Been A While

 

More snow yesterday.

Haven't posted for a while. Busy getting over a cold 

and trying to learn to draw and paint on the computer. 

What little work is out there now goes to artists who 
produce their work on Adobe Illustrator or some 
such program. Drawing and painting by hand is no 
longer appreciated or desired. 
The computer certainly eliminates the piles of sketches, 
wet paint and dirty brush water (which cats will drink, if 
left uncovered), sheets of handmade French watercolor 
paper, eraser nubs and rulers and triangles and T-squares. 
Trouble is, I LIKE piles of sketches. I am used to the 
feeling and concentration of laying a wash on luscious 
150lb hot press Arches water color paper with a Series 
7 Winsor Newton sable brush and the feel of drawing 
with a buttery F lead pencil. Its taken a long time 
to master these tools. Not a computer phobe, I write, 
communicate, research, shop, sell and alter my hand 
done art all the time. All self taught. 
But, so far drawing and painting on the 
computer is a shallow mechanical exercise. All point 
click and drag. Not an iota of sensuality or satisfaction.
Stay tuned.........

My illustration from FINGERPLAYS AND SONGS FOR THE VERY YOUNG, Random House

Winter Cold

A sneeze, a cough 

That starts it off.

Hot soup, some rest

That cures it best. 

ACHOO!!

(feeling a little better today) ;-)

My illustration from QUESTIONS, 

by Lee Bennet Hopkins, HarperCollins

Birdie, Its Cold Outside

Puffing up, huddling close, near the outdoor heater. 
Love birds in the super market parking lot, yesterday.

GoGo Giggles

Over the years I have been privileged

to work with talented designers world

wide. One favorite, Art Director, Jeff 

Dinardo at Dinardo Design in Concord, MA. 

With 25 years experience designing wonderful

educational materials, Dinardo has launched 

GoGo GIGGLE, their own line of fun stuff for kids. 

Perfect baby gift Socks in a Can 4 pairs ea/ soft 

and stretchy, one size fits newborns to 12 mos. 

The 6 little Go Go Giggle characters decorate baby 

bath items, games and a bright little sketchbook for 

doodling fun and lots of Giggles. Dinardo Design 

contributes a percentage of sales to organizations 

promoting literacy.

http://www.gogogiggle.com/ 

Brother, Oh Baby!

Today all 4 of my Mom's children 

can be found on the other side of 

Hill #60. 
It is brother Jonathan's birthday. 

The big 6-0!

Nicknames, Jocky, Jock, JC, Jace 

and Steve (its a long story).

Remembering Jock's arrival and brother

Ted (about 13 mos older) busted,

lowering the baby down the sewer
in an attempt to retrieve a lost ball.

Little Jocky's famous party piece. 

Told to "relax". In his highchair, 

fists clenched, face tensed into a 

grimace. Loving the laughter. 

Jock, Ted, Susan and Me in the Ice Age

Later

Jock in his first car

In the 70's

So many funny stories, like the time

he grew impatient waiting for Ted

to get home and tried to install an 

air conditioner in a second floor

window by himself. Mom, back 

turned reading, oblivious to the

crash.

Then, "Mom, how badly did you 

want air conditioning?

Now a respected retired Dentist 

in suburban Chicago. Self taught banjo 

player, super gardener, jewelry designer,

cook and husband.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Jock! No matter 
how old. You'll always 

be my baby brother. ;-)

Huge hugs and all my love, C 

Helping Out With The Old

Clearing out last year's files.

Readying all for the new business one hopes will come

and the tax man one knows will come.

Receipts, bills, correspondence, paperclips, rubber bands, 

waste basket, shredder, pencils, adding machine. Only

thing missing, a 16 lb. cat sitting in the midst of it all.

Dear Freddie, always so willing to oblige.