Daily Face: December 31st and Reading Challenge

 This is the last day of my Daily Face portraits for 2015. I am happy with the progress I made in drawing a portrait almost every week day. I usually don't attempt them on the weekends because the calendar pages has lines on the those days.
I also completed my reading challenge of 80 books. That was a difficult challenge for me, although I love to read, I had to push myself and sometimes I had to choose shorter books to read to stay on track. Reading a 500 page book just wasn't the best option.

My goals for 2016 will be to continue daily portraits. I signed up for a weekly Color Me Positive challenge and I am challenging myself not to purchase any books in 2015. The reason for this is because I have a lot of books that I have been purchasing and not reading. I am the type of person who does not like having books on the shelf left unread. Whenever I have guest over and they look at my book collection I like to say that I have read that if they pick it up to look at.
Also I am challenging myself not to purchase any new clothing. How many clothing do you really need? When I help others declutter I see the results of constant shopping. Soon you run out of space and think you need a bigger space. I find it quite sad when I go to estate sales and they had so much stuff, that is not worth anything. I want to just keep the things I love if possible, and enjoy my family and friends. Happy New Years Eve!

Daily Face: December 30th

Proud of myself for keeping up with portraits over the holidays.

Daily Face: December 28th & 29th

 Nothing to say but enjoying the Holiday Break!

Daily Face: December 25th

Merry Christmas! 
I pray that everyone had an enjoyable day with family and friends.
I had a wonderful day with my daughters and in-laws.
I purchased a new copic marker, it was a dud. It leaked all over my drawing. I hope I can find the receipt.

Daily Face: December 24th

Happy Christmas Eve! We are getting tons of Georgia Snow. I need to go out one more time before I start my cooking my Christmas Dinner. Three of my four daughters will be home for the big day. We have a new addition to our family his name is Davis Richardson our grandson. He is the cutest baby ever.

Daily Face; December 23rd

Still getting Georgia snow. I would like to stay in, but I am doing a decluttering job today.

 I am almost finished with my shopping. the gifts to my grandchildren were delivered before Christmas, Yeah! Two of the gifts are not going to make it. But that might be fun too, to get a gift after Christmas.

I am thinking ahead to 2016 and some new life goals I would like to implement.

Daily Face: December 22nd

We are getting lots of Georgia Snow which is "rain." It puts a hamper on my running and getting things done. I'm trying to make the most of my time off.

Daily Face: December 21st

My first day off for Christmas Break. I woke up at 4:45 a.m., even though it's not a run morning because I have so much to do.
My 3rd daughter has taken the big step and moved to ATL. We are helping with final clean up. I wanted to share how beautiful the lobby of her apartment she is leaving looks.

Challenge - Can I do it?

I signed up for a 2016 Challenge. I hope that I can do it. Every time I do my own personal challenge when it comes to art, life gets in the way and I don't follow through. If you  are interested you can join here Color Me Positive Challenge.

Daily Face: December 18th

I ran 9 miles this morning before going to work, That is my longest run ever on a work day. I was feeling good. My husband was not happy that I chose to run like a "mad woman." Often I lead the runs and he follows.
Today was officially the last day of school for 2015. It was a drama free day. I gave Christmas bags to my students who need to see me everyday. Some students say they need to go to the Clinic just because they know that I pass out candy to everyone who visits. Usually they say they don't feel sick any more.

Daily Face: December 17th

It's amazing how doing these daily face portraits how many post I've made this year. It's the most that I have ever done. I went by the office supply store to purchase more calendar pages for 2016, how come they are more expensive in the store than ordering online with shipping and handling. I'll just be patient and order online.

Sketchbook Moleskine: Draw Me!

Picked up my Moleskine instead of scrap paper.

Daily Face: December 16th

This morning on the Today Show, (which my husband likes to watch while we eat breakfast together) did a recap of the top stories of 2015. All of them were negative. I was already feeling emotional and that pushed me over the top. My husband thankfully turned it off and gave me a hug.

Daily Face: December 15th

Ten more days before Christmas and how many gifts have I purchased? ZERO! I am way off my game. Years ago when I had small children I was finished before November would come.
I think it might be because I want it to mean more than presents, but just being together and having a good time.

Sketchbook Moleskine: The Happy and the Sad

Two more illustrations from my moleskine. Sometimes within the span of a day, she goes from happy to sad to happy.


Dress for success day. Students are encourage to dress their very best.

Sketchbook Moleskine: Draw Me!

Often I get request from students who come into the Clinic to "draw me!" Sometimes I think that the drawing does look like them but children often look at the picture and recognize who the student is that I've illustrated. This is one that I drew in my moleskine.

Daily Face: December 14th

Some people might say that this was not a good hair day for pictures. I think we all have a picture day with a not so cute hair style. It reminds me of my 5th grade picture. I had on my favorite suede 2 piece suit. The vest had fringe and the pants were belled-bottoms. My mom had my ponytail in a bun with nice little curls around the edges. Well I missed the bus and walked to school it started to rain. My hair was ruined. I tried to fix it but to no avail. Everyone laughed at my picture.

Sketchbook Moleskine: Friends

Here are two unlikely friends. They are so different from each other with different backgrounds, yet they have come together. It's good to know that there are young people in the world who can overlook your faults and circumstances and see who you are.
I pick up my moleskine instead of scrap paper. I prefer to draw my illustration freehand with a micron pen. Seldom do I draw with a pencil first. I don't know if I'll add more color to this drawing or add detail in their clothing. I sort of like it just like this.

Sketchbook Moleskine: Just Draw

I am making a conscience effort not to pick up scrap paper but draw in my moleskine. Who knows how long this effort will last this time.

Daily Face: December 12th

Sometimes just when you think you have it all figure out, you don't. Here's a quote from To See a World in a Grain of Sand. It goes with my day "Our greatest glory consists not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."

Show Your Face - Out of the Flowers

I have a little sketchbook with flowers lightly illustrated on the paper. I attempt to draw what I see in the flowers. This illustration is for Show Your Face.

Christmas Doodle

 I took a Moleskine to work today with the hopes that if I had in opportunity to doodle that I would pick it up instead of a piece of scrap paper. This is what I drew. I was able to make a little Christmas Doodle.             Here are a few of the previous sketches in it

Daily Face: December 10th

My morning run of 6 miles this morning was exhilarating. I read a book of poetry and quotes called To See a World in a Grain of Sand. I like this quote from Josh Billings "Life consists not in holding good cards but playing those you do hold well."
 My life is not perfect, but I am thankful to God, and try to be happy each day no matter what difficulty I am facing. When I smile instead of frown I feel so much better. It does not take away my problems but gives me hope of a better tomorrow.

Daily Face: December 9th

I heard a wonderful news story this morning about a farmer in Harris County, Georgia who is working together with the school district to provide fresh produce for the school cafeteria. I think that is wonderful!
I wish my vegetable garden skills were better, Each year I try to grow more of my own food. My grandparents had a large farm in North Carolina. My parents would take us for the summer. We thought we were going to die from boredom and shelling peas. I miss those days now.
 My grandmother sold fresh farm eggs which were brown. At that time we (city kids) thought that was disgusting having only seen store bought white eggs. Now I only buy organic brown eggs, lol! My children think its disgusting to buy regular white eggs and only like organic milk.

Daily Face: December 8th

Had a great 5 mile run this morning. It was 37 degrees. There is something to be said about being up before dawn and running. It's so peaceful. the air was brisk. It felt so good.
When my husband and I pulled up to the trail this morning, I was happy to see that there were other "crazies" out to run. I call us crazies because that is what it takes to get up at 5 am to get a run in before your work day.

Daily Face: December 7th

I don't know why I went to work thinking that it would be a slow day. I thought the children would be in the same frame of mind as myself "only 10 school days" I can make it. Instead everyone wanted to go home or felt sick.

Daily Face: December 4th and Office Decoration

 Made it to another Friday. I passed my last 2 finals for this quarter. My office is decorated for the holidays, only 2 more weeks of school.

Daily Face: December 3rd.

Started morning with a great run. Work went smoothly. However when I got home I just wasted time. I should be reading, decorating for holidays, organizing closets, cleaning up my home office.

Daily Face: December 2nd

Today I started decorating my office at work for Christmas.

Daily Face: December 1st

24 for more days before Christmas.

Daily Face: Calendar Rewind

Since I went back to work I couldn't leave the days I was on break empty.

o here are the portraits