Holiday Spirit

Someone at our house got into the catnip yesterday and decided it was time to start decorating.

Now she doesn't know how to get out of the snowglobe!

We're all just so happy that she's back to normal again, abusing drugs and getting into trouble ;)

The picture is blurry because I may have gotten into the catnip a bit myself!

Tis the season ;P 

Illustration Friday: Savour

Good thoughts in,

Bad thoughts out.

Deep breath in,

exhale slowly.

Savour the peace within.

patterned paper, acrylic paint, colored pencil

Illustration Friday: Sneaky

She wasn't being sneaky in the least.

 It was he who was being deceptive and cruel.

So on this crisp November night she kept a promise to herself as she walked away for good under the illuminating guidance of the full moon.

Her conscience was as clear as her big, green eyes.

She never once looked back.

brown paper bag, micron pen, prismacolor pencils

for Illustration Friday

My 600th post!!!!!!

Six Word Saturday #19

November skies,

November sighs,

Blissful me.

for more SWS, click here :)

Animal Wednesday: Journal Journey

I've been a bit quiet on the blogs lately because I'm trying to instill some self-discipline towards working. Today I painted this journal for Etsy.

I scooped up a couple of these at Michael's Craft Store knowing right away what I would add. I think any one of you could have guessed!

Yes indeed, my raven friend! I painted him with an acrylic paint base and then detailed him with colored pencils.

And then I added this to the back. So true, don't you think?

So here's my Animal Wednesday post for this week, a journaling journey!

xo♥

Illustration Friday: Burning

Keep the home fires burning.

A quick little painting for Illustration Friday's prompt: Burning

acrylic paint on masonite 6"x6"

Cactus Monday: With Joshie and Alex

I had some of my family over yesterday and my Great Niece and Great Nephew were among the guests. This is the first time they saw my house and the studio.

I finally found a little free time to sit and make art with them.

This amazing little painting was done by my Great Nephew, Joshie. He's seven years old!

He didn't look at any references to draw his desert scene. And this was his idea. It dawned on me that I could use it for Cactus Monday and show it off.

So we have a Saguaro, a scorpion and a tarantula on the rock, a jack rabbit, a snake and a lizard. I think this is awesome!

My Great Niece, Josh's sister Alex drew this frog. She drew it from looking at an antique ceramic frog of mine. I love how she put the fly in there for a touch of reality! She's nine years old.

I know it's not a cactus BUT it's green! And I love it.

All that housecleaning and stress was worth every minute of yesterday's visit.

Happy Cactus Monday and Frog Day!  ;)

Animal Wednesday: Gull-ible

Robin started a theme on Animal Wednesday today after seeing Mim's post so of course I felt the need to follow!

Here's a photo I took while living in Monterey. I call it "My Gullfriends."

And here is a very large painting I did called "Centering."

I was inspired on a walk at Asilomar one blustery day and this seagull just hovered in front of me, bracing against the wind. I knew right then that I'd go home and paint him!

I was lucky enough to have Asilomar right in my neighborhood.

Happy Animal Wednesday!!

Illustration Friday: Afterwards

befoooooore....

Afterwards!

For Illustration Friday's prompt: afterwards.

Done in my Sketchbook Project Moleskine for the theme "It's rainng cats and dogs."

graphite, colored pencil, grey marker

A very quick doodley-do!

Lost Art, Found Hope

This cold November rain has had me in the house for most of the day today.

I can't get out of my own way lately, clutter on every surface of the studio, muse nowhere to be found. I'm floundering and doubting my ability as an artist.

I read Mim's post today about decluttering and finding art done from years past and it inspired me to look through some old drawings in the hopes of finding my muse.

I may be getting close.

The above drawing I have shown here once before. It's a pencil drawing of Nastasia Kinsky from a pose in a magazine. I did this in 1978. Look how much it has yellowed.

This is a portrait in pencil of Pablo Picasso. Although I'm primarily self-taught, I did have a very short stint at college and I became obsessed with this artist. I did this same portrait in every medium. The ones that are missing (or are in boxes still) is the aquatint etching and the lino cut. This is also from 1978.

This was my very first ever attempt at painting anything. And this was my only time using oils. I hated painting back then! Who knew that it would become my passion one day?

This wacky portrait made it into a juried show at the Brockton Art Museum in the late seventies and it took Honorable Mention.

It hangs in my studio now with dust and fond memories. 

And here is another assignment I stumbled upon. I did this scratchboard in 1979 for a graphic design class. Or was it drawing? I don't remember. But I do know I copied it from an old book of fairy tales and I don't remember which one. Grimms, most likely.

I do remember this being quite a challenge to think in "negative."

And you can see my scratched in signature, "Porter 79."

I'm needing to be able to paint when the mood strikes, but what I think is in my way is what am I to do with all these paintings?

I can only bring so many to the gallery that I have joined. And my paintings are too pricey for the other shop that carries my cards.

So I have this sinking feeling that I'm wasting my time when I should be scouring the state for work. This is not the economy for artists, unfortunately.

So, here's the answer to myself.

Paint anyway. Paint your heart out.

Draw.  Sketch. Create!

So now I'll paint just for the sake of painting.

I'll make art to maintain some level of sanity,

And I'll thank my ancestors every day for passing along this gift.

Thanks for the kick in the pants Mim, even though you had no idea!♥

Animal Wednesday: Snow Crow

I've been busy trying to get things painted for holiday sales at the gallery and on Etsy.

Here's the first in my series of Snow Crows.

What better way to say Happy Caw-lidays!!

OH, but today is Animal Wednesday so I guess I should say,

Happy HAW-lidays!

(groan)

;P

Illustration Friday: Spent

~meditation~

~prayer~

~quiet time in nature~

~finding solace amidst chaos~

~painting and writing~

~being kind~

This, to me, is time well spent.

acrylic on canvas, molding paste, gold foil

Cactus Monday: Halloween Hangover

And by "hangover" I mean this image is hung over from last year!

I thought he deserved an encore.

I hope everyone had a fun, safe, spooktacular Halloween!!

Oh, and Happy Cactus Monday :)

Thankful Thursday: Abundance

I honestly am lost for words sometimes.

I don't even know how to describe how blown away I am by the deep friendships I have made on this blog.

My mailbox was brimming today with more gifts from dear friends, old and new.

The top drawing is a postcard Marianne's son Felix drew for us. On the back is the sweetest message for all of us to get better soon and that we are close in his heart.♥ 

He also told our dog Emma that she is one of the nicest dogs and he loves her!

That is one special boy, let me tell you.

We love you Felix! We will see you again.

  

In the same package was this ATC made by Marianne wishing me a Rainbow Day!

She also included a CD by Alisha Keyes!

And this beautiful ATC was in the package too!

Hummingbirds have a special meaning to our friendship.

She also sent a "Leo" bookmark from Egypt I believe. It's made from papyrus.

And then...

She painted this picture to cheer me up. Well, it made me cry!! But it was a happy cry.

This is a picture of our cat Bliss that Marianne took when she visited.

This touched me more than you'll ever know, especially after nearly losing her last week.

This painting will be framed soon and will hang in the living room where the photo was taken. Marianne, you are so very special to me. I love you♥

Thank you so much for everything!

Next we move on to sweet Lori. All I did was mention that I loved the banner she made for her daughter Hannah and sure enough one showed up in my mailbox not long after!

I was beyond touched by her kindness and generosity.

This will have a place of honor in the guest bedroom which is done in a vintage style. It will be perfect there. 

Here's her signature ♥ card with the sweetest note on the back.

And another view of the assortment of fabrics.

Thank you, dear Lori. Your heart knows no bounds.♥

I finally got to meet Suki at KJ's YART this year. It was a short but meaningful meeting.

Suki came bearing bags of gifts for all of the bloggers!

Here we have her wonderful Peace card, a pretty umbrella photo card, a magnet from New hampshire and a lovely porcelain ♥ from Annie, the Blissful Bohemian, and a felted bear she bought at a craft fair.

Suki also gave me two of her handmade books and a handmade card. The pictures don't do them justice! The colors and textures are delicious, truly!

I hope to fill this purple one with ravens and then perhaps have a blog giveaway!

Thank you Suki. I love all of these thoughtful gifts and I'm thrilled we finally got to hug for real! Hopefully there will be more visits.

~Namaste~

xo♥

And last but not least, this wonderful "Raven Queen" print came today with a plush cat I ordered from Pam at Yoborobo.

I love this!! It is SO Lolo!

I'm not showing Vernon the cat because he's wrapped so nicely and I'm shipping him to Canada. Trust me, he's adorable!

Thank you Pam, new friend and talented artist.

♥xoxo♥  

I hope I haven't forgotten anyone. I get so many gifts and I don't always have time to make a post. If I have forgotten any of you I apologize. I love every card, letter and gift that graces my mailbox and my life.

Thank you for your friendship, all of you.

xo

Lolo

Animal Wednesday: 100 on the cuteness meter!

I was on my way to Tiverton the other day to drop off more paintings and cards to the gallery when I decided to go down a side road to look for photo opportunities.

Look who I found!

He's such a short, stocky little guy and soooo friendly!! He wasn't camera shy at all.

This is his beautiful friend. She was protective of her little guy ;)

Awwwwww! 100% on the cuteness meter!

Rhode island has many beautiful marshes. I took this shot to hopefully use for a painting one day soon. I'd love to live in one of those houses and have this quiet view.

I believe this is Sapowket Marsh. Many of the names are from Native Americans who were here first.

This is a small pond in someone's front yard. Such pretty reflections.

It was a wonderful day followed by clam chowder and beer battered fries for lunch.

Happy Animal Wednesday and happy Fall!

xo♥

Selling Originals

I have been asked several times if I was ever going to sell any of my original Illustration Friday pieces, so today I decided to go through them and list a few on Etsy.

This is NOT a sales pitch!

This is me branching out and and letting go of stuff.

All of these images are now available in their original state.

Thanks for prompting me to let them go ;)

xoxo

Illustration Friday: Racing

~Racing To Rabbit Moon~

                                       

This is the only racing Greyhounds should have to do.

Race free and happy in fields and beaches, or like this chap, racing in his dreams.

I'm trying to get back in touch with my children's book style because of a book I'm about to begin.

I have to admit this was crazy fun to paint this today!

Watercolor, graphite and gouache

 For Illustration Friday: Racing

Illustration Friday: Spooky

Oh yeah, real spooky with that embroidery Mr. Ghosty!

I was wondering where my hanky was, pesky raven.

Hey, this is also for Animal Wednesday. What the heck!

~acrylic paint, micron pen, colored pencil and a scrap of cardboard~