Lifesong

"Lifesong"
11x18 watercolor
6x10 print available: http://www.etsy.com/listing/96311641/angel-playing-flute-art-print-whimsical

Yesterday it came to completion in my watercolor class!
It took longer than usual, and that's not counting the days he sat there on my easel saying "When are you coming back?".

This painting shows my personal journey.

The path ends at the forefront of my life, where my amazingly wonderful and light-filled husband dances, among the sweet smelling roses in full bloom.

But life hasn't always been clear, and hasn't always been sweet.

Ravens used to be how I would visually describe myself (birds), even had a character named Raven who was very depressed, dark, and cold. She lived for a long time, and even took a rendition into one named Lynadia throughout college.

Though as I grew wiser in my identity (the old tree), my life showed more color. This really began to happen when I took a trip to Scotland (mushrooms) and walked through the Highlands (forest).

The dandelion seeds are the things to come, and I am so looking forward to what is to come alongside Brian. I know the Lord has a plan, a brilliant one I can't even paint!

side note: The symbol tattoo on his shoulder (meaning The Lords Instrument) is there in real life, but the circles and spirals are not. The reason I bring this up is yesterday as I painted I decided to add the spirals. Last night Brian said he was thinking of adding spirals. Wha?! No way!

The Red Ribbon

After much pushing and encouraging by my teacher and friend, I got through the brick wall. She is finally finished!

"The Red Ribbon"

The challenge for me, more than the skin, was the background. Architecture, for me, is using the other side of my brain. It's angular, mathematical, and stiff. Gorgeous, but stiff. The figure is the opposite...at least when drawing.

I did, however, adore researching and looking at all the beautiful patterns, and the patterns are what held my interest, even if just a tiny bit. It is hard for me to see no plant life or anything organic other than Rahab herself. Definitely something different.

I'm curious as to what I'll do next in this class. Still have a few weeks to go. Maybe a troll? ;)

"The Peaceful Troll" - Sketch

My two dearest art friends, Candace and Natalie, both said Monday how they like my Grumpy Troll. After talking for a bit I was inspired to do more. I decided to do one opposite of the grumpy and designed the Peaceful Troll.

He encompasses a lot for me. As most of my work does.

He represents my dad (who has long curly silver hair and is, in my eyes, a strong nature man), Candace's love for squirrels, spring time love, autumn oaks inspired by Natalie, the Celts, and the highlands.

I'm not sold on him sitting quite yet. They are such massive beings that it takes a bit to wrap my head around how they fit into their surroundings.

I am looking forward to this one, even if his pose changes, which it most likely will. :)

Cobalt Blues

The painting is really starting to come to life as this past week I worked on the background. I don't know about many other artists, but backgrounds are not my strong suit. They make my head hurt if they are anything but grasses, flowers, or sky. Especially a made up architectural one. Next time I might need more help...like a reference photo. :P

The debate Tuesday afternoon was over what color to add to the arches. With much consulting and testing, thank you Candace Camling, I went with the cobalt blue and am very please with how warm it made the piece feel. I didn't anticipate that.

"Daisy"

Having the Etsy shop down for a couple of weeks has really been helpful in the studio. I have been able to paint and create new art more frequently (the ultimate goal), and think further on where I want the business to go. This is huge, because like when you're in college, I feel like I am about to make a real career decision.

I had the wonderful pleasure to talk on the phone with my friend Becky Kelly Tuesday and what a treat! I received so much encouragement, affirmation, and insight into the licensing business. I have your normal anxiety and fears, but I know it's a step in the right direction. We never know what tomorrow brings, but this would open up many different opportunities for me.

As a little girl I always envisioned my stuff every where for people to have, affordable and obtainable. Of course, working for Disney was right there too. :) So I have returned to my childhood dream. Next on the list of things to do is to dust off my portfolio, update it, and start finding a rep. And thanks to Becky, I have a couple to start with.

On a random note, Decal Girl has requested pieces more horizontal (format for most of their skins), and this just popped up into my head yesterday afternoon. Keepin it simple, but fun.   

"The Smallest Mermaid"

PRINTER UPDATE: Sent the defected one back, waiting for refund.

On Vacation

I'm a bit scared, I'll be honest.

It's not normal to close your business for any period of time, and if it is, it doesn't feel like it when you do.

I purchased an Epson Stylus 1400 a couple of weeks ago. Put aside the anxiety of having yet another large format printer, and was pretty excited about it!

Got it all set up (after taking the studio apart trying to figure out where the beast was going to sit), printed my first page, and it had a band of ink at the bottom....just like my Artisan 50! The whole reason I started looking at printers was because of that band of ink.

I just couldn't believe it. A brand new $300 printer was already spitting ink.

The next day I decided to give the poor printer another chance, and the prints came out perfect. Oooookay. It became a pattern. I gave the printer a week. Every other printing "session" was like before. One day, bands of ink, next day...nothing. I decided to risk my business and not settle for this printer. I am sending it back.


B&H Photo was amazing and are paying for the return and giving a full refund. It was my intention to purchase another one just to see if what I got was a lemon (there are several of those in the Epson line), but I was told they don't sell it anymore. Say wha?!

And it's true, they don't. Looks like Epson is pushing everyone to buy from their new line. Sheeeah right, already bad reviews.

So I decided to give myself some more time than a week to solve this. My business runs on prints, and I can't afford to do large quantities at a time. It has to be on demand. I have started to freshen up my Imagekind gallery for now, so prints are available.

I thought about just purchasing another Artisan 50 and printing my limited editions through Imagekind or another on demand printer. I feel like I was just in this boat about 6 months ago. I'm not positive what is going to happen, but the shop will be open on way or another on March 19th.

Works in Progress

Week in Watercolor

Spent a couple hours figuring out designs to place into the background. The gorgeous patterns of the East are insane! It was pretty overwhelmed but found some that were simple enough for me to understand.

I can do complex hair, but find it increasingly frustrating to do geometric or intense patterns. Something I must practice more often!

I resolved the bottom half of the painting and added the famous red cord (or sash for this piece) from the story. I think it tied (no pun intended) everything together beautifully.





Life Song's Sneak Peek