A Puddle of Crumbs

IF_Forward

2012-02-02T17:26:00.002-05:00

So, here is the colored version of the sketch that I did for IF's prompt Twirl. I actually made it before midnight on a Thursday! ;)

I think that I got lucky and he works for forward as well as twirl. He is going to be part of the artwork on a valentines card/mailer. I am so bad about marketing that I am trying to push myself to make a more diligent effort at it. I would just paint and draw all of my time away if I could and leave the marketing to the wind ;) You all are so supportive. I appreciate all of your comments on the sketch. Thanks for stopping by :)

IF_Twirl

2012-01-26T22:14:00.001-05:00

I'm working on this for a Valentines card. I only had enough time for a sketch for this weeks IF. I'll update with color so check back to see the finished version :) Sorry to make this so short, but I'll be back soon. Thanks for stopping by!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-22T15:18:00.001-05:00

I hope you all are having a great holiday week. Myles says Happy Holidays to everyone so I thought it was fitting to post him here as I wish you all Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas! I hope to see you all in the new year :)

Ces's Acorns

2011-12-17T18:33:00.002-05:00

I have met some of the most wonderful people since I started my blog. I have so many gracious and supportive friends. I just wanted to say thank you to each of you. I feel so blessed to have met each and every one of you. Ces is one of those dear friends whom I treasure and she has been generous enough to send me some of her beautiful work, so I wanted to reciprocate. I painted this for her, because she loves acorns and draws them often. Other friends have sent me work too and honestly I have been remiss. I have not sent them work in return. That is because I really don't think of anyone wanting a gift of my illustrations. I was going to send Ces something that I had already done, but couldn't think of an image that I thought that she would want.
So my dear friends, if you have sent me work in the past or even if you haven't, and you would like an illustration from me, please email me and I would be honored to send something to you. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy holiday season. You all are the best!

IF_Round

2011-11-30T22:15:00.000-05:00

So, just some fun and playfulness. I was taking a little break on my projects and playing around in painter 12 and photoshop. I rarely find time to post for Illustration Friday lately, so its nice when I can find time to do one. Thanks for stopping by and for all your wonderful comments :) Hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving.

IF_Silent

2011-11-17T21:50:00.004-05:00

Sorry my blog has been so "silent" lately. I haven't posted anything for IF in eons. And I am just getting it in at the very last minute. I mean to post more often, I just don't seem to get to it though. For those of you who don't know, my grandson is blind. He rides his big wheel around the house. I am grateful that it is not completely silent or else I'd have been run over multiple times already. The wheels make just enough sound on the tile for me to know he is coming so that I can get out of the way. But it's so great that he can ride it and rarely run into anything other than me. He has the entire living area mapped out in his head and rides around quickly, leaning his body when he turns. It's really cute, unless he runs over my foot, which has happened on occasion. This is another illustration from the ebook/app that I am working on. Sorry to keep this short, but I am working, working, working. So more about the project later... Thanks for stopping by. I really appreciate it! You all are the best :)

final version

2011-10-03T17:51:00.000-04:00

Here's another peak at what I am working on. It's turning out to be a really fun project. Sorry that I have been so quiet. I am just working away after being sick for a couple of weeks. My grandson started pre-school full-time this year and he has set out to catch everything he can and then give it to me. It's a gift I'd prefer not to get, but apparently my immune system really doesn't care what I want. ;)
Thank you for all of your kind comments. I really appreciate it. You all are really wonderful :)

What's on my desk...

2011-09-06T22:50:00.002-04:00

So, I'm dusting the cobwebs off my poor lonely blog and posting a peek at what I'm currently working on. I hope everyone is well. Sorry I've been so neglectful of my blog. Just busy, busy, busy. So, let me know what you think of my little guy. He's a character for a book I'm currently working on. Just some sketches for now, but I'll put some more polished images up soon.

2011-07-22T00:52:00.001-04:00

My son asked me to illustrate a whale with wings and a crown. I decided that I liked him and wanted to reuse him, so I recycled him. Thanks to a few good friends, (you all are so wonderful) I am pretty happy with him now. It was a fun piece to work on. I did this one in photoshop start to finish. I usually use painter then photoshop. It worked well for this one, but I don't think that I will give up on painter completely. I'm just a little frustrated with it at the moment. Thanks for stopping by, I enjoy your comments and visits.

Safari WIP

2011-07-10T12:32:00.001-04:00

It's been a little while since I have posted anything, so I thought I'd post a work in progress, although it is, slow progress. I'm busy with other projects right now, but I've been working on this one here and there, whenever I get a few minutes, since way back when IF's prompt was Safari. I'm not even sure when that was, but it's been awhile. Anyway, I'll post updates as I get a little more done. Hope you all are having a lovely weekend. Me, I'm sipping on fresh roasted Costa Rican coffee and considering spending a little more time on this piece instead of doing other work ;) Did you know that fresh roasted coffee has a plethora of good smells, like popcorn, then pancakes, and other yummy goodness that I can't quite describe? Smelling it roast is almost as nice as drinking it.

Thanks for stopping by, you all are so wonderful!!!

IF_Launch

2011-06-23T00:23:00.003-04:00

Gosford the gosling was determined to live out his dream of flying even if his wings weren't ready to carry him. ;) It's late and I'm off to get some rest. Have a great remainder of the week. Thanks for visiting :)

IF_Swept

2011-06-14T10:54:00.005-04:00

Swept away on a wave :) I saw a 3D frog in an inner-tube on a summer flier and just had to put something like him on a wave. You know one of those that looks like a bendable rubber toy. It was strangely cute. This one is supposed to be a turtle (Ha, my son says he looks like Voldemort from Harry Potter. So, maybe not so cute after all. ) I should have added one surfing too. Just some fun with the newest version of painter. Wow, it crashes a lot! Hopefully they will get that fixed. When it is working right, it is a good bit faster, when it's not, it's a booger :( Anyway, I'm thinking I may end up keeping the older versions to use too.

IF_Shadows

2011-06-09T08:42:00.001-04:00

I had hoped to get finished with another piece that I was actually doing for IF this week, but alas, the week is nearly over and I am not done with it. I upgraded to painter 12 and there is a learning curve I've got to get over with the newest tools. Everything is taking me three times as long as it usually does. So, I am posting this instead. It was a challenge for a critique group that I am part of. Funny, they went pretty quickly. The other piece, I have actually been working on, on and off, since IF's Safari. :o, maybe I'll be able to get it up soon. Thanks for stopping by and as always, thank you for all of your kind comments.

Hang tags

2011-05-25T21:35:00.004-04:00

I don't have much time, but I thought I'd post something since it's been awhile. These are ideas for hang tags for the children's tie dye my daughter and I have been working on. Summer is almost here, I can't wait to have a little free time :) Thanks for visiting! I miss visiting everyone and will be checking in with you over the next few days.

Princess and the Pea

2011-05-04T09:56:00.001-04:00

So, I am tentatively finished with this one, finally. It's didn't turn out exactly the way I had envisioned it but other than the fact that I keep finding little things to fix, I am pretty happy with it, I think. Sorry, I have been away from blog-land so much. Summer is near and I should have a lot more time to be creative in the coming months. School has really bogged us down this year and we are still dying and selling t-shirts. We even opened up an Etsy store. There is a link on the side bar, so be sure to check it out. We are still donating a percentage of the sales to charity and 10% of the sale price of the womens shirts has already been donated to Japan. Thanks for stopping by and for all your kind and gracious comments. I appreciate it!

Fred the Praying Mantis

2011-04-23T21:31:00.006-04:00

Just a short post of a quickly done painting of a praying mantis I did for my best friends daughter. Happy Easter!

PS. I am having so much trouble posting images from CS5 online or sending them in emails. I keep getting server rejections and having to shrink and shrink it again. It's like it is saving them so much larger than it says it is, but then the last time I did a thumbnail for IF it ended up pixel-ated before it would let me post it. I am not sure what the problem is and it is so aggravating. Anyone else having this problem?

Tie Dyeing for Charity

2011-03-26T18:49:00.001-04:00

Sorry I've been neglecting my blog. This is a little of what I have been up to for the past few weeks. My daughter and I did a tie dye project for charity. 10% went to Japan through the company we purchased the blanks from, and 10% will go to the Center for the Visually Impaired and for LCA research. It was so much fun that we ordered more shirts. We spent half our time figuring out how to do it so I am sure this batch will go much more quickly. So now I've got two boxes of shirts waiting to be tied and dyed. I also found a product to remove the dye from my hands because somehow, even with gloves I kept getting dye on my skin. I do the same thing when I do a lot of ink work, perpetually stained fingers ;)

IF_Layers WIP

2011-02-25T01:20:00.006-05:00

curtains? what do you think?

No time to finish this weeks post either, and it's very last minute, again. Actually, I just realized it's already Friday. Oh well, better late than never.

Yay for Presidents Day!

2011-02-18T21:05:00.001-05:00

because it gave us a long weekend and that allowed me to finish this up. So yay! Freedom to create. Maybe I'll even get to finish something new... and no headache!

IF_Sweater

2011-02-18T00:55:00.001-05:00

Here is my last minute entry for IF for last week. There will be a new one in a few hours, but I really wanted to get something up. I started several different ideas for this, but just never really liked any of them. I guess I was just in a mood because I've had one continuous headache all week long. Can you believe that my husband has never had a headache in his entire life? How does that happen? Anyway, it put me in an I hate everything I do mood. I didn't even like any of my sketches and trashed them all. So, I threw this together today. I don't know if I will finish it or not. What do you think? Is it worth finishing? Thanks for stopping by.

Surrender

2011-02-13T23:09:00.000-05:00

Well, I finally got this one finished. I think... it's one of those illustrations that seemed to take me forever and I just finally decided to stop messing with it. I will quite possibly change my mind when I look at it tomorrow. lol I'm having deja vu, I must say that a lot.

I'm already working on an illustration for IF's prompt Sweater and I'm determined to do something quick and simple, so I can get it posted this week. That being said, I'm not so great at simple; Sometimes I can do quick. I say this to myself often and then the illustration takes on a life of it's own and becomes, well, complicated. I envy those artists who can make a few lines or a loose sketchy image and simple color into a creative and solid piece of art. There is something to be said for simplicity and for me anyway, it's harder than it looks to make something very simple, yet very special.

Fighting the Slack Monster and the Little Red Hen again...

2011-01-31T00:13:00.004-05:00


2/1/11

2/2/11

2/3/11

2/6/11

I have been so slack about posting lately. I'm trying to get back into the habit of posting more often. So, to start it off I am posting not one, but two WIP's. I'm trying to get myself back into the painting or at least sketching every day mode. I did so well for over a year. And then it happened, I let the slack monster sneak up on me and pull me away bit by bit. Whispering in my ear little negative things like, "your tired, you've done enough today" or" you've already been on the computer all day, do you really want to spend more time straining your eyes?, you know you are tired" He's very beguiling, this slack monster. So, now I'm fighting back, bit by bit. I started working on another little red hen illustration a couple of weeks ago and I hope to get a chance to paint it soon, but I haven't really decided on the the finished sketch yet. Yes, I know, the slack monster is still whispering in my ear. Actually, I'm still trying to figure out what I want to do with the background and the whispering is distracting me. So, I decided to try to get in an Illustration Friday first. I haven't done one in a while; this is for the prompt Surrender. I hope to get it painted in the next couple of days. I will, I will, I will...

...that's the plan anyway!

Finished version of Hansel and Gretel

2011-01-08T13:05:00.001-05:00

So, I finally finished Hansel and Gretel. It was a lot of fun to paint. I've promised myself that I will draw more, paint more and post more this year. I have started to slip and let life get in the way for the last 5 or 6 months so I am re-prioritizing. More art, less stress, and no more working on school work excessively. Cyan and I are both burned out and the year isn't even half way over for us. I started Will Terry's mini-Illustration class and I've got to say it has inspired me to work harder. I've been letting the everyday get in the way and it's time to re-dedicate myself. So, check out Will's videos, they are great and they are reasonably priced. There's a lot you may already know, but I love the way he thinks and there is something to take away from each one, and there are things that I know that I forget about while I'm painting, so it's a great reminder of how important those aspects are. Plus, if we all use them, maybe we'll get lucky and he'll do more :). I love it when people share their knowledge and expertise. So, I'm off to a good start, I see that I am already wearing down the pen tip on my newest Wacom and I've only had it since the end of November. Of course this could mean that I'm bearing down too hard, I have to remind myself to loosen up from time to time. My favorite pen tip is the one with the spring, and of course it only comes with one of those. I guess I'll be ordering more ;). Thanks for stopping by and to all of you good people who take the time to comment, thank you and I truly appreciate it. Oh, and feel free to critique, I don't mind, it's how we learn to see our work through others eyes.

Hansel and Gretel WIP

2010-12-13T22:43:00.004-05:00

updated 12/17

updated 12/20

updated 12/23

I was working on this for Will Terry's blog challenge. The theme was Hansel and Gretel. It was due, last week on the 8th. I just couldn't find the time to finish it by the deadline. Bummer, but I thought it was worth finishing and I like to finish what I start when I am able, so I'm posting it. Which will further ensure that I take the time to finish it. I am only getting to work a little here and there right now, but Christmas break starts Friday. YAY!!! I am so looking forward to some free time. Although my stove is being replaced and I still have lots of Christmas baking to do I plan to spend a good part of my free time creating. So, while Myles naps I plan to draw, draw, draw and the baking will have to happen in between while my little helper is awake ; ). Thanks for stopping by and especially for all the kind comments on my last post. You guys are great! I really appreciate it and love reading your comments. Happy Holidays!!!

IF_Savor and They Draw and Cook!

2010-12-01T11:47:00.003-05:00

Here are two of the illustrations I did for They Draw and Cook, the second one is for the Christmas Contest. I did the first one but it turned out to be not very Christmas-y. I guess I wasn't in the Christmas mode yet. The second one, I did in about three or four hours. They were fun, but I will now savor the fact that they are done! Thanks for stopping by and for taking the time to comment!!! It's beginning to feel a little like Christmas season now. : )

IF_Sneaky

2010-11-23T13:03:00.001-05:00

So, I turned the illustration I was doing for my critique groups prompt into an illustration that would work for Illustration Friday, because I haven't done one in a while. Wow, it feels so good to be creative again. I'm planning on adding another squirrel on the bench, stealing her sandwich, but I don't have time right now, so it's still a work in progress. I want to spend the next couple of days working on an illustration for the new competition on the "They Draw and Cook" blog, and I really want to do Will Terry's Hansel and Gretel project. I'm having so much fun I may not want to cook Thanksgiving dinner. I'd like to do nothing but create.

LOL, but I don't think my family would be too happy about that idea. Thanks for taking a look and for taking the time to let me know what you think. Happy Thanksgiving if your celebrating it!

A little time to breath again...

2010-11-20T12:23:00.006-05:00

updated WIP pt 3

update WIP pt 2

Yay, it's officially Thanksgiving break and I can breath again. So, this is an illustration that I had tried to work on for my critique group, but I couldn't find time to get beyond the sketch. The prompt was Cup. So, I finally started painting it last night. It's a work in progress.

...and these are Maura's most recent pieces, from her drawing class, for her series on Asperger's. She is working on a really cool piece right now. I can't wait to see it. She described it to me and it sounds really great. So this is what they mean, the one with sand is about the sensory issues she has. She hates the feeling of sand especially, so it was really challenging for her to do this one. The one with the train is about obsessions and fixations. She rocks often, even while she is driving or riding in the car. As a child her spine was often bruised, because she rocked so much. But hey, she has some killer abs. The train is about her obsession with trains as a child and a fixation with the number 13. She also loves circles and curves.

So, have you ever dropped a large gallon size bag of frozen soup on your foot? Well, try not to because it really hurts. I'm sitting here looking at my foot and it is black and blue. Yeah, not fun, I don't recommend it. So, in case I don't get a chance to post again before Thanksgiving, if you live where you celebrate Thanksgiving, have a great one! We are celebrating Thanksgiving, my grandson's 3rd birthday and my birthday. My mother-in-law likes to consolidate celebrations ; ). Thanks so much for stopping by and to all of you who comment, You Rock! You really make my day!

Come One, Come All...

2010-10-23T00:53:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the newest, revised version of Under the Circus Tent (or was it Beneath the Circus Tent? I can't remember, I should look, but I am too tired) Silly, I know. I am in a silly, happy mood! My daughter was invited to attend Oxford University for her graduate program in the fall!!! I didn't even know they did that. Because, she is in the top ten percent at the University she is attending, they asked if she would consider continuing her education there! See, I know she is amazing, but it's really cool when other people realize that she is amazing too. I've been doing a little happy dance for hours now. So, I'm full of silly exhaustion. I just can't help but brag, I seem to be doing that a lot lately. I wanted to call everyone I know, but I didn't; I restrained myself and I only called half the people I know. So, now I'm blabbing about it to all of you!

Anyway, silliness and bragging aside, what do you think, is it better? too dark? too much? (Andrew, does the slight vignette shadowing work to replicate the curve of the flags in reverse?) I could add a row of lower lights, but this would cause a change in the lighting and shading.

On another note, my blog was a year old in September and it has been a great year. I didn't even realize it had already been over a year until I was reading Andrew's and Amalia's blogs and realized we started blogging at about the same time. I won't name all of my lovely friends, you know who you are. I have enjoyed meeting all of you and getting to know you. It has been a year full of kindness and support. You have all helped me to grow as an artist. So, thanks for putting up with my bragging about my children. I appreciate all of your comments and input. You all are the best!

Finished work

2010-10-19T22:04:00.000-04:00

Well, I finally had a chance to finish this piece. Do the flags add to it, or take away from it? I can't decide. I was thinking of using this piece as part of a promotional mailer, so let me know what you think. I'm also posting my daughters newest piece for her art class. Thanks for stopping by and thank you for taking the time to let me know what you think. I really appreciate it. Maura has enjoyed reading your comments about her pieces too. So, Thank You, Thank You!!!

Sooooo last minute!

2010-10-10T20:49:00.001-04:00

I'm soooooo last minute! I have been meaning to do an illustration for the website They Draw and Cook since they first started it. It's such a great site with recipes from artists all over the world. Well, I had done this overly complicated, way too realistic layout and I just didn't like it, so I started from scratch. Thank goodness I found out Friday night that the deadline was today! I didn't even have time to start on it until yesterday afternoon, so I worked feverishly to complete it on time. I saw that Linda Silvestri on her Sketched Out blog had finished hers today too so, I don't feel too, too bad. I don't know Linda so I hope she doesn't mind my mention of her. I just love her work. It's always so much fun and her recipe looks great.

While I am confessing to my last minute, procrastinating nature let me give a shout out to Ces and to Marion. They have both given me awards and poor Ces, I have been so busy that I haven't even posted about it and it's been a while. Amalia did the sweetest acceptance for it and I wish I had time to do something equally as sweet and clever, but alas, I only have time to post about them both for now. I will post them in my side bar, but I will have to get back to the passing it along part later ladies. So, thank you Ces and Marion you are both too sweet and I appreciate the awards and kind words.

Thanks for stopping by and for your kind comments. You all are great!

IF_Beneath

2010-10-06T22:57:00.002-04:00

Illustration Fridays prompt this week is Beneath. I started this one for last weeks prompt, but I didn't get it finished in time. I decided to add some things and now it is Beneath the Circus Tent. It's still a work in progress, but I may not get much more done before the end of the week, so I decided to go ahead and link it. I just haven't had time to participate lately and I'm trying to get back to it. Thanks for stopping by and for taking the time to comment!

Maura's second project

2010-09-30T17:06:00.004-04:00

Ok this is my daughters second project for her drawing class. Both of these pieces are about dealing with Aspergers. Like me she is a typical procrastinator sometimes. But, in her defense she works two jobs and goes to school full time, so when she told me she had a week long project due today and she didn't start until last night I really wasn't surprised. I think she did a wonderful job especially considering that she did it in a few hours after a very long, full day. Like me she is her own worst critic though and she is quite concerned about it. Especially since the professor said that he expected it to look like she put a week into it. I guess he had a very good idea that she hadn't started yet. She made an A on the first project and says she wishes she hadn't because now she won't feel as good about it if she gets a lower grade. He said it was the only A he gave on the last project, so even more pressure! She is very grade oriented, anything lower than an A and she is very displeased with herself. She just called me to let me know that she was nominated for the Honor Society at George Mason! Yes, I know I'm bragging, but I'm just so darn proud!

finally some new work

2010-09-28T22:56:00.005-04:00

updated 9/29

updated 10/1

updated 10/4

updated 10/5

Well, I finally got to work a little today, well tonight anyway. Yay! I feel so much better now and I am posting this because I am more likely to get back to it and get it done if I do! I am working on this for Illustration Friday this week. The prompt this week is old fashioned and I'm thinking it's an old fashioned thing to want to run off and join the circus. Thanks for stopping by and baring with me while I have been preoccupied with other things. Your visits and comments mean so much to me!

my daughters drawing

2010-09-16T18:05:00.000-04:00

My daughter is taking a drawing class this semester, so I thought I would post one of her drawings. She's majoring in Political Science and minoring in Chinese, so it's just the one class, but I love to see her drawing. She is a very dedicated student, goes to school full-time and works two jobs. She's pretty amazing; I don't know how she does it all and she does it all very well! Yep, I'm proud. Thanks for visiting, especially to those of you checking in even though I haven't been posting as often. Sorry, I'm still getting used to high school work again! It's 6:00 pm and I am still sitting here working on prep for tomorrows work. It get's better, I just have to get back into the swing of things. In the mean time I am missing my Wacom!

Something new

2010-09-08T00:49:00.002-04:00

My friend Clau had a birthday in August and I did this picture of her daughter for her. I am working on one of her son too. I haven't been able to get anything done since last week, so I thought I'd post this. It's just been busy. My husband was home for the holiday weekend. The 4th was my mother-in-laws birthday so we cooked her a big birthday dinner, the kind that takes all day to cook. Then today my husband left town to go on a last minute business trip, I had to take my grandson to the Center for the Visually Impaired for class, which is in Atlanta and it was my son's first day of high school! We home school, so we didn't get finished today until 5:00pm. It all made for a really long day, after a long busy weekend. Now, I am looking forward to a little slower pace and a little time to paint : )

Cinderella

2010-09-01T00:59:00.001-04:00

So, I think I am done with this one. At least for tonight I am. Thanks for stopping by and let me know what you think! I do appreciate what you have to say. : )

WIP_Cinderella pt 2

2010-08-31T14:37:00.000-04:00

...still working on this one. I'm thinking of adding the glass slipper because, after all, what is Cinderella without her glass slipper. I still have to decide how to handle the face of the clock too. I'm still not in love with the carriage though, I was hoping once I had more done that I would like it better. I just didn't put enough time into the design of it, but I can always go back to it later. It won't stand out quite so much when the clock face is no longer stark white though, so I am going to wait on that one.

WIP_Cinderella

2010-08-28T18:49:00.000-04:00

This is what I am working on this weekend. I did the sketch months ago, but never got back to it. I can't decide if I like it yet. Maybe its the carriage, it's not shaped right or something. Anyway, thanks for stopping by to have a look. I really appreciate it and the comments too! You are all great! Have a good weekend.

IF_ Atmosphere

2010-08-22T15:33:00.000-04:00

The prompt for Illustration Friday is Atmosphere this week. I kept envisioning atmospheric effects, but I had already been working on this piece for another project and wanted to use it for Watercolor Wednesdays for ocean. I just hadn't gotten around to posting it yet. I decided it would work for both. I also love the ocean. I guess you could say it's the atmosphere, the feel of the air with the ocean mist that clings to it. The constant breeze and the soothing sounds of waves and birds. It's such a healing place. Thanks for stopping by and for taking the time to comment. I appreciate every one of them.

P.S. I added the definitions for fun, not because I think any of you needs to know the definition of Atmosphere. My daughter used to play a game with the dictionary, she even liked to read the dictionary, she always read everything. I guess I am just missing her, as well as the ocean and wishing they were both closer to home. : )

at·mos·phere [ átmə sfr ] (plural at·mos·pheres)

noun

Definition:

1. gas around astronomical object: the mixture of gases that surrounds an astronomical object such as the Earth

2. air or climate: the air or climate in a given place

3. mood or tone: a prevailing emotional tone or attitude, especially one associated with a specific place or time

4. mood or tone of artwork: the prevailing tone or mood of a work of art

5. interesting mood of place: an interesting or exciting mood characteristic of a place
ie. a jazz club with lots of atmosphere

6. physics unit of pressure: a unit of pressure defined as the pressure that will support a 760 mm column of mercury at 0°C at sea level, equal to 1.01325 x 10⁵ newtons per square meter

[Mid-17th century. < modern Latin atmosphaera "sphere of vapor" < Greek atmos (see atmo-) + Latin sphaera (see sphere)]

IF_Star Gazing

2010-08-18T18:54:00.003-04:00

This is my illustration for Illustration Friday's prompt Star Gazing. It needs more work, but I thought I'd go ahead and post it anyway, I haven't been posting on Illustration Friday as much as I would like lately. I'm not liking the way his face turned out so I may go back and rework him. Anyway, thanks for all the well wishes and prayers. My back is getting a little better each day. You are all wonderful. Thanks for stopping by and for taking the time to leave such kind and thoughtful comments. You make my day! or night ; )

and here is the amended version, what do you think? better or worse?

I'm going to have to let it marinate before I decide...

Birthdays!

2010-08-14T17:17:00.001-04:00

Well, I hurt my back last week and I haven't been able to do a thing. I mean nothing. My husband was out of town and I had my grandson for a few days, so I had to have my mother in law come and help me out. I don't like taking medicine any more than is absolutely necessary. I just hate the way it makes me feel, even more muddled than usual. I had to take anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxers and they relaxed my brain as well as every inch of my body. I was a total slug, but I am much better this weekend, so hopefully the worst is over.

August is a big birthday month in our family. A great nieces birthday, then my oldest daughters birthday, followed by my son's birthday, then my sisters birthday and my friend Clau has a birthday too. I had so many things I wanted to do for everyone and I haven't been able to make a single cake or do anything special for anyone. I just hate having a bad back, it puts such a damper on things! and don't you just hate it when you hurt yourself?!!!

Finishing Up Just for Fun

2010-07-29T17:11:00.001-04:00

I was doing this one for Illustration Friday several weeks back for the prompt Paisley, but life got in the way, so I finished it up today, mostly anyway. Just trying to make myself go back and at least take things to a level of finished that I can be happy with. It's great practice and a promise I made to myself to try and not leave things half done. I may keep playing with her tonight, I had initially intended on using her in a retro school or library setting.

...and again Jack has saved me from a lack of creativity and time, so thanks Jack, again! I am using this for Illustration Friday's prompt Artificial, looking at the world through rose colored glasses doesn't seem to have improved her disposition, but it works for the prompt I think, no time for something new and I was totally stumped on something different for this one...

Watercolor Wednesdays Birthday

2010-07-26T19:07:00.001-04:00

Watercolor Wednesdays is two years old this August. Stop by and check it out. It's one of the group blogs that I take part in when I am able to find the time, which isn't as often as I would like.

I hope that everyone is having a great week!

I'm suffering from Sudafed balloon head myself. I don't know which is worse, congested muddled head or balloon head muddled-ness!

ha, ha, ha...

So Jack made me realize this would work for Illustration Friday too! Thanks Jack, I love it when that happens, especially when it is already Wednesday and I haven't started another illo yet!

IF_Breakfast

2010-07-22T19:19:00.000-04:00

Just a quick one for Illustration Friday's prompt breakfast. I was already doing this one and lost all the work except for the beginning of the doughnut and had to mostly start over, so it's messy and even quicker than I had intended, oh well. Another ant, I must have ants on the brain or something. Anyway, here he is the giant, he-man, doughnut steeling ant. Hope every one is having a great summer. Thanks for stopping by! and thanks for taking the time to comment! and Andrew, I am working on pickle ant, I really am! ; )

Version 2 of Picnic Ants

2010-07-13T13:53:00.004-04:00

Thanks to my wonderful critique group I have redone this illustration. With their excellent advice I think the improvements so far have made this a much stronger piece. The ant carrying the watermelon still doesn't read as well as I would like, so I am still working on an effective solution for that problem without doing a complete redo by repositioning him. I'd like this to be a portfolio piece, so I am really trying to make it stand out. Things I am playing with are taking the whole watermelon out completely, putting the whole watermelon in shadow so that it recedes, maybe adding an ant to the top of the jar trying to pull out a pickle... still playing around before making any further permanent physical changes. So, let me know what you think, I am always open to suggestions for improvement. Thanks for stopping by and for taking the time to let me know what you think!

*watermelon darkened

WIP finished

2010-07-09T15:28:00.001-04:00

Ok, I think I am finally done. Too late for Illustration Friday since today is Friday and a new word. The ants were little buggers and took longer to do than I had imagined they would, but I am pretty happy with the outcome, even though I think I could keep working on it if I wanted to. I am making myself stop for now. The ants remind me a little of the dancing, singing Raisins form some old commercial, but they are pretty cute. Thanks for stopping by and please leave a comment if you have time, because I love to read them!

WIP_Picnic

2010-07-06T23:33:00.002-04:00

This is what I am working on this week. Just a fun piece that will work for more than one theme. I hope to use it for several prompts and for my portfolio. I'd like to do more, but just in case I run out of time I tried to make it work for more than one. I haven't had time to participate as much as I like to. I am also working on some older pieces, finishing those up and reworking a couple of others. Maybe I can finish this one up tomorrow. Thanks for stopping by. You all are wonderful and I really appreciate your comments!

*updated 7/7

IF_ Satellite

2010-07-01T00:14:00.002-04:00

Here is the finished version of Satellite for Illustration Friday. I'm headed to bed for some much needed sleep now. Thanks for visiting! Comments are appreciated.

IF Satellite WIP

2010-06-29T23:30:00.001-04:00

This is what I am working on, today anyway. It is for Illustration Friday's prompt Satellite. I am still working on Paisley from last week also along with some sketches for another project. I thought that by now I would have more time to get the things I wanted to do done, but that hasn't happened yet. Maybe July will be better : ) no promises though, I just seem to be consistently inconsistent right now. But seriously I will try to start posting more often again.

I'm actually doing an under painting for this one which I tend to do when working traditionally but rarely do when working digitally. I think this one will benefit from the added step though. I am also in the process of redoing the Strange Pets piece with changes from the suggestions I received for it. I hope to get it done pretty soon. It's time to finish up stray pieces and post the results. That's my goal for the next few weeks anyway. Thanks for visiting and leaving so many wonderful and kind comments. I really appreciate the support.

Ripple

2010-06-19T22:33:00.001-04:00

I seem to be getting everything done late, lately. This is what I was working on for Illustration Friday last week. It's also my submission for Kelly Light's Ripple blog. But I got it done, so better late than never. I'm practicing working in a less realistic style. I'm not comfortable with it and it shows. I have to fight myself to not try to paint everything the way I think it is supposed to be. I feel like my imagination is stifled and everything comes with difficulty. That's why I am making myself do it more and possibly/most likely, why everything is taking me so much longer. Maybe I will even find time to do Illustration Friday this week! There are so many possibilities with the word Paisley. Thanks for stopping by and for taking the time to leave a comment. I appreciate your comments so much. You all are so supportive that you give the courage to try and work out of my comfort zone and actually post it for all to see!

Strange Pets

2010-06-13T16:46:00.000-04:00

Watercolor Wednesdays theme this week is strange pets. I think this one qualifies. I'm still crazy busy, but finding a little more time to take a break and play. Thanks for visiting and taking the time to comment! You are all so supportive and awesome!

IF_Trail

2010-06-09T22:12:00.001-04:00

This is my entry for this weeks prompt Trail for Illustration Friday. I'm not loving it and I'm not sure what it is I don't like about it, but I haven't gotten to participate in several weeks now, so I'm posting it anyway. I had every intention of doing a completely new illustration tonight after I put my grandson to bed. Instead, I had surprise company and had to make an impromptu dinner for the unexpected guests. Now it is getting late, so I guess I am stuck with this one. I keep waiting for things to slow down and looking forward to having time to do multiple illustrations, get caught up, touch base with friends and try some new things, but I'm still not there yet. Maybe next week!

Thanks for visiting! Comments are welcome and appreciated!

Something New

2010-05-31T21:34:00.000-04:00

I'm finally posting something new. This was going to be my post for Illustration Friday last week, but I didn't get it finished. Pretty ironic considering the theme was "Early". I haven't been able to get much done for the past several weeks, but now that school is out for the summer I hope that I will be able to make up for lost time in the next few months. Time to get serious again. I have joined a critique group and have several new pieces I'm working on for my portfolio. I am also still working on my recipe piece. Things are taking me much longer to get done right now. Just too much going on I guess. Maybe I'll even get my IF entry done this week. Wish me luck! Thanks for visiting and thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it! Reading what you have to say makes me smile.

Recipe layout WIP pt 2

2010-05-18T23:28:00.000-04:00

Ok, so I'm still not done. I have made a little more progress. I think I may have fixed the bottle issue, but it may still stand out too much. Keep in mind that this is an in progress piece. There are several other elements that I still want to add and I may end up moving things around. I also will add shadows and maybe some textures and lighting. I'm kind of figuring it out as I go, it's not how I usually work, but I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it when I started. I don't know, I may get it done and hate it. I know I am spending way too much time on it, but I don't seem to be able to stop working on it, so it will be sad if I end up not liking it. Whether I end up liking it or not though it's good to do something your not used to sometimes.

School will be out soon and I'll have more time to get some things done, maybe. We've had testing, testing and more testing. I'm also taking Myles to CVI for classes once a week now, which is why I am up way too late tonight working on this. Thanks for visiting and for taking the time to let me know what you think. I am going to take a break on this one tomorrow and work on Illustration Friday's prompt for this week, it's almost Wednesday and I haven't even started yet...

Recipe layout WIP

2010-05-15T20:40:00.000-04:00

So, this is what I have been working on for the "They Draw and Cook" project. It is however, taking me forever to complete. I am creating each element separately so that I can play around with the placement and use them for other projects. I am also working on other pieces, but it is taking much longer than I had hoped it would. Yes, I know I am going overboard; I just can't seem to help it. I wanted to do some cute simple sketchy thing and ended up with ridiculousness! But it's kinda fun making all the food and the point of wanting to use the food for other things makes it worthwhile I guess. I would love to get done with it though. I'd love to then do some simple sketchy thing for another recipe, but if I never get this one finished that isn't likely to happen. : ) Meanwhile, I have many other projects going at once. I like to make myself start and finish one project at a time and usually, well for the past year and a half anyway, this is what I have done, but this month has been so chaotic and it is being reflected in my work habits. I do plan to make myself finish them all. I really do! Maybe if I say it enough it will actually happen... Maybe

Thanks for stopping by and to those of you who leave comments, thank you for supporting me. I really appreciate you taking the time to let me know what you think.

IF-Fearless

2010-05-11T22:52:00.000-04:00

This weeks prompt for Illustration Friday is Fearless. I haven't been able to get anything completed recently. Actually I have hardly had time to draw at all. Cyan(my 14 year old) had testing all week long the week before last and then last week I had appointments all week long and though I have several pieces started I just couldn't seem to get one of them done. I was so tired this weekend I didn't even pick up a pencil. So, today I started a new one. I'll have to make myself go back and finish the others though. But for this one I decided that my grandson is the most fearless person I know and my daughter has wanted me to do a new illustration of him for months now. I haven't done one since he was a baby and it was actually my first digital illustration. I decided to post them both to see how much I have progressed in a year and a half. I did the bottom one the day I first tried a trial version of painter and fell in love with the program. Actually, I think I used painter essentials for that one or whatever version came with my Wacom.

So, I decided to do a new illustration of my fearless grandson. My grandson is blind, he sees a little light and shape in extreme contrast. But, you would never know it to see him. Like any other 2 1/2 year old he runs, climbs, jumps, and meddles in and on everything. Most children who are visually impaired tend to be cautious and fearful of the unknown. But Myles has no fear, he investigates everything around him with gusto and most of the time with only the slightest encouragement he is willing to try anything new. He absolutely amazes me on a daily basis. Any way this is my fearless boy, Myles the Magnificent! Sorry I am behind on posting new work, hopefully I will get caught up soon. Thank you for visiting and for all the supportive and kind comments that you leave! You all rock; I love it and appreciate it!

IF_Cocoon

2010-05-03T20:44:00.000-04:00

This weeks prompt for Illustration Friday is Cocoon. I've got another crazy week so just a quick one this time. This is the first illustration that I have done on my new computer. I also used CS5 for the first time and painter 11. The illustration isn't my favorite but I'm in love with the computer and new programs. The learning curve isn't going to be bad at all. The Mac is so easy I haven't had any problems with it yet and the new version of photoshop is wonderful. Of course I am going from CS2 to CS5 so there was a pretty good gap.
Before I forget again I need to list the lie from my Award post a while back. Several of the answers were partial truths. #3 was mostly true but I did try to paint and draw a few times during that 10 years I just didn't have the time or the patience with 2 small children to make enough of an effort and felt like I had lost my ability to draw. #4 was half true, no championships yet ; ). #7 I wish...
...the part about an author/illustrator was true though. I can't remember his name, but he left a lasting impression on me. That leaves # 5, which is so crazy it has to be true. I not only heard this from my grandparents, but also from the daughter of the man who was left tied up over night. The rest of the story is that my grandmother gave me that ring and I wore it every single day. When she gave it to me I thought it was too large, not my color and so not me, but it was from her and because of that I adored it. Well, when I was sick and having radiation my fingers kept shrinking and swelling, but I stubbornly kept wearing my jewelry even though there were days when it would fall off. So, of course, one day when I was feeling productive, I was cleaning and tossing things out and my ring fell off into the garbage bag(or so we think) and needless to say that is the day my hubby was especially helpful and efficient and took the bag to the dump immediately. We searched for days and never found it. I still get upset just thinking about it. I think that is the most I have ever cried over a possession. Now all I have is the story : (

IF_Ahead

2010-04-28T09:35:00.000-04:00

This week my son has CRCT testing and because we homeschool we have to drive about 30 minutes away to a testing site at one of the colleges. It's the closest site we've ever been assigned to, but it still takes up most of the day, everyday. So for IF's theme this week I am posting a work in progress to represent Ahead. I am creating elements for a recipe/illo for They Draw and Cook. You could say I am planning ahead or that you need these ingredients to plan ahead if you are going to make this recipe, though it is only about half of theme so far... anyway Jack Foster(thanks Jack) mentioned that my illo of the Little Red Hen would be good for this week, it is a little further down the page(below the tutorial posts), I didn't want to post it again but she certainly had to plan ahead in the story. Thanks for visiting and as always thanks so much for taking the time to comment and feed my blog! : )

Tutorial for linked part 2

2010-04-24T17:01:00.000-04:00

Here is the second half of my tutorial. This begins with painter and then goes into photoshop. I used a pc so there may be a couple of minor differences for mac which I am not familiar with yet.If you have any questions let me know. You can post them or send me an email.

Hints: Save constantly! Play with the settings until you find what you like, every image is a little different. I am self taught and this is just how I work, so there may be better ways of doing many of these things.

Tutorial for Linked part 1

2010-04-23T12:19:00.000-04:00

Ok, here is part one of my tutorial as promised. Sorry it is taking me so long to finish it. I have never done one before and it is different from teaching one on one( taking screen shots and trying to write it all down and making sure I don't forget anything). So if you have questions or suggestions let me know. I'm still working on the photoshop portion. The first half is in painter, however it could all be done in photoshop using similar methods, I just prefer starting in painter.

The Little Red Hen

2010-04-22T08:44:00.000-04:00

I did this for Watercolor Wednesdays the theme was the little red hen. I think I should do more thinks like this, my portfolio is lacking.

AWARDS!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-04-21T08:44:00.000-04:00

I have been so blessed to have met some really wonderful people since I started my blog. I consider them my friends, though we have never actually met. I trust their opinions, I appreciate their comments and I love their blogs. I have been given several awards and I honestly did not have time to accept at least one of them properly, so, I am doing it now. You all are so sweet, generous and thoughtful, thank you!

The Creative Writer Blogger Award

Here are the rules:
1. Thank the person who gave this to you.
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3. Link to the person who nominated you.
4. Tell up to six outrageous lies about yourself, and at least one outrageous truth.
5. Nominate seven "Creative Writers" who might have fun coming up with outrageous lies.
6. Post links to the seven blogs you nominate.
7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know you nominated them.

Susan Mordigal nominated me for the lovely award

My Lies and Single truth are:

1. I am actually a world class chef and went to school in France to study when I was in my early 20's.
2. When my husband was in the military, we actually met the Queen of England and she invited us to tea.
3. When my children were very young I decided that I had no talent and stopped doing any artwork for 10 years. I did not start painting again until my oldest child was in middle school.
4. We do BBQ competitions quite frequently and have won many championships.
5. When my grandparents were young my grandfather was a revenue officer. His job was to arrest people for making moonshine and to destroy their stills. One day he actually tied a man to a tree in the woods in the Appalachian mountains while he went in search of his still and supplies. While searching for the still he got lost. As a result he left him there all night because he couldn't find where he had left him. While he was trying to find his way back he found a 3 1/2 carat amethyst and had it set into a ring for my grandmother.
6. I have traveled all over the world and cooked for many famous people.
7. When I was 13 years old Dr. Seuss(Theodor Seuss Geisel) came to my middle school art class and talked about what it was like to be an author/illustrator. That is the day that I decided that one day I would write and illustrate childrens books.

And the nominees are:

D onna Pellegata

Vanessa Brantley Newton

Bella Sinclair

Rich Barry

Ces

* Ok, so I didn't nominate seven blogs; many of my friends already have this award. Please do not feel obligated to follow the rules in order to accept this award. Just copy and paste the award into your blog without all the hubub if you'd like because that's cool too!

The Renee Award

Thank you to Susan and to Shirley for giving me this award. It is such a special award. To find out why please go to Ces's blog and read the story behind it. Ces and Bella created this award and it is as beautiful as it is sweet. Because of what this award stands for, even though I know most of you already have this award, I want to give it to the people who have supported me the most and made me feel at home in the world of blogging, and to a few newer friends too.

So, that being said, this award goes to:

Vanessa Brantley Newton

Shirley Benitez(yep, back at you)

And now the Deborah Award

Wow, this one I have to give to a lot of the same people because they are my dearest bloggy friends and have been so wonderful and supportive.

Susan Mordigal (yeah, I have to give it back)

Last, but not least, the

Zombie Chicken Award

Thank you to Justin for this crazy fun award! Hope you don't mind Justin, I am going to have to marinate on this one for a little while before passing it on or I will end up giving it to all the same people again!

IF_Detective

2010-04-19T17:10:00.000-04:00

This is my entry for this weeks Illustration Friday prompt Detective. I'm still working on my tutorial for the previous illustration, trying to find time to setup my new computer, and to learn to use a Mac. I've always used a PC. For some reason my husband has always had a thing against anything Apple. I don't really get it, but he actually bought me one this weekend. Yay!!!!!! He's very supportive, except for the occasional "it's not my favorite" comment and it was incredibly sweet of him because his computer is sooooooooooooo old and outdated. New toys are so much fun. Thanks for visiting and for taking the time to leave a comment!

IF_Linked

2010-04-16T10:04:00.000-04:00

Well, I didn't get this finished in time. : (

It's the first time I haven't gotten the prompt done since I started doing Illustration Friday. It was just one of those weeks. A good week, but a very busy one. But here it is anyway. I took snapshots along the way and may go back and post it as a work in progress/tutorial type thing. Let me know if you would like to see this. Thank you for visiting; I'm so glad you stopped by!

And, thanks for taking the time to leave comments, they make me smile : )

Flying

2010-04-14T18:43:00.000-04:00

Monday Art Day's theme last week was flight. Unfortunately, I haven't had a very productive week so far. I have my grandson full time again for a while and I am trying to get acclimated to having a toddler full time again. So this is a couple of days late, but it's done, so yay!

I don't normally post information about my grandson on this blog, but for those of you who are following his blog I wanted to let you know that we received some really good news about his genetic testing recently. So, if you are interested I posted the information there. Thanks for your interest and your prayers. And thanks for visiting and for taking the time to comment. As always, I appreciate it so much.

IF_Dip

2010-04-08T13:23:00.000-04:00

Illustration Friday's prompt this week was dip. This is my entry, late again, but I got it done. The Easter Bunny was kind enough to bring me the gift of the flu along with my Easter basket this year. Or maybe it was my eldest daughter who kindly told me, after she had been here for two days and I started running a fever, "oh by the way, a friend of mine had the flu and I didn't get it, but I could be carrying it" Yay for me! So three days in bed with a fever, one entire day at the doctors office and I'm still pretty much out of commission. I finally felt like making something yesterday, so I did frogs taking a dip in the kiddie pool. When my kids were little one of my friends left water in her kiddie pool in the back yard and frogs took it over. They laid eggs and we all ended up with tadpole environments so the kids could watch them develop, then we all went back and let them go on her farm after they had become frogs. My son was really young when this happened, but when he saw this he remembered the whole thing. Amazing how those little things make such an imprint on their memories.

Spring!

2010-04-01T17:24:00.000-04:00

This is what I have been working on for the past few days. It's for my first post on Watercolor Wednesdays and I was late posting it. I've been doing a lot of cooking this week so not as much painting going on. I'm making multiple batches of truffles and other goodies to put in a care package to send to my daughter who is in college. Today I am making Tiramisu truffles, grasshopper truffles and bitter sweet balsamic vinegar truffles. I think I will also make her some Chai tea shortbread, it's another of her favorites. I'm missing her with Easter coming up and she won't be able to be here. Thanks for visiting and taking the time to leave comments. I appreciate it.

IF_Rescue

2010-03-28T19:47:00.000-04:00

This weeks prompt for Illustration Friday is Rescue. Just a quick one that I did today since I have several other projects going too. I spent about four hours on this one. Now I'm off to work on Monkey for Monday Artday. I ended up cooking and baking all day yesterday so today I am making up for lost time before the week begins again. We are preparing for the 8th grade CRCT's, yuk, I hate this time of year. Anyway, tomorrow I have homeschool, test prep, my grandson for at least half of the day, and a trip to Whole Foods so any artwork will have to be done today! Thanks for stopping by and please leave a comment because reading them makes my day.

Midnight

2010-03-26T21:10:00.000-04:00

Now that Illustration Fridays prompt Expire has expired I had a second idea so I sketched it today. I think I will go back and paint it later in the week if I have time. This weekend I am going to work on the new prompt, Rescue. I am also working on Spring for Watercolor Wed. and Monkey for Monday Artday. and yes, I am having fun!

IF_Expired

2010-03-25T18:06:00.000-04:00

This weeks prompt for Illustration Friday was Expired. I was stumped all week. I just couldn't think of anything I wanted to do for the prompt. I finally decided on this one and made it just in time. We have had quite a few pet funerals and now pretty much have our own pet cemetery. Unfortunately most pets have pretty short lifespans and at one point our home was like a farm. My kids love animals, all kinds, we've had everything from pocket bunnies to snakes over the last 25 years. I hate posting so late. Tomorrow is Friday again! Anyway, thanks for visiting and for taking the time to leave a comment. I appreciate it and enjoy reading what you have to say.

WIP_ what I am working on

2010-03-22T16:48:00.000-04:00

This is what I am currently working on, it's for Monday Artday and I should be done with it already. I'll see if I can get it finished before the deadline, today. It's for the prompt Castaway and was my son's idea for a previous prompt. I can't even remember which one now. Anyway, I haven't been able to spend as much time on it as I would have liked so I'll keep whittling away at it and maybe I'll make it. I haven't even decided what to do for IF this week and I got accepted for Watercolor Wednesdays and would love to do something for my first post there. I know, seems like a lot but I am trying to push myself to create more quickly and still maintain quality and style. And it doesn't hurt to spread your work around either! Thanks for visiting, for all your wonderful supportive comments and for helping me to stay motivated. It's been over a year now that I have been drawing everyday, over six months of posting on IF without missing a week and over six months of blogging. Yay! Oh and check out the 12 week challenge on Zero 2 Illo, Thanks Justin (justin segal's blog) for posting about this.

updated: I finished, just in time too!
and yes, he is a pirate mouse, on a soap bar raft, floating in the bathtub, as my son described him to me. Silly and fun!

Circus/Carnival pt 2 completed

2010-03-16T22:38:00.000-04:00

amended version

Ok, so here is the finished version, or at least the tentatively finished version of the second piece in my series for the Circus/Carnival theme. I feel like it still needs something, but I'm just not sure what it needs at this point. I like it; I just don't, really, love it. I think it needs...,

...I'm not sure, something. Maybe it is just not as dramatic as the previous one and that is why I feel like it is missing something. So, let me know what you think. I am open to ideas. I am thinking of doing something with a fire eater or flame thrower next, but I'll have to see what comes to mind. I think I am going to stop and work on Monday Art Day's theme Castaway first though. Thank you for visiting, for your interest and for taking the time to let me know what you think. I really appreciate your point of view.

amended version, I highlighted a few areas on the ring and added a little lighting in other areas of the spotlight, I'm liking it better now, but wondering if it is enough or if I should change the ring color as suggested by Carolina Buzio. Thank you Shirley you were absolutely right about the highlights, made a world of difference, to me anyway. I know I am very detail oriented, but sometimes it's all about the details.
amended version 2: Now, I am happy with it, for today anyway. Thanks for your help everyone!

WIP Circus pt 2 continued

2010-03-16T14:28:00.000-04:00

Here is the second days work on my Circus/Carnival Series. I'm actually almost finished with it. It needs just a few more little details. This is what I had planned to post yesterday, but never got around to the posting part. I actually have most of it done now and I hope to add the finished piece by the end of the day. Thanks for visiting and for taking the time to let me know what you think.

New WIP_Circus part 2

2010-03-14T22:23:00.000-04:00

So, this is the next illustration I am working on for the Circus/Carnival theme. I haven't decided on her costume yet, but I think I like where it is going. I'm not sure if it will turn out as well as the knife thrower's assistant but we'll see. I'm very undecided at this point about anything except for her. Anyway, I hope to get more done on this tomorrow. Thank you for taking the time to visit and let me know what you think.

IF_Subterranean

2010-03-13T19:57:00.000-05:00

This weeks Illustration Friday Prompt is Subterranean. This is my entry. Just a quick one this week, but I think he's kinda cute. Thanks for visiting and I love comments, so if you have the time please let me know what you think. I try to comment on other peoples blogs whenever I have some time. It may be short, just a word or two because my grandson is often in my lap, I'm short on time or it's late, while I'm on Illustration Friday checking out other peoples work. So it doesn't matter if your comment is short, it's all encouraging and appreciated!

Thank you Susan!

2010-03-11T20:05:00.000-05:00

Susan of Susan Beth Studio has been kind enough to give me two blog awards. The first one I had planned on accepting and doing the list of things required for acceptance, but I just was crazy busy and never had the time to get to it. It was so kind of her to give me another one and so I am making sure I do it this time. Thank you Susan, you are so sweet. I am breaking blogger etiquette I guess, but I am not posting the rules, instead I am listing my favorite blogs for you to check out. Susan gave this award to some of my favorites already and I don't want to be repetitive but if I list your blog and you want to do the whole thing "the right way" you can get the rules for it off of Susan's blog, or do what I am doing and just post links to your favorite blogs.

So here are just some of my favorite blogs:

Paige Keiser Fox In Socks

rwd.illustration

The Ol'Sketchbook

Sketched Out

Kyle-Creative (this is my sister)

Ooh La La Design Studio

warrior princess dream

Kritsa Hamrick Illustration

Andrew Finnie:Artist and Illustrator

Justin Segal's Blog

Bella Sinclair Doodlespot

Sunshine Hill

Shirley's Illustrations

So be sure to check them out and again, thank you Susan you're a sweetheart! Enjoy, they are all great artists and I could keep going and going because there are so many other blogs that I love and enjoy visiting.

IF_Brave

2010-03-09T17:51:00.000-05:00

Here is the finished version for this weeks Illustration Friday prompt, Brave. I am also using it for Monday Art Day's theme Circus. Hope you like it. It was lots of fun to paint. Thank you for visiting and please leave a comment! I love to read what you have to say and I appreciate it!

WIP Circus_Brave_day 2

2010-03-08T22:50:00.000-05:00

I would have liked to have gotten more of this done today than I was able to. I just finished the eyes, brows, added hair, a hair ornament and blocked in some more of the color. I'd really like to get it finished tomorrow but it all depends on little Myles and if I have any free-time to work. I couldn't sleep last night so tonight I am going to bed earlier, 2 year olds get up soooooo early and running on only 4 hours of sleep or so just isn't quite cutting it. Thank you for visiting and for the incredibly nice comments! You Rock!

WIP_Circus_Brave

2010-03-07T23:48:00.000-05:00

I decided it was time for another work-in-progress. This is what I am working on this week. It is for Illustration Friday and Monday Art Day. I decided to combine the two prompts so I am doing Circus and Brave. The knife throwers assistant certainly has to be brave to let him throw knives at her with a balloon between her teeth and a smile on her face. Thank you for visiting and to all of you who take the time to comment a special thanks, because your comments make me smile.

IF_Perspective

2010-03-03T19:58:00.000-05:00

This is my entry for Illustration Friday's Prompt Perspective. My internet and cable have been out all week so I just played around with it. It's my dog Roni, here she looks more like a lab but she is a mixed breed. Pit bull and something. I may to back and add some texture to the cat. I was thinking of the " a dog who will worship him and a cat that will ignore him" part of the quote, with a little bit of funky point of view thrown in. I was kind of bored and even made an animated version. Maybe I'll post it too even though it is just very silly. Thank you so much for visiting and for taking the time to comment. I really appreciate it and love seeing what you have to say!

Caricature?

2010-02-27T11:36:00.000-05:00

I have never done a caricature before. At least not one other than a cartoonish drawing I did many years ago at school and it wasn't very good. This is my first real attempt at one and it really turned out more like a slightly exaggerated portrait rather than a caricature. I tried twice and decided that I had chosen the wrong

subject. I chose Johnny Depp because my son really likes him and he portrays so many interesting characters. Actually, I realized it before I was even done with the first one but wanted to finish it for Cyan. My son actually looks a good bit like Johnny Depp, thus his fascination with him. So, what I know I did wrong:

1. I think I chose the wrong subject.

2. I didn't exaggerate anything enough.

3. I exaggerated too many features.

4. I should have done a full body or nearly full body pose so I could play with the overall perspective a bit more, maybe made him standing in a quirky pose and made his body smaller and his head larger.

5. There should have been a hand and a cigarette involved.

Hmmmm, I'm sure there is more, but these are all I can think of this morning. Last night I had a list in my head a mile long. I don't like it when I can't do something. I am very stubborn and I may try this again because I feel like it defeated me and I don't like it. Even though I really have no interest in doing caricatures I still want to make it work just because. Told you I was stubborn. But this is why I love doing MAD and IF, it makes me try to do things I would not normally do. What is really funny is my son and husband love these, go figure!

IF_Propagate

2010-02-23T22:22:00.000-05:00

This is my entry for this weeks Illustration Friday. The prompt was propagate. I really love bees. I am allergic to their stings, so go figure, but he is so pretty. Thanks for visiting and thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. You are all so encouraging and supportive and I appreciate it so much!

MAD_ I won!!!!!!

2010-02-23T17:34:00.000-05:00

I won a MAD challenge, yeah me! Thank you Mike for liking my work enough to give me this award. It means a lot to me. It is also fun to do your challenges whether you win or not. I loved painting the Train illustration. It was fun from beginning to end. I think it turned out so well I may add it to my portfolio.

MAD_Train completed

2010-02-21T17:26:00.000-05:00

Here is the final version, unless I change my mind and keep playing with it anyway. Right now I am really pleased with it, but I may wake up tomorrow and feel differently. Thanks for visiting and for all your supportive and kind comments!

Day Two_MAD Prompt_Train WIP

2010-02-21T11:30:00.000-05:00

I probably won't get a chance to finish this until tonight. This is where I stopped last night. I like the simplicity of it and it has been fun to paint with no problems or how do I make this work issues. Gotta love the ones that just go smoothly and easily. Although my husbands only comment was "it's nice, but what's the point?" He thinks there has to be a purpose or a reason for everything. So, my reason for painting this is because I wanted to. Just for the fun of it! My younger daughter and my son, who is the youngest, both loved trains. They both had large complex sets that had sound and were automatic, but my favorite one was the simple wooden one that you had to push to make it go, with the magnets to hold the cars together. We had a big table with drawers and many, many pieces of track, buildings, little wooden people, trees and signs... But they usually ended up putting a small figure 8 on the floor with nothing but the train and a few cars and would play with it for hours. Thanks for visiting and thank you for taking the time to comment!

MAD_train WIP

2010-02-20T15:00:00.000-05:00

I have a free weekend so I decided to do a Work In Progress for this piece. I've got the time to post unless something comes up and hopefully can work it straight through. This is the first sketch and a partialy painted version and it is for the Monday Artday prompt Train. I love trains, so I had plenty of ideas to weed through. I just liked the simplicity of this one. Thanks for visiting. Let me know what you think, because I love to read what you have to say. & As always thank you for taking the time to leave a comment!

IF_Adrift

2010-02-18T22:47:00.000-05:00

Well, here is my IF entry for this weeks challenge, Adrift. I made it, barely. It may need a little more work, but my eyes are crossed tonight so I am off to bed. I'm really hoping that next week will be an easier week for me. This one was a crazy one. Thanks for visiting! & Thanks for taking the time out to comment! I know I say it a lot but I really do appreciate it.

Adrift_a little progress

2010-02-18T00:02:00.000-05:00

I'm keeping my grandson full time this week and my husband is out of town so I have very, very little time to paint. And I'm sick again, or still. Well, enough whining. I'm determined to get this done but, this is the only progress I have made so far. Either I get done tomorrow or I link it to IF as is, but for tonight I must go to bed because two year olds get up really early. Thank you visiting and I always appreciate it when you take the time to leave a comment.

Adrift_stage one

2010-02-14T17:16:00.000-05:00

Every week I think I will do something quick and simple for Illustration Friday, but it always evolves into a full blown illustration. So, again I am posting my work in progress because it will most likely take me a few days to get this one colored in. I had another idea that was a little simpler but, I was already drawing this one at the time. So many ideas, so little time. I have a very bad habit. I start projects but don't finish them. I can't tell you how many unfinished canvases, watercolor paintings, and just random sketches I have laying around. It is also not limited to art, I have unfinished sweaters, stained glass, half made jewelry, cut-out but, not put together sewing projects, embroidery, quilts... I could go on but, I am making myself a little sick. I am working very hard to change this about myself and am doing much better in recent years. Posting a work in progress tends to push me to finish, so whatever works, right? Anyway, thank you for visiting and taking time out to leave a comment. I can't wait to read them!

Muddy Version 2

2010-02-11T18:14:00.000-05:00

I took Andrew Finnie's advice and added a texture layer in Photoshop and put back some of the texture I had gotten rid of previously. My family had said it looked too much like sand. Even if it does I like the texture better I think. Maybe I'll quit messing with it now, maybe not. Thanks for visiting and thanks for the advice Andrew. I appreciate your comments and fresh view. I also appreciate the comments and visits from all the other talented artists who comment on my work.

IF_Muddy

2010-02-10T21:53:00.000-05:00

So I finished my illustration for Illustration Fridays prompt "Muddy". My husband really didn't like it and though I can't say it's my favorite, I'm not unhappy with it. It was fun and challenging and I used brushes in painter x that I usually don't use. It was almost as much fun as playing in the mud and without the mess. Thanks for stopping by, please leave comments because I love to read them, they make my day! I have had a couple of people email me to say they can't post a comment. I have attempted to fix the issue so please send me an email if you are unable to post a comment so that I will know if the issue has been resolved. Thank you!

Muddy_Work in progress

2010-02-08T14:04:00.000-05:00

I just realized I hadn't posted anything in five days. Time flies and I have been sick. I was so miserable Sunday I couldn't even read. I really feel bad when I can't even read. So I watched food network wrapped in a blanket, with a space heater in front of me and a constant cup of tea. I'm feeling much better today. This drawing is at a strange stage still, but I think I like it so far. You have to kind of ignore the skin tones at this point, it will look different once I have the other coloring in. I have it in mind for them to be making mud pies, but that part is just loosely sketched for now because sometimes I change my mind. I know it's a weird angle but I wanted to see if I could make it work. I love to play with perspective. I just can't always make it work out the way I'd like it to.
The girl standing up is kind of based on my oldest daughter when she was young, which is ironic because she had a phobia about getting her hands dirty. Her kindergarten teacher complained about her washing her hands too often. My younger daughter however, played in the mud and with worms constantly. But I unintentionally turned this one into the oldest one. I do that sometimes. Sometimes I combine the two or use a friend's daughter or sons face and most often it is not a conscious effort. Later my husband or son will say "why are you drawing _________in that picture?" And I am usually surprised and say "oh, your right, I'm not really sure". Any way, I plan to use it for Illustration Friday, once I get it done that is. Thanks for stopping by! Comments are always welcome and appreciated!

Little Changes_amended

2010-02-03T09:53:00.000-05:00

After a little more critiquing this morning, and a few more adjustments, I'm amending this post rather than starting a new one again. I'm hoping I didn't go too heavy now. I have a tendency to shade, then blend it almost all away, don't know why I just always end up going "soft" but that isn't always good and what I really want is intensity and drama I think. Great lighting effects always draw my attention in other peoples work and I just can't seem to get there myself. Oh well, that's what practice is for right.

After playing a bit more, this is where I am. I like it better. So, I went from not disliking it to kinda liking it. I definitely am liking the wings better than before. Thanks for the input! It is very helpful to have other eyes and opinions and I appreciate it!

which version?

2010-02-01T21:18:00.001-05:00

Which version do you like better?
The first, the second or the the one from the previous post.

Not that it really matters, I'm not using it for anything except for practice, but it helps to know what other people like as far as coloring and lighting goes. I darkened the previous one to bring out the dragonfly, but I like the others as well. Sometimes I just know, this time, not so much.
Thanks for your input!

IF_Focus

2010-01-31T22:23:00.001-05:00

This weeks theme for Illustration Friday is Focus. I actually was able to focus on it this weekend and get it done more quickly this time. Thanks for visiting and for taking the time to post comments. I love to see what you have to say and I really appreciate it.

IF_Clumsy

2010-01-28T20:08:00.000-05:00

I am finally done with my entry for this weeks Illustration Friday prompt Clumsy. It only took me all week to do it. Oh well, at least I kept the promise I made to myself to not miss a week for six months. I had trouble with this one and had a hard time finding time to work on it. Just one of those weeks and one of those illustrations. It's not my favorite one but, I don't hate it either. Thanks for visiting and for taking the time to leave feedback.

MAD_Invisible

2010-01-24T10:02:00.001-05:00

Emma loves to have tea parties with her imaginary friend Lena. Imaginary friends are only invisible to everyone else. This is my entry for Monday Artdays prompt Invisible. I almost just left an indentation in the bed but, I thought this worked a little better. Let me know what you think. Thanks for visiting and taking the time to leave a comment. It is greatly appreciated, as always!

IF_Wilderness

2010-01-19T15:28:00.001-05:00

This weeks prompt for Illustration Friday is Wilderness. I didn't spend as much time on this one, but here it is, wolf pups, per my son's request. He wants to use it as his background on his laptop. He is obsessed with wolves. Thank you for visiting and please leave comments, I really enjoy reading what you have to say.

Completed Illustration

2010-01-16T15:24:00.000-05:00

So I finished this, for now anyway. I may go back to it later, I do that sometimes. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. Let me know what you think because I have been looking at it for too long. I also got another new contact prescription. Thanks to Susan Mordigal's suggestion, I got one for mono-vision (one distance and one up close) but, I still haven't quite adjusted to them yet. I still feel a little "off". It's amazing how my vision being off affects everything, even the way I think. Makes me feel so sad for my grandson. I'll be glad when I can see again. It makes me so grateful for my sight. Thanks for taking the time to visit and to comment!

Progress part 3

2010-01-14T21:40:00.000-05:00

I still have a good bit of work to do on this but, I'm a little happier with it today. My husband really doesn't like the firefly in the center of the boy on the rights forehead and the boy on the lefts hand beneath the jar still isn't quite right. Fresh eyes tomorrow will probably help with that. I think once I have it done the firefly will work but, I may have to move it. I still have to add the background, work on the lighting and fine tune everything. Your comments and opinions are welcome and appreciated! Thank you for taking the time to visit and to post them.