Hello Friends!!
Welcome to Thursday's art date! Our art theme today is lonely. I wanted to mix things up a little bit and veer away from happy fun stuff, to an emotion that is challenging to create.
Alex and I watch a lot of movies - lots of Film Noirs from the 30's and 40's. A lot of those films are heavily laden with emotion, with lots of sadness, betrayal and loneliness and those films inspired my drawing for today. I feel sorry for Bugs Bunny...it looks like he tangled with the wrong dame!
I pulled out the acrylics to create a Lonely Forest.
I tried oil pastels for the first time and I LOVE them! I did a tutorial I found on You Tube for this one. You know the old saying that the eyes are the windows of the soul? Have you ever looked deep into someone's eyes and seen loneliness?
I tried oil pastels for the first time and I LOVE them! I did a tutorial I found on You Tube for this one. You know the old saying that the eyes are the windows of the soul? Have you ever looked deep into someone's eyes and seen loneliness?
Algie, Frasier and Spunky are certainly not lonely anymore! :) They have each other and they have us to take care of them! We'll probably keep them for 5-6 more weeks or so then release them.
Though Jack seems pretty lonely on the other side of the door...poor little fella wants so badly to be with the squirrels, but we just can't allow it.
Alex made them a new and bigger cage from an old cat tree that our cats never use. They have two floors connected by a big rope. The top has a bunch of greenery and a dish of water; the bottom has a nice big towel and they have a "luxury suite" where they can sneak in and sleep! It's wonderful and they love it!
I put together a slideshow of photos of them! Enjoy!
Though Jack seems pretty lonely on the other side of the door...poor little fella wants so badly to be with the squirrels, but we just can't allow it.
Alex made them a new and bigger cage from an old cat tree that our cats never use. They have two floors connected by a big rope. The top has a bunch of greenery and a dish of water; the bottom has a nice big towel and they have a "luxury suite" where they can sneak in and sleep! It's wonderful and they love it!
I put together a slideshow of photos of them! Enjoy!
We had some really good dinners in the last week! This is a Spaghetti Squash with Asparagus Ricotta and Lemon. It was so fresh and yummy!
I had some miraculous burst of energy on Tuesday because I decided to make Asian Style Cabbage Rolls, Garlic Noodles and Sweet and Sour Cauliflower. Everything was delicious, though I'm not a huge fan of the soggy cabbage, the filling was great though! And I ate the entire meal, well, nearly, with chopsticks which was fun! :)
Alex came up with a great snack for us. We ran out of bread and were craving grilled cheese sandwiches so he whipped up a few using Melba toast and it worked really well!
I tried another new recipe, Cowboy Bark. We used to buy something similar at the bulk store for snacks but we always found they were a little stale. This however, was not stale and it was really yummy.
I just broke it all up and added it to our ice cream with homemade Strawberry Syrup. Ooooh deee-lish!!
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| June Sunset on Lac Des Iles |
June 27th: Next Thursday's theme is Beach. Click on the link for ideas and inspiration! Remember it's all about creating. You can showcase your paintings, drawings, photography, sculpting, baking, poetry...whatever you like! :)
Thursday Art Date With Rain. Click on the link for a description of the art date as well as a list of upcoming themes.
Don't forget to add the URL link to you post (not your blog) to the link gadget below to share your wonderful creations!
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How interesting to have squirrels in your home. In the UK we consider them a bit of a pest and in fact they are removed from homes when they take up residence as considered destructive! They do of course chew through pretty much anything but these little things look like they are very content to be contained and together. It will be lovely to see them when they are released as they are bound to stay near you for food. I wonder if you will be able to touch them when they are adult (sharp teeth!).
ReplyDeleteAs always, the food looks great. Have a nice week.
ReplyDeleteRain,
ReplyDeleteIt's going to be hard to let those little furbabies go but it's the best thing for them. You're doing such a wonderful job caring for them, too. I love their little home! Do you know what else I love...your Bugs sketch/painting. You really captured lonely in this one. I love your cartoon illustrations. I'm always inspired to do my own, which you'll soon discover on my site but your designs are unique. The girl in the forest makes me think spooky thoughts but loneliness too. Great job on the eye! The eyelashes are great! Whenever I get ready to move from color pencils and my Procreate app then I think I'd like to try oil pastels. For now, I'm enjoying I'm having a great time colorizing my sketches on my iPad. :) Thanks for hosting the art fun. I am so glad you stepped up to doing this, it's exactly what I need. Have an artastic week!
Aww, poor bugs bunny, he does look so lonely lol, your pastel eye is amazing! Window to the soul for sure! The triplets are growing and doing so well, very lucky little ones! Your food looks so good and I know I’m trying two of your recipes today! Poor Jack, that little paw beneath the door is a heart breaker lol, thank you rain for hosting again this week!
ReplyDeleteWow! Never heard of Cowboy Bark, but it sure looks yummy and a like a great idea. When meeting someone for the first time, I'm always drawn to the eyes, which definitely tell a story. Your painting is so lovely too! Hugs...RO
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your Bugs Bunny art. He is such a favourite of mine. And wow, those squirrels are living in the Hotel Hilton!
ReplyDeleteLoneliness is the hardest emotion and one we all face at some time. You displayed it well in your Forest picture.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful of you and Alex to care for little orphans.
Your art is so beautiful, love these pieces and the food looks fantastic. Thanks for hosting.
ReplyDeleteWhat a tail!
ReplyDeleteAnd the food! Well done.
spoiled squirrels! that cage is perfect. they are going to think that the great outdoors is a horrible place to live. i wonder if they will hang around? your food looks so good!
ReplyDeleteoh..that eye is awesome!
ReplyDeleteThose squirrels are so adorable! What a handful! Love your food and artwork, as usual. Such a beautiful shot of your lake.
ReplyDeleteHi Wood Fairy :)) I have to admit, before we found the babies in our basement walls...I thought of them as pests too. I know how destructive they can be, they really chew through so much. But we just had to help the poor things!! We are making sure to give them lots of bark and branches to help them chew where they are supposed to! Alex doesn't wear gloves when he handles them and he gets nibbled on, but I can't imagine those teeth biting into me lol! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Kristina :) I hope all is well with you! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Cathy :) Yes...it will be tough, but they definitely need the big world at their disposal. Alex did a really good job with the new cage and they are LOVING it! Thanks, I love my Bugs this week too! And yes! I love your Marvin!!! Drawing the Looney Tunes is so much fun!!! To tell you the truth, I'm VERY much into spooky, creepy and horror filled art. I have a Tim Burton penchant for creativity, sometimes I have to tone it down lol...my Lonely Forest is actually the ghost of a bride who perished there and wanders alone, lonely. You'll see my imagination go wild around Halloween!!! :) The oil pastels are great. I learned a good tip, you take a bit of paint thinner and a brush, and that's how you blend things. Lots of folks will use a Qtip or a finger, but I found that a dab of paint thinner with a brush makes the colours blend so well. Not as messy as oil paints and you have a bit more control. I'm so glad you're feeling challenged!! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Laurie :) Yeah, I just want to give Bugs a hug and reassure him that there are nicer ladies out there lol! ;) Oooh, I would love to know which recipes you're trying!!! :) When I saw Jack's paw under the door, I nearly melted...I'm so glad you're enjoying the art dates!!! :)
ReplyDeleteHi RO :) Thanks so much! :) Eyes mean a great deal to me too, I really think you can read a person so well by looking into their eyes! The Cowboy Bark is simply miraculous lol...it's a great mix of sweet and salty!! So easy to make too and you can add whatever you want to it! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Debra :) Ha ha ha...the Hotel Hilton! Actually we've been calling it the Squirrel Condo or The Montana...which is the name of Niles' apartment building on "Frasier"! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Arleen :) I'm not a fan of lonely, and I hope to never feel that again, but you're right, we all have to face it at some point in our lives, often. The little orphans are doing so well!
ReplyDeleteThanks Christine :) I think my favourite recipe is the spaghetti squash, you should try that one! I'm so glad you join into the art date every week! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jenn :) The food is what we live for lol! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Joyce :) Those oil pastels are super to work with, you can really get a lot of detail that isn't easy with the oil paints. I'm so happy how the eye turned out! :) Yeah, spoiled squirrels...I think every animal in this house gets spoiled!!! :) Alex spoke to the wildlife rescue gal and she said the males are known to hang around more than the females, so we'll see if we have Spunky and Frasier as occasional guests or not! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan :) They are adorable...I'm trying to get a good shot of them when they wake up, they love to sleep in the little cylinder all curled up under the blankies we put there, it's so cute, the luxury suite lol...
ReplyDeleteGreat job on those precious little critters! Love those pics of the cowboy bark! Thanks for sharing your art work!
ReplyDeleteBugs looks very lonely. Where is Elmer Fudd when you need him lol. I see one of your girls got to check out your squirrels. Your food always looks yummy.
ReplyDeleteIt's so good to see your baby squirrels thriving! So cute. And good job on the "lonely" theme. I have to say that you seem to have a real knack for those oil pastels!
ReplyDeletewatching old or sad movies can drag one towards sad mood for while i agree
ReplyDeleteyour painting for title is perfect and CHARMING dear Rain!
i can easily put my head over the shoulders of bugs as i am still touched by the sadness of drama's last traumatic episode (native language)
this eye is beautiful and powerful ,yes i stared many times in my own eyes and promised my self that i will be fine (quite long time ago)
your food makes me hungry and in awe that how you find such incredible energy and talent to manage everything so amazingly :)
sunset is GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hugs!
such nice feeling to see squirrels doing well in your care dear Rain!
ReplyDeleteresting in new cage they look SATISFIED :)
So sorry I have not been playing along as much with the art date....life is busy and when it is not I sleep! haha...that is my escape and I am doing it a lot lately. I am loving the babes. Got you three of them...nice. And they are so CUTE. Anyway...loving you eye and all the art work. Great job. Speaking of busy, off to feed my brothers cats!
ReplyDeleteBugs so sad and yet, perfect for this prompt. The eye is a bit scary. I don't think I have looked into anyone else much lately but because it's an awkward business doing it.
ReplyDeleteSadly, I didn't do anything for this week's prompt but I'll think on the beach theme.
Have a lovely day.
I have so enjoyed your posts about the squirrel babies. They are adorable. When you eventually put them back in the wild, I know they will retain their tameness towards you. How special that will be!!
ReplyDeleteSo fun to see the squirrels growing up, and great job with Bugs and the lonely theme!
ReplyDeleteHello Rain, thanks for the visit and comment on our blog 😀. It was much appreciated as I also enjoy getting and reading comments. I enjoyed seeing your artwork and the updates on the triplets who seem to really be enjoying their new double-decker home. I can imagine it will be hard to see them go when the time comes, but perhaps they will stay closely and visit sometime. The food all looked so good, especially that cowboy bark and with homemade ice cream too1
ReplyDeleteOne more thing I forgot to add, Rain, is that I added a link to your blog on a sidebar. I try to keep it updated with current bloggers that I enjoy reading and perhaps others will enjoy as well.
ReplyDeleteLOVE your blog. I'm a creative soul myself. My first visit and I'm a follower. I may even participate... ;)
ReplyDeleteBEAUTIFUL paintings !!!! I LOVE the eye !!!
ReplyDeleteThose little guys are being spoiled in your house...they wont wanna move out...lol so so cute.
Mmm the cowboy bark looks so good. I am gonna go check.out the link :)
Thanks Dino :) That cowboy bark is really delicious!!! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Marsha :) Yes! Where is Elmer Fudd??? He always tries to get Bugs, but never has the heart does he? :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Leigh :) I really love those oil pastels! They are so easy to work with!
ReplyDeleteThanks Baili :) Bugs does need a hug, but he'll be okay for next week's art date! :) The squirrels LOVE their new home, they really have calmed down a lot. In the old cage they didn't have much room to run around but now they can do what they want and we leave lots of food out for them, so it makes it easier on us too!
ReplyDeleteHi Pam :) I hope you do find time to join in! But yes, sleep is very important. I would stay in bed all morning if it weren't for all the pets, but then when I get up I'm happy I didn't!
ReplyDeleteHi Lissa :) I hope you join in for the beach theme! I know what you mean about eyes...it is very awkward at times and can be very telling too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bev :) We really are hoping that they stick around the yard for a while! It would be so nice for them to visit us! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Spare Parts and Pics :) I'm glad you enjoyed Bugs, he's so very lonely (at least for this week!!!) :)
ReplyDeleteHi Beatrice :) I love getting comments!!! :) Yes, the triplets...it's going to be hard letting them go! Hopefully they hang out near the house though, that would be so cool! I just wonder if we'll be able to tell them apart from the others!! The cowboy bark is really something!! I've added your blog to my sidebar too, thank you!! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Mimi :) Thank you!!! I just checked out your blog, what fun! New follower! :) I do hope you participate in the art date, it's really a lot of fun!!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Sis :) I hope you make that cowboy bark, the kids will love it, but beware, it's addictive lol...I know, we are totally spoiling the squirrels, we can't help it!! :)
ReplyDeleteThe artwork, the baby squirrels, the food... Oh my gosh, Rain, so much good stuff over at your place!
ReplyDeleteI hope you don't have too many tourists this long weekend!
Thanks Martha :) Oh, the tourists are already crawling everywhere, sigh...at least the town will be empty on Canada Day weekend!
ReplyDeleteJust love the look of the Spaghetti Squash with Asparagus Ricotta and Lemon. Yummy :)
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Such lucky baby squirrels; what fun, new digs they have. Yum on the food.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jan, that was such a great meal! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Stefanie :) The baby squirrels are really enjoying their new home!
ReplyDeleteGreat takes on the LONELY prompt. You really captured Bugs' sadness and loneliness. I must admit I'm not a fan of Noir films but I agree that they are heavily laden with emotion. Great job on the eye!
ReplyDeleteI can see why the triplets would love their new abode. Now, THAT is living in style...luxury suite for sure. Love it!
I love Asian style foods! You certainly make delicious looking foods — I picture the vegan versions of course but yummy all the same. :)
Thank you Serena :) The Noirs that I prefer are the ones with suspense and mystery. I'm not much into the romantic dramatic ones. I like the 30's and 40's actors! :) Luxury suite indeed, those squirrels are living the good life lol! :)
ReplyDelete