Settled in the Maritimes of Canada, surrounded by the forest and Acadian Mountain Chain, I live a simple life of gratitude. This blog is a journal of my art, food, furkids, garden, home, my life and my thoughts. Thanks for reading!
Thursday, May 13, 2021
Thursday Art Date: Cookies
Hello Friends!! 😊😊
Welcome to Thursday's Art Date, today our theme is Cookies. I LOVE cookies, I don't know that I have a favourite! Tweety Bird always has a nice snack of chocolate chip cookies with Strawberry Quik milk before bed. When all of the other kids were guzzling down chocolate milk, I was always asking for Strawberry Quik!! Now though, I normally have chamomile tea and some passionflower tincture to help me relax enough to sleep through the night. I also listen to a You Tube channel with falling rain to lull me to sleep. What's your bedtime routine?
I'm being tested again...at least it feels that way! My sweetie pie Jack is having recurring tooth infections and needs dental surgery. We went to the vet on Tuesday for his pre-surgery blood work. The tests are all okay so he qualifies for anesthesia. His surgery is May 19th and I'm so darn nervous...I'm trying to remain positive but this added stress is very challenging for me!
Even though I've kind of lost interest in a lot of things lately, my therapist insisted I do at least a few drawings/paintings each week...of whatever comes to mind. I'd been watching a lot of The Andy Griffith Show lately and decided to do a charcoal of Andy and Don Knotts. It's such a great show, so funny...and interesting that Andy mostly plays the straight man - as he's quite a funny standup comic!
Here's a bit of his standup comedy from the 1960's, talking about The Discovery of America. It's really funny.
This week's highlighted artist is Elke from Elke's Lebensglueck blog. I think the German word lebensglueck translates into either happiness in life, or joy in life...but no matter the translation, whenever I visit Elke's blog, I come away with a smile on my face and joy in my heart! This is Elke's creation for last week's "Cakes" theme! Thank you so much Elke for your consistent participation in the art date and for your sweet and supportive comments every week! 💗
That's all for now folks! Please check out the link widget below for more "Cookies" creations!
Click on the links for ideas and inspiration! Remember it's all about creating. You can showcase your paintings, drawings, photography, sculpting, baking, poetry...whatever you like! 🎨
Don't forget to add the URL link to your post (not your blog) to the link gadget below to share your wonderful creations! Please revisit to make sure you don't miss those who join in a little late! Also, if anyone adds a link that has nothing to do with the art date theme, it will be removed! The link gadget expires Friday at midnight (EST).
Tweety Bird looks happy drinking his Quik and eating chocolate chip cookies. I never had Quik of any flavor, so have no idea what it would taste like.
Poor Jack. Dental surgery is expensive. I feel for you, dear. I understand why you are stressed.
So glad you are still drawing. These are wonderful images of Don Knotts and Andy Griffith. Although I don't watch the show, I immediately recognized who they were.
Tweety Bird gets it right and I mostly go to bed at the same time and have no problems falling asleep. The weather makes me tired of this cloudy, wet and cold .. What a fanatic drawn picture from this Andy Griffith show. Painting makes a lot of difference, I feel the same way .. first nothing works and then it is fun! Poor Jack, I wish him all the best for the surgery and all the best for you while you wait!!!!!! Thanks for my chosen picture from last topic! I wish you all the best and a big hug Elke
I am so sorry that you continue to struggle. I will continue to hold you in my heart. I wind down each night with a little light reading. Mind you, I never sleep the night through so I obviously need a better routine.
Poor Jack, hope all goes well for him and he's bounding around with healthy gnashers soon. Your charcoal work is very good and I can feel the humour emanating from it! Hope things get better for you stress wise. Betty
Hi Rain, sorry to hear about Jacks problem with his teeth. I don´t think you need to be nervous, it is mot a large operation. People do it all the time with only local anesthesia. It will go well.
Tweety bird looks cute in bed with his cookies. In my bed they are forbidden, bed is only for sleep :)
I am sorry to hear about Jack, I pray all goes well with his teeth and surgery. Love the Tweety bird sketch. Jack looks sweet all snuggled under the blanket. Elke's art is great, the cake looks yummy. Take care, have a happy day!
Tweety looks absolutely adorable! You draw him so well. Mmm, chocolate chip cookies! That sounds good but if I were to have milk with my cookies it would be plain. Chocolate or strawberry milk would be too sweet to have with cookies. I'm sorry Jack is have problems with his teeth. Poor fella! I hope he finds relief from his sore mouth soon. I feel his pain and yours, too. Excellent charcoal sketch of Barney and Andy! I got some black sketch paper and charcoal pencils as well as chalk to try. Do you have any tutorial suggestions I might try as a newbie? Thanks for hosting the fun. Have a doodletastic day! ;)
Thank you all so much for the well wishes! Life caught up to me...I'm fighting hard and I know I'll be better soon! xxx
Cathy: Good for you! My biggest tip with charcoals on black paper: 1. White charcoal is a beach to blend...when applying it, use light strokes in small circles. If you apply straight hard lines, you won't be able to blend them and all you will see are straight hard lines (unless that's what you want). Blending stumps work best on white charcoal, and again, blend in light small circles. 2. Chalk is wonderful to blend, I use q-tips. 3. Blow, don't wipe off dust. 3. Learn your values. If you want to use a photo reference, make it black and white and study the grays. That will help you figure out what goes on pure white, lighter white (chalk), greyish and pure black. 4. I use a chalk pencil to outline my drawings, they are more forgiving then white charcoal. 5. Take your time and enjoy the process, practice a lot! A typical portrait takes me from 4-5 hours to do! :)
Rain - I remember Strawberry Quik (Sadly, not my favorite so much as the chocolate variety).
I am sorry you are continuing to struggle. I am not a therapist but do agree (through practical experience) that continuing to do drawings (or other things you love) is very important. These are, for me, the first sorts of things that I let go and replace with the "have to's", which then always depress me more as they are not the things I enjoy doing.
Wow, you captured Andy and Don Knotts perfectly. And I agree, Elke's blog is always full of hope and happiness ... glad she is able to lift your spirits. I don't believe I have ever had Strawberry Quik ... sounds good, but sadly I am a chocolate person :) I am sorry for Jack ... a tooth ache is a terrible thing. I wish they could have been able to get him in earlier than next Wednesday. Here is hoping everything goes well. Keep up the good work, Rain ... hope to see you back to your old self again soon ...
Hey Rain! I wanted to tell you about the YouTube channels that I listen to every night. Look up Tesla 3-6-9 frequencies videos. There are several, as some for healing, some for sleeping, some for relaxation, etc. I don’t know what I would do without these, as they have really helped us with the anxious events we seem to be living through. Sending a big hug to Sweet Jack! Have an awesome weekend!
Hi, Rain. First, let me send my best wishes and prayers for a successful dental surgery. As for my bedtime routine, it's always a melatonin, 2 cups of Sleepytime and Peppermint tea and I listen to a music channel on tv called Soundscapes, which has rainfall and other sounds as well as piano and harp music. I agree with your therapist, you should do more drawings as you are very talented and practice will make you more so. The Andy Griffith drawing is amazing, you always capture everyone's eyes so well and this one for sure! You are right, Andy was a great stand-up comic, but I also highly recommend a 1957 movie he starred in A Face in the Crowd with Patricia Neal. He is positively jolting as a not-so-nice con man! A real talent. We are both huge Mayberry fans here at my house. Ron Howard being 2 years older than me and 2 years younger than Honey, so we both probably watched every first-run episode on CBS Monday nights, and then reruns for years and now it's on all the time on one of the cable channels and Honey still loves it. I even remember Mayberry RFD after Andy left, that starred Ken Berry who later starred in Mama's Family with Carol Burnett and Vicki somebody. Heehee, my childhood on TV. Take care and have a good weekend, xoxo
Thank you Dino! I will look those up, I have heard of high frequency sounds helping with anxiety and depression!!
Aimeslee, thank you for your comment. I have seen A Face In The Crowd and LOVED the darker side of Andy Griffith, in fact, Alex and I are re-watching it this weekend! I used to drink Sleepytime, but darn if it doesn't give me heartburn...
That picture of Tweety Bird looks so vibrant and lovely, and yes, I remember Andy Griffith, but it's been quite some time since I watched one of the programs. Truly classic television though. Hope you're doing well, and sending lots of hugs, RO
Awww, poor Jack. Could he look more pitiful? I hope all goes well with the surgery. Thanks for the video of Andy Griffith. I can't believe he didn't crack a smile through that whole silly story. :)
Tweety bird is so cute! Do they still make Strawberry Quik milk? LOL! I use to love that stuff! I am so sorry about Jack! I truly hope the surgery goes well! Please take care of you! Sending you big healing hugs!
I am late in catching up on blog posts, Rain, but so sorry to read about Jack's dental issues and I am well familiar with dental visits (and expenses). Hopefully, Jack will not need a lot of follow-up and will recover well and completely. You certainly have had your share of stresses lately, my friend, and it's can be so hard to try to relax when your furry friends are in discomfort. I know you will keep us posted. I like chocolate anything and never tried Quik in any flavor, just hershey's syrup for me and now there's a dark chocolate one too!
Thanks for the tips on how to work with white charcoal and white chalk. I have yet to dive into this but will eventually. I want to enjoy the process. For now, I just need to get my A2Z visits caught up so I relax with my art more freely. ;)
❤ Thanks for your comment, I love hearing from everyone! ❤ Why not join me and my fellow artists every Thursday for TADD? That's Thursday Art and Dinner Date! It's a lot of fun! Love, Rain
Tweety Bird looks happy drinking his Quik and eating chocolate chip cookies. I never had Quik of any flavor, so have no idea what it would taste like.
ReplyDeletePoor Jack. Dental surgery is expensive. I feel for you, dear. I understand why you are stressed.
So glad you are still drawing. These are wonderful images of Don Knotts and Andy Griffith. Although I don't watch the show, I immediately recognized who they were.
ReplyDeleteTweety Bird gets it right and I mostly go to bed at the same time and have no problems falling asleep. The weather makes me tired of this cloudy, wet and cold ..
What a fanatic drawn picture from this Andy Griffith show.
Painting makes a lot of difference, I feel the same way .. first nothing works and then it is fun!
Poor Jack, I wish him all the best for the surgery and all the best for you while you wait!!!!!!
Thanks for my chosen picture from last topic!
I wish you all the best and a big hug Elke
Sorry to hear about Jack. Hope you soon feel better. Elke's work is always a treat to see, I love it. Take care of yourself, hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry that you continue to struggle.
ReplyDeleteI will continue to hold you in my heart.
I wind down each night with a little light reading. Mind you, I never sleep the night through so I obviously need a better routine.
I hope everything turns out well with Jack.
ReplyDeleteGreetings Irma
Poor Jack, hope all goes well for him and he's bounding around with healthy gnashers soon. Your charcoal work is very good and I can feel the humour emanating from it! Hope things get better for you stress wise. Betty
ReplyDeleteHi Rain, sorry to hear about Jacks problem with his teeth. I don´t think you need to be nervous, it is mot a large operation. People do it all the time with only local anesthesia. It will go well.
ReplyDeleteTweety bird looks cute in bed with his cookies. In my bed they are forbidden, bed is only for sleep :)
Take care!
Hello, Rain
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear about Jack, I pray all goes well with his teeth and surgery.
Love the Tweety bird sketch. Jack looks sweet all snuggled under the blanket. Elke's art is great, the cake looks yummy. Take care, have a happy day!
...I watched a couple of episodes of the Andy Griffith Show, what fun. Enjoy a sweet day Rain.
ReplyDeleteRain,
ReplyDeleteTweety looks absolutely adorable! You draw him so well. Mmm, chocolate chip cookies! That sounds good but if I were to have milk with my cookies it would be plain. Chocolate or strawberry milk would be too sweet to have with cookies. I'm sorry Jack is have problems with his teeth. Poor fella! I hope he finds relief from his sore mouth soon. I feel his pain and yours, too. Excellent charcoal sketch of Barney and Andy! I got some black sketch paper and charcoal pencils as well as chalk to try. Do you have any tutorial suggestions I might try as a newbie? Thanks for hosting the fun. Have a doodletastic day! ;)
Tweetie’s cookies sound delicious! Thinking of poor Jack. I enjoy Elke’s posts. Feel better soon Rain.
ReplyDeleteThank you all so much for the well wishes! Life caught up to me...I'm fighting hard and I know I'll be better soon! xxx
ReplyDeleteCathy: Good for you! My biggest tip with charcoals on black paper: 1. White charcoal is a beach to blend...when applying it, use light strokes in small circles. If you apply straight hard lines, you won't be able to blend them and all you will see are straight hard lines (unless that's what you want). Blending stumps work best on white charcoal, and again, blend in light small circles. 2. Chalk is wonderful to blend, I use q-tips. 3. Blow, don't wipe off dust. 3. Learn your values. If you want to use a photo reference, make it black and white and study the grays. That will help you figure out what goes on pure white, lighter white (chalk), greyish and pure black. 4. I use a chalk pencil to outline my drawings, they are more forgiving then white charcoal. 5. Take your time and enjoy the process, practice a lot! A typical portrait takes me from 4-5 hours to do! :)
...oh and #6: Black charcoal erases white charcoal mistakes! :)
ReplyDeleteRain - I remember Strawberry Quik (Sadly, not my favorite so much as the chocolate variety).
ReplyDeleteI am sorry you are continuing to struggle. I am not a therapist but do agree (through practical experience) that continuing to do drawings (or other things you love) is very important. These are, for me, the first sorts of things that I let go and replace with the "have to's", which then always depress me more as they are not the things I enjoy doing.
Your Obedient Servant, Toirdhealbheach Beucail
I hope all goes well with Jack. Be gentle on yourself and take the time you need. This too shall pass. -Jenn
ReplyDeleteVery nice drawings. I hope your therapy helps you heal. Good luck to Jack.
ReplyDeleteLove Tweetie and how can you go wrong with Andy Griffith? I am so sorry about Jack. Elke's piece is just excellent. Wishing you a wonderful day.
ReplyDeletePoor Jack will feel better once those bad teeth are gone, I'm sure. Keep taking things easy, Rain and hope you're feeling better soon too.
ReplyDeleteWow, you captured Andy and Don Knotts perfectly. And I agree, Elke's blog is always full of hope and happiness ... glad she is able to lift your spirits. I don't believe I have ever had Strawberry Quik ... sounds good, but sadly I am a chocolate person :) I am sorry for Jack ... a tooth ache is a terrible thing. I wish they could have been able to get him in earlier than next Wednesday. Here is hoping everything goes well. Keep up the good work, Rain ... hope to see you back to your old self again soon ...
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From the Sol
Hey Rain! I wanted to tell you about the YouTube channels that I listen to every night. Look up Tesla 3-6-9 frequencies videos. There are several, as some for healing, some for sleeping, some for relaxation, etc. I don’t know what I would do without these, as they have really helped us with the anxious events we seem to be living through. Sending a big hug to Sweet Jack! Have an awesome weekend!
ReplyDeleteHi, Rain. First, let me send my best wishes and prayers for a successful dental surgery. As for my bedtime routine, it's always a melatonin, 2 cups of Sleepytime and Peppermint tea and I listen to a music channel on tv called Soundscapes, which has rainfall and other sounds as well as piano and harp music. I agree with your therapist, you should do more drawings as you are very talented and practice will make you more so. The Andy Griffith drawing is amazing, you always capture everyone's eyes so well and this one for sure! You are right, Andy was a great stand-up comic, but I also highly recommend a 1957 movie he starred in A Face in the Crowd with Patricia Neal. He is positively jolting as a not-so-nice con man! A real talent. We are both huge Mayberry fans here at my house. Ron Howard being 2 years older than me and 2 years younger than Honey, so we both probably watched every first-run episode on CBS Monday nights, and then reruns for years and now it's on all the time on one of the cable channels and Honey still loves it. I even remember Mayberry RFD after Andy left, that starred Ken Berry who later starred in Mama's Family with Carol Burnett and Vicki somebody. Heehee, my childhood on TV. Take care and have a good weekend, xoxo
ReplyDeleteAwww, sweet Jack! Wishing him well with his surgery. And wishing you well, too, Rain! Please take care of yourself. xo
ReplyDeleteThank you Dino! I will look those up, I have heard of high frequency sounds helping with anxiety and depression!!
ReplyDeleteAimeslee, thank you for your comment. I have seen A Face In The Crowd and LOVED the darker side of Andy Griffith, in fact, Alex and I are re-watching it this weekend! I used to drink Sleepytime, but darn if it doesn't give me heartburn...
Poor Jack Jack. I hope it all goes smoothly. Thank goodness for art therapy. Glad it's helping you.
ReplyDeleteGod bless Jack
ReplyDeleteThat picture of Tweety Bird looks so vibrant and lovely, and yes, I remember Andy Griffith, but it's been quite some time since I watched one of the programs. Truly classic television though. Hope you're doing well, and sending lots of hugs, RO
ReplyDeleteHoping all goes well with Jack. Take care of yourself, Rain. Best wishes for you both, winging their way.
ReplyDeleteAwww poor Jack, thinking of you all and hoping all goes well for him.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Awww, poor Jack. Could he look more pitiful? I hope all goes well with the surgery. Thanks for the video of Andy Griffith. I can't believe he didn't crack a smile through that whole silly story. :)
ReplyDeleteTweety bird is so cute! Do they still make Strawberry Quik milk? LOL! I use to love that stuff! I am so sorry about Jack! I truly hope the surgery goes well! Please take care of you! Sending you big healing hugs!
ReplyDeleteI am late in catching up on blog posts, Rain, but so sorry to read about Jack's dental issues and I am well familiar with dental visits (and expenses). Hopefully, Jack will not need a lot of follow-up and will recover well and completely. You certainly have had your share of stresses lately, my friend, and it's can be so hard to try to relax when your furry friends are in discomfort. I know you will keep us posted. I like chocolate anything and never tried Quik in any flavor, just hershey's syrup for me and now there's a dark chocolate one too!
ReplyDeleteRain,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips on how to work with white charcoal and white chalk. I have yet to dive into this but will eventually. I want to enjoy the process. For now, I just need to get my A2Z visits caught up so I relax with my art more freely. ;)
you art is so cheerful as always :)
ReplyDeletesorry about Jack ,my prays are with you and Jack !
i hope you feel better and better with each passing day dear Rain!
health,joy and peace to you and yours!