tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91291659387417856922024-03-14T07:16:05.415-04:00Vary Niche#Compose your #environment with #ideas, #designs, and discourse #inspired by the #evolutionary process of environmental #change called #niche construction.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12167214114746319626noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9129165938741785692.post-10038822141584621222016-12-16T07:00:00.000-05:002016-12-16T07:00:21.514-05:00Making the Most of Your Whiteboard Calendar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
You might have noticed that I love functional art, organization, and versatility. So naturally, I decided to create an extremely versatile art print designed to add a bit more order to life. My Whiteboard Calendar Prints are prints of watercolour paintings which have a calendar grid on them.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SYmJdzIgom7c4_4w0VZcbRwtwbAMdOk4iRqT4tTkidcw7iqfspO2zrl_zrC7NBxhUbO_JO0RHKyW7_GE2JhadFjqfNVfOziTrfJQDXGUrbiLLbZQKatTktiRsr_pc5HdQgOV8UMUpQKR/s1600/Watermarked+%2526+Cropped+-+Whiteboard+Calendars+%252814%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Vary Niche Fine Art Whiteboard Calendar tips and use ideas." border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5SYmJdzIgom7c4_4w0VZcbRwtwbAMdOk4iRqT4tTkidcw7iqfspO2zrl_zrC7NBxhUbO_JO0RHKyW7_GE2JhadFjqfNVfOziTrfJQDXGUrbiLLbZQKatTktiRsr_pc5HdQgOV8UMUpQKR/s320/Watermarked+%2526+Cropped+-+Whiteboard+Calendars+%252814%2529.png" title="Eggplant, Peppers, and More Calendar." width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Use Ideas:</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>Use them as <b><i>Monthly Calendars</i></b> by filling in the month and numbers (and if you get a blank one, you'll also have to fill in the days of the week either permanently before you frame it or wait until it is framed).</li>
<li>Use them as <b><i>Weekly Schedulers</i></b> by filling in times or family member names down the side.</li>
<li>Use them as <b><i>Monthly Goal Trackers</i></b> by filling them in as a Monthly Calendar but write your goal at the top and the month along the side.</li>
<li>Use them as <b><i>Weekly Goal Trackers</i></b> to track multiple goals or separate goals for different family members by filling in the goal or person at the start of each row.</li>
<li>Use them as <b><i>Weekly Food Diaries</i></b> by filling in your meal times along the side and then what you ate in the corresponding square for the meal and day of the week. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<h3 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Frame Selection Tips:</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i>Keep it simple but durable! </i></b>Mine are framed in simple black poster frames that are sturdy enough with solid enough hangers on the back that they can stand up to being removed from the wall when I'm in scheduling mode or need to switch months. I spent about the same to get more durable poster frames by waiting for frame sales at Michaels or using coupons. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i>Get plastic instead of glass if you can. </i></b>The frames I bought come with glass in the smaller ones but plastic in the larger ones so I've had the opportunity to try both. I like the plastic better because they make the whiteboard calendar lighter (and thus more mobile) and easier to photograph (less glare). Anti-glare glass is usually also conservation quality designed for watercolour originals, numbered prints, and the like (so extremely good quality and priced accordingly). You want to write on these...so go with something you'll be happy to write on!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><i>Choose the frame colour/style for versatility!</i></b> You might want to get a frame that will match the room decor rather than the piece so if you want to change the calendar print next season, you don't need a new frame for it. (Again, this is the opposite of what to do with original pieces of art.) You may want to stick with a simple black or white frame because you'll likely be writing on the piece in black whiteboard marker anyway. Alternatively, you may want to get wood frames to match your table, cabinets, desk, or bookshelves. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Pro Tips</h3>
<div style="line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><em><strong>Get two or more</strong></em>: Whiteboard calendars are fabulous, versatile, and reusable but I always find I need to look ahead into the next month or week for scheduling. If you get two and hang them together as a set, you can rotate them so you always have the current month and next month in view. </span></div>
<div style="line-height: 1.4; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><em><strong>Photograph last month/week before erasing it:</strong></em> I love how environmentally friendly these are but I miss being able to look back at past weeks or months for notes I wrote on my conventional calendar. The need to photograph them is one reason I prefer to have mine framed under plastic instead of glass.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
More About How I Made Them</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">In some cases I taped the grid off and then painted with watercolour over the top (as I did with the magnolia calendars pictured below). In other cases I did a watercolour painting with the intent to digitally add the calendar aspects afterward (as with the veggies one above). </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwUCofrKDdC5HVKdSnM81mYIdbHqwcVo5_-Vf-PNTIo_pcBXF7LMJa10Jx5ESqtFav3lpGLF_U_la9EQZY5huT9-IDRvuj9zeBifLUhUajsLww9PflznsAoOKqSHe53ZD9DnqDLabcZS2/s1600/Watermarked+%2526+Cropped+-+Whiteboard+Calendars+%252815%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Vary Niche Fine Art Whiteboard Calendar with magnolias on a marbled turquoise background. " border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwUCofrKDdC5HVKdSnM81mYIdbHqwcVo5_-Vf-PNTIo_pcBXF7LMJa10Jx5ESqtFav3lpGLF_U_la9EQZY5huT9-IDRvuj9zeBifLUhUajsLww9PflznsAoOKqSHe53ZD9DnqDLabcZS2/s320/Watermarked+%2526+Cropped+-+Whiteboard+Calendars+%252815%2529.png" title="Magnolias in Shadow Calendar" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvZvxVhr7jmvXGkkF3GYuAZbomQTq_ak3gSCKV977msqDQggCJP41JuF8m2TNqMf2JnELOGZnXebJsATP2dukazt-gS5JgtwdjM0aJ6cogwSv5g8YbY_9N2IRjq2QgSG315IsPZ71qvHv/s1600/Watermarked+%2526+Cropped+-+Whiteboard+Calendars+%252816%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Vary Niche Fine Art Whiteboard Calendar with a magnolia on a marbled turquoise background. " border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvZvxVhr7jmvXGkkF3GYuAZbomQTq_ak3gSCKV977msqDQggCJP41JuF8m2TNqMf2JnELOGZnXebJsATP2dukazt-gS5JgtwdjM0aJ6cogwSv5g8YbY_9N2IRjq2QgSG315IsPZ71qvHv/s320/Watermarked+%2526+Cropped+-+Whiteboard+Calendars+%252816%2529.png" title="Single Magnolia Calendar" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0HRq_C8JcDRqLDJCG8XaLb7VOeYOSiHai-4K5diRmK47pcDFFxnW0YATunac02jySDePq0lfmz1auWVwBUGfc7DhdbE8wFnJQLElvI-JFkCQHduv5RQhdekBYm17BX2u0oSOSqD9Zmha/s1600/Watermarked+%2526+Cropped+Long+%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Set of two Vary Niche Fine Art Whiteboard Calendar with magnolias on a marbled turquoise background. " border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0HRq_C8JcDRqLDJCG8XaLb7VOeYOSiHai-4K5diRmK47pcDFFxnW0YATunac02jySDePq0lfmz1auWVwBUGfc7DhdbE8wFnJQLElvI-JFkCQHduv5RQhdekBYm17BX2u0oSOSqD9Zmha/s320/Watermarked+%2526+Cropped+Long+%25281%2529.png" title="Magnolias Calendar Set" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">And in a few cases, I digitally added the calendar aspect to landscapes I previously painted (like the set below which are prints of acrylic paintings, "Sailor's Delight" and "Sailor's Guide").</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnjTmeGkLTaXKHwH78HWJY1rgVzIjGMzAY-2l1ZGEbTCRApma7wbYyTQbDqb16E32abvNH3Q0-ZdwOL62d5A7Vw1ABQzqzNKtXhbt-tBnsCiMwQAQPJ_vsyNI8nfjQK0gxJgWSJyAQdeZ/s1600/Watermarked+%2526+Cropped+Long.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Set of two Vary Niche Fine Art Whiteboard Calendar with a sailboat and a lighthouse seascape. " border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnjTmeGkLTaXKHwH78HWJY1rgVzIjGMzAY-2l1ZGEbTCRApma7wbYyTQbDqb16E32abvNH3Q0-ZdwOL62d5A7Vw1ABQzqzNKtXhbt-tBnsCiMwQAQPJ_vsyNI8nfjQK0gxJgWSJyAQdeZ/s320/Watermarked+%2526+Cropped+Long.png" title="Seascape Calendar Set" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My calendar prints come unframed so that you can match your frame to your needs but in order to make them a Whiteboard Calendar, you do need to frame them. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I hope you found this helpful. If you don't already have a whiteboard calendar print or don't have enough, you can <a href="https://varyniche.blogspot.ca/p/a_27.html" target="_blank">shop here</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
If you've come up with more uses or tips, please do share in the comments!</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11832965131574679875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9129165938741785692.post-74608567624066290322016-07-05T15:30:00.000-04:002016-07-05T15:30:37.294-04:00Implementing a Writing Pipeline System<div class="formattedExport">
<span class="name">If you've been keeping up with me lately, you've noticed that I haven't posted here for a VERY long time. I made a decision to set my art business and blog aside to focus on my mental health and graduate research (in that order). Apologies for not announcing it here at the time, it was hard for me to write anything at the time and I needed to put every ounce of energy I could muster into academic writing.</span></div>
<div class="formattedExport">
<span class="name"><br /></span></div>
<div class="formattedExport">
<span class="name">I'm still focused on my mental health and graduate research but writing is a bit easier now so I thought I'd share something here that I'm going to try: A Writing Pipeline!</span></div>
<div class="formattedExport">
<span class="name"><br /></span></div>
<div class="formattedExport">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQdAzrDQjzdlJTWyFeADJI4h-yFLPbe_o6xfZ621K2s3nADDYK3faxZm7OeMzBPf9NbUo0UPmWs7SPr1XwTZ0QDJoKDq5wKeO-EMEaRuMYmGsz7imDx6fKAUW1qhlgqyV-pRtwz9TDaFOD/s1600/Screenshot+2016-07-01+08.40.50.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Try a Writing Pipeline System to track Academic Work. Read more at www.VaryNiche.com." border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQdAzrDQjzdlJTWyFeADJI4h-yFLPbe_o6xfZ621K2s3nADDYK3faxZm7OeMzBPf9NbUo0UPmWs7SPr1XwTZ0QDJoKDq5wKeO-EMEaRuMYmGsz7imDx6fKAUW1qhlgqyV-pRtwz9TDaFOD/s320/Screenshot+2016-07-01+08.40.50.png" title="Writing Pipeline System in Workflowy" width="282" /></a>One of my friends shared <a href="http://chronicle.com/article/My-Writing-Productivity/236712/" target="_blank">this post on writing productivity</a> by Associate Professor Erin Marie Furtak, in which Prof. Furtak shares her writing pipeline and its 11 stages. I am always excited to implement a new system to organize some aspect of my life so, of course, I took some time out to procrastinate from my research in order to plan better ways to organize my research. </div>
<div class="formattedExport">
<br /></div>
<div class="formattedExport">
I have been using <a href="https://workflowy.com/invite/357eeb2b.lnx" target="_blank">Workflowy</a> for several months to keep my brain organized so have implemented <a href="http://chronicle.com/article/My-Writing-Productivity/236712/" target="_blank">Prof. Furtak's pipeline</a> using <a href="https://workflowy.com/invite/357eeb2b.lnx" target="_blank">Workflowy</a> for tracking. I will eventually write something up about the various apps I've been using to aid in getting my dissertation done. For now I'll just tell you that I like <a href="https://workflowy.com/invite/357eeb2b.lnx" target="_blank">Workflowy's </a>online (computer) version for data entry and reorganizing. The synced phone app is great for checking things off or adding one more thing (except its glitchy at present when I try to use my phone to add something to a shared list). I'm still using the free version. </div>
<div class="formattedExport">
<br /></div>
<div class="formattedExport">
Back to the Writing Pipeline. I decided I'm going to try to use it at my current stage rather than waiting until I'm finished my dissertation. I think it will be useful for:</div>
<div class="formattedExport">
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div class="formattedExport">
<ol>
<li>Keeping Track of Tangents: every second meeting with my supervisors has involved some tangent squashing along with gentle guidance back to my main topic. It will be nice to have a place to keep my list of tangents and to plug them in at whichever stage we caught them; most of them will fit under Newly Conceived Ideas but when I get carried away before they are identified as tangents, they might fit under Draft Proposals.</li>
<li>Tracking my Writing Progress: While students in my department can elect to actually write several individual papers which tie together to form their dissertation, my project is better suited to the more traditional style of a single manuscript with chapters. That said, each chapter will have its own <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument" target="_blank">sub-conclusion which will act as a premise in my dissertation's main argument</a>. My chapters are all at different Research stages and will be at different stages throughout the dissertation writing process so having a way to track and check their progress at-a-glance will be invaluable.</li>
<li>Getting used to the Review Process: As with most dissertations...I don't expect that when it is complete, its chapters will be ready for publication. There is a long process of getting feedback and revising which comes before publication (or even submission). Having those categories sitting there will help me keep this fact in mind. I may even use the Manuscript Under Review category to track which chapters my supervisors have in hand and the In Revision category to track my post-supervisor-feedback revision process.</li>
<li>Goal Setting: I've been an entrepreneur of one stripe or another for as long as I can remember and in small business, a pipeline takes strangers and makes them acquaintances, acquaintances and makes them followers, followers and makes them customers, customers and makes them clients, etc. This sort of incremental goal setting is second nature to me so thinking of my academic work in this way should help me with goal setting...something I've always struggled with in my academic work. </li>
</ol>
</div>
<div class="formattedExport">
I'm sure there are more benefits I haven't thought of yet but I'll discover them as I go. For now, here is my version of Prof. Furtak's Pipeline:</div>
<div class="formattedExport">
<br /></div>
<div class="formattedExport">
<br /></div>
<div class="formattedExport">
<span class="name">Writing Pipeline</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><ul>
<li><span class="name">Newly Conceived Ideas</span><br /><span class="note"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Relatively undeveloped ideas for papers, presentations, or grants.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="name">Draft Proposals</span><br /><span class="note"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ideas developed for grants, writing projects, or other research.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="name">Proposals Under Review</span><br /><span class="note"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ideas submitted for grants, conferences, books, special journal issues, etc.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="name">Research - Material Gathering</span><br /><span class="note"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Background research, reading, important notes & quotes, etc.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="name">Research Analysis - Figuring out the Problem</span><br /><span class="note"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Setting up the project: Why is the research question interesting? What is the problem we need to solve or resolve or dissolve?</span></span></li>
<li><span class="name">Research Analysis - Potential (Re/Dis)Solutions</span><br /><span class="note"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Clarifying the project: What has been tried? What am I trying that is new?</span></span></li>
<li><span class="name">Research Analysis - Arguments Formed</span><br /><span class="note"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Completing the outline: What is my main argument and how do its components fit together? Are there components which need to be written up as independent papers?</span></span></li>
<li><span class="name">Manuscripts in Draft Form</span><br /><span class="note"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Outlined, partially written, waiting for components back in analysis stages, almost done, etc.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="name">Almost ready for Submission</span><br /><span class="note"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ready for a conference or external review. Get feedback!</span></span></li>
<li><span class="name">Manuscripts Under Review</span><br /><span class="note"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Nothing to do but wait. Work on something else.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="name">In Revision</span><br /><span class="note"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Revise-and-Resubmits, Rejects (Revise-and-Resubmit-Elsewhere); Note deadlines where applicable.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="name">Revisions Under Review</span><br /><span class="note"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Wait Again. Work on Something Else.</span></span></li>
<li><span class="name">In Press or Recently Published</span><br /><span class="note"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Add it to the CV when In Press and then update the CV when Published before taking it off the list completely.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="formattedExport">
This is right out of my <a href="https://workflowy.com/invite/357eeb2b.lnx" target="_blank">Workflowy</a> account and so includes the notes I added to each list item as reminders of what goes in each category. The beauty of <a href="https://workflowy.com/invite/357eeb2b.lnx" target="_blank">Workflowy</a> is that it will allow me to flesh out the writing ideas on a list point which can be moved from one category to another via drag and drop. </div>
<div class="formattedExport">
<br /></div>
<div class="formattedExport">
You should be able to copy the text above and paste it into your own <a href="https://workflowy.com/invite/357eeb2b.lnx" target="_blank">Workflowy account</a> to customize or use as you see fit. You might have to cut the note text from each list item and "Add Note" to paste it back in as a Note on the list item. If you'd prefer to procrastinate further with this, I recommend reading <a href="http://chronicle.com/article/My-Writing-Productivity/236712/" target="_blank">Prof. Furtak's post for more ideas to customize the list as well as great bits of writing advice</a>. </div>
<div class="formattedExport">
<br /></div>
<div class="formattedExport">
<br /></div>
<div class="formattedExport">
Best,</div>
<div class="formattedExport">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11832965131574679875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9129165938741785692.post-34010314802006144672015-10-15T16:30:00.000-04:002015-10-17T10:29:12.491-04:00Art Process: Grey Scale Mountains Commission<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2wVxmCD31JHbKZtKQsQLfWW_cJakIrMhfoJct_2loUZv6OCm7DTXKvnEDEagg4Lw_Xxx2psQ9jhUkHs7cHRUXSaOBGjr1rhxyvXnjyziLu03ai-rRqbGIBs2OamSjto76fM5vJQ1ZbIb/s1600/Art+Process+-+Grey-Scale+Mountains.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image of completed mountain landscape with title and Commission Requirements checklist: Semi-Abstract Mountains, Grey-Scale, Just Landscape (No Animals)" border="0" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv2wVxmCD31JHbKZtKQsQLfWW_cJakIrMhfoJct_2loUZv6OCm7DTXKvnEDEagg4Lw_Xxx2psQ9jhUkHs7cHRUXSaOBGjr1rhxyvXnjyziLu03ai-rRqbGIBs2OamSjto76fM5vJQ1ZbIb/s400/Art+Process+-+Grey-Scale+Mountains.png" title="Fine Art Process: Grey Scale Mountain Piece" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
"Grey-Scale Mountains" was my first commission piece and I painted it in March of this year. It made a great first commission project because the requirements were simple; they wanted a semi-abstract mountain landscape to fit the space above their headboard in the master bedroom. They also wanted it to be a grey-scale piece and requested that I keep the landscape free of wildlife.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
To start, I took photos and measurements of the space they wanted to fill. The space was long and slender and I would need to <a href="http://reddotblog.com/how-to-ship-paintings-a-step-by-step-guide-for-artists-and-galleries/" target="_blank">ship the piece to them when complete</a> so we decided on five canvases that would hang separately.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1IRfJniQgtcUhXFF5cDhOIbRTVitT2n5LIMXGtdGb2T8e8eRxSB579DiQl1xHNhH-ui9Iq-WVmOiA4fMuXSpBOWV23XGRF-cFOINrVw8ZXN2YWIMi19fy99pl-Av5btzXgh8ll6TlZ6K/s1600/IMG_20150301_153039%257E2%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="five blank canvases" border="0" height="102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1IRfJniQgtcUhXFF5cDhOIbRTVitT2n5LIMXGtdGb2T8e8eRxSB579DiQl1xHNhH-ui9Iq-WVmOiA4fMuXSpBOWV23XGRF-cFOINrVw8ZXN2YWIMi19fy99pl-Av5btzXgh8ll6TlZ6K/s320/IMG_20150301_153039%257E2%257E2.jpg" title="5 Blank Canvases" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Since I wanted the landscape to be a single continuous painting, I decided to attach the canvases together on the back. I used boxing tape with pieces of foam-core to stabilize the piece. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzjcPRUrEe_LeTuFK7nVTTOBPSeaOCKlNAwpkeULeyOgCl3TPbu07cN04KRJz6HV_ORL74XHPgQibO2lJX9HatMaN9zbEwb1FhGf7-1RUfM2tDjwyAZHYoyjC9LaVjN3b36Bg20Kl769_/s1600/IMG_20150301_195604%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="back side of five blank canvases taped together" border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigzjcPRUrEe_LeTuFK7nVTTOBPSeaOCKlNAwpkeULeyOgCl3TPbu07cN04KRJz6HV_ORL74XHPgQibO2lJX9HatMaN9zbEwb1FhGf7-1RUfM2tDjwyAZHYoyjC9LaVjN3b36Bg20Kl769_/s320/IMG_20150301_195604%257E2.jpg" title="5 canvases taped together" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I started with an abstract background. I knew I wanted a cloudy sunset feel even though it would be <a href="http://www.guidetooilpainting.com/colorValues.html" target="_blank">grey-scale</a>. I placed the sun across two canvases just off center.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWxNS_QjrEZTBmTgIFRI3ttgUZvQnOlkq4aWENpZn-QiJ8MgIUw63xs50SqceP8Bf9pro8vkXonFo3dKMEyxUPpY3nW3zf-BgF-jnN4Y00nov2C_5qhpA0NuuFd7vLMsIy38SEl-FtTvb/s1600/IMG_20150301_210707%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="grey, beige, and white abstract sun and clouds" border="0" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuWxNS_QjrEZTBmTgIFRI3ttgUZvQnOlkq4aWENpZn-QiJ8MgIUw63xs50SqceP8Bf9pro8vkXonFo3dKMEyxUPpY3nW3zf-BgF-jnN4Y00nov2C_5qhpA0NuuFd7vLMsIy38SEl-FtTvb/s320/IMG_20150301_210707%257E2.jpg" title="Abstract Background:" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
While the background dried, I sent off an in-progress picture to the client and sketched out the mountain shapes I wanted. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(The other rough sketch on this page is for a piece I have yet to start but would still like to do one day.)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_SAndLdPD2Xyg7FStfs_Kg2JMtWmt2Zb8830cTp5ZeMFQxo1R6buyA8LOz7f2XDPwSS70PDvQ0wAFVbibBk7VEhu8y4JzCF68z91ZCJV3VqqBpj9R8KQtnxwtYxYsTlXguUTWBAKA4V8/s1600/IMG_20150305_113256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Rough sketches of two long landscapes" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi_SAndLdPD2Xyg7FStfs_Kg2JMtWmt2Zb8830cTp5ZeMFQxo1R6buyA8LOz7f2XDPwSS70PDvQ0wAFVbibBk7VEhu8y4JzCF68z91ZCJV3VqqBpj9R8KQtnxwtYxYsTlXguUTWBAKA4V8/s320/IMG_20150305_113256.jpg" title="Sketches:" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I decided (with the helpful critique of my partner) that the lake shore was too round in the sketch and that I'd fix this in the painting. Then I painted in the mountains and lake reflections (sorry, no "in-progress" shots of the mountains...I was in the zone). </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIfPBA2DrjDbqkq_6kbTo79QQFwF8tYl1d72awOu8qz7JtA13bVhox4Odpd6FRzWMj-_9KJjdx3g8tivA4veFLlFvTVBllI9KmABzX1xcmdN5FgA__xXFTXBbevSHKhqRe9Q8jm6HfWZQ/s1600/IMG_20150319_194416%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dark grey mountains and lake reflections over white, beige, and grey abstract background" border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqIfPBA2DrjDbqkq_6kbTo79QQFwF8tYl1d72awOu8qz7JtA13bVhox4Odpd6FRzWMj-_9KJjdx3g8tivA4veFLlFvTVBllI9KmABzX1xcmdN5FgA__xXFTXBbevSHKhqRe9Q8jm6HfWZQ/s320/IMG_20150319_194416%257E2.jpg" title="Grey Mountain Sunset" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
When I thought it might be finished, I celebrated with a glass of wine while it dried and then came back to it for touch-ups. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbosb4fMAfyRAClWCHQ4U_DzEyZ8Vvo_bTezk0LJR828P7TT1VdYx20kH3Gh8xY9ECSaT3f4YXlDhI3yckQY160JmNas-Gpcl48a4-6_Pi_Gzv2jBqD6nBJTl0JAy_Ej32mEUhqF68v9Q/s1600/IMG_20150319_195451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A hand holding a glass of red wine with a painting in the background." border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlbosb4fMAfyRAClWCHQ4U_DzEyZ8Vvo_bTezk0LJR828P7TT1VdYx20kH3Gh8xY9ECSaT3f4YXlDhI3yckQY160JmNas-Gpcl48a4-6_Pi_Gzv2jBqD6nBJTl0JAy_Ej32mEUhqF68v9Q/s320/IMG_20150319_195451.jpg" title="The watching-paint-dry step:" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Finally, I separated the canvases and set them out on the red carpet in my living-room to take pictures and see what my client thought. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_FYzsmtthGDPaZUGVgT20xLu9zr1xIfzdJUeXcHwfk541E9Hr-EOAsPnDWWMr3Byka0lS8AyFffIKbLbSrmBLBxF0Jn4V0jGqvEY2CbOu5yIcme-AM57O25BoIo5Lh2swkPSb19RcH920/s1600/IMG_20150322_140915%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A five-canvas painting of a mountain landscape with the canvases spread apart as they would go on the wall." border="0" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_FYzsmtthGDPaZUGVgT20xLu9zr1xIfzdJUeXcHwfk541E9Hr-EOAsPnDWWMr3Byka0lS8AyFffIKbLbSrmBLBxF0Jn4V0jGqvEY2CbOu5yIcme-AM57O25BoIo5Lh2swkPSb19RcH920/s320/IMG_20150322_140915%257E2.jpg" title="Grey Scale Mountains ready for wall:" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I was happy with how it turned out, and more importantly, the client was happy with it. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11832965131574679875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9129165938741785692.post-81513555873394788282015-10-05T16:30:00.000-04:002015-10-05T16:30:41.208-04:00Vary Niche Beginnings: Blog Set-Up<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Every business these days seems to need a blog. When I started Vary Niche, I thought my business was going to revolve around my blog. It revolves around my art now, but I learned a lot in the process of setting it up so thought I'd share. This isn't a technical how-to guide; it is a conceptual where-to-start guide with links to some of the technical articles I found helpful.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicynIAWEG4bUwCJOJBYxtWlQLI0ZzNT3D3IB5-J2kwr_IOgoqiWlExhgQq_mO0D7Ub0nJqgMfY0vHJad891mu6CyyPB51FprwW7f7EQFEXaU05WNjajOCGSQJyd4sxC6NbieXxm5FkgOE0/s1600/7+Step+Blog+Set-Up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Vary Niche Business Beginnings: 7 Step Blog Set-Up; platform, template, colours, background, layout, widths, details; www dot Vary Niche dot com." border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicynIAWEG4bUwCJOJBYxtWlQLI0ZzNT3D3IB5-J2kwr_IOgoqiWlExhgQq_mO0D7Ub0nJqgMfY0vHJad891mu6CyyPB51FprwW7f7EQFEXaU05WNjajOCGSQJyd4sxC6NbieXxm5FkgOE0/s320/7+Step+Blog+Set-Up.jpg" title="Seven Step Blog Set-up" width="320" /></a></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmJB8wgEHlCf5pTKSXlUbNdOIvmq33nNJOe4nC3S5cSxHojUdc26ap-DcXi05zO4q9aLQWowJyJCwfNu77dTr5D2v-03AJwJUf5zsGafQ86kn5Pb27tlG04blWag6Lya3CqXwgux8Qfw/s1600/Spring+Blossoms+Color+Palette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Color Palette from Colour Lovers dot com: Spring Blossoms" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvmJB8wgEHlCf5pTKSXlUbNdOIvmq33nNJOe4nC3S5cSxHojUdc26ap-DcXi05zO4q9aLQWowJyJCwfNu77dTr5D2v-03AJwJUf5zsGafQ86kn5Pb27tlG04blWag6Lya3CqXwgux8Qfw/s1600/Spring+Blossoms+Color+Palette.jpg" title="Color Palette: Spring Blossoms from ColourLovers.com" width="115" /></a><b>Choice of Platform:</b> First I had to decide where to put my blog. I played around with a few templates on <a href="http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/blogger-vs-wordpress-comparision/">Wordpress and Blogger</a> before making my decision. I had more experience using Blogger and found I could more easily customize and change my blog template on Blogger.<br />
<br />
<b>Choice of Template:</b> I chose a template that was as close to what I wanted as I could find and then customized it. It might have been better to chose a template based on how simple and straightforward its HTML/code is, but I don't know enough about HTML to recognize such a template.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Customizing the Template:</h4>
1. Colour Choice<br />
It might seem a bit strange to start with color choice but most of the customization of blog templates is based on color. So for this I went to <a href="http://www.colourlovers.com/lover/VaryNiche" target="_blank">ColourLovers.com</a> to make a <a href="http://www.colourlovers.com/palettes/add" target="_blank">Colour Palette</a>. I chose a palette of colors I liked and named it <a href="http://www.colourlovers.com/palette/3381815/Spring_Blossoms">Spring Blossoms</a>. Once you create such a palette, you have easy access to the color codes for your colors. This allowed me to use the HEX or RGB code for each color to get the same color in my logo, my signature, my link text, etc.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCN-AvYQzz_2tiP4_Ui9FGOA5cQSGHpwktxy50jhL-Fso4ydKh069bUsVnPNzZ-Ika2-QwVpcsyNfLtNLdKU8izMSQIDbC82wS1ZWaUxohxO2Vop8gRPSpHIKih6vpU5s33hkkpZmqZJY/s1600/Colour+Editing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Screenshot of Blogger Template Designer under "Advanced" and "Blog Title" showing font and color options." border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZCN-AvYQzz_2tiP4_Ui9FGOA5cQSGHpwktxy50jhL-Fso4ydKh069bUsVnPNzZ-Ika2-QwVpcsyNfLtNLdKU8izMSQIDbC82wS1ZWaUxohxO2Vop8gRPSpHIKih6vpU5s33hkkpZmqZJY/s400/Colour+Editing.jpg" title="Screenshot of Blogger Template Designer" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
2. Background<br />
The first thing on the list of customizable template components is the background so that's what I worked on next. Again, I used <a href="http://www.colourlovers.com/lover/VaryNiche" target="_blank">ColourLovers.com</a> to create the background I wanted. <a href="http://www.colourlovers.com/pattern/template/412361/Fabric" target="_blank">I made my own background pattern</a> as well as a <a href="http://www.colourlovers.com/palette/3381871/Muted">secondary color palette</a> to get the look I wanted for my background. I wanted it to look like <a href="http://www.colourlovers.com/pattern/4336918/Natural_Blank_Canvas" target="_blank">blank canvas</a>. On the right hand side of the ColourLovers site when a pattern is open, there is a section called "Share This Pattern". I used the tools there to get the right size to upload as the background image under the blogger template customization.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2DB5Tvfk0l_DSUvCIV9EMxm5tBn2h8tij04ln7ptxZCCnUxU1LUcRiSwYxZ27Auj9sCcRHXCPudZE9x-mtB8dqfIuA4j9P0RycZrHynJnaYapRZWcFqj1bvnlB2fwulxtwuwcRui-sFLC/s1600/Blog+Template+Designer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Screenshot of Blogger Template Designer on Background showing background image and alignment." border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2DB5Tvfk0l_DSUvCIV9EMxm5tBn2h8tij04ln7ptxZCCnUxU1LUcRiSwYxZ27Auj9sCcRHXCPudZE9x-mtB8dqfIuA4j9P0RycZrHynJnaYapRZWcFqj1bvnlB2fwulxtwuwcRui-sFLC/s320/Blog+Template+Designer.jpg" title="Screenshot of Blogger Template Designer on Background " width="320" /></a><br />
3. Layout Choice<br />
Next I skipped down to layout options. I chose to have my blog posts run along the left hand side and my column of gadgets and links run along the right hand side. While I prefer this myself anyway, I also chose this layout for accessibility reasons. <a href="http://www.afb.org/info/living-with-vision-loss/using-technology/creating-accessible-websites/how-to-make-your-blog-accessible/1235#blogroll" target="_blank">Screen readers generally read from left to right and top to bottom so if I want everyone to find my latest post easily, it is important to have my blog roll along the left side.</a><br />
<br />
4. Adjust Widths<br />
I chose my blog and column widths just based on aesthetics but importantly took note of the width of my right side column so I could size my pictures accordingly.<br />
<br />
5. Details<br />
Once I had completed my template customization, I put in some posts and looked around some more at other websites/blogs to see what else I wanted to add or change. I have played a bit with the template code over the last year, changed my colour palette often, and just made quite a few more changes.<br />
<br />
If you like specific aspects and want more info on them or have design tips for me (I'm a watercolour/acrylic painter, not a web designer, after all), do, please, comment.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12167214114746319626noreply@blogger.com0Canada56.130366 -106.34677099999999-9.6201584999999952 88.41885400000001 90 58.88760400000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9129165938741785692.post-58072697109084390422015-02-08T10:37:00.000-05:002015-02-08T10:37:59.028-05:00Smile More!<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This week, <a href="http://varyniche.blogspot.ca/2014/11/small-actions-into-big-changes.html">my little change</a> is to smile more. A smile can be a powerful thing. Just using the facial <a href="http://www.sciencemadesimple.co.uk/biologyblog/muscles">muscles</a> required for a smile <a href="http://science.howstuffworks.com/life/smiling-happy1.htm">will trigger the production of the hormones that make us feel happy.</a> Once the happy hormones are flowing, smiling feels more and more natural. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhC6LrMSOKH3etLeohrhDOLUY3I97Lx9i6XGf9Gp-eyFR16p2LEuFdciPgCEP09n3EMwtc9HFkLGFjSEJBmrk4FJrD2mznT9PvbHnK1KT6gDzP8e28aCOaZiM1HMIPyUTAyzlHK5o8kvc/s1600/Smile!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt=""A smile is a powerful gift." Emoticon and text over painting by Shari Monner, VaryNiche.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhC6LrMSOKH3etLeohrhDOLUY3I97Lx9i6XGf9Gp-eyFR16p2LEuFdciPgCEP09n3EMwtc9HFkLGFjSEJBmrk4FJrD2mznT9PvbHnK1KT6gDzP8e28aCOaZiM1HMIPyUTAyzlHK5o8kvc/s1600/Smile!.jpg" height="320" title="A smile is a powerful gift." width="240" /></a></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-3e2a2e04-69aa-1a06-a317-6405b0850438" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What a simple little change...with such great feedback. Not only will I be happier myself but every time I smile at someone, I have a chance to make them feel just a bit happier too. Whether they are compelled to return a genuine smile or feel socially pressured to return the smile and use those special facial muscles, I have made that someone happier; I have made their day better; and these happy feelings will feed back to make my day better too. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With every person I smile at, I will feel <a href="http://varyniche.blogspot.ca/2014/12/from-anxious-to-better.html">better and better</a>, the smile will feel more and more natural, and <a href="http://varyniche.blogspot.ca/2014/11/small-actions-into-big-changes.html">my environment will become increasingly friendly</a>.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<h2 style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: large;">Smile Tips: </span></span></h2>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i>Keep that smile on your face</i></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> even after the recipient passes...nothing ruins a smile exchange like the premature relaxation of those smile muscles…so hold that smile longer even when it feels a bit forced.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"></b><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i>Smile at the parent</i></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> as well as the child. Smiling at kids is reflexive for some of us...probably because they mimic facial expressions so readily. Ever worry what a parent thinks when they catch you grinning or making funny faces at their child? Smile at them first or smile at them when they notice and you’ll both worry less about it. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><b>Smile with your eyes.</b></i></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Not just because the eyes are the windows to the soul...but also because the more muscles that participate in the smile, the more happy hormones you’ll get.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i>Smile at yourself in the mirror.</i></b></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Give and receive at the same time...it sounds a bit strange but it really is good for building confidence too.</span></div>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5. <b><i>Smile when no one is looking.</i></b> You don’t have to smile at anyone in particular. Smile at a thought, an animal doing strange things, a flower that is pretty...anything!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Feel free to join me in my active change. I love to hear about the difference these little changes can make. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have Fun! :)</span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11832965131574679875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9129165938741785692.post-18511720067642463202015-01-20T11:00:00.000-05:002015-04-09T12:55:21.629-04:00Summer Steps<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://fineartamerica.com/featured/summer-steps-shari-monner.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Art Prints" src="http://fineartamerica.com/displayartwork.html?id=14711870&width=250&height=491" style="border: none;" title="Art Prints" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I found a set of stairs this summer in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London,_Ontario">London, ON</a> with a <a href="https://www.google.ca/search?q=japanese+maple&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=624&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=H4y9VNiuBuWHsQSAi4DoCg&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ">stunning Japanese Maple</a> overhanging them. I decided they would make a beautiful perspective study. This is the watercolor painting focused very much on the steps. I am working on an acrylic on canvas version as well. Eventually I'd like to do a matching set focused more on the tree.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11832965131574679875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9129165938741785692.post-77953901655620669382015-01-19T18:31:00.000-05:002015-04-09T12:25:01.923-04:00Vacation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://fineartamerica.com/featured/vacation-shari-monner.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Art Prints" src="http://fineartamerica.com/displayartwork.html?id=14711613&width=250&height=350" height="640" style="border: none;" title="Art Prints" width="358" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
This is a view of my Dad's favorite chair from the pool at my Parents' (and Aunt's) vacation house in California. The sun was just coming up high enough to get over the wall so I was able to use this view to practice <a href="http://www.fountainstudio.com/watercolor%20tips/tip-value_contrast.html">light and dark contrasts</a> in the leaves of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arecaceae">palm tree</a> and the <a href="https://www.google.ca/search?q=japanese+maple&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=624&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=H4y9VNiuBuWHsQSAi4DoCg&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ#tbm=isch&q=hibiscus+plant&revid=879831291">hibiscus</a>. I was also able to leave Dad with the original for his Birthday.<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11832965131574679875noreply@blogger.com0Cathedral City, CA, USA33.7805388 -116.4668035999999933.5694758 -116.78952709999999 33.991601800000005 -116.1440801tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9129165938741785692.post-11201165257700978752015-01-19T17:30:00.000-05:002015-01-19T17:30:45.188-05:00My 2015 Word of the Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdhwiZ4gVwyJh2Zsru2VxH3tp6qIJTlcxLBGDAUZRhhTm9sdW4cQnpMuC_F_87XthzYWOcv2QrJWf2w8GTumjhsj82QmCNQoq4ERGkNbPALCUbWARH0-Iu_N1GDVA1wXkJXCxNGWZxK-m/s1600/Word+of+the+Year+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="VaryNiche.com 2015 Word of the Year: "Dynamic". Text over a watercolor painting by Shari Monner called "Summer Steps"" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHdhwiZ4gVwyJh2Zsru2VxH3tp6qIJTlcxLBGDAUZRhhTm9sdW4cQnpMuC_F_87XthzYWOcv2QrJWf2w8GTumjhsj82QmCNQoq4ERGkNbPALCUbWARH0-Iu_N1GDVA1wXkJXCxNGWZxK-m/s1600/Word+of+the+Year+2015.jpg" height="400" title="VaryNiche.com 2015 Word of the Year: "Dynamic"" width="198" /></a></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a>Although I didn't make a resolution this year because I plan to just continue to actively bring about change, I was asked to come up with a word for my 2015. I chose "Dynamic" because I want to continue to actively change my Niche but I think I need a bit more focus this year on allowing change within myself...on being dynamic. I thought about using a word like "fluid" but that just went too far for my obsessive-compulsive tendencies to handle. "Dynamic" is nice...it is very much a type of active change.<br />
<br />
I hope everyone's 2015 is off to a great start.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11832965131574679875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9129165938741785692.post-24514960605868001152015-01-02T11:00:00.000-05:002015-01-02T11:00:06.464-05:00My Art on New Walls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://thecardboardcafe.com/">I'm so excited that The Cardboard Cafe is now open in London, Ontario. </a>They have taken a few of my pieces to show on their walls so I have more space at home to fill with new paintings. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
If you pop in to <a href="http://thecardboardcafe.com/food-drink/">have a coffee, lunch,</a> or maybe <a href="http://thecardboardcafe.com/games/">play a game or two from their massive collection</a>, you may spot these as well as some beautiful pieces by other local artists. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcS9MEmvXXQVTLrNnoteq7s4kVKt75wx43VtFBgEuIQaqJMtQS4mbzWztvOjVI6U20ecv0mmzzU1MT7oz4tg7Tr_UJ8fZ7nO9i0UaKKgaFi3t0PYtp8YNrmmIqFuE2B23dtZUmhY85-Lc/s1600/Red+Sun+Tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Acrylic Painting on Canvas of tree silhouette in front of red sun. by Shari Monner, VaryNiche.com " border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcS9MEmvXXQVTLrNnoteq7s4kVKt75wx43VtFBgEuIQaqJMtQS4mbzWztvOjVI6U20ecv0mmzzU1MT7oz4tg7Tr_UJ8fZ7nO9i0UaKKgaFi3t0PYtp8YNrmmIqFuE2B23dtZUmhY85-Lc/s1600/Red+Sun+Tree.jpg" height="248" title="Red Sun Tree by Shari Monner, VaryNiche.com" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjTC_d_XdLY_z2XYcu8tzm00UAkxqEAmItTqXhlGTcpVCIs0lGVYnHdS3UuuOQv3ak7KVHoh90EWBr8V78VEmXjkJFYmURLfQI-0zpDwTvv0A_LWJ_0oXFivmuQSCFNHUicIQ29sCC6o/s1600/Upper+Kananaskis+Lake+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Watercolor of a mountain lake by Shari Monner, VaryNiche.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjTC_d_XdLY_z2XYcu8tzm00UAkxqEAmItTqXhlGTcpVCIs0lGVYnHdS3UuuOQv3ak7KVHoh90EWBr8V78VEmXjkJFYmURLfQI-0zpDwTvv0A_LWJ_0oXFivmuQSCFNHUicIQ29sCC6o/s1600/Upper+Kananaskis+Lake+1.jpg" height="125" title="Upper Kananaskis Lake 1 by Shari Monner, VaryNiche.com" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWhU6Z1kJL0iGsb-_yq7vf8yWN-N01lmSO72W4i0koWZQN2mptRsGCATf_lrhoolfFUkua3yyh7dK5Q_5MXHInWn0UWTtbtiaFZV61ch6Q1hUUQEi9ck8kCLCsk4WL-or0tBGZ5MRu4g/s1600/Upper+Kananaskis+Lake+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Watercolor of a mountain lake by Shari Monner, VaryNiche.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoWhU6Z1kJL0iGsb-_yq7vf8yWN-N01lmSO72W4i0koWZQN2mptRsGCATf_lrhoolfFUkua3yyh7dK5Q_5MXHInWn0UWTtbtiaFZV61ch6Q1hUUQEi9ck8kCLCsk4WL-or0tBGZ5MRu4g/s1600/Upper+Kananaskis+Lake+2.jpg" height="218" title="Upper Kananaskis Lake 2 by Shari Monner, VaryNiche.com" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YJv7pJtKu6SUmaCSp4yg3iXaxeAMpP6euqlBDN44vjTNtPbxls5P_BGTkwX1dV_G94jhpOmY_ZeSxh4RxfdQmi7O7_o75-PPJGoJUgQfYFHTqV8bSbJz5jtkefbzUWB0kvt-Mjsbv8s/s1600/Cherry+Branch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Acrylic split-canvas painting of a cherry branch in bloom. by Shari Monner, VaryNiche.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_YJv7pJtKu6SUmaCSp4yg3iXaxeAMpP6euqlBDN44vjTNtPbxls5P_BGTkwX1dV_G94jhpOmY_ZeSxh4RxfdQmi7O7_o75-PPJGoJUgQfYFHTqV8bSbJz5jtkefbzUWB0kvt-Mjsbv8s/s1600/Cherry+Branch.jpg" height="320" title="Cherry Branch by Shari Monner, VaryNiche.com" width="165" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1Q-LgCmYYKV4YruGKJ9QNwQs8WcD6px3BNnZG1Zo4jI2aP4O5Aqe-w-2D-VgBTj_ZqBycOzpZaNo4weMOPOYekn6BGNhyl3aPapcJMNa1SpcvUfIXQRlrrRhGEj0oGJLXbHhyGDjVFk/s1600/Watercolor+Leaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Watercolor of a leaf, rendition by Shari Monner, VaryNiche.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy1Q-LgCmYYKV4YruGKJ9QNwQs8WcD6px3BNnZG1Zo4jI2aP4O5Aqe-w-2D-VgBTj_ZqBycOzpZaNo4weMOPOYekn6BGNhyl3aPapcJMNa1SpcvUfIXQRlrrRhGEj0oGJLXbHhyGDjVFk/s1600/Watercolor+Leaf.jpg" height="197" title="Leaf Watercolor by Shari Monner, VaryNiche.com" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispojOr7jWgKYOeOlDqvKqHMJN3xbf46BVPxfaZVyzJN85gSmTJ9rKMsB_ccWK99l2YTIPHOuPrdgKR3dsCtZALIqPD_oM5yKpvDFuzcgzbObC6_0EZcvs0_JjXQHAopfmm5ZxsTj1uxQ/s1600/Watercolor+Street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Watercolor of a view down a street, rendition by Shari Monner, VaryNiche.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispojOr7jWgKYOeOlDqvKqHMJN3xbf46BVPxfaZVyzJN85gSmTJ9rKMsB_ccWK99l2YTIPHOuPrdgKR3dsCtZALIqPD_oM5yKpvDFuzcgzbObC6_0EZcvs0_JjXQHAopfmm5ZxsTj1uxQ/s1600/Watercolor+Street.jpg" height="320" title="Street Rendition by Shari Monner, VaryNiche.com" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Enjoy,</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12167214114746319626noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9129165938741785692.post-38288483345135237292014-12-31T23:00:00.001-05:002014-12-31T23:00:24.870-05:00Snowy Morning on the Deck<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My parents didn't come back to Alberta for Christmas this year so I painted them a view from their deck at home. I thought they may get too warm in California and need a cooler view. I was wrong. It is actually much colder than usual down here. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A very Merry Christmas and Happy Anniversary to my Mom & Dad. I'm glad I was able to come visit you in Cathedral City even if it is colder than I'd hoped.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Bj8Pj1VyWjv2jUj6dP0Uvgwj-fuld94MT1r5kTwrCgaCkVmWYWdekUQKDl5BLFUJegev50gGf8yqIcL_V_glEcDfD53OX8SQi_O2YWNYpd8redEgRNqSyswQEHVqSlLDF8oi_Eg9idY/s1600/Snowy+Morning+on+the+Deck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Bj8Pj1VyWjv2jUj6dP0Uvgwj-fuld94MT1r5kTwrCgaCkVmWYWdekUQKDl5BLFUJegev50gGf8yqIcL_V_glEcDfD53OX8SQi_O2YWNYpd8redEgRNqSyswQEHVqSlLDF8oi_Eg9idY/s1600/Snowy+Morning+on+the+Deck.jpg" height="539" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And a Happy New Year to all!</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12167214114746319626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9129165938741785692.post-24960778527133996412014-12-31T21:43:00.000-05:002014-12-31T22:07:29.496-05:00Hand-Made Christmas Card Series 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This year I painted a series of small watercolors to slip into Christmas Cards for my family. Now that most of them have been delivered, I'll share them with everyone else. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7u7ZTNtk-ed8vLh0pSh9CKl-9lI6y_9UtlCV8wT8yI-Dqmp-6eo2F_aKQ7zY6bGGBLn7ixk9HlpEfO-Uzq9CNgMQ3QAZyPIaSD1QfnZTAvNLeRrK9jQfx07ZebG5cpN1Hk7gL_nbajw/s1600/Gift+Cards+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Assorted Cards with paintings from Shari Monner's 2014 Hand-Painted Christmas Card Series, VaryNiche.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE7u7ZTNtk-ed8vLh0pSh9CKl-9lI6y_9UtlCV8wT8yI-Dqmp-6eo2F_aKQ7zY6bGGBLn7ixk9HlpEfO-Uzq9CNgMQ3QAZyPIaSD1QfnZTAvNLeRrK9jQfx07ZebG5cpN1Hk7gL_nbajw/s1600/Gift+Cards+2014.jpg" height="240" title="Hand-Painted Christmas Card Series 2014" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR96z-1kxkzTzIC6MytraqyiYVCwXYXX_QW_GmqUMOPND3wpS4tmSIXem7il-LWmYLN3LL5crgitvx1UglPsgtbVOf4NGsxXdGEJP3w1VNMP_LGb4lXuCtFXtiU9TY2lcvQUW8PbrwZP8/s1600/A+Walk+Home+from+School+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Watercolor Painting of a sunset behind a Calgary, Alberta skyline by Shari Monner, VaryNiche.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR96z-1kxkzTzIC6MytraqyiYVCwXYXX_QW_GmqUMOPND3wpS4tmSIXem7il-LWmYLN3LL5crgitvx1UglPsgtbVOf4NGsxXdGEJP3w1VNMP_LGb4lXuCtFXtiU9TY2lcvQUW8PbrwZP8/s1600/A+Walk+Home+from+School+(1).jpg" height="237" title="A Walk Home from School (1)" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkA0C9WYgU5OD60Bt_XSQhhEw-1a5yE7c58wbo5mUWiI5yCgCZ2Btn-Mk7y-SDiaH-t_4QKxEp9c0g5A9PYiKvVhBM6qYJo-iwTsjQFeCoMuOXR4dMrOCXVXJp4SXr6hZEvZ26DRf-fhc/s1600/A+Walk+Home+from+School+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Watercolor Painting of a sunset behind a Calgary, Alberta skyline by Shari Monner, VaryNiche.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkA0C9WYgU5OD60Bt_XSQhhEw-1a5yE7c58wbo5mUWiI5yCgCZ2Btn-Mk7y-SDiaH-t_4QKxEp9c0g5A9PYiKvVhBM6qYJo-iwTsjQFeCoMuOXR4dMrOCXVXJp4SXr6hZEvZ26DRf-fhc/s1600/A+Walk+Home+from+School+(2).jpg" height="244" title="A Walk Home from School (2)" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5n1kAOW_CZ58lw7IyxmV_1dMyZDKdUWusX87O8FgmfxamGjU5JkUhbzFzifTRIhz6Invx-0CvtsilzllXZ7D4QG777aZADkLBFbyvLMK-B3xo9OpzsFeTJ1bSuxNAXMqAUIDa7lmRZjU/s1600/Cassidy+on+the+Beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Watercolor Painting of a young woman standing on a beach, taking a picture of a sunset over the water. by Shari Monner, VaryNiche.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5n1kAOW_CZ58lw7IyxmV_1dMyZDKdUWusX87O8FgmfxamGjU5JkUhbzFzifTRIhz6Invx-0CvtsilzllXZ7D4QG777aZADkLBFbyvLMK-B3xo9OpzsFeTJ1bSuxNAXMqAUIDa7lmRZjU/s1600/Cassidy+on+the+Beach.jpg" height="245" title="Cassidy on the Beach" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgu3dfJeCTX9FkglQtBpqndLj8Vn4mEO-phMVrpB87wGku7mTgW_a470M_KwSHmZh-LqYE0UKGXdytenHgYPX0q__ot7FSOV2hJOv3Dx65RhcHPahOLg76iu3QOUOyZx2G238upDMaTCg/s1600/Cat+in+a+Hat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Watercolor Painting of a Calico Cat in front of a Christmas Tree. by Shari Monner, VaryNiche.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgu3dfJeCTX9FkglQtBpqndLj8Vn4mEO-phMVrpB87wGku7mTgW_a470M_KwSHmZh-LqYE0UKGXdytenHgYPX0q__ot7FSOV2hJOv3Dx65RhcHPahOLg76iu3QOUOyZx2G238upDMaTCg/s1600/Cat+in+a+Hat.jpg" height="244" title="Cat in a Hat" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFSg4eGwfqIL48ozoYhSWEjVl6FNTyEYpXkXh2_9xn3U965V848Al6I7nfvBKRigmr-rrcipuH076IpUCLRd9KMbp82ZcTWKCDmMCTZclvMddgko66FeDmsU9R7HsHTn7gjR4kkLBg_8/s1600/Christmas+Cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Watercolor Painting of long haired calico cat laying on gold garland in front of a christmas tree. by Shari Monner, VaryNiche.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFSg4eGwfqIL48ozoYhSWEjVl6FNTyEYpXkXh2_9xn3U965V848Al6I7nfvBKRigmr-rrcipuH076IpUCLRd9KMbp82ZcTWKCDmMCTZclvMddgko66FeDmsU9R7HsHTn7gjR4kkLBg_8/s1600/Christmas+Cat.jpg" height="238" title="Christmas Cat" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyYrJXGA4OAX8epnYUyFGw8LCgyw-RMWcnFv6e1k62seLFuh1WbNe5Pf6XXZz3it3zQeFm2JlGdyCmCOJoDWdvzO6ANj7-zdVGGoOfwFleOxxheqyHZsCP28ZqxTVv38krmZV677CiTk/s1600/Cuddly+Cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Watercolor Painting of a Grey Striped Cat lounging in front of a Christmas Tree by Shari Monner, VaryNiche.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyYrJXGA4OAX8epnYUyFGw8LCgyw-RMWcnFv6e1k62seLFuh1WbNe5Pf6XXZz3it3zQeFm2JlGdyCmCOJoDWdvzO6ANj7-zdVGGoOfwFleOxxheqyHZsCP28ZqxTVv38krmZV677CiTk/s1600/Cuddly+Cat.jpg" height="230" title="Cuddly Cat" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DXUUbZAm06DFWRpTk_CL8BBPk4T8G5ilxjjBPxUIIJMN0MlRyZsIwgtmOmmk0pKWIdHP0ZGlpA1rwzJG3esCPRj_9oPTarNMu2k6Meq_jXFdPn2ohtWGstWu4bjkAd2AhFH_BatKSt0/s1600/Firewheel+Tree+Relative.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Watercolor Painting of a red flower with many long slender petals by Shari Monner, VaryNiche.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DXUUbZAm06DFWRpTk_CL8BBPk4T8G5ilxjjBPxUIIJMN0MlRyZsIwgtmOmmk0pKWIdHP0ZGlpA1rwzJG3esCPRj_9oPTarNMu2k6Meq_jXFdPn2ohtWGstWu4bjkAd2AhFH_BatKSt0/s1600/Firewheel+Tree+Relative.jpg" height="320" title="Firewheel Tree Relative" width="247" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1Q4d_I4DqzaPgFbvC65NTLIPhazVMdD6TNxTNk3xCK-1fnoNypGlfEdWibMIj15XO-Dttbgki4n2zQyStPNV2k7I8JDyFjztUe8BpAiP1MfpbsvWSScx4PcHfcpqcgmNgenE4ZKOoyM/s1600/First+Snow+at+UWO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Watercolor Painting of Snow Covered Berries by Shari Monner, VaryNiche.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1Q4d_I4DqzaPgFbvC65NTLIPhazVMdD6TNxTNk3xCK-1fnoNypGlfEdWibMIj15XO-Dttbgki4n2zQyStPNV2k7I8JDyFjztUe8BpAiP1MfpbsvWSScx4PcHfcpqcgmNgenE4ZKOoyM/s1600/First+Snow+at+UWO.jpg" height="252" title="First Snow at UWO" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftQQXF6iDal8B02ckmkP5BPJvQrLZkWDI_Uuz_1CbIdGse4AAHNuq1luxvfzQ4Qndco-6OQZdnYahL_WsGAzAw1lXv8A35YDpZTv79roJ01tInie0ZC1XUwT2RdRH3L7gRarix-jNJcA/s1600/Glass+Angel+Ornament.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Watercolor Painting of a Glass Angel Christmas Tree Ornament by Shari Monner, VaryNiche.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftQQXF6iDal8B02ckmkP5BPJvQrLZkWDI_Uuz_1CbIdGse4AAHNuq1luxvfzQ4Qndco-6OQZdnYahL_WsGAzAw1lXv8A35YDpZTv79roJ01tInie0ZC1XUwT2RdRH3L7gRarix-jNJcA/s1600/Glass+Angel+Ornament.jpg" height="241" title="Glass Angel Ornament" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifH3j8VOqhCGDidm15Y0mpTuadLYkyUsu-wiuK3lrfOK8LcQsCZgaAElWhTyRvZKLYllw2T5BsD857rSEgxXrwbENJVkUzKED3AoiMJClBlnCol-XbXuVTlTawDaZzlFgspB8M10-H7sA/s1600/Joshua+Tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Watercolor Painting of a Joshua Tree by Shari Monner, VaryNiche.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifH3j8VOqhCGDidm15Y0mpTuadLYkyUsu-wiuK3lrfOK8LcQsCZgaAElWhTyRvZKLYllw2T5BsD857rSEgxXrwbENJVkUzKED3AoiMJClBlnCol-XbXuVTlTawDaZzlFgspB8M10-H7sA/s1600/Joshua+Tree.jpg" height="320" title="Joshua Tree" width="250" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMifHurctP6vphTsLjC8iTUXviYhmMwk6wUMiq0yFOicSyez8WHFwW5QA9R3RMb2z_x_7NvYLYPoJgGksPkgpJoRg3ZYoHaXDNyf1ZB6Tw08ISMeHHYlsLGP1W-iTkaa0dTugGCQnLafY/s1600/Red+Panda+for+Evan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Watercolor Painting of Red Panda by Shari Monner, VaryNiche.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMifHurctP6vphTsLjC8iTUXviYhmMwk6wUMiq0yFOicSyez8WHFwW5QA9R3RMb2z_x_7NvYLYPoJgGksPkgpJoRg3ZYoHaXDNyf1ZB6Tw08ISMeHHYlsLGP1W-iTkaa0dTugGCQnLafY/s1600/Red+Panda+for+Evan.jpg" height="250" title="Red Panda for Evan" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I love how so many of these turned out and plan to do both larger and smaller versions of many of these.<br />
<br />
Happy New Year!<br />
<br />
ShariAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12167214114746319626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9129165938741785692.post-3105636911911427832014-12-21T22:06:00.000-05:002014-12-31T22:09:37.770-05:00Magnolia for Mommy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My Mom loves flowers! So during my first spring in <a href="https://www.london.ca/Pages/Default.aspx">London, Ontario</a> I sent her many pictures of the <a href="https://www.google.ca/search?q=magnolia&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=krikVM_nDInnoATZg4HwDQ&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=667#tbm=isch&q=magnolia+tree&revid=237823115">magnolias in bloom</a>. She and Dad actually came out to see me later that spring and she made sure to catch the end of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnolia">magnolia season</a>. Each spring since, I've taken a walk to take pictures of magnolias to send to her. I painted this piece, Magnolia for Mommy, from one of those pictures.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHePL09W6gxuowwQsCqae4LfUh0oXQziAJsq0VhTIt_SQHulP9xdJIzppW1hfJBLMEJ2UEh7Yn1ur0W0StYKZU4jHO7ZIujM1YG_WhaOBJHrUXHgt52z9hyAHjztU6vjMQlUIYPtWZeU/s1600/Magnolia+for+Mommy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Watercolor painting of a pink and purple magnolia by Shari Monner, VaryNiche.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQHePL09W6gxuowwQsCqae4LfUh0oXQziAJsq0VhTIt_SQHulP9xdJIzppW1hfJBLMEJ2UEh7Yn1ur0W0StYKZU4jHO7ZIujM1YG_WhaOBJHrUXHgt52z9hyAHjztU6vjMQlUIYPtWZeU/s1600/Magnolia+for+Mommy.jpg" height="484" title="Magnolia for Mommy" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Wishing my Mom a Very Happy Birthday!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12167214114746319626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9129165938741785692.post-44765872675423319422014-12-16T11:00:00.000-05:002014-12-16T11:00:00.309-05:00Vary Niche Beginnings: Ideas About EvolutionAs a philosopher of biology I can be quite particular about words and concepts with <a href="http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Niche">biological definitions</a> and many of these words have their own (painfully different) common uses. Vary Niche is a project of passion for me because it hurts me to hear the term "niche" misused in personal and business dialog. The idea of finding or carving out our own niche is used with impunity but doesn't make any sense if you understand "niche" in the context of evolution as biologists currently understand it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYoXEGKCwT5LL18AMeQmNpG14OlSHIEe4dmVj6QkPJq6zI7_GpyS9ZAUgfZCH5nT3LNg2QErHJZ2Jcv7CUoFZHnkBiptcYnA3PWIeIMowbbElwwC9qAk5CNadpjmxJwS6cTxf01FS8YzI/s1600/Niche.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Niche is the interrelation between a species and any living or non-living factors affecting it. Text over photo of a marsh taken by Danny Booth at Point Pelee, Ontario." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYoXEGKCwT5LL18AMeQmNpG14OlSHIEe4dmVj6QkPJq6zI7_GpyS9ZAUgfZCH5nT3LNg2QErHJZ2Jcv7CUoFZHnkBiptcYnA3PWIeIMowbbElwwC9qAk5CNadpjmxJwS6cTxf01FS8YzI/s1600/Niche.jpg" height="320" title="Niche" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
To be fair, <a href="http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=niche">"niche" enjoyed 300 years of common use before biologists took it up and made it their own. </a> It was taken up by biologists as a term for an organism's habitat or place in its environment. This original biological version and the common uses of "niche" share the "hollow in a <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/static">static</a> background" notion. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niche_(architecture)">In one common use, a niche is a hole in a wall in which decorative items like statues can be placed.</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niche_market">In the business world, a niche is a hollow in the market that can be filled with a business or product.</a> Under this view, changing a niche is discussed in very permanent terms... as "carving" as if out of stone. <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/niche">All of these uses of niche</a> make a niche seem very rigid, unchanging, or difficult to change. Additionally, these ideas make the niche seem importantly separate from its occupant.<br />
<br />
More recent uses of "niche" in biology reflect the importance of change, feedback, and vitality in biological systems. The <a href="http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Niche">new biological notion of a "niche"</a> is the interrelation of an organism or species with both living and non-living aspects of its surroundings. It is neither rigid nor separate. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niche_construction">The regular activities of organisms change their niche and such accumulated modifications can feed back to affect the organisms.</a> A niche is dynamic, easily changed, and interactive.<br />
<br />
So in business and personal life, we do NOT <i>carve out</i> or <i>find</i> our niche, we <i>endlessly construct and change it</i>. Since <a href="http://varyniche.blogspot.ca/2014/11/small-actions-into-big-changes.html">our daily activities change our niche and feed back to affect us</a>, whether we like it or not, getting the niche we want requires <a href="http://varyniche.blogspot.ca/search/label/Active%20Change">close attention to our actions</a> and their consequences.<br />
<br />
Vary Niche is about composing my own niche through awareness of how my daily actions change my environment. I hope following my journey will help others compose their own niche.<br />
<br />
To my fellow philosophers and biologists: I apologize if my (over)extension of the notion of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niche_construction">niche construction</a> into the realm of business and self-help hurts your sensibilities. I will strive to be strictly accurate as much as possible while I share my understanding of the world with our less-biology-obsessed <a href="http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Conspecific">conspecifics.</a><br />
<br />
Enjoy,<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12167214114746319626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9129165938741785692.post-47203319770130497822014-12-08T11:00:00.000-05:002014-12-08T11:00:01.173-05:00What is it like to be a GAD?In July of this year I was (finally) diagnosed with <a href="http://www.cmha.bc.ca/get-informed/mental-health-information/gad">Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)</a>. Since then I've been learning more about how much of my experience of the world around me would differ if my physiology responded "normally" to it. I've also been thinking more about the ever-so-human tendency to try to understand what someone is going through by relating it to personal experience. I have tried many times over the past months to explain what it is like to have <a href="http://www.cmha.bc.ca/get-informed/mental-health-information/gad">Generalized Anxiety Disorder</a>...and am starting to feel like I'm trying to explain <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What_Is_it_Like_to_Be_a_Bat%3F">what it is like to be a bat!</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://23ae.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/bj_pagebat.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A comic strip of a skeleton talking to a bat. Skeleton: So, what is it like to be a bat?; Bat: Well, I really can't explain.; Skeleton: Is that because mental states can't be described objectively, because it is incoherent to speak of what subjective experiences are objectively like, since they can only be described as they appear from a particular point of view?; Bat: Nope. It's, you know, 'cuz I'm a bat. I mostly think about mosquitoes. " border="0" src="http://23ae.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/bj_pagebat.png" height="217" title="What is it like to be a bat?" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Please Note: While this post topic was born of frustration, it is not my intention to reprimand or blame any of my friends or family for their responses...I chose to be open from day one about my diagnosis so we're learning together and that is just fine! This is more an outlet for me to "talk" through what I have learned thus far.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
1. I've tried the <a href="http://www.anxietybc.com/resources/generalized.php">worry description</a>... "I worry too much; I worry when others think everything is fine; and once I start worrying, it is really difficult to stop."<br />
<br />
Usually I get as far as "I worry too much..." before the good intentioned prescription of "Stop worrying so much." is thrown back at me in one form or another...<br />
<br />
But if I were a bat and said, "I fly too much; I fly when other organisms get around by walking; and once I start flying, it is really difficult to stop." would the reactions be the same? NO! "Stop flying so much." seems like a really silly response because the physiology of the bat makes flying easier than walking.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGM7a5b2Ja_z45hzZh3EsaLk2ujCHSAhxclfd7cKTp0FLwImm8GlVZ0v2U5fqH7mmy78lxgfitjL9NRE8CWIc30PmCJ_maKw7mG2CKVwTOCJM9_IJTNwt_I9eCV9LdSAvsari9YNrdDfP/s400/Fight+Or+Flight+Uncertainty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="The usual image of a person with boxing gloves on (fight) and the same person running away (flight) but with a shaking uncertain person between fight and flight who is paralyzed by the fear instead." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGM7a5b2Ja_z45hzZh3EsaLk2ujCHSAhxclfd7cKTp0FLwImm8GlVZ0v2U5fqH7mmy78lxgfitjL9NRE8CWIc30PmCJ_maKw7mG2CKVwTOCJM9_IJTNwt_I9eCV9LdSAvsari9YNrdDfP/s400/Fight+Or+Flight+Uncertainty.jpg" height="236" title="Fight or Flight" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
2. So I tried the physiology description... "My body goes into the 'fight or flight' response very easily; and I function day-by-day with my body in this sort of aroused state almost constantly."<br />
<br />
This works a bit better but I still get responses like, "Have a hot bath (or several)." "Take a break." or "Take something off your plate." <a href="http://www.psyweb.com/articles/anxiety/difference-between-stress-and-anxiety">These responses misinterpret my physiological symptoms as being caused by stress. </a> They are temporary fixes prescribed for a problem that is assumed to be short term.<br />
<br />
This is a little like telling the bat to get off the airplane if it doesn't want to fly...it misses the point.<br />
<br />
3. So maybe I just need to describe the parts of my experience that are so different from their own that people begin to look at me like I am a bat...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://blog.buildllc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/10-Stair-by-Ecole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A flight of stairs in which each step is individually mounted to the wall as if it were a floating shelf. Excludes railings or other supporting structures." border="0" src="http://blog.buildllc.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/10-Stair-by-Ecole.jpg" height="200" title="Crazy Stairs" width="200" /></a></div>
In order to walk down stairs (whether 2 steps or 20), I have to actively suppress fear that comes with/from mental images of myself crumpled at the bottom of those stairs with whatever injuries are the worst case possible; the longer the flight of stairs, the worse the imagined injury and the greater the physiological response. I'm told that most people don't experience stairs in this way and if they have fear of stairs, it doesn't come with the worst-case-scenario thoughts and mental images I experience.<br />
I learned quickly to suppress these thoughts and images so I could still live my life, stairs and all. If you know me well, you'll know I live in a second floor apartment and that my office at school is on the second floor. I do take them more slowly at times or hold the railing a bit more tightly but I am still able to use stairs!!! The exaggerated physiological responses from this type of worrying or catastrophizing are tiring but I am able to get through my day with tools I've learned during <a href="http://www.anxietybc.com/cbt-home">Cognitive Behavior Therapy</a>.<br />
<br />
Importantly, each experience with Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a bit different. I don't want to speak for others with the same disorder or other anxiety disorders. Rather, I hope to convince those who have never experienced the world through such a disorder to arrest assumptions about what it is like for someone with a mental health disorder.<br />
<br />
Thanks to all those who have patiently tried to understand thus far...I have learned (like the comic's bat) that I can't really explain what it is like to have GAD. But I've also learned that support from friends and family doesn't require such an explanation.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12167214114746319626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9129165938741785692.post-27099141365738072892014-12-02T11:00:00.000-05:002015-02-08T10:38:40.612-05:00From Anxious to Better!<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxYEC4mcZhInB6hJs2j1ovaBTiMiobQt_tClSFzhAvzEDgsqbdxPddRFTtcP0SJ5Il02osj8h6VI2wN6Jcq1UsNs2CfA13ltIXQXcgv17mR3kOeE00z3Vqqnhvb8D7aWb1A7Nw0cB8iVI/s1600/From+Anxious+to+Better.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt=""Better! Every time someone asks, I get better and better!" Text over photo of Sunflower taken by Danny Booth in Amsterdam August 2009." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxYEC4mcZhInB6hJs2j1ovaBTiMiobQt_tClSFzhAvzEDgsqbdxPddRFTtcP0SJ5Il02osj8h6VI2wN6Jcq1UsNs2CfA13ltIXQXcgv17mR3kOeE00z3Vqqnhvb8D7aWb1A7Nw0cB8iVI/s1600/From+Anxious+to+Better.png" height="320" title="How Am I?" width="240" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My study of evolutionary process has taught me that every <a href="http://varyniche.blogspot.ca/2014/11/small-actions-into-big-changes.html">action of an organism--from breathing to the disposal of coffee cup lids--has an accumulated effect on that organism’s environment</a>. With enough repetition these actions can feed-back to change the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_selection">selection pressures</a> acting on the organism (and other members of its species or ecosystem). Similarly, the <a href="http://varyniche.blogspot.ca/search/label/Active%20Change">daily actions</a> of an individual like myself have accumulated effects that change the pressures of daily life. </span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-6153e300-be7a-2e90-9171-b06e26843b74" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This became particularly salient to me when I realized that my usual answer to “how are you doing?” was “<a href="http://www.anxietybc.com/resources/generalized.php">anxious</a>.” I was just being honest with myself and others…which freed me from the <a href="http://www.anxietybc.com/self-help/self-help-strategies-gad">internal dialogue about the judgement</a> they might make about me if they remained ignorant of my struggles. BUT...my friends, family, and colleagues became increasingly less comfortable around me. Many of them started to worry that some of their own actions might contribute to <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/generalized-anxiety-disorder/basics/definition/con-20024562">my anxiety </a>and since none of them are psychiatrists, they didn't know what to do. I noticed this discomfort and took action to save them from it...I stayed home or took special care to avoid people I knew on any rare outing. This only increased my anxiety, of course. The feedback loop I created with my “anxious” answer to a frequently used conversation starter made me more and more anxious. Honesty aside...I needed to break this loop! So I composed a new one...</span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How am I today? “Better!” I am still being honest and still cope daily with generalized anxiety disorder, but now I’m better and better every time someone asks! </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12167214114746319626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9129165938741785692.post-13664551890487343152014-11-28T21:13:00.001-05:002014-11-28T21:13:46.852-05:00Advent Calendars! Fun for adults too...<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0msSBOssmMAh20E3nB6Lc3YDRL5SFjoe2Vpysh4lSz3puVA3vAfjA4o4SH9x-tLVXMdhvg2SppKu4SZ1e74KQSlnelwH0QV7rjrOq5mxpj5jN7bbAXiAqcJHJ-hHufOwQZC1jhi-D2o/s1600/Advent+Calendar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Assorted candy, buttons, and mini books wrapped up and placed in a refillable snowman advent calendar. VaryNiche.com" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0msSBOssmMAh20E3nB6Lc3YDRL5SFjoe2Vpysh4lSz3puVA3vAfjA4o4SH9x-tLVXMdhvg2SppKu4SZ1e74KQSlnelwH0QV7rjrOq5mxpj5jN7bbAXiAqcJHJ-hHufOwQZC1jhi-D2o/s1600/Advent+Calendar.jpg" height="400" title="Advent Calendars: Fun for all ages!" width="363" /></a></div>
My partner, Danny, loves gifts. He especially loves finding or making the perfect gift for those on his list.<br />
<br />
I love giving gifts as well, and there is no greater joy than finding that perfect gift for someone I care about... but as an <a href="http://www.anxietybc.com/resources/generalized.php">anxious person</a>, I am seldom convinced that I've found the right gift. So I tend to worry about it starting in August.<br />
<br />
Since Danny has yet to agree to any "<a href="http://www.buynothingchristmas.org/alternatives/">no gift</a>" options, over the last few years I've used a <a href="http://www.ebay.com/sch/Advent-Calendars-/156813/i.html">refillable advent calendar</a> to take some of the pressure off. I still get him a larger gift each year but since I've given him 24 other gifts by the time he gets it, I am less worried when he opens the final gift of the season.<br />
<br />
Anxiety aside, I remember how excited my sister and I were to check <a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/1987-Avon-Christmas-Countdown-Advent-Calendar-NO-MOUSE-GOOD-CONDITION-/181592593701?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a47c31525">our calendar</a> every morning in December.<br />
<br />
Plus, putting together an <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/857740/handmade-advent-calendars/@center/1009041/christmas-crafts-projects#949678">Advent Calendar</a> for someone (even if they aren't a kid) can be great fun. This year I grabbed some discount Halloween candy, separated a couple 4-packs of mini buttons, and separated an 8 pack of fun mini-notebooks. I wrap all the items, and fill the calendar. The books don't fit so they sit numbered on the bookcase beside the Calendar.<br />
<br />
Bonus: this tall snowman calendar is half my Holiday decorations and easily replaces one of our pictures on the wall (I keep it simple since we both go home for the Holidays each year).<br />
<br />
Happy December!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12167214114746319626noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9129165938741785692.post-29741665606051788222014-11-05T11:00:00.000-05:002015-02-08T10:39:11.343-05:00Small Actions Accumulate into Big Changes<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My first step in using the evolutionary process of <a href="http://lalandlab.st-andrews.ac.uk/niche/">niche construction</a> as a guide for active change in</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> my own life is to think about my actions in terms of their accumulated effects on my environment and how these changes feed back to affect me. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSWMPZMFGYfsMdmtGsiKUNR9_FDGaIyzhD2Rf3cuVF0KE9DzJl96n3avPtYqAVQLS7f1dplQVuaUa1XZvQ3PRy_Py4w2Ww93eWaxdB_CX6jWrdW7Wwftoe8yIHE8fZZVb2h-Oe6uTVfQ/s1600/Small+Actions+Immense+Change.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Small Actions Accumulate to Create Immense Change (text over photo of waterfall: Troll Falls, Alberta taken by Shari Monner)" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSWMPZMFGYfsMdmtGsiKUNR9_FDGaIyzhD2Rf3cuVF0KE9DzJl96n3avPtYqAVQLS7f1dplQVuaUa1XZvQ3PRy_Py4w2Ww93eWaxdB_CX6jWrdW7Wwftoe8yIHE8fZZVb2h-Oe6uTVfQ/s1600/Small+Actions+Immense+Change.png" height="200" title="Small Actions Accumulate to Create Immense Change" width="148" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A familiar example of accumulated effects is recycling (or not recycling). While a single plastic lid placed in a recycle bin instead of a garbage bin may not do a whole lot to reduce the size of our landfills, each decision contributes. I personally forget my awesome, sparkly, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/jul/04/five-of-the-best-reusable-coffee-cups">reusable mug</a> about once a week and end up using a<a href="http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-07-08/this-coffee-cup-really-will-get-recycled"> disposable coffee cup</a> instead. If I put all 52 of those recyclable plastic lids in the garbage, I’ve increased my contribution to my local land-fills by quite a lot each year. If, on the other hand, I take the extra couple seconds to separate the components of my weekly memory laps and put the lid in the recycle bin, I am decreasing my contribution to my local land-fills by that same amount. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Fun fact, <a href="https://www.london.ca/residents/Garbage-Recycling/Recycling/Pages/FAQ's.aspx">I can actually recycle all the components of my coffee cup now because London, Ontario has stepped up.</a> Yay #LdnOnt)</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"></b><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Taking the extra few seconds to separate and recycle the components of my disposable coffee cup has other effects as well:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-28bYCzkMLvA/TsmfqP2V7AI/AAAAAAAAAbs/tb26Mq0UHXg/s1600/monkey-see.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="A woman and an orangutan sitting beside one another in beach chairs; both sitting with right leg crossed over left and pouting." border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-28bYCzkMLvA/TsmfqP2V7AI/AAAAAAAAAbs/tb26Mq0UHXg/s1600/monkey-see.jpg" height="305" title="Monkey See, Monkey Do" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. it keeps the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiminy_Cricket">cricket on my shoulder</a> from getting too chatty</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. ever so slightly alleviates my guilt about forgetting my <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/jul/04/five-of-the-best-reusable-coffee-cups">reusable mug</a></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. reminds <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monkey_see,_monkey_do">anyone who sees me to do the same</a> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4. helps with <a href="http://www.brainpickings.org/2014/01/02/how-long-it-takes-to-form-a-new-habit/">habit formation</a> so I'll remember to do it next time</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5. allows future plastic to be<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/27/magazine/who-made-that-coffee-lid.html?_r=0"> produced from recycled material </a>rather than being made ‘fresh’</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The moral of the story...and what I will be taking into consideration in my daily life throughout my VaryNiche journey...is that even the smallest action can make a huge difference in our lives. I think of my niche as an ever changing composition of my own that in turn causes change in me. </span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stay tuned for weekly adaptations that I’ll be making as I compose my environment. Feel free to follow along and share your experiences as well.</span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12167214114746319626noreply@blogger.com0London, ON, Canada42.9869502 -81.24317742.615027700000006 -81.888624000000007 43.3588727 -80.59773tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9129165938741785692.post-81635116672154071352014-08-06T19:30:00.000-04:002014-11-27T10:57:33.053-05:00Nail Art Tutorial: Inverted Flower & Leaf Design<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMXnP-mf2_ng3CNsVSd61SGORasEjAPLjuMN3RqXq-gsr7QMMisVY-8QeGZfX62epMAWtB9ylwrA_ZKNtsSDJyULX1mZKY6aB_b-trUv2wNiYozirYpK0pOAawdJQEYE34ygsnAmxAcTE/s1600/Pinterest+Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMXnP-mf2_ng3CNsVSd61SGORasEjAPLjuMN3RqXq-gsr7QMMisVY-8QeGZfX62epMAWtB9ylwrA_ZKNtsSDJyULX1mZKY6aB_b-trUv2wNiYozirYpK0pOAawdJQEYE34ygsnAmxAcTE/s1600/Pinterest+Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Finger Nail Art Design: Black & White Flower & Leaves on Fuschia Background" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMXnP-mf2_ng3CNsVSd61SGORasEjAPLjuMN3RqXq-gsr7QMMisVY-8QeGZfX62epMAWtB9ylwrA_ZKNtsSDJyULX1mZKY6aB_b-trUv2wNiYozirYpK0pOAawdJQEYE34ygsnAmxAcTE/s1600/Pinterest+Image.jpg" height="320" title="6 Step Nail Art Tutorial: Inverted Flower & Leaf Design" width="222" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XBBPfWq764-S1nrg4rVNrYa1EraJrMCtAYwFpbRqZx-UZdjRa9r445SjKeOIwelVa2ATW9RAm0FPf1TZtPBS-0Wj6wgZ3kKoDYqYDzMH2k7Z_sRSEM6R1SgkNBzZtonmg4UH4zZpdjw/s1600/Flower+Dress+Inspiration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Fabric with some large pink flowers and some large uncolored flowers" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XBBPfWq764-S1nrg4rVNrYa1EraJrMCtAYwFpbRqZx-UZdjRa9r445SjKeOIwelVa2ATW9RAm0FPf1TZtPBS-0Wj6wgZ3kKoDYqYDzMH2k7Z_sRSEM6R1SgkNBzZtonmg4UH4zZpdjw/s1600/Flower+Dress+Inspiration.jpg" height="200" title="Dress Fabric that inspired the Inverted Flower & Leaf Nail Art Design" width="150" /></a>This Nail Art Design was inspired by one of my favorite dresses, many of the flowers on the dress are black & white while a few are bright fuschia. You could really use any bright color as the background for the flower but I chose Janel by <a href="http://www.julep.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/173228/">Julep</a> because it most closely matched the pink on my dress. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Please do try this at home and tell me how it went! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In addition to your usual base coat, top coat, & favorite clean up products, you will need: three nail colors, dotting tools, and toothpicks.<br />
<a name='more'></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvb3xe86XVOlON6EAjPPwMyx0YBxCVARL60Pwh2PolA3-CL-ymdTrxtnBngUew_1v15HUdLquPYZ3h4cHUUQhHNwDha5egNAdML6jtt5HffBlZUdK6FKhmR6zK3Jh1qf0RId_ok2QSV4/s1600/Flower+Dress+Step+1+-+Janel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Finger Nail Art Design Step 1: Fuscia Nail Color on all the nails" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvb3xe86XVOlON6EAjPPwMyx0YBxCVARL60Pwh2PolA3-CL-ymdTrxtnBngUew_1v15HUdLquPYZ3h4cHUUQhHNwDha5egNAdML6jtt5HffBlZUdK6FKhmR6zK3Jh1qf0RId_ok2QSV4/s1600/Flower+Dress+Step+1+-+Janel.jpg" height="320" title="Inverted Flower & Leaf Design Step 1" width="202" /></a><br />
Step 1: Two coats of the background color; Here, I used Janel by <a href="http://www.julep.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/173228/">Julep</a> but you could use your favorite bright polish and it would look great. As usual, I let mine dry for at least half an hour before doing the next step.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4a_6GmlgQeuGX-GZIdd4tkD4MyBztrWHEut0ITiQgIkPEyzfV4w75RhTg75M6byX-fcNlbRPAJt6nb1mwdHcruk6GReEtOFeSKGxQk1fmdnAJqvpwSbgweTarEnxvaoDi4gKipOF7lzg/s1600/Flower+Dress+Step+2+-+Brandt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Finger Nail Art Design Step 2: Dark charcoal grey added to pink nails to make large flower shape across the three nails of the pinky, ring, and middle fingers." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4a_6GmlgQeuGX-GZIdd4tkD4MyBztrWHEut0ITiQgIkPEyzfV4w75RhTg75M6byX-fcNlbRPAJt6nb1mwdHcruk6GReEtOFeSKGxQk1fmdnAJqvpwSbgweTarEnxvaoDi4gKipOF7lzg/s1600/Flower+Dress+Step+2+-+Brandt.jpg" height="320" title="Inverted Flower & Leaf Nail Art Step 2" width="181" /></a>Step 2: In your dark grey or black (Brandt by <a href="http://www.julep.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/173228/">Julep</a> shown) add the flower's shadow across three nails centered on the ring finger (or which ever one you want). I just used the brush from the bottle to do this and the shape is intentionally irregular. I also added a partial flower to my thumb nail centered on the outermost corner or it. <br />
<br />
Tip: Let this stage dry really well...the next stage will use a toothpick to scratch in lines and you don't want to scratch all the way through to the pink....so make sure the grey is dry.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58o3Of7kwhaNCVGXPVmqtQ7Bu8KosremLjRYGFq1Kk3lb4e9qXuqI4jtWKKOvCaYMi3tSlkcKI5tjwNFSfdnz9Xe5CCUuRIFO9a7gQ8DHX52mK0ys69kWzk-mUz7WazCzU4xR0_n1eek/s1600/Flower+Dress+Step+3+-+Nicolette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Finger Nail Art Design Step 3: White nail color added to large flower shape across the three nails with lines scratched out to show the grey underneath." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh58o3Of7kwhaNCVGXPVmqtQ7Bu8KosremLjRYGFq1Kk3lb4e9qXuqI4jtWKKOvCaYMi3tSlkcKI5tjwNFSfdnz9Xe5CCUuRIFO9a7gQ8DHX52mK0ys69kWzk-mUz7WazCzU4xR0_n1eek/s1600/Flower+Dress+Step+3+-+Nicolette.jpg" height="320" title="Inverted Flower & Leaf Nail Art Step 3" width="173" /></a>Step 3: Add white (Nicolette by <a href="http://www.julep.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/173228/">Julep</a> shown) petals to your flower leaving an outline of the grey showing. Again, just the brush from the bottle is fine for this. While the polish is still wet, use a toothpick to scratch a few petal crease lines out to show the grey underneath.<br />
<br />
Tip: Do this one nail at a time unless you are super fast. So paint on the white for the pinky and then scratch a few lines out to show the underlying grey, then move on to the ring finger, etc.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOv1132LfuOB_IZlpLExDV7Q9jJyv18ZN1WUebgkeq-iODUG5Q81cniD0IWCSUN_Nzl2Fh8HaaEmWQwbnqKe3KpZxQ690rfeMKxnuqS6nci5SjsZg0yFDqchEAI6Z2lEemsfwXNdc1zw/s1600/Flower+Dress+Step+4+-+Brandt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Finger Nail Art Design Step 4: large white and grey flower shape across three nails of the pinky, ring, and middle fingers with Dark Charcoal Grey added in star shape in the center of the flower on the ring finger." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOv1132LfuOB_IZlpLExDV7Q9jJyv18ZN1WUebgkeq-iODUG5Q81cniD0IWCSUN_Nzl2Fh8HaaEmWQwbnqKe3KpZxQ690rfeMKxnuqS6nci5SjsZg0yFDqchEAI6Z2lEemsfwXNdc1zw/s1600/Flower+Dress+Step+4+-+Brandt.jpg" height="320" title="Inverted Flower & Leaf Nail Art Step 4" width="182" /></a>Step 4: Make a star shaped center in the dark grey (Brandt by <a href="http://www.julep.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/173228/">Julep</a> shown) just on the nail the flower is centered on. You could either start with a dot of polish in the flower centre and use a tooth pick to spread it into a star or apply it with a little paint brush. Again, this step is supposed to look a bit messy so don't worry too much.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOwy2ckkEdOSIgcplJzHRZTG_gcKrqTDjXpGCQ3Ce9n6HLuk_jgEbiTOETffJ2LBG5M6TnGA6sx2Ra_ZGtXmY7PwY5k4aRGemgSeUc5mJSph8patDXuXAzOpdYZC5FYe_SV8WRGv71es/s1600/Flower+Dress+Step+5+-+Dots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Finger Nail Art Design Step 5: large white and grey flower shape across three nails of the pinky, ring, and middle fingers with White dots and Dark Charcoal Grey dots added circles around the center of the flower on the ring finger and finally one last grey dot in the very center." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHOwy2ckkEdOSIgcplJzHRZTG_gcKrqTDjXpGCQ3Ce9n6HLuk_jgEbiTOETffJ2LBG5M6TnGA6sx2Ra_ZGtXmY7PwY5k4aRGemgSeUc5mJSph8patDXuXAzOpdYZC5FYe_SV8WRGv71es/s1600/Flower+Dress+Step+5+-+Dots.jpg" height="320" title="Inverted Flower & Leaf Nail Art Step 5" width="271" /></a>Step 5: Add five white dots off-set in a circle on your center star-shape so the white overlaps with the white of the petals. Then add five smaller grey dots in a tighter circle so they about half cover the white dots. Then five even smaller white dots in a tiny circle so they half cover the black dots. And finally a black dot in the very center of your flower.<br />
<br />
Tip: You could just stop after the first set of five white dots and it would be just as pretty, I've shown all the stages here so you can decide. If, like me, you hated the first set of dots you made, you can easily take just the center of the flower out with acetone and a small paint brush. This is what I did and why my center star ended up with rounder "points".<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRl5a56I0KPFWSaRQGDo08WKzQzEXgdS889bM2Szqz7_eX8Fau5pA0G7xruK_6IA90tE7B-SUrHmYh3M6K7eawW56KMOdtTnx0_2R5EywmVaJKovdeIe43k0QQiHZcPiXH0d6a17VNmRY/s1600/Flower+Dress+Complete.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Finger Nail Art Design Step 6: large white and grey flower across three nails of the pinky, ring, and middle fingers with fuschia background. Dark Charcoal Grey leaves added to index, middle, and pinky fingers beside the flower." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRl5a56I0KPFWSaRQGDo08WKzQzEXgdS889bM2Szqz7_eX8Fau5pA0G7xruK_6IA90tE7B-SUrHmYh3M6K7eawW56KMOdtTnx0_2R5EywmVaJKovdeIe43k0QQiHZcPiXH0d6a17VNmRY/s1600/Flower+Dress+Complete.jpg" height="320" title="Inverted Flower & Leaf Nail Art Step 6" width="225" /></a>Step 6: Add leaves in the dark grey by putting a dab of nail color in a spot and using a toothpick to spread it into a leaf shape. Then while the leaf is still wet, scratch out lines to give it a textured leaf look. Do this one leaf at a time for best results.<br />
<br />
I hope you enjoyed my inverted flower & leaf design tutorial and try it at home. Please feel free to post in the comments to let me know how it went or ask questions.<br />
<br />
Happy Painting!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12167214114746319626noreply@blogger.comLondon, ON, Canada42.9869502 -81.24317742.615027700000006 -81.888624000000007 43.3588727 -80.59773tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9129165938741785692.post-46291407986706023072014-07-30T21:28:00.000-04:002014-11-27T10:57:46.039-05:00Nail Art Tutorial: Snake Skin<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXjAfX6xtzeaV-EoFHDqWrHkgmWJcaYLPm2KTGblzVdA_VloZnMMKsVRGNXRbrjTIcN6BWXlR2Cu4qgQaM5nl3m-0iV1TwisPGV7C-6dzHkb9IyJtsnfdEWwVQ9dHMV6evx1G0ftFql5Q/s1600/Pinterest+Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Finger Nail Art by Vary Niche dot com: Complete Design for a Snake Skin Look" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXjAfX6xtzeaV-EoFHDqWrHkgmWJcaYLPm2KTGblzVdA_VloZnMMKsVRGNXRbrjTIcN6BWXlR2Cu4qgQaM5nl3m-0iV1TwisPGV7C-6dzHkb9IyJtsnfdEWwVQ9dHMV6evx1G0ftFql5Q/s1600/Pinterest+Image.jpg" height="320" title="4 Step Snake Skin Nail Art Design" width="195" /></a><br />
Once upon a time I had a pet <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Python_regius">python</a> named <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persephone">Persephone</a>. I loved her very much but when I moved to London, Ontario for school, I had to give her up. Persephone is now (as far as I know, still) at the <a href="http://www.vet.ucalgary.ca/">University of Calgary, helping teach Veterinary Students</a> to care for exotic pets like snakes. I miss her often and once in a while I try a new snake skin nail art design in her honor.<br />
<br />
<br />
Here is an attempt with all iridescent colors.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Step 1: Do your usual base coat routine and then two coats of your base color. Here, I used Harrow by <a href="http://www.julep.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/173228/">Julep</a>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMVJcUBq9agvQ3eT6Igi1cRqqA1A3FR0zhccomehmQnnhyphenhyphenmRUeeiYlonfiePU042Vd00Ibb7v310Aric4JCe5tTZHWvsGE48fPZ1VSMBs1WCmadnfLTct4LGgh9hs9TlxOj3ZDdLvY7U/s1600/Snake+Skin+Step+1+-+Harrow.png" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Tutorial Step 1: Finger Nails with two coats of Harrow, an iridescent gold nail color from Julep." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMVJcUBq9agvQ3eT6Igi1cRqqA1A3FR0zhccomehmQnnhyphenhyphenmRUeeiYlonfiePU042Vd00Ibb7v310Aric4JCe5tTZHWvsGE48fPZ1VSMBs1WCmadnfLTct4LGgh9hs9TlxOj3ZDdLvY7U/s1600/Snake+Skin+Step+1+-+Harrow.png" height="320" title="" width="194" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Step 2: Then I used a dotting tool to make patches of the second color, this one is Candace by <a href="http://www.julep.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/173228/">Julep</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLmhDEKb5TPjrgfF8XqWc7oEIUpxoMrzeOi2z7WGV8oeS8E40SDhs-pm0NGHX60e1bNdoBWcRM7NuTZcjYRe2GUeUGZgN2qvSnIKWHSGbsNRPr6lMIa4KwlPryXusGpNs8p5RyjulWOc/s1600/Snake+Skin+Step+2+-+Candace.png" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Tutorial Step 2: Finger nails from Step 1 with dotted irregular shaped patches of Candace, an iridescent dark brown nail color from Julep." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLmhDEKb5TPjrgfF8XqWc7oEIUpxoMrzeOi2z7WGV8oeS8E40SDhs-pm0NGHX60e1bNdoBWcRM7NuTZcjYRe2GUeUGZgN2qvSnIKWHSGbsNRPr6lMIa4KwlPryXusGpNs8p5RyjulWOc/s1600/Snake+Skin+Step+2+-+Candace.png" height="320" title="" width="243" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Step 3: Then I took a third color and put smaller patches inside the patches I had made in step 2. If I had my full color set at hand I would have used a darker beige but here I used Margot by <a href="http://www.julep.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/173228/">Julep</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhA1TlBvzch4zpsQavvP2E-naY6LY9BprNZ-pcblwRs7TRb8RChPxZQq3BAyoogRQGMYQyu8-DAf93M2_h6pn0GWRidjOANk9Iu6kQ-nG89r1exJbLt_g6kX0uDEobIC4PezqlFRB7x0/s1600/Snake+Skin+Step+3+-+Margot.png" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Tutorial Step 3: Finger nails from step 2 with dotted patches of Margot, an iridescent light beige nail color from Julep, partially covering the darker patches." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhA1TlBvzch4zpsQavvP2E-naY6LY9BprNZ-pcblwRs7TRb8RChPxZQq3BAyoogRQGMYQyu8-DAf93M2_h6pn0GWRidjOANk9Iu6kQ-nG89r1exJbLt_g6kX0uDEobIC4PezqlFRB7x0/s1600/Snake+Skin+Step+3+-+Margot.png" height="320" title="" width="190" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Step 4: Finally, I took a lighter fourth color and highlighted around the outside of the patches with lines of dots. Again, the color I used here doesn't provide as much contrast in the design as I'd like but looks awesome in the sunlight. It is Katerina by <a href="http://www.julep.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/173228/">Julep</a>.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0rR24rrOqjmDKPdXnnqAP4tcWJyzzIVc9Gor4O-XC_izUIEcZv-YlQJjD0-x_Z0Hnr55pestmyWJ6NGbWkzXmcPzchQXLSZQXbpSKytrAhaXg_03rk2pf-egnIlUjWaiDSEy2REtV5g/s1600/Snake+Skin+Step+4+-+Katerina.png" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Tutorial Step 4: Finger nails from step 3 with dotted lines of Katerina, an iridescent champagne nail color from Julep, framing the patches from step 3." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc0rR24rrOqjmDKPdXnnqAP4tcWJyzzIVc9Gor4O-XC_izUIEcZv-YlQJjD0-x_Z0Hnr55pestmyWJ6NGbWkzXmcPzchQXLSZQXbpSKytrAhaXg_03rk2pf-egnIlUjWaiDSEy2REtV5g/s1600/Snake+Skin+Step+4+-+Katerina.png" height="320" title="" width="184" /></a></div>
<br />
And as usual I topped it off the a top coat to protect my art for a bit longer.<br />
<br />
I will post other color combinations as I try them. Please feel free to post yours in the comments as well. :)<br />
<br />
Happy painting.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12167214114746319626noreply@blogger.comFairview, AB T0H, Canada56.0696394 -118.3916672000000355.9987259 -118.55302870000003 56.1405529 -118.23030570000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9129165938741785692.post-90692017401334544042014-07-23T17:30:00.000-04:002014-11-27T10:58:08.147-05:00My First Watercolor Painting!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I finally did my first full watercolor painting! Aside from whatever I might have done as a child, I had otherwise only taken a single <a href="http://www.artgalleryoflambeth.com/art_programs/stepbystep.html">watercolor class and learned the basics by adding color to a pre-sketched leaf</a>.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZo_SNaGQ2be0PP5vE6s-SegGunF7zk6p_aD-WBYYKBm5tP3uEULQRFiy_z0RVm45q545m1QA0AC9VPZYOyjJ8DtzLT5fUXv3Eqxt7r1BmFE9JIWq2lF-_5ilRbcYLVjZFLPsyqlxd3A0/s1600/Upper+Kananaskis+in+Watercolor+(Compressed).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZo_SNaGQ2be0PP5vE6s-SegGunF7zk6p_aD-WBYYKBm5tP3uEULQRFiy_z0RVm45q545m1QA0AC9VPZYOyjJ8DtzLT5fUXv3Eqxt7r1BmFE9JIWq2lF-_5ilRbcYLVjZFLPsyqlxd3A0/s1600/Upper+Kananaskis+in+Watercolor+(Compressed).jpg" height="207" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I purchased a <a href="https://www.currys.com/product.htm?Product=W0390640&Source=Category&Category=COTMAN_HALF_PAN_WATERCOLOUR_SETS">small watercolor set</a> and pad of watercolor paper before I went to my family reunion in Northern Alberta but didn't have a chance to paint amid the visiting and playing with my nieces and nephews. After the reunion, I spent a few days in <a href="http://www.calgary.ca/SitePages/cocis/default.aspx">Calgary</a> before heading home. On my first full day in the Calgary area, my partner and his family went on a <a href="http://www.albertaparks.ca/kananaskis-country.aspx">hike around the Upper Kananaskis Lake</a>. Since I haven't flexed my hiking muscles in a while and still wanted to get some painting in, I drove out with them and brought my paint gear along. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BurnNTdedoq6Kw4WbvocJr4a0dKfTcOSpLxVSbHrDvTPko7tSWnpfW-R0JntCGtwpkBIZwObenfmdfSsF5M_Cv2-RBKrCOH6PeaOV7LIfsblUWMtdh1o3tsrEK7BFjQRDIZGHQ8aAM4/s1600/Paint+Set+&+Watercolor+Block.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2BurnNTdedoq6Kw4WbvocJr4a0dKfTcOSpLxVSbHrDvTPko7tSWnpfW-R0JntCGtwpkBIZwObenfmdfSsF5M_Cv2-RBKrCOH6PeaOV7LIfsblUWMtdh1o3tsrEK7BFjQRDIZGHQ8aAM4/s1600/Paint+Set+&+Watercolor+Block.jpg" height="192" width="320" /></a>I was excited and nervous...something about that blank white paper at the top of my new <a href="https://www.currys.com/catalogpc.htm?Category=FLUID%20WATERCOLOUR%20BLOCKS">Watercolor Paper Block</a> was intimidating. Even more intimidating than the familiar blank screen on my computer. I know I tend to react to this intimidation with procrastination so instead of letting the paper stay blank while I set up outside where I wanted to paint, I sat in the van and sketched out the general shapes and positions of everything I wanted to include. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Next I pulled out my bottle of <a href="https://www.currys.com/catalogpc.htm?Category=GRUMBACHER_MISKIT_LIQUID_FRISKET&Source=Search">Liquid Frisket</a> to paint in the parts that needed to stay white and my little container of <a href="https://www.currys.com/catalogpc.htm?Category=DORLANDS_WAX_MEDIUM&Source=Search">wax</a> to add a different texture to the water. I wanted to play with these new tools to see what they could do. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6G2b_KN0turbUKI8VMnwcSI_uWdkEDJPU9b8uRoj7CI1sVLwNpvxrJw5gmm7hDFpje69itQoWnjbd6NAMaC18Pn0jWt3t_dM2nI3Tg-9-OJnQHk7nMAQkVy5VD77JOmynVeLcROaAMyY/s1600/Ready+to+Paint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6G2b_KN0turbUKI8VMnwcSI_uWdkEDJPU9b8uRoj7CI1sVLwNpvxrJw5gmm7hDFpje69itQoWnjbd6NAMaC18Pn0jWt3t_dM2nI3Tg-9-OJnQHk7nMAQkVy5VD77JOmynVeLcROaAMyY/s1600/Ready+to+Paint.jpg" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Once I was done adding the non-paint aspects, I set down my strange looking piece and set up my chair outside in the wind (and intermittent rain) where I could see the colors and shadows of the landscape without the barrier of the van's windshield.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And then I started to add water and paint. The intimidation was gone at this point, the wax wasn't going to come off the paper anyway so I had nothing to lose...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
...I kept adding color until the hikers returned, taking short breaks to chat about art with passers by or smile at those who just wanted to peek. </div>
<br />
It was a great experience I'm very excited to have completed my first full watercolor painting.<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12167214114746319626noreply@blogger.comKananaskis, AB T0L, Canada51.075562 -115.13078625.553527499999998 -156.43938 76.5975965 -73.822192tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9129165938741785692.post-3876243303514905882014-07-16T19:31:00.000-04:002014-07-22T19:34:15.042-04:00Ten Items for your Watercolor Painting Kit<br />
I just built a Watercolor Painting Kit to travel with and thought I would share what I learned to help anyone else who wants to start painting with watercolor on the go. I spent about $50 because I already had brushes, a pencil & eraser, and a utility knife.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRlJJQZ6to7RDsWJKk09fjhyXvhbWP5-9kzMVppnlKaIvKYi98PFrIgknTK0PrY-9gCT1O6O780qi-uxPkZ7bkJmseY4JnOLnA4amc5JH3ga4Z4yqT8x_41SVg-8znPB3GIHs2p4TWZY/s1600/Ten+Items+for+Your+Watercolor+Kit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A list of items to include in a watercolor painting kit. Read the blog post for descriptions of the items and links to find them." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRlJJQZ6to7RDsWJKk09fjhyXvhbWP5-9kzMVppnlKaIvKYi98PFrIgknTK0PrY-9gCT1O6O780qi-uxPkZ7bkJmseY4JnOLnA4amc5JH3ga4Z4yqT8x_41SVg-8znPB3GIHs2p4TWZY/s1600/Ten+Items+for+Your+Watercolor+Kit.jpg" height="250" title="Ten Items for your Watercolor Painting Kit" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /><br />1. <a href="https://www.currys.com/catalogpc.htm?Category=FLUID%20WATERCOLOUR%20BLOCKS&Source=Search">Paper Block</a> ($6 - $20)<br /><br />This lovely little invention keeps your watercolor paper flat while you paint to minimize warping of the paper. I chose a 6' x 12' one with 15 sheets bound on two edges but there are a variety of sizes and some are bound on four edges. When you are done your piece, just slice it off with the utility knife.<br /><a name='more'></a><br />2. <a href="https://www.currys.com/product.htm?Product=W0390640&Source=Category&Category=COTMAN_HALF_PAN_WATERCOLOUR_SETS">Pocket Box</a> ($23)<br /><br />I decided that solid watercolors would be better than the liquid versions for traveling but I wanted to make sure I had nice bright colors as well so I splurged on this component.<br /><br />3. <a href="https://www.currys.com/product.htm?Product=FP4B&Source=Category&Category=CURRYS_GRAPHITE_PENCILS">4B Pencil</a> ($1)<br /><br />I just took these out of my old sketching kit. One of my painting books recommended 4B specifically because it will erase fully if you sketch lightly. Not everyone sketches pre-painting but I do sometimes.<br /><br />4. <a href="https://www.currys.com/catalogpc.htm?Category=ALVIN_DUO_ERASER_SHARPENER&Source=Search">Eraser/Sharpener</a> ($2)<br /><br />This is just for the pencils if you sketch before you paint. Again, I had these around my house already. <br /><br />5. <a href="https://www.currys.com/product.htm?Product=VDW0001&Source=Category&Category=DORLANDS_WAX_MEDIUM">Wax</a> ($10)<br /><br />One of my art books suggested using wax to get different and interesting textures so I got myself some to play with. It isn't essential for the kit, but fun to play with.<br /><br />6. <a href="https://www.currys.com/catalogpc.htm?Category=GRUMBACHER_MISKIT_LIQUID_FRISKET&Source=Search">Liquid Frisket</a> ($9)<br /><br />Another lovely invention! As you probably know, there really is no white to add in watercolor, just the white of the paper. It isn't always easy to avoid small pieces while painting; so just paint this colorful liquid on in the spots that you want to stay white as you paint. When your painting is dry, rub the frisket off to reveal the white parts. <br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcJN0hh5NyaJitndRNf_xeCD3zCnc79RWFBaYCzCEb-knT8Xg9K8qSA6ehARntjBz37Vf-ZBNQliJ3zM_y40ZoZODB7xVfNQEsVwG-fzZp8bJ4C2zCvUGTESLiCXaXgJ6omBTUrv2x_E/s1600/Watercolor+Art+Set+Frisket+%2526+Rubber.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Close up of Liquid Frisket & Rubber" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcJN0hh5NyaJitndRNf_xeCD3zCnc79RWFBaYCzCEb-knT8Xg9K8qSA6ehARntjBz37Vf-ZBNQliJ3zM_y40ZoZODB7xVfNQEsVwG-fzZp8bJ4C2zCvUGTESLiCXaXgJ6omBTUrv2x_E/s1600/Watercolor+Art+Set+Frisket+%2526+Rubber.jpg" title="Close up of Liquid Frisket & Rubber" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
7. <a href="https://www.currys.com/catalogpc.htm?Category=RUBBER_CEMENT_PICKUP&Source=Search">Rubber</a> ($3)<br /><br />I got this specifically for taking off the masking liquid (Liquid Frisket) once my piece is dry. I'm sure I could use my fingernails in most cases but I got it just in case. <br /><br />8. <a href="https://www.currys.com/catalogpc.htm?Category=CURRYS_181_ROUND_BRUSH&NBReset=5">Brushes</a> ($3 - <a href="https://www.currys.com/catalogpc.htm?Category=RICHESON_PLEIN_AIR_BRUSH_SET&NBReset=4">$50</a>)<br /><br />I already had some brushes that would work for now so I didn't purchase any new ones but found a <a href="http://www.watercolorpainting.com/brushes.htm">fabulous website on watercolor brush selection and care for when I am ready to buy myself a really nice set.</a> <br /><br />9. <a href="https://www.currys.com/catalogpc.htm?Category=ALVIN_SNAP_BLADE_UTILITY_CUTTER&Source=Search">Utility Knife</a> ($2)<br /><br />I was packing my kit to take on an airplane so I couldn't pack a utility knife, however they are easy to come by at either art or hardware stores. I use it as a tool for scratching into the dry paint to get sharper lines as well as to cut my completed piece off the paper block. <br /><br />10. Water Holding Container (Free)<br /><br />Again, these are easy to come by. I used three plastic yogurt containers; one for clean water, one for washing the brushes between colors, and one with a bit of soap in it for washing my brushes after using the Liquid Frisket as well as when I'm done painting for the moment. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1CqXRR8zuoBQI3jGUqAwPIPge2MPzAcIvKEnjtQvm-cA6fj2zjCuf4cYG_I4OQoqHFrFBPO0GskvoQLK1zxA-AtugD2TdqA9vo7dExu-wsNmKwsDXX8a1XBoJLbMFHLBr1hF1x6DWbo/s1600/Watercolor+Art+Set+Packed.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Watercolor paper pad with box containing painting supplies." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1CqXRR8zuoBQI3jGUqAwPIPge2MPzAcIvKEnjtQvm-cA6fj2zjCuf4cYG_I4OQoqHFrFBPO0GskvoQLK1zxA-AtugD2TdqA9vo7dExu-wsNmKwsDXX8a1XBoJLbMFHLBr1hF1x6DWbo/s1600/Watercolor+Art+Set+Packed.jpg" title="Watercolor Art Kit Packed Up" /></a></div>
<br />That is my new watercolor art kit! I packed up everything other than the paper block and water containers into an old soap box that my grandmother gave me long ago. <br /><br />What do you keep in your watercolor kit? Please feel free to comment whether you are a watercolor master or a beginner like myself. <br /><br /><br />Happy Painting!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<strong><span style="color: #b59b6c; font-family: 'Scriptina', cursive; font-size: 42px;">Shari</span></strong>
<br />
<br />
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-x4IPHabyn3k%2FU87ZVfG-N0I%2FAAAAAAAADoc%2FCpKA3Zd-r9E%2Fs1600%2FWatercolor%2BArt%2BSet%2BPacked.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1CqXRR8zuoBQI3jGUqAwPIPge2MPzAcIvKEnjtQvm-cA6fj2zjCuf4cYG_I4OQoqHFrFBPO0GskvoQLK1zxA-AtugD2TdqA9vo7dExu-wsNmKwsDXX8a1XBoJLbMFHLBr1hF1x6DWbo/s1600/Watercolor+Art+Set+Packed.jpg" -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12167214114746319626noreply@blogger.comLondon, ON, Canada42.9869502 -81.24317742.615027700000006 -81.888624000000007 43.3588727 -80.59773tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9129165938741785692.post-47370485338965219392014-06-11T20:30:00.000-04:002014-07-22T13:52:01.673-04:00An Evening of Art<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlgf6SOU9M7yMgxrk9tG0EpQqaIiAV3LSaD18aqgqXu3TnXGQUYUiVJH9jSFlttsrTHLJZ6daD9FR0QB3yACgwBP4DKxPdYt3YHdtvg_yAY-yWb6XEq7HMUa72NN6OtCqfTUi1ANiUV9M/s1600/Daisies+Painting.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlgf6SOU9M7yMgxrk9tG0EpQqaIiAV3LSaD18aqgqXu3TnXGQUYUiVJH9jSFlttsrTHLJZ6daD9FR0QB3yACgwBP4DKxPdYt3YHdtvg_yAY-yWb6XEq7HMUa72NN6OtCqfTUi1ANiUV9M/s1600/Daisies+Painting.png" height="320" width="260" /></a></div>
Lately I have been reconnecting with my artistic side. In May I discovered that the <a href="http://www.artgalleryoflambeth.com/">Art Gallery of Lambeth</a> offers evening lessons during which I could learn techniques from classic to fun-and-messy. But the best part...they supply everything I need and clean up afterward so I just show up, learn, have fun, and walk out with my very own rendition of the painting.<br />
<br />
I had so much fun that I thought I'd share it with the world.<br />
<br />
In addition to their regular evening & weekend events they offer party packages. Get about 6 friends together, <a href="http://www.artgalleryoflambeth.com/art_programs/stepbystep.html">pick your painting</a>, and celebrate! Or...arrange the same for your kids.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8lL8jAge1Ry-D2NjGj5a7HLud68NelhBkdr_1saZ_mqRvy-zF1QfFFcGnBOWrQPasOa7T8UKk-iuDhCyb7AjNQtQBUsUnjcesKi9TtYioZzbL-Zu_69vaayfjT52S719n8oHEGwD9S56/s1600/IMG_20140523_185237.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8lL8jAge1Ry-D2NjGj5a7HLud68NelhBkdr_1saZ_mqRvy-zF1QfFFcGnBOWrQPasOa7T8UKk-iuDhCyb7AjNQtQBUsUnjcesKi9TtYioZzbL-Zu_69vaayfjT52S719n8oHEGwD9S56/s1600/IMG_20140523_185237.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
If you have a willing partner, you could do a couples' painting class. A great communication or intimacy building activity...
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
But of course they hooked me with the Sip & Paint evenings...wine, snacks, and painting!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5xn6DNJ6w45oo4dfG-VrlL3HCV_Bt9cb3BaBIC3JrqzXaB7D81I-Kuw48yQSTmR33gh1AYJ2gpfRZdyQmGPoLZVMuHOB_Vd3Z0NfUOXbC6P7gNw-LGTLQMKBZmNrrdQMv3UWU8IMNPv8/s1600/IMG_20140523_185142.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip5xn6DNJ6w45oo4dfG-VrlL3HCV_Bt9cb3BaBIC3JrqzXaB7D81I-Kuw48yQSTmR33gh1AYJ2gpfRZdyQmGPoLZVMuHOB_Vd3Z0NfUOXbC6P7gNw-LGTLQMKBZmNrrdQMv3UWU8IMNPv8/s1600/IMG_20140523_185142.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9aOFtdfkTyDnB0Lu_zgIOPqjaepV8Ec4NdkdWvJ6ClMux7s4NsQyxuNKEqLEF3K3CJww7bSw0QFIpcXrYFbbhSeBEMZQvFeMj74atajETznlisxxWhiPyG2oaQzblyJt6NLTUlRq9jgn7/s1600/IMG_20140523_185130.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9aOFtdfkTyDnB0Lu_zgIOPqjaepV8Ec4NdkdWvJ6ClMux7s4NsQyxuNKEqLEF3K3CJww7bSw0QFIpcXrYFbbhSeBEMZQvFeMj74atajETznlisxxWhiPyG2oaQzblyJt6NLTUlRq9jgn7/s1600/IMG_20140523_185130.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><br />
There was much fun!<br />
<br />
While I had plans to document the progression of my piece, it was just so exciting that I forgot to take pictures between the first stage and the finished product. :)
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis78P3nY2eZr7HetdxnOaubpARLZsmQ7Ue2jMXbKjglwZg5z8i71Xo3HOfDjP09R9wTn8EqDjFpbGms9M6LDVNNegZ0QDSppogrMu8J50QsF7kExiQgMaHgVS_MI4NIVCDKL6fO5ClDCTR/s1600/IMG_20140523_220833.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis78P3nY2eZr7HetdxnOaubpARLZsmQ7Ue2jMXbKjglwZg5z8i71Xo3HOfDjP09R9wTn8EqDjFpbGms9M6LDVNNegZ0QDSppogrMu8J50QsF7kExiQgMaHgVS_MI4NIVCDKL6fO5ClDCTR/s1600/IMG_20140523_220833.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIRhR2wLOsW2ZXBq25ZuTPPpLlaaT-vZPnpysioDnchL12Rd97kvTnlDRVqoiTiGRjZefVmfCUwA4iUfSSJbfxOEv44Hti2FpCXjMccYHAeDfR7oU5v70Pteiq08gt5KZP09qrhkyuAw5/s1600/IMG_20140523_193803.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIRhR2wLOsW2ZXBq25ZuTPPpLlaaT-vZPnpysioDnchL12Rd97kvTnlDRVqoiTiGRjZefVmfCUwA4iUfSSJbfxOEv44Hti2FpCXjMccYHAeDfR7oU5v70Pteiq08gt5KZP09qrhkyuAw5/s1600/IMG_20140523_193803.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
If you love your piece by the end of the class, you can have it framed that night. I liked this one enough to frame it to put up in my bathroom...at least until I create something more awesome to take up the coveted bathroom spot.
<a href="http://www.artgalleryoflambeth.com/Calendar.pdf">Check out their calendar to find a painting you'd like to try...maybe I'll see you there. :)</a>
Not from Southwestern Ontario?<br />
<br />
Check with your local art galleries to see if they offer something similar.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #b59b6c; font-family: 'Scriptina', cursive; font-size: 42px;">Shari</span>
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-cm_sZ_lg4QM%2FU4AHgtmDOzI%2FAAAAAAAAA_w%2FWo1h_SBK0S8%2Fs1600%2FIMG_20140523_193803.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIRhR2wLOsW2ZXBq25ZuTPPpLlaaT-vZPnpysioDnchL12Rd97kvTnlDRVqoiTiGRjZefVmfCUwA4iUfSSJbfxOEv44Hti2FpCXjMccYHAeDfR7oU5v70Pteiq08gt5KZP09qrhkyuAw5/s1600/IMG_20140523_193803.jpg" -->Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12167214114746319626noreply@blogger.comLambeth, London, ON, Canada42.90963 -81.30018689999997242.8631095 -81.38086789999997 42.9561505 -81.219505899999973tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9129165938741785692.post-37055298197106690772014-06-04T10:15:00.000-04:002014-07-22T13:31:02.102-04:00Nail Art Tutorial: Spring Blossoms<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5c_MGQRXuLZKloZEHOX34us8920TB_SwNTrtoqMmozaoQueHvCBTsSp5D-CLy3W2sLPuL_q-j77Bjp0n4NrS-ql8BtEeWZnExEl-lQnpoFbmkloQ7Dov1694BneJvq_81_r9b_nnUyg/s1600/Pinterest+Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Spring Blossoms Nail Art Design by Vary Niche dot com: Pink and White Blossoms on a branch painted across fingernails with a teal background." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5c_MGQRXuLZKloZEHOX34us8920TB_SwNTrtoqMmozaoQueHvCBTsSp5D-CLy3W2sLPuL_q-j77Bjp0n4NrS-ql8BtEeWZnExEl-lQnpoFbmkloQ7Dov1694BneJvq_81_r9b_nnUyg/s1600/Pinterest+Image.jpg" height="320" title="Spring Blossoms: 8 Step Nail Art Design" width="207" /></a></div>
I don't know if it was the long winter or the brief spring but I feel like I've had this design bottled up for a long time. I've always loved <a href="http://uploads5.wikipaintings.org/images/vincent-van-gogh/branches-with-almond-blossom-1890(1).jpg">Van Gogh's Branches with Almond Blossoms</a> and <a href="http://www.julep.com/blog/rosenailtutorial/">flowers seem to be the thing to do with Julep's new nail art tools</a>, So I thought I'd break out my own striping brush and dotting tools to make some pretty spring blossoms...<br />
<br />
<br />
This should look just as beautiful on short nails as it does on longer nails (and may actually look better on shorter nails) because the design runs across the nails to produce one continuous image rather than up the length of each individual nail.<br />
<br />
Have fun and please feel free to post your versions of it in the comments.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Step 1: I did a base coat and then two coats of <a href="http://www.julep.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/173228/">Julep's Denver</a>.</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LQsryWc9gQf7Pc_y7t5v2MqYE5jaAt_ys3B1lZi42lRn0DIOn1E46zSKqu93SgMWwHXhMZk5lzhEcAyBcReCaSUdu2G5ZszWOzxUXhhxk8CASq5-lTWEgYrOGRsl_miMl8e_mBsDcMs/s1600/Spring+Blossoms+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fingernail art design step 2: Dark Brown branches painted across nails with a teal background." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-LQsryWc9gQf7Pc_y7t5v2MqYE5jaAt_ys3B1lZi42lRn0DIOn1E46zSKqu93SgMWwHXhMZk5lzhEcAyBcReCaSUdu2G5ZszWOzxUXhhxk8CASq5-lTWEgYrOGRsl_miMl8e_mBsDcMs/s1600/Spring+Blossoms+1.jpg" height="230" title="Step 2: Painting the Branch" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Step 2: Using my striping brush and <a href="http://www.julep.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/173228/">Julep's Fiore</a> I made branches across the nails...a little messy in spots but that's fine because the next step will work as strategic cover-up.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43SweBWjZPECfNKqOYoJE_Z6kGiOp9tmizhgzNJTMn9vT-gENvHOstZmxuMMytU2niKWZgx0tM5QDfO5XkSRRRVwVftOskKq13Uxd1qRAqk2G-yy1Id-HGoKvdr2VTikIa1DNFbt1Jl0/s1600/Spring+Blossoms+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fingernails with pale pink flowers dotted over a dark brown branch running across nails with a teal background." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg43SweBWjZPECfNKqOYoJE_Z6kGiOp9tmizhgzNJTMn9vT-gENvHOstZmxuMMytU2niKWZgx0tM5QDfO5XkSRRRVwVftOskKq13Uxd1qRAqk2G-yy1Id-HGoKvdr2VTikIa1DNFbt1Jl0/s1600/Spring+Blossoms+2.jpg" height="246" title="Spring Blossoms Nail Art Step 3" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Step 3: Using a fairly small dotting tool I made clusters of two, three, and five dots in <a href="http://www.julep.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/173228/">Julep's Martha</a>.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83r4f4bTTQ8K_5kOx1rN9hwhOsPyY4s_PQTrIZsVRzHN6akbobuSq-pjlbD2nz4YUapm0Ed3xViuI_sr8ltz7DkT7A1y2aFeVNLKLLErKItGh8JOmJyypc-439Map5X_rC7ExJUJO70U/s1600/Spring+Blossoms+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fingernails with pale pink & mauve flowers dotted over a dark brown branch running across nails with a teal background." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83r4f4bTTQ8K_5kOx1rN9hwhOsPyY4s_PQTrIZsVRzHN6akbobuSq-pjlbD2nz4YUapm0Ed3xViuI_sr8ltz7DkT7A1y2aFeVNLKLLErKItGh8JOmJyypc-439Map5X_rC7ExJUJO70U/s1600/Spring+Blossoms+3.jpg" height="293" title="Spring Blossoms Nail Art Step 4" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Step 4: Using a slightly smaller dotting tool than I did in step 3, I added more dots in <a href="http://www.julep.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/173228/">Julep's Ramona</a>; some singles, some off centered over the Martha dots, and a couple extra clusters for variation.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZeWkMGhCuBCOEyC85U4UeT7Ky2DOxMQCidF0uGQ039nss84NqO6C4oY09Jo867-r0xXIeYi0AlMk8ybAYnXacsqtLbS1qvFA1UC8etecsuVuSSRLE5TGN-PK67TlELSYUkYfCoU_QP8/s1600/Spring+Blossoms+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fingernails with pale pink, white, & mauve flowers dotted over a dark brown branch running across nails with a teal background." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZeWkMGhCuBCOEyC85U4UeT7Ky2DOxMQCidF0uGQ039nss84NqO6C4oY09Jo867-r0xXIeYi0AlMk8ybAYnXacsqtLbS1qvFA1UC8etecsuVuSSRLE5TGN-PK67TlELSYUkYfCoU_QP8/s1600/Spring+Blossoms+4.jpg" height="289" title="Spring Blossoms Nail Art Design Step 5" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Step 5: Using an even smaller dotting tool, I added more dots in white (<a href="http://www.julep.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/173228/">Julep's Nicolette</a>) for variation and depth in the flowers.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVF2a6fvtBKRzJD57u1nj8PHj6lNbT0FUeKPUwCtia1XXls4-nbo682C6OyPZp4uT3vNZ8mgbpWcrjwD8QnqQMbSMoiP2ACHkUaKyElBXzSU13zUaKHNShbKiCFia40pc0z9Gffsx-wlE/s1600/Spring+Blossoms+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fingernails with pale pink, white, & mauve flowers with red centers dotted over a dark brown branch running across nails with a teal background." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVF2a6fvtBKRzJD57u1nj8PHj6lNbT0FUeKPUwCtia1XXls4-nbo682C6OyPZp4uT3vNZ8mgbpWcrjwD8QnqQMbSMoiP2ACHkUaKyElBXzSU13zUaKHNShbKiCFia40pc0z9Gffsx-wlE/s1600/Spring+Blossoms+5.jpg" height="200" title="Spring Blossoms Nail Art Design Step 6" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Step 6: And then to add a bit more depth with the smallest dotting tool I have, I added <a href="http://www.julep.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/173228/">Julep's Cara</a> to a couple of the flowers' centers (a tooth pick tip would work for this if you don't have multiple sizes of dotting tools).
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxpQOtsPi_Yo76Cv5eBPSfazwbe-uX4FpmsLhY00PBzxEoVMq0c4N-oiWiT9fsSYfLLdykMF8zYBBsqc4QAm0qqJAU1H3l7OUqxOSJcVhYDHmpWKLdCaeSrXAPAo9V0RK81eK3jxzOJM/s1600/Spring+Blossoms+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fingernails with pale pink, white, & mauve flowers with tiny red centers dotted over a dark brown branch running across nails with a teal background." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxpQOtsPi_Yo76Cv5eBPSfazwbe-uX4FpmsLhY00PBzxEoVMq0c4N-oiWiT9fsSYfLLdykMF8zYBBsqc4QAm0qqJAU1H3l7OUqxOSJcVhYDHmpWKLdCaeSrXAPAo9V0RK81eK3jxzOJM/s1600/Spring+Blossoms+6.jpg" height="264" title="Spring Blossoms Nail Art Design: Step 7" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Step 7: Finally, back to <a href="http://www.julep.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/173228/">Julep's Martha</a> to tone down the red a bit by dotting around the Cara dots and add a bit more pink back into the flowers where I overdid the white a little.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWoBiZ0kkVC-1uR_0fUtL9NhDfNQtsy50WwMhrC8liNx9le8Z5IvJvY2IdC9F4QVxGNtyxy0dV9HIuJXWAkZ7W86qWq0ksGXQZQrUWi-GL9YDTfZ7P3PtpIdoPPb7RHL3s7Wp-ugJh7PY/s1600/Spring+Blossoms+Complete.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fingernails with pale pink, white, & mauve flowers with red centers dotted over a dark brown branch running across nails with a teal background." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWoBiZ0kkVC-1uR_0fUtL9NhDfNQtsy50WwMhrC8liNx9le8Z5IvJvY2IdC9F4QVxGNtyxy0dV9HIuJXWAkZ7W86qWq0ksGXQZQrUWi-GL9YDTfZ7P3PtpIdoPPb7RHL3s7Wp-ugJh7PY/s1600/Spring+Blossoms+Complete.jpg" height="320" title="Complete Nail Art Design: Spring Blossoms" width="207" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Step 8: And then for the clean-up. Sometimes I use acetone and a paintbrush to clean up along the edges....but this time I just added a top coat and the next day (when it was all completely dry) I did dishes to soften up the polish on my cuticles and fingers...then scratched it off easily.<br />
<br />
Viola! Spring Blossom Nails. :) I'm a little in love!<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 14px;">If you'd like to get fun new nail colors mailed to you each month like I've been indulging in as of late (except on those tight budget months when I skip it), you can </span><a href="http://www.julep.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/173228/" style="background-color: white; color: #eb7598; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">become a Julep Maven</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 14px;"> too. If you'd also like to give me a present that won't cost you anything extra...please include this invitation code as part of your sign up order: 13338556. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 14px;">As with any good addiction, you can get your first box free. Try these codes: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">FREEBOX or JULEPVIP or FREEMAVEN.</span>
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #b59b6c; font-family: 'Scriptina', cursive; font-size: 42px;">Shari</span></strong>
<br />
Originally posted on SharisPassion.com; moved when VaryNiche.com was created.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12167214114746319626noreply@blogger.comLondon, ON, Canada42.9869502 -81.24317742.615027700000006 -81.888624000000007 43.3588727 -80.59773tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9129165938741785692.post-77864120777320116802014-05-23T22:05:00.000-04:002014-07-22T13:52:42.721-04:00Currently I'm... catching up!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7D6olX5FTynt5I1NJQKzU5BwjrfqJvcS96CPlbAiAyxDiCD3VCpyPCDFQ9uvMLkaAgJRiW-PVLpA-B4OAhAVGpmxoGzXkLvEwv9hqKhx8w1kxEvlNzqAOfhrZbN_Mu47D4HucT_o7MxK/s1600/Curently+I'm....jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7D6olX5FTynt5I1NJQKzU5BwjrfqJvcS96CPlbAiAyxDiCD3VCpyPCDFQ9uvMLkaAgJRiW-PVLpA-B4OAhAVGpmxoGzXkLvEwv9hqKhx8w1kxEvlNzqAOfhrZbN_Mu47D4HucT_o7MxK/s1600/Curently+I'm....jpg" height="200" width="112" /></a></div>
<div>
</div>
<h4>
Currently I'm...</h4>
<div>
Reading...many Biology and Philosophy papers and books for my <a href="http://www.uwo.ca/philosophy/graduate/phd_program/index.html">Prospectus Course</a>.</div>
<div>
Playing...Androminion (a phone app version of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominion_(card_game)">Dominion</a>) between papers.</div>
<div>
Watching...<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0460681/?ref_=nv_sr_1">Supernatural</a> and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1626038/">The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes</a> on <a href="https://www.netflix.com/?locale=en-CA">Netflix</a>.
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120512060704/avengersearthsmightiestheroes/images/c/c4/Avengers_episode_33_screencap.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120512060704/avengersearthsmightiestheroes/images/c/c4/Avengers_episode_33_screencap.png" height="174" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
Trying...to kick my caffeine addiction without the withdrawal headaches. </div>
<div>
Cooking...for myself this coming weekend because my partner is out of town at a conference.</div>
<div>
Eating...breakfast. :)</div>
<div>
Drinking...water...and then my half-caff. coffee.</div>
<div>
Calling...my local <a href="https://exploringpassion.yourpassionconsultant.com/HostParty.asp">party hosts</a> for the next few weeks to tell them that I'll be bringing free <a href="http://www.chilfroyo.com/index.html">Chil Frozen Yogurt</a> to their party for all their guests.</div>
<div>
Texting...using <a href="http://mightytext.net/">MightyText</a>...an amazing app that allows me to schedule texts. </div>
<div>
Pinning...<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/sharimonner/">crochet projects</a> I want to try if I ever get time to pick up a hook again.</div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MjzvHACdO1lVx2GGxcCsUREgyk05cA3l4i7UxZbqvf7J4kv2bXbWTu4Mvn3D2KzojKUk71RJa1o93LMeo_kUi9iVMsnMH0HYIM3AI6iW_bf1XK-k1dEFFyzuPlavjU7HR-tiVoEbb3Y/s1600/Spring+Blossoms+Complete.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MjzvHACdO1lVx2GGxcCsUREgyk05cA3l4i7UxZbqvf7J4kv2bXbWTu4Mvn3D2KzojKUk71RJa1o93LMeo_kUi9iVMsnMH0HYIM3AI6iW_bf1XK-k1dEFFyzuPlavjU7HR-tiVoEbb3Y/s1600/Spring+Blossoms+Complete.jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a>Tweeting...on my new <a href="https://twitter.com/SharisPassion">Twitter Profile</a>.</div>
<div>
Crafting...less than I'd like. </div>
<div>
Scrapping...(as in tossing/donating since I don't scrapbook)...my old clothing, jewelry, and shoes that I haven't worn in a long time.</div>
<div>
Doing...my data entry to get caught up for the summer.</div>
<div>
Going...to Calgary for Passion Power in a few weeks.</div>
<div>
Loving...my new nail design...inspired by <a href="http://www.artgalleryoflambeth.com/art_programs/stepbystep.html">Spring Art</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almond_Blossoms">Van Gogh</a> and <a href="http://www.julep.com/blog/rosenailtutorial/">Julep's Bed of Roses Mani</a></div>
<div>
Hating...the cloudy weather...I want more sunshine.</div>
<div>
Discovering...that I enjoy <a href="http://www.artgalleryoflambeth.com/art_programs/stepbystep.html">watercolor painting</a>.</div>
<div>
Enjoying...reading philosophy of biology papers for my research.</div>
<div>
Thinking...about the <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/The-Character-Concept-Evolutionary-Biology/dp/0127300554">biological character concept</a>.</div>
<div>
Feeling...nostalgic...I miss my parents' farm.</div>
<div>
Hoping (for)...a nice warm (but not too hot) summer.</div>
<div>
Listening (to)...the birds chirping and singing outside my window.</div>
<div>
Celebrating...my 31st Birthday in a couple weeks.</div>
<div>
Smelling...the rain....one good thing about this weather is the smell.</div>
<div>
Thanking...Lisa at <a href="http://www.salonentrenous.com/">Salon Entrenous</a> for the awesome new haircut.</div>
<div>
Considering...getting new pictures taken.</div>
<div>
Finishing...my spring cleaning.</div>
<div>
Starting...to post again more regularly on my blog. :)</div>
<div>
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
</div>
</div>
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #b59b6c; font-family: 'Scriptina', cursive; font-size: 42px;">Shari</span></strong>
<br />
Originally posted on SharisPassion.com; moved when VaryNiche.com was created.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12167214114746319626noreply@blogger.comLondon, ON, Canada42.9869502 -81.24317742.615027700000006 -81.888624000000007 43.3588727 -80.59773tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9129165938741785692.post-18908540815620496542014-03-20T22:18:00.000-04:002014-07-22T13:31:32.768-04:00Nail Art Tutorial: Travel ManiGreetings from Windsor, Ontario! I'm here (a 2.5 hour drive away from home) to meet with a new member of my Passion Parties Team. I also needed to get my nails done before my weekend of conferences (The Women's Lifestyle Show in London as well as The Mompreneur Conference are this weekend). So...I did a road-manicure on my drive to Windsor!
No, I don't deserve a <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/distracted-driving-laws-across-canada-1.2576880">distracted driving ticket</a>...I just made strategic rest stops between coats.
And I'm kind of in love with how it turned out...
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTX9GfAk8W47h1UlspRJd6s4RMJ1-ONr30Wxa_OeuvCNzekvEuFUfQX5lKIQiFc2z4sbEV37F_SipI8f8oZ8h9LPOEsK1CWSG79O-mMb2umNKXzjSqeXibO_lHS2D4GZYk-vWIp2rqhk/s1600/Road+Mani+Pinterest+Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fingernail art: Charcoal Grey with sparkly pink tiger stripes on the thumb and ring finger." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTX9GfAk8W47h1UlspRJd6s4RMJ1-ONr30Wxa_OeuvCNzekvEuFUfQX5lKIQiFc2z4sbEV37F_SipI8f8oZ8h9LPOEsK1CWSG79O-mMb2umNKXzjSqeXibO_lHS2D4GZYk-vWIp2rqhk/s1600/Road+Mani+Pinterest+Image.jpg" height="192" title="3 Step Nail Art Design, no tools needed." width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
I did a quick base-coat just before leaving the house and then got in the car and drove to Starbucks for my travel beverage! After getting my travel beverage...I parked and painted my first coat of Julep's Brandt...a lovely dark grey that is almost black.
Note for those who may try this in their own car: I brought a towel along with me that went across my lap while I was painting and wedged the open bottle between my thighs to keep it from spilling while I painted.
At the first <a href="http://onroute.ca/">ONroute </a>(a chain of rest stops along major Ontario Highways) which was a convenient 30 minutes down the road, I pulled into their parking lot, turned off my car, and painted the second coat of Brandt...then carefully started my car and kept driving while it dried.
At the next <a href="http://onroute.ca/">ONroute</a>, I had to take a break anyway...if you know what I mean...and so did that before painting the next step.
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7CDJuUsuODWngdD49yNdDnkpo6hZizGoGccja0lx1QW3PKHMU7gohb0Bbc8JO5VTKYxEwAGQ5ocTcVL03EzFxEp2o3US3CKwawLGttnHgJ_sDa-qQGa27AwdjCluDDpGIHBi_n5nM3t8/s1600/Fun+with+Nails+London-Windsor+Grey+and+Pink+pre-sparkle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fingernail art: Charcoal Grey with pink tiger stripes on the thumb and ring finger." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7CDJuUsuODWngdD49yNdDnkpo6hZizGoGccja0lx1QW3PKHMU7gohb0Bbc8JO5VTKYxEwAGQ5ocTcVL03EzFxEp2o3US3CKwawLGttnHgJ_sDa-qQGa27AwdjCluDDpGIHBi_n5nM3t8/s1600/Fun+with+Nails+London-Windsor+Grey+and+Pink+pre-sparkle.jpg" height="240" title="Travel Mani Step 2" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
On this step, using Julep's Raegan, I made sure there was very little nail polish on the brush and then dragged it from the edge of my nail to just past the middle...then from the opposite edge to just past the middle...and so-on from the base of my nail to the tip. The look I was going for turned out best on my left thumb (shown here) of course because it was the last one I did. Note that no special tools were needed...just the brush from the bottle...I was in my car, after all!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7daa421m7_kXbDBW2taq-Xr6Q5eMa2yII7RNbKahiqNM5Y3_fZaH6wekAY2DLAaYSdrDOmHXkRY9NMwFK3638pexrMX8DnavIsn_JyhLYMEqNlbw5Li9Y0p_k-zbm99OVE-I0dKpiCV8/s1600/Fun+with+Nails+London-Windsor+Sparkles+pre-clean-up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Fingernail art: Charcoal Grey with sparkly pink tiger stripes on the thumb and ring finger." border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7daa421m7_kXbDBW2taq-Xr6Q5eMa2yII7RNbKahiqNM5Y3_fZaH6wekAY2DLAaYSdrDOmHXkRY9NMwFK3638pexrMX8DnavIsn_JyhLYMEqNlbw5Li9Y0p_k-zbm99OVE-I0dKpiCV8/s1600/Fun+with+Nails+London-Windsor+Sparkles+pre-clean-up.jpg" height="240" title="Travel Mani Step 3" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
At the next stop (30 minutes away again), I did the same process as above with Julep's Monica, my pink tinted sparkle polish to brighten the pink. I probably could have just brushed the whole nail in this color but roughly followed the same lines I made with the Raegan.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And voila...I saved myself the sit-around-and-don't-touch-anything time involved in doing my own manicures, I saved my partner the headache he gets when I paint my nails in the house, and felt like my drive time was productive so I wasn't tempted to do thinks that would have earned me a <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/distracted-driving-laws-across-canada-1.2576880">distracted driver ticket</a>. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Do try this in your car if you're also a busy woman who loves painting her own nails!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 14px;">If you'd like to get fun new nail colors mailed to you each month like I've been indulging in as of late (except on those tight budget months when I skip it), you can </span><a href="http://www.julep.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/173228/" style="background-color: white; color: #eb7598; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">become a Julep Maven</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 14px;"> too. If you'd also like to give me a present that won't cost you anything extra...please include this invitation code as part of your sign up order: 13338556. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small; line-height: 14px;">As with any good addiction, you can get your first box free. Try these codes: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">FREEBOX or JULEPVIP or FREEMAVEN.</span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #b59b6c; font-family: 'Scriptina', cursive; font-size: 42px;">Shari</span></strong>
<br />
Originally posted on SharisPassion.com; moved when VaryNiche.com was created.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12167214114746319626noreply@blogger.comWindsor, ON, Canada42.3149367 -83.036363342.127000699999996 -83.3590868 42.5028727 -82.71363980000001