Is she done?

More Paint, more ink, more paper, more decoration.....
is she done or have I now over-done her?

Another Sketch

Here's my most recent sketch

and...

A previous sketch
A few coloured versions of her.

I'm enjoying sketching these girls, then scanning them so I can print them out and paint them. Same pic with different colouring and background can make such a difference.

Acrylic painted Sketch adhered to paper torn background

I do tend to prefer the whimsical styles, as they are 'not so perfect' and quirkier - that said, I'm enjoying getting my girls to look a little more realistic too :)

This one is water-coloured, with a water coloured background.

Share with me...... Q: Which style do you prefer & why?

Sunday Sketch & A BIG Thank You

Here's a Sunday Sketch....

and...... a quick follow up to my post- About Me - a big whinge and some explanations

I truly appreciate all your kind comments and support, it's the kindness that you all show which reminds me that the world really can be a wonderful place.......

I use my blog as an outlet for my expression - creatively, emotionally etc., and if I seem to whinge often, well it's because I'm suffering - I hate it too, I hate the whinging, that goes with it sometimes.... I also hate having to pretend I'm ok when I'm not because I don't want to verbalise my feelings...... so, to do it by typing is probably easier and less painful to the family and friends that have to put up with seeing me constantly battling my pain.

I will always try to add some 'art' to my posts - but find that I really do NEED this blog, and I also need YOU my visitors!!

You have all inspired me so much, shown me that there is care, compassion, empathy and love in my world.

Without you and without my wonderful family (who I couldn't live without!!) I would be lost (well more lost than I already am.. haha)

So from the bottom of my heart - ((((hugs)))) to all of you & thank you xo

Feed Your Soul: the free art project & Free Image from me

FREE? Did someone say FREE?

Sharing is caring right?

Here's another pic from my privately owned collection -
feel free to use her in your art (for personal use only, not for re-sale please)
As always, I would love to see what you create!

If you agree that sharing is caring, then I think you might like the philosophy and idea of the site listed below also ....

If you would like to download some cute artworks from talented artists...... completely free then you will love it.

This is an Indifixx project, which I love.

I've also sent a painting of mine in for submission - fingers crossed I'm selected, cos I would love to share too!

Visit this link:

Feed Your Soul: the free art project

Thank you for visiting me today :)

Enjoy!

About Me - a big whinge and some explanations

Remember this painting ?

Click on her to see her larger & to read the words.
Then please hit your back button to come back here.

Well it's probably going to be a boring post...... but I wanted to share. For some who know me, you will also know that I suffer chronic pain every day of my life - yes, every single day, relentlessly!! I do not remember a day without pain :( some days it's tolerable and others it's just not. Today wasn't a good day. This will explain why when I say "Art is my therapy" I really mean it is!! It can distract me a little, sometimes a lot, sometimes not much at all - but any distraction is good, and If I get to create some art in the process of dealing with my pain -then that can only be good :)

It's not only the Fibromyalgia (FMS) that affects me, I have arthritis and I suffer from IBS, reflux and anxiety - they could all be related - the mysteries of it - sigh

Here's a little explanation about what it is, how it affects me personally - Not really a whinge, I just wanted to explain how I am like I am :)

FIBROMYALGIA (FMS) & HOW IT AFFECTS ME

1. My pain - My pain is constant. It is not actually caused by inflammation. Taking arthritis medication will not help me. I can not work my pain out or shake it off. It is not even a pain that stays put in just one place. It can move around, it can become worse in some areas and stay the same in others. Today it is in my shoulder, my lower back and my elbow, but tomorrow it may be in my foot as well and then it might be gone from my foot.. My pain is believed to be caused by improper signals sent to the brain, possibly due to sleep disorders. It is not well understood, but it is real. My body hurts, I have a shoulder that needs surgery but I'm very worried about the recovery time, as fibromyalgia means I don't heal or recover all that quickly and as pain is intensified because of FMS I am concerned about having the surgery anyway.

2. My fatigue - I am not merely tired. I am often in a severe state of exhaustion. I may want to participate in physical activities, or go out visiting, or socialising but I can't. Please do not take this personally. If you saw me shopping yesterday, but I can't help you with anything today, it isn't because I don't want to. I am, most likely, paying the price for stressing my muscles beyond their capability (even though it seems I did nothing strenous!!) I don't have much capability, and I am trying to make sure I get some exercise, I'm not a couch potatoe - if I sit for too long, I stiffen up and must move - so I do.

3. My forgetfulness - Those of us who suffer from it call it fibrofog. I may not remember your name, but I do remember you. I may not remember what I promised to do for you, even though you told me just seconds ago. My problem has nothing to do with my age (although being of 'that age' isn't helping matters!!) It may be related to sleep deprivation. I do not have a selective memory. On some days, I just don't have any short-term memory at all.

4. My clumsiness - If I step on your toes or run into you five times in a crowd, I am not purposely targeting you. I do not have the muscle control for that. If you are behind me on the stairs, please be patient. These days, I take life and stairs one step at a time. Today I picked up an onion from the fridge and dropped it - 5 times!!! It's frustrating to me too. If you cringe when I pick up a knife, I understand - it's most likely I will cut myself unless I am very careful - so please don't distract me while I'm cutting, slicing or dicing, by screaming at me to let go of the knife.. haha

5. My sensitivities / Intolerance - I just can't stand it! "It" could be any number of things: bright sunlight, loud or high-pitched noises, odors. FMS has been called the "aggravating everything disorder." So don't make me open the drapes if I have them closed, please don't make me listen to your child scream, or some weird freaked out music. Please don't leave a mess - keeping things in some order around me, when I can't control my own body is the only order I can get!! So when I say I can't stand it.... I really can't stand it. Some days I can't stand heat, other times it's the cold so don't be surprised if I shake uncontrollably when it's cold. It might not even be the cold, it could be my ugly anxiety!! My internal thermostat seems to be broken, and nobody knows how to fix it.

6. My anxiety - shit, this is the pits!! I hate it. It comes at me out of the blue sometimes and stays for days - Sometimes It is triggered by my thinking of the hurtful past, trying to deal with things... being upset by things, or worried about someone - the anxiety - it eats away at my insides and messes with my brain, my thinking is skewed and I know it, but can't seem to stop it. I talk to myself frantically in my head, I breathe deeply, I try to relax - I take a sleeping tablet, or a Xanax, or an Endep - and they help!!

7. My depression - Yes, there are days when I would rather stay in bed or in the house or die. I have lost count of how many of Dr. Kevorkian's patients suffered from FMS as well as other related illnesses. Severe, unrelenting pain can cause depression. I don't feel depressed every day, I feel frustrated every day though....... Your sincere concern and understanding can pull me back from the brink. Any snide remarks can tip me over the edge. So please if I say "I need spoons" - then handle me with care, I need it..

8. My stress - My body does not handle stress well. If I have to give up my job, work part time, or handle my responsibilities from home, I'm not lazy. Everyday stresses make my symptoms worse and can incapacitate me completely. I want to work, I want to doesn't mean I can. If I do too much, I will suffer later and be out of action for longer than I would if I just had the day off when I first needed it. I do tend to push myself - and I'm learning to let go of that. I have been through a lot of things that have added to my stress - and those I'm still trying to let go of too... slow slow slow!

9. My weight - I am a little overweight - I would love to lose a few kilos - like 10!! I have hypothyroidism - my thyroid doesn't work and I'm on daily thyroxine tablets to help give me a false metabolism - even my false one doesn't work very well with the fibromyalgia. Either way, it is not by choice. My appestat is broken, and nobody can tell me how to fix it.

10. My need for therapy - If I get a massage every week, don't envy me. I wish I could afford a proper massage every week, it was, after all, what the rheumatologist ordered for me. My massage is not your massage. Consider how a massage would feel if that charley horse (or corked thigh) you had in your leg last week was all over your body. Massaging it out was very painful, but it had to be done. My body is knot-filled. If I can stand the pain, regular massage can help, at least temporarily.I have tried so many things, including several cortisone injections some into my hips and spine (facet joints) massages, acupuncture, rubs, creams, potions, lotions, reiki, acupressure etc., Even though I practice reiki on others with success, self healing doesn't work physically for me!

11. My good days - If you see me smiling and functioning in a way which seems normal, don't assume I am well. I suffer from a chronic pain and fatigue illness with no cure. I can have my good days or weeks or even months. In fact, the good days are what keep me going. Good days are days where the pain is a little more tolerable and I am in a better place emotionally & mentally - so am able to deal with the pain a little better - that's good right?

12. My uniqueness - Even those who suffer from FMS are not alike. That means I may not only have all of the problems mentioned above. I do have pain above and below the waist and on both sides of my body which has lasted for a very long time. I may have occasional migraines or hip pain or shoulder pain or knee pain, or some random pain but I do understand that I do not have exactly the same pain as anyone else. Suffering from constant daily pain, sometimes extremely severe can however make me a little insensitive to other people's pain - I mean I can relate of course because how could I not when I suffer myself the way I do..?? But.... I do find it hard to offer as much compassion and sympathy as I normally would/could when I'm in such a bad state of pain myself..... I'm not cruel, or heartless, or sadistic or any of those hurtful things people may think (or say to me) - I'm suffering myself!!
If I offer to give you something of myself - then please understand that I am giving a lot - a little massage to you, making a dinner, creating something, cleaning or tidying or sometimes even just sitting listening can cause a demand on my stupid fibro-fogged, pain-ridden body.

I don't want to see anyone suffer - I don't want to suffer either. If I can help, I will - if I can't I will still probably try and probably regret it physically later ... haha.

I hope that this helps you understand me, if you know someone who is suffering FMS or arthritis or any chronic pain problem, then please be patient with them - love them and give them some of your spoons!!

Also, here's a letter that I found online. It's written to the sufferer from fibromyalgia - it's direct and rather nasty - just like fibromyalgia!! I have typed too much, my elbow & shoulder needs a rest.

If you got this far reading this post - thank you from the bottom of my heart!

The love, support and care from family, friends & even friends I haven't yet met is what keeps me going & helps to keep me positive...... :)

xoxo

The above explanation is adapted to my personal situation from the original - A Letter From the Land of Fibromyalgia to the World of Normals

Trial and Error Giveaway

Cool giveaway....... great blog :) Click the button..... go on, do it :) but come back and visit me too!

A Must visit blog - say you dropped by via my blog if you do, that would be cool bananas!

Crazily making my Art Cards

I finally got to sit and scan for a while, here's my last couple of weeks worth of art cards.

In the store, we did the spin/splash workshop and I completed some cards using that background technique..... I love the effects you can get from the splattered paints!

I have uploaded the splattered paint ones first :) - Enjoy

Oh, some of these cards will be listed for sale in my etsy store- http://www.artivity.etsy.com and others may be available for trading.

Get Ready,

Get Set,

GO....................

Gypsy soul

Considerable Distinctness

Brain Weariness

Dreams of angels

Where should she live

Social Differences

Senorita

Out of the Dark

Mystique

Muse

Head resting in her hands

Freedom to be yourself

These ones are completed using collage, gel medium transfers & painted backgrounds -

She was alive

Rough Threadbare

I should split

He was a curious person

He knew he ought to write!

Dishevelled

Connected letters

A voice spoke

zetti style

Somewhat Different