I Spy ...

Today was a hot day. I didn't spend much time outside, but it was nice. Sunshine, blue skies, and birds being bullies to other birds!! I actually shooed away a tiny bird bugging another tiny bird! Poor thing was squawking away, its wings spread a little bit, being chased around a tree! I felt so bad for the little thing. They're so cute these little birds (unlike the rats with wings that are just so icky ... pigeons).

Speaking of pigeons, have you seen the original German version of the movie Mostly Martha? She talks about pigeons as if they're delicious to eat!! Eww. I don't think a pigeon in the city would be very tasty.

On my way home from 'work' today I stopped again at the courtyard behind that church I drew the other day. The bench that was free didn't have a great view of anything, so I went back toward the metro to go home. On the metro platform, I pulled out my sketchbook, and drew a guy with his arms crossed holding a shopping bag. I had to go fast cause I could hear the train coming in his direction, and soon enough he'd be out of view. I didn't get much drawn by the time he was obscured, but I could guess the rest. At another stop a larger man in a shirt and tie was holding the pole in front of me, so I shot some glances in his direction, trying to capture him before he got off (which I figured was soon as we were fast approaching a connecting line).

This is the first time since my trip to Japan since I've drawn people on public transit. Let's just say that I had to do it a lot during art school, and it's not my favorite subject. People move a lot. :) Haha. It's a challenge to get the pose because as you know it, people don't often sit still!

So here it is... My art for the day.

Ok it's not the best.. especially the guy in the suit! I couldn't just stare at him (that's rude), and I would have had to move my head up and down (he was tall and I was seated), so all I could do was move my eyes and tilt my head just a little! I had a hard time with the hands (always have). I don't even know if he had the chubby cheeks I started drawing.

But there you go!

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I was looking at this blog today http://lovebirdstationery.wordpress.com and it got me thinking about the lotus she drew in her sketchbook, and I found this drawing I did last year:

I had completely forgotten that I had this in my little pile of papers of lotus flowers and koi fish. Last year a tattoo artist was offering any tattoo for any price to raise money for her dog's vet bills, and I had my appointment all booked and was going to get this done. I backed out because something about this girl's art really bothered me, and I'm glad I did. I don't want to get a tattoo just because it's dirt cheap.

In any case, the image is really nice. The writing is Thai, it's the Om Mani Padme Hum Mantra.

OM MANI PADME HUM MANTRA MEANINGS

The Om Mani Padme Hum mantra is a Budhhist and Hindu mantra that translates roughly to: I honor the jewel within the lotus bloom. It is a metaphor representative of honoring the divinity within yourself and within everyone and everything. You are the lotus bloom. The jewel within is the divinity and enlightened compassion of Buddhahood.