sunday sketches :: summertime

I would say this is a self-portrait but I don’t get out in the sun so much anymore. Not after a scare last summer.

I had a basal cell carcinoma removed from my lip. I just thought it was a zit that wouldn’t go away! It took about 12 stitches and there’s a scar from my nose to the top of my lip. So in order to avoid more scars – I’m staying out of the sun!

Just give me a foo foo drink and I’ll stay indoors!

My first week at the new job went really well. In the summer, we work four 10-hour days. I love Fridays off but those long days are killer. I miss my afternoon naps. And real shoes hurt my feet. No more sandals or bare feet. They really frown on that!

Sharing this week at Sunday Sketches.

scribble picnic :: melon

…and Happy 4th of July!!

Some of you might remember this drawing from last year. I submitted it to Kathy Temean’s blog. She had put out a request for 4th of July-themed drawings. I saw on her blog today that she has done the same…so you’ll see my drawing there again!

Just so happens that melon is the theme this week at Scribble Picnic. So if you don’t mind, I’ll share my summer-y melon drawing again.

scribble picnic :: fox

Fox is the theme this week at Scribble Picnic. Thanks to Michael for hosting.

Here is Mrs. Fox all dressed up for date night with Mr. Fox.

Please take a look at others who joined the challenge this week and see how they interpreted the theme. Next week’s theme is “Watermelon” if you want to start working on something and join us!

sunday sketches :: puppy practice

This week for Sunday Sketches, I’ll share some sketches I’ve been working on. I wrote a story about a cute dog, so naturally, I used my dog as the inspiration for this sweet pup!

Do stop by Alexandra’s blog to check out other Sunday Sketches.

sunday sketches :: lily on the bookshelf

“Well, now. How do I get down?” That’s what is going through this little troublemaker’s mind!

I’ve been making more and more time to sketch and paint lately. It feels good.

Mostly I have to study the weather and plan when I can mow the grass. It grows so darn fast! I have to work around rain and extreme heat. Who knew it would be such a challenge!

I’m 58 and never had to cut my own grass. In my defense, I grew up with 4 brothers and that was their job. Later on, I lived in a series of apartments and townhouses where the yard work was part of the rent. Then when I married, that was something that Bob enjoyed doing. But now…it’s my job. My dad came to visit and taught me how to do it. I do believe I’ve lost a little weight. It can be a good workout!

This week, the string on the trimmer/edger ran out so I had to figure how to get it working again. I watched a video, refilled the cartridge and was back to work in no time! What did we do before YouTube?

I hope your weekend is good. Me? I plan to stay indoors today where it’s nice and cool. A good day to catch up on my fellow bloggers!

Do stop by Alexandra’s site to check out other Sunday Sketches.

scribble picnic :: fairy

I’ve been absent for a few weeks. My dear, sweet husband, the love of my life passed away suddenly two weeks ago and I’ve been, well, a mess.

Most days I’m in sort of a fog but only because I’ve been awake since 2 or 3 in the morning. I’m tired, but can’t sleep. Hungry but nothing tastes good. And the slightest thing makes me all weepy.

I keep busy during the day. You wouldn’t believe all the little tasks associated with someone’s passing. Paperwork. Paperwork. And more paperwork. Endless phone calls. Every time I check one task off my To Do list, three more things are added. Sigh.

My friends and family have been wonderful. Text, email, and phone calls every day to see how I am. “I’m ok” is about all I can admit to.

I haven’t felt like painting or drawing. I hope that doesn’t last long. I NEED to get back in the studio. I know it.

I found this illustration of a fairy I did a few years ago. At least this is a start to get me blogging again. And maybe soon, I’ll pick up a paintbrush again.

I’m sharing this post with Scribble Picnic.

sunday sketches :: brave lily

Here is another sketch of my cat, Lily. This will give you an idea of her personality. Our dog is actually much bigger than tiny Lily but I never worry about those two together. Lily can take care of herself!! The poor dog is always the one who backs away when the fighting gets a little too real.

Sharing my Lily painting on Sunday Sketches. Thanks to Alexandra for hosting!

sunday sketches :: lily is hiding

I was busy yesterday and finished two paintings with Lily. She is great inspiration. Lily is usually hiding in wait for our other cat to walk by. Always ready to pounce.

Or like this illo below, she loves to hide in boxes. I know she loves a good Amazon box as much as I do but for very different reasons!

Do stop by Alexandra’s site to check out other Sunday Sketches.

scribble picnic :: octopus

There’s a new meetup for all you sketchers out there :: Scribble Picnic :: hosted by Michael MacVean. This week’s theme is Octopus.

I had a little trouble concentrating on this one. To me, an octopus looks very like a spider. Which I absolutely hate!!! They are just too creepy. Octopus are just larger, underwater spiders in my opinion!

Please hop over and take a look at other illustrator’s interpretations of the theme.

sunday sketches :: no lily!!

Another painting of Lily doing what she does best – get into trouble!!

Today, I’m going to work on a sketch for Scribble Picnic. The first theme is “Octopus” and the due date is coming soon. Join us!!

Sharing my Lily painting on Sunday Sketches. Thanks to Alexandra for hosting!

happy valentine’s day

A little Valentine for you!


Oh, and a quick mention of a new weekly meetup hosted by Michael MacVean. Please check out Scribble Picnic. He has posted weekly themes through the end of March. More info here or click the button in the sidebar. Join us!

sunday sketches :: hey lily

Another sketch of Lily.

She likes to visit with us at the dinner table. At first, we thought it was so cute…but now she begs. When we’re not looking, she will snag a little snack off of our plates.

It’s definitely not cute anymore! But who can get mad at this little face??!

Sharing with Sunday Sketches.

a little of each

Well, here is one version -- watercolor with ink that has been digitized in Illustrator. I like how it just sort of smoothed out the lines a bit.

After seeing this, I’m really pleased with it. Not sure I will make a total digital version. Working on the computer takes so much longer than painting. At least it does for me.

I already spend too much time in front of the computer as it is! There are TONS of silly cat videos to watch!

sunday sketches :: merry christmas

We got a little snow last night so it has really put me in the Christmas spirit.

I wrapped presents.

I may even do some baking today. I’ve been putting it off as long as I can. I tend to bake too early. Taste what I’ve baked…until they are nearly gone. Then have to start all over again! I have zero willpower.

At our house, we don’t put up a large Christmas tree. It wouldn’t last…much like this drawing! I do have 3 small trees that I keep on the hall table. They have homemade ornaments on them that I don’t care if they get destroyed. The day before yesterday, I picked up one of the trees three times … somebody (Lily, I’m sure) kept knocking it off the table.

I’m sure it was an accident. She always looks so innocent!


This might be my last post for the year. It’s going to be busy around here for the next few weeks. So I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy 2017. See you after the new year.


Sharing with Sunday Sketches. Stop by and take a look at Alexandra’s Advent illustrations. They are adorable!

creative tuesdays :: gingerbread house

Gingerbread House is the theme this week at Creative Tuesdays. Thanks to Michael for hosting.

I’ve never made a REAL gingerbread house before. I’m sure it would be a huge fail. I’d probably end up just eating the crumbs of destruction! They taste just as good, right!?

I’ll stick with two-dimensional gingerbread houses for now!

sunday sketches :: more lily drawings

More little doodles about my cat, Lily.

I don’t have curtains like this. Nothing with butterflies for her to chase!

I do have some sheer curtains with a swag. It drapes from one side of the curtain rod with a big swoop in the middle and then hangs down the other side of the window. I have to straighten it EVERY DAY as the swoop is always lopsided.

Lily must have some hang-up about things being straight and even, while I’m just the opposite and like things to be in order.

This one demonstrates how she hides. She’s not very good at it!

Sharing with Sunday Sketches. Stop by and take a look at Alexandra’s Advent illustrations. They are adorable!

sunday sketches :: winter is coming

Well, no snow. Yet. Definitely colder here.

Winter is coming. (Not the Game of Thrones “winter is coming” sense hopefully!)

I’m one of those people who hopes for a White Christmas. And that’s it. One day only!! Then we can move on to longer days and more sunshine! Anybody agree with me on that?

Sharing with Sunday Sketches.

sunday sketches :: no lily!

I started working on some doodles about one of our cats. She is a darling little thing. She found her way into our house about 2 years ago. Lily is sweet but sure can be stubborn and we find that we call her “No Lily” more often than “Lily.”

We live a few blocks from major streets and have lots of hawks in the area so we don’t have outdoor cats. She will howl at the door to be let out and we always tell her “No, you’ll get lost!” but she begs at the door anyway.


With Thanksgiving behind us, I’m now in full-on Christmas mode! Today, I may even venture to the attic and bring down the decorations. It’s time to make things festive around here!

Sharing with Sunday Sketches.

at last … autumn

I was still wearing shorts and sandals until Thursday! It was an odd feeling to be wearing summer clothes yet seeing all the colors of fall around me.

But then the wind changed and started blowing from the north. Yesterday’s walk was an entirely different feeling. Golden reds and oranges of fall. Breezy day. And me, wrapped up like a mummy!

I don’t adapt to seasonal changes very well. I like when the changes are gradual. Not 80 degrees one day, 40 the next. My mind and body need to ease into it.

creative tuesdays :: wizard of oz

“Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore” is the theme this week at Creative Tuesdays. Thanks to Michael for hosting.

This theme was perfectly timed with a conference I went to last weekend. We had to draw a book cover for either Peter Pan or The Wizard of Oz. Naturally, being from Kansas, I HAD to choose this one!

Today, is election day here in the U.S., I can only wonder who will be the man/woman behind the curtain tomorrow! All I know is that my daughter and I voted opposite so have cancelled each other out!! Oh, well, I put my vote and voice out there!

Please take a few minutes and look at other artists’ interpretations of this week’s theme.