Holiday Inspired

A little known fact my husband and I share, we both have Scandinavian blood. His family (as close as his grandfather, who was a 100%) have a Norwegian background, and I have a Swedish background.

A while back when I discovered I had Scottish and Swedish roots, I began digging into it. I adore the folklore and ornate designs found in their art books, history books, and style today.

My mother in law asked me to help her with a project which lead me to Pinterest, which then lead me to browse Scandinavian design....Christmas style. I am so in love with it! I can't get enough!

I saw many little doll ornaments with long red pointy caps and adorable red dresses. Last night, I just had to draw my own. What I really like about Scandinavian design is the pattern, simplicity of color, and cozy calm it brings visually. I am very looking forward to painting this lovely lady!

Love Birds Finished

It takes two to tango.

There is currently only one other set in all of my work that belong to one another as much as these two do. I am excited to see them finished and together.

 "Perched at Dawn" & "Perched at Dusk"

{ watercolor & colored pencil | 2011 }

view sketches for paintings here!

It's hot here in Des Moines, record high of over 90 degrees F. The studio is packed with humid air, so this post is short. I think I might take a nap till Brian get's home to pass the heat away.

But I wanted to share and let you know...

The limited edition, yes Limited Edition, prints of these two WILL be out THIS week. Keep your senses about you and look for them. ;)

hint: check my facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/sarabillustration

Perched at Dawn

 

"Perched at Dawn"

{watercolor & colored pencil  © 2011}

Pretty pleased with the turn out, but it's taken some adjustment. Is it just me, or are my paintings becoming muddier?! o.O

Limited Edition Print available soon on Etsy.
http://sarambutcher.etsy.com

Daughter in Heaven - Completed

Daughter in Heaven

watercolor & colored pencil  |  2011

The painting was created for someone who lost a child, it like many commissioned pieces, this was especially spiritual. Lots of prayer during the entire process until paint. I then just let it be without thought as to what I was doing. Kind of letting my hand do it's own thing.
 

I am anxious to see how the parent will respond to this painting, and it is my hope to share this as a print in the future. But I am leaving that up to the recipient. I will let you all know either way. :)

Daughter in Heaven

Commissioned Piece

sketch in colored pencil | 2011

"In Heaven, children angels spend their days frolicking in ever blossoming gardens filled with brightly colored flowers. They play among sweet scented fruit trees on soft wind-swept grassy pathways."

View the finished painting here - http://warriorprincessdream.blogspot.com/2011/02/daughter-in-heaven-completed.html

Cyber Monday!

It has arrived! IT HAS ARRIVED! 

I don't know about you, but Cyber Monday is always fun. I shop mostly online, so it's exciting to see all of the sales! This year I am totally participating, and I even have an improved item to show for it.

The Fairy Blessings have received a make over!

And there's a new addition to the Fairy Blessing ornaments! 
Say hello to "Thankful Fairy Blessing".

The demand for these ornaments are high, so I have given them more color and shape. Hoping you like these as much as I do. :)


ETSY SALE: 25% off entire purchase - enter coupon code: SBICOUPON25 upon checkout

DECAL GIRL SALE: 15% off entire purchase - enter coupon code: CYBERMONDAY upon checkout

So simple.

Visit My Etsy Shop Today

Two Drawings

"Natalie"

colored pencil on bristol paper

http://www.etsy.com/listing/58644752/drawing-7x10-woman-in-green-mask

 

"Lady of Aquamarine"

colored pencil on paper

http://www.etsy.com/listing/58710197/drawing-4x6-original-march-fairy-lady-of

New Series

A‧N‧G‧E‧L  #1

 

photo reference from Tracie76Stock on deviantART

Focus of the series is to create an angel for every time of the day. Angel must not be older than 15 years of age, is female (which I know I know, kinda against what I believe....girl angels don't exist, but these are children so I'm making an exception), and each has an animal that goes with that time.

Now, this one is currently titled Twilight. But should her name be Midnight? Because that's the time of day she is, tho Twilight sounds cooler.

So here's the poll (answer in comments):
Should her name be...

☽Twilight or ❍Midnight?

For those wondering...here are the times of day and animals that are to come.
Dawn w/ robins
Noon w/squirrels and chipmunks 
Dusk w/rabbit
Midnight w/barn owl

IF - Stargazing - WIP

I couldn't pass this Illustration Friday word.  All too fun!

IF - Perspective (WIP)

So far got a sketch!  Woot! 

This is a rendition of a piece I did in college.  Hopefully when (if) I finish it I will post the old one along with my new one.  Both VERY different styles, but same story.  :)

IF - Confined

"Snowed In"
graphite pencil in sketchbook | 2010

For the last month and a half we have been knee deep in snow, with two possibly three blizzards. It's fun living in the midwest and don't get me wrong, I love the snow. But the winds and windchills are major bummers. Schools were canceled because of dangerous windchills. So unfortunately they were confined inside their homes, left to find something more creative to do. I don't know about them, but I laid around and was lazy. Sooo boring and no motivation to do anything.

Also some exciting news that I received yesterday. Another drawing of mine has made it into the SCBWI Bulletin for the January/February issue. I haven't received it yet, but once I do I'll share! :D Always a great motivation and ego booster.

IF - Frozen (sketch)

Working on more interesting perspectives...it's not that big of a stretch, but a start. Also wanted to add more people doing things to hold the viewer's interest. I'm pretty pleased with how the girl turned out in the foreground. Curious to see what happens once color is added. :)

Painting Grace

Finally a piece that's personal to me. Don't get me wrong, I love my projects and respect them very much, but tonight I found myself loosing interest. So I stepped back and finished a piece I started oh...man...a couple of months ago it seems.

Hum...maybe not a couple of months, maybe about a month.

I'm pretty happy with how she turned out. After I started painting the background I realized how empty it was. Then I thought "Leaves space for text." if there were some. :) But next time around I'm thinking I better make sure I make the space compliment the action. I could submit this piece for Illustration Friday this week...the word being "Legendary". Jesus Christ is a legend, the biggest one there is.

I'm a new believer so when I painted this I envisioned this little girl to be me if I knew Christ at that age. Of course, at that age I wasn't a big fan of watercolor. :P Wasn't a fan of watercolor till about junior year of high school.

IF - Packed

Many thoughts came to mind for this word, but most cliché. So thinking further out...this concept came to mind. It may be a stretch, but I know I always felt packed in when my mom got us ready for school and there was snow up to our knees. Actually..I still get packed and layered to this day during the winter and snow is up to my knees. :P

Also, if you couldn't tell, I'm playing with color and not painting. I really liked how this one came out as far as the pencil texture up against the solid color. Eh, something new and different. I'm having fun with it anyway. ;)