Who are the Bubble Coi?

This illustration started off as most of my finished artwork does - a series of pencil sketches in vastly different styles. In the end, I decided to go with "simplicity" and let a collection of multi-sized dots create the illusion of the fish. But, as often happens with art, the end result started to take on a life of it's own - similar and yet very different from what I had originally envisioned. I didn't plan for there to be so many layers and my original idea was for the dots to be perfectly round, not wobbly and water droplet-like. Still, I am pleased with the outcome and it was fun to let my right-brain (artistic) take over from my left-brain (logical), allowing the piece to be experimented with and become what it is, even while straying somewhat from the "plan". Looking at this piece now, I imagine dappled sunlight filtering through clear water and drawing moving shapes on the back of the fish as they twirl around. A mother and child spending the day together in carefree bliss. I hope you see it too.

A Trip Down Childhood Lane...

Isn't this how everyone remembers the neighborhood where they grew up? Houses decorated in bright floral fabric patterns, pink-trimmed trees, huge blooming flowers everywhere and inviting front porches which led to doors that were never locked. And of course all our friends were always waiting in their backyards where we would spend whole summer days in another world, occassionally refreshed by a glass of mom-provided iced lemonade.

Well, if that' not how it actually happened, it sure is fun to pretend that it did, isn't it? With this watercolor and ink illustration, I hoped to capture some of that imagination that ran wild in me when I was a child and to convey a feeling of carefree, endless playtime. Childhoold goes by so fast, but when you look at this piece, you can get a little of it back again, if only for a few moments.

A Happy Day in Summer

This is part 2 in my Happy Day series for children. One of my favorite books of all time, is The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton, which fantastically illustrates the changing seasons. Although, my artistic style is quite different, I have always held a child-like fascination with the wonders that each new season brings. With my Happy Day art prints, I hope to highlight some of my favorite things and rekindle that spark of simple delight in others. What better way to celebrate summer, than with a garden of dandelions and a fluttering butterfly?

Thinking Summery Thoughts

I am so excited to be able to offer this new line of Mini Dahlia Notebooks. They were created in response to a customer who requested my original regular-sized Dahlia notebook (the pink one) in different colors and smaller. I had not thought to experiment with the colors or the size until she contacted me, but I am so happy with the results. I love when someone tosses me an idea out of the blue and I am able to run with it. Sometimes we artists find ourselves in creative "ruts", which is where I must admit I was at the time my customer contacted me. Any "jumpstarts" are always appreciated, so don't be afraid to ask an artist to do something for you. They will probably be delighted!

Lessons from Bookmarks: Breathe Deeply of Sunshine

Just think about exactly what that means . . . On that first really warm, sunny day coming out of long and dreary winter (like today!), it is SO rejuvenating to just step outside, close your eyes with your face to the sun, and breeeeeeathe in. Try it. You'll like it.

Orange Love

And now, the culmination of my 21-sketches brainstorming session on oranges (see 2 posts ago). I really do love everything Orange: the color, the fruit, the taste, the smell. So, appropriately titled, I think. This one has actually sparked an idea for a whole new kitchen re-design . . . someday.

Lessons From Bookmarks: Take Time to Unwind

Continuing with my bookmark series ... The message behind the bookmark I designed here is simple enough. It's important to balance out the craziness of our lives with "down time". We are only human after all and can only go so long or push ourselves so far before we must unplug and give our minds and bodies a rest from the responsibilities of life. If we don't, we risk serious emotional and health problems. Coffee and energy bars can help us get through the workdays, but they are not permanent solutions.

"Unwinding" is probably different for everyone, and is not the same thing as sleep. In fact, if you try to go to sleep before you've had sufficient time to relax, it will probably take you much longer to actually fall asleep, and the sleep you do get might not be the most restful. But don't think of unwinding as merely a tool to help you get better sleep, either. Think of it more as the sugar in a cake recipe. If you bake a cake without it, it will most likely come out looking fine, but it sure won't taste as good. Remember, you work hard and you deserve a little time to yourself, a little sweetner. It will make everything else in your life seem worthwhile, if you actually give yourself a break once in a while.

For me, the perfect way to unwind after a long day (and since I work evenings, this means the time right before I go to bed) is by curling up on the couch with a hot cup of chai tea and my latest book under soft, diffused light. I read for about an hour or so and by that time, my entire body - inlcuding my mind - feels relaxed. I like to wait until I get to the point where I'm having trouble concentrating on the words on the page or on anything I have to do the next day - REALLY tired. I have learned the hard way that trying to force myself to go to bed when I'm not tired, results in me laying awake for hours and being uncomfortable. So this is not only something that is one of life's simple pleasures for me, it also helps me sleep better.

There are other ways to unwind, that don't result in sleepiness. For instance, I consider taking a long walk through my neighborhood at a brisk pace a good way to unwind as it releases stress and leaves me feeling refreshed and healthy (notice I said walk, not run). However, I never get on my computer to unwind as I associate my computer and being in my office with work. But working in my garden or sitting down with an embroidery project are good "time outs" for me. I cannot say, however that watching TV is a good way to unwind, unless it's for a limited period of time, because the constant flashing lights and colors coming at you tend to keep your brain alert and leave you with eye strain if you stare at the TV for too long. This is not the case with a book, which is simple black text on a neutral background.

Some other ways to unwind, even if they are work, but not what you do for a living could be:

• Cooking
• Sewing
• Painting
• Writing in a journal
• Playing an instrument
• Singing
• Bubble baths
• Going on a picnic
• Taking a bike ride
• Going out for coffee and conversation
• Visiting your local library

I'm sure there are many others, that I cannot think of at this point, but however you unwind, make sure that you are getting what you need out of it and enjoy yourself.