Another Art Class Assignment

As the semester reaches an end I find myself grinning in amazement that I survived. One of my fourth year profs asked how things were going and was a little shocked that I was taking six. Then the inevitable, "How are your marks" question came up and I mentioned Organic Chem was not where I wanted it to be and he screeched
 "Org Chem? You're taking six courses and one is Org Chem? Do you have a a death wish?"
 Then I politely reminded him that he suggested I was smart enough to do six at once to which he replied
"I did not know org Chem was one of them. No one does that unless they have a death wish."
 Well, hello, let me introduce myself....

Art Class

Wow, it hard to believe it has been so long since I last posted. Normally I would be embarrassed but the 6 course load at University and 2 job demands on this old mom has me realizing I am lacking the superpowers I once thought capable of. Little bit disheartening as my brain still expects my body to cram 35 hour days in to 24!

Don't get me wrong, I love being busy and am grateful for all I have but in hindsight maybe I bit off a bit more than I should chew!! That being said, my latest offerings are from one of my classes. I actually have an art class. Seems the University would like its scientists to be a bit more rounded. Apparently they did not look at me but I digress!

I love the art class. We have a Fantastic Proff who obviously loves what he does so even the kids who lack artistic ability still come to every class and pass in all their assignments. For me, it is the one shining light in an otherwise super stress filled fourth year. Did not help (or maybe it did) when after seeing my first assignment (above shoe) the Proff asked me why I was wasting myself on science!! Good job I think a good scientist will be a creative soul!

The hand was funny. I think the course load was bearing on me even then and I had a Freud moment, making my hand look 30 years older than I am. I guess my feelings projected onto my work. Oopps! The shoe was pretty open ended, "just draw your shoe" he said. Once again, I think I wishing I was at a party instead of school so I pulled out the pearls and my favorite heels and scribbled the night away. The last one was supposed to be mixed media, so I pulled my moms cup and saucer out. It had been in storage for 6 years and this just seemed like a good time to remember the past. Still not a fan of coloured pencils. I think my brain has a love affair with the oil paints, but it is good to try new things occasionally.

Here's hoping I do not take so long to post. Next semester looks much better. Only 4 courses and a new scholarship should help lessen the load a bit. Might get some of my unfinished works into the "Display here" category!!

Simmy Oil portrait 5x7 SOLD

This was a commission for a woman who wanted to commemorate her friends beloved feline friend.

 Found this vista while lost one morning

 Black Point NS

 Black Point NS

This past weekend my family "kidnapped" me and forced me to enjoy a seaside retreat.

As far as interventions go, it was a success. It has been far to easy to spend time with my nose stuck in a text book, formulating new trial ideas and accomplishing a whole lot of stuff but neglecting one fundamental...life!

As you can see the weekend left an impression and no, these are NOT postcards, they are my photographs from several of the strolls I took (they took my car!!) and I am grateful for my meddling family members. Maybe next time they plan this it will be in a tropical location?? hint hint!!

 Cowboy

 Cowboy

 Brent and Cowboy

 Ben, Anna and Hombre

Brent & Cowboy vs Ben and Alown

I like going to the local racetrack. There is always plenty of excitement and lots of interesting subjects to photograph. My friend Ben trains and races horses and kindly offered to take Anna and I out to experience the thrill of actually being on the track. Ben spends his summers travelling the US tracks teaching young people how to drive so it came very easy to him to take the two seater out and show us how it is done.

I had so much fun and have decided that the next time I do it, I want to go much faster!!!

Upfront Design and I enjoying a leisurely canter

It has been a while since I did much riding. While in Alberta I trained and rode a minimum of 6 days a week. Lots has changed since then. Every now and then I get the old urge to crawl into the saddle and relive the glory days. I am pretty lucky that I have an indulgent horse who doesn't care if it has been two years or two days since I rode her and as you can see she makes me look good!!

BAA-EWE-tiful Sheep

 Horned Dorset ram

 Border Cheviot Ewe

 North Country Cheviot Ram from NS

 Horned Dorset

 Clun Forest Ewe Lambs- Reserve on left & Grand Champion on right

 Icelandic Sheep Dog

 North Country Cheviot Ram from NS

 North Country Cheviot Ewe from NS

 North Country Cheviot Ewe from NS

North Country Cheviot Ewe from NS

The Canadian Classic Show and Sale was held in Truro this weekend and what a great event it was. There were fantastic sheep from all over Canada and many breeds we normally do not get to see. The Border Cheviot was a new one for me and I admit, they did catch my eye with their sleek clean lines.

We showed some Clun Forest sheep for my friends from Nant Y Mor Farm and were lucky enough to have the Grand Champion Ram, Grand Champion ewe lamb and reserve champion ewe lamb. Funny thing was we almost did not get to show the ram as I was not wearing the required black pants and there was some suggestion that I may get disqualified. Panic was running rampant in my veins when David walked in wearing black dress slacks. A quick switch a roo and much grumbling on Daves part ( grovelling on mine) and now I was legal. Not fashionable, (I have about 6 inches more leg than Dave ), but I was wearing black! Several friends pointed out that I filled his slacks out better then he did!! LOL

We got to see a beautiful Icelandic Sheep Dog which I must say impressed me greatly with its cool attitude and sharp looks. I have always thought the border Collie too neurotic for a dog and even though I expect it to work, I also expect it to like to be in my presence. I have always felt the Borders were too much like cats in that humans were not the prime focus of their lives. If I am honest one of the canines most endearing qualities is it's undying adoration of its owner. Borders never seem too much in to adulation!! This fellow was a welcome change from the expected sheep dog!

Our fleeces placed a respectable 4th and 5th and the one I had for auction sold for around $6/lb so I was very pleased since Gwyneth and I bought the reserve Champion Targhee fleece for $6.50/lb.

All in all a great weekend surrounded by BAA-EWE-tiful sheep!! ;)