I ran a weekly challenge at Drawspace this week. I based it on my trip to Northern Michigan, where I visited my Cousin. They were in the process of collecting sap to make syrup. My Cousin's Father in Law worked the evaporator, kept the fire going and watching the temperature on the syrup. He was able to explain to my younger boys and myself the whole process. The boys helped out with all the different jobs. Then we were able to bring home a jug of syrup.
My son William was in a robotics competition last night, Robofest. His team won and made it to the world finals, which luckily for him is right next door in Michigan. 
The same little boy and one of the Moms from another team. The team was huddled around the playing field and I thought I would be able to sketch them but they moved around too much. I should have brought another sketch book or some blank paper. I didn't want to fill up my sketch journal but could have easily sketched for quite a bit longer and at different times during the day.
Let's Make Art has started a Boot Camp. Ten to twenty minutes of exercise a day - five days a week. That's what it takes to keep in shape!Well I have the ten to twenty down, now to just get that 5 days a week in. The first week I did two days, the second I did one day, the third I did 4 days, and this week I have 2 so far.
Well their not great... I should have said no to this trade, but I was on such a good run. I had several sketches done and ready to do, but every time I took them out I just stared at them. I think I had ATC burn out. Jim suggested I should do cave painting, they'll be easy, ha! I talked him into doing them with me since I had no ambition to do this. We found out that those simple looking stick figures actually have beautiful sweeping lines and graceful curves. Not easy to do on a 2.5x3.5 card. I can't imagine how they did it on rock walls!
Well first it means that you have to learn how to spell renaissance. Which I have now done enough times to remember...after looking it up three times to triple check how to spell it!Happy Birthday Dear Blog!
Next it means picking out the meaning for Renaissance Woman that you like and can agree too. For example ... a young woman who is dominated by her father until she is passed into marriage, at which point she is to be loyal to her husband and produce boys... until death do us part! Well, that is not exactly the picture I had in mind. Although my father did keep a tight reign on me, as the only girl in a household of boys. And... I am loyal to my husband and...I did produce 4 boys. I guess it's just not said in a way that I can appreciate...domination and all that...ugh!
What I did have in mind was...A woman who has broad intellectual interests and is accomplished in areas of both the arts and the sciences. Now that's more like it!
Next is the fun part gather all that knowledge and use it!
This is where the blog comes in. I am absolutely certain that a renaissance woman, from whatever century, would have her journey written out. Of course in this century that means a blog!
Jeanne Grant
Everyday Objects
ame with their names and even though they are female we decided to leave them as is. We only added big and little so we can tell them apart. These cats are amazingly friendly. Everyone who came into the house was put into service... petting them!
Big Buck will let Bob maul her, by the time she says she has had enough she is quite wet. Personally I think she goes and grooms after, he wets the spots that she couldn't get to. She is not to sure about the puppy yet. She is giving Gracie trial meetings... checking the grooming potential?
Learning to draw a portrait is one of the most difficult things to do. I mean I can map everything out and take 30 or 40 hours and come up with a great portrait with a good likeness. I can after all see Jim looking out at me in his portrait, his lips, his eyes, yup it's him.
Now I will have to apologize to these beautiful ladies. I do feel that I captured some of their look, but I don't think their Mom's will call for copies! Now I have heard one of these ladies say "practice, practice, practice". So back to the sketch pad for me, because I would so love to be able to whip off a sketch of someone and have it be recognizable.
Have you ever thought of who your hero would be? On a drawing forum there was a challenge to draw your hero. Well that might be easier said than done. I for one had never given it any thought. I of course have people I admire, people who do amazing things. Fire fighters who save people, doctors, nurses, fathers and mothers who put food on the table...I mean if you start thinking about it we are surrounded by heroes. People who go above and beyond the call to duty. People who persevere through great obstacles. Some we will know about and most we won't.
I belong to a website called Drawspace. This is an artists forum dedicated to teaching everyone how to draw. Brenda Hoddinott is the very talented lady who brings this site to us. She has more than 100 lessons available from beginner to advanced. On a regular basis she also adds more lessons for us to do . Like this adorable Emma Emu, above.
ould have a full set of dishes and utensils! I wouldn't have to share the computer as much! I could afford to travel! Wow the list does go on.
