Bamboo Sketches
by Charity Lee Jennings
A Second Spring
Magnolias Just as the magnolias started to blossom this spring, a frost came. They shrivelled before they had a chance to show their splendour. Grieving, I dug out some old sketches and created Magnolias. This was weeks ago and as I was on my walk today I passed many...
My Creative Lunch Break
Like Sharon Collins, I took a creative lunch break. I co-ordinated lunch for my kids and stuck a sketchbook and pencil in my purse. A break was just what I needed in the midst of a week packed full of appointments. But where can I have a break in a house full of...
A Creative Lunch Break
“I took the winter bird challenge and did my sketch on a one hour lunch break. It felt so good to see something I created…with your help. 😉 I especially liked the grid tip.” Sharon Collins Remember my tutorial, Winter Bird? Sharon Collins, a college faculty...
Chinese Easter Eggs
Do you know the feeling of waking up and being greeted by something you’ve created? My daughter and I experienced it this morning and now, as I write, I’m watching her arrange our painted eggs in nests of cold porcelain. She’s admiring one, complimenting another, and...
Shimmer of Hope
My son called it, “The Worst Easter Ever.” We helped friends, who lived just a short walk away, with their moving sale. After watching bits of their life disappear, we all said good-bye, then they flew across the ocean. Their home, once filled with children’s...
Lantern Festival 2
The fireworks are over and the lanterns are still up - it's a good time to be in China! I’ve renovated, with the hopes you’ll enjoy my site more and find it easier to navigate. Lantern Festival 2 is featured on my new homepage.
At Home Art Class – “Winter Bird”
Wanna hear a secret? You can learn to draw. If you have the desire. A lot of people tell me they can't draw, and I once believed the same about myself. I wanted to try but was terrified I didn’t have "the gift." You've heard it before, any kid can create....
Lantern Festival in Ink and Watercolour
Did you know that in China, Chinese New Year is more commonly called Spring Festival? The fifteen day celebration truly is designed to put the coldest days of winter behind and usher in Spring. Friday night was Lantern Festival, the last night of the celebration and...
Gallery of Hearts
Grab a drink, sink into your chair, and enjoy this slideshow, created by my daughter and I, of valentine hearts. If you want to choose your pace, ignore the link and select the first photo. Then you can click through the show. [ngg_images source="galleries"...
At Home Art Class – Cold Porcelain
Remember my post about wanting to put a movie on for my daughter so I could get one last thing done? Writing it awoke a picture of what I want our relationship to look like. I don't want to be too busy each time she approaches. I want to make memories together, to...
Mandarin Minute – Happy Chinese New Year
February 16th is Chinese New Year. Join Jia Jia and I so you can greet your friends, saying Happy New Year! Charity: Hello, 你好, and welcome to Mandarin Minute. I’m Charity Lee Jennings. Jia Jia: 你好, 我是 Jia Jia. Charity: Jia Jia, thanks for joining us...
Valentine’s Day Mandarin Minute
Learn to say, "I love you," on this Valentine's Day Mandarin Minute. And come back tomorrow for our Chinese New Year Mandarin Minute. Charity: Hello, 你好, and welcome to Mandarin Minute. Jia Jia, it’s great to see you again. JiaJia: 是的。 好久不见。 Charity:...