A Father s Load

It was a friend's birthday recently... This is what he received... A pen and ink drawing of himself with his 3 kids.
Happy Birthday Frosty!

Hope you are all enjoying your Sunday!
Hugs
Char.x

Tell ALL Tuesdays :: Valentina Ramos

Good Morning...it's Tell ALL Tuesdays again and today we have 2 very different  spotlights for you...this morning we will be introducing to you an extremely talented Artist who's work I fell in love with...it seems she has more hours in the day, as I can only imagine HOW long it takes for her to complete a piece of Artwork...

Then this afternoon we have a lady who is close to home and creates Artistry in Sweets and Baking...she also has a little plea to ask all of you...so keep an eye out for that post which will be around 2pm.

So...lets get on with this morning's Spotlight...introducing the wonderful Valentina Ramos!

Tell us a little about the Town you live in... and have you always lived there?

I’m from Venezuela but I have been living in Miami, FL for 6 years. I *LOVE* the area I live in (Coral Gables) because I can do almost everything just by walking. Sometimes I feel like a “town girl” because I love to go to my local places and know the people in stores and wave at people in the streets.

If you could move anywhere tomorrow, where would it be?

Italy! I think to live there is one of my big time dreams.

How structured is your day usually?

Working at home sometimes can be really tricky. I have to be really organized to keep track of the projects and don’t get busy with other stuff (like cleaning the house!). Every morning I have my cups of coffee checking emails and reading some blogs. After that I start working in my to do’s list. Usually, I’m working in several projects at the same time. I’m trying to apply a new system here because sometimes I spent way to many hours in one project and left other things behind. Right now I’m trying to work by the clock ;) I try to work for one or two hours in one project and after the time past, just work in the next one. Of course, if I have a timeline, I focus all my energies on that.

What did you do today?
Today is organization day. I have to clean up my office, take pictures of artwork, update my shop, schedule a couple of meetings, review a brochure design and work more in the new artwork I have right now in my table.

Are you a Dog or a Cat person?
I don’t have pets, but I think I can be a dog person ;)


Are you a breakfast, lunch or dinner girl?
I’m a foodie girl! I love all ;) but if I have to pick one, breakfast is my favourite. Mushrooms omelette on Sunday morning= Heaven!

If you had 6 friends over for Dinner what would you make for them?
I’m trying to learn to cook... or at least I’m trying to do different things every week. Someday I would love to have guest and prepare a super delicious Indian dinner.

How old were you when you knew you were on the right path in your Life?

I think knowing you are in the right path it’s not an easy thing to do. Many times you doubt about what you are doing. I feel super bless right now because I decided 3 years ago what I wanted to do. Right now I know where I’m going; I definitely believe I’m in the right path.

Who /what drove and inspired your love to create?

I think everything inspires me. I can be watching TV or walking in the street and found something interesting that makes my mind spin! Usually I get great ideas when I’m falling sleep, for that reason I keep a notebook near my bed. I spent a good part of my day just seeing other artist work. It’s amazing how much talent we have in this world! But definitely my biggest source of inspiration comes from the feedback I received. Every single time I get an email or a comment form someday telling me I inspired them to continue working or just to say they like my work, that makes my day and keep my working.

Tell us something not too many people know about you.

I came to US seven years ago with only $200 and zero English ;)

Shoe choice::flats or heels?

Flats.

What was the last book you read?

I feel super bad saying this, but I haven’t being reading a lot lately L I spent way too many hours with my artwork and totally forgot the piles of books in my night stand.

What advice would you give others just starting out?

Believe in yourself. Keep yourself motivate and working. Some days are going to be hard, but you have to keep moving. Put yourself out in the world as much as you can. Blogs, facebook, twitter, flickr, use them all ;) Don’t copy anybody else work, you have to find your own voice. And again... Believe in yourself.

Name 5 blogs you love visiting, and tell us why.

I have tons of blogs I check daily! I *LOVE* to see what other artist are doing, I enjoy reading about their life; I like to see pictures of what they are doing. I think my top 5 artist blogs are:

• Kal Barteski - I love Life

• Aimee - Arstville

• Penelope Dullaghan

• Jessica Gonacha Swift - Treasuring

• Alisa Burke

Thank you SO much for taking part Valentina...it has been a pleasure to tell a little snippet of your story to others who read our Blog...your work is beautiful!

YOU can pass by and say hello to Valentina HERE

Or shop at her store HERE

Until this afternoon...our girls are waiting for me...they have been prepping a Puppet Show whilst I've been posting...perfect timing!

HUGS

Char,ON

4 sketches...4 friends...

I am currently as I write working on these 4 watercolours who are for 4 very special girlie friends of mine who I grew up with over here in England...I do keep in touch with Mel...a brilliant singer,trained in Operatics ...we met at college,both studying History of Art...I could tell you our whole story, but will leave some surprise for when I reveal the painted watercolour. Which is for her? Well, here's a hint...she recently got married to a wonderful and very talented Viola player.

Oh...I will be seeing all these fabulous lady friends of mine tomorrow evening...sister and I are driving up to Mel's house to have dinner...I have to create "pudding" for the dinner tomorrow...so we'll see what I make?...hmm...what to make...

So, back to my long lost friends...Mel I have seen every year since I have been away from Europe and living in Canada...Chloe...who I also met whilst I was going to College, but not at college...I don't think I have seen her since 2001 maybe.

Chloe has since had a little baby...and married H who Mel and I did go to College with.

Chloe is exotic and eccentric...she's an artist who is very creative and now teaches little children in kindergarten...lovely...can't wait to see her again!

Then there is Lady Lass...who I met at the same time as Chloe, she knew the group of friends who we all hung out with...you know how groups of friends over-lap...Lady Lass(Elly) is from S.Africa(huge hint to which picture is for her)...Elly I haven't seen for probably the same time frame as Chloe...Chloe and Elly used to live together in London, and then Chloe moved in with H.

Elly is a very funny, dry and passionate lady...I have missed her mucho. BUT...we have been in touch via email....so I know what she's been up to...but not in major details.

Last but not least...Leesa the wild child. Leesa is such a fire-cracker...or used to be, she also has a beautiful voice. I met her through Mel...she was singing in a band with Mel.She's electric and funny...she's tell you how she feels...she'll tell you everything and anything.

I can't wait to see them all...it'll be GREAT! I'll remember my camera this time...I promise!

So...when Mel texted me and said...I have something little for you all...I cracked into gear last night and decided to make something for each of these wonderful ladies who I have known for 18 years...WOW...sounds like a long time!

Well, back to work...

Until tomorrow...

Char,ON

Good to be home...

it really is good to be home...
Do you ever feel like you do so much and try to cram as much as you can in a weekend? Especially the last few of the Summer...because along comes Winter and so many weekends are spent at home.
Well the whole Summer has been crazy...and as much as I love our road trips, but I adore coming home.
The girls seem to relax more at home, they have all their toys and books...it's tough trying to gather items which will occupy them,toys,books,dolls,stickers,crafts...to bring with us every time we head out for the day.
Yesterday(Saturday) we went to the "drop Zone"...my husband had to pick up a rig(parachute) to practice packing on so he can complete his course.
So we were there a good 4 hours.
I ended up sketching my little nephew Morton...he looks a little Alien in this sketch, I haven't met him yet...but know from the pictures which I receive he has big piercing eyes...striking little fella! (I CAN'T WAIT to meet him at xmas)
The sketch is for Matt,my brother in-law...his Birthday was yesterday...Happy Birthday Matt!

Today we left for Picton,Ontario...where my husband had a couple of friends slalom racing their cars...and asked if he'd like to try it.

SO...up again,prepping for the whole day out...our girls are such great travellers...but they also knew that we were going to Bird House City!

We've been a few times, the last time was 2 years ago...so it was new and exciting for J...little miss A couldn't wait to see them again...it's a large conservation area where different artists have made replicas of historical buildings in and around Picton...and others such as this Horse...Miss J's fave.

Of course Miss A chose the castle as her favourite!

So...I'm not sure if you've all noticed the AMOUNT of bugs this year....but when we were at the raceway this afternoon...we were surrounded by crickets and grasshoppers...

One landed on J's hand..."Look Mummy" she said...followed by...

her completely freaking out because it wasn't going anywhere and was making itself quite comfortable on her body...I'm so glad I caught it on camera...because she was pretty upset...but know she will be talking about it for months.(that's just what she does)
Somebody caught a pic of me sketching...haha...see how I hold my pen...I always have and always will...teachers at school would be constantly trying to correct it...as I do with little miss A...as she has the same issue...funny what gets passed down.

I don't think I have ever drawn a car before...makes me chuckle a little...as I had to add miss A's little baby she pushes or carries everywhere with her...just to pretty it up a little. I like this sketch and am happy with the wonky,wobbly lines...I wasn't concerned too much about precision...it was a fun exercise.

AND...finally, from the bugs eye view...our girls watching the cars zig-zag through the slalom course. LOVE this shot...am going to get it printed for sure.

Wow...that was a long post...if you got through it...thanks for hanging in there!

How was your weekend? Did you get up to much?

OH...

Make sure you enter the 500+Giveaway I have going on if you haven't yet!!!

AND remember we have another Tell All Tuesday happening this week...check back to see who it is!

I'm off to get me some chicken soup...

Bye,

Char,On

you'll LOVE this...

maybe as much as I do...and I just HAD to share it with you all.

Last Thursday Amy from Pikaland (GREAT blog-she's our Tell all Tuesday this week) posted an article with Gemma Correll and her new FLICKR venture "What I wore today".

The difference is that you must only draw your "outfit" and no photos are allowed.

There are so many of you fabulous readers out there whom I'm sure would have SO much fun with this...

SO, I gave it a go. It's like a Fashion Diary for the camera shy...I also see it as a great reflective tool,hey, I can REALLY see how I need MORE stylin in my every day wears!!!.

I'm going to try and post at least 5 days a week there...and do a few of our girls and what they're wearing too.(Little Miss A and Miss J thought this was a wonderful idea!)

These are my first editions...enjoy and you MUST go and see what talents the group holds.

Hoping you had a great weekend...ours was spent at the Drop Zone...my darlin hubbie was sky-diving again.

What did you get up to???

Char,On

Any colour???

not quite yet...I've been working on finishing the idea for this bathroom mural and I think I have it now...
Frogs, Blue Heron, butterflies, a bunny who crept in from the meadow bedroom, snails, dragonflies and flowers,reeds,birches and lots of long grasses...

There's a large mirror which pretty much covers the sink area in length...so I really can't do too much on that side...but here is where I can place butterflies and snails on grasses, I'll put long reeds behind the toilet and perhaps a couple of lotus flowers...

The wall which was illustrated in my previous post will be reflected in the mirror as it's the wall directly opposite to the sinks.

There's a slight bit of wall above the bath, where I can always place either a couple of butterflies, or a few insects.

I wish I had come colour to show you...maybe if I wake up early I can dip my paint brush into some paint for you to give you all a better idea of tones of the colours I'd like to use.

It's been a really long day...so on that note...I'm going to the land of Dreams.

Still quietness here in the house...

Good night all....come back tomorrow for some colour!

Char,Ontario

Once Upon a Time...

Pinks and Blues, Yellows and Oranges...oh, and not forgetting Spring Greens...Easter must be one of the most Colourful Holidays we have. I was noticing how I have painted many watercolours over these past few days with girls in mind, rather than boys...I will try and make a conscious effort to subject line boys in the next few that I do.That's what happens when you're blessed with 2 girls...everything becomes "girlie".
I'm really enjoying this series of colour and animals...I think I will as well as adding them to my Etsy Store, I will make some gift cards with the designs.
Tomorrow is a special day for me...can you guess what it is?
If you can guess correctly, I will add an extra entry to the Giveaway I'm doing tomorrow(which will run for one week).
I will be making a special watercolour-with your choice of animal-and a boy or girl . A custom watercolour just for you(if you're the winner).
Email me or convo me through Etsy with what special day it is tomorrow!
Ciao for now!
See you tomorrow!
Charlotte,Ontario