A Break....

I am taking a "break" of sorts away from creating art as much. I will still do some however not to the extent I have been in the past few months. I have many drawings I have done however I have not posted as of yet. I have some commissions to complete and a cat show to prepare for that's coming up the end of the month. I am going to be going back to school shortly and I wanted to concentrate more of my efforts towards that...at least until after April. Then it's back to the grind. I have closed my ebay store...although it was short lived it was surprisingly successful and I will no doubt undertake one in the future. I would like to thank Linda (Linda's Blog) for her nomination for the Lemonade award! It is for blogs that have a positive outlook and that's something I try to do. Every cloud has a silver lining :-). I will complete the requirements in a future blog...I just wanted to drop a quick note for the moment.

Today

I went out walking with the kiddies today. It was unusually warm and put me in an oil painting mood. Unfortunately I did not get any painting done however the walk was nice. They were relieved to get out of the house to say the very least. I took a few pictures to use for reference later on. I also did another gouache relief, an elephant this time. They seemed to do well on ebay and I really enjoyed doing them. I have two graphite ACEO kitties I need to complete. I'm probably going to draw the pretty daffodil I took a picture of today with one of them. A butterfly friend with the other...or maybe a ladybug. I caught a few pictures of the tabby up the street however they didn't come out very well. A photographer, I am not, lol.

Gouache relief elephant

Graphite Kitty ACEOs

Daffodil photo I took today

Great News!!

I have finally opened an EBAY STORE!!! I have prints, key chains and I will have some blank watercolor ACEO cards for sale within the next week. I'm really excited about it. I get to offer some old favorites to those who may have missed out on the auction of the originals.

Here's a digital drawing I did of Barack Obama that I am offering for sale on ebay. It is not a reworked photograph...it is a real drawing that I did with my wacom tablet and pen directly into photoshop using the pencil and airbrush tools. It's a limited edition in the ACEO size. I will offer it larger in the future.


These are some gift tags for a baby boy/girl/both that I am working on to put for sale on etsy in the next week.


Pandamus, paper birds. I may offer a variety of these neat little birds for sale on etsy in the future, maybe even the template to make them. I made really small white ones that are just too cute and could be used for a variety of projects from card-making to scrapbooking as well as for wedding favors. The pink and red one I made for my four year old and the goldish one has been a hanging fixture in my kitchen forever.




I have been feeling particularly crafty lately however now it is back to the drawing board (literally). I am working on a few pieces that I am sure will please ;-). Thanks for stopping by and any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

Happy New Year + New ACEOs

Happy New Year 2009 to all!!!!

I have two new ACEOs and one new bookmark (I took advantage of my day off). I brightened the original bird drawing from before so I rescanned it here. I did a tiger...I rather like how that one turned out. There's an Ace of Diamonds on the back of that one. I did the graphite kitties I entitled, "Hugs and Kisses."

Bird


Tiger


"Hugs and Kisses"



The Barack Obama bookmark I did as part of the Classical Painters group challenge on Ebay, which was to draw/paint Barack Obama. I was on this kick with the gouache relief so naturally that's what I did. I tied a red ribbon to it. I painted the flag with color (everything else including the face in white) before adding the ink. I like the final version for it's almost primitive graphic look. That appeals to me very much and reminds me how much I like linocuts and wood cuts. Click on them to see them bigger.

Barack sketch


Barack finish

New experiments and ACEOs

I love the graphic effect of linocuts. The lines are very bold and I find the stark contrast of black and white as well as the interplay of negative and positive space to be most interesting. I also love it when the color element is added as the colors seem brighter and the work has this "comic book" effect to it. I am in the position where I do not have the facilities or equipment (inks, press, linoleum) to recreate this method any time soon. So I improvised and created the following piece.





On the back of the card, I affixed the queen of spades playing card. I've been meaning to use these for ACEOs for awhile now and thought my little experiment here would be the perfect compliment. This is called a gouache relief and the resemblance to a hand-painted lino is uncanny to say the least. It is a beautiful process, albeit time consuming. I wouldn't say it is for the perfectionist especially since the effects are somewhat unpredictable.

I completed the following ACEO also. I entitled it, "Just the Right Size II," after a piece I completed some time in 2007 with similar content. I also added these interesting jewels as embellishment plants on the piece, a bit of experimentation on my part.

Completed Commission

I have finally completed the commissioned doggies. They were really a joy to draw (as well as a challenge). I have entitled this piece, "All to the Dogs." It will have a home with its owner very soon. I wasn't able to scan the entire piece; the white doggies ear and part of my name was cut off in the scan. My fiance said the white dog was the feistiest as far as looks go. Indeed her owner said she was a little spitfire however also very sweet. I am rather pleased with the final results and I hope the owner is also.




I have also completed a kitty ACEO. It was completed in graphite and verithin prismacolor pencil on watercolor. It is entitled, "The Stare." It is one of many graphite pieces I am getting ready for the new year. I am also going to complete a few watercolor, gouache, and ink pieces (and a few doodles). Maybe a few oil pieces later in the year. I am going to be a bit busy and I am looking forward to it.

Commissioned Dogs

I was commissioned to draw some doggies by a former co-worker of mine. They are the cutest little miniature fluffy dogs (sorry their formal names escape me) I've seen in awhile. This piece measures 11 x 14 and I have used graphite, colored pencils, and archival proof ink to create this piece. It won't take me too much longer to complete it. It's mostly getting the drawing down and working on the value relationships and tonal range.

Mali Girl Completed, Maine Coons WIP

I have finally completed Mali Girl. I completed this for an event I have coming up in March. I'm rather pleased with the results. It was completed in gold acrylic, archival proof ink and watercolor on 140 lb Arches Watercolor paper. The original scan I had brightened a little bit because it scanned really dim. I then glazed over the original in a reddish tone to brighten the face. This scan is unaltered.

I am still working on the Maine Coon kittens. Eventually I will get them completed :-). These are graphite on 140 lb Strathmore paper (I think it responds to the graphite better than the Arches). I am still working on some commissioned work. I will post that as soon as I am at a sufficient stopping point.

Playing around

This is just a sketch I did playing around with my wacom and photoshop. I made a baby girl note/greeting card with envelope and thought something was missing...

Two ACEO kitties

I completed these over a week ago. I haven't really been working on anything besides a commission of a few doggies and the maine coon kitties. When I get to a good stopping point I'll post the progress of those. I try to stagger my time as best I can around my schedule. I will have these up for auctions probably sometime tomorrow or Wednesday.

Sleeping Beauty


Christmas Stocking Stuffer

I did one similar to this last year called Christmas Sweetie. It will probably be the only Christmas themed work that I do (however don't quote me on that). I will attempt to update in a few days.

New Kitty ACEOs

I have two new kitty ACEOs. "Watchful" was completed a little over a week and a half ago and I just did "Casual Hunter" yesterday. These are going up for auction tonight. I am in the process of working on a Christmas Kitty similar to one I did last year...I started that yesterday also. The Maine Coon kittens are almost finished and I am about to start on a commission of four puppy dogs...I have two weeks to get them finished so I am about to get on the ball. Here are the kitties:

Watchful, watercolor and ballpoint ink


Casual Hunter, watercolor, koh-i-noor nexus ink pens, graphite

New Kitty Oil Painting

I completed this painting last week. I'm posting this week because it took that long to dry lol. I was torn between making it realistic or going with a more expressionistic approach. I think I found a happy medium. I didn't see the purpose of recreating a photograph. My scanner does not do oil paintings justice I'm afraid so there are some areas that seem kind of whitened out and such and not as vibrant as the original. I am going to invest in a better camera than my camera phone one of these days since I intend to do more oil paintings. I haven't named this piece as of yet. It measures 5" x 7" on canvas board.

I've been tagged!!!

I've been tagged by the wonderfully gifted artists Danielle Barlow and Diane! From what I understand, I have to now expose 7 unusal things about myself to the blogosphere. Then you tag 7 other bloggers at the end of your post and let them know on their blogs that they have been tagged! There's no pressure to join in (although it is a lot of fun!).

Okay here we go:

1.) I really like frogs. I find them to be fascinating creatures. I'm not fond of toads, just frogs. Green ones, blue ones, red ones, etc. etc. My father had this song he used to sing about frogs when I was a little girl about a lonely frog that didn't have a home and he had a frog toy hanging from his rearview mirror that squeaked when you squeezed it. I loved that thing.

2.) I entered an art contest when I was in fourth grade...it was about how to use the rules of safety in the neighborhood. I drew a girl on rollerblades in full safety helmet and pads. I bought it in and my art teacher at the time, Mr. Wiggins, refused to put it in the contest because he thought someone else drew it! I suppose I should have been flattered. At the time I was devastated (darn teachers!)

3.) For Pre-Calculus class in high school, I built a guitar and tuned it based on mathematical expressions.

4.) In Physics class in high school, I recreated the color spectrum based upon a scientific analysis of color waves and light refraction (that's how I passed the class).

5.) I work in accounting. Most of the people I went to school with have this deadpan "say what?" expression on their face when they hear what I'm doing (since I was an art major). Wow is it THAT much of a stretch?!?

6.) When I was younger those characters at places like Six Flags and Disney World and clowns used to really freak me out. The sight of one of those characters with their eerily happy dispositions and affinity for hugs would automatically activate my flight reflex and that's pretty much all she wrote. I can tolerate them much better now since I have children that love them. It all began with that character, Bugs Bunny. I went to Six Flags when I was 15 and shortly after entering through the gate, there he was. Just standing there unassuming and still. I began my trek across the courtyard. All of a sudden, the next thing I know he breaks into a full run towards me with his arms outstretched. Scared the living crap out of me. I turned and broke into a full run back towards the entrance. I refused to come back in until all of the characters were gone. I couldn't really relax and enjoy the festivities for fear that I would be accosted by an oversized cartoon character. Thankfully I am over this fear and can have a laugh at my own expense about it.

7.) Although this isn't really "unusual" I believe it's worth noting. Last Friday was the very first Black Friday I have ever attended. My mother, my SO (significant other) and I went to Walmart. We got there at 4:15 and the line was a mile long. The Walmart employees opened a side door about five minutes before five and a jostling of sorts occurred between the people who were already waiting in line and the folks coming in trying to get some leverage. When the ropes dropped, it was pandemonium. Shopping carts collided and a lot of pushing and shoving ensued. It was an interesting sight to watch. I didn't want anything in particular...and neither did my mother for that matter so it was much more leisurely for us. We got a few deals here and there however as a whole it wasn't really worth the loss of sleep and general aggravation of dealing with an overly emotional public (thanks to the holidays). Will I go again? Probably not.

Ok that's all folks!!

Here are the 7 people I would like to tag (because I love their blogs!).

Serena P. Lewis, http://artbyserena.blogspot.com/

Rachel Parker, http://rachelsstudio.blogspot.com/

Adebanji Alade, http://adebanjialade.blogspot.com/

Linda, http://artwolfs-briar-rose-gate.blogspot.com/

Shari, http://inkbrushcreations.blogspot.com/

Megan Coyle, http://meganacoyle.blogspot.com/

Ken Gillam, http://kengillam.blogspot.com/

These are great artists whose blogs I visit often!!! Thanks so much for stopping by!

New Still Life Painting

I haven't painted with oils since painting class in college back in 2003. I was pretty decent at it. Shocked my professor at the time....I only worked strictly in charcoal and she thought I would have had a more difficult time with oil painting. I prefer oils over watercolors for a variety of reasons. It takes longer to dry. I can redraw with the oil paints. Watercolors are a bit unforgiving. I can paint and repaint over and over with oils. The best part of working with oils is that you can add the highlights LAST. With watercolors you have to be careful to retain them. I try to do that with oils also however all is not lost if I don't.

That being said I did a quick still life study in oils of a bowl and some fruit. Yes, I know, really original, right? Considering I haven't worked with oils in so long I didn't deem it wise to jump into a major project right away. I completed it on canvas board and it took me about 3 hours to complete it. Below is my painting, still on the easel, and the still life set up I used. I was standing at the easel looking down on it rather than at face level. I don't really have a studio space as of yet. I have a desk that is set up strictly for drawing and watercolors...my poor easel hasn't had much use due to my lack of space to set up. I am in my living room in front of one of the windows. I used only natural light to paint it also...one light source is more than enough to keep up with. I am working on another project...once I am able to hunt down some foamcore I'll have those posted ASAP!



Not bad for an almost 6 year hiatus. It measures 11" x 14". I don't really do small oil paintings. I prefer 24" x 30" on up however the lack of space causes me to economize.

This is at a slightly different angle than the one used to paint the still life however you get the idea.

More good news...Some of my work is being displayed in a local art gallery called "The Art Spot" in Lexington, South Carolina. The Cat and Fish drawing (now entitled "Fishing") and the watercolor Siamese (now entitled "Curious") are now hanging there. The gallery owner said she will list that I also do pet portraits. I am really thrilled about the exposure and I'm currently working on pieces to display in another local gallery.

Mali Girl in Watercolor

This particular painting is taking me several days to complete. First I did the drawing outline. I made it really detailed. Then I added the masking fluid to places I wanted to keep white (for now). I wish I had documented the steps up to this point however I didn't expect it to turn out as well as it is presently. I used gold acrylics, watercolors, and the nexus ink pens up to this point. The next step is the headdress. You can still see the blue masking fluid still on her scarf...I'm still trying to figure out the best way to do it as I have embellished my reference photo a bit and am utilizing fabrics I have around the house with a little bit of imagination to complete it. The continent of Africa is behind her head and the rest is a textured gold with a gold underlay on the bottom. It will probably take a few more days to complete it. I will post the progress as it comes.