Hi All,
Many of my Facebook friends have already heard this so please forgive me for repeating myself.
Over a period of 3 months I have suffered a great deal with severe back pain. My doctor finally did an MRI on me and found I have a ruptured disc and a pinched nerve. My Neurosurgeon was very concerned because over the months it took to finally diagnose what was wrong with me, I had developed a limp that they call drop foot. This could end up as a permanent limp and can become worse, with an exaggerated limp, if I waited much longer to have the surgery. My doctor wanted me to do the surgery right away but I couldn't because I had been on Motrin for quite some time (Motrin thins your blood). I had to wait 2 weeks to get the Motrin out of my system before I could do the surgery. I had a vacation scheduled to go to Costa Rica for two weeks. My doctor didn't want me to go but I told him I couldn't cancel (I was leaving for the trip in just 2 days) besides, I could spend the two week period relaxing on a beach or stay at home and play with my three Rottweilers, LMAO. He agreed that if I was very careful I could go on the vacation. We took care all of my pre-op stuff right then and there and I left for vacation in 2 days (unfortunately I had to be very careful and couldn't do a lot of things even if I was on medication to control the pain). I got home from Costa Rica December 11th and on December 12th I had back surgery and went home on the 13th. My doctor stressed that I should not be bumped around or fall (yeah right, with 3 Rottweilers in the house). So with that being said.... my husband came up with the great idea of putting an X-pen around my reclining chair so the dogs can't get to me and try to climb up in my lap or jump up on me. So that explains the picture of me with a fence around my chair, LOL.
Up until now I have been in to much pain to deal with much of anything. Fortunately I am starting to feel better so therefore I should be able to start working on Simba the lion again. I'm thinking I will try to do some drawing tomorrow. I just have to figure out how to do it while I am reclining, my doctor says I can't do to much sitting. Hopefully I will have an update to Simba soon.
I want to thank all of my followers for being patient while I have not been very consistent with my art and blog posts. You all have a Happy Holiday and most of all..... Keep Scribbling!
Gemma
Hello Everyone!!
Well... after a month or two I am finally able to draw. My back is doing better but it isn't completely well yet. My doctor prescribed some medication that is helping considerably.
I finally got a chance to do some work on Simba. I've gotten most of the fun stuff done and I'm now working on his mane. He is such a pretty boy, I'm really enjoying doing his portrait.
I was hoping I would have him done by now but this setback with my back injury took care of that. I have less than 2 weeks before I will be teaching the workshop on the Ann Kullberg Colored Pencil Cruise so I'm thinking I probably won't be able to finish him before I leave but we'll see.... I'm going to give it a try. If you should have any questions at all please don't hesitate to speak up.
Thanks for checking in and don't forget to keep scribbling!
Gemma
I thought I should let you all know what's going on with me. I recently hurt my back and have a pinched sciatic nerve. I've been down with this for about a month... very painful!!!
I've been going to a Chiropractor but decided it was a good idea to go to my doctor as well. My doctor requested some blood tests to make sure all is good there and she has given me some Motrin and mussel relaxers.
I am starting to feel better and I'm hoping to be back to normal soon. I haven't been able to draw because it hurts to sit or stand for to long so..... as I get better I hope to be able to get back to the lion.
Thanks so much for following me and don't forget to keep scribbling!!
Gemma
Hi All,
Here's another update on Simba! As you can see I am moving right along. I'm starting to get the background in on the right side as I go along.
So far I have used 100% colored pencils and it's done on Suede Mat board. When I work in colored pencils I use several different brands. Most of this is done in Prismacolor however; it does also have Derwent Studios, Derwent Colorsoft, Faber Castell Polychromos, Derwent Artist and I think that's about it. If you're wondering why I use so many different brands.... it's because of color choice and also because the different pencils behave a bit differently and are better for some things. As an example I really like Derwent Studios for fine fur, they are a harder pencil which makes it great for fine hair. I have found I don't have any problem at all with mixing different brands of pencils. They all seem to work fine with one another.
If you should have any questions don't hesitate to speak up and comments are also welcomed.
Keep Scribbling!!
Gemma
Hello All,
For those of you who have been following my "Work In Progress" on Simba the lion, I thought I would share a wonderful video with you!!
I just got an email from Lisa, at Animal Defenders International (ADI) and they have recently rescued several other Lions from the Bolivian Circus! This video shows Pancho, Temuco, Chitara, Delila and Kenya all being released in their new 20 acre habitat. It is unbelievable, that up till now, these lions lived in a cage no larger than a bed for all of their lives. It is so incredible to watch them in this video romp and play after being released to their new habitat in Colorado.
ADI is an incredible organization who are doing incredible things for these captive animals. Enjoy the video of Pancho, Temuco, Chitara, Delila and Kenya in their new habitats.
Hi All,
Nancy asked that I post a closeup of the muzzle, in one of her comments. So...... here it is!
If you have any questions just speak up and keep scribbling!!
Gemma
Hi Everyone!!
I hope all is doing OK with those of you on the East Coast after Hurricane Irene!!!
Here's an update of the Lion I'm doing for Animal Defenders International. As you can see I haven't gotten a lot done, life just seems to be getting in the way, LOL. I'm hoping to be able to spend more time on it in the next couple of weeks.
I'm using the same procedure as I usually do, nothing really new so, I can't think of anything else to say about this guy. I'm still working in the mouth area so there will be some changes, I'm sure, in that area, with the next update.
If you should have any questions or comments please don't hesitate to speak up. Have a great day and most of all don't forget to Keep Scribbling!!
Cheers,
Gemma
Hi Everyone!!
First and foremost..... I hope all of you are staying safe on the East coast. Please, please take care of yourselves... that is the number one thing you need to think about. My thoughts are with each and every one of you.
Here is the next update on my sweet lion named Simba. He is such a gorgeous boy and I love watching him and telling everyone about him when I am volunteering my time at PAWS.
I'm still doing some work on the nose so please don't judge that yet. He's done in mostly Prismacolor and Derwent Studio Colored Pencils on Suede mat board. You are only seeing part of the upper half of what will be the finished piece.
This piece will be donated to Animal Defenders International (ADI). ADI was the organization that were instumental in getting the the lions to PAWS. They are also paying for the care and habitat for the lions at PAWS. They are a wonderful group of people who are very passionate about freeing animals from the deplorable conditions in the circus' and any other deplorable conditions all around the world. Simba was one of the lions who was released from the Bolivian circus. He and three others from Bolivia, are now living a wonderful life in there very very large habitat at PAWS.
If you should have any questions or comments please don't hesitate to speak up. And.... don't forget to keep scribbling!!!!
Cheers, Gemma
Hi All,
As many of you may know, I volunteer my time as a Docent for the lions at Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). Every year PAWS has an event called the Grape Stomp. This event helps raise funds to feed and house all of the animals at the Sanctuary. The San Andreas PAWS site (Ark2000) has Elephants, Lions, Tigers and Bears living there and can really use all of our help. This is not only a wonderful cause it is also great fun and chance to see the Sanctuary and Animals. If any of you live near San Andreas, CA or plan to visit the area October 15, 2011 and would like to attend the Grape Stomp you can find information about the event at the links below:
Grape Stomp Flyer
Performing Animal Welfare Society Website
I will be there by the Lion's habitat so I hope to see many of you there.
Cheers!!
Gemma
Hi All,
As many of you probably already know I volunteer some of my time at Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and Animal Defenders International (ADI). If you are interested in reading more about these organizations here is a link to their websites: http://pawsweb.org/ and http://www.ad-international.org/adi_usa/. ADI was instrumental in getting a ban against animals in circus' in Bolivia. After the ban went into effect ADI brought 4 lions from Bolivia and placed them at PAWS (as well as rescuing several others from there and placing them in other sanctuaries). I am a docent for the four lions at PAWS. I met the founder and Director of ADI at PAWS and promised them I would create a drawing of one of the lions from Bolivia to donate to them to do what they want with it. I think they are going to try to do an auction on the artwork. They recently sent me a photo of Simba to work from and that reference photo is to the left here in this post.
I started working on Simba...... this is all I have done so far. Of course... I'm only showing a portion of the drawing at this point. The drawing is 18" x 14" on a light beige Suede Mat board and it will be 100% colored pencil.
As you can see, I draw the grid right on the drawing and the reference photo. This helps me keep track of where I'm at as I create the drawing. I am still working on this area so it isn't finished yet. You can see I need to push the values a bit more than I have at this time. I'm also seeing I need to do a bit more with the eyes. It's amazing how posting it the computer can make you see some of that stuff you don't see prior to posting it.
As always.... if you should have any questions or comments let me know and above all..... keep scribbling!!!
Gemma
Hi All,
Just thought I would let you know that there are only two spots left on the Colored Pencil Cruise to the Mexican Riviera.
Here is a link with the details regarding the Cruise: http://www.annkullberg.com/cruise_home_mexico9.php
It should be lots of fun, there will be 9 days of fun and three of the days will be Colored Pencil workshops, taught by, Ann Kullberg, Linda Hardy and myself.
Come join us and keep scribbling!!
Gemma
Hi Everyone!
Well... I finally finished this guy. I'm going to title it "Here's Lookin' at Ya". It's 100% Colored Pencil on UArt, 600 grit sanded surface and the piece is 16" X 16".
I'm fairly happy with it, I have to say I struggled a bit with the UArt but I am getting used to it and I'm sure I will be using it again. I also used the heated Icarus Board which help saturate the paper very quickly.
Next I have to do a commission piece. It will be an male African Lion. That piece is being done for Animal Defenders International, they are a group I do some volunteering for. I'll be posting a work in progress so don't forget to check back.
If you should have any questions at all, please don't hesitate to ask. Comments are welcomed as well. Don't forget to keep scribbling!!
Gemma
