Illustration Friday- Dairy

Ablast from my past! Cleaning out my moms home I came acros a box of some of my old pen pal letters and several diaries. I thought a sketch of a few would fit this Illustration Friday  theme perfect.
This is the entire page from my moleskine watercolor sketch book. I did the sketcing then the journaling. It was a chuckle to read some of the simple entries of a 12 year old.

UPDATE: in the box I found with my diaries were a few penpal letters. With the aid of the internet, I just found a 'blood sister' of mine from sixth grad who moved away. I just got a confirmation on my connection last night!

Lemonade out of Lemons anyone...

EDM 154 draw a lemon

Taking the moments when I have them is something I have to be a tune to all the time.My kids had been sick ALL this past week. They did not eat much. The one night by the time I sat to eat with them they were done with their soup and off to lay down.

Looking across the barron table two loan pieces of fruit laid in the bowl.
so with no hurry and plenty of table space I did these little watercolors of 'lemon' and apple'. I worked the watercolor first then laid in some ink with my Pitt Artist pen. I enjoyed that so much I did the apple again, only larger on a page if it's own.

EDM 24 draw a piece of fruit

Turtles ACEO hatching and a swimming for a cause

Ink on Watercolor 2.5 x 3.5

The turtle eggs barred deep in the sand on the beaches of the Gulf are being relocated with hope of better survival.

To read details go to http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/gulf_oil_spill/sea-turtles'-eggs-relocated-due-to-oil 

A few sketchbook pages

I haven't posted any sketchbook pages in some time. I really got away from the ability to to put pen to the page since the death of my mum in December. I have faithfully carried it from place to place as I always had but just didn't have the motivation or energy to do anything out and about as I once spent my time. I am not sure actually what replaced it. I guess just sitting, waiting like the other folks around.
Lately I have been paging through it and was really astonished how much time as passed since I worked on anything. As I looked I was reminded of what pleasure I found in the activity and needed to put it back into my time.

So here the baby steps I have taken...

I can see here the awkward lines at these first attempts back during my sons baseball game.

Simple sketch and a bit of recording.

Color trials for the thisel color in the upper corner of this sketch I worked on in between baiting some more hooks.

Sunday sermon sketch.

Completed more ACEO Cards for Gulf Oil Spill

Here on day 80 of the Gulf Oil spill I glad to be able to send off a few more ACEO cards to Ripple but deeply saddened that there is still a need too. Yes this spill will be effecting wildlife for probably years to come, but with no cap currently-where is the light?


I haven't been able to depict the "Oil" devastation as other artist have but continue to look toward the other side. where clean beaches, thriving animals and family memories will occur again on the Gulf. I guess when some one views one of my cards I know they will be reminded of the why and how they acquired it but I still hope to bring joy to their hearts to for the good in it all.

These cards were first inked with the layers of watercolor laid into them to obtain the variation of color. I again found myself adding a few details when all was dry with ink.

To make a donation and pick your own artist sketch card, go to Ripple .

New ACEO cards in the making for Ripple

Here I am today, currently 91 degrees again in PA, "Rippling" away.

 Here is a sneak peak of what's up and coming for the site to help out the animal victums of the Gulf oil spill.

stop by to see and support the art during"Great Illustrators month" on Ripple.

adding in the color. Stop by soon to see finished pieces!