Saturday, August 23, 2014

Stillness

Stillness

I caught a Swallow at Wood Lake.  And when I say caught I mean caught.  He was only there a few seconds.  Swallows, warblers and anything small were in a feeding frenzy this Spring.  It is so hard to catch them sitting still.

I love the colors in this photo.  And how the metal railing leads into the bird. A split second lucky shot that is actually focused.  Nice.



Friday, August 22, 2014

Skulduggery


Skull.  The timely theme over at www.illustrationfriday.com this week.  Who would have thought that I started my art career painting them.  Especially when I've been wandering around in the world of children's illustration for so long now.  Maybe too long.  When I was painting my southwestern and texture filled skull pieces I was still making slides of my work.  And this is the only one I have scanned.  One of the originals sold before I could even get a slide done of it.  It still remains my largest single sale to date.

That would definitely qualify as skulduggery now.  Or more like stupidity.  Selling something you can't even make prints of.  But I miss those innocent and naive days of making art.  I didn't know what the heck I was doing.  But I enjoyed painting and expressing myself so much.  Now my work has to have a purpose to promote myself.  Or be appropriate for my website.  No skulls there.

Maybe it is time to climb the mysterious stairway and find out where it really leads me... 

Saturday, August 16, 2014

The Internet Cat Video Fest 2014!

We brought our cat cups!

No, I'm not joking.  This is an official Internet Cat Video Festival.  And it is at the Walker Art Center.  No slouch in the art world.  I do have to admitt feeling a little embarrassed last year at the 2013 fest at the State Fair grounds.  Especially when a guy on stage started shouting, "It's a cat party.  A cat party!"  Uff da.  We still have that going through our heads.  A meow worm.


We weren't decked out in cat t -shirts, head gear or tails.  But we did bring our cat cups.  We use them all the time.


Dean was the first to get a tat.  



Of course I had to get one too.


And look!  They played a video of my cat Hana!


O.K. I just photoshopped her in. But she's definitely a star.  She's named after a town on Maui.  Mew, mew.  And she pukes on cue.  Actually, she's just yawning here.  Poor Hana.  It's called cat shaming. 



And Akua made his film debut as well!  


I'm just pulling your tail. Akua is named after a cat we met on the Big Island of Hawaii.  The original Akua Nani means gentle "female " spirit.  Opps.  Sorry big guy.

Friday, August 15, 2014

Chicken Lost


I thought it would be fun to post my Chicken Little illustration for www.illustrationfriday.com this week.  The theme is journey.  I don't have it on my website anymore.  It has traveled all the way to my saved files.

So where are they now?  Well, Chicken little grew up to be Gold and Plump.  Henny Penny has a line of clothing stores.  Rooster Cogburn, A.K.A. Cocky Locky was arrested for street fighting.  Ducky Daddles forgot to migrate.  Go figure.  Goosey Loosey, well, we won't go there.  And Turkey Lurkey ended up in prison with Cocky Locky for stalking. 

Of course I could just be feeding you a line of gobbly goop. 

The end.



Monday, August 11, 2014

Classic Corkscrew


I've been taking photos of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary for years.  And every time I snap a photo of the morning light shining down on the boardwalk I intend to do a painting of it.  So far I haven't.  But it is on my bucket list.


A green gecko was hanging around.


There were magic orbs.


A hawk looked down from above.


The swamp was in bloom.


Lettuce Lakes was ready for dressing.  (It really is called Lettuce Lakes)


A little Blue Heron was selecting a snack.


Lunch!  I love this shot!


Another beautiful morning in good old Florida.




Saturday, August 2, 2014

Life's highs and lows...


Scarlet Macaws fighting for a nesting spot.

I was searching for old blueberry picking posts and Life's highs and lows with the only label of Costa Rica popped up.  O.K. blogger.  I'll bite.  What could picking blueberries and Costa Rica possibly have in common.  Well, blogger knew more than I did.  You'd have to read my former post below for the rest of the story.  My funny highs and lows post.  At least it was amusing to me.  Like a time capsule.  Or diary.

I thought retrofitting this post was timely because we are picking blueberries at Cain's Orchard next weekend.  Click here to pick some blueberries virtually there. And we just booked a return trip to Osa!!!!  The rustic and beautiful peninsula of Costa Rica down by the border of Panama. And the best part is we'll be seeing these beautiful critters again. Except this time I'll be armed with a 30 + zoom instead of only a 10.  Scarlet Macaws.  Get ready for your close up


Now for some highs and lows...


High tide
Low tide
Osa Penninsula, Costa Rica

Last week's Highs...(2 years ago anyway)

1) We picked two ice cream pails of big blueberries at the postcard pretty Cain's Orchard.  Antioxidants!

2) I discovered the smallest and most perfect of feathers on the scenic Foundation Trail in Black River Falls, Wisconsin.

3) I was juried into Art Perchance at the MIA for the 3rd year in a row! I dropped off my framed print, Cat on a Blue Stairway at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts last Monday.  And they are actually going to hang it up.  

4) I made my first recipe from Pinterest.  Pretzels, chocolate chips, pecans and caramel.  How bad could it be?

5) I unveiled my new website and book on my blog.  Yay!  And my blog followers left lots of nice comments.  Thank you!

6) My husband and I split our first triple deluxe burger at Culvers.  It was a burger moment made in heaven.

7) We were gone for the weekend and didn't discover any cat puke when we got home.  Double yay!

8) We were among the last people to leave the party at our National Night Out event last week.  

9) And speaking of partying we stopped at the Sand Creek Brewery and discovered they made a Doppel Bock out of their Wild Ride IPA.  Whoo Hoo!

10) I actually got something in the mail.  My friend Christina's book!

Last Week's lows...

1) I somehow had to find room in the fridge for two huge pails of blueberries.

2) The feather I found won't help me fly.  Although I could hold it and take a flying leap to the couch.

3) The print I dropped off at the MIA will be given away at a fundraising event.  I'll walk away with empty pockets.  Again.

4) I made the recipe right before we left town and it was too gooey to cut.  I still haven't had any!!!!!!!

5) I posted the news about my new book and website on facehole and didn't get one comment.  I suddenly feel the need to change my status to loser.  And change my profile shot to one of me holding my hand over my forehead in the shape of an L.  Plus, none of my friends came to my MIA event.  Again.  Double L.

6)  The burger is no longer in my stomach.  Just on it.

7) The cats were still here when we got home.  Just joking.  Maybe.

8) Our new block leader fell and sprained his ankle and wrist at our block party!  He didn't have any fun at the event he organized.

9) My husband didn't want to sample the Doppel Bock at the tap room last weekend.  He was not feeling wild enough.  For shame. (but we did bring some home)

10) I'm still waiting by the mailbox...

Well, I'm still waiting by the mailbox.  For what I don't know. What were your highs and lows this week? 

P.S.

11) I have another low to add.  My cousin Debbie just told me that Cain's has a bad blueberry crop this year and won't be open next weekend!