Experimenting with Inspiration

I'm continuing to experiment in different ways not just with my sketching, but with my watercolours, artist pends, etc.  I really like what I came up with here, although the photo still doesn't feel like it's capturing the colour.  I might have to try and get a new photo later, as I have too much to tackle today.

Anyway, Lori over at elvie studio continues to inspire me, so I tried to tap into a bit of her inspiration and this is what I came up with.  Well, two things, but I will post the other one later this week. =D

Another day of this and that...

Photo (c) 2011 Blue Chair Diary Photography

It's been another long day of this and that.  I feel helpless tonight in regards to my father.  In some ways, he's doing well, considering things.  Most days, his spirits are soaring high and we're reminiscing about old times, singing, etc - but today has been fairly quiet as my father has been faced to deal with yet another infection in his body (on top of everything else) let alone possibly having to change locations/living arrangements while still undergoing treatment and recovery.  Utterly frustrating, but doing my best to keep he and the family in good spirits regardless.

So, to keep my mind oocupied tonight, I've been messing around with photos I snapped over the weekend of some old typewriters.  I'm curious, can anyone tell me the anem of the poet/author who wrote the words typed on the paper of the typewriter? He is one of my all-time favourite romantic writers.

Off to get some rest.  Incredibly tired tonight.

Sunday Sketches

It's time for another week of doodling and I'm looking forward to seeing what each of you have come up with.  I've been exploring with my doodles lately, can you tell?  I still need to practice sketching typewriters.  For some reason, I've had this recent fascination of old ones and in fact snapped pictures of a few spotted over the weekend.

This week's participants:
Please sign-up below to submit your sketch for this week, which will also allow others to stop and visit.

Grab the Sunday Sketches button here.

Sunday Sketches

Hello and WELCOME to Sunday Sketches!  Grab a hot cuppa, pull up a chair and sit down with us to enjoy some lovely art and fellowship today.  =)

I've been working on a new type of watercolour card.  I'm not quite finished but wanted to share with you my progress thus far. Quite a happy card, don't you think? :)

OK....I'm off to check out everyone's contributions.  Happy SS!

This week's participants:
Please sign-up below to submit your sketch for this week, which will also allow others to stop and visit.

Grab the Sunday Sketches button here.

Something New

I spent several hours yesterday afternoon creating a new Etsy shop for the photography I do on the side for fun.  Yes, I'm a self-taught photographer but study others in hopes to continue improving my skills.

You will find a collection of my favourite photos from different places, cities and states that I've visited over time.  I've sold a few in the past and hope to start doing so again.  There are more photos to load, so hang tight!  Until then, please take a spin through Blue Chair Diary Photography...who knows, you might find something you like!

Happy Monday, everyone! =)

Sunday Sketches

Photo sadly lost...

Good morning and welcome to another fantastic Sunday Sketches!  Woot!  =)

As you can see from above, I'm playing around with hippos and trying to come up with a design/style that I like.  I'm definitely loving this one and am looking forward to painting it this week.

Happy SS!  I'm off to see what everyone else came up with this week.  Ta ta!

This week's participants:
Please sign-up below to submit your sketch for this week, which will also allow others to stop and visit.

Grab the Sunday Sketches button here.

Chugging along

Photo sadly lost...

I'm still here and chugging along with all the other things currently on my plate.  I'm working on some new doodles and above is a sneak peak.  Hmmm....Are you curious, yet?  :D

Have a good day my lovely bloggy friends.  Thank you for all of your kind words and support during this difficult time.  I appreciate it.

Being strong for daddy

For the first time since my father's diagnosis a month ago, I broke down.  It was a short and hard cry but one that was well overdue.  What triggered it was the photo above I received last night.  It was the first time I had seen my father in over two years and I barely recognized him.  In fact, the only way I did was by his eyes.

[tears flowing again]

As I examined the picture of my father, every single emotion that I had compartmentalized and tucked away in the back of my mind came crashing down.  I lost it and the reality of the situation finally hit me.  So much, that I barely made it to the bathroom before I began vomiting.

A thousand thoughts started rushing through my mind, including guilt that I had not made it to see him as of yet.  It's not that I don't want to, it's the fact that so many other things affect how and when I get there; to a place that is over 1200 miles away from where I currently live.  Things like work, timing, money, etc.

Until these things are worked out, I wake up every morning and place my thoughts/feelings back into the make believe box painted red and blue, sit it on top of my dresser and lift my head high to face another day being strong for my daddy.  His birthday is coming up and I want it to be the best one he has ever had.

Sunday Sketches

Well, regardless of things still going on, I did manage to put something together for SS this week!  Phew!

It's late here on this Saturday night and my eyes are burning from battling a headache all afternoon.  So, here's to a new day tomorrow, filled with hope, joy and laughter for each of us!  =)

Happy SS!

This week's participants: Please sign-up below to submit your sketch for this week, which will also allow others to stop and visit.

Grab the Sunday Sketches button here.

Hope weaved

Time continues to tick away as I do my best to balance each of the things I carry from day to day. Dad's health is stable as can be and although the daily radiation treatments seem endless at this point; he's in such great spirits considering things.

He and I try to chat at least once a day, sometimes twice. He shares with me how his treatment went; if he was able to eat that particular day; who came to visit him, the weather, etc. It's heartbreaking to hear the pain in his voice at times but he pushes forward and does his best to carry on, regardless.

I'm truly amazed at the transformation of my father and know he was truly touched when surrendering his life over to God just a few weeks ago. He no longer lives in constant fear or condemnation but complete peace. His language has gone from being salty to one that's filled with the most amazing gentleness I've ever heard. He cares more for those around him and is doing all he can from his hospital bed to make amends for his past mistakes. If anything humbles me, it's the dramatic and genuine change I've witnessed in my father over the past few weeks. I'm speechless.

So, even though each day continually has its own hurdles to jump, there is certainly a true joy that is being weaved in, out and throughout each one, providing hope to every single person that comes in contact with my father and/or his story of miraculous change.