Illustration Friday-Mind

As I stare out the window and watch the little white puffs on the air, a quick verse comes to mind.

The June Things are in the air
floating, floating everywhere...

A random beginning to a poem? Maybe?

Watercolor pencils, pen and ink and a photoshop filter applied

The first time I heard this term "The June Things" was when I first met my husband Larry. He says it every year, explaining that it was his way of knowing as a child that it was the beginning of summer, and the school year coming to a close. "When I see the June Things, I know it's summer!"

My thoughts are like those little white puffs lately, scattered and maybe a bit aimless. I seem to move from one thought to another without much direction, trying to force some focus.

This past week my thoughts have been mostly on my daughter, and her first adventure far from home. She's having the time of her life in Iceland! And I feel deeply happy for her.  I love watching her adventures through her posts, photos and messages to me.

As I try to stay focused on my art and my book, I find it difficult not to let the "regular life stuff" get in the way. From the household demands to my job, it is so easy to let my mind veer off to the endless to-do list!

And that's where my scattered thoughts turn into those little white puffs that just bounce around my mind.

Today as I sit here in my art room, I'm making a vow to myself to be here daily, even if it's only to just sit. I want to form a habit that with time, will become a norm, a part of me. And when I'm in my space, I will allow myself to dream, to write, to draw, and most of all to grab a hold of my thoughts if only for a short while.

I spent my vacation a couple of weeks ago, getting my upstairs in order and decluttering the long neglected art room. Then I redecorated with a bohemian flare! Well, at least I'm attempting that, not quite sure I've achieved it yet?

Here are the before and after pictures of my art room! I am feeling quite zen in my space now.

Illustration Friday~Book

Bark for Books is one of the programs that we have at our library.
Children get a chance to read to therapy dogs.

Since the word of the week is "Book" there was no way I could pass on the opportunity to write, and maybe brag a bit about where I work! Chances are if you're a creative like me, you're most likely holding down a job in the real world, one that supports your craft and pays the bills. I am grateful to have found a good one!

I'm a circulation clerk at the Willoughby Hills library. We are the smallest of the four branches within the Willoughby-Eastlake library system. We are not a full-time library and we all hold part-time hours. Housed within the Willoughby Hills Community Center,  there is always something going on within the building. Whether it's a wedding reception, a craft fair, or a program put on by the Historical Society. It's one busy place, and we are a very busy library!



The Willoughby Hills Library

There is so much that's good about working for a library, and being there to observe all the ins and outs is always interesting. As a whole, we attend to many different types of people, all with their own stories. Working the circulation desk, I'm usually the first one patrons see as they enter. It's my job to provide the best customer service I can, and for the most part that's not hard. I think about the people our library system serves. From preschool children to college students our collection ranges to meet their needs. The Senior citizens may come to our libraries for the book clubs and programs we offer. Then there are some who are physically unable to come to our buildings, for those, we have our homebound sevices, along with various outreach programs. Patrons come in to get assistance with their Kindle or Ipad, or to use the computers, knowing we might be their only resource for a job application. There are those that come in only to read the newspaper. I remember a homeless man who would come in just to rest a bit. We serve people with lots of money, and some with very little. We serve all ethnicity's. You just don't know day to day what the story might be.

I clearly remember 12 years ago, the day I walked into the Willoughby library and asked if I could fill out an application, I remember what I was wearing,  I remember how I felt.  My mindset was all about finding work that would make me happy, so the library seemed the perfect place.

The Willoughby library is set in the heart of our downtown area. It's a two story building with the non-fiction, children's and young adult areas on the second
floor. The look of it has changed from the time I was growing up, with a major redo back in the 80's. This library has always been close to my heart with memories from junior high to college. It's where I went to learn
about children's illustrators, and the different styles and techniques. I went through so many books  trying to find my own personal style, what I liked, which artists moved me. I especially enjoyed the children's magazines. I liked sitting in the kids section with all its colors and the fluffy stuffed animals. Then a few years later when my daughter Annie was born, I found myself there on a weekly basis, either taking her to storytime or just hanging out playing with puzzles and reading books.

In January of 2001, with my son Matthew, not quite a year old. I was hired at the Eastlake library. I was fortunate to work with a wonderful group of people, especially the ladies who taught me the job of being a circulation clerk. The Eastlake library is a one story building, that sits on Lakeshore Blvd. so you get a partial view of  Lake Erie; one of great features of living in Ohio. The children's department has this really great big boat structure that the kids get to play on, and have their storytime.

Through the years I've had the privilege of working at all the branches. Most recently I've been picking up a few extra hours at the Willowick branch. The Willowick library is also a two story building. The upper level is the library, and the lower level is home to the administrative offices and the various departments that keep our system running smoothly. They too have a great kids area!

This past March I was hired back to the W-E library for the third time! And it did not come without a fair bit of teasing. I pretty much heard a repeated "How long you gonna stay this time!" I did my best to take it in stride. After all I do know how lucky I am to be back! I have some regrets about leaving back in 2008, yet things happen for various reasons, and at the time my family was the priority. One thing I can say is, I've always kept my foot in the door as a substitute, and because of that I've gotten to work with so many good people along the way, and for that I have no regrets!

On a closing note--There's nothing quite like the feel of a brand new book in your hand, especially if it's a children's book! It's even better if you've meet the author or illustrator of the book here in blogland!

Check out some of these links!
http://www.cleveland.com/willoughby-hills/index.ssf/2012/02/willoughby_hills_library_pairs.html
http://www.wepl.lib.oh.us/home.php
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Willoughby-Eastlake-Public-Library/37722405758
http://bcove.me/29dh2b9b great video on Barks for Books at the Eastlake library. It also shows the  boat they have. It takes a minute to load!

IF~Refresh

 Two Tree Spirits looking very refreshed in their swamp.

Pen and Ink with a watercolor wash

This piece is called "The Lovers." Created to go along with the tree and rock illustrations that are now hanging up at the Root Cafe in Lakewood Ohio. Thanks to my cousin Marie, who is on a quest to get me noticed. She works in marketing and promotions. She has worked with a lot of artists along the way. She seems to like us quirky artist types. Marie has taken it upon herself to represent me.

Marie and I kind of have a standing joke about my "art crap." As she was growing up, here and there I would give her one of my pieces. I once drew her a picture of Jim Thome when he was with the Cleveland Indians back in the early 90's. At some point along the way I again gave her something, and she said "Oh I have a shelf with all your art crap on it" Eitherway it stuck and we still laugh about it. So here she is 20 years later promoting my "art crap!"

I just want to say a big thanks to you Marie, and Gary for getting my stuff up at the cafe~You guys are the BEST!!!  Also Happy Birthday!

Illustration Friday~Puzzled

The King

I always have such a great time at art festivals. It can be a lot of work though, especially if it's an outdoor event. My booth is promoted mainly to kids, although I do sell other whimsical work that appeal to adults. The best part is talking to the kids and hearing their excitement as they tell me about what they like to do, whether it's artwork or a hobby. There's such a freshness that kids bring to the joy of creating, and you can see the pride in their eyes when they talk about it.

Sleeping Lady

This piece is called "The King" I buy these puzzles at craft stores. It's a coated finish and the ink of the Prismacolor makers don't absorb, which makes it fun to just swirl the ink around until it dries. There's also a bit of a bubbly look about the piece that I like.

With summer on the way it's time to start gearing up and doing a couple of these events. If you've never participated in one, you should give it a go!

To all my blogging friends~ Have the best day!!!




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Illustration Friday~Forward (the journey continues)

Swiftly moving forward, Jonathan and Cornelius hoped, that even if the guests had gone, maybe there would be some yummy leftovers? Although grateful they were no longer grounded, both cringed at just how much the intergalactic space tow had set them back!

Illustration Friday~Twirl

Arthur rendered in Photoshop

This is Arthur. Arthur and I have been together since 1989. That's when the light bulb went off, that's when I had the idea of becoming a children's illustrator. And since then both of us have had a twirlly-whirlly ride. As for me I've been up, down, and all around with this long held dream. Arthur has also had a good spin of it. He's been set on art tables, longingly stared out of windows, and found himself stuffed into closets. I think he may have even come to classes with me a couple of times. His one hand is glued on since somewhere along the way he got himself injured. His base has also seen better days. I have to admit, I know how he feels. I too have had my share of ups and downs. Some days I question--why do I stay on this road? Freelance?... Really? ...Full-time? You gotta be kidding! And yet, I just can't seem to stop. It's a part of me. It's the part of me that I am so familiar with. From Crayola to Prism Color it never seemed to be a choice. With all the pieces and parts of my life: marriage, children, people entering, people leaving, jobs, jobs and, more jobs! This is the part of me that I've grown up with. So I continue on...I dream, I hope, I pray--and I keep moving forward; some days, only inch by inch. Lately though, I feel a shift, a new found determination. I think it's rather ironic that when the economy is so down and so many of us are struggling; I'm feeling so optimistic...I hope it's contagious! I hope 2012 is a revving up year, full of new starts for all of us!

As for Arthur... he seems happy to be back in the loop--Twirling :)

Arthur with a mini Van Gogh that Annie drew.

I probably have had this saying for 20 years.

From Matt's favorite game
"Skyrim"

Annie and Matt have been drawing a lot lately too.

Illustration Friday~Round

The Mystery of the Moon

by Mary Lou Rosato Caine

The mystery of the moon; he beckons me this night.

Round, and full, enchanting; there’s magic in his light.

 I walk the streets in silence, I gaze upon his face.

Contemplate his power, influence and grace.

The stars shine bright in reverence, whenever he is near.

Like beacons of the night, easing all your fear.

 It is said that strange things happen, whenever he’s around

Could this be a myth, simply to astound?

IF- Dusty

Dear friends of Illustration Friday, I do hope you will forgive my blatant misuse of this site for my own selfish purposes of "hawking my wares". I can honestly say that these favorites of mine have been on the shelf getting "Dusty" for way too long.

So with a little help from IF, I would like to introduce you to them. These are my
Tree People Bookmarks ~Apple Man, Theresa, Bird Man, Lady of the Land, and Mother. (she was my first) Created in color pencil, they measure approximately 7in x 2in.  They are die cut by hand, laminated and die cut by hand again. Please bookmark my site, they are coming soon. I will be selling them $5.00 ea. or 4-for $15.00 plus postage.

and  The Christmas Bunch~

Sweet Pine, Santa, The Lady of Light and Francis 

Fast!-Illustration Friday

My very first car Illustration. This was for my son Matthew, who loves Mustang GT's!

Illustration Friday-Patterns

Iguana skin pattern