Illustration Friday: Poem

Nobody knows it but me
by Patrick O'Leary

There's a place that I travel
When I want to roam
And nobody knows it but me.

The roads don't go there
And the signs stay home
And nobody knows it but me.

It's far far away
And way way afar
It's over the moon and the sea

And wherever you're going
that's wherever you are
And nobody knows it but me.

I guess this is further evidence that I'm an incurable tv-o-holic. The above is one of my favorite poems, and was recited by James Garner for a 2002 Chevy Tahoe commercial. It had an instant classical tone reminiscent of one of my other favorites Robert Frost's 'Road Less Traveled'. Some online research revealed that 'Nobody knows it but me' was written by an advertising executive. I think I'm always looking for places such as the ones written about here, little slices of heaven that make the days brighter. It appears I wasn't the only one who had an emotional response to the poem. Read the story here.

Cable tv has some good series starting this week. Tonight I watched 'Saving Grace' with Holly Hunter on TNT, and it was everything the critics said it would be. I thought it was like 'Touched by an Angel' on crack. Good Stuff! I'm looking forward to 'Damages' on FX tomorrow.

Illustration Friday: Discovery

It's been forever since I've posted, and participated in Illustration Friday, so I thought even though I haven't colored this sketch yet it would be best just to post a work in progress, and update in a few days. I love the blogosphere, but lately my priorities have evolved to try to enjoy as many of these summer days as possible with long walks on the bike path, and spending as much time as possible enjoying these beautiful days. I often take my camera along to capture all the discoveries such as the 17 year cicadas, the blue herons, and the white egrets here in the Midwest. I'll be posting a little from my ever growing photo library soonish.

I haven't wanted to post until I update the 'ol blog look, but further template changes will have to wait until another day since I'm a bit tired this evening. (Maybe to much fresh air.)

Illustration Friday: Polar

This week's 'polar' topic made me think of polar fleece, and where it comes from. Not many people know of the rugged arctic sheep who produce this fabric, nor do they know of the dedication of the penguin shepherds who tend the flocks while keeping snuggly warm in their polar fleece vests.

Illustration Friday: Fortune

Roger the simian librarian has spent a fortune collecting first run editions of all his favorite novels. To him, they are a treasure more precious than all the gold in the world.

I'd like to say a big thank you, and that I'm flattered and honored to have just been spotlighted on Michelle Lana's site. Michelle is so sweet, and her creativity and hilarious sense of humor are a wonderful inspiration. Check out her awesomely fun blog.

Illustration Friday: Green

This week's super late entry is about the temporary loss of our spring green. I was thinking that I really do need to update my banner, especially to lose the snowflakes with it being spring and all, but then I went home to Indiana last weekend where snow soon covered the land. I had been disappointed about not having a white Christmas, so this made up for it I suppose. If anything, it inspired this little song:

I'm dreaming of a white Easter
Unlike the ones I used to know
Where the little chicks shiver,
and the Easter bunny quivers,
and the eggs are all buried under snow...

Here are my mom's daffodils and hyacinths with a fresh blanket of new fallen snow.

Illustration Friday: Hide

Hide!! Some bunny's looking for you.

Don't let the pink cuteness fool you.
Bunnies can be dangerous.

Just a quick mini sketch
slightly colored in photoshop.

Illustration Friday: Communication

The digital communication era is a thing of wonder, but it is also a bit of a curse. It's an easy way to stay in touch with friends and family, and it can introduce us to those we may never meet otherwise. But, it can also distance us from those we are closest to, and the world right outside our doors.

Illustration Friday: Gravity

For all the children of the world the big event ends on the 25th with the opening of all their presents, but for the elves and Santa's reindeer that is just the beginning of a week long celebration with cakes and cookies, and lots of egg nog. It never fails that every year Blitzen tends to overindulge during the festivities. This is bad news for a flying reindeer since gravity's pull feels much stronger on a full belly. So, he usually stays grounded the rest of the year until his personal trainer gets him back in shape for the next big night.

This may seem a bit past season, but Christmas has never ended for me. This is the time of year when we're creating next year's designs. I was trying to come up with some holiday patterns when this fellow ended up in my sketches. I was thinking of traditionally painting him, but decided to work out the colors digitally, and bring in a little scanned texture.

Has anyone ever had figgy pudding? I found some recipes online, and I was just wondering if it would be worth trying to make it for the holidays next year.

Illustration Friday: Crash

When I woke up this morning....well, I guess it would be yesterday now...anyway, all reports on the radio were suggesting if possible, it would be best to stay home due to snow and gusting winds. I'm not always one to do what I'm told, but that sounded like an absolutely marvelous idea! So, I used one of my vacation days, in order to have my very own snow day. It seemed like a good idea to avoid crashing into a snow drift. I decided in the spirit of the day to have fun with it, and enjoy myself. The first plan was to go back to bed, but I was too wide awake because I had already decided that this would be a painting day, and I was eager to get started. Since I had the time I fiddled away on the sketch longer than anticipated causing a late start, so I ended up finishing just a little while ago.


I had been wanting to experiment more with acrylics for quite some time, so it was good to finally follow through. My paint supply is a bit lacking at the moment, so I had to supplement with fabric paints to give me a broader color range. I did a thin value study wash, and then played with thicker layers of colors over the top. I'm fairly happy with the result. It felt good to have my fingers covered in paint again. All in all it was a good day. Maybe we'll have to have another blizzard next week. :)

Illustration Friday: Red

Red carries with it many meanings. Red is drama, risk, determination, and passion, but unfortunately, too much red can backfire.

Illustration Friday: Super Hero

When we last saw our super hero he was flying the friendly skies, but now he's found himself in a bit of a pickle. Will our hero escape? Well, of course, he'd never miss dinner.

When I was home for the holidays my furry friend Andy kept me entertained with his coffee table climbing antics. He loves to reach up, and pull himself along. After he moves down one side I'm most impressed at how he rounds the corner to continue all the way around. There's much meowing and carrying on as well as he makes sure we're all watching because he loves an audience. I believe he thinks he's in his own little adventure movie, crossing a great ravine. Every time I see him do this the Indiana Jones theme music plays in my head. If Harrison Ford decides not to do a 4th movie Andy said he could find time in his schedule for the right amount of catnip.

Illustration Friday: 80's

I remember watching Pac-man every saturday morning. I just read some sites that said it was the worst cartoon ever, but I was a kid, and it was just fine by me. Mr. and Mrs. Pacman were the portrait of the typical American family. I often heard it said during the 80's that much of the world thought our streets were paved with gold. Well, the Pac family didn't have gold, but power pellets grew on trees, and that was just as good, or better. If anyone got in their way they just ate 'um. I have to wonder if this mentality has contributed to the obesity problem in America today.

My apologies to Grant Wood.