ros

A small rat sleeping in the company of roses.

The 4th Joyful Mystery, the Presentation of Jesus. I put Joseph up front because he had a very important part not only in the Circumsision of Jesus after 8 days but also the Presentation of Jesus after 40 days. In fact the Fathers are the ones who offer the sacrifice in private (with other jewish priests etc.) in order to "Redeem" the child. Hence one of Saint Joseph's titles: "The Redeemer of the Redeemer". He also has the unique title of the "Savior of the Savior" because in the flight to Egypt after this event Joseph saved Jesus from the hands of Herod. Oh and I got to see the tomb of Saint Simeon! It's in Zadok and we got to see his body, he still had flesh but his beard had fallen out (poor guy, lol). He was a very holy man, I could feel the graces there. ^_^ St. Simeon and St. Anna the Prophetess, pray for us! Luke 2: 22-39 22 And after the days of her purification, according to the law of Moses, were accomplished, they carried him (Jesus) to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord: 23 As it is written in the law of the Lord: Every male opening the womb shall be called holy to the Lord: 24 And to offer a sacrifice, according as it is written in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons: 25 And behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Ghost was in him. 26 And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when his parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, 28 He also took him into his arms, and blessed God, and said: 29 Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word in peace; 30 Because my eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples: 32 A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 33 And his father and mother were wondering at those things which were spoken concerning him. 34 And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary his mother: Behold this child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be contradicted; 35 And thy own soul a sword shall pierce, that, out of many hearts, thoughts may be revealed. 36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser; she was far advanced in years, and had lived with her husband seven years from her virginity. 37 And she was a widow until fourscore and four years; who departed not from the temple, by fastings and prayers serving night and day. 38 Now she, at the same hour, coming in, confessed o the Lord; and spoke of him to all that looked for the redemption of Israel. 39 And after they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their city Nazareth

The Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary by the Archangel Gabriel. This is also considered the Incarnation of Jesus. Those letters "ICXC" are an abbreviation of the Greek name of "Jesus Christ" ("IHCOYC XPICTOC"), hence she is conceiving Jesus by the Holy Spirit and power of the Most High. ^_^ That's why the light is going towards her. Her arms are crossed in humility as if she was saying "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done to me according to thy word". Gabriel the Archangel and Blessed Mama Mary, pray for us! O:)

power outage but they're working on it right across the street

The Factions had become strong, but were not strong enough, they tried to help their areas, but establishing a new government in a post-apocalypse is harder than it may seem. The Knights Faction, in its quest to slay the remaining dragons of the Fae Forest, and in an attempt to secure more supplies in the beautiful and bountiful region. A force of knights, mainly human, staged a takeover, violently taking from the elven folks of the forest villages, shortly after the negotiations failed. The elves were sad to lose so much land to the war effort of the humans. Some elves joined with the modernizing society of humans, and others stayed and tried to fight back against the growing human population and demand for more land. Elven oppression became an issue to a few people, who now fought for Faere Rights. A Lich Queen rose from the fallen elven lands and vowed revenge. She banned together the downtrodden races of Orcs and Goblins . Using intense gene meddling and tampering, the Lich Queen mutated the Orcs into a new breed of fighting beasts called Ogres. Alongside this, the Trolls were created. Trolls were an artificial life-form designed for battle, possessing great strength but being having very little brains. War. Another war . The Great Faere War .

And Finally it's Saint Matthew giving a high-five to his Symbolic Angel (Or "human with wings" technically)! I Made it more like a fairy or something, it's not like a mount like the other symbols of the evangelists. So Matthew looks a little more Fatherly because in the Gospel of Matthew the theme of God the Father is the strongest of the gospels (mentioned more times etc.), also it's the only account that gives the account of the Annunciation to St. Joseph and lots of details on St. Joseph, the virginal Father of Jesus on Earth. (I should probably redo St. John since I did the others with more detail, I actually I did that version of St. John a few years ago but I finally decided to color and outline it recently. All the others are new though.) Let me know if you want to see anything! I'll probably do the mysteries of the Rosary next. ^_^

I came across a photo of the actor Christopher Lloyd looking very forlorn, which inspired this spare drawing.

Just a random fantasy girl.

ink on paper. Here’s another demon baby. This doodle in particular is one of my favorites. I’m looking forward to “digitizing” it through Procreate on my iPad. I used Micron pens for this doodle, and for the hatching/crosshatching. More doodles and creatures to come

Ice and Fire

It's a Raccoon Dog! Did you know these exist? In Japan they call them Tanuki. I've always liked raccoons so I really enjoyed finding out about the Raccoon Dogs years ago (Even though they actually aren't related to Raccoons). It would be so cool to have one. ^_^ Thank you Lord for all the Raccoon Dogs! :P

Day 1: Paloma! My accidental quarantine kind of cocktail! I love grapefruit and I usually use it in a DIY Gatorade but quarantine necessity has found me adding some "cleaning" vodka. (I don't normally drink vodka but I keep some around for natural cleaning). I bought these grave-etcher brushes from @retrosupply awhile ago and finally tested them out. Digging it! Also practiced working in illustrator with the iPad mirrored. A little buggy and rough for someone who has only worked with a mouse.

A flower cleaner on duty, inspired by the prompts of @CarsonEllis.

I've always loved Hedgehogs ever since Sonic the Hedgehog. Here in Italy there are actually wild hedgehogs, when I found out I had to try and find one. Usually at night if we are driving I will be attentive to find some critters. I've seen crested porcipines, boars, badgers, weasels, owls, eagles, bats, lizards, deer and other things. But for awhile I never saw a hedgehog (one time I thought i did but that doesn't count), but finally about a year ago I finally found one while passing through the country of San Marino (it's in Italy)! It was crossing the road and it was the hugest hedgehog I have ever seen! Thanks be to God! lol. It was about the size of like a big small dog or something, probably about a foot long. So yeah I had to draw one in tribute of my weird obsession to find one, haha.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94LscmrB3Ss

Sometimes we just gotta take things less seriously and be little. :) So this is me Animal Crossing style! What makes this style particular? Triangle noses, and spoons for hands big enough to scoop up tons of Gelato icecream! :p

So if Animal Crossing had a Catholic Church, one of the windows might look like this, because in the museum there are several cathedral windows with an Owl on them (Blathers). It's interesting how this particular art form of the church has inspired cultures throughout the ages, even in our modern times in video games. An owl is a symbol of wisdom. So this is the Eucharist, fount of all wisdom or rather even Wisdom itself (as He is God). Heh, it's pretty fun finding all these lil Catholic things in games ^_^

We took the Tuesday after Memorial Day off and rode bikes into GG Park. We found a mostly empty patch of green to picnic and play across from the Conservatory of Flowers. Our social distancing signs are blue with four white arrows pushing four people apart. Every time I look at them, I think, what if people think the length of those arrows is actually 6 feet? What do yours look like?

Gel pen and Prismacolor drawing from picture I took

Pencil Drawing

I like Pigs! ^_^ Didn't you know? They make me laugh, lol. In high school I asked my friends and others to draw me pigs so I could make a pig book. I got at least 30 I think. lol. I've always liked the pigs in Windwaker but recently I found out about a rare type of pig called the Mangalista pig! It's furry! As you can see, lol (google search to see what they really look like because I did a cartoon version obviously lol). They kinda are like a Sheep Pig. So yeah, this is ToonLink if he were a Shepard boy or something, kind of like a Rancher (that's why he's wearing the Rancher outfit Link wore in Twilight princess.) He got a tan too (i didn't have a non-rose skin color marker lighter then that, haha). :) If your up for it take the Draw a Pig challenge! :P

Although this is my commercial work, it's more in keeping with my sketchbook drawings so I'm posting it here. It's for Waitrose My week magazine on old photos of V.E day and what we can lean from them in our current international emergency.

Sometimes have difficulty expressing how I feel in word but I'm finding art to be a way in which I can open up a lot more. It's really hard to describe Anxiety, especially because a lot of times (at least with things like GAD) it's hard to know where it comes from. Anyone who has ever had an attack can relate. Also Spiritual Desolation can often accompany it which makes it confusing and people experience it differently. Nothing has ever made me feel more in union with Our Lord in the Agony of the Garden. There is also that sense of abbandonment on the cross, and for me the crown of thorns because of migranes which are connected with it. But there is hope, you can see the light in the heart... in the soul... Often times it feels like a dark cloud and no magic formula of words or advice will do the trick, we know the logic, we understand the solutions but in the moment one just has to experience the Cross. An artist shows beauty, soul, personality, emotion, life. This transcends language, boundaries, cultures and connects humanity. This unity is what brings us closer in solidariety, fraternity and love, and this is what again, leads to joy, joy even in the midst of sorrow. And so even if I express sorrow or anxiousness, let this help you know that you are not alone, have joy in your heart even if you don't feel like smiling. Never give up, I know it can seem lonely but know that people really do love you. Peace be with you

Pink Rose. Gouache. 6" x 8" Cold press finish Watercolor paper. (May 3, 2020)

Yellow rose ~ Gouache with some watercolour. 6" x 8" Cold press finish Watercolor paper.

Galapagos - Albatross