Villain

Oh, you expected to be PAID for that?

Depending on your perspective, this guy might not be the most insidious or dangerous of all the bad guys out there. But let me tell you, he can be one of the most annoying. He began with a simple pencil sketch, inked and scanned, then a little color added via Photoshop. He's been bugging me for weeks, so I felt compelled to let him escape and get him out there on Illustration Friday to illustrate "Villain."

I'm not here to preach or judge, of course. But you've probably noticed that I might sneak in a mini-sermonette here and there. Whatever possesses us to do the "creative" things we do, let our consciences be our guides. Sharing inspiration is priceless. But the execution of those ideas really shine, especially when you can honestly claim the sum of those efforts as your very own. (Avoiding straying deeper into the discussion of copyright issues now, for everyone's benefit.)

OK, stepping down from that soapbox... ;o) I just want to keep things light here.

As always, it's a joy to receive visitors and your comments are appreciated. 

If you've been with me the past few posts, I've started replying to your comments directly below.  And if we've been in touch through email, I can continue to reply directly that way, too. The season is changing, and I'm simply trying to stir my pot a little differently!

Heart

I have to admit that my heart fluttered when I learned that this week's theme over at Illustration Friday would have us rushing to check our pulses for signs of creative life. Thankfully, it wasn't related to actual health concerns. After all, I try to show a bit of restraint when I order that small cone, not double- dipped in chocolate, no matter what either I or the devil desires. ;o)
Motifs associated with hearts and love figure prominently and obviously on Valentine's Day, weddings, anniversaries or any joyful occasion or expression of endearment, so this should be an easy topic to conceptualize!
But I don't intend to go overboard emoting, wear my feelings on my sleeve and get all touchy- feely- kissy- face with this one. Messages sent from beneath the surface are often ambiguous anyway, open to interpretation, good or bad, clear or murky.
Do you see disappointment here in this picture? A sinking heart? Heaven forbid, is love something to constrain, to slowly drown underwater? Or is it something steadily anchored, yet easily let loose from deep within your heart?

Pointy

Pointy

Certain descriptive terms seemed odd to me when I was a kid, like "prickly heat," for one. I envisioned sharp pointy things protruding from a person's skin, much like the spines on a cactus or  the scaly hide like one might find on the back of an alligator.  I don't recall ever knowing anybody who actually suffered from this condition, at least not as I imagined it to be.

Pokey things just seem to be a part of the scenery in a desert landscape such as southern California. Things are still pretty dry, and somewhere, someone is probably experiencing the symptoms of varying degrees of heat rash here and there. But mostly "there," as in that place where my mind seems to be wandering off to today. It could be that the heat is getting to me, but let's not focus on thorny barbs and brambles, OK? It's making my skin crawl and this is beach season, after all...

When Illustration Friday provided the prompt "Pointy" this week, instead of sharp objects, it made me think of enjoying this summery sunshine while it lasts and maybe an ice cream cone to cool off.

It's still August, isn't it? Let's enjoy it while it lasts!

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!

Reflection

Looking back, I see reflections of some places, faces and things that I don't recognize anymore. 

The truth is not always as pretty as we want it to be, so we just get fitted with some rose colored glasses and keep moving along as we always do, as long as we're able.

You see, spring is on its way and there is still much beauty to behold...

Hope you're catching a glimpse of that beauty, too.

Wheel, Illustration Friday

Today's lesson in not so ancient history-
Once upon a time, there was no such thing as a "scale" tool option or even a personal computer, for that matter.
This was one of the "go to " tools of choice, the little proportional scale. By lining up the coordinates on the inner and outer wheels where the sizes of the original and desired sizes were printed, the required percentage of enlargement or reduction could be then viewed in the cutout window.
Good eyesight and a general working knowledge of decimals and fractions were all it took to get the rest of that project moving along. That and being allowed the use of the front office's copier, once they started making them with standard enlargement and reduction features!

Ferocious, Illustration Friday

Minor inconveniences of living in southern California, our Santa Ana winds roar down mountain canyons and seemingly blow everything that's not nailed down out to sea. Along with bone dry days and generally aggravating conditions for those who are prone to allergies, they often increase the likelihood of wildfires, by accident or arson. These winds are not nearly as destructive as tornadoes, but still ferocious!

I'll Show You Mine...(TDAC, IF-Cultivate)

It was too tempting to keep this under wraps, so "bare" with me, as I post my submission for They Draw And Cook, who've teamed up with Simply Beautiful, Simply Delicious, California Figs to host an illustrated recipe contest featuring figs as an ingredient. My recipe is a simple fig and apple crisp.

Figs, leaves, apples? Hmmm...My mind wanders to the Garden of Eden, (or eatin'?) where I hear they cultivate a taste for all things forbidden. "Go ahead," the little voice entices me, "one picture, serving double duties... Nobody will mind!"

Seems almost sinful, but you can view a lot more over at Illustration Friday this week. Oh, and if you want to see the recipe in all its glory, I just found out it was posted this morning. You can see it here. Take a peek!

Sweater, Illustration Friday

“Sweater, n.: garment worn by child when its mother is feeling chilly.” ~ Ambrose Bierce

This week, my mind wanders to a famous cardigan worn by a man whose mother made sure he was always warm. With all due respect, I imagine that Mr. Rogers wouldn't mind if I put hearts on the sleeves of his sweater for Valentine's Day. Besides, in his characteristically kind and gentle manner, he told all of us kids it was okay to pretend in the Neighborhood of Make Believe!
Happy Valentine's Day to all!

Reverse, Illustration Friday

Sometimes a girl just doesn't know which way to go as the deadline for Illustration Friday approaches. So Neil, an alien, zipped down from outer space to deliver a reverse message.
Thank goodness for palindromes, mirrors and people with eyes in the backs of their heads, maybe?
One step back, and we'll all be moving forward from here!

Spooky, Illustration Friday

Which is most spooky?

a) Walking into any store at this time of the year and being greeted by aisles full of candy, creepy Halloween decor, costumes and masks?
b) Turning the corner to the next row and finding the store employee putting the finishing touches on the Christmas displays?
or
c)Being reminded that the holiday season is in full swing?
Time marches on, as they say. But tell that to a person who's posting her interpretation of this week's topic for Illustration Friday much later into the next week!
Hope you already completed yours!