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

a humming Sunday...

I know many, many of you don't just live around the corner...BUT if you do...be sure to check out my Saturday Art Classes.


So this is what I've been doing the majority of the day...who would have known that figuring out and planning could take ALL day!?


Hope you've had a glorious weekend.
HUGS
Char.x

Come and see...

We've been busy again this week...but I thought I would stop in and show you some photos of our weeks.
The kids have been amazing...and have been loving our Nature trails and scavenger hunts along with our trips upto the girls school where we work on morning projects in the shade.

Apologies for not having had time to visit your Worlds...I look forward to very soon...tomorrow should be a slower day.Then back onto week 3 of ART Camp on Monday.

Happy days in the Sun...
HUGS
Char.x

A collaboration...

 with our girls...
On Friday Miss J and I walked up to the school to pick Miss A up...all the way home..."what are we going to do?...it's your Birthday...we have to do something fun!!"
so out came the paper...colours and we collaborated in this picture...rotating every 15 minutes...for about an hour and a half. We chatted, and commented on what we liked about each other's drawing...it was perfect...really perfect.

It's not easy getting a shot of us together!!
This was #7 of 20!!!

Mr R came home...said "get ready...we're going out" (it was a surprise)...so before we left we had that fabulous cake made by Bridget, and then headed over to a Sushi restaurant...very close by.YUM!

We were 21 in total...it's always lovely to see everyone!!!
Thanks for all the Birthday wishes...

What did you get up to this weekend??

Have a wonderful Monday...I'll be passing by to say hello today.
rainy HUGS
Char.x

my Mum...

was born in Sweden...near Malmo. She grew up with 4 other siblings...2 of which are still in Sweden, and her 2 sisters are in Ireland.

My Mum grew up in a house which lay just below a hill which was  used as a ski run in the Winter...she worked the ski-lift when she was old enough...they skiied to school...

In the Summer there were mushrooms and berries to pick...and lakes to swim in....sounds wonderful doesn`t it!

Tall, athletic, stylish in her Marimekko dresses and Hunter boots...this hasn`t changed since the 60`s...

she has taken care of 2 beautiful gardens(one is still running it's course beautifully), a 240 year old house with 7 bedrooms(some very very small bedrooms)and an ancient AGA which had to be fed coal every day...twice a day!!! she took care of chickens, she's raised pheasants, horses,lambs, cows, deer, cats, dogs...oh, and 3 children and our Dad.

I never felt like she was in a rush, she never rushed us...she never shouted at us...she's still NEVER in a rush...she's extremely calming.

She has thrifted at charity shops since I was little... and finds the most remarkable of items.

Her eyes change colour from ice blue to dark grey...depending on the weather and what top she's wearing...she's 67 years old and has only just found some grey hairs on her head.

She has a passion for being happy and has a natural love of textiles and design...

Once upon a time she wove carpets and wall-hangings...this was before she became busy with all of US...and the animals.

She's a master crocheter and knitter...did I tell you my Mum is the BEST chef ever...she makes the best Rye Bread...and gives it all away...

My Mum has taught me everything...nearly...she has a lot more patience than I have...I have to count to 10 spmetimes to stop me from exploding...I have never heard her counting under her breathe.

Meet...the ONE and ONLY Mamma...my Mum, Agneta. (I know she deserves a book written and illustrated about her...it's just finding the time)

Have a wonderful Wednesday...I am dedicating today to you Mum...because I LOVE and MISS you dearly.

Thank you for being such a beautiful person.

your

Char,ON

I need your vote!....pretty please.

just catching up...I enjoyed doing this one...Zebra's are animals which I can relate to...I often think of our little girls as Zebras(if they had to be an animal that is)...they're a great mix between Mr.R and I...they are strong girls...stubborn at times(as if you have ever been around horses...you'll understand STUBBORN) and have lots of energy.

Both little Miss A and Little Miss J have the MOST gorgeous eye lashes...just like those of a Zebra...

They're both shy, and yet can be the boldest and silliest little beauties ever.

They had their open house at the Ballet School they go to weekly...

It was so wonderful to see their progress and how much they love their classes.

They have the best teacher,who is so sweet and kind with them...a very kind soul. The complete opposite to what I had when I did dance (back in the day).

Little Miss A in her favourite Blue ballet leotard...and Miss J in her new purple one she received from England.

I took a lot of photos without the flash because I love the flow of their limbs and the flash just creates static pictures...

It was fun...it made me smile so much and feel proud to be their Mummy...it's overwhelming sometimes the emotions your little ones can evoke. You whole body becomes FULL of love, you suddenly get all choked up and then your fighting back those tears...what a wonderful emotion...Love is...

THANKS Tam for posting earlier today...for those of you who don't know who Tam is...she's my partner in this blog of ART, Photography, CRAFTS ...our Lives...she lives in the UK...I miss her, she's the best friend you could ever wish for...

On another note...I HAVE A FAVOUR to ASK you...(just a little one)

On the wonderful blog of BRIGHT and BLITHE I entered a little contest...I had to tell a story about a painting in 5 sentenses...it was all for fun, but I REALLY would love the votes for my story...and then they'll give me an interview...if I receive the most votes....what do you think...do you have 2 minutes to spare?

Ok...so if that's a YES...go HERE ...mine is the first story. THANKS FAB friends!

Ciao for now...have a wonderful evening.

Char,ON

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Wednesday's Birks...ART for HAITI

it snowed again!
YAY...we were almost sad to see the grass...and fortunately the outside temperature is still pretty mild...(for January that is!)
This morning I drew my favourite summer sandals (a quick 20 minute study)...some people across the World wear theirs ALL year round...with socks...I can't do that, it reminds me of when I lived in Mallorca,Spain and I'd be working in a resort area in the Winter months and certain Nationalities were in shorts and thier Birks with socks.
My dear sister bought me these (we have the same size shoe) about 6 years ago...LOVE them...

Worked on lots for our Mamas and Chicks Show last night...our next Show is April 16th...busy busy getting vendors and everything prepped regarding advertising etc.
AND been working on a LONG overdue Once Upon a Time painting which Jen won in Dec...I Know...but it's a very special one...and I had to watch the movie first...I'll post about it later today!

What have you been up to?

Oh Oh...look at the time...I have to go...the Gym is calling my name and then I'm volunteering up at Little Miss A's School...I love going in and seeing the dynamics of their classroom.

Gotta go...gotta go...
Birks drawing will be up on my Etsy later.

HUGS
Char,ON

ART for HAITI - Day 2

I woke up this morning with Mr. R at 5.45AM...yup...all so I could get a head start to today, it seems I need to add a few more hours to my day....and less sleep is how it's going to happen.

Made my Earl Grey tea and a bowl of oat porrige,banana and dates...(sounds good eh!)

I chose my shoes for today...they are probably one of my favourite pairs...I got them when I was 22(LONG time ago...but they still fit)...they're from Italy...they're leather soled and patent top.

I love wearing them with black pants...they were a challenge to draw...but fun and it brought back many great clubbing memories!!

I am planning on selling the sketches/drawings or paintings in an Esty Store(still in progress) and donating a portion of the sales to Haiti.

When I have set it up I'll post the link...I hope you'll help in the raising funds...I'm still looking into where I will donate to.

Any suggestions???

Have a wonderful Monday.

HUGS

Char,ON

Spring changes...

It's not always easy to capture a true proportioned image of your little ones as their moving around...hence the very Picasso-esque proportions...I promised a sketch of Ashley this afternoon, so we'll see.This was done whilst they were having lunch...I would have loved to have spent longer on it...but she was gone!
It shows that I have to practice and do more life studies...perhaps I'll go back to Life-drawing class in the near future.
Until later...
Charlotte,Ontario