Journal 52 - Character

This week for Journal 52, the prompt was "Building Character"

I had seen many others on the facebook site sharing lovely portraits. Drawing faces and people has always been something I don't try very often.
Instead, I checked out quotes on character and the one by Abraham Lincoln really appealed to me.

The image of the tree and its shadow thus became the vehicle to express the quotes.

The 2 quotes to the left state:

"Choices determine character". by Brandon Mull

"Our character is what we do when we think no one is looking" . by H. Jackson Browne

ABC Wednesday - C

This week at ABC Wednesday, C is our letter of the week.

C is for:

Nat King Cole

Loved this quote - it is so true.


and

Cesar Chavez

This quote immediately made me think of the terrible situation in Quebec, with the threat of their new charter that will ban the wearing of visible religious symbols by all public servants. No turbans or hijabs for example.
Where is the respect for others in this province?


Be sure to check out other posts for C here.

10 Writing Tools I Use

This is the second prompt for the "Blog Hop for Writers"

10 Writing Tools I Use

This was more of a challenge than I thought it would be. Many things I use but take them for granted - dictionary and thesaurus  (whether online or text), challenges, courses, writing blogs.

But here are a few things I do rely on when I write:

1. Pen and paper.
 My first drafts are all writing, sometimes on whatever is handy at the time. I use a folder for each story or novel and a s I research or write, the info goes in there. I keep a pad of paper beside my bed so if I can't sleep and am trying to solve a problem, it can be written out. I take a pad of paper wherever I go as well, especially when I am travelling by bus.

2. Computer
Once I have my first draft, I then type it out, chapter by chapter.

3. Writer's Notebook
I use this to record ideas, write down great quotes and how to's from other writers.

4. Morning Papers
Several years ago I worked through "The Artist's Way" and still do the morning papers several times a week, especially when i can't seem to focus on a project. It gets the wheels working and stops me from further procrastination!

5. Books
Reading is a joy but also a necessity - to witness great writing first hand.

6. Goodreads/Quotes
I use the quotes section here quite a bit as well as keeping an eye on authors and new books.

7. CANSCAIP and SCBWI
I belong to both organizations and receive alot of info and inspiration.
(CANSCAIP is a National Arts Service Organization dedicated to the celebration and promotion of Canadian children's authors, illustrators)

8. The web
Unfortunately the web also is a time water, but there is also so much inspiration and help to be found there.

9. 12 x 12, PiBoIdMo, NaNoWriMo
These and other challenges/groups provide support and activities to keep you motivated.

10. Writing texts, style books, conferences, courses
So many different ways to improve one's skills as a writer.

Sunday Weekly Wrap-Up

Year of Firsts - Week by Week

The inspiration of this "Year of Firsts".came from LuAnn Cahn and her book "I Dare Me" which chronicled her daily Year of Firsts. (Check here to my first post about this challenge).

This past week I decided to create a large canvas (16 x 20) using techniques I had learned in several courses. Although the result was not as I had envisioned, I enjoyed the process.

Putting on background papers

Adding Fluid acrylics

Then I used modeling paste, stencils, stamping and  glazing

I am not finished - but not sure where I want top take it. I will let it sit for awhile.



Collage
I completed one collage this week - for Journal 52.

Zen cards 
 I find these relaxing and fun to do. Here are just a few more I have done.

ATCs

I created some red zen cards for a swap

Writing
I have completed a children's story and will be submitting it to Highlights for Children for their Holiday Fiction Contest. I continue to work on novellas - and work on different courses and challenges as well.

Reading
Have read a couple more books - see my growing list above.



Linking with

Creative Every Day

Inspire Me Monday

Journal 52

This week at Journal 52, the theme is "You make me Smile"

I had different responses - show what makes me smile, journal what makes me smile. But as I was looking at some magazines I was struck by all the smiles I found. One of the techniques shown was to make a border of objects. The smiles became my border. Then I had  the idea of  creating an acrostic.

Also linking with:

Paint Party Friday

Art Journal Every Day

30 Words Thursday /WOYWW

After several weeks of no gelli printing, I was able to indulge yesterday. There is something almost magical about creating gelli papers. Fingers covered in paint, beautiful patterned papers and my worktable covered in drying papers, ready for the next stage of creating.
The papers inspired this poem for 30 Words Thursday:

                                                 Painted Papers

                                                 Painted papers
                                                   Like magic
                                          They create themselves
                                             Patterns emerging        
                                             Colours blending    
                                        Flashes of blue and orange
                                      Green, yellow, pink and purple
                                         Covering the worktable
                                           Ready for more art.


Also linking with:

WOYWW

Gelli Party for January at A Colorfyl Journey

ABC Wednesday - A and B

The new round of ABC Wednesday - the 14th! - has already begun. I couldn't decide what I was going to do this round but then decided on creating small collages (4"x4 1/2") with used stamps and quotes.

This week it is B.

B is for:

Romare Beardon

Here are last week's collages.

A is for:

Abigail Adams:   

and,

Marion Anderson:

Be sure to check here for how others around the world face this challenge.