Character studies

A well-dressed duck

This is a quick sketch for a story idea I'm working on.

Gossip

I painted this one in gouache which still doesn't feel as natural as watercolor but does allow me to be bolder with the color.

Illustration Friday - ferocious

For some being ferocious may take some practice.

Still Life

It's been ages since I've painted a still life. I did this one yesterday. The plums were in front of me but the background is imagined.

A visitor

We have some exercise weights stored under our bed and this morning I found this little fellow watching me from behind them. He was just a baby and not very good at keeping himself hidden. I then got to watch him trying to negotiate the stairs, which given his size was not easy. I don't really want to share my house with mice, but he was totally adorable and I was glad the cat was out.

A favorite poem by a favorite poet

Illustration Friday - mesmerizing

The children found the puppet show mesmerizing. In fact it was all a bit too real for one little girl.

Fortunately many things can be made better with an ice cream cone and a balloon. I've posted this sequence before but it seemed to fit the word for this week's Illustration Friday.

Among the winners!

I just learned that my English Muffin Pizza Faces recipe was among the 6 winners of the competition for recipes for kids on They Draw and Cook. Here's the link. Very exciting!

Illustrated map

I just uploaded this map to www.theydrawandtravel.com. Here's the exact link. I think artists on the site often illustrate favorite places that they like to go on vacation, but this is where I live (and lots of other people like to come here on vacation). Click on the map to see a larger version and all the details.

Interview

I was interviewed by Alex Colombo on her blog, Tales for Creative Minds. Here's the link http://talesforcreativeminds.blogspot.com/2011/09/just-keep-at-it-interview-with.html .

Kid-Friendly Recipe

They're having a competition of recipes for kids at theydrawandcook.com and I just sent in this one. You can click on it to see a bigger version and read the details. The specific link is here.

Illustration Friday - mysterious

This summer we were fortunate enough to go to Prague. At the castle there is a row of tiny houses and one of them is decorated inside like an alchemist's workroom. These mysteriously shaped bottles were among the vessels included.