Capable

Isn't it amazing that such a tiny creature is capable of creating so much laundry???

I love it when an IF topic inspires me to complete a piece that was never finished. This one was started in pencil about 15 years ago. Despite my Adobe Photoshop locking up mid-way and having to start over, I had fun coloring this one.

Princess Adriana's Tower

I did the version below when I first got my tablet two years ago. I saw this week's topic and thought I would submit it after a few tweeks. Then I saw how bad it was and decided for a major overhaul. The only thing I really liked was the chain. I want to fix the window lighting, but not tonight. My job awaits me in a mere 5 hours. argh.. the door is missing some depth or the perspective is off or something. oh, well.

Idle Time

I could write a book about this week's topic...

My dad was not an idle man. In fact nothing could slow him down, not even pancreatic cancer. He was diagnosed with the disease last May. In August we had a big party to celebrate his 68th birthday. In the fall he went to his 50th high school reunion in Syracuse and went fishing as usual. In the winter he traveled to Colorado to play Santa Claus (more like a lovable Grinch version) for his 4 grandkids. In the early spring he tapped his maple trees and began his mini-maple-syrup-production facility. Earlier this summer, he traveled to Colorado to go fishing with his son and see my sister who will be giving him his 5th grandchild in September. All the while he enjoyed the company of his friends, planted his impressive backyard garden, and strengthened his 40 year love-affair with my Mom.

I drew this picture on 04-JUL-09 after sitting with my Dad in the ICU. A few days earlier he spent all day tending to his garden and working on his tractor before going out to dinner with Mom and two of their best friends. He ordered clams, prime rib, and a couple of beers. The next day he was admitted to the hospital with a fever and shortness of breath. He was moved to the ICU on 03-JUL-09. Days pass slowly in the hospital. I did not know what to do with the idle time. Rather than sit and stare at my dad as his breathing got tougher and tougher, I idly drew. This is one of the uninspiring objects I sketched. My dad passed away 09-JUL-09. I'm glad for the idle time now. It gave us all a chance to say what we needed to say.

p.s. I'm glad that you got a stellar last meal, Dad. I think you would have ordered the same damn thing even if you knew what was coming. I'll miss you.

Intricate Doodle

A fun one.

Celebrate the New Year

It's been a while since I had a few minutes to do some drawings. This week's topic struck me as something easy and that needed to be said. Sorry for the f-bomb. No other word was appropriate. Besides, it's an adverb.

In the Air Force Spirit

My sister put a team together to walk/run a 5K/10K event to raise money and awareness for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Congratulations, Jennette, for being one of the top fund raising teams! She asked me to design a T-shirt for their team. The theme of the shirt was F-4 Phantoms in honor of our dad, who served in the Air Force and flew F-4s. He is fighting a new battle now with cancer. Thanks to my bro for pointing out that I had the planes wrong at first, resulting in a late night last minute change. He also suggested the Phantom "Spook". He is the mascot of the F-4s.

The Perfect Routine - Dreams of an Armchair Olympian

Fred had a dream... a full & a half spin, double flip, twising dismount.... and he sticks the landing!

In Loving Memory

My friend, Ritchie, took this photo at a mausoleum in Hollywood Cemetery. The only lighting was that of the moon. In a horrible coincidence, the day he gave me the photo to color, I found out my 5 year old daughter's friend from pre-school was killed in a car accident. My heart aches for her mom and twin sister. For me, the photo is now in memory of her.

Baby

My son on his 1st birthday - a bit overwhelmed.
A quick sketch I did while watching 30 Rock on Netflix. (God I love technology!)