Experimenting with neo-crayons

For the past twelve years I've lived with a chronic illness. I have lupus, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue. So I draw or paint when I'm feeling OK. I'm always looking for a way to create when I can't get out of bed. My preferred medium is watercolors, but becomes a little tricky trying to paint sitting up in bed and not spilling water all over the bed. I do use watercolor pencils and neo-crayons using a Aqua-flow brush--it's not a perfect solution, but at least it allows me to be creative.

So today is one of those stay in bed days...I wanted to go for an impressionistic painting, using only 2 complimentary colors...yellow and purple. I used my Neo-crayons on 140 lb watercolor paper. Size 8.5 x 11.

IF - Celebration

A celebration wouldn't be complete without tons of balloons!

Introducing.....Coco

Never take your spouse to the animal shelter because you could end up with a new dog!!!

Right after Xmas, my husband and I took a donation box to the local shelter. At my suggestion I told my husband, let's go see the dogs....Big Mistake!!!! The smell in the kennel was so bad that I turned around and went back to my car. A few minutes later my husband comes back with 2 dog numbers. With tears in his eyes, he said we needed to send some money to extend these dogs lives.

When I called the shelter to make a cash donation they told me that they didn't have the capability to take cash donations, but said I could adopt. One of the dogs was already on hold and also had tags. This little guy was scheduled to be put down the next day.
My husband said we could adopt and he would train,then find him a good home.

Well you know where he found a good home! Yup you guessed it...US...
Coco suffers from separation anxiety, but for the most part he is a sweet little dog and rather smart. He's learned how to use the doggie door; he knows sit, come, and stay; and he's bilingual...Spanish being his second language.

What I learned from this experience is that pound puppies are costly...what should of been $52 to adopt...translated into $500 in vet bills. Needless-to-say, he has wormed his way into our hearts and the biggest surprise is that he favors me instead my husband!!! LOL

Add carving rubber stamps

A new hobby...carving rubber stamps. This is addictive. I ran out of all my soft rubber to carve my own stamps. I guess that means a trip to Dick Blick!!!! I would really love to take a class on print making.

Purple Irises ink drawing

I'm really getting the hang of working with acrylic ink and using a dip pen to draw these irises. I used white Bristol paper and FW acrylic purple ink.

Rubber Stamps

Last night I was up til 1:30am carving these stamps. Once I got the hang of carving the birdie, there was no stopping me.

If -- Time

There is nothing like Time to take a nap with your favorite blanket.

Magnolia Ink drawing

I've always loved the way pen and ink drawings look. Trying to achieve depth and values in one color. So I decided to do a series of pen and ink botanical drawings that once I get my brand new Epson Stylus Photo R1900 Printer, I will be selling prints in my Etsy shop.

Dogs in Chinese brush painting

This was a fun classing painting dogs in Chinese brush. So much easier and carefree. The brush just jumped off the page and I was amazed how quickly dogs could be painted.

Tiger Lillies

In my Chinese brush class in January we did Tiger Lillie's...

Chinese brush work of birds

Over the last few months I've painted these birds in my Chinese Brush class.