Tiny sketchbooks.. I have several sketchbooks but I love these tiny ones. They are just under 4 x 4 , I have gotten in the habit before creating a big painting to create a smaller version first to establish colours & settings which helps when creating a larger version.. sometimes the smaller is the only one I create. They are also a terrific way to 'warm up' the brain & paints before a day of painting. I found these new ones on Amazon, I've purchased them a couple of times now an will be ordering more. This one will be filled mostly with bears. In the photo with two images - you can see how one idea turned into a larger and then I can decide what I like about both to paint the final on larger paper -possibly even acrylic. I believe I learned this habit from learning about animation & story boards. A great habit to start in not already doing so. Once done, they go on a shelf and I have sweet tiny books full of art - about 40 images or less when I do a double spread. I plan of doing a few with the same theme - Jesus, bears, dogs & forest.
I was bit by a tick and - it hurt! I've once asked Storm: How do people not know they have been bit by a tick or that they have a tick on them? Now, I'm even more amazed when they don't feel it. IT hurt, and I could NOT get it off - on my left boob! It was in there, not that I can grab much properly with fingers that don't bend, I had to ask Storm to get it off and he had a bit of a hard time, it is super tiny and I don't think it was on long. I felt it, looked down and could see the tiny legs and tried to scratch it off - no way, it was not budging. I cleaned the area with alcohol & cream and there's still a tiny ache. How do people not see or feel them, especially when they get BIG? The dogs have all been bit (not Poppy -as far as I know) I removed one off Arrow that had swelled to the size of a pea, and one of Ginger that too was swollen, that's how I find them patting the dogs usually, you can feel them. That is a disadvantage of having dogs with long hair, they are harder to find until they feel bigger, short hair - easier to feel & see. In hindsight, I'm happy it hurt and removed it right away, a little 'grossed out' - I would have been very grossed out if it has gotten the size of a pea - on me.
Anyhow, a reminder to watch for ticks!
Soon I won't be able to venture into the forest, the leaves make it slippery as well as hide obstacles I can easily otherwise step over. Just like arriving winter, I don't mind.. I'm ready for winter, painting and snuggling (tic free) dogs, no more mosquitos or wasps either - if only for a few months. The many joys & seasons of living in Canada.
I took the photo below yesterday, the forest is so much brighter with the leaves falling, it's like walking an entirely new path & adventure. All 4 dogs are in the photo... Ginger being a ginger -is hard to find and she is not permitted to wander.
Created to create.
Anyhow, a reminder to watch for ticks!
Soon I won't be able to venture into the forest, the leaves make it slippery as well as hide obstacles I can easily otherwise step over. Just like arriving winter, I don't mind.. I'm ready for winter, painting and snuggling (tic free) dogs, no more mosquitos or wasps either - if only for a few months. The many joys & seasons of living in Canada.
I took the photo below yesterday, the forest is so much brighter with the leaves falling, it's like walking an entirely new path & adventure. All 4 dogs are in the photo... Ginger being a ginger -is hard to find and she is not permitted to wander.
Created to create.