I was feeling a bit low on inspiration, so I brought my camera along & took a ton of photos. Success! As soon as I returned home, I jumped into my sketchbook & filled a few pages.
I was going to post an update to my 31 Skirts project this afternoon, but in order to set the stage for my creative space tomorrow, I thought I would show you some of the photos that found their way into my sketchbook pages.
Warning! There's more than just a few!
First - the graffiti:
This is the first tag I saw - it amused me that you could clearly see that a template was used.
Arrows were all over the place - though usually on the bike path. I chose to take a photo of this squiggle instead:
As I took a photo of this fence, I zeroed right in on this really neat tree:
This rock wall was dotted all over with fluorescently bright paint. It was actually quite pretty. The graffiti was pretty much the only colour out there this time of year.
On my way back, I saw this amazing mural / store front on King St:
Next - some patterns & texture:
This was the aim of my walk. I saw this roof / building over the weekend when we drove from storage to groceries, & I just knew I needed to take a photo of it. The texture is beyond amazing & the shadow is pretty cool too.
The green "fencing" on this house is gorgeous.
Hamilton has some really nice manhole covers.
This building was full of patterns that really complemented each other. The colour is terrible though...
The colours on this cement wall are what made me take the photo.
I love the pattern on this fence! This was the first thing I saw that I really wanted to draw right then & there.
Nice paving stones.
Roofing & shingles are really inspiring.
I didn't think this would be a particularly interesting photo - it's just the underside of an overpass - but the pattern I drew from it is lovely!
Ooooooh... this is probably my favourite shot of the day. I absolutely love the peeling paint on this old brick building. I was sad to see a sign saying there are plans to tear it down for a condo... Typical. You can make more money off a new building than you can refurbishing an old one.There are many more photos, but these are the best of the bunch!
My inspiration level is all topped up, what about yours?
This is by far my favourite finished painting. While I prefer 
A closer look at a corner of the background:
I absolutely love the texture the layers provide.
First, a layer of gesso. I wrote a few thoughts in charcoal while it was still wet for added texture.
Next a layer of watercolour & then some collage:
You can find the finished piece 
Here's where you can be most creative. Use whatever seeds you have on hand, though it's best if they aren't salted (my pumpkin seeds were - I rubbed some of the salt off with a paper towel). I like to use 1 tbsp of anise seeds because the flavour is a perfect complement to the dates, but too much can be overpowering. The first time I made these, I didn't have poppy seeds & I found them to be a bit less dry than when they're included. If that seems to be the case when you mix everything together, feel free to add a bit more yogurt for moisture. 
If you prefer not to have chunks of date in your muffins, you can blend them with 1/2 cup of water (using a blender or food processor). If you go this route, only use 1 banana & 1/4 cup of yogurt. 
Chop your pecans & mash your bananas.
If you opted to blend your dates with water, mix them in too.
If you decided to chop your dates, add them into the dry ingredients now. This will ensure that they don't all clump together (as they are very sticky).
Fold in the seeds (less 3 tbsp) & pecans.
Remember those 3 tbsp of seeds?
Sprinkle them on top of each muffin.
I thought these sepia tones went well with the little globe I have nestled on my bookcase.