Lolling Around

I had the flu over the weekend. Although I hated being sick, I just loved staying in bed. I slept all day Sunday and I thought it was the height of luxury, to be lolling around in my bed in the middle of the day. Fortunately, or unfortunately, my lolling days are over, because it was only the 24 hour variety of flu.

Thanks!

For all those who came to my studio this weekend, THANKS! And for all those who didn't even know I was participating in the annual open studios event, don't worry, I didn't advertise this year! I wasn't sure that I was going to be able to open my doors until the very last minute.

It was fun, it was fab, and it will happen again in November - and I'll let you know ahead of time!

GARDEN GIRL - Garden Goddess

Giraffes and other Wonders

"Graphitegirl"


"Paper Acorn"

My "Air Show" print (available in my Etsy shop, Graphitegirl, ahem ahem) was included in Paper Acorn's post today, featuring handmade works involving that lovable creature, the giraffe. Check out the blog for the many fascinating artistic interpretations at paper acorn. And if you'd like to visit the the Paper Acorn Etsy shop, you will find some amazing handcrafted paper designs such as wedding decorations and luminaries.

Thanks, Jessica!

The Buckley Sisters

I just LOVE these ladies! Look at them, smiling (well, sort of) in their fancy scarves and ties. I've been saving this postcard until now, when I am finally ready to make a painting/collage to honor them. Their names were Mabel, May and Myrtle. They were known throughout Montana as the "Red Yearlings" because of their red-blond hair and horsemanship. They were so accomplished that they were sought for hire by the Wild West shows, which they declined. I wanna be a cowgirl.

YEE HAW!

Spring finally

I know I know, yet another photo of flowers on the internet. I can't help it - my crab apple trees knock my socks off every spring, and every spring I take the same photograph! It only lasts a week, so it makes the viewing even more special.

CULINARY CUTIE - Pasta Princess

Birdie Love

I've noticed a lot of birds courting in my yard. Which means soon there will nests with baby birds and doting mamas, not with party hats on their heads, but worms in their beaks. It's spring - bring it on!

Illustration Friday - "Rescue"

It's been a while since I posted something for Illustration Friday, and when I saw the theme for this week, I thought of this image that I created for a fabric design. Will the Princess rescue the Prince from his froggie prison? Or will the Frog Prince rescue the Princess from her loneliness? We all need a rescue of some sort at some time or another!

Post Christmas

Just one more Christmas illustration, OK?

Reindeer

I know that Christmas is past, but I came across this illustration and thought I would post it anyway. It was part of a series of sketches submitted for stationery consideration and while other sketches were chosen, this was not. At least, not for this particular project. I have a "thing" for reindeer. I think they are cute. ??!

Illustration Friday - "Confined"

Here's what happens when you keep your kids inside on a snowy day. A lonnnnnnnggggg snowy day! (It's also what happens when you put them in new clothes for the first time.)

Flowers in WInter

It's so gloomy lately, I'm craving color!

Peace on Earth

Detail

Here's my Christmas card, which I created too late to send to my friends. Ah well, there's always next year. I just love these guys!

Happiest of Holidays!

I came across this old photo where I am watching my brother's glee as he discovers that Santa has granted his wish for a real space helmet, and my mother is enjoying the home-made Christmas card that I had labored over the previous day.

May your holidays be filled with the joys of family and friends and a granted wish or two!

It's Here!

As the weatherman said last night, it's here. Everyone has gotten a big blizzard and now we have our share, too. It looks so beautiful, like a holiday card. I had to stop shoveling to take some pics. It was overcast and snowing so the photos are on the gray side.... I decided to shovel half way through the storm, since I will never be able to manage the 20 inches we're supposed to get if I wait until the end!



The birdbath is there somewhere.



My neighbor's house seen through my old crab apple tree.




Snowy treetops over my lawn.



Sorel boots are synonymous with Minnesota. They are warm, tall and rugged (no, this is not an online dating ad) and built to last. When I moved here 19 years ago, the first thing everyone told me was, "Buy a pair of Sorels". So I did and here they are. (there's another one tagging along)

Illustration Friday - "Undone"

If you want a bed to become undone, if you yourself want to become undone, just put three monkeys to bed, in the same bed. This was an illustration that was part of a fabric design that I did several years ago. It ended up on the the cutest pajamas under the Frankie and Johnny label, sold on the Sleepyheads.com website.

My Illustrator Class has Ended

and I am glad and sad at the same time! I learned so much, but it was so difficult to find the time to do the homework. Here's my final project. The assignment was to create a cover for Daedalus Books, using the text you see here. I tried to use a lot of the techniques that we covered, such as gradations, clipping masks, transformations and so on. It was fun!

Illustration Friday - "Crunchy"

Nothing says "crunchy" like a bag of kettle corn! This illustration was originally created as part of a fabric design for a online company, "Sleepyheads.com". They make the cutest, most cozy pajamas,
check them out here.

My Kind of Car

Tis the season to shop shop shop. I love drawing cars because I don't know how to draw them, so therefore they become truly imaginary creations!