IF : Snap-on-ears, etc.

Okay...what's up with people who feel the need to dress up their dogs? I'm not talking about sweaters to keep the delicate little breeds warm, or maybe even a tasteful bandana. I'm talking bunny ears and antlers, fairies and bumblebees and pirates and ballerinas.
My friend's daughter had her adorable Shih Tzu in a full pink party dress last week. People, people, people. That's just wrong! Ever ask yourself why there are pet therapists on this planet? These guys need therapy and heavy drugs after being paraded around in polyester with sequins and headbands with ears. No wonder most of them SNAP!!
I will say this though. Some of those get-ups have made my head SNAP in their direction. Especially if it's an outfit I wish I had.

(This post is in memory of, and apologies to Mooshi and Joni who I did put Santa hats on.)

graphite, watercolor and colored pencil on a grocery bag from Trader Joes. Click to make the doggy big and scary.

"A Slice of Life" at studio lolo

Well, the big show I've been planning is finally here! I asked several artists to paint a 12" x 36" canvas, vertical format with the theme "A Slice of Life." Even though my space is mainly my working studio, I do have two other rooms to display art. I can't keep them filled myself so I put the word out there about this show (which will give me time to get some paintings done while it's up!) The response was fantastic!

Some of the paintings represent struggles, childhood memories... both good and bitter, landscapes and seascapes, fantasies and whimsey. So many wonderful works of art! I took these pictures to show how the rooms look, and also a close-up of one of my entries titled "The Sea Nourishes Me." If you look closely you can see the spirit of the woman in the water. Her hair is the breaking wave.

Thanks for visiting the show. I just had to share it!

4/7/07 Well, the opening reception was last night and it was phenomenal! There were over 300 people who came through my little place. It was truly overwhelming, but flattering! Lots of compliments and one sale! Whew! :)

IF : I Spy

I Spy with my cat eyes

Eight fat birds high in the sky

If I should wake before I die

Please, oh please put them in my pie!

Not my usual 'sweetness and light.' I'm feeling melancholy today. I can't put my finger on why, but today doesn't feel good. Tomorrow is another day, thank goodness!

acrylic and colored pencil on patterned scrapbook paper, collaged birds from an ad, and awesome letter sticker dots! Click to enlarge the scary cat.

IF : Total Magic

This is a painting I did for my nephew in New Hampshire. He's a total, undying fan of mine as well as being a very lost soul. I painted this for him because he told me I always drew with him as a kid and I was the one who got him interested in wizards. I totally love that he cherishes that memory.

I've also included the legend I made up to go with the painting. I researched the names and chose ones that I felt fit the painted characters. And if you have a spare moment, please send a "shout out' or a prayer to my nephew who seems to be on a crash and burn collision course. If only these mythical, mystical creatures could guide him.

The Legend of “Jamie’s Wish”

Meet the sorcerer, Earnan, (pronounced Eer-nun) In Scottish, his name means “one of knowledge.”
The white wolf’s name is Mungo, which in Scottish means “my wolf.” The white tiger’s name is Finlay, which in Scottish means “white warrior.”
I chose Scottish names because my Great Grandfather (your Great, Great Grandfather), and my Grandfather (your Great Grandfather) were both wonderful artists and they were born in Scotland. I always honor them because I feel this is where I inherited my talent.

I hope you enjoy this painting for many, many years. I painted it with only you in mind. I first paint the eyes and then I let the images guide me from there. On the next page is an explanation of what the painting portrays.

Lots of love….

Auntie Laurel


Earnan, the sorcerer, holds many powers. He only spreads good and he is totally connected to the “magic in all things.” He is all knowing and believes strongly in the power of the Universe. He carries a scepter with a full moon globe. The moon is a symbol for psychic energy, or the unconscious that holds the secrets of knowledge and wisdom. He connects with the raven tattoo on his palm because he has chosen Raven as his totem guide. In Native American lore, Raven medicine represents self-knowledge, introspection, wise in oracles and omens, mystery, other-worldly travel, trickster, and a need to make changes in the way you perceive things.
He has chosen two companions, a young white tiger named Finlay, and a young white wolf named Mungo. Tiger medicine represents passion/sensuality, silent solitary power, heightened sense of touch, and valor. Wolf medicine represents pathfinder for the human spirit, knowledge, teaching skill, helping in finding the life-path, loyalty, cooperation, free spirited, mating for life, facing death with dignity, perseverance, fighting only when necessary, and taking advantage of change.
Earnan, Finlay and Mungo believe in the magic. They are the magic. Let them be your guides in the areas of life they represent and you will believe in the magic too.

acrylic on canvas....click to bring the magic closer to you!

IF: Wired...and unwired

About a year and a half ago my husband and I rescued a terrified Chihuahua/Rat Terrier mix. Like most of us, she had issues-none of which we were warned about. We would have adopted her anyway, but knowing something about their background is usually helpful. We knew she was one of seven dogs of different sizes and breeds who were left in a yard for a year or more, pretty much unattended and left to fend for themselves whenever food was tossed their way. A neighbor reported them to the local humane society, thank goodness, and the owners surrendered six of the seven.( I pray every day for dog number seven who stayed with them.)

She was in the very last run at the shelter, just quaking in her boots with her back right up against the wall. She barked and yelped at me, knocking her food over in the process. I opened the door to her run, sat down on the floor and spoke softly, telling her I had all day. After about a half hour or so she crawled onto my lap. The rest, as they say, was history!! The shelter had given her the name of "Sadie" which she didn't respond to. After having her home for a day I renamed her "Sweet Emma." Now that time has passed we realize she's only sweet with us...oops! And she also has epilepsy-but because she's so special (to me) I just tell her she has "Emma-lepsy :) Her seizures are infrequent and small so no medication is needed at this point. Good thing her mom is a retired vet tech. Another family might have returned her.

So...being the nervous or wired type she can sometimes be, here's my rendition of her when she's amped up as well as a photo of her the day I brought her home. I'm in LOVE! Can you blame me? ( Click to enlarge...it looks better!)

Watercolor on Canson, cut out and glued onto scrapbooking paper and embellished with colored pencils and micron pens.

IF : Hide...the berries!

Every evening the Night Mice come out and scurry around the deep, dark roots of the Balbo Tree. It's a tangle of twigs, like woody fingerlings all snarled together to form the most magical place to hide their delicious berries. It's a lot of work making sure the berries are in the nooks and crannies in just the right way so as to not squish the delicious gems, but also making sure they're well hidden so the greedy Jays and Ravens don't raid their stash. The mice are compulsive little creatures, working all night if they have to. The payoff is that 'to die for' berry wine when fermentation takes place, usually during the sixth full moon of the year. They often allow Possum and Raccoon to partake in the juice, but only because at that point they're usually a bit 'in their cups' themselves. Besides, it's no fun to drink alone!

So cheers, my Illustration Friday friends! Drinks are on me.

Done for IF "HIDE"...acrylic on canvas. Click to enlarge

IF : Animal Communication

When we were born we couldn't speak. We'd use our eyes, or we'd fuss, cry, grunt, groan...even laugh. Somehow we'd get our message across. We used intuitive communication. Animals speak this way, like Stallion and Raven here. They're having a 'quiet conversation.'

If we are still and if we quiet our minds, we could still communicate in this way. For most of us it would take a lot of practice. We could speak to animals, people in comas or those affected with autism. We could even communicate with loved ones who've crossed over. This type of communication is ancient and it's in all of us.

We just have to be opened to it and allow it to come through.

This is a painting I sold last year titled "Quiet Conversation." ( acrylic on canvas) click to enlarge...and thanks for your comments :)

IF : Gravity

Murphy ran to the window after hearing a loud "thud" outside. Even though he was safely inside his new home, he was still jumpy after living on the streets for so long. It seems he was left behind when his previous family moved away. Some people think pets are disposable, I guess.

But one sunny September day, just the right person came along. She sat on the curb with him for a very long time, almost as if she stayed to hear his whole story. She was pulling one of those two-wheeled carts to lug her groceries. She stood up from the curb, took off her sweater and laid it on the bags before gently placing Murphy on top. He looked up at her and sighed the deepest sigh. He knew he was going home.

As he looks out the window he sees it was only an apple released by gravity. There was nothing to fear. Not ever again.

He gave a big, lazy stretch and went back to curl up on his comfortable, familiar sweater.

This is a very old illustration done in acrylic and prismacolor pencils on bristol board. Please click to enlarge.

IF: Crash 1

I thought this word was challenging! I thought of several things, so here are the 2 I narrowed it down to.

The first one is about The 10th Annual Snooty-Sniffers Convention held each year( in my own mind.) Only the elite purebred dogs are allowed in the clubhouse to schmooze and booze, but Walter, a good ol' mutt from the 'hood, had enough of this snobbery and decided to crash this phony baloney gathering. He grabbed a bottle of whatever beer was on sale and hit the bar with attitude. What really made him mad was no one seemed to notice him. I'm sure he has something up his furry sleeve though, and he'll make sure they take notice soon...real soon!

(Also, please click on Crash 2 (to the left) and let me know which one you like!!)

IF: Crash 2

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The second post is in regards to 4 birds I saved last year after they had crashed into my French doors.(I'm not at all happy with the drawing.)The female Finch on the bottom right was actually saved twice! First from the crash into the door, and then from the mouth of the neighbor's cat later that same day. ( It still had the wound on it's beak from the window slam which is how I knew it was the same bird. ) I would pick the birds up after the crash against the door and give them CPR by blowing warm breath into my cupped hands. Eventually they would come to life after they came through the shock. (It's actually the shock that usually kills them, or a cat who sees them knocked out and goes in for the kill.) After a while they flutter and stir, and when I'm sure they're completely okay, I release them! Usually I break into a bad rendition of "Born Free" and watch them fly away. It's a wonderful feeling! Below is a photo of the Hummingbird just before it flew off. It circled me twice before leaving. I took that as a thank you!

Today I have decals on both doors that I bought at The Wild Bird Center. They look like etched leaves to you and I, but to the birds, they look like ultra-violet light that they stay away from. There have been no more incidents for a year!

I've been tagged!

I've been tagged by emila to list 6 wierd things about myself! I'm not sure if I can...not that I'm not weird, but maybe I don't want you to know certain things!! Well, okay...

1.) Food texture is a big thing with me. I can't stand slimy stuff. If my scrambled eggs look "wet", back they go. I like my fish on the well-cooked side too. Funny thing is I LOVE pudding. Go figure.

2.) I have hair angst. I never, ever like my hair. I just got it cut and for the first time in my life I'm not blonde...I went auburn, and I LOVE it! Crazy old lady. Ask me if I like it next week.

3.) I wear sneakers with just about every outfit. Not just any sneakers...matching ones, of course! Even if I'm semi-dressed up, you can be sure to see some spiffy sneakers on these feet.

4.) If I hear of a disaster on the news (a fire, flooding, car accident, etc.) I always worry if there were animals involved. I care about the people too, but I figure most of the response will be on them. I don't want the animals to be forgotten.

5.) I HATE snobbery. I live in a wealthy, pretentious area that is a lot about designer labels, big homes, golf memberships, Bentleys, etc. Not all of these folks are snobs, but the majority of them are. The ones that are nice are the ones who earned their money and never forgot where they came from. The snobs are the phonies who need to hide behind their money to feel better about themselves. And the nice ones never treat me like "the help." (When I'm doing a mural or pet care.) They treat me like a friend.

6.) I don't like talking on the phone very much. At the end of a day, I just want silence. I never used to be that way, but now I'm finding less and less time to take care of myself, so one of those ways is to just stop talking for a while. But then there are those times when you can't get me off the phone. Depends on how many drinks I've had :) yap yap yap yap yap.

I'm tagging all who want to share! Nobody specific..just have fun with it!

Illustration Friday: Sprout...of hope for the earth

I saw a photograph of a young African woman in a recent issue of National Geographic and something about her face really moved me. She was living in a dark room with no plumbing, no electricity, no clean water, no medicine and no schools. She lives in one of the "wealthiest" oil regions of the world, but instead of the promise of riches and a good life, the very source they'd hoped would make their lives more abundant had them living below poverty. Pollution from the oil refineries are killing the fish that used to sustain them, and crime is at an all time high. The future is very bleak. I'd like to think this young woman will be one of many who won't stand for the destruction of our earth. I found this quote that I imagine her chanting, over and over and over again. And like the seedling in her tiny window, it became a sprout which will eventually become a tree to help heal the earth.

"I have come to terms with the future. From this day onward I will walk easy on the earth. Plant trees. Kill no living things. Live in harmony with all creatures. I will restore the earth where I am. Use no more of its resources than I need. And listen, listen to what it is telling me. "- M. J. Slim Hooey

Acrylic and colored pencil on scrapbooking paper....click to enlarge image

Illustration Friday : Lady in Red

'I've never seen you looking so lovely as you did tonight

I've never seen you shine so bright

I've never seen so many men ask you if you wanted to dance

They're looking for a little romance, given half a chance

I have never seen that dress you're wearing

Or the highlights in your hair that catch your eyes

I have been blind '

When I read this week's word, the first thing that came to mind was the song, "Lady in Red." I've always loved it. And the artist really wrote it for and about his wife, which I also love.

This illustration was prompted by a friend who loved my Super Hero illo. She said "You've got to do more of THAT!" meaning she loved the stylized woman in my illustration. She loved her vulnerability. She loved her exaggerated angles. I mulled this over and got very excited about doing a series of stylized women on patterned backgrounds and calling the series "Wallflowers." So...I'm trying the first one out on you! Any and all feedback is always welcome. Being self-taught, I work really hard at everything I do. But, don't we all? So, here she is, my lady in red.

There are 2 views because it was too large for my scanner. There's a decorative trim on the bottom of the paper which didn't show on the fuller view. I like the scan with more space on the right, but just to show you the pattern I chose to add both views.

This was painted with acrylics on scrapbooking paper. A rubber stamp thingy was used for her dress pattern and then painted in. Everything took at least six layers of paint! I was at this all day. Click to enlarge to view a regular sized woman :)

Centering

" Centering is meditation in action. When you are centered, you are in a state of clarity, focus, peace and balance."

This is my latest painting I hung in my little gallery. This too, was inspired by one of my many walks along the ocean. It was a chilly day and a gull was just hovering in front of me. It was like we shared a moment or two. I painted it large, 3' by 3' square, meaning for it to be hung so the viewer and the gull are eye to eye just as we were. People who come into the gallery all seem to say that my work has a spiritual feel. I must be doing something right because those same nice people have been buying my paintings. I pretty much pinch myself every day!

Thanks for looking. You should be able to click on it for a larger view.

IF : SuperHero

Lily was the new girl in town. Soft-spoken, charming, smart- but she lacked confidence. She had moved so much in her life, always having to leave good friends behind and either start a new school or a new job. She was desperate to belong to some place or some one in some way. Johnny had his eye on her the day she set foot in this town. He felt it was his right to stake his claim on her before someone else did. He was such a charmer. Smooth talker, good looking. He had it all as far as looks goes. But he was a first class jerk, and sadly, Lily was about to find that out. That poor girl fell head over heels in love for the first time, and she fell hard. She'd hear the giggles of other girls who'd see them together. People who became her friends had tried to warn her he was just using her but she'd have no part of any of it. She knew he loved her. She just knew it! After they made love, their dates became further apart. Johnny always had an excuse for why he couldn't see her. He had to work a double shift. His Grandmother was ill and he had to tend to her. Whatever. She finally realized it was all a bunch of lies. He didn't even have a Grandmother. Everyone was right. He would walk out of her life as soon as he 'conquered' her because it was a score thing with him and another school jock. I mean jerk. Lily became withdrawn and depressed. She would lie in bed day after day watching her life drift by. But this one day she happened to put the TV on and Oprah was interviewing a woman who nearly died af a broken heart and miraculously she pulled through because she found a superhero heart mender! Oh My God!!!! Lily jumped out of bed and turned up the volume and vigorously took notes. She called the number on the screen and the next thing you know this big superhero in a little body came over to her house and mended her broken little heart. She held the tiny ladder steady for him while he diligently stitched her wounds. Even though he had to make a sizeable incision, she never felt a thing nor did she have a scar! This tiny little heart-mending guy was truly her superhero to whom she be forever grateful.

My personal superheroes are the workers at animal shelters... and hospice workers... and people who round up feral cats and feed them and catch them to have them spayed and neutered... and firemen and women... and policemen and women...and people who love life even when times are as tough as they can be. People like you! :)

(acrylic on canvas resulting in a crappy scan)

Illustration Friday: I miss the 80's

" Summertime, and the livin' is easy. Fish are jumpin' , and the cotton is high...."

This is all I could think of because I'm freezing here in central California. I miss the temps being in the 80s , although it hardly ever gets that hot here. I just miss being warm! I left New England to come to a warmer climate, but instead it's above record temps back home, and quite chilly here. The whole planet is having screwy weather. Probably global warming, sad to say.

I don't like to complain, but I didn't like this week's word. I was in a bad place in the 80s, so I didn't want to dredge any of that stuff up. (Thought I'd spare you!) So I went with weather...and one of my favorite songs came to mind, "Summertime." I NEVER, EVER do art on the computer because I don't have a clue about any of it, but I bought a greeting card program and played around with it and this is what I did. Oh well, at least I did something !

Illustration Friday : BUZZ

So many things came to mind when I heard this week's word...buzz haircut like my dad always had. Buzz, my husband's best friend in Rhode Island...get a "buzz" on, what's the buzz, and on and on. But then I remembered I had news to share with all my Iffer friends in Ifsville! So many of you wanted to know if Olaf proposed that cold night he skated to Olga's house, and the day has finally come that I can share the good news! So go ahead and read the engagement announcement in "The Town Buzz." I'd be happy to pass along words of congrats, and you can be sure you'll be the first to know when they've set a date. That's it for now...gotta buzz off!!

( For newcomers to my blog, please see IF:Might so this post will make sense!)

watercolor/ink/rubber stamping click to enlarge

Replenishing Her Spirit

As this year comes to an end, I find myself making my list of resolutions-usually, empty promises to myself. They inevitably involve diet and exercise and a myriad of other "fix me" solutions. Well, I pushed that list aside. I want this New Years Eve's promise to be different. Instead of wanting to "fix" everything I hate about myself only to be discouraged it's not happening fast enough, and then giving up and being hard on myself for failing once again...ugh.

This year I plan to replenish my spirit. I'll love myself, flaws and all. I'll eat better, drink less wine, paint more and love more because I'll be nurturing myself which will allow these other things to happen more easily. What better resolution to make than care of the self?

I finished this painting yesterday and hung it in the gallery. When I titled it, my resolution became clear.

Here's to a rejuvinating, replenishing 2007 for us all!!

"Replenishing Her Spirit" acrylic on canvas 24x30 click to enlarge

Illustration Friday : Phoenix

When I saw what the word was for this week, the obvious came to mind. Usually, I try to weave the word into a sweet animal story somehow, but this time I couldn't get there. The obvious kept luring me back.

When I was a vet tech, I remember this young cat that was thrown into a fire by some very cruel teenagers. A woman followed the cat's cries for help and found him running in circles, smoulderfing from the flames. She sought neccesary veterinary care and continued to nurse him to health over the next several months. Other than crinkled ears and understandable trust issues, Phoenix grew into a beautiful cat who enjoyed many years of loving kindness.

This illustration is my tribute to the millions of people and animals on the planet who have suffered unthinkable tragedies, but they dug down deep and found their will to live, and like my little friend Phoenix, they rose from the ashes. Some of us are these people, lending a hand to others who need help getting away from the flames.

My heart is full of gratitude for the wonderful comments that have been left for me, and for the encouragement to keep posting. You have no idea what that means to me!

I wish everyone a happy,*magical* 2007 !

(watercolor, micron pens and colored pencil)

Illustration Friday : Peace

Terwilliger the cat was friends with Albert the mouse who lived in the stone wall of the house.

Terwilliger will never forget that frightful night back when he was a kitten, the Christmas decorations caught on fire. It was Albert who went screaming all through the house to get everyone's attention. The fire was quickly extinguished, and everyone got out safely.

Because of that night, Terwilliger made peace with Albert and vowed to be best friends forever.

(Oh...and Terwilliger's owner will never again leave his pipe unattended!)

Joyous holidays everyone, and peace for all creatures great and small!

Watercolor, ink and a touch of rubber stamping