"Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy."

Max Ehrmann, "Desiderata"


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Sunday, April 8, 2012

Sunday Illustrator




Weeping Willow.  8"x11" Archival pigment ink on 14"x17" Bristol board.











   



Thank you for kind and supportive comments on my previous post. I woke up with back pain today, probably from fatigue and exhaustion from Friday night's on call duties. I kept getting paged every hour or two just as soon as I dozed off to sleep after resolving each problem. By 5:30 AM on Saturday I was so tired. I spent Saturday morning asleep in bed. when I woke up, I was still sleepy and then achy, I started this drawing. I had to use a magnifying glass to draw some sections of this drawing. The woman's face is tinier than the fingernail on my little finger and the mushrooms are even smaller.

Instead of sitting down, I decided to draw standing up, so I set up one of my oil painting easels that converts to a drawing table but instead of setting it flat, I set it upright so I can stand. This is what I did today. I drew standing up to nurse my back pain which felt better if I stood up straight. However, because I was asleep yesterday, I was not able to do laundry. I did laundry today and in between each load and folding, I continued drawing. I finished it this evening. What do I see? I keep boring myself. I am drawing the same things, trees, grass, rocks, plants, woman...ah!

I hope you had a blessed and happy Easter Sunday celebration.  This week I will be preparing for my project implementations next Sunday. It will be a busy week for me. Wishing all of you a safe, productive and happy enjoyable week. Tsup!

P.S. My back is better. It was just from being up one night from being on call. A weekend of rest helped a lot. Thank you for your concerns. Tsup!


Posted by Ces at 9:29 PM Labels: , , , ,

40 comments:

  1. Love,love,love the new header Ces. And the drawing is amazing! I use to use a magnifying glass to do tiny details when I did watercolor and pen and ink, but I am not so patient any more.
    So sorry to hear that your back hurts;I can completely sympathize with you on that one. I got to spend Easter day in the ER. Another acute allergic reaction. This time, we think it might have been mango. :( Argghhhh, I hate when my body reacts this way. So here I sit itching like crazy with cold sweats,whelps and a rash, but at least I can breath and I am no longer loopy.
    My husband bought me the most beautiful fillet last night and it tasted like the fishiest fish :(
    So sad...

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    1. Noooooooooooooo! Oh man. That's awful. I am sorry to hear that. I am glad you are better. So am I. Another work week. Take care. Tsup!

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  2. Hello Ces.
    I am sorry that you are having back issues. Now I am really glad I didn't make that phone call ~ you needed quiet and relaxation. I hope you are feeling better tonight. I LOVE this drawing, Ces. It is beautiful. It is perfect. Weeping willows are one of my favorite trees and there are so many other trees in the drawing, too, along with the beautiful full moon. And the woman could be pouring her heart out to the willow or she could be giving the willow praise for its beauty. I would very much like to purchase this drawing, Ces. Is this possible? We planted a willow tree in the backyard a couple of years ago. It is along the line of our property that abuts the woods. This could very well be me standing there admiring my willow. I stand by it every day, amazed and happy with how quickly it is growing.
    It sounds like you have a busy week ahead of you. Take care. I hope your back gets better soon.
    xo audrey

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    1. Hello Audrey, thank you very much. Feeling better already. It's like working the night shift. I hated that shift. I will email you. :)

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  3. Criminy sakes, would you look at that well-kempt studio? Mine looks like an explosion in a mattress factory compared to that photo. How do you find time to keep things so fastidious, do your laundry, hold down a job and still draw all that incredibly detailed art? You are Superwoman!

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    1. Superwoman, I am definitely NOT! That is not my studio. Sorry to bust your bubble but I am not that fancy, I do not have a studio, I do not even have a desk! Most often I draw in the kitchen. I sometimes even use the washing machine as my drawing desk when I draw on the weekends. I oil paint in the carport. :)

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  4. My gosh, just look at the details. This is wonderful, Ces. Hope your back feels better soon, and also hope you had a wonderful Easter.

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    1. Aaaw Eric, thank you very much. How sweet of you. I am better. Thank you.

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  5. Ces...Ces!Each time I visit (3 times today?) I'm in awe. (Awwwwww, not like that--grin!). Good choice for Header image...but I'd expect nothing BUT good.

    Of course I saw, admired and loved 'Weeping Willow', but somehow I was wishing the girl's name was Willow...my title: Weeping Widow Beneath Weeping Willow.

    And back pain--you may not be 'on call' much more...could be a patient instead.

    I played Easter Vigil mass, and got to be part of the RCIA celebrations...SO beautiful. The fellow who prepared the RCIA Peeps since September told me he is going home because his father is very ill. Home is Philippines. I've known him for 6 years.


    Yeah, I should not be commenting when I'm so tired...going to bed. I'm thinking of your back pain, and realize I've been sitting here way too long, find it difficult to get up from chair. Mine is arthritis and age--and sedentariness. Hope you have some Alleve to alleviate. I hope you sleep well, and have a painless work-week...also stressless--maybe that's asking too much--grin!

    Steve
    TSUP!

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    1. Steve you got that right! Her name is Willow! :)So glad to hear you are playing often. My back is better. Thank you very much, steve. I mean that truly!!!

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  6. I agree with Ted, you are Superwoman. It probably won't make any difference for people to tell you to slow down. The very art you chose to do matches your perfectionist nature. It took a huge breakdown in my health for me to learn to slow down. I wish I could have learned to do so earlier. Your art is priceless-- as usual.

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    1. Aw Debbie, thank you so much. You are so kind and supportive. Ah, my schedule is the pits this season. My back feels so much better now. Thank you!!!!

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  7. I know why the willow is weeping. It cannot decide whether to pay attention to the vaticinating moon or the beautiful woman in the dramatic pose. She is calling to it. You astonish me every time I see a new drawing from you. You make my brain light up and my heart go a-flutter. You are like my elixir. You never ever ever bore me. TSUP!

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    1. Well, we are even dearest Bella because what you are describing is how I feel when I see your art! Love love you. Tsup!

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  8. Hi dear Ces,

    It's been awhile since I visited you!! I am so sorry to hear your back is giving you problems!! I understand totally. I just had an MRI last Tuesday. My right hip has been giving me problems since last December. I had two cortisone shots but they did not help. Waiting now to hear what my MRI results are.
    I love your Weeping Willow tree...it is stunning!! Willows are one of my favorite trees.
    Prayers for you poor back dear Cess!!

    Many tsups.....<3

    Susan

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    1. Oh Susan! I am hoping and praying for the best. Let me know please. Thank you. Tsup!

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  9. Dearest Ces, I have often come by but found it hard to leave meaningless platitudes. My thoughts still jumble with the sorrow of loss.
    I can hardly understand how you carry on . . . Thank God you have the backstop of your great talent and art.
    Take care of yourself my sweet friend . . . Tsup, tsup.

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    1. Arija, dearest. I know what you mean. I think sorrow and longing have come to stay. I try not to mind them but sometimes they jump in front of me. I miss my sister very much. I miss her very much. Thank you for your visit. I am glad you are keeping yourself busy with your beautiful photography. Love you. Tsup!.

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  10. ma chère Ces, ce mal de dos est une sorte de sonnette d'alarme pour te dire que t dois prendre soin de toi... Il y a des jours "sans" et ce fut le cas pour toi... Mais tu nous enchantes toujours avec tes merveilleux dessins. Je te fais de gros bisous

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    1. Merci beaucoup mon cher ami Martine Alison. J'ai fait le repos. J'ai pris le matin au large et alla se coucher, mais parfois un quart de nuit il suffit de prendre sans tellement. Je hade de rester le dimanche ou mon calendrier aurait été tellement altéré. Je suis bien maintenant. Je vous remercie! Tsup!

      Oh regarde ça. Les Français savent l'tsup mot!

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  11. the reason the willow weeps it weeps for you late at night when sleep does not come easily.

    i think your new header is awesome... it makes me think of Spirited Away.

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    1. Mita dearest, I have missed you. I hope you are having fun when I don't see you for days. Take care dearest one. I cherish your visits. Love you. Tsup!

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  12. and dont worry the willow weeps so often so you don't have to, so you can carry on. It weeps for you when you have run out of weeping.

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    1. Wouldn't that be wonderful? But then you know what will happen? All my trees will be weeping willows and they will suck the water off my foundation and then I will need foundation repairs. Heheheh! Here in Texas, because it is humid and hot, the roots of the weeping willows travel towards the foundation of the house to suck the moisture. :)

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  13. glad to hear you're feeling better, Grandewitch.
    sorry for being offline so much, please take care of yourself ok.

    Love,
    Mita

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  14. I'm glad your back is better!
    (Nice and easy does it.)
    :-)

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  15. I cannot believe the detail in your drawings...WOW. I just liked you on facebook...it will be nice to follow you there too.

    Glad your back is better. What kind of on call?

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    1. Thank you very much Lisa!!! Cool! Thank you for your support.

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  16. Bored? NEVER. You never cease to amaze me with your art. The glowing affect is amazing! I love the rock path. I want to run down it to the dandelions, blow on them and make a wish. LOVE your bookshelves in your studio, and I would love a scarf like the one in your header. Maybe Silke can knit one up! Be well. **blows kisses** Deb

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    1. Yes! Ask Silke to knot you a silk scarf. I have one of her scarves and I like it! Thank you very much dearest Deborah.

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  17. I am impressed with the details you put into your work...I agree with Ted!

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    1. I agree with Rod!

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    2. Oh I love how you agree with each other. I also agree with Rod on your blog and with you on Rod's blog. Hehehe. No, really, thank you guys. You two are a lot of fun. Thank you for your support and for making me laugh.

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    4. Hehehehehe! Oh gosh, you are making me laugh. I can't be here at all today. I need all my 57 remaining brain cells to do what I need to do today. Hahaha!

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  18. so glad that you are feeling better Ces. missing a night of sleep or even half of it messes with me!
    I love your blog header art, fabulous. i love the feeling of movement in your two people.

    this one is dreamy wonderful too!
    amazing how small her head is, i have trouble with small faces - drawing them. tiny mushrooms too! I have been looking for mushrooms in the woods every walk i take, not one spring shroom yet... any day though is my guess.

    wishing you a good week, even if it is busy.

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    1. Thank you dearest Tammie. Agree on the night shift. Never could do it even when I was a young one. I love your mushroom photographs! Your photography of them is just amazing. Tsup!

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  19. Ces, Happy to hear your back is better. Being up all night can be brutal in many ways.
    I enjoyed reading all of these comments and your replies, Ces. It is always nice to read some humor. It must also make you feel good to see how many friends appreciate your amazing art.
    Take care of yourself and I look forward to your email.
    ♥ audrey

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    1. Thank you Audrey. I am glad. Hey, take care. So busy here. Tsup!

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