I have SO MUCH to share

I have not blogged since January! I can't believe it's been that long. I haven't blogged, but I've not stopped painting and drawing! I have so much I've been wanting to share and just haven't had time to get it onto the computer. So now this will be a lengthy, yes very lengthy post, to try and catch up.

First, I'll share the painting on my easel on January 21 in its updated form. I still don't feel as if it's finished, but I can't decide where to go from here. Any ideas?

This is a closeup of the flowers - I've used layered buttons for the centers. I need more collage elements, maybe? I'm not sure if I can call it finished, or keep adding collage elements, paint a window pane or what.

I thought I would create a long post, but I'm tired after waiting and waiting while I downloaded 249 pictures from my digital camera. Whew! I'll post again tomorrow - Easter Sunday...

He is RISEN INDEED!

In the studio

I'm off today for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. I've been in the studio painting this weekend. I did the sketch above right in my moleskine and have begun the painting of it at left. I also wanted to share some photos of my supplies. I love to just look at this stuff - it's eye candy! Inspiration!

This is a spread in my Aquabee Sketchbook that I had a lot of fun with - I used Sakura Glaze Gel Pens and watercolor. Mary Engelbreit's artwork is collaged in the corner of the 2nd page. I love her artwork and have a basket full of papers from her daily calendar - tons of inspiration and happiness. I keep it on my desk at work. A Brand New Year - a chance for a new beginning - full of opportunities!

Sketch # 2 in Aquabee Sketchbook. This was a sketch I didn't like and so I gessoed over it and then painted this sun in acrylic. I love acrylic, because it's so versatile. It covers over things, whereas with watercolor what you put down is what's there. With acrylic you can keep adding and layering and hiding what's underneath. I like that. I also love that you can add white over the top of the painting instead of saving it from the beginning, which I find hard to do with watercolor. I do love my watercolors though; you can get effects with them that you can't get with acrylics.

Cup o' Joe

This fun sketch is in my Aquabee Deluxe Sketchbook (my very favorite) in acrylic with pen. This sketchbook will accept watercolor - heavy washes even and gesso with acrylic. Coming next...

"Live always in the best company when you read." -- Sydney Smith

Playful Doodles in 2008

These are two very playful little doodles I did the other night. I used Inktense, Prismacolor Premier watercolors, and Prismacolor markers on these - FUN! Stonehenge paper is wonderful paper! It's perfect for just about any medium and it's inexpensive. Check it out at www.dickblick.com!

Psalm 37:3-4

My first post of 2008... hopefully the first of many to follow. This is an older piece done last year as a commission for a coworker and very dear friend to give as a gift. This friend, Yvonne, is so encouraging to me - about my art, about my life, about my faith. I hope to begin the year with a post and stay dedicated to posting throughout the year. My husband bought me a new digital camera for Christmas, something I've wanted for years! Hopefully I can use it in my blogging -- Happy New Year to you !!

Oriental Flowers

I started this painting as one unbroken line which included the table, the vase, one flower, and the book. Then I added the other flowers because the background was too empty. I love the way the orange and blue play against each other making the table and vase seem to jump off the page. The green book helps to balance the composition and gives the eye a break from all the orange. I don't even know where this drawing came from, I just thought of drawing the vase and the table with one line and I put my pen on the paper and this is what happened next :-) SO MUCH FUN! I think it looks sort of "Oriental" in style.

This was done in colored pencil. I forgot how nice it feels to just sit and sketch something from life. I bought these gerberas on sale at Walmart :-) To me there is just nothing like Prismacolor pencils - their softness, their brilliant colors, and the complete ease of use - just pick them up and you're ready to draw - no cleanup, no mess, and no surprises.