Friday, September 26, 2008

Illustration Friday : Packed


Do you think this little guy has packed enough peanuts in his cheeks to last the winter? I think he's going for a record!


Funny word to get this week because my studio is all packed up. I ran over there tonight to unpack a few art supplies to do one last Illustration Friday at Studio Lolo. It felt pretty good. The walls are bare, the curtains are down. The streetlights shine in the space that used to be the main gallery. Boxes with "fragile" written on them are stacked in the alcove waiting for the movers to show up on Monday. I bought a nice bottle of wine to savor the moment of my last creation there but it was interrupted by the woman who's going to take over the space. She saw the light on and came in to wish me well. I, in turn wished her all the best in that magical place.

I'm ready for this next chapter in my life, honestly. As magical as Studio Lolo was for me and some loyal followers, it became bigger than I ever wanted it to be. I found myself creating art to pay the rent and that's not at all what I ever intended to happen. I'm not a purist by any means, but I want to do art when I want to do art. Not because I have to.

So I packed it in tonight after finishing this little guy. I took one last look around and I sighed a quiet 'thank you' before closing the door.

I'm going to continue to work towards a move east in the Spring, and I'll create my 'IF' entries at the dining room table just as I had in the beginning.

It's been a great ride.
(acrylic and colored pencil on patterned paper)

40 comments:

  1. this is so adorable! my hamsters do that too :D packing all the goodies into their months.
    i'm working on honing my skills at photography and illustrating, and hope someday day i can do something professionally, but as a side job. knowing me, doing it to pay for food on my table will eventually take the joy of creating away. and that's something i do not want.
    here's to wishing you all the best for your next step. and keep creating! :)

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  2. You are amazing!! I feel like you take us with you on your journey.

    ....cute little nut packing squirrel too!!

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  3. and i am there with you---all the way--- one door shuts and another door opens---- you and i are both moving on to new and exciting things...lotsa love and hugs and millions of wfs.

    cute little fella...

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  4. That is one awesome character! Great background too.

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  5. Love the cheeks! Great illustration and super idea for the topic :)

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  6. Such wonderful, soulful eyes and perfect image for autumn! All the best to you with you!

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  7. Pack, packing, packed! Coming east are you?

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  8. Lovely illustration. Gentle, thoughtful, sentiments about life moving on. Memorable. I wish you joy.

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  9. Beautifully done. And not a moment too soon. The weather is beginning to chill, the leaves are falling and soon the supply of nuts will be buried for a few months.

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  10. The ultimate packers! Beautiful color, texture and post! Bravo!

    http://indigeneartforms.blogspot.com

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  11. This is just so absolutely adorable!!! And so perfect for this place in life that you are.

    All the best.

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  12. This is adorable, and the sentiment is perfect. You've married the two themes so wonderfully. Packing up for the winter, saving up for the spring. That's good stuff.

    and lucky dining room table.

    Mim

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  13. EEEEEEEEK!!! EVIL LITTLE RODENTIA! grrr...chewing up and digging out all my hostas this fall. WHY CAN'T THEY BURY THEIR NUTS SOMEWHERE ELSE? (ok, breathe...got that out...)

    he's er, reallllly cute, the illio rocks, love the composition and color and textures, but the subject matter....grrr.

    and SOBBBBBBBBBBBB! you and sketchie hooked up? oh man! you better have had a nice nip o something for me! too too fun!

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  14. You should think of publishing all your entries in a pictorial journal. Your thoughtful writing and twists on subject matter, not to mention beautiful art would benefit many in our slam bam world. Sigh...thanks for sharing with your readers this last piece from Studio lolo!

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  15. He is adorable! I do so hope that he has enough peanuts to last the winter, if not, I will feed him :)

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  16. like this guys expression and the work on his tail is great as is the bkgd

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  17. OK this is a gross story, but I had this ex-boyfriend that used to store food in his cheeks when he was a kid.

    How disgusting is that... saving it for later. I mean, I know eight year olds do stupid things but come on... it's not like he was homeless and didn't know the next time he was getting food. He was seriously just saving it for a snack.

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  18. ooooohhh, I am a Huge fan of squirrels! they have so much personality, and are quite cranky at times. You have captured the packed cheeks perfectly!

    I just organized all of my hundreds of bags of clay today, what a workout! When we moved to Oregon, we moved in with Ted's Mom, Beverly. That's how we were able to quit our jobs and become students! Beverly loves having us here, we bring a lot of excitement into her life. (Also, Ted is very handy and has been fixing up the house a little at a time.)

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  19. Oh my goodness...goodbyes are so hard...but hopefully something good and new to look forward to! Best wishes!

    Cute squirrel...love the patterned paper for background...genius!

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  20. Great minds indeed! My chipmunk says hello to your squirrel! Excellent job and best of luck Laurel!

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  21. Hahaha- awesome painting!
    Congrats on your decision, and happy new-trails!
    Peace

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  22. great squirrel, hope it is ready for winter. good luck with your journey.

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  23. What a cute little fellow!
    Adorable painting! And indeed packed

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  24. aw little squirrel nutkin, wonderful - you may have packed up your studio but you have to promise you'll never stop creating, it would break my heart!

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  25. Hi Laurel,
    A beautiful "last" painting from your beloved studio. It is just a new beginning and the future of more beautiful art from a new place. You are such a positive and courageous lady and I was really touched by the quiet thank you you uttered for all the great times in your studio. Thank you to you for all the beautiful art, thoughtful words and positive energy you give us each week. We all love you. Lisa and Mingwah

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  26. He's a beaut. I mean, just look at that tail! Really fine work on making it look soft and fuzzy. Beautiful background paper, too. We used to have a squirrel in our neighborhood that didn't have any hair on his tail. That was not pretty.

    Packing up a beloved place is sad, but the memories will be loving. So wonderful that you can see the silver lining and bring back the joy of creating art for art's sake. Lots of hugs to you.

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  27. Your post feels even more poignant now than it would have if I had never seen Studio Lolo. Even though it was nearly all packed up, I could still feel the magic of it. But, really, as awesome of a spot as it was, you, lady, were the one that made it magic. So I'm sure you will take your fairy dust along with you where ever you go, be it dining room table or a new future studio.

    Oh, hee hee, and your squoil... freaking adorable, and so spot on. In fact, I think I might know that fellow.

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  28. Cute guy! I hope you'll have unlimited 'mojo' (thanks Linda for this magical word) to create more wonderful works in your new place!

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  29. Thanks everyone for your sweet comments! I'll always be here participating in "IF" because you guys keep me buoyed. My plans are (no matter where my address is) to keep up with my weekly illos and to get back to writing and illustrationg my children's book manuscripts. I'm also going to put together my most inspring Illo Friday posts and try to make them into a book ( as encouraged my so many of you!)
    As sad as this post mind sound, I'm excited to move on with no ties to a building. Yay, freedom and art!!
    You'll see me each week, promise :)

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  30. jeez, I hope I proof-read my manuscripts better than this before I send them out!!

    That was supposed to say.."might sound."
    Oy.

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  31. What a darling piece and touching story you shared. I could truly visualize you there on the bare floor painting away! I like what you said about creating art because you want to, so honest. Well, we're in the autumn way here and packing nuts goes with the season. Be well.

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  32. It's been a long time since I visited and I didn't even know that you were closing your studio. my best to you as you move along. might you still be heading to NH?

    love your little squirrel guy !!!!

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  33. The little squirrel is great and his/her tail is wonderfully beautiful! The little guy looks so happy.....any chance that's how you're feeling as you move on in your life? I sure hope so. I'm trusting that you will continue Illustration Friday no matter what else changes in your life, right? I am gladdened to think I will (we all will) continue to receive your illustrations and wonderful stories every week no matter where you are. I appreciate the personal connection you make with others to the point where some people come from far away just to meet you and have lunch with you. Your warmth and love comes through everything you do. Love, Nancy B.

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  34. I love the look on his face, looking up, packed with peanuts on his mouth... Great how you put it all together with the patterned paper on the background.

    I didn't realize you are in a moment of transition. Change is always hard but you seem ready to start something new. I know you've learned so much from your experiences, the next chapter will be even richer!

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  35. A great story behind.
    Lovinf this piece for sure.

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  36. I love that you knew when it had taken over your dreams. I applaud you for standing your ground! So many people take on far too much these days and forget to stop and smell the roses.

    And your little squirrel is absolutely adorable!

    Congrats on starting a new chapter in your life!

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