Having a Blast (Off)!

So, I'm having a blast with the lastest online workshop I'm taking! Appropriately named Paint Happy, Micki Wilde's tutorials have helped me fine tune my girls' faces, as well as think up new story lines and fun things to paint.

I started an idea journal as suggested and I just loving having all my thoughts in one place. If you are anything like me, prior to this you may have had 3 or 4 different journals, notebooks and pads with innumerable ideas written in them... and located in random spots around the house and studio!

One of the very first ideas I came up with was a Rocket Girl who had just landed on the Moon. I wrote it in my journal, but that simply wasn't enough. She kept tugging at me to bring her to life. And so, in-between housework, cooking, and errands, she appeared practically out of nowhere! I was so obsessed that I didn't even take the time to photograph my progress! More like possessed!

And I was very pleased with the results! After months of going crazy with colors and mark-making for my backgrounds — and the exciting anticipation of not knowing how my girls would end up — it was nice to actually think out a story line and a color palette ahead of time. I love that I enjoy both methods, and know which one suits my ever-changing moods. For now, I'm going minimal. And loving it!

Rocket Girl... over and out... (for now).

Brushing Up... or is it Penciling Up?

Any time I get the chance or need a break from painting, jewelry, dollmaking, or anything that involves multiple tools and supplies.... I like to practice my drawing skills. Truth be told, I got into mixed-media because it was an excuse not to draw. Making stuff out of other stuff was way easier for me than drawing from scratch. But I have to say that every time I go to put pencil to paper... I still get scared! But I'm getting braver. For the cupcake sketch, I actually pulled out one of my many cupcake cookbooks and drew from a photo.

I had so much fun with that I thought I'd draw some my favorite boardwalk and carnival food items... and tried my hand at this double scoop ice cream on a sugar cone. I'm trying to get better at facial expressions, so I thought having the bottom scoop being unhappily squished and the top scoop having a snarky grin, reveling in the fact that she's on top would be cute.

So what next? A candy apple of course! Once I finished this little guy, I thought it needed a fun text treatment to balance it out. So I got on my computer and stylized some text, printed it out and traced it onto my drawing. Filling in the letters was kind of therapeutic because I didn't really have to worry about shading... just a light hand for the center and a heavier hand for the darker outline.

So when I have some extra time, my new favorite guilty pleasure is grabbing a pencil and my sketchbook and brushing up on some penciling.

Thoughtful Thursdays: Sketching It Out

Sometimes having an idea in your head just isn't enough before you set on a path to actually create it! That's where sketching comes in handy. Now... mind you... I still think I can't draw! But, if I pretend that no one is ever going to see my drawings... that I can tear out the page if I really don't like it... and oh yeah, I can use that little eraser thingy on the other end of my pencil... everything will be just fine!

Sometimes I like the sketch just as much as the finished piece. Sometimes more! This Queen Hotel drawing still makes me smile.

Sometimes I'll get brave and even sketch out my ideas in pen! Scary! But if I mess up, the (lingering) perfectionist in me will not let me scratch it out. So I end up collaging over it. But that can be cool too!

Sometimes my sketches are for work stuff. Like this one I did (ahem, at home on my own time... you're welcome!) for Ranger's Memory Frames packaging. I was inspired and happened to have my journal nearby. The final package is pretty darn close, I must say!

And sometimes pictures are just not enough... so I make lots and lots of lists and notes to explain my ideas. Often, there's no time to actually create these projects in the moment... so a journal, a pencil (or a pen if you're brave) and your imagination are the perfect creative companions!

Feeling sketchy? I hope so!

P.S. Stay tuned for a very special blog post tomorrow! I'll give you a hint... there's no place like home.

Thoughtful Thursdays: Furry, Four-Legged Friends!

If you've ever had a feline friend or a canine companion... you know what it's like to have unconditional love. And who doesn't want that? But for an artist, having a furry, four-legged friend can also be a source of creative inspiration! Here is my muse I like to call Juliet...

She loves to help me put the laundry away. Hmmmm... may have to wash those sweaters again!

We also enjoy hanging out on the upstairs deck, watching birds and bugs fly by. I have to keep an eye on her because she likes to sneak through the banister to the neighbor's porch. Bad kitty! But so cute. Okay... you're forgiven.

Kitties also make great artists assistants! Paper... they'll sit on it. Brushes... they'll bat them around. Jars of paint... oh, they make great toys because they ROLLLLLL!

They love to surprise you in so many special ways. Oh, my goodness! What have we here? A kitty IN the laundry basket.

And after a hard day's work... they are right there to let you know what a great job you've done. Don't they just look so adorable doing it!

Do you have any pets that inspire you? Do tell...

Feeling Blu...

So, I finally broke down and said... "I'm gonna do it!" and signed up for Suzi Blu's Les Petit Academy. I'm learning how to draw faces which will later be shaded and colored... put on cute little bodies... and then collaged into a marvelous mixed media background. I'm having a lot of fun so far and am really proud of the results! I've always had trouble with faces and was seriously intimidated. Now... I can't wait to draw tons and tons of them! Taking the leap...

Pink, Fluffy Cotton Candy...

Mmmmmm... this watercolored cotton candy came out so good, I want to eat it!
Amazing how two colors... pink and red... and a 2B pencil slightly smudged, can create such an impact. Simple imagery, simple subject matter... and just simply sublime.
If you'd like to purchase a necklace featuring this cotton candy art, check out the Whimsical Jewelry section of my Etsy shop!

Weaknesses...

My first cupcake, and it ended up being a watercolor. One medium that I have not really played with at all in my past. But I'm loving it. It's practically mistake-proof, and you can build layers upon layers of color. Fun!