WIP... The Three Charities

This is something I started a few days ago and it has taken a LOT of work so far.

This is the finished background

Then I started to outline the images I saw ... three faces

Then began the shading ...LOTS  of layers and LOTS of patience!

I cannot seem to get a "mop" of curls to look right... seems I

Need to look at some hair pics. 

Still very much a work in progress.

Stay tuned....

Celebration Giveaway Time and a WIP.

I'm excited to do a little giveaway of one of my colored faces. I haven't even made it yet, so what it will look like is a surprise to us both!

I was inspired to do this because I am so grateful to have the following and support I do. I hope to grow artistically in this next year and am happy to have you all join me!

I'm going to make it simple:

• You must be a follower/or start following
• Then leave me a comment telling me you are following. Also tell me the color that inspires you the most and you should post your email address so I can contact you as well :)
• If for some reason you are unable to follow my blog then follow me on Twitter or Facebook and then comment telling me you are doing so :) 

The winner will be chosen on Saturday, March 24th.

I feel like I should leave you with a picture : 

I started this last week 

Titled: Farewell to Fear

This is what happens when I paint from the subconscious mind, I love when I surprise myself with the

exact thing I need in that moment. 

What is your subconscious telling you right now? 

Blog Anniversary, Giveaway in the Works & WIP

Today marks the 1 year anniversary of my blog! I'm kind of amazed that with its very slow start it has transpired into what it is right now! I am planning on making it more fantastic as time allows and am anxious to see what the next year has to offer. ;) 

I am also VERY thrilled about reaching OVER 50 followers!! I appreciate the support so much! So as promised I will be having a giveaway and while this week would seem the perfect week to do such a thing, I am just far too busy *sigh*   So I am planning to post the giveaway details this weekend ... keep your eyes pealed!

I am also feeling very patriotic which isn't something I talk too much about. But just the fact that we can have a blog and write as freely about whatever we choose is not something to take lightly. I am proud to live in the United States and while we at times feel our rights are challenged or hindered we are still a great nation. 

With that being said, I was inspired to paint what has been floating about in my head for a long time. I haven't seen any Eagles in the last few months, but last summer my good friend while driving home happened to pass the exit to my house and saw 3 Bald Eagles circling about. Because she feels like Eagles are a sign of good-luck she called to share the unexpected sighting with me.   That has stuck with me and helped to transpire the painting I began tonight...

 

It just so happens the Bald Eagle is our National bird. 

I'm not sure where to take it from here ... I don't want to make it hokey so I am letting this rest

for the evening or longer if needed, until I can find a sense of direction. 

I think I need a map or I'm going to cut up the atlas I have...

I want to give a shout-out to Juliette Crane and thank her for her 

wonderful classes and support!  THANK YOU!!

What is inspiring you right now? 

What are you thankful for?

WIP in my studio

This is what I am currently working on. There is a lot of vibrant color... Stay tuned to see how this miss self indulgent progresses (she looks like she knows something, am I right?)

Good-night Blondie WIP

I've been in my studio every day this week ... another Work In Progress, where she goes ... only she knows.

I learned an important lesson today, let each piece be their own.  I must have changed this girls features a million times to try to get her to look similar to another one I did, that was a mistake. I'm sure she is a blond, but the hair needs some work, I don't know the reason for all the random color on her face, but I just wanted it there. I'm into this lately and I love how color evokes emotion.

I feel like her mouth is too small, but when I make it bigger, it doesn't look right. 

Perhaps this is correct. 

She isn't speaking to me anymore tonight, apparently she is aware of my bed time. 

 I am calling her "Good-night Blondie"

Hawaiian Girl WIP

I am taking Juliette Crane's "How to Paint a Girl"  e-course and am definitely taking RISKS!! I love that I'm feeling so experimental ... its so freeing!  I feel like I have crossed over a hurdle and am roaming a vast field of wild flowers. Each of those flowers is an idea, or a color or a picture of inspiration just waiting to be explored.

Wow that was really sappy, but none the less its TRUE!!

When I created this background it had such a strong 

tropical feel and while I resisted it at first, I gave in.

Nearly 8 years ago my husband and I flew to Hawaii

on our Honeymoon and spent 2 wonderful weeks 

among the most vibrant of colors. 

Hawaii was created in HD, before HD was invented!!

Rather then blend the colors of her face

I left them "blocked" so it would

have a tribal feel to it. 

Remembering my "coppertone" sunscreen I added copper 

to her skin color for an unexpected look. 

She kind of goes along with the Child of Earth series I started

I left the ends of her hands open so as to blend with her

surroundings ... 

 Her dance is a distant memory of a 

private lagoon that has been taken over by man ...

Looking at what I was creating just a few months ago when I first started I am in awe of myself and feel very blessed to be where I am and and see where I am going!

I am especially appreciative of  Juliette Crane who teaches these amazing classes and has been a support for me :)

What's been running through your mind?

What artistic risks have you taken?

New painting in progress

I am in a new E-course by Juliette Crane called "How to Paint a Girl". So far things are going well and I'm having fun. I already paint girls, but wanted to learn more tips and tricks. I branched out and really tried something new with inspirations by: Tims' Sally art and Danielle Daniel's use of color.

Its still a work in progress, but I like where it is headed:

This is painted on wood with acrylics, India ink and a bit of pitt pen :)

The dress is paper, and I love how the color works. 

I have a Mantra when I paint: "It doesn't have to make sense, it doesn't have to make sense" 

What is your mantra, who is inspiring you today?

WIP Progress: Child of Earth Series

I am loving this "Child of Earth"series that came to me ... who would have guessed some vintage music sitting on my painting table would sparked such concept. 

Anyhow this is the second one in the series and the full name and poem have not been created yet, but then again the painting is not yet finished. 

This painting had some humble beginnings that is for sure. I just wasn't sure where she wanted to go.

I originally wanted her to wear a cape, but she really wanted to be more covered. I also thought "bird" wings would be fantastic, but after the green cloak butterfly wings were more fitting. 

I liked the wings, but I thought of the "Lunesta" commercial and so I completely changed the background hoping that would help. I liked the new color, but the wings had to be changed. I don't have a picture when there were monarch wings, but I hated those the most.

Finally I tapped into what being a  true mixed-media artist is, and remembered this awesome paper I had. Instantly I was happy ... 

I wanted some of the blue in there and then added  Adirondack Alcohol inks on the blue/white to mute it. I've played around with the inks before and when applied on the paint the ink pretty much stays within the bounds of it so I don't run the risk of it bleeding over the rest of my work. I also use black India ink which seems to be a barrier for the Adirondack inks too. 

After adding some trees and getting the desired look of the wings I felt something was missing. 

  

The addition of some blonde hair made her really come to life ... There is still work to be done, but I am loving this so far. I hope its good to love your own work, because I am loving how this is developing. I feel like I have grown so much artistically in the last few weeks. Yes, weeks ... I'm so much more open to the process and less on the product. Don't get me wrong, I love the finished piece too, but I am much more engaged in the present when I work and I think that shows.

There is still work to do, but she has really come to life this week. 

Just for fun, here is a picture of my two Italian Greyhounds Luigi (the blue)

and Tulip (red/white)

Enjoying the bed I made them this afternoon. They have another doughnut bed that they 

fight over, but they liked this one so much they laid in it together which NEVER happens :)

 Thanks mom for making our new bed, we like it!

I hope you are having a good, creative weekend!

WIP Sneak Peek, Child of Earth Series

Here is the second painting in a series I am doing called Child of Earth.  This is a Work In Progress ... a long ways to go.

I'm thinking she would look fantastic with Monarch butterfly wings and birch tree branches for antenna's!! I think some blond hair peaking out would be fun too ... I think she is going to be in a field of birches ... my favorite tree!

Photos are so hard because they never do the painting justice ... ahh well. :)

Let me know what you think!