Thanksgiving gift

Our good earth bestows a gift each fall. 

From its watery bogs pop plumb ruby red jewels, if sweetened, grace our tables of Thanksgiving. Cranberries. 

Like 2020 they are bitter, but can be sweet. 

Pastel, 17x11

Our stars 

The men & women who fight and fought for us.

They place freedom in the hands of the children of the future.

Thank you.

Pastel, 2012, 5x7

Halloween House

"Halloween House, 2007"

Moonlit night, 

a scarey sight, 

glimmer of light, 

a dose of fright– 

Who dares to knock?

Honors

A thank you on 9/11

I put up this painting in April in honor of the Covid workers, but now I revised it to include the firefighters and state troopers that came to our aid when our camper van burned on our way for a Labor Day vacation. 

Since today is 9/11 it's a reminder of how appreciative we are, and should be, of our 1st responders. 

Prayers for them as they fight the fires in California.

 

Windstorm

We are all in a whirling windstorm right now that's for sure, but this pastel painting and design was specifically commissioned for the cover of the book "Operation Windstorm" by Alaskan author Lori Townsend. 

See below to read about it. Contact loritownsendak@gmail.com to buy her books.

 

Island Breeze

Watercolor & gouache, 11x14

Island breeze. 
Granada.
Filmy Curtains billow.
Exposing the verdant view.
No AC, no fans.
For the gentle winds caress. 
Light air fluffs the dress for night.
A tropical drink in sight.

   I accidentally found this YouTube video of a child reading my children's book "The Nothing Zoo" and it is so cute that I have to share it. 

Adorable. 

And here are some other illustrations from the book. 

Note: I did this many years ago and had followup books on the environment, but at that time publishers weren't interested in saving our planet. So.... they sit in a drawer. A sad commentary on the industry. If anyone is interested in backing my books, let me know.

  

The Angels Come Out

The Angels come out.
To protect, to heal, to comfort~
From all walks of life, every country, every ethnic group, all colors, all languages, all services.
Heroes with halos.
With wings.

Beach solace

Stay at home they say
You find a way
To escape home prison; 
A calmer vision.
The sound of silence
A 6 foot alliance
Be brave
Savor the breaking wave.

Pastel, 10 x 8, 2008 [SOLD]

But now it's closed.

Today is Spring

Today is spring. 

From earth crocus tilt toward the sun.

They're delicate but resilient– 

so must we be.

Watercolor, 5x7