Coloring book pages: Yellow-faced bee and palila

I have the coolest friends. The theme of their wedding was the silversword (Argyroxiphium sandwicense subsp. sandwicense) and native species. Being the thoughtful couple that they are, they wanted something fun for the kids to do during the reception so asked if I could draw a few coloring book pages. Well, they took the idea and expanded it into an awesome activity book! Here are a couple of the drawings ...

Taos, New Mexico

watercolor, Pigma micron pen 005

It was my very first trip to New Mexico and being able to help construct a pueblo seed storage building, visiting awesome farms, mobile slaughter house, meeting entrepreneurs trying to create a healthier community, and watching the San Geronimo Feast Day in Taos Pueblo filled a great week! This is a view of the mountains surrounding Taos Pueblo and Red Willow Farm.

10-minute sketch

Just a quick sketch in my good ole moleskine before I head off to bed. G'night ya'll!

Illustration Friday: Bottled

pen & watercolor, 2.5"x3.5"

Huh? Don't ask. :/ (heh heh, I swear I dunno how I come up with these).

Illustration Friday: Duet

pen & watercolor, 2.5"x3.5"

Love is ... singing with your hunny bunny whenever the moment strikes! :D

Tim's small portrait

watercolor, 2.5"x3.5" ($40 USD)

Back to portraits for the Julia Kay's Portrait Party! This is Tim Clary, who happens to be an awesome artist so check out his Flickr site.

Thanks for letting me use your reference photo Tim!

Japan bunnies ... Please donate to help.

Hi everyone! Need a bunny to hang out with? If you would like a one-of-a-kind, original work of art (2.5"x3.5") made by me, please consider buying a "Japan bunny"* of your very own. For a donation of $15 to the Red Cross or Seicho-No-Ie to support the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, I will draw and paint a bunny similar to the ones shown here. Because they are individually done, they are all slightly different but still very cute.

For those of you that have already contacted me about your donation, please send in your donations as we've arranged and I will send that on to the Red Cross.

But from now on, we can do this in 3 easy steps!

1. If you would like your very own "Japan bunny", please let me know by leaving a comment below.

2. Make a donation directly to the American Red Cross or Seicho-No-Ie Japan Relief Fund** and save your receipt.

3. Email me a copy of the receipt with your address and I will mail the card to you!

Thanks everyone for donating to the relief effort! We've raised $495 so far (updated 4/10/11)! Woohoo!

(* Each bunny is drawn using archival ink and artist grade transparent watercolor on white 140 lb. Strathmore coldpress acid-free watercolor paper (2.5 in x 3.5 in). They are mailed in a protective clear plastic card holder.)

(** Seicho-No-Ie is a non-denominational truth of life movement and its Sendai Missionary Area experienced the brunt of the earthquake and tsunami. Your donations, if you so choose, will directly support its members and others affected in Japan. The donation link is in prep so please check back).

Japan bunny - for donation of $15

watercolor & pen, 2.5"x3.5"

(SOLD)

We are all doing our part to help those in Japan after the devastating earthquake and tsunami and donations do make a difference. I wished I had the funds to donate more ... but then a brilliant idea struck! WE CAN DO MORE ... TOGETHER! I drew this before heading to work this morning and would like to offer it up for a donation of $15. All of the money will go to the Red Cross to help with the relief efforts in Japan.

In the spirit of gratefulness that we were spared such tragedies here in Hawaii, I'd like to also offer up my "Rainbow bunny" and "White bunny" below this post as well. Each for $15 and all of it going to the Red Cross.

If you would like to purchase any of these, please email me (see my profile to the right) and I will let you know if you were the first to claim them. We can make the arrangements for delivery and payment then.

Thank you!

Bunnies everywhere!

"Rainbow bunny", watercolor & pen, 2.5"x3.5" ($20 USD)

"White bunny", watercolor & pen, 2.5"x3.5"

(SOLD)

Venus de Milo

watercolor, 2.5"x3.5" ($20 USD)

Surfer dude

graphite pencil, 2.5"x3.5" ($20 USD)

Felt like I should change it up a bit and fiddle with my pencil this weekend. I used my mechanical pencil .05, 2B lead for this one only because I was too lazy to sharpen my other pencils. Still the Bristol vellum paper took it well. I tried this experiment to see how much of my brain filled in the missing lines ... and it filled it up pretty well, which made this a little challenging to draw. My hand kept wanting to fill those gaps!

Summer breeze

watercolor, pen, 2.5"x3.5"

I'm taking a short break from drawing portraits and thought some nature is very appropriate. Amidst the craziness of the tsunami scare yesterday and worry about relatives and church members in Japan, I think a bit of calm is in order. It felt good to zone out, listen to relaxing music, and paint to my heart's content. Even looking at this I feel transformed. I hope you are too.

*deep breath* ....

From a black and white photo found in The Commons, copyright-free and public domain images on Flickr.

Michael's small portrait

watercolor, 2.5"x3.5" ($40 USD)

Still practicing at Julia Kay's Portrait Party! :) I'll get back to nature drawing soon, I promise!

Thanks Michael for letting me use your reference pic!

Tanya's small portrait

watercolor, 2.3" x 3.5" ($40 USD)

Constantly experimenting .... taking liberties ... adding color ... pushing my limits on an artcard ... trying to create an iota of resemblance. :/ It's a process. I know I should be sketching and working on achieving accuracy but I gotta tell you, painting little cards is still a lot more fun!

Thanks Tanya for sharing your reference photo!

Inma's small portrait

watercolor, 2.5" x 3.5" ($50 USD)

I had a lot of fun painting this little thing yesterday. The textures of Inma's clothing and capturing her pretty hair was especially fun to do. I took some liberties with her hair only because I think the textures and warm colors played off her green sweater really well. If you're interested in joining the party, check out Julia Kay's Portrait Party.

Thank you Inma for letting me use your reference pic!

Mike's small portrait

watercolor, 2.5"x3.5" ($40 USD)

Another post to the Julia Kay Portrait Party. :) Thankfully, today is a Saturday and the first one in a long time that I don't have anything planned except drawing and painting. I'm so thrilled I'm vibrating with excitement!

Thanks Mike for allowing me to use your reference pic!

Derek's small portrait

watercolor, artcard, 2.5"x3.5" ($50 USD)

I am trying portraits again despite my fear of them ... yes, I said fear. People are super challenging to me and I apologize to Derek for making him look cross eyed and giving him a small mouth. Sorry dude, I couldn't help it. I still dunno what I did and I will have to stare at this for a long time to figure it out. Anyone have suggestions? I wish seeing proportions came naturally to me and could whip out accurate portraits like France or Mellanie. But I guess wishing isn't going to help so I've decided to get back on the horse and try a few. More portraits (and of course more bunnies) are forthcoming!

BTW, thank you Derek for your permission to use your reference photo. :)

Illustration Friday: Swarm

watercolor, 2.5"x3.5" (SOLD)

My first thought for this week's Illustration Friday challenge was bees, as I'm sure a lot of folks do when they think of a swarm. Then I wondered, hmm, I wonder what a "swarm" of rabbits would look like. Terrifying, absolutely terrifying!

Hmmm, does anyone know what a group of rabbits is called?

Road walk

pen & watercolor, 2.5"x3.5"

(SOLD)

While driving home, I saw this fellow walking along the road. It was such a peaceful time of day that I tried to capture the image in my brain so I could draw it later on. Suffice it to say, it was a difficult job. But this is what I remember.

Illustration Friday: Layer

watercolor

Small kid time, nothing beat Aunty Kay's 7-layer jello (well, her potato mac salad was pretty killer too). It was the coveted treat at Thanksgiving and New Years dinners and we'd peel off each layer, one at a time, savoring each delectable almond-flavored layer. To a kid with big eyes, the layered jello was like a giant coveted prize and we couldn't wait to dig in, especially when no one was looking! I took some liberties with the size of the piece but to a kid, this piece is the *perfect* size! LOL

Norfolk Parish Church

pen & watercolor, 2.5"x3.5"

I belong to a great Flickr group called "Artists Showing Photo References" where members post reference pics and arty folks interpret that into whatever art form they choose. I found this reference photo of Norfolk Parish Church (England) that Sigrid Frensen posted and this is my interpretation. The overcast English weather just does not process in this brain of mine so I Hawaiianized it. LOL That's just the way I see things!

BTW, Sigs happens to be an incredible botanical and all-around artist so I encourage you to check her website out. It's a pleasure.

Kilauea Iki

pen & watercolor, 2.3"x3.5" (SOLD)

Kilauea Iki Trail in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is by far, my favorite hike! Being able to hike through the crater where there once were 1,900 ft high lava fountains is an absolute treat!

Joyful hero on Valentine's Day

transparent watercolor, 2.5"x3.5"

Ever meet someone that you instantly like? I met this fellow while visiting Hana Fresh on Maui and if you see him, you will know what I mean. He's the easy-going, soft-spoken guy that smiles a lot and exudes joyfulness. You see, Sam is with a non-profit group that helps to feed his rural community healthful foods through their vast organic garden. He spends his day in the sun and knows what hard work is. If you're ever driving through Hana, please visit their Farmer's Market and support a great cause. So in honor of Valentine's Day, I'd like to honor Sam, a man whose love for his community challenges him to do great things.

I felt it very appropriate to paint Sam for my Everyday Matters Challengs #254: Something that represents joy. :) I love when we get to meet our heroes. I hope this watercolor does him justice.

Purple goat

transparent watercolor, 2.5"x3.5" ($20 USD)

A purple goat? Not really. :D

This is also my entry for Everyday Matters Challenge #309: Something with more than 2 legs.

Illustration Friday: Sweater

pen & transparent watercolor, 2.5"x3.5"

I just think a sweater on a little chickie is awfully cute!

Mauna Kea and `io

pen & watercolor, 2.5"x3.5"

While my sister-in-law and I were picking liko for Christmas wreaths this past December, we were treated to a gorgeous view of Mauna Kea with its white snow cap and a majestic `io (Hawaiian hawk) circling overhead. Hawai`i no ka `oi!

All smiles

pen & watercolor, artcard, 2.5"x3.5"

G'night Teddy

pen & watercolor, artcard, 2.5"x3.5"

Ball of white fur

pen & watercolor, artcard, 2.5"x3.5" (NFS)

Another drawing of little Layla when she was just a tiny ball of white fur. BTW, I am really enjoying making these tiny artcards!

Everyday Matters #266: Something I cherish

pen & watercolor, artcard, 2.5"x3.5"

Her name is Kanoe. She looks like a pile of rags and sometimes smells like one, but I cherish her. I love her.

Everyday Matters #301: Draw something cute

pen & watercolor, artcard, 2.5"x3.5" (traded)

I think my little bunny Layla is the definition of cute, but then, I'm pretty biased. :) I felt like doing a little watercolor tonight, with no pressure to create anything very detailed. The folks at Everyday Matters Yahoo Group remind me to just draw something, everyday. That's what matters.

Meeeeahhhhh!

transparent watercolor, artcard, 2.5" x 3.5"

Goats have funny-lookin' eyes, don't they? This was painted from a picture of the most adorable goat at the Friendly Aquaponics Farm in Honoka`a. If you ever get a chance, sign up for their free Saturday aquaponics tour and say hi to the goat for me. :)