DEEP COVE FLOWERS

Mr Rabbit yields

2012-03-09T07:49:00.000-08:00

Mr Rabbit had yielded to pressure to help out with Easter preparation. He was aware there might be some negative feedback from his family, watch out to see what happens! I've had rabbits on my mind.......

Green with Jealousy

2012-03-04T18:34:00.001-08:00

This is a rework of an older piece posted here & here, fixed a few things and added more depth of color. I think reviewing old pieces can be an interesting learning experience. For Sunday Sketches and Watercolor Wednesdays.

Her Intentions were good

2012-03-03T21:29:00.000-08:00

Her Intention to give Mr Bear a bath was a good one but....as she sang:

Soap, soap, soap and towel

Scrub your dirty bear,

Wash his knees will you please?

And do it all with care

Mr Bear got more concerned and very soggy!

For illustration Friday Intention, and Monday Artday Soap, paint party friday, and sweet saturdays

Mr Bear & the Ghost Train

2012-02-26T19:13:00.001-08:00

Mr Bear has some new friends!
The expectation for adventure is high, they may meet at the alphabet? Only
23 more to go.....
For Sunday Sketches (a little late) Sweet Saturdays (even later) and Artists in Blogland, and Creative everyday.

Lady Mary Is Capable

2012-02-24T22:57:00.001-08:00

An addition for the Three Muses challenge of art in the round. Lady Mary seemed such a compelling character, I was looking on line and I believe we will see a season 3 of Downton Abbey!!!!

Going through Downton Abbey withdrawl. If anyone was capable it was the character Lady Mary.
She was capable of making Matthew fall in love with her, and capable of being an incredible snob.

But oh the wonderful red dresses she got to wear!

For Illustration Friday Capable challenge & Paint party friday.

Creative Tuesdays Shoes

2012-02-20T21:20:00.000-08:00

Uncomfortable red shoes, only worthy of admiration as a still life.
Possibly very expensive?
An interesting challenge to draw and paint.

In reality they were my daughters and are actually gold lame!

They don't look well worn....and were left behind when she moved out. I wonder what that means? Perhaps a phase of life left behind as well.
For Creative tuesdays & Creative everyday challenges.

Fluid, fluidity and rain and more rain

2012-02-19T13:14:00.000-08:00

Mr Bear thought a horses gait was fluid....not so!

It was way more bumpy than expected and farther up in the air as well.

Then down came the rain and sleet....

He really wanted to go home, even if he had to ride on the back. Better hang on Mr Bear.

enough fluidity for one day, and very sore legs as well!

A few flowers in the rain....
Lots of fluidity around here.

Popularity, Valentines so much pressure!

2012-02-12T16:46:00.000-08:00

Most popular girl, most popular boy still a little shy.

Getting warmer.....
Who will hand over the valentines?

Girl with the puffiest dress=most popular.
But at 5 years old Mr Bear is the love of her life. After all he is even willing to wear a matching puffy skirt and dance around :)

Creative Tuesdays patterns

2012-02-07T07:29:00.000-08:00

Patterns...all around us

Things could hide within the patterns

Garden Fairy waiting....

2012-02-06T16:18:00.000-08:00

Even fairies have to wait....for the party to start? For their valentine to arrive?

Which color pallet do you like best? I'm undecided.

Rocking Horse Racing is filled with suspense

2012-02-03T23:53:00.000-08:00

The suspense of the race, the bell rang they were off, Mr Bear wasn't too sure about this whole adventure.

For inspiration ave rocking horse challenge and illustration friday suspense and paint party friday.

Bouquets wishing for spring

2012-01-30T22:37:00.000-08:00

Spring bouquets playing with composition and background color.

There is dark for drama,
soft almost monochromatic or a little blue for melancholy. Which do you think works best?

All for Creative Everyday.

Looking Forward and Back

2012-01-28T20:33:00.000-08:00

Looking forward to spring looking back at the setting sun.

Mr Bear is taking it all in. They are going to Grannies for dinner armed with a bouquet of tangerine tulips, looking back at a globe of fire setting.

The inspiration for tangerine coming from
Tangerine color challenge also for illustration friday forward challenge & paint party friday.

Twirl Mr Bear

2012-01-22T14:56:00.000-08:00

Mr Bear wasn't too sure about this twirling game.

He felt a little dizzy.

A photo of my messy desk and the original sketches for these paintings. I need to tidy up!

He also was dreaming of summer.....

Note the matching clothes no matter the season he is one fashionable bear, though he isn't to sure about the pink flowers :)

For several art challenges!

Creative Tuesdays hubba bubba bubblicious

2012-01-16T22:46:00.000-08:00

The magic of the first bubble!

For Creative Tuesdays bubble challenge.

K is for Key

2012-01-16T22:36:00.000-08:00

K is for Key. A found key, for an unknown lock.
What could it open? It was old a skeleton key?

What secrets where locked behind the lock it would open? For Watercolor Wednesday letter challenge.

Look Mr Bear

2012-01-16T22:22:00.000-08:00

Look Mr Bear a flutterby!
When my daughter was little she called butterflies flutterby's most appropriate I think.

This is for inspiration ave butterfly challenge I was determined to get something done and posted. I have had things ready to go but have been too late last few weeks :)
Also for Creative Everyday these challenges keep me painting.

This Mr Bear joins the others here and here.

Paper Doll out for a winter walk

2012-01-15T12:17:00.000-08:00

A little late with one art challenge....but had so much fun making this little paper doll. I thought she is soulfully thinking in the original below so will add her to Artists in Blogland soul challenge.

She then had to take a walk in the winter sun, the weather forcast is for snow in the next few days hard to believe!

I found when I printed off the doll the color was dramatically different? Interesting challenge to correct :)

Prepare for whatever you might be asked

2012-01-15T00:08:00.000-08:00

"We must prepare with care Mr Bear. We have a big party to get ready for, everything must be perfect".

Mr Bear listened intently he was worried about his role in the preparations he wasn't sure he understood her expectations.

Another Mr Bear to go with last weeks. For illustration friday prepare prompt.
Also for Sweet Saturdays.

Peonies, wishing for spring and damask

2012-01-08T16:29:00.000-08:00

I am thinking of spring....inspired by Inspiration Ave challenge damask, just too slow getting it in.... but thought I would post to a few other spots. Paint Party Friday, Artists in Blogland, Diana Evans, and will add to Creative Everyday as well.

I should have planted more peonies in the fall but with all the daffodils and tulips I was planted out. Want to try to do a flower painting a week plus a children's illustration. For this weeks children's illo check here.

Mr Bear is grounded

2012-01-08T16:17:00.000-08:00

Naughty Mr Bear tried to be independent and wonder off on his own, he is sooooo grounded. He will be getting an earful as well. For the illustration friday challenge grounded and Sunday Sketches.

Four calling birds

2012-01-03T07:21:00.000-08:00

Almost the last of Christmas season, with four calling birds. More like 3 tweeters and one squawker! Thinking we might miss winter here we were out gardening yesterday we have calendula and borage in bloom :)

For Creative Tuesday 12 days of Christmas.

Old new borrowed and blue

2011-12-30T18:51:00.000-08:00

She was visiting her grandmother for Christmas. She had a wonderful new floaty blue dress, her grandmother gave her a very old beaded purse, and told her she could borrow any book she wanted!

For the Inspiration Ave challenge old,new borrowed and blue.

And for Paint Party Friday I had a hard time deciding which post to link to?

Here is the other one, I think they both round the year off.

All the best for 2012!

Highlight, could it be a secret?

2011-12-30T18:40:00.000-08:00

He whispered in her ear a secret, a joke? Whatever it was she laughed with pure joy.

One of my highlights this year is the men in red work shirts, you can find more here and here. There are even more....They speak to me of romance. I love a little romantic story as well.

For illustration friday highlight challenge.
An ending for the year; met my own goal of 100 posts! What will next year bring?

Christmas Angel

2011-12-26T15:15:00.000-08:00

A little Christmas Angel for the Three Muses Angel challenge. Reincarnated a figure from here, she looks quite different!

Using watercolor and digital painting.

A little bird told me so.....

2011-12-23T21:14:00.000-08:00

The message was to wear a red Christmas dress, the messenger was a little bird, he told me so.
What a party it was all those red Christmas dresses!

Well Fred was a busy bird he spread the message. All those wearing red turned up, the music was great. Wonderful dancing, great party!

Some Christmas color for illustration friday messenger challenge, paint party friday and Artists in blogland.

At the sink

2011-12-17T20:45:00.000-08:00

At the Sink

The little helper. My children occasionally helped when they were little, as they grew older not so much....
But the fascination with all the water and bubbles was joyful if short lived :)

Inspiration the sink illustration friday challenge. A little paint party friday, artists in blogland, Sunday Sketches and Creative Everyday

Christmas is almost here, programs are finished at the Library. Puppet plays survived :) Holidays almost ready to begin, a year to reflect on.

Sisters Always: Together or Separated

2011-12-11T00:50:00.001-08:00

Recalling winter walking, each snow fall no matter how old she gets she remembers that walk with her older sister.

Even though they are separated by a continent they will always be sisters.

Family ties that connect us to our siblings, especially at Christmas.

Another version is here.

For illustration friday separate challenge.
Also Artists in Blogland and Sunday Sketches

A Little Christmas Wish

2011-12-11T00:36:00.001-08:00

A little Christmas wish, inspired by Inspiration Ave Christmas ball challenge.

Also Paint Party Friday and Creative Every Day there is another version of this here.

We almost had snow today, the Christmas parties are in full swing. I had a dream last night that all my family and quests arrived for Christmas dinner and I hadn't bought any food!

One more puppet play and then library programs are over for the year! It's been fun but holidays are welcome.

Bye Bye Butterfly

2011-12-07T17:24:00.001-08:00

A little rhyme that is from a cloth book I have put together for a spoonflower baby book challenge. I will post the rest of the images but you can check out the fabric book layout at the link above. It was interesting to figure out the paging. I'm not too sure my instructions on how to sew it together are all that clear.

My mind has been consumed by Christmas puppet plays....

Waiting for Mr Darcy

2011-12-03T18:17:00.001-08:00

English literature challenge from Inspiration Ave.

Also Creative Tuesdays Mistletoe challenge.

Also Paint Party Friday & Artists in Blogland
and Web of Wimsy , and Creative Everyday this has me thinking of kissing frogs....

Next week at the library we are doing a short puppet play with Santa as a frog, the elf is a chimp, Frosty is a green fuzzy spider, there is a Christmas fairy and Rudolf is a mouse with a red nose! Wish me luck!!!!

Little boys brigade

2011-12-03T17:40:00.001-08:00

Little boys at play, they can be completely independent of one another and yet united.

They form their own little play brigades. Illustration Friday brigade challenge, may they never be in a real military brigade.
Something for Sunday Sketches.

Round and Round the garden

2011-11-27T16:33:00.001-08:00

Teddy and boys in the garden.

Round and round the garden
Went the teddy bear
One step, two step
Tickle you under there.

This is a rhyme/tickle we use in Babytime at the library. It came to mind with the challenge "round" from Illustration Friday

For Watercolor Wednesday the letter "G" for garden.

Also Paint Party Friday , Sunday Sketches , Creative Everyday and Sweet Saturdays.

She's so Vane

2011-11-20T10:45:00.001-08:00

When she was 12 suddenly everyone started looking at her. She went from a tomboy to femme fatale. No wonder she was vane.

Watercolor, and then digital experiment which do you think works best?

The digital dress is collaged from this.
For illustration friday vanity challenge, and paint party.

Also for Artists in Blogland

Poppies remembrance and lots of color

2011-11-16T19:30:00.001-08:00

A hit of color for a dark windy day. For both Creative everyday challenge and Sunday Postcards.

The art of sewing on a button

2011-11-12T15:55:00.001-08:00

The forgotten art of sewing on a button.
Watercolor and digital painting.

For Inspiration Ave sewing challenge

The Silent treatment

2011-11-12T13:21:00.001-08:00

They gave each other the silent treatment for quite awhile, but it never lasted. Neither could really be mad for long.

Then there was kiss and make up.

For illustration friday "silent"
Paint Party friday
Creative Everyday
Artists in Blogland

Creative everyday and digital play

2011-11-09T22:18:00.000-08:00

Budding Artist

Playing with digital painting and collage. Original versions here and here with additions and subtractions.

This may be a budding artist!
Trying to make time to experiment....

What do you think?

Creative Tuesdays & Creative everyday at least trying.....

2011-11-07T19:56:00.000-08:00

Creative Tuesdays challenge of Thanks prompted me to think of the thank you letter, will children even write them anymore? With all the devices that we use all the time will actual written letters even exist?

Whimsy Wednesday as well, also back to work for me.

Feels like a really creative weekend, is there a question of quantity over quality?

Really trying to keep up with Creative every day challenge and a challenge it is!

Spoonflower challenge for a tea towel calendar, what do you think?

It was a learning experience! but I do like the colors.

Art Nouveau

2011-11-06T16:26:00.000-08:00

She stepped out side and a gust of wind almost took her away. Something about the dress and hat spoke of a time when woman wore such outfits....
A little art nouveau elegance.
Inspiration Avenue challenge

Stripes

2011-11-05T19:02:00.000-07:00

There has been a time out. Have they been arguing?

Or is one plotting against the other? One is contemplating and the other checking if the coast is clear.

For illustration friday stripes challenge, also Paint Party Friday .Also the art everyday challenge (not quite everyday this week)

Two different versions which one do you like best?

I think I must like stripes!

Garden visitor

2011-10-31T12:10:00.000-07:00

A wee garden visitor. The chickadees are looking for fuel these days, the garden is fading but the birds seem to be arriving in droves.
Taking part in Art Everyday challenge this month, plus the PiBoIdMo challenge 30 picture book ideas in 30 days!!!

The chickadees seem to be looking for suet, the quail family is present as well, the babies the same size as the parents. Add Artists in Blogland as well

A little more scary halloween....

2011-10-30T14:48:00.000-07:00

For Halloween Sunday Postcard Challenge.

For more on the same theme different sizes check here.

Scary Halloween Whoooooooooo

2011-10-30T14:32:00.000-07:00

Scary Duo

There was debate as to whom was the scarier batboy.

Then there was the argument about dressing the dog to accompany them.

The scary bat trio may not make it out trick or treating, the bat dog doesn't look in the mood....rather "I'll try and please you but...please take this crazy getup off me!"

Scary Trio

Morran

The little dog was inspired by Morran
and being a dog fan I was delighted to add a little painting. Little did Morran know she was possibly going trick or treating!

For Illustration Friday, Artists in Blogland, Creative Everyday, Paint Party Friday challenges

Inspiration Painting Fuel

2011-10-23T12:48:00.000-07:00

Which one will I choose?

But Mum cupcakes are good fuel for energy!

We are what we eat right? Something this colorful can only be good for us.

The swirlier the better, the more sprinkles the better, what do you mean I have to eat dinner first?

A little Illustration Friday, Paint Party Friday, Sweet Saturdays, Creative Everyday,

Artists in Blogland

But Mum!

Small Changes

2011-10-18T07:12:00.000-07:00

Playing with little updates on the blog. I like this small banner, what do you think?

True love, a few scattered thoughts and more.

2011-10-17T13:47:00.000-07:00

She was in love, her thoughts were scattered she smiled nodded and was extremely happy!
Inspiration Avenue what inspires you.
Paint Party Friday check in as well.

Seed enablers, dandelions spread with the assistance of young child, bird and every little breeze.
I am trying to cultivate a taste for the leaves (a little bitter added to salad) But like most weeds they grow better than anything else.
Artist in Blogland & Three Muses a bit of home sweet home, these paintings are based on images of my children at different ages, so all very close to home.
A little Web of Whimsy as well.

Contraption & Illustration Friday

2011-10-09T00:00:00.000-07:00

Lego contraptions.
Today at the Library I had 19 kids listening to stories and then building with Lego. They created some interesting contraptions. Mostly spaceships with some wild aliens. It was fun watching how they worked in teams shared all the Lego and generally all got along, that is till it came time to clean up! This program really draws in the boys that would never come into the library otherwise!
Artists in Blogland challenge as well.

Owl

2011-10-08T23:48:00.000-07:00

At twilight the owls land in the huge oak tree that stands right over our house, the first time I heard them I was sure it was a rowdy drunk rolling down the hill. Or a group of partying teens, the screeching and carrying on! Then I realized it was a pair or rowdy owls! ;-)

Paint Party Friday & challenge of painting,
Inspiration Avenue challenge with owls.

Shells and more shells plus a little paint party friday

2011-10-03T15:59:00.000-07:00

A little inspiration from the beach holiday. More shells here. I think I could be a beach bum, while I know I could never have the garden I can grow here, right on the water it would be very tempting. Perhaps only for holidays....

Fall Leaves, getting ready to hibernate, hiding.....

2011-10-01T21:09:00.000-07:00

You never know what you might find curled up within a leaf. The acorns are falling they make a rather dashing hat, the leaves make colorful clothing.
A little Illustration Friday and a touch of Paint Party Friday plus Artists in Blogland and a lot of autumn weather.
The leaves are coming down....

Ferocious Illustration Friday

2011-09-25T18:14:00.000-07:00

This is one ferocious kitty! Note the white fangs
(my husbands idea) Still he may find a friend.....

A few hissy fits later......

Buddies!

Mesmerizing Illustration Friday a little Creative Everyday and some Paint Party Friday!

2011-09-19T22:06:00.000-07:00

She had always been mesmerized by the sound of the sea. Her father taught her about listening to seashells it seemed to be his special magic. That the sound of the sea could be contained within a shell, a link to the ocean that lasted forever. No need for batteries or wifi, simply magical.

Having been away for a few days on the west coast at Long Beach, shells and the ocean came to mind with this challenge. A bit of Paint Party fun. Here are more shells.

Playing with different papers and compositions which one do you think works best?

Kitchen love & Creative Tuesday

2011-09-09T22:41:00.000-07:00

Words and actions, kitchen love. How our mothers teach us to cook/or not...

My mother didn't teach me to cook she couldn't stand having someone underfoot in the kitchen but she did teach me to be fearless in the kitchen.

To not be tied to a recipe to substitute with abandon and be creative.
We shared the love of good food, growing a garden and enjoying the harvest.
Kitchen love is a good thing to pass on to our children.
Using word and art challenge from the Three Muses. Plus Artists in Blogland.
Creative Tuesday kitchen challenge as well.

Boundaries, little brothers and lessons learned Illustration Friday

2011-09-09T22:29:00.000-07:00

There is something about little brothers,they have a way of being right there in your face when you most want to be alone. Mothers try to teach them about personal boundaries but they don't seem to learn.

I wonder if when they grow up they will get it?

Watercolor with pen and ink.
A bit of paint party fun.

Sea Shells and patterns

2011-09-05T18:13:00.000-07:00

Playing with watercolor, pattern and shells.

Planning a weekend away to the beach hope to find some of these.

Inspiration Avenue pattern challenge.

Mysterious Illustration Friday

2011-09-04T17:20:00.000-07:00

She was half hidden under her hat, who was she?
It was a mystery.

By her side was a bowl of shells.

She was remembering when they collected them and wondering if he recalled the day as warmly as she did.
The shells were a keepsake of a very special day.

Labor Day end of summer :( we need to stretch it out a wee bit longer. Drying figs, harvesting tomatoes it's all good. Paint Party Friday end of summer check in.

Disguise Illustration Friday and end of summer paint party

2011-08-28T08:38:00.000-07:00

As disguises go it was not the best. Luckily the sunflowers were tall enough the children in the garden couldn't reach them. She still felt nervous and ready to duck between the petals when she heard the children or the dreaded cat.

I have had flowers and fairies stuck in my head after reading A.S. Byatt's The Children's Book.

Here and here are more of my fairies.

Paint Party Friday summers almost over but the sunflowers are really just getting going here on the west coast.

Sunflowers and fairies

2011-08-25T18:53:00.000-07:00

Sunflowers and fairies, which one to pick?

I have been working on a series of these, you can see more here and here

Sunflower challenge from Inspiration Avenue

A wee bit of Whimsical Wednesday as well.

This fit quite well with CREATIVE TUESDAY #41: Ideal Coffee Break

Fairy in the garden

2011-08-22T20:57:00.000-07:00

The dahlia made the perfect perch. Humming birds dropped by for a chat, bee's stopped by to gossip. It was social buzz central.
If only those pesky earwigs would move out!!!

The dahlias this year have made up for some of the other garden short comings ie: tomatoes basil/nil greens and zucchini and cukes +++++

The white dahlias are at least 6" across or close to 11" amazing!

Illustration Friday Influence

2011-08-19T22:52:00.000-07:00

Oh the excitement of a party! There had been preparation for days wonderful smells coming from the kitchen. Now under the influence of desire and temptation the sweets called her name. Did she dare to take just one? Would she be able to resist?
Paint Party challenge there may not be flowers but something yummy!

Swell Illustration Friday

2011-08-17T22:49:00.000-07:00

She was so proud of her children, her heart simply swelled when she watched them. How magical and special the connection to them was. In busy times it was taken for granted, it took the moments of reflection for their presence to be truly appreciated.

A watercolor and digital take on the same sketch which one do you think works best?

This little watercolor crept in stealthily just like a cat on soft paws, the way that the love of a pet can creep into your life.

This young mans heart swelled when ever he looked at her, whenever he thought of her. The fact that she liked him made it all the more overwhelming.

Imperfect, imperfection......

2011-08-08T21:40:00.000-07:00

He was searching for the perfect shell for her. It was the one thing she had asked him to bring back from his trip. He had walked this stretch of beach each day and could only find imperfect shells.

He wanted to bring perfection to her. Little did he know she would simply love the effort he had put into bringing her a gift from the beach, not something bought, but a treasure searched out.

Charming young man

2011-08-02T07:01:00.000-07:00

He had been keeping a secret.

For their anniversary he brought home fresh flowers and a handwoven willow picnic basket; nestled within, resting in a soft wool blanket a wonderful gourmet meal.

She was completely delighted.

Things with wings

2011-08-02T06:51:00.000-07:00

This little fairy is a rework of another post. She is cropped to fit this challenge and has added pen and ink. The original post is here . Which do you think works best?

Obsession both his and hers

2011-08-01T13:07:00.000-07:00

Her obsession with books and not being able to let go of the collection began to look like hoarding. The shelves became a jumble of disorder. There were old books of her mothers, fathers and grandparents her childhood books, cookery, garden, house design all wedged this way and that. Getting dustier and dustier....

Then he introduced his obsession...TV. Large, flat screen, blank, shiny surfaced thing. Which obsession will win out? Or can they coexist in peace?

The tea party, Inspiration Avenue Tea Time challenge

2011-07-27T23:02:00.000-07:00

She prepared the table for tea time, it would be the first one on one with her future mother in law.
She wanted everything to be perfect. The sun was shining, the table set for two. She used her favorite tablecloth and china, chose fresh flowers and baked fresh goodies.

She hoped it would be a memorable tea party and the beginning of a wonderful relationship.

Perennial Enchantment, Perennial Nemisis

2011-07-25T19:19:00.000-07:00

Perennial enchantment. As a child she believed in fairies. They were hiding in the flowers and ferns, Peonies being the favorite flower their blooms like fancy dresses, ruffled, frilled and pink.
That there could be magical winged creatures hiding within them only added to their allure.
Could there be.....
Perennial nemisis in the form of the worst of the weeds, she pulled them mulched over them starved them and they continued to outwit and outlast her. Yet looking at them as flowers they are quite lovely!

Gesture Illustration Friday

2011-07-17T21:12:00.000-07:00

He had never brought flowers to a girl before but as a gesture of his true affections....A little play with watercolor and digital coloring.

As a gesture of kindness she prepared the guest room for her visitors. Fresh flowers, water with lemon & mint, a selection of good books to browse. The bed turned down for the late arrival, a picture of comfort.

Again a play with both watercolor and digital painting, which do you think is more appealing?

As a gesture to her creative nature she made her wedding gown. It became a creation of borrowed, old and recycled as she used old family lines to baste together a bit of history.

Stay Illustration Friday

2011-07-12T22:20:00.000-07:00

Stay, or perhaps sit? Could there be a treat in the hidden hand?

Laughter is the best remedy

2011-07-03T12:49:00.000-07:00

Laughter might be the best medicine but remedy is pretty close.For Illustration Friday Remedy Challenge. Playing with watercolor and pen and ink. A long weekend here in Canada, sunshine and laughter it feels like summer. For Paint Party Friday Challenge of Summer.

I'm hearing the children in the

neighborhood running down to the beach and fireworks at Butchart Gardens last night.
Heading out into the garden to start watering again. Suddenly everything is dry.

Midsummers Night Illustration Friday

2011-06-29T21:55:00.000-07:00

Summer will it ever get warm? Nicotiana is one of my favorite summer flowers sweetly scented in the evening.
Watercolor and pen and ink in layers.

Launch

2011-06-19T16:50:00.000-07:00

Launch .illustration friday challenge. This gave me all kinds of ideas....
Butterflies and bees launching themselves from flower to flower.
I've added to this post with similar versions in watercolor. I'm playing between the two mediums.
paint party friday challenges
is all about challenges as muse. Here the muse is gardens, which ties into theme thursday challenge of summer.

Launching into a new sketch book/or writing a new story.

Or Super Boy launching off the hillside....flying........

Swept up, swept away? Illustration friday

2011-06-16T18:10:00.000-07:00

A little romance. Swept up, swept away....
Illustration friday swept challenge.

Boats

2011-06-06T20:20:00.000-07:00

Play with boats, for sunday postcard art some digital play. Which one do you think works best?

I started this with a textile design for Spoonflower but when I saw the challenge was boats thought I might rework it. Spent some time this morning on my brothers boat. Calm and sun filled.

Illustration friday shadows

2011-06-06T20:05:00.000-07:00

Shadow play illustration friday. Two cat who could be friends but are usually back to back avoiding one another. This japanese maple moves with the breeze casting dancing shadows. The japanese glass floats create a special mulch at the base of the tree. All glow and move with the sunlight.

And since there are elements of pink and brown I'm adding themethursday to the posting :)

Asleep, awakening, awake

2011-05-31T22:48:00.000-07:00

Some of the blossoms are asleep, some awakening and some awake.
For Illustration Friday asleep.
A little sun and the flowers pop.

I played around with the drawings and compositions which one do you think works best?

Eggs in the nest

2011-05-24T20:30:00.000-07:00

For the challenge eggs from Three Muses plus the challenge from themethursday for numbers. Can you see the numbers? They are subtle, were they laid in that order or will they hatch in that order?

Illustration Friday Soaked

2011-05-23T20:52:00.000-07:00

More Wet Dogs, this ones ears are making that flapping sound

Wet Dogs and more Soaked ones!

There is something about the smell of wet dogs. Nothing like a walk to the beach and the fragrance of damp dog for the rest of the day.

Thursday Challenge – Garden!

2011-05-16T21:33:00.000-07:00

In my garden is a big mistake these lovely nodding onions and bluebells. Very pretty to look at but what thugs!

They would like to rule the world. Multiply by bulb divison by seed by simply looking at them!!!!

Illustration Friday Safari

2011-05-16T21:29:00.000-07:00

sa·fa·ri/səˈfärē/

Noun: An expedition to observe or hunt animals in their natural habitat.

Where are these three going? Adventure is likely! There could be some form of hunt :)

Illustration Friday "Art Lesson"

2011-05-03T23:08:00.000-07:00

Art lessons came to mind, my favorites were as a child going to a neighbourhood art class and having all the art supplies you could think of available. Being able to make as much mess as you wanted, total creative freedom.

Girls and their secrets

2011-04-24T10:52:00.000-07:00

Little girls sharing a birthday secret. Amazing how they will share a secret as a group even when very young. This group is still all good friends many years later.
For the Theme Thursday challenge girls.

Bicycle Illustration Friday

2011-04-24T10:48:00.000-07:00

Proud boy with his new red bike. Prior to bandaged knees and elbows!
I think this was the first BMX bike one of many to follow.
Along with all the injuries that go with them.

Journey Illustration Friday

2011-04-21T07:16:00.000-07:00

The mystery; is someone pulling the wagon? Or is this an imaginary journey?
I think the cat would like it to be stationary!

I think I like the top one best...but am undecided. What do you think?

VICTORIAN ELEGANCE the three muses

2011-04-12T22:00:00.000-07:00

A very elegant victorian little one on an Easter egg hunt!
Imagine dressing little girls in all those frills and hats and in white?
The bunnies are multiplying....

Illustration Friday Bottled

2011-04-11T22:58:00.000-07:00

Contained in a magic bottle? A vase my daughter brought back from Mexico contains fresh from the garden flowers. Or contained in a terrarium?

Having been on holiday in Northern California seeing gardens that are just that little bit ahead of ours, I can't wait for some sunshine. I changed the background not sure which I prefer? What do you think?

Big Dog Squeaky Toy

2011-03-28T14:03:00.000-07:00

There is something very comical about a big dog with squeaky toys! Buddha loves this bright green very squeaky toy. He weighs in at over 100 lbs. but is really wanting to be a lap dog.

It was hard to sketch him with the toy not in movement! Mostly a lot of rolling around and jaw action!

Cultivate a love of reading early on.

2011-03-23T21:53:00.000-07:00

Playing with computer colouring over my pencil sketch.

I have the privilege of working with families to promote early literacy so the word cultivate brought to mind the cultivation of a love of reading.

Mind you the garden calls to be cultivated!
The weeds have really started to grow.

They Draw and Cook with fresh figs

2011-03-23T07:45:00.000-07:00

Fun Figs! This was an interesting challenge. We have a lovely fig tree and enjoy a short feast of figs each year, shared with the raccoons. There are some great looking fig recipes on the they draw and cook site.

Spring is just around the corner

2011-03-15T20:55:00.000-07:00

Spring will be here. Things will get better. We are so fortunate, may these flowers be a bouquet of hope to Japan.

There is rebirth in the spring season may it spread, with the buzz of bees, 123.

Started seeds this weekend in coldframes, and in the house. Thinking about living in an earthquake zone, being able to grow our own food....the joy of having fresh flowers.
We are so blessed.

Stir it up

2011-03-13T20:06:00.000-07:00

Stir up some family history...
Some are content to roll along others are "stirrers" who have to know.
Also thought of the Bob Marley song "Stir it up" a favorite.
Also a great children's book
Mean Soup where the Mum and little boy stir away the bad day!

Nest

2011-03-08T19:07:00.000-08:00

The last few posts of garden and son are all about the family nest. All of them are interconnected. The birds in the garden are all busy with the dance of spring nest building and family starting.

Boy to young man

2011-03-07T17:19:00.000-08:00

Theme Thursday challenge Men and/or Boys, I chose to work from images of my son from preschool to graduation. He has grown so much. For Three Muses challenge of ancestor I added the lovely old photo of his great grandfather. They never met, I wonder what they would have thought of one another?

Warnings buzzed the bee

2011-03-07T16:22:00.000-08:00

Warnings buzzed the bees to the birds; Spring is almost here. If it ever stops raining.....Which version do you think works best? Sometimes I don't know when to stop. Thanks for looking.

Swarm or at least a small swarm of bees

2011-02-28T14:26:00.000-08:00

For Illustration Friday a small swarm of bees. There really were bees in the garden only a few days ago, then we had snow, rain, sun, and freezing again! Poor bees! We have neighbours who keep bees and have had them swarm through our apple trees it is quite a sight and sound experience.

Hot Layers!

2011-02-21T20:09:00.000-08:00

How many layers? Too many to count. Layers being the Illustration Friday challenge. Crazy indian bedspread table cloth, crazy being the Theme Thursday challenge, layers of different flowers and hot colours. Hot being the Three Muses challenge . Spring will be coming eventually we are expecting snow again, the brave winter aconite and crocus are out and the dahlias are but summer dreams.
Being back at work full times stretches me to try and and combine all the art challlenges that I can. I'm trying to discipline myself to at least spend some time painting each week.

Words, Quotation and Sweater What could these things have in common?

2011-02-14T16:23:00.000-08:00

The starting point: West Coast Tofino in a Cowichan Sweater for the Illustration Friday Sweater Challenge. Nothing more coastal. This is my old sweater (20 + years) that my daughter now loves, totally in fashion again. Then scanning and adding pen (never know quite when to stop)

Then adding words/quote for the Theme Thursday Word Challenge

Then the quote which is one of my all time favorites for the Three Muses quotation challenge.

Which one do you think works best? I have looked too long. Here is a link to an amazing uplifting short clip it has nothing to do with the challenges other than being a great short that my husband received and immediatly had to share, the production quality is great as well as the message.

Black and White Home

2011-02-07T12:18:00.000-08:00

Home in Black and White with faithful pets waiting. This was done in watercolour and then scanned in greyscale.

In Reverse!

2011-02-06T19:34:00.000-08:00

Reverse or fastforward, I'm ready doggles and all! Lets go...