A Painting Project, Post 1

So... It's been a while. 

And life has been busy for sure. 

Recently I was thinking of getting back to writing and such, but the journalling does not come easily for me, so I need somewhere to start. I also have wanted to start painting, and bought a painting thing at the dollar store that came with a grey-scale canvas (so the picture is NOT mine), and some small tubes of acrylic paint (black, white, yellow, green, blue, and red). 

The package has a picture on it of how the manufacturer envisioned people would paint the picture... And at first I thought I might just follow that style and colour scheme. 

Here is a picture of the package picture - a bit blurry 

A cute cottage still life painting, simple enough.

And after starting and a bit of playing with the colours... I decided that I would go as detailed and complex as I would be happy with... And seeing as I have never painted a full painting before, I accepted the fact that it could take a while and a bunch of effort to give it everything I could. 

And! In making it more my own I decided on changing three aspects of painting the drawing template... 

1) I used black to touch up and darken some of the lines so it was easier to see the different angles and faces of the cottage. 

2) My painting would be set at night.

3.1) After darkening the lines, I also decided that I really didn't like the "thatched roof ends", as they don't seem to match, or fit, with the 2 bay windows and the gabled entry awning.

*As a side note -- last fall I began the journey of going back to college as a mature student, in a Mech. Eng. Technician program, and have thoroughly enjoyed the engineering principles I have learned so-far. Often, I find ways to try and apply what I have learned in my day-to-day life... 

3.2) Although I am NOT an Engineer, I redesigned the roof to have gabled ends ... Hehe 🤭. It seems to me that they fit the general design of the structure in a more complimentary and realistic way. 

 

I wish that I had started taking pictures at every stage so I had a record to look back over and evaluate what I liked and would like to change or work on... But I didn't -Oh well 🤷.

So here is the first one I took - after approx 6 or 7 hrs (over 3 days). 

My wife and daughters say it's good, and I think it looks ok, but all I see is where things don't look the way I want or hoped...

After this point yesterday, I started to see that if I wanted to line up the shadows I could use having an actual light source (moon)... 

Here is today's progress with: a darkened sky, started adding darkened sky through the large tree, a moon, and some clouds.

*Also this picture was taken with the curtains open during the day, so the colours are more vibrant than the last.

Thanks for checking out my painting project, and hopefully you check back for tomorrow to see the progress.

Cheers,

When CL hits you right in the feels...

So... yes... this is a confession... sort of...

Two things;
1.) I apologize for the senseless use ellipses in the opening sentence.

2.) I sometimes find myself bored and peruse the "missed connection" section of CL(Craigslist) and may indulge in laughing sometimes ad hystaria.

Now moving on.

Robin! To the interesting stuff!

Na

Na

Na
Na na na nahaahaaah....

While reading "the CL" I came across a post that made me emotional, and inspired me to write a writen thingy, in writing of course - for all who have ever had to say goodbye to someone they were not ready say goodbye to yet. Read it slowly and imagine the person is there reading it to you.

From the arrows' pile of ash,

Inspired by CL feels,
Written by JKBetts

Hey there you sitting in ol' corner,
To a pine that grows deep I am no foreigner,
especially beyond their mere pressence -
soul, and being, and every part of their essence.

I hope if it is a thirst never to be quenched for you,
Then may your heart grow numb and the memories few,

May your heart be shielded by your jade growing tears,
A diamond may be forever,  working with jade also takes years,

One day - chosen from many,
when a skilled hand could have chosen any,
Gently it rubs off the grub, cleans and scrubs off the mud,
Careful and tender, seeing the beauty under,
Finally it reaches and breaches your heart,

Let those hands in to begin their art,
'twill take years this is just the start,
But with supprts not just empty walls,
No snide retorts - only love in these halls,

Though the ramparts of Solitude seemed to protect you,
So does a dragon guarded tower two,
But no one should live in the bastions of Lonley-nest,
For all souls find that the quest for rest, at home be best,

A new truth dawning, 'tis wanting,
an adventure taken jaunting, Wanting,

When that wanting is vise,
Then wanted for Versa shall nicley suffice,

This is when you will find no more,
Those painful memories were so sore,
Deplore!
knock on hearts door,
So boor!
Invaded again - emotions asail the moor
holding the cure,
yet still unsure...
Collapsing with your jade tears to the floor,

Hair parted, fears departed, though still guarded,
That skilled, worn, gental, warm hand that understands,
that won't run off - on another change of plans.
You let continue the work it started,

One day you may find not a knight or prince,
A meger soul that may not convince,
Your heart though - it will evince,
Under the honorus moil, not even once wince,
spoil or boil,
Your name on the lips - never to soil,
To build-up, sweet words that make you feel royal,

This I hope, for you I hold faith,
for those too are required,
without them surley your love has retired,

So keep your candel lit and your fire bright,
For the other side of even the darkest night,
Pry open your eyes, and keep your sight,
That one day you will; live, breath, and feel that promised day light,
You shant remain an ashen site,
Busrt forth again, your soul ignite,
take flight.