Rapture Pet Sitting Service

winter is finally here

2012-02-12T10:31:00.000-05:00

Wow a big arctic cold front came through last night, we're a little blue today.

illustration friday - pup-ularity

2012-02-11T10:05:00.001-05:00

Kato is always trying to be the most popular dog in the house. He knows a good cup o'joe is a sure way to a girl's heart.

On another "pup-ular" note. Check out Mônica Carnesi's newly released children's book, "Little Dog Lost: The True Story of a Brave Dog Named Baltic."

It's a heart warming story illustrated with wonderful watercolours. Make sure you read it with a hot cup of cocoa and a big box of tissues.

Congratulations to Mônica on this wonderful achievement!

Oodles of Doodles

2012-02-08T11:03:00.000-05:00

Catching up on my reading and found this gem in the Jan 29 NYT magazine, "The Art of the Doodle."

illustration friday - suspense

2012-02-05T10:23:00.003-05:00

A quick doodle of the boys and I watching a suspenseful movie.

illustration friday - foward

2012-01-27T14:22:00.000-05:00

I'm trying to teach Kato how to run with me...

illustration friday - twirl

2012-01-21T12:10:00.000-05:00

A quick doodle, Kato practicing his twirling.

sad face

2012-01-20T12:50:00.000-05:00

Here's a quick sketch of Ronan pleading with his eyes for me to turn the light out and go to sleep. After a couple of ha-rumphs I did.

Illustration Friday - Prepare

2012-01-17T16:07:00.000-05:00

Back from a long break. I've gathered up my supplies to "prepare" for a good year of doodling. I hope to get back on track and post regularly. Ended 2011 with a good streak which was only interrupted by the return of my husband. I've packed him off again to his home away from home and am ready to get back to it. I did this quick doodle of my supplies while Skype'ing with him. He likes to tease the dogs, they don't understand technology.

Wishing everyone a very merry happy!

2011-12-25T19:26:00.003-05:00

The pups and I are wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Festivus, Merry Ludachristmas, Warm Solstice and a very Merry Happy!
We made it to Asheville for the pre-holiday festivities and beat Santa home on Christmas Eve to make our traditional Christmas Eve Enchiladas.
I got what I wanted under the tree, yes Gnomes (and my guy) hope y'all got what you were wishing for this holiday season!

illustration friday - separated

2011-12-09T12:04:00.001-05:00

Since my hubby and I are always separated due to his job, we adopted our puppies so I could have someone to watch sad movies with (the kitty refused). Now they can't be separated from me because I've created velcro dogs, ack.

ring around the moon, shame on you

2011-12-08T11:18:00.002-05:00

We saw a beautiful ring around the moon the other night, and Jupiter (goddess of love and delight, oh wait that's Venus) wow so bright and shiny. I guess there are some pluses about living out in the boondocks, no ambient light so great night skies.

illustration friday - brigade

2011-12-02T12:30:00.001-05:00

Here's my little puppy brigade. Yeah, clearly I couldn't really think of anything today.

One thing that did come to mind, well does every time I visit the Illustration Friday Web site, is the Hanoch Piven "meat" face. With no disrespect meant to Hanock Piven or Illustration Friday, that meat has got to be getting pretty ripe by now. Although I guess it is cold cuts so maybe it stays fresher longer.

Okay back to work, happy Friday everyone!

sad news

2011-11-30T10:39:00.003-05:00

Sadly over Thanksgiving my dear sister-in-law's beloved golden retriever passed over the rainbow bridge. We were all so lucky to have the entire family together one last time before she went. My S-I-L raised Nadia from a puppy to be a service dog. Happily for us, Nadia was afraid of thunder so S-I-L got to adopt her for her very own.

illustration friday - round

2011-11-30T10:12:00.000-05:00

Of course I had to post my little round furball for this week's illustration friday.

A little late in posting this week as I have been busy with a book for my niece (a couple illos from it below) and of course my hubby made it home safe for the holidays, yay.

HubReHoTDay!

2011-11-27T13:47:00.000-05:00

Yay turkey day arrived as did my hubby!
While I did have to share him with family (that's what thanksgiving is all about after all) we had a great time with and I get to keep him for a couple more weeks.

Turkeys' revenge?

2011-11-20T10:49:00.000-05:00

I had to make a quick trip to the store this morning and came across this disturbing display.

HubReHoTDay - another day closer

2011-11-20T08:41:00.001-05:00

Wow getting closer having the hubby back home, yay!
Missed posting and drawing yesterday, had to volunteer all day, standing, so now I can barely move I think I threw my back out. Oh old age, my friend, you win again.

Here is a doodle of my friend's cat who just broke his leg jumping off a chair. Think he needs to go on a d-i-e-t,

HubReHoTDay - almost there

2011-11-18T08:44:00.000-05:00

While I have be remiss in posting, I have been diligently doodling and am still working on the book for my niece. I really hope I get it done in time. My niece is the drummer in her own band which consists of her and her cousin. I thought I would give her a couple more members so they can go on tour.

Illustration Friday - vanity thy name is kitty

2011-11-18T08:25:00.000-05:00

I remember making my kitty so mad when I would pet her after she just finished grooming herself. She would give me her best stink eye, re-groom the spot I petted then glare at me daring me to do it again. Hee, hee oh I loved teasing her. My dogs on the other hand roll in the dirt to dry off after their bath. ugh.

falling behind as the deadline nears

2011-11-16T09:28:00.000-05:00

While my posting has fallen behind I am still doodling! yay! Another self portrait. Hmm what does it say about me that I still dress like a ten year old.

I've been working on a book for my niece. I'm hoping to have it finished to give to her for Christmas. It's going to be about her band. She's only five and has her own rock band, love it!

(I wrote a phone message on the back of it, doh)

Downing Street Defends Larry The Cat After Mouse Sighting

2011-11-14T11:41:00.000-05:00

Calls for Larry the cat to resign from his position as No. 10 Downing Street's semi-official mouser have been "rebuffed," the BBC reports. That's even though The Daily Mail says Prime Minister David Cameron had to resort "to throwing cutlery" at a mouse during a dinner with Cabinet ministers last week because of "Larry's apparent disinterest in keeping on top of the now growing rodent problem" at the PM's official residence.

As Morning Edition previously reported, Larry was brought on staff last winter. In June, according to the BBC, Cameron said Larry is " 'a good mouser' and had caught three mice since his arrival."

Just what Larry's more recent problem may be, isn't clear. The fearsome Fleet Street press doesn't seem to have cracked the story just yet. But there is this hint in the BBC's report: "A spokesman for the Royal Parks confirmed in September that Maisie, a cat who lives at the nearby St James' Park keeper's cottage, had struck up a close friendship with Larry."

HubReHoTDay - sketches

2011-11-14T09:09:00.000-05:00

Okay while I missed posting yesterday, I did doodle and spent the entire day in my studio. I'm feeling a little bit of the mojo coming back. I dreamt I had a major school assignment due today, hoping it was this post weighing on me and that I'm not dreaming now and will wake up back in the 10th grade with an algebra test.

HubReHoTDay- Life in the NC

2011-11-12T13:47:00.002-05:00

Hanging out in the backyard, drinking coffee the boys are up to their usually pro-dog wrestling bout. Trying a little 3D action shot, don't think I really got it. Kato is looking really weird. Oh well I'll keep at it.

Also just got a new picture book... actually bought three but two are for my niece ("Dog Parade" by Barbara Joosse and Eugene Yelchin and "Math Curse" by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith.) I'm keeping the Graham Base book, "The Jewel Fish of Karnak."

illustration friday - silent

2011-11-11T09:39:00.001-05:00

It's very silent around here without kitty. She was quite the talker, always going on about getting rid of the dogs and world domination. (I think I made her forehead a little large, oops.)

The dogs are hiding because they keep hearing the word "vet" being bantered around.

Happy Veteran's Day!

oh and happy 11-11-11 very fun date.

HubReHoTDa - let sleeping dogs lie

2011-11-10T18:54:00.001-05:00

Wow, still posting... this is a new record, yay!

Kato sleeping, being innocent is exhausting.
I like the way he sleeps with his paw turned upside-down

HubReHoTDa - still counting down the days

2011-11-09T22:09:00.000-05:00

A quick self portrait doodle - had to get this in so I don't miss a day, but top chef is on so must run. Another crazy day at work with zombie projects (projects that just won't die).

HubReHoTDa - another day closer

2011-11-08T08:27:00.000-05:00

Yay, another post. It's amazing how much you can get done when your dogs don't participate in daylight savings time. I think it's time to clean the ol'scanner it's covered in dog hair. Well let's be realistic everything in my house is covered in dog hair.

November Picture Book Month

2011-11-07T14:18:00.000-05:00

picturebookmonth.com

HubReHoTDa

2011-11-07T14:07:00.000-05:00

I've decided to pass the time until my husband returns by doing a sketch a day (SkADaMo) but am calling it HubReHoTDa (Husband Retuns Home for Turkey Day) in honour of silly acronym month (SiAcroMo).

NaBloPoMo & SkADaMo

2011-11-07T10:28:00.001-05:00

Stole the SkADaMo (sketch a day month) idea from
Linda at Sketched Out.

Playing catch up... it's going to be a countdown to when hubby returns home for T-day (HubReHoTDa).

NaBloPoMo

2011-11-07T09:03:00.000-05:00

Trying to post everyday... hoping to get myself out of this funk.

Missing Kitty.

illustration friday - stripes

2011-11-07T08:43:00.001-05:00

Very busy weekend here... puppy sitting the cutest yellow lab (photo below). I also have been trying to de-clutter the house to help rid it of the mice (have-a-heart traps are in place but doing no good). Long story even longer I came across my husband's grandmother's scrapbook and found this awesome photo of her as Duchess of the Army, too bad we can't see it in it's full technicolor glory. Thought it fit the stripes theme this week.

Columbia Pike Artist Studios' open house

2011-10-28T10:53:00.004-04:00

For those in the Northern Virginia area the Columbia Pike Artist Studios' annual Gala is coming up Sat., November 12 at 6 pm, and--this is a first--an additional opening the next day from 2:00-5:00. Meet the artists (including my dear friend and fabulous artist, Kimberly Murphy-Lyons), see/purchase local art, wine, hors d'oeuvres, fun.

illustration friday - scary

2011-10-28T10:02:00.002-04:00

Scary -- I'll show you scary. This little guy was more frightening than Paranormal 3. I was sitting in bed reading (okay I admit I had popcorn too) when this fuzzball came scurrying in. We both took one look at each other and our screams were harmonizing like Simon and Garfunkel. He fled into my studio and I think has taken up residence inside my Barbie dream house (yes I still have it).

The next day I was re-potting one of my poor plants and this guy jumped out of the potting soil bag, there goes another ten years.

Happy Halloween everyone!!

illustration friday - fuel

2011-10-21T12:02:00.001-04:00

I'm being super green today by recycling an illustration I've already recycled. Here we are at our refueling station.

Mouse update: While I didn't get a new kitty (yet) I did duct tape up all the little crawl space doors (portals to another universe perhaps) and have been "clean" for a week now. Yay! While I know the little critters are still in da'house at least they're not crawling around inside my shoes.

Duct Tape Kitty

duct tape kitty

2011-10-18T11:18:00.001-04:00

So my passive solution to the mouse problem in my house is to duct tape all the little crawl space doors (not sure if they're portals to another universe or just the plumbing). So far this tactic has worked. I know mice are smart so I'm sure they'll find another way into the house so they can use my computer to surf the Web while I sleep.

illustration friday - scattered

2011-10-14T13:07:00.001-04:00

My focus has been a bit scattered as I try to figure out how to rid our house of mice that moved in after our basement flooded. I don't know how to separate the cute disney version of them from the icky rodent version of them, I want them gone but hate to kill them.

illustration friday - contraption

2011-10-07T19:58:00.008-04:00

For the past month I have been battling a mouse problem in our house and all I could think of for this week's word was a Rube Goldberg type contraption solution.

A: give the dog a cookie B: happy dog wags his tail pulling string C: string pours coffee into mug D: mug overflows spilling coffee E: sponge soaks up coffee expanding F: sending wiffle ball up string G: string slackens closing shoebox on mouse... Or I could just get a cat.

illustration friday - hibernate

2011-09-30T09:19:00.000-04:00

I love hibernating!

Illustration Friday - Ferocious

2011-09-26T11:21:00.000-04:00

"It is not part of a true culture to tame tigers, any more than it is to make sheep ferocious." - Henry David Thoreau

I couldn't think of anything for this week's topic so I went into the woods, well the backyard, to channel my inner Thoreau and discovered my flower bed overgrown with carolina horsenettle a form of nightshade. It's particularly "ferocious" since it's not only poisonous but covered with thorns so very difficult to weed.

illustration friday - mysterious

2011-09-06T13:21:00.000-04:00

Re-posting an oldie in hopes of getting back into the swing of things. The creative spark is always mysterious.

Summer's over

2011-09-06T13:11:00.000-04:00

What a crazy year so far... my blogging has been spotty at best, life just keeps getting in the way. Since our move to a culturally void part of the country and the loss of my muse, kitty, I haven't been feeling very creative as of late. We were able to get away to the mountains and recharge a bit.

A thunderstorm is rolling through and both dogs are hiding under my desk warming my toes.

illustration friday - gesture

2011-07-19T09:06:00.000-04:00

Gesture.

What's in a gesture.

Some say it's the thought that counts.

I wonder.

illustration friday - stay

2011-07-08T11:26:00.000-04:00

Stay! We're still working on the "stay" command.

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-04T09:29:00.000-04:00

We're melting here in the heat but still celebrating!

illustration friday - remedy

2011-07-01T08:38:00.000-04:00

I'm taking Hippocrates' advice "To do nothing is sometimes a good remedy" and am going to spend the day recovering from a crazy week by reading my new book "The Greater Journey" by David McCullough.

illustration friday - midsummer knight

2011-06-28T12:20:00.000-04:00

okay I'm stretching it here... this is my midsummer knight on top of her sandcastle.

We are thinking of getting a new kitten, our last two found us so I'm kinda waiting for that to happen again.

illustration friday - lunch

2011-06-17T09:44:00.001-04:00

What!?! "Launch" not "Lunch"?

Sigh, everything I do lately seems to fall short of other people's expectations. I'm going to go back under the covers and I'm never coming out.

illustration friday - shadows

2011-06-08T11:53:00.001-04:00

A quick doodle for shadows. Even after all these months I still think I see the shadows of my beloved kitten around the house.

illustration friday - asleep

2011-05-31T14:06:00.000-04:00

Ne réveillez pas le chat qui dort.

We all know we should let sleeping cats lie, but that fuzzy tummy is so tempting.

Surfing Madonna in Encinitas

2011-05-26T16:23:00.000-04:00

We're back from our trip visiting family and got to see this awesome mural by a mystery artist in Encinitas.

illustration friday - safari

2011-05-18T09:52:00.000-04:00

Kitty on a backyard safari.

Okay this is an oldie but I'm running out of time this week and missed last week. We're getting ready to head out to the left coast to visit my perfect niece, apparently the rapture is supposed to happen while we're on the plane, hope the pilot is a sinner.

hiking with the pups

2011-05-13T17:32:00.000-04:00

Climbing to the top of Max Patch on the Appalachian Trail with the pups.

Illustration Friday - Lesson

2011-04-29T17:56:00.002-04:00

Kato giving a refresher lesson on how to feed him.

Reminds me of when we were in a new town and tried to order a large pie from the local pizzeria, "No pie, just pizza!" was their response, heh, heh.

Illustration friday - bicycle & journey

2011-04-22T11:04:00.002-04:00

I missed posting last week between work, tornadoes and my good friend's art opening my life got away from me. So this week I'm combining both topics, "Don't stop believing,
hold on to that feeling..."

Happy Earth Day everyone, give her a big hug.

Here are samples of my dear friend Kimberley Murphy-Lyons' work, she's wonderful.


*Watching the Hill* *(36'X36")*

Prince Is No Pauper (24" x 36")

Snow Beach (36" x 48")

helpers

2011-04-14T07:54:00.001-04:00

Had to post these photos of the boys helping me in the backyard. Ronan didn't really want his picture taken but he looks so cute with the rose.

Kato helping me pick up dead branches. He's a one dog wood chipping machine.

illustration friday - bottled

2011-04-08T12:33:00.002-04:00

I wish I could just bottle up my furballs and keep them forever.

Here's a cute picture of my big guy Ronan with his bottles.

illustration friday - duet

2011-04-01T13:18:00.006-04:00

Woof-gang Mozart and Beg-thoven play a duet. Just a quick doodle for today I'm off to play tricks on the dogs, Happy April's Fools Day!

illustration friday - toy

2011-03-26T10:28:00.001-04:00

Kato's fav-o-rite chew toy is Ronan. He always pounces on him when he's trying to sleep.

illustration friday - cultivate

2011-03-20T11:15:00.000-04:00

Kato says he's helping me cultivate the garden.

Who would believe such pleasure from a wee ball o' fur. Happy St. Paddy's Day!

2011-03-17T10:09:00.001-04:00

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

illustration friday - stir

2011-03-15T10:44:00.002-04:00

Who knew you needed your thumbs so much. It's even hard to stir things now that I cut off my thumb. I have terrible arthritis in my other thumb and my fingers claim they can't work under these thumbless conditions.

illustration friday - warning

2011-03-03T08:55:00.002-05:00

Warning! Knives are sharp! (thanks for the safety tip Egon). So glad my husband comes back today! He's been gone awhile and he's the cook in the family (my speciality is cereal) I tried to make something the other night and chopped of the end of my thumb. Never again! My mother sent me a chain-mail glove, ha, ha so funny mom. Just call me stubby.

illustration friday - swarm

2011-02-25T22:27:00.002-05:00

It's getting a little s'warm in here after layering on these sweaters.
(I was a slightly influenced by the previous fridays' topics.)

illustration friday - layer

2011-02-18T12:10:00.001-05:00

Now that Kato has learned how to high five, we're onto the next layer of training, making my morning coffee.

illustration friday - sweater

2011-02-11T09:54:00.000-05:00

Okay I promised myself all new doodles this year but I've already failed. I'm in the weeds with work so am in a time crunch. Here's my kitty modeling one of my sweaters that my husband so thoughtfully washed and dried. His response... "but sheep don't shrink when they get wet"

illustration friday - reverse

2011-02-05T08:12:00.002-05:00

If I could reverse time I would give my kitty a big hug.

I did this quick doodle right before I went to sleep last night and was missing my kitty, even though I had dog breath sleeping next to me (umm that would be one of my dogs not my husband). (yawn) I think I need some coffee now.

illustration friday - surrender

2011-01-29T21:47:00.001-05:00

Arg, I couldn't think of anything so this is what I doodled. Don't know why I was thinking of pirates. Maybe because I just heard this joke:
What did the boy pirate say to the girl pirate when he was breaking up with her?
"We'll always have parrots"

illustration friday - dusty

2011-01-21T12:32:00.001-05:00

Putting the dogs to work...cough, cough...it's getting a bit dusty here.

illustration friday - chicken

2011-01-14T13:20:00.003-05:00

My big black dog is such a chicken.

more sketchbook...

2011-01-08T13:40:00.002-05:00

illustration friday - deja vu

2011-01-07T17:12:00.006-05:00

deja vu - this is what I wake up to every morning,
boy do I miss the gentle tapping of my kitten's paw,
even though eventually she would shove a claw up my nostril.

this was my first attempt, can't believe I did two, my patience is getting better
too bad my perspective isn't, but working on it.

laughing dogs

2011-01-04T09:25:00.003-05:00

It must have been a good cat joke.

sketchbook project - finished!

2011-01-02T11:06:00.000-05:00

Just under the wire I finally finished my sketchbook for the Sketchbook Project, yay!

While it turned out to be just a book of my doodles, like all my other sketchbooks, I hope people will enjoy my childish, like, childlike style.

My topic was "Raining Dogs and Cats" which I took liberty with and changed to "Reigning Cat and (2) Dogs"

Here are some pages

illustration friday - resolution

2011-01-01T10:08:00.001-05:00

I resolve to post all NEW doodles in 2011.
Here's an oldie but a goodie.
(doh, I resolve to start next week to post all new doodles.)

Happy New Year Everyone!

More snow...

2010-12-26T14:47:00.002-05:00

SNOW!!!

2010-12-26T14:37:00.000-05:00

illustration friday - snow (oops winter)

2010-12-25T14:39:00.001-05:00

Snowflakes are all so unique.

illustration friday - mail

2010-12-22T11:44:00.002-05:00

Kato helping me get the holiday cards out.

visitor

2010-12-15T11:18:00.004-05:00

I had to post this, I was just visited at my studio window by a ruby-crowned kinglet. He is too cute. It's like he has a little red toupee on!

illustration friday - phenomenon

2010-12-15T11:08:00.001-05:00

I love the magical phenomenon of snow.

Since my hubby just made it home for the holidays (yay) and won't be here long, I don't have time to draw anything so Kato did this week's IF for me.

redecorating

2010-12-15T10:56:00.000-05:00

Either Kato doesn't like my taste in christmas decorations or he thinks they're very tasty.

they draw & cook

2010-12-07T12:52:00.002-05:00

While I don't really cook I do know how to assemble and this is a tasty little coffee drink which I submitted to this wonderful Web site They Draw & Cook

illustration friday - prehistoric

2010-12-06T10:48:00.001-05:00

Kato's new prehistoric toy. (can something be new and prehistoric?)

goldie locks or big bad wolf?

2010-11-29T15:55:00.002-05:00

Who's sleeping in my bed? Could it be a pie-stealing pup sleeping it off? Such a bad dog!

illustration friday - savour

2010-11-29T09:33:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving, we did except for one thing, NO PIE! Lesson learned, never leave a pie alone and vulnerable on the counter. We thought our little, chunky monkey lab had been rehabbed of his counter surfing sadly he had a major relapse and SAVOURED every last crumb. No pie for me :(

a few sketchbook project pages

2010-11-24T11:27:00.001-05:00

I needed some help getting started so I took a couple of lines from t.s. eliot's "the wasteland" as inspiration.

illustration friday - afterwards

2010-11-05T10:05:00.000-04:00

We're wondering what happens in the "afterwards"

(box is kitten's ashes, making her an urn is on my list of to-do's)

Ack my first attempt of doodling after more than a month off. Pretty bad but at least it's a new one, yay. I need to get back into the groove as I have an entire sketchbook to fill for the Sketchbook Project.

illustration friday - spent

2010-11-02T13:34:00.000-04:00

I'm SPENT after the move and a week away at a conference. Finally got the kitten's ashes so she's back in the fold and I'm waiting for my first haunting.

illustration friday - spooky

2010-10-15T09:37:00.000-04:00

Okay, while I confess I have found most of my studio supplies after the move, except my darn graphite crayons, I'm submitting another oldie but goodie. I just can't bring myself to doodle anything without my kitty sleeping behind me as lumbar support. Maybe she'll start haunting me then I can really channel something spooky.

retro day

2010-10-13T11:50:00.000-04:00

VH1 - Kittens - Karma Chameleon (2003) - 0:30 (USA)

VH1 - Kittens - Who Am I (What's My Name)? (2003) - 0:30 (USA)

I'm feeling a bit nostalgic so I'm posting these old VH1 promos just for kicks.

illustration friday - transportation

2010-10-08T10:07:00.000-04:00

I'm still unpacking and haven't found my art supplies yet so here is a recycled doodle.

enough with the paparazzi, gimme that camera!

2010-10-02T15:21:00.000-04:00

Thought I'd post one of the rare pictures I have of my kitty, she didn't like the paparazzi much.

illustration friday - beneath

2010-10-01T10:21:00.000-04:00

Longing for the dry skies of San Diego, it has rained every day since we moved to NC. We discovered we have an indoor pool in our new house called, the basement. Where fortunately we were storing all the unpacked boxes, mostly filled with books, now pulp. Yay! (old illo until I find my paints)

Here's a poem by Lewis Carroll as we say goodbye to summer.

A BOAT beneath a Sunny Sky

by Lewis Carroll

A BOAT beneath a sunny sky,

Lingering onward dreamily

In an evening of July —

Children three that nestle near,

Eager eye and willing ear,

Pleased a simple tale to hear —

Long has paled that sunny sky:

Echoes fade and memories die:

Autumn frosts have slain July.

Still she haunts me, phantomwise,

Alice moving under skies

Never seen by waking eyes.

Children yet, the tale to hear,

Eager eye and willing ear,

Lovingly shall nestle near.

In a Wonderland they lie,

Dreaming as the days go by,

Dreaming as the summers die:

Ever drifting down the stream —

Lingering in the golden gleam —

Life, what is it but a dream?

illustration friday - old fashioned

2010-09-30T10:07:00.000-04:00

Old fashioned memories of our kitty who we lost last week. She spent the last couple of days of her sixteen years sleeping in sunbeams. sigh.

big empty house

2010-09-30T09:46:00.000-04:00

We're all moved in but still have to arrange the furniture and unpack boxes. The house is very big and very empty...

...mostly because our kitty decided not to make the trip with us. She hadn't been feeling well the week before our move, but remained feisty and demanding until the end. She was sixteen and had a very good life putting up with me and the dogs. I am so sad, but hope she will remain my muse.

dog is my co-pilot

2010-09-09T17:17:00.000-04:00

Funny typo in our god (I mean dog) park sign.

a couple more favs from The Smithsonian American Art Museum

2010-09-02T11:21:00.000-04:00

Wolf Riding Turtle

after 1930 Unidentified carved, varnished, and painted walnut 15 3/8 x 9 5/8 x 14 in. (39.2 x 24.5 x 35.5 cm.) Smithsonian American Art Museum Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson 1986.65.339 Smithsonian American Art Museum

Bottlecap Giraffe

completed after 1966 Unidentified carved and painted wood, bottlecaps, rubber, glass, animal hair and fur, and sheet metal 72 1/2 x 54 x 17 1/2 in. (184.2 x 137.2 x 44.5 cm.) Smithsonian American Art Museum Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson 1986.65.283 Smithsonian American Art Museum

Stephan Polaha
Winged Dog
about 1975
painted wood with metal and glass
17 7/8 x 22 x 10 1/2 in.
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment

illustration friday - immovable

2010-08-27T09:47:00.000-04:00

I wish we were "immovable" but we hit the road for NC in three weeks, yikes! So much to do, so little time. Today I'm heading down to the Smithsonian Am. Art Museum see one of my fav-o-rite outsider art pieces, "The Throne of the Third Heaven of the Nations' Millennium General Assembly" by James Hampton, it's made out of tin foil. My kitten would have a field day playing in this thing.

ca. 1950-1964 James Hampton Born: Elloree, South Carolina 1909 Died: Washington, District of Columbia 1964 gold and silver aluminum foil, Kraft paper, and plastic over wood furniture, paperboard, and glass 180 pieces in overall configuration: 10 1/2 x 27 x 14 1/2 ft. Smithsonian American Art Museum

they draw AND they cook

2010-08-14T12:42:00.000-04:00

I love this blog, check it out: http://www.theydrawandcook.com