Restyle

Sunflower Surprise

Since farm style is becoming popular in decor, I thought to go back to an older piece and give it some checks to add a little more farm flavor as compared to the older version below.

Check the new version on Fine Art America!

Attitude of Gratitude

Attitude of Gratitude

Once in a while I like to create an illustration with a quote of some kind. 

Being grateful does help to set the tone of the day. It is kind of like looking at the glass half full rather than half empty. One starts the day on a positive foot rather than the negative.

Lots of wisdom is these words.

Revisiting and Refreshing: Two Birds on a Watering Can

Two Birds on a Watering Can

While sitting in art festivals, there are some designs I target to refresh.

The design below was the original, and while I sold quite a few, I thought it use a little more punch.

Updating Updating art goes back to my days as a greeting card designer. Even good sellers got updates over time.

This time, I also added a little more live interest to tell more of a story by adding the beetle.

This design is now available on Fine Art America 

It is also available on other products such as a tote bag.

It is a nice way to escape the winter blahs!

Tea for Two Revisited

Tea for Two

Artists do spring cleaning to their artwork sometimes.

Maybe it is that need to re-arrange the furniture, but some illustrations, I feel, need a bit of sprucing up or a bit of an update.

Below is the original.

This was from my days of mix media and collage techniques.

Again, any thoughts, please add to comments below.

The new version is available as prints or even as pillows as shown above on Fine Art America.

O is for Owl

O is for Owl

Yep, I was revisiting letters of the alphabet again. This time the letter O became a candidate for another new illustration. Although owl is obvious, it still was fun to tackle. Besides, I have been getting some owl requests from owl fans, including my 3 1/2 year old grandson, Oliver. Not only is the O for owl, but for opening in an oak tree. 

 

E is for Elk and Eagles

E is for Elk and Eagles

 It has been a long winter, so to escape the gray skies, cold and snow, designing a new letter E with  spring and summer in mind, seems preferable. 

So here is a new letter E for Elk, Eagles, Eggs, along with Emerald Green.

The Letter S is for Snowman

S is for Snowman

'Tis the Season for Snowman and Snow with Christmas lights and houses all a glow.

M E R R Y   C H R I S T M A S

 To All 

and 

May Your Blessings Grow!  

 

Tea Cup Wisdom

Tea Cup Wisdom

I've started collecting quotes here and there with the thought that some of them might inspire a design or two.

So here is a little wisdom on a tea cup I'd like to share 

with all of  you. 

 

Z is for Zebra!

Z is for Zebra!

I have been in the flow of ideas, but I have to confess a bit tired now. 

When I started this project of illustrated letters some 4 years ago, I first started with the letter Z not knowing where it would take off. It seemed like a good idea to tackle Z again.

I shall name him Zack for a new Z come back.

I Was Here First!

I Was Here First!

It is back to the birds! They seem to become a secondary theme!

Warm Weather Brings Visions of Summer

Sunflower Surprise!

The warm weather we have been having today has brought visions of summer and sunflowers!

Tea for Two

Tea for 2

I am done with winter. 

I started this design in the middle of gray skies and snow. I kept wrestling with the color. Guess I needed to see some green. 

Today the sun was out and the snow was melting and I was finally able to finish this design.

Yes, it is supposed to get cold again and I am sure there will be plenty more gray skies, but my thoughts are in Spring and warmer weather.

The Letter I for Ibis & Ivy

I is for Ibis & Ivy

I wanted to do another letter I, but I words were not inspiring and I was at a loss. 

There not many I words that are tangible things. 

Okay, there is iguana and iris, but that is about it after ivy and ibis. 

I had to look up what an ibis looked like. To my surprise the birds were not only white, but some are a marvelous RED! 

One was not enough. Of course once I added a second!  There had to be a little romance happening since Valentine's Day is two weeks away. 

He IDOLIZES her! 

Sigh! 

So there we are, my IDEA for the letter I.

January Blahs

January

It has been very cold and snowy in Ohio during this month of January,

not to mention the endless gray skies!

Snow at Christmas is festive, but not in January when the reality of winter hits. 

Heavy coats and boots weigh us down as we try to make our way out of the comfort of our homes.

The bright side is this: there is less than a week left of January and February is a short month!

The days are getting longer!

Both January and February are those months of recuperation, collecting our thoughts, and cleaning out closets of unwanted stuff. It is the preparation for Spring!

Maybe January is a necessity.

Yikes! Christmas is Around the Corner!

Joyful Snowman

I have been asked to speak to the Lakewood Art League this Monday and offer a design for raffle. 

My brain went dead. If I offered a letter that would only appeal to those with a connection to that letter.

As I started to work on some ideas I was also slowly panicking at the idea that Christmas is making its approach quickly. So I figured since Christmas around the corner, maybe a snowman would be good for raffle. So I dug up a design a did years back and updated it to give it new life and cut me some slack in the lack of time department. So here he is.

Just 39 days till Christmas!

 

Having Fun...Bon Appetit!

Bon Appetit

Here is another example of a second look. You look at something you did and are not quite satisfied. So later you come back to it with a fresh eye and make some changes. 

I am not a vegetarian, but I do have diet restrictions. This leads to somewhat embarrassing situations when in restaurants and being a guest at someone's house, especially because I don't like to put people out. So here is a little humor on the subject.

country decor posters

Hello Summer!

Hello Summer!

I have been sketching while watching my grandson in the screened in solarium. From there we get to see the flowers in my garden and to hear the birds serenade us from the trees. 

This illustration is to celebrate the first day of summer.

country decor posters

February

February

I know it is still January, but I am already thinking of February. 

Because of Valentine's day, I think of February as a romantic month. Romance brings warmth to this winter month and rescues us from the winter blahs. So here's to February, love and romance!

Getting in the Mood for Christmas

It must be the Christmas music!

Hope all of you are finding the spirit and blessings of the season!