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.

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.

Similar

I enjoyed these characters so much, I wanted to put them together in a different situation, after they became friends.

Balloon

I took a long break from drawing and painting while playing Mrs. Bedwin in the musical Oliver. Now I'm back! We also have a new puppy who is very playful. Anything looks like a toy.

Sugary for IF

I remember making Kool-Aid with a friend of mine when we were little. I don't know how much sugar we were supposed to put in, but we added scoop after scoop after scoop. I have no idea how it tasted but the memory of pouring so much into it stuck with me forever. Joseph had an explanation for each one, too. One for you, one for me, one for Jen, one for Tommy, one just because...

Packed

Clique

Little Rocky just wanted to fit in with his new friends.

Island

I recently saw an old picture of my sister and me. When thinking of ideas for 'Island' I remembered how we used to sit on the couch and pretend we were surrounded by water and couldn't touch the ground. Sometimes we looked through a catalog, picking out the items we would have with us on our island. We chose crazy things that didn't make any sense, but since it was our imagination we could have anything we wanted. I know there were diamond necklaces, emerald earrings, and gold bracelets. It had nothing to do with survival but everything to do with fantasy.

Clutter - for Illustration Friday

What a frustrating image to consider. Aren't we all trying to avoid clutter and simplify our lives? The inspiration for this picture came from things I saw around my house. My test audience said it was hard to look at, and discomforting. Well, that's the point.

Memories

This is very different from my original idea of opening an old trunk in an attic, but I think I like this one better. The easy, care-free life of a young girl in the country, in the sparkling color of dreams.