Ripple - Illustration Friday Special Topic

I'm back! Probably thought I was long gone and had forgotten all about this place. I haven't. I just started to realize that I need to get back into things like this....blog, IF, and etc. These things keep my creative juices flowing!

And what better way to make a comeback than with drawings for a great cause.

These drawings are being donated to Ripple, in which each print will sell for $10 with proceeds going to the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies and International Bird Rescue to help with this tragic oil spill happening in our Gulf.

Living on the Southwest coast of Florida, born and raised, I am deeply saddened and upset at the whole situation and it makes me more upset with each passing day. I'm hoping that my small part will help add to the big ripple!

Photo Friday - The City

Now this one was easy, but hard at the same time. There are two cities I have visited that have made an impact on me, and i love both of them! So for this Photo Friday submission I will post not one but two pictures that capture the topic for me.

The first city is Boston, Massachusetts.......

(picture taken towards the Charles River from the 42nd floor of my sister's office building)

My older sister, Cheryl, has lived up in Boston for probably the last 9 or 10 years now. I try to visit atleast once every year, not only to visit her but to visit the city. Living down here in flat Florida has its beautiful sides (the beach, warm weather, small town that ive grown up in) but there is just something about big cities, big buildings, and lots of people and things to do that I can't get enough of.

The second city is New York City, New York......

(picture taken in Times Square)

New York is one of those cities that you have to visit atleast once in your lifetime. There are just soo many people and soo many buildings and sights to take in. I love the hustle and bustle of this city, but I'm not quite sure if I would be able to handle living there full time. It really is an amazing place.

I miss both of these cities very much!

Illustration Friday - 'Open' - Gallery Edition

acrylic on ready to hang canvas - 12" x 16"

well i am back in to the illofriday swing of things. when i heard about the possibility of it hanging in a gallery, i couldnt pass up submitting something. after hearing the topic was open, this idea popped into my head and i immediately started to create it. to me it portrays what more people should do nowadays, open their mind to new ideas and new possibilities that those ideas may bring. enjoy.

Thursday Challenge - people....

well i was going to upload a picture of busy Times Square in NY for the people topic this week, but i decided to go a different route. i remembered having this picture from a friends wedding and realizing that this could fit the topic perfectly, although we would have to change the topic from just 'people' to 'important people.' aside from two people missing - coughPHILand JOEcough - this ring of friends consists of some of the most important people in my life. curtis, john, evan, pete, mike, and jared have been my best friends for quite some time now and i wouldnt exchange them for anyone or anything. i have definately had and will have a lot of good times with them! not to mention, they have contributed to some of my best memories ever....and it doesnt end there. the dave matthews band shows are our way of getting the whole gang together atleast one time out of the year, to have more good memories together to add to my list. that weekend is coming up in September and i am extremely excited about it. as long as dave keeps touring the ring of friends will keep attending.
to curtis, john, evan, pete, mike, jared, phil, and joe - thanks for being my friends! love you guys!

Photo Friday - How I See Myself

PART ONE :



well, for 5 out of the 7 days a week, this is how i see myself....sitting at my desk in my cubicle typing and clicking away at work. as you may be able to tell by the photo, i have tried to make my cubicle my own by adding a few things that make it chacha-esque. by all the little crazy office supplies along with some assorted trinkets and a few japanese toys, you would think i did something graphic related or worked for a toy company. nope, not even close. i work for insurance adjusters that handle insurance claims.

oh and yes, that is a 311 mousepad. a definate must have for me!


PART TWO :



the remaining 2 days from the 7 usually start out like this - from there who knows what the days hold. as much as i love the weekends and having places to go and people to hang out with and not having to work, i love to actually have the option to sleep in a bit and enjoy it, if i so choose. sometimes some nice long shut-eye can be sooo refreshing! and then its up and at em for whatever i decide to do - the mall, the beach, bowling, or just chilling, its anyones guess.

Photo Friday : Relaxation....

nothing says relaxation to me like loungin on the beach on a beautiful summer day. one reason why i love living in florida is you are never far from the water. i mean, come on, could you blame me?!? look at that view!

ps. yes i know i am wearing sneakers and jeans on the beach but we didnt plan on going out there this particular day, it was just a spur of the moment thing, meeting up with some friends who were already out there.

Photo Friday - Growth....

why yes, i know you are shocked but here is another photo post and for Photo Friday's topic this time. arent you just thrilled?!?! anyways, this one could actually go along with the Thursday topic of Spring also, but i think this picture suited growth better. its perfect with that little tree sitting right in the middle of those bushes. soon it will be big and tall and will proudly shade all those cute little flowers below it on a hot summer day. until then it will just have to continue to grow. i know this is an older shot but i havent used it for any other posts. it is from the summer of 06 when my mom and i made a surprise visit to my sister in boston. this was in the boston gardens. enjoy.

Thursday Challenge - Spring

a-ha! i have an entry for this weeks Thursday Challenge of Spring. i went out fishing with curtis yesterday (which means he fishes and i bring my camera and find cool shots in all the different places he likes to cast out at) and i found some hibiscus plants along one of the sea walls. i was determined to get a new picture to use for my entry......and i succeeded! i really like how this close up shot of a hibiscus flower turned out. i wasnt exactly sure what it would look like seeing as how i was only using a digital camera. gotta love nikon though!! enjoy. oh and note that i am on time with this post and even early!

Thursday Challenge - water....

yay, a picture is posted! Blogger was being a punk last week and wasn't letting me upload any pictures for whatever ungodly reason. oh well, this weeks Thursday Challenge photo is up now for you to enjoy. i loved the water splashing in this picture so i figured it would be perfect for the topic. this was taken at the Venice Jettys, one of my favorite places to go.

Thursday Challenge - old

Well, i was all ready to post a picture for the Thursday Challenge before a new topic tomorrow and wouldn't you know Blogger will not allow me to upload photos. grrrrr! just when i have a great photo i took over the weekend that i wanted to fit into one of my photo blogs and here it is not letting me post the most important part...the photo! well, i guess i will check it again later and see if it is working then.