Crown in her Soul

'Crown in Her Soul' 

5 x 7 inches

click here to purchase

'She's the kind of queen that knows her crown isn't on her head. But in her soul." Adrian Michael

This is one of my favorite paintings I've done in a while. I really loved the glow on her face and hair from the light, and the flash of red in her dress, and the colors of sunlight in her hair. And her smooth skin. . . cool shadows in her cheeks. . . I could go on forever I guess. The point is, I loved painting this one. 

I'm always amazed at how some subjects and scenes just click in my brain and it's like I vacate the premises for a minute and my body just paints it like it's on auto pilot. I guess that's called flow? It's a very cool phenomenon. The trick is figuring out what makes that happen and then do more of that haha! 

I'm super behind on blogging lately. I've been creating so much art, it's been amazing! But haven't taken the time to blog about it, even though I do post regularly on Instagram and facebook (crystalcookart on both). 

Heat Seeker

Heat Seeker

click here to purchase

I can pretty much always count on two things when it comes to painting. 

1. It will take longer than I think it will. (amiright?)

2. I will ALWAYS choose the subject with the most beautiful light. 

This kitty was gorgeously backlit, making her ears just glow and causing beautiful catchlights in her eyes. I thought I heard angels singing when I saw the light but it might have been me. ;) 

Something I learned with this painting is to make sure and paint in colorful areas first so they don't get muddied by the surrounding darks. I think I have heard Carol Marine refer to this as her 'island to ocean' technique. 

Fell a bit behind with painting a single painting every day for September, but that's just life and I'm not beating myself up over it. I actually enjoy it more when I split the painting up over two days. . . at least at this size. 

Have a good night everyone! I'll be visiting blogs tomorrow! HUGZZZ, Crystal 

Watching: Blacklist

Listening to: Chiustream with Bobby Chiu

Reading: Love and Gelato

Snacking on: nada

Drinking: banana flavored bcaa's

Lost in Thought

Lost in Thought

click here to purchase

You know that quote about art washing the dust out of the soul? I can't remember how it goes, but I absolutely love it. It is so true. I spent this afternoon looking at an art book and I felt so refreshed (Karin Jurick's museum paintings, love it!). Yesterday I spent the day sculpting for my Tumble Creatures line. And every day since September first I have made a whole hearted attempt to paint. It has refreshed my mind, heart, and soul so much. 

It is so easy to get stuck in a rut of daily life, and not appreciate the wonder that it is to be alive. Art helps immensely with that. Don't you think? 

The main thing I learned with this painting was, to paint the hand in as few strokes as possible. I am pretty happy with that hand because I think they are the hardest thing ever to paint. And ears. Oh and mouths. And don't even get me started on teeth. Okay it's all dang hard amiright? 

Pink Pony Nose

Pink Pony Nose

click here to purchase

What drew me to this image initially was that velvety pink nose. What little girl that had a horse didn't spend hours kissing her pony's nose? 

Also I discovered that scratching out highlights is a very effective tool for capturing tiny light struck hairs when painting wet into wet with oil. I love the look that gave to this horse's mane. Short post today, I'll try to have something meaningful to say next time! May your brushes stay wet and your palette colorful! 

The Sunny Spot, and a balancing act

'The Sunny Spot'

6 x 6 inches

oil on panel

Click here to purchase

So much of our every day life is just trying to keep everything in balance. Don't you think? Balance with work, family, hobbies, kids activities, school work, church work, yard work, house work. It's so tough to keep it all together. And I don't think any of us really do. Some do it better sure, but no one has it all together, as much as they want us to believe they do through social media posts.

The last few weeks my family has been really sick. My dad had surgery. And my sweet old dog, Chauncy is nearing the end of his life, and so we have to decide when to make that hardest decision that will separate him from us forever.

So my mind. . . it's been everywhere. My heart has felt so heavy. I'm not trying to sound like my life is terrible, because it's not. I feel so blessed to have the life I do. Loved ones that care about me, a warm comfortable home, and plenty of food to eat. But still. . . it's been tough, and I'd be lying if I said otherwise.

During this time of stress and sadness I've let a lot slip. But I've maintained as much as possible two things that help me feel balanced even in stressful situations.

Fitness. And Art.

I think we all have those things that clear our mind and rejuvenate us to tackle the day. And even if it seems selfish to take time to do them, we HAVE to. Otherwise there is nothing left of us to offer anyone else.

At the end of a long week of being a caretaker to many sick people and a dog I finally entered my studio. Turned on the lamp. Laid my brushes out carefully. And I painted. It lasted about 15 minutes. But it felt so good and restored something in my soul I had felt was missing that long week.

Art is so much more than just paint on paper. It is so much more than a profession. It is a balm to my soul. And I think that too often we forget that as we chase after professional goals and personal ones too. It was a good reminder to me. Hopefully it was to you too. When was the last time you got to do what rejuvenates you when you really, really needed it? I'd love to know.

Love,

Crystal

Watching: The Walking Dead

Listening to: Nirvana

Reading: Lizzy and Jane by Katherine Reay

Drinking: water

Snacking on: protein bars (G2G are my fave)

So Studious

'So Studious' 

16 x 20 inches

oil on gessoboard

private commission

Finished up painting number 2 in my commission series of portraits. I am really happy with his face. I think I captured something special there. But I'm not sure what. . . What does that say about me you think? ;)

I miss daily painting, but still have found it difficult to get much painting done lately. So far, my weekly goal to post once a week has not come to pass. And. . . I'm okay with that. For nearly 4 years I have been diligently posting and painting, mostly to fill this blog. And I feel like it's okay, more than okay, to slow down now. 

Maybe I should have done so sooner. There are more important things in life after all than paint and brushes. I worry that sometimes I get too caught up in the day to day 'have to's that I lose sight of the big picture. 

My children. Growing before my eyes. My littlest is in kindergarten now and it was just a few weeks ago that he clung to me and didn't want me to leave him when I dropped him off in the morning. Now he runs off with a wave and a 'bye mom!' shouted over his shoulder. 

But that's the way it's supposed to be. I'm glad that he's happy and secure enough to know that I'll come back for him. 

But still. The shift from being the center of his little world, to not so much anymore is hard. But I know that this too will pass, and soon I'll be okay with it. After all, I know he'll always be my little boy, my best friend. He whispers it to me every day when we hug goodbye. :) 

I'll post when I can again, but not sure when that will be. Hope all is well with you good blog friends. Sending hugs and cupcakes your way. 

Mood: Contemplative

Listening to: Hurricane Bells

Reading: The Monstrumologist

Watching: World War Z

Snacking on: chips and my mom's homemade salsa

Drinking: ice water

 

Smooth and Supple

'Smooth and Supple' 

5 x 7 inches oil on panel

$100 plus $7 US shipping/$15 International

Hello??? Anyone still out there?? It's me Crystal. You know, that crazy, geeked out girl who used to paint a lot? :D 

Yes, I've been gone a while haven't I? Weird. Life has been crazy hectic lately, we just put our house up for sale so the last few months has been a blur of packing and cleaning, organizing, and everything else that needs to be done to get your house ready for perfect strangers to walk through it and go into a crazy amount of debt to buy it. ;) 

I also have been busy with commission work, that's taken all my focus away from daily painting. But I am going to try, really hard, to try to post a new painting or drawing once a week. I feel like that's all I can manage right now, but I recognize that I NEED to do something. Or at least. . . a work in progress post once a week so you guys don't completely forget about me. :) 

This horse could count for 'J' in my alphabet series had I not cropped out his legs and body. Because he's actually jumping in the air. 

I also have broken quite a few compositional rules with this one. But I don't care. I LOVE this painting. And breaking rules is sort of a job requirement for artists. We're rebels at heart. ;) See you next week everybody! Thanks to all of you for checking in with me! Hugs to all of you, and virtual cupcakes too. 

Listening to: Pinback

Reading: The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

Watching: Revolution

Snacking on: Chips and salssa

Drinking: Dirty Diet Coke's as often as I can get them (the best thing ever and totally bad for you but well. . . see above about rebels and such)

Reference photo by Deidre T on deviantART, thank you! 

Edith

'Edith' 

SOLD 

12 x 16 inches, oil on gessobord

 

First of all let me just say that 12 x 16 inches is MUCH larger than 5 x 7. Yes, I realize that many of you are saying in your very best Severus Snape/Alan Rickman voice: "OB-viously." 

 

 

I knew that, but, knowing and applying one's knowledge are two vastly different things. Her face alone took me several days to paint, and I must say that I'm very happy with how she turned out. 

 

Painting so many small paintings, I've gotten used to painting a face in one sitting. That took me by surprise with this painting at first, but it was also very good for me I think. For all the benefits of daily painting (of which there are many) there is also something (or many things, whatever) to be said for slowing down and taking your time with a painting. 

This is the first in a series of portraits I've been commissioned to paint as part of a corporate installation. Also, this one is the smallest size. O-o. 

 

This will require epic amounts of cookie dough and Supernatural episodes. I'm totally up for this challenge. :) 

 

Huzzah!! 

 

Listening to: Grinnin in Your Face by ZZ Ward

Reading: Nothing :(. Ain't nobody got time for that (right now anyways. Life is hectic these days). 

Snacking on: honey mustard pretzels

Watching: Alphas

Drinking: diet coke

Filigree - Self Portrait

'Filigree' 

5 x 7 inches, oil on panel

I'm part of a small group of artists that have banded together as a sort of peer mentoring group. We talk about our goals, our vision for our work, share business ideas, and challenge each other. It's full of awesomeness. These women are incredible and I'm so honored to be part of their group. :) 

So we had a painting challenge. It was to paint a self portrait that was a true reflection of you. I kind of suck at that. I've painted myself before, and every time it has been a very uncomfortable experience for me. I don't like looking at myself. I hate drawing attention to myself. In a crowd or group of people I prefer to hide, unseen and unnoticed. 

And a self portrait is basically the opposite of all of those things. It's all about ME. I mean, there's really nowhere else to look. Unless you like grey backgrounds, and if you do then. . . awesome.You've come to the right place. But, I digress.

My way around this is to typically hide part of my face in some way. Like the filigree mask above, or like this: 

Or like this:

So how then, was I to paint a self portrait that was a true representation of myself? I did what I felt most comfortable with. A partially hidden version of me. Again. Because I do think this is really how I am. I could go on and try to think of something really meaningful to say about why I paint myself this way. But I won't.

Because there is no real deep meaning to it. I just prefer to be in the background, instead of the spotlight and that alone says SO much about who I really am that there really isn't anything else to say.

Tough Choices - A is for Apple, a new painting challenge

'Tough Choices' 

6 x 6 oil on masonite

Not For Sale

For a while now I've wanted to do a series of paintings based on the alphabet and I thought that now would be a great time to do that since I've kind of felt like I needed a new creative challenge. And can I just say how EXCITED I am about this? I love thinking up new subjects or themes based on a letter. 

Last night I laid out all my photos (yes all of them, because I'm awesome and old school like that) and sorted them into piles of paintings I'd like to do based on letters. This is going to be a fun project. I'm excited. Wait. . . I already said that. 

Anyway, here is the first painting in my alphabet series, A is for Apple. This is a painting of my youngest son when he was about two. He simply could not decide on which apple to eat, so he compromised by taking a bite out of all three of them and then leaving them there with little mice sized bites taken out of each one, thus interrupting my still life set up. The cute little stinker. 

Flicker in the - SOLD

'Flicker in the Dark'  SOLD

5 x 7 oil on masonite

“Sunsets, like childhood, are viewed with wonder not just because they are beautiful but because they are fleeting.”
― Richard Paul Evans

This is another painting I have wanted to do for a very long time. It's based on another photo taken by the wonderful Steve Evans (babasteve on flickr) of a beautiful little girl from Madagascar. I was so taken with her piercing gaze, which to me looks very serious, but also curious, contrasted with the very childlike gesture of her hands close to her mouth. I think she probably has one or more fingers in her mouth because I only counted three fingers and one thumb on her curled up hand on our left. 

Portraits are my very favorite subject to paint, because of the emotional connection I feel while painting them. But. . . they are hard for me. Even if the process itself isn't always hard (but usually it is), the act of trying to bring out human emotion on a little flat piece of wood with a stick with some hairs on it and a couple of tubes of smeary oil color is definitely draining. 

But this time, I really feel like I caught a little of something that I wanted to. A little bit of soul perhaps. I hope it's visible to you guys too. :) 

Thief - (SOLD) and a photobombing Giant Schnauzer

 'Thief'  - SOLD

5 x 7 oil on masonite

private commission***

This is the first little Yorkshire Terrier I've ever painted and I'm quite certain that he's also one of the cutest dogs on the planet. Seriously. Those little eyes just look straight into your soul! Thief is a champion show dog and this painting was a gift for my client's mother on her birthday. :)  I love being a part of gift's like that.

In other news, this happened:

Maggie Stiefvater is giving away illustrated bookplates if you send her a link to a photo of you holding her book, The Raven Boys. She also said you could send a photo of your pet and the book, if you were, um, as handsome as Quasimodo and didn't want to show your face. ;)

*So at first I took this picture:

But then I thought. Dude. That's boring.

So then I did this:

And this:

And this:

And then FINALLY, this:

So I hope this meets your specifications Maggie. Twas no easy feat to photograph my giant hound (who is sitting on my lap**) whilst holding your book at the same time. :D

*There's a part of me that often thinks that I need to be a "serious artist", and therefore this should be a "serious art blog", but. . . I'm not serious. I'm just. . . me. And that's what art is all about right? Unique individual expression.

**No animals, books, or artists were harmed in the making of this blog post. 

*** Why yes I am accepting commissions for pets or people, thank you for asking. Please Click here if you'd like more information.

Nurtured By My Side

'Nurtured By My Side'

5 x 7 oil on masonite

click here to purchase

'Baby mine, don't you cry
Baby mine, dry your eyes
Rest your head close to my heart
Never to part, baby of mine

From your head to your toes
You're not much, goodness knows
But you're so precious to me
Cute as can be, baby of mine.' 

When all my children were babies I would often sing to them, very quietly, as I held them and rocked them to sleep. Counting precious little fingers and marveling at the strength of such a little hand when it grasped onto mine. This song, from Dumbo one of my favorite Disney movies, was what I always sang to my youngest. And I can't listen to it without it bringing tears to my eyes, reminding me of those sweet, fleeting days. 

This little foal was born just a few days before I took this photo. And every time he stood up to nurse his mother stood so very still. Barely swishing her tail at the flies, unless they landed on him. She knew somehow where they landed. She stood ever calm, patient, steady, and watchful. It was another piece of evidence to me that a powerful love, especially a mother's love, doesn't belong to humans alone.

In other news I've been out of town a few days this week. For my birthday my husband got me tickets to see ZZ Ward, my FAVORITE musician in the entire world! So we made the five hour drive up to Boise, Idaho to see the concert and spent a few days there. 

ZZ Ward, with her trademark fedora hat. She was awesome. Every bit as good live as she is recorded. 

And I found my new favorite band too. This is You Me & Apollo, who opened for ZZ, and they seriously rocked. Like in a spectacularly amazingful way. Seriously. If you like Indie/Alt rock you should check them out. Pretty undiscovered right now, but they shouldn't be for long because they are awesome.

It was pretty rainy and cold while we were there but we did do a bit of sight seeing. There was this gorgeous bridge built in 1925 (I think), that went across a huge river. We don't have rivers like that in my neck of the woods in Utah. Which is a bummer. 

We also saw a ton (and by ton, I mean TON) of people playing (wait for it) Frisbee golf. This is like a real thing. I had no idea. These people take their frisbee golf seriously, they have different sized frisbees for different shots and everything. I must be sheltered because I seriously did not know such a thing existed. Nor was I aware of the zeal of its supporters. Wow. If you want to see a pic (because I didn't take one) here's a link on Wiki.

And another strange thing we saw was a bike bar. Not like a 'biker bar' with motorcycles, leather, and tattoos. No, no. Nothing like that. This is a literal Bike Bar. A moving bike type thing with a bar. Seats fourteen people. Yup. I can't make stuff like this up people. I'm not that creative.

You can see a pic of one here, because again, I slacked at getting a picture of this strange novelty.

And apparently squirrels are to Idaho, what seagulls are to Utah. Little scavengers who are not afraid of humans at all and practically scamper up your leg for food as you try to get to your car. I had some cookies in my hands as we left our bed and breakfast and those squirrels had their eyes on them. I feared for my cookies safety. It was a tense moment. It takes a brave soul to stroll through a Boise park without a few crumbs of food. Prepare thyself fair parkgoer lest ye shall face the wrath of the squirrels.

It was a good time. A great time. But it's good to be home too. . . where my cookies are safe from squirrels and I am not in danger of being beaned in the head by an errant frisbee.

Azure Eyes SOLD

"Azure Eyes" SOLD

5 x 7 inches

oil on masonite panel

I think I've talked a few times about one of the horses I had growing up that meant a lot to me. But I don't think I've ever mentioned that he had one blue eye. Ever since him I have had a soft spot for blue eyed horses. 

Growing up I actually had two horses that had blue eyes, but my boy Stormy is the one who meant the most to me. Both of them were the kind of horses that come into your life for a reason and change you, and then leave far too soon. This painting is my own little tribute to all those horses that impact our lives for the better.

Happy Memorial Day everyone. :) 

Incendiary

'Incendiary' 

5 x 7 inches oil on masonite

$65 plus $7 US shipping, or $15 International

'Fire burns brighter in the darkness.' - Suzanne Collins

I don't paint very many cats. I don't know why because it's not that I don't like cats. I do. Especially kittens. Because they're cute. And especially big cats, because they are just plain gaawgeous right?

Of all the big cats the Clouded Leopard, in this painting,  is my favorite. So striking with their dark spots and creamy brown fur. Their eyes seem to be a bit larger than most other big cats too, which is so beautiful. 

The eyes, once again, inspired this painting. There seemed to be a spark there just waiting to be fanned into a flame. I love that intensity in her gaze too. Not quite predatory here, but interested in something. Very, very interested.

Reference, with thanks, by Tammylo.

And THANK YOU so much for all the lovely birthday wishes! It was a great day. I"ll post a picture of my mountain of cupcakes my boys made me soon. And the winner of my sketch is Rob - Jackie Duff, facebook fan. Thanks so much for all the comments my friends! 

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!!

  

Sun Seeker - Gypsy Vanner horse SOLD

'Sun Seeker'  - gypsy vanner SOLD

5 x 7 inch oil on masonite

“Yours is the light by which my spirit's born: - you are my sun, my moon, and all my stars.”
― E.E. Cummings

Backlighting on a white horse is pretty much an ideal painting waiting to happen for me. The sunlight shining through that thick white mane created some truly beautiful colors that I could not wait to paint. I also really, really love that beautiful black head contrasted against the rest of his white body. I may do a full body painting of this boy in the future so you'll see that he does have more black spots than just this one. :)

I always worry that maybe I use color a little too. . . liberally, but that's just how I see things and I love color, so there you go. I think I should probably just embrace this fact of my painting style instead of stress over it. 

In any case I like how this turned out. And I am finding that the more I paint with oils the easier it is for me to mix colors vibrantly in a way that is very similar to my watercolor palette. I feel like with each oil painting I am discovering more about how I paint, and how I want to paint. I think that's why I'm using them so much right now. Lots to discover and learn and that keeps me motivated. It's when things start to feel routine that I start to get blocked I think. Found that out the hard way. ;) 

Reference photo, with thanks, by Notorious Stock on deviantART.

Understudy - Italian Greyhound SOLD

'Understudy' 

5 x 7 inches oil on masonite SOLD

I started painting this beautiful girl because of that dramatic lighting and that beautiful soul shining in her eyes. And then when I finished it I stood back and thought she would have made a great understudy for the girl in Vermeer's painting, Girl with a Pearl Earring. All she needed was a little blue towel wrapped around her cute head. I was tempted to go back in and give her an earring after I noticed that. Oh so tempted. Reference photo, with thanks, by Just Chaos.

In other news. . . 

My super fantastic sister got me the Most Awesome Shirt ever! Suits me don't you think? Pink, check. Cupcake eating reference, check. Nailed it!

Listening to: The National, A Terrible Love
Reading: The Great Gatsby
Watching: The Vampire Diaries
Snacking on: homemade white chocolate and dried cranberry cookies  (the sugar ban is a thing of the past. Moderation people. That's the name of the game now. I eat healthy stuff too. Most of the time. )

Refuse To Be Hidden - SOLD

'Refuse To Be Hidden'  SOLD

5 x 7 oil on masonite

'Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.' -  Marianne Williamson

I often think about the fear that is a part of being a creative person and putting your heartfelt work out into this sometimes cold and cruel world. Maybe because it is one of my own personal demons and something I am constantly battling. 

This beautiful African girl, her bright, intelligent gaze, and the way she's coming out from her hiding place behind this tree, unafraid, really touched me. This is another one of those images that I have wanted to paint so badly for so long, but put off doing it for a long time because of the fear of not doing it justice. 

So I finally told that fear to shut the heck up and painted her anyway. Just because I wanted to. No, that's not entirely true. I felt like I needed to paint her. So I did. And I love it. :)

Reference photo, with thanks, by the awesome Steve Evans.

Freedom of Innocence

'Freedom of Innocence' 

5 x 7 inches oil on masonite

"When we are children we seldom think of the future. This innocence leaves us free to enjoy ourselves as few adults can. The day we fret about the future is the day we leave our childhood behind." Patrick Rothfuss

Something that always gets my heart when I paint a child is their innocent, but also very knowing expression. It's something that I think most people don't see, at least I know I don't see it until I spend a few hours studying their eyes. And it's something that never fails to amaze me. 

Listening to: Fall Out Boy

Reading: The Name of the Wind, by Patrick Rothfuss

Watching: Gold Rush 

Snacking on: see photo below :) 

Greek Yogurt Brulee. Oh. My. Gosh. This is so yummy. :) Here's the recipe I adapted.