Like the sands of the hourglass...

So are the Days of Our Lives starring Julie Ann and her 3 ring circus.

So glad this is almost over!

It's a love-hate thing with these challenges.  I really am being challenged but I also notice that  I balk at the ones I don't like or can't think of something to draw. So I don't work as hard as I should. Each time I do one if these I learn something. It may be as little as observing my mistakes, or the lack of effort, but I also see where I really need/want to work on. Like shadows,  perspective, highlights.
Barbara's paintings are a little like art instruction.  I see in her paintings what I left out in mine, not knowing any better.  Instead of being  intimidated, I think instead, that I'll shut off that evil voice and focus on what I can learn from her. 
And I really want to make this something I'm not having to GET to.  It's an art lesson. 

My coffee loves me

There's a lot excitement of colors here this morning. I think I'll try and paint this.
I am not putting up my mitten challenge. They're awful and childish and one dimensional and and and, oh yea, Barbie is better than I am. Duh.
Let it be.
My new motto.

Boots

Viviva watercolors

Diggin' these new  Viviva watercolors

sled

Merry Christmas!

Gift and cookies

I'm getting more and more depressed doing these. I feel like every time I do one it's getting worse. Sigh. 7 days left. I'm resorting to a little cheating.

Stocking

I thought I'd play with miskit. But the cheap watercolor paper tore when I was rubbing it off.

Eggnog and gingerbread

Nutcracker

I couldn't think of how to make a soldier nutcracker so I made one of these. Now I have to look and see how close I am.

Mistletoe

• 
  

Snowman

Tinsel

Chocolate

 Sacher torte. I need lessons on shadows and perspective

I get by with a little help from my friends

Wreath

Ribbon

Reflection

Well, it's 7:05 a.m. and I have fed my cats, made my coffee, defrosted sausage for breakfast, prayed my morning office, and painted a bowl of pudding, correctly as it turns out, according to mom's green pudding dish, thank you very much Laurie. gasp.  long sentence.

I keep thinking about my sister's lament that these challenges are taking her away from doing what she wants to do. As as I am want to do, I compare it to my thoughts. Do I feel this way?  See, I have to compare sometimes because I often just do things without thinking, "do I really like this? " or "should I be doing this anymore?" or or or.  I often need someone to throw out an idea to wake up my complacency.  And my sister is my hero where that's concerned.  So, back to the lament and my personal take on it.  No.  It doesn't take me away from what I'm wanting to do.  Often, it leads to something else if I have the time or the kitten isn't competing for attention. 

I'm finding that the early hours, like this when Prim has gone outside and Ray is still blissfully sleeping, my music is down low and only the lights I need to see are on I can breathe into my art instead of it being a job or a lesson or a project.  I can just let my mind flow with my pencil or pen or brush.Nothing fantastic comes of it, no masterpiece, but that's okay.  I'm not working toward a masterpiece.  I'm working toward connecting my hand with my eyes. 

And then there's the afternoon...

Two puddings

I took a picture in case I messed up on the background and darkening the green a little. So sent both. Because I can.

Dove?

Hahahhaa! Don't know how to draw a bird let alone a dove. Sheesh! I guess I should have thought about a holy spirit dove? Hey. It's done.

Poinsettia

Now that that's done, on to my drawing lesson.

Star

Hide and seek. Where's also. Find the star

Tree

For some reason I'm having a tough time with these challenges.

Holly

lights!

i liked it better in real life.

#2 bells

they're supposed to be jingle bells

December challenge #1