Memories

I created this piece for Illustration Friday's topic of the week: memories. It is a take off of what I did last week for "routine". The two topics seem connected as routine is a big part of what makes up memories: "the little things". I found this photo along with vintage unmarked children's workbooks at an estate sale (yes I was jumping for joy). The toys on the left of my piece are from one of those precious books.

I love that the photo here contains three different perspectives and thus three sets of memories. The baby looking up, the young boy looking down at the baby and the photographer looking down on both. A memory captured.

p.s. thanks to all of you who have stopped by here and a special thanks for comments left behind. I can't tell you how much your comments mean to me...I love hearing what you are thinking! Happy Labor Day weekend!

Chalk Up Another Year

Speaking of little things, here's another one that turned out to be a big thing. Last year in a burst of energy (which come upon every so often) I made a back-to-school pencil cake. This week was so busy I thought I'd skip the cake detail of welcoming in the new year. Just getting them off with their plastic, pocket, prong folders and no-perf, wide-ruled notebooks was challenge enough. However, it was asked more than once if there would be a cake waiting when they came home from the first day of school. Momguilt overcame me, as I threw this cake together moments before the returning back-to-schoolers. I have to say, I was amazed at how excited and thankful they were about a kind-of-looks-like-a-chalkboard cake. I guess we now have another sweet tradition.

Routine

I created this piece for Illustration Friday's topic of the week: routine. I've been thinking a lot about our family's routine lately as we get ready to shift from the laid back days of summer into the regimented school year schedule. Both seasons have their routines which I often catch myself feeling bored with. Sometimes the business of being a parent is less than jump-up-and-down-exciting with meals, laundry, cleaning, disciplining, etc. on the daily list. But there is a wistfulness to routine as the mundane is often what is remembered for a lifetime. Meals that a family repeats turn into cherished recipes years down the road. Gentle reminders to be thankful and use manners pay off in the long run. A familiar bed time routine that includes stories, hugs and prayers can create a sense of warmth and belonging. Day to day routine is something to be cherished. I am often guilty of discounting those little things, but atleast for today I have my eyes wide open as tomorrow starts yet another school year.

Oh Canada

One of our adventures this summer involved a trip to Niagara Falls on the Canadian side. I haven't been there since I was a wee one and wanted my three to have the experience of the Falls too. Every one's favorite Falls experience was Maid of the Mist. Above is a glimpse of another MOM boat taking the ride into the Falls underneath a perfect rainbow.

Here we are Journey-ing Behind the Falls. This is where you ride an elevator down very far into the ground and get dropped off at the tunnels underneath the falls. Here is one of the tunnel lookout points where we're watching the wall of water from behind. I found this a little freaky and the tunnels to be a bit too titanic-ish for my taste.

However, it totally amazes me in this world of barriers and gates that you can get this close to something so powerful.

Here Cara and I are standing on a floor of Canadian pennies. What of a cool idea for tiling and only 1 cent per square inch!

And finally (I've skipped the haunted houses, mini golf, fast food, fudge shops, wax museums and gobble-up-your-money-attractions, but they're all here too) the White Water Walk. While I was enjoying the rapids racing by, I think I was just as fascinated by how long the legs were getting on these three. Another school year right around the corner. I'll be spending today going over our school supply inventory and assessing what clothing those growing bodies can still fit into.

Summer murals

I illustrated the Noah's Ark mural above for an animal hospital several years ago. This summer I was asked back to add more paintings to the lobby area.

Using another verse from All Things Bright and Beautiful, I painted an arbor with teeny, hidden creatures. It's hard to show the area well in photographs, but here are a few shots to get a general idea of the space.

I love that people thought I was painting on the wood arbor. When in actuality, I painted the wood and then painted on top of the faux wood. Were you tricked?? : )

I hid little creatures all over the arbor and

...over here old fashioned coneflowers decorate a post. Standing on a really high ladder, I painted butterflies around the top of the room.

And in this corner a tree grew.

A squirrel lives in this tree by special request.

This was definitely the summer that I painted more flowers than I planted.

Spinning...

...on a summer wheel that has not stopped since June. Vacations, projects, design business, family and friend visiting, summer camps and a studio/office redo has made for a pretty lively and fast paced summer around here. And then there's that list of what didn't get done including a much needed web site revamp. Updates on what did happen coming soon...that is if I can find a wide ruled spiral bound 70 page school notebook without perfs and a plastic pocket folder with pockets and prongs.

Enough

Here's my Illustration Friday topic of the week: enough. I was actually working on this illustration before I received the IF topic in my inbox today. When I did get the word, I couldn't help but think what a topic-perfect illustration it was.

This happy couple will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in a couple of weeks. I'm honored to have been asked to design the invitation for the grand event. This collage will grace the cover.

It is said quite often, but 50 years speaks louder..."I take you to be my constant friend, my faithful partner and my love from this day forward. In the presence of God, our family and friends, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, and in joy as well as in sorrow. I promise to love you unconditionally, to support you in your goals, to honor and respect you, to laugh with you and cry with you, and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live."

Now if that isn't "enough" I couldn't tell you what is.

Houston, we have a show

WOW. what a weekend. I'm settling back into reality after a really, really cool couple of Houston days even though the temp was somewhere around 100 degrees. Red Bull's Art of Can exhibition opened with a VIP bash of more than 1000 at the Houston Galleria. My piece "Night Owl" (pictured above) was lucky enough to be one of 47 pieces selected to be in a show that drew over 500 registrations.

I loved the little artist name badges that matched our pieces. So easy to meet the artist that went with the art. And what a friendly crowd! I had a blast chatting with all of the diverse types this event brought out.

Did you vote? Voting kiosks were at the party and will be around for the run of the show or you can always vote online.

My Chicago friend Asta poses with her fun piece entitled "Houston, We Have a Problem...No Red Bull".

My other Chicago-Art-of-Can-but-lives-in-Austin friend Kathy Beale created the impeccably crafted frog (Riley) who happens to be "Fly Fishing."

I think when the judges kept saying that this was the best AOC yet, they really meant it. I had so many favorites that I couldn't possibly post them all here. Geez...this is tough competition.

Speaking of tough competition, Dale Busta captured second place (again) for "Sojourn". And Dale, if by any chance you're reading, I anxiously await my bee.

Asta and me hanging out with the grand prize winner's piece "Unbridled".

I LOVE the love letter.

Artists after too much red bull or maybe it was this...or how about that photographer?!

The art work moved on up the day after the opening party to this custom designed space in the Houston Galleria (yes a shopping mall). The show runs until July 25th. Any misgivings I ever had about a show in a mall vs. a gallery have been put to rest. This is a first class production all the way. If you're in the area check it out. Otherwise beg Red Bull to keep the exhibitions coming. It's an unbelievable cornucopia of art that undeniably promotes, but better yet recycles while enabling one to expand their vision and appreciation of art.

sour rain, sweet country

I created this piece for Illustration Friday's topic of the week: sour. It seemed appropriate due to yesterday's rain on our 4th of July celebrations. Picnics and parades were "soured" with thunderstorms and steady rain. Later, the day brought breaks in the weather so we tried to sneak in grilled burgers on the deck. However, I was quickly informed by all three of my children that the not-quite-dry patio furniture made their behinds wet. This quickly led to giggles and back side comparisons.

Regardless of this 4th of July's rain, we are still very thankful for the freedoms we enjoy and the country we love. Obviously, every day will not live up to our ideal, but when the sun does shine it is a beautiful day indeed.

A brief appearance

After a long blog hiatus I'm back for a moment. Really just to say I'm still here, but busy. Maybe busy isn't strong enough...overwhelmed? Overwhelmed in a good way. It's summer's fault. There were too many projects saved and plans made back when summer seemed endless...a blank of warm, lazy days. July already? Hard to believe.

Above is another piece of mine in the group show "Out of the Blue" featuring local artists at Red Tree Gallery. Funny, the last time I posted this show was opening. Now, the close is this Friday. More proof that summer has that way of flying by.

Out of the blue and Out on location

This Friday night is the opening for the group show "Out of the Blue" featuring local artists at Red Tree Gallery. I have four pieces in the show including the one pictured above titled "Renaissance". I couldn't get those butterflies out of my head.

This week me and my ArtBin are also "Out on location" painting murals at a local animal hospital. I'll show you pictures of the finished product in a couple of weeks. With all of this going on (I'm graphic designing too!) my new studio is taking a way back seat...along with quite a few other things. Busy is good, but I'm still looking forward to things settling down just a bit in the upcoming weeks.

Forgotten

If I were a contestant on American Idol, I'm imagining that I'd get a critique of "pitchy" and "all over the place" by Simon for this piece. I'd stand up there holding my art and say "Simon, you are absolutely right. I turned in a composition that is way too busy, has no focal point or sense of balance. I agree. However, you asked me to illustrate "Forgotten" and so I did. This work captures exactly what my brain is doing when I'm at the grocery store. Does the piece make you feel flustered, uneasy, wanting to run?? Yes?? Then I have just brought you into my world and how I feel about going to the grocery store." Then I 'd turn to the camera and say "America, please base the success of the piece I just performed on that. Remember that I have a three-year-old with me while I grocery shop. Sometimes I make a list and when I do I usually forget the list or forget to look at the list. I'm trying to remember if I have a coupon for Orville Redenbacher popcorn or Jiffy Pop. I have to remember to use my shopper card. Then the three-year-old wants out of the cart so I have to keep one eye on her and one eye on how much grapes are costing per pound. Finally, I'll be on my way home with all the groceries loaded in the car thinking 'I did it' when I remember that I forgot the milk. Milk being the only thing I really came in for. Vote America!" Of course by now Ryan would have already escorted me off the stage, the commercials would be playing and half of my manic speech would have gone unheard.

Anyway, that's my submission for Illustration Friday's topic of the week: forgotten. Now what did I come here for?

studio painter for hire

There is a magnetic attraction between gallons of paint and three-year-olds. Having a canvas that is 8 feet tall with 14 feet surrounding on four sides helps too. Dad's tender heart could only take so many of the, "Daddy, can I pleeeeeeeze, pleeeeze help you paint??????"

And thus we witnessed the hypnotic power of paint.

Unfortunately, this sweet daddy/daughter painting experience didn't last long. Too much up, down, dancing, swirling, twirling, having to go potty. This happening with paint brush in one hand and sippy cup in the other. And don't think she wasn't interested in providing more assistance. Many tears were involved when we asked her to turn in the brush. Three-year-old painting apprentices really love what they do, however (without a doubt) the best time to hire one is during nap time.

studio plans

After nine years of a home studio/office space in the basement I'm relocating to the first floor. Yeah, just like the Jeffersons. Moving on up. I'll be moving into what was our guest bedroom. A space with windows. Real windows rather than the basement glass block. This means they can be opened...fresh air, natural light while I'm working. I'm really excited about the windows.

The tricky part is finding that perfect time to make the move which of course there isn't. There is much involved with relocating even if only upstairs. I've been working with a closet company to design a functional space, an electrician to rewire for my computer, phone/Internet and office equipment and my DH to move furniture and paint. Speaking of paint we haven't started yet, but up top are my choices. My goal is a warm, inviting, neutral-but-not-so-neutral-there's-no-personality space. I don't want the space to overwhelm or compete with what is being created. The ceiling will have a splash of the bright color that I love. We'll see how that works. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous about how it's all going to come together.

So over the next several days this is what will be going on around here..painting, installing, moving, organizing. I'll post pix of the process. If you're like me there's nothing better than watching a studio redo. In fact I purchased this CPS Studios edition when I was in the initial planning stages. Fun stuff. I love peeking into other artist's work spaces. Okay I need to run. There is much to be done around here. : )

Inspired to bead

I am so easily distracted. Yesterday, as I was plugging away at design work I got an e-mail from Family Fun. Nothing personal, just the weekly mailer for the masses. I'm still trying to wrap my brain around ideas for teacher gifts so this tutorial caught my eye. Before I knew what was happening, I was in my bead stash searching for the perfect beads to create a stylish beaded bookmark.

I loved the idea to use initial beads to personalize. By the way my kids do not have any teachers this year with initials the same as mine. whoops. I guess I'll be keeping this one. Besides this project is easy enough. My kids will have no problem making their own to give to teachers along with one to keep for summer reading.

...and if you're a graphic designer or creative type looking to be inspired, I highly recommend this fuzzy green book.

sweetening Tuesday

Waking up is hard to do especially after a gorgeous three day weekend. I made homemade cinnamon rolls this morning to ease the pain. We had a taste of summer over the past three days with bike rides, picnics, tennis and some time spent at the pool. Who wants to go back to school/work after that? My older kids have two more weeks before they are officially out for the summer. They are soooo done. Watching them trudge off to school in the bright almost summer sunlight with heavy backpacks and even heavier spirits is a pitiful sight. And I'm ready too. My office/studio space will be moving up a floor in our home in the weeks to come. After nine years of working in the basement I've decided I need some of that sunlight too. Before and afters will be coming soon.

worry

I created this piece for Illustration Friday's topic of the week: worry.

I think just hearing the word makes me...well you know...worry. And there certainly is enough to worry about these days. I used various headlines and entries just from my May 23rd newspaper as the background. No problem finding material...health concerns, housing declines, gas prices, the war in Iraq, tornados and deadly car crashes provided plenty of mental anguish. And I know I can't sit and dwell on all the "what ifs" and worst case scenarios that may or may not come my way. Sure it's all there in the background, but over top life gives us beauty and joy. Butterflies have found their way into my work after recently being inspired by my kid's butterfly garden. I thought butterflies were a good metaphor here. Life is about flying and making the most of what we have been given. Deep breaths, yoga, art, whatever it takes, keep the anxiety waaaaaaaay in the background.

W I D E

I created this piece for Illustration Friday's topic of the week: WIDE.
"Wide" is definitely on my mind considering that the pool opens for the summer in less than a week...yikes! I guess it's time to own up to that delicious winter.

Butterfly Garden

Last Christmas, my three kids were the lucky recipients of a Live Butterfly Garden. A Butterfly Garden—if you who don't know—is a kit that comes with a butterfly cage (pictured above) and a little dropper. Also included is an envelope that you mail into the company whenever you're ready to receive your hotel guests. A few years ago, I might have thought the concept to be a bit silly. After all as a child, I would roam the meadows of western PA in the spring and summer and bring home hundreds of monarch butterfly caterpillars. They hatched for weeks on end right by my bed side in a mason jar...free entertainment. However that was the last time I can remember finding a monarch caterpillar or any caterpillar that turns into more than an ugly moth (sorry moths...but really).

So being as this is 2008 and our part of metropolitan Ohio seems to be caterpillarless of the butterfly sort, the mail order caterpillars arrived in a little plastic jar. And boy were they small to start. Amazingly, they doubled in size almost daily as they ate the provided food caked to the bottom of the jar. Then after stuffing themselves silly, they formed chrysalides. Next, we gently transferred them to the main suite/butterfly garden. The box stated that butterflies will emerge in 7-10 days after forming chrysalides, but it took ours a good 2 weeks plus. Believe me I was sweating it out, thinking how I would explain defective caterpillars to my children should they fail to hatch.

Last Friday morning, between waffles and dressing for school, our first Painted Lady butterfly emerged. I knew it would be one after another after that, so I let my 3rd grader and kindergartner bring the garden to school to watch the remaining transform among their classmates. Good timing butterflies and thank you so much for not sleeping forever.

Yesterday, I suggested we let the butterflies go free. The box mentioned that the butterflies only have a lifespan of 2-4 weeks after their metamorphis. I definitely wanted my kids to see their winged creatures fly off into the sunset rather than finding them on the bottom of butterfly garden. So with a little coaxing, we all agreed that the butterflies needed to explore the world. We ended up with five beautiful butterflies to release. This was very exciting for all.

I can't say enough great things about this gift. Not only was it educational, but it provided magical entertainment found only in nature. And the best part...no small parts to pick up off my floor. Thanks Uncle Bob, Aunt Jana, cousins Anna Katharine and Elizabeth. : )

Electricity

I created this piece for Illustration Friday's topic of the week "electricity".
Need I say more?!? : )

And for the record we are in the process of switching to those energy and cost-saving curly-q bulbs..one burnt-out light bulb at a time.

what i learned from cupcakes

Never waste time waiting for things to cool off.

The 'icing on the cake' should always be pink.

You can never have enough sprinkles.

Moments like this are meant to be savored.

And finally, remember to save some for later.