Inspiration: Dana Tanamachi

Beautiful chalk board drawings by Dana Tanamachi.

The By & By from Dana Tanamachi 

Nagging Doubt "The Pull"  from Dana Tanamachi 

Enjoy. ♥

Little Notebook

Happy Monday, friends! :)

I'm a sucker for art supplies.

I picked up this little notebook at Target last night.
($2.99!)

I think everyone deserves treats now and then, don't you?

Hope your day was grand. xoxo

Inspiration: Classic Sesame Street

I used to love Sesame Street as a kid.

When I stumbled across this little gem from the 80's, I was thrilled.

Classic Sesame Street

Teeny Little Super Guy

So imaginative.
What was your favorite children's show?

Bulldog Puppy - In Progress

Still working on this sweet little puppy.  

After I get the basic form and proportions down of a portrait, 

I always work on the eye detail first.... and then move outward.

BTW, the reference photo is from the lovely photographer, Vivian Chen.
I saw this beautiful puppy here and asked for her permission to draw it.
She said yes.  :)
Can't wait to show her when it's finished.  

Snow Day

First snow of 2012 for Pennsylvania.  :)  

Snuggled up and warm at home today. 

Gratitude Journal

This week I'm thankful for caffeine.    ... and thoughtful in-laws.  

 (Jay's sister bought us a Keurig for Christmas. It still makes me happy!)

I'm also grateful for my dentist.

She will pray with you before nerve-wracking procedures, which I think is absolutely awesome.

I'm also thankful for my toothbrush... so that I don't have to visit her as often.  :)

I'd much rather visit the dentist than my doctor though.  

How about you?    

Bulldog Puppy in Progress

working on a roly-poly Bulldog puppy.  :)

charcoal 18" x 24"

A New Project Awaits!

Pulled out my Charcoal Pad tonight.  

I'll be working on a new animal portrait.....   my favorite breed of dog. 

Can you guess which one?  :)

Gratitude Journal

My husband and I can't wait until the day we buy a home.   But for now, we're saving up and residing in a tiny, cramped apartment.

It's tough living in this tight space with a 6'2" husband and grade-school daughter... especially when I crave my "quiet time".  (Sometimes, I hide in the bathroom just to be alone!)

 .....There is an ugly pink carpet in our bedroom.  The quarter slot to the laundry machine often gets jammed.   It's drafty.  The heater makes a funky smell.  I think the kitchen cabinets were made in the 60's.   And don't get me started on our weird neighbors.

Did I mention that it's cramped?   This apartment makes us both a little bit cranky.

But the other day, as I was sitting at my computer, I looked outside the window over to my left, and I saw the most amazing sunset:

A beautiful view right from my bedroom window.  It was humbling.

And I remembered this verse:  

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."  (Paul, Phillippians 4:12)

I began looking around my cramped apartment.  We have food, shelter, hot water, clean water, plumbing that works.  We are living with plenty.

Cramped apartment, yes.  But a home full of laughter and love.  And lots of other things that make life comfortable.

So I decided to begin a Gratitude Journal.

Here are a few first pages:

I'll be adding more pages and sharing them here (Category: Gratitude Journal Pages) as I go.

I think it will be a good reminder for me to be content. :)

~*~ 

Do you ever get discouraged with your surroundings?  

What are you grateful for? 

Inspiration: Danny Gregory

If you enjoy watching artists at work, I think you'll like this. 

 I certainly did.  :)

The Art of Breakfast

Danny Gregory