Art journal - shopaholic

Have you peeked in to the world of Becky Bloomwood? It is some time a go since I read this book and I liked it, I liked the audio book even more so I was curious to how they would capture all the thoughts on the film. I watched the film and was presently surprised, although they don't follow the story of the book exactly, I think that manage to capture the essences of the book.

The book is written under the pseudonym Sophie Kinsella. The full title is "Confessions of a Shopaholic". There is five books in this series if I remember correctly. If you've ever paid off one credit card with another, thrown out a bill before opening it, or convinced yourself that buying at a two-for-one sale is like making money, then this silly, appealing novel is for you. AND if you have not done such things but find it fascinating that people can do it this book will give you some insight... It is truly a crazy world of Beck Bloomwood!


Medium used: Derwent watersoluble wax pastel and permanent marker.

Art journal - new job

I got a new job, to be more correct I got A job. I have been studying for the last 5 years. (Still have a month to go.) The job is only a deputyship, but it will give me a study income until next April. So what is the job? I am hired as a pedagogue/educationalist in a kindergarten featuring kids from the age 1 to 6. Alto my speciality is the age span from 5 to 18, this job is close to home. I will be able to walk to work! I am so looking forward to not have to commute like I have been doing for my own education!


Really like this part.

For the art journal entry I made a very happy girl. Kind of like I feel. The entry is made with some new watercolour pencils from Lyra called "aqui" they are 5mm wide and has a hexagon grip, probably made for kids. Though I test out some new watercolour pencils as my regular brand, Derwent watercolour pencils, is running low in some... probably most of the colours. If you have a favourite brand feel free to give me a tip.

Medium used: watercolour pencil and permanent marker.

EDM # 11draw your sunglasses

The EDM challenge number 11 was "Draw your glasses or sunglasses". I chose the sunglasses, mostly because I don't wear other types of glasses, yet... I guess that will come with age. The glasses lay on my drawing table, and the light fell in on them on an odd way. I think I need some new sunglasses these are not good to wear any more, the glass is OK not to much scratches but everything else is bend and crooked.

Medium used: 2B pencil, watercolour pencil and permanent marker.

EDM # 10 draw your hand

The EDM challenge number 10 said "Draw your hand or hands (or someone elses if you like)". I actually did this back in February, just forgot to post it. When drawing I struggled with actually drawing what I see and not what I know it should look like. I guess this is a common matter but on this hand it was a true challenge. The hand is suppose to be mine. It felt like the empty hand was enough so I garbed the first thing I could and it turned out to be a sponge.


Medium used: permanent marker, pencil F and 6B.

Art journal - Norway wins the Eurovision Song Contest

Norway wins the Eurovision Song Contest! The show is something I have seen on television sins I was a child , and it is so much fun. This year Alexander Rybak from Norway won. He is a great fiddler and song writer. It certainly deserves a place in my art journal today!

Her is the link to the offical web page http://www.eurovision.tv Her is the you tube video:


And for those who did not know 17. may is the Norwegian constitution day, so it will be a great and big celebration! Want to know how we celebrate here's Wikipedias article on the subject: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norwegian_Constitution_Day


Medium used: watercolour and permanent marker.

IF - contagious

This weeks entry for Illustration Friday.



Flags on ships, not just there because they are pretty, they have a messages. Can you see what I am trying to tell you? Quebec, November, Whiskey. Look at the bottom of the post to see the answer.

The international maritime signal flags represent an internationally, worldwide-accepted, system of representing individual alphabet letters in signals to, or from, ships. The international maritime signal flags are component of INTERCO, International Code of Signals.

Generally, flags can be used as signals through several methods, as follows: a) Each flag stands out for an alphabetic message; b) Individual flags have specific meanings; c) One or more flags can form a code

Meanings of International Maritime Signal Flags

ALFA phonetic pronunciation: AL-fah. I have a Diver down; keep well clear at slow speed


BRAVO phonetic pronunciation: BRAH-voh. I am taking in, or discharging or carrying dangerous goods

CHARLIE phonetic pronunciation: CHAR-lee. Yes / The previous group should be read confirming / Change of Course (Sailing Regatta)


DELTA phonetic pronunciation: DELL-tah. Keep clear of me; I am manoeuvring with difficulty

ECHO phonetic pronunciation: ECK-oh. I am altering my course to starboard.

FOXTROT phonetic pronunciation: FOKS-trot. I am disabled; communicate with me / On aircraft carriers: Flight Operations under way

GOLF phonetic pronunciation: GOLF. I require a pilot. / When made by fishing vessels operating in close proximity on the fishing grounds it means: "I am hauling nets".

HOTEL phonetic pronunciation: hoh-TELL. I have a pilot on board.

INDIA phonetic pronunciation: IN-dee-ah. I am altering my course to port / Coming alongside(Navy) / Round the Ends Starting Rule (Sailing Regatta)

JULIETT phonetic pronunciation: JEW-lee-ett. I am on fire and have dangerous cargo on board: keep well clear of me / I am leaking dangerous cargo.

KILO phonetic pronunciation: KEY-loh. I wish to communicate with you.

LIMA phonetic pronunciation: LEE-mah. You should stop your vessel instantly / Come Within Hail / Follow Me (Sailing Regatta)

MIKE phonetic pronunciatio:n MIKE. My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water / Mark Missing (Sailing Regatta)


NOVEMBER phonetic pronunciation: no-VEM-bur. No or negative / The previous group should be read denying / Noor Abandonment and Re-sail (Sailing Regatta)

OSKAR phonetic pronunciation: OSS-kur. Man overboard

PAPA phonetic pronunciation: pah-PAH. In harbor: All persons should report on board as the vessel is about to proceed to sea / At sea: It may be used by fishing vessels to mean: "My nets have come fast upon an obstruction" / At sea: I require a pilot

QUEBECK phonetic pronunciation: kay-BECK. My vessel is healthy and I request free pratique / Boat recall; all boats return to ship. (Navy)

ROMEO phonetic pronunciation: ROH-me-oh. At sea: Preparing to replenish / In port: Ready duty ship(Navy)

SIERRA phonetic pronunciation: see-AIR-ah. I am operating astern propulsion / Conducting flag hoist drill (Navy) / Shorten Course (Sailing Regatta)

TANGO phonetic pronunciation: TANG-go. Keep clear of me; I am engaged in pair trawling / Do not pass ahead of me. (Navy)

UNIFORM phonetic pronunciation: YOU-nee-form. You are going into danger

VIKTOR phonetic pronunciation: VIK-tah. I require assistance.

WHISKEY phonetic pronunciation: WISS-kee. I require medical assistance

X—RAY phonetic pronunciation: ECKS-ray. Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals, / I am performing an exercise (the accompanying flag designates the type) / Individual Recall (Sailing Regatta)

YANKEE phonetic pronunciation: YANG-kee. I am dragging my anchor, / Ship has visual communications duty, (Navy) / Wear Life Jackets (Sailing Regatta)

ZULU - phonetic pronunciation: ZOO-loo. I require a tug / When made by fishing vessels operating in close proximity on the fishing grounds it means: "I am shooting nets" / 20% Scoring Penalty (Sailing Regatta)


Here is what I am trying to say:
My vessel is healthy and I request free pratique, the previous group should be read denying, I require medical assistance.

Medium used: watercolour and permanent marker.

Art journal - spring 09

The Norwegian word for spring is vår, /vå:r/.

Spring marks the transition from winter into summer. What signals you are judging the time of year after? For me spring is the birds of passages returning, singing, calling out to a mate, lets build and settle. Bumblebees and butterflies searching for nectar in the goat willow. Feeling the sun warm my skin. Seeing the wild flowers in my garden peeking up from the grown.

Another signal that the spring is here, is the midnightsun. It is still some days to we have the full effect. Today the sun raised at 01.51 and it will go down at 23.39.

So for me, where I live in the northern part of Norway, spring comes late and last short. So we must enjoy every minute or you will miss it.

Medium used: watersoluble wax pastel and pencil.

Art journal - to cut or not to cut

To cut or not to cut that's the question. It's my hair I am referring to. My hair is worn and have split ends. There is no doubt about that I need a hair cut, but how much? The length of my hair has past my waist some time ago... Not sure how much I'll cut yet, we'll see..

The art journal entry for today is obviously inspired by my wonders on how much to cut. The text on the bubble is from a Norwegian folklore, loosely translated: "scissors said the wife, knife said the husband."

Medium used: pastel chalk and pencil.

Losing my balance

Sadly I get periods in my life where I lose my balance. The world is spinning and my concentration is not there. All I want to do is lay still in till it all passes. It started with a car accident 4 years a go, now it comes in period. It is SLOWLY getting better, and I am starting to learn to live my life with this illness.

The illness has made me renounce/give up things I really want to do, and just concentrate on what is important to me. I can not hold the pace I used to. To me right now my priority is my family and my studies(need to pass those exams...). My art is important, but the time and effort I put into it comes in waves much as my illness.

My art journal is a good friend. It is a great comfort knowing I can nurture some of that creativity even if it is small scale. This is a entry form my journal when this last dizzy period started. For me it is the feeling of falling into a swoon.


Medium used: watercolour and permanent marker.
Entry made in the: brown hard covered journal from Huey.