Christmas carols

Playing some more catch up here. This was for IF: music which was a few weeks back... this turned out completely different from the sketch and original idea. It was meant to be a mixed media with paint and collage. Underneath all of that acrylic are the music notes to "Adeste Fideles" or better known as "O Come All Ye Faithful". I orinally intended for them to show, but... also made some adjustments with PS. Christmas carols are my favorites, especially this time of year. We used to go caroling back where I grew up around town (a small town). Chilly air, scarfs and mittens, 4 and 6 part harmonies... and then end the evening with hot cocoa. Good memories. Anyway, enjoy this mess of art... and Merry Christmas in 1 week!!!

still catching up

I have more art to post still, but this was for IF: entangled (never got posted until now... ) I just laugh at how Alice got herself entangled in that silly unbirthday tea party with the crazy mad hatter!

this is a close up scan before it was finished... I didn't get to scan it before I gave it away to my sweet friend for Christmas

IF: "crunchy" & WaWe: "Let it Snow"

Henry trekked up the hill in the crunchy snow to meet his friends. With the first snow of the winter season came the tradition of sledging, snow-duck-angels, and new memories to be made...

Double dipping this week for IF/WaWe. I tried adjusting the color in PS but the accent/shadow areas are just very light from the scan... not like the original. Oh well. Lot's of new art to post... just have to find the time to do it amidst packing/moving. Oy!

the birthday prince

In 2 months my son will turn 2. He's definitely not a baby anymore... he looks like a little boy. My little prince :)

WaWe character

On chilly evenings Samantha would find herself in another world when she snuggled up with an old leatherbound book filled with whimsical stories of far away lands...

This was really more of a rough draft to play with the colors and ideas. I rushed it a bit and so it's definitely not where I want it to be, but I'm really amazed at how looking at the image after it's scanned helps me see what I want to change and adjust.

WaWe & sneak previews!

WaWe (Watercolor Wednesdays) is a blog I am just starting to contribute to. Similar to IF with weekly topics... I'm a bit behind in the month, but the start of November was "Wild THing" and I've only just sat down to scan this watercolor into my computer, even though it was finished on the 7th!

http://watercolorwednesdays.blogspot.com/2009/11/wild-thing_5753.html

Working on some preliminary sketches for some illos I have brewing in my mind... delightful ideas! They're not very clear scans, but previews don't need to be in my book :)

I have a few thoughts on her name, but not sharing yet...

...the picture to follow...

And for something different... the birthday prince :)

Will be back soon with more WaWe and hopefully an IF post!

mommy & me art

E. (22 months old) & I spent the morning yesterday coloring and making art. Here's what we created:

"Campfire" mixed media: crayons, oil pastels & watercolor

"Goldfish" mixed media: crayons, oil pastels & watercolor

"Two roosters and a hen" mixed media: crayons & watercolor

"Oh Christmas tree" mixed media: crayons & watercolor

That's all for now... more soon, including IF and WaWe!!! (finally!)

Special breakfast day!

A tradition in our home is that Saturday is always special breakfast day, which consists of a yummy spread of homemade banana pancakes with fruit, maple syrup and butter and freshmade juice. And it's really not that difficult!

If you can't tell, I love Trader Joe's!

Ingredients:
1/2 C. Whole Wheat Flour
1/2 C. All Purpose Flour
1 tsp. Baking Soda
1 tsp. Ground Cinnamon (I'm very generous in my measurement of cinnamon)
1 tsp. Pure Vanilla Extract (same here)
1 Egg
1 C. Milk (after mixing the ingredients you may need at least 1/2 C. more depending on the consistency of the batter)
1 Banana

Step 1: Mix dry ingredients in a bowl.

Step 2: Mix wet ingredients in a separate bowl or measuring cup.

Step 3: Mash banana within skin. Peel and place in bowl with dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients and mix well. *note* after mixing the ingredients you may need at least 1/2 C. more milk depending on the consistency of the batter.

Step 4: Set burners at medium-low heat. This may vary depending on gas/electric and how sensitive your burners are. Be careful to not set the heat too high - the pancakes will cook to quickly and burn.

Step 5: Using a ladel, pour the batter onto your preheated non-stick griddle or frying pan.

Step 6: When pancakes begin to bubble, flip them over to cook the other side. They should appear golden in color...

The final result:

I make medium size pancakes and this recipe yields between 10-14 of them. You can easily make more by just doubling the ingredients. If your batter is too runny, add more flour. If too think, add more milk.

Between keeping up with projects and every day life (and a little boy who likes to sit on my lap when I paint) I have no art to post this week.... sigh. Last week the topic for IF was "frozen". This week the topic is "fast". We'll see...

IF: "flying"

I've done nothing this week. Well, not really nothing. Just, a lot of things not relating to art, unfortunately. Cleaning out, downsizing, organizing, cooking/baking... juggling lots, plus a sweet little boy and wonderful husband who both deserve my attention. Good things.

I did work on a few sketches in preparation for a handmade arts/crafts marketplace I'm hoping to be a part of in late November. Anyways, I thought I'd submit this painting for IF this week. I guess it works for "flying"? I hope to be much more focused next week. I haven't even finished my Watercolor Wednesday projects, so I'm really falling behind. Self discipline... stay focused... don't eat the chocolate cake in the fridge...

IF: "germs"

This week's topic for Illustration Friday is "germs". How appropriate! We have all been battling colds and as I held my little boy and wiped the boogies from his nose I realized I was holding my inspiration for this week! :) Stuffy nose + blankey + pacifier = germs!

PS my son hasn't used a pacifier in months, but I thought it was fitting for this illo.

In other news, I am now a member of Watercolor Wednesdays! So in addition to IF, I'll be posting WaWe illo's as well. I'm thrilled at the opportunity and eager to work on the challenges for October!

Pumpkins!

One of my new favorite websites to follow, besides Illustration Friday, is Watercolor Wednesday - an artists blog on blogger. They are a members only group, but I love the work (and would love to aspire to be as skillful as those artists!). For extra practice, I thought it'd be fun to follow their topics and participate on my own blog. For today, the topic was 'pumpkin madness'.

I had this concept idea of photographs of a couple during the changes of season in their lives... get it, changes of seasons? The first illo they are engaged, second they are married, third they are pregnant, and fourth they have a baby. In part, it is biographical of how my life has changed these past four, almost five years!

I used Picasa 3 from Google to create the collage above, giving it the feel of Polaroids.

"Oh, bother..."

I think of Winnie the Pooh every time I say that. Silly old bear.

IF's topic this week was "pattern". In spite of numerous ideas from the inspirational word, I had absolutely no time to think about IF this week... oh, bother. SO, I'll just give a sneak peak for something I've been working on, which I think happens to work for "pattern". Whew.

I prestained the paper with black tea for the background color. Everything else is pencil and watercolor (and watercolor pencils).

IF "infinite"

Wow, tough topic. Infinite can be such an abstract concept... I think I'm getting the hang of this blogger business. Here's my submission for this week:


And two close-ups:

That's 'Sammy' gazing at the infinite number of stars in the night sky.

getting into a rhythm

Meet 'Sammy'. He is the character I've been developing over this past week. His personality is inspired by at least 3 other 'Sammy' dogs that we know. The character itself is drawn after the looks of a Boston Terrier, but obviously the color is different.

This week's topic was: welcome. Again the ideas gave birth to mounds of sketches and ideas, but two rose to the top as favorites as I also considered 'Sammy'.

I used watercolor in both these pieces, with the exception of ink on some of the details.

The squirrels ran up the tree away from Sammy. They chattered, "You're not welcome here!"

As if it isn't hard enough...

I think I'll limit myself a bit.

With Illustration Friday, each topic provides numerous sketches and ideas, but I have to narrow it down. My thoughts this morning were, "why don't I cultivate a specific character to use for each week's topic?" I still have the freedom to pursue the other sketches and ideas. And really, I'm not limiting myself, but rather giving a more specific direction... one week is rather short to really throw together a grand composition, all the while managing our home, caring for our son, cooking, cleaning, shopping...

I made a list once, regarding all of my responsibilities and qualifications by working in our home:

Job title: CEO, March Residence, est. 2006
Description: Domestic Engineer
Home Management Specialist
Director of Health, Education and Welfare
Head of Childcare: MOM (Manager of Miracles)
Creative Director
Kitchen Manager - Head Chef, Baker & Meal Planner
Facilities Manager
Housekeeper
Counselor
Secretary - Maintain Records, Write/Proof/Edit Publications

Whew. I was tired just looking at it! And we only have 1 little boy... imagine 2, or 3, or... WeLL, I'll just leave it at that!

Anyway, I'll be working on my character and focusing on the creative process that goes with that. I'll have another I.F. submission hopefully by next Thursday!

I.F. Take 2

Each weeks topic from Illustration Friday reminds me of sketchbook assignments from high school art classes with Miller & Braun. For me, unless I'm hit with an idea immediately, I can be very indecisive and spend too much time in the planning/brainstorming...


This week's topic was: strong. I ended up doing two pieces, mainly because the first I wasn't happy with, and then after finishing the second, I was happier with the first! They are both mixed media - watercolor & ink. The first I painted on the color, and then drew in the lines. It looks messy to me.

The second was a thoughtful composition that I rushed to finish as my toddler competed for my attention. Dinner had to be cooked, and Friday is almost here! Not really satisfied with either pieces, especially since more time and thought could have been dedicated to them. Never-the-less, here they are!



The daisy must be awfully strong to hold up that beetle!


Edelgard the dragon looks on eagerly as Prince Andrew climbs the rope up the tower to rescue Princess Galiana. The only thing stronger than that rope is his love for her... (Edelgard had long awaited a Prince worthy of rescuing the Princess from her tower!) Silly, I know!

back in the saddle again

After toying for a while with the idea of working from home in art/illustration, I've finally decided to commit to it and give it a go. I'm learning the complexities and challenges of attempting to work from home, all while maintaining my role as wife & mommy - support from family & friends has been a great encouragement!

Illustration Friday is a great website that a friend introduced me to, at least 6 months ago or more. They send out weekly topics to inspire and motivate new artistic creations. I'll be sharing my projects here on this blog and I'd love to hear from you!

This week's topic was: magnify.