Opposites – Illustration Friday

WOW! I sure am late this week putting up my entry! But, better late than NEVER!

First, here is a story for your reading pleasure:

A cat died and went to Heaven. God met her at the gates and said, “You have been a good cat all these years. Anything you want is yours for the asking.” The cat thought for a minute and then said, “All my life I lived on a farm and slept on hard wooden floors. I would like a real fluffy pillow to sleep on.” God said, “Say no more.” Instantly the cat had a huge fluffy pillow.

A few days later, six mice were killed in an accident and they all went to Heaven together. God met the mice at the gates with the same offer that He made to the cat. The mice said, “Well, we have had to run all of our lives: from cats, dogs, and even people with brooms! If we could just have some little roller skates, we would not have to run again.” God answered, “It is done.” All the mice had beautiful little roller skates.

About a week later, God decided to check on the cat. He found her sound asleep on her fluffy pillow. God gently awakened the cat and asked, “Is everything okay? How have you been doing? Are you happy?”

The cat replied, “Oh, it is WONDERFUL. I have never been so happy in my life. The pillow is so fluffy, and those little Meals on Wheels you have been sending over are delicious!”

After I read this story on a message board I frequent... for the fun of it I doodled a mouse on roller skates.

Well, this morning I realized this mouse would fit perfectly for my entry! Therefore, that cute story was my inspiration for this week's Illustration Friday topic, "Opposites."

Here is a close-up image of the mouse before I added in the kitty:

Have a GREAT week!!

Sacrifice – Illustration Friday

As long as I can remember, my nephew wanted to be a Marine. I'm not sure if he dreamed this because his father was a Marine, if he was intrigued with war, or if he truly wanted to protect our country. But, he always knew what he wanted to be when he grew up. Even when he was in school, he joined the "Young Marines"...and, right out of high school he became a Marine.

Last year my nephew went to Iraq and fought among the many men and women to help the citizens of Iraq gain their freedom. He never told me if he believed what he was fighting for...but, as far as I know...he never complained. His unit was hit hard with great devastation losing many troops in roadside bombings and insurgent attacks. Forty-six Marines and two navy Corpsman serving with the Battalion he was a part of gave their lives. My nephew's life was spared and he is now at home safe and sound. Just last month he celebrated his 21st birthday! But, I think about how my young and innocent nephew grew up rather quickly because of this war; he now knows more devastation and has seen more death than I ever can imagine. Then I think about the many men and women that made that ultimate sacrifice to forward the cause of democracy in Iraq...and each day more and more people are making that final sacrifice. This was my inspiration for this week's Illustration Friday topic, Sacrifice.

Skyline – Illustration Friday

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I see a trend happening...it is Wednesday already (although, this morning I could have sworn it was only Tuesday), and I finally completed my Illustration Friday. No excuses this week, except I just haven't felt like being on the computer. Let's just say I needed a little break!

This week's topic was another topic where I couldn't really get motivated at first. I guess I like topics that you can really expand upon...topics like "inspire" or "feelings." But, today I was sitting thinking about things...and, I was able to come up with something I am kinda pleased with.

When I was a little girl, I always loved snow globes...those little plastic, cheapie snow globes that you would spot in truck stops and souvenir shops. I never owned any that I can remember...but, I did always hope that somehow one would make it home for me to get lost in. Also, lately I have been dreaming of visiting my family (I was born and raised in Cleveland...and, have only been back to visit twice since we moved to Texas in 1996). This was my inspiration for this week's Illustration Friday topic, "Skyline."

Sticky – Illustration Friday

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Here it is...Wednesday already, and I have finally found time to complete my Illustration Friday. I blame it on my husband being home...I never seem to be in the same work mode when he is around. Mind you...I don't mind one bit! In fact, now that he is back to work today...I already miss him, and wish he were here!

Back on topic.

This week I was once again stumped with trying to come up with something so unique I would blow everybody's socks off...so, I stuck with the ever-so-popular sticky subject...bubblegum! OH...and, I threw in a sticky bandaid too! I love drawing children's illustrations, and do enjoy brighter and happier subjects. So, I thought of a little boy blowing a bubble for the first time! This was my inspiration for this week's Illustration Friday.

Rain – Illustration Friday

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I had fun drawing my dancing frog for last week's Illustation Friday theme...so, I thought I would bring her back again this week. This time she is singing in the rain (or right after as the case may be). I thought this little froggy looked lonely, so I drew her a pet gecko. Here in Texas, we get geckos in our home all of the time. I learned that having a gecko in your home is good luck...so, this little froggy must have GREAT luck since she has a gecko for a pet! This was my inspiration for this week's Illustration Friday.

Dance – Illustration Friday

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Here it is, late Thursday afternoon, and I am FINALLY completing this week's Illustration Friday. I decided to take a short break from drawing (and the computer) this week, but had to follow through with my promise to myself to complete each and every challenge! So...better late than never! I didn't draw a sketch this week, rather just "doodled" in Illustrator and came up with my dancing frog. Nothing spectacular...and, rather a quickie. I guess you could say doodling with no direction was my inspiration for this week's Illustration Friday.

Jungle – Illustration Friday

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Here it is, Wednesday, and I'm finally completing my Illustration Friday. I can't say it was due to lack of time, but rather motivation on my part. Well, sticking with my promise to myself to complete each and every Illustration Friday, I finally decided to get out my sketchbook and draw.

I wanted to draw something different. For sure there were going to be tons of exotic jungle scenes, monkeys, jungle animals, tarzans, etc. But, being the kind of gal I TRY to be, I wanted to be different. Therefore, I decided to draw a simple scene of a hobo camped out in his Hobo Jungle. Originally I had graffiti on the wall...but, opted to draw a few symbols from the Hobo Alphabet instead...this way I could make the illustration a bit dated. This was my inspiration for this week's Illustration Friday topic, "Jungle."

I also decided to play a bit, so I recorded a snippit of me drawing in Adobe Illustrator. You can find it on YouTube by clicking here.