MardiArt: 2012

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Making Amends

Buttercup thought about it for a long, long time.

Peet was delighted.

Bygones are bygones.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

IF … Bounce

Oh! Well lookie here …

… so this is where Peet gets his spring.

(thump)

Monday, July 30, 2012

Monday, July 16, 2012

IF … Lost

     Into the pink drink, I sink.

   Peet?
   Peet?
   Where are you, Peet?
   Peeeeeeeeet!

   Well, isn't this a fine how-do-you-do.

Monday, July 9, 2012

   Yippee … let's eat!
   Lunchtime is the perfect opportunity to practice our Cirque du Soleil act.
   Sometimes there's even a bonus to our precarious positionings. If we end up
   nose-diving, my fur becomes a lovely shade of pink for at least a week.
   (Peet, however, is of a different opinion, as he believes the color brings
   his manhood into serious question).
      Peet, more to the left and … whoa …"
          "Peet, more to the left and lower! Whoa …"
        "Peet, more to the left and lower! Whoa …"
           "Peet, more to the left and lower! Whoa …

Friday, July 6, 2012

IF … Refresh

   There is nothing in the world like a good long nap
   to rejuvenate a girl's spirits. Why, I feel as fresh as the
   first day of Spring! And so, just for you, I will now
   perform my happy dance, á la Isadora Duncan.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

IF … Secret & Space

Tucked deep inside the garden is a peaceful sanctuary
where we escape from all our worldly cares.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

IF … Shiny

a close encounter
The transport device was just up ahead. It sat, twinkling in the sun, making the eeriest sounds. First it seemed tortured and wailing, then changed to an odd gurgling. We moved in for a closer look and soon found ourselves locking eyes with an alien life form. (Incidentally, we thought it rather curious looking … not a speck of fur on it, or a tail. Still, it wiggled a bit.) Something about it's gaze though, made us feel all sun-shiny on the inside.

IF … Hurry!

Catch him if you can!
A tail retold.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

IF … Faded

   When the feasting was done, we settled in and told
   stories. It wasn't long before the memory of our time
   apart had faded along with the sun, and us.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

IF … Sight

   Peet and I lost track of each other yesterday.
   I looked high and low, but couldn't find him anywhere.
   Hmmm … I'd have to help Peet find me!
   I slipped into my le jardin ensemble and waited.
      (It wasn't long before he appeared.)

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

IF … Kernel

The Mouse and the Morsel

~ a semisweet tale ~

Monday, April 30, 2012

IF … Jump

while we were playing, Peet became so euphoric
   that he suddenly burst into a series of perfectly executed binkies.
   One right after another … the bunny hop, a triple axel, then several
   double salchows preceded an astonishing half loop finale.
   I was riveted by Peet's athletic prowess … and adrift
     with thoughts of Cirque du Soleil.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

IF … Heights

Today my Peet turned me into an animal balloon.

We had the funnest fun ever.

Sometimes Peet was jumpy, and I soared even higher.

This must be how angels feel.

_____________
detail …

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

IF … Puzzle


©2012 Mardi Speth • All Rights Reserved

hmmmmm .....

Peet's not the only one in a quandry.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

IF … Vocal

HONK … HONK … purrrrr … HONK … HONK … squeak … HONK … HONK … purrrrr …

HONK … HONK … purrrrr … HONK … HONK … squeak … HONK … HONK … purrrrr …

Peet, like most buns, 'honks' when he's content.
So what makes him happy? Four things are certain …
    He honks when he's eating.
    He honks when if you give him a special treat.
    He honks when he gets attention.
    And he honks especially loud when he snuggles.

Buttercup's happy noises are mostly outside the range for human ears,
however, she never lost her ability to purr after she grew up.

If you get REALLY close, you just may be able to hear what they're saying.
Go ahead, put your ear up against the monitor. They're really quite noisy.

_______________
Earlier this week …
While Peet & Buttercup warm up their voices, let me entertain you with a look at the past. Here is a cover for a music book I illustrated almost 7 years ago. Wow! Time flies – whether you're having fun or not!

There were nine music books produced, each corresponding to a cycle of prayer in the Roman Catholic church. A release is planned, but currently on hold.

Happy Easter!

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

IF … Return

BUTTERCUP!
Hand it over.

But Peet, you weren't using it.

I was too.

Then what was it doing in the carrot patch?

(sigh)

Just gimme my fluff.

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Lin gave me The Liebster Award!

I was very surprised to find that I was given an award for my blog from Linda Calverley of England, who is an amazingly talented fabric and mixed media artist. Her work encompasses a full range of delights - embroidery, printing, beading, photography, painting, drawing, altered books, quilting, applique, collage, and repeat patterns for fabrics or wrapping paper. Check out her blog for a plethora of visual delights!

My apologies for the delay in participating. I'm really tickled, and finally have the opportunity to do my part. The last week or so has been overwhelming, so my Illustration Friday endeavors dropped off. I'll get back on track soon enough!
______________

What is it?

This award is given to bloggers who inspire you and have less than 200 followers. The Liebster Award takes its name from the German word meaning ‘Beloved, Dearest or Favorite’ so I am honored to receive this award.

Here are the rules:
The tradition with this award is that it is passed along to five bloggers who have motivated and inspired. To accept the award, you must ~
* Link back to the person who gave it to you, and thank them
* Post the award to your blog
* Give the award to 5 blogs with fewer than 200 followers each
that you appreciate and value
* Leave a comment on those 5 blogs to let them know
they've been offered this award.

Below are the blogs to which I give the Liebster Blog Award. Every one of them is a master! The first three are my close blogging buddies, we see each other practically every week since we teach at the same school. We all began blogging at the same time – thanks to Richard's prodding – and we enjoy the support, personal growth and comraderie that Illustration Friday has brought.

Alice Andrieni's (almost) Daily Paintings What inspiration! In just under a year, Alice's artwork has expanded in what seems like a log-rythmic progression ... from tentative baby steps to a true tour de force. Beautiful brushstrokes, compositions and her ability to create art (almost) every day makes her the envy of all.

Richard Ewing's Visual Cogitations I just don't know ANYONE who can push and pull a figure to the extend that this maestro can. His compositions always hit me at a physical level, where I can feel the tensions present in his characters. He kindly prods me along with my efforts, and is downright hilarious in an understated way.

Bill Jaynes Mind Wanderings Light-hearted and whimsical watercolour and ink paintings adorn Bill's blog. His fun and often decorative style always depicts a fresh and inventive approach to the weekly word challenge. His art contains a spontaneity that reminds me that art is supposed to be fun, and not to take things so seriously. Seriously!

Greg Newbold's Life Needs Art Greg is a former classmate and phenomenally talented illustrator who's published an army of children's books, teaches university level art courses, and has his beautiful oil paintings in acclaimed art galleries. He's equally dexterous in oils, acrylic and digital media, and he's a really, really nice guy!

Elizabeth Rose Stanton's Penpaper Studio offers a weekly giggle at wacky animals rendered in a simple, colorful style. Then suddenly, she'll pop in a 'serious' rendering just to keep her viewer's guessing. No matter, the inner soul in all her creations shines through (and keeps me coming back for more)!

Monday, March 12, 2012

IF …Yield

Make way!

Make way for the princess!

Make way, I say!

Hey, bub. WHO ME? Yeah, you … GET-OUTTA-DA-WAY!

Show some respect for your princess, you lowly lagomorph.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

IF … Intention

Carpe Diem

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

IF … Fluid


©2012 Mardi Speth • All Rights Reserved • Watercolour & Ink

The first time I joined Peet in the bath,
I took him by surprise.

weeeeeeeeeee …

(Talk about big, fat fun!)

Monday, February 13, 2012

IF … Popularity

©2012 Mardi Speth • All Fights Reserved • Polymer Sculpt, 2" long

–– Me & My Peet ––
In our favorite place in the whole wide world.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

IF … Suspense

Monday, January 30, 2012

IF … Forward

We slipped past a sea of prying eyes and pressed onward.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

This week's illo was thumbnailed
while concepting 'Disguise' last August.

It's been lying in wait for the perfect

IF prompt to come forward.

_____

Watercolour & Ink

Sunday, January 22, 2012

IF … Twirl

     ooooo … my new race bike arrived!
     Titanium frame, Shimano gears and assemblies, a nice Selle saddle.
     I can hardly wait to ride!

– sigh –

       Well.

       Buttercup surprised me with a 'modification' … a turbine boost to help with
       inclines and keep me cool. (I need something a bit stronger for the latter.)

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

IF … Prepare

Peet! Look! I think you're gonna like this …

… it's called a Tour de France. It's perfect for our summer holiday.
We'll bicycle through the country, explore cafés and nap in the sun ...
... only about 200 kilometers a day.

wa, wa, wah, wah, wah, wa, wa, wah, wah, wah, wa, wa,

wah, wah, wah, wa, wa, wah, wah, wah

Why the big fuss about weight reduction and endurance training?
You look fine in your bike shorts. We just need a new buggy.
And some brie.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

IF … Grounded

To jump, one must first be fully grounded.

~ excerpt from The Tao of Peet

Monday, January 2, 2012

IF … Highlight

It's over.

Thirty days of non-stop performance.

Meeting and greeting adoring fans is truly wonderful, but honestly,

it can wear a mouse out!

To rejuvenate my spirit, I picked up a Mouse & Garden and headed straight for the salon. What a delight!

Well.
I shoulda paid closer attention to Poodle's big idea, but I was simply riveted to a juicy adventure story when she said something about pink tips.