Illustration Friday: Stir

Underneath the heavy blanket of Winter, signs of Spring begin to stir.

The Robins woke me with their song this morning and I feel hopeful!

Digital collage for Illustration Friday: stir



Six Word Saturday # 18

Summer nights,

Pink skies,

Contented flutterbys.

For more Six Words, click here!! 

Illustration Friday: Early

Am I the only one who groaned at this week's word? I really try to think outside the box but this word just didn't inspire me at all.

I also groaned this morning when my dog decided she had to go out at 5 A.M.!

So, I took her out, poured a cup of coffee and sat down to do my entry.

This is a simple digital collage embellished with colored pencils.

Wishing you all a butterfly sunrise and a chance to sleep in till at least 7 A.M.

Happy Weekend!

Illustration Friday: Hatch

My heart fluttered to the point of bursting.

That's when I remembered to open the escape hatch to let my feelings fly free.

For Illustration Friday's prompt: hatch

Digital collage printed and scanned, colored pencil enhancement

Illustration Friday: Flying Home

There's something about migration that fascinates me. When I lived in Pacific Grove, California, the Monarch butterflies would arrive each October. I always wondered why they chose such a chilly, foggy place to live while trying to elude a harsh winter. They'd look like one long orange ribbon flying in the breeze when the sun was out, and when the cool fog settled in they'd huddle in long clustered rows for warmth and comfort from the wind.

In a way I've migrated back to my home ground, too. And instead of the balmy escape of a cold winter, I found myself flying back to roost in familiar surroundings ready to be embraced by autumn colors and the icy kiss of a long, cold season.

(Digital collage this week, no time for painting. Thanks for stopping by!)

Animal Wednesday: Thoughts of Spring

This is an ancient illustration. You can tell by all the faults but I still wanted to post it. The three cypress trees in my landscapes (as some of you know) represent my 3 cats we drove cross country with 16 years ago. I miss those boys every day. The girl in the grass with her little companion represents new life as well as memories of days gone by.

My father-in-law passed away suddenly yesterday. He was a terrific man and he's one of the reasons we wanted to move back to the east coast, so we could be closer to him in his last years. I want to close this post by sharing something my husband wrote about him last night as a lead-in to a tribute he'll be writing on Bleacher Report.

"In memory of my father, James M. Gaylord (May 18, 1924-March 10, 2009), a decorated World War II foot soldier, a D-Day Plus 6 man who stormed the beaches of Normandy, a man who nearly froze his feet off at the Battle of the Bulge. Dad, ever since I can remember I could outrun you but in the ways that mattered I could never keep up."

Happy Animal Wednesday my friends! Now go hug someone you love ;)

Cactus Monday : Presidential Sighting

Hello Cactus Monday friends! Could that be Teri, our founder and president of Cactus Monday?? I think she's lost in the beauty of the butterfly migration and the dazzling needle-eating birds. Or maybe, just maybe it's a spoof!

HCM Cactuteers!!

Feel The Magic!

To all of my friends who come to visit, I wish you all the magic this season brings!

Here's to a New Year that holds the promise of peace, health and abundance for one and all. I look forward to spending more time with you and sharing more art in 2008!

Until then, Merry Christmas...and remember, the magic is in the small things :)