there was a trick after all...

It would seem in my haste last night to finish I forgot to add my little werewolf's ears. Thankfully in conversation with my husband this morning I realized my mistake and now my little lycanthrope can hear!

flowers, herbs, friends, letters and summer...

My life in pictures (as seems to be the theme of my blog posts of late):

• One of my most favorite things about Summer is our Gardenia bush. As the heat begins to rise, these fragrant blossoms open and release such sweet perfumery
• Making root and herbal syrups out of ginger (with lemon added after for quick and simple ginger ale syrup) and lemon balm. Add to ice and carbonated or tonic water = instant refreshing natural soda!
• My little dancer makes people of all ages smile. She danced for my friend's mother and a week later, she received this handmade fairy crown from her
• Always remembering the value of friendships. Especially those in who are daughters have alsostarted and continued
• Random letter writing is always a past time of mine. In comes in waves sometimes and this is the first of the season but definitely not the last (I chronicle my handmade/hand drawn letters/envelopes here if you wish to see)
• Sitting outside in the cool breeze, beneath our cut out blackbird from two Octobers ago

Working on an illustration job, thinking of new projects and reminded of older ones that need to be completed. Summer is a wonder and I will do my work along with the fun. When it's over, and school begins, I really need to get on the ball ;)

scenes from an early summer week

Summer Vacation has officially begun and the weather still hasn't quite caught up to the fact. I love it though, June Gloom is a favorite 'season' of mine. It's a wonderful feeling, having the windows opened in early morning and that sweet chilly breeze wafts into the room.  June has afforded me some great moments, in both the big things and the small. As always, I see His work being orchestrated from everything around me and within me.

Natalie ended her first grade year tremendously well and we are all so proud of her. On her last day, we gave her vibrant dark pink peonies and red carnations to congratulate and celebrate her on a year well done. I am now looking forward to the blessing of having her more with me during the summer and continuing to establish our relationship as mother and daughter. Sometimes, during the school year things get a bit lost family wise with homework, school activities and extra curricular activities as well. Summer is the time for me to gather everything back and enjoy my daughter with love and with life itself.

Every summer, it would seem, I always have the same notion of thoughts. I remember my fondness for herbs, for making dolls (like mandrakes and owls), and for fall. Always in the very beginning of summer, I love it even though my heart is set on autumn. I don't know what it is but I certainly hope that the resurgence of creativity and thought will manifest itself in very productive ways! I am looking forward to September, where a piece of my artwork will join a handful of others at the 2011 West Coast Eisteddfod Welsh Festival of Arts. Lorin Morgan-Richards is the artist heading this up and he presented a wonderful opportunity for some artist friends. He put together his own original poetry to the Welsh Alphabet, with each artist getting their own letter. I have:

N is for Nissien
Who battles amongst the celestial star
He combats his twin Efnissien
Dueling for peace afar.

 I finally finished my piece and will be scanning and sending it to him this week. It's all so very exciting and am so interested in seeing what every one else contributed!

Again, I have been filled with so much joy coming from every which way. We have been spending more time with family and old friends whilst making new ones as well. We are seeing and understanding the value of 'community' and living life with others, not just learning to live individualistically. It's been sort of amazing, for me, seeing those little barriers come down that I've never really realized I had in some ways. We are also planting again and truly trying to start a little container garden of sorts. Rick's friend has given us more than a handful of pumpkin seedlings along with a few pepper ones too. We finally managed to get them all little homes with new soil so they can grow and flourish. I really hope as we learn to do all of this our newly green thumbs won't turn black!

It's afternoon now and that last photo of fresh basil leaves brewing for tea is reminding me how I have not had any tea yet today. I am off, but I hope everyone is truly enjoying this season. For all the wonders and beauty it brings, from every which way around :)

Summer afternoon - summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.  ~Henry James

work and weekends...

• Painted on a couple of smooth rocks I picked up from Abalone Cove
• Drew out two design ideas for a t-shirt contest (come vote for my designs, #66 and #67)!
• Played my old clarinet again (and being inspired to rediscover it all over)
• Had dinner and dessert with friends, my family and parents at the local spot for Food Trucks 
• Introduced my friends to my rad cousin for tattoo ideas
• Had a drink with the same friends before watching Super 8 (and seeing our friend's credit)!
• Getting up close and personal with a couple of classic cars from the man my dad bought his bike off of
• Theology that leads to Doxology and other things at a Core Gathering for Mars Hill Orange County
• Eating at Wahoo's and hanging out afterwards with friends at the Irvine Spectrum
• Sunday Service of encouragement to live our lives with one another in community
• Natalie's last time as a Brownie at her Girl Scout's Ceremony
• Perusing Cost Plus World Market and picking up a couple of Fentiman's (my favorite sodas) and an adorable tin of Moustache Mints)!

All in all, completely blessed by these last few days: of art, family, friends, fellowship and being with the One whom all blessings flow....

what marie could have said nowadays (for a contest, of course)!

I decided to enter into Fresh & Easy's Design-a-bag contest for the second year in a row. Last year I entered in a simple drawing that my daughter wanted me to do. I had fun with it because it was a sort of collaboration (well, more like I just did what she wanted) but it was nice seeing her vision on what should be on a shopping bag. This year I decided to go with the first idea that came to me. Based on the winner last year, I think they are going for a graphic arts look but that didn't deter me. I instantly thought of the very grand Queen of France, Marie Antoinette herself and played off of the famous phrase attributed to her (whether she actually said it or not, we will never know).

Now that the entry deadline has passed, I thought I would share it all with you here. Since we all know Marie had a flair for the outrageous when it came to hairstyles, I thought it only fitting to 'do' her up fresh market style. Of course, a large pink cake had to be in there, along with a bottle of wine and a few pretty roses (which references our Fresh & Easy's pretty bouquets at the entrance). All in all, it was fun drawing this up. It is not the first that have drawn Marie and it definitely won't be the last.

In other news, I am half way done on a portrait of a friend of mine with her young daughter. I am pretty excited to finally get at it and I do very much hope she enjoys it. She herself is a tremendously talented artist and has definitely inspired me. I am hoping to continue to venture out with paint and canvas and hopefully will be putting some originals in the shop soon. Until next time friends, Good night!

the merry ol' country life...

"It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all."
- Laura IngallsWilder

I started this old man awhile back but finally set out to finish him the other day. I wanted to have a different subject matter than a woman, which is usual for me. I believe this was more an exercise for myself, seeing life from a different perspective and time. I really enjoyed creating this because for me, it is a celebration of life. Sometime we think in our youth lies all the great celebrations but I don't believe that to be true. I think I am one of the few that actually gets excited to see a gray strand because I don't associate it with 'aging' but with growing up, with living rather than just 'getting old'. There is so much more life to be had, to be discovered, So far, in my 'growing up' I am also realizing that the simpler things bring more joy and dare I say, even the labored things can bring more satisfaction. My old man here, is contemplating the goodness of his life, of all his days with various things that fill his home and his heart.

I do want to strive for simplicity. Not in a way where it becomes an idol, but getting back to what is basic, finding the beauty and need for necessity. With God as my primary focus and in this way, being blessed by all the things He has graciously given to me. Taking joyful care of my family and being happy that we are taken care of. I know I still have wants. I still want a house of my own, with an open kitchen and big back yard for a garden (and for play!). Maybe one day we will get those things but still, I always want to be reminded to keep life simple and revel in the everyday joys. Of things that are not tangible and for the ones that are, just grateful that we have them....
As I sometimes do, here are a few quotes I have found and would like to share them with you. Enjoy :)

"To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter. . .to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird's nest or a wildflower in spring - these are some of the rewards of the simple life."
-  John Burroughs 

"You can't force simplicity; but you can invite it in by finding as much richness as possible in the few things at hand.  Simplicity doesn't mean meagerness but rather a certain kind of richness, the fullness that appears when we stop stuffing the world with things."
-   Thomas Moore, The Re-Enchantment of Everyday Life

"I believe we would be happier to have a personal revolution in our individual lives and go back to simpler living and more direct thinking.  It is the simple things of life that make living worthwhile, the sweet fundamental things such as love and duty, work and rest, and living close to nature.  There are not hothouse blossoms that can compare in beauty and fragrance with my bouquet of wildflowers."
-  Laura Ingalls Wilder 

can a snake and a mouse be friends?

You tell me.... :)

rose with a broken neck

 

As soon as I heard Danger Mouse and Daniele Luppi song with Jack White, 'Rose with a Broken Neck' from their album 'Rome', I knew I was going to do this drawing and watercolor. 

If you would like a listen to the song, here it is and the lyrics as well:

Lonely I see

Lonely I lead

Lonely I feel

Lonely I bleed

Lonely I trust

And lonely I must

Be the rose with the broken neck

The plow on the farm

The train on the track

The tracks on my arm

The train in a wreck

That's when they all seem to swarm

Not when you are all alone

In your home with the broken neck

Help myself to a drink

Help myself to the sink

The dogs start to moan

And the crows start to peck

At my eyes and down at the ground

Oh and it shows

I'm the rose with the broken neck

Lonely I see

Lonely I lead

Lonely I feel

And lonely I bleed

Lonely I trust

And lonely I must

Be the rose with the broken neck

P.S. Thanks for all the love for the new header! I like it too ;)

what we did, things to do and my affinity for houses...

Last week I had a beautiful spring 'staycation' with my daughter. We didn't go all out doing things but it was all the little things we did do and that we did together. I really think I may have needed the vacation more than her since I realized how much I have missed her. It sounds like a funny thing to say, I know, but with softball season, Girl Scouts, school, homework, chores and general growing up, I haven't had as much hands on time with her like I used to. We gardened, painted, had tiny dance parties, rode our bikes, played frisbee, put puzzle pieces together, visited a few friends, laughed, hugged and squeezed each other. Oh, and not to mentioned that she was able to join me for our Kindred Gathering's Royal Wedding Tea! That was the best and now onto getting back into 'work and home' mode.

So what do I want to do now and what's ahead for me:

• I want to paint again. Never mind that I have forgotten most of the techniques I learned in college and used oils as my medium. I want to dabble in acrylics and water colors and see what comes of it
• I've finally begun writing several first drafts for story ideas. Now to type them, revise and edit and bring the visuals of the stories to life
• Relearn how to use a sewing machine so that a few littlebighead creations can be tangible and plush ones
• Revisit old characters I have come up with a few years ago and breathe life into them. Give them their stories, their plots and a place to be in littlebighead
• Bring a new character to life, an alias in fact but more on that later
• Work on my piece for the upcoming 2011 West Coast Eisteddfod, Welsh Festival in September
• Work on a couple of trades and a few parcels for friends

 This is the small painting I did last week. I haven't titled it yet but it goes along a constant theme I have in my head "I am a house". I have done a few drawings/illustrations based around that idea, like the following:

It's an idea that is very close to my heart and I don't think I am done exploring that option for creativity.

'her hair was wily and unpredictable'

(especially when you have weasels for hair...)

*new in the shop*

putting things in order is a good thing...

Hello dear friends! Being here on my blog, I see that my entries are getting a little few and far between but it's all for good! I have been changing things and getting things in order (finally). I am continuing to realize the importance of dedicating yourself to what is valuable. I feel as I rid myself of certain empty pursuits or at least limit certain things, the time I have leftover is abundant and productive. I have not been online as much as I and it has proved to be for the better. I have missed out on being up to date with certain things, certain friends (and thus, certain blogs as well) but it's alright. I am having more time to do illustrations for various projects, write my own stories (finally!), get more domestic duties done (and thus have more family time available) and most import, establish my spiritual life more with reading and prayer. Oh, and let's not forget physical activity with walking, bike riding and family time like throwing the frisbee around and paying more attention to our little 'garden'. life is good, is it not?

Scenes from the past month:

funny dress up, hearty and delicious soup, 80th birthday celebration, family diary entry, african cats, impromptu gardening....

the tea is in the garden...

 Strange how a teapot can represent at the same time the comforts of solitude and the pleasures of company.  ~Author Unknown

I've had a flurry of ideas come into my head lately and so far, just this one has been materialized. It's almost appropriate, being in the month of March now, awaiting springs true arrival. I like the idea of having tea in a splendid garden and maybe one day I will get to do that with a few cherished friends (and of course, my sweet little girl). 

I also think I am approaching yet another slight sea change in my art. I want to explore a few different ways of seeing things and relating that onto paper. Not just paper too, for I have ideas for felt little dolls and the like. I have so many ideas and much to do but still, the whole concept of balance and discipline nip at my heels for attention. I need to buckle down and just do the things I have set out for me. Until then, I'll put the kettle on, warm this chill upon my skin and hope you do the same too. :)

tea leaves

tea loves

loves tea

lives tea

leaves tea?

never.

~Uniek Swain

Indeed, Madame, your ladyship is very sparing of your tea;

I protest the last I took was no more than water bewitched.

- Jonathan Swift (1667-1745)