Burning

For this week's word, burning, I reworked a very old illustration, something I've been meaning to do for a long time. It's not done, but getting there. I did the original illustration after my mom died, and was thinking about a takeoff of Greek mythology and the crossing of the River Styx of the newly departed souls. I'm not sure about the burning boat part in Greek mythology, but I think I'm mixing in Egyptian mythology here. The dog is the equivalent of the ferryman and the kind usher to the other side. All a little dark, but somehow comforting too, because the fire would be about transformation, somewhat like the phoenix rising from the ashes.

Atmosphere

For this week's IF word, 'atmosphere', I liked this quote a lot..."Everyone carries an atmosphere about him. It may be healthful and invigorating, or it may be unwholesome and depressing. It may make a little spot of the world a sweeter, better, safer place to live in; or it may make it harder for those to live worthily and beautifully who dwell within its circle."

— J.R. Miller

Double

I haven't posted an IF word recently, but things slowed a bit, and 'double' sparked my interest- and motivation. I was thinking of seeing 'double' with the cute pink baby elephants one might conjure up after several martinis. A pretty quick drawing - with happy colors.

Cocoon

This nest was supposed to be the baby bunny safe cocoon. However, it looks about as fragile as its real nest was - vandalized by another creature and all the babies but this one disappeared. It's difficult to discern the motives of the universe and nature.

Dip

I was thinking that sometimes, rarely, it happens that you may 'dip' momentarily into an imaginative magical realm.

Rescue

In a moment like this, one can only hope for rescue by divine intervention or large life preserver!

Subterranean

This is a quicky sketch- maybe more refined later. I just had to get the image in - because...we are having the gophers in the yard and where their subterranean activities come to the surface they are really really more than annoying! However... when looking at gopher images - they are so cute. And...don't they have a right to be here too? Or maybe not here, but perhaps in someone else's yard? So...the purchasing of underground buzzers and tubes and red pepper and everything that seems pretty much humane. Then the search - that says, how about underground firecrackers, poison, traps, etc. Oh no--I can't do that. So...here he is - the subterranean gopher. Maybe, if immortalized in art, he'll leave for more peaceful digs elsewhere.

Brave

This is the black cat watching the incredibly brave (or foolhardy) mouse nibble away at the yummy cheese. I am thinking about innocence and those preying upon it, and how it is good to be both brave and innocent - but also to be aware.

Perspective

For Illustration Friday word, 'perspective' - I think it's self explanatory - I'm just hoping the cat is feeling charitable. How can she not - but from her perspective....why not let the little puppy freeze?

Renewal

I liked this quote about renewal-especially for the new year -"Nature often holds up a mirror so we can see more clearly the ongoing processes of growth, renewal and transformation in our lives". I thought the baby bird jumping from the nest and learning to fly might be one of nature's symbols of renewal!