Illustration Fri. - 'midsummer night''

"[Awaking] What angel wakes me from my flowery bed?" 'Titania, Queen of the Fairies'
A Midsummer Night's Dream, 8x8, pen & ink on bristol

A quick offering for IF's theme this week 'midsummer night' and of course I couldn't resist referencing Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream.

As you may know, Titania is punished by Oberon, King of the Fairies. Because of her disobedience in not complying to a request of his, the King calls upon his mischievous court jester, Puck, to help him apply a magical juice from a flower called "love-in-idleness," which when applied to a person's eyelids while sleeping, makes the victim fall in love with the first living thing seen upon awakening. His intent is for her to fall in love with an animal in the forest and because of her shame, give in to his request.....

Originally I had thought that I'd keep at this, add a forest background and maybe a crown /dress etc. but now I'm thinking I may just design an Art Nouveau frame around it with lettering of the play's title...maybe not though - I do love me some details :>

Ahhh, another one to finish, better than not getting any sketches in these long hot summer days & nights - yes?

Have a lovely weekend!

Illustration Fri. - 'swept''

'windswept', 10x8, watercolor & pen on bristol

My offerng for IF's word this week. I thought of a few ideas for this but ended up going with a quick & loose illo depicting [wind]swept hair. And let me tell ya, we've had more than our fair share of winds blowing through here in south Texas the past few months. Unfortunately, they don't offer much in the cooling department once June is upon us....

Is the weather hot where you are right now? Well if it is, I hope you're lucky enough to find a place to cool off. Which reminds me, I've got an icy, cold glass of sweet tea with my name on it somewhere :>

Illustration Fri. - 'shadows''

My offering for Ilustration Friday's word this week. I've had this illo swirling around in my head - much like images in a crystal ball - since visiting this place. I was travelling down an art-filled road with camera in hand when I happened upon a street sign that caught my eye. It spoke to a part of me that has always been a free spirit with a gypsy soul.

I immediately imagined gypsies and maybe a band of pirates meandering up and down the cobblestone road (it was paved, but as I said I was inspired). Of course to complete the scene a ne'er-do-well or two would be lurking in the 'shadows'.


'Gypsy Alley', 9x12, pen & pencil on bristol

I definitely want to explore this sketch further on canvas with acrylics or oils and maybe digital paint, we'll see....

Have a creative week and don't forget to check out all the talent over at IF!

Illustration Friday - 'Equipment'

moleskine journal: watercolor, colored pencil, pitt pen

Trying to do IF weekly like I used to, so here's a quick one - and actually part of it was a loose sketch from about 7-8 months ago and so it doesn't really reflect my current work or how far I've come in that time. I mention this because even though I've been drawing off and on for years, committing to it daily has made a huge difference in my style & the direction of my work.

Anyhow, I digress, this entry sewing 'equipment' was created in my trusty, dusty, almost-used-up moleskine. It has definitely seen better days, but at least pulling it out reminded me to order a couple of new ones!

As for sewing, I used to indulge in sewing 'binges' but not much anymore. Even still, I just can't seem to let go of my favorite fabric stashes, vintage trims & spools, mason jars filled w/buttons, etc. that I've long collected - how about you??

Illustration Fri. - 'welcome'

Thought I'd share a sketch from a WIP mixed media piece I started this weekend. I have so many ideas for where I want to go with it so I'm trying to narrow things down. As some of you may already know, Alice in Wonderland is at the top of my list of favorite storybook tales and one that I love to revisit.

As I sketched this out, I wondered what she was thinking as she fell down the rabbit hole - I'm sure she hoped that she'd land in a place where she'd be welcome, poor dear girl :>

Have a great weekend & be sure to visit all the wonderful creativity at IF here

Much to do these days so I've been absent a bit in blogland. I'm sorting through my work and finishing up some WIP pieces in anticipation of my upcoming solo show here at our local gallery in September. Did I say that? Yes, my own show -albeit a small one, but a display of my work nonetheless...

Just finished the sketch above for another portrait, maybe in pastels on pale grey paper? maybe mixed media on canvas...



Also I wanted to share a gift that I received in the mail a few days ago from the super lovely and insanely talented writer/life inspiration guru, Brené Brown. You simply must visit her blog, Ordinary Courage here - I guarantee you will go back for more after just one visit. I applaud her amazing candor, real-person sensitivity and honesty to many issues we all struggle with.

She hosts the wonderful TGIF (Trust, Gratitide, Inspiration Fridays) with random giveaways and I just happened to be 1 of 5 lucky recipients of a 'graffiti bird'. Brené intuitively selected a bird for each winner and she couldn't have picked a better one for me :> These funky, inspiring birds are created by a wonderful artist, Dori, at Dreaming Bear Designs, you can visit her etsy shop here.

Back to work my friends, when the dust settles I hope to catch up with y'all...

A Week of Color, Day 5: 'Red'

affirmations journal - 'heart'

"Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart." - Confucious

Just a sketch but I did get a journal entry in today - yay! Anyhow the color RED, oh yes I do love it and hearts too, I even sign my name with a heart on all of my work. The heart symbol has always been very special to me, I think it's because I put so much heart into everything I do.....truly :>

I may use this as a reference for a larger piece on a wood panel, I think she would be lovely with the right background, don't you? No matter, I was definitely in the mood for something simple today. Tomorrow, well....that's another day my friends and the color challenge for us January Art Journalers is YELLOW.

You know, as much as I've had ups & downs with this challenge, I have to say that I have flexed my artistic muscles quite a bit - more than I would normally - thank you for that Misty!!!

Illustration Friday - "Hoard"

This is my first Illustration Friday offering since our BIG move to South Texas about a month ago. I can't tell you how good it feels to finally be almost set up and ready to rock out some great new work -- well at least attempt to :>


moleskine, pitt pen

I wasn't really sure what to draw for 'Hoard' and was about to pass this challenge by - until I started unpacking sketchbooks, plant & flower reference books and a HUGE envelope of pressed flowers.

My 'Hoard' offering' was right in front of me - I am a hoarder of everything flower-related. I'm also learning Spanish right now so after scanning this spread in (and desaturating it, it looks better in b&w I think) I added some text: "the pretty flowers - enchanting & beautiful"

Thanks for visiting and Happy Friday. Have a great weekend y'all!

Illustration Friday - 'Save'

9x12 sketchbook, watercolor & ink

Just recently watched (finally) the entire movie of Ella Enchanted with my daughter and decided to open my everyday sketchbook and use it for this weeks' IF prompt for the word 'save'.

I was totally 'into' this movie. I can't explain why except maybe it's because I've always loved medieval costumes and romantic chivalry. The fact that she was put under a spell at birth to be obedient and hoped that someone would 'save' her from a lifetime of obedience may also be a factor. I was always the 'good girl' who did what I thought was expected of me (well most of the time!) and what I felt everyone wanted of me. I've come a long way with that sort of thinking..... :)

Although it didn't get great reviews and apparently is way off from the original book, my daughter & and I found it whimsical and charming. It also had a great 'moral to the story' ending -- Ella realizes she had the power to 'save' herself, that the strength she needed was inside of her all along. Hmmm....

Here's to a great week!

EDM #50 - entryway

landscape hand*book journal, watercolor, cp

edm #50- draw your entryway, journal about it
I decided to sketch the back entrance to our home as I thought it would be easier to do than the front one :) I'ved always loved architecture even simple designs, however this angle ended up being a little tricky due to the perspective! A good likeness was achieved I think but I feel like I missed something. Oh well, the good thing about this is that I captured 'Annabelle' before the high winds and heavy rain got to her yesterday.

The Mighty Moleskine

5.25 x 8.50 moleskine sketchbook
watercolor, pitt pen, colored pencils

I have been wanting to get one of these lengendary notebooks for a few months now but kept putting it off because I had my hand*book journals and other assorted small and large sketchbooks etc. etc. and did I really need another one, they're all the same anyway right? Well let me tell you - they are NOT! I am so impressed with the quality of it - from the original 'moleskine' cover to the creamy smooth threadbound pages. The only downfall I see with getting one is that now I'll have a really hard time sketching in my other books!!

My first entry in it pays homage to our upcoming Summer Solstice here in the Northern Hemisphere on June 21st. Solstice comes from the Latin sol, sun; sistit, stands. For several days before and after each solstice, the sun appears to stand still in the sky—that is, its noontime elevation does not seem to change. For thousands of years many cultures have held solstice celebrations and associated it with renewal, life, fertility and the potential for a good harvest celebrated with outdoor feasts, singing and dancing.

It's the "longest day" of the year so have a picnic, invite some friends over for a bbq, stay up late and do some stargazing, light some candles (citronella will keep the mosquitoes at bay) and enjoy!!

EDM #62 - previous challenge: different medium

graphite, oil sticks, strathmore heavyweight textured art paper, 9x12

Try a different medium than you normally use on a challenge you've already done: I decided to redo the very first challenge: #1 shoe/s. Most of my sketches are done with pen & watercolor or just watercolor so oil sticks are new to me. I"ve been sketching all kinds of shoes for about a week now- flats, heels, sandals, flipflops - so it seemed like the perfect time to give this a try before I get bored and move on to something new!

This textured art paper was wonderfully receptive to the medium and because it was already a light shade of pink /rose, one of the colors was already done for me :) Great fun with this one!!

EDM #36 - draw out in public

square hand*book journal, watercolor, CP, graphite

Another entry from my travel journal of my art retreat trip to Virginia last month. This was drawn in full on location and the watercolor washes were added later and actually I started using my pitt pen on site too - as you can see with the boat on the left - but decided to wait and see if I wanted a more painterly look. Lately I've been going with watercolor or watercolor w/pen details for my sketchbooks. I find I can get quicker results this way and not get hung up on too many details - keeps things fresh. EDIT: I played around with this sketch in Photoshop using the pen tool, it's great for trying something out digitally before you commit to it. I think I do prefer it outlined, so I'm going to pen it in. That's what I enjoy the most about my sketchbooks, they're a place to *play* and try things out : )

Which do you prefer for sketching? Do you use pencil mostly? Colored pencils, pastels? Please share which sketching medium works best for you!

Anyhow, it was quite clear and cold that day but the trip was nearly over and I didn't want to miss capturing this plein air. I consider this my first official drawing in public because I had a friendly couple who took notice of me sketching this - they gave me an "ohh there's an artist" smile that was just priceless :) They were fairly close and almost tiptoed by, not wanting to bother me so I stopped sketching and smiled back, then assured them it was ok to pass in front of me. During the whole trip I felt like everything was so new to me, but what a great feeling to just "dive in" and experience it all!