Incredible Pencil Sharpener!!

Wish I knew the name of this artist!  Whoever he is , he has steady hands and very good eyes!!  Amazing.

Head In the Clouds

  Big sigh!  It's been forever since I've felt any inspiration or energy to paint and it's been putting me in a somber mood to say the least.  I thought today I would be the day.... and it kinda was.  I mean I didn't paint a masterpiece or anything but I managed to do a bit of art journaling .  My mind has been foggy and clouded lately and sometimes journaling helps with the creative block and so I brought out the water colours , markers and music... ( very important ) and began to put paint to paper.  It felt good to do one last  little scribble in 2011 even if was just something as simple as this ,  and maybe... just MAYBE... it will kick start my inner artist and wake her up!  Let's all hope it works or it's gonna get ugly!!  

  
  Maybe it was the clouds that brought this song to mind "Both Sides" by Joni Mitchell  but whatever it was I am loving this song more today than I ever did.

   ROWS and ***Flows*** of angel hair
And ice cream castles in the air
And feather canyons everywhere
I've looked at clouds that way

But now they only block the sun
They rain and snow on everyone
So many things I would have done
But clouds got in my way

I've looked at clouds from both sides now
From up and down, and still somehow
It's cloud illusions I recall
I really don't know clouds at all

Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels
The dizzy dancing way you feel
As every fairy tale comes real
I've looked at love that way

But now it's just another show
You leave 'em laughing when you go
And if you care, don't let them know
Don't give yourself away

I've looked at love from both sides now
From give and take, and still somehow
It's love's illusions I recall
I really don't know love at all

Tears and fears and feeling proud
To say "I love you" right out loud
Dreams and schemes and circus crowds
I've looked at life that way

Oh but now old friends are acting strange
They shake their heads, they tell me that I've changed
Well something's lost but something's gained
In living every day

I've looked at life from both sides now
From WIN and LOSE and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all

I've looked at life from both sides now
From up and down and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all

Happy New Year everyone !!  xo

bethquinndesigns: she is doing a giveaway ..

One of my fave jewelry designers, Beth Quinn, is having a giveaway.! Check out her gorgeous designs. She really inspires me and will do the same for you xo
bethquinndesigns: she is doing a giveaway ..: SO as a HUGE thank you to all my fans I am doing a giveaway over on my fan page on Facebook !!! I am so very thankful this holiday season ...

Dragon's Den Update "Evergreen Memories"

http://www.cbc.ca/dragonsden/episodes.html?ID=2172607400
What an amazing time we had when CBC came to Dryden to film my friend Margot's update at the greenhouse this past July!  Way to go Margot and Evergreen Memories!  I am so proud to be a part of this journey xox

Sketch Book Oldies....

Miss Michaela Ann Schmidt   xox
Sketched this from a photo I had taken of her while drying her off from a bath.  

Miss Michaela Ann Schmidt
sketched from a photo I took of her picking daisies xo

My Beautiful Niece Mia Cara xo
sketched from a photo taken by her Dad

Kyla and Laura  xo
A consignment piece sketched from a photo provided by their mother.  

Cameron Mark Schmidt xo
sketched from a photo I took of Cam after he built his own swing 

Consignment piece sketched from a photo provided by the family

   You've got your acrylics....your watercolours....your pastels in chalk and oil.... and you have your coloured pencils and crayons.   I love all of those mediums and have used them all over and over again, but I still think that using pencil or charcoal is the bones of any piece of art.  You need to learn to draw before you can paint.  Right??
   When I revisited  my old sketch books and looked over these sketches I drew in the '90's, I discovered that it's been waaayyyy to long since my last piece of art was done in pencil, and that I really miss the process.  The rough sketching, the blending, creating balance, colour, tone and value.... by just using one tool with various degrees of light and dark.  It's absolutely amazing the result you can achieve by using this simple tool.  I have decided to go back to the basics , sharpen up my pencils, grab my favourite blending stumps and eraser ( for highlights  not mistakes.... ) and open up a fresh page in my sketch book.  Who's with me ?
xox

New Addition xo

              Francesca Piccolina Notte Schmidt                   

Frankie kisses  xox

A big surprise for me from my hubby Mark.... omg was I surprised!!  Thank you Mark xox

Awww  Storm looks gigantic next to my little girl xo  

Pug Love xo

This sweet little girl is the runt of the litter and she stole my heart with all her cuteness!

Chubby little guy likes to gives kisses

Oh she is such a good mama xoxo

Pugs behind bars.....

love love love

I seriously could play with them all day !!  Look at those faces !

Big smoochies good bye.....

   Okay, so everyone out there knows all about my little obsession with Pugs.   I have loved them forever!   I don't know if it's their smoochy little faces, the googly eyes or their cute little pig tails... but I am definitely smitten by them.   When I discovered friends of ours had a mama pug who had given birth to 6 little ones I made a date to come and visit and get some lovin!  Of course I had to ask how much for they were asking for them and unfortunately it wasn't something I could come up with.  Dang it!  It didn't take long for them to be sold though , all except one little chubby black one.   Hmmmm..... one left eh???   I think it's a sign dont' you??   

One Year Later....

There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.    

- Ben Williams

He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader.  He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.

 -Unknown

The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.         - Andrew A. Rooney

My little old dog: A heart-beat at my feet.
- Edith Wharton

  This time last year my buddy Storm was fighting for his life.  He became extremely ill with a liver disease, which baffled our vet, and we almost lost him.   We don't know how it happened or what caused it , but his liver was green and not functioning properly .   For several days I watched him waste away and  lie around on the floor at the vet office getting only a small wag of his tail every now and then as a sign that he was somewhat aware of my presence. I'd spend hours there in the cage with him -petting him, talking to him, walking him and giving him as much love as I could.  It was so hard to leave him there and  at one point it was recommended that I put him down because he was so close to slipping away which only crushed me further and I cried for days! 
   I felt so helpless but determined to fight whatever this was and go to whatever lengths needed to get him back to his playful self.  I told my vet to do whatever he could and if it didn't work I would let him go.  I needed to know in my heart that I did everything I could and then I would be at peace if I needed to say goodbye.
  It took intense treatment, which consisted of several meds and feeding him with a syringe, and lots of round the clock care.   It was difficult and exhausting not to mention stressful as I knew the bill was getting larger by the minute.   After a few days at the vet we were able to bring him home to continue his treatments.  Yay!       With all our love, my cooking ground beef and rice for him , and all the prayers our friends and family were sending out,  he slowly recovered , gained back his weight and even some muscle mass which our vet thought may never come back .
  Soon he was back to normal... better than normal.   He was like a new pup!   Playful,  rambunctious and healthy!   I was sooooo happy!   I had my best friend back, my sidekick and shadow .
  It's been a year and so far so good.  Storm remains healthy and happy which makes me very grateful.  I love my doggie and anyone who has a pet knows what that bond is like.  He is not just a dog, not just a pet, he is my best friend and loyal companion.  He is always happy to see me, doesn't care how I look, or act, doesn't judge me , always ready to go for a walk with me and always makes me smile. 
  So looking back at Storms battle I am reminded what he adds to my life and how happy I am to have him .  I only hope he feels the same about me xoxo

 

Art Therapy...

I have an emotional connection to this painting

The final result of my art therapy on a 18 X 24 " canvas

It's my life.... my painting

Sometimes you just have to open your eyes... just sayin

Some people say I'm a dreamer... I'm not the only one - John Lennon-

Ever have moments where you don't even know who you are anymore??  Happened to me....

Sometimes "snapping out of it" is harder than it looks.  Getting my thoughts and feelings on canvas saves my life.  Helps me get through emotional highs and lows.  I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't express myself through my art.

Dream

Original 8X10" Acrylic "Be Free"

Going After your Dream:
You become aware of a personal Dream or calling, then decide to pursue it.
You need to face fear as you leave your place of comfort.
You will encounter opposition from those around you.
You must endure a season of difficulty that may test your faith.
You will learn the importance of surrender.
You will need to fight the Giants that stand between you and the fulfillment of your dream.
You will reach your full potential as you achieve your Dream.

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