Anyone Have A Solution ?

Oh me, computer problems ! I upgraded to version OS 10.3.7 (I've forgotten which cat that is, Panther maybe ?) on my Mac today and now my scanner won't work. Also can't open my e-mail. I thought that just downloading the scanner driver (Epson Expression 1680) for the new OS would solve the problem, but no dice. Anyone have any advice to offer ?

Super Size

Another version of "gluttony" which I doodled while at work today. For "Illustration Friday".

Top Seven List

Coming in at #6 in our countdown of deadly sins,
this week we present "Gluttony".

For "Illustration Friday"

Stop Fighting Me !

I'm having a fight with this week's "Illustration Friday" word. At the moment a time out has been called which I'm using to quickly send this post. I've lost count of how many rounds there've been, I only know I'm bruised and hurting. Does it ever come easy ? Doesn't really matter, 'cause I'm going back in regardless. Guess I'm just a "gluttony" for punishment. Oh god, there goes the bell ! “Once more into the breach, dear friends, once more !"

p.s. Fight results posted on Friday.

Doodle for Ellen

While at work today I scribbled out this little card for my niece, who has a pony named "Nyssen". I kinda like his looks, and think maybe future workplace doodlings will be spent giving him a backstory. Any thoughts on where his story should begin ?

Big Head, Small Heart

On Tuesday I learned how very "not right" in the head or heart I am, and sadly I had to hurt someone to learn it.

I'm so very sorry.

the season(ings)

Posting early because we might lose electricity, as we're expecting snow here tonight.

For "Illustration Friday" word "the seasons", submitted by Gretchen.

added 1/22: thanks everyone for your comments ! You give me hope that though late to the game (like 20 years after graduating from art school !) I may yet have a chance to call myself "professional illustrator".

Edgar Meyer

Going to see him tonight ! Front row seats ! With Chris Thile ! Who I don't mean to short change, 'cause I love them equally, but not enough time to do drawings of both (sorry, Chris !). More later !

And just so you'll know (sorry, Edgar !), this isn't a likeness ! He has hair !

Is It Balanced Yet ?

The word this week for Illustration Friday is "balance". I began thinking about Piet Mondrian, and "the Golden Section" and the chinese symbol "ying-yang", and somehow that all rolled together into this.

I have roughly fifteen different versions of this drawing, I think I became a little "unbalanced" trying to "balance" the composition. If I was braver, I'd post some of my first attempts, this little drawing has been on quite a strange journey, you'd wonder how it ended as it did from where it began. It seems simple to me now, but lordy, it sure took me alot of hours to arrive at simple. My admiration of Piet Mondrian has so doubled in the last few days.

O.K., decided to also add this other version. See ? Like I said, quite a journey !

Thanks Penelope

Hi to all who are visiting because of Penelope's very kind link. I wish I had more to show, but I've been spending so much time working on my "Illustration Friday" submissions that I've neglected posting much other than those drawings for Friday's deadline.

I began this blog just 3 months ago and am quick to acknowledge that this would be a pretty lonely little site without Penelope and the wonderful community of people she's created with Illustration Friday. So thank you Penelope, I am ever so grateful for the day I happened upon your site, my own blogging experience has been made ever so much richer because of it.

May I also send thanks to Janee and Wee and Michael and Enid and Vitriolica for their links. You guys make me feel like a star !

"Building Letters" Call for Entries

A wonderful magazine, called "Building Letters", raises money through it's sales for charity. The first paragraph in their "about" section says

"Building Letters brings together designers from around the world to raise funds for charity projects. We do this through the publication of Building Letters magazine which is produced by designers for designers."

They also have a call for entries for a special tsunami relief edition. In part, they say

Jim Richardson of UK the based Building Letters charity projects received a call on January 4 from Rathna Ramanathan of Reading University, who contributed to the 2004 edition of Building Letters magazine. She was in Sri Lanka when the Asian earthquake struck on Boxing day, and was calling to suggest a special edition of Building Letters to get funds to help survivors, fishermen in Kovalam, Tamil Nadu, India and villages in Northern (Tamil populated) and Southern (Sinhala populated) Sri Lanka.

In order for this special Building Letters edition to help, we need your contribution to get it published by the end of the month. It means that we need all the help that we can get to put the magazine together and make it available for sale.

As a core element of this issue, Max Kisman suggested to ask type designers, designers, artists and illustrators to produce one flower each, that will be published in the magazine as a respectful tribute to the people who have lost their lives, and to the power of nature.

Here's the link again:
TSUNAMI EDITION : CALL FOR ENTRIES!

Second Wave

made of tears. . . . . . .

For Illustration Friday word "disaster relief".

The South-East Asia Earthquake and Tsunami Blog is a good resource of information for those wishing to contribute to the relief effort.

added 1/9/05: Many thanks everyone for your kind and generous comments.

Black Swan Doodle

The print below, by Edwin Morris, is of a Bewick swan. Obviously he's painted the bird as if it's looking at something. . . .or maybe, is it just the bird is bored and is glancing around for something to look at ?

I thought I'd redo the drawing, and this time provide my feathered friend with some entertainment of the best sort.

I dunno, that book looks kinda dull. Maybe a comic book instead ?