Illustration Friday - "Artificial"

Are we frying our eyes? In sunglasses, plastic is artificial glass. I've been thinking about all the latest news about plastics and the harm than comes from the fumes or the chemicals that leach out over time. We're not supposed to store clothes in plastic bags, or use shower curtains that that emit PVC fumes, or drink water out of plastic bottles or cook with Teflon pans.

What about the plastic lens in sunglasses? What are they doing to our eyesight, especially when they are warm from being left in a hot car?

Mr. McGuire may have been wrong in "The Graduate" - our future may not lay in plastics. Or it may, but if we ruin our eyesight, we won't be able to see it.

Madonna Doggy

TIME FOR ANOTHER PET PORTRAIT!

This portrait of my darling Suzi-Q was taken by my out-of-town friend Marilyn while she was visiting me last week. On their journey here, she and her daughter Genna had to pull over and huddle in their car while a tornado passed overhead (seriously, I kid you not). Then, on the evening before they drove back to Chicago, we had to run to the basement for cover while sirens sounded for yet another tornado and stormy night! In between we had a fun week of shopping, eating, swimming, drinking and running amok.

Suzi Q is a cross between a Chihuahua and a Pug, which according to Marilyn, makes her a "Chuggle". We did not pose her, this is how she likes to sleep - under the covers in her doggie bed.

Health Care Reform Magazine Cover

I haven't had time to post since I've had a flurry of assignments this week - hoo hah!

This assignment is for a supplement that will publish this month with the regular edition of Minnesota Medicine Magazine. The theme is health care reform, with the general focus on Minnesota leading the nation in working with the federal government to examine changes in the health care system.

I submitted these two sketches and Janna, Graphic Designer Extraordinaire, selected the magnifying glass sketch. Here's something I learned - I drew the wrong icon for the medical industry. Initially, I looked it up for reference in various websites, and most of the reference sites got it wrong! The two snakes entwined around the staff (which as you can see is what I drew) is called the "caduceus", whereas what I should have drawn is the "asclepius", the single snake entwined around a staff. Caduceus is the symbol of Hermes, the ancient Roman messenger of commerce, and Aclepius was a Greek god who whose specialty was his healing powers. So you can see how these descriptions can make quite a different impression in regard to the medical profession! The snake shedding its skin symbolizes renewal and vigor, the aim of medicine. Now aren't you glad you learned something new today?

I've been wanting to incorporate textures and drawing into my illustration in a more prominent way, and this is the first time I've been able to mix them all together. It was challenging for me, but I loved the process and can't wait to continue along this road. All the elements are on separate layers in Photoshop, so Janna will be able to use them for spot illustrations throughout the publication. The arms of Uncle Sam and Minnesota make a respectable handshake when used without the rest of the illustration.

Letters Home

This is the first of the two collages I was commissioned to do for Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota. Initially I envisioned imagery highlighting the fabulous old architecture on the campus, but when I discovered the other photos in the university's archives, I changed direction. This letter is one of many written by a student in the early 1900's. She was not only prolific in her letter-writing, she was very wordy. Each letter was around 12 to 15 pages long. So you can imagine the details available to a reader today about life in and around school at the turn of the century!

This is the freshman class of 1900.

Valedictorian

Here's the final image for Hamline University. I was so charmed by the vintage photos of the graduating classes that I decided to focus more on the grads rather than the architecture of the campus. I'm not sure the valedictorian took off on a gull (or a loon, our state bird), but you never know. I'm quite sure the graduating students spread their wings and took flight, though.

Little Cowboy

Today would have been my brother's 59th birthday. We spent so many years together, from the time this photo was taken, it's hard to believe that I can't call him up and wish him Happy Birthday. You're in our hearts and thoughts, Paulie, on this your special day and every other.

Bad Hair Day

I just can't do a thing with it. It has rained every day for the last week, and my hair turns into a frizzy icky mop, no matter what I do. My hair stylist's solution to any problem is, "more product". MY solution is to move to a humid-free climate, wherever that may be.

Hamline Commission

DETAIL


DETAIL

Here's a little work in progress - I'm working on two collages commissioned by Hamline University. Hamline is located in St. Paul and has the distinct honor of being the very first university here in the Twin Cities and among the first coeducational institutions in the nation. I've been provided with some wonderful historical photographs to use in these collages. Here's the 1901 freshman class, floating on a letter written by a long ago student, whose many colorful and descriptive letters have been preserved in the archives. I love the many different personalities depicted in this group shot. How did the women (and the men, for that matter) manage to wear those tight high collars all day long?

Graduation

Graduation - a time to take flight, a new world lies ahead!

The Writer, final version

My annual open studio event was this weekend, ("Art-a-Whirl") I got so busy I forgot to post it on this blog. How professional is THAT, I ask you. Anyway, I was busy finishing up this collage and it was a good thing, too, because it sold during the event - to a writer! Oh, Happy Days!

The Writer

The Buckley sisters are going to have to wait - it seems I am preoccupied with finishing up a collage featuring this red-headed heroine. I often work on two or more collages at once so that I can let one "marinate" while I work on the other. Problems seem to solve themselves this way and interesting developments appear when I return to the work.

Bird-headed figures have been seen throughout history, and interestingly enough, they always seem to have a reference to writing or wisdom. So it seems appropriate that this hybrid creature be a vessel for the concept of writing and storytelling.

Giraffes and other Wonders

"Graphitegirl"


"Paper Acorn"

My "Air Show" print (available in my Etsy shop, Graphitegirl, ahem ahem) was included in Paper Acorn's post today, featuring handmade works involving that lovable creature, the giraffe. Check out the blog for the many fascinating artistic interpretations at paper acorn. And if you'd like to visit the the Paper Acorn Etsy shop, you will find some amazing handcrafted paper designs such as wedding decorations and luminaries.

Thanks, Jessica!

The Buckley Sisters

I just LOVE these ladies! Look at them, smiling (well, sort of) in their fancy scarves and ties. I've been saving this postcard until now, when I am finally ready to make a painting/collage to honor them. Their names were Mabel, May and Myrtle. They were known throughout Montana as the "Red Yearlings" because of their red-blond hair and horsemanship. They were so accomplished that they were sought for hire by the Wild West shows, which they declined. I wanna be a cowgirl.

YEE HAW!

Spring finally

I know I know, yet another photo of flowers on the internet. I can't help it - my crab apple trees knock my socks off every spring, and every spring I take the same photograph! It only lasts a week, so it makes the viewing even more special.

Having My Cake

My assignment was canceled, the one I just posted with all the sketches. This happens sometimes, the direction changed at the last moment and a photo was more appropriate than an illustration. So this gave me a chance to catch up on other projects.

But here's the dilemma - the projects are fun and I enjoy them, but they are not profitable enough to pay the rent. Do I continue with them and not spend time marketing for the more profitable jobs that I enjoy less and risk falling behind with my finances?

In other words, can I have my cake and eat it, too? My brain seems to have taken off somewhere, on vacation?, out to lunch?, ...and is not at all helpful in this matter.

More Sketches

Here are three more sketches that I submitted for my current job for Minnestota Medicine Magazine using a template background for the magazine. The one that was favored was the vintage clip art doctor holding the vintage encyclopedia brain - but I will be substituting the photo of an actual neurologist mentioned in the article as a key figure in the history of neurology within the state of Minnesota. This will be Photoshop fun!

P.S. In the second sketch, I utilized two preliminary comps (the metallic head and the very cute neurons) I downloaded from iStockphoto, a great source for photo and illustration stock at very reasonable prices.

Brainy Assignment

I'm on a brainy assignment, a cover for Minnesota Medicine that features an article about neurology and it's history relating to Minnesota. Here's one of the sketches I came up with, using the idea of the sense organs that neurology encompasses and an antique brain illustration. It's difficult to submit pencil sketches for a collage idea, so I sometimes just use the collage material in a loose fashion, if I can find it.

Get up and get going

Lately, I'm having a hard time just getting out of bed. Is it spring yet? Well, I'll just have to get up, put my hat on, and get going. Today I'm going to see Avatar. I'm the only person in the universe who hasn't seen it. That ought to wake me up!

Transitions

My sweet brother Paul has passed from this life, unexpectedly and without explanation. He was the kindest soul ever, it was the one thing everyone always said about Paul. And to the end, he kept true to his nature. He lived alone and apparently was gravely ill and told no one, seeking to spare us worry, and died (they speculate) of a heart attack in his apartment. Since he lived in another state, and canceled the last two visits he was planning to make here, no one knew he was ill.


He loved to play golf with Dad when he would come to visit. Paul would drive the cart and hit the ball around (he wasn't really an avid golfer) and Dad would be the "navigator", enjoying the scenery and chocolate bar that was a standard accessory to the trip. They went because they loved to be out in the fresh air and communing with nature in the disguise of a golf game.

Dad is now transitioning into an assisted living quarters with a high level of care. He moves in on Tuesday of this week. He has been in and out of the hospital so much the last month that he has lost all his strength, and now needs help to do most everything. Unfortunately, he cannot continue to live with me because I am unable to be at his side 24//7 to provide this care. Even in-home aides were not a viable solution. Oh, it breaks my heart to see him move out. But we do what have to do, given our situations and our options.

My one and only hope is that after the shock of being in a new home, he will find his days more lively with the companionship of other residents and the activities that are offered in the home. Dad is Mr. Social, and living with just me and the dog can be pretty monotonous.

It's a pretty lame hope, but it's all I can come up with at the moment.

Feeling SAD?

Feeling that ole Seasonal Affective Disorder? No energy to shovel all that continually falling snow under a dismal gray sky? Feeling blah? Sigh. I know the feeling. So if you live in Minneapolis, pick up the February edition of Vita.mn, the Star Tribune's supplement, (or check it out online here) and read the feature article about foods that can help you combat this common winter ailment in the northern hemisphere. Or move to South America, your choice.

Here's the cover above - it's my latest assignment under the astute art direction of Leslie Plesser. Don't you just love that retro guy? Thanks Leslie for your great resources and guidance!

Life is a Short Dock

Having my almost-97 year old dad living with me has been quite an education in the process of aging. It's really difficult to be old, in ways that I never dreamed of until I my dad moved in. Every winter the last few years he has gotten a major illness, and I call 911 and we go to the emergency room and we sit there for hours and hours and hours. He eventually comes home after a stay in the hospital in which his behavior deteriorates in direct correlation with the improvement of his health, until the end where he is well enough to go home, he is a bellowing ranting and raving old man (with nurses threatening to put him in restraints) yelling "Let's get outta this place, they don't know what they are doing!" This is a good thing, to see all this energy and independence, but very hard on my nerves.

Last week was our annual 911 call, a bout with pneumonia. He was in the hospital for 5 days, trying to climb out of bed the whole time. He recovered, came home for 2 days, relapsed with a major infection, so back we went.

So you have to think, is this the end? I never know. I DO know that he has the strongest constitution of anyone I know, and comes from a long-lived family. Good genes. And sure enough, in only one day they managed to get his infection controlled and he's back home again today.

Life is short, but for my dad, it's been longer than most and an education for me. Tips for a comfortable old age: good health, a positive attitude, enough money, Medicare, and a doting child to be your advocate!

Illustration Friday - "Wilderness"

Space - the ultimate wilderness!

The Cold

I HAVE A COLD AND I AM NOT IN MY HAPPY PLACE! Should I take Tylenol? Aspirin? Where's the chicken soup? My head is going to blow! Excuse me while I look for the Kleenex...

The Happy Chef Resolutions

Tis the New Year, and I have resolved to cook healthier foods, eat smaller portions, exercise more, watch TV less, give money to charities, find more work so I can give money to charities, and save the world.

According to the newspaper this morning, resolutions made for the new year only last on the average, 6 weeks.

Well, FINE THEN, I guess I'll just forget about it all, saves me a lot of trouble.

Peace on Earth

Detail

Here's my Christmas card, which I created too late to send to my friends. Ah well, there's always next year. I just love these guys!

Happiest of Holidays!

I came across this old photo where I am watching my brother's glee as he discovers that Santa has granted his wish for a real space helmet, and my mother is enjoying the home-made Christmas card that I had labored over the previous day.

May your holidays be filled with the joys of family and friends and a granted wish or two!

It's Here!

As the weatherman said last night, it's here. Everyone has gotten a big blizzard and now we have our share, too. It looks so beautiful, like a holiday card. I had to stop shoveling to take some pics. It was overcast and snowing so the photos are on the gray side.... I decided to shovel half way through the storm, since I will never be able to manage the 20 inches we're supposed to get if I wait until the end!



The birdbath is there somewhere.



My neighbor's house seen through my old crab apple tree.




Snowy treetops over my lawn.



Sorel boots are synonymous with Minnesota. They are warm, tall and rugged (no, this is not an online dating ad) and built to last. When I moved here 19 years ago, the first thing everyone told me was, "Buy a pair of Sorels". So I did and here they are. (there's another one tagging along)

Illustration Friday - "Hatch"

Was her thinking grandiose? Could she not see her goals clearly? Was it a case of mistaken identity? Whatever.....her best laid plans never hatched.

Mushroom Princess

DETAIL

She's royalty and her court is the backyard, with very flighty attendants! I must say, pink is the sweetest color to use, and the most difficult of all colors to reproduce accurately on a computer monitor. Very frustrating! This collage is available in my shop, along with additional collages and prints. Don't forget - those holidays are just around the corner!

Thanksgiving Countdown

It's two days before Thanksgiving, and I have wild turkeys asking to come into my backyard. I was told that turkeys are very smart birds. This is not smart! They might as well just ask if they can hop into my oven. Go away you crazy birds, play hard to get, will ya?



I look out to the garden, and there are three more!



And a final glance shows me the whole gang is here. How can I eat these beautiful big guys? I'm changing the menu to macaroni and cheese. Perhaps that was their plan. Perhaps they're not as dumb as I thought!