My New Children's Book, "Dibble the Dragon," Now on Amazon

 

Buy on Amazon

In my spare time I finally wrote and illustrated this little children's book that I conceived many years ago. My friend Kathy Garvey urged me to get it going, and she helped me with the icky technical stuff, so all my thanks to Kathy, one of the most generous people I know.

Carmen

Mermaids, 36x22 Pen and Ink Drawing on Nautical Map

This map is different from the nautical charts to which I've added sea creatures (see my posts on July 25th and August 27th), but I think it works. I especially like the colors. Click on it to see more detail.

Three of us Pieces of Eight painters will be taking the Elio Camacho workshop again on Amelia Island. That is always an adventure in colorful painting and also an adventure in shrimp. The area is known for the very best shrimp, and it is hard to resist eating it every day. It's just like the scene in Forest Gump where Bubba is describing all the different ways of cooking shrimp. So many shrimp...so little time.

Carmen

The Little Bridge, 5x7 Pen and Ink Drawing

$30, Click to Purchase

Every time I draw one of these cottages it takes me back to my childhood, reading Grimm Fairy Tales. Those were my favorites The ones that were really grim were the ones by Hans Christian Anderson. They used to scare me to death. He was Stephen King for children. One title I still remember: The Girl Who Trod on a Loaf. Terrifying.

The brothers Grimm had some scary ones too, but fortunately my book had such winners as Cinderella and Rapunzel. There's nothing wrong with a happy ending.

Carmen

Paintangle, 5x7 Pen and Ink Zentangle-Inspired Drawing

Since my surgery I have been trying to be inspired to do something artistic, yet nothing came to me. Then I realized that most thoughts have been about pain, so I decided to draw my perception of pain. It's jagged, it has little bursts now and then, it's sharp and pointy, and it's not pretty. I am not whining, because I feel I am doing very well and getting better each day. Over and over in my head Carly Simon is singing, "I Haven't Got Time for the Pain..."

I haven't put a price on my pain drawing, because who would want it? I don't even want it. Perhaps we shall have a ceremonial burning when the pain wears itself out.

Carmen

Daily Painting Book by Carol Marine

I am so happy to report that my zentangle drawing above is included in Carol Marine's soon-to-be-released book Daily Painting. Some of the most amazing artists are in the book, and I am so honored to be included! Release date is November 4th on Amazon, or you may pre-order now for a discount of about $8. Here is the Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Daily-Painting-Creative-Productive-Successful/dp/0770435335/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412907428&sr=8-1&keywords=daily+painting

This is a really bright spot for me during what I call the Month of Worries. My loved ones have experienced eye surgery, knee surgery, bypass surgery, pneumonia, and blood clots. I myself am still recovering from my knee replacement and it is going well, so I have no complaints. The meds make me really stupid but that too shall pass. I hope.

Butterfly Tree, 5x7 Pen and Ink Zentangle-Inspired Drawing

SOLD

I went off on a flight of fancy with this one. It's not exactly a Zentangle, but it is a fantasy drawing. I just never get tired of drawing trees.

It's been a little crazy here lately. I started a collage, painted an oil painting, did a couple Zentangles, and today I'm going back to the collage. Sometimes I wonder why I can't just relax and retire. What is wrong with me? Maybe it's because I waited so long to do art full-time. Or maybe it's just because I love doing it.

Carmen 

Zen Lizard, Pen and Ink Drawing, 8x10 Matted Zentangle-Inspired, Black and White

$39, Click to Purchase

Why didn't I think of this before? Reptiles are great for zentangling, and I really enjoyed doing this one. Can you see what he's looking at? That ladybug is doomed. She'd better fly away home, and be quick about it.

Carmen

Zen Pineapple, Pen and Ink Drawing, Zentangle-Inspired 8x10 Matted

SOLD

Our friend Dave has a green thumb. He grows very healthy pineapples, and when I saw this one with the jaunty top of gorgeous leaves I started drawing patterns in my mind. One of these days maybe I'll do a big drawing like this, and the more complicated the better. It's my moment of Zen.

Carmen

Zennacle, 8x10 Pen and Ink Drawing, Black and White Fantasy Art

$35, Click to Purchase

I am  becoming obsessed with tree designs. When I paint in oils I have to see the finished painting in my mind before I start. When I do zentangle drawings I just let the pen take me where it may. I may decide to draw a tree or a bird, but after the initial outline the whole creation is about patterns and values. It just gradually grows until I am satisfied with the result. I highly recommend it as a meditative exercise with sometimes surprising results.

Carmen

Fairy Cottage, 8x10 Pen and Ink Drawing, Zentangle-Inspired

$35, Click to Purchase

When I am making up my own little fantasy world like this it is almost as good as reading fairy tales as a child. I start with a simple drawing, then let the patterns take me where they want to go. I try to use different values to add interest and form. 

I put my drawing in a double mat, which really gives it a nice finished look. It is ready to frame now.

Tangletree, 6x9 Original Pen and Ink Drawing

$45, Click to Purchase

This is a really good day, and that is because any day you are not having an intestinal virus is a really good day. I started my week in South Beach, a good way to start, but got sick after that. I still haven't the strength to stand at the easel, but I can still be creative with drawing. I did get to draw with my painting group today and that was really fun. Kathy gave us a good challenge, which we will finish next week.

Mary gave me a good one to add to my list of "why do we put up with this?":

No. 5: Packaging that cannot be opened no matter how you try; its clear plastic taunts you with a view of the completely unattainable product inside, mocking your frustrating attempts at entry.

Zentangle Tree, 8x10 Pen and Ink

$45, Click to Purchase

Getting all Zen with a pen. Sometimes the only thing I have time for is drawing at night, and I find Zentangle drawing very meditative. I need that, because I am still listing my most irritating things we put up with, and here is my latest: went to a furniture store, took pictures of sofas and their prices, then returned later for the "40-80% off sale" to find that the prices have been marked way up, then slashed to appear to be a bargain.  The worst part is, they cost more than they did two weeks ago when we took the pictures. Deceptive and disgusting. I'm not buying from them, period. 

So, No. 4: Deceitful practices in retail stores.

Zenfish, 5x7 Pen and Ink Drawing

$35, Click to Purchase

I will be going to Mexico soon, so my posts may be few and far between. I am going to visit San Miguel de Allende with my sister, and I expect to get some interesting subjects to paint down there. I hear it is a beautiful and historic city. I will be fresh off the Qiang Huang workshop, so I will have all my artistic juices flowing. 

Tanglefish, 5x7 Pen and Ink

$38, Click to Purchase

Sometimes I have a plan for these Zentanglish drawings, and sometimes I don't. I started this one as freeform curves and went from there. It made itself into a drawing that looked very undersea to me to I went with that.

I've been cleaning closets, purging mercilessly, and stopping occasionally to do Zentangles. I also tried an absolutely different technique which I will post next. I will be knuckling down to doing some serious oil paintings soon, and in February Qiang Huang will be here to teach, so I should be pumped up for months after that!

The Cottage on the Hill, 8x10 Collage

So every day the news is basically the same: a body is found, a car crashes through a house, an elderly person is lost, a bank is robbed, someone is bitten by a shark or an alligator. Well, maybe the animal bites don't happen every day, but the rest--yeah, pretty much every day.

When I am tired of all the tragedies, I like to retreat to my own little world, with purple hills and steps made of candy, out of reach of errant cars. A little whimsy is good for the soul.

PURCHASE