Angel Update

For my friends who aren't on Facebook and wanted a visual update on my angel painting.

The top photo is the beginning, the middle photo is where I am at this point. I still have a ways to go! Lots and lots of layers and glazings, but she's finally emerging and coming to life.

The last photo shows the lacy texture I'm trying to add to her wings here and there with stencils.

More to come!

xoxo

Lo

Illustration Friday: Tail

Quite sometime ago Portnoy and Biff met at a no-kill animal shelter in the middle of America.

It seems Portnoy was a renegade that escaped a truck headed for the slaughterhouse. Afraid to go back to the farm, Portnoy walked for days until he met a kindly old gentleman who told him all about this shelter. Unable to properly take care of a pig, the old man gave Portnoy a ride to the door and waved a tearful goodbye. The volunteers at the shelter welcomed Portnoy with open arms and hearts. They brought him to his new quarters but on the way there he noticed by Biff, an old-timer stray dog with a twist in his tail just like his!

The shelter worker saw the connection between Portnoy and Biff right away and asked if they'd like to be roommates. Biff's spirits soared by having Portnoy around. They shared stories of life before being rescued and celebrated every day for the strange twist of fate that brought them together.

Two peas in a pod, those two. Old souls embracing a new lease on life.

(This was used for "IF" in 2007 for the word "twist" in 2010 for "rescue"

and now for "Tail" in 2013.

  I thought it was time for another encore!)

Please visit other entries here.

Illustration Friday: Energy

The forceful energy of the storm bends the trees and grasses, but once the storm has passed they are upright again.

for IllustrationFriday: energy

IllustrationFriday: Secret

We all know a Raven wouldn't rather be a Rooster, but cross-dressing is another thing ;)

For Illustration Friday: secret

acrylic and colored pencil on patterned paper.

Illustration Friday: Entangled

My dear friend Renee loved this piece. It was originally done for the word "clandestine." Now, I'm reposting it for "entangled." I think she'd approve ;)

acrylic and colored pencil on patterned paper

for IllustrationFriday.com

Illustration friday: Onomatopoeia

I know I've posted this before, but it fits the topic SO well! Please go to Wikipedia to see what the word means :)

Happy middle of the week, dear friends!

acrylic and colored pencil on paper bag

Illustration Friday: Together

~Together Strong~

For my friends everywhere.

You know who you are ♥

for illustrationfriday.com: together

acrylic on canvas, sold in California a few years back

Illustration Friday: Totem

Raven is my totem.

My muse.

My spirit guide.

acrylic and colored pencil on a paper bag

for illustrationfriday.com

Illustration Friday: Hidden

The night mice go after their hidden berries in the light of the blue moon.

for illustrationfriday.com

acrylic on canvas paper

Illustration Friday: Rescue, second encore

Quite sometime ago Portnoy and Biff met at a no-kill animal shelter in the middle of America.

It seems Portnoy was a renegade that escaped a truck headed for the slaughterhouse. Afraid to go back to the farm, Portnoy walked for days until he met a kindly old gentleman who told him all about this shelter. Unable to properly take care of a pig, the old man gave Portnoy a ride to the door and waved a tearful goodbye. The volunteers at the shelter welcomed Portnoy with open arms and hearts. They brought him to his new quarters but on the way there he noticed by Biff, an old-timer stray dog with a twist in his tail just like his!

The shelter worker saw the connection between Portnoy and Biff right away and asked if they'd like to be roommates. Biff's spirits soared by having Portnoy around. They shared stories of life before being rescued and celebrated every day for the strange twist of fate that brought them together.

Two peas in a pod, those two. Old souls embracing a new lease on life.

(This was used for "IF" in 2007 for the word "twist" and in 2010 for "rescue."

  I thought it was time for another encore!)

Illustration Friday: Power

Never let anyone take away your power.

Stay true to yourself, always.

~namaste~

for illustrationfriday.com/power

acrylic and colored pencil on paper...sold 

Illustration Friday: Fresh

There's nothing like fresh fruit in summer. Juice running down your chin, soft bay breeze on your face. Delicious!

For Illustration Friday from my archives for "fresh"

acrylic on canvas, available for sale at Grasmere! 

Illustration Friday: Travel

" A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving."

~Lao Tzu~

It's been forever since I've posted or participated in blogging. I'm here to tell you it's all going to change after I move. I'm coming back! I miss my artsy friends and community. No more stupid time-wasting on FB games. I'm doing ART! So keep watching this space :)

"As The Crow Flies"

Mixed media on masonite, now living with my dear friend Marianne in Holland

Let's do ATC's again!!

 

 Dear Friends,

Remember when we had so much fun creating ATC's?? Marianne and I were talking last night and were saying how much we missed the old blog days and the connections we made. Is anyone interested in doing an ATC swap again? We can choose what theme we'd like to receive so we can have a nice collection. They're generally quick to make, and the good thing is we have a piece of art that can be made into cards or portfolio pieces! And they inspire us to make art!

So what do you say? Are you in? Ten people would be a great number! I forget how we set it up before, but I'll bet Teri remembers :)

I miss you!

xo

Lolo♥♥♥

illustration friday: sweet

This is Olaf and Olga posing for their engagement photo.

I don't think there's a cuter, more loving couple on the blogs!

Too sweet ♥

for Illustration Friday: sweet

Book Fundraiser

 

The time has come for me to downsize and try to sell some of my wonderful art and writing books.

Is there anything you've been looking for and couldn't find?

Maybe I can help you!

I'll sell my art books for $5 plus media shipping.

Writing books, spiritual books, will be $4 each plus media shipping.

I have too many to list!

I will even break up my twenty plus year collection of the Bologna Illustrator's Annuals for $75 each. This breaks my heart.  Some of them are rare and all are out of print.

All books are in excellent condition and come from a non-smoking home.

The fundraising part is because we're struggling, quite honestly.

It's not to raise money for orphans or to cure cancer.

I wish it were the case.

So, let me know if there's anything you're interested in. Or email me if you want titles!

Thanks...

Love, 

Lo♥

Illustration friday: tension

Okay, there's tension in the house now because Emma is officially a...BITER.

It's a long story and everyone is defending my dog, but I still don't like that she was provoked enough to BITE.

 She's a rescue dog with many fear issues. I warn people all the time what to do around her and what NOT to do. This particular person didn't listen and  pushed her (and my) limits which resulted in an ugly bite on the mouth.

Live and learn. I still love (and defend) my dog ♥

For Illustration Friday: tension

Acrylic and colored pencil on patterned paper.

   Happy memorial day weekend!!!!

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