This watercolor picture I did for a niece who is having a baby in September. She loved this quote and so I used it just like it came from the book and altered a vintage drawing of Pooh and Piglet walking up a hill. I tried to color it to look like it was old so it is not bright in color, but adds to it I think. Ernest Shepard is the original artist of the drawing, I just changed it up a bit. Hope you like it.
Pooh and Piglet
I have nothing new to show you (for now), so I figured I would put up an older picture I did about the love of simple things. This quote reveals so much about how I feel about materialistic things in my life. It is true that you could give me an expensive watch as a gift, and I would be afraid to wear it and so it would stay in a draw forever. But give me flowers, or a simple clay pot that I could put candles and greens in as a centerpiece, and I’d be happier.
I am sure I am not alone in this and so I thought I would share this quote with you. Hope you like it…to all who have not seen this yet!
I’d rather Have Roses
The inspiration for this picture (which I did awhile ago) came from a model in a magazine. I loved her pose and it made me feel like she hadn’t a care in the world. I just gave her a bright dress, surrounded her in nature and used a quote that says it all. Just enjoy each day the best that you can. Oh yes, and stop and smell the flowers too! Hope you like this one. :)
Delight In The Day
This is a quote I illustrated awhile back which I really love. It’s how I really feel about living and enjoying every minute of every day. Time goes by so quickly. My kids are now 17, 19 and 20 years of age. I was a stay- at- home mom, and I loved it. I wouldn’t have changed any of it.
The Beauty Of The Hours
Today, as I was folding clothes on my bed, I put on an old CD I used to play for the kids when they were small and read their books. It was music from the Beatrix Potter animated series that was on PBS (see below). I love this CD as it helps me focus and think like a child when I have to be creative, drawing,etc. When I started listening, I almost wanted to cry. I could picture the three of them sitting on the couch, curled up reading their books. Their stuffed animals cuddled under their arms while having a snack. I remember this as clearly as it happened yesterday. Times were so laid back then. No homework, studying for SAT’s, driver’s ed and dating problems. It was excitement, playfulness and innocence. Hugs and kisses. I’d take it all back in a second.
Anyway, before I get too emotional, this is what made me want to illustrate this quote. This is what I picture when I read the words. It makes me feel serene looking at the girl on the beach, just enjoying something as simple as listening to a seashell. Can’t you hear it? Enjoy!
Cheryl
Days Of Innocence (My Kids Patrick, Caitlin and Kelsey about 12 yrs. ago)
My kids reading their books before bedtime. 
Here is a print of an drawing I did awhile back, and I still believe the quote. I just posted it on my Etsy shop. It is a great one, especially for today. Happiness is good and it feels good to share it! And I hope when you share it, it comes back to you. It usually does. We need more happiness in this world. 
Happiness Is Like Jam Print
I just wanted to post one of my latest ideas for note cards, bookmarks, etc. I took a silhouette that I had done and found a great quote to go with it. I think it makes for a nice design. I may create more of these. It is alot of fun!
Books Are The Windows
My daughter Caitlin is graduating from LaSalle Academy on Thursday and I still can’t believe it. Those 4 years just flew on by. What happened??? Was I even here???
So much has happened in these past 4 years, all a big blur. What happens to us??? We become so busy with life and the schedules that sometimes we don’t even realize that life is happening right now. All soon to be a memory. And we always have regrets. We should have been involved more. We should have spent more time…we should have planned better, etc etc. But we’re not perfect, and so we make mistakes. We try to do better, and sometimes it just gets away from us. Oh well…
I have been taking my kids back and forth for almost 4 years to high school in the morning and picking up in the afternoon. These past 2 years it has just been my 2 daughters. Kelsey is a sophomore. Every day may have seemed like a chore fighting the back roads and nutty people on our way to the school, but we have had some fun times and many laughs just having the drives back and forth. I get to know my daughters better and better just discussing daily happenings and events.
Everyday as we drove in, the two of my girls would judge how late we were by the part of town they saw the regular walkers at. For instance, if Longhorn (the name they gave this person,yes, they all have names they gave them), was at the bottom of the hill when we passed by, we were safe…we were early. On the other hand, if she had made it all the way up the hill and down the street a ways by the time we passed her, we were cutting it close…and kind of late. So funny.
Then there were the time they saw the same man on the sidewalk in the same clothes and smoking a cigarette, obviously homeless. The girls would feel so bad. Or the time we laughed when the stray dog walked by and walked across the crosswalk, but “didn’t look both ways” as I stated. He just went on his merry way like he was on a mission.
We sang songs together while bee- bopping to the music-always their music,never mine (the oldies). I learned to like and listen to their music. I knew all the songs and artists almost by heart. I didn’t even realize the impact these songs would have on me until my daughter received a cd the other day as part of her graduation packet. It contained many songs that had significant meanings to the class, and when she played this one song for me, it hit me like a ton of bricks. It was a mix of all the songs I remember us enjoying so much on our rides to and from school! The song played out like a video in my mind. I could picture my daughter standing in the middle of all this swirling mass of memories, flashing overhead as each song played.
All the dances, all the proms, SAT’s,friends,sad moments, happy moments,everything all rolled in to one. I suddenly felt really sad. My social butterfly was graduating-all grown up. I knew I was going to miss the rides in with her. Those times were so ordinary, but fun. It was quality time and I didn’t even realize it. I’ll never forget it. I just know now, I still have Kelsey to give rides to…for a time. But I will realize now, it’s temporary, and I will enjoy every moment.
Caitlin graduates Thursday and I am both saddened and happy. These songs play on in my mind and I get a headache trying to stop from crying every time I hear them. it’s all about the small stuff, simple stuff. That’s why I headed this post with John Lennon’s quote. It is perfect. Remember it. I will.
This is the song remix on Caitlin’s cd. Enjoy!
Here is a quote that I illustrated awhile back. I really liked the quote, but wasn’t sure how I was going to illustrate it. I finally decided drawing several children tumbling about and climbing trees and such. After all, that’s what being a kid is all about.
I think in the end it served the quote rather well. And the quote rings true, for whenever I see children at play and being so free, it always makes me smile…and also remember. Enjoy!
For The Laughter of Children
I love this quote! Trying to find the “positive” in any situation can be difficult, but if you really look hard enough, you may find it. This quote really does make you think.
I had posted this awhile back, but thought because this illustration looks so much like summer, I’d post it again. I love the roses and the way the girl is all dressed in her summer dress and straw hat. I just want summer so badly, can’t
Thorns and Roses
you tell?
I really have to buckle down and get back to drawing. It really is a stress reliever! My colored pencils are calling me! I feel so bad as I look over to my desk, and everything is just sitting there…untouched. The colored pencils in their holders and paper strewn in piles on the floor and in drawers. I’ve got countless magazine clippings and photos of things to give me inspiration for the quotes I want to illustrate. I say I will get to it, but I never do.:( It is really rather sad, because I feel like I’m losing a part of me, and when I do start back up again, I feel as if I’m starting from scratch all over again.
I will do this…I will.
But for now, here is another “Beautiful Girl” with her heart wristlet. (I love putting hearts into my pictures!) Enjoy! :)
Keep Your Face (simplistic)
Here are 2 renditions of this great saying by Helen Keller. I think both illustrations are great. One is more simplistic and animated, and the other is more realistic and detailed. I
Keep Your Face (realistic)
like them both. But I must say, in the simplistic version, I like the way the girl is extending her arms toward the sun. It seems to be so full of expression. I hope you like them both! Enjoy!
