"Tiny Things" again ...

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Yes, again! - because I enjoy doing these tiny drawings and "enjoyment" is what your art should be about.

drawing copyright Judith Nijholt-Strong. all rights reserved

Tiny Jelly Candy

pen & ink with colored pencil, on recycled paper

acutal drawing size: approx., 1.75 inch square

drawing copyright Judith Nijholt-Strong all rights reserved

Tiny Strawberry  (*Earth Berry)

pen & ink with colored pencil, on recycled paper

acutal drawing size: approx., 1.75 inch square

Materials used:
Derwent Coloursofts regular colored pencils
Sakura Pigma Micron archival ink pens (sizes: 005 and 01)
Daler-Rowney "Earthbound" sketchbook - 5"x 7"

*Note: On the drawing of the strawberry, I wrote "earth berry". The Dutch word for strawberry is "aardbei" which, literally translated, means "earth berry". :o)

doei (bye),

Judy

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Golden Heart for my Funny Valentine

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A golden, foil wrapped, chocolate for my Valentine ...

drawing copyright Judith Nijholt-Strong. all rights reserved.

A Golden Heart

colored pencil, pen & ink, Arches HP watercolor paper

February 14, 2012

And my favorite song by the late, great, Chet Baker ...

Happy Valentine's Day!

Ik hou van jou :o)

(I love you)

♥ ♥ ♥

Judy

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Ice Skating on the Pond

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This past Saturday was possibly the last chance, this winter in the Netherlands, for skating on natural ice. The temperatures are rising from the deep freeze we've had these past couple of weeks and well, it's all beginning to melt. So when the canals (big & little) and ponds freeze over deep enough and long enough in the Netherlands, the Dutch go skating! I don't ice skate...but my Dutch neighbors do! :o)

photo copyright Judith Nijholt-Strong. all rights reserved.

Fun on the Ice

Feb.11, 2012 ~ Utrecht, Netherlands

photo copyright Judith Nijholt-Strong. all rights reserved.

An Icy Conversation

Feb.11, 2012 ~ Utrecht, Netherlands

photo copyright Judith Nijholt-Strong. all rights reserved.

View from our back deck of the icy canal to the skating pond

Feb. 11, 2012 ~ Utrecht, Netherlands

Since again this year, there wasn't an Elfstedentocht (famous ice skating race on the canals of  the 11 cities of Friesland), our neighborhood organized a "Children's Elfstedentocht" on the local pond and through the canal that runs along the back of our house. The race route was complete with all the official marked stops of the 11 cities and, of course, a place to get hot chocolate, coffee, cookies and candy. It was fun to watch the children enjoying themselves on the ice - even really tiny little ones were skating. 

The Dutch kids are much braver than this southerner from the USA, I might add! lol The children seem to be born to ice skate. I'll just après skate, thank you. ;o)

tot ziens,

Judy

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Sacha and the fine art of sleeping ...

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drawing copyright Judith Nijholt-Strong

all rights reserved.

Sacha the Cat - Sleeping 

Colored pencils on Arches HP paper ~ 5.5"h x 3.5"w

February, 2012

Sacha has taken up "the fine art of hibernating" for the winter, spending most of her time on her favorite pillow in my studio.  She's pretty much beside herself with all the snow and ice we have now; doesn't want to go out and whines about it when she's not sleeping, of course. 

Undoubtedly, she's dreaming, (or scheming), about Spring and all those "delicious", fat, birds in the trees she sees from the back window of our house. Uh-oh! Watch out birdies!!

tot ziens,

Judy

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Too Early! crocus in snow drawing

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drawing copyright Judith Nijholt-Strong.

all rights reserved.

Crocus in Snow - approx. 5.5" x 3.5"

various colored pencils on black Stonehenge paper  

February 4, 2012 ~ Utrecht, Netherlands

Just a little reminder of last week, when every single bulb we planted in the garden (last autumn), either began to sprout or began to bloom ... a little bit toooooo early! I have no idea what my tulips will look like come the "real"spring, or even if they'll make it through this very strange winter. It will be interesting ....

tot ziens,

Judy

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Photo Friday: Finally, Snow!

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So, it's February and after one of the mildest winters in a long time that I've experienced in the Netherlands, we finally have a decent snow fall!

(click for larger view)

All photos copyright 2012, Judith Nijholt-Strong. All rights reserved.

1. Last of my summer geraniums. 2. View across back garden's little canal.

3. My clogs and Sacha's paws. 4. Back garden view.

February 3, 2012 ~ Utrecht, Netherlands

I think it's doubtful that the snow will last more than another week, but it was well worth the wait. :o)

However, last week, my garden thought it was spring already and the bulb plants had started sprouting (not good) ... oh well. Some of the crocus were beginning to bloom two weeks ago, then they went through a dusting of ice and snow. :o( 

I started a drawing of two tender young crocus blooms among the little bits of icy snow of last week ... will post it tomorrow, after I finish playing in this soft new snow! :o))))

tot ziens,

Judy

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