IF Jump

Jumpin' In!
Water Soluble Pencil on 9x12 140# Canson Watercolor Paper
©2012 BEDeuel/Bronson Hill Arts

The topic for this week's Illustration Friday is "Jump". And, with summer (hopefully) coming, thoughts turn to water, fun, even a little freedom from the humdrum.

While I've never had the opportunity, nor, likely,the nerve, to swing over a body of water and just jump into it, it's one of those images that defines summer and childhood in my mind.

No fear, no constraints. Uninhibited joy in a moment of daring. No hesitation in pursuit of happiness.

Full awareness of bodily injury, or even death, would make it impossible for me to possibly contemplate this type of stunt. Age can be self-perpetuating: physical safety tends to allow one to continue to age. Not a bad thing, really.

But, what about taking that sense of abandon to our emotional and mental endeavors? Why not look for a challenge and "jump" on it? No fear, no constraints. No hesitation in pursuit of happiness.

While there's no guarantee that I won't be one of those 80-year-old ladies who decide to skydive before they leave this earthly life, for now, I think I'll settle for some mental gymnastics over the physical ones. Mind challenges can be just as stimulating if you truly put yourself out there!

Enjoy the week, friends!

IF Return

Returning to Flutter By
Water Soluble Pencil 5x7 140# Strathmore Paper
©2012 BEDeuel/Bronson Hill Arts

It's been an odd winter and spring this year: We had tempertures around 80 degrees a couple of weeks ago and, just last night, we had about one and a half inches of snow. It is a very confusing day when you can see cherry blossoms on the trees which are surrounded by snow.

But yet, knowing that spring really is coming to stay (at least a few weeks), to return for it's annual engagement, thoughts turn to taming the garden and flowers reaching for sunny skies. And butterflies.

A most delicate and resourceful creature, beautiful from afar and, truthfully, quite homely upon close inspection. Seemingly a free-floating element in the wilds of the wind but programmed to migrate on a set course. A being of contradictions, a wonder to admire.

While we expect to guess about the day-to-day nature of weather, maybe we should be a little more amazed by the complexity of the seemingly simple things in life like, well, butterflies!

IF Grounded

Grounded on a Rubber Sole
4x6 Watersoluble Pencil on 120# Paper
©2012 BE Deuel Bronson Hill Arts

“Grounded“. It’s one of those words that can mean so many different things.

In the mundane aspect, it can refer to the design of an electrical plug or the purpose of a lightning rod. In a child’s/teenager’s life, it can mean the end of the world; at least in the short run, which can seem like forever for them. In relation to the metaphysical, it can mean being well-adjusted and able to deal with reality.

Do I consider myself a grounded person? Sometimes yes, sometimes no.

I’ve worked relatively steadily since I was 16, keep a decent home, support and love my family and friends. I can be so insanely realistic at times that I can irritate others with my apparent “negativity”. There is quite a bit of evidence that I am well-grounded.

But, even at that, I still dream dreams that aren’t practical. I would love to have an animal foster home and a fulltime art business. I have always wanted to write a book. It would be incredible to spend 6 months in an RV with my husband exploring the U.S. with cameras and canvas in hand!

On a smaller scale, I would be thrilled to have enough time to sleep and read in the hammock every spring, summer and fall day. Oh, actually, that would include the dream of being able to afford to hire someone to clean my house and weed my gardens! I would enjoy sampling a meal in every restaurant and diner in this area that we live in and anywhere else we‘d fancy.

I suppose what makes me a “grounded” person is that I know that the odds are that these dreams are, most likely, not going to happen in this incarnation. But what makes me happy, is still be able to enjoy those dreams and the reaching for those goals.

Yes, grounded is good, but happy is better.

IF Stay(s)

Stays
6x6 Permanent Ink on Smooth Bristol
©2011 BEDeuel

Just a bit of whimsy inspired by Illustration Friday topic, "Stay".

Of course, I thought about obedient dogs, Jackson Browne's "Stay", and stop signs and signals.

For some odd reason, though, the forerunner of the women's corset grabbed me. The curves of the undergarment brought ribbons and curls to life in my mind.

Sometimes it's just fun to play with a sketch and an idea. Hope you enjoy it! I did!

Having technical difficulties posting to IF. Will keep trying! Thanks for your patience!