These days seem to fly by so fast, especially now that I have my cp’s to keep me busy. After Bobby left for work, I poured my cup of coffee and settled in to draw. The next thing I knew, it was twelve noon! I reached for my very cold cup of coffee and realized that I had only had half of what I poured and the rest went down the drain. After a little bite for lunch I resumed back to my favorite spot to start in on the cp’s again. A few hours later the mail man was at the door with a package and that was “all she wrote” the rest of the day.

I ordered a new cp book and have not been able to put it down. This book is also very special to me as I met the author Arlene at the new forum where I go all the time now. She is actually the host of the site. I’m participating in her online lessons and continue to work on that egg (her assignment). She provides great constructive criticism and I’m quite taken to her.

So when her book arrived, it was even more special as she signed it and wrote a very nice note inside the cover. Now I’ll be reading through my new book and now I don’t have any plans to pick up another pencil ‘til the book is read cover to cover.

My Goodness you should have seen me tearing into that package, one would have thought it was Christmas! When I opened it to see the note and signature I was quite overjoyed. Then I flipped open the next page and the urge hit to start flipping through the pages to “SEE” all the goodies inside. With that I closed the book and refrained as I didn’t want to spoil it. I decided to savor each and every page and wait to see the goodies one page and read at a time.

I feel so blessed and overjoyed to have found my niche and there is no turning back!

I know my ova lessons are paying off as I’m learning so much about what I really see, how to define shadows and shape, the best kinds of strokes and basically a whole wealth of knowledge from this one project. I’ve already worked on 5 eggs this week and have many more tries I’m sure ‘til I finally reach the end result.

I’ve recently joined a colored pencil forum and I’ve had so much fun out there posting and gleaning positive criticism from talented artists. It’s also so cool to hang out and visit with others who have the same interests. I am so totally enjoying my new love for pencils.

I took a break from my pencils today to get all caught up on the laundry, ironing, cleaning and food shopping. It feels so good going into the weekend all caught up. I even have Bobby’s clothes all laid out for him to change into when he gets home from work.

Now I’m just waiting for Bobby to get home so that we can start our weekend! In the meantime, I’m going back to the forum to see what else I can learn before the end of the day. Oh, I also need to get caught up on reading my buddies blogs too.

I’ve been hiding away here in the apartment with my cp’s having a hay day these last two days. I’m working on some projects, more like practice lessons this week.

My first lesson ~ take an egg (a white one) and place it on a cloth and draw it. I can’t leave the cloth flat as I want as many folds as I can possibly squeeze in. It’s so much fun playing with shadows, highlights and watching them dance about. But with this lesson, a white pencil is not allowed at all. You truly have to look at the color and shadows and deliver them to a white piece of paper. I’ll have to say I’m having more fun with eggs than I could have ever imagined. I’m learning so much and growing so much too.

I’m not going to share just yet but I’ll post the pics when the project is complete. I may need yet another week with eggs ‘til I get them the way I want ’em. I’ve already worked on two eggs today and I plan to pursue these, who knows, a series on eggs may be in the works.

As for my little toe, she’s hanging in there. As many times as I’ve stubbed my toes, I don’t ever recall anything as painful as this. Hopefully it will be up for some shoes soon.

I finished (well not really) my Bowl Of Fruit as planned yesterday afternoon. There’s some tweaking to do but will not have the time to get to it ’til after our trip. But for the most part, it’s done.

I’ve got a few errands to run and the laundry to tend to today and then I’ll feel like I’m semi on my way to getting ready to leave for a couple weeks.

I don’t believe I’ll have anymore news to post before we leave so I’ll say goodbye to all of you for now.

I don’t know if I’ll be posting while we are on our trip. I’ve proved in the past not to do so well posting while we’re away. We fly back north on the 22nd and I will definitely see all of you somewhere in there.

This pair is Quite A Pear and they entered into completion last evening.

Then came the inspiration to begin the actual way that I would like to have all three drawings matted and framed. And this is what I came up with. I have also decided to use this as my blog headder.

I don’t know what subject I’ll be taking up next, but let’s just say I’m thinking something along the lines of “kaleidoscope”. I can’t wait for the inspiration to come.

My wall art idea is coming together. I’m still working on the pear drawing on the left but it shouldn’t take long to finish. There is still some tweaking to be done on the other two and they are well on their way for framing.

I laid these out as to how I would like to have them framed and this is what I came up with. The light background represents the wall and the rest is what I have in mind as far as a frame idea. I’m thinking of having these all framed into one picture and should be getting close to finding someone to frame the work.

I still don’t have it in my heart to sign the pictures so I’m thinking about signing the mat before they put the glass in front of them. Still not sure on that so I will consult with the frame place…

I was able to finish this picture yesterday and have not named it yet. I think I’ll let it rest a few days until it comes to me. I just noticed a few areas that need some tweaking. I should get around to that this weekend.

I also started another sketch yesterday afternoon and have some of the background layers added. And can you guess by now what it is? Another pear indeed! I have an idea that I would like to frame these three pears as a group and display them in my little dining room.

A brand new discovery for me yesterday ~ I did glean this from another artists blog. I turned my TV channel to 434 (which I have engrained in my memory bank) ~ it’s the Easy Listening music channel that plays non stop music/commercial free. And I can’t get over how the pure beautiful flow of music and art blends so magnificently. Speaking from someone who goes through the day in complete silence, this is totally a new breakthrough! And I just LOVE it!!! I’ve already got that channel on this morning and think I’ll enjoy while I clean up around the house today.

I told myself yesterday that when I wrapped up the Pear shown above that I was “finished” drawing for the week. Guess I didn’t listen very well as I already have the other sketch complete. However, I’m done drawing until I get the laundry and ironing complete and the place cleaned! End of conversation ~ (Talking to myself again). And I have a special lunch date with hubby.

Today marks our six month anniversary up north and I find myself wondering where the time has gone. In some ways it seems like yesterday that we were boarding that plane and moving to the beautiful unknown. They say time flies when you’re having fun and I’m so thrilled to be living and loving life with my life long companion and friend.

In other news ~

After finishing up Pear Set Free (as seen in the previous post) I picked another pear to draw, actually two pears and a few cherries. I’ve got a little sketch going and currently I’m lightly layering in a few background colors to get started. I tend to pick things I gravitate to and at the moment I’m stuck on still life. I’m considering some tropical fish but I plan to wait ‘til something really calls my name.

I just finished wrapping up the final touches on Pear Set Free and now I feel as though I’ve been set free as well. It’s time to soar with colored pencils and I’m getting ready to pick my next subject.