Morning Rituals, dung beetles and vampire squirrels

Will Write For Chocolate has been updated. Click image above to see a bigger version.

It's been strange in the mornings these past weeks. I usually wake up around 6 or 6:30 a.m. I leave the light off to avoid waking Jeff (though usually it's his alarm clock that's wakened me -- he hits snooze and keeps sleeping!) and make my way downstairs.

Earlier in the year, there used to be enough light at that time to make out the edges of the stairs but nowadays it's still pitch black. I've had a couple of mini-scares, slipping on the edge of a stair because I can't quite see it in the darkness, but I've been careful to hold onto the railing as I go down. The frosted glass panes in our bedroom door are cool-looking, but have the disadvantage of letting light through (so I can't turn on the hallway light without waking Jeff). I really need to train myself to carry a flashlight.



When I reach the kitchen, I make my tea. The sound of the hissing kettle is a morning comfort, especially when the air is chilly. These days my tea is usually Lady Grey tea (thanks, Talis!), part of Twinings Aromatics line; it's infused with the flavours of orange, lemon and bergamot. I like to add some steamed milk; I microwave about a 1/4 mug of milk for 30 seconds, use my milk frother, stir the steamed and frothy milk into my tea. Yummmm.

This morning I opted for some Cardamon Cinnamon tea that I just got from Beckett (thanks, Beckett!!!). I love spicy teas, and cinnamon is one of my favourite flavours/fragrances.

Anyway, I typically start work right away, taking a break around 10 a.m. to have a shower and some breakfast (I tend to work in my pjs until then). Sometimes I have two small breakfasts, like a hobbit: a yogurt and a piece of fruit first thing in the morning in front of my computer, then some cereal or some eggs later on.

I come up to say good-bye to Jeff when he leaves for work, then go back down to my office-cave. I -love- my office, especially since the arrival of my Sumo bean bag chair.

SURVEY:
So what's YOUR typical morning routine?

Speaking of Sumo chairs, I recently discovered that Sumo added my Blather-review to their site. Part of me is flattered but part is a tad unhappy -- they scooped my header, photos and text without permission. If they had asked, I would have said yes; they did include a link which is sending traffic my way (which is how I found out), but the breach in netiquette could have easily been avoided.

More Adventures In Painting

Above: my first experiment in using modeling paste, a Little Nightmare piece in progress. I mixed black acrylic paint with the paste and used a small palette knife to create the Little Nightmare shape. I'll be adding teeth and finishing the eyes, and perhaps adding some background. I'll probably sell this with a black matte, unless I decide to keep it for myself. Haven't decided yet.



Above: I'm also starting to experiment with different painting methods. This is my first "spattering" experiment, using the bristles of an old brush (an old toothbrush would be better, I know). I like the extra texture the technique adds.



Above: I was so pleased with how my cute and vaguely creepy mini-gallery turned out (thanks to Brooke Lunderville for buying this set!) that I've started a new series called Menagerie. I was inspired by some great little canvases that Jeff found for me: 4" x 4" but with (approx.) 1.5" sides. The sides are wide enough to paint or write something interesting upon, plus it means that paintings can stand unsupported on shelves/mantels for display. I use a Sharpie to draw the outline, add colour with acrylics, go over the lines with ink again, then add a layer of protective gloss varnish.

Anyway, I'm planning to cover all kinds of animals, insects and other creatures that I find fascinating -- some cute, some bizarre, some typically abhored. I'll be selling some of these in my Etsy shop. So far only the bunny's posted; I still need to finish painting and varnishing the others.

If you have any ideas for creatures I should paint, feel free to suggest them below! Making a suggestion does NOT obligate you to buy any paintings, of course. I'm just looking for ideas...especially creatures that aren't normally considered "cute."



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