Hopeful signs of Spring

I pulled this illustration over from my Moleskine blog because it seemed fitting for the day. I finally see hundreds of these little guys trying to pop up in the yard. It takes real finesse not to step on any of them because they're everywhere!

So, while I'm trying to come up with an illustration for this week's "IF", I'll post this cheerful piece for now!

I have had many requests to do a new "bag lady." Stay tuned, you never know!

Happy almost Spring!

Skywatch Friday: Diagonal View

I just took Emma out in the yard before dinner, letting her sniff and chase squirrels (who had been long gone when they heard her coming!) I was blissful with the feel of honest-to-pete spring in the air and when I tipped my head back I saw this fresh contrail. I had fun getting it placed corner to corner. 

It's been a while since I've participated in Skywatch Friday. 'Bout time, don't you think?

For more interesting sky shots across the globe, go here.

Illustration Friday: Stir

Underneath the heavy blanket of Winter, signs of Spring begin to stir.

The Robins woke me with their song this morning and I feel hopeful!

Digital collage for Illustration Friday: stir



Animal Wednesday: Nesting

I went looking through my archives to see if I had an appropriate image to use for today.

I did this painting five years ago when I rented a musty old room in someone's house as my first studio. I wanted to paint a nest, but then I thought about a little sparrow bringing an 'offering' to my painting because he thought the nest was real! Talk about self-flattery!

Anyway, five years later I see a lot wrong with the painting. Still, someone in Southern California is enjoying it as part of their bird art collection.

Apologies to those of you who may have already seen this. I haven't had a whole lot of time to do new stuff lately. I'm working on changing that though ;)

Happy Animal and nesting Wednesday!

Animal Wednesday: Tiptoe Through The Crocus

We haven't lived in this house for too long so imagine my surprise when I looked out the window the other day and saw at least 500 crocuses! At first I wondered what 'all that stuff' was in the yard, thinking somehow that litter of some kind blew in. The yard hasn't seen any love for quite sometime, I'm sure, but on this day it was very special to me. I can't wait to see what else 'pops up!'

As I was taking the shot little Miss Emma spotted a squirrel and began the chase!

I think maybe she was happy about the crocus-fest and she couldn't contain her enthusiasm! Well, she did trample a few of them.

Happy Animal Wednesday!

Six Word Saturday # 7

Blue skies,

black cloak,

watchful

friend.

for more six words, stop by Cate's place!

Animal Wednesday: Spring Chicken

Another little miniature 4"x4" canvas painting I did for my Etsy shop. Tis the season!

Happy Animal Wednesday!

For more animal pals, click here :) 

Animal Wednesday: Thoughts of Spring

This is an ancient illustration. You can tell by all the faults but I still wanted to post it. The three cypress trees in my landscapes (as some of you know) represent my 3 cats we drove cross country with 16 years ago. I miss those boys every day. The girl in the grass with her little companion represents new life as well as memories of days gone by.

My father-in-law passed away suddenly yesterday. He was a terrific man and he's one of the reasons we wanted to move back to the east coast, so we could be closer to him in his last years. I want to close this post by sharing something my husband wrote about him last night as a lead-in to a tribute he'll be writing on Bleacher Report.

"In memory of my father, James M. Gaylord (May 18, 1924-March 10, 2009), a decorated World War II foot soldier, a D-Day Plus 6 man who stormed the beaches of Normandy, a man who nearly froze his feet off at the Battle of the Bulge. Dad, ever since I can remember I could outrun you but in the ways that mattered I could never keep up."

Happy Animal Wednesday my friends! Now go hug someone you love ;)

Animal Wednesday : Nesting

This is a painting I did a couple of years ago in my very first studio. It was a musty old place with too many spiders in the back of someone's home. But it was my space and I came to love it. One spring I watched a little sparrow carry pieces of straw and other things to help build his nest. I was doing a lot of trompe l'oeil in those days, so I thought how wonderful it would be to paint a bird making an offering to a painted nest because he thought it was real! This is how it turned out. That's also the brush and paint cloth I used that I added to the picture. One of my husband's co-workers bought it for his wife who collects bird paintings. I kind of miss this one because it was a little personal, but it sure makes me happy to share my art. Happy Animal Wednesday...and yay spring!!

Animal Wednesday : Happy Spring!

Nothing like a few tulips popping up after a long winter to put a spring in your step and a lift in your mood! Yay...warm weather ahead!!

IF: Spring Green

I love the newness and promises of hope that spring holds. The air comes alive with bird song and the smell of the first cut grass. The bulbs bloom and buds on the trees burst open as if overnight after waiting through winter. The birds start building their nests with care and anticipation of a new brood. What was bleakness all around us not so long ago is now green with new life, new energy. No wonder so many of us feel alive during this season of renewal!

Happy spring everyone!

(For some reason this thumbnail wouldn't upload on IF. After a zillion trys, I just uploaded a bunch of stems from my vase of orchids. Hey...it got you here!)

acrylic on canvas...click to enlarge