Don't play with it

When I was much younger, I did a pastel piece of the Annadale waterfalls. I stumbled upon it recently and decided to give it another shot. The reference I used is one on this blog that I took when doing an island tour with a couple visiting friends, Maurissa and her cousin.

The first time I did a piece like this it was on white paper. Now this time it's on black paper. What I've discovered about using black paper is that it makes the images pop a lot more intensely than on white. Yes, it changes the tones of some colours like yellow and orange to a green-ish/brown-ish tinge but that can be quickly avoided if it's too bothersome by layering first with white.

Pardon the varied photo quality... my camera died somewhere along this journey and I was forced to rely solely on my crappy blackberry camera.

First I layed down the initial colours for the stone and water. I used a mixture of light green, blue and yellows for the water.

Proceeded to add in minor details to the rock face and foliage while blending in.

Added in the flowing-over grass.

Blended in the grass and added the vines.

Everything blended in!

First I sketched it with a pencil lightly.

Then I outlined the pencil with a white pastel pencil.

I proceeded to fill in the pastel colour. I thought it looked sooooo pretty at this stage I was tempted to leave it with the faux impasto look created by just layering the colour.

The colour blended in with my fingers and a blending tool.

Background "river" added in.

The background blended in.

Piece completed but unmounted.

http://eloquentscience.com/2010/07/if-a-tree-falls-in-the-forest/

This photo above is something I found online and oddly enough, while it made me giggle a little, it resonates with me. "If a tree falls in the forest, and no one is around to hear it... the tree needs a better marketing strategy."

Which brings me to Life Lesson # 17 : Nobody cares... I mean some do, but not really

Ever felt like a tree falling in the forest in a world of indifference? Sure it makes a sound... but how relevant is that sound? Does that sound change the price of rice in China? Does that sound lower taxes and VAT? Does that sound pay for a round trip to Alaska? But if that tree should fall upon or near you... that sound will be many things including damn well be relevant at that point.

Today a friend told me it's time to wake up out of La La Land and realize that while there is good in the world, one must approach it with caution because the world isn't filled with people just waiting offer a helping hand to their fellow man like what the Bible implies we should expect and do... Rather, the world is filled with people. Everyone has an agenda. Some people are more stringent with their agendas, others not so much, and others are vaguely aware that they have one but I'm quickly learning that. I'm becoming aware that with that said... if your agenda aligns with someone else's or poses no threat to their advancement it usually means cool runnings. However, should that not be the case, be prepared to be that tree that needs a better marketing strategy. Some people would just choose to work against you or undermine you for no real reason but, that's life...!

The reality is not everyone will like or support you. Those that will undermine you or work against you might be the very people you thought were on your team. It's important to try and not let that damper your spirit. Take it in stride. Accept human error on both parts. Rise above and go higher yet towards whatever your agenda is.

It's irrelevant what others think. Hard to ignore at times, but true. Besides...

“You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks.” ― Winston Churchill

So it serves one best to do what needs to be done with the method that harms none or the least and master the art of ignoring. Generally, people are only moved but that which touches them or affects them directly... and even then sometimes it has to touch them very deep to possibly hurt to inspire any sort of empathy or human sympathy. Therefore, it's usually futile to try to "make someone understand" in situations that have solidified in his/her mind.

Best to let your actions speak for themselves and focus your mind towards fruitful actions.

Today wasn't too hectic at work so I decided to attempt to use some black paper I have and experiment with pastels. I had previous horrible experiences with pencil crayon against black paper, trying to navigate the struggles to getting the colour to show through. (Simply lay white pencil crayon first before laying any other colour on... yes, finally use for that white pencil crayon...)







So it's not cut and mounted as yet... but they're going to be a 3 part series titled
"Hear no evil," "Speak no evil" and "See no evil."

Then I had the blessed opportunity to see a new dear friend Quincy perform. Richie was looking for band members and I remembered Quincy telling me that he's a bass guitarist in a local band and going on and on about his guitar the way I would about a new set of paints or pencil crayons. Funnily enough I had met Quincy through Richie but I linked them with the music stuff and was granted the chance to see them have a musical fun session together. The energy was amazing and it's hard to not want to be creative in the midst of all that creativity... so I took a few snaps and came up with this.

I made the decision recently to reunite with one of my loves - the beach. Seeing that I'm coincidentally trying to partake in more marine oriented projects, my new effort to go swimming/kayaking as often as possible would surely strengthen me and develop some skills. Unfortunately, I don't have an underwater camera case so I can't offer any personal underwater shots... but as we go along and swim over the reefs and sea grass beds Andre, my trusted, expert swimming buddy, would enlighten me as to what the different species are so that I could then Google then for you... haha