Sunday, August 29, 2010

Acorns

With fall just around the corner, I've been compiling a page of 'all things fall' - or, ideas for my fall-themed paintings. Now, I can't show you that page until all my paintings have been complete and posted - or else that would spoil all the surprises! I have one or two more to go, I think - as long as I don't come up with more ideas! They were supposed to be all done, but I came up with more ideas while completing some of my other paintings.

Acorns is my second painting for the autumn collection. The original has already sold, but that only means that prints are immediately available now! You may have noticed too that my banners in my blog and shop feature this autumn tree.


I was worried that the acorns may look out of the place, but the reddish brown worked amazing with the sap green. This painting was a squirrel's dream! You can purchase this print at my shop.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Sapphire Dreams

I just completed this painting this week. I was quite excited how this painting, Sapphire Dreams, turned out. I wasn't sure about the golden yellow flecks at first, but I think they help the blue so rich.


I've been wanting to do something with this shade of blue in the spotlight for a long time too. I feel this was the perfect application. It's such a perfect colour for a whimsy piece.

It's listed, and available for sale on Etsy.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

My Studio Space

My desk is so much 'cleaner' now that my big desk top computer is moved. The lap top was an excellent idea!


Other new on the lap top sleeve I was looking for: I'm getting an Etsy seller to make me a custom one. And she's Canadian! I'm so excited!!!

Monday, August 23, 2010

The Creative Process: Fall Colours Trends

I've been working in my sketchbooks and painting up some fall-based pieces. I used to go into these projects head on, but now I've started to get a little organized and try to put a plan in place. Now, this isn't to say I can't help myself from diving head on into an idea...you can't stop greatness!

Now this upcoming season is the first time that I've looked at colours trends. This season, being autumn 2010. Typical colours of course are the reds, oranges and deep yellows. But, I wanted to see what colours were the trendy ones, so that I could incorporate more colours into my pieces.

Through short reasearch, I came up with the below colour trends for the 2010 autumn season:

Any colours that I personally adjusted for myself, I renamed for myself. But some of the colours you may already recognize: they were released in the Pantone fashion color fall report. As you can see, they do still have a traditional yellow, but there's also a beautiful blue, and some lovely greens.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Book Review: The Wild Things

I would like to first start by saying I have not yet watched this movie, but it is definitely on my list of movies to see since I want to know the differences, and how the characters are portrayed in the movie sense. The book, The Wild Things, by Dave Egger was not exactly what I had hoped for. I guess since the children's book was so amazing, I was looking for some more fairy tale, mystic sort of story.

I wasn't completely disappointed. It was still an interesting story. The characters were well developed, and the 'monsters' began to have human characteristics. It's was sort of a tug-o-war about whether the monsters were more human than not. One moment they would be engaging very complex situations, and then another they were beyond wild.

This story is worth a read if you enjoyed the children's book.

I give this book a 3 fuzzy monsters out of 5.

Now, I just had to find some time to watch the movie so that I can compare the two!

Friday, August 20, 2010

Laptop Sleeve Shopping

I acquired a new laptop last week - those who follow me on Twitter must know that I am quite excited to no longer be held into one place with my desk top computer. I am loving the new freedom to work where ever I like. But when I purchased my laptop, I did not get anything to put it in - I was still pondering whether I wanted a bag or a sleeve. Well, I have decided on a sleeve and after visiting the stores and seeing what there was to offer, I was not impressed at all. So I've decided to get my sleeve on Etsy!

Starting at the top, from left to right, stores are: moboogie, cushcase, MirkaDesign, andbertiescloset
Starting at the top, from left to right, stores are: ChicBoutique, ShibaNgDesigns, brokesly and fantella.

There are little parts from each one that I like. For example, the idea of having ribbons for closing the sleeve shut is something that I would seriously consider, it's just so pretty and feminine. I am also interested in a small pocket for my power cord as well, but most of these sellers offer custom orders, so that wouldn't be a problem I don't think. It's all just a matter of deciding... any comments and suggestions are welcome, since choosing is hard for me lol

Thursday, August 19, 2010

The Small Wall Calendar

I just listed my small 2011 wall calendar on Etsy! I wasn't so blessed with a lovely day to take pictures as I was for the desk calendar.


Moving on, this year's calendar is on a lovely ribbon (cream coloured can still be requested). But at the 'ribbon store', I felt that this one gave the perfect finishing touch.


It features all the same months as my desk calendar, it's just arranged in a different format. It's perfect for small work spaces and such. It's perfectly sized to hang on a pin-board alongside all your notes and such; it will most definitely make the 'bill section' of the peg-board much more lovely.


You can see more of the calendar at my listing, here.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Hello! 2011 Desk Calendar!

It's finally done and here: my 2011 desk calendar! It took a lot of time with my dear pal, photoshop, but it's made it here. It's all printed and pretty and wonderful! It features 12 new months, different of course from previous years.


Best of all, it's printed on 100% recycled paper! So not only is it tree-lovely, but it's also tree-friendly now too!


Again, this year I made it into a 16-month calendar, so that everyone can enjoy it so much sooner. Cause if anyone is like me, they would be impatient to start a new calendar!


Now, the desk calendars this year are limited: there are only 19 available - my case supplier no longer exists...so I only have one shipment worth of cases. So hurry before they're gone!

Friday, August 13, 2010

Book Review: Spooky Little Girl

I have just finished reading "Spooky Little Girl" by Laurie Notaro. This story is about a young women (in her twenties), whose life is just taking a ridiculous downward dive - everything that could go wrong, has gone wrong...and then some. And then, to top it all off: she suddenly dies! (Don't worry, it says this on the back, so I'm not giving it away lol).

She finds herself in ghost school, where she has to learn to be a spook. This is a sort of in between, before they reach eternal bliss. People go here when they didn't live up to their full potential on earth. In order to move ahead, she has to complete a mission. Do this, or stay a roaming ghost on earth. Her mission surprises even her! Also, this book delivers an interesting perspective on the going into the 'white light' concept.

This is a very charming, funny quick read. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a light read for the beach, or just something to get their mind. I really enjoyed this book, and will definitly be reading another novel by this same author. Unfortunately, I think it's the only one my library carries. *Sigh* I might have to hunt in a used-book store.

I will give this book 4 charming ghosts out of 5

I couldn't help to love this book when I read it. The whole time, I was thinking, 'This would make a great movie'!...and I don't think that often. There's a few unexpected turn of events to spice it all up.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

2011 Calendar Update!

I now have 7 months complete. I'm past the half way point! (Photoshop and I are spending a great deal of time together).

So here's another sneak peek:


Now for a tiny surprise. This year, in addition to the desk and small-wall calendar formats, I'll be offering a large calendar - full 8.5 x 11" per page. This was requested last year, so little notes can be made. I admit, I like having a large calendar in my office to keep track of everything too, in addition the the smaller ones around the apartment.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

New Oil Painting Blog!

I decided that I was going to keep my oil painting post in a blog as a collection. Since they are a new branching of my artwork, I felt that this was appropriate. So I created Angie in Oil.


I will still post the bigger blog posts here, just so no one misses anything. But the more minor posts will be only on the oil painting blog. I think that since I'm trying to experiment with oils, and I have no formal instruction - except for a few books and my dear friend google, that it will be a fun experience to share with everyone!

There is a link on the right for access to the blog, or you can go over right now and follow!

Monday, August 9, 2010

Recent Purchase from neenacreates

I recently purchased a t-shirt from neenacreates on Etsy, and it just arrived in the mail this Friday!!


I must say that it is quite hard to take a picture of yourself, while trying to show t-shirt details lol. Anyways, it has 'C'est la vie' written on it.

The t-shirt itself is very light, and perfect for summer-going-into-fall weather.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Book Review: Cleavage )(

Now, now this book isn't what you think it is...that is, if you're thinking with a dirty mind. This short novel, by Canadian author Theanna Bischoff, is a compilation of tidbits of a woman's life before, during and after dealing with breast cancer. The story takes place in Calgary, Alberta. It's about her relationships with her family, friends, significant others as well as her semi-developing spiritual relationship.

Although it was a decent read, I don't think it was one of my favourites. The tidbits are very disjointed, that sometimes you have to wonder about the relevance of certain parts at all - since they're so random, and don't necessarily tie into the story or contribute to it. You're going all ways too, that sometimes I wonder if a particular event is before or after another - which makes a huge difference in some instances.

Also the author didn't 'end' it. She left it at an ending that you could interpret as you pleased. Sometimes this is okay, but there's an additional segment of the book where she explains that she just didn't know what people would want, so she left it as it (although she also says in her shorter, pre-novel, version she did end it). But anyways, I like endings. Whether it's an ending I agree with or not, I don't like 'not knowing'. And, I think the author might have been too scared to make such a decision since it is her first novel.

I give this book 2.5 out of 5

I would recommend this read still. Not just to women, but both men and women. Being that breast cancer is so evident in our society now, even in men. It isn't a 'heroic' perspective. It is of a girl, who develops breast cancer and learns new way to deal with life's challenges.

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Recipe Box: Thai Mango Salad


The other night I was browsing a Thai take-out menu and decided that I wanted their mango salad. But I had never ordered from the restaurant before, so I wasn't quite sure about (I would rather eat in somewhere before I order out)...so I decided to prowl the internet for a similar recipe!

This salad is just simply delicious and so fresh tasting - not to mention ridiculously easy! Now, this isn't my recipe, I got it from JamieOliver.com, here. I won't re-post it, since I don't want to compromise any copyright laws or anything.

I only changed one part of the recipe. It called for a fresh hot chili, and I wasn't able to find one. So, instead I got Sweet Chili Sauce, by 'A taste of Thai', and then just omitted the sugar. I'm not really a fan of super hot anyways, and I think it was the perfect substitution.

Also, for the oils that you need, I almost omitted the sesame oil - since I didn't have to, and would have to buy a whole bottle. But it's flavour was very prominent, and so it's a very important ingredient. On the other hand, I think you would be save omitting the sesame seeds. I included them, but it was more of a 'look-good' aspect than a taste one I found.

Enjoy!

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Surprises to Come!

My studio (and life in general) has been chalked full of great, busy productivity!!

One of the projects I'm working on is my 2011 Calendar. This year I'm offering it in an additional format to my wall and desk calendars. I can't tell you just yet...but it was requested last year, and I thought that it was about time!

Now for a sneak peek at a month, or two: