Come to my window ... (IF: Homage)

I love the form and shape of plants. I think this is what drew me to become a botanist. I've studied native Hawaiian plants for over 20 years now and yet, they still fascinate me. I guess that is why I've spent my life protecting them. Although this Syngonium is a common, non-native ornamental, and probably a bit invasive in its own right, I can appreciate its beauty. This is my homage to plants. This particular one grows just outside my window.

(And thanks again to Kate Rietz who always gives me great feedback).

Singing the Song of Syngonium

More to come ...
Part 2 - I'm thinking this is looking pretty cool. Still, I'm planning my dark and light areas. The possibilities are endless and it's making me freak out a little. Still, I plug on ...

Part 1 - It must be because I'm right handed but I always start on the right side. I have no idea where this is going at this point but I'm excited at the prospects ...

Heels heal

If you know what the question is, sometimes a new pair of heels is just the answer. At least that's what I tell myself. *smile*

Illustration Friday: Heavy

When things are weighing heavy on your mind, what do you do?

This past week, I got news that my 14-year old cat, Mamo, has cancer and doesn't have much time left with me. So I pray, sit quietly, walk in nature ... and lean on my friends. Counting my blessings comforts me too.

Kate Rietz dedicated this week's Illustration Friday post to us and sent wonderful thoughts our way. Check it out! The girl looks just like me and well, the cat is a little bigger than Mamo, who is a mere 7.5 lbs. LOL Thanks for your well wishes everyone! Mamo is resting comfortably and is enjoying being spoiled. She gets hugs whenever she wants ... and even when she doesn't! :)

Mamo and her "Cone of Silence."

Surinam cherry (IF Garden)

Surinam cherry, or affectionately called Pumpkin cherry, grows like a weed in my garden. We've successfully groomed the bushes so they look like perfectly shaped balls. But then, they never produce fruit now. I found a whole bowl full of these fruit on a weedy bush out back. I'm so excited because I think I have enough for some jam. My mouth waters just thinking about it!

Computer bag and milk snorts

"There is unexpected beauty hidden everywhere in this world — one just has to be open to seeing it. Remember that the next time you sneeze on your monitor." — Nathan Walton

I don't know who Nathan Walton is but I wish I could tell him he made soy milk fly outta my nose when I laughed as I read this.

Spilling the beans ... I've been tagged!

Mellanie (See it. Draw it. Share it.) was so sweet to tag me recently, and Sharon and Robyn tagged me in October (and admittedly I haven't finished until now. :) So, without further delay, here are five little known facts about me:

1. My favorite fruit is watermelon and I could eat a whole one in a single sitting if left to my own devices.
2. I was born on Easter Sunday. Considering the last time it fell on my birthday was 1995 ... and won't until 2014, I think that's pretty cool.
3. As a child, I had a worm dress. It was a dress that had a zillion pockets that I'd fill with worms dug up from the garden. At the end of the day, I'd dig a hole and put the worms back.
4. I have been known to hug a tree every now and then.
And lastly ...
5. France Belleville (Wagonized) and I are birthday twins! We were both born on April 14! (different years of course). Considering I've been a fan of hers since Day 1, I feel pretty special!

And thank you Mellanie for this beautiful Kind Heart Award! It is by far one of the prettiest awards I've ever been conferred. :) I'll be sure to pass it along!

Waiting on the world to change

Ah, it is so nice to be home! I spent the week at an excellent grantsmanship workshop on Oahu. And while staying in Waikiki was nice, I sure missed you all! John Mayer's song, "Waiting on the World to Change" ran through my mind the entire time I sketched this view from my rental car while waiting for my class to begin today.

Blue glass mataki

This is a mataki or charm that I picked up at a shop in Greece. It is supposed to ward off the evil eye and it must work cuz I haven't seen one recently.

EDM Challenge #153 - Something in a plastic wrapper

I am excitedly awaiting tomorrow's dinner of fish tacos with green, yellow, and red peppers. I figured I better draw them before they are no more. :)

EDM Challenge #29 - Something architectural

I visited this church on the island of Andros, Greece in 1994. I distinctly remember walking down this path and looking back to see this white church against a perfectly blue sky and thinking that it looked so unreal beautiful, like a watercolor. The architectural features in shadows are what tempted me to paint this from my photos after 13 years.

Post-post post (heh): PLEASE feel free to give me critical feedback. I wasn't going to post this for various reasons ... but figured I learn by creating and maybe the next one won't be so muddied and I won't try so hard to force transparent watercolors to do what they really don't want to do. Really, I value critiques immensely. :)

R for Rain ... and Reprieve

We got a reprieve from the rain today long enough to draw some rain drops still clinging to leaves of my Surinam cherry plant. I drew this with a 2B and 6B Faber-Castell graphite pencil on Strathmore Bristol Vellum paper.

Happy Valentine's Day my lovelies!

Thanks Jennifer for such a beautiful award (and thanks Emila for creating it). I'd like to pass this on to my valentine day lovelies ... You all warm my heart with your support. I love you THIS much!

Kate /Andrea / France / Mariana / DRB / Ryan / Tracy / Juj / Suzanne / Serena / Anita / Steve /Jennifer (yes, I'm giving it to you too!) / Susan / Sharon / Mellanie / Lin / Sherry

And thank you to everyone that visits my blog! I am so grateful and want to wish you all a splendid Valentine's Day! *hugs* to you all!

1. If you get tagged (and want to play along), write a post with links to blogs that you love,
2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme.

Beaufort tree

When I walk past a tree with interesting bark or form, it will stop me in my tracks (blame the botanist in me) ... and of course I have to take a picture. This really cool tree grew in the back yard of the house I stayed at in Beaufort, NC, where my friend Karen got married in November. I have no clue what kind of tree it is tho' (Anyone know?). I drew this mostly with a .005 Pigma micron pen and some .03 for shading. I'm pretty happy with it, thanks to Kate who provided valuable feedback as I neared the end.

Mmmmmmm .... (EDM #43 - China or ceramic)

Sometimes, a person needs color to brighten up a rather gloomy and rainy day. So I busted out my watercolors this morning to paint a cup of Japanese green tea and cookies. Admittedly, this was painted from a photo `cuz the cookies have long been eaten (so de-lish!). If you would like to know what kind they are, I drew the package here. The colors are a little more intense than the original but I quite like the result.

My lesson today is to trust my eyes. I drew out the general outlines in pencil initially and was quite pleased with the shapes. Then just before finishing, I changed the shape of the lip of the china cup `cuz it looked wonky ... only to find out that it was fine ... and it ended up misshapen! Ack! I'm learning ...

Thanks for the You Make My Day Award!

Thanks Jennifer (JC's Coffeehouse) for honoring me with the You Make My Day Award! This quick sketch is dedicated to you, a new friend and fellow blogger who believes, as I do, that the movie Outbreak is a wonderfully touching love story. It's a must-see this Valentines Day! : )

There are a few creative and wonderful bloggers that make my day each and every day and I'd like to pass this award to them! And they can pass the award along to others if they'd like:
Kate (Kathleen Rietz - Artist) who inspires me and makes me smile every day.
Ryan (Bone and Shadow) whose skull mysteries keep me entertained for hours (really!). Plus, he's a cool guy.
Juj (Hey Juj) whose quirky illustrations make my brain do double takes and always crack me up. "Whaaaaa?"
Karen (Karen Blados, Artist and Designer) whose daily musings, stories about her family, and colorful sketches brighten my day.
Susan (Susan's Scribbles) who challenges herself creatively every day. I wanna be like her.

Ok, I must present one last award! Am I breaking award-giving rules? Oh heck, I think she's a rule-breaker herself! LOL But I think France (Wagonized) deserves a special YMMD Award just cuz she's so freakin good!

Life, onions, and soup

"Life is like an onion; you peel it off one layer at a time. Sometimes you weep .... and sometimes you make soup." Carl Sandburg, as modified by Joan Y.

There is a lesson in there.

Like a spring of water

"The Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your soul in drought. And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden. And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail." Isaiah 58:11

As I was flipping through my college scrapbook tonight, I came across a page of quotes that I compiled that had helped me get through the tough spots on the journey to adulthood. This quote seemed particularly appropriate tonight so I drew my interpretation of it.

Everyday Matters Challenge #112 - Something Fresh

I went to the grocery store last week and for some reason, the store sold out its eggs! I mean, how does a grocery store run out of eggs? So, this week, I visited again and found a carton of these beautiful local, fresh eggs. I knew I just had to draw them. I tried out a new charcoal pencil (Prismacolor, soft) and combined it with some graphite and used some blending techniques described by J.D. Hillberry in his book, "Drawing realistic textures in pencil." If you love graphite like I do, you must check out J.D. Hillberry's web site!

Microcosm

Like a rain forest that is comprised of multiple vegetative layers, each comprising its own microcosm, so does my purse. (And yes, I'm a biologist so bear with me :) ). I've removed the "canopy layer" of papers and wallet to reveal my "subcanopy" of a mix of half-used gift cards, prescriptions, keys, cell phone, nail file, and compact. Oh, in case you're wondering, the groundcover ... the stuff at the very bottom that never sees the light of day ... is comprised of loose coins, a couple paperclips, and bits of paper. Fortunately, nothing too exciting. A woman's purse is very revealing, don't you think?