Tea for Mea

Well it's an appropriate topic alright since I've been drinking about ten gallons of tea a day to get rid of an upper respiratory apocalypse taking place even as I sit here typing.

Hot Flowers

I used one of my "song" papercut attempts in this composition, along with some flower illustrations I had done for a project last year.

Illustration Friday "Song"

After a few attempts, I finally managed to get something that actually looked like what I was trying to do. Maybe it's insane of me, but I don't draw (plan)anything out ahead of time (kind of like my life). Just fold and cut...and sometimes hum a song while I'm at it. Come to think of it, there's always a song going on in the background. I guess that's the plan.

for Erika

Dear Erika, I really really miss you. I tried to pose as cute as possible for these pictures, just for you. Maybe you won't be able to resist coming here to cuddle me. Mom & Dad would like that too. So hurry on up now, OK? Love, Bubsy.

I love a good blizzard now and then...

Why couldn’t this be tomorrow? What good is a snowday on Sunday?

Illustration Friday "Simple"

I found this sketch in an old notebook, and posted it here to illustrate my inspiration for this week's concept: "Simple". Today,in Barnes & Noble, as I entered the restroom, I encountered a little girl I guessed to be around 4 or 5 years old, waiting while her mom washed her hands. She greeted me with such an infectious smile, which I gladly returned, it inspired me to record it for my "simple" entry. I remember when my three girls were in grade school, one of their teachers commented to me that they could always count on a big, heart-warming smile from my girls as they passed in the hall. Of course, I took that as a compliment since they must have picked up smiling from me, just as I did from my mother, as a way of connecting with others. It's such a simple thing, but as our culture has become somewhat jaded, paranoid, hurried and disconnected, it's become a rarity on the street...and in the halls. If we all took the time to offer a simple smile as we rush through our lives, to our fellow human beings, what an impact that would have. Call me naive...or call me simple, it works for me.

Valentine Papercut

Cutting paper again, with a Valentine theme; scanned into photoshop and layered, colored etc. Have a hearty Valentine's Day!

IF Chair

This Friday (tomorrow 2.10) is our 2 week anniversary as NY’ers...and this is my first post since our move. This is from one of last year’s sketchbooks (searching madly for a chair just to get something posted before the new word tomorrow). We had to leave "Twinkie" behind in Cincinnati with our daughter since I thought the move to NY would be too stressful for her, since she’s 13 years old...and her last move across town was an event to remember. And that’s all I’ll say about that. The chair, however, made it to NY just fine.

Illustration Friday "Cat"

I started with a pastel sketch from my “reject” files...opened in Photoshop to experiment with colors, filters, layer effects etc. Also, I copied one of my papercut designs onto a layer adding an interesting texture to the image. It's great to be able to create an image like this to use as a thumbnail for pastel, oil or watercolor painting.

Blind Contour Friday

Well, six more days ’til we move! Another one of those "I just can't get up off the bed" blind contour drawings. Looked to the right...there was the lamp and my watercolor brushes in a ceramic cup thing on the night stand. Looked to the left...there was the 4 shelf "tower" with a bud vase & silk flowers on top of the small TV on the top shelf...and the stereo receiver on the shelf under that. And I said to myself, “...gotta pack that, too.”

Strawberry Break

Taking a break from packing for our move to NY next week! Pastel sketch from one of Dad's photos. I added the berries for a splash of color.

Art Class

Insomnia attack. Couldn't sleep, so I scanned in a pastel sketch of dancers and mutilated it in illustrator & pshop. Now that I got that out of the way, I guess I'll go to bed.

Illustration Friday “E is for...”

Erika, my youngest of 3 daughters, who is a phenomenally talented artist. This is a pastel self portrait she did a couple of years ago (without any formal art training). After obsessing over possibilities for this week's illustration, I decided to go with the first thing that popped into my head. So, Erika, this “E” is for you.

BCFriday the 13th

Took time out from thinking about getting ready to move in a couple of weeks to blind contour draw Bubby on the bed. I'd just about rather do anything than get ready to move, much less think about it. Thank you for stopping by.

Gone Coastal

Two (watercolor + pastel) alternates for Illustration Friday "Sea".

North American Brown-Breasted Bushy Tail

Watercolor, a little pastel and X-acto blade scratching.

Illustration Friday “Sea”

Delicate balance.

Allie’s Story

I've been meaning to post this little series of photos for a long time. This is my daughter, Allison...about 20 years ago. If you scroll down several posts to "Christmas Eve", you can see that she survived my mothering.(click on image to enlarge)

My Brain

This is my EDM challenge entry for "something from the past year". It's something I discovered last year that changed my life: sketch-blogging. The words came to me in the middle of the night last night. Scary, but true.

Clover Dancers

Cutout dancers + clover pastel combined in Photoshop. Happy January!