following post.

I was in the car sitting beside my Grandmother after having just visited the Hershey chocolate factory is Smiths Falls. (Curse that blasted company to H.E. double hockey sticks, now that they have closed and laid off an entire town's worth of workers!) Anyhow, this was when we still liked them before the closing of the plant and would still eat their chocolate. We were there pretty much every weekend, being a chocoholic and all. It was oh so close to our cottage how could I not?

Well I had a hankerin' for some chocolate (imagine that!) and I was thinking about Recess pieces and chocolate covered peanuts at the same time. Unfortunately! I turned to my Grandmother and asked her to pass me the Recess Penises. (I'm not sure what the plural of penis is or how it is spelled. Sorry!)

The car went silent. Then my Grandmother burst out in uproarious laughter. I turned beat red and sunk into my seat. Back a few years ago, I didn't see my Grandmother as anything but prim and proper and I was horrified that I had used the "P" word in front of her! That would surely be the end of it right? Nooooo!

Well Grandma went home and just about ran up to my step-Grandfather and blurted out my verbal blunder increasing my humiliation ten fold. He was a relatively new addition to the family having just become her husband at the tender age of 76ish. It didn't stop there. For many a years to come I had to hear about how I was going to the Hershey factory for Recess penises. I don't even like the blasted things. I'd rather just have nuts. Chocolate covered peanuts I mean.

Oh ya. One last thing. Big family vacation to Florida. Haven't decided if Vicki Stripes my traveling underwear will be coming or not. We'll see.

I will now start to be more politically correct, non-vulgar, and proper, blah, blah, blah.

FIN

Made In China

I hate shopping. Well, let me qualify that. I hate shopping for anything other than what can be found in a book store, art supply store or stationary shop. Mr. P. has been kind enough to take the girls to the mall to do their shopping in the past. He doesn't like shopping either but is a great dad. When I mentioned this to him, "do you know....I really hate shopping" he laughed and said he could tell by the fact that my 15 year old sweatpants are being held at the waist by elastic bands. (I only wear them at home after all and they are my favourite!)

We all went to the mall together because the girls just had to get something with their Christmas money from their various relatives or they were going to burst. My little Diva's like to shop for clothes and jewelry. I just don't get it, but oh well.

We were walking in a long skinny store which was sporting cheap jewelry, hair paraphernalia, stuffed toys etc. I was checking out the front of the store when I could hear a loud, but high little six year old voice from the back of the store say in disgust,

"Oh my goodness! Junk. All junk from China. Look at this, China, China, China. What crap! Even the stuffed animals are from China! It's all junk." she went on this way in a good rant from the very back of the store to the very front where I was standing and back again.

I have to say I was amused and not embarrassed. The older I get the more it takes to embarrass me.

In the past she's watched the news about recalled toys, jewelry and foods manufactured in China. Shes had her own culled due to potential dangers. She's also listened to adult conversations about these subjects. It's just funny to see a little version of me (she is the only one that looks like a clone of me too) ranting about something just like the big version does on the blog.

Oh ya, and she put her French teacher on notice before Christmas that she wouldn't eat any of the candy canes the teacher was handing out as rewards because they were full of hydrogenated oils (trans fats) and they were just junk. The teacher (a mighty large one) told her that a little candy now and then is good for you. Four of Four then lectured her on the evils of trans fats. When the teacher didn't want to listen and walked away from Four, she told me, she followed her and told her again all about what was wrong with those particular candies. Four only eats natural organic candy canes without trans fat! Doesn't that teacher read labels! (snicker!) I think we've created a monster!

Sorry, No Rant Today!

It was a close one. I had the radio on my favourite talk radio station while doing kitchen chores. I hate cooking so being in the kitchen is never a happy time for me anyways. I was listening to a continuous string of callers complaining about the public transit strike and how we should get rid of the whole publicly owned company and start again, or have the federal government step in and legislate a vote. It said that the union leader won't let the members vote since they will probably vote to go back. The old boys club will no longer control the system. I didn't get worked up. I didn't get angry. I was still feeling positive. Maybe I can go back to listening to the radio again and still stay positive! Then a commercial came on.

".....tune in on New Years Eve and New Years Day for our round table discussions on the newsmakers of 2008!" the announcer stated excitedly.

"....the resignation of Stephane Dion, the transit strike, city taxes......" blah, blah, blah.

I felt a twinge. Okay, if I'm to be honest as well as positive then....it was much more than a twinge. I started to feel a good and proper blood boil simmering. I could read the signs. My body was preparing for the inevitable anger that was to ensue. I reached over and quickly turned off the blasted thing. There. Still happy.

Someone the other day had told me that my mother of all rants had fuelled her mirth. It actually inspired her to look into the political situation since she wasn't a regular follower. I'm glad she had chosen to do this as I think we really need to keep an eye on those slimy political creatures or who knows where the country will end up. I'm also glad that she found the rant amusing. If you can't go to a blog and be amused or entertained then it really doesn't have a point. But for the sake of my happiness and sanity I'm not quite ready to get that mad again. I think I want to be ignorant of our political situation for a while. There isn't one party, including the current leaders, that I want to see running the land. I want to stay oblivious for a time. I want to stay happy.

The Day After

Well, it was a lovely Christmas season. In keeping with my new upbeat live style I'll tell you all of the things that made it so wonderful.

There was a time when I "loved" to fuss over detail. Now I satisfy that compulsion through working the fine details in my art. The Christmas tree had to be just so or it wasn't right. The gifts would have to be decked out in bows and ribbons with tags with names attached written in a fancy script. Christmas morning I'd be showered, brushed, made up and decked out before the gifts were opened since I knew it was being video taped. I'd feel bad about going to dinner somewhere and not provide something for the host. I'd pitch in and help to either prepare or clean up afterwords. Well, not so much now.

The kids let us sleep 'till 7:30 am. That's not normal I realize, but I didn't wake them to complain. After a long day of lazy, we headed out to my brother and sister-in-law's for dinner. My parents and Grandmother were also there. We arrived at 5pm sharp and went right to the dinner table. Talk about timing! I brought a squash. It had a face drawn on it from Halloween. I felt a bit funny about bringing a used squash for dinner, but it wasn't like they were going to eat the face. Since dinner was being served it was too late to cook it. Darn.

I was seated beside my almost 96 year old Grandmother, Rita. Yes, if you've read my blog in the past, she is the one who wears leather, rocks to Billy Idol and keeps telling us how lovely our dog is as if she had just met him for the first time, every 5 minutes.

We've started a new tradition in recent years. Every Christmas dinner I bring the crackers. That's the blow up, filled with a prize, corny joke and stylin' party hat kind of cracker, not the needing a glass of water 'cause I just stuffed my face and boy that horseradish dip is hot kind. My mother also bought crackers apparently because two is not enough for everybody.

I opened the first cracker as everybody was vying for time to belt out their corny joke. I reached for my second. Apparently Rita didn't realize this year we all had two or more lying beside each plate. Let me just say when I let that baby blow, Rita just about hit the ceiling. It's amazing how fast a 96 year old can move when she wants to. Nothing wrong with that woman's hearing!

I enjoyed sitting beside her and seeing her pleasure at visiting my brothers brand new home again and again and again. Just as she has every other time she's visited for the past two years that he's lived there. She's happy to see him settled and doing well, but just keeps forgetting she's been there before.

For the first time ever in the history of a family dinner, we managed to make it through without taking about hemorrhoids, penis', farts or other bodily functions.

We moved to the living room and took pictures as we do on every occasion. We always have to get a picture of everyone with my Grandmother because....well, you know. She's 96 almost! She'll probably outlive us all. If she's anything like her mother, she'll be here for a long time to come. It was great to be able to spend that time with her.

I got to sit on the couch with my "5th" child who picks on all of the other real children until they're all hopping on top of us and he's "accidentally" hitting me with his elbow. Last year we were at his office party for the kids when he started playing knuckles with one of the bigger kids. He held his hand over top of me so that the child would hit me instead of him. When I had the shock of a hard smack out of the blue I looked over at him at smacked him as hard as I possibly could (Mr. P I mean!). He yelled like a baby and feigned surprise that I would abuse him like that. By this time all of his coworkers were staring at Mr. P and his shrew of a wife. That wasn't the first time either, yet I somehow found myself seated beside his yet again.

We made it home safely and managed to make it through the whole night before the next bought of stomach flu hit the next child in the family. It was a happy Christmas! Hope yours was too!

Well I'm back. I wasn't sure if I was leaving the blog, or just starting with a new positive outlook. I got tired of being cranky. Venting on the blog was just fueling my wrath. I decided maybe it was time to quit for good.

I said a prayer the other night. It seems like all around us here in my country we are seeing the worst side of everything and everyone. On a personal level we had quite a bit of money stolen from our account due to a compromised debit card as did a very large amount of other individuals over the weekend.

I stood in line at Starbucks trying to pay with said debit card. It kept getting denied. Apparently the police had notified the institution and they froze all the accounts with suspicious activities. I didn't even know our account had been compromised until all this happened. A young very kind stranger stepped forward, once I told them to cancel my rather large order, quietly paid my bill, wished me Merry Christmas and darted off. I tried to stop him, it was much too generous of him, but he wouldn't back down. This was a shock I was not expecting. My view of people has been less than positive lately. In one single second a perfect stranger made me see how wonderfully kind and unselfish people can be! I say to him THANK YOU!

My daughter hurt her finger and by the time she arrived home on the bus it was swollen to double the size of her others and immobile. I'll skip the stupid and potentially dangerous instruction that the teacher on yard duty suggested to her. I was irate to say the least. We made it from start to finish in and out of the hospital in 1 hour and 15 minutes! That's got to be some kind of record for Canada. The doctor was incredible and had her loving her visit so much she wanted to come back sometime;-0 THANK YOU to the kind Doctor!

I was standing in a very kind and generous bakery owners shop exchanging one of my art pieces for the one that will hang for the next little while. A gentleman walked in whom I recognized instantly as an established painter who has one of his works also hanging. I had never met him before. He immediately walked over to the new painting I had just hung and moaned, dipping down towards the floor slightly. We thought he was having problems walking since he is an older gentleman and appears to be unstable on his feet. Turned out though he was moaning with pleasure as he looked at the painting "Oh Rats!" He continued to moan loudly and mutter to himself in French. The owner graciously introduced me, I was incredibly shy about the whole thing. He gushed, complimented and kissed me. He also shook hands like a young African-American teenager, but maybe that's a French thing too. Adventurer would know. I told him how much his positive comments meant to me since he is an artist. I THANK BOTH THE BAKERY OWNER IMMENSELY AND HIM!

God has shown me the good and bad since I prayed. The good definitely outweighed the bad!

Time for new beginnings.

FIN

I was lying in bed this morning thinking about what I did. I sent a Christmas card to my elderly prim and proper Aunts about Frosty picking his nose. Sigh. What the hell was I thinking. Then I remembered one of my cousins pictured looking so lovely in a nurses uniform. This is the card he sends if they get sick.

One Valentines day he sent all of his elderly, prim and proper Aunts a Valentines Day card with him in the buff (well, in a flesh coloured pair of bikini underwear so he says;-) lounging around with a large potted fern in front of his dangly bits.

I come from an interesting family to say the least. A very large extended family made up of characters such as this. And I wouldn't have it any other way!

Grandma "C" e-mailed this to me and I had to post it because it's something that actually made me laugh. (I appear to be having another cranky day;-0)

A Christmas Story for people having a bad day:

When four of Santa's elves got sick, the trainee elves did not produce
toys as fast as the regular ones, and Santa began to feel the
Pre-Christmas pressure.

Then Mrs Claus told Santa her Mother was coming to visit, which stressed
Santa even more.

When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were
about to give birth and two others had jumped the fence and were out,
Heaven knows where.

Then when he began to load the sleigh, one of the floorboards cracked, the
toy bag fell to the ground and all the toys were scattered.

Frustrated, Santa went in the house for a cup of apple cider and a shot of
rum. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered the elves had drank all
the cider and hidden the liquor. In his frustration, he accidentally
dropped the cider jug, and it broke into hundreds of little glass pieces
all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found the mice
had eaten all the straw off the end of the broom.

Just then the doorbell rang, and irritated Santa marched to the door,
yanked it open, and there stood a little angel with a great big Christmas
tree.

The angel said very cheerfully, 'Merry Christmas, Santa. Isn't this a
lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Where would you like me to
stick it?'

And so began the tradition of the littl e angel on top of the Christmas
tree....

These pictures are for Bella Rum and her Dad who want snow over at
http://red-um-brella.blogspot.com/.

6 years ago mid-December I was outside jogging in the evening in shorts and a t-shirt. Yes, in the same city. It was a struggle to get a sprinkling of snow even for Christmas in years of late. Last year and again this, there is no shortage of the stuff! Then it rains, as it's supposed to today when it goes above zero, then freeze and turn into ice pellets and then snow again. It was -28 celcius (-18.4 F) yesterday with a brutal wind!

By the way, that shot is of the street. What street? Exactly!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

To all my Blogger friends, consider yourself Christmas carded.

This is the mock-up for this years card. I'm going with one this year because....well, frankly I'm lazy. I didn't hand draw, colour and put sparkles and stickers on 60 plus cards this year because....well, frankly I just don't feel like it. A month of creating original individualized art by hand was enough for a few years.

What does the theme for this card have to do with the real reason for the season? (That would be Jesus people!) Not a darn thing. It's hard to make a funny Jesus card in good taste, so you get frosty this year.

Off topic....funny story....
I was playing Scrabble with my 13 year old and 11 year old. One of One (13) read a word out loud that Two of Two had placed on the board.
"POOUND, huh, that's not a word Two!" she scolds.
"Um, One, that would be 'POND'." I correct.
"Oh" she says, now embarrassed that she can't read this simple word, "I couldn't tell with the "O" upside down with that!"

Okay. I'm not angry anymore. I'm sad. I don't know why. I expect after such a blow out it's my body just readjusting.

I sat down at my art desk and started up on the beach picture I had previously put aside. I imagine I'll be looking at this one for the next few months. So much so that I'm going to want to slap the kid every time I have to look at her. I won't though...you know, bad anger and all that.

My work is now hanging at the shop in Aylmer. The owner had her's framed herself and it looks beautiful in the frame she chose. That's not one I've posted anywhere for privacy purposes. I think that it's my favourite.

I've launched my art site. You can see the link in the sidebar. So much for anonymity.

Also, if you live nearby and need hay there's a link to a friends farm. Funny story associated with that:

The kids and Mr. P. went out to visit friends at their beefalo farm. There had been an auction up the road and there was leftover livestock that no one wanted. Four roosters. Mr. and Mrs. Beefalo took them in. The Mrs. warned the kids that one in particular was quite feisty and liked to attack ankles much to her chagrin. Avoid the roosters!

Within a short period of time there were 4 crazy roosters racing around the yard with 4 little girls in chase. Not long after that there were 4 kids cuddling and holding roosters much to their (the roosters) delight. Then the children disappeared. It was getting late and all were invited in to tea in the farmhouse. Well, the people were at least. Not the roosters. They were left behind outside with free run of the farm.

Foggy Bottom Farms has a farmhouse in the form of a long bungalow with low windows. On this particular day Foggy Bottom Farms had a long bungalow with low windows, 4 little girls snacking inside and 4 silly roosters glaring in those low windows crowing, frantically pacing and kicking up a fuss demanding the kids return and take up the chase.

Sadly the roosters couldn't take up permanent residence. They went to other farmers once they found out how much fun it was to dig up the vegetable and flower gardens.

Who knew roosters were so much fun!?

P.S. Isn't that drumstick just calling too you?

Mr. Hunter Black In Progress

If Blogger were a person, I'd say he was on drugs! For some reason Blogger was determined to post this picture sideways, but I finally figured it out and here he is. This is my first coloured pencil rendering of a canine. It actually seems like it will take a whole lot less time than pretty much all of my other paintings. Doesn't hurt that it's a whole lot smaller than most as well!

He's being created with various brands of artist quality coloured pencils (I've expanded from working exclusively with Prismacolor and am loving it!) on Stonehenge black paper.

Oh, and yes, he's as devilish as he looks!

All Done

Big Sigh! Onto the next!

Re-Posting of Beat the Bus

I came across this when I went back to the start of my blog to see how long I've been blogging. I'm re-posting it just for old times sake.

New Game Show

I'm not sure if any of you have heard, but my husband is hosting a new game show, called "Beat the Bus." Here's a partial transcript of the first episode:

Gid'day eh! I'd like to welcome my 3 lovely contestants and their hiddeous looking coach, who apparently just dragged herself out of bed after about 4 hours sleep, for this weeks to Beat the Bus. Elsie is a grade 5 student from Very Religious Catholic School. Tara is a grade 3 student from the same school and finally Karen is a grade one student also from VRC school. (applause)

And let's also give a warm welcome to my assistant Tessie (applause) Who peed in her pull up last night! Well done Tessie! Tessie's job is to attempt to foil the groups progress by adding to the work load.

As you know, on beat the bus, the object of the game is to get completely ready for school in 3 minutes before the bus comes after sitting on your behinds and fiddling around in the hour you had previously to get ready but chose not to use wisely.

Are our contestants ready? Letttt's plaaaaay BEAT THE BUS! (applause)

Coach Sandi: CRAP! The bus is here in three minutes. Let's get moving people! We have an extreme kid make over to do, let's move it, move it, move it!

Tara: Mom, did you see my sandwich?

Coach Sandi: I made it, I handed it to you, if you didn't eat it or put it in your lunch bag then retrace your steps and FIND IT NOW!

Coach Sandi: Karen, get dressed. Karen, get dressed. Karen! GET DRESSED!!!!!

Coach: Elsie, hair, teeth and shoes, NOW! And stop talking to your fish! I'm sure he'll get over the trauma of your leaving him to go to school for the day.

Tessie: Naked bum, Naked bum. Look I have a naked bum. I go to the bus too mommy?

Coach: I can't get you dressed now, I'm looking for Tara's sandwich.

OOOOH! Doesn't look good for the MacIntyre team! Only one kid is dressed and they've lost a sandwich. That will put them behind! And Tessie has thrown them a real curve ball. She's on her way out the door naked to go and wait for the bus. What will coach Sandi do? Will she chase the pre-schooler or work on the sandwich problem? OH! Okay, okay. She choose the pre-schooler! She's searching through a basket of clothes for a pair of underwear.....and YES! she's found them. Good work coach. Now she's looking for a dress.....and another quick success....but, wait! Oh no! Tessie just through them another curve ball...she doesn't like that dress! She says it's "too fit." Quick thinking Tessie. She's wiggling, she's wiggling, she's throwing a tantrum! But coach is ready with a comeback.....

Coach Sandi: Put on this dress right now or I'll, I'll....bring you back to the Tessie store and get one that fits this dress! And don't you dare wipe that boog on the wall! Get a Kleenex!

Quick thinking coach! She's putting on the dress! But is refusing to wear the shoes....okay, okay, now coach is reassessing her options. She's staring at the boog, but decides to clean it up later....she's leaving Tessie and moving back to Karen. She's yelling, she's yelling some more....Karen is smiling and has just passed gas in coaches face. Karen is laughing, still laughing Coach doesn't look happy! Oh no! look out Karen! Coach is ready to pull out the big guns I think!

Coach Sandi: No computer this weekend if you aren't dressed in 2 seconds flat! And Tara did you find your sandwich yet? Elsie, you looked like you rubbed the butter all over your head! Did you actually get any on your muffin this morning? And wash your face! You have chocolate all over it.

Coach Sandi: Son of a....labrador! Elsie and Tara, did you study your words for your spelling test again last night? What? NOOO! Who's agenda haven't I signed. All of them!!!!? What do you mean you have a book club order due today Tara?

Coach Sandi looks like she's loosing control! She's off to look for the sandwich....she checks the basement, again, the bathroom, not there, the other kid's rooms, nope. Not there either. She looks at the dog...she smells his breath...no, no balogna smell there. She looks....disgusted. She re-checks Tara's room. BINGO! She finds her sandwich tucked under her pillow! She raises the sandwich in the air in show of victory with a stellar smile! (applause)

Coach Sandi: Ok Karen, teeth shoes and school bag, now! I'm going out to the bus with greasy and her sandwich losing sidekick with the bad bed head. Get ready NOW! You better be out there before the bus, or else!

Elsie: But mom, you're only wearing your jeans and bra!

Keen observation Elsie! Coach is running to the bed room. She's yelling at the kids not to leave the house before she's ready, because they may get abducted or hit by a car if they're out there alone. She throws on a shirt. She grabs a brush and runs out to the bus. Now Karen is done, Coach is brushing Karen's hair. Karen is yelling, louder, louder....a neighbour opens the door to see what's going on. Coach is throwing spelling words at Elsie and Tara while she brushes faster and faster. Another stay at home mom runs by with her crew on herway to the stop for the public school bus.

Other Coach: I see your right on time and organized today too! (hysterical laughing)

Now coach Sandi is snearing, but turns to flash a smile. She's smelling Karen's breath. She's yelling, yelling....Karen runs in to brush her teeth...but, here comes the bus! Will they make it? Yes! Karen's back. Hugs and kisses all round. Coach recovers nicely with a smile and good morning to the driver while straightening her hair.

SCORE: Let's see how our contestants did. They get full points for making it to the bus on time, fully dressed with all of their equipment, and bonus points for studying spelling before boarding the bus.

We have to unfortunately subtract points though because coach has thrown on her low cut in the back shirt, inside out and backwards, thus exposing her bra for all to see. (Not to mention a wee bit too much flesh!) She's also bare footed and has forgotten to put on her make-up. A definate no-no leading to substantial deductions in her score!

Even though they don't win the main prize of appearing organized and a model for the neighbourhood, coach does win the runner up prize of sitting down for 5 minutes to finish her coffee with our lovely assistant, Tessie, using her as a jungle gym before running the errands and preparing for her volunteer work later in the day.

Congratulations coach! On winning a 5 minute break.

Disclaimer: The above mentioned prose is meant to provide a humorous look to at the lives of the MacIntyre family. It is by no means a completely accurate account of their daily routine. The coach is happy to be at home and loves the children very much even though she has written this. The coach realizes she is lucky and does not require a lecture pertaining to the above mentioned story. Any resemblance to persons living or dead are purely intentional. Names have been changed to protect the identities of the participants. Any comments can be sent to biteme@hotmail.com. This e-mail address is not an actual e-mail address, it's only there for your amusement....so don't really e-mail me there....unless you want to, knowing that I won't get it.

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!