temple vs amusement park...

Some of us see our bodies as a temple and some see it as an amusement park. I'm down with both points of view!

This photo of a brand new tattoo has been forwarded to me by the awesome folks from BlueQ. I had to take a second and a third look. Yep, that's the owl from the pattern I did for BlueQs overnighter bag. Someone loved it enough to give it a home on their back. Here's their original message:

(I just wanted to share some new ink with you guys - we at Acme LOVE,  

LOVE, LOVE the new stuff!  The photo below is a little raw still and   

combination of the overnight tote and the catalog cover.  My tattoo  

guy is a genius...

-nina)

Well, if anyone else wants to tattoo something I made...  let me know - I'll help with the process - make the lines clean and  help with colors - 'cause this is a serious commitment!

I got another idea for a wallpaper... or upholstery fabric. What do you think? It would go fabulously with mod furniture. Did a little collage work so you could see what I see:)

in grandma's forest...

My daughter Margo is absolutely crazy about the unicorns. A few days ago (during dinner) she informed me that while we'll be visiting grandma, her and daddy are going to hunt for unicorns in grandma's forest. I thought -"There's a concept worth illustrating."

spirtits...

This is how I imagine good spirits around you when you're happy.

life is such a circus...

I hope you all had en excellent weekend. The school is over and the kids are home. Days of the week lost almost all of their meaning. The only time I can hear myself thinking is if the headphones are on:)  A lot like a circus and this new pattern:)

sweet anticipation...

I just wanted to say - "I'm soooo looking forward to Tim Burton's version on Alice!" I'm sure it's going to be a visual feast!

Foxy Friend...

I don't know why I've never painted on a colored background before.... but I'm loving this! Step aside white or off white... cream, grey and other neutrals are in town. So glad I tried something new.

Aaahh... summer...my favorite season of them all. It's here. Hooray for good weather and the color green!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CANADA!!! Happy Canada Day to all!

watercolor day...

I've been having some fun with watercolors yesterday. An unplanned fun. My eyes were hurting from too much warm computery glow... and I had to 'step away' from the screen. All for good though.... 'cause otherwise, the vegetable friends would never see the light of day:)

happy thoughts...

Experimenting with watercolors today:) 

Hope to show you more tomorrow.

On Saturday, Anais turned 3 years old. She is my tiny pain in the neck... but she's also my huge joy and pride.

Well... it finally feels like summer. In fact - it's hot. The AC is on (otherwise I'd have to take the skin off). I'm looking out my window at the poor plants... well, at least they aren't sweating.

The illustrations above are inspired by gardening. I should say - my husbands gardening, since I luck that talent and the only way my thumbs can turn green is if I paint them. But I like watching. I like watching people work in their garden. It's hard work, and the results would only last a few month (around here).... but so pretty - people do it anyway.

smart...

Don't you just love it when things  you love come together :) Chocolate and Pattern... mmmm. Delicious and Smart. Couldn't resist showing you this wrapped darkness from the Mast Brothers (Brooklyn based artisan chocolate brand). The Brothers adopted existing wrapping paper and added their label to it. Clever:)

All I really want to do now is design patterns for the chocolate packaging! 

Dear Willy Wonkas of the world - please consider me for your next delicious product!

-" Top of the Tuesday, Whiskers." said Mr. Shniblie to his feline roommate. "Care for some fish?"...

'Two redheaded friends' and 'Nadia's dream' are my new gouaches.

I'm starting to really enjoy my little deviations from the world of illuminated screens:)

I'm back. The trip went incredibly well. No tantrums, no 'are we there yet', no unnecessary tears or disappointments on kids front. Eight hours in the car - and nothing major. 

The main reason for the reunion was the passing of my husband's grandfather  - who has managed to make it to 104! One hundred and four! Seriously. 

We've gathered to celebrate his life and (not that I've been to many, but...) it was a perfect memorial service. Anais set through it all like a real trouper (even though at barely 3 y. o. she had no clue what's going on).

Oh... and we also spent a day in Marineland. That was a real treat! I did all the kiddie rides.... since I'm a big scardie cat. Girls had a blast on the mini roller-coaster. I wish I wasn't so busy having fun... and took some pictures. 

see you soon...

I'm running... against the clock... with my tongue on my shoulder... trying to finish all the work before I leave to St. Catherines for my husbands family reunion. Goodbye sweet procrastination... I'll see you and Mr. Blog next week:)

Above: illustration I did for JUGGLZINE (Stealth Parenting).