Illustration Friday: Stripes and Happy Halloween 2016!

I was walking through the woods behind the house and stumbled upon this little abode. I knew that 
these little houses existed because I have written about them several times here and here. To actually find one is quite thrilling and I picked it up and brought it home. I hope to find a tenant very soon.
My submission for Illustration Friday's "Stripes" is " Candy Corn Cabin"  but it is a cross between a teepee and a tent which is why it works so well in the woods.  

"Life in a Candy Corn House is Sweet!" 
Wishing you all a Happy Halloween and happy Trick or Treat!

Illustration Friday "inifite"

The shape of the butterfly is very close to the shape of the infinity symbol. In some old cultures, butterflies also symbolize rebirth into a new life after being inside a cocoon for a period of time.The Ancient Greek word for "butterfly" is ψυχή (psȳchē), which primarily means "soul", "mind". Both possessing infinite qualities and possibilities. My submission for Illustration Friday's "infinite" theme is another stationary card for Monday Artday ATC's stationary group. This is called "Housefly". When I look at butterflies, I see flying houses, don't you?
We get to take care of the magnificent Mr. Tar for 2 whole weeks while his family goes to Italy. Felicita Strada or Happy Trails Meghan,Billy and Sullivan! I love Italy


copyright 2009 valerie walsh

Illustration Friday: Magnify

A postcard and stationary card for Illustration Friday's "Magnify" theme. I'm a little behind this week and will be around to catch up with everyone soon. I have included a picture of my little friend Tar who came to visit me. He loves to sit on my deck and he also enjoys a little snack.
copyright 2009 Valerie Walsh

My little Rat boy 1995-2008

Rat (Ratty boy) Hartmann July 1995- July 5, 2008.

Our little sweetheart brought us joy, laughter, companionship, love, hope, contentment, strength, worry and he gave my small world a deeper meaning. He landed in my life by way of a little barn where my mom rode her horses in Washington. I brought him to Topanga and we have had the most wonderful times. Every where we went, people say " Hi Rat!" because of his memorable name and his happy and loving spirit.On December 1, 2008 he went into heart failure and his life was saved by Dr. Steve Weinberg, Viagra and the amazing Docs at City of Angels Animal Hospital. It gave him 6 more months and I will forever be grateful. My only regret is we had to part but I know we will meet at the Rainbow Bridge . I love you forever Ratty Boy. I always felt lucky because of you.

Illustration Friday: wide

My submission for Illustration Friday's "wide" theme is a work in progress and one of my signature "Houscapes". This seems like a very wide house to me, I would not want to have to clean this place... it has a lot more detail that will be added such as total landscaping, everything on the house will be detailed out with scroll elements on all the railings and front door, light fixtures, etc. When I initially draw the house I delete all the landscape and add in the dirt and cement even if it gets totally covered up by plants, shrubs, trees, flowers and pottery. I just like it to all be there. So this will be totally different when I post it again. There are two very tall and phallic cypress trees that adorn each side of the doorway and lots of beautiful bushes and trees flank the home. I am working on a few jobs at once, I designed and painted a School House diecut candy box for a confectionary company, it will be filled with candy and given as gifts from students to teachers for the end of the year Thank You's. I will post it soon. I enjoy working on one type of work for a few hours and while that one dries I move to the next one.

I did see this guy and 4 of his buddies moving towards my neighbors garden... and I saw a beautiful young bobcat making it's way through the yard. Rat always lets me know when there is wildlife in our vicinity because he has a unique muffled bark reserved for wildlife and all the hair on his back stands up, it is hilarious!

Illustration Friday: electricity

My submission for Illustration Friday's "electricity" is from a greeting card that I made for Marisol. It has a gift certificate to "Come over to my house for holiday cheer" it was rejected for being to dark. Candlelight versus electricity is an easy choice for me because I am usually painting pretty detailed work so I need good light. I have 365 halogen lights in my studio and they are the best purchase I ever made. It is like daytime in my studio late at night. Here in Topanga several times a year somebody driving up Hwy. 27 hits a power pole and suddenly no electricity. I am super prepared for this situation, I have lots of candles, alternate light sources, batteries, a portable dvd player, a radio with cd player that runs on batteries, etc. We have a big-time disaster preparedness program for all residents having been faced with fires, floods and earthquakes, you can see them here and here.

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: your paradise

My submission for Illustration Friday's "your paradise" is "Topanga Twilite". This is my paradise.

Dimensional layered painting: wood, foamcore, acrylics, resin

Illustration Friday: Neighbor

My submission for Illustration Friday's "Neighbor" is one of my signature "Houscapes". My neighbor Michael came to me and asked if I could paint a portrait of Decker his dog. Of course I said yes and mentioned that I paint houses and suggested that it would be great if I could pose Decker in front of his rustic shed (I look at this shed every day and have been longing to paint it). The dog posed happily as if he knew he would be immortalized and idolized for years to come.

Illustration Friday: Remember

My submission for Illustration Friday's "Remember" is from a tea package I made for a tea company called "Three Tea and Tonic". I did a night version and a day version but they chose the night version so this was never used. I will always remember the beauty of Topanga in the spring.

The delay in my post is due to my not having Internet access since Thursday evening. There is something wrong with my dsl. I hope to be back online tomorrow so if you have written to me I will get to you soon. I'm at my neighbors for a limited posting as I have never missed IF yet!