Animal Wednesday: I Lost My Gorilla

I've been going through some of my art lately and choosing which ones to frame and sell. I have always loved this guy. I can't find him anywhere though. He should be in the box with my other paintings on paper but he's not.

I'm on my way to call the Gorilla Rescue Police.

I'll keep you posted. Meanwhile, I hope your gorillas are safe and sound.

Happy Animal Wednesday!

Back in Commission

Well, after a long dry spell in my first year back in Rhode Island I am thrilled to say I finally have a little income trickling in thanks to friends and art commissions.

KJ's partner JB commissioned the raven above and the gorilla below to go with this owl (top one) KJ bought her. JB thought the owl needed the company of these two! 

I just did the gorilla last night so JB hasn't seen it yet~thank goodness she doesn't blog!! She named the raven, Joe. I wonder how the gorilla will present itself, male or female. I'm feeling female energy here when I look in her eyes.  Both paintings are only 4"x4".

I have another commission to start now from Anne over at el Milagro Studio!

(Bless you Anne.) I won't say what it is or post it until Anne has it in her hands. I want her to get the first glimpse ;)

If you haven't been over to see her, please do. She's a wonderful artist herself and a real hoot!

It feels good to be back in the saddle again after having no income for a year. It all starts with a small step, but I feel the gates may open any day now.

Thank you Universe!!

Thank you friends♥  

IF : Theory...do animals have souls?

I usually try to come up with an animal related theme when contributing to the word of the week at Illustration Friday. Animals are such a big part of my world, it doesn't feel normal to leave them out of my posts. I knew what I wanted to do for this week's word, "Theory", but I first had to find the right model on Google. I was looking for an animal with a soulful expression to represent a point I'm going to make which is, I find it hard to believe there are people out there whose theory is 'animals don't have souls.'

Animals are known to make choices to help people, their own species, and often times other species. Animals come from a place of pure kindness unless someone has beaten it out of them. They're unjudgemental and love unconditionally. They respond to our emotions, and even if they're ill-treated, they're quick to forgive. They love us no matter how fat, thin, bald, ugly, or ignorant we may be. Animals are used as therapy aides in hospitals, nursing homes and classrooms all over the world. They can even detect when we're ill by picking up certain chemical signals our bodies give off. Many dogs and cats have been known to actually nudge their owner in a place where there is a growth starting, and thus saving many lifes. They lie grieving by the bodies of loved ones who have passed away, and many have waited for years and years by a door or on railroad tracks, wherever, for their owners to return, never knowing they passed away. Just waiting, waiting at the last place they saw them. It breaks my heart.

So, do I think animals have souls? You bet. They're pure kindness of heart and my life is richer because they're here.

Now look into this guy's eyes and tell me you don't see an old soul.

I thought so.

Click here to see what this post has caused :)

acrylic and colored pencil on scrapbook paper for Illustration Friday's promt: Theory.

IF : Lolo At The Zoo

This week's prompt for Illustration Friday is "The Zoo." I can't hear that word without remembering The Franklin Park Zoo in Boston, near where I grew up. I was only six years old in this photo, 1959. This is Mabel, the matriarch of the gorilla colony at Franklin Park. She and I were good friends right from the start. We used to talk about what we'd do when we'd get out into that big world waiting for us . (I could talk to animals all of my life.) She worried about her little one, Hank, but she knew that there would be a better world waiting for him without barriers and barricades. He'd have better opportunities than she had. He wouldn't have to live in the confines of the city. It just didn't seem right to sit in the short, mown grass and watch cars go by. Not right at all. Yeah, Hank would do just fine as long as he could find his way out.

As soon as my parents and I got to the zoo I could smell the popcorn and roasted peanuts mixed with the smell of the monkeys and elephants. It was heaven to me! My six year old hands would grasp the cold bars of the monkeys' cages while they looked at me, anticipating a treat of some kind. I'd name them all and make plans for each and every one of us to meet again. I'd run to the aviary filled with the most magnificently colored birds that filled the air with their shrieking, shrilling calls.

Franklin Park Zoo was a much needed escape from my hard life at home. It's amazing to me that my parents even took me there. It just tells me that in spite of the hard times, they tried. They really did the best they could. But it was Mabel who taught me to be strong.

I used to pick flowers for Mabel whenever I got the chance to go to the zoo to see her. As you can see, I would stand beside her and we'd talk for hours, sharing secrets and planning life's strategies. She was the heart and soul of Franklin Park.

We moved around a lot when I was growing up and I never got to say goodbye to Mabel. She knew I had to follow my parents as a youngster, but she also knew I'd grow up to be okay. She often comes to me in my dreams and I wake up laughing, not being able to tell anyone I felt gorilla breath on me last night and how wonderful it was!

You know, Mabel and I weren't suited for the city yet somehow we found each other and gave each other strength and hope. Man oh man, that's what life is all about.

Thank you, Mabel.

Love always, Lolo