Cornucopia

 

Cornucopia

Illustration By Donna Massa. 2005

This is actually an exercise in learning about the Magic of Prismacolor!  This illustration is a modern version of the Horn of Plenty also know as Cornucopia. The concept is Harvest Time.  In the Autumn Season farmers harvest what they’ve grown over the Summer season and gather all of it before the killing frost. All the wonderful fruits and vegetables grown including flowers are ready to be on display at farm stands and many facilities that sells food and flowers. 

A horn of Plenty is usually displayed as a center piece on your Thanksgiving table. In the horn are grapes, a variety of squash’s, different kinds of apples, pears, artichokes, corn, carrots, peppers tomatoes, small Sun flowers, colored leaves from the Maple trees, and more. 

In this illustration you can see parts of the Cornucopia and around it shapes of vegetables and fruits. I must say, that once this process started I could not stop creating and one thing grew into another and I could not stop my hand until it looked to be complete.  Everything was flowing together inter twinning all in-cased in a circle.  This was how it was forming in my mind and out through my hand and it was a magical experience.  I don’t usually do modern, but this composition was unique and I was totally unprepared with the results…

I can say this to other artists of any Medium of the Fine Arts and the Performing Arts.  One may set out to create a particular concept, or have a general idea of what they want to express.  The magic comes through the unexplained, the minds absence to control or fix.  It flows out of you like a faucet that can’t be shut off and it takes control of you.  They say, this is when your the closest to the Divine source and your creativity and imagination is heightened and it will exceed all boundaries…

🧡🍁🍂🌻🌾🍎🍏🍐🍇🌽🍆🫑🍅🌶🍷🥂🍻💛

 

Jeff’s Album Cover

Blue Black & Gray

Illustration Album Art by Donna Massa  2017

This was a very exciting project because I had the opportunity to collaborate with another artist, musician and singer songwriter.  He wanted me to illustrate is album cover and I was delighted to do this project with him.  

The only way I can truly understand how to approach this was to first know about the musician.  This would be a meeting or an interview with the musician talking about the genre of his music, what was his message to his fans, did each song have a different message that told a story or were they all uniquely different from one another.  His style, quality of his voice, instruments he plays, history of what the album was about even to the name of the album and did it have some significance to him personally or the music.  The second important part the project is to hear his music and the lyrics to his songs.  At the time the album was not completed, however I listened to the some of his songs he had recorded.  The third and final part of the project is to watch the artist play, sing and perform at a gig.  this would give me an understanding of the emotional feelings he portrays while he is playing and singing.  

The title of the album Blue, Black & Gray are the colors seen having a near death experience.  He told me about a horrific motorcycle accident he suffered in 1984 at only nineteen years old.  How he was pronounced dead at the scene.  He traveled out of his body and slowly floated into space and the start of the vast universe. These three colors are what he encountered with the exceptional pleasure of peace and tranquility.  He was perfectly happy accepting his journey until he turned to look back and saw his mother running towards his body with the medics trying to get a heart beat.  He said to himself  “If my mother sees this it will kill her.”  As soon as he said this to himself he was transported instantly back to his body in horrific pain.  He sustained serious injuries to his head, left hand, and whole left leg.  The prognosis was immediate amputation to the lower leg below the knee.  Fortunately an incredible semi retired surgeon Kathleen Roberson who used to work in the mash units in Korea was contacted and she was interested in the case.  She would not accept amputation as an option rather, she was determined to save the leg and she miraculously did.  

This musician is a multi talented and highly gifted artist who’s heritage is Native American and English.  The Native American tribe of his ancestors is the Iroquois and in the inner round part of the disc is a ribbon pattern that is distinctly Iroquois Native American.

In the center of the disc is the artist musician Jeff Hayford with a heart symbolizing his passion and joy playing his G&L Blues Boy electric guitar.  The blue surrounding him is the color of the sky, and the inner part of the disc is black and gray.  This is the journey of his soul as it was leaving the earth.  

The outer rim of the disc is a rainbow of colors, this is a reflection of light when you turn a disc on certain angles.  The outside of the disc is the blue, black and gray colors bleeding into each other symbolizing his journey through space heading towards a portal.  He chose not to go through that portal and return to Earth.  

Jeff Hayford is a unique and compassionate individual who is sensitive to the human condition.  He is an advocate for Chronic Pain as he has suffered all his life battling with it.  His humanitarian efforts-have been many throughout his life holding events by bringing other musicians together for worldly causes.  He is the founder of a not for profit social enterprise  A4H  Arts4Humanity “For The Benefit Of All.”  

Jeff Hayford is a talented musician, graphic artist, writer and music producer.  He has performed up and down the east coast from the Florida Keys to Portland Maine.  He has spent time playing in Nashville TN, New York City, Boston, MA, The Mt Washington Valley of NH and many other popular places in New England.  He has been the front man for a few of his own bands, opened for many big bands as a solo artist and has met and hung out with professional well known musicians.  If you want to hear Jeff Hayford sing please go to

N1M.co/Jeff Hayford.  If you interested in his writing pleas go to   a4hpros.blogspot.com.

Jamison

 

Jamison

Illustration By Donna Massa  2014

This illustration was created for a customer who wanted a design for her new little grandson Jamison.  This is the finished illustration that the customer later framed for his room.  The questions I asked in order to create this illustration after the child was born was his name, date of birth, exact time of birth, and place of birth.  This enabled me to calculate his Astrological Solar Chart, a blue print of this little man’s character, personality and many other aspects of his nature.  His astrological Sun sign that governs his character was in the sign of Pisces, planetary ruler Neptune, element water.  His Rising or Ascendant was in the sign of Aries planetary ruler Mars element fire, and his Moon that governs his personality was in the sign of Taurus planetary ruler Venus element earth.  This information set up the entire concept of this composition when using the letters of his name.  

Some letters of his name illustrates something about this little man’s birth sign Pisces.  This is a water sign baby and the symbol are two fish side by side going in opposite directions.  One fish going upstream and the other downstream.  Like the symbol of the fish these water-babies love to swim and feel most comfortable living near water especially the ocean and they love everything the ocean represents.  This is an emotional sign, sensitive, compassionate, intuitive, gentle, wise, musical, artistic, loves nature and animals, and has a happy playful disposition.  These traits are illustrated in the letters J & S.  

His Rising or Ascendant is in the sign of Aries.  This is a strong fire sign that is ambitious, determined, aggressive, innovative, energetic and honest.  Most of these traits are illustrated in the letter M.

The Moon that governs his personality is in the sign of Taurus.  This being an earth element represents being firmly grounded in the sand, practical and logical thinking, likes gardening, working with his hands and an affectionate lover-boy.  This is illustrated in the letters S,O, & N.

In the center is the letter I.  This letter represents the astrological symbol of the Planet Neptune ruler of Pisces.  This Planet ruler is known for its inspiration, a higher level of spirituality, dreams, illusions, fantasies and all things magical and enchanting are illustrated in the letter A.  This little man’s name takes on his own individual identity one that will support him for the rest of his life…

 

Irises

Illustration: Vignette

By Donna  Massa  2005

Irises are one of my favorite late Spring early Summer perennial flowers.  Irises like Orchids another one of my favorites are intricately designed to perfection.  For me, everything about the Iris is a magical wonder of nature.  The Iris takes its name from Greek Mythology the Greek Goddess of the Rainbow and messenger to Zeus & Hera.  Many believe the Iris is named after Hera who carries messages from heaven to earth on the arc of the rainbow and was the companion to female souls on the way to heaven.  In Greek culture purple Irises are planted on women’s graves so that this valor flower will safely guide their souls to their final resting place in paradise.  In Indian and Egypt cultures Irises were used to ornate the palaces also having a connection to heaven.  When the Iris has fully matured and is in full bloom they are so uniquely structured not one flower is ever the same design.  The Iris flower symbolizes royalty, wisdom, hope, optimism, trust and bravery and thrives in temperate zones around the world.  

They come in a wide spectrum of colors and the colors also symbolize special meanings.  A variety of purples present gratitude and respect.  Blue Irises represents hope, faith and devotion.  White, represents purity, innocence, and divinity.  And yellow, breaks from tradition and represents passion!  Irises is the birth flower of February the color is purple, stone is Amethyst, zodiac sign Aquarius, and Planetary ruler Uranus.  

Irises are used for perfumes and aerosol sprays.  There are over 200 known species and countless cultivars, and are classified by two distinct types one being a bulb, the other rhizome.  The Dutch Iris is one of my favorites they are smaller flowers that grow in a bunch with long slender green leaves, and are deep rich purple in color.  

I illustrated this flower because it proposed a challenge to me due to its intrinsic and intriguing beauty.  I also created this for my daughter who loves Irises.  The original illustration is mounted, double matted and framed, and hangs on the bedroom wall in my daughters home in Madrid, Spain… 

 

The Toyger Cat

 

Mr Mo Tibbs

Illustration By Donna Massa   2006

I am a true cat lover.  I’ve had many cats in my life and they have brought me sorrow and given me great joy!  Mr Mo Tibbs is a name I gave to this Toyger cat.  This is not one of my cats I chose this Toyger cat to be in this illustration.  Toyger cats have their own identity in the cat world.  These affectionate cats are intelligent, loving, and have a wild tiger like personality.  Owners of these cats say they can be occasionally aloof, often mysterious, whimsical and even a little magical.  They are relatively active, playful, and friendly.  Their body has the base color of pumpkin, with its trademark stripes of black or dark brown.  The markings across the body hold a completely unique pattern to each cat, no other cat has the same identical markings even from the same litter, I find this aspect amazing.  

The Toyger has an excellent disposition and can get along with any other cat or cats you may have at home.  But, like most cats the owners need to keep them occupied if they don’t want them to become too mischievous or curious which can lead them into trouble.  

If your thinking of getting one of these cats it’s important to work a breeder.  Search the TICA database by name for the right breeders.  This way you know the history of the parents, and that they have been screened for any of the possible feline disorders.   

In closing, all cats are special they are wonderful company, loyal companions and respond to love, affection and attention.  They say when having a pet people in life usually live longer…

The Great Blue Heron

Illustration By Donna Massa   2005

I love the tropics and within this heavenly environment comes an abundance of the most beautiful and unusual birds.  One of my favorites is the blue Heron.  This bird symbolizes self-reliance and self-determination.  The Native American interpretation is the ability to evolve and progress.  Those with the blue Heron Spirit Animal in the Native American tradition posses innate wisdom and strength that helps them maneuver an co-create their achievements in life.  In the Christian community this bird is associated with good luck and a long life.  The Heron also serves as an inspiration in the Christian community as a guide to contentment and great fullness with one’s lot in life.

The Herons stillness and patience while in waite of its pray, all centers around their instinctive ability of tolerance and restraint.  This innate practice is symbolic of receiving great blessings in life. In other words, (Good things come to those who wait…)

His Heron is surrounded but a variety of tropical plants on a paradise Island.  He is a male blue Heron because of his size and his longer bill.  Blue Herons don’t mate for life however their courtship and mating habits are elaborate.  Once the female is impregnated the male helps her in fulfilling all the shared responsibility by preparing the nest that is 3feet X 3feet.  They share in incubating the eggs for twenty eight days.  Once hatched, they share in the upbringing however it takes a young Heron three years to reach full maturity.  The Great Blue Heron stands almost 4 feet tall and has a 6 foot long wingspan.  If your lucky enough to see these striking birds fly closely above your head, I doubt if you would ever forget how magnificent they are…