Welcome, Illustration Friday

Welcome to this week's posting for Illustration Friday!
Like little lambs that stray from the flock, a wayward person can generally return home to friends and family, knowing that he or she will be welcomed with open arms.
This little boy thought he could escape his troubles by trying a new life as a bird, but discovered the place he truly belonged!

Strong, Illustration Friday

Only the strong survive. Sometimes people can be like old classic cars, a little worn on the outside, perhaps not functioning with all original parts, and made of stuff the newer models can only dream of. They didn't get to this point in time by coasting along and they certainly aren't ready to surrender easily, either.
To meet this week's challenge for Illustration Friday, an image of a matronly woman as a symbol of strength came to mind. She's been around for awhile, she's dealt with a fair amount of hardship and she's seriously going to meet her challenges head on!

Magnify, Illustration Friday

Sad events, such as watching our loved ones leave us, can magnify the sensation of loneliness.

Caution, Illustration Friday

Here in Southern California, the lifestyle is a little more casual than in some places. The warm climate calls upon us to participate in outdoor activities which require comfortable clothing. Among some beach goers, it's evident that quite a few live by the philosophy, "If the bikini fits, wear it."
A more modest approach might be taken by those who exercise caution in their fashion choices, but sometimes the probability of an extended beach season and the temptation of a late summer sale are too much to bear.

Impatience, Illustration Friday

Good things come to those who wait. Patience is a virtue. How many other lessons in patience are we taught, to be satisfied with our deferred rewards for exercising restraint?
Then there are those who abide by the rules of impatience. First come, first served, the early bird gets the worm, or in this case, the fastest pup gets the pizza! While the rest of us obediently wait for our slice of the pie, we may ponder, what else of lasting value remains for the impatient when there's nothing left to grab?

Modify, Illustration Friday

It would be necessary to modify one's sleeping arrangements to take up residence among the birds.
This illustration is a sample from "Bird Boy," a children's picture book written by P.J. Young, about a boy who dreamed of being a bird. It came to mind as Illustration Friday posted this week's word.
How often do we modify our appearances, aspirations and behavior, accommodating others' expectations to the detriment of our own internal compasses?

Idle, Illustration Friday

What could be more idle than a potato, just sitting there, waiting to serve a more useful purpose? Illustration Friday's challenge for this week motivated me to dust off the paintbox and start painting again.
I'm hopeful that this first posting will encourage me to be more productive in my creative efforts.