Illustration Friday: soar

This image is a constant theme in my work and I have painted it many ways,colours, in different mediums, sizes and dimensionally sculpted it too.This version is from my personal stationary except my letterhead would be inserted in the sky. The unfinished illustration below would be perfect for the Illustration Friday's topic "soar" but it keeps getting set aside for more pressing work. Hopefully one day I will see it as I do in my mind in a children's book form titled "Flying Home". That would make my heart soar!


I hope everyone has a fun,safe and very Happy New Year!!!

Illustration Friday: horizon

This submission for Illustration Friday's "horizon" is a diecut gift tag that doubles as a decoration. I enjoy shades of lavendar and purple for the holidays ***

I received an early holiday gift of more time with my dog Rat. On November 28 he seemed unwell. As soon as my vet heard his breathing he said Rat was experiencing heart failure. We rushed him to City of Angels Vet hospital and they told me he probably would not live. The next night my vet called and thought I should put him down. It all happened so fast that we told them we wanted him to stay one more night. The next morning, December 1st we went to visit him and he was stable and able to come home. They saved his life with Viagra! He has born with a lung disease and it caused the right side of his heart to overwork and enlarge. It's called Pulmonary Hypertension. Viagra was developed for the heart and of course a bonus side effect was discovered... but now he takes this medicine and it has given him a second chance at life and the greatest gift for us!

Hope and happiness are on the horizon... Happy Holidays everyone!

Rat and Val 12/20/2007.

Picture of Baby Rat.8/27/1995

Illustration Friday: backwards

Some folks like the bright lights, big city. nightclubs and swanky eateries. Call me backwards, but I love a small town any day. My submission for Illustration Friday's "backwards" prompt.

My Scribbleguild group is sending out a winter mailer and this is the image I made for the project. Acrylic on Canson Airbrush paper. Please click on image to view it larger*

Illustration Friday: Little Things

Here is my submission for Illustration Friday's "Little Things" prompt. It is a little painting 2.5" x 3.5 titled "First Snow". It is a little child standing in the doorway watching the first little flakes fall. It really is the "Little Things" in life that help us understand what's important.
A few of my friends asked me to put some gifts in my Etsy shop for the holidays. I used to be big time into gift making. When I was 19 (29 years ago) I started my own hand printed greeting card business here in Topanga. I would silkscreen in my studio, a limit of 3 colours and I would hand deliver, wrapped with a ribbon in a paper bag. I had tons of takers, they were all wonderful people and all of their friends would hope to receive one of my cards. They were printed on hand made paper, limited and signed editions. It was a unique little business that made people happy at the holidays.

Illustration Friday: excess

In the land of excess, gift giving abounds. One of my Marisol Holiday cards submitted for the "excess" theme on Illustration Friday.

California Dreaming by Henry Diltz

please click on images to view larger

A few weeks ago there was a knock on the door and a package was sitting on the doorstep. It was a huge box addressed to John Hartmann (my husband) and I carried it inside and we slowly unwrapped a magnificent treasure. On top was a letter from the publisher. Then came a bag with California Dreaming by Henry Diltz printed on it, then a tie-dyed book box and then the book. It is huge, beautiful and brimming with pictures and album covers of some of the greatest musicians of our time. Photographs and commentary by Henry Diltz with interviews by friends and associates that were there. But way more than that, it is Henry's daily schedule written out in his lovely writing style, a journal by the picture taker of his photoshoots and relationships with all the artists. If you get to have your dream book published this would be the one! It is perfectly put together, the pictures are memories of a great time in music, art and life. I was surprised John received this large present and he then mentioned that he had been interviewed for this book... He is on 15 pages! A wonderful surprise and an amazing tome. There was a big book party in LA & New York and a lot of the people in the book showed up for Henry. Henry has taken so many amazing pictures that we all know and love. Joni Mitchell, CSN, Neil Young, Poco, America, The Mamas and the Papas, Eagles, Jackson Browne are just a few of the people that grace the pages. He even took some pictures for us at our reception 10 years ago. This is one of the all time greatest books I have ever seen and of course it was published in England, where they do know books. I know that there is a limited amount of these books so I wanted everyone to get a chance to see some of the contents and if you get a chance to view one up close I highly recommend it! Michael Walker, the writer of Laurel Canyon has quite a few posts about the book signings, Henry Diltz and the pictures in the book.

Illustration Friday: The Zoo

Today at 11:00 a.m. Ella escaped from the San Diego Zoo. Feeling free and drunk with power she invites a few friends to party. She can see them coming and they are ready to celebrate!

For Illustration Friday's "The Zoo". This was the 1st version for a greeting card and gift certificate for a toy store.It was never used, the final version had a different elephant and a circus tent in the backgound. Acrylic on Canson Airbrush paper.

Illustration Friday: superstition

My submission for Illustration Friday's "superstition" is a dimensional painting called " Angel's Flight". I made this for a little girl, the parents wanted each child to have an original in their bedroom. They live in Seattle and I never actually met them or got to see the house and rooms but the paintings have symbolism for each child. The little girl is Samia, her name is Aramaic and means listener. But they stressed Roses and angels. Hence the roses framing the scene.

In the days of old, superstition indicates something standing above or set above. One of my favourite superstitions from Scotland is " If Children pile cabbage stalks around the doors and windows of the house on Halloween, the fairies bring them a new brother or sister."

Have a happy weekend and best wishes for a speedy recovery to kj and I hope jessie lavon is feeling better and again I must say Thank You jessie!

"Swamp Witch" by Jessie LaVon

A few days ago I arrived home to find the most beautiful and precious gift. A painting by Jessie LaVon! It is truly amazing, lots of unique details from her life in Alabama and I am honored that she made me this wonderful version of "Swamp Witch". I will hang it with pride and enjoy the colors and visual story every day. It has a thick texture and she continued the painting on the frame. Another reason I am truly touched is that Jessie is not always feeling well and that she took the time to make this gift for me is even more special. Thank You Jessie, I LOVE IT!

Illustration Friday: scale

If a mermaid should lose a scale it could ruin her whole day! For Illustration Friday's "scale".

Illustration Friday: Hats

My submission for Illustration Friday's "Hats" is from artwork I create for Fred Segal Fun Style. I love working with them because they simply say: make the art fun, colorful and festive. The art work is used as stickers and cards that are attached to each purchase. I always include a hat in each piece. Hats have really made a comeback too! For the first time in my career as an artist I was legally allowed to draw Mickey Mouse for FS because they are one of the companies that licensed Disney characters for apparel. The third postcard and sticker is loved so much by FS that we have reprinted it almost 5 years in a row.

Illustration Friday: Trick or Treat

My submission for Illustration Friday's "Trick or Treat" is from my 2004 HomeMade calendars and the title is "Harvest Home". This is for the month of October and the quote is: A little house well filled, a little land well tilled" ~proverb~

I am sorry for all the people, animals and wildlife that have been affected by the fires. We feel lucky to have made it through!

Illustration Friday: grow

My submission for Illustration Friday's "grow" is from an illustration I did this week for a beautiful lady who has her own cosmetics label. The companies name fits in the open space that is the sky and all of these flowers are used in the products and are from Australian flowers that promote well being and growth. Each flower will imbue the wearer with positive feelings, will help eliminate fear and celebrate your beauty. Art is a great job because it helps you to grow as a being, you learn so much about things you might miss out on.

Illustration Friday: Extremes

My submission for Illustration Friday's "EXTREMES" is from an Artist Trding Card I made for Monday Artday ATC's. Sometimes people will do Anything to get their name out there.

Illustration Friday: open

My submission for Illustration Friday's "open" is a painting of "The Mother Goose Cafe". Once upon a time this cafe was open for business.It must have been a wonderful place! I am grateful that there are people out there that have wacky ideas and make incredible buildings for me to paint.

Mother Goose Cafe: Location unknown only that it is somewhere in Florida.

Illustration Friday: the blues

My submission for Illustration Friday's "the blues" is a dimensional painting called "Gated Love". I did a few dimensional pieces using the blue on blue with the trees. You may recall my posting this painting "Enchanted Forest". Blue is my favourite colour.

Illustration Friday: juggle

My submission for Illustration Friday's "juggle" is a bit of a stretch as I haven't had a job yet requiring the use of the word juggle or a juggler. However just being alive is a juggling act and I usually am juggling several jobs at once as well as fun things I want to paint or sculpt or draw. The painting in the foreground is one of my signature "Houscapes" and I am painting in all the details, plants etc. I work on Houscapes Monday through Friday. At night I work on drawings, plans and research for Landmark buildings and unusual buildings that I plan on painting. On the weekends I do fun 1-2 day paintings like the 3 coffee-pot shaped buildings I did for Monday Artday Atc's. When I am on a deadline it truly is a juggling act to make it come together.

Illustration Friday: wedding

My submission for Illustration Friday's "wedding" is from a little painting I made for my friend Kathy and her husband Dean called "Tiers of Joy". She wanted a non-traditional invitation for her guests. I have done many pieces of art for wedding invites and I always enjoy making them because it takes a zany kind of person to hire me for something as formal as a wedding invitation. They also used the art for their program and I did a champagne label too. A few years later I reused this idea in my HomeMade calendar for the month of June 2003. I made it lighter and brighter as it was a more commercial product and titled it "Home baked".

Illustration Friday: momentum

my submission for Illustration Friday's "momentum" is from one of my Marisol cards that is for a guilt-free day of sports viewing for all of you armchair warriors. Watch out for the puck!

illustration Friday: alphabets

I had to go into the archives for this submission to Illustration Friday's "alphabets". I have done quite a few commercial jobs that required me creating the alphabet in my own lettering. This is one of said jobs for Geffen records and the band Lode. In the mid 90's I toured with this band, did art for them and spent a summer in New York while they recorded with legendary producer Gary Katz of Steeley Dan fame. This is the 1st cd they did (I almost said album) and here is the alphabet in the lettering I made for them. Their name started out as Load and became Lode for the cd. Their name is from a few things; Mother Lode, load in your pants, getting loaded, etc. This all came together here and most photos are in Topanga shot by Dennis Keeley. Fire Station 69 is in Topanga too. The lead singer Inara George and her family are long-time Topangans. Her father was Lowell George from Little Feat. All the kids were from interesting and varied backgrounds. The band broke up during the making of the 2nd cd. And they all went off to do their own things. It was a really unique experience and happened because I am married to the guy who managed the band.

Illustration Friday: visitors

My submission for Illustration Friday's "visitors" is from a Marisol greeting card. I'm sure they are visitors ready to celebrate a night on the town. Speaking of visit I hope that you will take a moment and check out the new group I belong to at the

Scribble Guild. They are all super talented and I'm chuffed to be in their company. Have a fun weekend!

Illustration Friday: captain

My submission for Illustration Friday's "Captain" is from my HomeMade Calendar and the title is "Houseboat". Babs (the kitty) is the captain of the houseboat. This was for the month of July of course and the quote is: "Nothing makes a house cozier than cats" Gladys Taber

Illustration Friday: "Emergency"

My submission for Illustration Friday's "Emergency" is a colour-pencil study for the painting "Homeward Bound" featuring my dog Rat. The emergency that we are all faced with is over building. Yes, I love buildings but all of this constant building, subdivisions and mini mansions and the like are pushing all the wildlife out and wiping away the face of our towns. I'm afraid it is a big emergency! I posted a painting of this for IF here but sometimes I make a colour pencil version first to flesh out the idea. I find using pencils a soothing form of relaxation. You can listen to a movie or music and colour away. I also reversed the image which I love to do so I can see it both ways. Happy Friday!

Illustration Friday: "missing"

My submission for Illustration Friday's "missing" is a dimensional painting called "Magic Show". Abracadabra!

you can see it better here

Illustration Friday: Moon

My submission for Illustration Friday's "Moon" is a dimensional painting that I created for a young woman who wanted something a little different. I submitted this to Monday Artday a few weeks ago and I thought this might work today too. I paint so many moons that it was difficult to choose but I recently found this photo and I was happy to see this painting again. It is called "Chained to the Stars".

Illustration Friday: poem

My submission for Illustration Friday's "poem" is from my 2004 HomeMade calendar and the title is "Beach House". This is for the month of July and the quote is: "I wiped away the weeds and foam, I fetched my seaborn treasures home." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson~

Illustration Friday: discovery

My submission for Illustration Friday's "discovery" is called "Duck House". For a fun adventure and a wonderful discovery. Location: Along Rt. 24 north of Rt. 27 by 1.25 miles

On the west side of the road.

Suffolk Co-NY

Latitude: N 40 degrees 53.28

Longitude: W 72 degrees 33.44

Illustration Friday: geeky 2

I forgot about this holiday card that I made for the Developer Division at Microsoft. It just occured to me that this card showcases a lot of the geeks that work there. They sent me a picture and I put each one in a silly outfit. I sent them the original and they printed there own cards.

Illustration Friday: geeky

Normally I would not re-use an image on IF. However, I never dreamed that this word would come up and that is why I posted this image for the word "Gravity". This painting was used as the official Geekfest Website for Microsoft. They also made T-shirts.

Illustration Friday: twist

I made this painting for my Mom this week. She and my sister were coming to visit me and we were going to have sun, fun, going to the Getty Villa, Malibuing, laughing and eating. In a sad twist of fate my Moms dog Charlie was diagnosed with cancer and was gone within the week. My heart is broken so you can imagine how my family must feel. Charlie has a brother named Louie and now he is lonely too. I did a companion piece for my sister in March for her birthday right here. Louie is in the bed and DD loves to ski so I had her skiing in the picture. My mom loves horses and rides dressage and this is her with her 1st horse Snickers. It's called "The Perfect Dream". I feel like I can express myself better with paint than words. This is a very painful twist. Goodbye Charlie you will always live in our hearts.