Two New Books

Usually, when I introduce a new book, I color all the leading pages and show them.

This time, I took a page out of the first book to color it, and will do the lead ins the next time I reintroduce it with more art from it.  The first book is Rainforest Escape by Jade Gedeon.  It's a very well done book on lovely, thick, one sided water color paper.  The entries also have perforated edges for easy removal either before or after coloring/painting them.  There are several large pictures too, that have fold out pages so that you don't have to try and piece them together after coloring or painting them separately.

I decided I'd try a new method to color the entry I'm providing from this book.  Since it is made for water colors, I thought I'd try a layering method with markers first, since the paper is designed to help soak up excess moisture.  I then layered some colored pencils on top of the marker, and finished it off with some glitter gel pens for a little additional depth.  I took several pictures of it, so that I can hopefully share the way the layering shows different colors, along with a little glitter.  I also, decided that I'd try to create the blurred effect of some flowering plant in the background, and then filled in around that with some colors to have a sky effect.  I'm not the best artist out there, so I'm pretty sure that other people could have done a far better job than I, but there is no wrong way to color.  It's about enjoying your project, allowing it to affect and lower stress, anxiety etc.  It's also a great way to get both sides of your brain working in cooperation with one another for some great and creative problem solving outcomes.

The second book I think is aimed more at the male population that may enjoy coloring as a method of stress relief, creativity etc.  It's called Illustrations by T It's Just a Flirt.  It has varying girls inside with flirtatious expressions.  I'm sure that anyone would enjoy this book, but given the subjects of the art, I think it was aimed at giving men some acceptable outlets for their creativity as well.  The paper is medium quality, one sided, but not perforated, so I'd use care when tearing away a picture if you wanted to remove it before or after coloring.  I left the bottom of the picture intact since it indicates the artist that originally drew the picture.

As always I'm still working on other entries to share, the next of which, I think will deal with some of the issues I have with recurring dreams with regards to PTSD, and sleep issues.  Until next time, enjoy and share your art and stories with me too!

Mindless Moron ? My Views on a Political Pariah

I think it would be incorrect to label her as a mindless moron.

I have a distinct impression of Ocasio-Cortez, which has been building through the media attention she's been collecting along her current path.  Unfortunately, the view is somewhat dim, as I listen to quotes from her regarding this and that.  It seems to me that she was intelligent enough to pick out intelligent conversations during her time as a bar tender, and to hear bits of this and that, however, she never thought to research or learn about what it was she chooses to attempt to quote or speak about.  It's a simple parroting technique to attempt to sound intelligent, but without the full insight to form an actual, or original opinion on any specific subject.  In other words, her intellect is minimal at best.

Being able to pick up or listen to conversations from others that hold a true depth of thought is one thing, but listening to an argument in whole, or finding out for yourself the truth of this or that argument would take it further, and allow you to find out if you truly think that this or that view is worth your time.  In order to completely come to that type of conclusion, it would be infinitely useful to understand and know both sides of any argument or viewpoint, so that you could effectively counter any opposition from the other side of any view.  This is not something she's done.  When confronted with a difference of opinion, she shouts, yells and cries like a petulant child wanting everyone to think she's intelligent or right.

This tendency only marks her ineptitude for the position she's been voted to fill, and marks her as extremely young, and juvenile in both thought and speech.  I recall when I was young and wanted so desperately for others to know and understand who I was, and I recall so many others who have taken the same path.  It's a typical path everyone takes.  We want those around us to know and understand us, but we should still understand our own limits while pursuing such a path.  This is what has eluded her, and many others like her.  I, for one, am extremely happy that she's on the other side of the spectrum of my views and opinions, as her "arguments" of her views only strengthen my views because of her ineptitude for expressing or understanding her own viewpoints.  I feel very sorry for those she represents, as well as those who share her party, as she's effectively destroying any positive feelings for them, as well as her supposed views.

It would behoove her party mates to find a way to silence her, educate her, or get rid of her.  The most I can say about her in a positive light, is that at the very least, her antics, while tiring, and irritating, also give me quite a few chuckles.  Unfortunately, laughing at someones ignorance isn't something I relish.  I can't tolerate stupidity, personally.  I'd much prefer to laugh at an intelligent joke, with depth, than the buffoonery of some poor soul who doesn't even realize what an idiotic mess she is.

A Few New Books

I was going to wait and post 4 new books all at once.

I changed my mind because I'm also working on a family photo album for FB and my family and friends to chuckle at and enjoy.  I'm sure my sister will have to correct me on some of the dates and places, because she's much better at remembering those things.  I'd love for her, mom, Bruce, Dave, Ryan and everyone to be able to contribute if they have some to share, but not everyone has time to go and photograph every picture they have and then try and sharpen them etc so they're viewable on the interwebs LOL.  I've got my work cut out for me there.  Some of the pictures are so wonderful, but when you photograph them they become a little blurred looking.  I'm hoping that I can correct that so everyone can get the fullest enjoyment from them possible.

I wish I had more from my time in school, but not being one to go to parties or on dates kind of limited the ones I have for that time, but I'd welcome entries from others, and love looking at pages from others that remind me of this or that time.  My time was primarily taken up with babysitting, working at the YMCA child development center, doing homework, and studying.  I know, I was a very exciting and unforgettable girl.....rofl.  Perhaps others will be prompted to add to, or share so we can all enjoy running through all those wonderful memories of times when life was just a little easier, and problems were something our parents dealt with on our behalves.

At any rate, I do have two new books to share while I'm doing work on that album, and also working on some entries from another two books before continuing with the Christmas card book.  The first book is one from an artist that goes by Whitestag, and their books are numbered rather than a formal title.  The book I have to share is number 6 in the series.  It's a rather Halloweeny type book, and is a bit fun to color.  I think all the books bear the title Misfits along with the series numbers.  The pages are a medium thickness and are one sided so I think any type of medium would work with them, but I would advise either removing pages or putting paper/wax paper between the pages if you're using ones with more wetness to protect from bleed through effects.  I always do this just because I'm on the anal side, and like to make sure that I'm protecting my past work, as well as preserving the integrity of future works.  Unless I'm coloring with my niece, or someone requests a specific picture from a book, I tend to go front to back.  Sometimes it's not easy to be such a creature of habit, especially if there's a particular picture you're really looking forward to getting to color.

The second book is Dragons and Other Mythical Creatures by Chris Tomlin.  I'm including some of the art in the book meant to lead into it as well, because it was so much fun to look at when I was getting ready to color the first picture myself.  The pages are of a very good thickness, and definitely any medium would be excellent.  I'll have fun exploring the possibilities once I can get back to that book.  The paper is of a very smooth composition, so I would be careful with some mediums as they might tend to take longer than normal to dry, or they might not absorb into the paper as readily as others, so I'd definitely take my time working on any picture with mediums such as water colors, gel pens, markers etc, that could be ruined if you don't account for the time it may take to dry as you're working.  I had a lot of fun with the first picture which was a partial drawing of a dragon, and decided to use primary colors for the majority of the picture, with a splash of secondary colors thrown in here and there just because I could.

As usual, I hope you enjoy the pictures I share as much as I enjoy coloring them and sharing them with you.  I look forward to seeing other's works as well, whenever they share with me!  Until next time, don't be afraid to try out other types of mediums, because there's absolutely no right or wrong way to be artistic!

A Rant and Some Art

I did say I'd probably rant about one of my pet peeves.

When I was in the military, I was stationed in a clinic, where about 80% of the staff was on anti-depressants.  At one point I was having a hard time coping, my ex and I were separated, I had just had surgery and some other things had come to the surface.  I happened to think to myself......self, we have a psych staff to help us get through these kinds of things, so I think I'll make myself an appointment with one and unload all this to someone that is a professional and might have some insights to help me better cope with the turns life had taken.

I had made the appointment and cried and told him about when I'd lost my virginity to someone I had not chosen to give it to, and about my current situation, and that I was having a hard time coping because there was so much pain all at once.  So he says to me, well it sounds like you're pretty depressed.  I was sitting there thinking did you not just hear everything I told you?  He then asks me if I'd like anti-depressants to help cope.  I blew UP at this man.  I basically told him how dare he suggest that this would be a fix for me, I wasn't and had never been determined to be clinically depressed, meaning that I had a chemical imbalance that medication would help to stabilize.  I said sometimes crap just happens in life, and you cry because it's not pleasant, and if I came to you and said all this to you and was HAPPY about all this, then you should worry because all the stuff I'd unloaded were things that were heartbreaking, and happiness would be the inappropriate reaction to have to it all.  I went on to berate him because if he wasn't the main problem medicating well over half of my command wrongly, then he was most certainly a big part of the problem.

I have a HUGE issue with this because those that over diagnose things, especially something as serious as this, have a tendency to make a crack judgment, toss people on medications that over time harm them, and if they didn't have a chemical imbalance, they most certainly will develop one.  Not to mention the fact that it creates misconceptions, misinformation, mistreatment, and misunderstandings of the REAL danger, clinical depression.  People begin to think things like, oh well I was sad because of life, so I took antidepressants and now I don't need them because I got over it, so everyone who's depressed can just get over it blah blah, and more nonsense.  This is why people get overlooked, why they are misunderstood by family and friends, people who if they knew it was like a bus with no driver moving 90 miles an hour might be more apt to take a more loving and supportive approach.  They might take the attitude, you know, when you're depressed you don't have to wear a painted smile with me, if you feel like crying, cry, and I'll hold you as tight as I can and love you as much as I can, and try to be whatever you need to help you get to the other side of the abyss.  I think that what they don't realize is that someone who's in a depressed state can still find a joke funny, and laugh one minute but feel very alone or isolated the next.  It's not something that is a simple thing with a simple fix, and some really awesome people have taken their own lives because of the over treatment, and misunderstanding of clinical depression.

This loss is a loss not just to their families, it's a loss to us all. These are people that will leave a big hole in the lives of the ones they've left behind, and in some cases, a loss of something in the lives of people they were meant to meet and never did.  I just cry when I think of how much easier it would be to NOT overlook the seriousness of this, if it weren't for the over diagnosis and medication in cases where there are too many not clinically depressed being treated as if they were.  It creates a problem not just with normal laymen but also with the medical side, where too many who are in serious need can be missed or overlooked.  I can only hope that we learn to open our eyes and our hearts and try our best to understand those who may be in our lives and suffering from clinical depression, rather than giving them all too simple solutions such as just don't think about it, or move on, or get over it.

Alright, I think that's enough ranting for one day.  On to more pleasant things....ART!!!

The first book I'm sharing I've shared before, but it was a long while ago, so I'll share a few pieces.  I think after I've colored the whole thing I'll look up the actual artists pieces that she'd painted to see where we might see something similar and see something different in each piece.  The book is from Jasmine Becket-Griffith called A Fantasy Art Adventure.  The picture I've done most recently is the one titled Loup-Garou Noir.  I tried to take a few pictures to show the lavender highlights I used to try and give some depth to her hair, but I'm not sure it comes through very well LOL.  The other one I'm sharing as a great example of her art as well, but it's one I shared before.  It's titled The World and refers to the tarot card of the same name.  I can't remember when I shared it, but I think it's been a few years at least.

I also have another card to share from Rebecca Jones book, and I'll probably try and continue to do at least one each time throughout the year, then they'll be done in time for Christmas next year!  At any rate, hopefully you will enjoy the ones I've shared today, and hopefully will share your art with me too.

Huggles to all, and be good to one another!

Christmas All Year Round

It's no big secret that I love Christmas.

I love that people seem to be warmer and kinder to one another.....although, at times it also has a reverse effect on some.  I try to keep my warm and kind feeling all year long or for as long as I can.  This year, one of the ways I think I'll do that is by coloring cards from the book I previously shared, by Rebecca Jones.  I'm going to color the whole thing, which means you'll get to see them all here too once they're done.  You may even see one that will come to you when the time to send cards comes around again.

I think I'll also give small things to those I love year round, (I already to that sometimes), just to remind them I love them.  I've also thought about coloring some pictures and framing them for others to keep year round.  I have a small plan to keep my Christmas warmth year round, so I might feel all Christmassy every day.  At any rate, I'll share the first of the cards I'm coloring this year, and share them at they're finished.  Hopefully you enjoy, and also have a plan of your own to remain warm and cozy all the year long in your heart too.

It also helps to recall at least one Christmas song a day and sing too, but as always I look forward to you sharing with me, your art and insights!!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas, and best wishes to all for a wonderful New Year!

I get to spend time with my family tomorrow, for which I'm eternally grateful.  I don't get to see them all, all of the time, so when I do get to see them, it makes me very happy.  I can say I do wish I could interact with my nephews more often, as I do with my niece, but I'm at least happy I can see her more often than most probably get to.  We are not exchanging gifts but only giving some to the children in the family, but I think that's the most fun anyway, although I love to give things to my family that I think they will love.  That's ok, I'll just fill the rest of the year with just because I love you gifts from time to time LOL.

I spent some time on some new Sherri Baldy books, and have an entry from three of them to share today.  They are all Besties books, meaning there are two copies of all of the pages to color with someone, or just to enjoy by yourself.  One of them was from the Steampunk Sweethearts book, another from the April Showers and Spring Things book and lastly from the Winter Wonderland book.

I used prismacolor premiere pencils on one, crayola pencils on another, and on the third I used a combination of metallic and sparkle gel pens and prismacolor pencils.  Hopefully you enjoy my entries, and as always I would love to see your work as well!

I'm pretty sure you can tell which is which, the steampunk picture I took from diff angles to show the effects of the glitter and metallic gel pens.

Watered Down Sentiments in a PC World

In a world where everything offends everyone, it's difficult to feel strongly about things.

I've said this numerous times, but I felt it bore deeper discussion than a simple facebook post.  I'm sick of this PC crap.  I'm sick of people being offended by things that are NOT offensive, never were, and never will be.  I'm a Christian, I love God, and I'm definitely flawed.  I'm a sinner, I have wrong thoughts, and sometimes I get angry and curse.  I am a Republican who's views don't always align with Republican sentiments fully, but I am one because I don't want government in every aspect and corner of my life.  I don't want a law for everything including how it's ok to breathe.  I want to maintain my freedom in a world where it's becoming more difficult daily to keep it.  I have friends who are gay, straight, lesbian, black, white, Asian etc.  I've had friends who've had abortions, and stood by them knowing it couldn't be an easy decision for them, and knowing there were other alternatives, but also knowing that it was ultimately their decision, and I'd rather have them have a safe procedure than use a hanger in a back alley and lose their lives.

I'm so sick of everyone lumping everyone else together and demonizing everything!  Just because someone is this or that label, does not mean they fit any other label about this or that you may or may not have as some unfortunate misgiving.  The things I believe, I believe with all my heart.  Those I love, I love deeply regardless of our relationship.  Things that matter to me, matter a LOT.  I think deeply, I feel deeply, I believe deeply.  I'm so sick of this watered down sentiment, and emotional crap.

I celebrate Christmas.  I love Christmas, it warms my heart, and fills me up with love and goodwill for others, all through the year.  It is a holiday that means a lot to me.  If I wish you a Merry Christmas, it's a true and deep sentiment.  It's from the core of who I am, and is NOT a put down, or an offense to you, it's something I give you that is a blessing of a holiday that means something to me.  If someone wishes me Happy Chanukah, I know they hold that particular holiday as a special one to themselves, and they are sharing a blessing to me and my family from their heart, and it fills me with warmth and happiness that they are sharing this with me, and blessing me through their faith.  If someone holds no particular holiday as a special one, they can wish me happy holidays, but to me it makes me a little sad that no one particular holiday is special to them.....or perhaps they celebrate them all, in which case it makes me happier.  Knowing which it is, depends on the person.  Knowing how to feel depends on my perception of who says it.

This past year, a lady in the grocery store wished me Happy Easter and I was on cloud 9.  I was over the moon because it's so UN PC, and yet, she shared a blessing with me I'd not heard in a lot of years.  Whether she was a Christian, or just simply liked the easter bunny didn't matter, because I knew Easter meant something to her, and she blessed me with well wishes on that holiday.  When someone is offended by these things, it really irritates me.  HOW can you be offended by something heartfelt, and deeply meaningful to the one who says it.  All it makes me think, is the ones who are offended by such things, are ignorant, and have difficulty understanding this simple sentiment.  It wouldn't matter to me what the blessing was, or from whom or what faith it came, what matters to me is the sentiment behind it, and how it makes the one giving it feel.  It is a GIFT from them to me, one not asked for or expected in return, and it's a truly small person who is offended by a gift.

I will not apologize for who I am, for what makes me feel love and warmth towards others, nor for what matters to me.  I served my country for the right to feel these things, to believe in them, and millions before me did the same, some giving the ultimate sacrifice so I could have this freedom, and I will grasp it with everything I am.  To do otherwise, would be an offense to the ones who went before me, and those serving today, for that same reason.  This is a great country, and today we have a President who is NOT a politician, but rather a businessman.  People are offended by this or that thing, he does or says, puts things completely out of context, but to me, he made no political promises, he promised things from a business man's point of view.  The difference is, we expect politicians to lie, but a business man knows that to keep clients, they must follow through on expectations, and this is what he is trying so hard to do, with opposition from both sides.  Why?  Because they perceive that he is somehow not qualified to be President......I have news for you, the 2 qualifications for that position are quite simple. 1. Be at least 35 years of age, and 2. Be a natural born citizen of this country.  He has met those qualifications.  Regardless if you like him or not, he IS President, if you're military, HE IS your Commander in Chief.  That's a simple fact, you don't have to like it, but we, as a nation look stupid and weak when we fail to stand behind our leader.

There have been Presidents I've liked and disliked, that's going to happen, but the fact is, they were President period.

Either way, I've also been doing my coloring therapy, and I color things throughout the year.  I like Christmas, and I color that throughout the year also, it's one of the things that keeps my heart warm throughout the year.  I'll share a few I've recently done, they are from Johanna Basford's Christmas book.  I wanted to share the reverse side of the paper as well as the front, simply because they can be colored although I'm not sure they were meant to be anything other than a decoration for the fronts.....since they can be, I naturally must color them LOL.

Either way, MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!