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I've started my Dr. Who painting (which will hang in my kitchen!) and it's going well. I'm about 4 hours in and have been snapping pics along the way to see my progress. I've never timed how long a painting has taken me before so it's pretty interesting for me to see just how slowly I move. Anywho here are the first approximate 4 hours, click for a larger view.
   
 Someone made a comment recently that some of my work is 'weird'. Now, I don't mind 'weird', in fact, I sort of love wonderfully weird things, however it was said about something that I didn't think was weird at all. I suppose it sort of got to me because I give so much away and I guess I'm concerned that a recipient might have thought that I gave them something strange. Then again, most people who would get something from me might expect that. Still, makes me wonder... and worry.
Ever since I put a stereo in my bedroom and have been dancing around like a crazy lady while getting dressed in the morning (don't lie... you've done it too). Dante has joined in the fun and drags himself away from morning cartoons to dance in the hallway and complain about my music selection. To be fair, he'll listen to most things it's just certain songs he wants to turn off... usually what he calls "girl songs". Here's the big D this morning grooving to Fat Boy Slim and classic Elton John.
 At Easter-time, while others are celebrating the resurrection of Jesus, we celebrate the new life that Spring brings. Paul and D have gone off on a nice walk, enjoying the outdoors and soaking up the sunlight, while I cleanse the house. Dante and I smudged the other night, and today it's floors and counters. It's pretty amazing what a good cleansing can do.
... In fact, while watching Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, I noticed that he often begins with a good cleaning... it really does offer a fresh new start. Can I just mention here how much I loves Gordon Ramsay? How can I not heart a man who swears so bloody much? AND can cook!!!
Speaking of food... we made THIS vegetarian cassoulet with white beans and loads of veggies on Friday (we did use chicken broth rather than water). It was quite yummo and we will definitely be adding it to our regular rotation. The only change I would make is to add the crumb topping and then pop it in the oven to toast for a few minutes rather than just sprinkling it on top at the end.
I'm pretty much done with my portrait of Dante. I'm really happy with it... though I do wish I had done it larger. It looks so small on the giant wall. Ah well, I'm pleased as punch with how it turned out so I'll save the complaints for something more deserving. My only problem right now is that I have no idea what I'm going to do next although my fingers are itching to get the brushes out.
I'm not planning of doing much of anything today. This is a very good thing because I've been saying for three weeks that I am in dire need of a vacation. That said, it seems that I just can't sit still these days. When I try to sit and watch the telly I get sort of fidgety and grab something to paint, sew or read.
As I said last week I'm giving the LB portraits a rest and have moved on to a portrait of my dearest D. I've just started it last night... really it's all details and stuff now... but I'm really happy with it so far. It's the largest painting I've ever done (30" x 20" which isn't really that big) and the first time I've actually done a painting with plans to hang it in my house. It's based off of one of my fave photos of the big D. I've also sort of finished off another wizard portrait that was hanging around.
Next? I've a few ideas. I'd still like to do a Vicar of Dibley but I think I'll be doing a Dr. Who next, there are also a few tins and shadowboxes I want to make. I wonder what is with the creative burst lately?
Well, it's off to clean the house. Someone has to do it ... besides I have to let my painting dry for a bit before moving on :)
We went to the Sportsman Show in Toronto this past weekend. It was insanely busy. The photo to the left shows the line-up to pay for entry. What was more shocking than the size of the line-up was how incredibly rude some of the people were. At least 20 people budded in front of us in line. Normally I wouldn't care but I just could not get over the fact that grown men were quite literally pushing their way ahead of a five year old boy. Inside wasn't much better with people shoving past and bumping into other people. By the end of the day I was standing my ground, refusing to budge, shouldering people that tried to push past. All it takes is an polite "excuse me" for Christ sake. I don't think I'll be going next year.
  
 
Sunday was busy, busy as we were having guests for dinner. Paul mentioned that I was making Eggplant Parmesan to his buddy Erin... one thing led to another... and we had dinner guests. We stopped by my mother's house for some birthday greetings (Including a velvet Elvis birthday card!). We also got to visit Sam's Bakery to pick out treats for dessert. We bought some loverly, yummy goodies and Paul pointed out an unusual item behind the cash register. A mano cornuto! This is an Italian charm to keep away the evil eye. It's not something you see everyday... heck it's even hard to find it when you're actively searching! Anyway I bought one for myself and a pair of cornicello (little horns) for D.
ALSO good news was the arrival of "Rock Profile" from England which actually plays in my crappy $30 Canadian Tire DVD player! It's the same fella's from that show I'm sort of obsessed with at the mo' and I'm happy to say that's very funny. It would have been a shame to admit that Little Britain was a fluke. You really must see it to appreciate it. I adore the Eurythmics and think that Anne Lennox is a stunning woman with an amazing voice but after watching Rock Profile I will forever see her as Dave Stewart's monosyllabic monster.
Here is my Little Britain Anne portrait in progress. The sweater obviously needs some major work but I'm well pleased as to how she is turning out. Now that she is on her way to being done I am wondering what I will paint next. I'm already thinking about a Vicky Pollard and Sebastian with his Prime Minister but I'll take a short break from Little Britain. I've two ideas in my head that need to be put on canvas first... including something of Dawn French as I think that she's just the most lovely, funny lady evah.
This weekend is shaping up to be a busy one. It's groceries and cleaning tomorrow night (great Friday fun!), Saturday it's soccer registration for the Big D and then off to the Sportsman Show in Toronto, finally Sunday we have guests coming for dinner and so it's cooking up a storm during the day. Plus it's my mother's birthday. Chirst! Could we possibly jam anymore into the weekend?
 First things first. Dante's party was madness. It was a crazy snowy day so there were a few kidlets that couldn't make it but that's okay, as the kids were not interested in playing any games or doing any sort of organized activity. Basically it was two hours of "Run and Scream" up and down the hallway. I gave in pretty early and let them run about like madmen... sometimes it's best not to fight it. Dante seemed to have a good time and that's what matters.
  We told D that for his birthday we'd take him the the toy shop and he could pick out whatever he liked. Lucky for us he picked out a $12.99 wrestling ring with 2 wrestling action figures. He's been dragging it all over the house with him for three days. He's actually quite difficult to buy for because there aren't many toys that he plays with. He probably spends more time with a length of rope and the vacuum hose than any thing in he toy chest.
I've started another Little Britain portrait. This time I'm doing a rather large portrait of Anne. Inspired by another crafty crafter on craftster.org, I've decided to actually do this one in a more traditional portrait style with a greater sense of realism. After this I may give the Little Briton's a rest for a wee while. Paul mentioned Dr. Who so I might give him a go. I may do a portrait of the Big D... he is my most favourite thing in the entire world to gaze upon after all:)
Of all the subjects that people could choose to paint I wonder why there are so many still life studies of fruit. It occurred to me that it of all the wonderful things in the world, a bowl of fruit is an odd thing to single out. I can think of loads of things off the top of my head that I'd rather paint ... crumpled fabric, my messy desk, goddesses, bowling pins, egg beaters, eggs, shoes, nudes, bugs, dirt, fancy drinks, witches, wizards, gnomes, letters, words, mythical creatures, real creatures, the inside of my junk drawer, marbles, space men, cowboys ... why fruit? Hmmm, I do have a sudden urge to paint an apple now.
My favourite thing today: this video/story about a crazed gnome terrorizing a small town in Argentina.
Also all sorts of swell: this video morphing the great women of Hollywood. It's beautifully done and quite interesting to see how different the women are but at the same time how each one is strikingly lovely.
Dante's birthday is tomorrow and they are calling for a giant snow storm. The house is a mess and I've got tons to do before the kiddos arrive... I'm sure it will be fine but I'm in a bit of a panic at the moment. Currently, it looks as though a birthday monster has blown up in my dining room. I will post pics of the madness later.
Paul got himself a new tattoo on Wednesday and it's pretty swell. Here is a pic just after the bandages were taken off. It looks a bit sloppy here but that's just the ink and blood... it's actually very well done. The symbol is called a "Helm of Awe" for those that are interested... though there are similar ones in different cultures.
The other day I came across a list of the most romanticized jobs... winemaker was at the top of the list. It sounds so fancy but it's a lot of hard work, there are a lot of sacrifices (especially at harvest time) and Paul's hands are almost permanently purple. That said, Paul does get to attend some fancy wine functions and last night he got gussied up to attend
Cuvée which touts itself as the "Oscars of the Ontario wine industry." He looks so happy in the photo doesn't he? Anywho, the winery Paul works at won four awards! Hurrah!
When Paul leaves me with the kiddo we usually have movie night or something special for Dante and I to do. Last night I had a pair of tickets for the Tartan Terrors and we did not let them go to waste. We got ourselves dressed to the nines (at Dante's insistence) and then headed downtown on a bus. It took us twice as long as what it should have to get downtown, and after waiting 15 minutes at Toby's restaurant and seeing nary a waitress, we nixed dinner and we settled on a bite at McDonalds before running over to the show.
The show was fantastic. I wasn't expecting much but it was a load of fun. The music was wonderful, the dancers were entertaining and the comedy was actually funny. I don't think I've laughed so much at a live show in ages.It must have been bloody good because Dante didn't say a peep the entire time and was mesmerized throughout. Undoubtedly D's favourite part was when they preformed a sort of 'stomp' number with hockey sticks. My fav was the bagpipe version of Cannon in D which turned the tune into something altogether shockingly joyful. Although my tickets were comped I would gladly pay to see them next time they come around. Excellent show with a well deserved standing O at the end.
Here are a few pics of D and I on our kid/mum date.
   
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Okay, okay, okay... I will now admit to losing my mind. I've done two more Little Britain portraits. This time it's Lou and Andy. I'm thrilled with Andy (Matt Lucas has a lovely face to paint btw) but not so much with Lou. This was my third attempt at painting Lou and I'm still not entirely pleased. I sometimes feel that things do not want to be painted and this is one of those times. Ah well, I suppose I'll wait and try again later.
03.01.08 - It really isn't all that glamorous.