Oh Joy!!!!

I had the day off today. Oh Joy!

I spent time cleaning my messy studio. Oh joy!

And then I made myself take a little time to paint.

Little painting for Grasmere.

BIG joy in my heart to make art again.

5" x 5" for my new "Teasers" series.

xoxo

Lo♥

Illustration Friday: Hibernate

Whenever possible, hibernate with your best friend :)

A little something from the archives until I find time to make new art.

Happy Autumn!

xo

Lo♥

Animal Wednesday: Heeeeere's Short-T!! and some ravens...

Meet Short-T, my favorite squirrel! She has a short tail (hence the name) and a white puff on the end of it! Even if you dislike squirrels, don't you think she's rather cute?

Hold on, I have an itch....aaaaah, ooooh. Better!

I think her tail is short because she's been caught before. I mean, she's not the smartest squirrel in some ways. Emma nearly caught her the other day because she came down the tree and walked right up to her! Emma was nearly out of her mind!

In other ways I think she may be VERY smart because she's been around for a long time. She's just a risk-taker I guess. I just adore her!

Do you spot my friends in the afternoon light?

It's a family of four, and let me tell you the juveniles have the most annoying squawk!!

Worse than teenagers who are whiney and use up-speak!

But what beauties, Look at that purple sheen!

Visiting with Short-T and the ravens while sipping a nice Sauvignon Blanc in my own back yard. My little piece of heaven.

Happy Animal Wednesday!

Animal Wednesday: Canadian Critters

Well, I'm back from my Canadian excursion to Ottawa. It was wonderful getting away and seeing my dear Uncle who turns 84 today.

Look, they have black squirrels!! I'll bet Emma would have gone nuts!

Usually my Uncle chases them away, but this guy just froze wondering who the heck I was. I think our squirrels are a bit prettier. He's kind of cool though!

He finally decided to scurry up the pine tree just in case I went psycho on him :)

This sweet little girl sits in her shop window overlooking the patio area where they sell yard items. I bought a very cool raven wall thingy for outside. I'll take a photo of it once I decide where to put it.

This is Miss Kitty, but the owners often refer to her as Miss Shi--y!

I guess she has an attitude problem. She let me photograph her for a moment though!

I guess our session is over!

We had the best meals at her house. And we finally got to meet the wonderful couple who befriended my Uncle after my Aunt passed away.

Thank you Annette and Monty♥

Here's my Uncle's Java Finch, Charlie...or Charlene, we're not sure! But what beautiful tunes she sings. So wonderful having tea with her in the morning. She flits around the cage so fast that it was hard photographing her. This is the best I could do!

And finally, one of the yummy bottles of wine I bought at their fabulous Grog Shop.

I loved the label as well as the contents :P

I'll show town pictures eventually. But for now,

Happy Animal Wednesday from Canada!

Animal Wednesday: Squirrely!

I really DO feel a bit squirrely after painting and printing this past week to get ready for KJ and JB's big YART fair this weekend at The Magic Cottage!

This little guy will be up for adoption along with a few other mini-critters I painted.

And then I thought, hmmm, he has such an attitude. Let's make magnets!

Yup. Typical squirrel attitude!

I won't be posting until after the weekend. We all have so much to do, and the coolest part is having so many bloggers come together for this!

Sometimes I just have to pinch myself, really.

I wish you could all be there. I'll feel you in spirit!

Happy Animal Wednesday! Please hug a squirrel today.

xoxo

♥ Lolo ♥

Animal Wednesday: Tree Bunnies

Okay, you ask, what does a tree have to do with an Animal Wednesday post?

Look closer!

You can see the profile of a bunny and the slightest outline of one ear against the branch. I swear I can even see his little front paws reaching up!!

Yes, it's true I was sipping wine in the yard the evening I spotted this, but what's your excuse? I know you see him too!

Here's another view. Be sure to click to "embiggen!"

Hmmmm, do you think it's a squirrel??

Maybe Emma the squirrel huntress chased it up the tree and it became "petrified!!"

hahahahah! Happy Animal Wednesday!

Animal Wednesday: S.H. on High Alert!

If your home and yard is overrun with these .... 

Then you need to bring in the BIG GUNS and get one of these...

"What?" you ask...a blurry picture of a yappy little dog?

NO!!!!

It's Squirrel Huntress and it's her job to rid every square inch of the earth (her yard) of those adorable (and oh so chasable) rodents with fluffy tails!!

(her mom never, ever lets her catch any.)

The reward of the chase is a loooong, wonderful nap!

Sweet dreams, sweet Emma ♥

Happy Animal Wednesday to all of our squirrely friends!

Animal Wednesday: Second Story Squirrel Patrol

The thunderstorm has just passed through so Emma and I decided to sit on the balcony for some fresh air.

Ahh, I love it when she's quiet and reflective.

(And I love my sexy slippers full of holes!)

Uh-oh...radar ears.

What's that Em?

Do you hear squirrels????

Hmmm. I know I heard those little buggers!

Maybe they're at the neighbor's house!

Now the traffic is too noisy. I can't hear them anymore.

Hey dog idiot!!

I'm trying to relax with Mum. Go play in the traffic and find the damn squirrels!

Do you hear that Em?

Peace and quiet in our little corner, finally!

Happy Animal Wednesday!

Animal Wednesday: Nosey Neighbor

I was testing my new camera when I spotted this guy on my neighbor's shed.

I'm smitten! Just look at that face ;)

Happy Animal Wednesday!!

Animal Wednesday : Awwww Autumn Kitten

This is an oldie but a cutie pulled from my greeting card design archives. Another one that was never bought by the big guys! (That's okay, they sell on Etsy:)

This little kitten is safe and secure with his stuffed squirrel who's just about as big as he is!

This one's for Mim because it's on a baby quilt. (Even though I made it up!)

HAW to all of you out there! And watch out for those crazy squirrels who run into tires while they're busy gathering nuts :P

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)