Animal Wednesday : Gratitude

I created this couple a while ago, probably to market as notecards or some such thing. One thing I tried to keep in mind while creating them was their gratitude for their simple pleasures in life. For one another. For their meal, albeit pears. Simply put, just grateful for another day. When did we get away from that?

Thank goodness the Universe gives us wake up calls to bring us back to reality.

Lordy, I for one get so lost!

Happy Animal Wednesday, dear friends.

CAT-tus Monday!

See this week's entry here :)
Happy Cactus Monday!

IF : Natural Clutter

I really thought long and hard about this word. It would have been so easy to show a photo of any room in my house, or the inside of my car or my work space at the soon to be abandoned studio. I thought about illustrating the chaos and clutter in my mind, especially lately while my husband and I try to figure the logistics of moving back home to Rhode Island.

Then my thoughts trailed off to my favorite season in New England, which if all goes according to plan we'll be back there just in time for peak foliage. I can almost smell those clear, crisp Indian Summer days from here.

Isn't it funny how some people become completely unhinged the moment the leaves start falling to the ground. What I see as Autumn's blanket, others see as clutter. I've even had a client apologize for the mess in her yard from her fallen Camelia blossoms. I stood there, dumbfounded.

I guess leafblowers have been salvation to some folks. To me, they disturb my peace and natural clutter.

Fifteen minute painting, acrylic and colored pencil on postcard stock for Illustration Friday's prompt: clutter. This is my last "IF" to be done at studio lolo. Dining room table, hold on!!

Animal Wednesday : Apple Pickin' Time

I love it when Autumn approaches. Pumpkins are beginning to show on the vine, and hoards of people ( and cats) flock to the orchards to pick crisp apples.

Happy Animal Wednesday!

IF : Sugar Coated Memories

I'm using one of my older collages just in case I don't have time to paint something new this weekend. Artists who participated in my last show are filing through this weekend to pick up their work. Don't they know I have to get my "IF" done? Actually, I'm so grateful for their participation!

But ladies...what's up with everything ending up in our buttocks area after we reach a certain age? Would someone please invent calorie-free wine and chocolates?

Animal Wednesday: Zen Dog

This collage is a favorite of one of my friends. Right now I need to believe what it says! Been a bit down in the old dumps this week with a few let downs as well as having to give up my studio. At least I have one more month to be there, and 4 more Illustration Fridays, Animal Wednesdays and Cactus Mondays to create before I go back to using the dining room table. I'll still be here every week!

Happy Animal Wednesday!

IF : Routine Ravens

Most of you know I love ravens and I end up using them in so much of my art. I don't know how to make a photo montage so I had to crop and scan each one, and then scan the printed one which is why the quality of this is quite poor. This is a scan of a scan...sheesh.

All of these ravens have appeared here with their stories. To see what they had to say, find them in my archives!

I hope to have time to paint something else for this week, but for now here you go! Ravens galore!

A New Award...Yay!!

Another award has been bestowed on little old Lolo from two amazing women and one smart cat! The first person to give this to me is Julia and her cat, Bobo. They're quite a team! Julia was put on this earth to be Bobo's slave and she writes and illustrates about it on her blog. Check it out!

The second person who nominated me is Erin from Rapture Pet Sitting. She's a kindred spirit and animal friend and she helps make the world a better place by doing what she does to help animals. And she has a pretty darned cute kitty who is the star of most of her illustrations! Please stop by and check her out too.

Thanks, ladies!! You inspire me as well and I'm glad to have stumbled upon you in this great big blogging world!

here are the rules...

1-Display the logo on your blog
2-Link back to the person you received the award from.
3-Nominate 7 other blogs
4-Put links of those blogs on yours
5-Leave a message on their blogs so they know they've been nominated.

And my nominees are (in no particular order).......

Human Being because her blogs are so full of love and deeper meaning. I love the mind puzzles she creates with her thought provoking posts.

Debra Kay because she has such a deep connection with all animals and is such an advocate for their well-being. And she also makes me ponder some questions more deeply.

Emily at Creative Art Journal because she pours her 'art and soul" into her journals and shares her very core with the world without holding back.

Deli who's photography and creative writing always takes me to another place especially when I need to go!

Get Zapped, who I miss terribly while she's on a blogging hiatus! She always sees the good in every situation and was one of my very first inspiring people I became friends with in the blogsphere. Namaste, my friend.

Suana from An Illustration A Day. If I could begin a new life as an illustrator, I'd love to have her fresh, innovative style. Her work almost always makes me gasp!

And finally, Linda Sarah from Dancing Poems. I remember the day I tripped across her work and I just smiled from ear to ear! You can hear her words sing la la la la la all the way through the poetry. Her work is magical and uplifting!

And not least, to all of my friends on the right hand side of my blog. Each and every one of you make my day in more ways than you know! I usually keep nominating a few of the same ones because you're so close to my heart. This time I had to share the love with some of my new friends :)

Animal Wednesday: Spirit In The Sky

I'm keeping with the raven theme here so I don't have to change the song! This is from my archives when I was doing raven and pear designs as a spin-off of those crazy dreams I was having. It's called "Raven's Bounty."

Happy Animal Wednesday! HAW, er CAW!!

Sleepy Cactus Monday

Please see here!

IF : Detach

As a way to temporarily detach himself from the rest of the flock, The Elder will often choose the high branches of the bare oak so he can keep the others in his sights, even though they are a mere reflection in his eye. He's the wise one, all knowing, all seeing.

Click to see the reflection in his eye.

36"x 36" acrylic on canvas, finally finished today for Illustration Friday's word: detach. I've been so detached from my life lately, I haven't been to the studio!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Animal Wednesday : Tennis Anyone?

This is an old old old old illustration I did when I was sending out greeting card portfolios. It seems every Golden Retriever has a tennis ball obsession. I like the photo card of the Golden who has about five balls in his mouth at once! Ever seen that one?

Happy Animal Wednesday you guys!

IF : Sail Anyway

When we find ourselves in the middle of a storm, sometimes we just have to sail through it and trust we'll come out the other side.

Happy Weekend Everyone!

Acrylic on canvas for Illustration Friday's prompt: sail

(The original is so much moodier and darker than it shows here. For sale in my Etsy shop!)

Animal Wednesday : Gliding Free

This is a detail from a painting I sold last year. I regret not having a full picture of it because it's one of my favorites. The full view has the pelicans entering from the left with a lot of room on the right yet to go. Your eyes want to follow them across the canvas on their journey.

I used to sit on a bench by the bay with an elderly couple and we'd count pelicans. It was a wonderful way to spend time outside as well as keeping a lonely couple company. The man has since passed away and I don't see his wife anymore. She only lives just up the street from the bench by the bay, yet she can't bring herself there without her long-time companion. Today I can't look at a pelican without thinking of them both.

Happy Animal Wednesday, my friends. May you enjoy your journey.

Cactus Monday: soft edges

I'm sneaking on here and posting my Cactus Monday on Sunday night. I did this little sketch at the end of my day today before closing up the studio. It's feeling good to be back in the groove at old studio lolo after a short hiatus due to my busy pet schedule. I worked on several projects today and even found time to visit with a few friends and give a budding artist a portfolio critique. It was a good day! So here's my entry for Cactus Monday. I thought I'd soften the edges for this one seeing as they're so feminine.

Happy Cactus Monday fellow cacuteers!

(and by the way, I didn't get the job in Rhode Island, and I'm relieved because I was being a bit hasty. It will happen at the right time.)

IF : Poof !

You'll find my entry for Illustration Friday here, in my Moleskine.

The word is POOF !

Animal Wednesday: "Big Sir" in Big Sur

This guy was the first in my "Purrmaid" series. I call him "Big Sir." Now that I live near Big Sur I get more of a kick out of the fact that I did this before I ever came to California! I'm a sap for tuxedo cats, and even more so when they have Purrmaid tails. He's got that squinty-eyed-paw-curling love goin' on! You can just hear him purr.

Happy Animal Wednesday!

Cactus Monday already??

Man, this day sure sneaks up on me! Today I posted a photo here.

Happy Cactus Monday!

IF : Canned Lights

Luminarias! Punched tin lights.

Just a quick one this week folks, and later than usual too. I hope you enjoy the message of the song.

Have a wonderful week!

Acrylic and colored pencil on patterned card stock

3 Squares show at Lolo!

You can see the post here :)

Animal Wednesday : Full Moon Magic

A few years back I did a series of four "Purrmaids." This one is titled "Molly and the Night Toads." On full-moon nights, Molly would wander off to the lake to await her magical transformation. The Night Toads would cast their spell and for a few magical hours, Molly would be one of the most lovely Purrmaids in the world. Later, when she'd go home her owners often wondered where she wandered off to and how she got so wet. Ssshhhh, it's a secret!

Happy Animal Wednesday!!

Cactus Monday # 12

I had fun with this one! I took acrylic paints and laid down the foundation of a seguaro on patterned paper. I layered colored pencil on it and used a blender pencil to soften the effect. Then I cut it out and mounted it on another piece of the paper, changing the direction of the pattern. Simple, but fun!

Happy Cactus Monday!

IF : Enough Already

I'm warm rain

easing pain

quelling fears, drying tears.

I'm 'end of summer August'

hot and sticky

stormy

threatening

beckoning anyone who'll listen.

Enough already.

Enough.

(Quick poem and collage for Illustration Friday's prompt: Enough. Pity party for poor old, burned out me, feeling a need to replenish my own well.)

Animal Wednesday : Spread Your Wings

Sometimes I have no idea where my collages are going to take me. I can't help being drawn to the images of ravens. I love their mystical, intuitive qualities. They seem so wise and cocky, mocking us every chance they get as if to say they know something we don't. They're just one of many species we have to learn to share this small planet with. In turn, they must learn to share the sky. I think we can learn a lot from each other.

Happy Animal Wednesday, my friends. Spread your wings!

With A Little Help From My Friends...

I was given an award from some of my favorite, most supportive blogger friends, Linda from Sketched Out, Colleen from The Frog Blog and Joss from Forever Young. I hope everyone who's been a regular visitor on my site has jumped over to these places for a visit because if you haven't, well you're really missing some wonderful artsy action! The three of them make me laugh on a daily basis with their pictures and writing. They really have made my blogging experience a total joy and they've become a part of my daily life. Thanks, girls!
I'm supposed to nominate 7 other blogs but I'll tell you what I'm going to do. I want you to take a look at my list of inspiring friends over on the right side of my blog. I nominate every single one of them because if they've made my list that means they've touched me deeply with their art, their writing or a combination of both. And most of the comments I get really touch my heart. So go on, go see those wonderful blogs! I'll be right here waiting for you when you come back.

IF : Foggy

There's nothing like finding a place of solitude to clear your foggy head.

I love painting skies that are moody, like this fog-laden vista on an early autumn morning. This is an 8"x 8" canvas I just finished for my "3 Squares" show opening at Studio Lolo Friday, July 18th. I used acrylic paint, gel medium and gold leaf. This one just happens to fit this week's topic!

Happy weekend everyone!

Animal Wednesday : Yin-Yang Kitties

This is a little old drawing I did a few years back when I was on a kick of sending out images for potential greeting cards. I used to get a lot of "positive rejections" telling me my art was refreshing, but nothing I sent fit anyone's needs at the time. One company (Design-Design) even said he wanted 6 of my images and then changed his mind. That killed me! So, there you go. The life and times of a freelancer. And so it still goes! HAW to all of my animal pals out there! (That's Happy Animal Wednesday to you newbies.)

Cactus Monday...

...is here this week. Happy cactus Monday Cacuteers!

IF : Sour

When life gives you lemons....

This is a very old illustration I did for a greeting card design. Hopefully, I'll find time in my crazy day to get to the studio to paint something new!

Have a happy and safe holiday weekend!

acrylic paint/colored pencil on bristol board

Cactus Monday is....

in my gratitude photos this week!

Come on over!

A Day In The Life Of...Lolo!

I've been tagged by my super funny and talented friend Linda from Sketched Out. The premise of this meme is to show what a typical day is in your life. I did my best not to bore you, but hey...this is my life! Linda's meme is hilarious, as are the others that you'll find the links to. Check em' out! And now it's my duty to choose who I think needs to show us a day in their lives....drum roll....I choose a funny lady I haven't tagged before, Connie Martin!

(P.S., I wasn't sure how to list sketches and words so I did this on another program and scanned it. Sorry for the crappy quality!)

IF : Fierce

My entry is in my Moleskine this week!

Animal Wednesday: Prayer in Motion

When I was seeing what I had on hand for this week, I came across this seagull from a large painting I posted last year called "Centering." I remember walking the beach on a blustery, Winter day and seeing this seagull hover right before my eyes just a few inches from me. I knew it had to be in a painting! I painted him larger than life to give him a sense of a powerful presence. Click to enlarge him so you can see the detail. There is much more to seagulls than we see with a quick glance. So, remember to stop and take a deep breath every now and then in your rushing about, and get centered. Happy Animal Wednesday!

IF : Hoard

One can never have too many lawn flamingoes!

Digital collage for Illustration Friday : Hoard

Animal Wednesday : Creative Wings

Hello my Animal Wednesday pals! I did something in the ol' Moleskine this week, so please take a look here. HAW!!

Cactus Monday #9

Hello fellow cacuteers! You can find my entry here!

IF : Punchline

Okay folks, I'm stumped this week! While I'm thinking of a new image to create for this week's word, I'll leave you with a collage I did last year or so. I believe that the best pet adoption is when the person and the animal really settle into one another's groove. If an adoption is one-sided, it usually doesn't work out and both sides end up feeling a bit disappointed. Certain pets fit certain lifestyles better than others. Luckily for Lola, her rescues are very social creatures and love a good stogie!

For Illustration Friday : Punchline.

Animal Wednesday : Hey, who's that?

I found another image to use for this week while I was looking at my website. I'm often asked to paint client's pets on their walls in life size. Crazy, huh? So this is a Corgi named Tessa I painted in a little girl's room. She was my biggest critic but nodded her approval once it was complete. Woof!

(Please go to my other entry below.)

Happy Animal Wednesday!

Animal Wednesday...in another blog!

Hello Animal Wednesday friends!! Please click here for this week's entry. HAW!!

I was wondering why the others hadn't posted this week and then it dawned on me. It's TUESDAY!!!!! Senior moment :P

Cactus Monday # 8

I often seem to gravitate towards succulents for Cactus Monday. I just love the smooth, rubberyness of them. The soft blue-greens really speak to me, two of my favorite colors rolled into a plant. I always think it's a gift when I stumble upon them. And they remind me of mandalas, too, concentric and meditative. Even their scars and blemishes are beautiful.

Tonight I'm posting early so I can call this evening Succulent Sunday. I enjoyed working on this at the studio today. See what you've started, Teri?

Happy Cactus Monday to all of you on the team!!

Have a fabulous, gentle week.

IF : Forgotten

I've forgotten how something as simple as an old chair can remind you of a loved one from days gone by.

For Illustration Friday's prompt: Forgotten

acrylic on canvas, 4" x 6"

Animal Wednesday : Life's A Breeze

Ah, Summer breezes are starting to blow. Ain't life grand?

Happy Animal Wednesday...just in the knick of time!

(I was so busy today, I almost forgot!)

IF : Baby

I think I'll just let the image and music speak for itself this week.

Have a lovely, peaceful weekend!

Animal Wednesday : An Enviable Position

Here's another crazy card collage of mine, this time using an old idiom. Here's the Wikipedia listing to see it's origin. I'm sure other cats are thinking this is quite an enviable position to be in. The pigeon, not so much!

Happy Animal Wednesday chums!

Cactus Monday # 7

Hello my Cactus Monday friends! I almost didn't have time to do one for this week but I managed to pull off a really quick sketch. After I scanned it I decided to change it to a blue-green tone because the pen and ink drawing was too drab. I guess I'll show you both anyway. I had a lot of visitors and friends stop by the studio yesterday which is why I didn't get to paint the cactus idea I originally had. That's okay! I love it when friends stop by to say hello. Like now, for instance :) Happy Cactus Monday!

A Very Special Award...yay!

I'm very pleased and proud to accept a new award from a fellow bloggerette, Connie Martin. Connie just happened to stop by and was drawn in by my music choices. I guess she also appreciated the sick humor of my collage cards. I'm very touched that she took the time to draw this award and email it to me. She made my day! Thanks, Connie!

IF : Worry

We have a large feral cat population where I live. Sadly, there are a lot of transients here, so when they get their orders to ship out for whatever reason, they feel it's okay to just leave the cats behind. A lot of them were military families who lived in Fort Ord, now an abandoned property with many cats in colonies fighting for survival. But this happens everywhere and by people from all walks of life and I worry about all those innocent, displaced cats. This handsome guy was rescued and has a loving home, but he'll always have trust issues. You can tell from the worried look on his face. So, I beg you, if you can't take your cat with you, please take it to your local shelter or try to find a loving home for it before you leave. Animals are not disposable. Thank you!

Animal Wednesday : Chicken anyone?

That Marthe, she sure does love a good barbeque!

Happy Animal Wednesday, friends!

(Another of my silly collage cards.)

Cactus Monday # 6

Okay, my intention was to try and do a really nice rendition of this cactus on canvas. The day was getting away from me, so instead I thought I'd do a nice pen and ink drawing of it seeing as the day was almost gone. Uh, that would be NO. I overworked it and overworked it until it was a damp, grey piece of paper. I didn't give up! I took out my trusty watercolors and colored pencils and went over the whole thing again. It's no masterpiece, but after all that work I'm posting it! Happy Cactus Monday Cacuteers!!

IF : The Water Is Wide

The water is wide I can't cross over

And neither have I got wings to fly

Give me a boat that can carry two

And both shall row my love and I

For Illustration Friday's prompt : wide.

This is "Summer Storm", the first painting I did in my marsh series. The best version I could find of the song "The Water Is Wide" is being sung by Rory Block, but unfortunately it's not the entire song...so enjoy the first verse! Click to enlarge the painting if you wish.

Animal Wednesday : Owee-Zowee!

This is a collage I did last year or so. Now it's sold as one of my most popular cards at the studio and on Etsy. It's a small example of my sick sense of humor! Happy Animal Wednesday!

IF : Leo Electricity

The storm rages all around me.

Its ferocious intensity intrigues me.

As I warily continue my search,

I find myself part of the storm.

The electricity surrounds me,

Captures me,

Is me.



Lance Larsen



collage from Nat'l Geographic clippings and a dot of red paint for his eye!

Animal Wednesday: Fluffy's Bad Choice

Fluffy realized too late that wine and doughnuts are a bad combination!

Happy Animal Wednesday my friends!

(notecards available in my Etsy shop.)

Seed 2...Replenishing Her Spirit

I had to post this detail from a painting I showed here over a year ago called, "Replenishing Her Spirit." I looked at her and thought what a perfect example of "seed" for this week. She now resides with another artist somewhere in Upstate New York, hopefully bringing the new owner a bit of joy.

You can see my first entry here.

IF : From Seed To Harvest

The word this week for Illustration Friday is seed. This is one of three 4' x 4' mural panels I did for an agricultural company in Salinas, CA., depicting their melon fields. Most people don't have this scene in mind when picking out produce from the supermarkets. Sometimes we forget the migrant workers and locals who work so hard planting the seeds so that we may enjoy the fruits of their labor.

Please see my other entry here.

Click to enlarge the harvest! Acrylic on canvas for Colorful Harvest.

Animal Wednesday: Pug-Love

This is a painting I did for a gallery a couple of years ago. The gallery was having a combination booksigning/art show where each artist was to paint something from the novel. The trouble for me was I had no interest in reading a historical romance, so the gallery owner suggested I paint the two pugs the main character of the book owned. I "Googled" pugs and Victorian furniture and this is what I came up with for a composition. I chose these pugs for their expressions. I just love them! Overall I was pretty pleased with the painting. A lady from San Jose bought it because she loved the dogs...and she doesn't even own pugs!

Happy Animal Wednesday friends!