May 15, 2012

Recent Reads

47. Proust was a Neuroscientist
Every now and then I read a book that blows my mind, and this was one of those. Fascinating, insightful, un-put-downable. I am fascinated by neuroscience and art, and loved every moment of this book.

May 14, 2012

EDiM #14

EDiM #14: Draw your lunch and journal about it.
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So, I debated what I was going to eat for lunch today. I was really tempted to eat something that would be easier to sketch - but that felt like cheating. So leftovers it was. Quinoa with a Thai style pork curry. Pen, white crayon and watercolors.

Hagia Sophia

I'm finally getting around to uploading more of my pics from Turkey.

Hagia Sophia is one of my fave sites in Turkey, and considering how much I loved the sites I visited, that is saying something. You can see my pics of Hagia Sophia here.

May 13, 2012

EDiM #13

EDiM #13: Draw something breezy - something that blows in the wind - a flag, leaves, your choice.
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It is a beautiful, breezy day today. Perfect for a quick sketch of the Koinobori on the porch. Pen and markers.

Recent Reads

45. The Thorn and the Blossom
This is a story of star crossed lovers. The book only takes an hour or so to read, and I thought the writing and story was OK. What I loved about this book is the format. It is an accordion style book - one side tells the story from Evelyn's point of view and the other from Brendan's perspective. You can read either story first - and I happened to read Evelyn's first. I do like that book publishers are thinking of creative ways to make DTBs more interesting. This is an example of a book that would loose that coolness factor if read as an ebook.

46. Living Your Yoga
I have struggled with yoga. Sometimes I practice regularly, other times I fall off the wagon and cannot seem to get back on. Decided to get back on in May, and found this book to read to supplement my practice. I really liked it - it is not preachy and gave me lots to think about.

May 12, 2012

EDiM #12

EDiM #12: Draw a button or buttons.
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Here are two buttons from my stash of "extra" buttons. You know those buttons that come with new clothes? Well, the clothing is long gone, but the buttons stayed on. Am going to have to come up with a project to use them on. Pen and watercolors.

May 11, 2012

EDiM #11

EDiM #11: Draw something with wings.
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"Pinky" looks rather mean in this sketch. Pen and watercolors.

May 10, 2012

EDiM #10

EDiM #10: Draw an apple.
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Well, this is apple-like. Sometimes the simplest objects can the toughest for me to sketch. Think I have many more apple sketch session in my future. Pen and watercolors.

May 9, 2012

Recent Reads

41. State of Wonder
This is the second book I have read by the author, and I have to admit that I had some trepidation since I so did not like Bel Canto. I was delighted to discover that I really liked this book. It is an interesting read, and some of the themes include big pharma and drug development, first contact, relationships, and fertility. The idea of women being able to biologically have babies until they are well into their 80s left me cold. While I understand that some women might want to prolong their reproductive years, I sincerely doubt (and hope) that as a whole, women (and men for that matter) want to prolong things that long! Lots to think about with this one.

42. What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
I have been meaning to dive into reading this author - so many of his books are on my TBR list. Then I found out that he has a memoir that focuses on running. As a beginner runner, I am constantly looking to understand why people seem to love this sport so much. I listened to the audio book mainly on walks - though on one run too - and found it interesting.

43. Creative Ways with Books and Journals
While I really like the journal photography in this book, it was not what I was expecting. It is probably good for beginners who are interested in learning how to bind their first journal. There are some amazing books on this topic, and this one did not add much to what I had already learned.

44. Game of Thrones
GRRM has been on my TBR list for ages, and after watching the first season of Game of Thrones on HBO, decided it was time to jump into this series that everyone is raving about. And have to say that I loved it. I had to keep putting it down so I would not blow through it too fast. There is love, and honor, and deceit, and loyalty, and jousts, and war, and family, and duty, and obligation, and arranged marriages, and war horses, and kings and queens and traitors, and the Others. And oh, yes, dire wolves and dragons. A world to get lost in. You'll need to keep a map and the family trees handy - there are so many characters it can be tough to keep them all straight otherwise. Oh, and my fave characters are a dwarf, a bastard and two head-strong girls. I actually gasped when certain unexpected things happened - and I mean really unexpected. I have the next book in the series standing by, but am thinking I might want to spread the books out a bit so I don't finish them too soon. Know what I mean?

EDiM #9

EDiM #9: Draw a brown paper bag.
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This is my first time participating in the EDiM challenge, and I find it an interesting experience to simply sketch what I'm told to sketch. On the one hand I chafe at the restrictions, and on the other hand I find that I don't have to think about what to sketch. I just do it. Pen and watercolors.

May 8, 2012

Check this out

You know me, you know that I'm a huge Depp fan. And I like Portman. So was delighted to find this My Valentine video.

EDiM #8

EDiM #8: Draw an egg carton, with or without eggs in it.
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Pencil and watercolors.

May 7, 2012

EDiM #7

EDiM #7: Draw a spoon and journal a little about it.
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I seem to have ice-cream on my mind. Maybe because I am keenly aware that my freezer is out of Bear Claw, my fave kind. Pen, pencil, watercolors.

May 6, 2012

EDiM #6

EDiM #6: Draw a holiday card.
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The summer solstice is a one of the biggie celebrations in our house. Pen and watercolors.

May 5, 2012

EDiM #5

EDiM #5: Draw something sweet.
  
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I've got a sweet tooth, so simply looking at all the other participant entries has had me salivating all day. If one scoop is good, three is better. Pen and watercolors.

Brain rewiring

I am fascinated by the brain, and love learning about how our brains work. Once thought to be static and unchanging beyond a certain age, neuroscience has shown us the incredible plasticity of our brains. At all ages. Check out this interesting TED talk. I find it serendipitous how many of the items on the last slide are in line with my Every Day in May goals.

May 4, 2012

EDiM #4

EDiM #4: Draw a present you have received. Why is it special?
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How to pick one from so many? Especially when some of the best gifts are intangibles. Decided to sketch this bookmark, which was a gift from my sister. It reminds me of the many adventures we have had together, which always make me smile. Pen and watercolors.

May 3, 2012

EDiM #3

EDiM #3: Free choice. Draw anything you like.
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I for one love getting two for the price of one, so imagine my delight when this sketch works for both EDiM and TSBC. (The Sketchbook Challenge theme this month is Fruit and Veggies). Felt like the background needed some oomph, so out came a henna stencil to the rescue. Ink and watercolors.

May 2, 2012

EDiM #2

EDiM #2: Draw something that represents a new year's resolution of yours.
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In lieu of resolutions, I choose one word each year. My word for 2012 is LIGHT.

I still remember the first time I saw a prism split white light into a rainbow of colors. I was a wee one, and thought it quite magical. I now know how this happens, and even after decades of science education, I still think it is a magical thing. Watercolors and collage.

May 1, 2012

EDiM #1

Hello May. I've set several goals for the month of May, which I will share at the end of the month. One of them is to participate in the Every Day in May sketching challenge. Quickly bound a new journal which I hope to completely fill this month.
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EDiM #1: Draw or paint a landscape. Day one and I am already out of my comfort zone! Oh boy. It is raining heavily all day today, so decided to use a photo I had taken while in Turkey a couple of months ago. I loved the Cappadocia area, so thought I'd do a quick sketch of the Three Sisters. Pencil and watercolors.