IF: Sailor

I saw other artists posting merpeople, so I thought I'd post one of my own.

"Mer-pirate" by Joanne Roberts, colored pencil on toned paper, 5" x 7"

This week's Illustration Friday theme is "sailor."

It was tricky getting a good scan because of the toned paper. Maybe it's my monitor.

5 Things to Be Thankful For

During the Thanksgiving season, we traditionally gather together and count our blessings: home family, prosperity. Many posts will focus on gratitude. Some will encourage readers to find things about which to be thankful even amid the trying circumstances of their lives. But I would like to submit to you this year, while those are good and noble ideas, there are 5 things we have probably neglected.


Thankful for family, by Joanne Roberts

Be grateful for hardship.
"Count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations." James 1:2

When was the last time you said thank-you when you were struggling against a rash reaction? A hateful response? An addiction?
Difficult things in our lives give us chances to be an example to others and make us better people. I absolutely look forward to the day when I won't have to think twice about saying and doing the right thing. Until then, I'm counting my difficulties as blessings. (James 1:12)


Be grateful for suffering.
"But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings..." I Peter 4:13

This particular admonishment is speaking of persecution, but I think it can be equally applied to suffering wrongfully, condescension, or physical suffering. (I Peter 2:18,19)
Those who hold an opinion differing from the mainstream are continually blasted for their beliefs. Religious and moral freedoms are challenged on every side. The current political climate engenders strife, and while there is a general appeal for tolerance, those who speak the loudest deepen the divides rather than healing them. Complaining certainly isn't the answer. How would a thankful spirit transform our communication?


Be grateful for everyone in government.
"I exhort therefore, that,...giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority;" I Timothy 2:1,2

 No matter your country or political leanings, this is a very clear call to specific, purposeful thankfulness for specific, generally objectionable, people.
I've had cause to meditate on this thought for the last eight years, and see the need to discipline ourselves to it in the next four.


Be grateful for those in opposition to us.
"Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you." Luke 6:28

This one's especially hard for me. I get so tired of people who feel entitled. Self-righteousness fosters the opposite of gratefulness.
What would happen if we followed the rest of the commands in Luke 6?
"And unto him that smiteth thee on the cheek offer the other also; and to him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again...But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again;"


Be grateful for everything.
"In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
I Thessalonians 5:18

Everything. Fill in the blank.


This is only possible with supernatural intervention.
But if you want to do the impossible, then you need Someone who is capable of that. That's God.

I've lost some readers here. Sorry to hear that. I hope they'll be back.

For those of you still reading, here's where I'm coming from. I'm a born-again follower of Christ.*

I was recently reminded that God never asks us to do the impossible. He does that part. (Romans 8:28, Mark 10:27, Luke 1:37, Philippians 4:13, Isaiah 43:2,7)


*Email me with any questions. I'll do my best to give you the truth. Or you can look at this clear explanation of my beliefs.

IF: Wisdom

"Tutu knows best," by Joanne Roberts

The Illustration Friday theme this week is WISDOM.

Thanks for looking.

IF: Dragon, Too

The Illustration Friday theme is still Dragon? Okay. Here's an oldie I have always liked.

IF: Dragon, by Joanne Roberts

Feel free to leave links to your Illustration Friday posts in the comments.

IF: Hat

Joanne Roberts for Illustration Friday topic HAT

It's been a while since I posted for Illustration Friday. Here's a hat, Twenties-style.

#illo_advent 4 Calling Birds

Christmas Countdown

Four Calling Birds, by Joanne Roberts

Thanks to Linda Silvestri for HoHoDooDa inspiration.

#Illo_Advent 5 Golden Rings

Christmas Countdown

Five Golden Rings, by Joanne Roberts

Five Golden Rings

#illo_advent and HoHoDooDa

Zip-a-dee-ho-ho-doo-da!

For our 22nd anniversary. You're the best Christmas gift I every got.

Love you, Hon.

HoHoDooDa, #illo_advent

IF: Wet

Better late than never. Illustration Friday, HoHoDooDa, and #illo_advent

Illustration Friday theme WET,
graphite on paper by Joanne Roberts

Elf revenge. Wondering why he has a punch bowl on his head? Take a peek at last week's Illustration Friday offering.

Thanks again to Linda Silvestri and the other HoHoDooDa participants.

HoHoDooDa 4 & 5

Woefully behind for #illo_advent and HoHoDooDa. So I cheated. I drew the little giggly elf on Wednesday to practice his expression. But I like him so much more than the one in the final drawing I posted on Thursday night, that I decided to give him his own spot at no. 5.

Bring Out the Christmas Decorations
Graphite on paper, by Joanne Roberts

Thanks for looking.

Elf with the giggles, by Joanne Roberts

Don't forget to visit the other sketchers making merry for HoHoDooDa.

Special thanks to Linda Silvestri for designing this challenge.

Kittens Beneath The Tree

Napped all day instead of drawing. These kittens ought to be napping. I have a feeling this is what will happen to our gifts this year.

HoHoDooDa 3
Graphite on paper, by Joanne Roberts

I am keeping up on HoHoDooDa, but when will I catch up on the missed days? How are you faring? 

Do You Wanna Build a Snowman?

HoHoDooDa 2

A lumpy snowman for HoHoDooDa and #Illo_advent. Check them out. I am seeing some amazing art in my feed. Who are your favorites?

IF: Punch

It has been awhile since I posted to Illustration Friday. In keeping with the holiday season, I envisioned some elves with a bit of punch. This grog is spiked with Tabasco instead of spirits.

Graphite drawing for IF: PUNCH,
by Joanne Roberts

Linda Silvestri usually runs an informal drawing challenge in December called HoHoDooDa. What's a crazy-busy holiday season without a drawing challenge, right? So I've decided to throw my pencil into the ring. And for extra stress, I plan to tweet the drawings for #illo_advent, too. Sound like fun? Why not join us!

Leave your URL or Username in the comments so I can follow along on your creative journey. Don't forget to stop by Linda's blog to "register". Follow her with #HoHoDooDa. And keep an eye out here and @BookishAmbition on Twitter. S'cuse me. I have some catching up to do.

Thanks. Happy December!

IF: Stuffed

Thanksgiving is nearly here, but I'm thinking of a more cuddly kind of stuffed for this week's illustration Friday.

Joanne Roberts, pencil sketch
Illustration Friday: Stuffed

Inktober 2015

Go to SVSLearn to sign up.
It's just $25.

It's that time of year . . . No not THAT one. Time for Inktober, Mr. Jake Parker's drawing challenge. Join us on the Inktober FB page, on Twitter at #Inktober2015, or follow along on the participants' blogs. 

Use it to build discipline and improve your drawing skills. Trust me, the challenge is well worth it. Leave your twitter handle in the comments if you plan to participate. See you there!

You can follow me on @BookishAmbition 

30-Day Drawing Challenge Coming in September

Thanks to Gavin Townsend, 2011

I'll be starting a 30-Day Drawing Challenge on September first. (Like I need another project, right?)

Here's my two-bit philosophy on why you should join me:

• Non-artists need challenges to develop their visual communication skills

• Artists need challenges to stay out of ruts

• Free-lance artists need challenges to generate interest in their work and traffic on their sites

• Besides, challenge lists are fun!

Follow along with me (You can download G-Townsend's list on Deviant Art.)

Or use one of the alternate lists below. (I plan to use those in the coming months.)
Don't forget to post a link to your blog, tumblr, or instagram in the comments so we can encourage each other.

Copyright Autumn Seybert

Copyright Sarah Nolan

found on Pinterest

By Myra Harrison?

IF: Danger

Here's my sketch for the Illustration Friday theme "Danger."

Checkmate!

Pentel brush pen and Prismacolor cool gray markers on Aquabee Paper, approx 7"x10".

2nd Annual Pretty Much World Famous Illustration Contest

I'm headed to see Jurassic World.

Here's my entry for Susanna Leonard Hill's amazing contest.

DISCOVERY

Be sure to check out all the other fabulous entries on Susanna's blog!

IF: Small

Here's my interpretation of "small" for Illustration Friday.

Joanne Roberts, Pencil on paper, approx. 6" x  8"

Draw This! Adventure

The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators 

monthly Draw This! challenge. 

The July prompt is ADVENTURE.

Peter Pan's adventure, by Joanne Roberts

Members may participate by submitting one illustration inspired by the monthly prompt. Aside from the opportunity to see fellow illustrators' work at #scbwidrawthis, one can view the gamut of adventurous characters via the SCBWI site's online gallery.

Thanks especially to Sarah Baker for her diligence in bringing this challenge to fruition!

Learn More at SCBWI.org