I'm trying to move my body more by doing things outside. I was raking and bagging all the browns from Autumn and Winter to make room for the greens of Spring and Summer. I saw this beautiful Mourning Dove on the leaves, obviously not dead for long. I cradled her and admired her beauty and then set her down in front of the cherub statue who is already caring for a bird.
I made a card with the photo and used this quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson.
"It's not the length of life, but the depth of life."

Yes indeed.

xoxo

lo♥

When you think you have nothing...

 

So, when you think you have nothing, GO OUTSIDE.

Money can't buy this.

It's there for us all to enjoy.

All photos taken down the street from me Friday evening at 7:15 pm. Emma waited in the car while I snapped away.

Thank you, Universe ♥

Illustration Friday : Swim

If only I knew how to swim.

If I could, I'd transport myself here.



for illustrationfriday.com
acrylic on canvas

Illustration Friday: Eyeglasses

How could I not use this illustration for this week's word?

Here is my myopic chihuahua!

ink and watercolor atc for illustrationfriday.com

Illustration Friday: Yesterday

WINTER is so YESTERDAY.

Bring on SPRING!!

an encore from one of my sassier bag ladies :)

pencil, colored pencil on a shopping bag

for illustration friday

Illustration Friday: Talent

There's no end to Emma's talent.

Hee-hee!

From my Sketchbook Project for the Brooklyn Library

for Illustration Friday: talent

Illustration Friday : Whisper

"Quiet Conversation"

I wish I had taken a better picture of this painting because it is sold and far away. If enlarged, it becomes blurry and too pixelated. 

Perhaps I'll paint a similar version one day.

For Illustration Friday this week, "Whisper."

 

Illustration Friday: Wings

Having raven as my totem keeps me grounded,

yet it also gives me wings to fly.

This was a fun exercise today. I scanned and printed a random old photograph (copyright free image) and printed it in sepia on a paper bag. I could barely make out the image, but then I took out my colored pencils and began to make her come to life.  I then (for the first time) used oil pastels for a creamier mix and highlights.  It was fun to finally create something, anything again.

As this economy continues to crush me and Bri, I look around and still see abundance.

My art supplies, for one.

Friends, of course.

A roof (for now!)

And although my hours have been cut back, I still have a job.

Now if only Bri could find one.

I do believe these very wings will lift me out of this.

xo

Lo♥

For Illustrationfriday: wings

Illustration Friday : Ocean

Awww, I know what you're thinking. How sweet! He's reaching out to her.

Here's how it's really playing out.

"Hon, toss me the sunscreen would ya?"

"Whaaaaaat?? I thought you brought it!"

Being adrift at sea can make you just a little pink.

Just a little ;)

Happy weekend!

xo

Lo♥

Animal Wednesday: Sort of Zen

In every sentient being is the pure Buddha-Mind.

So every sentient being has the potential to become awakened. 

THE BUDDHA TAUGHT US TO DO THE RIGHT THING IN LIFE AND 

TO WORK WITH GREAT EFFORT ON OUR ENLIGHTENMENT.

PRACTICE LOVE, COMPASSION, JOY AND EQUANIMITY.

A GOOD HEART, WARM FEELINGS AND KINDNESS ARE THE ESSENCE OF THE TEACHINGS OF THE BUDDHA.

But then my mother wonders, little one, why do 

you still bite my visitor's feet?

And then there's Bliss. Zen mind, Zen spirit. But not towards the dog.

I love them both. ♥

Happy Animal Wednesday!

Illustration Friday: Edge

We stand on edge of

Forever overlooking

Our frayed existence

Written

February 8,2008 

Dorothy (Alves) Holmes

For IllustrationFriday: Edge

colored pencil on paper bag 2008

Illustration Friday: Glow

May we all coexist in peace

and bask in the glow of friendship.

Wishing all of my friends a most brightest and best holiday season, no matter how or what you celebrate.

Love always,

Lo♥

for Illustration Friday: Glow

Watercolor and ink on bristol board.

Animal Wednesday: A Winter retreat for Bliss

Bliss has a new winter cabin to retreat to.

(That's catnip scattered inside.)

She ♥'s it!

 She loves her little hiding places where no one, and I mean NO one, can see her!

Do you see her? I didn't think so!

 

 And Emma, ever vigilant in the studio window pretends not to care that Bliss got a new cabin, but she does.

She's pouting as I type this!

Happy Animal wednesday!

xoxo

Lo♥

StickTight and Sophie

These are my bosses sweet, sweet dogs, StickTight and Sophie.

Our Christmas party is this coming Sunday and this is her gift. The painting, by yours truly, and the staff is paying for the framing. I can't wait for her to open it!

I screwed up the frame but that's another story! It will all be okay.

I'm hoping after the holidays I will be more present, both here on the blogs and in my life. This has been a tough year having to go back into the real working world full time again, especially at my age when I should be thinking about slowing down. My gratitude is for having been hired at my age!

Thanks to my loyal followers who bear with me even though I'm not visiting as much. I appreciate and miss you!

I have four days off coming up and two more commissions and family coming and and and....!!!!

I will get through it all with gratitude, my constant driving force. 

See you all soon, I hope. I'm really trying!

xoxo

Lo♥

Illustration Friday: Stretch

Arms reaching, I stretch towards the sky

giving thanks for all that I have in my life.

acrylic on canvas from my archives.

Happy Monday!!

xo

Lo

Illustration Friday: Whiskers

Cyrano never liked that he has two different coloured eyes, nor does he like the fact that his white whiskers don't stand out against his snow white fur.

That's when he started donning the fake nose.

Typical Leo, always seeking attention!

No apologies to Leo's out there because I'm a Leo too!! 

In my Moleskine, colored pencil and acrylic paint 4 years ago :)

For Illustration Friday: Whiskers

2013 Calendars

As many of you know, each year I have desk calendars printed with a different image of my art for each month.

I have so much fun matching the image to the month!

This calendar has reproductions of my illustrations, paintings and collages.

Mim, guess who represents October? :)

Here's the link to my shop in case you're interested.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/115325880/2013-desk-calendar-with-art

I'm only charging $5 above what they cost me, plus shipping. 

Sorry for the sales pitch! Tis the season :)

Illustration Friday: Tree

Not far from downtown there's a rusted, old abandoned space-metal building sitting in a state of decay from neglect. There are several block shapes spray-painted in random colors as though graffiti artists used the side of the building to test their new cans before tagging the local businesses and schools.

In spite of the blacktop surrounding this building, a small tree pushed its way through the asphalt-covered ground several years ago. The part of the building behind the tree makes such a beautiful backdrop, like a giant patchwork quilt sewn together stitch by stitch, always there to embrace this tree.

It's Redbird's favorite place, especially in the afternoon when the sun glows on the warm colors of the quilted metal. It's as though Redbird gives the tree a reason to stay alive with the promise of her daily return.

What some may perceive as decay and neglect, Redbird finds a sacred space that welcomes her with warmth, grace and beauty.

reposted for Illustration Friday's prompt: Tree

 Acrylic and colored pencils on scrapbook paper.

Happy Halloween from Super Emma

I'll be Super-Duper Emma, the menacing Squirrel Catcher for all of Barrington, Rhode Island!!

Well, maybe just my yard, although I was told I can't harass Short-T, mom's favorite :)

Happy Halloween my friends, and please be safe out there!

Here's to all of us who made it through Sandy's wrath.

Blessings to those who were not as fortunate.

xo

Lo ♥ 

Sunday Drive

I headed out for a long, aimless drive yesterday. It's one of my favorite things to do to decompress from the work week.

I headed for the other side of Mount Hope Bridge.

This guy's license plate is "swtryd."

Sweet ride! 

This was Volpe's Pond at 1:00 pm.

This is it at 5:00 pm!

I love afternoon light.

I stopped at Colt State Park in Bristol.

I love it there! You're surrounded by ocean and nestled by woods.

It was breezy by the bay, but still warm.

Red sails!

I love when the ivy changes with the season. What a great, old building.

I paused for a few more afternoon shots....

And made my way back to Barrington.

It was a picture perfect day!

xo

Lo