Sunday, August 29, 2010

Labor Day, Almost

















The State Fair is the official reminder that summer is ending and we are headed into our long dark frigid winter BOO HOOOOOO. So the State Fair is our last chance to celebrate summer and enjoy our fellow Minnesotans and all the fun and food the Fair provides. This year I really had a hankering to undergo the rituals and trials of the Fair. It's always insanely hot and humid, in the 90's, with the paramedics routinely reviving people who have passed out from heat stroke. And it's always insanely crowded with merrymakers who don't give a second thought about heat stroke!

The first photo is our arrival view, and the last is the departure: a sea of people. There is an unspoken rivalry amongst the vendors as to who can produce the most unhealthy (but delicious) food, and kudos if it is on a stick or deep-fried or both.(alligator-on-a-stick, deep-fried bologna and corn dog pizzas for example)

This year the heat was so intense that we didn't even make it to the animal barns or the Midway. The Horticulture Building was fun (did you know that a stalk of corn only produces one ear? Think how much land is needed to produce corn!) Of course we went to the Dairy Building to watch the sweet State Fair Princess having her portrait sculpted out of butter in a refrigerated "studio". Her attendants also will have their likenesses carved. After the Fair ends, they can take their heads home. What a lovely addition to a future brunch, the hostess's head carved in butter next to the croissants and jelly!

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Illustration Friday - "Atmosphere"



I'm not sure exactly how this image fits into Illustration Friday theme of "Atmosphere", but somehow, I just know it does, and I get the giggles thinking about it!

(Originally, this vignette was one of 8 other little retro scenes I created for a fabric design, with "camping" being the concept)

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Tresses



I've been a non-blogger lately, mainly because I've had a steady stream of summer visitors. But now the house is sadly quiet, so I'm back! Here's a comp I did last year for CVS. The flowing hair was quick and easy to do. The man's hand, well, that's another story. I must have done 30 versions before this one finally met approval! Hands are really difficult for me to draw, especially from memory!

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Hot Suburban Knight



As long as we're talking barbecue, we need someone to MAN the grill!