raggedy ann and andy…timeless toys

Pen and ink wash of Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls, favorite toys of my daughters
 illustrated by Sandra Santa Lucia

When my little girls were born in the late sixties my mom made each of them large Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls. Those two dolls are the subject of this week's Illustration Friday's topic, "toy" pictured above.

Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls have been loved and cuddled since 1915 when artist Johnny Gruelle, a cartoonist-illustrator and a natural born storyteller illustrated and wrote the Raggedy Ann and Andy Stories

 http://www.marcellasraggedyann.com/raggedy-books.html

Raggedy Ann and Andy: History and Legend by Patricia Hall 

Raggedy Ann, and her equally spirited rag brother, Andy are the world's best-known and most adored rag dolls. At the hand of their creator, cartoonist-illustrator-author Johnny Gruelle, the Raggedys weren't ever simply dolls. They were literary characters as well, possessing attributes and outlooks reflecting trustworthiness, kindness, and spunk. Because Gruelle was a natural born storyteller, it followed that his dolls would star in whimsical, fanciful tales, based on fantasy and make believe. 

elizabeth taylor in giant

Elizabeth Taylor in giant 1956
Born February 27, 1932 - March 23, 2011

Elizabeth Taylor one of my all time favorite actresses, passed away Thursday, March 23/11. She was a stylish glamourous women on and off the screen with a very big of heart. 
Not only was she a magnificent international film star but a great humanitarian. 
Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor was born in London on Feb. 27, 1932, the daughter of Francis Taylor, an art dealer, and the former Sara Sothern, an American stage actress.
Movie career: Her more than 50 movies included unforgettable portraits of innocence and of decadence, from the children's classic "National Velvet" to the sentimental family comedy "Father of the Bride." She won Oscars for "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and "Butterfield 8," and a special one for her humanitarian work.
One of my favorite movies, which she starred in, was Giant.  Elizabeth Taylor received top billing in Giant and plays an intelligent, compassionate, yet resolute woman who refuses to be a subordinate to men. This was the mid-1950s, and portrayals of independent women were extremely rare to come by in movies.  

Poster

women in BIG hats…a cultivated taste?

women in BIG hats…pen and ink illustration by Sandra Santa Lucia, March 21/11

March 18th — 24th Illustration Friday's word of the week is "cultivate".

"Art is not for the cultivated taste. It is to cultivate taste." - Nikki Giovanne 

Big hat designing is an extremely artistic venture; the world famous Philip Treacy comes to mind when I think of original hats. 
The hat below is just one of the many creative hats which Philip Treacy has designed.

Philip Treacy design

Warning…creativity is nothing without activity

Illustration Friday's topic  for March 4th to March 10th is "warning". I choose to enter a pen and ink illustration of Albert Einstein…an extremely creative man. 
The man's brain never stopped!…he was blessed with a tremendous brain that was continuously active…hence Warning…creativity is nothing without activity — anonymous quote.

Albert Einstein quotes • True art is characterized by an irresistible urge in the creative artist. • The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind.

• The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources. Pen and Ink illustration of Albert Einstein by Sandra Santa Lucia

"Swarm"

The Wardens temporarily closed part of an Interpretive Trail
where a swarm of aggressive wasps had earlier stung several people.
Pen and ink newspaper cartoon published in the The Banff Crag & Canyon by Sandra Santa Lucia

Illustration Friday's  topic this week is swarm. Above the cartoon depicting a swarm of aggressive wasps was previously illustrated for The Banff Crag & Canyon newspaper back in 1997. 

under a layer of earth

pen and ink cartoon by Sandra Santa lucia/2/11

Illustration Friday's topic for the week of February 18 - 24 is layer. In the spring, ground squirrels (gophers) come out of their dens around Feb./March.

Near the end of June, adult males go back into hibernation. Adult females do the same in July. But the young are active all summer. In August to late fall when there is less food to be found they go into hibernation. Shelter - They dig a burrow with many tunnels, openings, and different room (called chambers). If a predator (enemy) comes in one hole, they can escape out another hole. Food - The Richardson's Ground Squirrels store some food during hibernation, they wake up every 10 to 14 days and have a snack.

…making the dust fly

Pen and ink book publication by Sandra Santa Lucia

My Illustration Friday's "dust" entry for January 28, 2011 was a illustration from Wagging Tails a book which I illustrated.

Laurie was frightened for Zeke, who was tiring, she stopped Thunder, her horse, hauled Zeke onto her saddle and rode like the wind…making the dust fly!