Like a Rusty Faucet

Gypsy Liberty

3.5 x 9.5 inches

watercolor on paper

click here to purchase

I've always been the type of person to dive headfirst into whatever it is I'm passionate about at that moment. it consumes me and it's all I think about. I live it, breathe it, dream it. If I'm awake I'm either practicing my passion, or I'm thinking about when I next get to practice. 

But inevitably, that ends in a burn out. Well. . . most of the time. 

And then it's weeks or months on end before I pick up that passion again. And at first it's a little like an old faucet that hasn't been used for a while. It sticks, doesn't open right, and then after smacking the stupid faucet with some type of tool (a wrench maybe) it starts to trickle a little water.  Then the next time you try to use that faucet it's just a little easier to open. Doesn't take as much. . . abuse to get it to start flowing, even if it is still just a trickle. 

Slowly, if you're patient, and you don't give up, and you use that faucet every day, it flows effortlessly. Like it used to when it was brand new. Like it was made to. 

That's how I feel about painting right now. 

For a long time I let my skills get rusty. But with practice I'm back at home again. And back in the flow. 

It's a great place to be. 

Luminous Berries and Art Life Updates

Luminous Berry

5 x 5 watercolor on paper

click here to purchase

For the last several months painting has constantly been on my mind. I dream up ideas for future paintings, my hands itch to hold a brush, and I try to figure out how to get 26 hours out of each day, or require less than 5 hours of sleep at night, so I can get more painting time.

Since the new year came and the holidays are gone for another year (YASSS) I made a promise to myself that I would paint every day. If only for 15 minutes. Well. . . . I haven't kept that promise. Some days I just can't make it to paint. Which IS frustrating. BUT on the positive side I have painted more this month than I did the last six months combined. So I think I'm onto something here.

This painting is the first watercolor daily painting (never mind that it took me about 6 days to finish instead of 1) I've finished in. . . 3 years I think. And I have found a lot of satisfaction in that.

I'm excited to keep on painting, I have SO many ideas sketched out! We'll see how well I do at keeping this blog updated too.

Thanks for following along with my artwork!

Hugs,

Crystal

Portrait Commissions and Sketchbooks

This year I've been kept pretty busy with some beautiful child portrait commissions to paint. This sweet girl above, Sadie, was finished a few weeks ago, and I have a little boy currently on my easel that is nearly finished as well. I feel so honored that these parents trusted me to capture their child and I hope I'm doing each one justice.

There hasn't been any time for personal paintings, but after this last commission is finished I'll be taking a break from custom work to paint some ideas I've had floating in my head for a while. I've had an idea of paintings of my boys I want to do that I'm considering using to get back into the juried show game, but we'll see how they turn out first ha! I haven't entered a painting in a competition for a long time, but I think this might be just the thing to help me push myself out of my comfort zone and level up my skills. Well. . . that's the hope anyways.

I have however been doing plenty of sketching as time allows. This is so crucial to my own satisfaction as an artist, and for personal growth. Even if I don't have time to paint on a certain day if I can squeeze in a sketch I feel like I'm still growing my skills, developing my career as an artist and that to me, is pretty priceless. Here are some of my recent faves:

I really miss blogging, but it seems to take so much time. I'm posting much more regularly on instagram if you'd like to follow me over there!

I is for. . . Iron Man SOLD

'Iron Man' 

4 x 4 inches 

watercolor on paper SOLD

Back to work with my alphabet series. 'I' is for, you guessed it, Iron Man - Lego style. In our house, superheroes and Legos are king. 

I got my kids involved with this painting, because I could NOT find Iron Man's tiny Lego mask. And well, without his mask he's just Tony Stark, which while Tony Stark is awesome, he is not quite as awesome as Iron Man. ;) Also Tony starts with a T. ;)

So, we took a bunch of photos of all different kinds of Lego guys, Batman and Catwoman, Storm Troopers and Jedis, and the riders of Rohan and the Uruk Hai army. Not sure that I'll get to painting all of them, but it was a lot of fun. And I organized all the Legos while we were at it for about the hundredth time. Let's hope they stay that way for more than a month.  

We've got a bunch of home improvement projects going on right now, and I am loaded with commissions (a good thing :) so I may need to take a break from this series for a little while, but I'll be back to it for sure. Hopefully soon because it is a lot of fun. 

Huzzah to you my friends! May your week be filled with cupcakes and acts of superheroism! 

Listening to: "The Ballad of John Henry" by Joe Bonamassa

Reading: The Unwanteds

Watching: Supernatural reruns

Snacking on: half baked, fresh out of the oven chocolate chip cookies

Drinking: diet Coke with lime 

On the Brink

'On The Brink'

7 x 10 inches

watercolor on paper, not for sale

This is one of my beautiful nieces. She just turned 13 so I thought it was time she had a portrait. :) I love this stage of young womanhood, that in between time of not really a little girl anymore, but not a grown up either (I love seeing it happen on other people, but living it? Not so much). 

This girl is sweet, funny (downright hilarious actually), with a huge heart. And of course she is incredibly beautiful, with her jewel colored eyes and rich, dark hair. I just can't say enough good things about her, I love her to pieces and am so proud to be her aunt. She is such a special girl and I have loved getting to see her grow up. I'm excited to see where she goes next. :)  

Lest ye think that I have fallen off the alphabet series wagon, let me just say - Nay, I have not. My next painting is 'I' and I'm all geeked out over the subject matter. And that's all the teaser you will get until Monday. ;) 

Huzzah my friends! May your cookies always be full of chocolate chips!

Fairy Lights - F is for Fairy

'Fairy Lights' 

5 x 7 watercolor on paper

$100 plus $7 US shipping/$15 International

“I believe in everything until it's disproved. So I believe in fairies, the myths, dragons. It all exists, even if it's in your mind. Who's to say that dreams and nightmares aren't as real as the here and now?”
― John Lennon

I saw this young woman at the zoo last year. And she wasn't wearing wings (not to say they weren't there. . . You just couldn't see them ;). I loved the swish of her dress, and the colors of her sun struck skin against her dark hair. But most of all what I loved was her gesture of holding her hand at her throat. I just so happened to catch her at the right moment and I've wondered ever since what it was that made her do that? Was it some news she had just heard, or maybe this was just one of those unconscious things she did when she heard something funny, or felt uncomfortable. 

In any case there was some magic about her that day it seemed. So I thought it only fitting to give her wings.  and a few will o' the wisps for companions. :) 

This is F in my alphabet series, for Fairy! Now it's time to go on to the next.

Last Minute Adjustments D is for Dancer -SOLD

'Last Minute Adjustments' 

5 x 7 watercolor on paper SOLD

The next one in my alphabet series, D is for Dancer. Last year me and several other local artists hired this ballet dancer to model for us. I did some quick charcoal sketches from life and took lots of photos to paint from later. And I am just finally getting around to painting them. All that detail in her tutu was a little intimidating, but I am really happy with how it turned out, even if it did take me forever. I thought as you grew older you were supposed to become more patient, instead of less??

This was my favorite pose from the bunch of photos I took. I love her graceful back and gesture. And of course, that full, colorful skirt. :) 

In other news. . . 

This is Fenrick*. I found him this weekend curled up in a corner of my watercolor box, whimpering about being lost. I don't know how he ended up there, or where he came from. . . or even what he is. He looks a little bit like a mix between a lemur, a sugar glider, and a. . . cute monster maybe?? 

In any case, in the short time since Fenrick has joined my family he has proven to be a very useful pet. He likes to sit on my shoulder while I paint, whispering encouragement, and suggesting paint colors. He's quite the little muse and takes his job as such very seriously. He only takes a break about every 30 seconds or so to scamper down  my arm and take a nibble of my cupcake before climbing back up to his post.  Which means that I eat less cupcake, but I'm willing to take that one for the team. It's worth it for all the inspiration this little guy is bringing me;) 

*Fenrick is made entirely of colored polymer clay with just a dab of white acrylic paint for his eyes. He's the result of this weekend's dragon day.
 

Studio Sale - Arabian Horse Painting SOLD

'Opportunity' SOLD

9.5 x 14 inches

watercolor on paper

I have a few pieces that I painted quite a while ago that I'd really love to go to someone who would love to have them. Right now this painting is sitting in a clear bag in a storage bin, which is sad. She deserves to be loved and petted and named George. ;) 

So if you've been wanting one of my paintings, especially one of my white horse paintings (this is one of the first ones I did using my current method for painting whites, painted early 2010) then click on the link to bid. :) 

Enjoy the rest of the weekend everyone! Huzzah! 

The Sky In Her Eyes

'The Sky In Her Eyes'  

6 x 9 inches

watercolor on paper

 

'The brightest light, the light of Italy, the purest sky of Scandinavia in the month of June is only a half-light when one compares it to the light of childhood.' Eugene Ionesco 

I have to confess that I am not very well read on world news and the politics of other countries. I don't know a lot about what life is like for the people that I paint who live so far away from me. I don't know statistics of their countries or interesting facts. I might even be unable to point out this girl's city on a globe, if I'm being completely honest.* 

But that has never been what this project has been about to me. I love children. I love their innocence and wonder. I love wondering who they will grow up to become. I love knowing that somewhere this little person, if they are lucky and I hope and pray that they really are, is loved by their mother just as much as my boys are loved by me. 

So even though I don't know the specifics of where these children are from I still feel like we're connected because I have loved a child with all my heart (more than one :) who is just like them in almost all respects save geographical location. 

This beautiful girl is from Southern India, reference photo generously provided by the amazing Steve Evans (babbasteve on Flickr).

*Because I know that many of these children that I paint live in less than ideal conditions you can click here to read about my way of giving back

New watercolor portrait work in progress

work in progress watercolor portrait 

It's been a very long time since I painted a watercolor portrait that wasn't a commission. I think it's been since January. Wow. I kind of can't believe that. I just went and looked it up and it HAS been since January. That's a long time for me. 

This painting is based on a photo by the amazing Steve Evans, of a beautiful young girl from South India. This section is just a close up, the full painting is all of her face and some of her arm too. I fell in love with her eyes. So sincere, so alive. I'm very excited to get back to painting it. 

And here's a peek at what's been going on during my 'dragon days.'

 A little horse bust I sculpted on my birthday last week. Just for fun. :) 

My latest sculpting project. A bigger, more detailed horse sculpture. Hopefully, if everything works out, this will be a full body gypsy horse when it's finished. That's the goal anyway. :)

I am feeling SO excited about this little side project right now. It is filling up my creative well in a big way. 

Anyone out there tried sculpting before? And, what's something you guys do to refuel your creative fire?  

 

 

I choose gentleness

'Grace' 

6 x 6 watercolor 

available here

“I choose gentleness... Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself.”
― Max Lucado

 

This woman's eyes have always drawn me in with their gentleness and grace. And the tentative curve of her smile too. An older painting from the archives that I painted last year, but one of my own personal favorites. 

Yesterday while out running, I was trying to cross at a crosswalk, and the driver turning right wasn't paying attention to pedestrians. I was watching her and I saw that she was not paying attention to me, or else I probably would have been hit. I got angry. I smacked her trunk as she drove away with my fist. The thing that made me so angry was that the crosswalk I was at was right in front of an elementary school, even though it was too early in the morning for any kids to be there yet. All I could think of was what if a smaller child had been there?  A little one who trusted the cars to look out for them? What if it had been my child who had almost gotten hit, or worse, by this driver who was too busy to look around them?

My point is that yesterday I was not gentle. I vented all about it on Facebook. And I kind of regret it. Although, hopefully my fist pounding her trunk woke that driver up enough that she'll never speed through another crosswalk again. So the little ones who cross there will always be safe. 

 

Life is precious, and short. We don't need to make it any shorter for anyone by not paying attention, or choosing not to be gentle. 

 

Until. . . later my friends. I'm off to eat some cookie dough for a mid morning snack. 

Scritchin and Scratchin - SOLD

'Scritchin and Scratchin'  SOLD

6 x 6 watercolor on paper

Another foal to add to my series of 'baby horses with itches that can't quite reach them'. I'm not married to that series title so if you have something better lay it on me. I tried asking my husband and son for another title that was similar to 'Can't Reach' or 'Almost Got It' but their suggestions were less than desirable. 'Scritchin and Scratchin' was my husband's contribution which was actually kind of a cute.

In any case, this little guy (a Gypsy Vanner foal) is so darling. I love his soft baby mane and tail, and that gesture of him reaching around to scratch his knee with his little nose is so endearing that I can't look at it without my heart melting a little bit. :) He was a pleasure to paint and is owned by my friend, Sue Niesen, of Gypsy Lane Farm.

And how about a Huzzah for Friday hmm??? Huzzah!! See you Monday everyone. :)

Logan - private commission SOLD

'Logan'  SOLD - private commission

10 x 14 inches watercolor 

Recently I had the wonderful opportunity to paint this beautiful little girl. Her mom sent me several photos and we both talked about which ones we thought would make the best portrait. We settled on this one of her in a lamb hat. :) She has the most beautiful eyes and lips and such a solemn and sweet expression. Commissions are easy when you have such beautiful subjects. ;) 

I am currently taking commissions, if you're interested click here for details.

In other news I got these babies all gussied up and ready for their prom date. (Er. . . that is, I gessoed some hard board panels that my wonderful husband cut for me so I can paint on them. :)

Huzzah for completed commissions, happy clients, and fresh surfaces to paint on!! And chocolate!! (Because chocolate is important right? ;)

Believe - SOLD

'Believe'  sold

5 x 7 inches watercolor

“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.”  Roald Dahl

I was at the park the other day and saw this lovely little fairy dashing through the trees, almost too quickly for me to see. But not quite quick enough. :) Now here she is immortalized for all time as evidence that fairies exist. 

Mood: content

Listening to: The Raven Boys (audio book)

Reading: Apollyon by Jennifer Armentrout

Snacking on: chocolate animal crackers (yes they have sugar, but not that much, or so I tell myself ;)

Watching: Oblivion (last weekend while on a hot date with my husband)

Dodson - SOLD

'Dodson'  SOLD

10 x 14 inches watercolor on paper

private commission

“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.”
― W.B. Yeats

This beautiful little boy was a commission that I recently completed. I love his cheeks, full lower lip, and wide brown eyes. :) 

I sometimes think that our senses were never so sharp as when we were brand new to this world and we were not immune to the beauty and wonder of our every day lives. Lately I've been looking through photos of my kids from 2010, when my youngest son was not quite 18 months old. There are so many photos of him caught looking at something that utterly captivates him. I was so taken with his expression that I photographed him a million times, mostly close up zooming in to his face, and now I wonder what it was he was looking at that filled him with so much wonder? Probably something as ordinary as a turquoise sippy cup with the light shining through it. Which to him was not ordinary at all.

In the Spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt SOLD

 'First Up'  SOLD

6 x 6 inches

watercolor on paper

 “In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.”

― Margaret Atwood 

“Is the spring coming?" he said. "What is it like?"...
"It is the sun shining on the rain and the rain falling on the sunshine...”
― Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden

“Spring is the time of plans and projects.”
― Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina 

Yes, for those of you who are long time blog readers, this is a painting I have posted before. But it's the first day of spring! Which naturally means that here in Utah it is a dreary, rainy day. :) And so I've spent the morning inside, with my youngest, making pretend food to feed to all of his stuffed animals. It's been perfect.
 

Although if I'm being honest I'll have to confess that I wish it were just a tad warmer and sunnier. Like last week, when we took a trip to the park for the first time this year.

Such good times. :)

So my friends, what are you most excited about now that spring is here? (At least according to the calendar here in the US)

Sweet Baby Girl Portrait Commission WIP

Sweet Baby Girl, work in progress

8 x 10 inches, watercolor 

 

This week I've been working on a new portrait commission of this absolutely darling little girl. I'm going to show a few pics of the painting in progress just in case you guys are curious. The above shot is where I'm at right now (that blank line to the left of her is water from a sprinkler, haven't started that yet).

My client said that she really loved my use of vivid color so I'm trying to keep that in mind as I layer the skin tones (no I haven't found a way around that layering yet. Argh). Painting a baby's skin is a very delicate process, you have to be quick and sure about what colors to use and where to use them. The less you layer on a baby the better. Her face is basically done at this point, we'll see if I need to add anything once I finish the background and her body. 

This has been one of the funnest commission's I've ever had. I mean just look at that smile? Don't you just love her? :)

Here are a few earlier pics in progress too: 

the preliminary drawing

A close up of her face, in progress 

It's been a while since I've posted a watercolor WIP so if you guys have any questions ask away and I'll try my best to answer them in the questions. :) 

Listening to: ZZ Ward, Put The Gun Down

Reading: Indigo Spell, by Rachelle Mead

Watching: you guessed it, Supernatural :)

Snacking on: apple slices and peanut butter

Vulpes - SOLD

'Vulpes' red fox SOLD

5" x 5" inch watercolor on paper

A while ago I had this idea that I'd do a whole series of small portraits of little forest animals. I love the idea of small little 'formal' portraits of these animals. So far I've done an owl, bunny, and now this fox. I want to do a deer, maybe a squirrel. . . and I can't really think of anything else. Do you have any ideas of woodland animals that would be fun to paint? 

If it was legal, and humane, and if they wouldn't bite my fingers off I would totally have a fox for a pet. :) They are so cute! 

Reference photo by Mike Baird, thank you!

Detonate - Arabian horse SOLD

'Detonate'  SOLD

6" x 6" watercolor on paper

$65 plus $10 US shipping, $15 International

 

Reference photo by Chunga-stock on deviantart, thank you!

The power this horse had was so compelling to me. I wanted to crop in close on his action to make it seem like he was ready to explode out of the frame, that's why I decided on the 6 x 6 size. Hopefully that's the message that comes across. :)

I hesitate to say that I'm working on a series of horses, because that's usually when I feel like moving on to something else, but just so you know that might be what I'm doing. Something like a series, but let's not technically call it a series okay? :)

And here is a photo of the beautiful ACEO that my dear friend Carol sent me. I won it from her blog and I love it so much. It reminds me of my mom who loves to garden and grows the best tomatoes
I've ever tasted.

 

Let It Snow - SOLD

'Let It Snow' SOLD

6" x 6" watercolor on paper

$65 plus $7 US shipping or $15 International

Last winter my youngest son was playing with some of his toys and books (suspiciously very quietly) when he suddenly came to get me to see what he had built. On the floor was a long line of books placed end to end, covering the entire room. And on each book was a little toy.

He was SO proud of what he had done. I took a bunch of photos of him and his book 'train' and then I saw this little pig with wheels sitting on top of one of his favorite Toot and Puddle books. The light was so pretty, and I thought it was an awfully cute coincidence that the two illustrated pigs just so happened to be looking up at the little toy.

It needed to be painted. So I owe the composition here to littlest Cook. :)