Day 83: me do dat
Letting a child struggle to do something without interfering is one of the challenges of parenthood. Seeing this 2 1/2 year old get into his ‘jamies by himself is a pretty sweet reward though!
Day 82: Privacy
Living in a housebus is great, don’t get me wrong. And I do love the admiring glances we often get. But sometimes, when we’ve been staying in a parking lot instead of a campground, I do get a little bit over hipsters peeking through the window of our home as they make their way back … Continue reading Day 82: Privacy
Day 81: Snip snip
Every time I cut my children’s hair, I swear I’ll never do it again. Hairdressers are there for a reason, I tell myself. Then a couple of months and two shaggy boys down the track, those scissors start whispering to me again, and my fingers start twitching….
Day 80: Patience
Sometimes waiting requires more than a touch of divine virtue.
Day 79: Kate
Our photographer friend, Kate and her partner Bryn let us stay with them a couple of weeks ago while our housebus was getting repaired. I enjoyed sneaking peeks over her shoulder while she was editing photos. Hopefully we can collaborate on something together again soon.
Day 78: Thinking
Day 77: Pick me up
Sometimes parents need a pick me up too.
Day 76: Raw Fermented Sauerkraut
I drew this after my wonderful friend Bonnie from Rusty Skillet taught me to make Sauerkraut. We ate the stuff heaps while living in Germany, and I’m loving how cheap it is to DIY.
Day 75: Grandpa
Last weekend we were down in Christchurch for a wonderful family party to celebrate my Grandpa’s 90th birthday. With his five children, their 13 children and their 15 or so more all (except one) managing to make it, it was a huge gathering. Grandpa was an Anglican minister, but also worked for a time as … Continue reading Day 75: Grandpa
Day 73: Fantail
I’m doing some design work for a nature reserve, so get to spend time drawing native New Zealand flora and fauna and get paid for it. This little guy is a Piwakawaka, or New Zealand fantail. They’re super curious, and will accompany you on your walk through the bush, ostensibly because of the flying goodies … Continue reading Day 73: Fantail
Day 72: Eels
There’s a stream running through the campground here in Paekakariki, and before the crazy torrential rain of the past few days, there were a bunch of eels who would just hang out at a curve, waiting for leftovers, or a small child to come down for a chat. I wonder where they are now.
Day 71: Kea
An inquisitive bird, the Kea is known for stealing and dismantling anything it can get it’s cheeky beak on, including the rubber from around windscreens and the lining from running shoes. Note to the wise: for your own safety, don’t leave your luggage unattended.
Day 70: Bigger
Life whizzes by, and babies who needed sleep every couple of hours but never would turn into boys who only need a Mittagsschlaf (thankyouthankyouthankyou), and then into bigger boys who don’t nap at all, but can be found, every now and then, zonked out on the couch when you thought they were just reading.
Day 69: Yay!
Around Christmas time I said to Thomas that if my work could be drawing I’d be happy. Since then the balance of client work on my plate has gradually tipped to about 50/50 handdrawn/digital. Mindblowing. All that to say, contrary to appearances, I’m actually drawing heaps at the moment, it’s just I can’t share the … Continue reading Day 69: Yay!
Day 68: Train of thought
Ugh, I really really don’t like trains with faces. I don’t know why I drew this – it’s kitschy, and cheesey… wait, yes I do know why. Elliott loves trains. And it turns out my brain can’t bear to draw just a normal train, it has to draw a ridiculous one with curtains. Oh well, … Continue reading Day 68: Train of thought
Day 66: Get your glad rags on
10 minutes before leaving the house for a 1 year old birthday party I ask, “Do you guys want to put some nice clothes on for the party?” I depart with two cowboys, but draw the line at weapons.
Day 67: Start that thing!
I’ve got a big exciting project coming up soon, but it’s kinda daunting and every day I think I’ll start working on it tomorrow. So, Note To Self: Motivation follows Action!
Day 65: Xylophone
Elliott is all about banging things at the moment – everything he hits is either a bell or a drum, so he was stoked to find a xylophone when we visited friends the other day. I’m not sure how stoked everyone else was – man those things can be loud!
Day 64: Hit and Miss
I was feeling really grouchy after my two year-old was given pretty much his weight in chocolates the other day. It would help a lot if, before dolling out sweets, people could check (out of sight/earshot of children in question) with the parents first! Rant over.
Day 63: Cyclpops
This drawing was inspired by a conversation with Otis, who was telling me that cyclopses and pirates are really similar, given that they both only have one eye.