Sunday Thoughts

Wow, what a whirlwind couple of weeks.

A new job with intense hours. (40 hours in three and a half days.)

My dear friend and Uncle stricken with end stage pancreatic cancer even after having gone to doctor after doctor only to be diagnosed too damn late because they weren't listening to him.

My friend's daughter in law, age 32, diagnosed with bladder cancer after having been given three rounds of antibiotics and NO urinalysis tests. She had surgery to have the tumor removed, but here we are three weeks later and now she has a tumor on one of her kidneys. 

And now another friend facing her own challenges and waiting to confirm a cancer diagnosis after months of being ill. Let's hope it's a false alarm and her battle can be won.

What's happening here? Aren't we in a time where diagnoses are easier to form?

I'm exhausted and sad today.

All I can do is send out prayers and stay true to myself by being authentic.

I miss you all and love you. Once I get adjusted to all of these changes and life challenges I will be better at visiting.

Life is good still, but overwhelming at times, no?

xoxo

Lo♥

Saturday Snippet 9...on Sunday

"Thorns and stings

and those such things,

Just make stronger

our angel wings."

~Terri Guillemets~

I'm going for a nice country drive today and stopping here. They're looking for more local artists.

We'll see what the vibe is :)

Blogger has been very very bad lately. I have been unable to leave comments for so many of you. I've been trying, I promise!

Happy and safe Memorial Day weekend everyone!

Saturday Snippet 8

"We are each of us angels with only one wing,

and we can only fly by embracing one another"

~Luciano de Crescenzo~

Another of my new quote cards.

Happy weekend everyone!

Saturday Snippet 4

Hmmm, I think Saturday Snippets will be a regular gig as long as I keep making these mini prints. I just love creating them and finding the perfect quote to match my images.

(Click to embiggen)

Happy weekend!

xo

Lo ♥ 

Photo taken at The Phoenix Shop at Nepenthe, Big Sur, CA

Thankful Thursday: Birds and Blossoms

There are many angels in my life, the most recent flock being my blogger buddies. I never would have thought such meaningful, heartfelt friendships could have evolved from this virtual space. I'm truly blessed.

One of the first angels I made friends with is Joss, aka Soulbrush.

She and I share many things in common including personal (inner) battles.

We will always feel that 'sister' connnection.

As most of you know she does this amazing art with a bit of an African influence. I was lucky enough to nab this beautiful ATC in a recent trade with her. I take the blame (proudly) for getting her started on them and for her deep addiction in creating them! Thanks Jossie! xoxoxoxo

Another angel I met along the way is Margaret from Waterblossoms. She does the most amazing series of ATC's with Zentangle flair like nothing I've ever seen before! Each new series takes my breath away.

The other day I went to my P.O. box and there was a large package from Margaret. We're doing a journal project together ( ArtySoulSisters) but I'm not supposed to be the one that gets the journal after her so I was confused as to what the box was all about.

This folder was on top with instructions not to throw it away because there were goodies inside! I love the little monagrammed notepad...

...and also this matching magnet and the notecard with the sweetest message.

No wonder she wanted me to make sure I looked in the folder! There were 2 exquisite cards with this image. It took my breath away! And she was so thoughtful to ask me to send the extra one to none other than my "Raven Sister", Renee! Yes Renee, it's in the mail ;) xoxo

But wait, there's something else in the box!

Margaret said she was in her favorite store in Illinois when something called out to her..."Lolo!!!"

OH-MY-GOSH!!!!

I gasped when I uncovered this beautiful wooden raven. I was speechless!

I photographed her next to my Jobi Pottery dish from my dear old friend Barbara for taking care of her kitty. They look great together but I know Miss Raven will be happier under my beautiful birth mandala by Marianne.

Perfect choice!

Margaret, thank you from the bottom of my heart for sending me all of these goodies. I feel like you know me so well. I hope we meet one day! xoxo

Before I end this post I also want to thank KJ for her wonderful cards that make me smile and for her daily emails just checking in with me.

Many of you know I met KJ once and this weekend we're going to Provincetown for 4 days of fun. We'll be meeting up with Debra Kay (yay!) and maybe Suki??? We'll have to work on her. We'll be missing Mim who is by her MIL's side post surgery along with her hubby. Big hugs Mim!!

Soulbrush and Marianne were hoping to make the long journey, but work and other things have made it impossible. We'll share our memories with you when we get back. I know we'll meet one day!!

Oh, I almost forgot. It's my 3rd Blogiversary!!

Thanks for coming along for the ride ;)

xoxoxo

Lolo

Animal Wednesday: Giveaway Winner!

With trumpets blaring and mandolins strumming I hereby announce the winner of the holiday giveaway. All names were printed on the computer in red in Lucida Handwriting ( for a festive flair!) I then cut and folded the papers in half and placed them in a bowl with a cover. I gave them a hearty shaking and opened the lid for my cat to choose one. She refused to participate so I had my husband do it. He was on the phone and just grabbed a name off the top...but with all the shaking of the names, that was fair. Without further ado....

Sketched Out is the winner!!!! Congratulations Sketchie!!

Thank you all for participating. I wish I could send each of you something but I'm a starving artist!

Happy Animal Wednesday and Blessings of the Season!!

IF : Voices

In the soft, quiet hush of winter I can hear the voices more clearly.

I'm pretty sure it's angels. If we ask for guidance, all we have to do is listen.

Wishing all of my friends a magical holiday season!

graphite and colored pencil on brown paper bag for Illustration Friday: voices

IF : Life's Extremes

What a fitting word for my 1 year Illo Friday anniversary! It's also been a year since I moved into my studio. I went from trying to find time to create art to having my own space not only to create art, but to display it at monthly art walks and open studio events. That's a huge extreme from painting at my kitchen table!

The other extreme has been becoming a blogger and joining the Illustration Friday community. Not being much of a computer person other than doing a little research and sending emails, I think I've settled in quite nicely with the weekly challenges. It's just what I needed to jump-start my brain and my drawing hand again. As a matter of fact, Fridays have become my favorite day.

And finally, the other extreme is how I went from doubting my abilities to gaining a little self-esteem encouraging me to keep at it. It's all because of the support I get from you. Thanks for helping me grow and stretch and to keep on doing what I do even when I draw or paint something crappy . It's all about the process and doing what we love.

Last night was the opening of my "Wallflowers" and "Best of Illustration Friday" show at studio lolo. It was a smash hit despite my anxiety. ( Sorry, due to a camera malfunction there are no pictures.) I just added pictures of the gallery above, just before the opening :)

Happy Anniversary to me!

Watercolor on Canson Tinted paper, rubber stamped wings, micron pens.

Click to enlarge the pencil lines I didn't erase

This was done for Illustration Fridays "Extremes"