Breezy – IF

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 The exilir could not be contained.

Resolve – IF

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!

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

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

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

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

Rambunctious – IF

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

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

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

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

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).