Line Art

I thought I would show you what I have been up to lately.  I have a friend that is having a wedding shower for someone. She wanted to have a theme of trains, everyone getting aboard to wish this couple well on their journey.  She wanted some fun line drawings to put up in the big center where the shower was to be so she asked me to make some line drawings, cartoon like.  I thought I would post a few. Noone that is going to the shower will see them here so... This will be in the hallway greeting people.

This is one that will cover a big banner in the hall. The couples initials.

This one will go above the serving table.

I offered to do more detail etc. She didn't want any. As you know the customer is always right. Ha.  I

have to make several more. One is 11'long. Several are 4'x8'. I have had to tape the paper to my dining room wall.  I have never done anything like this. It is fun.  Now you have to remember I am not a perfectionist. Don't any of you professional artists faint when you look at these.  It is all for fun.

I will be gone a few days visiting family. I hope you all have a great weekend.

Thank you so much Debra Kay for this dreamy postcard.  This is one of several I will receive as a group of us are trading postcards that we make. You can go to our blog here to see all the cards exchanged so far.  It is such fun to receive original art in the form of postcards. All are as unique as their creator.

I also want to thank all of my wonderful commentors.  I do look forward to reading each and every word.  I hope you all have a wonderful Thursday, Friday...

Animal Wednesday - Picasso & Lump

If you have ever had a pet and most of us that participate in AW do have pets, I think that you would enjoy this book by David Douglas Duncan, Picasso & Lump A Dachshund's Odyssey. It is a fun, mostly  pictures, story about a dog and its famous owner told by the friend, author/photographer. It shows intimate surroundings that only dogs and friends would know. Many famous paintings and sculptures as were done by Picasso. Just a real fun read. I found this copy at our library. I hope yours has it too. If not you can go here.

The forward to this book is written by Paloma PicassoThevenet. Which reminds me that I can't ever find Paloma Picasso perfume any more. I just hate that. ha... I do digress....I hope you all have a wonderful Animal Wednesday.

Haiku Bones - Fraught

Today's prompt at Haiku Bones is the word Fraught.  I think this word is most interesting because the thing that comes to mind when I hear it is FEAR.  Fear has nothing to do with this poor innocent word. It means full of or something along those lines.  Ha... I had to look it up to make myself quit thinking about Fear.  Do any words ever affect you this way?  Aren't words most wonderful?  Here is my Haiku regarding this prompt.

Sometimes fearful

Life can overwhelm

One must be strong

Full feeding station

riotous feathered friends

prepare for nesting

Summer Garden

full, unrestrained color

blank canvas now

For more haiku be sure to pop over to Haiku Bones.

Still Thankful

Still being in that Thankful mode I just couldn't wait until next week to post my wonderful fun mail. I received the first postcard of the Post card exchange I am doing with a group of ladies.  We have a blog set up called Global Greetings Mail Art where you can see all the post cards as they are sent around.

Soulbrush is who sent my very first postcard. It has lots of layers on it and it seems to have made it all the way from London to me without any damage.  It is just beautiful.  How did Soul know that I used to love to dance??

My other fun mail is from Patty.  It made a long journey just as the Salmon does to deposit its eggs as this ATC depicts.  I wish you could see the depth of field that Patty painted in this busy little world. The card it came in is also one of Patty's paintings.  Just marvelous.  If you would like to see more of these ABC ATCs go to our blog Here.

Thank you both so very much. These make these long cold days go by much easier.

P.S. Patty, I am sorry the picture of your cards wasn't on this post when I first published.  My faux pas as I was having a fight with Blogger about where to place it etc. 

Thankful Thursday - Arctic Fox

I am so thankful for all my bloggy friends. This week I am reminded by Lolo of how fortunate I am to be in this virtual world as her packet with a arctic fox came to me all trussed up in a beautiful envelope and bag.  This little guy sure couldn't get away. He wouldn't want to what with being in such lovely surrounds. 

The Drawing

On Feb 9th I posted that I had a great book of Letters written by Vincent VanGogh that I was going to give away.

 Today was the day of the drawing. I am happy to say that 9 people left comments. So I placed everyones name in my hat...

I had my Dearly Beloved draw a name.  And the winner is...

I happen to have Lynn's address so I will get it into the mail post haste.  Now for the rest of you that didn't win, I didn't like the idea of you going away empty handed so if I don't already have your address please go to my profile here where you will find my email address and send me your snail mail address. I have made a book mark for each of you with a quote by Vincent.  I don't want anyone to go away empty handed.  Thank you all for participating. Lynn said she would share the book so possibly she will share it your way. 

Blooming Tuesday/Haiku Bones - Seductive

The prompt for Haiku Bones this week is Seductive.  This will also work for my Blooming Tuesday post. After all what is more seductive than blooms, the original sex organs.

Sunshine's long rays

Wrap around my frozen mind

Melting winter's grasp

Snowdrops glisten

Istep into the garden

Feeling the sun shine

Cactus Monday - Sketch

What a Cactus Monday this is.

While many of you were basking in the sun or doing your morning errands we here at Greenbow were digging out. My Dearly Beloved cleared the driveway.

By some standards this isn't much snow. Maybe 5 or 6 inches. Here it makes for a quiet morning because not much traffic is flowing. Even though no post is delivered today I wanted to make sure the postman can get to the box tomorrow. Just in case someone would send me fun mail. Ever hopeful you know. :)

Then there are those of us that don't mind the snow.

They like to get out and run like the Big-White-Dog-Boogety Snowman is after them.

Whether you are galloping through the snow or sitting on the beach today... Happy Cactus Monday. For more Cactus go to Teri's Painted Daisies.

Heart Day

Lolo reminded us that KJ asked that everyone post the hearts they had around the house. Hmmm said I. I didn't think I would have much to show but after having a look around I discovered I was more hearty than I supposed. One of my favorites is the heart that my Daughter gave me some years ago.

She has also given us two heart shaped dishes that match the china.

Today I fixed a big chocolate chip cookie for my Dearly Beloved and I to celebrate Valentines Day.

I have a tea cozy that I made for this season. I love making tea cozies. I wish you all were here to share a cup with me.

Instead I will head outside to show you the rocks I have found that look like hearts. I think it is such fun to find rocks that resemble something you recognize.

Some you might have to use your imagination to see what I see.

This small stone is my favorite. It gets to be inside.

This small iron heart is an ornament that is usually out all year long.

My latest heart is from Margaret. I am sure you all recognize it.

I hope you all enjoyed seeing my small collection of hearts. Do you have any to share with us?

Happy Valentines Day Everyone. 

Funky Friday

It has been one of those weeks where I haven't been very vigorous.  I have had some interesting dreams. I dreamed that someone gave me a cockatoo. It had a pretty apricot colored crest.  I also dreamed that someone gave me an ornate red Japanese lantern for the garden.  All of this color in my dreams is making up for the colorless landscape we have now. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

Animal Wednesday - Green Heron

This is a Green Heron with a dragonfly.  Happy Animal Wednesday to all. For more Animal Wednesdays go to Mim's blog Here.

Book Givaway

The snow has kept me inside enough that I have finished reading this book.  It is a book of The Letters of Vincent van Gogh.  Selected and Edited by Ronald de Leeuw. Translated by Arnold Pomerans.

If you like reading letters written by famous people or if you like Vincent van Gogh's art you will enjoy reading some of his thoughts. He wrote extensively to his brother Theo. There are letters written to others as well.

One thing I enjoyed reading is that he exchanged art with other artists. I like the idea that we as artists are doing what the great ones did many years ago by trading our sketches, atcs, and paintings.  Of course when you trade with  me it isn't like you are trading with Gaugin, Monet etc.  There are many interesting tidbits in the letters.  It will certainly make you appreciate your life.

So if you think you would like to read this book leave me a comment on this post by Wednesday February 17th.  I will put all the names in a hat and have my Dearly Beloved draw a name. I will ship it to the winner as a Valentine gift. 

Thankful Thursday

This unexpected packet came from Lolo this past week. I was blown away by the surprise that came in the mail.  Thank you so much Lolo.  I have already had some fun with these stamps.

I admired this atc on Margaret's blog and she agreed to trade with me. It is so intricate as is all of her work. I so admire her style.  Thank you Margaret.

This ATC came from Soulbrush.  It is a reminder that we are Soul Sisters.  It came in a thank you for participating in her ARSTY SOUL SISTERS book.  I am the one that is utterly thankful for being invited to participate with this group of atists.  Thank YOU Soul for asking me to participate. Not only this but today is Soul's birthday. Happy Birthday Soul. Please pop over and give Soul a hearty Happy Birthday greeting.

Animal Wednesday - Bee Eater

This is a Bee Eater done in Prismacolor pencils, Micron Ink watercolor background.

Happy Animal Wednesday.

Blooming Tuesday - Journal Page

That sweet Lolo sent me some clear rubber stamps that are butterflies. Thank you so much Lolo.  I wanted to use them right away so I did a page in my journal using the stamps. I also used the seal from the back of the envelope that she sent and a stamp she had on the front of the envelope.  Of course there are some flowers in the garden where the kitty is looking for something to play with. HBT.

Haiku Bones - Uncanny

This week on Haiku Bones the prompt is uncanny.  If any of you have ever had  a dog that you walked daily you know the feeling of having your dog read your mind. It isn't just body language but they know what you are thinking most of the time.

Before I don shoes

or wrap up like a mummy

she's ready to go