Sometimes cats wear crowns

It's one of those days where nothing is going my way. From babies not napping when I need them to, to the trash can lid refusing to open properly resulting in me dropping all the stinky left over food onto the floor. And that's only the least of it. But, whenever I have days like this and notice myself whine and moan and become entirely too snappy with the whole brood I want to kick my own arse so bad.

Part of me, really really does understand how I'm feeling and that I'm tired, worn out, sleep deprived, relaxation deprived, holiday deprived etc. But the other part of me is like: dude, you complain about the the shiny diamonds hanging around your neck being too heavy? 

I don't like inducing guilt, but when I read the news and read about families being murdered in Syria, people being hung off bridges in Mexico, mothers on welfare not being able to buy shoes for their kids. Mothers with sick children, desperate for them to get better etc etc, I think to myself: for serious: stopitnowwiththecomplaining, you are blessed. You are blessed.

Of course, it's ok to not always be happy and shiny. Life with 2 children under the age of 3 is seriously not a breeze, but these are manageable 'problems' and I want to remember and stand in the glory of all that is blessed in my life. Even when things are not going my way. (I so need to go see Byron Katie, eh!).

So, universe, if you were listening to me earlier effing and blinding my way through the day; I apologise and thank you for the amazing gifts bestowed upon me: the little crazy toddler boy that is my Dylan, the 5 month old dribbler that is my Elliot, the amazing hunk of a husband that is my Andy. The wealth of willing people that sign up to my art courses. The paints in my life, the crayons in my life, the watercolour paper in my life. The blue skies in my life, the tulips in my life, the toilet paper in my life. The muffins, chocolate, camomile tea, art dolls, crocs, pillows, wooden beds in my life. I am grateful for it all dear universe and I will try to remember not to sulk so much when life doesn't go the way I want it.

On with the business of the day! My portrait nr 4 for the 29 Faces Challenge, here is a progression:
















Pretty happy with this one for a 20 minute effort, but would've worked on it more if I had the time. :) The eyes are a bit wonky and the shading is in some places a bit 'shady' hee hee! (No pun intended).

I've also done another spread in my Dylan & Elliot moleskine:











Back tomorrow baby cakes.