Kana characters

I've done a few more poses of Kana, my little Hawaiian girl for my story. These are just line drawings. Doing quick sketches is forcing me to learn to cartoonize people without fear of messing up. If it turns out, I will use it... if not, I'll move onto the next one, or work on improving it. So far I really like her!

And now for something completely different...

I've been challenged by my illustrator friends... a drawing a day of a new little character! I am playing with software called Corel Painter 11. And loving it! Here are the first two drawings. This should help tremendously to develop my almost non-existent  cartooning skills, which are very necessary for illustrating my children's stories.

More on St. Emma's

My husband and I just spent a much needed, wonderful weekend at St. Emma's Retreat House in Greensburg. All the beautiful sisters that run the place went online to view the painting Ora et Labora. I got all positive reactions and they are anxious to know if it wins any awards in the South Hills Annual Exhibit coming up September 20.

At the retreat, we had the privilege of listening to a young Benedictine priest from St. Vincent's College. There is so much to say about this holy, pious, gentle, brilliant man that I find myself at a loss for words. If you ever have an opportunity to attend a talk or retreat with Fr. Boniface Hicks, jump on it! Don't miss it. He is also a very interesting subject to paint... keep your eyes open for a companion painting to Ora et Labora. It will be titled: Lectio, Meditatio, Oratio. This is a method of prayer used by the Benedictines. It means "Read, Meditate, Pray". Worth looking into if your prayer life needs a little "revival".

Ora et Labora

The title of the painting, Ora et Labora, is Latin for Pray and work.

From left to right, I'll list the symbols as they pertain to the individual:
Nun #1 - The Crane: Loyalty, Monastic life. Ivy wreath: hospitality. Lamp: Wisdom.
Nun #2 - Columbine flower: Holy Spirit. Snow: Purity, innocence. Heart: love and charity.
Nun #3 - Scallop shell: Pilgrim. Bee: hard work. Potter's wheel: being formed by God.
Nun #4 - Butterfly: new life. Fern: solitude, humility and sincerity. Sunflower: keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus.
The colors have meaning also. Gold: worth. Blue: wisdom and charity. Green: growth, life, hope. Red: love, holy zeal.
In the background are wheat fields. Wheat has always represented the Holy Eucharist which is what the Catholic faith is centered around.