Lady of Peridot

"Lady of Peridot"

colored pencil

New series of images.  It's bugged me that I never finished all of the months years ago, so now I am!  But in colored pencil.

Peridot is the August birthstone and she stands for Dignity.

See the original on Etsy:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52591543/lady-of-peridot-4x6-original-drawing

I'm getting much more comfortable with colored pencil now...and I'm enjoying every moment of it!

IF: Double

"Joyous Grace"

colored pencil on illustration board

Painting soon to follow, just waiting for a new book that I'm hoping will help me find a more "graceful" way of drawing my angel wings.  ;)

Till then!

 

Autumn Rain

"Autumn Rain"

watercolor & colored pencil

It hasn't been too difficult to stay in the mood for this piece.  The rain just won't stop coming down here in Iowa.  Although, there aren't too many poppies out and about...pounding rain can destroy delicate flowers.  

Yet with rain, unless you're fighting the flooding, it can be romantic, charming, and just down right beautiful.

Painting available on Etsy:

5x7 Open Edition Print  $8

8x10 Open Edition Print  $15

5x7 Original Painting  $50

WIP - Autumn Rain

I use EBSQ's flower of the month show to usually determine which flower I'm going to do next.  And combined with drawing couples, this is what I have come up with.  I love poppies, but these are unique.  You don't see many pink double petaled poppies here in Iowa.  At least I haven't seen any recently.  Did you know there are blue poppies!?  It was tempting, but I wanted rainy and that's a lot of blue!

First two hours of paint, hope to have it finished today or tomorrow!  :)  There is a general spot I'm not in love with, but hopefully once the poppies get their make over things will be seen differently.

To see the other flower fairies I've been up to visit these links!

Dear Diary - mushrooms
Twilight Lilies - hot pink tiger lilies
Pansy Sisters - purple and yellow pansies


 

IF: Breakfast

"Very Berry Breakfast!"

pencil in sketchbook  |  photoshop

Eating your berries and fruits every morning will keep you strong throughout the day!

From the Book

Working on some more Ikarian mice.  Ikara is a land were the wee mice dwell and have magical hearts.  Tho they use very little of their magic, and prefer to use what God and the earth provide.  Such lovely little creatures.  The girls have beautiful fairy wings, and the boys have strong, dashing angel wings.

A piece I hope to make into a large painting some day.  My sister in law mentioned I should do more couples in my work, and I agree!  So on a small road trip this past weekend I drew this.  Again the woman has fairy wings, and the man has angel wings.  I came up with the concept because in the Bible it does not mention the angels being female, and we see more female fairies then male.  So I decide that since women are delicate and nurturing creatures the fairy wings fit.  And because men are strong, and protective creatures they should have angel wings.  I like this idea because in my heart, it fits.  It's my imagination anyways.  :P

Sketches on Etsy

All four of my sketches from Sketch Fest! are on Etsy and for sale.  None over $20!  Plus they qualify for the Christmas in July sale.  Buy one of the sketches get a small art print free!

Visit: http://www.etsy.com/shop/sarambutcher?section_id=7196780

Sketch Fest! Sketch #4

"Story Time"

colored pencil on illustration board  |  prompt word Bedtime Stories

Sketch Fest! Sketch #3

"Riding Out the Storm"

colored pencil on illustration board  |  prompt word Storm Rider

Sketch Fest! Sketch #2

"Playful Waves"

colored pencil on illustration board  |  prompt word Sea Princess

Sketch Fest! July

"Tea for Two"

sketch on illustration board  |  prompt word Tea

Participating this month in Ellen Million's global event!  Words are prompted and artists sketch them out.  We have one hour to do the sketch in any medium.  I of course go straight for the pencil, but possibly some colored pencil or pen in the future.  The event runs 24 hours...I have a very busy weekend but hopefully I'll get a few done.

This is my first one done in 40mins.  After this weekend all sketches will be posted on Etsy for sale.  Probably between the $10 and $20 range.  :)

Tags & Sigs

There have been a lot of questions and requests for Tags and Signatures of my work.  Well, your pleas have been heard, and answered.  I resigned with CILM and the images are up!  I will be giving them new images every month so there will always be something new.

To take a peak at the Tag Three Packs visit:  http://www.cilmstore.com/index.php?p=catalog&parent=329&pg=1

To look at the individual Tubed pieces visit:  http://www.cilmstore.com/index.php?p=catalog&parent=330&pg=1

Also I have a big surprise for all of you, but am waiting till the project gets a little further along before I reveal.  I signed on with a wholesaler I think you're gonna like.  If you know...shhhhhhhhhh.  ;)

IF: Diary

"Dear Diary..."

watercolor & colored pencil

Started the sketch yesterday, finished the painting at 2am today.  Nothin' like feeling satisfied with progress.  :)

Original available on Etsy:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/51560321/dear-diary-fairy-original-watercolor

Christmas in July

Starting Thursday Etsy will be holding their 3rd Annual Christmas in July sale!  I'm excited because this year I am participating.  I've been working hard and having lots of fun with my Etsy shop.  It's come a long way since November 2007 when I first opened it!  And there's a lot to be excited about!

First is the sale!  From July 15th through July 25th, for every purchase, regardless the size, you will receive a FREE 4x6 print of your choice!  I have a section titled "Small Art Prints", pick one from that list and let me know in your checkout (where they say you can leave a note or comment).  Or you can pick and convo me through Etsy right after you checkout.  Just make sure you let me know!

PLUS you'll receive a surprise in your package!  Bonus!

Early Christmas Shopping

This is a great time to start thinking about Christmas.  Although not everything on sale at Etsy (everyone not just me) is about Christmas, but better to start thinking now instead of a week before the holiday.  You'll find great deals and beautiful gifts.  The mini Artist Trading Cards and Bookmarks are great stocking stuffers, the postcards and stickers would be beautiful in scrapbooking or mailed off to a loved one, or purchase an original and frame it as a big surprise!

I'm sure you've seen posts on facebook, through my newsletter, my site, or just by word of mouth.  But here's what I have in the shop, all made by me!

Prints - 8x10 and 4x6 sizes
Bookmarks - 2.5x6.5 laminated with a tassel.  Comes in handmade paper envelope
Artist Trading Cards - 2.5x3.5 mini prints that come in a handmade paper envelope
Postcards - 4x6 on Ilford Smooth Heavyweight Matte paper
Stickers - 5.5x8.5 sheet of images ready for you to cut and stick
Small Originals - Small affordable paintings
Originals - All sizes from 8x10 to 11x14 original watercolor paintings

Whew.  It's so much fun!!!

Twilight Lilies (IF: Giant)

"Twilight Lilies"

watercolor & colored pencil  |  6x6 inches

{  available as a print here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/51021686/6x6-open-edition-print-twilight-lilies  }

I have always wondered what it would feel like to be the size of a flower fairy.  That all flowers and things would be giant!  I mean I look at a lily on my walk and yeah, they're a large flower.  But can you imagine being small enough, and them large enough, that you could sit in one completely?  What a great thought.  Heh, I can ramble about this all day.  

About the piece, wanted to get into some darker colors and do something I haven't done in a while....a glowing light of hope.  :)

Tour de Studio

Just spent some hours reorganizing my studio...which is a big deal for me.  I'm never organized, but would like to be.  So I keep coming up with new ways to get myself motivated or on top of staying organized.  Went to Wal-Mart (ugh) and Target to grab a few desktop items and it just started from there.

Let me show you around my wee studio!

The gist of my working corner

I find inspiration boards to be very important.  To the right of my computer I have photos, artists, and events of my life.

To the left, next to my new boxes from Target and Wal-Mart, is the inspiration board filled with ideas or images that get my imagination going.  The big green blanket...yeah, that's totally Talor's studio bed.

Connecting to the computer desk is my drawing table.  Under that wee sheet of paper is my painting of lilies.  The birds, squirrels, and trees constantly get my thoughts going.  I also get natural sunlight most of the day since I'm facing South.

And across the room directly behind the drawing table is my bookshelf.  There are two others in the studio, but those are used by Brian.  Believe it or not, he has more papers than I do!

^_^     just for fun.