Snowmen Handstands?...An Acadia Christmas Card

Every year one of my favorite holiday traditions is to create a one-of-a-kind Christmas card for hubby. A summer trip to Maine's Acadia National Park provided the inspiration for this year's card....and gave us both the giggles on Christmas Eve.

 

 

So where do these illustration ideas come from?  Scroll and see.

*  Bubble Rock in Acadia seems like it will topple off the edge at any moment...although it's been sitting on this very spot for ages.

 

 *  Don't ask me why, but hubby and I started doing handstands at the peak of this hike. Crazy us.

 

 

*  The nephew steered clear of our handstand show (I think he thought we were strange), but then did let us take his picture by one of the carriage road signs.

 

Together, all of these experiences were a welcomed inspiration for hubby's special card...and awesome memories from such a beautiful place. (Thanks Miss Paulette!!)

If you enjoyed reading this post, you may also enjoy:

* Wilbur Paints Christmas!
* Wordless Wednesday/YMCA on Cadillac Mountain
* One VERY Loved Bunny

Thanks for stopping by! Here's to an artful 2013. 

Come Visit: York Art Association Student Exhibit

The York Art Association's student exhibit is now hanging and ready for you to peruse. Stop by now through December 29 and see what students and teachers have been working on this year.

The painting I entered in the show is "Dad's Bicycle", an acrylic painting of my Dad's childhood bicycle.

Visit the York Art Association website for hours and directions.

Thanks for stopping by!

One VERY Loved Bunny! - PhotoShoot

Surely by looking at these photos you could never tell that this bunny is the apple of my niece's eye. Could you?

 

 

 

 

 

Bunny did munch on a few carrot tops to keep her energy up for the photo shoot. This shot is too cute.......so it's now available for you in my artist shop on notecards, stickers, mugs, address labels, prints and more.

 

After a few carrot munches, it was back to posing...with little interest in nibbling on a big purple cabbage.

Then back to cuddling...

 

A few more sweet munches...

 

She's quite photogenic (both bunny AND my niece!). This movie star photo is also available for you in my artist shop.

Other posts you may enjoy:

* Wilber: Sea Lion Artist Extraordinaire
* Painted Violins for the Harrisburg Symphony

Thanks for stopping by!

Wordless Wednesday

If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy: * Creative Time: Wilbur, Sea Lion Artist Extraordinaire * Wordless Wednesday Thanks for stopping by!

Wordless Wednesday

Friendly Garden Bouquet

A few flowers snipped from the garden yesterday, plunked into a flea market found mug, adorned with a colorful ribbon and given to a friend.

Amazing the simple things from nature that bring happiness and smiles!

If you enjoyed this post, please click on: * Kitties in the Garden Everywhere!

Thanks for stopping by!

Wilbur Paints Christmas

The experience of painting with Wilbur the Sea Lion was entirely amazing. (see previous blog post) Inevitably, an illustration began to churn. And, out came Wilbur painting a Christmas tree.



Wilbur even had a few things to say about it:

Wilbur Talks About His Art from Cheryl Kugler on Vimeo.

To see more about Wilbur, a sea lion who creates abstract paintings at Theater of the Sea in Islamorada, Florida, check out my previous blog post: Wilbur, Sea Lion Artist Extraordinare.

And, one last peek at Wil before you go:



If you enjoyed this post, please check out:
* Painted Violins for the Harrisburg Symphony
* Sebastian and Sylvester: Two Cats Play Amid Cardinals and Roses
* Illustrating a Dog-Gone Cute Christmas Card

Thanks for stopping~

Cheryl

Wilbur: Sea Lion Artist Extraordinaire

Some folks swim with the dolphins. I opted to paint with a sea lion - a most amazing artist experience. Yes, a sea lion named Wilbur actually paints. On a canvas. For fish.

Where? Theater of the Sea in Islamorada, Florida.

On a recent vacation, I couldn't resist the opportunity. Come and take a look at Wilbur's creative process...

THE POSE:
Wilbur poses with his masterpiece. A little abstract, I might say:



VIDEO:
A short video of the experience:
(Note: my first attempt at using Google's video editor. Timing seemed accurate in the editor, but timeframes shortened in conversion - sorry!)

Wilbur: Sea Lion Artist Extraordinaire from Cheryl Kugler on Vimeo.

THE PROCESS:

So, here's Wilbur.



First step. Picking paints:
As the participant, you select 4 colors.



A close-up of Wilbur's brushes and paints:



Wil's first strokes:



Adding color:



Pink makes it POP:



The final painting:
Love Wilbur's whisker marks in the paint! So endearing.



And, with Wilbur's masterpiece:



(On a side note: lovin' the butterfly bench inside the aquamarine park. Would look great in the garden at home. Anyone know where to find one?!)

COME TO FIND OUT that artist/animal enrichment programs are available at zoos across the country. Check out a book called "Fur in My Paint" by Tifane Grace for more information. Paint with dolphins, snakes, orangutans, elephants, SEA LIONS, and more.

Truly an experience I will never, ever forget!

If you enjoyed this post, please check out:
* Pastured, Beyond Organic at Polyface Farm
* Rejuvenating the Artist's Soul at N. Myrtle Beach

Thanks for stopping by~