Thursday, August 5, 2010

Illustration Friday: Nothin' artificial about it.


Many of my fondest childhood memories revolved around good ol' fashioned candy stores. In California, Sam's Town (which closed in 2001) was "It." Our family would visit Sam's Town as a pitstop on our way to Lake Tahoe, and one of our favorite things to do was eat fried chicken and grape soda, then head out with a bag of candy from their awesome old-fashioned candy saloon. The sights of the candy jars all within arms reach was something I'll never forget...and to leave with a sack o' candy was the best!
Back then, I'm hoping all of the candy was made of real sugar and flavorings...and nothing artificial. It's a stretch for this week, but I had fun walking down memory lane. : )
Have a great rest of the week, just made if for this week's IF, whew!!

33 comments:

  1. I used to work in a sweet shop just like this! It's lovely Shirley! :-)

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  2. Complete with the perfect sweet shop owner! Lovely, Shirley!

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  3. Oh my word...Shirley! I think this is my favourite of your paintings! That is just so cute...I feel like I could walk into the scene! The little boy is gorgeous! :)

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  4. My, my, Shirley! Just seeing your illustration makes me want to reach out and grab those sweets! This is perfectly good in every way... I'll bet your brushes are sugar coated deliciousness!!! (^____^) oxx

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  5. Awwww, this is so cute, what a great memory, I love places like that

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  6. Shirley,
    Yummy! Sweet illustration and memory. Save some chocolate and licorice for me!!!

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  7. Love the children! Very atmospheric.

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  8. Lovely illustration of a memory most of us can relate too!

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  9. What a beautifully sweet illo! Yes, all those old candies are so yummy.....Love the children... oh and everything else. Great job!!! :D

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  10. You're right, nothing artificial here- this is a truly sweet piece! ;o)

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  11. A bag full of penny candy....aahhhh..life was good! ♥

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  12. they opened a new candy store in town recently. all differnt flavors and kinds. it's wonderful, but of course its not the same and mall-ified but donny does get his sugar rush which is always a plus. now fried chicken and grape soda's something i'll have to try. :) ... and, wonderful illustration!

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  13. I loved places like that! My favorite sweet treat was rock candy. Nothing but sugar but oh so good! Your new illustration is so sweet and beautifully illustrates times gone by. Theresa

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  14. Thanks for your comment on my blog.
    Wonderful atmosphere, I wish I was there. And the kids seem to be having a great time.

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  15. Oh my goodness! I am so glad I stumbled on your beautiful website while perusing IF! It is such a treat to view this and your older posts! I'll be back!

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  16. Very sweet! charming illustration who makes me want to get some candy.

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  17. Oh this just takes me back to the old penny candy stores of my youth! You have captured a wonderful sweet moment! I just want to jump into that fabulous scene and have a few he he he! We are doing so very well. Hope that you are enjoying the last bits of summer as well. I send you a great many hugs and best wishes my friend. Hugs v

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  18. Hey girly!
    I thought that you had seen the YouTube thing way back??? Thank you so much you make blush he he he! I think I may have sent you the wrong message from my gmail account. It may have been for Andrew he he he. I am on vacation in Virigina and thinks are a little off for me please excuse me darling. Hope that you and the girls are well. Take care
    Big,big,big hugs to you,
    V

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  19. Oh Shirley, those were the days ;) i love the old time candy stores with every kind of candy :d Nice remembrance and beautiful illustration :D

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  20. Nice! You do a great job with the watercolors. My wife grew up in Napa CA and went on the same kind of trips to Lake Tahoe. I'll have to ask her about this.

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  21. hi shirley,
    thanks so much for stopping by and your kind words! i have definitely enjoyed my break over the summer. it looks like you have been busy doing what you do best, creating fabulously fun illustrations! i love this litte candy store illo. That little boys face is priceless!

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  22. Sweeeeeeeeet!!!!
    thank you for visiting me the other day, Shirley :)) i know you've been busy, heheh...
    life is so hard sometimes, thats why i went private

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  23. Hey Shirley! If I was ever a kid I would have loved to have gone to a place like this. Unfortunately I was never a kid... :0

    You have great style I need to look harder at your work.

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  24. Hey Wonderwoman!!! It was so nice seeing your avatar this morning cause both of us are working our tails off which is good he he he he he! Ray and I went to Viriginia to see my baby sister Loredan and her husband and boy did we have a whole lot of fun. It was wonderful. We had a great time. I hope that you and the girls will get a chance to have some great fun before school starts. Zoe is not looking forward to going back right now he he he he! Hopefully when she sees all her new school clothes and supplies she will want to go back. Thanks so such for the words of encouragement cause I need them to help me along. There is lots of work to be done and I will have to leave the blogging to the side once again to finish my work. Hope that you are well. I send you lots of love and hugs.
    Vanessa

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  25. ohhh... the "good ol' fashioned candy stores". I remember those!!! :D
    Oh boy, I miss being a kid :P

    Stunning illustration as always Shirley!

    Kiss

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  26. This candy store looks wonderful! All those great colors (those must be artificial...).

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  27. Hey Shirley! Thanks for the trip down "sweet" memory lane! you illustration is adorable.... just how I remember! I don't know how I missed this last week, but I'm glad I stopped by! Your artwork is so uplifting!

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  28. I am reminded, through this beautiful illustration, of the ice cream parlor/candy shop that used to be around the corner from my house in the old neighborhood. It was a frequent stop everyday after school and on weekends for the delicious double scoops of ice cream on those dog days of summer.

    I've said it many times and it bears repeating: you are a positively awesome artist! Your watercolors are some of the most vivid I've every seen. And your facial expressions capture so many emotions and memories. They are simply adorable.

    Love you much, Miss Shirley. Have a great weekend!

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  29. Makes me wish I was a little kid in a candy store again.

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