Saturday, June 30, 2012

25 Wedding Anniversary Celebration

Anniversary Cake© made by Barbara Jackson - Photo© by Robert Brosius - Lemon, Vanilla, Chocolate cake.
Anniversary Cake made by Barbara Jackson
Photo by Robert Brosius

We are fortunate to have some of the most amazing friends and family. Our friends, Storm and Ian, opened up their back yard and held a BBQ in honour of our 25th Wedding Anniversary. Several of our friends and family were invited and were in attendance.

My sister-in-law, Barbara (Mylo's significant other) made this beautiful anniversary cake.

Detail of anniversary cake made by Barbara Jackson. Birds because Ana and Anthony Tirolese are bird people.
Detail
Photo by Ana Tirolese
Detail - Top of cake. Roses in memory of Ana's father, Vasco Bettencourt. Roses were his favourite flowers.Hand made by Barbara Jackson ©
Detail - Top of cake. Roses in memory of Ana's father, Vasco Bettencourt. Roses were his favourite flowers.
Photo by Ana Tirolese
All the flowers and decorations were hand made by Barbara, with some help from the kids. Everything was edible and delicious! 

Another view of the anniversary cake made by Barbara Jackson. Photo by A Tirolese
Another view of the cake
Photo by A.Tirolese
The top layer of the cake was lemon, the middle was vanilla, and the bottom was chocolate. The cake tasted as good as it looked. The cake was moist and delicious. Barbara did a fabulous job in building this cake. It was a beautiful piece of culinary art and we hated cutting into it. Thankfully, we have lots of lovely photos to remember it, not to mention the 20 extra pounds on my hips!

All in all, we had a lovely time at Storm and Ian's home. They were gracious hosts. The food was plentiful and delicious. The company was wonderful. Everyone enjoyed themselves. We could not have asked for a better celebration of our 25 year union.


Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Every Day in June #19 - Inner Critic

SCARY IMAGE - Every Day in June #19 (EDM #216) - Draw your inner critic ©Ana Tirolese
Every Day in June #19 (EDM #216) - Draw your inner critic

Pen and Ink with Digital Colour

I was having a bad morning and when I saw this challenge the above image materialized. Too many of us are familiar with this beast.

My son said, "Hey, mom, your inner critic is scary."

Yes, yes it is.

This is my psyche at it's worse.  This is when I lose all confidence in myself; when I cannot remember that there are are good things in my life.

When I posted the above image on Facebook I was surprised at the amount of comments that came my way. Here is a sample of those comments.
Facebook Comments
Facebook Comments - Used with permission
 
My friend, Sherry Power, of Power Home Solutions wrote a lovely blog post about this situation entitled Silencing Your Inner Critic. Please take a moment to go read it.

Thankfully I don't go to this place very often, anymore. I have mechanisms in place now to keep me from getting here, or staying long, if I do go here.  


  • I have a list of accomplishments that I keep in a file on the computer. I add to this list as I go along.
  • I keep emails, letters, notes of nice things people have said to me or about me. I read these when I need to remember that I am not as horrible as my critic is telling me.
  • I have gone for counseling in the past, and, although I am not longer in counseling, I would recommend it to anyone who is feeling overwhelmed. It really does help you to see outside the box and get a fresh perspective on what is going on in your life.
  • I am on low-dose antidepressant.
  • I surround myself with positive people.
  • I draw, read, create art, have coffee with friends, interact with people, mentor people (online and off), get involved with others with similar interests

I created this image, that is supposed to be far more positive, in response to the inner critic. This is supposed to be my inner cheerleader.

Inner Cheerleader © Ana Tirolese
Inner Cheerleader - More positive image
My family and friends think I drew myself looking too scary.
However, I think it the cartoon of me is just as scary as the critic cartoon. It was supposed to be me cheering, however, I drew the teeth in the wrong angle.  Still, the colours are prettier and the words are nicer. I strive to be the things in this image, although I have not always succeeded. 

There were more Facebook comments left regarding this image.

Facebook comments about the Inner Cheerleader image
Facebook Comments - Used with permission
I read a blog post some time ago about 20 Bad Habits Holding Good People Back. It is from the blog Marc and Angel Hack Life: Practical Tips for Productive Living and was written by Marc. I suggest you follow the link to read the full description of the 20 bad habits. It is well worth the read. Here is a quick listing of the habits.

  1. Expecting life to be easy
  2. Overlooking your true path and purpose
  3. Chasing after those who don’t want to be caught
  4. Not asking for help when you know you need it
  5. Letting one dark cloud cover the entire sky
  6. Holding on to things you need to let go of
  7. Spending time with people who make you unhappy
  8. Not making time for those who matter most
  9. Denying personal responsibility
  10. Letting everyone else make decisions for you
  11. Giving up who YOU are
  12. Quitting as soon as things get slightly difficult
  13. Doing too much and pushing too hard, without pausing
  14. Discrediting yourself for everything you aren’t
  15. Running from current problems and fears
  16. Constantly mulling over past hardships
  17. Denying your mistakes
  18. Expecting your significant other to be perfect
  19. Focusing on the negatives
  20. Not allowing things to be good enough

Through the magic of computers and digital technology I have created a less scary cheerleader image. Here it is.

My Inner Cheerleader, Rebooted. © Ana Tirolese
My Inner Cheerleader - Rebooted 
Pen and Ink, Manipulated Photo, Digital Colour.

Thank you for reading my blog.


Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Zazzle Summer Discount

I Love to Sing Mug found at http://www.zazzle.com/dollinha - ©Ana Tirolese
I Love to Sing Mug
Zazzle is having a 10% Summer Discount
Ends on Sunday, June 24, 2012.  

Please go to my Zazzle Store:
http://www.zazzle.com/dollinha

If you see anything you would like to purchase use the discount code FUNSUNSUMMER to get 10% off your entire order.

Hurry!
Sale Ends Sunday!



Saturday, June 16, 2012

Every Day in June #16 (EDM #186) - Draw something you’ve always wanted


Cartoon of Ana singing. ©Ana Tirolese
Every Day in June #16 (EDM #186) - Draw something you’ve always wanted
Ana Singing


Pen and Ink with Digital Colour

I have always wanted to be able to sing. Unfortunately, I was not blessed with any musical ability and even less of a singing voice. When I was in grade 6 my teacher asked me to just mouth the words to the songs because I had the worse voice she had ever heard. I stopped singing altogether, then.

God did bless me with a musically gifted son who has a lovely singing voice.

Friday, June 15, 2012

Every Day in June #15 (EDM #176) - Draw something summer


Summer image of watermelon, ladybugs, flowers, and ants. Pen and Ink with Digital Colour Drawing by © Ana Tirolese
Every Day in June #15 (EDM #176) - Draw something summer

Pen and Ink with Digital Colour

Watermelon is another of my favourite foods. I could eat this stuff until I am completely waterlogged! When I think of summer I think of watermelon...and ladybugs, and ants...

I enjoy summer, but not when it is very hot and humid. I become quite cranky then. I like the cooler days of summer.

The above image was originally rendered in my sketchbook in pen and ink. I then scanned it and modified it in Photoshop. Digital colour was also added at that time. Below is the original, untouched, image.

Ana Tirolese's original pen and ink drawing from sketchbook, untouched.  ©Ana Tirolese
Original Pen and Ink drawing from Sketchbook, untouched.


Thursday, June 14, 2012

Every Day in June #14 (EDM #166) - Draw a fish


Fish drawing by © Ana Tirolese
Every Day in June #14 (EDM #166) - Draw a fish

Pen and Ink and Watercolour

This is from my memory of going to the Mandarin Restaurant with my husband and son. They have a huge aquarium in the restaurant.

Fish at the Mandarin Restaurant photo by © Ana Tirolese
Fish at The Mandarin Restaurant.



Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Every Day in June #12 (EDM #146) - Draw a favorite food


Stylized banana drawing by © Ana Tirolese
Every Day in June #12 (EDM #146) - Draw a favorite food

Pen and Ink with Watercolour

Truth be known, I actually have many favourite foods, including bananas. I chose a banana because I could draw it without having to get up and getting a real one as a reference.

I like bananas dipped in chocolate (frozen or not) but don't do that very often.  When I was little, my mother would give me banana dipped in white sugar. My friend, Murilo, was telling me he enjoyed a banana microwaved and mashed with cinnamon. I tried it recently and it is good.  My favourite is frozen bananas that I enjoy during the summer during the summer. Sometimes I will blend a frozen banana in a blender until it is the consistency of ice cream. Yum!

Warning: Be careful biting into a frozen banana. It can break your teeth.


Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Every Day in June #11 (EDM #136) - Draw Something that’s Alive

Drawing of Dexter by © Ana Tirolese
Every Day in June #11 (EDM #136) - Draw Something that’s Alive
Pen and Ink with Watercolour

Dexter is a conure/parakeet. He loves to steal food and drink from Anthony. Here I have him enjoying Anthony's orange juice.

Dexter stealing pineapple from Anthony. Photo by © Ana Tirolese
Dexter tries to sneak some of Anthony's pineapple.
Dexter eating pasta dinner. Photo by © Ana Tirolese
Dexter has some "pasta dinner" in a plate of his own
Dexter is a funny bird and we really enjoy having him living with us. He loves to spend time with Anthony. He also "helps" Anthony read books, sometimes he is a little too helpful.

Dexter helping Anthony read. Photo by © Ana Tirolese
Here Dexter is helping Anthony read on my HP Touchpad. 



Monday, June 11, 2012

Every Day in June #10 (EDM #126) - Draw a Sponge

Spongebob Squarepants drawing by Ana Tirolese
Every Day in June #10 (EDM #126) - Draw a Sponge
Pen and Ink with Watercolour

I thought I would have a little fun with this challenge and draw Spongebob Squarepants. My son used to love this show when he was younger. Oh, who am I kidding, he still loves this show! When he is home he subjects me to hours of it on Netflix.

This was most fun to draw, even if I can hear Spongebob's maniacal laugh in my head every time I look at it.











Sunday, June 10, 2012

Every Day in June # 9 - Draw Something Green

Green Lantern drawing by © Ana Tirolese
Every Day in June #9 (Every Day Matters #116) - Draw Something Green
The Green Lantern

Pen and Ink with Watercolour

I thought I would share my version of The Green Lantern. I am no Alex Ross or James Wood, but I had fun drawing this. I did it as part of a drawing every day challenge in one of my online art groups. Instead of drawing a leaf or a frog I thought I would do something a little different. I really do not do cartoons or comic book characters so this was a stretch for me.

I did enjoy the movie, The Green Lantern.


Saturday, June 9, 2012

My Sketchbook is Viewed at the Sketchbook Project 2012 World Tour

Sketchbook Project photo. © Sharon Lynn
Sharon Lynn checks out my sketchbook at the Sketchbook Project 2012 World Tour
at the Pop-Up Library in Oakland, CA
Sharon surprised me by posting the above photo on my Facebook page. She went to the Sketchbook Project 2012 World Tour exhibit in her city. She wrote that she enjoyed viewing my sketchbook (and other sketchbooks) in person.

I am thrilled that someone who I know from my online art groups was able to view my sketchbook in a city so far away from my home. This is quite exciting for me.  I look forward to going to Toronto in July to see the Sketchbook Project 2012 World Tour for myself.

You may see my profile here: Dollinha

Or you can view my archived posts re: The Sketchbook Project 2012





Friday, June 8, 2012

Every Day in June 8 (EDM 106) - Draw Something Tart or Sour


Sour Candy drawing by © Ana Tirolese
Every Day in June #8 (EDM #106) - Draw something tart or sour

Pen and Ink with Watercolour

These are supposed to be sour candies. They come in packets or from gumball dispensers at the mall. They are small pellets and give you quite a jolt when you put them in your mouth. I rather like them.

I used my son's refillable brush pen to paint in the background. I liked it! Must get me one of those!



Thursday, June 7, 2012

Every Day in June #7 - A Fire Hydrant


Fire Hydrant drawing by © Ana Tirolese
Draw a fire hydrant and write about firemen

Pen and Ink with Watercolour

This an older version of a fire hydrant. The newer ones are more sleek looking, but don't have nearly the personality these older ones have.

Firefighters (historically firemen) are rescuers extensively trained primarily to extinguish hazardous fires that threaten civilian populations and property, and to rescue people from dangerous incidents, such as collapsed and burning buildings. ~ Wikipedia

Below is the pencil under-drawing I did to get the shape before adding the ink. Sometimes I do pencil under-drawings when I need to work the shapes first. I thought it might be fun to show it since most people don't usually see this step.


Fire Hydrant drawing by © Ana Tirolese
My original pencil under-drawing.
Photo taken with iPhone
Fire Hydrant photo by © Ana Tirolese
I took this photo of a hydrant in downtown London, ON.
It is in front of our friends' comic book & gaming shop: LA Mood.
Photo taken with iPhone




Wednesday, June 6, 2012

25TH Wedding Anniversary

Anthony and Ana Anniversary Photo by © Alex Tirolese
Anthony and Ana
25 Years of Marriage!
It is hard to believe it has already been 25 year! 

Happy Anniversary Sweetie!



Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Family Goes Out to Dinner

We went to The Mandarin Chinese Buffet restaurant. 

Anthony and Ana Tirolese. Photo by © A Tirolese
A rare photo of Anthony and Ana, together.
Usually one or the other is taking the photos.
 
Fish at Mandarin Restaurant. Photo by © Ana TiroleseFish at Mandarin Restaurant. Photo by © Ana Tirolese
Fish Tank

We sat near the fish tanks. We enjoyed the peaceful calmness of the swimming fish. They were beautiful to watch as well.


Anthony photo by © A TiroleseAnthony Photo by © A Tirolese

Anthony photo by © Ana Tirolese


The food was wonderful, as always.  Of course, we ate far too much!

We had a lovely time together.




Monday, June 4, 2012

642 THINGS TO DRAW - A Drawing Journal

Photo of book: 642 Things to Draw. Photo by © Ana Tirolese
642 Things to Draw 
Designed by Eloise Leigh © 2010 by Chronicle Books

I purchased this book last time I was at Chapters with My Sweetie!

I'm sure it comes as no surprise that I enjoy drawing. A couple years ago I came across Danny Gregory's book An Illustrated Life and the Every Day Matters web group.

Recently I completed the Every Day in May Drawing Challenges.

So, when I came across this book in Chapters it was no surprise that I wanted it. I will admit, it took three visits to Chapters before I gave in and purchased it.

Each page has one to four sections to draw in, and each section has a word or phrase that you are to draw in that section.

Inside 642 Things to Draw book. Blank pages. Photo by © Ana Tirolese
Sample Blank Spread


Inside 642 Things to Draw book. Pages with drawings by Ana. Photo and Drawings by © Ana Tirolese
Sample Spread After I Drew in the book

I jumped right it and started drawing like crazy. I'll be posting the actual drawings on my Strictly Sketchbook blog. Pen and Ink are a bit of a challenge for me so I will try to do the majority of my drawings in pen and ink in this book.  I hope you enjoy viewing these as much as I enjoy drawing them.




Sunday, June 3, 2012

My 50th Birthday Celebration

Ana/Anthony Portrait drawing by © Ana Tirolese

Portrait cartoons of the people who attended Ana's 50th birthday celebration. Drawings by by © Ana Tirolese

This year I celebrated my 50th birthday (on February 19). The evening before we had a small celebration at Ben Thanh Restaurant with 28 of my friends and family. It was lovely!

Above is a quick sketch of the guests.

The first sketch is of me and Anthony, my husband.

The next sketch is:

Page 1 top to bottom, left to right:

  • Liduina Bettencourt, my mother
  • Joe Bettencourt, my brother
  • Brenda Bettencourt, Joe's wife
  • Krystina Bettencourt, my niece (Mylo's daughter)
  • Michael Wayner-Bettencourt, Krystina's son
  • Makaela Wayner-Bettencourt, Krystina's daughter
  • David Bettencourt, Joe's son
  • Jessie Mizzie, David's date
  • Alexia Covacich, dear friend
  • Linda Wilkinson, dear friend
  • Kurt Howlett, dear friend
  • Bob Brosius, Kurt's husband

Page 2 top to bottom, left to right:

  • Sherry Power, dear friend
  • Jeff Power, Sherry's huband
  • Linda Zimmerman, dear friend
  • Ken Voege, Rebekah's husband
  • Rebekah Voege, dear friend
  • Walter Zimmerman, Linda's huband
  • Lottie Scott, dear friend
  • Clifford, Rosita's husband
  • Rosita Marques, dear friend
  • Barb Ward, dear friend
  • Joyce Torby, dear friend
  • David Torby, Joyce's huband
  • Dave Ward, Barb's husband
  • Paul Estabrook, Dianne's huband
  • Dianne Estabrook, dear friend






Saturday, June 2, 2012

Sisters Finished

Sisters portrait complete. Drawing by by © Ana Tirolese
Sisters: Joelle (pink) and Danielle (blue) Wood. Commissioned portrait. NFS 

This was actually finished a couple of months ago, but I just realized I forgot to post the final image to this blog.

Well, here it is.

<> __ <>

This was a commissioned piece. It was done on black Stonehenge 90lb acid free art paper with Prismacolor coloured pencils. This piece is approximately 8" x 10".

:)


Friday, June 1, 2012

Every Day in May Challenge # 31

An Empty Mind drawing by © Ana Tirolese
Draw what you’re afraid of. Write about it, if you dare.

Ink and Watercolour

In reality, there is very little I am afraid of. What I am truly afraid of, I will not admit publicly. However, I will admit this minor fear... I am afraid of losing my mind.

It is very frightening to know that your mind is going. I have watched three people in my life suffer from dementia. Eventually, they lose their memories to the point that they no longer know that they have lost their memories. Then, it is just difficult on the surviving family members. However, when they are still somewhat lucid it becomes very stressful and frustrating for the person losing his/her mind.

I hope this never happens to me.

Some other minor fears I have:
  • something bad happening to any of my family members or friends
  • losing my eyesight, completely (it is already going)
  • losing my ability to create art