Year 3 of the 52-Week Illustration Challenge, Week 28

Week 28: Knitting.

Freehand sketch in finepoint black Sharpie, with watercolour pencils and shading in graphite pencil and coloured pencils.

52-Week Illustration Challenge, Week 50

Inspired by an egg carton sleigh (with eight reindeer) I saw at a craft ideas website (The Well Nourished Nest) a few weeks ago, here's my own reinterpretation: Santa's sleigh being pulled by the Six White Boomers! Uses an egg carton, card, handmade and watercolour paper, some star stickers and wiggly eyes. Each kangaroo has different facial features, but it was hard featuring all their tails. Maybe that's why reindeer have small tails?

Week 50: Christmas

And as a table decoration:

Update:

Quick and silly cartoon, in Sharpie inks and watercolour pencils. "He was pining, so I suggested he decorate for Christmas."

Week 50: Christmas II

I drew the broken bauble's outline in black Sharpie, with no idea what creature would inhabit it. I'm still not sure exactly what it is. Watercolour on cartridge paper. Pine tree needles in green and red Sharpie ink, with white Signo highlights.

Week 50: Christmas III

My friend Santa holding my naughty Christmas elves, based on my Santa photo I had taken last year. (Long story). Green, red, black, gold and silver Sharpies, white Signo pigment ink and watercolour pencil on green Origami paper.

Week 50: Christmas IV

Australia Day celebrations

I love this juxtaposition of a metal tree and a real palm tree at Darling Harbour. Waiting for Australia Day celebrations to begin. I celebrated Australia Day by eating half of the Australian coat of arms. Yummy kangaroo on potato mash and asparagus. And it was delish.


At Baia San Marco restaurant, Cockle Bay Wharf, Darling Harbour: the traditional Australia Day fireworks begin.


Central Station was also decked out for Australia Day celebrations.

Meeting Mel

Lunch with Mel (aka "Emh"), Criniti's Italian restaurant, Darling Harbour.
Witness the remnants of a metre of pizza!

Yes, it was a gathering of TrekBBS members - on a drizzly Sunday - at Criniti's Italian restaurant, Darling Harbour. Aussie Star Trek fans, otherwise known by such online monikers as Dr Rose Mod, Botany Bay, ElimParra, Melbournite EvilRobert, yours truly (Therin of Andor), plus UK immigrant, now Aussie resident, TheRealAdamJ, had gathered to meet Emh, also known as Mel, who travelled on a US Navy ship, via Japan, just to get a taste of Sydney Star Trek fandom. ;)

With a whole day of eating and drinking in front of us, we also entertained Orac Zen on someone's mobile phone (stuck at home with rain-related work chores). Stuffed with pizza, we sauntered/staggered off to Hobbyco, the ABC Shop, coffee in the QVB, and Galaxy Bookshop (Mel's second visit - this time with dire fiscal consequences). Along the way we sent EvilRobert and ElimParra off to the footy grand final - wearing opposing team colours! - and rendezvoused with the TrekBBSer-formerly-known-as CapricaSix.

By afternoon's close, we'd made it to the famous al fresco Opera Bar, at the Sydney Opera House, thinking it would be less crowded in a bar with no big screen television sets! (Not too bad. Good thinking!) From there, it was off to Wolfie's, at The Rocks, for a spectacular view of the Opera House at night while we guzzled more Merlot and chewed on kangaroo steaks and crocodile medallions! Here we were joined by the often-elusive Jean Prouvaire, yet another TrekBBSer who moved to "lurker mode" long, long ago. A great time was had by all! One final drink at the international shipping terminal's bar was cut short by a bouncer, wanting a $5 cover charge from each of us, so that was my cue to depart for the long train journey home, hoping not to fall asleep and awake in chilly Lithgow.

Mel, it was wonderful meeting you in person! It was like Facebook and TrekBBS had turned into reality! Lots of fun anecdotes, great wine, delicious kangaroo and crocodile - and that amazing metre of Italian pizza! (And I'm sure Galaxy Bookshop enjoyed your generous spending!)


Night view from Wolfie's!

'Twas the night before Christmas...

Merry Christmas everyone. Santa is on his way to Australia. Don't forget, the Aussie boomers do the first shift, then the reindeer take over for the northern hemisphere.



Yes, it's Santa's little helper! Smile Jack, it's almost Christmas!