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

Madame X, 5x7 Pen and Ink Drawing on Paper

$35, click to purchase

The attitude of this haughty bird reminds me of the original Madame X, the masterpiece painted by John Singer Sargent. It's like she's saying, "Here I am; yeah, these are funky shoes. So what?"

No. 6 on my list of things that make me grind my teeth and want to scream:

Negative political ads, especially the ones with the low-pitched, sarcastic, gossipy-sounding voice that sounds like they are sharing a nasty little secret about the opponent.

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.

Call Me Ishmael, 20x24 Acrylic on Canvas

$225, Click to Purchase

This morning on the news I saw that a Taiwanese man drifted in the sea for 60 hours floating on a coffin lid. This was like pulling a page from Moby Dick, where Ishmael was the lone survivor because of floating on a coffin. I changed the name of this watery-looking painting in his honor. 

This technique is new for me. It is poured acrylic that I let dry into a 'skin,' then I peeled it up, cut it apart and arranged the design. It is glued to a stretched canvas. This is a very time-consuming endeavor, but I like the result. I am drying some very light colors now to see what I can do on a dark background. 

Flamingo Dancer, 5x7 Pen and Ink Drawing

$38, Click to Purchase

Every time someone says, "Flamingo Dancer" this is what pops in my head. So nice to be able to put it on paper. I like the rose in her teeth (if she had teeth). Alas, my Flamenco Dancer fails in the castanet department; one really needs fingers for that.

Fancy Feathers, 5x7 Pen and Ink Drawing

$38.00, Click to Purchase

This was really a flight of fancy (no pun intended). I got all Zentanglish and Seussical at the same time. I love creating my own bird. It's the Mandilla-Crowned Checkertail and it has a lovely call that sounds just like Adele. To hear it, go to Pandora Radio and type in "Mandilla-Crowned Checkertail."