Hello Nathaniel

Well, folks at long last here's another sneak peek into my upcoming kids book "Nathaniel's Flippers"... nope I don't have a date set, still fine tuning and y'know.... writing it.
BUT here's my happy lil man with a lot of adventures sure to follow opening his new "shoes". Stay tuned!

mrrogersvalentine

As a child of the late 70's early 80's... I can vouch that a consistent presence of comfort and care came from a daily dose of Mr.Rogers Neighborhood.
I was lucky to have a great family, support system and lots of love- for those kids that maybe weren't as blessed I can imagine the impact of this special show was far more meaningful. A person that was there everyday speaking seemingly just to you about how wonderful and unique you are.

Illustration Friday (IF:) theme of the week is "popular" which I think could apply to v-day... and it doesn't take a genius to figure out why. The more "love"and attention you get- the more popular you are. I like Mr. R's approach- we're ALL special and deserving of care, credit and respect.

So on this most commercialized of all days- where if you are single you either a player or pariah... I'm kickin it old school lil kid valentines day and wishing you all a big hug from me- your illustrating neighbor.

IF: Twirl

a photo by Kairn Design on Flickr.

This weeks Illustration Friday is "twirl".
There's something so sweet about a little girl being twirled by her dad, I remember wanting to spin and spin, feeling like a ballerina.

Happy Holidays!

This week's Illo Friday theme is "sink".  Of course I thought of all kinds of water basin ideas- but instead came up with SNOW- you sink right into it.  What with the holidays I had to post something festive and beautiful. 

Living in New England there's a kind of magic about the holidays that only seems to truly arrive when the white stuff does. Of course we're now at Dec.21st and STILL no snow- but here's hoping we'll get a white Christmas asap. (but not too much). So to my followers, friends, clients and family~ many thanks for your support, encouragement and enthusiasm, it helps me to make images I hope to share with you all in the coming year.

Stay warm, indulge in tasty treats, embrace family and friends, share kind thoughts and wishes and above all- stay safe and have a wonderful week!

Cheers to all,

Kerri D

pearlharbor

It's a day that will live in infamy- and in the memories of historians... and the grandchildren who were told the stories at the knees of grandparents who were there.

This weeks Illo Friday word was:brigade.... being the daughter, granddaughter etc of US veterans... well... it brings much to mind- but considering the date of Dec.7th- this stuck out far more.

My house sits under the flight patterns for an international airport. When 9-11 happened and air traffic went dead for a day or two the silence was deafening- those planes so high above, never noticed them before that. I read recently about how the "zeroes" flew into the harbor on that terrible morning over family homes and people just waking up.
I though about how weird that'd be if all the planes that fly over me all the time suddenly weren't passenger planes and flew far too low for comfort. Since Vietnam the media has in different levels desensitized us to the horrors that happen- and suddenly something like Pearl Harbor is no more terrible than an episode of NCIS and less frightening than SAW (one two or three). These events and tragedies are something that happened "over there", and like a bad TV movie- the mind can change the channel if it's not invested.

If grandpa's assignment had followed through rather than being changed... he'd have been on the Arizona sleeping in his bunk- or as an officer on deck giving orders. Mum wouldn't be here, my uncle or my sister and I. It's amazing to think on and for me it's personal, it's part of my family history.
I hope I'm wrong- I hope people never forget- because remembering is learning.... and learning is to not repeat mistakes. There's no need to dwell on awful things- but it's important to repeat our cultural knowledge for future generations.

Anyhow- in this case- it's an amazing image I hope we never see again.

Illo Friday: Silent

Silent, a photo by Kairn Design on Flickr.

A wee bit late- but I'm prepping for the upcoming holiday sales. This weeks topic was "silent"... and I find nothing more haunting and peaceful than this.
Lends itself to imagination, all the conversations once had or that will happen here... but for now, silent and peaceful, damp from rain.

TheVeteransLetter

theletter, a photo by Kairn Design on Flickr.

Today we celebrate the fallen, the brave, the silent and the missing.

North South East West- no matter the location there are those willing to give their lives to protect something greater than themselves- to safeguard homes, families and friends.
Behind each of those brave souls is a loved one waiting and wishing for their safe return home. Not everyone gets the happy ending, some get the letter often dreaded.

For my grandfather Richard Bulman USN- who narrowly missed Pearl Harbor and must have lived with heavy ghosts after his ship sunk off the coast of Africa.

For my great uncle Kenny Driscoll USAF- a fighter pilot who was last seen on the wing of his plane in the middle of the Atlantic.

For my father John Desmond USMC who lost an eye, has survived 2 bouts of cancer due to agent orange and cricks in his neck from shrapnel... PTSD hasn't been kind to his gentle spirit.
He left on patrol in a group of 3, he returned a group of 1. Semper Fi.

To these brave men and many many more- thank you. For your service, your bravery and your lives.
To the families, finance's, friends and loved ones- stay strong for them, your sacrifice is appreciated as well.
May they come home safely and soon to you... have hope.

Semper Fi.

While this is a different era- I find the song rather suits the sentiment.

Scary Mr.Darcy/Stripes

dancewdead, a photo by Kairn Design on Flickr.

Ilo Friday! yes a bit late but seeing the subject matter is "late" as well... you can't fault me TOO much.

This weeks theme was "scary". Now I'm a big fan of "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen... I also realize it's fiction (much to my dismay).  And a lovely commenter pointed out it's stripes too! (this weeks theme) so bonus! Two for one! :)

What I find personally scary isn't monsters or disasters, boogie men or highway robbers (all scary yes.. but that's what heroines are for). What I find scary is hoping and waiting for a Mr.Darcy that will never come... to spend a whole life waiting for love only to find what this Elizabeth Bennet has discovered... she's too late.

Beach Therapy

For many years my mother and I have been taking rides down to the beach. Typically one would expect two ladies packing up a car with a cooler, umbrella, beach towels and camping out in the sun for the day in the summer heat- but no. Not us. We're New Englanders- hard core (hahd-coah).

So each fall, spring and winter Mum and I mosey down to the water when we need to "recharge" our internal spiritual batteries. Yeah, sometimes it's cold, sometimes it's downright frosty... but on those occasions we grab cocoa, sit in the car and play scrabble on our apple devices and watch the waves.

It's how Kairn Design got it's name- I got into the habit of building cairns from beach rocks- loaded up with prayers and wishes to be taken to sea when the tide comes in.

Recently I had the joy of taking one of these outings with not just my mom but also my great aunt- it's amazing to see how much in common 3 generations of women have- at 91 she whipped off her shoes and stockings to walk down with us and swish around in the cool water on an unusually warm day. It was memorable and wonderful.