9 Moons Ago

Well, tonight the power was out for 12+ hours, which meant we started a fire in the front room before it got dark, ate fruit and peanut butter for lunch because there was no way we were gonna open the fridge at all, picked up fish & chips for dinner, and ate in the glow of the fire, with the pups..talking and singing songs like “Run Rabbit Run”, “Lilli Marlene”, humming “Girl from Ipanema”, the theme from “To Kill a Mockingbird”, and some various R.E.M. tunes.
Cam got bored before 8 pm, so settled under the covers with the radio to listen to the footy. I stayed out in the front room with my walkman and watched the fire. About an hour later the power went on. (The service guys had a major emergency a town away, and afterwards came over and fixed our line, which a tree had fallen on because of a storm last night.)

So for the rest of the night I finished my 30 day grid drawings. The squares are 1.5″ x 1.75″. The mediums include ink, pencil, watercolour, coloured pencil and acrylic paint. (Some include mixtures of these.) Here are the 2 halves of the grid:

As you can probably see, there are ones that are done with effort, and those which are just “filler” patterns. I hated to leave any empty squares. I had stopped drawing after the 1st six, then came back to it half-way through the month..filling in some previously skipped days. (Marked these with stars and the real date). Let it go again till this last week, when Danny Gregory asked on the yahoo group how things were going. So that launched me into a last-ditch effort. I’m satisfied really. It was fun, I completed it without forcing anything, and I did things like experiment with mediums, calligraphy, and subjects.
These 6 details are some of my favourites:

Well, it’s way past time for sleep..yes, Aunt Beth..I really DO keep those kinds of hours. Not on a regular basis, but I was definitely a night owl in college, so sometimes I find myself falling back into old habits. It also has to do with creativity and when inspiration strikes.

I’ve got lots of ideas brewing..if anyone still stops by, I’m hoping next month will be more geared towards the artwork side of things.
I kind of knew that I wasn’t ready to start “Vein of Gold”, so for now, I’m sticking with the daily walks, and doing morning pages.
Honestly, these past 3 weeks or so, I’ve been totally disorganised, not taking the best care of myself, and really questioning what I’m doing and what I want. I’ve been ’stuck’ and it’s time that I get back on track. I won’t rush it, but I am ready.

Told Cameron that I’m not going to commit to illustrating children’s books at this point, because if I really wanted to do this, I’d be doing it now. He already knew this, as did some of my family. I have been telling everyone, as well as myself, that this was the goal I wanted to pursue. It’s hard to admit it, but it’s not what I want. Not right now anyway.
But I do want to be an artist. So that’s what I’ll focus on. Just creating. Creating my portfolio and selling my work in various forms.

Yeah, I’ve been “down”, but nothing too serious. In fact, it’s just a normal case of ‘the blues’, which is pretty much over. I used to freak out when I got sad..like I might get severly depressed again or something. But now that I know to be aware of my moods & habits, and can rely on those who love me and know the situation to tell me if things are getting out-of-control, I am not worried.

I think it’s an opportunity actually. I welcome these times to start taking care of my needs, to meditate, and to get to the bottom of what’s not working for me. I used to get caught in a downward cycle of being negative. Now, I am more pro-active and I’m happy to change things. Like a breeze of fresh air. A cleaning of house.
It’s not very often these days that I dwell for very long on everything going wrong… rather, I try and change my perspective, my thoughts, my actions. And my husband is a gem, because he’s the one who says things like:
“Don’t worry about what ‘needs’ to be done, what you ’should be doing’. Just get out there and walk everyday. If you walk, it’ll fall into place. Walking clears your head”
He’s right. It does work. We both know this from past experience.

So, if this site has been too quiet for you this April..perhaps you’ll find a more “Merrie Month of May”~

On a bubbly note:
There is ginger beer in the fridge. YUuumMmmmmMMmmmmmmMMM!

It’s getting pretty cold out there..been rainy too, so I’m going to go collect some firewood for tonight, finish up the dishes and start the chicken in the slow cooker (thanks Faye, Wayne & Mel!!!)
Then I think I’ll do some drawing, reading and writing in front of the fire. May not post anything later tonight? Dunno yet!
Take care out there!!

I’m done making “promises” as to when and what and how much I’ll be posting on here.
Right now I’ve got to get some things in order, so it’s not that I’m too busy (that was last week) or frustrated or have stopped drawing or any of that.
I’m just getting some important things out of the way before I spend time on the computer.
Keep checking back every so often -this is not to say I’m on a long hiatus from posting. It could be the opposite? Ya never know..

Please excuse these specific “shout-outs” (Dan: this has ‘BEN’ a Joe Live production), but you probably already know by now that this site is also a quick way for me to keep in touch with family, friends and new people I’ve chanced to meet online or elsewhere. Please don’t feel left out if I didn’t mention you either… You know I loves ya!:

Mom & Dad: We got the parcel…THANKS!! YUM!! and very cool things we needed!
Kaffy & Zach: Loved the last pic..when’s the next one? Miss you guys!!
Dan: Congratulations!! are you having a party?!
Allison: Hi!! Have fun when he gets home!
Tammy & Matt: You’ll be getting a small package or at least a letter soon. Excited for you!! Whee!!
Katie..the pics of Lexie are GORGEOUS!! She’s beautiful!
Melissa: Had lots of fun..you’re welcome to come back any time!
Daniel & Adrian: It’s been fun hanging out! Must do it again soon!
Daniel: Cam forgot to call last night..he’s home from jury duty now.
Richard and Cameron(the other one): Your emails and sites have been a real pick-me-up!
Mike & Beth: Can’t remember if I emailed you back..but I will soon, either way…
Doug: The jokes are good..thanks! Hi to Mary!!
Ruth: We think of you! Glad the school year is winding down?
Maureen: It’s been good to hear from you! I’ll stay in touch!
Kel: Thanks for the encouragement!!
Lui: Did the recipe work for ya? Have you talked to Chhavy at all?
Buzz and Teef: Miss you guys! Hope you’re doing well.
Bernie and Sarah: Where’d ya disappear to?
Kat: I’m still stopping by to read your stuff. I’ll post something soon. I can soo relate about not posting!!
Husband: I love you!