We All Scream for Ice Cream...

Recently I sketched this argyle ice cream cone and wanted to turn it into something fun. I actually tried a 5" x 7" watercolor version... but I did not like that at all! So I decided to fall back on my favorite techniques... mixed media and acrylics! And I was going BIG...

I wanted a fun and whimsical background, so I decorated this 16" x 20" canvas with a mottled pink background, made some paper peppermint swirl candy, and sprinkled in varying sizes of white stars for visual contrast.

I transferred a gigantic version of the argyle ice cream cone sketch and started to mask it off. I seem to  be building on other techniques I've tried out lately! Wasn't sure how far to go, but I did want to keep the background elements showing through.

Then it was time for a nice, thick, dark, black outline of acrylic paint. I wanted it to look like a silkscreen image and really stand out against the super sweet background. I was very pleased when it turned out so well. Oh... and the smiley face... well, that just happened. Totally unplanned... but this delightful painting was just begging for a kawaii-style happy face! And it won.

Next up...  I think maybe a cotton candy with gumdrops in the background!

True Confessions...The Tattooed Lady

Okay, okay, I confess! I love tattoos and I love getting tattooed! Over the fall and winter, in two separate sessions... I got this awesome half sleeve of my favorite sugary sweets. Of course, it all started around wanting a cupcake and led to half an arm filled with cotton candy, m&m's, peppermint pinwheels, a lollypop, double scoop ice cream cone, taffy, cherries, candy apple and some jelly beans.

I absolutely adore the piece and it makes me smile every time I look at it. And it's definitely a conversation starter! Kudos to my most awesome tattoo artist... Michele Haspel from Fat Kat Tattoo! I'll be back!

Happy Easter...

Hope everyone had a nice holiday and got to spend time with loved ones. I had a nice dinner with my mom and brother... then we got to find our easter baskets. Yes, 40 and 30 years old and mom still hides our baskets... And I love it!

Chips, Candies...

It seems like as soon as Halloween is over, and you made it without stealing too much candy from little children... that all of a sudden the cold weather kicks in... and all you want are chips and chocolate? Funny.