Hero’s Art Journey

Posted on October 17, 2013 by MaryALivingston

I’m all for sneaking bliss, but sometimes you gotta’ just reach out and grab it with both hands. I just found out there’s room in Hero’s Art Journey! We’re only a few days in and I am ecstatic to be along for this expedition in art filled bliss.

The fabulous Mira Reisberg and dynamic Maya Gonzalez are leading the way along this artist road of bliss. It’ll be easy to jump right in, so go ahead treat yourself to an early holiday gift.

Registration ends Friday. Click here for a Super Secret Hero’s Art Journey e-Course Special and brace yourself for a bliss filled treat.

I’d love to see you there!

Just in case you missed the link, click the image….

Hero’s Art Journey

Meet Percy

Posted on October 3, 2013 by MaryALivingston

I’d like to introduce you to Percy. He’s a love. The poor little penguin is hatched to a pair of gulls. Don’t worry, Percy has heart, lots of heart.

Percy is hatched to a gull family. Character development for Percy Learns to Fly. ABTA Products and Publications. Schetter/Livingston 2013

I met Percy through author/educator Patricia Schetter. Patty is an all around awesome gal who has followed her bliss. She is a Behavior Analyst and Autism Specialist and she teaches fellow educators. You can find out more about Patty here.

Percy Learns to fly was the first book I illustrated. Lucky me! To study for Percy, I went to the San Francisco Zoo and observed the penguins. You see, we don’t have penguins in the wilds of Northern California, so the zoo was pretty much my best option for a hands on look at the movements and behaviors of a penguin.

In Percy Learns to Fly, Percy faces danger.

As I poured over the story and got to know Percy, I fell in love with his personality and strong heart. Percy teaches a lot about persistence and how in the right environment, we too can soar.

So how about you? What’s your environment for bliss?

I’ll have more to post on Percy in the coming days…yes, that’s a tease, so stay tuned!

Mrs. Hatcher comforts Percy after a long day. Percy Learns to Fly

Pursuing Bliss

Posted on October 1, 2013 by MaryALivingston

It’s been a pretty full summer as I have been pursuing bliss. Just over a year ago I signed up for an outstanding online course and critique group over at Make Your Splashes, Make Your Marks. Through this awesome course with Mark Mitchell I connected up with Picture Book Academy.

Growing in bliss is addicting!

One final plug about pursuing bliss, don’t miss Marsha and Mira’s Best Character-Driven Contest!!

Best of luck to you all!

Out of the Blue Bliss

Posted on June 19, 2013 by MaryALivingston

Years ago while I was creating designs for my parish’s liturgy committee, I decided to enter a liturgical art contest.

My art didn’t place in the contest. Not even a mention. More than a year later, one of the images of my work appeared on the cover of a magazine owned by the company from the contest.

It was my first time as a published artist. It didn’t register with me at the time, even when I opened the magazine and saw my name for the cover credit. As I look back on it, I am glad I put myself out there by entering the contest. The experience fostered a seed planted long ago.

I am acquainted with several artists who volunteer their time to illustrate sacred stories. You never know where it will lead, for me the experience was far richer than getting notice on a magazine cover. In fact, I would describe it as bliss.

Cover art by Mary A Livingston
6’x9′ in fabric

Color My Family

Posted on June 12, 2013 by MaryALivingston

Our grandchildren love to color. A few years ago, I made Color My Family coloring books for the girls. The little man was not interested in structured coloring at that time. Now, at four, he does it all the time and not always in the proper place.

I started to print a Color My Family book for him, and then I realized they have grown so much they needed new line art to color.

I have been sneaking in family images amongst the other duties of the week. I hope to have it done soon. It is pure bliss to watch their faces when they realize they know the people in the coloring book. Try it sometime for a little one in your life.

GrandThing3 – a new line drawing for his new coloring book.

Timeout for Art: Tomboy

Posted on June 6, 2013 by MaryALivingston

She has a little bit of attitude and a great sense of adventure. I just need to name her! Tomboy with lizard. pencil by MaryᴀLivingston

I don’t have a name for her yet, but a new character I am working on is starting to grow on me. Must be Timeout for Art Thursday.

Through a Child’s Eyes Friends

Posted on May 30, 2013 by MaryALivingston

Friends Through a Child’s Eyes – in pencil, by Maryᴀ Livingston

Check out Timeout for Art: Through A Child’s Eyes by ‘Z’ over at Zeebra Designs and Destinations.

Vulture Chick & Wood Duck – birds of a different feather

Posted on May 23, 2013 by MaryALivingston

– Vulture Chick and Wood Duck Hen in pencil.

“Z” at Zeebra Designs put out a call for Timeout for Art. Here is a pencil sketch inspired by a recent visitor to the turkey vulture nest.
What happens when a wood duck invades a vulture nest?
Video tomorrow.

Puppies, Friends and Bliss

Posted on May 21, 2013 by MaryALivingston

This last autumn, I received a surprise package from my dear friend, Noriko. When I opened it, my breath was taken away by a gorgeous portrait of my dog, Hawk. Our family of golden retrievers are fairly long lived. We routinely see them age 14-16 years, so we were stunned when Hawk suddenly died in June of 2012 at the young age of 6. Hawk was littermate to Noriko’s Sakurako. Saku, lived with us for 11 months before she was able to go home to Japan.

Prior to and while Saku was growing up at our home, we were blessed with the friendship of Noriko and Yoshinori. This friendship has continued over the years.

We had an inkling that Noriko was artistically talented, but in her modesty, she did not let on. When I see the way she captured the spirit of Hawk, it is as if a part of Noriko’s beauty and grace reflects back in her creation. I see her in every stroke.

This beautiful gift is on display at my art table as a reminder of the gift of friendship spanning miles and time. Simply bliss.

RedTail’s Wind Walker “Hawk” – by Noriko Akiyama, posted with permission.

Hawk and Saku with Noriko and Mary – 2006

Noriko, Sakurako, Mary & Hawk – December 2006

Noriko and Yoshi with the pack. July 2010

2011 – People: Noriko, Yoshinori, Mary, Tim
Goldens: Jutaro, Hawk, Blitz, Tessa, Tom, Nellie, and Teka

“UGLY Birds” to Appear at Annual Return of the Buzzards!

Posted on March 4, 2013 by MaryALivingston

Exciting news, especially for those of you in Hinckley, OH. My new picture book, No Place for UGLY Birds, will be available at EarthWords Nature Shop in time for the Annual Return of the Buzzards!

No Place for UGLY Birds

Not in my backyard
Scotty lives in a quiet little valley where not much exciting goes on. That is, until the day his neighbors decide the turkey vultures are too ugly.
No Place for Ugly Birds – An amusing story with unintended consequences.
Story – 763 words
Turkey Vulture Critter Chit-Chatter™ – 278 words

written and illustrated by Mary A Livingston
32 pages, 763 words

Red Tail Publishing
Hard Cover ISBN13: 978-0-9847756-7-5
Soft Cover ISBN13: 978-0-9847756-8-2