A Modern Day Mr Darcy?

Fans of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice have always known that Mr. Darcy is a fine man. Now scientists have proof.  In scientific lingo:

The pheromone that attracts female mice to the odour of a particular male has been identified. Named ‘darcin’ by researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Biology(after Darcy, the attractive hero in Jane Austen’s novel “Pride and Prejudice”), this unusual protein in a male’s urine attracts females and is responsible for learned preference for specific males. – Science Daily

But seriously, even though we can only imagine what he might have smelt like ... Mr Darcy has been a perennial fave with the ladies both because he said many romantic things as well as being able to work a wet shirt while emerging from a lake.

But hang on one ticketyboo moment, while Mr Darcy may encapsulate romance to so many, unfortunately....he isn't real.

SIGH

So it was wonderful for me, who is somewhat cynical about love, romance and all that jazz, to hear that a blogging buddy called Charlotte Harborne, who after getting divorced met a lovely well mannered gent who she calls Mr Darcy. She told me all about the witty little exchanges she and he have and before I knew it I had cast my cynicism aside and penned the pictures to her adventures. This is one soap opera I will enjoy following ......watch this space and read all about it on her blog.

Would love to know what you think about my first cartoon for this series. And what about you ...do you ever wonder what your fella is talking about down the pub?

Linking up to #AllAboutYou and #PoCoLo!

5th Annual Bark! Exhibition at John Natsoulas Gallery

As a dog artist myself I am absolutely thrilled that dog art is becoming more and more popular. The 5th annual "Bark!" exhibition at John Natsoulas Gallery in Davis, California, is a tribute to human's best friend and seminal NorCal dog artist, UC Davis professor, and founder of the Funk movement, 
Roy De Forest (1930 - 2007).  This fabulous show includes larger than life depictions of two and three-dimensional dogs in every medium, making the show the most diverse exhibition of dog imagery in the country. Pieces created out of glass, clay, wood, oil paint, ceramic, assemblage, multi-medium, wax, metal, bronze, and integrated art forms are all included within the show.
 
Best of all, doggies are always welcome at the gallery.  

John Natsaoulas Gallery
521 First St.
Davis, CA 95618

"Bark! A Tribute to Human's Best Friend" runs until March 1, 2014.

Check out the John Natsoulas Gallery website for more information.

Here are some of my top picks of doggie art:

Kanna Aoki: “50/50 Red”

Lori Holland "Sirloin Tip"

Erika Sandana "Newborns"

Larry Clark "Best Friends"

Do any of you live in California and have you been to see this exhibition? I've got to get some of my dog art in here next year.

This week we had 15 inches of snow in Baltimore. I am so sick of it!! Today I found this snow heart on my doorstep. So sweet. But my husband also said the snow preventing him from driving to get me chocolates for Valentine's Day! Well maybe I can get some chocs on sale tomorrow!

Sugar and Ice and All Things Nice

Just about the time when all the shops are full of Valentines and my head is full of visions of sugarplum fairies....and large heart shaped boxes of chocolates and romance and champagne, we were hit by a massive ice storm which very prettily coated the trees and bicycles and everything.

So while the power was out (yes we have a generator thank God!) I was stuck inside thinking about Love and Rain and I had hundreds of those little colored bits of paper you get inside a hole puncher lying about. So I created this collage called Love In the Rain and quite like the swirly nature of it all. Makes me think of the fleeting nature of love .... and ice storms.

Do you have anything special planned for Valentine's Day?

Linking up to #AboutAboutYou

Illustration Friday .... Exotic

Feeling pretty wild again this week. It finally stopped snowing/freezing. Dare we hope for a change in the weather? Painted a watercolor of a tiger and started dreaming I was in the tiger's warmer habitat, or maybe me reclining by the pool in sweltering weather  ....... pass the cocktails!

Listen to this great tune.....and roar for warm weather.

This Wildcat is my entry for Illustration Friday.