get zen

Shapes and Patterns

2011-12-12T16:00:00.000-08:00

I'm really having fun creating designs with Illustrator!

Patterns

2011-12-01T07:52:00.000-08:00

Playing with shapes and patterns in Illustrator.

Ann Hamilton

2011-11-21T14:18:00.000-08:00

A collage I created to honor this philosophical artist.

To explore more : Ann Hamilton.

Autumn Four

2011-11-09T08:49:00.000-08:00

Exploring shapes in Illustrator using a simple color scheme.

Her Curves

2011-10-28T14:15:00.000-07:00

I was inspired by the exhibit "Luminous: The Art of Asia" at SAM and have been exploring the Japanese scroll in Illustrator.

Retro | RYB

2011-09-08T15:18:00.000-07:00

Spiral Designs

2011-08-09T12:57:00.000-07:00

Black, Red & Gold

2011-07-22T15:48:00.000-07:00

Gesture - IF

2011-07-19T13:29:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Gesture". Giving flowers expresses so much so simply.

Midsummer Night - IF

2011-06-28T11:15:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Midsummer Night". Summer nights in the PNW are typically cool, but my childhood memory of a summer night in the Mid-Atlantic is humid and balmy. Summer nights are magical!

Swept - IF

2011-06-15T14:30:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Swept". A dandelion dance with the sun!

Shadows - IF

2011-06-06T14:22:00.001-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Shadows".

Move On

2011-06-02T08:56:00.001-07:00

Soaked - IF

2011-05-23T15:23:00.001-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Soaked".

Safari - IF

2011-05-13T12:56:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Safari". Elephants are a symbol of wisdom in Asian cultures and are famed for their memory and intelligence.

IF - La Bicicletta

2011-04-22T08:13:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Bicycle". This is the acetate drawing for the solar prints I made while studying in Granada, Spain this past autumn. I based the illustrations on an old bike I photographed in Florence.

IF - Journey

2011-04-18T14:25:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Journey". Like the moon, the journey of the heart has many phases...

Bottled - IF

2011-04-11T09:52:00.001-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Bottled". The bottle could not contain itself any longer.

Toy - IF

2011-03-25T14:44:00.001-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Toy". Remember this jack in the box from 1976? Sort of a creepy toy.

Cultivate - IF

2011-03-22T13:02:00.001-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Cultivate". Sally Alice grew the strangest flowers in her small village.

Happy Spring!

Breakfast - IF

2010-07-16T13:30:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Breakfast". Although I don't start my day with coffee, many people do and find it to be quite uplifting! I think this would make an appropriate napkin for a beachside cafe.

Giant - IF

2010-07-06T14:49:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Giant". The little ladybug thought for sure a giant one had landed next to her!

Satellite - IF

2010-06-25T13:57:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Satellite". We're filling up Space with our junk just like our own homes!!

Paisley - IF

2010-06-21T12:45:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Paisley". I love paisley ties!

Trail - IF

2010-06-04T12:26:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Trail". I went camping with a friend last weekend and he took a photo of an ant trail, so I was inspired by that for this prompt.

Linked - IF

2010-04-09T09:14:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Linked". I'm always intrigued when I see birds hanging out on a wire or fence. It's so zen to me.

Rescue - IF

2010-03-29T13:30:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Rescue". I actually used this for a previous IF prompt (Repair), but I thought it fit nicely with this. I don't expect one person to rescue us from political or environmental danger -it's something we all need to take part in.

Brave - IF

2010-03-11T10:07:00.000-08:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Brave. I'm conjuring up the bravery to ask for a leave of absence from my job and make a trek to Europe for my first trip Abroad.

Adrift - IF

2010-02-12T16:03:00.001-08:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Adrift. Sometimes I just want to drift along without a care....

Muddy - IF

2010-02-08T12:56:00.000-08:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Muddy. Don't ya just love stomping around in the mud!

IF - Focused

2010-02-01T10:33:00.000-08:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Focused. Since hitting her forties, Cathy noticed it was harder and harder to read small print...

Wilderness - IF

2010-01-20T10:45:00.000-08:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Wilderness. This piece is called "Mountain Rise" - an abstract- looking down on a volcanic mountain...

Renewal - IF

2010-01-05T09:07:00.001-08:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Renewal. May you all have a blessed New Year!

Undone - IF

2009-12-21T13:28:00.001-08:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Undone. Composure is lost on some folks..

Hatch - IF

2009-12-15T15:14:00.001-08:00

This week's Illustration Friday prompt is Hatch. Magenta hatched one just like her.

Crunchy - IF

2009-12-08T09:39:00.000-08:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Crunchy. Since I was a child I've loved the sound of crunchy snow underfoot.

Entangled - IF

2009-11-30T15:06:00.001-08:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Entangled. You get the picture....

Music - IF

2009-11-20T13:15:00.000-08:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Music. I'm a longtime fan of jazz - music that vibrates color.

Sharpie pens, with a tiny bit of Photoshop filter.

Unbalanced - IF

2009-11-16T10:55:00.000-08:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Unbalanced. Insomnia leaves one very unbalanced!

Blur - IF

2009-11-06T13:28:00.000-08:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Blur. An autumn night sky is a blur of beautiful hues.

Skinny – IF

2009-10-30T11:12:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Skinny. A colony of aspens is a lovely sight to behold.

Happy Halloween!

Fast – IF

2009-10-26T09:12:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Fast.

Frozen - IF

2009-10-21T14:25:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Frozen. The Seattle sky sometimes feels like it's frozen into greyness.

Flying - IF

2009-10-09T15:01:00.001-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Flying. It's always a treat to be greeted by a dragonfly. "Dragonfly Chatter" - a piece in my Floral/Whimsical Series.

Germs - IF

2009-10-05T11:29:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Germs.

Pattern - IF

2009-09-25T08:22:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Pattern. I've designed quite a few patterns, but this is one of my favorites. What do you think? Wrapping paper, napkin, wall hanging... share your ideas. Thanks!

Infinite - IF

2009-09-18T10:34:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Infinite.

Strong - IF

2009-09-04T10:14:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Strong.

Magnify - IF

2009-08-31T14:15:00.001-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Magnify.

Wrapped - IF

2009-08-17T11:36:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Wrapped. I thought this would make great wrapping paper.

Modify - IF

2009-08-04T08:24:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Modify. The shovel helped modify the earth for a little garden.

Idle - IF

2009-07-24T12:55:00.001-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Idle. This bird was caught in an idle moment during its busy day.

Worn - IF

2009-06-29T14:52:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Worn. This wallpaper has worn out its welcome.

Drift - IF

2009-06-19T08:12:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Drift. This is a piece from my Meditative Series, entitled "Moon Drift". It expresses the movement of the moon reflecting off a stream.

Happy Summer!

Unfold - IF

2009-06-12T10:31:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Unfold. Gretchen's flower garden is unfolding in colorful abundance as spring unfolds to summer.

Craving - IF

2009-06-05T12:50:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Craving. Sometimes I really get a craving for sushi! I love the taste, and presentation, and nothing else will satisfy me when the mood hits.

Amazing Women - Stunning Faces

2009-06-04T10:30:00.001-07:00

From L to R: Meryl Streep, Grace Jones, Frida Kahlo, Katherine Hepburn, Meshell Ndegeocello, Gabrielle Bonheur "Coco" Chanel, Susan Sontag, Benazir Bhutto, Georgia O'Keeffe

Cracked - IF

2009-05-22T10:10:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Cracked. In order to replace the value in one's heart, they must "crack" the ribcage open. I can speak from experience; it's not pleasant -in spite of how many jokes I crack about it.

Contagious – IF

2009-05-18T10:28:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Contagious. Buddha's laugher is joyfully contagious!

Parade – IF

2009-05-08T14:26:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Parade. Baby Ganesha parading around in his birthday suit, removing obstacles along the way... I hope this doesn't offend anyone.

Theater – IF

2009-04-24T10:03:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Theater. The singing eel always dreamed of being on stage. I created this character for a children's picture book I wrote and illustrated. Now, to publish it!

Impossibility – IF

2009-04-17T11:04:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Impossibility. After Obama won the election I spoke with my 85-year-old Grandfather, who admitted he never thought he'd see a black man become president in his lifetime. I am happy he was wrong and so is Carl...

Fleeting – IF

2009-04-10T09:22:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Fleeting. This is a piece from my "Floral/Whimsical Series". Nature is always fleeting, like flowers and butterflies passing by on a summer breeze!

Poise – IF

2009-03-27T11:34:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Poise. This is a piece from my "Meditative Series". My goal was to express a sense of poise and composure.

Subtract – IF

2009-03-20T10:37:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Subtract. When we lose something we love, it feels like a subtraction from the heart.

25 Writers Meme

2009-03-18T13:02:00.000-07:00

I was tagged by Stephen Bess to name 25 who have influenced my writing. This allowed me to go into my past to see the path that has led to the present writer. An interesting process.

1. Langston Hughes
2. Barbara Kingsolver
3. Maya Angelou
4. Joni Mitchell
5. Alice Walker
6. Steven Callahan
7. William Carlos Williams
8. Rumi
9. May Sarton
10. Elizabeth Gilbert
11. Gary Synder
12. Sting
13. Elizabeth Bishop
14. Kahlil Gibran
15. Margaret Atwood
16. Pema Chodron
17. Natalie Goldberg
18. Jimi Hendrix
19. John Steinbeck
20. Maxine Hong Kingston
21. Sylvia Path
22. Adrienne Rich
23. Georgia O'Keeffe
24. Fatima Lim-Wilson
25. Maurice Sendak

I have tagged the following bloggers:

Polona
Cergie
Janice Thomson
Devika
Aeroman101
Sandy Carlson
Yoon See
Studio Lolo
Raindog
Jyotsana
Cathy Delaleu
Miguel

Legendary – IF

2009-03-13T09:04:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is Legendary. The dragonfly is legendary and mythical throughout the world. In Europe, dragonflies have often been seen as sinister. In East Asia and among Native Americans, dragonflies have a far better reputation. For me they're a sign of a nice hot summer day with a little magic thrown in.

Random Poetry

2009-03-12T10:28:00.000-07:00

Kelle Kerr
A love of tradition
you've known it always.
When you drink,
his conversation perfectly delightful.
First keep the peace within–
quo has lost its status.
For the most part, fear
deeply felt good.
Computer Science is no more,
beat him at politeness.

Here are the instructions for creating your own random poem:

Go to "wikipedia." Hit “random”
or click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The first random wikipedia article you get is the title of your poem.

Go to "Random quotations"
or click http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3
1) Select the first three or five words of the very first quote of the page for the first line of your poem.

2) Then the last three or five words of the next quote of the page is the second line of your poem.

3) Select the first three or five words of the third quote of the page for the third line, and then alternate as above until you’ve made it to the last quote…

Go to flickr and click on “explore the last seven days”
or click http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days
Fifth picture, no matter what it is, will be your poem image. This part is optional.

Intricate – IF

2009-03-06T08:26:00.000-08:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Intricate". This is conceptual around atoms as the basic unit of matter and their connection to a very intricate system. I remember learning about atoms in third grade and being amazed. Like my celebrate piece, this could be used as a napkin, wrapping paper or textile design.

Breezy – IF

2009-02-27T09:21:00.000-08:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Breezy". Don't you just love those breezy days when the flowers go twirling by!

This part of my "Whimsical Series" artwork that I exhibit and sell. It's titled "Dandelion Dance".

Randomness

2009-02-26T11:22:00.001-08:00

If you haven't tried this, it's a must for designers and artists!

1 - Go to "wikipedia." Hit “random”
or click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The first random wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.

2 - Go to "Random quotations"
or click http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3
The last four or five words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.

3 - Go to flickr and click on “explore the last seven days”
or click http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days
Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

4 - Use photoshop or similar to put it all together.

My first and second attempt with this process. I found it interesting how both images included stunning scenery and water. Also, the first one was very feminine in nature and the second male-oriented. Let me know if you give it a try.

Instinct – IF

2009-02-20T13:47:00.000-08:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Instinct". It's the male Red-winged blackbird's instinct to fiercely defend his territory during the breeding season.

Celebrate - IF

2009-02-13T07:35:00.000-08:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Celebrate". I designed this thinking it would make a nice paper napkin for celebratory events; like birthdays, anniversaries, retirement, graduation...what do you think?

Time – IF

2009-02-06T13:30:00.000-08:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Time". I debated whether to focus on death for this week's topic, and decided it felt right. In the past month people close to me have lost loved ones who were not into "old age". So, I felt inclined to explore the time we have on this earth. Embrace your life, your family, your gifts. Don't waste your time.

Lyrics

2009-02-05T08:30:00.000-08:00

Lyrics are the seeds
Left to find their
Own way into the earth.

Digging,
They split into pieces
Forming words
Of colorful visions

Soft as water
Pure as breath
Fleeting as death.

Not to be forgotten,
They sing through us
Joining the march
Into poetic song.

Chattering leaves
Chiming winds
Moaning passions.

Lyrics,
Are the soul
Of a heartbeat.

© 2008 M.A. Ringgold

Cathy Delaleu is a poet and painter out of Arizona who posted a poetry contest on her blog. I won first place which entitles me to one of her fabulous paintings and a bookmark. This poem was inspired by my love of lyric composition and nature.

Flawed – IF

2009-01-30T15:12:00.000-08:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Flawed". And they said the tree needed to be cut down. Yet, it strives...

Climbing – IF

2009-01-23T13:39:00.000-08:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "climbing". I once lived in an old house where the ivy was coming in through the window!

Pale – IF

2009-01-16T11:04:00.000-08:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Pale".

Warm in the nest, lie the palest blue eggs.

Contained – IF

2009-01-09T15:18:00.000-08:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Contained".

The exilir could not be contained.

Resolve – IF

2009-01-05T09:45:00.000-08:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Resolve". These are practices I will embrace this year more fully.

Happy New Year – 2009!

2009-01-04T19:16:00.001-08:00

Many of you suggested the very thing I did– using this design for a new year's greeting. This is what I sent to folks... Thanks for stopping by.

Clandestine – IF

2008-12-29T09:19:00.000-08:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Clandestine". Sometimes we do things surreptitiously, thinking no one will notice, and yet, we're very visible.

Voices – IF

2008-12-19T09:47:00.000-08:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Voices". I studied Afro-Cuban percussion for four years and learned a great deal about communicating with the drums and how each drum has a "voice". When you get some really hot drummers playing together the conversation that goes on is incredible!

Cascade Grandeur

2008-12-17T07:57:00.000-08:00

We've been blessed with a cold front and the splendor of snow.

Rambunctious – IF

2008-12-15T11:03:00.000-08:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "rambunctious". Snow can bring out the rambunctiousness in us! We had a snowfall this weekend and it's been fun. Well, driving in icy conditions isn't what I'd call fun, but I love the snow.

Similar – IF

2008-12-05T10:27:00.000-08:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Similar". I'm fascinated by the fundamentals of design. And how by using similar (repeating) shapes creates rhythm, unity and illusion of space. This piece was created by using three shapes; the circle, line and a geometric shape and by changing either the size and value of the first two, a dynamic design evolved.

Thanks to studio lolo for the interesting prompt!

Balloon - IF

2008-11-28T17:45:00.000-08:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Balloon". I've always been fascinated by hot air balloons, and have yet to go up in one. Something to look forward to.

Opinion – IF

2008-11-21T09:36:00.000-08:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Opinion". In my humble opinion, Zhuangzi's quote is a good reminder for when we are adamant about being right, "We cling to our own point of view, as though everything depended on it. Yet our opinions have no permanence; like autumn and winter, they gradually pass away". Of course, some die harder than others....

Thanks to the folks at IF, for using my suggestion.

Pretend – IF

2008-11-14T15:59:00.000-08:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Pretend". My nephew loves art and is quite creative and I hope he keeps at it. We all must start somewhere! Oh, and if anyone can identify the painting, that would be wonderful. It was hanging in the National Gallery of Art (East Bldg).

Cascadia

2008-11-11T11:31:00.001-08:00

gently

falling

upon

open limbs

mist on pines

Wise - IF

2008-11-07T13:50:00.000-08:00

This post is in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Wise". I can't take full credit for the Yoda illustration. I redrew it in Illustrator from the original, and made him look a little less frightening and more wise, as we know Yoda to be. The poster is by the illustrator/street artist Shepard Fairey. May the Force be with you Obama!

Vacant – IF

2008-10-31T11:17:00.000-07:00

This is post is in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Vacant". The house looked vacant save the paw prints.

IF - Repair

2008-10-24T11:30:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Repair". Make your vote count!

IF - Late!

2008-10-20T11:04:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Late".

IF- Strings (Theory)

2008-10-10T10:10:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Strings". I played around with the idea of String Theory.

IF - Sugary

2008-10-03T09:22:00.000-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Sugary". Nothing like fresh ripe fruit!!

IF - Packed

2008-09-29T15:09:00.001-07:00

This is posted in response to Illustration Friday. This week's prompt is "Packed". This is what my commute feels like much too often (not so playful, though)!

Relax

2008-09-23T11:07:00.001-07:00

Beachcomber

2008-08-26T09:50:00.000-07:00

white shell

green circuit board scrap

striped rock

pottery shard

my walk along the shore

Daisy Love

2008-06-27T10:32:00.000-07:00

waving

at the sun

daisies