Meatball the cat

This is my contribution to James Parker's Art challenge blog.

He was also featured in a previous painting perched on Malissa's shoulder.

Meatball is our 19 pound cat. He is my son Donovan's cat. It's uncanny. Because cars will park day in an day out in front of my house but when the SUV that brings the kids home parks outside, Meatball immediately goes to the front door to wait for them. This is before you can see them get out of the vehicle.

11x14 oil on gessoboard

Blog Award

Cynthia of Oasis Writing Link (OWL)
has honored me with this colorful and dynamic award. What a charming acknowledgement of my efforts here at OWL blog. Thank you, Cynthia!

Here is a description of the award

This award recognizes the following attributes:

1) The Blogger manifests exemplary attitude, respecting the nuances that pervades amongst different cultures and beliefs.

2) The Blog contents inspire; strives to encourage and offers solutions.

3) There is a clear purpose at the Blog; one that fosters a better understanding on Social, Political, Economic, the Arts, Culture, Sciences and Beliefs.

4) The Blog is refreshing and creative

5) The Blogger promotes friendship and positive thinking

Here are my responsibilities:

The Bloggers who receive this award will need to perform the following steps:

1) Create a post with a mention and link to the blogger who presented the Noblesse Oblige Award to you.
2) The award conditions must be displayed in the post.
3) Write a short article about what your blog has thus far achieved preferably citing one or more older post to support:
4) The blogger must present the Noblesse Oblige Award to blogs in concurrence with the award conditions.
5) The blogger must display the award at any location on their blog.

I'm truly honored because I have always wanted to be more than an art blog.  Mainly because I had little confidence in my art and thought I would need to have stories to entertain any readers.

It's funny how writing my stories of my past life helped to bring about my Art for Saving Animals Project.  

One of my first articles showed how I've always loved helping people:

A Little Story

My second story brought tears to some people's eyes but reminded me how I loved helping animals too:

Another Story

So I guess some way, some how, the two loves melded together and became a way to still help and still develop my art through the Art Saving Animals Project. 

I've also thrown in a couple of outburst regarding my personal life in regards to my kids and dealing with my ex and I do appreciate the support there.  My main goal is to continue to be myself, continue to develop my art and continue to deal with life and with everything that comes toward me (good and bad) with the help of my friends.

I'd like to pass along this award to Sandy Sandy

for her inspirational blog "to keep negativity at bay."

Also to James Parker who with his lively and funny posts is always looking to make everyone's world a better place to live.

To Linda (Artwolf) whose blog was one of the first that I found to combine art and consciousness for our world and animals.

Finally Narayanan Hariharan's blog called http://bangalorea2z.blogspot.com/.  He is very proud of his country, posts beautiful photos and promotes a greener environment.  

Thanks and hugs to all.

Tish and Mark

This is for James Parker's challenge Windows to the World Art challenge. 

Check out his site and the works of other wonderful artists!

8x10 pencil & charcoal

Thank you James Parker

 I nearly choked on my lunch burrito when I read James Parker's post today.  He's such a sweetheart and I'm a little overwhelmed because I feel that he was thinking about someone else when he made and gave this 'keepsake' to me.  Edward Burton on the otherhand is a generous man, great artist and a perfect recipient.   James Parker doesn't know how his art wow'd me when I first discovered him after I submitted my first DSFDF challenge.  

Here is the poem James wrote to accompany the Keepsake.

I had some folks come visit, my humble little blog

And leave a thoughtful comment, 'bout the painting I had logged.

I don't know how to tell them, or even where to start,
Of the wondrous gift they gave me, bringing joy to my heart

Some days are dark and lonely...I feel that life's a bore
But those simple words of kindness, have brought sunshine to my door.

So as a recipient, I need to give this keepsake to two other bloggers.

Michelle Burnett

Michelle is my very first follower.  I didn't even know what a follower was until her little avatar popped up on the side one day.  From that day, she has been my cheerleader and inspiration that has in large part enabled me to be as candid and open on this blog as I have been.  She is a wonderful artist and also awesome mom.  Her support and artistic sense have helped me arrive to this point in my blogging and altruistic abilities with my art.  Thank you Michelle.

Judy Mackey

Judy is someone who I went to early on because we went to the same High School in Japan and she is very successful with her art and marketing and networking.  When I asked for advice Judy went far and beyond what I expected.  She literally took me by the hand on somethings (such as selling on eBay) and given me example after example of how she's built her business up.  She also is using her art to help animals something I've drawn inspiration from.  I can never repay her for her advice and encouragement and just hope her Karma bank is always filled to the hilt.  Thank you Judy.

Windows to the Words

Most of you know jovial James Parker with his hilarious comments and really wonderful works of art.  He started a new challenge called Windows to the Words -Art where each artist picks a choice of prose and paints or draws something based on it's content.  This 5x7 acrylic on canvasboard was based on the Moody Blue's song, "Lovely to see you."

Check out his and other entries to his challenge!