Beginner for IF

Constantly distracted by birds, I am thrilled to have a nest of babies over the patio. I happened to look out one day and see them picking just the right place to build, and watched as they added pieces to the nest. I tried not to disturb, but couldn't resist setting up the ladder for a pic of the eggs and later the babies. They were just little fuzz balls then, but I imagine now they're beginning to look more like birds.

Lesson for IF

No more rats...no more children...no more music... Did the mayor learn his lesson?

Bicycle for IF

Bicycle and Bottle

Toy for IF

Why did I make it looked stitched? I've been trying to figure that out. I had a dream I was working on a picture created with little lines, so I've been playing around with different ideas. This is today's version for Illustration Friday's theme, "Toy".

Stir for IF

A spring breeze stirs the air. I feel very distracted now by the garden and sunshine, and all the birds and creatures that visit. This was a little sketch I began at the park while my children played. It started with leaves that became butterflies, then a mysterious bird landed nearby and invited himself into the picture.

Dusty for IF

As usual, I made a few sketches of ideas and presented them to my children. Dusty old book was the favorite. Seconds later I heard a story of the girl who found a magical book found in an attic.

DejaVu for IF

This one came to me in the middle of the night while thinking, "how does one portray an image of "deja vu"? I guess you could say this is what happens in my brain, my head spinning back and forth in different directions trying to figure out if it's a real memory or just that my mind stepped out for a minute and is catching up. The kids talked me into finishing this one, partly because they are very encouraging and partly because they got to stay up late and draw while I worked. In fact, I even borrowed their oil pastels. It was a good night.

Phenomenon for IF

It's a week that includes meteor showers and preparing for the Living Nativity. My thoughts are heavenward.

Prehistoric for IF

I love watching dragonflies, and I'm fascinated by the idea of them having two foot wingspans in prehistoric times. Nothing in this picture suggests that this one is large, as some of my earlier sketches, so it turned out to be more of an exercise in drawing a dragonfly.

Savour for IF

Coming in just under the wire, Savour for IF. I struggled with this one, but my thoughts kept returning to cats or dogs, so I finally gave in and worked it out. It is inevitable that the young cats will find their way to the table and make themselves at home. I tried to make the painting playful and fun, even though it felt like work in the beginning.