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

Illustration Friday : HELP

Ms. Fancy Striped Pants was the proud mother of two healthy furballs, Steeler and Eddie. She'd lie there day after day, content to nurse them into becoming big strong boys.

One day she heard the hair raising screech of car tires in front of her house, so being the good neighbor she was, she left her boys tucked in bed and went to have a look. Sadly, her friend Maude, the grey squirrel, met her untimely death with Uniroyal and left an orphaned daughter, Nut-Tasha. She knew there was only one thing to do and that was to take Nut-Tasha home and nurse her as if she were her own.

Sometimes we all need a little help now and then, especially the less fortunate.

Blessings to all of you this holiday season!

watercolor and ink on Canson acrylic paper

Illustration Friday : Mask

Penelope and Buster were ever the best of friends.

They wondered what it would be like if they could switch identities once in a while, you know, for kicks. They sought the help of their monkey friend, Millie, and asked her to make a mask for them because neither Penelope nor Buster had opposable thumbs and therefore could not use scissors. They were delighted with the masks that Millie made and continue to wear them proudly!

Watercolor, colored pencils and ultra fine Sharpie.

( click image to enlarge)

Illustration Friday: Might

Olaf is skating against the wind and the snow with all of his might. He's on his way to Olga's house. Could tonight be the magical night he proposes to her??

It might be!!!

Acrylic, colored pencils and micron pens on Bristol paper.

IF: Invention

I wanted to come up with some kind of fantastical invention, really! But after viewing some of the entries I was inspired to take it in another direction. So....Here I am as a contributor to Illustration Friday which I've "invented" images for. Thanks to all of you for the wonderful comments you've left regarding these previous images in my head.

IF:Thanksgiving

Admittedly, I was stumped this week along with many of you. Our friends in other parts of the world don't celebrate Thanksgiving~but they do give thanks. So...I'm pushing away the turkey portrait I started (wings in the form of praying hands, thankful he wasn't chosen to be dinner), and instead I'm using a painting I did last year called "Gratitude." This is where I go every day, the path at Asilomar beach. I always, every single day turn to the ocean and say "thank you." Just that simple. Thank you God, the Universe, Great Spirit...whatever your belief is. I'm not a religious person in the traditional sense. I always tell people "Nature is my church, kindness is my religion."

I've survived neglect, abuse and cancer. I think we should celebrate every birthday because we're lucky to have them. Yes, I'm thankful for every day. Even the bad ones.

Oh...another thing I'm thankful for? A mural client came to see my new studio the other day and she bought this painting!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you who celebrate it, and happy day to those around the world who don't!

My New Studio!

I'm finally settling into my new creative space and lovin it! Here are a couple of pictures of the studio. The gallery isn't quite together yet so I'll post those another time. Thanks to those of you who wanted to see my space!

Illustration Friday: Clear

The Canine Carnival came to town today and I was bedazzled by Fifi the fuschia colored flame jumping dog when she sailed clear through the red, fiery hoop!! Clearly, Hooly the Chihoohoo was not impressed. In fact, she yapped and yapped about it all the rest of the day!
( Acrylic, Prismacolor and Micron Pen on Bristol paper.)

Illustration Friday : Smoke 2

Okay...so I went to the studio and hurried to get this piece done because I wanted to post something new as opposed to something I had on hand. I love twilight time, you know, kind of Maxfield Parrish sky time? But because I'm being impatient about wanting to get an illustration done, this is what I came up with. I hope it works for you, the viewers, as I do appreciate you all and the wonderful comments you take the time to write. And hey...my first actual work done in my new studio. Woo-hoooo!! Thanks for looking :) Lolo

Illustration Friday : Smoke 1

I'm on my way to the studio to do a painting for this week's theme, but I thought I'd share this old card I made some time ago because it's so fitting. Again, it's a scan of a scan so the quality may not be so great...sorry! So, here's Lola and her smoking pets all enjoying a stogie!

Illustration Friday: WIND

Okay, I admit this is an illustration I did about 10 years ago but I thought it was perfect for this week's IF:Wind! Unfortunately it's a poor copy of a copy because I sold the original. Funny thing is I was going to paint dandelion puffs for the ghost week! I'm glad I did the ocean waves instead so this little guy could be featured now.
I'm almost moved into the studio to the point of actually being able to begin creating there. I'll try to come up with another take on "wind." Still, I hope you enjoy this one! Thanks for looking and for all the past comments : )

IF: Ghost Waves

I was initially going to do a different illustration, but this morning as I was walking the beach with Emma, my dog, I marveled at the ghostly mist coming off the waves." WAIT!! I'll do this for Illustration Friday!", I told Emma. She marveled at the idea. All I had on hand were a few bottles of paint. My colored pencils and everything else are still packed, waiting to be moved to the new studio. So..here it is, a very quick sketch. I may still do my initial idea because 'IF' has become a new addiction!

Mr. Toadster is smack-dab-smitten by love with Miss Witchy-Poo. Who can blame him? Look at her winning, sexy smile. Clearly she's smitten with the Toadster, too!

Most of my art supplies are packed away for the move to the new studio space. This is the best I could do for now. I hope you enjoy sharing their love!

Hello fellow creative people,

This is my first time posting on Illustration Friday and to blogging! I make my living doing murals, but I miss illustrating a lot. I'm looking forward to sharing this creative journey with all of you.
here is "Taunting Spot", my illustration for "trouble."

Here's to art!
Lolo