25 Wedding Anniversary Celebration

Anniversary Cake made by Barbara Jackson
Photo by Robert Brosius

We are fortunate to have some of the most amazing friends and family. Our friends, Storm and Ian, opened up their back yard and held a BBQ in honour of our 25th Wedding Anniversary. Several of our friends and family were invited and were in attendance.

My sister-in-law, Barbara (Mylo's significant other) made this beautiful anniversary cake.

Detail
Photo by Ana Tirolese

Detail - Top of cake. Roses in memory of Ana's father, Vasco Bettencourt. Roses were his favourite flowers.
Photo by Ana Tirolese

All the flowers and decorations were hand made by Barbara, with some help from the kids. Everything was edible and delicious! 

Another view of the cake
Photo by A.Tirolese

The top layer of the cake was lemon, the middle was vanilla, and the bottom was chocolate. The cake tasted as good as it looked. The cake was moist and delicious. Barbara did a fabulous job in building this cake. It was a beautiful piece of culinary art and we hated cutting into it. Thankfully, we have lots of lovely photos to remember it, not to mention the 20 extra pounds on my hips!

All in all, we had a lovely time at Storm and Ian's home. They were gracious hosts. The food was plentiful and delicious. The company was wonderful. Everyone enjoyed themselves. We could not have asked for a better celebration of our 25 year union.

Every Day in June #19 - Inner Critic

Every Day in June #19 (EDM #216) - Draw your inner critic

Pen and Ink with Digital Colour

I was having a bad morning and when I saw this challenge the above image materialized. Too many of us are familiar with this beast.

My son said, "Hey, mom, your inner critic is scary."

Yes, yes it is.

This is my psyche at it's worse.  This is when I lose all confidence in myself; when I cannot remember that there are are good things in my life.

When I posted the above image on Facebook I was surprised at the amount of comments that came my way. Here is a sample of those comments.

Facebook Comments - Used with permission

 
My friend, Sherry Power, of Power Home Solutions wrote a lovely blog post about this situation entitled Silencing Your Inner Critic. Please take a moment to go read it.

Thankfully I don't go to this place very often, anymore. I have mechanisms in place now to keep me from getting here, or staying long, if I do go here.  

• I have a list of accomplishments that I keep in a file on the computer. I add to this list as I go along.
• I keep emails, letters, notes of nice things people have said to me or about me. I read these when I need to remember that I am not as horrible as my critic is telling me.
• I have gone for counseling in the past, and, although I am not longer in counseling, I would recommend it to anyone who is feeling overwhelmed. It really does help you to see outside the box and get a fresh perspective on what is going on in your life.
• I am on low-dose antidepressant.
• I surround myself with positive people.
• I draw, read, create art, have coffee with friends, interact with people, mentor people (online and off), get involved with others with similar interests

I created this image, that is supposed to be far more positive, in response to the inner critic. This is supposed to be my inner cheerleader.

Inner Cheerleader - More positive image
My family and friends think I drew myself looking too scary.

However, I think it the cartoon of me is just as scary as the critic cartoon. It was supposed to be me cheering, however, I drew the teeth in the wrong angle.  Still, the colours are prettier and the words are nicer. I strive to be the things in this image, although I have not always succeeded. 

There were more Facebook comments left regarding this image.

Facebook Comments - Used with permission

I read a blog post some time ago about 20 Bad Habits Holding Good People Back. It is from the blog Marc and Angel Hack Life: Practical Tips for Productive Living and was written by Marc. I suggest you follow the link to read the full description of the 20 bad habits. It is well worth the read. Here is a quick listing of the habits.

1. Expecting life to be easy
2. Overlooking your true path and purpose
3. Chasing after those who don’t want to be caught
4. Not asking for help when you know you need it
5. Letting one dark cloud cover the entire sky
6. Holding on to things you need to let go of
7. Spending time with people who make you unhappy
8. Not making time for those who matter most
9. Denying personal responsibility
10. Letting everyone else make decisions for you
11. Giving up who YOU are
12. Quitting as soon as things get slightly difficult
13. Doing too much and pushing too hard, without pausing
14. Discrediting yourself for everything you aren’t
15. Running from current problems and fears
16. Constantly mulling over past hardships
17. Denying your mistakes
18. Expecting your significant other to be perfect
19. Focusing on the negatives
20. Not allowing things to be good enough

Through the magic of computers and digital technology I have created a less scary cheerleader image. Here it is.

My Inner Cheerleader - Rebooted 

Pen and Ink, Manipulated Photo, Digital Colour.

Thank you for reading my blog.

Links to Ana Around the Net

Here is a list of places you can find me on the web.

• About.Me
• Facebook Fan Page
• Fine Art America Site
• Official Website
• Ana's Ramblings & Art Corner (Blog)
• Ana's Strictly Sketchbook (Blog)
• ArtWanted
• Ana's Zazzle Shop
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• Tumblr (Blog)

You may subscribe to my newsletter (comes out once a month or less) here:

• Newsletter Subscription

Zazzle Summer Discount

I Love to Sing Mug

Zazzle is having a 10% Summer Discount

Ends on Sunday, June 24, 2012.  

Please go to my Zazzle Store:
http://www.zazzle.com/dollinha

If you see anything you would like to purchase use the discount code FUNSUNSUMMER to get 10% off your entire order.

Hurry!

Sale Ends Sunday!

Every Day in June #16 (EDM #186) - Draw something you’ve always wanted

Every Day in June #16 (EDM #186) - Draw something you’ve always wanted
Ana Singing

Pen and Ink with Digital Colour

I have always wanted to be able to sing. Unfortunately, I was not blessed with any musical ability and even less of a singing voice. When I was in grade 6 my teacher asked me to just mouth the words to the songs because I had the worse voice she had ever heard. I stopped singing altogether, then.

God did bless me with a musically gifted son who has a lovely singing voice.

Every Day in June #15 (EDM #176) - Draw something summer

Every Day in June #15 (EDM #176) - Draw something summer

Pen and Ink with Digital Colour

Watermelon is another of my favourite foods. I could eat this stuff until I am completely waterlogged! When I think of summer I think of watermelon...and ladybugs, and ants...

I enjoy summer, but not when it is very hot and humid. I become quite cranky then. I like the cooler days of summer.

The above image was originally rendered in my sketchbook in pen and ink. I then scanned it and modified it in Photoshop. Digital colour was also added at that time. Below is the original, untouched, image.

Original Pen and Ink drawing from Sketchbook, untouched.

Every Day in June #14 (EDM #166) - Draw a fish

Every Day in June #14 (EDM #166) - Draw a fish

Pen and Ink and Watercolour

This is from my memory of going to the Mandarin Restaurant with my husband and son. They have a huge aquarium in the restaurant.

Fish at The Mandarin Restaurant.

Every Day in June #12 (EDM #146) - Draw a favorite food

Every Day in June #12 (EDM #146) - Draw a favorite food

Pen and Ink with Watercolour

Truth be known, I actually have many favourite foods, including bananas. I chose a banana because I could draw it without having to get up and getting a real one as a reference.

I like bananas dipped in chocolate (frozen or not) but don't do that very often.  When I was little, my mother would give me banana dipped in white sugar. My friend, Murilo, was telling me he enjoyed a banana microwaved and mashed with cinnamon. I tried it recently and it is good.  My favourite is frozen bananas that I enjoy during the summer during the summer. Sometimes I will blend a frozen banana in a blender until it is the consistency of ice cream. Yum!

Warning: Be careful biting into a frozen banana. It can break your teeth.

Every Day in June #11 (EDM #136) - Draw Something that’s Alive

Every Day in June #11 (EDM #136) - Draw Something that’s Alive

Pen and Ink with Watercolour

Dexter is a conure/parakeet. He loves to steal food and drink from Anthony. Here I have him enjoying Anthony's orange juice.

Dexter tries to sneak some of Anthony's pineapple.

Dexter has some "pasta dinner" in a plate of his own

Dexter is a funny bird and we really enjoy having him living with us. He loves to spend time with Anthony. He also "helps" Anthony read books, sometimes he is a little too helpful.

Here Dexter is helping Anthony read on my HP Touchpad. 

Every Day in June #10 (EDM #126) - Draw a Sponge

Every Day in June #10 (EDM #126) - Draw a Sponge

Pen and Ink with Watercolour

I thought I would have a little fun with this challenge and draw Spongebob Squarepants. My son used to love this show when he was younger. Oh, who am I kidding, he still loves this show! When he is home he subjects me to hours of it on Netflix.

This was most fun to draw, even if I can hear Spongebob's maniacal laugh in my head every time I look at it.

Every Day in June # 9 - Draw Something Green

Every Day in June #9 (Every Day Matters #116) - Draw Something Green
The Green Lantern

Pen and Ink with Watercolour

I thought I would share my version of The Green Lantern. I am no Alex Ross or James Wood, but I had fun drawing this. I did it as part of a drawing every day challenge in one of my online art groups. Instead of drawing a leaf or a frog I thought I would do something a little different. I really do not do cartoons or comic book characters so this was a stretch for me.

I did enjoy the movie, The Green Lantern.

My Sketchbook is Viewed at the Sketchbook Project 2012 World Tour

Sharon Lynn checks out my sketchbook at the Sketchbook Project 2012 World Tour
at the Pop-Up Library in Oakland, CA

Sharon surprised me by posting the above photo on my Facebook page. She went to the Sketchbook Project 2012 World Tour exhibit in her city. She wrote that she enjoyed viewing my sketchbook (and other sketchbooks) in person.

I am thrilled that someone who I know from my online art groups was able to view my sketchbook in a city so far away from my home. This is quite exciting for me.  I look forward to going to Toronto in July to see the Sketchbook Project 2012 World Tour for myself.

You may see my profile here: Dollinha

Or you can view my archived posts re: The Sketchbook Project 2012

• The Sketchbook Project 2012
• The Sketchbook Project Cover
• EDM 23 - Draw Your Foot
• EDM 205 - Draw a Soda Can (The Intruder)
• EDM 72 - Draw Somewhere New
• EDM 24 - Draw a Piece of Fruit
• EDM 20 - Draw Something "Dad" in Honour of Father's Day
• EDM 54 - Draw Someone or Something you Love
• EDM 46 - Draw Something Holiday Themed (Extra EDMs on this page)
• Errand Day (3 EDMs on this page)
• Anthony's 55th Birthday
• EDM 125 - Draw a Bird
• EDM 80 - Draw Something that Makes You Happy
• EDM 17 - Draw and Instrument
• EDM 56 - Draw a Self Portrait
• EDM 14 - Draw a Familiar Person, Place or Thing but from an Unusual Angle
• Lotus Health Care Clinic Physiotherapy
• EDM 15 - Draw a Tree or Trees, Leaves or Branches
• Slide Show of The Sketchbook Project 2012
• The Sketchbook Project 2012 has been Digitized

Every Day in June 8 (EDM 106) - Draw Something Tart or Sour

Every Day in June #8 (EDM #106) - Draw something tart or sour

Pen and Ink with Watercolour

These are supposed to be sour candies. They come in packets or from gumball dispensers at the mall. They are small pellets and give you quite a jolt when you put them in your mouth. I rather like them.

I used my son's refillable brush pen to paint in the background. I liked it! Must get me one of those!

Every Day in June #7 - A Fire Hydrant

Draw a fire hydrant and write about firemen

Pen and Ink with Watercolour

This an older version of a fire hydrant. The newer ones are more sleek looking, but don't have nearly the personality these older ones have.

Firefighters (historically firemen) are rescuers extensively trained primarily to extinguish hazardous fires that threaten civilian populations and property, and to rescue people from dangerous incidents, such as collapsed and burning buildings. ~ Wikipedia

Below is the pencil under-drawing I did to get the shape before adding the ink. Sometimes I do pencil under-drawings when I need to work the shapes first. I thought it might be fun to show it since most people don't usually see this step.

My original pencil under-drawing.
Photo taken with iPhone

I took this photo of a hydrant in downtown London, ON.
It is in front of our friends' comic book & gaming shop: LA Mood.
Photo taken with iPhone

25TH Wedding Anniversary

Anthony and Ana
25 Years of Marriage!

It is hard to believe it has already been 25 year! 

Happy Anniversary Sweetie!

Family Goes Out to Dinner

We went to The Mandarin Chinese Buffet restaurant. 

A rare photo of Anthony and Ana, together.
Usually one or the other is taking the photos. 

Fish Tank

We sat near the fish tanks. We enjoyed the peaceful calmness of the swimming fish. They were beautiful to watch as well.

The food was wonderful, as always.  Of course, we ate far too much!

We had a lovely time together.

642 THINGS TO DRAW - A Drawing Journal

642 Things to Draw 

Designed by Eloise Leigh © 2010 by Chronicle Books

I purchased this book last time I was at Chapters with My Sweetie!

I'm sure it comes as no surprise that I enjoy drawing. A couple years ago I came across Danny Gregory's book An Illustrated Life and the Every Day Matters web group.

Recently I completed the Every Day in May Drawing Challenges.

So, when I came across this book in Chapters it was no surprise that I wanted it. I will admit, it took three visits to Chapters before I gave in and purchased it.

Each page has one to four sections to draw in, and each section has a word or phrase that you are to draw in that section.

Sample Blank Spread

Sample Spread After I Drew in the book

I jumped right it and started drawing like crazy. I'll be posting the actual drawings on my Strictly Sketchbook blog. Pen and Ink are a bit of a challenge for me so I will try to do the majority of my drawings in pen and ink in this book.  I hope you enjoy viewing these as much as I enjoy drawing them.

My 50th Birthday Celebration

This year I celebrated my 50th birthday (on February 19). The evening before we had a small celebration at Ben Thanh Restaurant with 28 of my friends and family. It was lovely!

Above is a quick sketch of the guests.

The first sketch is of me and Anthony, my husband.

The next sketch is:

Page 1 top to bottom, left to right:

• Liduina Bettencourt, my mother
• Joe Bettencourt, my brother
• Brenda Bettencourt, Joe's wife
• Krystina Bettencourt, my niece (Mylo's daughter)
• Michael Wayner-Bettencourt, Krystina's son
• Makaela Wayner-Bettencourt, Krystina's daughter
• David Bettencourt, Joe's son
• Jessie Mizzie, David's date
• Alexia Covacich, dear friend
• Linda Wilkinson, dear friend
• Kurt Howlett, dear friend
• Bob Brosius, Kurt's husband

Page 2 top to bottom, left to right:

• Sherry Power, dear friend
• Jeff Power, Sherry's huband
• Linda Zimmerman, dear friend
• Ken Voege, Rebekah's husband
• Rebekah Voege, dear friend
• Walter Zimmerman, Linda's huband
• Lottie Scott, dear friend
• Clifford, Rosita's husband
• Rosita Marques, dear friend
• Barb Ward, dear friend
• Joyce Torby, dear friend
• David Torby, Joyce's huband
• Dave Ward, Barb's husband
• Paul Estabrook, Dianne's huband
• Dianne Estabrook, dear friend

Sisters Finished

Sisters: Joelle (pink) and Danielle (blue) Wood. Commissioned portrait. NFS 

This was actually finished a couple of months ago, but I just realized I forgot to post the final image to this blog.

Well, here it is.

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This was a commissioned piece. It was done on black Stonehenge 90lb acid free art paper with Prismacolor coloured pencils. This piece is approximately 8" x 10".

:)

Every Day in May Challenge # 31

Draw what you’re afraid of. Write about it, if you dare.

Ink and Watercolour

In reality, there is very little I am afraid of. What I am truly afraid of, I will not admit publicly. However, I will admit this minor fear... I am afraid of losing my mind.

It is very frightening to know that your mind is going. I have watched three people in my life suffer from dementia. Eventually, they lose their memories to the point that they no longer know that they have lost their memories. Then, it is just difficult on the surviving family members. However, when they are still somewhat lucid it becomes very stressful and frustrating for the person losing his/her mind.

I hope this never happens to me.

Some other minor fears I have:

• something bad happening to any of my family members or friends
• losing my eyesight, completely (it is already going)
• losing my ability to create art