a marsupial pouch

I found the perfect hip pouch here. All I need to make a run for it.

Why were we not designed and equipped with a marsupial pouch?

I will never quite understand huge hand-bags. I always wonder when I see a gal with an enormous bag weighing her down. Part of me wants to run over and examine the interior contents. Does one really need to lug around "half a house?"

I love a streamlined clutch or pouch.

There is something so freeing about not having to have a "bag." Most of the time I am in my car, making stops, running errands and all I need are my keys, my i-phone and a wallet. Lipstick or chap-stick is a given.

Weekends are for the tote, to toss a few items, pj's, undies, socks, toiletries, jeans or one fancy pant, a top, a sweater and a tee. (Maybe a dress for dinner) A book and a project in tow. A bottle of water and some dried snacks, nuts or fruits.

I'd die for these accessories, they are young, hip, and easy. Is it me or am I feeling punchy for a pouch?

papercity

Five Fabulous weddings were mentioned in Papercity, along with my illustrations done for a Dallas couple, in July 2009. The event took place in Chicago.

As the illustrations were complete, there was a gallery, on display for guests to view.

I am so delighted for the mention here.

Thank-you to Birch Design Studio for trusting me to capture the wedding in my artwork.

in Papercity, Dallas. (click to enlarge the above photo)

soft air

There is something so intoxicating about the soft air of spring. To me, spring feels like a time to clean, a time to polish and for our very own awareness to come unwrapped. The morning light, the added daylight allow one to see the essentials of our life. Making seasonal lists gives me a guideline. It is all about designing an artful life, be it writing, illustrating, creating one's day.

Start by making a list of essentials to follow to realize the reward of your promise.
My Father told me that having children was one of life's greatest rewards. He told me that it is essential that you pay close attention to their minds and to find promise within each being. Fathers give good sound advice. Fast forward to yesterday, my son came home wanting to know if I had ever read any of "Jack Kerouac's " books. He had me, in a nano-second, I was full of intrigue. I asked him to read to me, so he did. The words felt like soft air on my neck.

Then I wanted to know more about him. Here is a list of thirty essentials for writers. What is on your list? Soft or Hot air?

1. Scribbled secret notebooks, and wild typewritten pages, for your own joy
2. Submissive to everything, open, listening
3. Try never get drunk outside your own house
4. Be in love with your life
5. Something that you feel will find its own form
6. Be crazy dumbsaint of the mind
7. Blow as deep as you want to blow
8. Write what you want bottomless from bottom of the mind
9. The unspeakable visions of the individual
10. No time for poetry but exactly what is
11. Visionary tics shivering in the chest
12. In tranced fixation dreaming upon object before you
13. Remove literary, grammatical and syntactical inhibition
14. Like Proust be an old teahead of time
15. Telling the true story of the world in interior monolog
16. The jewel center of interest is the eye within the eye
17. Write in recollection and amazement for yourself
18. Work from pithy middle eye out, swimming in language sea
19. Accept loss forever
20. Believe in the holy contour of life
21. Struggle to sketch the flow that already exists intact in mind
22. Don't think of words when you stop but to see picture better
23. Keep track of every day the date emblazoned in yr morning
24. No fear or shame in the dignity of yr experience, language & knowledge
25. Write for the world to read and see yr exact pictures of it
26. Bookmovie is the movie in words, the visual American form
27. In praise of Character in the Bleak inhuman Loneliness
28. Composing wild, undisciplined, pure, coming in from under, crazier the better
29. You're a Genius all the time
30. Writer-Director of Earthly movies Sponsored & Angeled in Heaven

just right

I happened upon this home and I decided to let myself in. There was something about the green door that left me wanting more. The light, the cast shadows, the planter, the brass door knob and the panes of glass caught my eye.

Around the other side is another green door. I want to know who lives here and what is on the other side of that door.

I knocked and the door opened.

I walked in, sat down in a wonderful chair and began to paint ( my paints go with me everywhere) but the paper felt too cold.

(Arches Paper - 140 Lb. cold-pressed, 100 % cotton)

I then tried this paper, and the paper felt just right to me.

(Arches Paper - 140 Lb. hot-pressed, 100% cotton)

So, tell me, do you have a preference of paper, the cold-pressed or the hot-pressed paper.

The cold-pressed paper has a more traditional water colour wavy texture to it, while the hot-pressed has a flat, satin smooth finish.

Excuse me while I go upstairs and check out the beds for a wee nap.

I have a feeling I will find just the right spot.

(Trina, thanks for allowing me to illustrate your green door and for stalking such

a country farmhouse as yours, just right. I have a feeling I will feel compelled to illustrate each and every room and taste every bowl of porridge too.)

locales

I have always been drawn to new locations or to new places that open in a new location. There is something fun about remembering what was there and then moving forward. The above illustration was done for J.McLaughlin, they have a new shop opening in Winston- Salem, North Carolina. I love that when I began illustrating these shops, there were a mere three in New York and now there are many shops in fun locations. Much rather see a location thriving than empty. How about you, any news from your exotic locale?

second hand smoke

William Glackens Painting - 1870-1938

Our entire image of smoking has changed for the better, but I often admire images that I come across. They affect me like second hand smoke, swirling and circling around my head. I love this Grande dame sporting the chapeau cocked with savior faire. There is that color again, that ruddy, salmon color that I long for. The blue eye shadow looks like fun too. I guess all that second hand smoke is going straight to my head. Oh, and did I fail to mention those fabulously

grand gold hoops.

Does 2nd hand smoke of a painting have the same sort of affect on you? I think I need to go lie down, I feel light headed from all that smoke mixed with paint fumes.

I just located this wonderful gal who is all about "Capturing Italy" - for some odd reason, she does have a striking resemblance to the lady in the painting. Have a grande weekend!

march madness

pretty trellis lanterns - roost decor
It's March Madness Giveaway at the Blog - Inglenook decor.

a little nest - a salt cellar from Ingelnook decor

Maureen over at "Inglenook decor" is mad about March and having 3 giveaways a week! She is titling it "March Madness." Meet the stylishly chic Maureen and her daughter. Maureen is a trained physical therapist who flew the nest to devote her passions to Inglenook decor - where "french country meets urban loft. "

Today, I am delighted to be a guest (inside the artist's mind) over at Inglenook Decor. Maureen has a wonderful on line shop and a blog. Kindly hop on over, take a look and leave a comment, the winner will be selected and given a box of note-cards of Bethesda Fountain. (box of 8 cards and envelopes.)

petite pve designs

petite pve's, tiny little treasures

a small collection of objects illustrated, simply matted and ready to frame.

I shall be adding some petite pve's to my pve shop over at etsy in a few days.

Perhaps you have just the perfect ledge or spot for a "petite pve original!"

what sort of petite pve would you buy?

leave me a petite comment!

princess and a prayer

I was so delighted to illustrate this to raise money for a charity for a womens and childrens shelter. This gal (and devoted reader) came to me with this request to create something with the quote, "When you pray, believe."
Little girls were included in on the fun and invited to wear princess party attire. They made these little signs which included prints of my artwork.
Just look at what fun these girls are having, dancing, crafting and learning to share and more importantly - to believe.

Tiaras are wonderful accessories for every girl.

Shelter and a tiara, what more can a girl want?

What a fun and clever way to involve girls in a worthwhile project.

Congratulations to Emily upon raising quite a nice amount to donate to the shelter and for contacting me to contribute the artwork. Emily is a Mom full of grace and a devoted reader.

Thank-you for reading and believing in me and my artwork.

Emily began her very own blog. Please welcome Emily to the blog community by leaving her a comment here.

inspirational trails

This lovely lady has recently jumped in the blog garden, leaving a trail of inspiration.

I adore her textile designs along with the fact that she is a mother of twin boys. The immediate connection of creators leaving trails of inspirations, makes me want to follow them and leaves me full of intrigue to make my own collage with an air of spring or a "l'air du LuLu!"

Hop on over and meet the lovely LuLu K. Thank-you Meg for the introduction along with feeding my textile addiction. What sort of trails are you leaving behind? Inspirational ones like Lulu, J'espere!