IF : Wrinkles in nature

I'm one of those people who finds beauty in wrinkles. Not the ones caused from too much sun-bathing or from smoking. I love laugh lines. And an old pair of wrinkled hands holding the hand of a newborn just melts me.
We have these wonderful, weathered trees here that take a beating year after year by the gusting saltwater air as they brace themselves on the cliffs that overlook the ocean. The salt and the sun dry them out, the wind twists and bends them. They stand like sentinals, the elders among the seedlings looking so wise in their wrinkled bodies. I think we still hold the song of our youth in our wrinkled bodies. And I feel the dragon still sings from within the withered tree.

acrylic on canvas with collaged text for Illustration Friday's prompt: wrinkles. Click to enlarge.

The Pico Award

I was given another award by the very sweet and hilarious Forever Young. She makes us all smile with her never-ending humor in her daily "Giggles!" Thanks FY. Lots of warm fuzzies to you!

Now it's my turn to pass it on by following these rules. I have so many favorite blogger pals, but it says to choose only five. Drats!

The Rules:

1) Pick 5 blogs that you feel are deserving of this award based on their creativity, design, interesting material and their contribution to the blogging community, no matter what language.

2) For each award giver, include the name and the link to the blogger so they can be visited.

3) Include the names of the recipients and a link to their blogs so they can be visited. ( rules 2 and 3 seem the same to me.)

4) For both giver and receiver, show the link http://arteypico.blogspot.com/

5) Publish these rules.

Here are my five recipients in no particular order...

1) Carla Kurt at Wings 4 You Coaching. Carla has come up with a new blog to help us all find our inner artist by giving us really wonderful, thought-provoking exercises to inspire us. I've printed out all of them so far, but I haven't found the time to do them. But I will!! Thank you Carla. You put so much heart, soul and time into these lessons.

2) Emily Townsend, another inspiring journaling lady has a wonderful site that encourages us to get down and dirty and messy and just create! She does some amazing, amazing journal work as well as being an inspring woman in many ways. Thank you Em! You can find her at Creative Art Journal.

3) and 4) are two of the funniest ladies in blogland! Not only are their posts always funny, but the comments they leave for me almost always make me pee my pants! They're talented artists as well with imaginations way out there. I just love them, and if you haven't met them yet prepare to be dazzled! They are (drum roll) Ms. Froggie and Sketched Out. Go see what I'm talking about!

5) And finally, the sweet Princess Pepper Cloud! She made a trip to my studio to meet me and I was so honored. Since then she's purchased three of my paintings! That's not why I'm voting for her though. She's getting this award for her creative use of ants. No matter what the topic is over at Illustration Friday, she manages to come up with such clever ant-ics! It's always so much fun to see where her mind takes her and what kind of trouble her ants are getting into! She also has two wonderful cats, and I'm a sucker for animal lovers.

Please stop by and see these folks. You'll thank me later!

Cactus Monday # 5

Hey fellow Cactuteers...the day nearly got away from me! Here's my late entry, pulled from the archives back when I did the blue armadillo. This one's called "Even The Horses Did A Raindance."

And hey, shouldn't we be called "Cactus-eers?"

Happy Cactus Monday!

IF : Primitive

I had to pull from my files for this week, not because I couldn't think of anything but because I'm too busy with work and other commitments right now. But I think this image fits as a primitive portrait. It's a collage I did last year that all came together without a plan. I resonate with nature in a spiritual way. Any time I'm feeling out of balance I go outside to be in touch with something bigger than myself and my problems. I almost always come away feeling reassured and hopeful. I call this collage "My Sacred Self." I hope it resonates with you.

Animal Wednesday : The Eyes Have It

This is a mini painting I did for the gallery and is now the only painting left at my etsy store. I love white kitties with different colored eyes. I'm pretty sure they know how cool they look!

Happy Animal Wednesday!

Cactus Monday 4 : Have a seat...ouch!!

I found this wonderful sofa when I was "Googling" cactus images today. I was going to try to get to the studio to paint one but then thought I'd have fun with this instead! I played around with my greeting card program and added the lizard, bird and flowers. (With apologies and thanks to the folks who created the sofa image. This was just for fun!)

Mr. Chameleon looks comfy on this couch but I don't think I'd last a second! Happy Cactus Monday Cactuteers!

IF : Fail at a new attempt

Today was one of those days that I couldn't stand to be in the room with myself because I was so miserable. Have you ever had one of those days? The day started out okay because it started with animals I had to care for and I love every one of them. After that I was looking forward to some quiet time at the studio to work on my illustration for this week BUT it is the weekend of "Good Old Days" in Pacific Grove which means good luck finding parking anywhere within 10 blocks of the studio and good luck blocking out the NOISE of the bands and the SMELLS of the generators and burnt meat and my studio was right across the street from the NEVER-ENDING-DRUM-SOLOS and honest to God I thought I was going to lose my mind. So I took a deep breath, well, deep enough so as not to be filled up with gasoline and seared pork, and I embarked on a new project. I attempted to paint a mandala because I bought such a beautiful mandala painting this week and I was so inspired to try one. The outside music made my brush go faster than I wanted it to and I felt rushed and disconnected. I tried to get in touch with my "inner music" but couldn't. The more I painted, the more I felt I was messing up. I finally put my hands over my face, took a deep breath ( almost sobbed) and then decided what I painted was finished enough. Then I poured a glass of wine (hey, don't judge, it was beyond five o'clock!) and used my rubber stamps to do another mandala.

I do feel this was a failed attempt for what I was trying to accomplish, but if I find myself afraid to fail, then I'm holding back from trying new things. So here you go. Two mandalas, two approaches.

first mandala: acrylic, watercolor, colored pencil

second mandala: rubber stamps, colored pencil

For Illustration Friday prompt : Fail

Animal Wednesday : Nesting

This is a painting I did a couple of years ago in my very first studio. It was a musty old place with too many spiders in the back of someone's home. But it was my space and I came to love it. One spring I watched a little sparrow carry pieces of straw and other things to help build his nest. I was doing a lot of trompe l'oeil in those days, so I thought how wonderful it would be to paint a bird making an offering to a painted nest because he thought it was real! This is how it turned out. That's also the brush and paint cloth I used that I added to the picture. One of my husband's co-workers bought it for his wife who collects bird paintings. I kind of miss this one because it was a little personal, but it sure makes me happy to share my art. Happy Animal Wednesday...and yay spring!!

Cactus Monday # 3

Directions to my house : Turn left at the blue armadillo.

This is a drawing I did a hundred years ago for a greeting card query. I thought it would be a good fit for Cactus Monday!

IF : Save

"I've saved these beautiful blue things just for you, and perhaps when the moon is full and rises just above the bower we'll have our magical encounter. I'll be right here, waiting. I'll save this spot for you."

Read about Bowerbirds here. If I were a bird I'd totally be attracted to these guys because blue is my favorite color!

For the Illustration Friday prompt: "save."

acrylic and colored pencil on patterned scrapbooking paper

Animal Wednesday : Happy Spring!

Nothing like a few tulips popping up after a long winter to put a spring in your step and a lift in your mood! Yay...warm weather ahead!!

Cactus Monday #2

Here's a little 6 x 6 inch canvas I painted this weekend at the studio especially for Cactus Monday. I used a photo I took a few years ago as a reference. I've listed it in my Etsy shop to keep the other paintings company! I call it "Cactus Meditation."

Update...it sold as soon as I listed it. A client of mine saw it and wanted it for her daughter, so I took it off Etsy.

IF : Homage To A Tree

"Each time these blossoms open I recall the friend who gave me the saplings, and the times we used to stop and drink beneath his trees;

But those springs of twenty years ago are like a dream,

And the wine cups of those days are tea-bowls now."

~Kisei Reigen~

If you have sound, please listen to "Dream Tree" as it plays, and then "Magnolia" if you have time to linger.

Acrylic on canvas 36" x 36" for Illustration Friday prompt : Homage

(The cropping cut off the bottom shadowing a bit)

Animal Wednesday : Biff

This is a drawing I did of Biff, one of the cats we drove out to California with. He loved the sun! (But what kitty doesn't?) We had him for nearly 17 years. Not long enough in my opinion. He was a huge bundle of love and gratitude. He surely would have died had I not taken him from his previous owner, the dairy farmer next door. Biff was starving and was suffering from malnutrition and pneumonia, weighing a mere 5 pounds at the age of a year. It's a wonder he lived that long before my intervention/catnapping. Some farmers think you shouldn't feed cats because they'll be better mousers if they're hungry. Sheer ignorance.

Anyway, Biff enjoyed another 16 years with us just soaking up the sun and eating good food. He was a great, great friend.

So far Forever Young, Teri C and Mim are doing "Animal Wednesday."

Everyone is welcome to participate!

Journaling Coast to Coast

Years ago I met a lady through the mail when I joined a postcard group that she started. We really hit it off and are still friends today, many years later. She has a journaling blog and I keep promising her I'm going to start one. I finally had the idea that we should each buy one, do an entry and send them to each other for the next entry. At the end we'll have 2 journals that we've collaborated on and we'll each have a nice keepsake!

Here's the journal I started. The cover was just the stripes and I added the design. And here's my first entry, a two page spread. Now it's winging its way to New Jersey from California for Em's entry which I know will be fantastic! I'll post them all as they are created. Thanks for looking and sharing our journey!

Cactus Monday # 1

Well, I said I'd try to participate in Cactus Monday with Forever Young, Teri and Margaret, so here's my first entry. I used to send out designs to greeting card companies a long time ago. This is one I dug out of my archives. I've sold the original, so this is a scan of a crappy color copy. The original was more vibrant. I call it "Blue Cactus." i know....genius title!

IF : Pet Peeves

I didn't know how to go about illustrating my list of pet peeves, so I decided to come up with a cartoon idea for one of them that the local newspaper is running a contest for and kill two birds with one stone.

My husband has become completely addicted to the TIVO like capabilities of our new TV. He records everything just so he can fast forward through all of the commercials. If there's a particular moment he likes, he'll rewind it and replay it a hundred times. If the remote control seemed glued to his hand in the past, the newer version has officially been grafted to his right palm. It would take a skilled surgeon and the threat of divorce to separate the two.

I actually have several pet peeves. Here are just a few more not represented in pictures.

I can't stand it when people don't use their turn signals. My crystal ball is dirty, so I have no clue where you're going when you stop in the middle of the road. Also, if you see me waiting on the corner to see what you're going to do, please let me know instead of making me linger there another half hour.

Gum snapping! Please stop it right now. Nobody wants to hear you chew gum like a cow. Do it in the privacy of your own trailer. (My apologies to trailer dwellers with manners.)

People who carry their pets and never let their feet touch the ground. Where's the logic in that? Oh, I think I'll carry Foo-Foo everywhere so she won't have to use her legs and then her muscles can atrophy and her bones can weaken and she can get early arthritis. Yay!

And a few more without going on and on...snobs, people who judge, people who care about your "pedigree', pah-leeeze! People who don't let their pets in the house, and people who won't let you off the phone until you snap at them after politely telling them 10 times you have to get going.

Other than those few things, I just let stuff roll right off my back!

(For Illustration Friday's prompt : Pet Peeves)

Six Word Memoir

I was invited by my super friend Forever Young to come up with a six word memoir. That's a tall order! Here are the rules...

1) Write a six word memoir and post it on your blog. Feel free to add an image.

2) Link your post to the person who tagged you.

3) Tag 5 more blogs and link to them.

4) Comment on the tagged blogs and invite them to participate...no pressure :)

This was a hard one for me. How can you come up with a memoir in six words?

Here's the best I could do!

Born Poor,

became wealthy in friendships.

I'm tagging the following friends...

Princess Pepper Cloud

I'm With Sully

Sketched Out

Ronni fairy Girl

Creative Art Journal

Play only if the spirit moves you!

IF : Heavy Thoughts

Sometimes the smallest things can weigh heavy on our minds. If we were to take baby steps in solving our problems, we would get where we need to go without being overwhelmed by the task at hand. Keep an open mind and be open to new possibilities. Release the idea that you "can't" do something and then chip away at it bit by bit by bit. The heaviness of the situation will just fall away and become a distant memory.

Please see my moleskine entry here.

collage from magazines and digital embellishments. For Illustration Friday: Heavy

I Love Getting Mail !

Look at what I got in the mail from 2 wonderful ladies I met through Illustration Friday! I'll bet everyone who comes here knows them. The first ATC is from the incredible Kim Coles from "I'm With Sully" fame. I feel like she's become my little sister :) And look...it's Sully! My dog has a HUGE crush on him. How adorable is he?! Thanks Kim, I love him!

The other wonderful ATC is from one of the sweetest ladies on the blogsphere, Tammy from "The Heartful Blogger." I don't think she had any idea how much I love love love black & white tuxedo kitties. What a wonderful surprise! I love the spreading toes as he snoozes the day away. What a great card! Thanks Tammy, you made my day :) And here she is, newly pregnant and surprising me with a gift out of the blue. I'll be sending something for the baby as soon as I know what she's having ;)

It's the little things in life that make a huge difference. Thanks, ladies, for making my experience here a joy!

IF : Garden Patterns

One of my addictions is patterns. I love painting them, buying them on linens and paper supplies and decorating with them. I mix and match the most unlikely ones together. As long as there's some color harmony going on, it works for me. I find patterns to be cheery. I've recovered my dining room chairs in vibrant garden motifs with linen napkins from import stores. This is a painting I did of one of my favorite tablecloths that I bought at a flea market, only in real life it's in reds and oranges. I wanted the contrast of the blues with these vibrant nectarines, which by the way, were delicious and juicy! Many artists are often inspired by gardens. Botanical illustration has been around forever, and just look at how many nature journals are out there.

Gardens are magical, healing places whether it's a small one on your kitchen windowsill, a plot of grass on your rooftop, or vast acreage filled with wildflowers and fruit trees. It's all good! So do yourself a favor and spend more time in the garden.

acrylic on canvas 24" x 30" Illustration Friday prompt: Garden

IF : Leap in a pile

I just finished this illustration to go with a poem a friend wrote to submit to Highlights magazine. How could I not post it this week? I'm actually going to get to the studio at some point today or tomorrow to paint something else for this word. Still, I wanted to share this one...especially for my good pal Ms. Froggie!

Here's the poem by my friend, Richard Robins.

Some frogs are green.

Some frogs are brown.

Some are skinny,

Some are round.

Some are big with

bulging eyes,

While others are a

miniature size.

For Illustration Friday's prompt : Leap

acrylic and colored pencil on Canson pastel paper

See other Leap post here!

Book Meme

I've been tagged by Ronni to participate in a book meme. Here's the book I've chosen, and here are the rules.

1. Pick up the nearest book (of at least 123 pages).

2. Open the book to page 123.

3. Find the fifth sentence

.4. Post the next three sentences.

5. Tag five people.

Here's my entry...

" It may be important for you to inform others who share your space--family, friends, or roommates--that for now your image work needs to remain private."

"Showing your creative work to others is part of the joy of self-expression, but only when you are ready to and feel supported and safe about doing so.

There are some benefits to working with another person as a witness to your process, particularly if that person is skilled in understanding how creativity helps and heals. Many people who consult an expressive or art therapist have already found their creative source on their own and have been using it for some time before they decide they want to work with another person."

I've tagged so many people lately, this time I'm tagging all who want to play!

IF : Multiple Posts

Such an appropriate word for me this week because this entry makes my 100th post!

This blog has served me well in multiple ways this past year. I've found an art community I'm comfortable in and I've made multiple friends. I've shared multiple images and stories. I've used some subjects many times ( Ravens, for example) and I've been given multiple awards by some pretty special blogging friends. The joy in my life has multiplied by being a part of this experience.

Today I've chosen to post "The Spirit Of Raven" because of the multiple times his image appears in the sketch. Also, for those of you who recall my dream series, this represents after the pears were harvested, yet Raven's presence is still known.

Thanks for being with me for the first one hundred posts! I'm looking forward to many, many more.

acrylic and Prismacolor pencils on bristol paper

for Illustration Friday's prompt: multiple

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.

I Love You This Much....award!

The very talented Aspa has bestowed the 'I Love You This Much Award' upon me for which I am very grateful! I'd like to pass this one along to my animal loving blogger-buds. The ones who mention their pets in many postings because they're part of the family. You know who you are! But for those who don't know you...here's my list. I'm With Sully, Sketched Out, Forever Young, Ronni, Kate and Debra Kay. Thanks for making me smile, laugh and cry about our pets, and for celebrating the awesome creatures they are!

Love & Peace Meme

Zari tagged me for the peace and love meme so we can all spread the word to send loving energy and thoughts to the places and people that need it. What a great idea! I'm asking the following blogger pals to do the same. They are...Ascender Rises Above, Aspa, The Odd Neighbor, Deli, Designing Fairy, Forever Young, I'm With Sully, Ms. Froggie, Princess Pepper Cloud, Roberta Baird, Sketched Out, and Tusen.

C'mon people...send the loooove!!

IF : How I'd Choose To Spend My Money

"If I had a penny, I'd buy a rainbow in a jar and when I got home I'd open the lid and share it with my friends."

This is a story I wrote many, many years ago called "If I Had A Penny." The premise of it is about this young boy who wanted to change the world by spending his money to help the environment, animals and mankind. I love digging out my old stuff and seeing how timeless some of these subjects are. I know this is how I'd choose to spend my money too, if only it were that simple.

For Illustration Friday's promt: Choose.

watercolor and micron pen on bristol paper.

IF : Blanket

I went to the studio with two ideas in mind for this illustration. This is what eventually evolved three hours later. I then came home and "Googled" 'Native American Wisdom + Blanket' and this is the quote that appeared. I feel compelled to share it.

"Before our white brothers arrived to make us civilized men,we didn't have any kind of prison. Because of this, we had no delinquents.Without a prison, there can be no delinquents.We had no locks nor keys and therefore among us there were no thieves.When someone was so poor that he couldn't afford a horse, a tent or a blanket, he would, in that case, receive it all as a gift.We were too uncivilized to give great importance to private property.We didn't know any kind of money and consequently, the value of a human being was not determined by his wealth.We had no written laws laid down, no lawyers, no politicians,therefore we were not able to cheat and swindle one another.We were really in bad shape before the white men arrived and I don't know how to explain how we were able to manage without these fundamental things that (so they tell us) are so necessary for a civilized society. "
John (Fire) Lame Deer Sioux Lakota - 1903-1976

acrylic, Prismacolor pencils, patterned paper

(click to enlarge...and click here to see another blanket!)

"You Make My Day" Award

Awwww, I've been bestowed with another honor from a few fellow blogger friends. Many thanks to Roberta Baird, Suana,and Debbie Egezio. The truth of the matter is they make MY day, as do all of you who take the time to stop by and leave comments. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love sharing my art with you and being inspired by you!

In keeping with the rules, I'm passing this award on to 5 bloggers who I haven't tagged yet, and who always manage the time to stop by and leave me a kind word. They are Ammon, Deli, Nicole, Ellen Byrne, and to Forever Young as a birthday gift!! Some of you may have already been given this award. If so, then just let yourself feeeeel the love! Feel free to pass it on to 5 people in your blogging life who make your day. I just did!

IF : The Legend Continues...

As we go back to my dream of Raven and the giant pears, we see Raven fly from one pear to another, checking on them as if he has a kinship with them. From the time the moon falls from the evening sky until the first light of dawn, he stays watchful and protective. He has surely and rightfully earned his title, "Keeper of the Orchard."

For Illustration Friday prompt, "Tales and Legends." Acrylic and Prismacolor pencils on bristol paper. ( from my archives)

IF : Winter Plain

I had a series of dreams a while back where giant pears cropped up everywhere dotting the hills and plains. From a distance they looked like small, golden trees. There was always one raven in the dreams, as though he were the keeper of my dreamscapes and these golden pears were his gift.

Here on this desolate winter plain, Raven holds tight to the magic of this gift. Keeping watchful and looking skyward towards the falling snow, Raven is thankful for this moment.

acrylic, Prismacolor pencils, rubber stamp trees on bristol board.

For Illustration Friday promt: plain (from my archives)

Be sure to check out my entry for this word in my Moleskine!

IF : 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.

"This one goes to eleven" meme !

My good blogging buddy and talent extraordinaire, Kim Coles has started a funnier, hipper meme and she has tagged me as a participant. Here are the questions she posed, and my anwers.

1.) Voted most likely to:

Dance to the beat of my own drum. I'm not a follower.

2.) regrets

I've had a few, but then again, too few to mention. No really, regrets hold you back. Let em' go!

3.) It's a Monday, you're tired and don't feel like working, so you:

Treat it like any other day of the week and do...nothing!

4.) You would prefer to have dinner with:

Quiet eaters! My family is obsessed with noisy chewing. It's really sad. Everyone is afraid to eat with me.

5.) If you were going bald, you would:

Kill myself. Fat and bald would be too much to live with.

6.) You lay awake at night, pondering:

What was I thinking when I said I'll give up wine for a year?

7.) If you were forced to share a cubicle, the most important thing you'd look for is:

An escape hatch! I need wide, open spaces with fresh air and no co-workers.

8.) What is most likely to be found in the trunk of your car?

A huge bag of bird seed. My feeders are on the front lawn and it's easier to keep the seed in the car. Besides, it makes an awesome air freshener!

9.) Favorite "Spinal Tap" moment:

As a freelance person and one who goes to the beat of my own drum, I can relate to this conversation Nigel had about jobs!

Nigel Tufnel: [on what he would do if he couldn't be a rock star] Well, I suppose I could, uh, work in a shop of some kind, or... or do, uh, freelance, uh, selling of some sort of, uh, product. You know... Marty DiBergi: A salesman? Nigel Tufnel: A salesman, like maybe in a, uh, haberdasher, or maybe like a, uh, um... a chapeau shop or something. You know, like, "Would you... what size do you wear, sir?" And then you answer me. Marty DiBergi: Uh... seven and a quarter. Nigel Tufnel: "I think we have that." See, something like that I could do. Marty DiBergi: Yeah... you think you'd be happy doing something like-... Nigel Tufnel: "No; we're all out. Do you wear black?" See, that sort of thing I think I could probably... muster up. Marty DiBergi: Do you think you'd be happy doing that? Nigel Tufnel: Well, I don't know - wh-wh-... what're the hours?

10.) Based on your work history, the job you SHOULD HAVE right now is:

Kept woman.

11.) Your imaginary band name is:

Ricki Lee Wanabe

Anyone who wants to join in, please do! I'm tagging Sketched Out, Perriette, Juj and Steve because they're all good sports, and they're funny!! However, I won't be offended should they decline. No pressure. Really. None. Okay then.

A Sketchy Past

I don't remember what pile of stuff I was going through, but I found this drawing I did 35 years ago when I was 19. I remember copying it from a photograph in some fashion magazine, probably Cosmo or Vogue because I was into that stuff back then. It's supposed to be Nastasia Kinski. My boyfriend (back then) thought she was incredibly beautiful, and she was. I'd often take out my number 2 pencil and draw on manila paper. Simple tools back then for me. If I find the one of Picasso I'll share that one too. It's one of my favorites.

I like the way the paper has yellowed around the mat. That's how I feel sometimes. I little worn and older around the edges.

IF : 100%

No matter if it's a beautiful sweater, scarf, hat, mittens....whatever, 100% wool makes me itch!!

acrylic & Prismacolor pencils on bristol paper

(This was done a couple of years ago as a Christmas card design..."Fleece Navidad!)

IF : Soar

As I look back on 2007, I realize there's baggage I need to leave behind. It's filled mostly with broken promises to myself. As I went about my hurried life I was forgetting to take care of my main goal, to replenish my spirit. Some of you remember that from last year. I got caught up in my wonderful new studio until opening after opening consumed me. I became part of the downtown artwalks, which are wonderful, but

I was forgetting the real reason I needed to be there. I needed it to be my sacred space where I made art, period. No agenda other than to fulfill my need to paint from my heart. In all of this racing to be part of something, I lost a part of myself. It wasn't all bad, believe me! I sold a lot of paintings and made a ton of new friends who love art. But still, in the end I feel empty.

So, what I've decided I need to do as I soar into the new year is leave a lot of bad habits and distractions behind. I'll keep the stuff that was working for me and leave the other stuff. And yes, Illustration Friday is a keeper, so you can bet you'll see me here each week. I'm looking forward to it!

New Year's blessings to all of my friends who have supported me each week. May we all soar into 2008 with good health, an abundance of friends, and gratitude for even the smallest things.

acrylic on canvas done for Illustration Friday, "soar."

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 :)

IF : The Horizon

This is the time of year when many people complain about what they don't have. They make huges lists of material 'must haves" for Santa to bring or for their parents to buy because they think life will be better with them.

For others, this is a time of year when we remember the less fortunate. Those without food, shelter or warmth. Those who are battling life-threatening illnesses. Those who don't have any family members left and feel totally alone. Big TVs, Ipods, computers, diamonds or fancy cars wouldn't fill their needs or their hearts.

What all of us need to keep in mind in any of these situations is that people care. I still believe that good outweighs bad. So let's remember the less fortunate in this season of giving. Let's show them that hope is always on the horizon.

Wishing you all who celebrate, A Very Merry Christmas. Sharing with you week after week is one of my greatest gifts of all!

( And for those of you who know my secret signature, the 3 cypress trees are always in my heart. They represent the 3 cats we drove from Rhode Island to California with 14 years ago. I miss them dearly and feel blessed to have had them in my life for so many years. Merry Christmas, boys.)

Done for the Illustration Friday prompt, "Horizon." acrylic, Prismacolor pencils on bristol. ( click to see hope on the horizon!)

In the spirit of giving

I was visiting The Heartful Bogger and I really like her idea of a holiday giveaway. Here's what I'd like to do. The first 5 people who comment on this post will get their choice of an ATC or an assortment of 3 notecards. The ATC can either be a subject of your choice, or you can let me surprise you! Of course it would be an original work of art, not a copy. The cards, however, would be laser copies.

This is just a little way of paying it forward to my friends who stop by. I wish I could give all of you a gift, but I think that would surely take a lot of time (and resources!)

Please give me a month to respond with the goods if you choose ATC's. The cards can be shipped right away.

Good luck! I'm happy you're here :)

True Blue Blogging Award

I've been awarded the True Blue Blogging Award by

Ascender Rises Above.

This award is given to people who stick by you in blogland and make it fun to blog, creating a community of communication and friendship.

I have made many friends on this blogging adventure, but there are ones that visit me consistently with encouraging words and support.

"Ascender" is one of those people, however, I can't vote for the one who voted for me, so here's my list in no particular order.

Get Zapped, for her heartfelt, kind comments and her daily inspirations on her blog. Ronni Hall from Designing Fairy, another inspiring lady who shares a deep connection to animals. Kim Coles from I'm With Sully,so talented and sweet, I enjoy seeing her Moleskine creations and her jewelry. She's been such a lift for my spirits on tough days. And she has the cutest little dog, Sully! Princess Pepper Cloud, who made the trip to my studio to meet me and she even brought me a beautiful handmade dish! We got choked up telling different animal stories. It was so nice to put a face on my blogger buddy. If you haven't checked out her wonderful Ant-ics on her blog, you must! And finally, Forever Young, one of my newer friends here. She always has something nice to say on my posts, and I love the way she tells it like it is on her blog. She's the real deal!

I'd keep going down the list of my faves, but I can only choose 5. Perhaps one or all of them will be your new blogging friend if they aren't already.

I thank every one of you for taking the time to stop by. It's great having you here!

Season's Blessings,

Lolo

IF : Riding Bare-Backwards

Zappo the cat left home at a very young age to join the circus. Till this day, Zappo always rides his flying pig backwards because his mother long ago said, " Always remember where you came from."

Okay, so Zappo took it literally.

You can see my Moleskine entry here :)

IF : Little Things

So many images come to mind for this topic~some are whimsical, while others are just quiet observations.

I get most of my inspiration from nature. I love trees. I draw them, paint them, photograph them~can't get enough of them. If the old, stately trees could talk, imagine the history they'd share. The younger trees are just starting out, reaching towards the sky with so much hope and promise. Not much different from us in many ways.

I love the way the same tree looks so different in morning light as compared to dusk. It's these seemingly little things that are huge to me.

It's the little things that make up the big picture.

Be sure to check out my entry for this topic in my Moleskine!

IF : Excess of Yellow Birds

This is an illustration I did for the cover of a new picture book I've been working on aptly named, "The Yellow Bird Tree." It's the story of a little village boy who had been quite ill for a while. So ill, in fact, he never left his room. The elder doctor of the village said the only hope left was to say a prayer each time you see a yellow bird, and ask the yellow bird to deliver the prayer to the little boy. This is the sight he sees one day when he finally gets out of bed and opens his balcony doors! The tree was bursting with little yellow birds, and more were still coming for miles.

This is a story about hope and the power of prayer.

Now if I'd just finish the darn thing and get it to an eager publisher :)

Stop by and see what I did for this word in my Moleskine.

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