Dear Departed Drawings ~ Lucia 32

Today I worked mostly on the clay birthing mama.  Darkening her tones, giving her that earthy look.

Dear Departed Drawings ~ Alice 11

Darkening the space between Alice and Vayda was the main focus.  I worked on Vaydas hair and the beautiful sunshine shining down on her and Alice.  I fiddled around with Alices fur, tones and getting them where I want them.  Some touch ups here and there.

Dear Departed Drawings ~ Lucia 31

More work on the blankets today.  Smoothing out lines and jagged edges, bringing up the tones to the proper shade.  The crisp smell of linens was in the air today.  I can almost hear the sweet sounds of babies sighing.  Gentle whispers of their breath.


Lately I can't shake my memories of my past, long gone but still fresh, bubbling to the surface.  The feelings I felt of despair and loneliness in my youth.  My short but educational stay in the mental health ward for four days.  The phone call, my counselor, the hospital, the patients....the straps on my bed.  I don't believe I've ever spoken a word to anyone about my experience in there.  That place.  But maybe its time I get it out.  Shed myself of it forever.  It's not a happy story, but it is part of who I am, shows how far I've come and reminds me of a place I never want to be in again.  If I can summon the courage, I will tell the story.

Dear Departed Drawings ~ Lucia 30

Darkening tones here and there.  There and here.  Adding depth, moving all around the portrait.  I can smell clean blankets, earthy clay and feel the stillness....

Dear Departed Drawings ~ Alice 10

Last night I toiled away on Alice and Vayda.  Worked mostly on adding detail to Vaydas hair.  Started to fill in the dark space between them and adjusted some shadows on Vaydas forehead.  Feels good to get back in my groove. 

Started my first batch of Kombucha last night.  Pretty excited about it.  I found a culture at my local health food store with a baby SCOBY (Symbiotic Colony Of Bacteria and Yeast) and about a cup of tea to use as a starter.  I brewed a gallon of Oolong tea, added 2 cups of sugar, let it cool and added the culture to my glass one gallon jar.  Covered it tightly with a tight woven top and put it in my cupboard to "brew".  I will taste it in 7 days and report back.  Kombucha is going to feed my carbonated beverage addiction.  I've always had a thing for Coca Cola since I was a kid, able to make an entire 2 liter disappear in a day or a matter of hours).  I've since cut all sugar out of my diet since last summer and switched to Zevia Cola.  Zevia is sweetened with Stevia which is my sugar replacement.  And Zevia is twice as expensive as soda.  So here I am brewing my own carbonated beverage that I can flavor how ever I desire and it is very tasty.  So here goes my first fermented beverage adventure.  It's time to quit procrastinating and doubting myself.  If you can dream it, you can do it. 

Dear Departed Drawings ~ Lucia 29

Focused on adding the knit texture to Lucias hat - not sure how much of that detail will translate to visibility in the photo.  Still more shading on the hat to accomplish.  Not happy with the bedding yet.  I want to darken the tones on the clay mama as well.  Really felt pulled to get back to drawing today.  Hoping the momentum continues through the night.  I'd like to get back on track to drawing at night.  Alice is waiting for me.

Dear Departed Drawings ~ Alice 09

Today I concentrated on Alices face and brow, adjusting shadows and tones.  Still in the very beginning with this portrait, lots more love and light to embed in this portrait.

I attended my Mothers of Preschoolers group today.  So happy to have this fellowship of mothers in my life.  I am so blessed by the friends and support I have found there.  Today was extra special for me.  My group collected pajamas for Conners Comfy PJs Program through The Conner M. Holland Foundation.

"Children who receive inpatient hospital care for cancer are typically limited in their ability to play, often times spending most of their days in bed. We believe making a child comfortable during their stay is important to their overall well-being. We created the Conner’s Comfy PJs program to meet this need. Each year during the month of May, we collect new pajamas that are distributed year round to pediatric cancer units at The Penn State Hershey Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). During our first year, we collected over 700 pairs of PJs."

I was able to hear Conners story and all about the collection of PJs from his mother who was thanking our group for helping to collect the sleepwear.  As soon as she started talking I was overwhelmed with emotion and knew he would be next.  I didn't even question it or think twice, I am familiar with this feeling after a over a year.  I approached her as she was leaving and was able to talk to her about Conner and Dear Departed Drawings.   Conner will be after Lucia if she accepts.