Friday, April 1, 2011

What I am inspired by


These great wild daffodil pictures from Design Mom!

What I am creating

Daffodils. I've restretched the canvas, drawn the picture, and applied the colour. That's progress!

Monday, March 28, 2011

The Daffodil Principle

What I am inspired by

The Daffodil Principle. Have you heard this [apparently true] story? It's about a hillside of daffodils planted bulb by bulb by a single woman, and the moral of the story is that anything can be accomplished with small - sometimes baby - steps. I heard the story for the first time a few years ago when I had 4 young children, all at home, and was feeling particularly unproductive! After hearing the story, I realized that I may not be able to spend hours a day painting, or put together a collection or a series, but I could paint a little bit whenever I had the time, and perhaps the accumulation of these small moments might actually add up to a complete painting! This was my first piece after a very long time away...



What I am creating

I've been wanting to do a series of paintings of the birth month flowers. I intended to start in January (with the carnation) and do one painting a month all year. It's nearly the end of March now, and I haven't even picked up a brush - I guess the idea of 12 paintings was overwhelming! Keeping in mind the Daffodil Principle, I've decided to take baby steps - I'll start with March and work little by little, and if it doesn't get done until July, that's ok! Guess what the flower for March is... : )

Friday, March 25, 2011

Let's Try This Again...

What I'm inspired by

my cousin Johanne Morin who is picking up her blog again after a few months away. I used her blog post title - and her initiative - to get back at it myself! Welcome back, me (and thanks, Johanne)!

What I'm creating

a space for the baby. B is almost a year old (which explains the almost-a-year break from the blog...) and finally has a room of her own! Actually, we just put a play pen in the play room/guest room, but what can a fifth child expect?! We did hang some art work created just for her, by big brother Eddie:


We're hoping that having her own space, and some tips from this book will help solve our baby's sleeping issues! From 0-6 months, she slept through the night; from 6-12 she has woken every hour or so, sometimes staying awake for hours at a time in the middle of the night to play (which also explains the long break from the blog...). Now, I don't want you to get excited, but last night in her own room, Baby... SLEPT THROUGH THE NIGHT!!!!!!! Is that too many exclamation marks? I don't think so!!!!!!! That being said, she's sick with a cold, so last night could have been an anomoly. Stay tuned to find out! ; )