I have this cow skull - very special to me really,  many moons ago I wanted to have a 'Santa Fe' bedroom  and the ultimate detail would be a cow skull. We started to see if we could buy one and they were expensive! Norm said it was not in the budget ;-( Bummer..  He was telling a woman at work about our search and how expensive they were - my wifes driving me crazy... blah blah blah.. a few days later this woman brought in a cow skull to Norman!!
* NOTE  her husband was a butcher and it was still in tact.  Need I say more?   My neighbor - a police officer at the time was curious when I asked if she knew how to get skin off of bones. Leave it to Norm he figured it out and it was much work, boiled for days on the drive way in a huge rented pot then dried in a furnace at his work - LOL - he thought this was a good idea until people started to complain about a funky smell throughout the building! 
But when done we had a real cowskull. It' looked terrific and hung in the bedroom for years * The room turned out so well it was featured on a television show called City Line.  I thought of it the other day, Norm said it was out in the shed covered in dust and spiderwebs and asked him if he could sand, clean and put in my studio and here it is.
Painting is (even more than cartooning) something I do to bring me peace.  I decided this is what I was doing - the house work can wait.
While painting this wonderful skull I gave much thought to the cow that provided it, especially when painting around the bullet hole in the poppy. I use to eat  red meat 
not such a big fan anymore. I'm not sure if I stopped because of education or my body just telling me, but I really don't care for it as much.  I can not help but think when I see the teeth and the cavity where the brain was that this was in fact a living being  a while ago. I believe that from now on when I do eat meat I want to acknowledge that this creature did give its life for us. 
It once had a heart beat.  All provided by God. 
Now messed with by man ;-(  =  FOOD inc. 
But this skull is not about that for me it is  about painting life back into it starting at the base with a tiny seed. A Cannabis seed of course. I started to think about it a couple of days about but started painting it this a.m. at 6:30. Completed it at about 9:30p.m 
It amazes me how much I think about when painting and other times I simply find myself humming to the song and enjoying every single brush stroke. 
 All in a Days work. I have the best boss! xox <><
***Details The skull has hidden symbols words, bumble bees, a ladybug, butterflies and a real cannabis seed at the base where the roots appear ;-) 

As Storm was heading out today I asked him where he was going and he said Benny's and asked me If I wanted to join him for the drive as it was a nice day. I was having a bit of cartoonist block ;-) and decided it was a good idea. I had yet to see Benny's store, I've known him for a couple of years now and have not had the chance. The only time I see Benny is at the EXPO or an event but we have e mailed back and fourth and he has carried some of my originals &  comics in his store the past year  so we have built up a bit of a friendship. 
 I like Benny!  He always has a smile and a kind word and usually makes me laugh several times. 
The store was impressive - as I expected it might be, knowing a bit about Benny.  It amazes me to see some of these BONGS - calling them that is in fact an insult. THEY are works of ART!  The detail that has gone into them, the work - I can only imagine the hours spent on some of the pieces.  There were a few out of my budget- LOL - BUT If I had the money they would surly be an investment I'd like to make. I'd never use them!  They are to me like Royal Daulton to my mother.   I LOVE the ZOMBIE heads! I have had several people friend me on FB who are glass blowers/glass artists!  I will admit I easily get distracted looking at the photos they post - I am amazed that they can do with glass that which I can't always do with a pencil!!   I am looking forward to this years  TY EXPO for the glass blowing!  
 Benny and Andrew and Robin were all incredibly helpful and answered my MANY questions from what's this? and what's that? What is this used for? Questions  about painful penis tattoos and more -LOL.  Andrew also took the time to explain what every bong I asked about was for. It truly is a learning experience, ONE if you are serious about your Cannibis you should know the different options and the best way to mediate.  I had fun.   I look forward to my next visit. I also have decided to see if I can draw a fish to add to Andrews very cool collection! ;-).
Benny's store HITZ IMPORTS  and location >>>   http://www.hitzimports.com/
I did pick up this incredibly little BLUE monkey bubbler. (Below) SUCH work in this little guy. Makes me smile.  Oh ladies, Benny asked to carry some of my hand painted bags - coming soon to Hitz Imports.   
We had such a good day we decided while the weather still co-operates we are going to a couple of more places I have really wanted to go to. Next Wednesday we are going to check out Vape On the Lake.     

In other words it is time to clean my house. I do it one day a week.. Laundry, floors it all. I like to have it done and out of the way. I woke this a.m. with a cartoon on my mind so I will squeeze that in between loads of laundry. I LOVE hanging my laundry outside I have not used the drier once all summer since May! It gives me a chance to look outside , hear the birds watch the dogs and witness countless mini miracles!  I have been given a nice distraction ... I've been asked to draw for a catnip company ;-) LOL - a natural herb that makes cats feel good.  I just can't seem to get away from it can I ?? 
Updated Eve... Even EVE will have to wait until the floors are washed. Tomorrow - I PAINT ;-)  I did have a terrific time yesterday with my friend as we helped with the church tea! It was amazing. Next year I'm not going to be a helper but a planner- with my own table - tea for 8! Guess what I found on my treasure hunting!?  A laughing buddha for my painting room. I wonder why they all have the slits in the mouth?  
Mop is waiting.. Today, I am thankful I have a home to clean.

The day of rest ;-)  Today I'm excited I have a good friend coming up from the city and were going to a Ladies 'High Tea.'  A fundraiser by my church group so not the 'High' tea that I would normally be invited to ;-) I will be surrounded by great women I love, good friends and home made goodies ;-) Then were off to an antique barn near by to look for a new treasure. It is a interesting place and nice to just stroll around and chat. I alway look for funky things and will be hunting  for a buddha. I also like cartoon memorabilia  of stuff when I was younger. Scooby doo, HR PUFF-N-STUFF, The Flintstones - who I grew up with - not to leave out Snoopy! We are working on a Christmas display this year. Snoopy theme! LOL - actually If I can sneak into the secret lab/garage - it is already into full swing - Dr. Normanstiens mad lab, I will take a photo and post tomorrow.  

I want to Get outside today it is beautiful!
Eve - I painted on and off most of yesterday .. now comes the layering and the details - that takes the longest. Of course both my 'in house art critics' say Eve should have bigger boobs!  My eve is O'Natural thank you. The mother of all things living she represents every seed - including the seed of man. 

I NEED to go paint. Painting is my sanity and I just feel so insane some days. I feel insane because of what I am learning and witnessing and can't F&^%$#! figure out why ending suffering is NOT the top priority on peoples minds! 

It's raining, It's fall I can smell it in the air! And I am painting! I NOW have my own place to paint. As an artist having the place is key, I can leave stuff out - not worry about the mess and come back when I want to create without having to worry about stuff. My DARLING hubby - and personal contractor painted my room for me just this past weekend! Finally a spare room again! You should see all the Halloween stuff in the garage - thats another bitch - OPPS! I meant Blog....  wink, wink. 
I am keeping busy painting, sometimes I just need to take a break from stuff. I did not know what to paint and was thinking of one of my favorite toons that I sold the original to- I have decided just paint myself a bigger one! ;-) I can not believe how the time flies when I am painting and my brain almost gets into a meditative state.  I am enjoying the process big time and will be at it for a few days..  
Also including a few photos of Storm yesterday morning - it's dark because he started his birthday day at 5! So he could go fishing with friends. AND mom always makes birthday breakfast! Cake and bacon! LOL  I especially like his first shoe photo.  
Back to painting.
Thank you Norman for the room and God for the inspiration ;-) 

Hee hee, he hates it when I say that.  On the weekend Norm gave me a great gift- a painting room! Guest room/painting room. I figure - for the amount of time we have guests I'm not going to leave that room empty - bad enough I sat wasted- filled with props for years. So I've been painting all day!  Painting I use more freedom than cartooning and today while painting I came up with some cool new logos! I painting something for little ones and big ones! I just like to create and If I make something  that is creative - someone will wear it and spread the word! Make others think.  It's that simple. Time for change. 
The first thing to change is MINDS!!!  
I had Amy Anonymous over on the weekend, for my first ever live interview (hee hee) I like Amy - she's always been so nice and funny and is trying to make a difference. It is always nice to see people when you can relax and hang out and I also got to spend some time with her little guy and hubby.  SHE is a busy woman. Now doing a radio show! I tell you I can't keep up with these social butterflies. Marco Renda is one of the hardest working men in the business of educating and everything else!  Serra Frank (moms for marijuana), So many  and others who are educating-  some by baking, some by research, helping by making stuff easier for others to find help, having picnics! ALL THIS HELPS!  Todd, Mike, Erin, Chris.. names that keep appearing on FB all doing positive things. I watch and see these people and admire what they are doing and accomplishing - but I'll stick to my drawing board thanks. Well as long as I can paint. Everyone does stuff in their own way.  I am proud to know these people. They are standing up for what they believe in & in NON violent ways!  Through education.

Tomorrow I'm going to spend the day painting & drawing. No computer - No FB - Some Deva Premal,  Smokey Robinson, Blind Boys, Bono and even 'the Boss'.
I need to catch up on a few things and focus. My baby is turning 19 on the 22nd an it has me being extra thankful to God. For the best gift ever! Off to sleep inspired and grateful.

Buzzed...
My first masterpiece out of my sunshine art room. Completely done - just for fun!
This sort of thing is mindless, I just let my pencil and then paint play. 
I love Bee's .  I also like the tacky  "Bee Happy"
Acrylic on canvas> (comes from the word Cannabis) 4 x 4