Watercolor Wednesday: Bee Hive

Bee Hive - watercolour on 9x12" watercolour paper

This painting is the bees knees! I've always wanted to say that in context! With spring (soon to be) around the corner, this idea popped into my head. I also have a Winnie-the-Pooh obsessed friend, and that may have slightly fueled this idea as well.

The original is for sale in my shop :)

I've also completed some commissions:

Already missing the sun...

I arrived back home in bed from my trip to the Dominican Republic on Sunday - at 5 am. Boy, was I exhusted! I had an amazing time there!

We did two excursions off the resort. One was the 'waterfall excursion', where guides take you up waterfalls, and then you slide down the rock down or free fall jump off of them. It was very neat walking through the jungle, and going through the waterfalls - the rock formations were amazing. The highest jump was 21 feet. We also did zip-lining - so much fun, and a great way to see some forest!

My first time stepping in the ocean

Playing on the ocean bed - the one evening, the tide resided so far back we saw little fishes swimming in tidal pools. We didn't get any pictures of the fish, because as soon as we saw those, we saw we were surrounded by sea urchins! Ouchie! It was time to get out of there before we got hurt.

The Ocean bed when the tide went out.

Lots of relaxing was had.

A view of the mountain

Where we stayed

A view of the greenery of the countryside on the way to zip-lining

After surviving ziplining - one girl smashed into a tree because she didn't slow down / break like she was supposed to. I was so glad to get the hang of it without that happening. (Yes, they do have emergency breaks at the end, and they did slow we down - but she didn't slow herself down, so there's only so much that can be done. She was fine, just a few tears. But motivation enough not to let that happen to me).

A lot of the housing is painted bright colours, and a lot of the siding made with the bark from a type of coconut tree. During our one tour, we gave the children a bunch of candy. And, as we left our hotel, we left all our shampoos, soaps and such for the maids along with some chocolates and a hat. They don't have much, so little things like that help them out. And, had I not done that - my luggage would have been way over...I thought it would have put me under, I guess my clothes had a lot of humidity with them making them heavy.

I have so many more pictures, but definitely not enough space to share them here. I will be putting them all on my flickr account when I find some time. I have to wait to see if friends got pictures of the ziplining and waterfalls - my camera isn't waterproof, and it rained when we did ziplining.

Monday Etsy Love:

I love these Dendrite II Earrings by nervoussystem on Etsy.


I'm always a fan of silver / white gold jewelry - but I really like these because they just look so simply original without being 'too-much'.

Saturday Sketch: Squirrels

I was sketching these squirrels for a commissioned painting. I ended up using the smaller top one, as it seems more illustrated then the more realistic bottom one.

Watercolor Wednesday: Oreo Part 1

I love my dear partner in crime, Oreo. He has been featured in many of my paintings before, but never with him as the sole subject - and never done in a slight attempt to get it life-like. Personally, I do find fur a challenge, and so I figured that painting him would be great practice and would hopefully make me more comfortable with all furry critters.


I'm not done yet, this piece is a bit larger than usual (12x16"), and is taking me a bit more time. I hope that it turns out to look at least a little like him - I know being my first watercolour pet portrait, that is asking a lot. But I will try, and if anything: at least it will look like a cat.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine's Day. I know many think it's just a commercial holiday, but it's what you make it: it's a good day to remember those who you love and are thankful for in your life.

I am spending Valentine's Day this year in the Dominican Republic (left on the 12th) - Have to love scheduled posts :). Seems like an expensive Valentine's Day, but friends are getting married there (today actually). Typically, James and I make dinner for each other and just spend the evening together doing nothing special - renting a cute movie and just hanging out.

Monday Etsy Love: Birds Linen Pillow Cover

I love how colourful this Birds Linen Pillow cover by sukanart is.


The little birds are so cute, and their geometric 'grid' arrangement turns them into a wonderful functional piece of art.

Saturday Sketch: Sandy

Sandy is my parents dog, she's a white-Shepard, and quite the little princess. Just a few sketchs I did of her from pictures on my computer. I'm hoping to paint her soon.

Fiction Project Friday: Pgs. 1-3

I have been working on my fiction project quite steadily in between custom paintings and daily life. I'm almost done the first two pages of the main story, and the third page is all done.

Pages 1-2: Watercolor on affixed watercolor paper.

Page 3: Ink on paper.

It's actually quite relaxing, and a lot of fun working on this project. I dabble in it while James watches his sports hehe.

Watercolor Wednesday: Hanging Hearts

Hanging Hearts - 9x12" on watercolour paper

I thought I should create a painting for Valentine's Day. Hanging hearts is sort of like a tree full of Valentine's and love for the grabbing (if only love grew on trees, then maybe this world would be a happier, less violent one).


Hanging hearts is listed for sale on my Etsy shop, or you can contact me.

Monday Etsy Love: Rustic Stoneware

I've always been fond of handmade dishes.

This set by OneClayBead is no exception. It is gorgeous both on the inside with it's vibrant colours, and on the outside with it's beatutiful, natural looking textures. A perfect piece to bring life to any room.

Saturday Sketch: Puddles

Puddles

Me anxious for spring? Not quite: I have lots of snowboarding I still want to get in before the snow all melts away. But how can one resist a little one in a yellow rain jacket (you'll have to use your imagination for the colour). This sketch may eventually turn into a painting.

Ps. I really do not enjoy drawing hands, so this little boy is going to have 'mitten hands' lol

Fiction Project Friday

I have received my fiction project package!! I was so anxious to get it, and now I'm ridiculously excited to begin :)


We get an 80-page moleskin journal to create a written masterpiece in! I also recieved a bit of instructions, and a library card - although I'm sad to say I don't think I'll be able to travel to the US to see my work...I wish they did an exhibit in Toronto!


As you can see, I've already begun. I started very briefly, beginning my dedication (every story needs this!) and table of contents page. I've already decided that my story will also be a mixed media collaboration. Some pages will be completely finished, painted pages; while other pages will only be ink or pencil.

I will try to update every Friday on its progress. :)

Watercolour Wednesday: Fox Nap

Fox Nap - 9x12" watercolour

A little red fox taking a break for a warm nap in her den.

I have been wanting to paint something with this sort of blue hue and bright red in a long time, and this idea came to mind. I was going to name this piece somewhere along the lines of hibernation - but then I found out that red foxes do not hibernate through the winter months. Oh well, this little lovely is having a sound snooze in her den before she braves the cold again.

The original painting is available for sale on Etsy.

Here is the progress of painting the fox:

1. First I pencil sketch her onto my watercolour paper. Putting items / animals with my trees take a bit more planning, drawing-wise:


2. Next I colour her in with a 'flood' of Cadium Red. I don't start my shading just yet. But I do 'reserve' the white portion of her tail. I let this dry before I continue.
2. Next I add in shading along the outlines of my dear Ms. Fox, as well as shadows in 'deeper' portion her her body. I do this by adding small amounts of Prussian Blue and building up the layers and outlines. And then she's done!