Continuity (IF-Lesson)

Driving home today from the annual Eco-fair flea market, (the city garage sale) which two of my friends were participating in; the word "continuity" popped into my mind. As I was looking at the houses with there widows peaks and old structures, many of the homes dating back to the 1800's,  it occurred to me how comfortable it all is. How well I know it. The annual flea market in the city hall parking lot, chatting up friends on the street, or visiting the library that I worked at for many years. Waiting to cross the main street, I overheard two women, talking about there visit to Willoughby and  how quaint the town is. One lady was giving the other lady the "lowdown" since it appeared she was the more familiar visitor. Listening to them, I felt a sense of pride at being a "local ". And I have been a local for a long time. I have lived in Willoughby since 1963. For as many times as I've dreamed myself in other locations, there comes a day like today when the spring air feels so good and the flowering trees are in bloom, and the sense of continuity takes over, and it just feels good to belong.

Willoughby is not that small of a city, in fact it houses many folks and spans quite a distance. Yet it feels like a small town, especially in the downtown area. The buildings date back to the early 1800's maybe earlier than that. The town was actually settled in 1750, so it's rich in history. My own history plays on my mind today, as I drive through. I think about all the times I sat down by the river at Todd Field, when I was a kid, maybe reading a book, or just sunbathing by the water, to a few years later, battling in that same river with my drinking buddies in the annual tug-of-war games. My 20's were filled with a rowdiness that I both appreciate and wish to forget at the same time. Yet it is my history. Then there's Frank's Restaurant. I was 19 and it was my first waitress job. Back then we were called waitresses. I really don't like the word "server", that they use today. I liked being a waitress. I liked working in the heart of the town. My customers ranged from Lou who owned the hardware store across the street, (now it's an upbeat coffee house) to Mr. Nichols who still today owns the jewelry store. There were also the local politicians and the big shots at our city newspaper. I gave them all their coffee or lunch. Frank's restaurant is no longer there, a fire did it in, in the early 80's, a year or so into my job there. Later, Frank's got a new life as an art studio, that to came and went. It's now been a candy and cake shop for quite a while, I bought my wedding cake topper there in 1988.

So on days like today, I enjoy walking around in my home town, chatting with my friends, Helen and Jan, at the flea market, going to the library and catching up with Michele and Rose, or just waving to the folks that I've known for many years. Friends that I have shared memories with, and a feeling of community.

Now for the Lesson part...
The illustration is done in ink wash. The brickwork itself took forever, I believe the entire illustration was over 20 hours worth of work.

Once the illustration was complete, a close friend/photographer and I had much fun setting up the photoshoot for this piece. The Christmas card promo was done in an attempt to land a job at the art studio, mentioned above. Those were the days of cold calls and pounding the pavement. I did not get the job, but it turned out to be a great lesson; from the endurance of sitting at the drawing table for extended periods of time, to meeting a deadline, to watching the ins and outs of a photoshoot. All in all good memories, and a good learning experience. 

Makeover still in progress!!

Well time sure has gotten away from me. Again. I had such good intentions of having my studio painted and new flooring put down between February and March. Too many things getting in the way of my progress. Including the fact that I started a job in early March and then ended up leaving that job, when another job came about 2 weeks later. Can you believe it, I have been looking for part time work for a year now, and in the course of 3 weeks have gotten two jobs. Life is interesting. So Job #2 offered up a bit more money and better schedule and a lot less hectic! Having enough time in my day to do my art is very important to me. Anyway, right before these two job opportunities came along, I was just starting to get my bookmarks made, and updating my blog, with  "the bookmark shop" and added portfolio. I would love to hear any feedback on how anyone is doing with Zazzle or Etsy shops. I was thinking of going that route.


Today I thought I would at least post the before pics of my studio and hopefully have some after pics by the end of April. I have many projects in mind for the next few months, so I have to get busy. I am planning on doing three art festivals this summer, plus the local college is having a art exhibit in May.

Life is always a balancing act, I just wish I knew the trick to keeping all the balls up in the air!

Our home was built in 1922, and there are many rooms that are in need of updating.
Coming up the stairs to the second floor that once was an attic.

Small window at the top of the landing.
Walls are in need of a badly overdue paint job! 

Art work sitting on an old 1918 trunk.

Zoe standing just left of the art table,
in front of my bedroom door opening.
Curtain will be gone in the "after pics!"

Work space with the new lighting my husband put up.
We sure could use some new electrical outlets up here.

My art table sits at the top of the landing and is sitting over the stairway.
This is my first art table that my Uncle Ralph and Aunt Lily bought me when I started
pursuing a career in the early 90's They have always been my biggest fans!!

 







 

Illustration Friday~Sweater

Catherine and Viola: A couple of guardian angel gal pals

showing off their sweaters

And another version of the gals

IF-Surrender

Today is a snow day, the second in a row.

We all have cabin fever. I surrender; to winter, to the cold, and to no motivation.

Today my muse came for me, and I surrendered once again.

Stylish Blogger Award

Thanks Linda for sharing the Stylish Blogger Award with me.
You have always been an inspiration, as an artist and a friend.
To visit Linda's blog just hit on the stylish blogger award off to
the side :)

By accepting this award I am to pass it on to 15 other blogging sites I've discovered, and also tell seven things about myself.
So here goes...

1. I love a good Thunderstorm

2. My favorite sound is a train whistle at night

3. Autumn is the season of my soul

4. I love the meditative state of creating

5. There's nothing better than good soup and homemade bread

6. The sound of a baby having a good belly laugh
7. Cape Cod is my favorite place

There are so many wonderful artists and writers! These blogs are the ones I seem to visit time and again. They have inspired, informed, and shook up my muse! Check them out :)

http://lynnechapman.blogspot.com/
http://gregbudigauthorillustrator.blogspot.com/
http://www.amykolz.com/blog/
http://wscribbles.blogspot.com/
http://karenamandahooper.blogspot.com/
http://paigekeiser.blogspot.com/
http://www.artistsblog.com.au/
http://spacemandave.blogspot.com/
http://www.creativewhimsies.blogspot.com/
http://gingerpixels.blogspot.com/
http://www.kellylight.com/
http://www.robertabaird.com/blog/
http://nikkiboetger.blogspot.com/
http://planetmarkix.blogspot.com/
http://phyllisharris.blogspot.com/

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 

IF-Chicken

Just messing around in "Paint" I never really use this program, but my choices of software are a bit limited right now. I need to reinstall Photoshop and Illustrator, since our laptop flatlined on us a couple of months ago. We had a new hard drive put in. Thank God for warranties. I usually don't go for the warranty but in this case I'm glad we did!!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays!!

This will probably be my last post for the year. I have much to do within the next 10 days. Starting with Christmas shopping! This year I am one of those last minute shoppers. I didn’t want be, time and money seem to have put me in this position. No big deal, I seem to be getting better and better at not stressing too much over the whole holiday thing anymore. Plus when you’re in a position where you can only do so much due to circumstances, (no job) in an odd way it brings perspective and a bit of comfort. There are only so many bills you can pay, and only so many presents you can buy. Being a one income family of four people these days is getting harder and harder, and yet I do feel optimistic. I am hoping with the New Year some new and exciting changes will come about. As for my studio space, it is coming along nicely. I have managed to get all the art and office stuff from downstairs to upstairs. My husband put a florescent light above the drawing table, it’s excellent! And I will soon be doing some painting and new flooring to give the space a long, overdue makeover. I will post some before and after pictures when I am done.

The Santa and Reindeer image was done for a sweat shirt/tee shirt design that I did one season for members of my large Italian family, mainly the kids. We have this get together every Christmas Eve, over 25 relatives usually show. We've been doing this since 1983. I was working for a transfer design company at the time, so I put this image together and got a good price on a bunch of transfers. And a flattering, not so funny thing happened. One of the other employees, who worked in the screen printing room, actually tried to steal my design. Apparently he had a little side business of his own. Luckily one of the other guys caught him and grabbed up all the extra transfers and gave them to me. Let’s hear it for the good guys! Long story short, he didn't last too much longer there!

Happy Holidays Everybody!!!

IF-prehistoric

I don't know, this could be some kind of prehistoric chicken thing?? There are times I haven't a clue what's going to come about when the pen hits the paper?

This was done with prismacolor markers and pen and ink. Looks like I have a copyright date on this one from 1997, so it fits the prehistoric theme this week. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all that will be celebrating!

Transition

Ruby the psychotic Beagle

My art room is in transition, for that matter so is my life, but we won't get into that.

At one time all the pieces and parts were together on the enclosed front porch. (computer, files, art supplies, drawing table etc etc...) And for the most part it made sense, I was doing more graphic art a few years back, in particular a newsletter, which was being put out every three months, so I had folks coming and going. The porch worked out well, people didn't have to venture too far into my home, especially having two crazy dogs; Zoe my lovable Border Collie mix, she loves to jump and lick you right on the month! Yuck! She is happy as happy can be. Then there's the other one, Ruby, well she's just plain psychotic, a rollie pollie Beagle mutt. The only reason I kept her was I figured nobody else would have her! What can I say, she loves me. Anyway, back to the porch. The only time the porch didn't work was in the hot, very hot summer or the cold, very cold winter. I made due with fans and electric heaters, but it was far from comfortable. But now I'm no longer doing that type of  art anymore, and my needs have changed. For that past year my art table has been in my bedroom and the computer and scanner downstairs. The main computer is in need of some real help, and the laptop's got some issues too. So everything's been a bit scattered, I feel scattered too. This week I will be trying to get all my pieces and parts back to a central location. And maybe in the process I can get myself back on track. I've been so focused on finding a job the past four months, that art has been taking a backseat.

Annie with Lovable Zoe

The ebb and flow of my life.

The ebb and flow of my art.



Even my blog's out of whack, I can't seem to get my feeds to work right. Oh well...Oh bla di, Oh bla da life goes on...

Illustration Friday--Spooky

Well, there really not very spooky... but it's the best I have this week, and it's already Thursday!
I added a bit of photoshop magic for a little drama.
I created these three, back when I was doing art festivals. They are basic line drawings scanned into photoshop with color dropped in. They are about a foot tall. I printed my threesome out, then pasted them on cardboard backing. I put a hole in their little heads, and tied a string for hanging. On the bottom, another hole was made to attach one of those little plastic pumpkins that are sold at various party stores. I then filled the pumpkins with small candy treats. They were quite the hit that Halloween season.

IF-Transportation

Sky Train is one of my favorite pieces. It originally was part of a larger image that went along with a poem that I wrote. This image was done in color pencil and the background was created in Photoshop.

Illustration Friday--proverb

"L'amor che move il sole e l'altre stelle"
"The love that moves the sun and the other stars."— Elizabeth Gilbert—Eat Pray Love
I am not sure what makes a proverb and proverb and a quote a quote? I didn’t look it up to find out if there is a difference, they seem so similar. One thought I had was; maybe it’s like a good wine that needs to age. Could be a quote must stick around for a good 50 years or so, to even be considered a proverb. Just a thought. I like the quote above, so that’s my challenge word for this weeks Illustration Friday.

I’ve been reading the book Eat Pray Love. When I saw the movie was coming out with Julia Roberts in the lead role, and this great storyline, I knew that this was a movie I wanted to see. Once every now and again, a so called “Chick Flick” comes out, and I know it’s my solo movie. That was my intent when I purchased the book. I am trying to finish it before the movie’s run, is over. I just can’t seem to read this book fast, and I don’t want to. Also, since I’ve been enjoying it so much, I’m thinking about making this a girlfriend movie instead of a solo movie, seems like it should be shared.

At this point I’m about 15 pages away from India—at this rate, I may be watching it on DVD! As I read her adventures in Italy, I’ve been feeling such pride in my heritage. The detail the author gives on the beauty of the language, may be why I’m savoring it so.

I grew up with the Italian language. I was pretty much engulfed in it. Yet, I never learned to speak it. I picked up a few words here and there, some good, some not so good. Somewhere around the age of 13, I attempted to learn it, on the count of my Uncle Cosmo was coming from Italy to visit his sister, (my grandma Luisa) who he hadn’t seen in 50 years—can you imagine? There was even a big write up in the local newspaper. In any case, my limited attempts fell by the wayside. I only realized later in my life how much I took it all for granted. The dialect had been a part of my life until I was 29 years old. That’s when my grandfather died, and that’s when the language all but ceased. My Uncle Tony would stop by and visit with my Aunt Yolanda, (we called her Auntie Yo) and they would spurt out a few words here and there, but it wasn’t the long procession of words that once was. And little by little I began to notice it's absence, and began to miss it.

Just a little story to end with that sort of carries this point home on just how much I missed the language and dialect after it was gone.

One day I decided it was time to buy some decent pots and pans, so off I went to Sears. I was in the kitchen section, hidden well within the tight rows of kitchen goodies, when I heard the sweetest sounds coming from a few rows over to the side of me. A mother and her daughter speaking to each other in Italian! The old women had to be in her late seventies, and was going on and on in such a flurry of words, and with so much enthusiasm! It was as if my grandmother was speaking again! I hadn’t heard this kind of on-going dialogue in so many years, so I stayed hidden away, sneaking from row to row just to hear the fluency of the language. I don’t think they knew I was eavesdropping, they seemed way too preoccupied with their own task at hand. It brought back good memories. I felt sad and grateful at the same time.

PS-- I told my girlfriend Linda I wasn’t going to write a lot this week. She said, "Yes you will"--sometimes I hate when she’s right!
I'm wondering now if she’d like to travel to a movie with me—I mean how often is it that you can see 3 countries in 2 hours, in addition to a bunch of wonderful quotes!

Happy Anniversary to Me!
One year of Blogging Aug. 26th
It's been so great this year making connectionswith some wonderful artists and writers!


Winnie the Pooh Picture
by my daughter Annie

Illustration Friday--Atmosphere

Atmosphere - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster
3 : a surrounding influence or environment (an atmosphere of hostility)

In the dictionary they had a few definitions for“Atmosphere” and it was interesting to me how the one above emphasizes "an atmosphere of hostility" It would have been just as fitting to say "an atmosphere of peace" How often as people we choose to emphasize a negative thought over a positive one. At times it seems we are so conditioned, that we're not even aware of it.
And sometimes, it's just plain hard to be aware enough of our thought process, to just stop, and rethink the thought. What if, say for only 3 minutes straight, the whole world thought only one positive thought, at the same time. Would something change in our Atmosphere?? As John Lennon stated so well in his song “Imagine”-- "You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one, I hope someday you'll join us and the world will live as one."

This is my contribution to Peace.
Created with marker and pen and ink.
I share with you my Peace Wizard.

Illustration Friday--Star Gazing

I like star gazing. I mean who doesn’t? How could anyone not notice the beauty of the night sky? Especially if you live somewhere, where there are no city lights to get in the way. As a child, like so many of us, I was taught the “starlight, starbright” poem. And I am not embarrassed to say, to this day, I will still recite it upon seeing the first star of the night. And do you know that once my wish really did come true. When I was seventeen I really, really, wanted to go to the Bruce Springsteen concert. So I made my wish upon a star that night, and low and behold my sister-in-law called me within days of that wish, to tell me that for my 18th birthday she would be taking me to see Bruce!! My guy!! I have loved him from the moment I heard “Born to Run” and I have never stopped loving him! I can’t say I have been totally faithful through the years though—a few others have caught my eye since. But Bruce will always be my star. Now some of you may say that my star experience is a coincidence, maybe…but for me, I believe in magic. I still listen for the sleigh bells every Christmas Eve, even though my son keeps at me about it; Questioning my loyalty!
I will forever believe in Santa. Enough said.

This illustration seemed perfect for star glazing. I love drawing angels, almost as much as I love drawing trees and tree spirits. I created this piece with colored pencil and marker. I also cut out the top layer of paper on each of the clouds. At the time it was probably a blunder, if I remember correctly. Yet the cut-out worked, and turned into one of those “happy accidents.” My one art teacher always talked about “happy accidents.”

On a closing note: I will be off on vacation for a few days, Yay!! I will be taking with me a book called “Gift from the Sea” by Ann Morrow Lindbergh and my sketchbook. Oh, and my family too. On this short, all too short vacation, I will remember to look up to the night sky and make my wish.

To all my Friends, Artist, and Dreamers—May all your wishes come true~

IF-Double

On the spur of the moment I realized that I had a pic that I could use for this weeks IF. "Dinoland" was from a series of illustrations that I called"Whimsy art" When I created this piece I was doing artshows and festivals around town. I had a children's booth with pictures, puzzles, placemats, cards and bookmarks. I also started doing a lot of writing at that time.

I like the word "Whimsy" and "In the land of Whimsy". To me, being in the land of Whimsy is a state of mind, it's where I can just let go and create for the pure joy of the process. It's not always an easy place to get to, it's kind of like meditation. It's hard for me to just allow myself to relax enough to get there, but when I do, it really can set the tone for my day.
So that's how the blog title became. Have a good day and may a bit of "whimsy" be with you!

Stay the course

Sometimes it's hard to just stay the course. To push yourself when your muse has temporarily deserted you. You know she'll be back--it's summer, maybe she's taking a little vacation. In her absence, I've tried to keep to the path. Even if it’s only little steps to keeps the motivation going.

I've been in limbo. As of right now, I have five submissions hanging out there. One is a contest to Writers Digest. With that one, at least there will be a sense of closure by October. As for the others; with two of them it's time to pull them back, and move them on. My question: How do you know when it's time to move something on? In the case of the poem and illustrations I sent to Spider magazine, it's been over three months now with no response. I'm not sure of the proper protocol. Do I send a quick email stating my intentions to move the piece on? Or, do I just resent it out? I am playing by all the rules. No simultaneously submissions! As for Highlights, I've had a story in limbo for close to a year now. I've been so busy with other work, that I have just let it sit there. I think with that one, it's probably fine to move that on. A year seems long enough.

So what have I been doing to stay the course? I've been doing the social networking thing. Let’s see--Jacketflap, Twitter, Facebook and Linked in. I've update my resume, worked on my profile and tried to keep up with contacts. I have been at the drawing table a total of two times. I’ve sold one small picture to the Kelly Light’s fundraiser. I've listened to a couple of pod cast on Illustration Island and I have searched out contacts to send future submissions to. Not bad

Away from the artistic side. I've manage to get myself and the kids to the beach almost every Friday this summer. Also, I’ve gotten a late start on my garden--but it's in! Not thriving, but I have hope. And...I have applied for a part time job, and have had an interview. Again, I have hope! Soon I will be having a garage sale. All too soon! And soon I will be off to Kelley Island with the family for a short getaway. And some how before those two events I need to get back-to-school supplies and clothes. All in all, I guess the summer is moving by quicker than I can keep up with. So in the absence of my muse, I will stay busy until her return. I am getting antsy for the drawing table, that's a good thing. Autumn is just around the corner and that's always been my most productive time. The cool breezes will be much appreciated this coming season!

To all my friends out there: Stay the course, be creative and enjoy the rest of your summer!!

The photo above was taken last summer on our getaway to Kelleys Island in Ohio.

Ripples--Illustration Friday

Thanks Kathi from Texas for the sale !!!


I created these two cards in an effort to help the cause that Kelly Light started. Please check this site to donate to the Gulf oil spill. The Ripple blog is http://ripplesketches.blogspot.com/

I really had no idea what I wanted to do with this theme until my son took a glance at what I was drawing and said “that looks like the Sunfish we did last year.” We did a report together for his 3rd grade class project, and we chose the “Sunfish”, also known as the “Mola mola”. In any case that’s what it reminded him of.

Before he came into the room, I was playing with the idea of a gradation of sorts, from dark to light. Once he said “Sunfish” I kept repeating in my head, almost like a mantra “Out of darkness into light.” Then as it would happen, Kelly Light’s name came to mind and it all seemed rather fitting.

On another note I have no idea why I keep drawing the sun lately, yet this is my third post with a sun in it. I suppose I am just in the summer spirit!

Thanks Kelly for inspiring us all to join the cause—May God bless all our animals!!

Both of these cards are available for a $10 donation (each) to either The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies http://www.imms.org/ or The International Bird Rescue Research Center http://www.ibrrc.org/ . When the cards sell, artists sign the back of the art with thanks and mail them to the buyer's address.

Illustration Friday-Slither

Why slither when you can bask?