Jun29: Hippy

James doesn’t draw the next protrait until the current one is published. Here’s Hippy.

Hippy has been with us since Paul was born, but was rediscovered about three years ago. He’s quite a celebrity among our stuffed animals. The very notion of a furry hippo constitutes an advantage, I’m sure.

To yard work: I’ve been cutting the lawn with the weed whipper lately. My mower is awaiting a new bottom seal. I managed to get the old one out, but the replacement’s in transit. I have high hopes the mower will run very well once the new seal is in:)

Workouts: I did manage three this past week, but my weight continues to climb. I’m at 181lbs tonight. My jeans still fit, though, so I’m not worried. I confess I’ve been binging on cheese cake and potato chips lately. Don’t worry: I eat plenty of vegetables and fruits as well, not least the dandelion greens that continue to propagate in my yard.

Today I threw the football around the yard with my sons. My younger one never liked doing it, but he’s grown all of a sudden and now he throws a perfect spiral. Whether playing football or baseball, or practising handstands, I was out in the yard all afternoon.

For now, life is good. Hopefully you are all finding the same. Here’s Hippy.
stuffed hippo, Hippy

Please return soon. Cheers:)

Jun23: A portrait from James

This morning, out of the blue, James entered the kitchen with Hazel under his arm. “I’m drawing Hazel,” he said, reaching for some paper. “Let me get you a clean piece,” I said. “It’ll scan better.” Away we go.

I was excited when James brought Hazel – who is a stuffed koala, by the way – into the kitchen this morning to draw her. Hazel was excited, too.

James’ drawings have considerably improved over the past couple of years. His “new age” began last summer. Not a technical drawer, James has the spirit of a true artist: he draws his subjects to reflect his feelings toward them.

In our household, each stuffed animal is a distinct member of the family. Hourly, daily, or weekly, the animals take turns being active or passive.

I love James’s drawing of Hazel. The lettering is a direction James assumed on his own. Seeing it, I told him how it increases the portrait’s meaning. Ironically, I have yet to learn to do so with my own portraits:)

Hazel, James's stuffed koala

Please drop by again soon:)

Jun20: Day with the kids

In a world of electronics, I continue to be academic and artistic. I’m promoting the same values in my children, though I have to tread gently….

I’m home every day. A day with the kids doesn’t mean “I get the kids”; rather, it means that they don’t leave. Most days they do because of school; however, with the strike continuing here, they had the day off yesterday. With my wife out working (as she always is nowadays), I had to keep them entertained. What was I to do?

The kids have a video game system, but I decided they wouldn’t be playing it. Instead, they would do creative, artistic things. After breakfast, I mandated that we would each draw a portrait. Each of my sons was provided a stuffed animal whose portrait he should draw. I didn’t expect my kids to go for the idea, but with a little urging, they happily set to work. The portraits appear below.

I often wonder about the developmental benefit of drawing. I know I didn’t do much of it as a kid. At age 40, I had to struggle to learn how. My first face took me four months; now, I draw one in about half an hour, often from memory. The brain certainly does change as a result of drawing, so I think it’s a good activity – especially for kids.

Regarding drawing portraits of stuffed animals, I’ll quote Geroge Michael: “Not everybody does it, but everybody should.” While I (mainly) draw human faces, I find my children prefer stuffed animals or cartoon characters as subjects. Then again, children are known to perceive more than adults can.

It’s now the 21st: the first day of summer. At quarter to ten pm, the temp outside is a chilly 12°C. It feels like a pleasant autumn night. We’re at dusk now; we won’t reach darkness for another half hour or so. That’s how it is at 50 degrees latitude on the longest day of the year:)

Thanks for dropping by; I hope you come again soon. Here are the two portraits of stuffed animals that my kids drew yesterday morning.