Run Bunnies, Run!

Illustration Friday - Disguise

2011-08-31T17:13:00.001-04:00

A master of disguises, Bambi felt confident she would not be recognized by even her closest of friends.

Illustration Friday - Imperfect

2011-08-07T21:01:00.000-04:00

*I'm* perfect!

...just the way I am. :)

Click image to enlarge.

Illustration Friday - Obsession

2011-07-31T17:42:00.003-04:00

Carpe dulcis! - Seize the sweet!

My obsession? ...you guessed it...sweets! As Erma Bombeck said,

"Seize the moment. Remember all those women on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart."

Click on image to enlarge.

Illustration Friday - Perennial

2011-07-26T15:13:00.000-04:00

The perennials are delicious this morning!

Illustration Friday - Remedy

2011-07-01T13:40:00.000-04:00

"I have the remedy to cure whatever ails you
...now bend over!"

Illustration Friday - Midsummer Night

2011-06-24T22:35:00.000-04:00

Would you like to swing on a star?

Carry moonbeams home in a jar?

Well that sounds like a pretty nifty

midsummer night's dream

to me!

Illustration Friday - Cultivate

2011-03-20T09:38:00.000-04:00

Cultivate solitude and quiet and a few sincere friends, rather than mob merriment, noise and thousands of nodding acquaintances. ~William Powell

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Illustration Friday - Swarm

2011-02-28T22:18:00.000-05:00

Where DO all the hearts go once Valentine's Day has passed?

I'm not sure, but I've heard it told that they travel around the countryside in small swarms.

On vacation, I suppose.

Click on image to enlarge.

Illustration Friday - Layer

2011-02-21T22:08:00.004-05:00

"My compliments to the chef! Every layer was scrumptious!!"

Click on image to enlarge.

Art Journal Love Day

2011-02-17T16:45:00.011-05:00

A colorful journal entry for Valentine's Day

- or as some call it, "Art Journal Love Day!"

(...see below...)

Click on image to enlarge.

Check out the party over on

http://www.dirtyfootprints-studio.com/2011/02/wahooo-art-journal-love-day-party.html

to find out all about Art Journal Love Day and how you can win some pretty amazing gifts by sharing your art journal page! Thanks Connie for hosting and for being an inspiration to all of us as you share your amazing journey!

Show me your Frida!

2011-02-15T08:10:00.009-05:00

I've had the good fortune of meeting the nicest folks online! One of my favorite places for chatting, sharing ideas, and swapping ATCs is Tam's ning site (http://willowing.ning.com/). Recently, we swapped ATCs with the theme, "Show me Your Frida!" Yes, you guessed it - Frida Kahlo!

I never really read much about Frida before I became interested in her because of this swap. She was one amazing lady. I was most impressed by how she continued to create her art despite the fact that she was in constant pain. What an inspiration!

Judging by the large number of friends she and her famous artist hubbie had, I'm sure, on occasion, especially in her early years, Frida was known to let her hair down...

Click image to enlarge.

Journal Page 2/6

2011-02-09T17:56:00.005-05:00

Thought I'd start sharing some of my crazily random journal pages. Here's the one from this past Sunday...yes!...Superbowl Sunday! We spent the morning at a crew competition for our son, then were home in time for the big game. Naturally, I was mostly interested in the commercials and 1/2 time show. Ha!

Click image to enlarge.

Illustration Friday - Dusty

2011-01-23T21:02:00.006-05:00

Without fail, when I sweep my perpetually dusty floors I stir up oodles of dust bunnies!

Check out more dusty art this week at:

http://www.illustrationfriday.com/

Click on image to enlarge.

Illustration Friday - Chicken

2011-01-20T17:00:00.008-05:00

Do ya wanna feel good?

Let's laugh and play

Wanna have some fun?

Throw your blues away

Are you feeling sad?

Got a problem, here's the cure:

Do the chicken dance

Make you happy for sure!

This week's theme at Illustration Friday...that's right..."Chicken"! Lol!

Check out more chicken art at: http://www.illustrationfriday.com/

Click on Image to Enlarge

2010-09-11T08:17:00.001-04:00

2010-09-11T07:50:00.001-04:00

2010-08-25T08:29:00.005-04:00

That person who wrote the lyric talking about "...hazy, lazy days of summer..." wasn't talking about my life! Lol! With our bunch, summer is a crazy, fun-filled time, with family members running in a million different directions with all of their activities! Still...I was able to carve out wee bit of time for atc swapping.

This is my version of Ariel from Shakespeare's The Tempest. He was requested for a themed swap on illustratedatcs.com entitled, "Create a Character."

Though this summer has been wonderful, and soooo much fun - here's to the deliciously normal routine of fall when I hope to be able to get back to my journaling, work on my book art, and blog more. :) Cheers!

2010-07-29T09:04:00.011-04:00

Happy birthday to our twins!! This little gal, with her wistful eyes and windswept hair, reminded me of our Sami, so I made it into a charm for the birthday girl!

(I included the pencil in the shot to show you the wee size.)

2010-07-27T07:48:00.004-04:00

Click on image to enlarge.

IF - Brave

2010-03-05T17:26:00.002-05:00

Brave Miss Pirate..."Arrrgh, me matey!"

Check out other entries for this week's theme at...

Illustration Friday.

Click on image to enlarge.

Akiena

2010-02-26T08:19:00.003-05:00

In my mind, I'm creating a hard core, ('you want some of this?'...), sci-fi beauty.....that is, until one of my teens walks into the studio...

"Nice chest, Mom."

Wellllll...as they say, "Beauty (or hard coreness) is in the eye of the beholder."

Click on image to enlarge.

IF - Focused

2010-01-31T23:44:00.006-05:00

Focused: Obviously on her love of spicey foods!

Check out other entries for this week's theme at...

Illustration Friday!

Click on image to enlarge.

IF - "Confined"

2010-01-13T12:35:00.010-05:00

Mermaids were created to swim free...not to be confined within the boarders of an ATC!

Check out all of the other great artwork for this week's theme at...

Illustration Friday.

Click on image to enlarge.

Snow Queens

2009-12-31T23:00:00.006-05:00

It had better not dare to snow without Her Majesty's permission!

Click on Image to Enlarge.

Illustration Friday - Music

2009-11-20T12:53:00.006-05:00

My favorite way to spend a moonlit evening

...with music...

strumming and singing!

Click on image to enlarge

Goth Girls

2009-10-03T06:23:00.007-04:00

School is Cool

2009-09-13T14:54:00.005-04:00

I made this for a gal that collects 'row houses.' She asked for a school house theme. The funny little girl cracks me up. She's actually pasted on with a raised backing - my attempt at a little 3D effect!

Click on Image to Enlarge

Darkness Peering

2009-09-05T15:42:00.006-04:00

KaHeD's request for the Summer PAT (Pick-a-Theme Trading Cards Swap) was a crow. Sorry, couldn't resist the Poe quote (ok...so I really didn't try too hard...).

Click Image to Enlarge

Lemur on the Half Shell

2009-09-05T15:30:00.006-04:00

Lemurkat, a friend from IllustratedATCs.com, asked for a rendering of a Lemur in a classical setting, akin to her 'Mona Lemur' painting that she adores. So, here, with apologies to Botticelli's Venus, is our demure little Lemur being blown in to shore on her shell.

Click on Image to Enlarge.

Janice

2009-09-05T15:26:00.004-04:00

My friend, Lattezar, requested (in a "PAT," Pick-a-Theme trade) an interpretation of a muppet. Here's Janice - I always loved her attitude..."Peace, man..."

Click on Image to Enlarge

Portrait of IceKat

2009-09-05T15:22:00.003-04:00

Summer PAT (Pick a Theme) for Icekat, who requested an interpretation of her amazing, and wonderfully complex character of the same name.

Click Image to Enlarge

Eve

2009-08-28T11:36:00.007-04:00

I doodled this bookmark for my sweet daughter who was reading, while lounging on the couch in my studio as I worked. The book?... "Eve" by Ted Dekker. Sweet Daughter loves mysteries! :)

Fairies!

2009-08-26T18:49:00.008-04:00

Is it just me (...smelling too many uncapped markers), or does the first one look a little like she could be Eartha Kitt's relative? Anyhow, with this little set of fairy-girls, I had tons of fun experimenting with my prismacolor markers. I just added a few new colors to my collection. Can you guess that the soft green was one of them? :) Interesting side note: I have some markers in my assortment that are over 10 years old - and they still work great!! Pretty cool!

Click on the image if you want to enlarge it.

Complimentary Cats

2009-08-12T14:25:00.004-04:00

These little felines are on their way to Australia where they will be part of an ATC swap called, "Complimentary Cats!" As you might have guessed, the object of making 'complimentary cats' was to create a color scheme with complimentary colors using cats as the subject matter. Fun, fun!! I enjoyed making 'Grape Kitty,' Strawberry Cat,' and 'Tangerine Cat.' I can't wait to see what my partners have done!

Click Image to Enlarge.

Respect the Tail!

2009-08-01T20:58:00.007-04:00

July 1/1 swap created for ANg, whose profile states that she likes Mermaids with large, a-hem... shall we say "backsides."

I guess I got the big butt right, since my friend's hubbie suggested I call her a "Mer-whale." To which I say, "Hey, dude...

Respect the Tail!"

Click Image to Enlarge

Remembering Molly

2009-06-20T23:52:00.004-04:00

I don't know why I haven't experimented more with watercolor pencils. Had lots of fun with them on this. Unfortunately, the scan doesn't capture the subtle olive color of the background.

Click Image to Enlarge

Tuxedo

2009-06-20T23:47:00.006-04:00

Enjoyed playing around with my new technical pen (Rapidograph .05).

Click on Image to Enlarge

Gypsies!

2009-06-13T10:46:00.018-04:00

Did these for the Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves ATC swap over at Illustratedatcs.com, and after seeing the assortment of hobos, snake charmers and street people that the other artists painted, I can't wait to get my returns!! I love swapping!

Click on images to enlarge.

Tornado

2009-05-24T23:27:00.002-04:00

Zorro's faithful friend.

Click on image to enlarge.

Pegasus

2009-05-10T15:53:00.001-04:00

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My Little Ponies

2009-05-10T15:52:00.003-04:00

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Leonardo's Horse

2009-05-10T15:50:00.003-04:00

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Free

2009-05-10T15:40:00.005-04:00

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Up, Up and Away!

2009-04-14T22:31:00.002-04:00

Click Image to Enlarge

Would You Like to Swing on a Star?

2009-04-14T22:25:00.003-04:00

Click on Image to Enlarge

Blast Off!

2009-04-13T12:58:00.002-04:00

Click on Image to Enlarge

Illustration Friday - "Poise"

2009-03-27T09:19:00.000-04:00

Click Image to Enlarge

Queen of the Fishes

2009-03-16T23:22:00.003-04:00

Click on Image to Enlarge

Jack be Nimble

2009-02-22T21:57:00.002-05:00

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Goldie

2009-02-20T21:30:00.003-05:00

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Happy Valentine's Day!

2009-02-14T20:50:00.001-05:00

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Sweet Tooth

2009-02-04T12:55:00.003-05:00

"Here Mousey, Mousey, Mousey.."

Click on image to enlarge

Lollipop, Lollipop

2009-01-27T14:10:00.005-05:00

oh, Lolli...Lolli...Lolli...

Click on image to enlarge.

Chance

2009-01-18T23:32:00.004-05:00

Meet Chance, the little pony at the stables who loved his girl riders oh so much, yet disliked any and all male humans. Why? No one ever knew! This, of course, always irked my son, who, after many carrots, and much horse whispering ;-) eventually won Chancey-boy over!

Click image to enlarge.

Grecian Woman ATC

2009-01-12T07:41:00.005-05:00

This little lady was done from some old sketches I did a loooong time ago for a production job. The finished painting was BIG (3' x 6' canvas) and was used with a companion piece as part of a stage set for a motivational speaker.

Here she is making her comeback as an ATC...you go girl!

click on image to enlarge

Happy Three Kings Day!

2009-01-07T22:17:00.008-05:00

Matthew 2:10

"When they saw the star, they were over-joyed."

Happy (slightly belated) Three Kings Day! This is an Artist Trading Card done for a swap with the theme, "Three Wise Men."

Watercolor, Prismacolor Pencils, India Ink, and assorted embellishments including sparkly stuff that doesn't show up all that well in the scan.

Click on image to enlarge.

Cowgirl Up!

2008-12-15T08:28:00.010-05:00

There's a different type of ATC that folks are trading! It's called an "Art Doll" and is basically an Artist Trading Card with apendages! It still folds up into the 2-1/2" x 3-1/2" format and fits into a trading card sleeve too. What fun! Aren't those miniature brads cute?

Click on Image to Enlarge

Christmas ATC

2008-12-02T17:38:00.008-05:00

Oh what fun it is to pull a one dog open sled!

Click Image to Enlarge

ATC

2008-11-30T17:31:00.008-05:00

Good Morning, Neighbor!

Click Image to Enlarge.

Happy Fall Ya'll

2008-11-20T16:13:00.011-05:00

Throwing all caution to the wind, Chester indulged in a gleeful...nay...stupendously JOYFUL... jig in celebration of the arrival of fall - his favorite season of all seasons!

Click on image to enlarge.

Get Well Soon

2008-11-14T05:30:00.006-05:00

This one is for Mike Baker over at the MondayArtday blog....

Wishing you a speedy recovery Mike!

Click on image to enlarge.

Illustration Friday - Vacant

2008-11-05T22:43:00.008-05:00

Thankfully, the vacant appearance of Goldie's castle was enough to discourage the cat.

Click on image to enlarge.

Illustration Friday - 'Sugary'

2008-10-04T22:50:00.010-04:00

Ahhh, happiness in a cup! The perfect food...the cupcake!

ATC

2008-10-01T13:05:00.019-04:00

I'm finding that ATC cards are fun for doodling! A great thing to keep hands busy while watching that random TV show with hubbie at night, while waiting on the daughter at dance class or to pass time before our son's boat comes into view at crew.

This is one of those little doodles, done in a hotel room one evening while chatting with my girl, Cindy.

New ATC

2008-09-29T21:11:00.007-04:00

Just finished a set of artist trading cards for some of the folks on the Everyday Matters Group. I had no idea how much fun these little cards are to make and trade. There's just someting special about having a little piece of original art from someone. Anyway, here is one that is on it's way to a fellow artist....

"Top 'O the Mornin' to ya!"

Click on image to enlarge.

Workshop Notes

2008-08-14T22:56:00.009-04:00

What a fabulous class! With demos on many different techniques, tips on materials and hands on painting time, Anne Abgott's "Daring Color" watercolor workshop was awesome!

We learned Anne's amazing technique for 'mingling' transparent watercolors directly on the paper, instead of mixing on the palette. And, I love, love, love working on 300 lb. watercolor paper now!

One thing that I neglected to mention on the notes below, is that Anne had us work from both a black & white photocopy of our reference picture and the color copy. What a great tool for seeing the range of values in your subject! Each of us left with a complete...well in my case...almost complete...painting.

Click on image to enlarge.

Illustration Friday - Poof!

2008-08-05T14:10:00.004-04:00

For this week's Illustration Friday topic of "Poof" - we bring you a message from the cat...

Queen Charlotte

2008-08-05T00:40:00.005-04:00

Well, I did finally make it to Charlotte!

Nice airport.

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More Airport Stuff

2008-08-04T12:24:00.005-04:00

More of the now infamous get-away weekend.... :-)

Click Image to Enlarge

At Gate B-4

2008-08-02T18:44:00.010-04:00

Every now and then, a person needs to get away. Luckily, I have a good friend who agrees! So, recently, Cindy and I decided to meet in Charlotte, North Carolina for a holiday! Our plans included a watercolor painting class at Cheap Joe's, a trip to a cool museum and various other acts of mischief. Here is the first of several entries in my moleskine from our wild weekend...

Click image to enlarge

Illustration Friday - Worry / Baby

2008-05-27T20:58:00.013-04:00

I actually made this illustration for the topic of "Worry" and ended up missing the dealine. No worries though - since it seems to fit the new topic also....which is..."Baby!" As Hannibal on the A Team used to say, "I love it when a plan comes together."

(...even if it's not the original plan!) :-)

Illustration Friday - Wide

2008-05-16T18:11:00.006-04:00

With arms open wide, they welcomed the glad tidings!

Illustration Friday - Electricity

2008-05-09T17:00:00.002-04:00

Never, ever play with electricity!

Illustration Friday - Topic: "Fail"

2008-04-11T21:50:00.007-04:00

Having 'failed' to strap herself in, Laurie realized she was in for the ride of her life!

Illustration Friday - Homage

2008-03-29T17:38:00.005-04:00

Once upon a time, long, long ago, there lived a princess who loved shoes. She had such a fabulous collection of footwear, it was legendary throughout the entire kingdom. There were sneakers, boots, sandals, slippers and clogs of all sorts, not to mention the pumps... high-heeled pumps of every color in the rainbow, and every variation of every color of the rainbow. All was peaceful and perfect in the kingdom - until one fateful day.

That was the dark day when, seemingly out of nowhere, the monster Arthur appeared. And, while the princess was away, slithered into her closet and made off with her treasured shoe collection, ruthlessly leaving only the less-than-beautiful orthopedic oxfords.

Drat you, Arthur Itis - you hateful stealer of fashionable footwear!

So, in homage to the princess' once glorious shoe collection, I submit the above rendering of a couple of old favorites.