Illustration Friday - baby

Ooooooooooooh baby....

"When choosing between two evils, I always like to try the one I've never tried before."

--Mae West

Illustration Friday - Worry

My biggest worry is that I will run out of ideas! :-)

"Fear of the unknown is the worst of all the fears; it
kills the creative powers that come from Curiosity."

-- Dr. Nirvikar Dahiya

Kerri almost falls asleep in the bean bag chair

Goodbye Elemore. And thank you.

AUGUST 6, 1931 - MAY 18, 2008

Dear Elemore,

I just found out that you are gone, and the wind was sucked out of me. It has been many years since I was in your class, and it is still so clear to me that you changed my relationship to drawing, and more importantly to myself. I didn't grow up in a family that knew how to appreciate artistic talent, much less encourage it. You did. And with me you did it with grace, gentleness, authenticity and care. It seems you were that way with everything you did in your life. You modeled for me the way I want to live my life, with courage and curiosity and enthusiasm. At 76 you were younger and more full of life than most people I know half that age.

I'm so grateful that you and I had a chance to talk a couple of months ago when I asked you to write a letter of recommendation for me as I prepare to go to grad school. It had been years since we'd talked, and yet we picked right up and had a riveting conversation about art, teaching, and the nature of drawing. I talked about that discussion with many of my friends. And now, the letter you wrote for me is a cherished possession. Tears are coming down as I write this. You saw me and honored me and blessed me, at a time when I needed it. And thanks to you and your loving ways, I draw more now than ever. I will always be in your debt, and I'm dedicating my graduate school experience to you, so that when I'm short on inspiration I'll know where to turn.

Rest in peace my friend. I'll look for you in the clouds and the wind and blue, blue sky, and know you are still at work.

Willie

Illustration Friday - Wide

My fish tank needs to be wider! :-)

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Mom always loved rocks, flowers and butterflies (and all kinds of other stuff). She's no longer with us, but she's always in my heart, and I thought about her when I took these recent pictures in Arkansas. Thanks for everything, Mom! xoxo

Illustration Friday - Electricity

Sometimes it takes a little electricity to get things going. :-)

Hang on tight!

"It takes courage to grow up and turn out to be who you really are."

-- e. e. cummings

Buddha says abandon all fear and desire

Illustration Friday - Seed

From little seeds big things grow. ;-)

I drew this one morning during the High Sierra Music Festival in Northern California. It was peaceful other than the sound of the crows and the snoring. And I was most drawn to the details of the big tree looming over our tents. (click image for a larger view) It's one of the things I love about drawing moments from my life. In a way I'm planting a seed so that a memory can grow.

"Your vision will become clear only
when you look into your heart...
Who looks outside, dreams.
Who looks inside, awakens."

-- Carl Gustav Jung