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Viewing: Blog Posts Tagged with: Hug, Most Recent at Top [Help]
Results 1 - 25 of 26
1. Childhood






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2. gesture~illustration friday 7/15/11

the ultimate 'gesture' of friendship...a hug! AND a bear hug at that...;)
my contribution to this week's illustration friday theme of 'gesture'.


FOR SALE AS A PRINT IN HERE~

http://www.etsy.com/listing/65807564/youre-never-too-tall-for-a-bear-hug

3 Comments on gesture~illustration friday 7/15/11, last added: 7/21/2011
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3. Illustration Friday: "Stay"

True friends stay with you through life's ups and downs.

We all need encouragement to stay the course at times.  Find out how Champ's friends encourage her during her battle with cancer in the book I illustrated, Champ's Story: Dogs Get Cancer Too!, written by Sherry North and published by Sylvan Dell.  And watch for my latest book, Prairie Storms, to be released in August.  To see previews of the book, check out my website.

2 Comments on Illustration Friday: "Stay", last added: 7/10/2011
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4. Illustration Friday: "Remedy"


Sometimes the best remedy is love.

Get the heart-warming, award-winning book I illustrated illustrated book, "Champ's Story: Dogs Get Cancer Too!"(published by Sylvan Dell) right here.

Check out what's new over at my fine art blog.

6 Comments on Illustration Friday: "Remedy", last added: 7/7/2011
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5. New Print in my Etsy Shop

I just added this sweet new print to the Licoricegirl Shop on Etsy.

2 Comments on New Print in my Etsy Shop, last added: 3/18/2011
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6. Become a fan of "Champ's Story" on Facebook!

You can now join the "Champ's Story: Dogs Get Cancer Too!" fan page on Facebook.  Just click HERE, and the click the "Like" button at the top of the fan page.  Post your stories about the book, photos of your child reading the book, your own stories about how cancer has touched the life of you, your child or a pet.  I hope you enjoy this new way to interact with the publisher, author Sherry North, illustrator (me), and other fans of the book.

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7. Look, Fan Mail!

This is so cute, I just had to share it with you! It came today from a friend in Nebraska whose kids love my book "Little Black Ant on Park Street". I decided to surprise them with the book in the mail last week, and today I was surprised with this sweet thank you note from them. Click the image to read what it says...

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8. Yoga is Yummy!

I was recently approached by the perky Polly over at Yoga is Yummy to design a logo for her blog and upcoming yoga DVD. Polly had seen my illustrated book "The ABCs of Yoga for Kids" as thought I would be the perfect artist to design her logo. Well, Polly and I clicked right away like kindred spirits. She was so fun to work with and I ended up falling in love with her blog. I only wish she lived in my town so that I could visit her classes. Fortunately, she has a section on her blog devoted to short yoga videos, so if you are into yoga, be sure to check them out. I also love her recipes and simplified lifestyle in a world that seems to be whizzing constantly by. Polly is calm. : ) Yet perky.

Here Polly is featured in the logo I designed for her.

And here is her post about my logo. So many nice compliments from her readers. Be sure to scroll past the comments to get to the "meat".

Thanks, Polly. You are a real peach!

11 Comments on Yoga is Yummy!, last added: 6/15/2009
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9. Wanna Be Part of A Greater Good?

This is my niece Alice, who just turned 13 in November. For her birthday, she wanted a framed print of my illustration "Annie Had Tea with a Kingfisher", and I presented it to her at Thanksgiving. She has always been a big fan of my artwork. I am a very proud auntie.


Alice will be celebrating her Bat Mitzvah in early January. In preparation, Alice has chosen to donate children's books to the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) in Champaign, IL, as her Mitzvah project. She will be asking each guest to bring a new or gently used children's picture book to her Bat Mitzvah for the donation. Of course, because I am a children's book illustrator, I thought this was a wonderful idea, and I told her I would post about it on my blog to try and increase the number of books donated.

Do you have a book you would care to donate to DCFS? The organization aids in adoption services, social work, child abuse prevention and other related causes. If you are interested in donating a book for Alice's Mitzvah project, please email me or leave me a comment and I will give you information on where you can send it.

Here is the book I will be donating. It is a kindergarten leveled reader which I illustrated a couple of years ago:

Thanks everyone!

7 Comments on Wanna Be Part of A Greater Good?, last added: 12/8/2008
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10. Happy Thanksgiving!

My very favorite holiday. I am so thankful for so many things...mostly people, my pooch Sunshine and food! And GOD. And being an artist. THANKS. : )
Don't forget to strrrretch between courses!!!

6 Comments on Happy Thanksgiving!, last added: 11/29/2008
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11. illustration friday - repair


I find that real relationships are in constant need of repair - we all stumble. I have also found that often the best way to repair damage is with a hug.

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12. illustration Friday - "Repair"

©Kathleen Rietz
Sometimes the best way to repair a broken heart is with a smile and a hug.

37 Comments on illustration Friday - "Repair", last added: 10/30/2008
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13. Sketch Buddies

One of the last warm afternoons of September, my friend Joan and I took our sketchbooks to Starbucks and spent a couple of hours sketching and getting caffienated. Later that night I bought my first Moleskine, and what a difference (as you can see here)! Joan's drawing convinced me to give one a try. My sketchbook paper had too much "tooth". I was not very happy with my sketches during this session.


The pencil sharpeners are actually ones I still had from when I was in gradeschool!


Joan drew my purse. You can see more of her drawings here.

11 Comments on Sketch Buddies, last added: 11/7/2008
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14. The Moleskine

©Kathleen Rietz
©Kathleen Rietz
©Kathleen Rietz

Fellow blogger and good friend Joan Yoshioka has been visiting from Hawaii and staying at my home in Chicagoland. We have so much to post about...it has been a vacation of sorts for us both. But tonite I am finishing up some sketches for the children's yoga book I am illustrating, so we are taking a little break from our adventures.

Today was grey and cold...the first real nip of autumn in the air. I bought this Moleskine sketchbook last night while we were out, and today we decided to have an afternoon of sketching at my kitchen table. Now I understand why artists become obsessed with their Moleskines....they are just so "different" from any other sketchbooks out there. It was nice just to do some sketching, free of deadlines and pressure. I guess there is still this fine artist living inside of me, set free on the pages of her new Moleskine.

9 Comments on The Moleskine, last added: 10/4/2008
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15. America's Favorite TV Mom

©Kathleen Rietz
I have been unable to post any artwork lately since it is all for books yet unpublished and have been too busy to draw anything "on the side". So I thought I would post a photo so you know I have not abandoned my blog.

While at the Chicago Air & Water Show in August, I got to meet Florence Henderson, America's favorite TV mom, a.k.a. Carol Brady. Many of you who read my blog might remember that the actor who played her husband Mike Brady - Robert Reed (Rietz) was my cousin. So it was an honor to meet Florence Henderson. I showed her my driver's license with my last name on it so she would know I was legit. She said she still misses Robert and has fond memories of him. We chatted a bit and I found her to be so charming and congenial. Like many other American kids who grew up in the 1970's, I always thought she would have been the best TV mom to have. Meeting her assured me I was right!

13 Comments on America's Favorite TV Mom, last added: 9/20/2008
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16. Illustration Friday - "Memories"

©Kathleen Rietz
(sorry...having to recycle my artwork again this week)

34 Comments on Illustration Friday - "Memories", last added: 9/14/2008
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17. This Little Piggy


I couldn't help myself. I haven't sketched anything lately that isn't related to the books I am illustrating. I sort of miss doing a sketch a day, like I did last winter. Last night I was thinking about babies and how soft and sweet their little bedclothes and toys are. And so I started wanting to do some doodles of plush baby toys and clothes. I think there is a part of my brain that also misses being a product developer/designer, which I have done for nearly 20 years. So I thought I would grab a moment and allow myself to doodle a little plush piggy. Just wanted to share.

14 Comments on This Little Piggy, last added: 9/5/2008
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18. Illustration Friday - "Forgotten"

©Kathleen Rietz
I finally got around to adding color to this sketch I had made during the 21 Day Challenge (scroll down the main page to see my sketch). Many people forget about our soldiers serving in the Middle East and all over the rest of the world. But for little kids who have to endure another summer without their parent, they have not forgotten. This little girl is watching summer fireworks outside her bedroom window and missing her dad. The baseball under her bed symbolizes a time when he was home to play ball with her. Her little kitty keeps her company for times when she needs someone to listen. And the photo on her wall was taken on the day her father was preparing to deploy. She remembers her father telling her to be brave and that he would be home soon. She manages a smile in the photo. But now it has been 18 months.

32 Comments on Illustration Friday - "Forgotten", last added: 6/14/2008
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19. Day 12 1/2 of 21

©Kathleen Rietz
This took longer than 15 minutes, obviously, but I need to start taking some of these sketches to color so I can fill in the gaps in my portfolio.

12 Comments on Day 12 1/2 of 21, last added: 5/15/2008
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20. Day 9 of 21 - babies & daddies

©Kathleen Rietz
Two things I struggle to draw in my whimsical style are babies and men. So here's a shot. Facing my fears.
I struggle with finding the appropriate size for babies, and making men look masculine yet friendly. I welcome constructive suggestions or feedback.

18 Comments on Day 9 of 21 - babies & daddies, last added: 5/7/2008
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21. Illustration Friday - "Heavy"

©Kathleen Rietz
This week's illustration is dedicated to my friend Joan, who has a sick kitty. Please send your prayers, happy thoughts, well wishes and positive vibes Joan's way.

37 Comments on Illustration Friday - "Heavy", last added: 3/22/2008
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22. baby brother

©Kathleen Rietz

14 Comments on baby brother, last added: 3/12/2008
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23. Illustration Friday - "Theory"

I actually drew this as a Valentine for my dog Sunshine, but it fits the theme "Theory", and I am not sure I will find time to complete another drawing this week. So I wanted to share it with you all.
Scientific studies have shown the benefits of keeping a pet. They lower your blood pressure, raise your sense of well being, and caring for an animal can give a person a sense of purpose and love. Dogs and cats are used for all kinds of therapy, and there are programs which bring animals into retirement homes for visits.
My dog and I are inseparable. She really does make me laugh everyday...I'd say she has been very good for my sense of well being!
©Kathleen Rietz
For all of you who have pets to hug today.
Happy Valentine's Day. (my original message from the original posting on Valentine's Day)

25 Comments on Illustration Friday - "Theory", last added: 3/12/2008
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24. Keys to the Kingdom by Garth Nix



Review by Heather, regular contributor


Garth Nix is in the process of writing a seven-book series--The Keys to the Kingdom Series--and I wish I could read them all, but I will be patient while the author writes. The currently published books in the series are: Mister Monday, Grim Tuesday, Drowned Wednesday, Sir Thursday, and Lady Friday. I have not yet had the opportunity to read Lady Friday, but I am excited to do so.


The series starts as Arthur Penhaligon has a severe asthma attack. He is supposed to die, but a mysterious Mister Monday gives him a large minute hand of a clock right before his death. The minute hand turns out to be a magical key that saves Arthur's life, but also makes it so he is the Rightful Heir to the House. The House, created by the Architect, is responsible for recording everything that happens in the Secondary Realms, but the House has started to interfere in the Realms in ways it shouldn't. The Architect has left and now there are seven evil leaders of the House, all of them assigned to a specific day.


Arthur must defeat each leader (starting with Mister Monday), gain control of the house, and stop it from interfering with the Secondary Realms. He does this aided by the Will of the Architect (the parts of which manifest themselves as different animals), Suzy Turquoise Blue, Leaf, and others.


The tension is high, especially as the series progresses. So many things go wrong with Arthur, yet he always ends up all right in the end. All he wants is to go back home and live an ordinary life, but the people of the House keep making this impossible. He doesn't want to be heroic or brave, and he goes about his adventures not fighting strongly, but just trying his best and doing whatever he feels is right for himself and for the people around him. Sometimes he is exasperated with the whole situation, but he continues to fight to save his family and his life on earth.


The books go in many different directions--the back of the book explains it well: "On the first day, there was mystery. On the second day, there was darkness. On the third day, there were pirates. On the fourth day, there was war. . ." and so on. All the books are packed with action, tension, enjoyable characters, humor, and emotion. The setting is quirky, eccentric, and original.


The books are fun to read and fun to experience, and you become genuinely worried whether the characters are going to turn out all right.This series is currently my favorite fantasy series of its type. I love reading these books and can't wait (though I'll have to) to read more.


Recommended Readers: 10 and up.

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25. Book Review: Lady Friday


Lady Friday
The Keys to the Kingdom, Book 5

by Garth Nix

No sooner has Arthur recovered from the battle with Sir Thursday, than he receives a message from Lady Friday. Apparently, she is abdicating her position as mistress of the Middle House, and has left the fifth key in her Scriptorium, as well as part five of the Will. Whoever finds the key shall be master of the Middle House, and she has sent the same message to Superior Saturday and the Piper. Arthur finds himself in the Middle House with no friends and nothing but the fourth key to help him—and if he uses the fourth key, he risks losing his humanity forever. He must find his way to the Scriptorium and recover the fifth key and the Will before Saturday and the Piper. Meanwhile, Arthur's friend Leaf is a prisoner in Lady Friday's sanctuary, where she risks her life to find a way to escape and save the other mortals imprisoned by Lady Friday.

The Keys to the Kingdom is one of the most imaginative and exciting series that I've read in a long time, and this newest installment didn't disappoint. You'll want to set aside a few hours to read it, since it's the kind of book you won't want to put down. I love the way that Arthur has grown throughout the series from the helpless, whiny boy he was in the first book. In Lady Friday, he has really come into his own: he exudes a quiet confidence and intelligence, as he finds ways to deal with every situation that arises. He still longs for home and family and a normal human life, but he takes his responsibilities seriously, and consistently puts the well-being of his friends and the people who come under his care before his own. And most of the people and denizens he meet seem to sense that leadership quality in him, and respond to it.

There's so much going on in these books that I feel like I need to go back and reread them all to catch everything. For example, there's a recurring clock motif that appears in various forms throughout the books, and I'd like to go back and try to find them all. There's a lot of symbolism and references in the books. It's obvious that each of the trustees represents one of the seven deadly sins, but I didn't realize until I read the article in Wikipedia that the parts of the Will may also represent virtues.

If you haven't read these books, you're missing out on a great series. I highly recommend that you start at the first book, Mister Monday, since the books really build on each other.

Lady Friday is the May selection for the Scholar's Blog book discussion group, so if you hurry and read it, you can join in the discussion!

Also read David's review.

3 Comments on Book Review: Lady Friday, last added: 4/20/2007
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