Old

Getting old is for old people. No matter what outer "packages" we're currently in, we've all come equipped with our own internal fountains of youth. We just have to remember to drink like we're thirsty, every now and then. 

Bottoms up!

Path

I'm not sure if this old sentiment is actually an Irish blessing, but since it's close to St. Patrick's Day, I just gave it a few shamrocks and will stick with it as this week's contribution for Illustration Friday. 

My alternate, unabridged version of this saying adds "...It's just that all the sociopaths and psychopaths along the way create extra- long detours." (OK, maybe that was inappropriate, but that's what was on my mind. "Paths," get it?) A wee bit of mischief always comes naturally- I do have a little Irish ancestry and the leprechauns were calling again! 

Besides, if you're reading this, you're not too far away for me to wish you a Happy St. Patrick's Day!  

P.S. I'd like to add that this was an experimental effort, a quick mixed media piece. I rarely discuss my process here, but lately I've been changing it up a bit for my own sanity's sake. Experi- "mental," maybe? This began as a really rough thumbnail sketch, hand lettered and then enlarged as a copy, painted over with diluted white acrylic paint (mainly to fade the sketch) and colored with pens on semi- wet paint, building up the color as it was still appearing pretty transparent. The final stage was to go over it with Prismacolor pencils. The paint gave the inexpensive paper a little more "tooth," grabbing the pigment more favorably. I might like to try this technique again using a heavier weight paper and with more concentration on my part. Stay tuned!

Let's Get Figgy!

Hello to all my adventurous art and cooking friends out there!

You're probably already familiar with They Draw and Cook, the Internet's largest collection of illustrated recipes created by artists from around the world, brought to you by the most dynamic duo of creative siblings teams, Nate Padavick and Salli Swindell. 

I'm thrilled to introduce their latest published collection of recipes for fig lovers- Let's Get Figgy, containing 30 delectably illustrated recipes. The recipe I submitted for the Year of the Fig contest was among those selected. If you take a peek, you'll understand how excited I was to be included- little ol' me stirred up into the mix of all these talented artists and chefs!

100% of the proceeds from the sales of this book will assist in the relaunch of their new website, which is scheduled to debut this fall. Check it out here and be the first one in your neighborhood to get your copy! Stay tuned- They'll surely be dishing up platefuls of tasty surprises and inspiration, delivered directly to you from kitchens and studios from around the globe!