Clandestine

Flip's new android doll creation was a real beauty. He had to keep a Clandestine watch on her through.
He hadn't figured out how to remove the shopping chip from her memory bank. he he he

Voices

Singing was one of the ways to get the voices out of his head.
Remembering those who struggle every single day with depression,
anger, mental illness, low self esteem, and emotional pain.
This was me at one time, but I am free. Free to sing, dance,create and praise!
Free to love and be loved. Free from voices that shame and blame.
Free to be me! Merry Christmas to all and may the Lord of heaven
bless and keep you through out the new year!

Rambunctious

Ree Ree Rabbit grew increasing weary of the of Rambunctious Brantley bunnies
bouncing off her clean fluffy butt! It really wasn't worth the four carrots
their parents paid to have them watched! he he he

Chyna's Very Special Gift

Hello Everyone,
Here is the finished illustration of my character that I have been plugging away at.
I have decided her name would be Chyna. Chyna has this wonderful pen pal
who lives in Hong Kong and she wants to purchase a gift to send her.
Next week I will be working on her pen pal. I haven't come up with a
good name as of yet. If you have one let me know.
Have great day Everyone!

Similar

Cous Cous the monkey often got his house mixed up with bird.
Their houses where of course similar. he he he he

The Gift

Here is my first sketch for the project. I'm still working on the character.
Not really sure if I like this first one just yet, so she may change.
I know that it will be an african american child and the other
an Asian child. It's coming up with a gift for each to give.
I wanted to do something that would speak to the talent in both childern. HELPPPPPPPP!!!!

Balloon

Janice was often the ginny pig for her sister's crazy hair products.
The Balloon Perm promised to give limp and lifeless hair a lift! he he he he

Joanie Did it (Tagged Again)

Hello All You talented people,
Well it seems I've been tagged again. Twice this month even! I have to keep my
eyes peeled cause you just don't know when you'll get it! My friend Joanie of appleheadart.blogspot.com/
tagged me. She is a fantastic artist and illustrator. I look forward to seeing what she will
post from week to week. I love her for her fresh style and color choices. They are always so tasty.
Check her out sometimes and make sure you tag her for me when you get there! he he he
This is going to be difficult to tag anyone. Everyone is getting ready for
turkey day, some of you don't have time to be tagged, and some of you have been
tagged sufficiently already, and others are in the process of being tagged right now he he he!
SO here is what I'm gonna do,
I gonna tell you stuff about me that you can share over turkey dinner.
Here we go!

1. I am a singer. Jazz, Gospel, Neo-soul. My mom, dad, and little sister Coy sang and played instruments.
2. I am a Geechee or Gullah. These are West African people who came to the islands of South Carolina during slavery. You can read more at 2Geecheegirls.blogspot.com Yeah I know, ruthless self promotion. he he he
3.I am a slave to bugs bunny and merry melodies.
4. I watch lots of Carol Brunette
5. I love Scallops. I just had my first taste of them about 3 years ago at a party. I'm hooked.
6. I clowned professionally for 7 years
7. I wear lots and lots and lots and lots of wigs. And yes, I'm bald.
8. Many people in my family share the same birthday of 10/03
9. I talk to myself all the time
10. I can tell when a centipede is in a room. It's weird, but true.
11. Some people take my kindness for weekness and stupidity. NOT!! he he he
12. Once my car was stolen out of my drive way. I saw my car while in my friends car and we followed it.
We ended up taking the car back from the thieves while they went into an apartment building. he he he
Bonus information,
I was hit by a car when I was 5.
Okay that's enough!

Opinion

Mrs. Primbleton often wanted to give her opinion to the customers
about some of their purchases. She knew that this customer's
triple D's would never fit into the cute little demi cup bra that she'd picked out.
he he he.
My opinion: Purchase a bra that fits well and gives you good support.
The girls will thank you and so will the rest of the world.

I love you Tahalia

I received some very sad news today. My very good sisterfriend Tahalia Richardson
past last night in California. I had just spoken to my friend a couple of weeks
earlier to find out that she had a mild heart attack. Halia, as we loving called her,
had been sick most of her short life. She was only in her early 30's. We
just buried her sister Leah just a few months ago. Tahalia was so creative and funny.
She was also a fantastic singer and poet. I will never forget her beautiful ebony skin
and her amazing locs or the way she just knew when something was up! I loved her for
her comedic timing and fabulous cooking! My heart is broken today and I weep for
her 7 year old son and Mother. Hebrew, Tahalia's son, was a miracle because Tahalia was never suppose to
have children. Tahalia had lupus. She was a real trooper through it all. I'd like to think of my
very good friend as free and out of the pain and hurt in this life. I see her as totally healed, happy and free.
I love Halia forever and always.
V.

I love fashion and I just wanted to play around with color and line. I needed to post something too. he he he
Have a great day!

Pretend

Charlie's pretending to be Kato from the "Green Hornet" often got him into lots of trouble.
he he he.
It's all fun and games until someone loses and eye!
have great week everyone.

Bonjour Tag You're It!

I'm remembering old school days of playing tag with friends. My family and I have an on going game of Tag constantly. You've got to be so careful because you never know when you'll get tagged! My crazy bunch will pretend to be injured or tell you they just want hug or anything just to lay it on ya! My friend Lisa Griffin of lisamgriffin.blogspot.com has just tagged me! I'm so very honored!
Now I have to go around and tag seven other fantastic illustrators.
Here is my list
Peter of peterbreese.blogspot.com
Kelly of perhapsidreamtoomuchalone.blogspot.com,
Mystele of Mystele.blogspot.com
Meridth, meridthgimel.blogspot.com Darrah of darrahgooden.blogspot.com
Debra of debrossart.blogspot.com
Michelle of Michellehenninger.blogspot.com
Tomas of waldowalkiria.blogspot.com
You all are such Fabulous and wonderful illustrators. Each week I look to see
what you will do to inspire and uplift. I truly love your illustrations and style.
Your the best! Now, you all have been TAGGED! he he he he.
Here are the rules.
1. Link to your tagger and post the rules.
2. Post 7 Random facts about yourself
3. Tag 7 Friends and link to them
4. Let them know that they have been tagged by leaving
a nice little message on their blog.
Okay here are somethings you might not know about me.
1. My name means butterfly in greek
2. I watch Nanny Mcphee on a regular
3. I will spend my list dollar on a children's book
4. I come from a very long line of Ministers and Singers
5. I collect tons of scrapbook paper for collage
6. I do voiceovers (like commericals and children's audio books)
7. I have never left the USA. I hope to go to Paris next year
I'm done!

Thee Wise Dudes

It's always good to have wise friends that know just how to bring a smile
to face and heal your broken heart.
Thanks guys!

Making Do

I love to see children create and use their imagination. It's such a gift. My nephew Ben couldn't
find his superman costume for Halloween so he created one. Children somehow
know the power of a 300 thread count sheet and a pot. he he he he
This kid would take gold fish crackers and toss them in a bowl and have an
instant house pet! You go boy! Thanks Ben you make aunt Nester proud.
Have a happy day everyone! Get out and vote!

Vacant

Not even a ghost could keep Zoe and Charlie out of the vacant boy's head.
It was the prefect hide out.

Bonjour

I often give myself projects to do. This one was for a faux fashion magazine ad or something.
I am a lover of fashion and all things girly and retro. Heres the result of my play.
Have a great day my friends.

I am a people watcher of all races, cultures, sizes, and age. I am a lover of the human spirit.
When I create a character, it's usually someone that I've been carrying around in my head for
a while and I've just got to see what they would and will look like on paper. I did this for Watercolor Wednesday.
I'm still working on somethings, but here it is. Have a wonderful day everyone.

Repair

Mama Shirley could repair anything. Even broken relationships between sisters.

Zoe's Twitchin' in the Kitchen

My daughter is about to turn 8 and she and her friends are learning the joy of cooking.
They are so excited about making eggs, french toast and pizza. It's so much fun
to watch them. They inspired this little illustration today.
Have a wonderfully creative day everyone.

So many things in his head.

Just a little illustration I was working on and wanted to post while I put other stuff together.
Have a great day everyone!

Late

Cedric Cobblepot was always running late. He really needed to get his enormous love letter to Lillian Davenport before she married someone else. Sadly when he arrived, she was already married with babies and car payments. Cedric then realized that he could have sent a smaller letter instead of hand delivering a bigger one. Lesson: Bigger in not always better. hee hee hee.
Click on illustration for a closer view.

2008 Circle of Sisters Expo & Scholastic featuring Ruby and the Booker Boys

Hello All,

This weekend was the 2008 Circle of Sister Expo at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City. I had the wonderful opportunity to be apart of Scholastic's Showcase of their newest series Ruby and the Booker Boys. Derrick Barnes, the Author and I, Vanessa Brantley Newton the illustrator were on hand to get the word out about Ruby and have lots of fun doing it.

Scholastic created an inviting and fun filled space for all potential visitors. It was all decked out with computers for children to engage in a time of reading, games and activities from the Ezine Magazine of Scholastic’s Read and Rise Magazine, along with 3 tables of activities for young visitors to enjoy.

For my segment, I prepared paper-doll cutouts of Ruby and three outfits. Young visitors got to sit with me and color, cut out the outfits and dress Ruby up as we chatted about Ruby’s personality and her fashion sense. I also illustrated Ruby in approximately 10 different poses throughout the day. It helped to attract folks to the venue to chat and learn more. Derrick Barnes the author was also on the scene to do some readings periodically. Each time a group attended a reading they received a signed copy of one of the books in the series.

We met some fantastic folks on Saturday and they so graciously allowed us to take their photographs to share with you on the blog. So, Scroll through and enjoy the “Shout-Outs” to some of Ruby’s new found friends and fans!
SHOUT OUTS TO: Lydia and Booty Parlor Parties; Linda Lee & Friendly Day Care; Leilani her Mom-Keep being creative!; Tanya White & P.S. No. 4 Paterson; Cliff & JC Group; Marcia Matthews and Kajae; The Behind the Veil Dance School Crew and B.Bright Ministries; Charolette Farrar; Barbara Walker-B.A.S.C; Sheila Lee & Shyyanna Higgs a 6 year old Ruby Lover!; Taisha & Ta'Ja Ellington another 6 year old Ruby Lover; Emma Allotta & Pen Pals for Jesus; Jerry Craft-"Mama's Boyz"-A talented syndicated illustrator Big Ups to you!; Wendy Hall-Jack and Jill; Nicole Clarke-NYU Event Coordinator; Carolyn Robinson-P.S. No. 58 Bronx, NY; Allyson Parks-Young & Young Achievers; Shaunna Chesson-Ms. Birdie's Books; Nerissa Dyson & Brooklyn Street Fair; Gloria Lee-Girl Scout Troup 20499 & WLBS; Regina Brooks-Serendipity; Derrick Barnes-Author of Ruby and the Booker Boys! and the Entire Fantastic Incredible Scholastic Team, You are the Best!!!!! To all the visitors from the 2008 Circle of Sister Expo, Thanks for your support!!!

Love you tons of Purple and Orange (Ruby’s favorite colors)
Ms. V.