Sunday, February 27, 2011

must have sunshine

Wanted: Sunshine, warm temperature, bright,must stay in the sky for 8 hours a day.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Sunday morning February 20



Today we sat behind a family with six children under the age of  10. A lovely family with fine parents, but... lots of wiggling and whispering.
I like to sketch wherever I am, even in a church service. I actually listen better when my hands are occupied. That probably doesn't make sense to most people.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

a hinting of spring

It is actually warming up today! Piles and mounds and heaps of snow still remain but a  pale watery lemonade sun is working up courage today. I am finishing a little spring-ish watercolor.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Goal of the Year finally accomplished

OK, so it was Last Year's Goal to clean out my studio and get organized. Yet, I am applauding myself and slapping myself heartily on the back because I did it finally. Of, course as these things go, it won't stay clean and organized. But maybe with my new carefully thought-out system it won't get so hopelessly cluttered. I really did excavate, eviscerate, disembowel, and expunge. Especially those files, of which I keep thinking I must save everything, "just in case".
One bitter cold day in January just past, I had the most fun I have ever had on a winter day. I burned a pile of old statements out in the garden, in a big snowdrift. Getting rid of old "stuff" is energizing. I am setting up a new blank canvas today.

Monday, February 14, 2011

sweetness

Happy Valentines Day to you!

Friday, February 11, 2011

more lentil soup


Just a warm-up (pun intended) for today. 
I used Corel Painter to illustrate this one.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

lentil soup

I am sort of obsessed about this bad weather. I keep checking the internet weather forecast to see how cold it will be today, how much snow to expect, and how bad is it going to feel.

Today it was 10 below zero while I was sipping my coffee, clutching the cup between my trembling hands. And the snow banks outside start at 24 inches high and might be as tall as 5 feet at the corners where you can't see traffic coming. I am not exaggerating!
Therefore, we must have soup, lots of hot soup for comfort and energy. I made a great pot of lentil soup recently and sketched it twice. Then, I made a more finished piece out of it. Although only pencils and watercolor on paper, still it is a comforting image. Soup!


Monday, February 7, 2011

superbowl sunday sketchbook


Well, I wasn't able to predict the exact point spread as I freakishly pulled off last year.  I was right about the Packers winning but not close enough. And as usual, I spent my time sketching very rapidly. 

Friday, February 4, 2011

nest egg

Another advertising illustration for the same newspaper bank ad campaign. Captioned "Save your nest egg at today's rates"

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Rabbits

Welcome to the Chinese New Year 4709 today. It is the Year of the Rabbit and here is my version of how the year will go. I wish for Prosperity for all of us. Yes, this drawing also looks like fecundity but I mean it to say prosper in all ways.
This illustration was made for a bank advertisement that ran in the local newspaper in South Bend, Indiana. I believe that it was to show various mortgage rates for home loans. As in perhaps your family is outgrowing your home.
Congratulations to some good friends of mine who welcomed baby number six into their home yesterday during a monster Chicago blizzard!  Blessings.