Pencil on paper, January 2008.
210 x 297 mm, 110 GSM drawing paper.
I love giraffes. I thought this one was pretty! 
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Now playing: A Perfect Circle – The Hollow (Live at America West Arena, Phoenix June 2000)
via FoxyTunes
Archive for March, 2008
218. Pretty And Girly Giraffe
March 30, 2008The Day I Realised That I’m Probably Obsessed… With Project 86
March 30, 2008
Now playing: Project 86 – The Forces Of Radio Have Dropped A Viper Into The Rhythm Section
via FoxyTunes
Ok, I’d like to think that I’m not a total teenybopper. After all, I’ve gone to plenty of gigs over the years, and never hugely flipped out over meeting any of the bands. I mean, it’s cool and stuff, but I don’t think I’d ever just about fainted with overwhelmedness…
So I don’t know what happened to me yesterday when we were lined up in the cold and rain to meet Project 86. I mean, dude, am I really that big a fan?! Apparently, yes, yes I am that nuts. I started to think about it… my Facebook Profile is covered with Project 86 paraphernalia – a video clip here, a fan group membership there… Not to mention that they’re in my top 8 MySpace contacts. And I even occasionally watch their vodcasts. I don’t think my husband knew what he was getting himself into when he first introduced me to Project 86′s awesomely awesome music.
I wish I could say that the gig was fantastic, but it got washed out. I mean, they didn’t even get to go on stage. Noooooooo!!!!! For the first time in years, I was actually looking forward to a live gig – and I mean, I’ve been to some pretty good ones, including U2, Jars of Clay, Antiskeptic, Rammstein, and The Chemical Brothers (in no particular order)… but Project 86′s music speaks to me on a level that no one else seems to. They’re in my top favourites, anyway, somewhere alongside Tool and Rage Against the Machine (both of whom I missed out on). Sigh!
Anyway, here’s some photos (click on images to see them in larger size). It was a good day and I’m so happy to get to meet the band.
Me, operating the front of house equipment (as in, the sound desk)… hmm yeah right.
As it turned out, a bunch of our friends were on the technical crew for the event.
The looming rain clouds before they halted the gig…
…and me, possibly the only person who wore something other than black & white at this thing.
And seriously, who organises an outdoor gig in the moutains outside Melbourne in Autumn?!
There are plenty of indoor venues…
Project 86…
This fan had a poster made up and was getting other fans to sign it.
The words on the poster are from a Project 86 song… in case you didn’t work it out.
He was flying around Australia to catch all the Project 86 events.
I feel really sorry for all the people I met who travelled interstate to catch the gig.
Me and Project 86… this was easily the highlight of my year so far.
(Ok, yes, there’s more to life than meeting your favourite band,
but this was the first time I can remember feeling this happy in a very long time.)
(Photography by Matt.)
217. Abstract Pencil
March 29, 2008
Dry watercolour pencil on paper, August 2007.
I don’t usually draw abstracts. If anything, it is reminiscent of the feminine form.
It was drawn using watercolour pencils, except that I didn’t paint over them with water. The pencils, when used dry, have a unique texture and can be built up to a thickness that I personally haven’t found in other standard types of pencil. I like the way the original has brought out the grainy texture of the paper – though I don’t know how clearly that’s been captured in the photograph here.
216. Pastel Pencil Landscape
March 29, 2008
Pastel pencil on paper, August 2007.
This was inspired by an example in an art tutorial book. I used pencil pastels, they are effectively pencils with hard pastel in them. Using the shavings from the pastel enabled me to blend the colours together, and sharper lines and detail were made using the pencil pastels as pencils… I hope that makes sense!
The book I used is, as far as I know, English, so I tried to create a more Australian feel in my drawing. After all, I’ve never been to England; and I grew up in rural Australia. So it makes sense to me to draw what I know!
215. Saurolophus osborni
March 28, 2008
Pencil on paper, December 2007.
This sketch is inspired by images of the dinosaur species Saurolophus osborni.
Spend any amount of time with me and you’ll learn that I am absolutely fascinated with dinosaurs. I think they’re magnificent creatures and often wish that I could see them in the flesh. However, like so many extinct creatures, I guess it’s just a bit of wishful thinking. And Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park novels have made me wonder whether or not I really want to see dinosaurs!
Anyway, Saurolophus was a “duck billed” dinosaur, and a herbivore, known from fossil remains that show it had a rear-projecting spine from its skull.
==
References / More information on this topic:
- The London Natural History Museum’s online “Dino Directory.”
- “Hadrosaurinae” at the Thescelosaurus! website.
- Ham, K. The great dinosaur mystery solved!: a Biblical view of these amazing creatures. Green Forest, Arizona, USA: Master Books; 1998. Currently available at: Koorong, Master Books, CMI Online Store.
- Dinosaurs and the Bible frequently asked questions (CMI Australia).
- The Great Dinosaur Mystery and the Bible homepage (CAN USA).
- How do dinosaurs fit in (with the Bible)? (ICR USA).
214. Green Horse
March 28, 2008 
May 2007 – Pencil on paper.
Another 6×9 cm sketch. Like I said with the previous one, it’s hard drawing detail on such a small area.
Impulse Brownies
March 28, 2008
Saturday, 9 February 2008 – 13.37 pm
Mmm… brownie
Mmm… impulse cafe stops before church …
213. Chestnut Horse
March 28, 2008
7 January 2008 – Pencil on Paper
(Click on image to see clearer, larger version.)
Yet another Arabian inspired horse sketch. I’m obsessed!
212. Lady On A Chair
March 26, 2008
Felt tip marker on paper, March 2008.
It’s been a while since I’ve drawn much, and lately I’ve been trying to get back into it.
Oh dear, the day is rushing by, and the house just won’t clean itself.
211. Red Horse Trotting
March 26, 2008
Watercolour pencil on paper, January 2008.
In case you hadn’t worked it out yet, yes, I draw a lot of horses!
A day is a day, isn’t it?
March 26, 2008Article from the website of archaeologist Dr Livingston: “The ‘Days’ of the Creation Week.” (2003)
http://www.ancientdays.net/creationdays.htm
In this, the author give s a clear and easy-to-read overview of various interpretations of Genesis 1 given by Christians, as well as a discussion of what the Bible itself actually says.
Excerpt:
What are the “DAYS”? How long were they?
Some Dates for Creation:
- Septuagint 5270 BC
- Jewish 3760 BC
- Josephus 5555 BC
- Luther 3961 BC
- Kepler 3993 BC
- Ussher 4004 BC
Some Interpretations of the Meaning of “Days”
- Revelational day: God revealed to Moses how He did it in 6 visionary days, or during a 6 day period.
- Long period of time — a geological age — a “day-age”.
- Literal day (24 hours), separated by long ages.
- See chart below…
And, from another Dr Livingston article, “Five Pillars of Evolution” (2003):
| Evolution | Creation | |
| Physical (material) Universe Life from Non-Life All Variety from a Single Cell Time – 4.5 Billion Years Order from Chaos |
Spiritual Creates Physical All Life Comes from Life Variety from the Beginning
Infinite, Miracle Working God |
http://www.ancientdays.net/fivepillars.htm
This website is worth a look. Dr Livingston is an archaeologist and theologian, and the rticles will be useful for anyone exploring apologetics.
More big big big universe
March 26, 2008Photo by the Hubble Telescope.
Here is a fascinating cross section of the Whirlpool Galaxy M51. As in, it also looks like a cross! The universe is so amazing!
Days of Praise
March 26, 2008This is from the Days of Praise devotional (January 3, 2008), written by Dr Henry Morris. I couldn’t have written it more clearly, so I’ve reproduced it here.
”Instantaneous Creation”
“Let them praise the name of the LORD: for He commanded, and they were created” (Psalm 148:5).
The concept of “fiat creation” is opposed by evolutionists and all who believe in the so-called geologic ages. Nevertheless, this is clearly the teaching of the word of God, and God was there! Psalm 148 exhorts all the stars to praise the Lord, and then notes that, as soon as God spoke, they “were created.” Similarly, “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth. . . . For He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast” (Psalm 33:6,9).
It is worth noting that whenever the verbs “create” or “make” are used in reference to God’s work of creation, they are never in the present tense. God is not now creating or making stars or animals or people as theistic evolution requires; at the end of the six-day creation period, in fact, God “rested from all His work which God created and made” (Genesis 2:3).
This is the teaching of the New Testament also. “The worlds |that is, the space/time cosmos, the ‘aeons’| were framed |not ‘are being framed’| by the word of God |not ‘by processes of stellar evolution’|, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear |not ‘out of preexisting materials,’ as required by theories of chemical and cosmic evolution|” (Hebrews 11:3).
The Lord Jesus Christ Himself confirmed the doctrine of recent creation. “From the beginning of the creation |not, that is, four billion years after the solar system evolved| God made them |Adam and Eve| male and female” (Mark 10:6). Thus, those who believe in the geological ages are rejecting both the Biblical record and the authority of Jesus Christ in order to attain ephemeral acceptance by the ungodly. This is a poor exchange! HMM
To subscribe to the Days of Praise devotional, go to the ICR website http://www.icr.org/publications/.
210. Horse in Miniature
March 25, 2008
Pencil on paper, May 2007.
This drawing is approximately 6 x 9 cm, inspired by the ACEO card concept. My mother creates ACEOs on a regular basis, selling them on eBay. She was the one who suggested that I give this a shot!
The idea is that they are small, original artworks, that can be framed – individually or grouped together. It’s a way for us commoners, with our low budgets, to own good original art. I personally find the size a particular challenge. How does one make a small artwork that’s vibrant, interesting, and meaningful, on such a small piece of paper!?
Our big big big big universe
March 25, 2008A recent question that a Christian asked of me:
“Do you think God created life elsewhere in the universe? Otherwise, why would it be so big?”
Some thoughts:
- The Fall of humanity subjected all Creation to the curse of suffering and death (Genesis 3; Romans 8:19-22). So, would intelligent, sentient aliens would suffer for human sin? Is this just?
- The Church, the Body of Christ, is described as as ‘Bride.’ One day the Bride will be married to the Bridegroom (Revelation 21). Is Christ a polygamist? (Genesis 2:24; Mark 10:7; Ephesians 5:31.)
- The Bible tells us that God specifically created humanity as His image bearers (Genesis 1:26-27). What about the aliens? Are they super-intelligent yet soulless? Or did God send Jesus to die for them, on their planets, too?
One of my favourite books on this topic is Alien Intrusion, by Australian apologist Gary Bates. It offers a balanced and sensible approach to the topic of alien life forms, and their relation to different worldviews.
I found a short article that summarises some of Bates’ main arguments here. Here is a brief excerpt and a link to the rest of the article.
Did God create life on other planets?
Otherwise why is the universe so big?
Many people, Christian or otherwise, struggle with the notion that the earth is the only inhabited planet in this enormous universe.
Those who believe life evolved on the earth usually see it as virtual ‘fact’ that life has evolved on countless other planets. Discovering life on other planets would in turn be seen as confirming their evolutionary belief.
But even many Christians think, ‘God must have created life elsewhere, otherwise this enormous universe would be an awful waste of space.’ However, our thinking should be based on what God said He did (the Bible), and not what we think He would or should have done. [Read more...]
This Is My Life…
March 25, 2008
Thursday 7 February 2008 – 3.00 pm
So this is my life… A new chapter has begun as my eldest begins school.
Every afternoon I find myself sitting here in the school carpark, dodging frazzled mums driving big 4WDs.
…waiting for class to finish…
- fear of the other mothers
- listening to depressing news on the radio
- we’re in Australia – that’s where the steering wheel goes
An Aussie, Reminiscing
March 25, 2008Midnight Oil – “Blue Sky Mine”
My gut is wrenched out it is crunched up and broken
A life that is led is no more than a token
Who’ll strike the flint upon the stone and tell me why
If I yell out at night there’s a reply of bruised silence
The screen is no comfort I can’t speak my sentence
They blew the lights at heaven’s gate and I don’t know why
But if I work all day at the blue sky mine
(There’ll be food on the table tonight)
Still I walk up and down on the blue sky mine
(There’ll be pay in your pocket tonight)
(Lyrics excerpt from http://www.songmeanings.net/lyric.php?lid=116207.)
Songs that take me straight back to my childhood… Nothing like a hefty dose of Aussie rock. In this case, political social action rock.
Between the 1970s through to early 2000s, Midnight Oil had a number of popular albums. True to the political nature and social conscience of the band, their singer Peter Garrett is currently a member of Parliament with the Australian Labor Party, and is the Minister for Environment, Heritage and the Arts.
Pettidee – “I’m A Vet”
March 24, 2008I must say, I do rather enjoy his music. He has a positive, life-affirming message and he’s not afraid to speak it.
Coffee Shop
March 24, 2008
5 February 2008 – 11.12 am
At the coffee shop with my daughter. There’s something so simply wonderful about a soy hot chocolate (and a soy “babycino” for my daughter!)
209. Crimson Rosella
March 24, 2008
Photograph, 2008.
Crimson Rosella, Platyceras elegans (Race: elegans), photographed in outer south east Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
