Illustration Friday - DOUBLE

Just a quick sketch for this weeks Illustration Friday prompt, Double.

Her determination to keep dancing was now double what it was!

Yoga With Yoda- How To Do Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II)

Teachers, parents, and Yoga enthusiasts, please download this activity for kids! In this lesson, kids can learn how to do Warrior II pose with Yoda.

Click here to download a PDF document!

What I Did On My Summer Vacation

A lot of this:) Relaxing in nature. And summer's not even over yet!

Sketches from a Coffee Shop

I finally brought a sketch book with me to the coffee shop instead of a book to read and ended catching a few interesting characters. I used an HB on the top portrait, and switched to an H for the bottom two (why they're not as contrasty). I haven't done any life drawing in quite a while, and felt rusty, which shows. That's ok! I'm back at it and who cares about a little of rust. In this case, it isn't permanent and won't worsen over time:)

Why did I choose these folks? Well, they were sitting relatively close to me (and amazingly, no one caught me mid-sketch!). I liked the intensity of the older man and woman, the lightness of the younger woman. I love coffee shop sketching. It's good to keep up the chops;)

Another Sketch To Make You Smile

I started this one a week or so ago and it was slow going for a number of unimportant reasons. But no matter, it's done and here it is! When I was in India, I witnessed many beautiful deities being worshipped and decorated and came away with a need to express in my drawings the joy and peace I felt in watching various ceremonies. It's amazing how travel always, always, without fail, greatly impacts the subject matter of my art.

Stuff To Ponder- The Four Agreements

Ok, I'm going off the art track here to post  these Four Agreements from a book by Don Miguel Ruiz called (what else?) The Four Agreements. These guidelines struck a chord with me, so I wanted to share.  

 1. BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD - Speak with integrity. Say what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love. 

2. DON'T TAKE ANYTHING PERSONALLY - Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

3. DON'T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS - Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

4. ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST - Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgement, self-abuse, and regret.

From "THE FOUR AGREEMENTS" by Don Miguel Ruiz
"A Toltec Wisdom Book and Practical Guide to Personal Freedom"