I have always been afraid of dogs. I remembered being chased by stray dogs when I was little. So, when I see dogs, I feel fear and I think they sense it too. Ever since I became a mom, I had to pluck up my courage and overcome my fear of dogs. I did not want my kids to grow up fearing dogs. And now i don’t have the instinct to run away at the mere sight of dogs and can even volunteer at a nearby dog shelter with my son. I have even fallen in love with the big dogs. Like German Shepherds. They may look intimidating but they can also be kind and gentle.

Just this weekend, I watched the movie Megan Leavy, a true story about the friendship between a marine and a military combat dog. It was so touching. Inspired me to sketch the dog. Never sketched a dog before. I really enjoyed it. My son who loves German Shepherds, thought I did pretty well! Maybe I will gift this drawing to him when he leaves for College next year… maybe I can try painting one too? 

What do you think? 

Favorite part of finishing a watercolor journal pad is decorating the cover. Mixed media with layers of collage, acrylic paint, doodling and inking for the face. Even have room to add some journaling. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL indeed. I love the quote by Neil Gaiman. “The one thing that you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision. So write and draw and build and play and dance and live as only you can.”

Sometimes I paint something and just can’t seem to find the right words for it. This was an example. Painted it a few weeks ago and can’t find the words for it. 

Then I had the most stressful week of my life last week and I am so thankful for escaping what seemed like a death sentence, thanks to friends and things that came together miraculously. I have to believe that the universe has something to do with it. 

So when I saw this quote this am, I knew that this was the perfect quote for this girl. 

Thank you Universe (and friends) for having my back. Forever grateful, Teresa. 

I needed this tonight. 

We are surrounded by so many ugly horrific things now. But we can find wonder and beauty in all things. It is up to you. Beautiful quote by Becca Lee.

Trying to paint a looser more abstract style. Watercolor. 

#inktober day3. Shading with ink is not easy indeed. She ended up looking intense and harsh. Need to learn to create softness with inking. Watercolor and micron pens.

Always seen and admired the #inktober posts by people creating art with only ink. Decided to give it a try. Using watercolor inks and micron pen for the face. It was interesting and not as easy shading the face with the pen. But it was kind of therapeutic too. Will practice more. #inktober2017

We seem to be surrounded by calamities more and more frequently these days. It’s overwhelming.. numbing. And worst of all, it’s the feeling of helplessness and lack of control. Then I came across the quote “Be like water” by Bruce Lee and it really spoke to me. Water is fluid. It flows through stones and cracks. It finds a way. It is fluid and takes the form of whatever vessel it is in. Be like water, my friend. Be like water. We will get through this. 

Watercolor painting. Using my favorite color, blue.