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A Better Picture (And Book)

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  It has been a while since I last wrote an article. I have been quite busy with a number of things, especially the changes needed for my book. Just when I was trying to put it online three things happened in quick succession to derail the whole project. The app that I was using to display the book online gave me two problems. First, it would not allow me to upload my changes anymore. Second, it did not function properly when the shopping cart also did not work. When I contacted them for explanations, they just gave me excuses. They did not provide me with any solutions. Just after that, I was told that the Frasers brand was sold a number of years ago and that it would be advisable to rather not write about that company. After all the effort I had put into the book glorifying Frasers and the people that worked there, I had to discard a lot of my material. So much for the glory days of that company – very sad. Unfortunately, some of my friends might be disappointed about that and mi...
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Watercolour Painting Habit

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  Yesterday was Sunday and we were relaxing at home. I decided to do a quick sketch and paint it with watercolour paint. I didn't want to create a masterpiece or do something complex. I chose a picture on Pinterest because it looked easy to practise with. I also didn't want to use expensive paper either. The picture above is the result of my efforts. I first did the sketch in pencil and then added the blue and grey watercolour paint. Since it was just a little exercise I grabbed my Faber-Castell paints and added the colours. As I said, the aim was to practise and not to create a wonderful painting. I still get satisfaction from doing things like that. I have just watched a YouTube video on Atomic Habits by James Clear. Near the end he said that if you want to become a writer, you must not just write a book. That does not make you a writer. If you want to become a writer, you must write! Therefore, if you want to become a painter/artist, you must paint. You need to do that often...
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Daniel Smith Watercolor Paints

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  Daniel Smith Watercolor Paints always intrigued me. When I started my watercolor painting journey I had never heard that name. That was because I just jumped in and bought the wrong paints that caught my eye. Where I live we only have PNA stationery and art supply shops. I visited one and looked for the most impressive looking box of paints and purchased acrylic paints instead of watercolor paints. When I looked on YouTube for something to get started I then realised that I should be trying watercolors to paint something I saw there. The people presenting their tutorials were forever mentioning the best brands and Daniel Smith was usually mentioned. When I visited the PNA again, they did not have that brand in stock - only oil paints. Since I heard them usually talking about Daniel Smith watercolors, I decided to search for it online. There I discovered that Artsavingsclub stocked what I was looking for. Unfortunately, by then I had invested in Mont Marte watercolors. That was no...
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Art With Alcohol Markers

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  One day I watched a video where a gifted artist sketched a building and used alcohol markers to colour the sketch in. There was no messing around with water and paints and the paper did not buckle because no water was used. I thought that it would be wonderful if I could do the same. I proceeded to buy some alcohol markers to experiment with. That was where I learned that it was much harder than I thought. For one thing I found it difficult to avoid making marks when I coloured in with my new markers without creating lines when I moved them back and forth on the paper. It looked aweful. Then I also saw that my marker ink was far too bright on the paper. Another thing that I disliked was that ther ink bled right through the paper to the other side. All my efforts looked far worse than my watercolour paintings. I hated them. To find the right markers and paper became an obsession but no matter what I bought I could not get satisfaction. I was about to give up when I recently decide...
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Art With Markers

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  There are times when you want to doodle but you want it to look like something. Seated on a Lazy Boy chair is not the best way to draw and create art. However, I could not wait to do it properly and I was just feeling like practicing with my many markers which I found rather difficult to master. The best way to create is to just create no matter what the result looks like. After all, we all need some practice. So, I just drew something very basic to colour in. It is an opportunity to get away from the large computer where I design websites or create eBooks. Painting or art with markers is my way of escaping from my usual work on a computer. It is my free time. So, the little house I made with alcohol markers my fit in a children's book since it looks so basic and plein but when I practice it doesn't matter to me what it looks like as long as I have some small creative time. Thanks for reading.
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French Toast for Mom

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  French Toast for Mom happened on May 12th 2024. It was a beautiful sunny day when we drove to the place in Hartebeespoort which is located next to some mountains with a huge dam on one side. It has always been a favourite recreation area since the 1970s (for me anyway). We arrived early in the morning and walked around the place while waiting for our son to park his car. During that time we took a few photographs in front of some French-looking displays. Once our son parked the car and joined us, we entered the venue area and found a table with an umbrella where we could order some breakfast. Since it was Mother's Day all the focus was on Maggie to make the day special for her. Once breakfast arrived, Maggie started enjoying the meal. Due to unforseen circumstances the platform where I posted the link to my book is not performing correctly and I have to look for an alternative method to advertise and sell my book. I apologize for the delay and inconvenience.
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Sowing and Reaping

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  Gardening is a most rewarding endeavour. When you plant a herb or a flower or a vegetable, you are creating a living thing that grows. You have to take special care of it to ensure that the plant survives, gets sufficient water, sunshine, and plant food to enable it to thrive. If you have done your job well and are diligent, you will reap a reward and receive what the plant produces - flowers, herbs, or vegetables. We have successfully grown all sorts of fruit, vegetables, and herbs which we picked just before eating. That way we get the freshest fruits that keep us healthy. I am in the process of painting the picture above with watercolours. The same applies to life! Work is therefore necessary and is a good thing.
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