Illustration Friday - Stay

 

Stay With Me

(while I monkey around with my career)

Collage and graphite

9.25 x 5 inches

Big changes have happened in my life since my last post.  I did something even I couldn't have anticipated.  I resigned my high school art teaching position.  This was one of the hardest decisions I have made in a long time, and I know a lot of people think I must be off my rocker.  Maybe I am...  I absolutely love teaching.  I work very hard to be good at it, and I can only hope that the effort is understood and appreciated by those who retain my services as an educator.  The students always get it, maybe not at first, but eventually and reliably.  I miss them already and we are only half way through the summer.  

But change is good even if it is hard.  As Newton tells us, a body in motion tends to stay in motion, and I am no exception to that rule.  The current plan is:

1. Make art full time -  It is a now or never opportunity to promote myself as a professional artist.  Teaching gave me freedom to make art for personal intellectual pleasure at my leisure.  I have been much more productive in the last couple of years than in the past but now is the time to ramp it up to the next level.

2. Finish up my Masters degree - I am five classes away from completion.  With more free time I should be able to finish up by the end of next spring semester

3. Start a new blog - I will be putting up a new blog that will deal more specifically with my production of fine art and illustration. Illustration Friday submissions will be posted there as well.  I have three recently completed large canvases that are the beginnings of a new body of work.  As soon as I have good photos, I will inaugurate the new blog.

4. Work part time at Micheal's - As a evening/weekend "Customer Experience Manager" and hopefully fine art instructor... I still need to be able to make my car payment and tuition. :(  I worked at Micheal's about six years ago as a framer and event coordinator before I started teaching.  They still like me and have been kind enough to take me back.

I showed my son Todd, the illustration for this week.  He asked me what the word was, when I told him, he looked blankly at me and said "I don't get it."  If you have read to this point I hope it now makes sense.  To those who have been kind enough to follow this blog, I hope you will "stay with me" as I move on in another direction.  I'll post here to let everyone know when the new blog is up and running.

Make art with all your heart, mind, and soul!

Sally

Illustration Friday - Giant

Attack of the Giant River Otter

(collage)

A small mining community in Northern Kentucky was attacked yesterday evening by a Giant Amazonian River Otter.  Mine workers fled the scene while animal control, fire, and police officers debated over the best way to capture the rouge animal.  The 150 foot long creature disappeared into the mountains before authorities could devise a plan.

Juvenal Giant River Otter Sighted in Barrow Alaska

This just in... What appears to be a young Giant Amazonian River Otter was sighted just hours ago in the still sleeping town of Barrow Alaska.  The animal downed power lines and damaged several buildings.  Authorities will not comment on the rash of recent attacks or the reason for the enormous increase in growth that is forcing these animals out of their usual rain-forest habitat.

I'm late this week, but had lots of fun with the word!

Illustration Friday - Brave

Digitally Enhanced Collage

 

"The bravest battle that ever was fought, Shall I tell you where and when?

On the maps of the world you will find it not;  It was fought by the mothers of men"

I almost didn't make it this week.  It is Spring break for us and we have been taking full advantage of the free time.  Being the mother of two marines, this week's word has had me in mind of all the parents who have children in the military.  Luckily, both of my daughters are in non-combat areas, but there are many more of our sons and daughters who are in harm's way.  I pray for their speedy and safe return.

 

Illustration Friday - Wilderness

Paper Collage

9 x 12 inches

(click image to enlarge)

To the dull mind nature is leaden. To the illumined mind the whole world burns and sparkles with light.  (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

In the spirit of the theme and being "green", this weeks submission is made entirely out of discarded wallpaper samples with just a speck of mulberry paper and pen for the white parts if the eagle.  I also lightly tweeked the scan in Picasa to bump up the saturation and add a bit of evening glow to the sky.  I had considered cheating and using an ATC card that I had made about a week ago before I knew this week's theme, but I am trying to be good and produce something new and specific for the topic each week.  I am posting the card below just because.... I liked it, and it also fits. 

I hope you all enjoy the MLK holiday!  It gives me a little extra time for art making, so I love it!

Snow Spirit

ATC 2.5 x 3.5 inches

mixed media