Cozy Critters - Canada Geese

While coffee is the most popular hot beverage worldwide,

tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world.

Even though North America is consumed with coffee,

many in Canada still enjoy a cup of tea, hot in the 

cooler months and iced in the warmer months!

These two friends, Franny and Beth, both enjoy a good hot cuppa, but 

Franny as you can see, likes to keep the bag in so her tea steeps dark and

strong while Beth enjoys a "tint o' tea", dunking her teabag just enough 

to colour and flavour her hot water, because "it's better before it's bitter"!

These two gals love to get together for tea and a good ol' fashioned chin wag,

and the in the winter months you are sure to find them enjoying the warmth of

cozy sweaters and talking about those classic Hudson's Bay 4-point wool blankets!

"Franny and Beth"

(watercolour and ink)

Nothing warms the heart more than a good cup o' tea and a wonderful friend!

♥ Cath- 

 

 

Cozy Critters - Badger

Barnabas Badger

How would I describe ol' Barnabas?

Classic

He enjoys helping others and will quietly give advice when asked, 

but he shares much of his abundant knowledge and experience

through his witty stories and anecdotes. It is always an

entertaining evening when spent in Barnabas' company!

One of his favourite winter activities is sitting in his comfortable 

ol' armchair in front of the fire and reading (or re-reading) a classic story.

He has read and re-read all the Sherlock Holmes mysteries,

(he has secretly wished he could be Dr. Watson, helping Sherlock solve cases),

he went through much of his Dickens' collection and is now currently

absorbed in Anthony Trollope's Chronicles of Barsetshire series.

Barnabas considers himself an armchair traveler, always looking forward to new

areas to explore through the books he reads in the cozy comfort of his own home.

He's been to the Middle East (when reading 1,001 Arabian Nights)

He's been to the Southern United States (when reading books by Mark Twain)

Canada's Prince Edward Island (when reading Anne of Green Gables)

Northern Canada and Alaska  (when reading Jack London's adventure tales)

All over England (when reading his vast collection of British authors) 

He looks forward to "visiting" Russia and Switzerland in his armchair soon! 

Barnabas is content and happy with simple pleasures.

A cozy sweater, a comfortable chair, a good book, 

and a cup of coffee (with milk, thank you!) is

the perfect way to enjoy a long winter's night!

"Barnabas"

(watercolour and ink)

While Barnabas often quotes Trollope when he says,

"What on earth could be more luxurious than a sofa, a book, and a cup of coffee?" 

 I think Trollope best sums up Barnabas' character in this quote:

"That I can read and be happy while I am reading, is a great blessing."

 

♥ Cath-

Cozy Critters - Moose

I'd like you to meet Moss.

Moss spends the early part of Winter helping his neighbours decorate their trees, 

dens, and burrows for the holidays.  He organizes all the neighbourhood squirrels 

and together they go from house to house, dressing each doorway with evergreen

and berries; Moss acts like a step ladder while the squirrels scamper here and there

across his antlers securing each bough and berry in place!

After long days of standing in the cold and snow, Moss likes nothing more than 

getting home and snuggling up under a blanket - Moss sure likes to be cozy! 

His neighbour, Mrs. Pickle (she's a porcupine), knows just how cozy Moss likes to be,

so each year she sets to knitting a colourful sweater for him! Mrs. Pickle's husband, Mr. 

Pickle, makes the best hot cocoa in all of Acorn Woods, and he always makes an extra 

big batch when he knows Moss will be visiting;  they do love to spoil him!

Moss likes his hot cocoa with marshmallows!

He waits only long enough for the marshmallows to melt 

then he slurps down the sweet steamy concoction in one big gulp!

Oh, how he loves to feel the warmth of that drink reach all the way to his hooves!

Now you know why Mr. Pickle makes an extra big batch!  

"Moss"

(watercolour and ink)

 

With all the snow that fell overnight, I moose tell you, 

I now understand Moss' daily desire to be cozy!!

♥ Cath-

 

 

Cozy Critters - Fox

The temperatures have plummeted again,

and sweaters have never felt cozier!

This week I would like you to meet Furlong.

This plaid-clad fox was nicknamed "Furlong"

by his friends because the furthest distance he will

travel before needing another coffee is about a furlong!

Coffee jump starts Furlong's day and fuels his on-the-go energy!

"Furlong"

(watercolour and ink) 

Furlong, in true Canadian-style, is a big fan of the Double-Double!

♥ Cath- 

  

Cozy Critters - Polar Bear

It's that time of year again, when I start pulling out the extra-cozy blankets

and place them within arms reach of everyone's favourite hangout in our living room 

and family room. There's little better than being warm and snug under a fuzzy blanket!

During the day when I am busy around the house and studio, 

it's rather inconvenient to wrap myself up in a blanket;  seeing as it would

end up getting dragged through wet paint or dunked into soapy dishwater! 

So, what is a girl to do? 

Pull on a cozy sweater of course!

And that's just what these critters are doing too!

Christmas sweaters + a mug of something hot = Cozy Critters!

I would like you to meet "George".

George likes things in his life to be simple and sweet,

just like his coffee (no milk, two sugars).

He likes the colour blue (simple) and 

old-fashioned peppermint candy canes (sweet).

George's friend Nelly (she's a narwhal!) 

gifted George with a bright red coffee mug

because she thinks everything needs a 'pop' 

of colour. She told George that it reminds 

her of the arctic coral she discovered when

she was a young adventuring-seeking calf.

One of George's favourite annual traditions

is having everyone over to his ice floe to 

make peppermint fudge.  They spend the 

afternoon floating around an iceberg or two, 

while munching on the minty confection and 

sharing stories of their varied arctic adventures!

"George"

(watercolour and ink)

More Cozy Critters are on their way! Stay tuned!

♥ Cath-  

 

 

INKtober - DAY 31!!!

This is it! 

The last day of 

INKTOBER 2018!

What a month! 

Full of challenges,

new accomplishments,

31+ ink drawings!

It has been a lot of fun 

trying to depict objects

in black & white, after 

working in colour for 

so many years...

Today's prompt: 

"Slice"

It's Halloween, so I decided to draw a party

taking place in Buttercup Dale*.

The squirrels made sure the pumpkins 

were carved and set about just right.

Several big pies were donated by Bonny 

(of The Bonny Baker Bakery & Cafe)

and they were served up in generous

slices to all the hungry trick o' treaters! 

*Buttercup Dale is the field between 

Elderberry Hedge and Acorn Woods.

 

Happy Halloween!

#inktober2018

♥ Cath- 

 

 

INKtober - Day 30

October is almost over!

 Shocking, I know!!

This month my creativity

 was electrified!

Bolts of inspiration

were striking me daily!

Pen strokes sparked new ideas!

Wow, this month went by

lightning fast!

What a thrill!

#inktober2018

🖤 Cath-

INKtober - Day 29

"A shared joy is a double joy,

A shared sorrow is half a sorrow."

(Swedish Proverb)

"Double"

#inktober2018

🖤 Cath-

INKtober- Day 28

The greatest gift 

we could ever

give is love.

It was the greatest gift

ever given to us by God.

He showed us how to love

unconditionally,

selflessly,

thoughtfully.

He showed how to have a heart

focused on wanting what is best

for the other person, no matter what.

Give the gift of love.

Show others the love of God!

It will be the best gift you

could ever give!

#inktober2018

🖤 Cath-

INKtober - Day 27

"Thunder"

Thunder is the sound that follows

a lightning strike, so it is often

depicted as a lightning bolt.

Even Thor, is called the Norse 

god of thunder because he 

throws lightning bolts in battle,

but still thunder is a sound; 

how do you depict a sound?

Well, I decided that the only way

was to depict the effect thunder has

on some who are fearful of it...

So, imagine if you will, a wee l'il pupper happily

snoozing in front of the fireplace, when a flash

of light startles him awake.  Bleary eyed, he looks 

around to gain his bearings and, BOOOOOOOM!!

The thunder cracks through his confusion

and fear strikes his heart! His eyes widen and 

it's all he can do to get his trembling l'il legs

 to take him to the only place he can feel safe 

- under his person's bed!

#inktober2018

🖤 Cath-

INKtober - Day 26

"Oooo, that one looks even juicier!"

"If... only... I... could... stretch....

just... a litttle... bit... more!"

"Almost... therrre..."

#inktober2018

🖤 Cath-

INKtober - Day 25

"Prickly"

but, oh, so cute!!

#inktober2018

🖤 Cath-

INKtober - Day 24

Only 1 week to go in Inktober 2018!

Today's prompt:

"Chop"

Keeping it simple:

#inktober2018

🖤 Cath-

INKtober - Day 23

"Muddy"

Well, they say nothin's happier 

than a pig in mud.

Don't know who "they" are, 

but I think this drawing says it all!

Here's a closer look:

#inktober2018

🖤 Cath-

INKtober - Day 22

Busy day... Hurting hand and wrist...

But INKtober must go on - only 9 days to go!

Today's prompt:

"Expensive"

Vehicles are not my wheel house 

but when I think expensive,

I always think of cars.

The most expensive car of all time

is the 1963 Ferrari GTO,

which sold for $52 million -

What?!?

#inktober2018

🖤 Cath-

INKtober - Day 21

Day 21 Prompt: Drain

Sundays are my days for filling up

with all good things from God's word,

sharing in study and worship with

others of like minds...

It is definitely edifying!

So it was unusual to have to think 

about a drain today... 

Sundays are anything but draining!

#inktober2018

🖤 Cath-

INKtober - Day 20

"Breakable"

Oh, yes, hearts are breakable,

in every sense of the word!

Physically and emotionally.

Emotions can help and hurt the 

physical functioning of our hearts.

Laughter and joy benefit it...

Depression and anxiety 

hamper its processes...

Because of its fragility,

it's breakability,

we need to take care of it,

physically and emotionally.

#inktober2018

🖤 Cath-

INKtober - Day 19

"Scorched"

...but where there is life, there is hope.

te·nac·i·ty

/təˈnasədē/

noun

1. • 1. the quality or fact of being very determined; determination.
     2. the quality or fact of continuing to exist; persistence.
     
     
     Synonyms:
     persistence, determination, perseverance, doggedness,
     strength of purpose, tirelessness, indefatigability, resoluteness,
     resolve, firmness, patience, purposefulness, staunchness,
     steadfastness, staying power, endurance, stamina, stubbornness,
     intransigence, obstinacy, obduracy, pertinacity
     
     
     Those are some pretty good words!
      
     They should be printed out and stuck on your fridge or mirror!
     Let them remind you of who you want to be 
     - a "NeverGivingUp-er"!
      
     
      #inktober2018
     
     
     ♥ Cath-
     
     
     
     

   
   

INKtober - Day 18

Bottle

That's what the official prompt listing says for Day 18

Bottle

My first thought was to draw a ship in a bottle,

but all those masts....

*sigh*

 

So, I just let my imagination take over on this one.

When a whimsical imagination runs the show there 

are no specific rules, no math, no need for perfection

- it's a happy place to hang out at times!

The bottle that my imagination developed 

houses the playground of the ladybug faerie. 

It is there that she visits with the ladybugs 

from all over the forest. They enjoy festive 

picnics on the knoll, and when she sits 

on the great swing the ladybugs all know 

that a wonderful story is about to be told!

They gather on the ground around her, 

their little spotted shells click-clacking

 together as they squeeze and wriggle 

into a comfortable spot on the grass...

    #inktober2018

♥ Cath-

INKtober - Day 17

Have you so poor,

but oh-so-cute doggos

who have had the 

misfortune of getting

stung by some sort

of flying insect?

Their snoots swell up

Their fuzzy faces puff up

and their chocolate-drop

eyes look all the more pitiful!

So, when I saw today's Inktober prompt

I thought of those puppers...

"Swollen"

#inktober2018

🖤 Cath-

INKtober - Day 16

When I was in Grade 8 I was placed 

in a pilot programme that was made to encourage

girls to pursue maths and sciences in high school.

My Grade 9 math class was an all-girl group

so we wouldn't be have to worry about looking 

too dumb OR too smart, 'cause, you know, 

girls are all so supportive of one another...

{insert eyeroll emoji here - maybe two!}

It may now be needless to say that 

from that point on I took only the required

Maths and Sciences and filled the rest of my 

semesters with every Art and English

course the school offered.

I didn't like Math, I didn't appreciate it.

The same could be said for Science,

But now I find I use math in my art compositions

and I'm fascinated with biology and kinesiology, 

in animals and humans alike...

I like the black & white rules, the consistency,

the truth and fact of it all, and if you get it right

you can fun with everything else around it!

Today's Inktober prompt is "Angular"

Since my go-to starting shape for most 

everything I draw is a circle, I had to go 

looking around a bit for something more 'edgy!

It took some time to figure this one out, and even now

I see wonkiness in it, but I'm still pretty happy with this design!

Pushing my limits and trying new things!

#inktober2018

🖤 Cath-

INKtober - Day 15

Fall is here!

It's cold and drizzly today.

The golden autumn foilage is doing

all it can to add some brightness to the grey.

It's a good day for tea!

I like herbal tea because I don't want caffiene

and I don't want anything in it.

No milk.

No sugar.

No honey.

Teabag can be in, but only if it's chamomile.

If it's Earl Grey, Orange Pekoe, or English Breakfast

I will swish the bag around in my cup of freshly boiled 

water until the water tints auburn, they it immediately

gets pulled, 'cause I like my classic tea on the weak side.

Today's Inktober prompt is: "Weak"

So it only made sense to draw this:

#inktober2018

🖤 Cath-

INKtober - Day 14

Inktober Day 14:

Clock

This a bit more cuckoo than clock, 

but still a piece that I had some fun with! 

Several of the ideas that went into this 

illustration were ones that I have been

wanting to try for some time now. 

I kept telling myself,

"If not now, then when? Just go for it!"

 

#inktober2018

♥ Cath-

 

INKtober - Day 13

Well, we've reached Day 13.

Cooler, November-like temperatures

and working on some Christmas designs

has got my mind in holiday mode,

so when I saw, "Guarded", 

as today's prompt

I thought,

"Nutcracker!"

"The legend says that a nutcracker represents power and strength and

serves like a trusty watch dog guarding your family from evil spirits and 

danger. A fierce protector, the nutcracker bares its teeth to the evil spirits 

and serves as the traditional messenger of good luck and goodwill."

(from www.magicofnutcrackers.com)

In my opinion, nutcrackers are brilliant

at guarding nuts from being shelled!

Have you ever tried cracking 

a nut with one of those things?

They sure are decorative though!

Bright, lacquered colours... even with

the barred teeth they are charming!

#inktober2018

🖤 Cath-

INKtober - Day 12

Day 93

You might be thinking,

"Um, Cath, it's only Day 12, 

you just typed it in your title,"

But I'm not talking about Inktober,

I'm referring to how many days I've

been working my way through

the classic novel, Moby Dick. 

Oh, Herman Melville, you were

obviously a man of intelligence, 

a diligent student and researcher,

a very capable and descriptive writer,

but I'm on chapter 114, page 464,

of your valued composition

and there still no sightings 

of the "great white whale"

- not even a glimpse!

My family now looks at me with surprise

when they discover that I'm still on that book.

I laughed when read today's Inktober prompt!

Ishmael, for never having been on a whaling

ship previous to his sail with Ahab, sure 

knew a lot about everything having to do

with the great leviathan of the deep! 

I've now read chapter after chapter about 

the species, their heads, their flukes, their tails, 

their skeletons, and how these parts, while in 

parts, were considered very useful to mankind! 

The descriptions were detailed to the point 

that I thought I was reading a cetology textbook,

so having to draw a whale for today's Inktober,

was at the very least, laughable.

  

#inktober2018

🖤 Cath-

INKtober - Day 11

I get excited about these Inktober drawings!

Some days I don't plan my time really well

and end up rushing a drawing to keep on course,

but most days I purpose time for them, 

which makes it enjoyable.

Some times I get so excited that, before I go to bed,

 I take a peek at the prompt for the next day. 

It gives me a bit of time to think about 

how I might depict or interpret the prompt.

I looked last night and saw:

11. Cruel

What?? 

I'm the girl who draws mice and bunnies!

I draw white picket fences around their imaginary homes...

They are happy; there is no upset, no one gets angry...

And it's certain that no one is cruel!

What am I gonna draw?

My mind went first to the Evil Queen from Snow White,

but then I remembered Cruella de Vil

I based my illustration on the description made by the author, 

Dodie Smith, from her 1956 book "The Hundred and One Dalmations"

~ She was a glamorous London heiress.

~ In her younger years at school, she wore only 

black dresses trimmed with white. She wore her 

hair in black and white braids (plaits), and she 

was expelled for drinking a bottle of ink.

~ She married a furrier (knowing the character you can 

see how this was a marriage of convenience!). She 

belittled him and made him take her last name.

They had no children.

~ Her husband gifted her a white mink coat, 

which she wore even on the hottest days.

~ She was known for wearing skintight satin dresses

with ropes of jewels in contrasting colours. 

(Black satin with pearls or green satin with rubies)

~ And she had a white Persian cat which she abused... 

Yeah, this character will fit the bill for today's prompt!

 #inktober2018

♥ Cath-

INKtober - Day 10

Great morning, out for a long walk 'n' talk with a friend,

enjoying the unseasonably warm weather - and clear skies!

Nothin' like a little exercise first thing 

in the morning to get the ideas flowin'!

Today's Inktober prompt is FLOWING

I had a couple of thoughts for today's prompt, one spurred on by my friend,

and the other was an idea I had that needed to find it's way to paper!

Always inspiring when the ideas are flowing!

#inktober2018

♥ Cath-

INKtober - Day 9

Today's Inktober prompt is PRECIOUS

What is precious?

It is something valued,

 something dear to us,

something honourable and excellent.

To me, that's God's love!

We put our trust under the shadow of His wings when 

we understand just how precious His lovingkindness is.

When we trust in His promises, and see that He is faithful to fulfill them.

When we trust His instructions, and see that they are only ever for our benefit.

When we trust in His help, and He grants us wisdom, strength, peace, and comfort.

How very precious is His lovingkindness!! 

 

 

#inktober2018

♥ Cath-

INKtober - Day 8

It's Thanksgiving today!

The sun is shining and the air is cool!

We had dinner with the in-laws yesterday 

and dinner with my family is later this week,

so today is a quiet, stay-at-home kinda day!

Finished up a commissioned painting, 

sent a preview off for approval,

and set to work on today's Inktober prompt:

"Star"  

Star light, star bright,

First star I see tonight;

I wish I may, I wish I might

Have the wish I wish tonight.

#inktober2018

♥ Cath-

INKtober - Day 7

Today's Schedule:

7am Wake Up

7:15am Bible Reading

8:15am Breakfast

9:15am Dress for Church Service

9:45 Head to Church Building

12:20pm Home from Church Service

1:30pm Lunch at In-Laws

4:20pm Home to change for Evening Services

4:45pm Head to Church Building

6:30 Home from Church Service

6:30pm Get snack

7:00pm Inktober!

Day 7 - "Exhausted"

After a day of cooking for the family, serving a big Thanksgiving meal, this Gram shooed the 

kids and grandkids outside to enjoy the fresh Autumn evening while she set to cleaning up...

And when she was finally done drying that last dish... Yep, EXHAUSTED! 

Help your loved ones with the dishes,

and have a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

♥ Cath-

INKtober - Day 6

Grey day...

Bouts of rain...

 Good day to read and paint!

Spent some time finishing up a commissioned

design for custom Christmas cards...

Put some finishing touches on 

the kitchen mini - makeover...

And then remembered that this is Thanksgiving weekend!

What?! 

It's early this year, and doesn't quite feel like a holiday

BUT it is, and there is a lot to be thankful for!

Day 6 Prompt is "Drooling"

My favourite part of Thanksgiving weekend 

is the delicious meals we enjoy with family,

So, it didn't take long to imagine a suitable illustration! 

Turkey... stuffing... potatoes...
thick slices of gelatinous cylinder of cranberry "sauce"...

Yep, despite the rain, it sure to be a good weekend!

#inktober2018

♥ Cath-

INKtober - Day 5

Well, it's Day 5

and today's prompt is:

"Chicken"

My mind went to the most chicken chicken of 'em all,

Chicken Little!

 

#inktober2018

 

♥ Cath-

INKtober - Day 4

Woke up, 

grabbed breakfast 

and started clearing out the kitchen...

It's painting day!

Kitchen walls were stripped of their 

17 year old wallpaper, two years ago, 

and FINALLY I'm getting 

primer and paint onto them!

Woo-hooo!

Clock strikes 5pm and, oh no!

I haven't got to my INKtober drawing!

But got it done!

#inktober2018

Phew!

❤ Cath-

INKtober 2018 - Day 3

I love that I look forward to this each day!

Yes, it's only Day 3 and my schedule is light this week,

but I don't ever want to take that wee spark of enthusiasm for granted.

I know what it's like to not have it, for weeks at a time, and boy, it's blah!

I went for a literal interpretation of today's prompt, "Roasted".

Aww, the classic marshmallow, roasting over a campfire...

 

#inktober2018  

Have pen and paper, will take on a challenge!

♥ Cath-

INKtober 2018 Challenge - Days 1 & 2

I'm going for it!

I'm finally going to try one of these drawing "challenges" 

that I have been wanting to participate in for years!

Jake Parker started Inktober - 31 drawings in 31 days - to encourage 

artists to get creative  and share their work with others. Official Prompt 

Lists have been posted since 2016, making it an exciting month 

to create and view how different artists interpret each day's prompt!

I've been busy with commissioned art pieces, house renovations,

 and writing for a Facebook group I established in January 2016 

- I've been enjoying it all, but am eager to get back to 

creativity for the sake of creativity!    

So, I got my pens and sketchbook ready,

screenshot of the prompt list, and set to it!

Here we go!

Inktober Prompt - Day 1

"Poisonous"

 

Inktober Prompt - Day 2

"Tranquil"

The Lord willing, I will post my drawings each day this month!  

Join me on the challenge! I talked my brother into it!

Check out Inktober for all the details!

#inktober2018

Happy Drawing!

I'm glad to be back at it!

♥ Cath-