Jan 25, 2013

Original Art For Sale

Looking for the Real Thing?
Purchasing an original is a big deal. 

Not only is the price demanding, but you're investing in something unique, one of a kind, fragile, and ultimately an asset to you and your legacy.

Sounds deep, but art collecting truly is just that.

My goal this year is to make my originals more obtainable to you. Throughout the year you will find them on Facebook in a photo album, here under Art for Sale, and hopefully soon on my website.

The blog is the simplest way to purchase an original. Visit Art for Sale (found at the top of this page), find the piece, and click Purchase.

It goes through Paypal, and if that doesn't work for you, please Email me and we can make an arrangement. If you've ever done business with me, then you know I'll do whatever is in my abilities to make it work for you.

Buying art isn't like buying something from the store, it's an investment...remember? I make that investment too by serving you, getting to know who you are, and if possible check in and see how that piece is working for you and your home.


I also create Custom Work 
If you're interested in owning an original, but don't see one you'd like to purchase simply request a custom piece by visiting my Etsy shop and contacting me through the "Request custom item" link there, or email me.

Please be sure to read these Policies first before you ask for a custom piece...as it should answer most of your questions.

New works will be added often, so keep your eye on the Art for Sale page by bookmarking it!

Jan 21, 2013

Featured Art - Midnight Warrior


"I am hidden with Christ in God" - Col. 3:3
"I have not been given a spirit of fear." 2 Tim. 1:7

Title: Midnight Warrior
Size: 4x6
Medium: watercolor, colored pencil

Midnight Warrior is a self portrait of myself - metaphorically. 

Like many masters and artisans from long ago, I throughly enjoy and intend to add symbolism into my work, adding story and meaning...an insight to my life and my beliefs. 

The mask symbolizes that I am still hidden from my true self, to others, and to God. It reflects that I am still unsure to reveal all of me, to trust God.

The mask is golden, a treasure and symbol of royalty because I am a princess and heir to a heavenly Kingdom

The owl feathers, and suggestive nature of an owl, stands for wisdom. The Holy Spirit is my guide, and through Him I gain wisdom.

The color palette is full of twilight and midnight colors that help me feel strong and filled with His powerful presence

The moon crest and fairy wings has been symbols for me almost 20 years. Starting my spiritual journey as a follower of the goddess in pagan beliefs, the moon crest and fairy wings have become a symbol of my humanity, whereas the sun is a symbol of God. 

work in progress shots

She looks at you not ashamed of who she is, but her body language shows how she is still not trusting of others, not trusting to expose all of her. A warrior in training, hiding in the shadows, learning how to stand firm in His Word.

Find prints for this Featured Art

Jan 8, 2013

Project 2013

With the new studio fitness outline, and new works in progress, there is also new subject matter.

I've been drawing fairies, mermaids, and in recent years, angels, for 20+ years. Although I will probably always create them, they will not be my focus.

I continue to study my art and it's purpose. Why was I given this gift anyways?! It's not like I can go out and hand it to someone at a food pantry, I can't hand it to someone as clothes, I can't save animals through it, I can't change the laws of prostitution and sex-trafficking with my art.....

Or can I?

"Sitting with Angels"
Buy Print Here
I can encourage, strengthen, give love, share hope, and inspire faith through the imagery I choose to draw and paint.

Wow. I mean, what a gift!

The new subject matter for this year is Princess:

prin·cess noun- a non-reigning female member of a royal family. 

What Scripture says:

Romans 8:17
Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:16-18

Galatians 3:29
If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:28-29

God is the High King. Heaven (and Heaven on earth) is His Kingdom, Christ is the Prince, our bridegroom. That must mean I'm His Princess...His bride.

I am a princess, so are all of the women of this world. 

I can give the gift of showing you, me, and others what God and Christ sees when He looks upon us. I don't know about you, but there are many days when I look in the mirror and see something dark, dirty, guilty, and unforgivable. That is NOT what God sees.

I hope this year I can share the light and beauty of our soul when it is seen by our King. I thank God that He has given me this gift so that when I draw it, He is telling me "I love you".

PS: This also includes the Warrior Princess in us. More on that later. ;)

Light of Memories - WIP

My newest work in progress (WIP) is in response to the tragic shooting in Connecticut last month.
It hit me deeper than any tragic event outside of my bubble.

It's rare for me to go to the drawing board to create a response visually. I think I rather talk it out, but this time there just weren't any words. I didn't know what to do but stare at the T.V. in disbelief.

As an art teacher I tell my students how important it is that we describe our reactions, thoughts, and views through our art. This is how we communicate, and art in the history of our world has provided many things to the public. Insight, education, opinion, radical change, etc....there's so much art does...in all forms!

I had to make a response as an artist.



I started with a girl, then I decided that I was going to make a twin boy as well. They will be two separate pieces, but meant to be together. My goal is to have them done by March or April. The wings are in question right now.

Would you keep the wings or let these children be human?


Jan 2, 2013

Health in the Studio

I welcome 2013 with open arms and submission. 

Do you ever sit down to plan and organize your work week but find that you enjoy the organizing more than the doing? That's me in a nutshell. It's taken a decade to realize this, but I'm grateful that I have! And this is why 2013 is going to be different!

First my health. Last year was all about my mental health and figuring out my identity. This year it's about my physical health...and that includes stress levels. 

I'm a highly active person, not in the sports or adventurous aspects, but I'm always moving, thinking, and analyzing. Can you relate?

To bring the stress down, I reorganized my studio into "sections". I had this before, but not so broken down. When we move I will break it down even further. I have four sections: Office, Create, Process, and Craft.

Office
Your typical office desk, makes me feel like I am somewhere else other than my home. I have created a place for all of my mail, charity, financials, receipts, and project logs, and so much more. It is be cleared off at the end of the day and no more piles of papers! Everyone has a place. I always have piles and piles of papers that build up...nothing more stressful knowing I have to go through them and then never do. 

Create
This is the happy place, where I create my work. I reorganized adding to the amount of mugs, laying out all my art materials instead of hiding them in drawers. I want to be exposed to the options for creating this year. Notice no chair (must get a stool though). 

My husband, Brian, started a "movement" if you will at his work about standing at your desk while working. He did major study upon it, and now stands all day. His testimony declares how much more he's motivated and energized to work...especially through those grueling afternoon hours. I have always sat...so didn't think much on it except to pat him on the back.

I got the 2013 Artist's and Graphic Designer's Market book and there it was! An article about standing in the studio to stay healthy. Well there ya go! I decided to make the move and have found the results quick and awesome. I can definitely work longer hours without becoming tired or even creatively numb. My imagination and creative juices run longer. 

I'm very excited about this, but if you go this route be sure to invest in a stool for frequent short sits (that's a healthy thing to do too), and a padded mat or insoles for your shoes to help your heels get through the change. I use a small step stool to alternate my feet.

Process
I needed a place to process my Etsy orders, make promotional items, or even mat and frame work. It's daunting to place a table in the middle of my small studio, but necessary. It hasn't gotten in the way yet! 

Part of my office desk problem last year was the use of office work slash processing. It got cluttered very fast, I felt like I was working in a box that was too small, and I was suffocating without knowing it. This has been extremely helpful!

Craft
I am a collector of all decorative papers, and with my little side hobbies of jewelery, bird houses, ornaments, etc., I needed a place to store all of it. A small little section of my studio is devoted to this, and I'm happy to say it's a piled up mess, but thankfully it can stay that way. 
All of the crafts were getting lost in my art materials, and it became frustration overload. Amazing what a small little change can do!

Caffeine and Sleep
The amount of caffeine I take in has changed, instead of consuming all the way up to when I go to bed, I cut off no later than 4pm.

Sleep is hard for me to get enough of, but my hope is with the stress levels low and the calm of knowing that the Lord has my life in His hands, I will be able to get the rest needed. Getting to bed before midnight is a change that has started for the best. A goal to get 6 hours minimum. 

What do you think of these changes? 
Have you heard of any of these before?
What are you doing differently this year?