Illustration Friday - IDENTICAL

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Andrew embraced his individuality, even if nobody else seemed to.

Since discovering Illustration Friday earlier this year, I have participated in exactly 30 challenges. The streak almost ended there, because this week,  I was stumped. I always like to take a different approach whenever I can, so anything with twins just wasn't gonna happen here. The week wore on, & I really thought I was going to have to pass on this until today, I started thinking about.... ants.....and how, without some kind of disfigurement, its nearly impossible to tell members of the same nest apart....

Anyway, that's how I arrived at the above! Hope you like! As always, I appreciate you stopping by!! 

Illustration Friday - TALL

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Gerry could never figure out why Darby always seemed to be in a foul mood....

Of course the first thing to pop in my mind when I saw this week's prompt was 'giraffe' but I figured that would be rather popular. Then I thought of a stork, heron, or other long-legged bird, but I drew birds last week & the last thing I'd want  is be accused of being boring! So I thought some more, and came up with this. Afterall, the dog world is full of extremes....  This one was cranked out lickety split, so I'm not thrilled with the execution. But if I didn't get it out tonight, it wasn't going to happen until Thursday night, & crickets are usually chirping & tumbleweeds blowing on IF after a certain time on Thursdays....

  Big thank you to everyone who stopped by last week & commented on "Teacher." I really appreciate your comments!!

Illustration Friday  - TEACHER

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As a teacher, it was important that Estelle encourage ALL of her pupils, regardless of their abilities....

Wow!! I'm actually posting on SUNDAY NIGHT!! I don't think I've ever finished a challenge so early in the week! I'm not quite sure what's come over me actually, as I'm never early for anything! Anyway, this one's pretty straightforward.... the little one on the left reminds me of myself when I used to go to bootcamp classes....hey - he may not be doing it right, but at least he's doing it!! Thanks for visiting!!

Illustration Friday - FREEZE

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Jasmine's icy glare made Gus freeze in his tracks....

I figured there'd be a lot of ice & snow, and maybe a few cops this week, so I tried to go in a different direction with the theme. Threw this one together extremely quickly, & on very little sleep, so not thrilled with the execution, but I hope it was worth stopping by, just the same!  A bit of a different vibe from last week's warm and sentimental rabbit, huh?! As always, I appreciate your visits & comments!

Illustration Friday - BOUNCE

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It's funny how sweet sentiments from someone special can put a bounce in your step....

Of course, if they're NOT from someone special, they're downright creepy!!!

Wow! I'm pretty late posting this week! Been crazy-busy & otherwise a bit preoccupied, but glad to have gotten this one done! (I think this is 27 straight weeks with Illustration Friday?!)  I'm not sure how many people will actually see this, but I thank those of you who took the time to visit & comment in advance! I know there will likely be plenty of rabbits this week, & I really didn't have to draw a rabbit to get my message across....but the rabbit just popped into my head, and there it stayed! As always, I appreciate you stopping by!

Illustration Friday: LONELY

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Nothing says "lonely" like a table for one....

I've sat there many a time myself.....  Of course, a table for one doesn't HAVE to mean "lonely," but that was the word, so that's how Peter feels. I'm sure he'll feel a little better after he drinks the wine...and eats the flower.....

Illustration Friday - CARRY

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Most hermit crabs are known for carrying their homes on their backs,

 but Julio is a bit of a show- off....

This week's illustration was inspired by a new little friend of mine, Braedan, who likes to visit the aquarium, and my REAL 8-yr-old hermit crab, Julio, who actually DOES carry clay flower pots, and would certainly try to pick up a treasure chest if we had one!

As always, I appreciate your comments!! Thanks for stopping by!

Illustration Friday - LOST

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Holly worked hard, changed her eating habits, and lost a lot of weight for her efforts... but not everyone was pleased with the results.......

I decided to go with something positive for this week's challenge, because let's face it, nobody really likes losing or getting lost!! My full time job is in product development for a women's home fitness equipment company, & I guess I'm automatically programmed to subconsciously think "weight" when I see the word "lost!" I even put our Empower brand dumbbells in the picture! (Damn, I've got to learn to leave work AT WORK!!)

This one was an experiment with layers. I put each element on a separate layer, & played around. A lesson learned for sure! Kind of rushed the background, but you get the idea....

Anyway, as always, I appreciate your visits, & your comments! 

Illustration Friday - SUSPEND

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Emmajean had her eye on a new hat, and Maurice was just the friend to help her get it!

This week's challenge word was SUSPEND. I'm happy with the concept, not so much with the execution. But here it is, Wednesday night (well, technically almost Thursday!) AGAIN, & I've run out of time! Oh well! Hopefully it evoked a smile anyway!

The new Illustration Friday website is absolutely beautiful, but I'm afraid not so easy to browse, with the artwork taking so long to load. I used to like to start from the very first post and work backwards, visiting the different artist's sites whose thumbnails caught my eye, but I can't do that anymore, & I'm afraid I'm missing out on some of my favorites I hadn't subscribed to. *Sigh!* If you don't want to miss any posts on THIS blog, please become a follower by clicking in the box to the right. Thanks, and I hope to "see" you next week! 

Illustration Friday - REFRESH

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Refreshment comes in many forms.....

When I saw this week's word, I immediately thought of this favorite piece that I did last summer, inspired by a particularly hot day. Some of you may have noticed him at the bottom of my blog. I've never NOT drawn a NEW image for Illustration Friday before, but I admit, I had a few days off from work, and was slacking off at the beach.... And now here it is, already Wednesday, & I haven't come up with anything better yet, so this guy will have to do!  :)