Illustration Friday: shaky

Sometimes it can feel like you are living on shaky ground, especially in California. Here is my silly little submission for Illustration Friday's "shaky" theme. I have another pressing deadline right now so that's why this is minimal at best. It reminds me of the many earthquakes I have experienced in my life, falling debris, shaky buildings and usually your utilities get shut off for a few days while they restore power and water. As long as no one gets hurt they are a unique experience but every once in a while people talk about the Big one coming...

A bit of SHAKY trivia regarding music icon Neil Young, Neil has directed 5 movies, including 2008 critically acclaimed feature length documentary CSNY/Deja Vu. His nom de cine as a filmmaker is Bernard Shakey, the mythical founder of Shakey pictures.

copyright 2009 Valerie Walsh

Illustration Friday: worn

My submission for Illustration Friday's "worn" is a 3" x 3" mini canvas for the Art House Canvas Project 2 . The word for this image is "Nocturne" and you can see my little friend Tar the cat is worn out from chasing the fireflies.

I know a few artists here in LA that did paintings for Michael Jackson. He was a great lover of art and really admired excellent craftsmanship, artistry, intricacy and deeply detailed works. He was a big supporter of art and artists. The Jackson clan moved to Encino in the early 70's so his family's home is very close to Topanga. I hope he is dancing and singing in peace.

copyright 2009 Valerie Walsh Photo of Topanga Tar in Tree

Illustration Friday: Drifting

My submission for Illustration Friday's "Drifting" is one of my Marisol Hidden Treasure greeting cards. It has a gift certificate inviting the recipient to dinner. So after you drift, you have dinner, how perfect.

copyright 1994 Valerie Walsh/Marisol

Illustration Friday: unfold

My submission for Illustration Friday's "unfold" theme is a diecut valgal card that celebrates love. The message is clear but the card is a little unique in the design. I love making cuts and folds, it makes the card a bit more special. I have included a few views here: 1.the original illustration and a copy of the card 2. closeups of the image 3. card folds and unfold.

copyright 2004 Valerie Walsh

Illustration Friday: craving

My submission for Illustration Friday's "craving" is "Soda Shoppe" an illustration that is an interior , yes, but it is a room for a building in my ValerieGallerie site that is used to house my greeting card section. This is a slightly different version that shows what Babs the cat is craving. A wonderful guy named Brian Coughlin helped me make my site and I will never forget his patience, kindness and generosity. He is a member of the band "Kinch" and a very multi-talented young man.

I was in Washington for 7 days and I hung with my pal Louie and we took many beautiful walks together.

copyright 2004 Valerie Walsh

Illustration Friday: adapt

My submission for Illustration Friday's "adapt" theme is a colour study (prismacolor on Arches) called "Cat House". This is a piece I made in 1989 and a guy that collected my art had to have it so this is a scan of a 35 milimeter slide and this accounts for the quality of the image...

We all need to embrace our differences and adapt to our surroundings.

copyright 1989 Valerie Walsh

Illustration Friday: cracked

Sidewalks are cracked. My submission for Illustration Friday's "cracked" theme is one of my valgal business cards. Cracked sidewalks remind me of skating, biking and childhood fun. Hopscotch anyone?

I hope everyone has a nice Memorial weekend. Topanga is a fun place to share in the festivities because we have Topanga Days Fair a 3-day celebration with bands, games, food, sellers and dancing. It is a long standing tradition to attend the parade on Monday and all the kids, dogs, and adults enjoy themselves and the main boulevard is closed to traffic so all the floats and even our Firetruck 69 can attend. If you click on this link and go to the tab marked Topanga Days you can see the fair in 1979 and in 1999. A 20 year span and it seems the same :)

http://www.anastasiafite.com/