Thoughts of Love From The Past....

 

"Just a L'il Note to Remind You of How Much You Are Loved!"

(watercolour, approx. 7x7")

    These sweet l'il grasshoppers were among the first of my "regular" critters to draw when I thought up a new greeting card idea... I love the colour green and I found that I drew/painted grasshoppers mostly in February and March when the desire for fresh emerald green is at its highest for me!  Winters seems to drag on a little in those months!

 "Enjoying Happy Thoughts of You"

(watercolour, approx. 5x5")

    This l'il fuzzy kitten was just an idea that had to be drawn to make room in my mind for other ideas plus it was a l'il challenge to force myself to work all the furry brushstrokes - repetitive brushstrokes have always been a bit of a challenge because I get impatient to finish the piece... 

 "Lots of Time to Think About You... I Consider It Time Well Spent!"

(watercolour, approx. 8x10")

    This was my first favourite design in my Love & Appreciation greeting card series - I gave this card to many people and many people wanted this design when they ordered cards from me.  Again this was simply an idea in my mind I needed to get on paper, but I love how it turned out!  It is the first time I had drawn a mouse - so this design really was the beginning of a new adventure in my illustrations! 

"My Day Was Filled With Happy Thoughts About You!"

(watercolour, approx. 8x10")

    I love this piece! I knew exactly how I wanted it to look as soon as I thought up this idea and so I just kept focusing and re-focusing on the image in my mind to get it all down on paper, just right!  I especially like how the 'metallic' parts came across!

"It's How I Feel When I Think About U"

(watercolour, approx. 8x10")

    Sometimes it's a bad thing when people look at a card front, then open the card to read the written sentiment and then look back at the card front to 'get the joke' but with this card it always ends with the same reaction: the surprised 'Oh, I didn't even notice that bunny until now!' followed by an appreciative laugh and smile!  I love this design!  It was a challenge to come up with 26 different expressions and eye/ear angles - but another piece that I'm happy to send to others for their birthday, Valentines, or just a general happy day!

    Hope you all enjoy a day full of smiles, love, and laughter!  It never hurts to send a "just because" card to someone to brighten their day!  Discovering a 'love note' in a mailbox would brighten anyone's day!

    ♥ Cath-

Two Ends of the Spectrum

 "My Shy Valentine"

(pen and ink, approx. 5x10")

    Ollie and Olivia's eyes met across the crowded watering hole and not just because they were the only two ostriches standing amongst a herd of pygmy hippos... Quickly both looked away, unsure of what to do next... They had known of each other for quite some time but neither knew how to strike up a sensible conversation.  'Maybe I should say something?' they each thought, but that was a terrifying thought!  Talk?!  What would I say??     

 

"Unabashed Appreciation"

(pen and ink, approx. 8x10")

    Bella never had any trouble finding words when Brody was around.  When Bella is happy she simply can't be quiet about it!  She always makes sure Brody knows how much she appreciates every l'il gesture of sweetness he exhibits!   

    Some days I just can't resist the urge to find a comfy chair and just draw with my fine liner pens - today was one of those days!  I was inspired by some pen work I had done several years ago when my brother and I developed a comic strip called "Weekly Pews".  Lotsa fun was had with that project! I think I'm going to pull out my pens a little more often!

    ♥ Cath-  

Snuggle Up, Up, Up!

"Snuggle Up, Up, Up"

(watercolour, approx. 8x10")

    Snuggle up, waaay up!!  Reminds me of the CBC's 'The Friendly Giant' show - I loved that show when I was a kid!  Every time I look at this illustration, my eyes are immediately drawn to the feet and then my eyes journey up, up, up the legs, gaze over their 'coats', follow their twisting necks up, up, up, pause to take in the peaceful contented look on their faces, pop up to the heart, and then back down to the feet to begin all over again!  Is that a good thing?  I don't know for sure but I find myself following that pattern over and over again for minutes at a time! 

    This illustration is the third in a safari themed "love & friendship" series!  I love giraffes almost as much as I love elephants... As I worked on this illustration, I remembered a mental note I had made last summer while photographing some giraffes at a local zoo.  I checked out my photos, knowing it had something to do with their feet. You see, I had always assumed giraffes had camel-like feet - soft, pillowy, cleft feet - but they have hooves! Cleft hooves!  

    I also did some online research to find out if there were any differences between a male and female giraffe (colouring, features, etc) before I started inking/painting. This is what I found: The only difference (in a reticulated giraffe - my favourite!) is that the female has tufts on their ossicones (horns), whereas the male does not - his ossicones are bare from fighting and rubbing them against trees - similar to a young male deer.

    Well, it's an official Snow Day in this l'il patch of Earth - and we actually have snow!!  It's supposed to be quite a storm with lots of snow falling this morning...  I'm glad that the whole family can stay home and snuggle up, up, up!  

   ♥ Cath-

      

Happy February 1st!!

 "So Happy You're My Friend!"

(watercolour, approx. 7x7")

    I was inspired to make this illustration after seeing a sweet photo of elephants in a sanctuary who had been separated from each other for many years and then reunited.  They remembered each other immediately and became inseparable, nuzzling each other with their trunks.  Here's the photo:

 

 (no photo source available)

    I just love elephants!  They have such a calm, contentment about them. I can stand and watch them for hours!!  I love their faces and all their wrinkles too!  Simply beautiful creatures!

    My blog this month (for the most part) will be dedicated to posting several new illustrations, plus a few older ones not yet seen on Inspiring Felicity, to celebrate in a simple way the feeling of love and contentment, friendship and joy.  I'm excited to share them with you!! 

    ♥ Cath-