IF: Music - Can you feel it!

Upon seeing the topic for Illustration Friday I had to submit a picture with my headphones or earbuds. Whenever I listen to my music I feel as though it is moving thru me. In my drawing the hair says can you feel it.

IF: Unbalance

You could tell by the look in his eyes that he was becoming unbalanced.

IF:BLUR

My mind is in a complete blur....

IF: Skinny

Who wants the girl with the skinny legs? When I was growing up I was always the girl with the skinny legs. They were so skinny as a teen that I didn't want to wear dresses and shorts. Thank goodness we grow up. My legs became shapelier after joining the military and getting all of that PT (physical training).

IF: Pattern

This is one of my favorite patterns to draw on a coat. I also like the pattern in the scarf.

IF: Infinite

"The Infinite Rockstar" you can tell by his swagger that he has no limits.

My lastest painting : Mother and Daughter

I promised myself that I would find more time to paint but unfortunately that has not happened. I love looking and reading other bloggers who create I always feel so inspired but when I get home reality sets in too many other things to accomplish. I at least try to get some drawing in. This is a picture that I've been wanting to paint and I finally took some me time forsaken everything else. I think the little girl still needs more work.

IF: Caution

Baby it's cold outside. It is currently the opposite of cold here in Georgia, but I liked using the thought as a caution.

Woman of Shadows

A forgotten picture that I painted. I've been so busy vacationing that time has really been limited to me being creative.

IF: Cracked

I've been soaking too long.

IF: Parade

My underwear draw is not on parade for you to see. No Peeking!

IF:Impossibility

The impossibility of making the rain stop. Don't you dislike it when you've been planning an event outside and on that particular day it rains and there's nothing you can do about it.

The words are in french and it says "don't rain on my parade." I love the french language and one of my favorite blogging artist is French. I just recently purchased her book. Check her out bobibook.blogspot.com/"

IF: Fleeting

She gave one last fleeting look.

I had previously posted this as a work in progress. Although I haven't finished it I thought I would post it for Illustration Frday's theme "fleeting". I wanted to post a painting this time

IF:Talisman

Marion's necklace was her talisman. Each day she would put it on first before dressing. She believed that it protected her from all evil.

IF: Poise

When a girl or woman puts on a beautiful dress it makes you more poised. When I was little I would love to put on my favorite dress and pirouette. I would say to my father "daddy look at me!"

IF: Intricate

For something that looks so simple this line work was very intricate for me. I wished that I could of done more with his face. I always I need to practice more.

IF: Breezy

There's nothing like a country walk on a sunny breezy day.

IF: Instinct - A Young Womans

A young womans instinct when she sees a handsome young man."I'll be watching you"

Work In Progress and Uncertainty

Lately i have not felt like myself. My inner self keeps asking who are you and what are you doing? I haven't been satisfied with any of my drawings. This painting is a work-in-progress but I don't have the time to do anymore work on it. Do you have moments in your life when you are just uncertain. To most of the people who know me I am always together.

IF: Time to Fly

Now that her wings had grown to full age, it was time for her to fly away with the birds.

IF: Flawed

Hiding her flawed features behind a scarf. But she thinks her eyes are beautiful.

IF: Climbing

Every child should have a tree to climb. My favorite climbing tree was in the back yard of my friend Cindy Phillip's house. We would climb the tree after school and have a snack. Life was good.

Inkdeath a real page turner.

I love to read a book that is so well written that you can't wait until the end to find out what happens but at the same time you don't want it to be over. I couldn't put this book down and when I did have to I couldn't stop thinking about it. This book is the conclusion to the Inkheart trilogy. Which was also an excellent book. However don't be fooled by that disastrous thing they called a movie Inkheart. Every time I see the trailer I am filled with disgust. They have ruin a really good book. My children look at me every time they preview it on tv and I start complaining. I don't want to see how they butcher such a wonderful story. Well if you have never read Inkheart I highly recommend it. The second book called Inkspell took me a little while to get into but it was very satisfying also. After I finished Inkdeath I wanted to read it over again. I was in the Ink world. It is not a short read, 663 pages but oh so good. Put it on your reading list after you have finished the 1st two books.Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke

Painting A Larger Picture

My painting has improved more than I expected it to in 2008. I have done several 11 x 14 paintings and one 18 x 24, which I am quite happy with. For example my painting I call "Sitting in the Orange Room". I was so confident with this painting that I framed it and gave it to my youngest sister for Christmas. So I thought I was ready for a larger canvas. My attempts are not as pleasing to me. My 1st painting of a large tree did not turn out the way I envision it. I tried several things to try to improve it. Alas I gave up. I painted over it to paint "Three Sisters in Unity" although it is not finish I am still not happy with it. I hung it up in my living room to see if it would look right but I am not happy with it either. My family doesn't think I should paint over it. But I think I should be happy with a painting if I plan to display it. Are you always happy with your own paintings?

Need for a change

As I grow older my taste is changing. I use to love the country look. I called my look "Formal Country" no plaids for me, but I no longer enjoy that look any more. My ladder back chairs just don't make me happy any more, so I made some slipcovers for them. It's not exactly the look I want but it doesn't look so country anymore. The pictures are of my dining room.

IF: Pale

He could she her paleness, even in the dark of night.

IF: Contained Thoughts

Only she and God knew what her thoughts contained.

IF: Resolve: You Don't

I loved this song when I was younger. It made me think of resolve.

YOU DON'T BRING ME FLOWERS

Music by Neil Diamond Lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman

You don't bring me flowers,You don't sing me love songs,

You hardly talk to me anymore

When you come through the door

At the end of the day.

I remember when

You couldn't wait to love me,

Used to hate to leave me.Now after lovin' me late at night,

When it`s good for you

And you're feelin' all right,Well, you just roll over

And you turn out the light.And you don't bring me flowers anymore.

It used to be so nat'ral to talk about forever.

But used to be's don't count anymore,

They just lay on the floor 'Til we sweep them away.

And baby, I remember all the things you taught me.

I learned how to laugh. And I learned how to cry.

Well, I learned how to love

Even learned how to lie.

You'd think I could learn how to tell you goodbye

'Cause you don't say you need me,

You don't sing me love songs,

You don't bring me flowers anymore

My 2008 Book List

I did not complete my 50 Book Challenge for last year. I only reached 48, but that is because I chose to read a 500 page book at the end instead of picking shorter books and we went out of town to stay with my father for the holidays instead of staying home. Although there is car reading I find it a little harder to get it hours of reading when relatives are stopping by. My selection was the Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory. I really enjoyed it so although I didn't meet my goal I had a great read at the end.

1. Lord John and the Private Matter by Diana Gabaldon

2. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

3. Mary Cassatt by Sophia Craze

4. Secrets to Drawing Realistic Faces by Carrie Park

5. At Home: Domestic Interiors in Art by France Borzello

6. Ways of Drawing Eyes by Simon Jennings

7. The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

8. The People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPrau

9. The Summer I Dared by Barbara Delinsky

10. Little Guide To Your Well-Read Life: How To Get More Books In Your Life… by Steve Leveen

11. The Double Bind by Chris Bohajalian

12. The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis

13. Friends, Lovers, Chocolate by Alexander McCall Smith

14. Life or Debt by Stacy Johnson

15. Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

16. 44 Scotland Street by Alexander McCall Smith

17. The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley

18. Love Over Scotland (44 Scotland Street)by Alexander McCall Smith

19. The Man of Feeling by Javier Marias

20. Lady Friday by Garth Nix

21. Mister Monday by Garth Nix

22. Hoop Girlz

23. Just Who Will You Be? by Maria Shiver

24. The Forest By Edward Rutherford

25. Creative License by Danny Gregory

26. Left behind by Jeff LeHaye

27. Superior Saturday by Garth Nix

28. The Hundred Dresses

29. the Body Artist by Don DeLillo

30. The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy, Ph.D

31. Grim Tuesday by Garth Nix (reread)

32. Sabriel by Garth Nix (reread)

33. Lirael (reread)by Garth Nix

34. Abhorsen (reread)by Garth Nix

35. The Diamond of Darkhold by Jeanne DuPrau

36. Rebel Angels by Libba Bray

37. Book Basic and Beyond! by Lisa Vollrath

38. The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

39. The Forgetting Room by Nick Bantock

40. Simplify Your Life by Odette Pollar

41. The Giver by Lois Lowry

42. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

43. Goblins Attack (The Spiderwick Chronicles) by Holly Black

44. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens (Minature Edition) by Sean Covey

45. The Black Violin by Maxene Fermine

46. The World of Edward Gorey by C.Ross and K.Wilkin

47. The Boleyn Inheritance by Philipppa Gregory

48. The Entire Bible

IF: Clandestine: Between Friends

They gave each other the look. This is a secret between us.

IF: Voices

I am beautiful no matter what you say. Words can't bring me down. I will listen to my own voice.

IF: Similar

The girls were enjoying their parade in the rain with their pink umbrella's.

IF:Balloon

Don't you hate it when you purchase balloons and they fly away to freedom!

IF: Opinion

10 ways to a better Life by Kent M. Keith

1. People are illogical, unreasonable and self-centered

Love them anyway.

2. If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.

Do good anyway.

3. If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies

Succeed anyway

4. The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.

Do good anyway.

5. Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.

Be honest and frank anyway.

6. The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.

Think big anyway

7. People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs

Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

8. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.

Build anyway.

9. People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.

Help people anyway.

10. Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.

Give the world the best you have anyway.

This list hangs on my office wall at work. It is a good source for inspiration after you have been curse out by a parent. I try my best to be polite and get them to calm down. I often have to explain to them that the rules I have to follow are not mine but the school district or state.

IF: Pretend

Pretending I am a tree. It is Autumn my favorite time of the year. Inspiration from Jocko B.

My Vote

I thought I would commemorate this years election with a little painting. I used my privilege to vote as I do every year since I'ved been able to. When I was 17 years old I remember wishing that I could vote because there was a candidate that I really did not want to be president. I am proud of my 2 oldest daughters who are of voting age. They voted. I've taught them that there is no excuse not to vote no matter who is running. Too many of our ancestors never had that right.

IF: Vacant

She made her mind completely vacant as he talked to her.

My submission for Illustration Friday. Sometimes when you really don't want to argue it helps if you can go to that vacant place in your mind. However teenage children go there often when dealing with parents.

IF: Repair

It's time to repair this broken heart. Lately the current financial crisis that America has been facing has been on my mind. So many hearts are breaking. Regardless of who is at fault my heart aches for every homeowner who may lose their home or any Wall Street Trader who may lose their job. Another crack appears every time that another company CEO who has sold his heart to greed appears on T.V. America is in need of repair and it will take every American to pull together to fix it. No one person can do it alone.

IF: Late

She thought to herself angrily "He's keeping me waiting!"

IF: Sugary

Sugary means sweet. I think this is a sweet little winged angel.

IF: Packed with flies

Here's my entry for Illustration Friday. This frog is packed with flies. The ink drawing is not my own original idea. I like to practice my line work by attempting to copy the works of famous artist. This illustration is by Robert Lawson 1892-1957. To learn more about this artist visit www.bpib.com/illustrat/lawson.htm Click on the illo for a closer look. Don't be too harsh on me remember I said "attempted."

IF: Clique

As Antoinette walked by she could hear their whispers. She thought to herself, I am no longer in. It seems so strange not to be part of them anymore. I wonder if their is anyone out there who will accept me for who I am inside. inspiration from http://www.flickr.com/photos/fordesign/269667833/

IF: Island

As she sat by the edge of the island her mind and body was being swept away with the sea.

Mom, You are Weird!

My husband brought home this really neat projector that disassembles so that you can store it in a bag. I was so excited to finally have my own projector. When I do art projects for the church we attend I usually have to have my husband bring one home from the congregation. I just had to show it to my daughters. My 14 year old daughter looked at me and said, "Mom you are weird. Most moms want new shoes or Coach purses and you want a projecter. I wasn't offended because I hear this all the time. My birthday request are different too, a book, new tool, or something like that. I always tell them if you ask me what I want then I always make request for something I can really use or need thats just the way I am. For Mothers Day I had my husband buy me a French Door my friends thought that was really weird.

IF:Cluttered with Numbers

This is the scrap paper I had use to help my daughter with her math homework. The book I was reading at that time was a financial book with this face. My head was cluttered with numbers.

My Hand Painted "FAUX" Hardwood Cement Floors

This is one of my projects that I finished over the summer break. I really would like to have hardwood floors but that is currently not in my budget since my husband and I are trying to become debt-free (Dave Ramsey fan). I couldn't stand the old tile that was on the floor anymore so I pulled it up and painted my cement floor to look like wood. I think I did a great job. One day I will have the cash to do the real thing but for now I am happy. NO MORE UGLY TILE.

IF:Memories: "Converse"ing with my skateboard

When I think about the things I tried when I was young I get chills. There is no way that I would go down a big hill today on a skateboard. I still have a scar on my arm to show my children that I was a daredevil in my youth. When we were on skateboards there was no such thing as wearing elbow and knee pads, or even a helmet. When it came to fashion you knew you were in style if your parents could afford to buy a pair of converse sneakers. I've really admire the new boot pair of converse sneakers, I don't know if I'm cool enough to pull off wearing them, so for now I just admire them.Inspiration from Pink Sherbert.

IF: Routine

Every morning her routine was to go to the window and soak in the sun.

IF: Detach

She felt alone and detached from everyone. Did you ever feel like this during your school years?

IF: Sail

Her only wished is to sail away with the birds.