Charcoal drawing

 Here is the latest charcoal portrait I have done - together with the photo I worked from.
 
 It is only A3 paper instead of the A1 I used when I did mum's picture - but it will be easier to frame and give to my friend.

 I did it on Sunday afternoon... then yesterday I went and saw the European Masters at the National Gallery.  It was amazing to see the work of Renoir, Van Gogh, and Monet - in the flesh so to speak.

 I was more aware of colour and light and shade - and knowing where the light source is - so that it is consistent in the picture.

I'd like to be brave enough to try again with the pastels - I hope we do some more work with them in the next term of drawing class.

 I am feeling a lot more settled today.  Just spent 2 hours with a dear friend and her 4 and 1 year old.  It is so lovely to spend some time playing with and interacting with the littlies - especially as the boy was into a few cuddles today - which he often isn't.

Thankful for friends of all ages..
 For the community shop which made a lovely pumpkin and carrot soup today.
 For learning how to draw...
 For my counsellor and those who have facilitated my visits to her.
 For a safe trip to see my family on the weekend.

Sunshine = work

The clouds lifted this afternoon and the sun shone through --- that must have been the motivating factor for me to vacuum and mop and clean the bathrooms!!! Sunstroke or something like that!

Worked for a couple of hours this morning - on filing stuff for the business rather than the website - 2 hours of sorting through 3 months invoices, internet banking forms and bank statements turned my brain to mush. I should get it up to date next week.

Thanks
- that I am able to do a little work
- for the sunshine and the promise of more tomorrow
- for candles - to remind me of hope
- for friends and hugs
- for my medication - that helps me get through the night

Friday

Sometimes even when some positive things have occured during the week - and some hints of sparkle in some revelations --- it doesn't mean it is easy to come up with things to be thankful for when I get to the end of the day.

A dear friend is going O/S for 5 weeks tomorrow - I know it will be okay, but I will miss her.

Gives me an opportunity to draw on and broaden the others in my friendship and support network.

I am thankful for them -

I have reluctantly turned my picture to the wall for a few days (week?) at the suggestion of an artist friend - so that I can come back to it with fresh eyes and 'finish it off'. I need to get a couple of boards to make a 'folio' for my work, and some special paper to put between the pieces so they don't smudge, and some big bull clips to hold it all together. Maybe I will just clip the pictures to boards and prop them up all around the house - I like looking at them!

Weary inside tonight.....

Thankful for my new bright doona cover (a birthday present) - even washed and dried today so I could put it on the bed already.

Winter's day

Winter's days are nearly over - it has been a cold, wet winter... the 'wet' has been good - we may even be allowed to wash our cars with buckets next week as water restrictions will be eased. But do I want to?

Finished (almost) my painting of a kangaroo today at Drawing Class, hope to be able to post a photo soon. Will work on a portrait for the last couple of weeks, using a grid.

Thankful for
- chocolate
- drawing class
- hot drinks
- heating
- ...............

Home again

I had my week at the nuns. It was a focus week on Finding your own happiness and we looked at the things that we find difficult in our lives and then thought about the good things that can come out of those difficult things. I found it a very emotional week and was really struggled in the Tuesday and Wednesday, with a lot of tears (in the privacy of my room) - but things started to come together on Thursday and by Thursday night, I could write a long list of things that are 'Happiness Threads' in my life - even though I very rarely feel 'happy' or 'content'. Some of those threads are the things I write in my thankful list.

I continued to see my counsellor during the time I was there - which was helpful. I have recieved some generous financial help for the cost of those visits which will last the next 8 weeks. I trust that good work will be done during that time.

Have spent nice time with good friends the past two days since I got back - and we will see what tomorrow brings. Am planning to get to the gym in the morning - that will at least start the week off on the right foot.

I am thankful for
- a beneficial time at the nuns and the opportunity for that.
- for really special times with good friends yesterday and today.
- for my heat pack.
- for my 4 year old's birthday party the Saturday before I went away.
- for candles......

One of the things that was read to us over the week is that 'Happiness is not the destination... it is the journey...'

Early morning in Melbourne

It's early - I am awake.

Today I am thankful for mobile phones and text messaging.
For the education that taught me how to read and write.
For hearing that can hear the birds waking up.
For a cup of tea.
For candles.

Today is Tuesday - less than a week until I go to the nuns again. - I am anticipating that time as being significant.

Thursday

I wouldn't say that drawing class yesterday produced any masterpieces! My sideways plastic container looked like a toaster to the two people I showed it to - so there are still some problems with getting depth perception! They did recognize the apple beside it though - even if they didn't recognize the biscuits in it. I did the same subject first in charcoal and then in ink. I would need to really practice with the ink to get the hang of it - I think I want to be finished with my drawings too quickly!

Watched Notting Hill with a friend yesterday afternoon - it is such a lovely film - and we had a good visit.

Am looking at my lawn and thinking about whether it needs a mow - and whose mower I can borrow, if the sun is shining on Saturday - although the ground is very wet. Which is a good thing.

Been to craft group today - didn't take any craft - just talked to some people, and ate sponge cake with passionfruit icing! Haven't had an afternoon sleep today - so I'm sure it will be an early night - but I did get to Curves (gym) this morning with Joy.

Thankful?
Warm clothes
Heat pack for my feet and soft woolie socks
My comfort shawl
Rent money (my pension)
Someone's gift to help me pay to see my therapist for 6 visits!

and.... I am off to the nuns again the week after next - they had a cancellation for their focus week on 'Finding your own Happiness' and offered me the place.!!!

Take care all.....

Friends!

I am thankful for friends. Things weren't going so well last Friday - and I rang my friend, who lives on the other side of the city, early on Saturday morning - she can cope with a 6.30 am phone call - she said "come", "come and stay" - so by 9.00 am I was at her place. It was an 'odd jobs' weekend for her so I watched her garden and cook and we talked and I slept and read, and her grandchildren came over (3 and 2 years old). Thank you J!!!

I came back home Monday morning -feeling like I have been looked after. That helped.

I am thankful for my skilled counsellor
And for my pastor
And for my friends in the community shop
And for my friends at the nuns - where I went for morning tea today.
And for delicious carrot cake at the nuns morning tea!!!

Thankful?

1. Hot yummy dinner cooked for me.
2. 5 litres of minestrone soup cooked.
3. Morning coffee with friends.

..................