Wine Auction

The Santa Barbara Vintner's Foundation is having a Wine Auction tonight -"Casino Royale" and yours truly was pleased to donate artwork for the auction.  The proceeds will be benefitting Direct Relief's International and US Program.  

The mission of Direct Relief is to provide appropriate ongoing medical assistance to health institutions and projects worldwide which serve the poor and people in need of assistance due to natural and civil disasters

During times of need, it is good to know that Direct Relief has furnished over $35 million in medical material aid provided to those in need.

fresh off the farm

 

Many of the commissions that I do require me to work from a photo and often, I can really work myself up into a tizzy trying to capture what I see and what I cannot see.  This farm house made me remember my very own Father who was raised on a farm.  He was born one of nine children and his Mother paid the fine Doctor with a fresh off the farm chicken.  It was a barter of sorts and my Dad loves to say that poor chicken is gone and he is still clucking around.

Although I could pick my work apart and want to re-work this one, it is more of a feeling that I try to capture.  Can you imagine arriving here and feeling far away, calm and having all you need and wanting nothing more.  Such simple places, farmhouse, cabins and spots tucked away at the end of a dirt road  

are so inspiring.

If you are trying to practice your artwork, work from a photo, imagine yourself there and what you want to capture.  

pve happy montage

 
This happens to be one of my favorite illustrations done for J.McLaughlin years ago.  It made me happy then and now.  Over fifteen years ago, drawing, raising my children, and juggling my life - much like a collage or montage.

The idea of a collage or montage of sorts came to me while the challenge of gathering all the shops at that time was mind you simply around a dozen.  Now there are over 40 J.McLaughlin shops.  
The above artwork appeared in several magazines and was used for a press kit.

Just the other day, I spied a reputable madison avenue shop advertisement in The Wall Street Journal which had a similar hand to that of my artwork and it made me smile to think that perhaps might have inspired another artist or merchant.  Like any good parent, I stood up straighter knowing that leading by example goes without saying.

A few years ago, I sent out my own montage in the form of a post card which showed snippets of the array of artwork that I do.  I love looking back and also looking ahead to compile recent works and am in the hopes of having an illustrated book one day.  As I edit and piece my work together I realize that this makes me happy.   

I hope that you will look at your work as one happy montage.  Part of being a designer, an artist, a parent or even a friend is being able to stand back and see life as a collage of events, moments and memories.  Thank-you for your support of my artwork.  You have no idea how happy you make me.

location

 Location, Location, Location really does say so much especially when it comes to coveted real estate and then of course,  to coveted art.  Ahem. Well, not just any art but feast your eyes on the illustration.
I was so excited to see the art take the page instead of being relegated to one tiny corner.

 
My latest illustration, in the latest issue of Sheridan Road Magazine.  Sometimes just a line or a shoreline can say it all.  For this particular work, I thought keeping it simple in shades of watery blue worked best to convey the "North Shore" from "Lake Bluff" on down the line to "Evanston."

Does your address need to be illustrated to show off it's location, location location.  Let me know your whereabouts?  Did you know that I also illustrate on location for parties or events?

my ink

 This is my pen & ink of choice.  Sakura micron archival pigma ink comes in a series of nibs or points depending on the thickness of line you desire.  Long ago I used a rapidiograph which I had to fill the ink in the cartridge and quite honestly it was a mess.

 Begin with a spiral bound journal and make it a goal to sketch once a day.  You can search around on line and fine scads of artists and aspiring artists who keep journals and post daily works, be sure and sign and date your work.  Soon you will begin to see your own line and style develop.

monday motivation - glad supplies

Nothing like starting off a new week with the chance to love to work and to play.  Containers gathered together and holding pencils, brushes, scissors can be very motivating to jump start one's creative spirit.  Are you satisfied with your possessions?

Perhaps your tool is the computer to gather your images or words.  Fear nothing, be glad of life and embrace today with glad supplies ready for a guidepost to creative peace.

Be governed by your admirations.

What sort of supplies make your life glad?

This week I shall be sharing some supplies I admire.

(images from pinterest)

Be glad of life!

citrusy

I adore pink grapefruit.

Seriously, I want to frame this image.

Is it not art?

What could be better than enjoying freshly squeezed citrus in the midst of Winter.  Well, maybe a citrusy sorbet during the heat of Summer.  I adore this image from Hungry Ghost.here

Do you ever add citrus to a salad or a squirt to a wintry dish?

up the street

This recent commission was done for a client to give to a friend up the street.  How nice to give a gift of art to cherish.  It was a bit tricky to piece several photos as this house is tucked in and has such charm.  I can imagine that outside area to be just delightful on a Summer night and those window boxes the envy of that neighborhood.

bowl someone over

My home phone rang last night.
It rarely rings.
It seems we all are connected via other devices these days.

An elderly neighbor down the street called.  We met last year while I was out walking our dog.
I could hear a sadness and a desire for company and I told her I would be right down just as soon as my husband was home from work to be with our daughter.

Literally, In ten minutes I walked down with a small plate of cookies and some fruit.

She told me she would be moving in a week, leaving her home where she had lived since 1960.
Her children worried about her being alone.
She shared stories of her family.
Surviving the concentration camp.
Losing her husband of 60 years of marriage.
Her arthritis and the pain.

I told her I loved her for sharing with me and for calling me.  Her eyes were bright and her spirit alive and full of grace and kindness.  While I was there her 92 year old sister called.  They speak everyday.

Today, I am sharing a sweet little "i love you" vessel from an etsy favorite. rou designs.
Spread the love and show you care for someone who might be in pain and in need of love.
It could be a visit, a call, a letter.
Bowl someone over with kindness.
Take the self-kindness challenge.
Do something nice for someone.

Thank-you so much for your kind comments yesterday.
I appreciate your visits, your e-mails and your support.

blog years

I never imagined that these blog years would be so amazing. 

 Are blog years like dog years?  Do we add some sort of number times the number of posts.  

Well, this is year 5 for me and somehow I let it slip by without any pomp and circumstance or celebratory event.  Four fantastic years of blogging, meeting other kindred souls all the while juggling a family, a renovation and my artwork.  

Thank-you for your support, your inspiring comments and your positivity!

Now pull up to the blog bar, be amazing and order yourself something wet, wonderful and extraordinary.

What will you have? 

Cheers, now go on, be amazing and leave me a comment.
Any requests?