Friday, June 22, 2012

My life lately....

It has been a week (or two) of ups and downs, highs and lows, scratches and smiles, and bad news that turned into good. It was the last week of school and we have recently found out my son will start a new school in the fall that will be a better place for him to be. That felt bad at first as it's a long trip for him but turned out to be good news!
It was a hot summer solstice, too hot to do anything but sit and sweat. I spent a 93 degree lunch hour sitting near the river sketching, but at least it seemed 10 degrees cooler next to the water.

 and one day on the top of the world sketching...

My daughter saved two out of three baby ducklings literally from the claws and teeth of my killer cat, she and my parents tried to feed them so they could live long enough to set them free in a pond or somewhere. We have no rescue center nearby to take wild animals to, and sadly they didn't make it through their second night.



We go to a state park for vacation very soon, and I am looking forward to canoeing, swimming, hiking to the ponds and sketching while my husband fishes, eatting barbecue and probably ranch chicken wings. I can't wait!
This week I created a mandala for the summer of color, inspired by the baseball nut, black raspberry cone...




I am also linking to the artists playroom for their theme of monochromatic art as this is all shades of raspberry, and to paint party friday. And...Here's my zentangle for iamthediva's challenge using the tangle called Cadent...

See you all soon! Thanks for stopping by!
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32 comments:

  1. ledenzerJune 22, 2012 at 6:14 AM

    Moving the cadent out from the heart, it is a great idea and flows beautifully...love the quotation in the center!

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  2. rebeccaJune 22, 2012 at 6:25 AM

    dear andrea,

    i love thinking of you sitting by a cooling river. such a metaphor for the current of life and all its challenges and constant changes. glad the path ahead for your son turned brighter. thank you for being a beautiful part of haiku my heart and expressing yourself through words and images from your skilled hands and warm heart.

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  3. Kim MailhotJune 22, 2012 at 6:28 AM

    Poor little ducklings. And hugs to your daughter's tender heart too.
    I hope the vacation is a treat for all of you !
    Love and light, Beautiful Andrea !

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  4. Jennifer C.June 22, 2012 at 6:59 AM

    I like everything you created this week. Your ZIA is wonderful. I stared at it trying to figure out how you were able to create a heart.

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  5. Carolyn DubeJune 22, 2012 at 7:21 AM

    What a week! Sorry about the feathered ones. Your by the river sketches are fabulous!! Your mandala is so vibrant!! Such goodness here!!

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  6. AnonymousJune 22, 2012 at 7:31 AM

    This is really beautiful.

    Annemarie Huijts

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  7. AbelaJune 22, 2012 at 8:13 AM

    Precious mandalas. Saludos

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  8. MarjiJune 22, 2012 at 8:53 AM

    Your sketches are lovely. Its nice to find a cool spot by the river. Your mandala is incredible. Happy PPF

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  9. AnonymousJune 22, 2012 at 9:00 AM

    I'm so sorry to hear about the little ducklings - makes me so sad when these things happen. Your mandala is stunning. I have to say I'm getting very envious as I read about fellow bloggers in temperatures 90 degrees and upwards as I stare out at the never ending rain and my husband has just lit the woodburning stove in our living room - I kid you not!!

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  10. KarenJune 22, 2012 at 9:02 AM

    Oh, I'm so glad two ducklings survived. Your mandala is beautiful, the colours of a summer sunset!

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  11. Diane MasloroffJune 22, 2012 at 10:14 AM

    A beautiful design, graceful and flowing.

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  12. joanneJune 22, 2012 at 10:14 AM

    Love your pink-n-orange artwork....so very summer.... the ducklings - nature makes me cry sometimes....and here's a suggestion -put a little bell on your 'killer cat'...so easy and life-saving

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  13. RachelJune 22, 2012 at 10:17 AM

    Sounds like you had a lovely day of sketching, sorry to hear about the ducks, your haiku describes the nature of survival well.

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  14. RitaJune 22, 2012 at 10:20 AM

    Poor baby ducklings! At least you tried to save them.

    I just love your joyous raspberry mandala!!!! The other one is cool--looks so complicated. enjoy your weekend! :)

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  15. Lynn CohenJune 22, 2012 at 11:39 AM

    Whew so much and all so good. Love the mandala working backwards, yes, sad duck story such a cute animal, love your outdoor sketches, and have a fun vacation. sounds grand and grand opportunity for much more drawings to come! HPPF.
    Hope your son loves his new school.

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  16. Anne MandaJune 22, 2012 at 12:09 PM

    Lovely outdoor sketches, really beautiful and your mandala is awesome, as usual!
    Sorry about the ducklings... We tried to save one, when I was a little girl, but it didn't make it either... It's nature, but still sad.
    Happy PPF and happy holiday!

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  17. LaurieJune 22, 2012 at 12:21 PM

    I just adore your shades of raspberry!! I love all of your work, I am always enchanted with water colors (maybe it is because I am useless at it;), and am so happy I have found your blog.

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  18. LibbyJune 22, 2012 at 1:42 PM

    Always love visiting your blog! Your art is so amazing! Sorry about the little ducks...you really did try...

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  19. AliceJune 22, 2012 at 2:18 PM

    hahaha! you have so many fun things going on in this post! i love the pink and oranges in your drawings - so bright and lovely!

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  20. Magical Mystical TeacherJune 22, 2012 at 3:23 PM

    Sad, indeed...

    Razor Wire

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  21. MarkJune 22, 2012 at 4:01 PM

    Mandalas draw me right into the center of all things.

    How Did This Happen?

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  22. carol l mckennaJune 22, 2012 at 4:24 PM

    Mandalas and all your creations are wonderful ~ Hugs to you all for trying to save the ducklings ~thanks, ^_^ (A Creative Harbor)

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  23. Jennifer McLeanJune 22, 2012 at 4:57 PM

    your zendala is so beautiful. I love the pinky oranges and it's so delicate. Thanks for sharing.
    Best,
    Jenn

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  24. Lisa RichardsJune 22, 2012 at 8:00 PM

    Gorgeous mandala and zentangle! So sad about the ducklings, but it seems this is often what happens when little animals are orphaned. At least you tried! Have a great vacation!

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  25. Mary C. NasserJune 22, 2012 at 8:02 PM

    So sorry the little ducklings didn't survive. :(
    But I do love your sketches by the river.
    I imagine that was relaxing and grounding.
    ♥♥♥
    Happy PPF!!
    Mary
    Mixed-Media Map Art

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  26. UnknownJune 22, 2012 at 8:30 PM

    Your mandala is so amazing, love all the detail in it!! Love your sketches too. Sorry about the ducklings.
    Happy Friday!
    Nora

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  27. GigglesJune 23, 2012 at 3:37 AM

    No wonder I get so excited when I come to your blog!!You always wow and impress me every single time!! Love your amazing mandala!! I feel so bad about the baby ducks.... awe...so sad... I have to turn off the tv when anything sad comes on about animals or children...just can't take it!!So happy your son will be in a better place...it's always a worry if you think you're kids will be hurt in any way!! Take care!! Thanks for sharing everything...again sorry about the ducks!!

    Big hugs Giggles

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  28. Karen SmitheyJune 23, 2012 at 2:41 PM

    Love all the 'tangle-y' texture here!

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  29. VictoriaJune 24, 2012 at 12:57 PM

    Oh Wow..absolutely gorgeous..your work is always so visually thrilling..beautiful!
    Visting from APR
    Victoria

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  30. Tracey FKJune 24, 2012 at 4:35 PM

    That is a week of ups and downs, but your mandala is gorgeous and those sketches are wonderful... hope the coming week is a better one for you...xx

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  31. rebeccaJune 29, 2012 at 8:46 PM

    dear sweet andrea,

    thank you so much for appearing in my mailbox in the form a beguiling charm necklace. your whimsical painting and imagination are even more lively and enchanting in person. it is an honor to have a token of your beauty and creative spirit.

    i hope this finds you well and loving summer.

    thank you so much for your beauty and generosity,
    rebecca

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  32. DanniJuly 1, 2012 at 3:39 PM

    I'm so sorry about the wee baby ducks, but it speaks volumes that your family was willing to try to help them. <3

    Love your mandala for this week, I've never had the patience to sit down and attempt one and they never cease to amaze me.

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