Illustration Friday - Broken

Okay - Originally, When I thought Broken - I asked myself what could I do this week. So I drew a little girl with her bear broken. Than I decided wait a sec- The pumpkin story would be perfect. You see my husband was driving home picking up my little one from school. As he was driving my son said, "Daddy, What's inside a pumpkin?" So my husband answered, "Pumpkin seeds". My son quickly responded, " No it's not!!!! There's PUMPKIN PIE Inside!!!!! Daddy you don't know anything about pumpkins!" My husband couldnt help but laugh! So when they got home they told me the story and I had to share it with you all!

By the way this was the little girl I drew.

After talking to one of my dearest friend - Rose ...

I was inspired to create a dedication to Rosa Parks who recently passed.

This is a preliminary sketch of the drawing that I am currently working on. I feel that there are so few women now who have the same courage and conviction Rosa did living during the Civil Rights Movement. We are living in a world now where it is every man for themselves. So I decided to take a few moments to think and to be thankful for what I do have-where I came from. I wanted to take a few moments to be honored that I am a teacher as a mother to my boys and the fact that I am a woman. And I pray that I can have half the courage that Rosa Parks stood for.

Rosa Parks -God Bless You.

"I didn't have any special fear, ... It was more of a relief to know that I wasn't alone." -Rosa Parks. February 4th 1913 - October 24th 2005.

Illustration Friday - Remote

Somewhere in a remote location Saddam Hussein and President George Bush meet. (This depiction was caught prior to the capture of Saddam.)

(just in case the writing is not clear ... Saddam- "You promised that I could live in that hole forever." Bush- "I know but, I needed to find someway for the American people to like me again. ..."

This morning I decided to take a look at a few entries of Illustration Friday. To my surprise I had another comment on my latest entry - Cold. TAGGED!!! by Toni Kelly.

First reaction- Home Alone! AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Actually, It wasnt that bad. Maybe I shouldn't say that to loud. I hear that you can get tagged more than once. Ssssh!!!!

1. Born Dec. 29 in 19**– yes, a X-mas baby.

2. I’m the eldest of four – three of us girls and my brother.

3. Both of my parents were born in the capital of Haiti – I guess that makes me Haitian American. People are always shocked when I tell them this- I have no clue why. Maybe, it has to do with the fact they have so many stereotypes of what a Haitian or a typical Haitian American looks like.

4. My first drawing was a portrait of President George Washington- that’s when my 4th grade teacher told my mother that I had something – talent.

5. I always excelled in school academically but I always felt like I never belonged.

6. I have always been labeled a very "old soul" at a young age – truth is I always felt deep inside that I’ve walked this earth several times before. This made me feel that I didn’t have time for childish play – it was always serious business.

7. When I was in 7th grade I remembered my art teacher Mrs. Lane pushing me to believe that I could take my talents and be something big. I never believed in myself until I won honorable mention for Teen Arts Festival for a portrait I entitled “The Gardner”

8. I sold that painting for only $45 – to our school janitor. He said the portrait reminded him of his father who passed away a couple of years prior. I couldn’t see to part w/ the painting but, his eyes made me connect to the weight of his heart, which weighed more than my attachment

9. Shortly thereafter, Ms. Lane entered me into a competition that would have me competing against talented artist from all over the world. The competition brought a chance to study with contemporary artists for a summer. Out of thousands of artists – I was selected!

10. That summer changed my life forever – I learn to be free and not focus too much of how others perceived me. Live Life the best way you know how!!!

11. Mrs. Mertens my 9th grade art teacher gave me the basics 101 of Life -She taught us how to be dependant – Be an entrepreneur. I remember painting characters on T-shirts and selling them in the Ice Cream store I worked in that summer.

12. I won another honorable mention in The Washington Caucus Art Show where I painting a clown that was portrayed in puzzle pieces. Truth is - I had a deep fear of clowns and anyone dressed up as a character w/face paint.

13. I was very shy but I became very outspoken, as I got older. I blame that on my parents divorce and the major move from Brooklyn New York to Asbury Park NJ-that changed our lives and my concept of what family was all about.

14. I went to Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts to study Illustration only to get the known RU Screw stamped on my forehead – only to find out that the concentration I was going to focus on was changed to Graphic Design.

15. College suffocated my passion for art but maternity leave gave me a revelation - I needed art to fuel me more than ever.

16. I once worked for Tommy Hillfiger the designer as an Intern and sometimes I think - was it the right decision to leave that internship? I realized soon after that I hate everything corporate because I can see people for what they are -than for what masks they wear for others to see.

17. I took a quick break to tuck in my first born- great - peace and quiet. Let me throw on some jazz- I’m escaping right now …. Thinking- … Married seven years to my college sweetheart. Funny how you love someone. When you begin to think of where life has taken us, you see the laughter and good times you shared about 13 years worth of ups and downs with my hubby. But a smile comes over me – because I know I wouldn’t trade it in for the world.

18. If I had all the money in the world – I know it’s corny but, I am that person that would search how and low finding people to lend a helping hand to those who needed it most. My only request is that I remain anonymous- Why? When I give of my heart I don’t need to keep tabs of the good I do. I just want people to have the same opportunities available to me. I think this world would be a much better place if we shared more of ourselves.

19. What you see is what you get- that’s my motto. If I don’t like you - my facial expression will give it away.

20. My last fact is a secret – I have always had a deep desire to be famous. The closest I can come to that fame is to get published. I have no clue which avenue to take –maybe newspapers, greeting card – I don’t know. But, I do know that I want to be on Oprah one day telling her about my journey and she telling the world to pay attention to this rising star.

Alright that's all I have for now!!!! Tune in for more illustrations. I'm working on this week's Illustration Friday - Remote. As far as tagging someone else- I'm going to take a raincheck right now. I'm drawing a blank. But Beware - You might be next for a round of TAG!!!!

"Did you say Tag - Mommy!!!!!"

Oh No! ... Yup!!! I've been Tagged!!!!! Alright! I'm Gamed! ... Stay Tuned ... while I collaborate 20 facts about myself. ...

Illustration Friday - Cold

This week I dug up memories about those cold winters in Brooklyn, New York in the early 70's as a little girl. I was always wrapped up so tight with all the layers mom put on me. I loved being all snuggled up. I'm not going to lie I'm a snuggle bear.

I even remembered watching The Woody Woodpecker Show and thinking about my favorite character little "Chilly Willy the Penquin". I loved that penquin. At that time he reminded me of myself - quiet and shy but, loving a warm stack of pancakes. That sounds good right about now. Hope you guys like this one.

Thank You Everyone - for visiting and leaving your comments. The feedback has been very inspiring. It's been just a couple of weeks of illustrating for Illustration Friday - but this past week with the entire "style" issue - I feel I found myself a new avenue. In the words of my good friend Jimmie - "You finally let loose and it shows". This is an illustration I just completed for the Draw a Witch Contest.

Illustration Friday - Lost

Okay- when I saw lost- I thought what can I draw really quick that illustrates Lost. But, I stopped myself as my eldest son interupted my train of thinking. I printed a picture of him and my baby and I said to myself I would create something that would make me smile- this week. So I drew a caricature of the kids trying to find their way out of the park. I pray that I never find myself losing them, but I am thankful that they inspired me to create and smile.

(Just in case the writing is still unclear - baby Jadon "Where is this guy going?", Big Brother Jaivien "This Way", Little Snail "Guys, Pick up the Pace", Mr. Squirrel "You guys not from these parks are you?")

Just wanted to share my caricature of Oprah. I had this drawing in my sketch pad for so long- that I was ashamed not to have completed it. On my journey to completing this week's Illustration Friday- I found myself completing this piece. It's funny because this weeks theme of Illustration Friday was "lost"- which I have been feeling these last couple of years as an artist. And all of a sudden I began looking at this past years body of work-caricatures. I had no clue that by doing personal caricatures I would take my illustrations to a whole other level and find myself a style of drawing that fits me as a glove.

As artist we tend to look at other artist and feel inspired to take our talent to a whole new level. Some of us can take a dive into this craft and feel completely comfortable. I was one of those artist who had to find myself. It took this entry for Illustration Friday - Lost to find that the style and the place I wanted to fit into wasnt necessary. I should embrace my way of creating art. There is no right or wrong. Its the impression - the mark that we as artist leave that is so important. It is important within our selves and sometimes important to those we encompass.

Illustration Friday - Float

With this weeks illustration - I decided to do a character floating with ease - parachuting. Destination - unknown.