Illustration Friday - Separated

Separated by just a few inches...good thing he's a monkey!  He'll get it in no time!

I did this illustration using cold press paper, watercolors and used a brush and ink to outline.  I really like the way the cold press paper blends, but it does not scan (on my scanner) very well.  Oh well!  He's still pretty cute!  

Hope you all have fabulous holidays coming up!

Illustration Friday - Round

Mama mouse and her little mouselets were very pleased with their choice this year!

For my submission for Illustration Friday's word round this week I kept thinking about those really round, large lollipops and for some reason coupled this with the idea of picking out a Christmas tree!  So the perfect combination....a mouse family picking out their perfect lollipop!  It's funny how when you start to doodle and sketch an idea how it morphs and changes into something so different from what you started with!

Illustration Friday - Silent

Here's my submission for IF's word silent.  One of my favorite things in the world to do as a child was to lay in the snow by myself and just listen to the silence.  It was so peaceful...no sounds just me, the snow and the sky.  I often wondered what our snowmen felt after me and my siblings went inside for the day.  Were they sad that the fun of the day was over?  Or were they happy to have the night sky to themselves? 

I did this painting with a little bit of everything...watercolor, guoache, acrylic, charcoal pencil and salt!  It was fun to finally have the time to play!  I may even use this for our Christmas card!

Illustration Friday - Stripes

Here's my submission for Illustration Friday's word stripes.  I tried something different this week...colored pencils!  They were fun to work with and with a subject like zebras...it was double the fun!

Illustration Friday - Scary

(Scroll down to see both)

Frankenduck strikes again!

This was my first illustration for IF's theme scary...but it seemed like it needed a background (see below).  What do you think?  Better or not?

Illustration Friday - Fuel

These ghosts are getting fueled up for their big night!

Happy Halloween Everyone!

Illustration Friday - Scattered

I must admit, I am a bit scattered lately...we are getting to the end point of an addition on our house...cabinets and carpets are coming next week and there has been lots and lots of painting to do...unfortunately it's wall and ceiling and baseboard painting, not watercolors!!  I have also been revising a book I have written and working on revising some of the sketches.  My etsy shop has had several custom orders lately and mix that with the kids and soccer every night and the rest of the regular everyday stuff?...You guessed it...my brain is scattered a bit these days! So here's a little something I've been working on...she's supposed to be swinging with her brother next to her, but I haven't gotten that far!

  

Illustration Friday - Hibernate

Nighty-night little bear!

I missed IF last week because I have had several custom orders in acrylic paints this past month.  BUT, boy it feels good to use watercolors again...it's only been a few weeks, but I missed them!

Illustration Friday - Mesmerizing

Charlotte found butterflies to be mesmerizing.

I, on the other hand have become quite intrigued with mushrooms lately.  We went for a hike in the woods recently with the kids and I could not believe the number and variety of mushrooms we found...large, small, red, yellow, silver, gold...so I have been working on some sketches with Little Charlotte and her favorite companions - mushrooms!!

Illustration Friday - Mysterious

"She says she wants to be mysterious."

Illustration Friday - Disguise

For this week's Illustration Friday's word disguise, I chose to do a picture of a leaf jumper.  For one, their colors are a natural disguise - blending into their surroundings!!  Secondly, my children have been catching them all summer long and I've been really wanting to draw them!  They are hard to find, usually under the leaves and jump very far when startled. It makes for great entertainment for my kids!  Oh - and by the way, they actually don't wear green and yellow sneakers...but I thought they'd be cute! 

Illustration Friday - Influence

What bigger influence is there than the moon?  It changes the tides, it effects our moods, makes coyotes howl, sends women into labor and its brightness and beauty can keep you up at night (like my little bunny friend!)!

Illustration Friday - Swell

Nothing like the swell of a freshly blown bubble!

Here's my entry for Illustration Friday this week.  I have been trying to use ink and a dip pen to line lately, to get more comfortable with it.  I also forced myself to do people this week, as I usually stick to animals.  I am okay with how it turned out...I don't know, I may have to revisit this one again.

Illustration Friday - Imperfect

Imperfect...prince.  Little brothers "sigh"!

Illustration Friday - Obsession

Here is my submission for the word obsession for Illustration Friday.  "Why  a pig skateboarding?", you ask? Well, every summer this last week of July the X Games are held and shown on TV...thus creating a several month long obsession for my three boys.  They get out their skateboards, their bikes and their scooters and try to mimic the tricks they have seen or create tricks of their own.  Just this morning we traveled to three towns (close by) to find an open skate park so they could use the ramps for even more "gnarly" tricks!  They love it and I love the fact that they are outside all day long.  So here's to summer fun...until the next obsession begins...usually right around the start of the football season!

Illustration Friday - Gesture and Perennial

Well since I was away with my family last week I had no time to paint...too much fun and sun to be had!  SO...this week I combined the two!  Nothing like a sweet gesture of Badger's favorite perennial fruit for his birthday!  Maybe it's a stretch...but they both seem quite pleased!

Illustration Friday - Stay

(Click on image for a closer look!)

Stay and chat.

For this week's If word stay I redid my elephant and mouse header...changed the mouses position and the elephant's trunk a little and played a bit more with the colors!

Illustration Friday - Remedy

"Maybe if I just touch this button it will remedy my computer problems?"

Here's my entry for IF's word remedy...just a quick one before the 4th of July weekend!

Illustration Friday - Midsummer Night

My favorite, favorite thing to do in the summer is night walks on the beach!  I love when it gets a little chilly out (hear in New England anyway) when you need a light sweater or sweatshirt, when the sun is setting or the moon is rising, listening to the sounds of the waves...it's just so peaceful.  Usually my husband and I walk along watching our children run ahead splashing in the waves or stopping to pick up a shell or cool stone. Our happiest summer days are those spent at the beach!!

Illustration Friday - Launch

For If's word launch this week, I thought of pair figure skaters where the guy launches the girl high into the air!  It's so amazing and equally frightening!  How do they ever land on their feet?  So, here are my little bunny friends skating away!

Illustration Friday - Shadows

Who was it again that said night lights were a good idea?...I'd like to have a word with him!

It's funny how night lights are there to brighten the room and help your little one feel safe and secure when going to bed.  But have you ever noticed the crazy shadows they create around the room?  I think I'll just leave the hall light on instead!

This post is for Illustration Friday's word shadows.  A few weeks ago I set out to challenge myself by trying different things with my artwork each week (although last week I didn't have any time so I reverted back to my usual ways!).  Anyway, this week I decided to try to use ink and a dip pen to line the piece to start.  I usually use a charcoal pencil after, so I was a bit nervous to ink it...thought I'd ruin it for sure since I've only played around with it on scrap paper!  BUT, I think it came out pretty good, a bit wobbly here and there, but it's definitely something I'd like to do more of!  So stay tuned!

Illustration Friday - Asleep

Isn't it such bliss when your little one falls asleep in your arms?  

I just loved when my children were babies and would be so warm and snuggly in my arms, then they'd fall asleep. Each one of my children were very different.  My oldest cried ALL of the time, nothing seemed to soothe him.  My second slept for three straight months (practically), then hasn't really slept much since! My third and fourth have always been great sleepers (so far)...for naps and at night....thank goodness!  My favorite thing, though, for all of my children was feeding them then rocking them to sleep...even if it was the middle of the night, when it was just me and the baby in a quiet house...it was pure bliss!

Illustration Friday - Soaked

   Someone is about to get soaked!

Okay, okay, so maybe this is cheating a little, BUT, it is week #2 of my own "Trying Something New Challenge"!  So last week I tried a bit of looseness in my watercolor.  And this week I thought I would try to do an illustration in acrylics.  So, I wanted to do an illustration that was simple to try it out and still fit into the theme.  I have used acrylics before for flowers or decorating frames and things, but not for an illustration!  I have to say I have always enjoyed acrylics...the boldness of color, the smoothness on the canvas.  I think it is definitely something I'd like to do more of...the lining and details were a bit tricky, as I used a brush, as opposed to watercolor where I usually use a charcoal pencil.  But overall, I think a good experiment!  If anyone has any tips for illustrating with acrylics, I'd love to hear them!  Thanks!

Illustration Friday - Safari

For this week's Illustration Friday word safari, I wanted to try to be a bit more loose with my painting.  It is a bit out of my comfort zone.  I also wanted to do an animal that I haven't really done before.  So,  since my daughter LOVES Diego the Animal Rescuer AND since I seemed to have the song "Symbiotic" ( a song about the rhino and oxpecker"s symbiotic relationship) stuck in my head....here they are!!  I am really happy with how it turned out!

Illustration Friday - Beginner

Beginner Butterflies!

Think about it...these butterflies just a few weeks ago were crawling around with lots and lots of legs.  They built a little house to take a snooze and when they woke up...they have wings and can (gulp) fly? I'd be a little  nervous and tentative, too!  But of course, mom is always there to encourage and support! So, here's to beginners everywhere and thanks to the moms that are our greatest fans!  

Love you Mom!

Illustration Friday - Lesson

This little owl may need a few more basketball lessons before she gets the hang of it!  Don't give up little owl!

Illustration Friday - Bicycle

This week's Illustration Friday word prompt is bicycle.  My boys LOVE their bikes!!  They can't wait for that first sign of spring so they can get out their bikes!  They create an "off-road" course around our yard, they make jumps and have races!  I'm sure once their little sister is old enough to pedal a "big girl" bike she'll be right with them...for tons and tons of backyard fun!  

Illustration Friday - Bottled

My little 3 year old daughter LOVES mermaids!  In fact she says all of the time, "When I grow up, I am going to be a mermaid!"  So this here is for her...maybe if she cannot become one when she grows up,  perhaps one day, while the sun is setting and her parents are packing up all of the beach belongings, she'll run back to the water for one last try at catching "something".  She'll dunk her bottle in and come up with a teeny, tiny...mermaid!


This is my second go at IF's theme "bottled".  Have you ever put something on your blog, art or otherwise, and realize you shouldn't have?  I had another illustration on here- something I had done in an art class - because I didn't think I'd have time to paint this week.  And it just ate at me for the last day or so.  It just wasn't "me".  So, this little sketch of the above scene kept calling to me...so, needless to say...I found time to paint it!  And...I am so glad I did...I really like how it came out!

Illustration Friday - Duet

Is there a better duet than one done by Bunny and Cher?  I think not!

Illustration Fridays - Toy

The best toys are the ones that everyone gets excited about!  

This was inspired my Little Ian's 6th Birthday on Friday!  Happy Birthday!

This week I used gouache paints...I like the vibrant colors...not sure...would love to hear your thoughts!

IF-Cultivate

This is a painting I did for a family friend for the holidays.  I have a very busy week coming up and don't think I'll have time to get a new piece done. It was done with acrylic paints on canvas.  Any-hoo....I thought this fit the word cultivate...I can't wait to start my gardens this year...lots of new plans!  Happy Spring everyone!

Illustration Fridays - Stir

Henry was tired of dreaming, so he set out into the world to discover new adventures!  When chef Tomas was busy stirring his sauce and reached for a bit more oregano, he was quite surprised to find Henry scurrying along!  Perhaps this kitchen should not have been his first choice for an escapde!

As I was falling asleep the other night this image popped into my head, slant and all for IF's word stir. I was somewhat reluctant as I usually shy away from "people" images...but I am very happy with how this turned out!  

Illustration Fridays - Warning

Little Green Dino didn't care about the rough seas warning...nothing could keep him from catching some gnarly waves!

IF-Swarm

Henry was a night dreamer.  He dreamed he could fly around at night with the friendly swarm of fireflies and have great adventures!

Illustration Fridays - Layers

After hearing about what happened to his brothers, the third Little Pig got right to work on his layers of bricks!

My son wanted to get into the IF action this week with his own illustration. "This picture is about aliens that are building, or trying to build a skyscraper using layers of concrete."  Andrew, age 9 1/2

Illustration Fridays - Sweater

For IF this week, I did two quick illustrations for the word is sweater.  Since it is Valentine's Day, I thought I'd share an image of me and my husband.  Before we met my husband saw me on our college campus and  (I guess) I had on a pink sweater...so from then on he referred to me as "the pink sweater chick"  (very romantic, I know.)  However, he used to tell his friends that he was going the marry that pink sweater chick.  When we finally met it was definitely love at first sight...we have been married 13 years and this is our 19th Valentine's Day together!  

Below...I thought I'd do and owl version of us!

Illustration Fridays - Reverse

(Click on picture to enlarge!)

This crew of pups was just about the reach the pier, when all of a sudden a great wind kicked up and sent them in the reverse direction!  Poor puppies! 

I really had fun doing this!  I used watercolor and a bit of acrylic paint with charcoal liner... :)!

Spring has Sprung!

With the winter the way it has been going, I am starting to wish (very hard) for spring!  Although I enjoy the snow...it has gotten to me a bit!  My children have not had a full week of school since we came back from Christmas break , I feel as if we are constantly shoveling and I have been in desperate need of some springiness.  So today, while rummaging around, found some lovely yellow patterned papers...just the inspiration I needed!  I had this cute bunny and butterfly watercolor, but didn't like the way I had done the background...enter fun yellow paper and ta-da...Spring has sprung!  I have never played with paper before...so it may not be great, but it sure is cheery!  And below is my three year old daughter's beautiful piece!  In my opinion, much better than mine!

Illustration Fridays - Surrender

Surrender the Day

Blocks have been stacked,

Cars have been zoomed,

Balls have been kicked,

Games have been played,

Teeth have been brushed,

Books have been read.

The time has come to Surrender the day.

Illustration Fridays - Dusty

Emma's favorite times on the farm were spent running with the piglets down the dusty dirt road.


Here's my entry for Illustration Friday's word - dusty!  I added a little colored pencil here and there with the watercolors this time...

Illustration Fridays - Chicken

"Come down here this instant!  How many times have I told you not to play on the farmer's new puppy?"

Here's my illustration for this week's IF word chicken.  For some reason the scan of it kept coming out very grainy...not sure why.

Illustration Fridays - Deja Vu

Please scroll down to see all :)!

Did I help you to have your own Deja-vu moment?  For this week's Illustration Friday prompt Deja-vu, I thought I'd try the same picture over and over with slightly different techniques!  I was trying to see what I liked better...charcoal pencil shading and outline, pencil outline or sepia ink pen outline...hmmm. 

 Any thoughts?