Illustration Friday - Phenomenon

The most wonderful phenomenon of all: MAGIC! Just ask any child (or Harry Potter fan) or watch a beautiful sunset. Magic is everywhere!

(This is painted and collaged on a wood panel. I put it on my Etsy site because it would be perfect for a girl's room - but I, alas, only have a little boy. I guess I need to make one for a boy's room too, because my son really loves magic.)

Technology Fatigue

Sometimes I feel like technology is taking over everything. It used to be that when you wanted directions, you looked at a map; to do research, you went to the library; to look at pictures, you pulled out a photo album...now everything is done on the computer! I feel like I am always looking at that glowing screen. And I long for the days when the computer was just a tool I used at work.

Can we ever go back to a less computerized lifestyle? Would anyone even want to? Will our children be able to imagine a different way of living, or will they be completely dependent on their technology?

This weekend I was feeling the need to disconnect from it all, so I took my son and went to the woods. He played on the rocks while I drew in my sketchbook. The sun was warm on my face and there was a soft breeze. It was beautiful, peaceful, and there was not a computer in sight. Perfect!!!

Illustration Friday - Caged

Sometimes it feels like we are all caged inside our own homes-- separated from each other and the world around us.

I love it when I unexpectedly find myself outside at night, maybe taking out the garbage, and I look up and- BOOM! I'm struck by the incredible and infinite beauty of the night sky. "Wow...what a world we live in!"

I think there is something fundamentally important about looking at the night sky. Last night, my five-year-old son was in bed and said to me "Mom, can I go look out the window and make sure the stars are there?"

Summer's the perfect time to get free from the walls and roof, and gaze at the stars!

Flowers, Flowers Everywhere!

(detail)

This is an image I created for the Capitola Begonia Festival poster competition. The festival has flower-covered river floats, flower projects, and flowers everywhere!

This is a much bigger size than I usually work in (18 x 24 inches) and is made of hundreds and hundreds of pieces of tissue paper. It didn't get chosen, but it was very fun to make! (I got to see the winning artwork today, and it is really great!)

DREAM!

This is an image I created for The Dream Rocket project.

The Dream Rocket is a collaborative art project in which people will create fabric "Dream Panels" with images of their hopes for the future. The panels will all be sewn together and used to wrap a Saturn V Rocket.

“The Saturn V Moon Rocket is the ideal example of achieving a dream that was considered 'impossible.' Whether your dream is curing cancer, going to Mars, or ending world hunger, the Saturn V is an inspiring visual reminder that any dream can come true. If we can work together to put a man on the moon, we can do anything.”

-Jennifer Marsh, Director/Founder

I LOVE the idea of this. As you can see in this image, I am a big fan of rockets and BIG dreams!

If you are able, please consider creating a Dream Panel or donating one to a local (or international) school. What a great way to get kids thinking about the future and working together for a better world!

Illustration Friday - Welcome

A very welcome guest: May the Bluebird of Happiness visit you soon!

Illustration Friday - Strong

She gathered her strength and faced her fears. They put up a good fight, but they were no match for her!


(I've been meaning to make this image for over a year now, but I put it off because I didn't think that making a 'Fear Fighter' would be very fun. But, of course, it was!!!)

Illustration Friday - Worn

Dreaming of the well-worn cabin in the woods-- where everything is out-of-date, threadbare, comfortable and well-loved.

Illustration Friday - Craving

When she craved cake, she really craved cake!

The Adventurer

The world was waiting . . . so off she went!