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Tuesday 5 February 2013

What is your dream?



Face 5

We are never too old to dream the seemingly impossible.  It is not just the providence of the young.  Yesterday, I was reminded we all have dreams no matter our age.  I was waiting at the Bus stop and got into a conversation with an elderly lady who revealed she was 92. She was telling me about the 5 km fun run she had taken part in during the weekend, she did say she walked it. But still!  She said her dream was to be doing it when she turned 100!  She had put up on her wall a chart that went to 101, and every year she achieves it she puts $500 aside for a world cruise or a visit to her native country – South Africa when she reaches 101.  She reckoned she would have enough by then. I reckon she will do it too.  Amazing inspirational lady!

It made me think what is my dream?  Oh I have the usual, win lotto! Good health, success as an illustrator, a beautiful garden, but I don’t have an extraordinary dream like the lady today.  I think I need to address that.

What is your dream?  Is it an extraordinary one? 

For Face no 5 I used pastels, I haven’t used them for ages and I had forgotten how much I liked them.  They certainly give that soft dreamlike quality to the young girl above. 

I am doing Face 6 as well today as tomorrow is a holiday - NZ’s national day Waitangi Day.  I will be busy with visitors and don’t know if I will get any time for art.
Face 6
I’ve decide to do a portrait of the lady at the bus stop from memory in water soluble graphite pencils.


I think I got the look of her, but I am not happy with the mouth.  She was always smiling and no matter how I tried I couldn’t get it right without her looking as if she was smirking.  I tried showing her teeth and that was worse.  How do you draw their teeth without them looking like a shark?

Check out the other participants of 29 Faces in February Challenge at Ayala’s blog. (Button in sidebar)
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12 comments:

  1. Sharon! Thank you for your visit to my blog! I appreciate it so much! This is a wonderful drawing and a lovely story to go with it! Truly wonderful!!!!

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  2. I don't know what she really looked like, but Ibet you captured her soul in this drawing! I love it and the story. Your top woman is lovely too!

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  3. Pretty impressive 92 yo! And i like the soft colours and texture of your pastel drawing. Thank you for sharing with Mandarin Orange Monday:)

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  4. Found you via Creative Every Day
    Very nice touch with the watercolor pencils. I'll have to try the graphite! Thanks for the inspiration and try to stay cool :)

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  5. Hahaha, yes, I've had that too that it looks like a shark (or worse!) when I try to draw teeth. Very difficult! That's an impressive lady that you met. I love old people who still have dreams. Your faces are wonderful. That pastel sure gives a very soft dreamy look. Might have to try that some time ....

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  6. I just tried teeth on mine for the first time last night! I googled some images (cause it IS so hard!) and ended up drawing like a plain bar to represent teeth - I will post next week along with more faces. BUT I love what you've done without teeth too - your faces are beautiful - and #6 is my favorite! xoxo

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  7. Beautiful photos. Have a fabulous week!

    Liz (mlc)
    Liz (yacb)

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  8. WHAT an inspiring story about the lady, and your drawings are beautiful

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  9. I always love hearing wonderful stories of the elderly whom I have a great deal of respect for. I often tell my own elderly mother the stories I hear so that she may continue to be inspired...
    Your Art work is quite lovely and I am so glad that I found your blog :)
    God Bless

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  10. I dream of running a marathon

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  11. Imagine being in a race in your 90s - amazing! Your drawing reminds me of my Mom, who also had dementia her last ten years of life. Here is a pix of her holding up her favorite beer! (not sure if this link will open) http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab76/lessandra1/DSC02785-001_zps5684577c.jpg I forgot to add she lived to the age of 100.5 years.

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  12. Love the story of the marathon walker! Your work is lovely! Your pastel piece is making me think of breaking out mine and giving them a whirl. I hadn't thought of using them for this challenge but now you have me considering it.....

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