Family Goes Out to Dinner

We went to The Mandarin Chinese Buffet restaurant. 

A rare photo of Anthony and Ana, together.
Usually one or the other is taking the photos. 

Fish Tank

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

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

We had a lovely time together.

642 THINGS TO DRAW - A Drawing Journal

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.

Sample Blank Spread

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.

My 50th Birthday Celebration

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

Sisters Finished

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.

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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".

:)

Every Day in May Challenge # 31

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