Retraining my brain

I’m trying to be more positive and to retrain my brain at the moment. The idea is that every evening for at least twenty eight days you try and write three gratitudes to get on a more positive train if thought. They shouldn’t be massive things that are overwhelming, but small things, little things you recognise as something to cherish. I’m on day eight and I think it’s helping a bit. I’m trying to encourage my hubby to do it too. Of course I have included sketches, it makes things more real.

SuperCat

I wanted to get a photo of my cat in this pose but he moved. The way he was sleeping reminded me of Superman in flight. The photo of him is transposed because he wouldn’t turn round for me. Now he’s asleep again on the arms of our chairs, he lies on a cushion that straddles the two armchair arms. I would like to do a cartoon strip about a cat. I had done one online a few years ago called the adventures of Tig, but that site is now defunct. When I think about it I have done a lot of art over the years!

Skyline

Today’s #bandofsketchers prompt was skyline.  I’ve been trying to see the perseid meteor shower that is currently happening but the moon has been too bright and has drowned things out with its light. I was hoping to see something because it’s been warm enough to stand outside late at night.. Felt pen drawing filtered in Photodirector.

Have we forgotten?

Despite all the things that are happening in Europe (drought, fires, evaporating rivers) and the rest of the World, more fire and drought. There is still a war in the East of Europe in Ukraine. The danger from their action is real. The Russians have recently been sending shells near zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. They hold the plant and the technicians there are being held by Russian troops. There is a serious risk of damage to the plant which could lead to a release of nuclear material or worse. Imagine Chernobyl only worse. The war has to end. The danger is real. Meanwhile Russia still calls this a special operation and denies it is waging an unfounded war on its neighbour…

Bright

Colourful patterns swirling round and merging. It could be alien or insect. Maybe a design for fabric or a stained glass window. I like complexity, I don’t know if something like this would be a good idea for printing onto a note card?

I have talked about doing this before but have never been organised enough to do it. I have lots of ideas but I think I need some expert advice. Which are the best sites to get things printed at? I need quality prints, but not too expensive. I found a shop that might do it but I haven’t got the money to do it yet…

Curves

Today’s #bandofsketchers prompt was curves. I drew random curves with a few felt pans taped together.  Then I used Masking tape to block out lines.  Finally I coloured in the uncovered paper,  then removed the Masking tape and coloured the rest I’m slightly differently.  I left the pad on the floor after taking a photo and the cat who had wet paws from sitting in the water that had spilled out of the hanging basket came snd sat on it and smudged it badly.  So I added more colours to define the patterns again. That’s why there are two photos.

Pattern

Drawn in ArtRage oils. A picture made up of dots then mirrored to give it symmetry. This took about half an hour to draw the pattern (a quarter of the image). I used the metallic pen option. The colours are darker with this but you get a rippled affect on the surface. I decided to draw a rainbow of colours that gradually move across the screen. It could also be used as a pattern on fabrics.

Hand painted jug

I did this a few years ago. Living in the city of Stoke-on-Trent means there are places where you can pay to paint pottery with glazes and then collect the finished piece a week or so later. I found a place in Burslem which was about half the price of other potteries and the vase was double the size. I think it was called Stafford Pottery, its on the opposite side of the road to Burslem Town Hall. I gave the resulting jug as a Christmas gift. I usually paint cats but have been known to paint horses too… I know it’s mainly a kids thing, but it is fun.