January 4, 2026 Sketchbook Challenge

Hello and Happy Sunday. Yesterday was a great art day. I am in a few classes and this one is with Toni Burt I love creating with her. It’s not really my style but it is still very engaging and entertaining all the same. It teaches a sketchy type art and simple watercolors. She makes her own watercolors, which are so vibrant and beautiful. She is living in Australia. The original photo is from Melbourne in the 1960’s but the people and dog all inspired by L. S. Lowryare from the early 20th century. Inspired by L.S. Lowry an English painter. I have enjoyed immensely learning art history. I watched two of his documentaries this early morning. I only wish I could have went to college (which I have said since my teens). 
I went to nursing school instead. I had a baby ( Jr.) and one on the way 

(Alexis) at 18. I finished nursing school graduating on March 31, 1989 and Alexis was born on April 2. I started working when she was two weeks old, Jr. went to day care and Alexis stayed with my best friend Bridget. Whom passed away a few years later from AIDS. Rest in peace Bridget. I miss her so much. Honestly no words can express how much she helped me and the things she taught me. She was almost 10 years older than me. It truly was a blessing to be friends with her. We did so many things together. She once even lived in the same neighborhood and she was at my house all the time. Good times! 

Day 3 of the Sketchbook Challenge a 30 day challenge by Susan Yeates. Everyone is given a prompt each day. This was day three “stationary” well I just started at it and then I watched the video that went with the prompt. That to was inspired by an artist whom I couldn’t quite find as I didn’t have the correct spelling or grammar. Someone graciously left me a message it is 

 Sir Michael Craig-Martin. That was not whom I searched for. Which my sketch has nothing or the sort inspired by his works of art. The prompt was to be colorful however I try to follow Susan’s advice about creating first and consuming later, and I did exactly that. As someone left a comment for me. Smiling here. 

Thought you might like my view currently as I drink my coffee and absorb sunshine watching the beautiful creatures. That bird camera my daughter Alexis and Amanda sent me last year for my birthday. I have greatly had the pleasure to learn more about the birds and see them up close and personal. Wonderful! Thank you Alexis and Amanda. 

Amelia sent me some pictures yesterday of the babies. Brooks on the snowmobile. 

Briar is already changed so much and doing so well. 

This was prompt #2 or day 2 a shell. Colorful however I had the idea to use a very small journal like shirt pocket size and I did two prompts in that journal and it just wasn’t for me. I don’t like that it’s not watercolor paper but we use what we have. 

I made some bacon it takes a week but this time I used the brown sugar that is sugar free (which is very good) and the redmans salt. Bruce smoked it and then we fried it up. One of the pork belly I added pepper which was very good. We froze the rest already sliced for a breakfast one morning. 

Baker they get in this window all the time. They love watching the birds. 

These boys love apples. 🍎 he was telling me that daddy put up the blow up Christmas statues. 

We went over to the Gladstone lighthouse while Kim and Jr. (kiddos) were here for the Thanksgiving holiday. We had a great day. It was cold and windy. 

We took Sophia with us as she is a car rider she loves to go with us anywhere. However when it’s super cold she can’t go. She tries by stalking me the whole time I am trying to get ready to leave. Like mommy please take me. Kim took the picture. 

We stopped at Meijer on the way home that day.  Levi and I sitting on the bench waiting while Bruce and everyone shopped. 

By the lighthouse 

The day Briar was born trying to share some of the best memories of 2025. 

Breathtaking Moments. Absolutely beautiful!!! Cody, Briar and Amelia. Congratulations. Each day I will try to add more pictures of the best of 2025. 
 

I have carried on a bit more than expected today. Happy Sunday everyone. Have a great day sending love, hugs and good vibes. Love you guys. 😘

Dawn Gallop 

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Day 3 January 3, 2026 Nature Photography

This is a pod from a goldenrod plant. Showing how beautiful nature is at any given time of year. It was 16 degrees out but as long as you have on the right clothing it’s all good. 

The sun setting out past the pond. 

The man to the left is Bruce in his brown coat. The snow is so deep in that area. See the moon. Remember we are all connected. 

Walking up to the house. You can see the high tunnel and the house. 

The moon is so bright and beautiful. 

More pictures of the milkweed seeds and their pods. Nature is one of my most favorite to take photos of. 

Milkweed seeds 

This is a girl I did back in 2012 however I never painted her. I have went back this year and painted some of the pages in my journals that were somewhat unfinished. People will ask me why were they unfinished “idk” what I do notice is my style is about the same color wise etc. My Only One Word for this year is VOICE. 

Sumi ink and one of my haiku’s. The picture below is another one of my haiku poems. I love writing them. There is even a haiku checker online. I learned haiku’s from Dandan Liu. She is amazing. Very informative and inspiring. 

 Good day,   So glad you showed up here. I am thankful for you. Remember you are loved and special. Today as I am sitting here drinking my coffee (Starbucks) yes I am partial to that coffee. I will drink any kind but if I have a choice it will be Starbucks or Black Rifle. So back to while I am sitting here I am going over The Artist Way by Julia Cameron. I have read many times in my life. There are times when you re-read a book you will find yourself with new thoughts and ideas and experiences, that really make you reflect or feel something meaningful. It is a good one. I am trying to make this blog happen again for me as I am not really much on posting on social media anymore. I do love posting to this blog. It goes back a long way I don’t remember the exact time but I had started one in 2005 but I deleted it. I slept in this morning so sorry for the delay. I have continued with these leg cramps so severe they wake me up and I run magnesium spray all over my legs. Then they will relax for a bit. 

Last night I had this bizarre dream that I was working in a ceramic factory. My first assignment was to paint this giant frog/man that was as huge as a man. I had come to tell the boss that she needed to see that it had a crack in it. She shows up with a can of spray and says all fixed now. In the dream I remember smelling a toxic smell and she had on no mask. I ran over to the door and got in a room until the smell was gone. I was staying with a friend which was one of my daughter’s friends from college. I finished the painting of the ceramic and as I was rolling it up to the storage area of finished pieces everyone was clapping. Then I woke up. So at least I know I got some good rest and a great dream. I used to paint ceramics in my younger days even poured the molds and had all the equipment. When I was around 24 a lady who had owned a ceramic studio passed away (I didn’t personally know her.) 

Her daughter called me and I told her to have a yard sale. She said she couldn’t do it as she had COPD. I told her me and Bruce would help her. She made enough money to buy her husband a boat a real boat. What was left in the ceramic shop we bought the pouring table and the pump. She gave us the trailer it was in a 1960 40 foot single wide. I was able to have my own shop. I poured and cleaned my ceramics in there up till Cody was born when I was 30. I would sell these pieces at craft shows and art shows every weekend. I had done this since before I had moved to NC in 1992. At that time I was also working at the hospital. Which was pretty good too as folks would ask me to paint things for them. As Cody calls them knicky knacks. Haha more tomorrow……… sending love and hugs and good vibes. 😎 peace ☮️ 

Dawn Gallop 

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Day 2 2026 Good Morning

 Hello beautiful souls I woke up to a cold morning and of course still a lot of snow. The sun is shining, yay!!! Today is Day 2 of the Sketchbook Challenge with Susan Yeates. She also has a book with all kinds of awesome prompts. It’s early this morning but I spent most of the night up with leg cramps so severe that I couldn’t get much sleep. Good thing there is coffee. 

Baker and Brooks eating the most delicious dump meal that Cody made for our Christmas dinner. A dump meal is a seafood dish some call it a seafood boil. It consists of corn on the cob, potatoes, shrimp, crawfish, crab meat, sausage, and oysters. One could just make it with one type of meat. The boys enjoyed too. They are very good eaters. Baker can be somewhat more picky than Brooks. 

Levi, Dakota and Clarissa happy to see Santa. 

Samantha and Levi with Samantha’s boyfriend. Jake. ❤️

Rosie telling me to get that tennis ball out from under the ottoman. She will tell me whenever her toys find their way under the furniture. 

Kenso with his Christmas photo. I can’t wait to see him real soon. I’m so excited. 

These pictures this one and the one just below are taking by the MRCD Photographer at the Marine base. We bought the disc/jump drive so we could see all the photos. They give you little tasters to see so of course you will buy them. Which it worked I did. I also ordered the dress pictures. They are over a hundred dollars each but they do have a payment plan option. Which makes it so nice. That is Cooper in the picture. 

Cooper and his battalion. So excited to see him soon. 

This is a watercolor painting I made with my class in 2025. I enjoyed it so very much. I hand drawn it and painted with all watercolors. This class was with Tracy Lizotte at Tracy Lizotte Studios. She is an amazing teacher and artist. Next with her I am going to paint a swan. 

Well better close for today. So glad I could share a little bit with you guys. Much love and good vibes. 

Have a wonderful weekend, 

Dawn Gallop 

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Day 1 of 2025 Happy New Year 2026

 I spent the day creating art. What a great gift to be able to create and share. 

Thing proud of for the year of course there is so much more but the paper size was limited. It’s about sharing your thoughts and feelings for 2025. 

I’m in the sketchbook challenge for 30 days and today was day 1 grass. And on my calendar it was green for the color of the day. It’s a very small sketchbook. I would say 4 x6 idk for sure but very small. It’s about learning new skills and techniques and start a new habit of making stuff in your sketchbook I loved it. 

So the 

Day it snowed us in, not really but it felt like it being so deep and cold. This hibiscus bloomed inside. 

I have had this hibiscus for three years now. It blooms inside just as much as it blooms outside. 

The cardinals show up I always say they are our ancestors or visitors from heaven 

They just make me feel so special to see them 

Brooks and Cody 

Brooks and Briar 

Yes, baby it’s cold outside 

A painting I did in one of my classes I loved making this not what the teachers looked like but so enjoyable to paint 

I am always changing out my alters but wanted to share them with you. Special meanings and thoughts and ideas to the universe. 

I use oracle cards and candles I make. 

Much love and happiness for January 2, 2026 

That’s hard to say 2026 whatttttt unbelievable. 

I can remember when it was the Y2K and I was prepared and ready and thought will this really happen and here we are 26 years later. I was 32 years old and a mom to five children. I would find out the next year I was pregnant with Colten. I was making and selling my soaps and lip balms. Painting all the ceramics and selling chihuahua puppies which I loved so much. If only I had a few of them today. My dogs are my babies and have always been so. I have big dogs now but miss my little ones. I always ask the universe for another one. One I can carry around with me every where. Hopefully it will happen. Sending messages to the universe. 

I love you guys 

Have a wonderful new year and I wish all the best to you. THE BEST!!! 

See you tomorrow ✨✨✨✨

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