Gypsy Whimsy

Gypsy Whimsy

5.5" x 8.5" 

colored pencil on toned paper

Click Here To Bid

I'll just save all that HOLY COW IT'S BEEN SO LONG SINCE I LAST POSTED blah blah blah and jump straight to the point. :)

I'm still drawing. A lot. It will always be something I have to do. I just love it so much. 

And I've been finding a lot of satisfaction, and joy, in drawing more whimsically. . . More illustrative I guess. I no longer am a slave to a photo reference and I LOVE that. While part of me still sometimes misses getting lost in realism, for now I'm very happy to be drawing this way. 

Thanks for sticking with me for so long CCA fans. I sure appreciate your support.I still have this omnipresent itch to get those watercolors out. . . But just haven't made myself do it yet. But one day soon I will!

Listening to: AWOLNATION

Reading: The Ruby Circle

Watching: New Girl

Snacking on: egg whites and chicken breasts (I'm on a diet BLERGH)

Drinking: Ice water (see the BLERGH diet above^^)

Grapelight - G is for Grape

'Grapelight' 

5 x 7 inches 

colored pencil on Ampersand Pastelbord

$100 plus $7 US shipping/$15 International

Every time I do a colored pencil piece I have a series of conflicting feelings: 

1. (Infatuated beginning) "This is SO much fun! Why don't I do these more often? I can't wait to do more. I want to do a pony, and a puppy, and some glass bottles, and some orange slices, and some shiny ribbon, etc. etc. etc." *manic grin*

2. (Midway through) *sigh* "This is taking forever. I want to be done. Maybe I'll just call it done. No wait, I can't because I've already spent like forever working on this." *sigh* "And I'm all out of cookies." *heavy sigh* 

3. (Almost done) "Almost done! Huzzah!!!" *lackluster fist pump*

4. (All done) "I am never doing one of these again. Never." *takes bite out of cookie* *thoughtful gazing at finished piece which I'm very proud of even though my fingers are totally sore now from pressing so hard* "Well. . . maybe not for a few days at least."

In other words, it's something like this: 

This is G for grape in my alphabet series.

Happy Independence Day to all my American friends!! :D

Friesian in Technicolor

'Friesian in Technicolor' 

5 x 7 inches colored pencil on pastelbord

$100 plus $7 US shipping, or $15 International

"He has galloped through young girl's dreams, added richness to grown women's lives, and served men in war and strife." Toni Robinson

I may have taken some liberties with the color in this horse's coat. But her normally black coat had been sun-bleached, and there was light from the setting sun, and I'm a color addict. So there you go. :)

Reference photo by lumibear on deviantART. Thank you!

Dauntless - Arabian Horse - SOLD

'Dauntless'  SOLD

5" x 7" colored pencil on Ampersand Pastelbord

I love the way this horse is turning, quickly and gracefully. Mane and tail flying. And the sun on his grey coat, all those colors in the shadows. I don't really have much to say about him other than that. He is a beautiful horse and I tried to capture him the best I could.

Reference photo by seed of beauty on deviantART, thank you! 

And since some of you asked about our St. Patty's day dinner here are a few pics:

 Cheese ravioli (which I bought, because seriously who has time to make that on their own?) with a green Alfredo sauce, which was just pureed frozen peas added to a traditional Alfredo sauce - which I did make, huzzah for me! Although my husband told the kids it was shamrocks that made the sauce green and not peas. I did not correct him. ;) 

Pistachio pudding over an Oreo cookie crust and topped with whipped cream for dessert. My oldest son pretty much did this whole thing by himself. :) Proud mama moment!

Green fruit salad, which was supposed to be cute fruit kabobs on skewers but. . . I forgot I was out of skewers, so fruit salad it was! We also had a green marshmallow creme fruit dip, steamed broccoli, and green fruit punch. It was a lot of fun and the kids loved it, although perhaps not the broccoli. :)))

Happy Monday everyone!! :) 

A Kiss On The Nose - sold

'A Kiss On The Nose' 

5 x 7 inches SOLD

colored pencil on Ampersand Pastelbord

I hope you'll excuse this post that is all about the feelings of my heart right now. 

Lately I have been overwhelmed with melancholy when I think of all my kids growing up. I know I shouldn't. That's my job as a parent right? To prepare them to leave home and live happy, successful lives as good men. Of course I love them no matter what stage of life they are in. But there's something so very precious about these early years when our bond is so strong and we are each others whole world. 

So, the only way I know how to express those feelings is through art. I've spent a lot of time looking through photos and shedding a few tears at the years that are gone. I don't know how to not feel this way. I love being their mom so much. I love how close we are. I hope things always stay this way. But I know things always change. At least a little bit. 

All I can do is love the moment, the season, that we're in and try to remember every single detail. And not mourn it's passing when little hands grow big. :) 

"This curious fact of life: that when parents are old and their children grown up, the grown-up children are not the persons they formerly were; that their former selves have wandered away, never to return again, save in dream-glimpses of their young forms that tarry a moment and gladden the eye, then vanish and break the heart."  - Mark Twain

Make the time to do what you love

Detail from new 5 x 7 colored pencil piece

on Ampersand Pastelbord

Worked on this the other day while waiting for my son at his guitar lesson. In the car. :) 

Some of you seem surprised that I draw in the car. I guess it is a little strange. I'm just weird like that. ;) And something that I can NOT stand is waiting with nothing to do. I hate it. I feel like that's such a time waster. And I feel like time is such a limited resource you know? Of course you do. We live in a busy world with hectic lives.

So I'm going to tell you guys how I do it. And why. First with the how:

I work small. I prefer working small. I don't know why I just do. I'm sure one day I'll get tired of working small, but right now I'm happy where I'm at. Working small, and with just pencils, makes it very easy to take on the go. Above is what I always take when I know I'm going to be sitting in the car for at least ten minutes. An envelope of photos I want to draw, a small box of colored pencils in the colors I think I'll use, a small sketchbook (mine's 6 x 6), and my 5 x 7 work in progress (protected in a clear bag). 

 

And here it is all stacked up. Not too big right? Since I'm usually bringing my four year old's bag of things to do too I stick it in there and we are good to go. And then while littlest Cook is busy playing his Leapster, I get to draw for a few minutes. Works like a charm. 

Now to the why? Because. . . well, see the pic below. :) 

Because I, we, need to make the time to do what we love.  And if that means drawing for ten minutes at a time in the car then so be it. :) Photo courtesy of namaste cafe.

So, how do you make time to do what you love?

Undecided SOLD - Southeast Asian girl drawing

'Undecided'  SOLD

6" x 6" sepia colored pencil on paper

My kids are back in a bunch of lessons (guitar, Tae Kwon Do, Spanish reading) after taking a break during the holidays so I have quite a lot of time to draw while waiting in the car for them. :) Which is where I did most of this drawing. 

What I loved most, and hoped to capture, was her very concerned expression, especially the little wrinkles in her smooth, youthful forehead. Like she was trying to make a very hard decision. I'm also experimenting a little bit with a slight exaggeration of the facial features with my drawings/sketches. I am trying to emphasize those things that stand out the most to me, what makes me want to draw this person in the first place. I think it worked out well here. :) 

Until tomorrow friends! Huzzah for Mondays!!  

Reference photo by Gustavo Jeronimo, thank you! 

Best Pals - SOLD

'Best Pals'  sold 

5" x 7" 

colored pencil on Ampersand Pastelbord

Finally finished. :) Usually when I have a painting that takes me a long time to complete I end up feeling frustrated, and I lose interest. But not this time. This drawing was a joy from beginning to end. A few bumps in the road that caused me a bit of a headache, but overall a complete joy. I really love how it turned out. 

I have a bunch of photos of my son playing with his toys that I think I'll start working on too. All in this beautiful light. I'm excited. 

Technique note: This drawing ate up a LOT of my colored pencils. The sanded surface of the pastelbord is very abrasive and hard on the pencils, I wore probably five of them down to little nubs by the time this was finished. 

But on the positive side, this surface doesn't require much layering. It is a very direct process, which was a sanity saver for me. I have come to realize that I am getting bored with layering paint, I'm an impatient person. ;) I will have to see if I can adapt my watercolor process to get the results I want but avoid all the layering (glazing of color) I typically do.

Have a great weekend everyone. :) See you Monday!

Making Progress

work in progress 

5 x 7 inch colored pencil on Ampersand Pastelbord

Slow but steady wins the race right? That shirt took me for dang ever. And his face caused me much angst. I think because of the angle of his head, and his features are tiny. Super hard. But I love how it's looking so far. Also, Tigger has been the funnest thing to draw yet. So much color!

In other news, have you guys seen the new cover art for the Harry Potter books?! So much awesomeness. I loved the originals, but I love these too.

 

Must. Have. Them.

My husband will be so glad he just cleared out some of our bookcases, so I can replace those empty spaces with these new lovelies.  ;)

Do Or Do Not

 work in progress 

colored pencil on Ampersand Pastelbord

5" x 7" 

My colored pencils were calling my name the other day. So I hearkened to their siren call and whipped those babies out and started on this new little piece of my son playing. 

I'm hoping that I'm not jinxing myself by posting this WIP because all the other colored pencil pieces on pastelboard I've posted as WIP's remain unfinished. But this one is very close to my heart right now, especially since my little one has been sick lately, so I'm sure I'll finish it.  I will finish this and I can't wait to show you guys. :) 

Which brings me to this: 

  

Wondering about the picture above? That's one of my favorite necklaces that I wear all the time, especially when I'm feeling like I suck at just about everything. Just putting it on makes me feel better, it's my talisman against negativity, and it gives me courage. It empowers me with positive thinking and belief in myself. 

One of my least favorite phrases ever is this, "I can't." 

People ask me how I learned to paint, how I make the time. I tell them you could do it too, if you want it bad enough. And what do they say to me?

"I can't" 

People ask me about why I run, and what the furthest distance is I've gone. I tell them 13.2 miles but if my knees would allow it I'd run 26.2. I tell them you could do it too, if you want it bad enough. And what do they say to me?

"I can't"

People tell me that they want to start selling their work, and entering shows, but they don't know how, or they think they're not good enough, or it's just too hard. They say: 

"I can't" 

Want to know what I can't do?

I can't make a perfect pie crust. 

I can't ever, ever, ever, keep up with the laundry. 

I can't organize my closets and cupboards as well as my sister in law (love you Laura!!)

I can't drive on the freeway without music that's too loud and losing my temper at least once. 

I can't go a day without chocolate. 

I know what you're thinking. "But you just said that you hate the phrase 'I can't' yet here you are going on and on about all the stuff you can't do! Hypocrite!"

Now let me tell you about my 'I can't' list. 

Why can't I do those things? 

Because I don't want to badly enough. 

It is perfectly fine to say 'I can't do' something if you simply don't care all that much about doing it in the first place. 

My mom makes the Best Pie Crust In The Whole World. And I'd be willing to arm wrestle anybody over that title. I don't need to, or want to make pie crust as good as her. Not today anyway. As long as we have clean clothes to wear I'm okay with never keeping up with the laundry. I'd rather be painting, or playing with my kids. And the last three don't really need an explanation, it's enough for me to say I don't want to badly enough. 

Some things keep us from our heart's greatest desires. Some of those are things that are out of our control, like my problematic knees. But most of them come from within us. We put limitations on ourselves, we say we can't do something before we've even made the attempt. We don't want it badly enough, because wanting something that badly would force us to make changes in our lives and get us out of our comfort zones.

The next time you start to reach for something that is just beyond your grasp and seems too hard, too impossible, tell yourself this: 

Do or do not, there is no try. 

Making the attempt = doing. 

Do, make the attempt. Believe that you can. And you will, one day. 

Happy Motivational Monday everybody! :)

You can get one of these cool necklaces too, right here. 

Wild Kitten SOLD

'Wild Kitten' colored pencil on paper  SOLD

ACEO size 2.5" x 3.5" (about the size of a baseball card)

I may be doing more of this small size for this 30 in 30 challenge. I was amazed at how much more time a small 5" x 7" took than this size!

I love this little mountain lion kitten's big, sparkly eyes. I know, not a surprise. I'm pretty sure I say that in every post. But it's true! That's what draws me to a subject, and my favorite part of a painting or drawing. 

That's all for today. :)  I'm keeping a little quiet for once. Just one more thing. . . 

 I'm not blonde anymore!! ;)

This is painting/drawing 6/30 in the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge. Onward!! 

Listening to: Blown to Bits - Middle Class Rut

Reading: The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden

Snacking on: mini pretzels

Watching: Duck Dynasty

Reference photo by Kurt Thomas Hunt, thank you! 

Top 12 of 2012

 

This has kind of become a tradition for my blog. Every year I post the paintings that rank among my favorites. Some for technical reasons, others for an emotional attachment I have to them. This year has been so good to me. It's my first full year as a 'daily painter' and I have been so blessed with some wonderful opportunities (becoming a part of the Daily Painters gallery one of the highlights), new friendships (*waves* hello new friends!), deepening older friendships (*sugary squeezy hugs* for all of you), and a whole lot of blissful painting time and lessons learned.

 

Learning how to use oil paints has also been a highlight for me this year (thank you for that wonderful shipment my dear friend Sandra!) and I plan to spend more time in the new year learning to paint with them. And of course lots more watercolors and some colored pencil drawings too. 2012 has been a great year, and I know that 2013 will be even better for all of us!   Huzzah and cheers for all that's in store!

 

And now in no particular order, some of my very favorite paintings and drawings from this year:

 

'Aqueous' 6 x 6 in watercolor on paper

SOLD

Because glass, water, and colorful shadows are FUN to paint!

 

'All Things New' 5 x 7 in watercolor on Ampersand Aquabord 

$100 plus $7 US shipping

Because this is a portrait of my nephew, and my first successful portrait on aquaboard. His eyes were my favorite part.

 

'Acceptance' 6 x 6 in. watercolor on paper

SOLD

Because her expression speaks to my soul.

'Aurora Borealis' 6 x 6 in oil on panel

$100 plus $7 US shipping

Because this one reminds me of my old dog I used to have. Rest in peace Kiana. :) 

'Faith, Trust, Pixie Dust' 6 x 7 in colored pencil on paper

SOLD

Because I think I caught something magical in her eyes.

 

'She Stood In The Storm' 7 x 9 in watercolor on paper

SOLD

Because I painted what I could not say.

 

'Hidden In Plain Sight' 5 x 7 in watercolor on paper

SOLD

Because I could paint myself for the first time without cringing in shame. 

'Isabelle' 9 x 12 in graphite on paper

Not for sale - my collection

Because I drew mostly from my imagination a favorite character from a favorite book.

 

'Princess' 6 x 6 in oil on panel

SOLD

Because it reminds me of the joy of being a parent.

'Alive' 7 x 9 in. watercolor on paper

SOLD

Because I feel like with this painting I'm an equestrian artist the twelve year old Crystal would be proud of.

'Twilight' 6 x 6 in watercolor on paper

SOLD

Because I love this horse and her owner has become a dear friend, through my art.

'Whispers and Trust'  6 x 6 in watercolor on paper

SOLD

Because of love. :)

 

 

Happy New Year everyone!!!!

Skylight - SOLD

'Skylight'  SOLD

colored pencil on bristol smooth paper

ACEO size, 2.5" x 3.5"

 

I think this mini size of ACEO's (Art Cards, Editions, and Originals) was a perfect fit for my desire to draw something detailed and reflective yesterday. I LOVE detail, but sometimes, find it tedious if it's on a large scale. So this tiny size, for my slightly frazzled, post holiday, pre-middle child's birthday (my son's birthday is December 30) filled my need for detail work and my lack of time. :) Win, win right?

 

I love horse's eyes. And the way the sunlight caught this horse's eye, and the landscape surrounding it was very captivating to me.

 

Happy New Year everyone!! Huzzah for all the awesomeness in store for all of us next year!!

 

 

 

Shimmer - sold

'Shimmer'

4" x 4" colored pencil on paper

sold

 

I never get tired of the endless fascination of little children. I see it in my own boys every day, even now as they get older and are long passed the toddler stage. There is still so much innocence, and wonder in everything they see.

 

Children are my very favorite subjects. Which I'm sure comes as no surprise, but it's only been recently that I've realized it's not only my own children that are my favorite subjects, but all children. I love painting them. I don't know what else I can say other than that. Words seem to fall a little short.

 

I'll be out of town for the rest of the week on a vacation with my husband and won't be back until Sunday. So no paintings will be shipped until Monday November 12. And I won't be answering any emails until then either. :)

 

I'll miss visiting your blogs. :( But I'll catch up with you when I get back. Thanks for stopping by everybody. Huzzah!! Till we meet again!

 

Reference photo by Fennec Cooper, thank you!

 

Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust - sold

'Faith, Trust, and Pixie Dust'  sold

6" x 7" colored pencil on paper

Well I finally did it. I managed to capture a fairy just long enough to draw her portrait. :) She was pretty happy with it, happy enough to leave me with my own personal stash of pixie dust that should last until my retirement. Pretty sweet deal for a simple portrait don't you think? ;)

 

I believe in fairies. :))) *clap clap* Do you?

 

"Tink was not all bad: or rather, she was all bad just now, but, on the other hand, sometimes she was all good. Fairies have to be one thing or the other, because being so small they unfortunately have room for one feeling only at a time. They are, however, allowed to change, only it must be a complete change."  J.M. Barrie

 

Huzzah :)

Photo reference by the awesome Katlinn Lewis, thank you!

Lucy and Gabriel - sold

'Lucy'  sold

private commission ACEO 2.5" x 3.5"

colored pencil on bristol

'Gabriel' sold

private commission ACEO 2.5" x 3.5"

colored pencil on bristol

A sweet woman contacted me a few weeks ago and asked for two commissions of her two pets. Don't you just love Lucy's face? And Gabriel looks like he's up to something doesn't he?

Today I opened up my watercolor palette and started painting and I had the most peaceful feeling come over me as soon as I started swirling my brush through the colors and water.

It was awesome. :)

Huzzah for stress-relieving art making!!

Snuffles - sold

'Snuffles'

ACEO 2.5" x 3.5" colored pencil on bristol

SOLD

I had to try the ACEO again. I think they are incredibly cute little miniature works of art. And it's such a challenge to draw that small, AND they get done fast! Zzzzzippp! Two-ish hours later and Finito!!

I like that. :)

And could someone please tell me if this is a French Bulldog or a Boston Terrier? Because I'm leaning toward French Bulldog, but I'm not a hundred percent certain. My son says Boston Terrier. He looked it up in his big ol' book of dogs. Either way that snuffly little nose is so cute. Just asking for a kiss right?

Happy weekend everyone. :) Huzzah!

Icy Eyes - sold

'Icy eyes' sold

3" x 5" colored pencil on bristol

So. . . I'm kind of in love with my colored pencils right now. I used to think that I could only draw really large and complex pieces with colored pencils. I don't know why because I haven't ever really thought like that about watercolor. But then I thought, why? Why not just do a small piece and focus on what you want to draw the most? Which in this case was this sweet puppy's icy blue eyes and shiny fur.

And so I did. And it was fun. And now I'm addicted to doing these small portraits in colored pencil. I'm adding this to my series of eyes (and I use the term 'series' very loosely here) and hope to paint more. The eyes are always my favorite part of every painting or drawing I do.

Now I must go and cuddle up on the couch with a blanket and my youngest little boy (who has a summer cold. Bummer) and listen to the rain fall on our roof. It's been so long since we've gotten any rain and I love it! Huzzah!!

See you soon friends. :)

photo reference by cogdogblog on flickr

Oh yeah, and is another pic I took for my etsy shop of this drawing. I got the idea from Carol Blackburn who suggested I set my painting up on an easel. Why that never occured to me I'll never know, so thank you Carol for giving me the idea! :)

Flawless - sold

'Flawless' sold

6" x 6.5" colored pencil on Bristol

click here to purchase

The other day I really wanted to draw a portrait where the features were the focus and the skin tones were very light. This is what I came up with. I like how it draws your attention to her eyes, which are always my favorite part to draw or paint.

I usually start with the eyes when I draw in colored pencil, but then I get bored with the rest of the drawing and quit after a while, so this time I was a good girl and drew her hair and the base of her skin tones before I drew her eyes. :)

This drawing is also my loose interpretation of another character from Cassandra Clare's book series The Mortal Instruments. This is close to how I imagine Clary Fray. 

And I've been experimenting with taking different photos of my artwork for my Etsy shop listings. Etsy gives you five different spaces (I think) for different photos of whatever you're listing so the viewer can see it from different angles. Here are a couple me and my son did today:

What do you think? You guys have any other ideas for photos I could take? I'd love some suggestions.

Reference photo by Katlinn Lewis, thank you!