I have been SO inspired by Ink Finger's Blind Contour Challenges. It's been pretty tough finding enough time to complete the illustrations that I want to do so I decided to give my own take on my first blind contour challenge while driving in my car (do not try this-it is only for the artist starving for her pencil and paper!). The first was draw on my way to work at 6:30am while waiting in line for my usual latte. The second was taken off to the right at a food drive thru with my hubby. I had such a riot working on these and was SO tickled when I saw what I had drawn. What a FUN and uninhibiting way to draw. I plan to do more, and oh, on topic...he he.

Far, far out into space, astronaunts dream of the time when they can return home, hungry for peanut butter, banana and pickle sandwiches, McDonald's shakes and homemade chocolate chip cookies. Freeze dried "copies" of these foods don't come close to the great taste of these earthly favorites! For a close up click here.

I happen to come across an old stainless steel toaster at work (our breakroom is decorated in the 50's theme) and brought it home to use as reference for this illustration. Since I didn't have it before I completed this illustration to date, it has given me more ideas to incorporate into it. Updates hopefully by the weekend!

Starting the day by eating a good breakfast is a "reflection" of the day ahead - make it a great one! This is a work still in progress. I have more work to do on it but wanted to post it before the end of the week when I am always in a time crunch it seems. This will also brings to mind Every Day Matters #28 challenge of draw an appliance - a little late! I think I may even make the table cloth red checked to add more punch, hmmm...

I have been tagged byKim at Something to Say on five idiosyncrasies.

Definition:
n. pl. id·i·o·syn·cra·sies
A structural or behavioral characteristic peculiar to an individual or group.
A physiological or temperamental peculiarity.
An unusual individual reaction to food or a drug.

1. Kim and I are very much alike in the fact that we "always pick up stray pennies off the ground, we find them all the time." I not only pick up pennies, but all coins and bills! "A penny saved is a penny earned". Better me saving the penny or coin I find on the ground than the next person who doesn't think its worth it or their time. The most I have every found, a $20 dollar bill and $15.00 in a ten and five ones. No one around to claim it so I became the "fortune-ate" finder. My youngest son spent most of his entire childhood finding money in one ice hockey arena or another. All our children and my husband now don't pass up a coin - except in heavy traffic of course!

2. At night, my husband tells me I raise my arm and gentle stroke the inside of it. I am always surprised when I hear this as I don't recall it. I often absent mindedly do it during the day while talking to someone. I think it is some kind of relaxation technique or that I am just plain comfy.

3. At events I often take 1/2 of a dessert offered then go back for the second half later. My family and co-workers say "why don't you just take the whole thing to start with, your going to eat it anyways." I think about it in two ways: if I satisfy my taste buds I will skip the second piece or I can go back for seconds and really only get the first- no extra calories and no guilt!

4. I have had taken strengths testing and found that my number one strength is "Maximizer." What it boils down to is that I like to refine and improve on something until it is at its best or highest potential. Like the polishing of a pearl. In short, a perfectionist. NO wonder I am so critical of my own work. I come by this via my mother who is also a perfectionist. I also see and encourage others strengths and not their weaknesses. I most often look for the good and positive in everything, not the bad or negative.

5. I am a Leo, extroverted, loving, loyal, faithful, creative and enthusiastic, generous and warmhearted, broad minded and expansive, independent, a born leader, ambitious, courageous, articulate, self confident and magnetic. No, I am not going to go there...no negative stuff for me!

Tagging Rozzie, Pamdora, Cindy of Learning Daily, Cheri, Eefje of Gastrono-Me.

WISDOM - This illustration works for both IF's "wisdom" and EDM's "draw a book" challenge. I I believe reading is a key to education, knowledge and understanding. Wisdom is the sum of learning through the ages; knowledge. The more knowledge one has about a given subject or situation, the more wisdom and commen sense one should have to make sound judgements.

DRAW A BOOK - I am probably deviating a bit too far with this illustration, however it was the first thing that came to mind when I saw "draw a book" in the Everyday Matters challenge. This is a children's illustration I am working on.



I will post the finished illustration of this piece later on this week.

Isn't it funny sometimes when you see someone who reminds you of someone you know? I was in Starbuck's the other day and one of the employee's behind the counter looks very much like a friend of mine from California, Nikki M.




What struck me is that this girl's facial features reminded me so much of Nikki. She was quite tall, had dishwater blonde hair and wore comfortable kakhis. So I sketched her and every time I look at this sketch I am reminded of Nikki.

Of course, these are only similarities. I have been told by many people that I look like my employer's wife. We both are dark brunettes, wear our hair the same way and are small though she is much taller than I am. This to me is where it ends. The same goes for Nikki. She is a sunny blonde, wears her hair about 100 different ways (she owns a hair salon), is petite and fashionable and has a warm and engaging personality.