New Sketchbook

I love starting a new sketchbook. This one is by 'hand book', and is a cute 5 x 5". I thought I would try a square sketchbook to see if it drives a new part of inspiration; and the small size: so I can bring it with me more easily - just pops into my purse.

Scribbles and doodles - ink.

Berry Bird - Pencil.

Coming Soon To My Mailbox!

I hope everyone likes my new banner. I thought I needed something more summery, cheerful and festive :). I changed the banner in my shop as well to match - I really like the font that I used for the 'Jellybeans'

I ordered some new art technique books from Amazon the other night, I cannot wait to get them!

I've been wanting to do more mixed media pieces, and utilize texture and the different additive mediums more in my acrylic work. I started, but then I realized that I needed just a little guidance - sometimes, it's just easier to read about the right and wrong way, than to 'waste' valuable materials on them ;). So I purchased this book, to advise me on how to use some of the mediums properly so they don't crack, or peel off as the layers get thicker.This second books teaches about more extreme textures, something that I was definitely wanting guidance on so that my art doesn't fall apart from heavy weight, ect.

I hope these books arrive soon so that I can start dabbling! Winter is coming, and my job won't require me to work as much (ehm, no more 8 to 10 day working streaks with a random day off in between here and there). I'll have more time for painting and dabbling.

Sketchbook Project: The Forest City

The Sketchbook Project 2012 - Long Trips and Short Phone Calls

Pages 6-7: The Forest City

London, Ontario is sometimes called 'The Forest City' since there are so many trees in it. This is where James and I met. It was there that during our (almost) five years together, that we lived the closest (until we started semi-living with eachother: he's gone half the week for a job somewhere else, and then half he works where I live).

Back to the story - despite never have met, and having been totally set up by a mutual friend: we lived within walking distance of each other. After that: we both moved for additional school - me to Sudbury, and he to Barrie. Then I moved to Orillia for clinical placement (half-hour from Barrie), and shortly he moved to Whitby for work (1.5 hours from Orillia). Then, I moved in with him for a couple months after school looking for work; but ended up working in Owen Sound (close to his home town, where he ultimately wants to end up). He got a job here but he wanted to keep working the Whitby job for now...so he lives between two places. Yes, we have jumped around a lot. I cannot wait to not have to move anymore, or if we do: not have to move cities - or across Ontario.

So that's the travelling-hobo part of our story: the beginning though was in 'The Forest City'

Sunflowers

I'm not sure why, but I felt like painting Sunflowers the other day.

Sunflowers - 9x12" Watercolour

They're just so bright and cheerful. These are the flowers James got me on my first publishing contract for my stationery years ago - and I must say, I was happier to get Sunflowers than roses...I mean, com'on...everyone gets roses. To pick out these flowers means he put some thought into it, and he knew that I liked these flowers. They have always made me smile since then.

The Sketchbook Project 2012

Well, first things: I got my laptop back. I must say, I am thoroughly impressed - it was in record time!! I sent it out last Thursday, and I got it notice to pick it up last night and got it today.

Even more exciting: I got my sketchbook for the Sketchbook Project 2012 :) And, I have already begun:

My theme is "Long Trips and Short Phone Calls." It seemed very appropriate since I have spent a year and some in a long distance relationship with my boyfriend (Short story: we met, both decided to go back to school - got into different, far apart schools - and are now together again after graduating and finding work).

I can't wait to share the many more pages to come.

Blog Downtime

SO, you know how I said that I was going to blog more...well, that's going to have to put on a little stand-still. I just sent my laptop out to get fixed *frowns*...seems that the DVD drive will not work anymore - my laptop refuses to reconize it anywhere, leading the technical support (over the phone) to believe that it is broken. This small realization came after almost 2 hours of talking to the person on the phone, but that's a whole other story lol.

Anyways, I won't be able to post for awhile. My store will still be running though - I can do that from my blackberry (Thank you for smartphones!).

In the meantime, I'll still be painting. Some things that I'm working on: a few abstract landscape oil pieces (one with amazing texture, and hence is taking forever to dry before I can continue to work on it), some more watercolour trees, and a floral painting, and - I know it's early - Christmas cards. This year I will be doing them a little different: I will not be offering printed sets of cards (I can get the quality of print, and the paper I would like), so I will only be offering original painted Christmas cards. The great thing about these are: 1. They are two gifts in one: a painting and a card, they can always frame it later; and 2. They are completely unique, no two will be exactly alike. They will of course be more limited though. I will start listing them once I have enough ready, and see how many I will make from the demand. So, they will be limited, but I'm not sure how limited.

Anyways, I hope everyone is enjoying wonderful weather! Ciao!

Book of Portraitures: James and I

I have not forgotten about my Book of Portraiture's. Here is a 'scribble' one that I did of James and myself, from a picture that he took two-ish years ago from the top of the Blue Mountains on a snowboarding trip.

It was done in sharpie markers, so no mistakes can be hidden.

All My Loving

It's been awhile since I've painted - going from only doing artwork, to doing a full time (sometimes more) shift work job takes a bit of adjustment.

Ever since the movie, "Across the Universe" came out, I turned into quite the Beatles fan. I won't lie, I'm more of a 'modern' music person - not that I don't respect the classics. I got the Beatles song, "All My Loving" in my head the other day though, and thought up this cute painting:

Sending All My Loving To You - 9x12" watercolour

This is my second 'Beatles-based' painting, I've done another one - "All you need is love".

Etsy Love Monday

One of my favourite things about summer is summer dresses. They're so easy to slide on, and always make you look like you took that little bit of extra time to get ready that day.

This Cloud nine silk dress, by Minxshop, is beautiful. It's so beautiful and can easily be dressed up or down - it would make the quinessential summer dress for all occasions.