Dainty Scratches (SOLD) and a Birthday Huzzah!

'Dainty Scratches' SOLD

5 x 7 inches oil on masonite panel

Carrying on with the foals series of paintings. This little girl, Almirah of Gypsy Lane Farm, stole my heart when I saw her photo. She really has this sweet, dainty look about her, even though she also has that shapely, muscular build that is a trademark of her breed. 

In other news my friends, today is my birfday. :) 

Huzzah for me!! My family and friends have made me feel so loved with hugs, kisses, birthday wishes, phone calls, text messages, facebook messages, and the promise of birthday cupcakes (Hallelujah and Huzzah!! ) and handmade cards from my boys. 

It is a good day. How blessed we are to be alive.

And I'm also giving myself a dragon day. I've finished two commissions, heard back from happy clients, so now I plan to just have fun and take the day off. My little boy is sitting in my lap right now as we speak, er, I mean type. 

He likes to push the button on the web cam. :) 

And since it's my birthday,  and also because you all are so awesome. . . 

 I'm going to be giving away a page from my sketchbook to one of you. So if you'd like a chance to win it, just leave a comment telling me what your favorite subject that I paint is. You can comment here on my blog, or on my facebook page, or simply email it to me at crystal@crystalcookart.com. 

And then on Wednesday night I will choose a random commenter to give one of my sketches to. 

This is also my chance to say thank you, so very much, for all your kindness and support throughout the years I've been blogging. Hope you all have a wonderful day. I know I will, I mean I have cupcakes and cheesecake (thanks mom, love you!) coming in my near future!!

  

Bloom of Youth SOLD

'Bloom of Youth'  SOLD

8 x 8 inches oil on masonite

I have wanted to do an oil painting of this little girl ever since I first drew her sketch here. I really love the graceful tilt of her head, which seems such a precocious gesture for one so small. Her full lips and dark eyes caught my attention too. And of course those beautiful flowers in her hair and on her dress. And I have to say that I really like how this painting turned out. :) Reference photo, with thanks, by Ryan Lobo.

I've decided to try and have weekly themes for my paintings. I sort of feel like I jump all over the place depending on what interests me at that given moment, and then also when commissions demand it, and then I feel a little bit lost when it comes time to sit down and paint. Too many ideas can be just as paralyzing as too few in my opinion. So this week, my theme is children's portraits in oils. Here we go with number one. :)

*Sigh* I feel like a huge weight has just been lifted off my shoulders by making that commitment out loud here. It's already decided for me what I'll paint this week so no more indecisiveness (which is code for STRESS in my mind) about what to paint and what medium to use. It's all in the bag. The hard part's done, now the fun, easy part remains (Har har. I jest, painting be hard maties!).

This weekend our family went to a Bird Refuge that is about two minutes away from our house. We go every year and it is one of my favorite trips. Hardly anyone is ever out there, and honestly we don't see very many birds, but it's so peaceful and just fun to be together. Here's a couple of pics featuring our trusty 'Crocodile' (my four year old son's term for the navigator, which sounds like alligator, which he then confused with a crocodile) and our little family's quiet adventure. Happy Monday everyone. :)

 

Read Me A Story SOLD

'Read Me A Story'  SOLD

8 x 10 inches oil on gesso board

I have always been an avid reader. Some of my very favorite memories of my childhood involve my mom and me going to bookstores to track down the latest in a series of books I was reading (always something about horses). Or going to a local used book store (my favorite place) and finding old books that I'd never heard of before. My parents always made sure I had lots of reading material and they never, ever complained when I chose to stay indoors reading instead of outside playing on a bright summer day. 

I wanted to make sure my kids grew up with a love of reading too. I remember reading out loud to my oldest son when I was still pregnant with him. And now both of my boys who are old enough to read LOVE reading, and the littlest loves being read to. We listen to audio books in the car wherever we go, they love story time at bedtime (well, the younger two anyway, the oldest prefers his own books now), and after they've fallen asleep at night and I go to check on them it's very common for me to have to take a book, and a flashlight, out of little boy arms that were too sleepy to put them away. 

This is my middle boy, when he was about five (he's eight now), looking through one of his favorite books, "The Hiccupotamus" by Aaron Zenz. 

We read it so many times that he could read it along with me before he even learned how to read. His favorite line, which always resulted in lots of laughter was this one: 

"There was a hippopotamus

who hiccupped quite-a-lotamus. 

And every time he got'emus. . . 

He'd fall upon his bottomus."

Admit it, you lol'd didn't you? Me too. He he. ;)

Haven - SOLD

'Haven'  SOLD

5 x 7 inches oil on masonite panel

For a while now I've been wanting to paint a series of girls and horses. A reflection on my childhood and teen years I guess. And somehow when I was searching for photos of girls and horses I found this one of a girl cradling her dog (Italian Greyhound I think). They both looked so completely content. So safe and secure. Although the title could refer to the dog wrapped in the girls loving arms, I think it also applies to the girl finding a haven with her dog. At least, that's how animals have always been to me.  A refuge and a safe haven from the world.

In other news this weekend was cold and grey, but our family got to spend all of it together! We went to the park so the kids could drive their RC cars, but we also ended up doing some exploring. Littlest Cook started making his own little rock collection after finding a small abandoned gravel pit, and all three kids came home with pockets full of rocks. We saw a herd of newborn calves and momma cows (including a darling pure white calf which I will be painting), and a ginormous beetle (which I may be painting as well).

It was such a great weekend, I was sad to see it come to an end, but happy for the memories we made. Until tomorrow my friends. :)

Call It A Day

'Call It A Day' 

7 x 10 inches watercolor on paper

$150 plus $7 US shipping, or $15 International

Every Easter Sunday we go to my Mom and Dad's house and have a big egg hunt with me and my sister and our families. It is so much fun, my favorite part of the new year, and it never really feels like spring until we get to do that. 

My mom has lilac bushes surrounding her yard that are blooming, and there's always tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths in every color imaginable all over. The cherry tree is full of fluffy white blossoms and there's always the sound of laughter and shrieking as the kids chase after butterflies, or the kids get chased by my husband. :) It sounds idyllic I know, but well, it kind of is. Just a perfect family day. My favorite kind of day. 

I started this painting last spring, but somehow lost interest in it after a while. Then the other day when I was looking for painting boards I found it again and decided to finish it. I had a lot of fun with that background and didn't want to cover it up too much (which I sometimes do then regret it later) so I just suggested the fence and grass here and there.

My favorite part is my sons colorful shoes. They are Lego shoes, and have little lego pieces on them. They were his first 'real' pair of shoes that he could actually walk in. He wore them until they were completely beat up he loved them so much. I still have them and will never part with them. :)

 

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

Truffle - SOLD and a personal request

'Truffle' SOLD private commission

6" x 9" watercolor on paper

This beautiful girl is owned by the same woman (who has become a good friend I'm happy to say) who commissioned me to paint "Twilight." I wanted Truffle's painting to have the same kind of feel as Twilight's did, as far as color scheme and paint handling. I think it worked out pretty good. But it's hard to go wrong when working with such a beautiful horse you know? I love her. :) 

I have a sick boy home today and this is the last painting I have finished for the 30 day challenge. I don't know if I'll get one done today or not, but I'm not going to stress about it or rush to finish something just to finish it. Even though not following through with a commitment (I said I was going to do 30 paintings in 30 days you know?) is driving me a little crazy.

The other day I went to the gym the morning after our big snow storm. This meant shoveling three feet of snow (I may be exaggerating a little. . . but just a little, especially since my husband shoveled the majority of the snow the day before, but I digress) out of the driveway (at least the path directly behind my car, heh heh) and numb fingers and noses and all that good stuff. By the time I got back from the gym I was s-s-s-so c-c-c-c-cold!!! 

 

I walked into the kitchen and found this waiting for me on the kitchen counter: 

My sweet oldest son had made me hot chocolate and left it out for me for when I got back along with two cookies and a little note. (And yes I did eat them, I earned them after all that snow shoveling right??) And I wasn't cold at all anymore. :) 

I mention this because this is where my personal request comes in. My sweet boy, who turned eleven in December, has been busy sculpting little dragons with me the last few days and he asked if I'd put his 'best one' (his words, I think they are all amazing) on my blog for all of you to see. Here it is: 

 

It would mean a lot to him, and me, if you guys could leave a short comment telling him what you think. :))) Thanks so much you guys, you are like a second family to us. My boys and husband know all about you (some of you specifically by name) from how often I talk about you. :) 

 

And just one more thing (I promise this time), the deadline to submit your photo to my Smitten contest is tomorrow January 23, click here to go to the entry form. I'd love it if one of you guys could win. 

 

Until tomorrow!

 

Hugs,

Crystal

No More Tears

'No More Tears' 

8" x 10" acrylic on gessoboard

not for sale

Last summer my three year old son (at the time, now he's a mighty four year old) was very sad. I don't remember why, probably because I was being really mean and wouldn't let him have jelly beans for breakfast or something like that. But he had these big round eyes with tears ready to fall over his little cheeks. My heart just broke when I looked at his little vulnerable face. 

So what did I do? I took a picture of course. I remember being so touched by his little sad expression, like his world had just come to an end, and I wanted to remember his face, always. And then I picked him up and snuggled him all better. 

No more tears after that. :) 

So, I ask you. Am I a big meanie for taking a photo of my sad little boy with tear stained cheeks, and then painting it for all the internet world to see? (Say no please! ;) 

This is painting number 4/30 for the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge.

Her Soul is in Her Eyes SOLD

'Her Soul is in Her Eyes'

6" x 6" watercolor on paper SOLD

"Your eyes-- your soul is there, but the rest of you is still so undefined. That's the beauty of childhood. The eyes show everything you've seen so far, but the rest of you is still so open to possibility, to whatever you might become.”
― Bree Despain, The Dark Divine

There was something in this girl's eyes that instantly drew me to her. Something I can't quite put into words. But the quote I found, says a lot of it I think. :) This painting had a very long "ugly" stage. I really thought I'd have to trash it, but then at the end I was able to turn it around. Now this painting is one of my personal favorites. A good way to start the year right?

Photo reference by Tracie76Stock, thank you!

Last Sunday was my middle child's 8th birthday. :) I had my husband take this picture of us, and my heart melted when I saw this look on his face. The same one he had when he was a toddler tugging on my pants and asking me 'I wanna hold you' (how he used to ask me to pick him up and hold him).

My boys are out of school until Monday and we have been pretty much staying in our jammies, playing games, and eating treats all week long. It's been awesome. I'll be sad to see it end. :(

This painting is 1/30 for the 30 paintings in 30 days challenge. Onward to the next! Huzzah!!

And in case you missed my last post click here for details on how you could win a custom portrait painted by me.

Smitten Photo Contest - you could win a custom painting!

'Magnetic'  part of my Smitten series

6 x 6 in gouache on paper - SOLD

 

 

Happy New Year everyone! I hope all your resolutions and wishes for this year come true. :)

 

Now, down to business, I'm hosting a challenge over on my facebook page that gives you the chance to win an 8" x 10" watercolor painting based on your photo. I'm looking for photos that represent love, along the lines of my 'Smitten' series of paintings. It can be love in all its forms, young or old, people or animals, your interpretation. But please no nudity, I'm keeping this family friendly. 

 

So what you do is click here (you can also just click on the banner at the top of my blog) to go to the contest and submit your photo before January 23. Voting begins on January 24, which is your chance to get all your friends to come vote for your photo, and the photo with the most votes wins the painting. Pretty simple. :)

 

I'd love to see all your photos about love! I think this will be a lot of fun.    

 

You'll probably be very sick of hearing from me this month because I'm joining in with Leslie Saeta and about a million other people to do the thirty paintings in thirty days (because I'm crazy like that). Gulp. Ambitious I know, and probably not doable for me, but what the heck right? Right.

 

Until tomorrow then. Thanks friends. :)

Merry Christmas!

'Prince of Peace'

7" x 9"

not for sale

 

 

Wishing all of you, my dear friends, a very Merry Christmas! I hope you all are well and safe and that you have a happy holiday. Thank you very much to every single person who reads this blog, whether you're an old friend, or a new one, thank you for taking the time to let my art and words be a part of your life. Merry Christmas!

 

O holy night!
The stars are brightly shining
It is the night
Of the dear Savior's birth!
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Till he appear'd and the soul felt His worth
A thrill of hope
The weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks
A new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees
Oh hear the angel voices
Oh night divine when Christ was born

Wind Chill - SOLD

'Wind Chill'  SOLD

8" x 10" oil on gesso board

$100 plus $10 US shipping or $15 International

Still posting some of the oil paintings I finished last month. This one is my last one I think.

In November our family went to a book launch for one of my son's favorite authors (Brandon Mull, author of the Fablehaven series, and Utah native). It was outside at a beautiful park and it was evening, so gorgeous sunlight was everywhere! And wind! Which means billowing sunstruck hair and rosy cheeks!I got some pretty cool photos that I'm going to be painting from. This is one of them. I love those bits of orange from the setting sun in her hair and face.

There was also a marshmallow war going on at this book launch. There were hundreds of kids throwing marshmallows at each other as if their lives depended on it. I was pelted by about a million of them. Which actually, kind of hurts after a while. Especially if said marshmallow is stale.

 

But Christmas is almost here guys!! I'm so excited. Even if my life feels like this: "First we'll make snow angels for two hours, then we'll go ice skating, then we'll eat a whole roll of Tollhouse Cookie-dough as fast as we can. . ." Busy, busy, busy! But such good times, I wouldn't trade it for anything. :)

 

PS If you're looking for last minute gifts December 20 is the absolute, last day that I can ship anything out in the US and still arrive in time for Christmas. Take a look around my etsy shop if you need some ideas. :)  

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear! Huzzah!
 

Cherished - SOLD

'Cherished' SOLD



6" x 6" oil on panel

$65 plus $10 US shipping or $15 International

 

All the news stories rolling in about the horrible tragedy that happened in Connecticut have made me cherish the life and health of my sweet boys even more. I can't imagine the pain those families must be feeling. They've been in my prayers and thoughts so often this weekend. And made me appreciate the blessings of piles of laundry and arguing brothers because it means my children are still here, alive and whole. 

 

This is one of the oil paintings I finished a while back, and it was one that I really, really liked. Although photographing it was a pain in the patella, I still think this isn't a real accurate match, but it's the best I can do. I loved the innocence in this sweet baby's face and the way she nestled in so close to her parent's shoulder.

 

I'm writing this post while still wearing my fluffy Rudolph pajama pants while looking at the glow of the Christmas tree. It's so peaceful. :)

 

I haven't been doing much painting lately with the hurry to finish up Christmas stuff (namely my tradition of making something handmade for my boys each year, and shipping out paintings, for which I am so thankful to my wonderful buyers!), which means I also have been slow to reply to emails and comments. But I will as soon as I can! I'm sure you all are feeling the crunch too. :) I hope you all have a great week! Huzzah for being alive one more day!!

Around the Corner

'Around the Corner'

5" x 7" watercolor on aquaboard (will not require framing behind glass)

$65 plus $7 shipping



Earlier this year me and my son (who's crazy about dogs) went to a dog show. His favorite part was the agility course and my favorite part was the cute fluffy dogs! I found this one spot behind the scenes where I could take photos without being noticed (or being in the way) and that's where I saw this lovely Golden Retriever girl.

She was getting all gussied up to go into the ring but she kept her gentle eyes on me the whole time I was there. And I wasn't exactly close to her either! I was using my long lens so I was pretty far away, but still she watched me. I wonder what she was thinking.

In other news, last Friday was my oldest son's birthday, he turned eleven years old. Happy Elevensies my sweet boy!

Birthday hugs :)

His requested birthday pie (apple of course), that's a lot of candles! I didn't keep track I just stuck a bunch on there to light that baby up! :)

We're full on in Christmas preparation mode around here. Brodie went out and bought some small trees for each of the boy's bedrooms and tonight Grandma is coming over to help decorate. So naturally I had to make a delicious and sugary treat to go along with the festivities. :)

I'd share but. . . well it's kind of hard to do that through a computer screen. But trust me it's delicious!! Have a great week all.

Of Wizards, Life, and Love

'Wizard in Training'

10" x 14" watercolor on paper

not for sale

 

I hope you all are having a fun holiday! It's one of my favorite days of the year, and not just because of all the sugar and treats. ;) Those of you who have been hit by the storm have been in my prayers, I hope you are well, safe, and whole.

 

And in honor of this holiday full of magic, and witches, and wizards (including my very own darling wizard above), I feel the need to pay tribute to Harry Potter. (Yes, again.)

 

“Dumbledore watched her fly away, and as her silvery glow faded he turned back to Snape, and his eyes were full of tears.
"After all this time?"

"Always," said Snape.” 

 

 

Me too Alan, me too. :)

 

Me and the boys just finished reading the entire series and it was so fun to share that with them. And a little sad for it to be over. Reading this amazing series, my most favorite books ever, has convinced me that some of the best magic in this world is found with words, images, paper, and imagination. And that people, no matter how flawed, are good, and brave, and kind.

 

If you're a Harry Potter fan, through and through, then you must watch this video if you haven't seen it before. I got chills, and yes even shed a tear. There is good in this world. So much good, even amid trials and sorrows. Harry showed me that. :)

 

 

 

Have a Happy Halloween everyone! Hold your loved ones close and be thankful that you have them for one more day. :)

No Words Required - sold

'No Words Required'

6" x 9" watercolor on paper

sold

reference photo by the amazing Elizabeth Sescilla

 

A new addition to my 'Smitten' series of love, and this is the first non human one. :) This is 'Son of Lloyd' (the grey stallion on the left) romancing one of his mares. Special thanks to Elizabeth for the use of her reference photo, she take gorgeous photos, of gorgeous horses, and is so generous to share them with me. Thank you!

 

I wanted to emphasize the dreamy mood of this painting by using a background that simulated sunset colors. At first I was going for less variety, but then my brush and instinct took over and my brilliant idea got left behind in the thrill of the watercolor wash! ;) Love it when that happens.

 

And thanks so much to fellow artist Maria Reichert for the title! I posted a WIP of this on facebook asking for title suggestions and I loved what she came up with.

 

In other news this morning when I woke up it was oddly very bright outside. I got out of bed and looked out the window and saw the cause of all that brightness. Snow!!! All over the ground. Can you believe it?

 

Craziness.

 

Littlest Cook was very excited about this.

 

 

After we dropped his brothers off at school we came home first thing and built a snowman, followed by another snowman after he decided to smash the first one to smithereens, had a serious snowball fight (he won), made snow angels, then came inside for hot cocoa.

 

I'd say it's been a pretty good day so far. :) How about you guys? Huzzah for snow before Halloween! ;)

Under Cover - sold

'Under Cover'

6" x 9" watercolor on paper

sold

I was so struck by this sweet baby's sparkling eyes and full lips. I also love the little spot of sunshine on her forehead and shoulder peeking out of the shade.

 

I used to think that the eyes were the most difficult part of a portrait, and now they are my favorite part. Discerning the variety of colors and values in skin tones is much harder in my opinion, let alone trying to paint it!

 

And here are a couple of shots of the crafts me and little Cook have been up to this week.

 

Black Halloween cats made with his handprints (found this idea on Pinterest) :)

 

I've decided to do preschool at home with him this year instead of sending him to a preschool. I want to treasure every single minute with him before he starts kindergarten next fall. So we spend a good part of every day trying to find something involving learning and fun. Yesterday we went on a leaf hunt. :) He was so proud of all the different kinds of leaves he found. It's days like that that make me realize, yet again, how lucky I am to be a stay at home mom and experience things like this with my kids every day.  

 

Some of our Halloween decorations the boys and I have been setting up everywhere. Most have been made by them over the years. :)

 

 

The kiddos are out of school the rest of the week for fall break so things may be quiet here on my end for a little while. Hope you all are doing well and enjoying this gorgeous fall weather while it lasts. Huzzah!

 

Reference photo by Gustavo Jeronimo, thank you!

Without a Care - sold

'Without a Care' - sold

6" x 6" watercolor on paper

When we went to the farm a few months ago I saw this little girl and only managed to get one shot of her, and it was this one. I loved the light in her hair and her messy little braids. She was so darling. I remember watching her mother gently try to smooth her flyaway hair several times and the little girl leaned into her touch every time. It was very sweet.

Sometimes I daydream about what it was like to be small and taken care of by my mother. To not have to worry about anything, knowing that I was safe, and loved. To be completely carefree and just focused on the moment. Now I think I need to call my mom and tell her I love her. :)

Carefree and happy are what I wanted to express in this painting, as part of the Daily Paintworks challenge for this week to express emotion. And I wanted to try and do that without a direct look into the face. I think her far away expression helps a lot.

Now I must get to work on some commissions that need attention. Play time is over, back to work!

Generations - sold

'Generations'

6.5" x 10" watercolor on paper

sold

A few weeks ago me and my mom took my three boys to a historical farm. There were people in authentic clothes, with authentic tools and wagons and animals all over the place. The kids rode ponies, tried old fashioned horehound candy (blegh!), rode a train and panned for gold (their favorite) It was so fun. :)

 

And I do have to add that if I am ever in a situation where panning for gold skills would come in handy I think I could make a killing. Not to brag or anything, but I was pret-ty awesome. ;)

 

My favorite part was, of course, the horses. There were these massive, beautiful draft horses, and this one brand new little foal. He was only a few days old and he was completely darling. I was tempted to carry him home.

 

My mom reached out a hand when he wobbled over to the fence to greet us, and he stood so still just waiting for her touch. He leaned in to her hand and flicked his little wispy tail, then slowly closed his long-lashed eyes. 

 

I loved the contrast of my sweet, and gentle, mother's older hand on this brand new babies velvet soft face. :)

 

How bout a Huzzah for that? Huzzah!

Of Sketchbooks and Birthdays and The End of Summer

graphite on sketchbook paper

Saw this beautiful girl at the dog show me and my son went to earlier this year, I think she's a Saluki.

 

This has been a busy week. Back to school shopping, meeting the boys new teachers at back to school night, my youngest son's fourth birthday party, and spending our last week together before school starts doing all kinds of fun stuff.

 

Happy Birthday to my baby boy!!

 

 I can't believe he's already four. We made puppy cupcakes, which has kind of turned into his tradition. He always asks for 'pupcakes' for his birthday. :)

 

It's been a good week. Crazy, but good.

 

The end of the summer always brings out mixed emotions for me. Part of me wants our routine back and yes, a break from brotherly squabbling. If I hear one more time "Mom he's touching me!!!" I swear. . .

 

But a larger part of me wants to have unlimited days of being at home together, afternoon trips to the park, art projects, long drives in the car while listening to Harry Potter, and swimming with the cousins.

So yeah, I'm going to miss summer. But at least it brings us one step closer to fall and Halloween, my favorite season of all. :)

Huzzah!!