I Love ATL

I love going to ATL (Atlanta). My family and I take every opportunity to go to the city. They finally opened a Room and Board furniture store. Previously I could only view the furniture online. There wasn't anything that my husband and I sat on that was uncomfortable. I love their furniture.

We also went ate at Yeah Burgers which is an organic restaurant. Ever since I watched the documentary Food Inc. my ideas about organic has changed. I only buy organic milk and eggs. If the commissary has organic meat I purchase that also, however it is very expensive. I loved the restaurant and the art on the wall. Presidents Day is coming and we hope to visit ATL again. I really miss living in a city.

You Look Fabulous

I haven't had much time to add color to anything lately. Last night I was so tired but I did attempt to add some color to this sketch. My hope was that the eyes would sort of show thru the shades.

CED - New Face

I've been working on a new face. I've always wanted to have a signature look or character that is mine, so this year I finally illustrated one that I like. I've completed several drawings some are a WIP. I'm excited about it. It's simple I know but I like the possibilities

CED- $1 Wallpaper and me

So I like to go to Renovation Station and buy cheap wallpaper. It is only $1. Renovation Station is run by Habitat for Humanity. Homeowners can donate unused and used items which they sell at a very low price to raise money. This is what I can do with it.

I covered my sketchbooks to make them look uniform and beautiful. I will add the year on the side. I just haven't created my stickers yet. Now when I sit them back on my self they will be pleasing to the eye.

I also use it to cover Christmas presents because I really hate cheap gift wrapping paper. Wallpaper is so durable that it doesn't rip around the corners.

I know there are so many more uses. What do you use it for?

IF: Dusty - Diva in Dust Gear

The word for Illustration Friday is dusty. Sometimes I find these words quite hard to suit my type of art since my genre is mostly faces of woman. So this is what I did. I've never been in or seen a dust or sand storm but I hear they are quite awful. My husband was in Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm so I've heard his stories of sand storms. So can a sand storm make you dusty or do you only get dusty from dirt?

Art Inspiration

I recieved my book of art by Elizabeth Peyton. I wanted to sit down and enjoy it, so I waited to open it after dinner when everyone went to do homework and my husband went to Bible College. It was very difficult but I waited until 7pm. The living room was quiet. I fixed a cup of coffee and dived in. It was worth the wait.

Also check this out - A stairwell of art. If you live in ATL you probably know where I'm at. It's the Ralph Lauren Store. The art is so inspiring who needs to look at the clothes.

CED - Just Draw

So when you don't have time or not feeling creative just draw! Time is limited so I sketched pictures from my iphone with a gel pen. I didn't worry about errors, which there are many. By not worrying about mistakes it helps me become free. The pictures are of my daughters and me.

IF: Chicken - Dinner is served

My submission for Illustration Friday's word of the week "chicken." I wanted to depict one of my favorite chicken stories about how my parents took us down south to visit our grandparents for the summer. We were northern city kids and not use to a farm and farm food. The first time we saw our grandmother ring the chickens neck we were horrified. The chicken was running around with no head. "Chicken comes from the grocery store was our reply when we saw fried chicken at the dinner table." My sisters and I refuse to eat. Well after a couple of weeks you really start to get hungry and knowing that your parents would not be back until summer break is over you decide to eat it.

Well that was a lot to depict so I decided to do this chicken serving dinner.

Asked to Danced

"Asked to Dance" is the name of this creation. I was attempting a different angle. I couldn't get the shoulders right. This young lady has finally be asked to dance. She is looking up at the young man who asked her. I know that this probably does not fit today's society, girls don't wait to be asked or don't need to be asked.

Watercolor Added

I haven't attempted a watercolor in awhile so I thought I'll pull them out and see what comes out. I really love this sketch of A Sad Girl. I think some of the emotion was lost when I added the color. More practice is needed, but there is never enough time for all that I want to do.

Work but no children - Just Sketch

Yesterday we had a snow day. Today all school employees and staff were required to come in at 10 am. When there are no children at school I get to just sit in my office. So what else is there to do besides sketch. I did however looked up immunization on 5 new students.

CED - Fairy Universe

When I think of cosmos it brings to mind other universes. I love fairies and elves. This is The Sleeping Fairy. My daughter said she looks dead. The pony tailed hair and red background idea is from one of my favorite Spiderwick Chronicles Cover. My original drawing is very different from this. As you can see from my sketchbook I drew her twice. I decided to use the first one. Also notice the hair is different the arm position is different. I guess everything is different.lol

Award

I received the stylish blogger award from Sandy Coleman Yeah! Thanks Sandy. Part of the acceptance includes telling seven things about myself that other bloggers don't know and passing it on to 15 other blogs that I admire.

1. When I step into a library or bookstore I wish I could read every book.

2. I am currently wearing braces. My teeth have always been a little crooked but after I turned 45 they became really crooked. I hated the way my smile look. I'm almost 50 with braces.

3. I love cheesecake.

4. I loved British authors.

5. I seldom watch TV and I hate for the TV to be on for background noise. My husband loves TV. It is a constant conflict.

6.I'm trying to become a minimalist. I used to collect antiques and other things but your house can become really clutter so I stopped collecting.

7. I'm a very slow typist. I pluck. My fingers never do what I want.

Some of my inspirations

Passion Fruit

A Face a Day

Karin Jurick

Tara Ross

Bobi

Carine B

Ces and her dishes

Johanna Wright

Joseph Art

Kelly Rae Roberts

Basma Jama

Deanna

Mystele

Lisa Golightly

Liza