Home Again and New Bookmark to Show

I'm home and settled after spending the week on the other side of the continent in California caring for my elderly mom and enjoying a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family. That's my family (below) about 10 years ago. Gathered for Thanksgiving were all of us plus spouses and children, seventeen altogether.

It was a tender and bittersweet holiday around mom's bed. I am so honored and grateful to be part of a family, who not only celebrates a holiday with genuine hospitality, but can serve Thanksgiving dinner on cardboard boxes covered in sheets, yet loaded with class and refinement!

On the long flight home I was able to design Morning Glory Mouse bookmark (below) and spend some quality time with my teenage daughter.

The Morning Glory Mouse bookmark can be purchased here or here. Also, remember to take a look at the little Titmouse Bird painting I finished in California.

New Miniature- Bird Series One Done!

SOLD
5" x 5"
Watercolor and Colored Pencil


As many of you know, I am in California caring for my elderly mom and looking forward to a Thanksgiving/ family reunion in a few days. I was able to complete this little painting while here in Bakersfield and over the next few weeks, (while I take breaks from illustrating my new children's book; Duncan's Magic Garden), I hope to create a series of three 5"x5" paintings which depict the little bird called a Tufted Titmice. My friend on Twitter mikeyboy50, gave me permission to use his beautiful photographs as reference (thanks Mikey!). I'm using Art Boards, which have Arches Cold Press 156 lb watercolor paper mounted to Natural Fiber Panels. The panels are about 1/2 thick with little mounting brackets on the back so they are ready to hang and I had planned on selling all three 5"x5" paintings as a group, but just couldn't wait to share this one!
Enjoy!

New Miniature Art -Titmouse Bird Series

I am in California caring for my elderly mom and anticipating a wonderful Thanksgiving/ family reunion in a few days. I brought a "bare bones" assortment of art supplies and am hoping to create at least one new miniature piece of art while I am here. Over the next few weeks, between sessions on my new children's book; Duncan's Magic Garden, I envision a series of 5"x5" paintings which depict three little birds called Tufted Titmice. My friend on Twitter mikeyboy50, gave me permission to use his wonderful photographs as reference and the surface I am using is new to me. I'm trying out three Art Boards. These boards have Arches Cold Press 156 lb watercolor paper mounted to Natural Fiber Panels. The panels are about 1/2 thick with little mounting brackets on the back so they are ready to hang. The Arches Watercolor Paper is mouldmade in France with 100% cotton fiber content, pH neutral and gelatin sized. So far, I love the surface!

Now...I did not bring my camera, so you are going to have to use a bit of imagination on these photographs since they were taken with me cell phone!

Tufted Titmouse work in progress one:



Tufted Titmouse work in progress two:



Tufted Titmouse work in progress three:


Enjoy!

A Thanksgiving Journey

I am headed out to California again tomorrow morning (at 2:00 AM!) to care for my elderly mother. Most of you know that my siblings and I have been taking turns flying into Bakersfield California from all corners of the continent. We have been caring for mom (who has been confined to bed since she broke her hip two years ago), making it possible for her to stay in her wonderful little house rather than a rest home. However, this cross-country journey will be different! I am bringing my teenage daughter with me and there will be a convening of family members who have not seen each other in nearly ten years! It will be a family reunion/Thanksgiving celebration all around mom's bed. I am really looking forward to traveling with my daughter and spending time with my family over this special holiday.



(mom and my "little brother" above)
Happy Thanksgiving!

Winter Mornings

There is often a sliver of time when my family is bundled out the door to work and school...when my studio fills with brilliant-frosty edged morning sunshine. When its frigid outside but the fire is burning bright and warm inside and the day is full of possibilities. My animal family all settle in, relishing the warmth, sunshine, and quiet. These moments are like little gifts to me, they are a personal oasis that I treasure each time they unfold on winter mornings.

Newsletter?

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New Miniature ACEO Finished!

"Henry Meets the Mice"
ACEO (3.5" by 2.5")
India ink and colored pencil
with some white Acrylic

Read all about Henry the amazing three legged cat here! Check out the step be step of this little miniature work of art below:





What a pleasure it was to work on this special little ACEO (2.5 " by 3.5" miniature painting) to help promote Henry, the amazing three legged cat and his new mouse friends from our children's book: Moonlight Memoirs

New Miniature ACEO Nearly Done

Work in progress five (above)

Previous steps (below) click on the thumbnails to enlarge.




I am coming into the home stretch on this special little ACEO (2.5 " by 3.5" miniature painting) to help promote Henry, the amazing three legged cat and his new mouse friends from our children's book: Moonlight Memoirs You can read all about Henry, see more steps of the painting, and learn about this project here.

Little Further On New Miniature Painting ACEO

Work in progress four (above)


Work in progress three (above)

I am working on a special little ACEO (2.5 " by 3.5" miniature painting) to help promote Henry the amazing three legged cat and his new mouse friends from our children's book: Moonlight Memoirs You can read all about Henry, see more steps of the painting, and learn about this project here.

Henry Meets The Mice, New Mini ACEO

I am taking a brief intermission from my new children's book illustrations to create a special little ACEO (2.5 " by 3.5" miniature painting) This little painting is intended to help promote Henry (right) and his new mouse friends from our children's book: Moonlight Memoirs

Henry, (as in What's The Matter With Henry?) has just met the two main character from our recently published story, Moonlight Memoirs You may remember these two little mice who first leaped from my brush three years ago. I'll introduce you again if you have forgotten...



On the right is Flanders the black mouse, and the left is Aloua (ah-lo-ah) the white mouse. Henry (the amazing three legged cat who has helped thousand of humans and critters) having just met met Flanders and Aloua, is hoping to help these wee little mice to further their message of hope and compassion. My job, as the artist is to give you a visual picture of these three charming critter's rendezvous and collaboration! So, this is "Henry Meets The Mice" Work In Progress (WIP) one:



Work In Progress (WIP) two:

Wordless Wednesday