Everyday in May challenge

I usually only get one drawing done a week and posting it to my blog.
There is a challenge called Everyday in May where people are doing creative work everyday. I can knit everyday but I doubt I can do a drawing every day. I will try and do as many as I can and post them on my blog.
This is the first camelia of many that are budding on my neighbours bush.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Challenge 116 - something green

This little whimsical plastic toy sits on the dashboard of my car. It was a toy I had when my nephews now in their twenties were babies. I boxed all the toys up when all the kids were grown but decided to keep the little green elephant out and put him on my dashboard. He or she makes me happy when I see it.
The little drawing is one of the first I did in my first traveling sketchbook. I was so eager to start the book that when I came out of the art shop I began drawing in the car straight away. I was waiting for my mother to come back from the hairdressers. That's what I love about the traveling sketchbook it has such great memories of my travels.
I have enjoyed the green challenge with EDM as there has been so many different interpretations of the green theme.
Lots of love from Susan

Trolley challenge

I found this trolley in the street so I didn't have to draw it in the supermarket. It is a typical trolley used in Melbourne, Australia. It was a challenge to draw all the details. I didn't fit the wheels in on the page!!!
i use a trolley every week to get groceries and I have to put a dollar in a slot to get it and I get the dollar back when i return it. It gets people to return their trolleys rather than leaving them in the parking lot.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Challenge 37 - keys

The keys were really satisfying to draw getting all the shapes to match up. I don't have a lot of keys - just the house and car keys and keys to my mother's place. I used to have work keys before I retired. I am amazed at how many keys some people have. I often want to ask what they are all for.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Fence challenge

I live in a suburb of the city of Melbourne in Australia. Almost all of the houses, units and apartments are surrounded by fences of all types - high, low, brick, paling, picket, cement, new or old.
The front fences adjoin a cement path and small areas of grass with trees that are called nature strips.
The perspective in my drawing is a bit skewed. I will make another attempt in the future.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Challenge 11 - eyeglasses

These glasses looked really simple to draw but I got the angle wrong on one of the arms.
I started wearing glasses in my late 40s. I tried to avoid wearing them until the words got blurry. I am at the point where I need to wear them more often to read labels and small writing.
I often think of people who can't afford glasses and not being able to read or see properly. I am grateful for my glasses.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Embroidery 2

This is my second little embroidery. I am finding them delightful to do. My embroideries used to take me months to do. It's nice to finish something within the day.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Challenge 70 ...something I'm afraid of

I did this from a picture as there is no way I could do the drawing from a live spider. These huntsmen are very common where I live lin Australia. I have had them in the house usually high up near the ceiling. I have also had them inside my car when I was driving and on the outside.....very scary for someone like me who doesn't like these sorts of spiders. Tiny spiders and daddy long legs are OK.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Little embroidery

I used to do a lot of embroidery particularly cross stitch but haven't lately. I miss it so the other day I got out little pieces of fabric and did some embroidery with beading. I've done three and this is one of them. I'll post the others in the future. It was such a delight to be doing it. I am hoping to do a few more of these little embroideries in the future. I always did my embroidery for a reason -- a watch band, purse, wallet, clothing, etc. it was fun to do it for no good reason other than delight. My brother asked me what it was for. I just said because.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Detail

I am working through a how to draw book that suggested drawing a corner of the room. I drew the cabinet in the lounge. The cabinet is one of the first pieces of furniture I commissioned for my first home. It is made of Tasmanian Oak and has stained glass doors at the top. It is full of all my treasures and favourite glass ware. I have other furniture to match and I have had it now for over 25 years. I want to grow old with the furniture. I don't want to update it.
I really enjoyed doing the drawing because it was one of my first detailed drawings and I am very happy with the result. It was done in pencil but I had to enhance it on the computer so it could be seen on the blog.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Out and about sketchbook

I'm still trying to get the hang of having a sketchbook I carry around with me. I read the EDMers comments about their sketch books and get ideas of how and what to draw. Today I was sitting in the cinema waiting for the movie and I thought there was only seats and nothing else to draw so I thought I'd do the seats. I learnt a lot. I realised I need to pay really good attention to the repetitious details and to see the variations. It was really hard to do and very surprising. I was also surprised to arrive at my leg in the picture. It has taught me to be more open to possibilities in my drawing and practise.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Challenge 8 - watch

Before I retired I almost always wore a watch particularly at work where I always needed to know the time for desk shifts and work commitments and breaks as a librarian. Now I'm retired I rarely wear a watch and love the freedom of being able to take as long as I like to do things. I don't live a scheduled lifestyle a lot of the time and enjoy the flexibility. When I do need a watch I wear this filagree watch which i love. It needs a new watchband and I haven't a clue what sort to buy...maybe another white one. I have loved all the watches I have had over the years. My old work watch I gave to a watch maker.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Challenge 109 - clock

Got the perspective wrong on this one. I was drawing the clock on an angle and yet I drew the bottom as a straight line which I shouldn't have. I love learning from my work and progress.
This clock was a retirement present for my grand father when he left work. There is a little plaque on the front that was polished so much by my grandmother the writing has worn down. The clock has traveled from my grand mothers in England to my mothers in Australia and then she gave it to me. My mum gave me a letter with the clock with the history of the clock on it. It is a lovely story of it's journey which I will pass on in the future.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Challenge 108 - light globe

I was going to ask EDMers if I should have redrawn the lines to make the globe more symmetrical. I have read art books that recommend redrawing the lines whereas I've just left them wrong. Symmetrical drawings are challenging.
The interesting thing about this style of globe is that here in Australia it is going to be phased out in the next 3 years and the more energy saving globes will become legally required. Imagine a whole country changing it's light globes!!!! A town here in Victoria changed their light globes as a test to see how it would go.
A couple of EDMers have drawn the more energy saving globes.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Challenge 32 - something metallic

When I moved to my new home 3 years ago my friend Flora gave me a shopping voucher to treat myself to a house warming gift. I was thrilled and it was so kind of her. I needed a new vegetable knife and I use this one every day. I met Flora when I worked at a library for 20 years. We have a wonderful friendship and she means so much to me. I hope Flora doesn't mind me mentioning her by name here on my blog.
Not sure how to progress with my drawing at the moment. I have so many challenges to catch up on I'm wondering whether to do them or to explore something else....my watercolor books. The challenges lead me into many surprising places and help me to discover things about my drawing. The comments from the EDMers are also extremely helpful. I think I will press on with all the challenges. It interests me why i don't choose to do some of them.
Lots of love from Susan

Challenge 94...a spoon

I have 2 of these spoons. My grandmother gave them to me. As she got older she slowly gave away her possessions to friends and family. She wanted to see her things go to people who would love them as much as she did. I use these spoons most days and always have fond thoughts of my grandmother. I used to visit her often for afternoon tea or an evening meal. Her unit was on a slope and if you looked out the windows you could see a pear tree as if the unit was in the tree it was so close. I used to call her home Pear tree cottage. I learnt so much about the joys and celebrations of life from my grandmother. She was always bright and cheerful and pleased to see me. She had a beautiful warm heart and loved being hospitable to friend and stranger. We are very different women and yet I have a photo of her and I together at her 90th birthday and we sat on our chairs in exactly the same pose. It was wonderful to see the genes passed on. I dedicate this to my beloved Rosa Hosken.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Challenge 54 - something I love

My mother collects small glass bottles and items of glass. Most of them are exquisite and all of them have stories of their discovery and purchase or the gift giver. This piece is unusual because mum doesn't normally buy something fun like aglass clown. I just love it. It sits on the table near where I sit when I visit. I often think of my mum dying one day and how will I cope and I get great comfort from the little clown and I hope it survives and can keep me company when mum has gone. It makes me happy and my mum makes me very happy too. They both have very light spirits full of immense joy. I learn a great deal on my visits to my mum.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Challenge30 - chair

I did this drawing of a chair on Christmas Day 2006 not realising I was doing one of the challenges. I was at my brother's and my mother usually sits on this chair rather than the lounge chairs as she has shoulder problems and the chair helps her deal with them. I got a bit of the perspective wrong but otherwise was pleased with the result.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Challenge 107 - where I get my weekly paper

This was great fun. When I realised I'd have to go to my local newsagents to do a sketch I freaked out as I usually only sketch at home and then I thought what the heck noone will bother about me sketching in the newsagents. I did ask permission of the worker.
I was overwhelmed by the detail as most of the challenges for me so far have been single objects. I will ask the EDMers what they do about lots of detail. In the newsagents there was a wall full of cards and I didn't know how to translate that in the drawing. I noticed I was a lot looser in my drawing. The shapes weren't as tidy.
This was a great learning experience. I love where the challenges take me. When I first read about them I didn't think I was interested now I really look forward to the weekly challenge.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia
PS Apparently there has been a request to make a link that takes the EDMer to the post that is being mentioned rather than the whole blog. I'll see how I go with the instructions I've been given...hopefully you arrived here directly.

First time tagged

Apparently there is a game of tag with the Everydaymatters group. I've just been tagged!!!! I normally say I don't want to play games but I'm playing ...it must be a getting older thing. I have to name 6 weird things about myself....I can't think of 6 at the moment so I'll add more later....meanwhile....check out the picture....
1.whenever I hang out the washing the pegs have to match each other and if possible whatever is being hung up. So blue towel has 2 blue pegs...and a blue sheet has heaps of blue pegs.It started as a joke and now I love doing it. It's just a bit of nonsense in my life!
2. I have a spider in the kitchen window and instead of spraying him dead or putting him outside I let him / her build her web and live in the kitchen window. Haven't a clue why...normally I catch them and put them outside. I use a glass and a piece of cardboard to catch them.
3. When I go on my walks I have to go over train tracks. If a train goes by I always wave at the driver and he usually toots his horn and I just love it. Absolutely love it. Is this because I didn't have kids to play games with!!!
I'll list more when I think of them.
I don't dare tag anybody yet as I don't know any of you well enough so if someone who loves playing tag reads this consider yourself tagged.
I don't mind playing the game. It's a bit of nonsense I have time for....maybe that's one of the weird things about me.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Challenge 106 - sour

This is a bottle of vinegar my sister in law bought me. She also gave me some avocado oil to mix together for salads. I have had mental health problems where I forgot how to cook except really simple things like a can of soup. I have had to learn to cook again along with other skills. My sister in law was encouraging me to make a nice dressing for some simple salads. I am making great progress...nothing too gourmet but I can now manage a meal for a friend and can put together a simple meal most nights. So the vinegar has a special significance in the scheme of things.
I love the Everydaymatters challenges because they make me so aware of how significant so many things are in my simple life.
i have had a lot of joy since joining Everydaymatters.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Challenge 105 - scissors

Many years ago an old friend brought these scissors back for me from London. She bought them at Liberty's which makes beautiful fabrics. I don't know if they still exist. I love the little clown on the scissors. When I go to the Embroiderers Guild of Victoria I can always tell which scissors are mine. I have another beautiful pair of stork scissors with an embroidered heart attached. One of the EDMers did a drawing of these style of scissors. They are very popular.
I love scissors and use them often in my art work. I have quite a few pairs sprinkled around the house. Most days I'd use scissors for something.
My saddest memory about scissors is accidentally cutting my brother on the hand when we were playing horses and I had tied him up and he wanted to get loose and I tried to cut the rope. He had to have stitches and when my mum took him to hospital I thought I had killed him. It was a very frightening time. My brother often jokes about it but I was quite scared. Even now I am aware of how fragile life is and you never know when someone may die. My brother is very precious to me and even more so because he is my baby brother. I find I still have that sense of feeling I need to protect him. I think many of us siblings feel this way.
Enough chatter. I have another post to do while I'm on a roll.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Complicated drawing for a beginner

I did this drawing on Christmas day while I was reading Danny Gregory's book "The creative license" and he said to draw something complicated like a medicine cabinet. I was at my brother's place and the bureau with all the nic nacs seemed complicated to me. As I drew it though I realised I was concentrating on one little part at a time so it wasn't as overwhelming as I thought. I need to set myself a few more complicated challenges in amidst the weekly EDM challenges.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia
PS I finally figured out how to be able to leave comments on blogs using blogger.com without the system rejecting my log on. Computers never cease to amaze me with their game playing and teasing and unpredictable trouble amidst their good times!!!

Simply salt and pepper shakers

I had these salt and pepper shakers made 30 years ago when I left home and had my first little home. I had a wonderful potter who made me a number of lovely blue things for my flat. I still have the vase and fruit bowl and milk jug. They all have very happy memories as they remind me of many afternoon tea parties and dinners.
I was pleased the challenge was so simple for me as I was needing a nice simple inspiration to get me back doing a bit more artwork. I am behind in the challenges but will catch up.
I still make my emailing and other activities a higher priority than my artwork. I need to get a bit more balance.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Still sad times

Still getting over the grief of the death of my beloved Sooty. I was without my computer for a week and sick with a virus and my medication for my mental illness is being changed so I'm feeling a bit vulnerable at the moment. I haven't felt like drawing so have posted an old drawing of some roses I tried. I was impressed with my efforts as they were so complicted with all the different petals.
I just received Danny Gregory's book Everyday matters and his life story. I am finding it a wonderfully inspiring read.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Sooty died yesterday

I have a photo of Sooty at September 25th 2006. I never imagined she'd be gone so soon but the Universe was sending me a lot of signs as it often does. The outpouring of love and support from EDM and other yahoo groups and friends has been extraordinary.
I've spent all afternoon sending thank yous. It is wonderful to see how much we all love our pets and miss them when they go. So many people have given me ideas of how to grieve by doing my artwork and I've really appreciated the advice. I have learnt so much in the past few days from loving people.
I am so glad I did a few rather crude sketches of Sooty. In the future I'll have to ask people how you paint a black cat.
My computer has to go to the shop so no computer for a few days. I'm already shaking at the thought of all the EDM emails when I get my computer back. It will be a great way to pass some more grieving time.
Thank you so much to those who have extended their love and support.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia
PS I am so glad Sooty waited until I joined EDM and did a couple of drawings of her

Sooty died yesterday

Challenge 4 - mug

A friend gave me a money voucher for a lovely departement store and said to pick out something I'd really like. I wanted to buy something I wouldn't normally afford. I found this mug and it was very expensive but I loved it. It had my lovely cat Sooty on the outside and inside and another cat Dennis that I used to have on the other side. The mug was definitely meant for me so I bought it. I love using it for morning coffee. It was an absolute delight to draw and color in. It was like a children's coloring book.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Challenge - exercise equipment

I have already drawn my walking shoes for the shoe challenge and I looked at my exercise bike and I thought no way can I figure out all the angles on that so I drew my weights. These I use to strengthen my bones because my mum has osteoporosis and they say weight lifting is good for bones as well as making muscles.
I enjoyed drawing these. There were some interesting bits and bits that I didn't see when I came to color it in.
I have been working on "Drawing on the right side of the brain" and enjoying it immensely. I'm up to where I need to make a view finder. Should I post my portrait I wonder. I look so sad and serious in it.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Challenge 3 - bag - mirrors

I LOVE bags. This is my new purple bag. It makes me so happy to use it. I used to make a lot of my bags particularly if I couldn't find one I like. I love bags with lots of pockets and places to put things. The purple bag has only a couple of pockets but I just love the color and it has some decorative pieces to it as well.
I drew the bag hanging on the mirror not realising I'd have to draw the mirror image!!! It went really well and i enjoyed doing it. I love doing purple water color because purple is one of my favourite colors.
Just a little added note. A friend who has been cleaning out his attic has inspired me to clean out my garage. It is a double garage where half of it I have bookshelves and a table. There is stuff everywhere as it is a place I put things when I don't know where else to put it. Now is the day of reckoning. Wish me luck.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia
PS Maybe I should post a picture of my clean garage ...assuming that happens.

Challenge 3 - bag - mirrors

I LOVE bags. This is my new purple bag. It makes me so happy to use it. I used to make a lot of my bags particularly if I couldn't find one I like. I love bags with lots of pockets and places to put things. The purple bag has only a couple of pockets but I just love the color and it has some decorative pieces to it as well.
I drew the bag hanging on the mirror not realising I'd have to draw the mirror image!!! It went really well and i enjoyed doing it. I love doing purple water color because purple is one of my favourite colors.
Just a little added note. A friend who has been cleaning out his attic has inspired me to clean out my garage. It is a double garage where half of it I have bookshelves and a table. There is stuff everywhere as it is a place I put things when I don't know where else to put it. Now is the day of reckoning. Wish me luck.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia
PS Maybe I should post a picture of my clean garage ...assuming that happens.

New York NY

One of my huge aims and challenges in my life is to travel overseas again. I have some huge hurdles to overcome and I've decided to start a blog of the adventure to getting overseas and being able to sign...Lots of love from Susan in New York.
It could take me years to finally achieve but I'm here for the long haul so that's OK....endurance is one of my strong points....for some things!!!!....and this is one of those times.
My blog is ...susanhosken.blogspot.com....for those who want to follow the adventure. The first posting went up today. Progress will be slow but I'll post whenever I feel inclined.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Frustration and challenge 2 for EDM

The frustration is about not being able to log onto my blog easily. I have to put in my password about 6 or more times and it keeps saying it is not a match....it is, it is, it is....I am such an impatient person. I really need to learn the lesson on patience. I'm 51 and still learning....I get so impatient mostly with technology and my inability to understand it. I get impatient because I don't learn fast enough or well enough.I'll be going for a nice walk down the beach in a minute and I have plenty of patience for that.
Meanwhile todays drawing....which is a bit of a mess because i forgot to edit it in iPhoto and put it straight on here...silly me....another reason for me to get impatient ....but I won't because I'm learning!!!!! aren't I!!!!!!
So today's drawing is EDM challenge no 2....a lamp....and a 100 challenges to go give or take a few.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia who's off down the beach...how blessed am I

The pursuit of happyness

I had a fabulous day yesterday. I went to the movies to see The pursuit of happyness which was a delightful feel good movie just right for an escapist like me. It was also great because I have trouble going to crowded places and am trying to practice getting used to it. I am so pleased with my progress. It seems ridiculous to most people but for some of us crowds and busy places are overwhelming with their stimuli.
I wanted to record the father and son and wondered how I'd go doing a sketch when I got home....then I saw the poster and decided to use my travel journal which I don't use often. I did a sketch of the poster while people passed me by. I was positively thrilled.....it doesn't take much to make me happy....I am well pleased with that fact....I am happy a lot in my life and I am well blessed.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Bees on the parsley flowers

I was talking to an artist friend and telling him I wished I was able to draw the bees buzzing around the parsley flowers but it was too hard. He encouraged me to give it a go. He told me not to just think of being realistic but to convey the feeling of what I was seeing. I did a couple of realistic drawings and then did swirls and patterns to convey the movement. I really enjoyed doing these drawings and painting because it pulled me away from doing strictly outlines which is what I have been doing. I'd love to explore abstact drawing in the future along with the other 101 ideas.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Challenge 101 - soap

The square soap appears on the bench in my bathroom and bubblebath photo in blog entry...January 3rd 2007. I couldn't believe how badly I did the square piece of soap. This is a wonderful reason for using pencil instead of pen because I could have rubbed it out and done it again. We have been talking about pen vs pencil in the Everyday matters yahoo group. I wasn't going to show this challenge and then I thought it's a great example of how you think something is going to be really easy and over confidence sets in.

Aussie power point and plug

Oh what fun I could do the challenge and use my new scanner straight way...yippee.
I loved seeing all the different power points from around the world. I thought I'd better add another Aussie power point and plug.
My beloved cat Sooty is off her food. I am hoping she is OK as she is usually a good eater.

Yippee...my own scanner

Yippee...I now have my own scanner and a special thank you to my brother for helping me get set up.
The sketch is my very first attempt at sketching in a public place. I was amazed at how easy it was. I thought people would watch what I was doing but noone noticed, not that I was aware of. I did the sketches months ago and haven't had the courage to do it again. One thing I should do is do some sketching next time I go for my walk down the beach. I am really looking forward to getting better at doing sketches of people.
I am so excited having my own scanner. I'll have to learn to be moderate!!!!!

Challenge 1 - shoe - great fun

I'm looking forward to slowly completing all the challenges. This first one of a shoe was fascinating to do because I was concentrating so much on the small elements of what I was outlining that it didn't come into focus as a shoe until I stopped. I was really thrilled with the result. As I am a beginner with drawing I find each small achievement very rewarding. When I have read the blogs of more experienced artists I realise this sense of achievement and satisfaction continues as one meets new challenges and one continues to learn.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

A tree

This tree was a lot of fun because I learnt so much. It was the first time I took my water colors out of the house.....4 feet from the front door so I could look down the drive at this tree. After painting the huge leaves I suddenly realised the perpective was all wrong. The leaves couldn't possibly be that big but I wanted the effect that I saw on the tree. I couldn't get the clors right due to my only being a beginner. I discovered so many things that I will need to learn in the future. It was very satisfying to paint. It was supposed to be for Challenge 100 as a landscape for Everyday matters. I am quite overwhelmed at the moment to know what directions to go in...there is so much to learn.
I went to my brother's today to use his scanner and decided I really need to get one myself so I'll see what I can do next week.

What a great day

Just made a wonderful discovery today. Where normally when I'm in a flatter more down mood I can't do my art work...not so with drawing. Today I decided to see if I could cope with doing some drawing evewn though I was in a flatter mood and it was wonderful. I find it very relaxing and calming. I did two portraits and a drawing of my hand as part of the "Drawing on the right side of the brain" exercises. I also did a bag as one of the Everyday matters challenges. I am thrilled. Where my other artwork is more chaotic and open ended drawing is more contained if I am copying something. I only wish I had a scanner to share my progress. Can't wait to get to my brother's place next weekend to do lots of scanning of my work.
Lots of love from Susan

Mood swings

I'm going through another downward shift in my moods. I go zippy and creative for 10-14 days and then quiet, flat and generally uncreative for 10 to 14 days. I haven't done any drawing for a few days and that seemed normal for my flatter time. As I haven't been doing drawing for very long I was just wondering if I pushed myself a bit could I manage one of the Everyday Matters challenges......I did it, I did a bag picture. I don't have a scanner otherwise I'd show you. It was a little more difficult to do than when my mood is more elevated but I did it.
I have noticed in recent months that I am able to do a wider variety of things regardless of my moods. I get a lot tireder when I am flat but I still manage to do more than I used to. I can always do my emails and usually go for my daily walk and do cycling on my exercise bike and weights. I am leaving my art work out more now where I used ot put it away during my down times. My artwork particularly the drawing is having a very interesting affect on my moods. Drawing is a very calming exercise for me if I choose manageable subjects. I'm also stretching myself by doing the challeges of Everday matters in order which helps me to stretch myself as well. I'm going to leave you now and look at Drawing on the right side of the brain and see if I can tackle the first exercise. I think drawing may be a doable task during my down times.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Bath time

It's still a joy to be doing my blog and to see what other people do with theirs. The thought of my doing drawing overseas and blogging as others do is still on my dream list of things to do. I will continue to be inspired. The other thing I'm learning is I can write as much or as little as I want, I can post everyday or once a month. I'm not sure why I thought there were any rules to this. I love seeing the variety.
Oh yes...the reason for the title. I had my second bath in my new home...I've been here 3 years and was so disappointed in the shallow bath I decided not to use it. That is until the water restrictions came in due to the drought here. It saves water if I have a bath and bucket it on the garden. Needless to say the water is still in the bath a few days later waiting for me to get the inspiration to bucket. I have 2 buckets of water in the shower from yesterday as well which will need to be emptied before the next shower. Patience, patience, I'll get a system sorted out.
I did my first out of doors water color yesterday....I was about 6 feet away from the front door because I still don't know how to travel with water and how to balance paints without a table!!!! I'm sure the Eveydaymatters group will be able to help with suggestions. Apparently I need a water brush and will go to the art shop to see about it.
I can't wait to be at my brothers to use his scanner to scan in my first tree. It is so crude and basic I just love it. I am taking a very caring and nurturing approach to my learning to draw and paint. I am appreciating my first baby steps and really look forward to seeing my progress. I love looking at other peoples blogs to see how they are developing. I still haven't finished my first sketch book yet!!! How exciting. So much to enjoy and to look forward to.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2007

What a wonderful year 2006 has been particularly finding Everydaymatters yahoo group.....such inspiration and encouragement. I have written all my goals and hopes for 2007. I'm not ready this year to go public with any of them except that I plan to draw more, more and more....at least as much as I write. I love writing with a passion...which includes computers and handwriting. I need to do less writing and more drawing to get a better balance this year.
I've attached the first drawings I did after joining EDM and look forward to seeing how far I go in 2007.
Does anyone know if writing and drawing use different sides of the brain. I am fascinated when people mention different sides of the brain for different work. I used to do a lot of cryptic crosswords and now I prefer drawing. I was wondering if cryptics and drawing use different sides of the brain. Any way enough of my writing and back to drawing.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Doodles - a road back

This is one of a few doodles I did when I was on the phone and in free moments. It was part of the journey back to my art work in earnest. I must frame one of them and put it on the wall to celebrate their importance. They mean a lot to me because I could only do a little section at a time really slowly. It then moved into little drawings. Then I discovered the Everdaymatters yahoo group and my art work became part of my everyday celebration. What a joy.

First collage on blog

Just discoverd I can preview what I'm trying to do!!!Oh the fun and games of a new blogger trying to do pictures.
This is a scan of one of my first collages which I really enjoy doing as a change from drawing and water color. I do a lot of them in my visual journals. My absolute passion though is writing....I do it every chance I get. I write everything and anything of a trivial day to day nature in numerous journals which I often illustrate. My favourite at the moment is a journal I'm keeping that chats about the walks I do around the neighbourhood and the people I meet and things I find. I come home and try and do little sketches of the people. They are really crude and childlike. I am looking forward to learning how to do people more realistically. I usually have my camera with me and some people don't like their picture taken so I come home and draw them instead. I find it interesting trying to memorise them. I was trying to do a dog the other day and I had no idea of how a dogs legs look when they run. I will have to learn to be more observant. A friend told me the other day to draw my cat moving and I said you have to be joking....I can hardly do her lying still. Learning to draw things in motion is going to be an interesting adventure. So much to learn, discover, do and ponder.
Had trouble getting on the blog to edit it so I may not see you for awhile!! My EDM friends are being a great help. I'm really appreciating their encouragement

Finally some art work

I have no idea if this has worked. One day I'll laugh about this but at the moment I find it quite challenging dealing with computer technology. Hopefully a little illustration of my first attempts at the EDM challenges will appear on my blog. One day this will all be terribly easy......so will my drawing.....some day. Meanwhile I'm enjoying the adventure. Special thanks to a number of the EDM members for all their help and encouragement. I haven't seen many super beginner's like me in the EDM group. Maybe they are hiding out....like I have been.
Lots of love from Susan in Australia

Can't be seen

My blog still isn't searchable on the net. I won't ask anyone until I'm posting my art work. I'm not sure at this stage whether I'll keep this blog or start a new one. I'm waiting for friends to come back from holidays to ask them more questions about cameras and then I can look at purchsing one. I am going to need a scanner for my artist's journals. Not sure about any of this. This is all part of the journey. It is another October birthday month and life just keeps getting better and better. I never imagined my life would be so good. I never imagined one day I would be living without depression. Never in my wildest dreams. I just thought month in and month out the depression would come. It gives me hope for other health and life improvements. The benefits of focusing on the now are wonderful as well.
I am almost finished with my first week of "The Artist's way". I'm having a fabulous time with it and there was lots of discussion on EDM about it. I am well pleased. I'll write again on my birthday. What a treat. This time last year I had only just got my computer and a year later my life has opened wide...all the creativity is wonderful and the new friends.