Illustrations by Lara

Opening Party for Illustrations

2011-01-08T12:35:00.001-08:00

This party was part of the Presque Isle First Friday Art Walk. These photos were taken by Connie Carmen Gagnon, a very talented photographer.

Joile Lapine

2009-07-23T18:58:00.000-07:00

Jolie Lapine
Illustrated by Lara Cannon
Written by Melissa Crowe

What’s this—at the door—fairest rabbit of all?
Why, it’s Jolie Lapine, belle of Bunny Ball.
Her hops seem to float--she’s a cloud of pink tulle—
Oh, monsieur, take her hand—do not be a fool.

Admire her ribbons, her ears like pink silk,
Her eyes rarest jewels, her fur like sweet milk.
Ah, Jolie Lapine! If you searched all of France,
You’d not find one lovelier with whom to dance.

http://melissacrowe.blogspot.com/

Noblesse de Renard

2009-07-23T18:32:00.000-07:00

Dragonfly Witch

2009-07-23T18:29:00.000-07:00

Ol Tom

2009-07-23T17:08:00.000-07:00

Ol’ Tom
Illustrated by Lara Cannon
Written by Melissa Crowe

To traverse hill and dale sitting stately astride
This stallionesque turtle’s an elegant ride,
And he’s never been known to startle or buck.
No, he who owns this mount’s a man of great luck.

He’ll arrive full unscathed, not a hair out of place,
Not so much as a speckle of mud on his face.
And as for a trifle like pace, never fear—
You can get there from here well inside of a year!

Mouse Folk

2009-07-23T17:05:00.000-07:00

Mouse Folk
Illustrated by Lara Cannon
Written by Melissa Crowe

A hard scrabble life they take on this earth,
But such pleasant peasants, mice full of mirth,
Are these four little ladies who live ‘hind the walls
And at night tiptoe out to scavenge the halls

And the King’s massive kitchens for tiniest crumb
Mother reminding the smallest to keep always mum
Till they creep back to mouse hole and from leftovers mean
Mouse magic produces pies fit for the Queen!

King Ferdinand, his Frogness

2009-07-23T17:04:00.001-07:00

King Ferdinand, his Frogness
Illustrated by Lara Cannon
Written by Melissa Crowe

He’s—ribbit—regal, he’s—ribbit—wise,
A leader beloved and—ribbit—handsome of eyes.
His crown bejeweled and his scepter agleam,
He---ribbit—rules like a right royal dream.

We love him! We hail him! We hope against hope
That he won’t meet a princess with whom to elope,
For we’ll lose him (and simply the thought makes us wince)
When her—ribbit—kiss reduces our king to a prince.

Sir Phillip of Tailfeather

2009-07-23T17:02:00.000-07:00

Sir Phillip of Tailfeather
Illustrated by Lara Cannon
Written by Melissa Crowe

Poor Phillip had visions of service profound
Or hunting the forest on horse after hound
Or serving the King on some secret mission.
He spent all his days and nights fervently wishing

To distinguish himself in some office bold
And he fashioned himself a suit of barbed gold
Yes armor so strong and so fine must be rare--
But he dares not go out, for his bottom is bare.

Edward, Earle of Stout

2009-07-23T17:00:00.000-07:00

Edward, Earle of Stout
Illustrated by Lara Cannon
Written by Melissa Crowe

Oh, raccoon robust, oh man of great girth!
If a gent of the court can be said to have worth,
He mustn’t blow over in each gentle breeze,
Mustn’t succumb to each sniffle and sneeze.

No, an Earle must be hardy, of fine, sturdy stuff,
And he must keep his figure by eating enough—
So if you wander from table to visit the Queen,
Don’t be surprised, on returning, to find your plate clean.

Queen Grace

2009-07-23T16:56:00.000-07:00

Queen Grace
Illustrated by Lara Cannon
Written by Melissa Crowe

Whooo have we hear? Simply Her Grace—
Ships sail and sink at the sight of her face
And she watches, on high, all we little ones do
For who else could guide us—I’m asking you, whooo?

She demands silence in trees and in fields—
Over hill and river, matchless power she wields.
Whooo dares to doubt her—oh, rue the day, rue!
(On the wind there are whispers—I hear them call coup.)

Brave Badger, King's Messenger

2009-07-23T16:51:00.000-07:00

Brave Badger, King’s Messenger
Illustrated by Lara Cannon
Written by Melissa Crowe

He brings news from kingdoms flung both far and near
Proclamations intended for vast crowds to hear.
With a flick of his wrist, he unfurls his scroll
And waits for the ring of the gathering toll—

Hear ye, hear ye, Badger calls to the masses,
Enjoying the stares of the prettiest lasses.
He’s right brave if good tidings he brings to the town,
But quick upon bad news, burrows into the ground.

Miki, the Geisha Chickadee

2009-07-23T16:32:00.000-07:00

Miki
Illustrated by Lara Cannon
Written by Melissa Crowe

Miki, priceless beauty, seems shy behind fans
That wave like two wings at the ends of her hands.
Now we see her, now she’s hidden, a secretive blush?
The crowd watches, rapt, in appreciative hush

While Miki dances, so sweetly, in pink satin and lace
And quiets all watchers with slow, fluid grace—
We wonder, will Miki’s true colors be shown,
But before we get closer, this rare bird has flown.

Thank you Flowers

2009-03-11T07:12:00.000-07:00

Painted Butterfly

2009-02-13T09:16:00.000-08:00

Artist Squirrel

2009-01-28T06:42:00.000-08:00

Swallow and Nest

2008-11-12T14:43:00.000-08:00

Bedtime Story

2008-09-17T14:14:00.000-07:00

W intergreen

2008-09-15T14:06:00.002-07:00

W I ntergreen

2008-09-15T14:06:00.001-07:00

Win T ergreen

2008-09-15T14:05:00.000-07:00

Wint E rgreen

2008-09-15T14:04:00.000-07:00

Winte R green

2008-09-15T14:03:00.000-07:00

Winter G reen

2008-09-15T14:02:00.000-07:00

Winterg R E en

2008-09-15T14:01:00.000-07:00

Wintergre E n

2008-09-15T13:59:00.000-07:00

Wintergree N

2008-09-15T13:55:00.000-07:00

New Arrival

2008-09-15T13:53:00.000-07:00

December's Rose

2008-09-15T13:51:00.000-07:00

Artist Squirrel

2008-09-15T13:50:00.000-07:00

Lady Squirrel

2008-09-15T13:48:00.000-07:00

Gingerbread Visitors

2008-09-15T13:47:00.000-07:00

Artful Egg

2008-09-15T13:39:00.000-07:00