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Hoopa Doopa Valley Children's book , watercolor illustrations

  All three of the Hoopa Doopa Valley books are now available at Amazon.com! My aunt and I worked together to create this wonderful trilogy ...

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Unfold


The idea of what Heaven might look like unfolded in my mind as we talked about it in class. I played around with some different ideas and came up with a "street of gold in a crystal city". The kids really got interested in it, so I re-worked the design and made copies for them to color too. This was the final one that inspired them to begin telling stories about the people, and apparently mermaids, that live in the Crystal City.
We cannot see the flowers that the little girls pick, or the fountain around the corner to the right. Those are pictures for another day.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Craving marshmallows sketch


The topice at Illustration Friday was"Craving". My family had recently been camping and that's the only time the kids are allowed to eat marshmallows, or the only time I buy them. S'mores! After roasting one of two, and making the whole chocolate/marshmallow/graham cracker sandwich, they still just want to eat marshmallows. And the next day, they still remember the marshmallows are there, and want to eat them right out of the bag. Such a yummy, sweet, soft treat they crave when we are camping.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Puppet theatre


I've been working on other stuff, but finally have something for Illustration Friday. The theme this week is "theater"! I got the idea for this a long time ago while watching my nephews put on a puppet show for their little sister.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Read a book


I seem to be taking a little vacation from the Illustration Friday topics, but that doesn't mean I have stopped painting. I have several ideas of my own that I've been working on. This is what I did today. I like reading books outside when the weather is nice, and I love to see kids enjoying stories together.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Summer bubbles


This time I thought I'd post a work in progress. The topic this week is "Celebrate" so I picked some kids who were out of school for the summer. Bubbles and barefoot is a great way to start!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Time


This is a piece I've been working on, and I'm learning to sing the song as well for an event this weekend. I'm finding it surprisingly difficult. The Illustration Friday topic this week is "Time" and I thought since roosters are the ones who announce that it's Time To Get Up!! this would be appropriate. And if this boy can finish his chores quickly, he will have more time at the lake.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Flawed


How about a girl who suspects that the gem in her necklace is not real because she sees a flaw?

Saturday, January 31, 2009

Climb for IF


Well, here it is a little late. "Climb" for Illustration Friday. My scanner decided to take a vacation without warning, but it seems to be working fine today. Maybe I ask too much and it's just getting tired. The idea for this picture all started with the cat and I just kept adding to it. I don't think I've ever painted a squirrel before. I had lots of fun with this one.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Voices


In thinking of what I might draw for IF's theme "Voices", I kept thinking of all the creatures who make demands in the house- the dogs, the birds, the cats (not to mention the children and their friends). It's very rare to find me sitting alone. There is usually a curled up something nearby. I sketched this man while watching a movie, and it didn't take long for me to imagine what kind of voices he might be hearing if he had pets.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Contained


For Illustration Friday's topic "Contained". I know some people would prefer not to even look at tarantulas, but I've held a couple and still feel happiest when I know they can't go wandering.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Rambunctious


One day in December, both the kids and the animals got a little too excited at the same time. I don't know who started it, but it did involve them all vaulting over the sofa. The house is much too small for such energy. I don't remember anything that happened after that.