Being Featured

It's always fun to do an interview,
knowing how much I enjoy reading about others. To gain a bit of insight of who they are really helps me better understand their work.

Today an interview was posted about my work and a little about me.
http://creative-artists-blog.com/interview-sara-burrier/
If you read my blog regularly, I can't guarantee you'll learn anything new, but you can still celebrate with me.

For the next three days you can get BOGO over at the Etsy shop.  Buy one get one free (*equal or lesser value).
http://sarambutcher.etsy.com

Remember - you must tell me what you want your free item to be in the "Note" section upon checkout.

I had a great time filling in the answers and she did a great job. While you're there, be sure to read about other Etsy artists and their work!

Crazy busy month, yes, and only two more weeks of it! Soakin' it in. :)

The Tangerine Process

I don't know about you, but the month of May has to be one of the busiest months of the year next to December. SO many wonderful birthdays, graduation, and other family/friend get togethers.

I am very blessed but feel weighed down when I have to stop and think of all that still must be done. Again, blessed, because I have a focus and direction....and now....I true desire and passion for one of my, I believe, greatest pieces to date.

It all started with a beautiful sketch, which evolved from frustration and many sketches. Beauty truly blooms from trial.

I was looking and looking for the right face, and without much reference the Lord gave me this. Wow. I am so in love with her grace and movement! Now the scary part....moving her from an 11x14 drawing to a 20x28 piece of watercolor paper.

On a stormy night when my husband was out of town, she emerged in indigo.

I go in and add more pencil. I love making lines pop and giving strong definition to drawings. My first love will always be drawing.

With trembling hands and lots of deep breaths, I began paint. Tried to keep it simple and light, even though I was anxious to bring her to life.

Starting to punch out the colors and define the space within the background. My goal was to get the background up and the eyes finished as soon as possible. These help keep me focused once they're in place.

Background and eyes finished. Beginning on the hair. I had to change my studio set up, standing and bending over wasn't working (getting old!). 

Where I am today. 

And this is what I look like while painting. :P I typically paint mostly at night, and I am always in my pjs, no make up, hair...could care less.

My goal is to have her finished in time for the Iowa State Fair. Regardless of what happens in that aspect, I have fallen in love with painting this large. It's challenging, but for all of the right reasons. I don't know if this is a one time event, but I will definitely try more!

BTW - she's on arches cold press (you know I only work on hot press), and I'm using indigo as my shadow hue since it worked so well in the sketch. I adore it for the mermaid...and so glad I discovered it.