Hey Sister, Go Sister!

This post is dedicated to all sisters.  My sister moved to Australia 3 years ago and I miss her heaps.  There are a lot of reminders of the fun we had, especially at this time of the year.  The first week of February meant our Father’s birthday, and the annual family gathering, Waitangi Day (New Zealand’s national holiday), new school year starting, to name a few.

Every year until our father's passing nearly 6 years ago we used to pack up her car and we would set off on an adventure for a week.  The destination was our Dad’s farm.  We would leave about 5 am and get to the Bay early afternoon, with several stops for shopping (hehehe).  Then we would hit the beach.  We lived inland and the nearest beaches are wild and rugged, not your swimming and sunbathing types.  The beach we favoured was Ohope the beach of our childhood.  It has massive surf and long stretches of sand and sand dunes.  Picture postcard stuff. We would became children and splashed and dived through the waves with wild abandon!  Then late afternoon we would tidy ourselves up and carry on to the farm.  The family would welcome us commenting on our long journey and how tired we must be.  Nobody mentioned the trails of sand in our wake or for that matter the shopping bags piled up in the boot!

The above journal page is commemoration of those times. So sis, if you are reading this, I am coming over later this year and we will hit some of those gorgeous WA beaches big time!

29 Faces in February

I am taking part in the 29 faces challenge hosted by Ayala. As today is the first I have to get cracking.  Keeping to the theme of sisters, I have started this painting, a self-portrait of me and my sister.  Artistic license applies sis!

Here is the sketch I did on the canvas 16 x 20 in. yesterday.

This morning I got cracking and painted this using water soluble oils. I think I lost the tension that I had in the sketch.  But it early days yet.

I want the tension to be there to portray that sisters, while they are close there can major differences in attitudes and life style.  The blood tie keeps them together through thick and thin.  My sister and I have had our skirmishes in the past, but this time in our lives, we are closer than ever.  Speaking for myself, distance has made me realize how much she means to me.

During next week I hope to finish this. I am not convinced totally about the colour scheme yet and their expressions I might change.  I want them to appear happier as I think they look a bit sad.  Will these count as two faces in the challenge, I hope so.

PS I have nearly finished the hills painting from last week.  I will post it next PPF!

Have a lovely week creating wonderful art and happy PPF.

Linking to

PaintParty Friday

29Faces in February.