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.

Sneaky for IF

He tried to be sneaky when playing "hide and seek" with the dogs, but it didn't take long for them to figure it out. I played this game when I was a kid. It was fun to watch the dogs run back and forth under the tree the first time I tried it.

IF: Mistake

This picture is based on a true story. My dad had a very bad experience with a cholla cactus, and was sure to warn every one after that to STAY AWAY! Shortly after that, on a walk with the family, I glanced back to be sure the youngest was still with us. She remembered Pop's warning, but was determined to try it herself. Fortunately nothing happened to her hand, but eight feet further and her shoes were full of cactus spurs! And yes, she hikes in dresses.

Burning for IF

I had so much fun working on this illustration, partly because I proved to myself that I could do it, and also because it became a family project. Everyone gathered around the kitchen table to draw dragons. I learned a lot.

When the Illustration Friday topic was announced as "Burning", a fire breathing dragon was the first thing that came to mind. It was something I've never tried before and had been wanting to add to my repertoire. I saturated my brain with images of dragons, saw them in my mind as I fell asleep, filled pages and pages of sketchbook paper. Even my son took pity on me and let me borrow his dragon figurines.

When I was restocking at the art supply store I found a book on painting mythical creatures in watercolor. Perfect timing! I followed the author's advice and worked in glazes of color, but eventually my own instinct took over.

I am pleased with the result: my first dragon painting.