Friday, February 29, 2008

IF : Leap in a pile


I just finished this illustration to go with a poem a friend wrote to submit to Highlights magazine. How could I not post it this week? I'm actually going to get to the studio at some point today or tomorrow to paint something else for this word. Still, I wanted to share this one...especially for my good pal Ms. Froggie!

Here's the poem by my friend, Richard Robins.


Some frogs are green.

Some frogs are brown.

Some are skinny,

Some are round.

Some are big with

bulging eyes,

While others are a

miniature size.


For Illustration Friday's prompt : Leap
acrylic and colored pencil on Canson pastel paper
See other Leap post here!

Friday, February 22, 2008

Book Meme


I've been tagged by Ronni to participate in a book meme. Here's the book I've chosen, and here are the rules.


1. Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages).

2. Open the book to page 123.

3. Find the fifth sentence

.4. Post the next three sentences.

5. Tag five people.


Here's my entry...


" It may be important for you to inform others who share your space--family, friends, or roommates--that for now your image work needs to remain private."


"Showing your creative work to others is part of the joy of self-expression, but only when you are ready to and feel supported and safe about doing so.

There are some benefits to working with another person as a witness to your process, particularly if that person is skilled in understanding how creativity helps and heals. Many people who consult an expressive or art therapist have already found their creative source on their own and have been using it for some time before they decide they want to work with another person."


I've tagged so many people lately, this time I'm tagging all who want to play!

IF : Multiple Posts


Such an appropriate word for me this week because this entry makes my 100th post!


This blog has served me well in multiple ways this past year. I've found an art community I'm comfortable in and I've made multiple friends. I've shared multiple images and stories. I've used some subjects many times ( Ravens, for example) and I've been given multiple awards by some pretty special blogging friends. The joy in my life has multiplied by being a part of this experience.


Today I've chosen to post "The Spirit Of Raven" because of the multiple times his image appears in the sketch. Also, for those of you who recall my dream series, this represents after the pears were harvested, yet Raven's presence is still known.


Thanks for being with me for the first one hundred posts! I'm looking forward to many, many more.


acrylic and Prismacolor pencils on bristol paper
for Illustration Friday's prompt: multiple

Saturday, February 16, 2008

IF : Theory...do animals have souls?


I usually try to come up with an animal related theme when contributing to the word of the week at Illustration Friday. Animals are such a big part of my world, it doesn't feel normal to leave them out of my posts. I knew what I wanted to do for this week's word, "Theory", but I first had to find the right model on Google. I was looking for an animal with a soulful expression to represent a point I'm going to make which is, I find it hard to believe there are people out there whose theory is 'animals don't have souls.'

Animals are known to make choices to help people, their own species, and often times other species. Animals come from a place of pure kindness unless someone has beaten it out of them. They're unjudgemental and love unconditionally. They respond to our emotions, and even if they're ill-treated, they're quick to forgive. They love us no matter how fat, thin, bald, ugly, or ignorant we may be. Animals are used as therapy aides in hospitals, nursing homes and classrooms all over the world. They can even detect when we're ill by picking up certain chemical signals our bodies give off. Many dogs and cats have been known to actually nudge their owner in a place where there is a growth starting, and thus saving many lifes. They lie grieving by the bodies of loved ones who have passed away, and many have waited for years and years by a door or on railroad tracks, wherever, for their owners to return, never knowing they passed away. Just waiting, waiting at the last place they saw them. It breaks my heart.

So, do I think animals have souls? You bet. They're pure kindness of heart and my life is richer because they're here.

Now look into this guy's eyes and tell me you don't see an old soul.

I thought so.
Click here to see what this post has caused :)


acrylic and colored pencil on scrapbook paper for Illustration Friday's promt: Theory.

I Love You This Much....award!


The very talented Aspa has bestowed the 'I Love You This Much Award' upon me for which I am very grateful! I'd like to pass this one along to my animal loving blogger-buds. The ones who mention their pets in many postings because they're part of the family. You know who you are! But for those who don't know you...here's my list. I'm With Sully, Sketched Out, Forever Young, Ronni, Kate and Debra Kay. Thanks for making me smile, laugh and cry about our pets, and for celebrating the awesome creatures they are!

Love & Peace Meme


Zari tagged me for the peace and love meme so we can all spread the word to send loving energy and thoughts to the places and people that need it. What a great idea! I'm asking the following blogger pals to do the same. They are...Ascender Rises Above, Aspa, The Odd Neighbor, Deli, Designing Fairy, Forever Young, I'm With Sully, Ms. Froggie, Princess Pepper Cloud, Roberta Baird, Sketched Out, and Tusen.

C'mon people...send the loooove!!

Friday, February 08, 2008

IF : How I'd Choose To Spend My Money



"If I had a penny, I'd buy a rainbow in a jar and when I got home I'd open the lid and share it with my friends."

This is a story I wrote many, many years ago called "If I Had A Penny." The premise of it is about this young boy who wanted to change the world by spending his money to help the environment, animals and mankind. I love digging out my old stuff and seeing how timeless some of these subjects are. I know this is how I'd choose to spend my money too, if only it were that simple.
For Illustration Friday's promt: Choose.
watercolor and micron pen on bristol paper.

Saturday, February 02, 2008

IF : Blanket


I went to the studio with two ideas in mind for this illustration. This is what eventually evolved three hours later. I then came home and "Googled" 'Native American Wisdom + Blanket' and this is the quote that appeared. I feel compelled to share it.


"Before our white brothers arrived to make us civilized men,we didn't have any kind of prison. Because of this, we had no delinquents.Without a prison, there can be no delinquents.We had no locks nor keys and therefore among us there were no thieves.When someone was so poor that he couldn't afford a horse, a tent or a blanket, he would, in that case, receive it all as a gift.We were too uncivilized to give great importance to private property.We didn't know any kind of money and consequently, the value of a human being was not determined by his wealth.We had no written laws laid down, no lawyers, no politicians,therefore we were not able to cheat and swindle one another.We were really in bad shape before the white men arrived and I don't know how to explain how we were able to manage without these fundamental things that (so they tell us) are so necessary for a civilized society. "
John (Fire) Lame Deer Sioux Lakota - 1903-1976
acrylic, Prismacolor pencils, patterned paper
(click to enlarge...and click here to see another blanket!)