Thing-a-week: Worth the wait?

This week's (late) thing-a-week is brought to you by the 30-day yoga challenge I'm doing at my yoga studio. For the month of April, I'm going to yoga every day of the week.

Yep, even on the weekend.

I'm feeling better and, yes, getting stronger and more flexible, but many of the changes happening are internal. I think a regular practice is helping me become more resilient to stress. It's getting easier to feel grounded when things around me aren't stellar.

This weekend was a bit rocky. My Nana had a health emergency and was in the hospital (fortunately, she's okay now) and I had car trouble on Sunday (someone slashed my tire while I was grocery shopping).

While both were upsetting, for different reasons, I was able to reconnect to this sense of stillness I'd previously only found on my yoga mat. Increasingly, I'm finding peace off of my mat, in situations that should be rattling me. 

The challenge is also making me more grateful than ever for a healthy body and the privilege (because it is a privilege) of practicing yoga - as well as painting, drawing, walking the dog, doing laundry, writing, editing...the list is long.

What makes you feel grateful?

As usual, check out Mike Kendrick's delightful artistic wanderings at his blog, www.ironcladfolly.com.

Thing-a-week: Exactly what it looks like

I know what you're thinking and yes, this image depicts exactly what you think it does. He is, in fact, looking down his own pants.

See, my sister's boyfriend, Mike Berry, is a psychology PhD student in London studying erectile dysfunction. He was in search of a light-hearted illustration for a presentation this week, and asked me to create this masterpiece! Voila.
 To lend some dignity to the awkward subject, I made my cartoon gentleman extra manly: note his dimple chin, broad shoulders and pecs. Take note, kids: this is an issue that affects men of all kinds. Or, something.

I have no idea what I'm talking about.

For something a little more coherent, check out Mike Kendrick's Thing-a-Week here!

Thing-a-week, yoga & new schemes

Going Deeper (digital painting)

You may recall that last month, I attempted to give up chocolate. Not really for Lent, since I'm not religious, but a spring challenge.

Well, I failed that challenge -- with flying colours. Ten days into it I could no longer resist the mini eggs sitting in the kitchen. With a couple of noms, and a big cup of coffee, they were gone.

This month, I've renewed my commitment to improved health in the new year, this time with a 30-day yoga challenge at my yoga studio. Since April 1, I've gone to a yoga class every day. So far, so good!

Yoga was also the inspiration for my Thing-a-Week. Although I've been painting a lot lately, I decided to do some digital art this time around.

Like me, my Thing-a-Week buddy Mike Kendrick was a little late with his this week. But he has a good excuse: three major term papers. Me? I was just...pooped. No good excuse for me, I'm afraid. Hopefully it was worth the wait!

I'm off to catch up with some writing, but I'll post again soon with news about the Art Upon Request billboard initiative and my first official give-away.