Skywatch Friday: Beautiful Drama

This is my first Skywatch Friday post! I love seeing Soulbrush's entry each week so I felt inspired to enter. This is my solace, Asilomar Beach in Pacific Grove. Please check out more photos from around the world on their site!

Animal Wednesday: Morning Decisions

I bought this wonderful card yesterday by Persimmon Press and thought it would be perfect for AW. This is the first time I haven't posted my art, but who can resist a handsome cat and a great quote? HAW everyone!!

Oh, and please remember to click the Animal Rescue button on the right. It helps feed animals and it's FREE!! Two clicks will bring you right back :)

Missing Dog Alert!!

I came across this sad post today and decided to post it. Please read it and spread the word to help this family find their beloved pet, Noodles!

Click here...thank you.

Cactus Monday ATC

Just before bed last night I remembered I didn't draw my cactus entry yet. Yikes, it was 11 P.M. and I had no idea what I was going to do. I had just opened a package of ATC cards a fellow blogger had sent me and decided to do a quick black and white sketch. Well, then I thought I'd add orange lines for the sun. Then I thought it would be good if I did a colored border. Then...out came the colored pencils!! My quick sketch turned into a half hour! Oh well, I needed to get back to participating, so Happy Cactus Monday you dear cactuteers!!

(I can't wait to get out into the garage to see where the movers put my various art supplies when I closed my studio. I'm getting very tired of colored pencils!)

IF: Resolve

She was resolved to accept the past and move on with her life.

She knew this was going to be her year. She was feeling lucky for some reason.

Well this went in a completely different direction than I had planned!

Sometimes my bag ladies have a mind of their own ;)

For Illustration Friday's prompt: resolve

graphite and colored pencil on paper bag

Healthy Spirit ~ 5 Things A Day

I was tagged by Laurel Neustadter to list five things I do every day to keep my spirit happy and healthy. Funny thing is I haven't been doing enough! I've fallen off the wagon of self-care and my resolution is to get back on. Here's what I try to do every day.

1) I wake up with gratitude and carry it through the day even if I have challenges ahead. I believe each day is a gift and each obstacle is a learning tool.

2) I like being the only one awake when I have my coffee. I sit and check email and get caught up on my blogs. Even the dog is still under the covers! I love the quiet and solitude of that hour or so.

3) One of the best ways for me to connect with my spirit is to be outdoors. Usually I try to go for a long walk sometime in the morning. It's best if I go without the dog so I get some momentum and make it exercise. Emma likes to stop and sniff every 2 feet, so either I take her out first or my husband walks her.

Another thing that restores me is just being at the ocean. It's right down the street from me and I can hear the waves from my house. When I sit there I can often feel my troubles slip away.

4) I try to help others every day. It's the nature of my job anyway, but even if it wasn't I'd be doing things for people and animals. I'm working on finding a balance so I don't always feel so depleted.

5) Finally, the last thing I'll list is that I'm trying to be kinder to myself. I used to play "old tapes" that told me I'm not good enough, but now when I disappoint myself I just say "do better tomorrow." So now that it's tomorrow, I'm ready to do better in every way! I'm hoping 2009 is the year I meet my health goals. If I can do it then I know everything else will fall into place.

I'm tagging a few friends for this one...hmmmm, let's see. Okay, here they are!

KJ

Soulbrush

Mim

Suki

Teri C

And ladies, only if you want to!! XX

Years End Award

Sweet, sweet Soulbrush has struck again and bestowed another award on me! I'm so very lucky to have met her and formed a lasting friendship. I know most of you know her and feel the same way. She's like a sister you can always count on! Her art and her heart will warm you on the coldest days. Thank you SB!

She has named so many of the people I would have chosen to pass it on to, so what I'm going to do with awards from now on is share them with all of you! Pass it along as you see fit, but each of your visits and comments matter to me so I'd like you all to take the award. Don't be shy!

Happy Happy New Year to us all!!! xoxo

Animal Wednesday: Shoot for the moon!

To all my dear friends who have been here for me through another year, I wish you all the happiness your heart can hold in the coming new year. I hope 2009 is all you need it to be. And remember, if you shoot for the moon and miss, you'll still be among the stars!

Happy Animal Wednesday and many blessings for new beginnings!

Giveaways and Celebrations

Well, my wonderful blogging buddy, the talented Linda from Sketched Out has chosen her prize as the winner of my giveaway. It's a print of the image above which some of you have seen before, and it's also one of my favorites. It's a mixed media piece called "Raven's Gift." Congrats, Linda...good choice!

And my personal celebration is because last night I had my 100th sale in my Etsy shop! I told the buyer to choose 2 extra cards, but he said it wasn't neccesary and he wished me continued success. He's getting some extras anyway just for being so nice!

Thanks to all of my blogging friends and visitors. You really do make my little corner of the world a happier place!

IF : Clandestine

Raven always met her behind the glowing wall covered in vines.

Apparantly this place was special to others as well.

Scrapbook paper, image from computer painted over and collaged, paint and colored pencil.

For Illustration Friday's prompt: clandestine

Christmas Reindeer ?

Okay, so I'm walking into a client's house to take care of their 19 year old kitty when I spot this fern growth beside the front door. Does it look like a reindeer with a harness to you? Yup. Natures little way of making me smile on Christmas Day! You can't make this stuff up. Merry Christmas!

Animal Wednesday: Giveaway Winner!

With trumpets blaring and mandolins strumming I hereby announce the winner of the holiday giveaway. All names were printed on the computer in red in Lucida Handwriting ( for a festive flair!) I then cut and folded the papers in half and placed them in a bowl with a cover. I gave them a hearty shaking and opened the lid for my cat to choose one. She refused to participate so I had my husband do it. He was on the phone and just grabbed a name off the top...but with all the shaking of the names, that was fair. Without further ado....

Sketched Out is the winner!!!! Congratulations Sketchie!!

Thank you all for participating. I wish I could send each of you something but I'm a starving artist!

Happy Animal Wednesday and Blessings of the Season!!

A Chanukah Blessing

For my dear friends of Jewish faith...

Let there be infinite blessings

Goodness in all things

Health and happiness

Love and light.

Happy Chanukah!

(and happy winter solstice!)

IF : Voices

In the soft, quiet hush of winter I can hear the voices more clearly.

I'm pretty sure it's angels. If we ask for guidance, all we have to do is listen.

Wishing all of my friends a magical holiday season!

graphite and colored pencil on brown paper bag for Illustration Friday: voices

Holiday Giveaway !!

In this wonderful season of giving, Olaf skated by to remind me to have another holiday giveaway for my loyal blogging friends! You have your choice of any image on an 8 x 10 print or 6 notecards of any of my images that have appeared on my blog or are in my Etsy shop. (You can mix cards if you wish.)

Just leave a comment to be entered in the drawing which will be held on Christmas Eve, one week from today!! I'll post the winner on the blog. Good luck!! And thank you for your gift of friendship and community spirit.

Animal Wednesday : Angels Galore !

There's SNOW friends like

old friends,

new friends,

best friends,

and blog friends!

Happy Animal Wednesday everyone!

I couldn't resist sending more angels your way even though this is one from way, way back.

Cactus Monday : Christmas Cactus

ho ho HO Fellow Cactuteers...look here!!

IF : Rambunctious

Oh sure, this kitty looks pretty mellow at the moment. Don't let the look on her face fool you! Just wait until the hanky-panky happens under the mistletoe. Six weeks later there will be lots of rambunctious kittens tearing up the house! Just one more reason why we should spay and neuter our furry family members :)

(P.S. mistletoe is poisonous to dogs and cats, so please be careful.)

A Lovely Award

I'm honored to have received this stunning award from Monica and Andrea, a creative girlfriend and boyfriend duo who call themselves theartofpuro.

Thank you both so much! I'm blushing :)



There are the usual rules...

Link to the person who gave you this award.

Display the award on your blog.

Choose 5 (or more) blogs you'd like to pass this along to and why.



Today I'm choosing those who inspire me with their words. Their stories, whether true or fictitious always have me riveted to my seat and longing for more. They draw me in enough to feel their pain or their joy which leaves me crying or celebrating alongside them. They are, (in no particular order)...



KJ at Options for a better world

Debra Kay

Catnapping at The Odd Neighbor

Sukipoet

Human Being at Dear Teacher Crow

Thank you ladies, for making my life richer by reading your words, and for always stopping by with support and encouragement!

Animal Wednesday : Angels Among Us

Seems like a lot of my blogging friends need an angel right about now. Debra Kay, Suki, KJ...this is for you and anyone else who needs a little reminder that there are angels among us :)

Happy Animal Wednesday, my friends. XX

Cactus Monday : PP&P

My entry is in my photo blog this week. Go here!

IF : Similar

Even though all the trees in the wild birch forest look similar, the white raven always returns to the same one year after year.

Legend has it that it was the tree she was born in.
She took her first flight from that very branch she's perched on.The other ravens of the wild birch forest honor and respect her for her true heart and sense of place.For those of you who believe you can never go home again, you've obviously never had the good fortune of meeting the white raven and feeling her magic.



For Illustration Friday's promt: Similar...and they picked my word!! Thank you IF :) Acrylic paint and colored pencil on cardboard

Click picture to step into the woods :)

IF : Hot Air Balloon

The debate continues! Click here.

Happy Weekend everyone!

Sharpie, acrylic and colored pencil on very cool paper

Animal Wednesday: Stuffing Ourselves

This is my friend's Italian Greyhound, Tay. (Mateo) She had this red ball that she loved more than anything else. When it became nothing but a flattened piece of rubber it became a choking hazard and had to be taken away. Do you think any of us could come up with a ball even close to the specialness of that one? We never did. Luckily a move to a new home took her mind off the ball and her one-toy obsession was a thing of the past.

I chose her as my Animal Wednesday model today because of the way that ball is stuffed in her mouth, reminding me of all the people who'll be overindulging tomorrow! I'll also be having Thanksgiving at her house trying to avoid her big, brown pleading eyes. No Tay, go lie down. I may have to tell her to go find 'red ball' so we can eat in peace :)

HAW to all of you, and blessings to my friends who will be celebrating Thanksgiving tomorrow!

Cactus Monday : Winter Hat

Curious?? Look here! Happy Cactus Monday!

IF : Emma's Opinion

This is Emma. (click on her name)

She's an SPCA rescue of the Chihuahua type

and she has an opinion about everyone and everything.

In my opinion, she's right most of the time.

I love my little girl!

paper bag from Trader Joe's, colored pencil, no.2 pencil and collaged words for

Illustration Friday's prompt: opinion

Click to enlarge my little pup!

Deuce Awards!

I received two more awards from the generous and talented Soulbrush!

The first one is given for recognition of cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values transmitted in the form of creative and original writing...that's the general idea. Wow, I really appreciate being put in that category. I'm beyond flattered!

The Lemonade Award is a whimsical way of thanking people for the blogs we enjoy, I suppose. So...thanks for this one too!

Soulbrush nominated almost every single person on my list, that stinker, so what I'm going to do is ask you to help yourselves, every one of you. You all deserve these awards and many more for the support and encouragement you continue to give me. You truly buckle my knees sometimes.

So go ahead, grab the awards and pass em' along! Where would we be without each other? xoxo

Cat's out of the bag...Six more random facts

I was tagged by the delightfully clever Connie to come up with six random facts about myself. I promise not to have this list be as serious as the previous one!

1) I only have time to read for pleasure at bedtime and I fall asleep after one or two paragraphs! It's been years since I've finished a book. That's just wrong!

2) I'm an old-fashioned letter writer. I love sending pretty cards in the mail for no other reason than to make someone smile.

3) I make friends easily. My husband jokingly calls me "the second coming of Oprah!"

4) He also calls me the pied piper because of my "animal magnetism." :)

5) Whenever there's a disaster on the news the first thing I think about are if any animals were involved. I can't help it.

6) I love warm, sweet corn on my salads. Mmmm!

If you'd like to participate, follow the rules on Connie's blog or do what I'm doing, just tossing it out there for those who want to play! It's always fun to hear more about our friends!

Animal Wed-Zen-Day

Deep breath in...

Exhale,

Repeat 3 times.

Feel better now?

Peaceful Animal Wed-Zen-Day my friends :)

Seven Similar Things

I came across a wonderful fellow blogger's post who listed seven random things about herself. I was amused by the fact that I could relate to all of them in a similar but non-exact way. That inspired me to come up with a spin on the old
"Seven Random Facts" theme just for fun! Please join in if you can relate to what we've said by putting your own spin on things. You're all tagged by your own choice. No pressure, just let it fly!

So the thing you need to do is first read KJ's post, then compare my similarities!

Here goes...

1) I live out of a laundry basket. I don't have enough dresser/bureau space to put my clothes away.

2) On a related note, we lack closet space in this tiny duplex so many of my clothes don't get hung up. But if I'm being completely honest here, all I have to do is give away the clothes that don't fit me even though I swear they will one day soon and then I will have PLENTY of room in the closet.

3) Nature is my church, kindness is my religion.

4) I'll give away nine cents of every dime I have but please don't ever take advantage of me.

5) I grew up poor in inner city Boston in the 50's and 60's. Those were not good times. My parents drank every paycheck and most often we were without heat, food or electricity. My mother would cover us with coats on top of blankets. I could see my breath and hear my teeth and bones chatter. My body would ache from the shivering.

6) I was arrested at age 14 for shoplifting. I was a little runt always trying to be accepted by the wrong people. They were stealing the latest, coolest outfits and I was stealing Christmas presents for people I loved. I was busted for ten dollars worth of merchandise. I also remember having cardboard inserts in my shoes that night because it was winter and I had holes in my shoes. The mother of my friend came to bail her out and forbade her to hang out with the likes of me anymore. My father left me in jail that night to teach me a lesson. That's the most profound and loving thing he's ever done for me.

7) I didn't have a senior prom, or a junior prom. I was expelled from school at the age of fifteen for circumstances beyond my control at home. Instead of helping me, the 'powers that be' labeled me. Thank God for my probation officer who stood by me and knew I was a good kid in a bad situation. Forty-four years later we are still very close. I went on to get my GED at age 25 and even did a bit of college until I ran out of money. I learned more in the school of hard knocks, and really, I think I've done okay.

Please join in if you wish! I really like the voluntary aspect of memes. I know my answers were a bit of a downer, but I look at those memories as a reason to celebrate where I am today.

Tribute to Little Ava

I had to say goodbye to another sweet patient today. You can read about her here and leave comments for her mom, Iva, if you wish.

Thanks, everyone. xoxo

Cactus Monday: Floundering in the West

No matter how many times I've been to the desert, it always amazes me when I see those silly fish fly by. I mean, where are they going and what's their hurry?

Happy Cactus Monday Cactuteers!!

A Yearly Treat!

I'm so excited!! Yesterday I got my yearly treat in the mail. I've been getting this book every year beginning in 1988, which makes this my 20th edition! It's a feast for the eyes and the spirit. I even entered one year but my work was lost as well as my favorite photo of me and my cat, but I digress. It's chock full of illustrations from published as well as non-published artists covering every imaginable subject and medium. If you've never feasted your eyes on one, order one today! You can get it on Amazon.com. You just may be inspired to enter for next year.

Okay, gotta run! I have a book to indulge in now :)

Oh, and check out this really, really cool giveaway!

IF : Pretend

Our lives are only limited by our imaginations or fears.

Now get out there tiger, and live your dream!

For Illustration Friday : pretend

acrylic and colored pencil on bristol board

Animal Wednesday : Here chick chick!

There's something about chickens that I really like. Their eyes fascinate me for some reason, and I love the different patterns of the many varieties. They make wonderful painting subjects, especially if they sit perfectly still in the studio and don't poop on the floor. Ha ha ha!!

Happy Animal Wednesday, or HAW to all you regulars!

Doodley Cactus Monday!

No rhyme or reason. Just a'doodling away in my new Moleskine enjoying my morning coffee!

HCM fellow Cactuteers!

IF : Wise Advice

There are many people out there who don't have anyone. No one to share their stories with. No one to eat dinner with or to sit on the porch steps and chat with. No one to comfort them when they're feeling sad or lonely.

Most times all these folks need is just five minutes of listening with an open heart. Someone to tell them there are better days ahead. Someone to encourage them and show them why it's worth getting out of bed in the morning.

Be that someone. Be inspired to change someone's life with a simple kindness.

Your life will be enriched tenfold.

Cactus Monday: Senita's Big Day!

Here's a little card I made for Soulbrush's cactus, Senita. She's getting married today to Cowboy Joe! I know, who the heck ever heard of a cactus getting married, but they reproduce somehow right? Well then, why not a big fanciful wedding celebration? Let's go! (click here)

Please stop by the other Cactuteers places to see how they celebrated! You can find their links when you stop by at the wedding.

What a Happy Cactus Monday this is!!

IF : Vacant

Heart Vacancy

Occupancy available.

Previously damaged, needs

loving restoration.

Only thoughtful, kind, and

gentle people need apply.

Honesty is a must.

For Illustration Friday's prompt : Vacant

Acrylic, colored pencil, collage on patterned scrapbook paper / click to enlarge

Animal Wednesday: Au Revoir Mon Ami Zuby

Today I'm dedicating my post to a little patient of mine who was my friend for a year. She was a tiny, twenty-one year old tabby cat from Paris, and her name was Zuby. I became her nurse for the same reason I see lots of cats; kidney disease. I gave her fluids every other day and she never made a peep until the very end, which is one sign we knew it was time to let her go. She always sat there and purred, and often times she'd lift a paw to my face as if to ask "So how are YOU doing today?" When the weather was nice I'd carry her out to the garden and lean her into the roses. We'd talk about the birds that stopped by, or the little squirrel who used to like to check her out. Zuby would put her face up to the sun and smile, I swear. She had a wonderful, loving home. As she started to slip away, the home became too big and overwhelming for her. She paced and howled and became anxious and unsettled. She spat at me for the last three treatments as if telling me not to bother anymore. So finally, I didn't. Zuby's mom Marilyn always said she'd never force a situation on her, and my philosophy is to continue treatments only if the quality of life is still there. She was like the energizer bunny though! Sometimes Zuby's mom and I would get all choked up thinking "today's the day" only to have Zuby rally and look at us as if we were nuts, and then she'd go over and eat a whole dish of food!

Clearly though, Zuby was different on that final day. Her eyes were hollow and vacuous. She only wanted to be held. Her body had given her twenty-one great years and it had nothing left.

The vet came to the house and I gently assisted him. Her mom and another friend were there and we all raised a glass of wine in celebration of her life. She left us the same way she lived, with amazing grace.

A tiny cat with a huge capacity of love for life. She left her pawprints on many, many hearts.

Her mom is going to bring Zuby's ashes back to Paris one day to complete the cycle. Tell me that isn't love!

Happy Animal Wednesday, my friends. Here's to Zuby!

(For Marilyn and her family, with love.)

Cactus Monday : Short-sheeted

Someone's making a big fuss because he was short-sheeted!

I barely squeaked this one out in time before heading out the door. Pretty rough and sloppy, but still here! I'll be back to visit all of my spooky Cactuteers later.

Happy Cactus Monday my prickly pals!!

Boocaw! Boocaw!

IF : Repair with flair

I was all over the map with ideas for this topic. I thought of some good ones, but for the most part I didn't feel like drawing any of them or I just didn't have the time because a few of them were elaborate and would be time consuming. I found myself scanning the room for inspiration, and there it was. A mural in my living room in the style of chinoiserie. I usually end up renting old places with character, but along with character comes wall cracks and blemishes that need repair. I'm lucky to always find landlords that allow me to go wild! What I love about chinoiserie is you can make it go on and on, adding branches and flowers, bugs and animals...whatever you need to cover the imperfections in the wall. Of course, I added ravens and pears! We have a few pieces of black furniture, so what better compliment than ravens? So there you have it, my way of repairing hairline cracks. Let the next tenants spackle! (Click to enlarge.)

(I've also included another painting I did on canvas with a chinoiserie wallpaper inspired background.)

Animal Wednesday : Awwww Autumn Kitten

This is an oldie but a cutie pulled from my greeting card design archives. Another one that was never bought by the big guys! (That's okay, they sell on Etsy:)

This little kitten is safe and secure with his stuffed squirrel who's just about as big as he is!

This one's for Mim because it's on a baby quilt. (Even though I made it up!)

HAW to all of you out there! And watch out for those crazy squirrels who run into tires while they're busy gathering nuts :P

Cactus Monday: Guess who?

Orange you glad it's Cactus Monday again?

HCM everyone!

IF : Late October Reflections

I love sitting by the marsh late in the afternoon, especially in October.

Maxfield Parrish skies reflected on the glass-like surface of the water, and for a moment I was convinced I saw hundreds of shimmering Koi. Since this wasn't likely the case, I took a closer look and realized it was fallen leaves. They looked like tiny flames on the pond's surface, extinguishing themselves by eventually sinking to the bottom.

As I looked across the marsh I smiled at the reflection of three cypress trees together. Those of you who know my work know they represent my three late cats. I honor them in my paintings whenever I can.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone. Thanks for stopping by my 200th post!

(For Illustration Friday : Late)

Animal Wednesday: 2nd Blogiversary!

Wow, I can't believe it was 2 years ago (yesterday) that I began participating in Illustration Friday! I also can't believe how much it has changed my life. It was just the kick in the pants I needed to start illustrating again. The friends I've met along the way have been an integral part of this journey, for without your encouragement I would have felt defeated again. This Friday will be a big day for me too, because it will be my 200th post. Stay tuned!

My thanks to all of you who make me want to be here and share art with you, and to those of you who have been there for me in deeper ways, bless you.

I feel like this is only the beginning!

Let me also mention the two splinter groups that I joined; Cactus Monday started by Teri C (yay Teri!) and Animal Wednesday started by Mim (yay Mim!)

It's been a delight to have these extra groups to join to share common interests. The cactus one is a challenge for me to try to keep it creative and fresh, and the animal one is a natural for me because I draw animals 90 percent of the time! Please check out their blogs...we're always looking for new members!

Today's painting is a tiny piece of a 33 foot (22 panel) mural I painted for a bank in Carmel, California. That was a tough, but rewarding job! I don't have a picture of the entire mural anymore. It's in a drawer somewhere! Someday I'll find it and scan it for you. The scene was a mother bear and her cub nestled among the Monterey Cypress trees with the Carmelite Monestery along the Carmel River in the background. This bear is one of 2 curious ones that were approaching mom and her baby. This is my favorite bear of the bunch!

Happy Animal Wednesday everyone! This is a nice anniversary day for me!

IF : Broken Strings

The wind gust came out of nowhere. I lifted my hand to free my tangled hair from my pearls and clumsily broke the strings in my haste. Pearls sailed everywhere and pelted my heart like hailstones.

Supplies are still packed in boxes! This is another paper bag with paint, a number 2 pencil and color pencils. Yup, done at the table!

For Illustration Friday : Strings

Animal Wednesday : Mother Goose

Man, I really dug one up from the archives! I found this while I was cleaning out my art supplies. It's an illustration I did in 1991 when I took a night course at Rhode Island School of Design in children's book illustration. My books had just been published (without my illos!) and I wanted to see what I was doing wrong.

Anyhoodle, the assignment was to draw our version of Mother Goose. I pictured her as a hipper version riding a carousel goose. This isn't really a very good scan because the piece is laminated. I must have used it as a placemat or something rather than throw it away!

So...HAW everyone from 1991!

Guess Who Came To See Me?

I'm sooooooo lucky!!

http://gratitudepics.blogspot.com/2008/10/synchronized-sunsets.html

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!!

IF : Sugary

He talked a blue streak about how wonderful things were gonna be.

Damn, I swore I wouldn't fall for those sugary promises again.

Dining room table sketch on a paper bag, graphite and paint.