March 21

I'm the last of the group to post about the amazing 24 hours four friends spent together, It was less than 24 hours, really! A whirlwind crazy idea to meet up with our dear friend Marianne as she had a layover in NYC for a day.

I took the train, KJ and JB drove in from Western Mass, and Marianne was arriving from Holland. WOW!!

Here they are, my three fashionista girlfriends!

I'll let you guess who's who.

One of my favorite parts of this get together was going to 230 5th. It was a 20th floor rooftop bar which sidled up alongside the Empire State Building and had a view of other impressive tall buildings that glowed in the changing afternoon sun. It was magical!  

I don't know what building this is, but I can tell you the glow is totally from the afternoon sun. I put my camera on the "dusk" setting. Wowee! 

These are water towers for the restaurant! Many buildings have them sticking out of their rooftops. It's quite something to see, especially when they're HOT pink!

We had to go through this beautiful pink lounge to get to the roof Wow!

I did NOT enhance any of these colors! It was amazing as the light changed to twilight.

A sign showing me how lucky I was to be a part of this meeting.

Those are not my cigarette butts.

Is this Paris?? Could be! But it's Bryant Park, a sweet little bit of verdant green where the daffodils were blooming under the still bare trees. It was nearly 80 degrees out!!

There was a beautiful little carousel there with hand-painted details on the booth and along the top. 

I just noticed that one of my dear friends is in the reflection!! Hi KJ!!

As I was walking along Broadway with Marianne she noticed these wonderful large ravens!!! I got so excited! But then we saw them from the front and it turns out they were eagles. I photographed them at an angle that still looked ravenesque to me :)

A clever name for a sandwich cafe in the park.

This was taken in Times Square. I think it's a broadcast station of some sort. I just thought it was neat how it stuck out of the building. It was enormous! 

The circle says "The Knowledge Effect." There was something about it that grabbed me.

So cool!! It must have been so much fun to paint this! 

Another view from230 5th. The lanterns and The Empire State building juxtaposed. So lovely.

One of the things I tried to do when I first got there was to see how many shots I could take of the number 21 to mark March 21st as memorable.

I came up with nothing all day long. But then....

Just as we were saying our goodbyes I looked across the street and there it was. 

I swear the Universe provides.

I really do.

Thanks ladies, for such a memorable jaunt!

You were all so generous in so many ways.

it was a BLAST, even with my crappy shoes and my heavy luggage :)

Same time next year??

Just saying.

I love you all!

Forever 21.

xoxo

Lo♥♥♥♥

Illustration Friday: Shades

I live in a small room on the bay large enough only for myself and my cat. The wallpaper is a lovely pattern, although quite faded. It reminds me of my Grandmother's old china pattern.

The furnishings are sparse. A cot that was meant to hold someone much smaller than myself, an old ladderback chair and one electrical outlet which sits unused.

There's a tiny window that overlooks the bay. I'm so grateful for that window! No matter how small my world is inside, that little window lets in light and hope and a promise of better days. If I were to put shades on my little window to the world I would miss so much.

So very, very much indeed.

acrylic paint, pencil, patterned paper and imagination :)

Go to Illustration Friday to see other entries from around the world!

Illustration Friday: Yield

To cherish what remains of the Earth and to foster its renewal is our only legitimate hope of survival."

~Wendell Berry~

For Illustration Friday: yield

Some of you may recognize this piece from a few years back.

It's encore time while I nurse a cold .

acrylic paint and colored pencil (man tending the rice paddy)

Illustration Friday: Intention

Just think of the trees: they let the birds perch and fly, with no intention to call them when they come and no longing for their return when they fly away. If people's hearts can be like the trees, they will not be off the Way.

~Langya~

for Illustration friday: intention

pen and ink and watercolor

Quote from Zenquotes.com

Animal Wednesday: Leap Year!

I thought I'd pull out my only frog illustration for February 29th.

Happy Birthday to all the Leap Year babies out there!

(acrylic paint, colored pencil on Canson pastel paper)

Illustration Friday: Capable

Ravens are so smart, they even know how to use tools.

But you knew that, right?

Just a quick illustration before heading off to work.

Acrylic paint and colored pencil on patterned paper.

Hi everyone!! I miss you all!

xoxo

Lo♥ 

Illustration Friday: Popularity

While some would do anything to win a popularity contest, others would rather blend into the background.

Ravens don't bother with such choices.

I guess this one didn't get the memo!

This was an exercise (mostly in frustration) to get my drawing/painting hand loosened up from it's rustyness of late.

I just let it take me wherever and just had fun.

Watercolor, botanical rub ons, gel pens, colored pencils and ink. 

Happy weekend!

xo

Lo♥ 

Animal Wednesday: Black is beautiful

Here are a few paintings of black animals I have done over the years.

I know Mim recognizes one of them :)

Happy Animal Wednesday!!

I have a 3 day weekend after today. Woooo-hooooo!!

xo

Lo♥

Six More Weeks

I guess Punskutawney Phil, the most infamous groundhog of all has seen his shadow today indicating we'll be having six more weeks of winter.

Here in Rhode Island and other parts of New England our Winter has felt more like Spring, so I say bring it on!!!

Happy Groundhog Day!

(This little groundhog painted by me now lives in Holland with Felix!)

Animal Wednesday: Peek a boo!!

hee hee :)

A new valentine card available on Etsy.

The original owl painting lives with KJ and JB and they named him "Pinky."

And did you know there's such a thing as Lolo wolves?

I was going to do a post about them but it was too sad. Alaska and Idaho are culling them out by helicopters and small planes. I understand the need for "thinning the herd" in nature, but why can't it be done humanely?

So, instead I give you a cute, smitten owl!

Happy Animal Wednesday!

See you soon!

xo

Lo

Six Word Saturday #20

~After the storm

I seek solace~

Well, this has been a time of turbulence.

Friends and loved ones sick and dying.

No time for art to speak of.

Not much time to connect because there's such a dis-connect right now.

Because I believe in the cyle of things I know this will pass.

This is NOT meant to be a downer of a post, but one of hopefulness that things will begin to turn around.

I'll be back soon!

photo locations from top to bottom:Barrington Beach, Rhode Island, Pueblo west, CO,  again...Pueblo West, CO, Provincetown, Mass, my back yard in Barrington, Rhode Island,  Cove Haven Marina, Barrington, Rhode Island, and finally, Barrington Country Club, Barrington, Rhode Island.

For more "six words" click here!

Suki's Emily

Okay, I have been absent long enough.

I really miss posting and visiting, so I'm going to start with the very last painting I did and then hopefully have more to post very soon.

This is a portrait of our friend Suki's beloved and sorely missed cat, Miss Emily Dickinson.

I went to Suki's blog and borrowed a photo to paint from. The photo wasn't very clear but I did my best to capture her spirit. Suki approved and was quite touched and grateful.

It's a simple portrait trying to capture an enormous little spirit.

We are never, ever ready to let them go, but we must in order for them to move on.

I hope to be back soon with something new from my easel. I miss you all!

xo

Lo♥

A Letter to my Uncle

Dear Uncle Don~

I learned this morning that you left us in the wee hours of the night.

That's just like you to slip away quietly. I hope you know you were surrounded my many in mind and spirit. I'd like to think Aunt Jean was waiting for you with open arms.

I'm sure she was. And Hogan and Tom were there wagging their tails.

You were more af a dad to me than an Uncle. You were my rock.

We shared so much. Our love of nature and all living things.

Quiet moments...

There wasn't anything that didn't fascinate you.

I'll miss our weekly talks and I'll treasure all the conversations between us.

You were my confidant and true friend.

When my friends put you up in their guest room while we were packing to move, you became family in an instant. You never enter a life without entering their hearts.

You dazzled us all with your self-taught piano magic. Fats Waller would have been proud of you!

My life is richer for having known you.

There's a giant space in this world without you in it, but I know there's a new star in the sky now.

You shined bright while you were here, too.

Goodbye dearest Uncle. I know I'll hear from you again.

 I'll treasure your drawings which have a place of honor in my studio.

You were the kindest, dearest soul and I will miss you deeply.

Thank you for all you've taught me and shared with me for so many years.

Blessings to you on your new journey,

Love always,

Laurel♥

Illustration Friday: Grounded

Whether soaring high, surveying the skies,

or grounded with feet firmly planted where he stands~

Raven is King of all the land.

For Illustration Friday: grounded

Acrylic paint and colored pencil on patterned paper, and a sticker for his crown. 

Pulled from my archives because I miss playing :)

December Skies

This is a view from my studio window, untouched, flaming sky glowing with hope.

The view from my kitchen window, sky-blue pink afternoon.

Barrington Country Club which I pass daily.

I always pull off the road for sky photos. They call to me.

The magic of afternoon light. A perfect backdrop for winter trees.

Clouds dancing on tree tops.



As the sun sets on the last day of 2011, I reflect on the year that is leaving.

I always try to pick the gems from the rubble because I know they're there no matter how hard the year may have been.

I wish all of you, dear friends, a year full of gems, peace in your heart, good health and happiness always.

All I'm going to ask of myself this year is to show up.

I'm going to strive for improved health in body and mind.

And more art...and blogging!

And being a better friend.

Happy New Year, with love always~

Lo

xoxo

Holiday Hope

This is the time of year when many people complain about what they don't have. They make huges lists of material 'must haves" for Santa to bring or for other people to buy because they think life will be better with them.

For others, this is a time of year when we remember the less fortunate. Those without food, shelter or warmth. Those who are battling life-threatening illnesses. Those who don't have any family members left and feel totally alone. Big TVs, Ipods, computers, diamonds or fancy cars wouldn't fill their needs or their hearts.

 

What all of us need to keep in mind in any of these situations is that people care. I still believe that good outweighs bad. So let's remember the less fortunate in this season of giving. Let's show them that hope is always on the horizon.

Wishing you all who celebrate, A Very Merry Christmas. Sharing with you week after week is one of my greatest gifts of all!

( And for those of you who don't know my secret signature, the 3 cypress trees are always in my heart. They represent the 3 cats we drove from Rhode Island to California with 18 years ago. I miss them dearly and feel blessed to have had them in my life for so many years. Merry Christmas, boys.)

( click the image to see hope on the horizon!)

This is a repost from 2007, but worthy today.

xoxo

Lo

Happy HOWL-idays to MEW!

Well, at least Emma and Bliss are ready for the holidays!

I did have every intention of printing these and mailing them to my friends but I only got as far as designing it.

Please feel free to right click, save and print and sign "Love, Lo" on it and put it on your mantle!

One of my resolutions for the new year is to find balance between life and work and to get back to blogging.

I miss everyone!

Have a wonderful Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanza...whatever you celebrate, celebrate with all your heart! ♥

Love,

Lo

xoxoxo

New paintings and Bear winner!

Somehow I've managed to whip up two new small paintings for Grasmere.

This snowy lamb ...

And this Baroque-era raven.

There's shiny coppery bits on the rave's background which is hard to make out.

It felt good to paint again!

And now....drum roll please...

The winner of the cute bears is

Marion!

Congrats my friend! I know your grandkids will give them lots of love♥

How funny that you entered just in the nick of time :)