Summer Lilly in Color

I decided to try this study again, in color this time. I haven't worked with colored pencil much in the last ten years which has made this adventure even more challenging. I am finding I have to give myself more time to adjust to the medium. Especially since I am used to being able to manipulate color simply by mixing in a little blue or yellow and working them together on my pallet. It's a whole new game when your colors are limited to what's in your hand and how well you can blend them on the page. As you can tell I have quite a bit left on her hair and then I'll move onto her shirt. I am still trying to decide what to do with the background. Should I leave it white or attempt to bring in some depth? Do I stay true to the photograph or do I invoke my artistic freedom? Sometimes there are just too many choices.


Medium: Colored Pencil on Watercolor Paper

Apples and Bannanas

For as much effort as moving takes it is exciting when you discover items you haven't seen in years, and have most likely forgotten about. For the last four months we have been in the process of moving out of, and renovating, our home. We have gotten rid of quite a lot of stuff and have rediscovered even more stuff we had forgotten we had. In one box I ran across some oil painting studies from my college painting classes. It was fun to reunite with them. I had forgotten some of the techniques I had been taught and through this discovery I was reminded how important these simple studies are to developing your own techniques and style.

Recently, I have been collecting portrait pictures to practice with, mainly using charcoal, however after discovering these studies I have decided I want to take this practice to more levels than just charcoal. I feel as if I have rediscovered an aspect of painting I had forgotten. One that supports my desire to push beyond known limits, to expand my understanding and connection to the medium. I love the freedom and flexibility art offers.

This is one example of a technique I had forgotten about. We had painted the canvas as dark as we could and then took a cloth, or dry brush, and wiped away the paint to create the picture.


Medium: Oil on Canvas Board

Faces

Here is one of the first faces, or portraits, I remember drawing. I didn't really get into drawing portraits until after high school. This particular one was drawn in 2001. It seemed to be the start of portraiture for me. Even though I had started drawing babies much sooner, it wasn't until 2001 that I started branching out to toddler and adult portraits. I happen to love the quirkiness of this sketch.

Medium: Graphite on Drawing Paper

Innocence

 

Here's another sketch from some time ago, most likely late high school or early college. I love drawing children because of their softer features. They also have the best expressions. 

Medium: Graphite on Paper

Stride

We have been in the process of moving, which has included getting rid of quite a bit of stuff. In the process of sorting through our rather large collection of things I ran across these sketches I had drawn in college. I think feet are a fascinating subject. They can be quite awkward, yet rather graceful all at the same time, which is one (or is that two) of the reasons I enjoyed (and still enjoy) sketching them.  

Medium: Graphite on Paper

Summer Lilly

Here is one of my current works-in-progress. I have a few more layers to apply and need to redo part of the current layer due to a sad miss hap. I grabbed a can of adhesive instead of a can of fixative and didn't realize it until it was too late. It could have been worse, so I am happy. I have decided I want to work on my portraiture so I have been collecting inspiring photographs. You will probably see more of these popping up now and again, so I hope you enjoy them. 

Medium: Charcoal on White Bristol

Oodles of Doodles

Here is a great way to "ignite your creative spirit." Kate England of Marmalade Moon has put together a wonderful mini-course to "boost creativity and build momentum." I joined her club last fall and have found her direction and insight fun and inspiring. Here are photos of my "creative tools" as well as my creative process. I encourage you to take a look at Kate's website, she's an inspiring artist.

Ace

This is the first in a series of five paintings I am doing for my husband's business. You can't tell in this photo but the edges of the canvas are painted orange, a fun way to add color to a black and white painting.

Medium: Oil on Canvas

Golden Glory

If you follow my blog regularly you might recognize this lady, you've seen her before here, here, and here. The inspiration behind this sketch is the idea that a woman's long hair is her glory. I am thinking this sketch will be a muse for a few paintings in the near future.


Medium: Charcoal and Colored Pencil on Rough Paper with Digital Finishing

Horizon

This is right out of my sketchbook. It is one of my go-to sketches when I have artists block. I like drawing these canyons, or cliffs, because I find it interesting how many ways they can be interpreted. They are also a good practice in shading and depth. Normally these aren't so crisp or bright, however, I wanted to try a different type of digital editing using some of my charcoal drawings. It was quite fun seeing what I could do with this piece, although the original is still my favorite, I do like the effect the digital editing has created. The light is brighter and I think the colors add a fun twist.


Medium: Charcoal on Bristol with Digital Finishing

Swirls

I think my camera got a little carried away on this one. However, it makes for a nice effect. I kind of like the many levels of halo it created.

Medium: Black Permanent Marker on Rough Bristol with Digital Finishing

Rain

I love the rain... that is until it never stops. Since I live in the Pacific Northwest we get a lot of rain. The funny thing about this drawing is it was done while I was on vacation in Las Vegas. However, it reminds me a lot of home, in a good way.

Medium: Black Permanent Marker on Rough Bristol with Digital Finishing

Midnight Sketch

Here's a sketch I did last night when I couldn't fall asleep. It is of my youngest daughter. I am struggling with the resemblance so I think I am going to revisit this one. There are quite a few things I would like to try differently, as well as improve upon and this will be a good study to work with. Hopefully I will find some time in the next couple of weeks to get back to this and try again.

Medium: Charcoal on Paper

Missing Out

				Image Source: Vincent's House in Arles (The Yellow House) - http://www.vggallery.com

First impressions are often what drive our opinion of a person, event, or even work of art. For example, I've never particularly cared for the work of Vincent Van Gogh. However, driven by the desire for a little art enrichment, I had the pleasure of taking an art history course last year. It was through this course I was introduced to Van Gogh's letters. The perspective I gained from reading his letters encouraged me to take a second look at what I once had passed up. 

Unfortunately, I had formed my initial opinion based on a single statement made by a friend (who was an admirer of Van Gogh's work). I am not sure why the statement had turned me off, and to be honest I can't even remember what the statement was. What I do know is, I was missing out, and for years I held a negative opinion of Van Gogh's work without any real justification. I had subconsciously made it a point to ignore his work whenever possible. 

The art history class forced my hand, requiring me, not only to review his work but also establish a relationship with the artist through letters he and his family had written. After reading the letters I realized the way in which Van Gogh wrote about his art, and its inspiration, was very different from what I had imagined. He seemed upbeat and inspired by life. I particularly liked when he wrote about using color to add emotion to his paintings. Even in the letters where he seemed deflated by his progress or situation there was something I could connect with.

I was intrigued by how Van Gogh's letters transformed him from a famous artist to an ordinary person. I had always wondered what kind of life famous painters of centuries past had lived, yet for some reason I never made the connection to "ordinary" until I read these letters. He seems like a typical young adult searching for a place he could turn his calling into a career. After reading his thoughts on the acceptability of his artistic approach by others, I started to think about how much art has changed. It is amazing to see the transformation art has made over the centuries.

I have discovered an appreciation for Van Gogh's work which I never thought I would have. I can't say I like all of his paintings, in fact there are only a few I do like. However, I am more cautious about forming a negative opinion of an artist, and his or her work, without any real justification.

Whether you like Van Gogh's work or not, I hope you will take some time to read his letters. Often it takes some form of personal connection to an artist to help you connect with their work. I think when it comes to what we might call the Masters we feel obligated to like their work because society has told us how great they are. However, I think it is still important to find our own understanding and connection to their work, good or bad, it improves the experience. My story is a perfect example of what the majority of people miss when it comes to viewing and experiencing art... a relationship with the artist.


P.S. Here are two of my favorite pieces by Van Gogh.

 Image Source: Blossoming Almond Tree - Vincent Van Gogh - http://www.vggallery.com

 Image Source: Green Ears of Wheat - Vincent Van Gogh - http://www.vggallery.com

Precious Moments

Here is a new piece I did for a friend of mine. It's a picture of her sister and nephew. It's a sweet moment that takes me back to when my girls were babies. It warms my heart with happy memories, as I hope it will for her and her family.

Medium: Charcoal on Smooth White Bristol

Paris in Las Vegas

Here is photo I took on my phone the last time we were in Las Vegas, NV. Despite the graininess of it I really love the illusion of lightning the branch has created. 

Medium: Digital Photography

Work In Progress Update

Do you remember this one? I haven't had a lot of time to work on it but I thought you might enjoy seeing what it looks like now.

Quite different from the last time this colorful bird made an appearance.

The texture in the tail is really fun. When it is done I am tempted to hang a sign next to it that says "Touch Me" since I know I would want to if I came upon this in a gallery. I often wish 2-D art was more interactive because I believe there is more to a painting than what the eye can show you.


Medium: Oil on Canvas

Spring

 This is a picture I painted last year for a friend. 

I rarely work with acrylic and I have never painted birds or butterflies before so I ended up doing quite a bit of research on this little yellow finch.

I draw butterflies all the time because I love their whimsy but like I said I had never painted one before. It felt like painting a flower to be honest. I also took some time to emboss a few patterns into the background. I wanted to include a few surprise elements that you might not notice right away when looking at the piece.

I have to confess I think I am in love with birds and butterflies now.

This is my favorite part of the whole painting. In the very beginning stages I had this piece laying out across my living room floor. Some how this little footprint, and another partial print, magically appeared. I have my suspicions, but have yet to receive a confession.

Sometimes it is the unexpected mishaps which make a painting so special. This particular mishap makes me want to let little feet walk on my art more often. It is extremely precious. 


Medium: Gesso and Acrylic on Canvas

Oversized Card or Mini Scrapbook?

On occasion I like to make these fun little books. They started out as a way to create a card for a large number of people to sign and write a personal message. However, I have since used them as guest books, small ready made scrapbooks, or large group cards. They are typically around 6"x6", but can vary in size depending on what I am going for The number of pages varies depending on how big it needs to be.   

They have made appearances for graduation parties, retirement parties, going away parties... you name it.

They are so fun to make and even more fun to give. The best part is they can be customized to fit the personality of the person you are celebrating, or even to fit the theme of the party.

Medium: Card Stock, Scrapbook Paper, Thread, and Adhesive

Hidden

Here is a sketch I did a few weeks ago. I had intended to work more with it but I kind of like the rough and unfinished look. I think instead I might use it as a muse for another drawing, but this time maybe charcoal, or pastels, or both.

Medium: Graphite on White Drawing Paper

My Friend Qwerty

Since I spend eight plus hours a day on the computer I thought it was time I recognized the relationship I have with my keyboard. I am a fan of my ergonomic keyboard and since my day job is working in an office I depend on it's comfort quite a bit. If there is one thing that puts a damper on art projects faster than not having the right materials it is having sore hands and/or wrists. So, here is a non-lyrical ode to my friend Qwerty.

Black and White 2011

I was trying to decide what to get my parents for Christmas this year when I realized my mother is always wanting copies of my art work. Simple enough right? Not when you can't decide which piece to give them. So, after several contemplating moments over the course of a week, it hit me... why choose? Why not give them all.

A while back I ran across a website called Blurb where you can create and publish your own books. I  have been impressed with some of the books I have seen others publish through this site so I was willing to give it a try.

What a great solution to my Christmas present dilemma!

I decided to to take all the permanent marker drawings I have done this year and put them into the book. Since I typically take my drawings and digitally add color or effects to them I thought it would be fun to publish unedited copies of the original drawings rather than the altered versions. I was so excited when I got the books in the mail (I ordered four copies). It was extremely hard not to call my parents and share the excitement. I always call them with exciting news like that.
Christmas was great and they loved the book, I even made mom cry. (Love you Mom!)

I have added a direct link to the book on my blog, but you can also access my book store here. You can preview the entire book, so I encourage you to take a peek. I think it is fun to see what the originals look like compared to what has been published on this blog.

I hope you enjoy!