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. :)

Have You Ever...

Have one of those days? 

I had my jump drive in my purse...at least I thought I did until I got to my sister-in-law's and discovered I don't. So that means no update on the Bible series until tonight. Sorry folks. But it's just one of those days that you have to go with it and not plan further ahead than the next moment. Though, I am learning that is probably the best way to live. Another wonderful opportunity to learn and grow from. :)

So I'm here, watching my wee lil niece nap away, thinking to myself what can I blog about? 

I want to share a few things I've discovered recently online from other artists. soap box → I think we as a community should support, share, and help one another on our path to becoming successful and great artists. There will always be competition, but it can be a healthy and pleasant one. Just my view.

"Peter Pan & Tinkerbell"

James Browne is having a sale today!

The Sale: FREE "Peter Pan & Tinkerbell" 8x10 print with any purchase from the Brownieman Shoppe on Etsy!!! http://www.etsy.com/shop/brownieman

Today only and be sure to mention you saw this freebee on Facebook! So go there and follow then visit his shop! http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-World-of-James-Browne

"Eternity"

Stephanie Law's New Technique 

I found her blog - http://shadowscapes-stephanielaw.blogspot.com/ - which I'm kind of embarrassed it took me that long, and I was thrilled to see such beautiful imagery AND a new experiment (well, it's from September...). Her work has always fascinated me and pushes me to be a stronger artist in how I layout my compositions and use light.

She has started to use fixative spray on her paintings to build up the color and layers. I find this genius and must try it sometime soon. I think she's really onto something here and would love to hear if anyone else gives it a try. Here's the discovery in progress - http://shadowscapes-stephanielaw.blogspot.com/2011/09/experimenting-with-fixative-layers.html

Also don't skip her most recent work, "Wind Machine". It's stunning and you can read about the process/progress on her blog too!


SCBWI Tomie dePaola Award Contest 
http://scbwicontest.blogspot.com/

Two of my closest friends, Candace Camling and Natalie Groves, entered this contest and I wanted to share the entries. The winner has been announced, but it's inspiring and motivating to see all of the entries! Please visit this link, take a glace, and see if you can't find their illustrations. Also, please visit their blogs. They're both beautiful illustrators for children's books! Can't get enough. :)

Candace Camling

http://candaceillustration.blogspot.com/

Natalie Groves

http://meadowtogrove.blogspot.com/

Be sure to come back tonight or in another oh....say 8 hours. I'll have a progress report on my Bible series! Till then, ciao!

Love of Food

Food is my hobby. The back story.

I always envied those who had hobbies because I didn't think I had one. When I had free time, I sketched and watched movies. I considered my art to be my hobby, so that is what I always said when asked.

I was a late bloomer in the cooking. My mom is an awesome cook, always very good at making due with what was in the fridge and being creative. My sister is an awesome baker! But in college something started to change.

Not having any money to buy a lot of food, I had to start getting creative. It started with mixing mashed potatoes and candied carrots in a bowl as a meal. Then noodles with salad dressing. (keep in mind folks, we're talking less than $10 a week on food here!). I had to be creative.

Now, 10 years later, I find a lot of joy in cooking and making the plate look purdy. I think presentation is key to the appetite, at least for me. And if it isn't full of color, then it isn't healthy nor appealing to eat! I treat my cooking like my paintings. Just ask Brian, if I don't get it right, oh man, I am NOT a happy camper...even if it tastes okay. Bless his heart, he eats everything I make and says "mmm good".

Hamburger Salad

adapted from pampered chef's recipe

1 lbs lean ground turkey
1 tbsp reduced sodium soy sauce
1 tbsp honey
1 c. ketchup
1 tbsp mustard
1 c. chopped tomatoes 
1 tbsp dry minced onion
1 tbsp flour
cut romaine lettuce 
shaved colby jack cheese  
1 large carrot, sliced
Chow Mien noodles
-items in bold mean you determine the amount. you generally want just a bit more lettuce than meat on each plate.

Ground turkey meat. Once browned add first six ingredients. Stir in well. Lightly add flour little by little to thicken up meat mixture. Next lay lettuce and carrots, mixed, onto center of plate(s). Add meat, dividing among the plates evenly. Lastly sprinkle cheese and then chow mien noodles on top. Voila! Yum yum yum!

Now to mix the two.

Some day I would love to make a cook book with my artwork in it. That's a dream. But for now I am following the path of a friend and bringing my art and cooking together as "in between" artworks.

This means, when I'm uninspired or transitioning from one painting to another, I will create a wee painting using my scrap watercolor paper. These fairies will be sitting on mushrooms (mostly) and other foods.

The goal is to keep them under 3-4 hours, small, and simple.


The friend I'm following? Natalie over at Meadow to Grove. She's painting veggies called "Roots of Perseverance".

I don't have a cool name for mine, but I think she's on to something special. :) Let me know if you choose to do something similar. Maybe we can all follow Natalie's lead in persevering when we're blocked artistically.