Cats and Pratfalls

Today was an interesting day.

It started out by me taking a couple of photos of this cute fish and cat teapot that my sister bought me when she came to visit on Saturday. We love going to second-hand stores and antique shops. For now I've placed him on the shelf between the kitchen and the dining room. I think he's smitten with that bunny!

Here is another view with the light from my studio doorway in the background. I'm standing in my galley kitchen in front of my stove.

Thank you pat. I love this little guy! he makes a wonderful addition to all of my blue and white pieces. (But you knew he would!)

This handsome, adorable awesome guy is Grady, my friend's cat. They're away in Sedona, Arizona for a much needed vacation. Grady has special needs because he's a herpes kitty with major sinus issues. Let's just say it was a very messy nose day today!

That said, I'm doing a mural (small trompe l'oeil actually) for his mom's birthday while she's away. I have carte blanche (which I love!)   

Grady felt the need to help. Um, I don't think so!

This is how he watched me when he wasn't chewing and batting my paintbrushes all over the kitchen or trying to spill my paint water or trying to walk through my pallette!

Helper? Um, not so much!

Good company? You bet!

What happened next was not so pleasant.

I knew I was pushing it because I didn't have the right ladder, I didn't wear the right shoes for support and I hadn't eaten any lunch which is NOT good for low blood sugar.

I remember falling in slow motion but still feeling panicked. I'm not so young and limber now. My body twisted in defense reaction and tried to right itself but there's a high guard on the stepstool I was on and my foot got tangled.

 From 3 feet up I went straight back to the floor with nothing to hold on to. I had a paintbrush in one hand, a paint tray in the other and I went CRASH in a very ugly, scary way.

My head hit the floor and bounced twice.

I could have hit the edge of the stove but I somehow missed it.

I have never felt so blessed for a FAT ASS in my whole life because that may have been what saved me! I fell to a half-sitting position and then my head snapped back.

Um, hellloooo, flashes of Natasha Richardson here!

From now on I really have to pay attention to my concerns ( i.e. changing shoes, getting right ladder) instead of brushing them off.

Take the time to do the right thing.

I really do want to be here for a zillion more years. If I'm not mindful of the needs of my aging self, I may not have to worry about aging anymore.

Moral of the story: if something doesn't feel right from the start, it probably isn't.

And oh, I'm sore as all get out. Ugh. My aching backside.

;)

Illustration Friday: Equipment

Most days I find the only equipment I need is a good attitude.

Especially when my raven friend messes up my hair garland!

Happy Weekend my friends!

paper bag, pencil, colored pencils, white ink, glaze, and acrylic paint.

(I spilled something on her face and then smudged it when I tried to save it. Oh well, here she is.)

A Discriminating Taste In Books

I got the nicest email today straight out of the blue. This wonderful stranger, father of this beautiful baby girl had this to say.

"Dear Laurel (I hope you don't mind the imformality of my greeting),

I just wanted to share a picture with you of my 7 month old daughter Brooklyn as we read your book, "I Love MY Daddy Because..." during our weekly trip to Barnes & Noble.

As we approached the giant display of Father's Day books, she looked around and reached for your book first. After thoroughly enjoying the taste of the book, she listened intently while I read to her while she stared and poked at the pictures of all the animals.

I think this picture of her captured the moment as I stopped reading for a minute to reposition the book.

Thank you for creating a timeless moment for me and my daughter and a picture all my family and friends have enjoyed and smiled at."

Warm regards,

M.L.

This simple random act of kindness changed my whole day.

Can you see me smiling?

Thank you, M.L., and you too Ms. Brooklyn ;)

To my friends: My mother died in 1985 and I was with her when she took her final breath. My father died 13 months later. These books are my humble tribute to them for doing the best they knew how. The books were published in 1991 and are still going strong many printings later, in many languages and many formats. I feel blessed even though I didn't get to illustrate them.
 Maybe this is my parents way of finally being there for me and letting me know I did okay for a poor kid from the inner city deep in the bowels of Boston. 
xoxo

Six Word Saturday # 12

Sky Drama...

better than

my drama!

For more six words, click here ;)

Illustration Friday: Fearless Creating

An encore in my Moleskine that seems to fit this week's word: Fearless.

Mixed media: acrylic paint, Prismacolor pencils, words from a magazine, butterfly sticker and a raven drawn with a ballpoint pen.

Happy weekend!!

Skywatch Friday: bad views, good views

We had a wild storm pass through a couple of days ago. You can usually count on a wonderful, dramatic sky when the weather starts to clear. Now that I'm not living down the street from an amazing beach I have to deal with these ugly power lines and wires.

(Of course I praise said power lines and wires when I have a good computer connection!)

Well, the sky was so pretty I took a couple of photos anyway.

I just love that 'after the rain' smell in the air!

I went around to the side door and gasped at the light that was hitting the trees in the back yard. No power lines, just pure glowing sunshine and a glimpse of the blue sky!

Now we're talking!

Happy Skywatch Friday!

Please visit more folks and their sky shots here :)

Thankful Thursday: Visiting Friends

Many of you know that my dear blogging friend Kj and I have met in person and now live two hours apart. Our friendship is easy and effortless, as if we've been friends since childhood.

This weekend I drove 100 plus miles to her house, no small feat for me with my driving fears. I bought a GPS, said a little meditation about being safe and off I went. It was a breeze! I actually enjoyed the drive and was there before I knew it.

Mim and Debra Kay were supposed to join us for the weekend too but sadly each had something pressing to deal with. Next time ladies!

There are no pictures of us in this post. What I did do was walk around the outside of KJ and JB's wonderful home and snapped pictures of things in the yard and in the park behind their house.

So please come along with me on this walk!

 

Azalea offerings at the front door...

Buzzing bees keeping busy...

The famous Magic Cottage! JB's art haven...

It seems JB has gone dancing with the mermaids!

A side view of the Magic Cottage and a sweet little bird hanger.

Look closely. Do you believe in fairys?

Iron and lace...

Three graces near the front door...

A delightful trio of rusted petals adorns a side fence...

More garden whimsy...

A little sundial at the base of an oak tree, kept company by a bleeding heart.

More whimsy with elegance...

Nestled cairns, KJ's creations.

Amber and iron spires...

And a magnolia starburst!

Now let's take a stroll in the park.

Past the frilly cherry tree...

Behind the pond capturing reflections...

Where an empty bench waits for company.

And finally a quick snapshot downtown before hitting the road to home.

It was a delightful and all too short weekend.

Thank you KJ and JB. You were gracious hostesses and great fun to be with! 

Let's do it again ;) ♥

Open to interpretation

Some of you know I spent the weekend with my dear friend KJ and her partner JB.

It was a magical time of good food, nature walks, taking pictures and making art. The three of us sat silently making collages, occasionally peeking to see what the others were doing and exclaiming with an ooh or aah as we watched the progress.

This is mine. I know what it says to me but I'd love to hear what it says to you.

Look at each element. What do they symbolize? How does this image make you feel?

I'd love to know your thoughts ;)

And if you haven't already see it, here is KJ's amazing collage. Her very first one!

I'll see if we can get her to show JB's as well.

Happy Monday!

xo

Animal Wednesday: Sumo Wrestler

Lately our cat Bliss has been wanting to cuddle up with our dog, Emma.

Not long ago Bliss went into attack mode when we first moved back to Rhode Island. Bliss wasn't well and she took it out on the dog. Emma won't soon forget that!

So when Bliss wants to cuddle, Emma gets up and slithers away.  

Not so yesterday. I was at the computer and heard a low moan come from Emma. My first reaction was 'she's having a seizure' because she has epilepsy. (We call it Emma-lepsy)

Anyway, I turned around to see Bliss pinning down Emma like a Sumo wrestler! Bliss is twice Emma's size and weight.

Bliss was determined to get that damn dog to cuddle!

Emma extricated herself after I snapped this picture:)

Happy Animal Wednesday!

Now go cuddle!

Blooming Tuesday: meditation

Exactly a year ago I decided to try painting mandalas. This was my first one and I had such a pleasant time getting lost in it. The original is quite tiny (and missing at the moment!) It must still be packed away.

This past weekend I planted my nasturtium seeds in their starter pots hoping for blooms like these. When/if they bloom I'll share the pictures on another Blooming Tuesday.

Have a wonderful week!

Six Word Saturday # 11

Weathered and aged

yet

beauty remains.

For more six word saturday posts, click here to visit!

Thankful Thursday : Earth Day 2010

"I have come to terms with the future. From this day onward I will walk easy on the earth. Plant trees. Kill no living things. Live in harmony with all creatures. I will restore the earth where I am. Use no more of its resources than I need. And listen, listen to what it is telling me. "- M. J. Slim Hooey

Happy Day, Mother Earth!

I promise to keep trying to do my part.

The Blues

I thought it would be fun to see my blue ABC/ATC's so far.

I'm having such a blast with this series trying to keep them all in shades of blue!

This week's "N" will have to go in the next batch.

Click here to see the blog and the cards by the other ladies. 

This post counts for Blooming Tuesday and Animal Wednesday!

Six Word Saturday # 10

Follow me

to see

the daffodils!

click on this link to see more!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/studiololo/sets/72157623682553695/

Blithewold Mansion Gardens and Arboretum is having their annual Daffodil Days event this weekend. I took myself there Thursday before the crowds. Just me and nature and it was grand! And to top it off, the gift shop took two of my "rejected" paintings ;)

Life is good!

For more Six Words, please click here!

Thankful Thursday: Smatterings

This week I'm starting with gratitude at home. My landlord asked if I had any use for this counter. I knew right away it would be perfect for the studio so I could have a place to sit with friends and draw or paint. I recently bought comfy stools in chili-pepper red (not shown here) and they give the studio a little pizzaz! Come on over!

Here's the view from the dining room doorway.

I have to tell you I'm in the studio all the time. I just love it and feel very lucky to have stumbled upon this place after the first fiasco we lived in. Things happen for a reason!

This is my memory board where I keep treasures from all of you. I have to constantly change it because I can't fit everything on it!

Right now it has things from the following friends: Soulbrush, Renee, Marianne, KJ, Mim, Teri C, Debra Kay, and Lynn. Can you find your art? (click to enlarge)

Beieve me, all of you who have ever given me anything has been represented here and will be again. Thanks so much!

Many of you recognize this beauty by Marianne! She sent it to me recently with my amazing letter "P" from our abc/atc swap. I can't show it yet because it's not time. Besides, I don't usually show things from the other blogs I participate in on this blog. 

I probably should because not everyone goes to the other places.

Thank you Marianne! You know I love this dragonfly in my colors ;) ♥ 

I was lucky to get a popsicle stick bookmark from Teri C! She even put crows on it. And she also sent me this cute puppy! I love his wonky ears! Thanks Teri! I love them. ♥

 And finally, Miss KJ sent this Easter raven to me from Babs etsy shop! It was a real surprise! It hangs from my paper storage cabinet which is right where I can see it all the time. Thanks KJ! You're always so thoughtful and generous! ♥

One last note, I entered 3 paintings in a local art guild show which I recently became a member of. Not one of them was accepted! Funny, they raved about my work when I posted it on their site, but for some reason none of them were selected.

That doesn't make me feel too welcome. Still, I'll continue to paint in this wonderful studio and have my own damn shows! ;)

Today I'll pick up my rejected works and hold my head high and thank them for their consideration. It's a tight knit group there. I'm sure no one knew my name and that was that. As long as I know who I am, that's what matters ♥

Animal Wednesday: Nesting

I went looking through my archives to see if I had an appropriate image to use for today.

I did this painting five years ago when I rented a musty old room in someone's house as my first studio. I wanted to paint a nest, but then I thought about a little sparrow bringing an 'offering' to my painting because he thought the nest was real! Talk about self-flattery!

Anyway, five years later I see a lot wrong with the painting. Still, someone in Southern California is enjoying it as part of their bird art collection.

Apologies to those of you who may have already seen this. I haven't had a whole lot of time to do new stuff lately. I'm working on changing that though ;)

Happy Animal and nesting Wednesday!

Illustration Friday: Dip

Snake dip anyone?

I love symbiotic relationships.

A little weekend whimsy to wish you a happy spring ♥

Six Word Saturday # 9 Easter Humor

Time to

take down

the tree!

Easter Blessings to all. For more Six Words, run over to Cate's place here!