cider and faun: where ada shares: sea wonders

Showing posts with label sea wonders. Show all posts

31 May 2011

there is always magic to be found by the sea...

The coastline is one of my most favorite places to be and our little adventure yesterday did not disappoint. We took a nice drive through the city of Palos Verdes, ending up at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center. The view was spectacular, and we learned from a quick chat in the museum that there were tidepools nearby. We hopped back in the car and drove a mile up the winding sea-cliff road to and quickly found Abalone Cove . It instantly became a favorite. The weather was absolutely perfect. We hiked down, through brush and briar and past sharply fragmented rocks. After passing through a bit of 'Narnia' as Nat called it (if you have seen The Voyage of the Dawn Treader where Eustace finds treasure, you'll know what she means) we found ourselves treading over the most beautiful, smooth carpet of beach stones we've ever seen.

We trundled over the rumbly surface and on to the sand for a short spell before arriving at the foot of a huge cliff where rocks jutted out in to the tide. When the tide is low these rocks become tidepools. The tide was beginning to come again but we did manage to see (and feel) a few starfish and sea anemone. We saw crabs as well, but left those little guys alone. The day was amazing, the views breathtaking and even when we found ourselves grouped with other people, I did find a brief moment where I felt like I was the only one there soaking in all this majesty and glory.

Before we headed back, we made sure to bring along some of those beautiful smooth stones. They added to our labor as we made our way back up the steep winding trail, but it was so worth it. I can't wait until we get to visit and explore this beautiful place again....

21 January 2011

Don't deny her the kiss she seeks....

I introduce you to my first illustration of 2011...

If you sail the seven seas, you may come across Albatrina Inkwater. Sweet faced she is, but don't cross her if you wish to continue your journey in good weather. It is said that to deny her the kiss she seeks will invite the wrath of the Grey Torrent, a giant swell that obeys her whim and leaves no ship intact.

30 March 2010

seafaring..

I finished my new piece called 'seafaring' and I am truly happy with it. Maybe one day when I start painting again I'll take previous illustrations and see how they transalate through paint and canvas. For now I know that I have more things I want to draw and create and something for my Natalie too.

She questioned me yesterday about my girls never smiling, how they always look sad. I told her that they are pensive, in deep thought. Now that I think about it though, I know through out my life there has always been a bit of sadness deep within. I know that I do love life, that I am thankful for everything good thing (and even the not so good) that has crossed my path. I do believe that everything is providencial, that everything happens for a reason. I do not feel sorry about the sadness though. I wouldn't be able to sympathize and empathize with others without it. I wouldn't be as sensitive as I am to myself, to my family, to friends, to others. It has taught me the toughest lessons in life. I would not be me without it. That's not to say their is no happiness though. So, I suppose, at least in my art, it's a glimpse of who I am. That their is a piece of me in everyone of the faces I draw. I suppose it's that way for most artists.

Life is a perpetual journey, often times to places unknown. It's vast and it's profound. It's possibilities are never ending. Maybe that's why I relate so well to the girl in the whale boat at sea. She is not alone though, she travels with a friend and has all the stars to look after her. For me, there is always a happy ending and it's that way with the characters I draw too.

25 March 2010

my daughter and the sea

I just finished this first piece, sea friends earlier today. I couldn't wait to scan it and show you. I wanted to try something different with the mermaid and I really like the way she came out. She is more of a siren this way, I suppose. Natalie said it reminded her of Ursula. I told her that she is a lot nicer though :)

I have a few other works in mind so I should get to it. Since I shared artwork inspired by the sea in my previous post, I'll share some photos of my daughter and the sea, my own little mermaid..

a spring for the sea

Spring is officially here and I don't know why this is, but every year at this time, my thoughts turn towards the sea. I have always been in love with the sea, its beauty, its depth, its mysteries. It seems there are so many stories to be told, to be taken, to discover. To say the least, the sea has inspired me in so many ways. It has brought to me various and delightful creatures (both real and mythical) to love and has guided my hand at times for drawings and scribbles.

It's magic has definitely worked on me in different ways as well. Years ago I created the livejournal group Octopi Party (I deleted the user name I was using so the group has a different moderator now) . I also watch from time to time their Seashores community, filled with oceanic wonders.

I am currently working on a few pieces that are sea themed and when they are done, I will share them here. For now, I'll give you a few other things like a new tumblr I have created, sea haunting (she was married to the sea). I am very happy that Mathyld and Marie-Josee of End of March (lovely artist, beautiful blogger and collector of pretty things) have joined me there to bring all the stories of the sea to you .

And now some sea inspirations in the form of etsy lovelies and a few posts from sea haunting: