Wordless Wednesday

Red red blue blue

So now the boy in blue has a friend in red...I can't wait to see these 2 brothers hanging side by side!

Have a great Tuesday.
Hugs
Char.x

Such a beautiful day...

Right now:
It's 11am
I have been in to the girls school and dropped off Geronimo Stilton sketches for Miss A's class to use whilst their teacher reads to them... A form of passive art...the kids will colour them eventually... Miss A can't get enough of Geronimo!

I have done my grocery shopping for the weekend. Yay, I love getting that out of the way.

I had an appointment with a lady who wants portraits for Christmas gifts... Always a lovely gesture, especially when I am the one they are asking to paint them!

The sky is a gorgeous blue today, there was the first sign of frost on the roof tops this morning... Which means the temperature dropped below 0 last night!
Winter is on its way!

Have a wonderful weekend.
Thanks for stopping by.
Hugs
Char.

claro oscuro

hello...
I hope you've enjoyed your weekend...
I do feel bad I haven't visited this past couple of weeks...Life is crazy at the moment...I am juggling way too many balls...
I have been concentrating on our Mamas and Chicks Show which is in 5 days!
On Saturday I had my second Art Class "Learn to Draw"....this week we concentrated on proportioning and Claro Oscuro...otherwise known as Light and Dark. (mine is the top image...and the student you see working away was working on her second one in the middle image) They did really well for their first time working with charcoal...you have to remember to not mess up the white of the image...keep it clean...a little like watercolours!
I have to go...I'm off to make Tooth Fairy Pillows.
hugs to you all.
I'll post my progress throughout the week...and you'll have to forgive me if I am not visiting this week again...each second is precious!


Char.x 

a portrait of an incredible boy.

it's been one whole year since little Hayden first stepped onto Canadian soil...since then he has gained a wonderful family...mother,father,brother and a sister ...he has learnt to speak English. He has been to mexico and has swam in the Ocean...he has tasted EVERY kind of food imaginable(and he LOVES every kind of food there is to love)...he is not always a good boy...but he is learning to be...he is only 3...so really he is a typical child.


This portrait was a Baptism gift to him and his family...


Our children are precious...and our family's and friend's children too.


Have a great Tuesday...
I will see my dear parents tomorrow...can't wait.


HUGS
Char.x

sketchy and painterly portraits...

I know...it's Wednesday...and I could have posted these in my regular "Wordless Wednesday" BUT...I needed to explain...

The first Portrait started off as a sketch, a 25 minute sketch followed by an  hour painting (if that!)...and then our Miss J wanted hers done...but she kept moving...so Miss J turned out to be 12 years older than she actually is. I didn't really get to finish it...but oh well...

I am working on another commission this week...I'll try to remember to take photos of it's progress.

The Laundry is waiting for me...gotta go.

HUGS

Char.x

painting portraits.

Hola everyone...thanks for stopping by today...I know I haven't been around much recently...Art Camp has been keeping me SUPER busy!
I promise to try and post some stories of our Art Camp weeks very soon...I've been surrounded by singers,jokers and great budding artists.
Tomorrow is "ALL ABOUT me Day!

In the mean time...here's a my NIGHT portrait...only because I can only work during the night...so not to run into Camp hours.

Until then...
Hugs
Char.x

remembering...

Today we remember how our Country fights to keep us all safe...we remember the past and present...and we should also remember all those families who have lost love ones due to their bravery...

Moms and Dads who are left without their loved ones should also be remembered...they carry on with their lives and hold the home fort...

This was a piece I finished for a friend who in the past 4 years has always bought Art from me for others...today was when she honoured herself and bought something to hang on her walls.

She's a busy Mum with twin boys...she's creative and works from home whilst raising her family...
I love how she stepped up to buy something for herself...Thanks S!

I have to dash...I have another one of these to finish...it's for another fabulous Mum who has 4 kids.

WHAT have YOU bought for YOURSELF recently???

HUGS
Char.x
I will make an effort to pass by and say hi today...sorry it's been a while...I wanted to post yesterday but blogger was acting up.

Portrait in pencil and pen - UP ALL night!!!

Hello lovelies,

Actually, I was up a couple of nights...and days...and hours...it's not that easy when you're trying to finish(or start) commissions when you're a stay at home Mum. Especially when they're this time consuming.

I haven't ever done a group portrait like this before ....so it was a great challenge.

The photo which I was given was just a 4x6 snapshot...and the finished portrait measures 16x20...

Like I said it was a challenge!!! (scroll down to see the finished and framed piece)

Et Voila....the finished piece.
Do you recognise the little girl in the front left? Yes, it's the same girl as I did the Pastel Portrait of the other week.
So...check back later to see what they think of this...I'm delivering it today on the basis of..."thank you very much" and moving on!(yup, not expecting anything this time...I think it will be better for me:-)
Yeah, I know...the above sounds cold, and pehaps I should care...but I am happy with my work, and really,does it matter if they are? (because I'm NOT changing this one!)

Have you had any challenges this week?

HUGS until later.
Char,ON
 DELIVERY UPDATE:: They loved it...but I was sent home with the Pastel Portrait from 2 weeks ago...the mother thought her daughter looks too old and big? Hey...keeping my funders (word? think not) happy...a girl (and family) gotta eat!!

Being Framed

as promised...here are the pastel portraits framed.These were the 2 frames which I was given to place them in...quite GRAND and they fit wonderfully in their enviroment in which they will be going this Friday.

I always get a little nervous when handing over a commissioned piece as I'm not entirely sure about the expectations of the commissioner...if you know what I mean.

I would really love to start pushing my portrait side of my business as I really enjoy working with faces and people. Idealy I would paint my studies from Life, but children are a little harder to get to sit for a couple of hours...so working from photos as I did with these 2.

We'll see...I would love to sit down and chat with a "Portrait Artist" and ask them a WHOLE bunch of questions...

on a change of note...here's the wee plane Mr.R takes off in to jump. There was a competition going on at the Jump Zone this past weekend(I can't believe it's Thursday already!!!) so it was really busy in the air and on the ground.

we spent both Saturday and Sunday up there...the girls love watching all the skydivers and picking flowers for their flower press.

I just want to thank ALL of you who left such heartfelt comments in my last post.

To say thanks I am going to have an AUGUST GIVEAWAY...I'll post it after the weekend...it'll be a biggie.

Until then...I'm sure you'll see more posts from me over the weekend. We're off to the Beer Fest in Toronto this weekend, we've been going yearly since I arrived in Canada (I don't particularily love Beer-but the day out is fun)

Have a GRAND Thursday!

HUGS

Char.x

PORTRAITS in Pastel

hello everyone...so lovely of you to pass by...I was going to show you pics of this weekend...BUT...I just finished these two portraits so you get to see these FIRST before the owner of them!
I haven't worked in pastels ...um,since 1997...I have had these GORGEOUS patels since my 18th birthday...they have travelled to Spain and back to the Uk...then over here to Canada with me...they are treasures to me...they connect me to create what I love to do.

I am now off to see what you have been up to...
Have a wonderful week.(if you don't come back to visit)
I will be back with weekend pics, and show you how these 2 look framed.

HUGS,
Char.x.

wordless Wednesday...

HUGS
Char,ON

my African Queens

all it takes is an afternoon crafting with my girls here at home...a bit of poster paint and patience to wait for the thick wet patches of paint to dry...and an early start this morning before our little misses woke up to finish this piece and fall in love with PAINT all over again.
I am always amazed at how I feel when I haven't painted for a while and then start again. Shapes can be formed so freely with paint...even kids paint which is chalky. I was so excited to finish this that I made sure I woke up an hour earlier than everyone else (apart from Mr. R who leaves at 5.45am!)
O.K...so both of them look like their 16 years old in this piece, but I think I see them older when I look at them everyday...they know so much already and I've always spoken to them as equals...not at babies.
They have 1/4 African blood in them (hence the name "My African Queens")...and perhaps a little more as Mr.R's mother is Jamaican and has an African/East Indian heritage. I love History...hopefully our girls will love travel and finding out about who and where they are from.

Are you originally from the country you reside in?

Have fun thinking of your family Heritage today.
HUGS
Char,ON

family visits

tomorrow we get to meet little Ludwig for the first time, my cousin Ulla and her family is in town. I didn't really know what to bring them...do I bring a toy for Ludwig? or a Once Upon a Time watercolour? I chose a family gift...a sketch of their family.
I have one to make for my Cousin Lars...the girls call him uncle Lars, we haven't seen them in over a year, I miss them.
Ulla lives and is from Sweden so she's just over for a couple of weeks...it's always lovely to see family...I don't get too very often!
I hope to get some pictures of our BBQ with them tomorrow.
We're all enjoying the Holiday weekend over here in Canada...as a tribute to Queen Victoria's Birthday.
Lots of BBQ's and Fireworks.

What are you upto this weekend?

Check in again soon to see the other sketch I'll be taking tomorrow.
HUGS
Char,On

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

Twas cold and blighty...

Well...we had a good day at the fayre...LOTS of school Mums and kids running around.

Fortunately for Sis and I the rain stopped 20 minutes before setup time....which was really a blessing seeing as our stand was outside...we however did NOT see the Sun which was behind the roof top of one of the school buildings...(that is also one of the school buildings behind moi in the picture...isn't it quaint!)

As you can see from the photo(or not...sorry I think 55 minutes to wait for the upload is WAY to crazy, we'll try again another day),rather cold I am...all bundled in my puffy jacket...having forgotten hats and mitts!

I sold a couple of prints, and my sister did a grand old job selling the Farm's wares.

I'm looking after him in the morning with the girls so...that will be FUN...lots of giggles. His Mummy, Sis, is going to the SUPER market to purchase ingredients for my Mama's Birthday tomorrow.

Lots of photos for tomorrow.(if I can upload then!)

It's been a good day, and I'm happy to be here with family ...but am missing my most beloved part of my Life...mucho. Hoping Canada is not too fridged tomorrow!

Last but not least...here is a photo of 2 portraits I painted for my parents of their parents a couple of years ago...again I had to imagine colours as the photos were black and white...I love having them hanging on my parents walls...yes,they live in a log cabin.

It's very warm and cozy.

HUGS....until tomorrow!(which is now until today...as this Internet connection is a disaster!!!!Still uploading photos...sorry)

20 minutes later and they are still loading...oh...I know I have said this in a previous post...but HOW I appreciate what speed we have in Canada!

Ok...I'm trying one at a time...seems to finally be working better...

Later today::Birthday Bonanza!!!

Char,ON

P.S. HAPPy BIRTHDAY Mummy!

The camera never lies...

does it ever lie for you?
I've heard the *Camera never lies*...and in this instance, I was taking some pictures of the girls for a study for a future portrait painting...and of course they couldn't just lay there and pose without making faces...
Well, the last 2 shots I got of them...were SO the whole truth...it's uncanny how great this image is...personalities rounded up with ONE click of the camera...I LOVE photography and how an image can tell a thousand stories...paintings can do this too...which is why I love portraiture in both mediums...but, my girls would not sit for 3 hours.
Look at the calmness of little miss A and the CRAZINESS(she'll hate me for this later) of little miss J!
I love our beautiful girls...such characters...SO different...so precious.

Did your World show you any truths today?

Char,On

P.S. we'll be continuing with our Tell All Tuesdays after our Mamas and Chicks Show in November...I've just got WAY too much 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