Adding Color to "Entangle"

By adding a little color to these pups and cutting them loose with a little more whipped cream, perhaps it will raise the mischief level a notch!

Entangle, Illustration Friday

December brings an unexplained energy surge, but not usually until the week before the big holiday. Maybe it's due to the fact that some people are still emerging from under the mountain of Thanksgiving leftovers.
These pups are entangled in swirls of whipped cream, enjoying the sweet transition from one holiday to the next. With more than a day's worth of calories to burn, maybe I'll find the energy to finish this pencil sketch before next week's Illustration Friday post!

Music, Illustration Friday

This being the day after Thanksgiving, I give thanks to Illustration Friday for not publishing today's word on time. Last Friday's topic had me digging through stacks of old pieces as the holiday approached. Meanwhile, time was impatiently tapping it's toe.
I took a break from the frantic pace, then it became clear to me that the hum of bees and other insects dancing through the garden were some of nature's most perfect music.
Ta-dah!

Unbalanced, Illustration Friday

“The truth is balance. However the opposite of truth, which is unbalance, may not be a lie.” ~ Susan Sontag

Ask a Libra to interpret this, and you might find yourself waiting for a lo-o-o-ong time to get a response. So when Illustration Friday prompted with the word "Unbalanced," the concept was clear in my mind. However, the following Thursday evening was as early as my visual interpretation was going to be.

Keeping everything under control is a daily struggle, knowing that eventually, the bones will want to come out to play!

Blur, Illustration Friday

“The supreme accomplishment is to blur the line between work and play.” ~ Arnold Toynbee

From Illustration Friday, this week's word embodied by this quote inspired some play time. No deadlines, no insane or evil bosses, just a pad of bristol board, some gouache, a little Hawaiian music and a sketch I stashed in my "to do" book sent me off to this zone.

Explaining to people that I draw pictures for a living has often been like an admission of guilt. I used to wonder when I'd find a real job.

For the moment, I have no worries.

Skinny, Illustration Friday

Now that Halloween is past us, our good consciences start to remind (nag) us about healthier choices. Every year, the holiday arrives like a test of willpower, to see how prepared we'll be to handle the barrage of treats heading down the pike. Adding insult to injury, Illustration Friday beat 'em to it with this week's word, "Skinny."

Three more weeks until the next big test. C'mon, a skinny little french fry wouldn't hurt, would it?

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.