Love Birds

The challenge in the ACEO group this week was "Lovebirds." I took it quite literally and came up with this pair. They are in love and enjoying the sunset together. I noticed some people have done a pair of lovebirds - you know, the little parrot kind. I don't know which interpretation is more literal, mine or the parrots?

I think I'll digitally add some words to this image and make some cards. I've got a couple of other designs, all with the same love or valentine theme. Then I can sell a set of Lover cards. But will someone really buy a set of these? Most people don't need more than one Lover card to give. Unless you're buying a set for a classroom, then they'll need 20 or more. I just like the idea of sets of greeting cards. I guess they can always be used as general greetings for throughout the year.

I think I should do a larger art piece soon. But for now we have an ACEO, 2.5x3.5 inches, watercolor and pen and ink.

SOLD

New wrist warmers-fingerless gloves

I made these cozy wrist warmers, or a longish fingerless glove. They are a very woodsy type of green. They look like forest moss. They're made with an acrylic "mohair" yarn and they are kind of fuzzy. I really love the wool yarn that is hand spun by so many people these days, but I get an itchy feeling sometimes with wool. So this pair of gloves is for the people that are sensitive to wool.

Now that I've figured out this pattern, I will make some more using a variety of yarns. And I like them so much that I must make a pair for myself as well.

You can find them for sale now on Etsy.

They're only $10.00.

Illustration Friday - Red

My entry for Illustration Friday's Red had to be Little Red Riding Hood. This is "Beware of Strangers".

There was bound to be other Little Reds that were done this week. I'm just glad that I had mine pretty much done before I went and looked at some of the other entries. I didn't want to be influenced by the other Riding Hoods, or I would be too intimidated to do my own. There are so many wonderful illustrations on IF. It can really take your time away if you get too involved at looking at all the fabulous art there.

As for Little Red Riding Hood - I don't think I really liked the story all that much. But she does have a cute outfit! I've always been a little upset with the Wolf always being the bad guy. I can understand the damage they do, but I also see so much beauty. But I enjoy all animals really. And to have any become extinct or even to have none in their natural habitat - well that is truly one of the most sad things to me. Having been a German Shepherd owner for so long, I can appreciate wolfs even that much more. My own Ziggy is so wolf-like at times and that adds to my love for the wild wolves.

This is an ACEO, 2.5x3.5 inches, acrylic on acid-free, 140lb watercolor paper. I've listed it on eBay, and as usual for my ACEOs- a $0.99 starting bid.

-SOLD-

Pretty in Pink

Well here's yet another flapper. The theme week for the ACEO Enthusiasts group on eBay was "cosmetics." I have a picture of my sister that I always wanted to do a painting of. She was about 17 in the pix and she is putting on some makeup. I thought that was a good excuse to finally do the picture of her. So I started doodling and soon the image turned into this flapper girl. My sister never was a flapper but I guess I like to draw that kind of girl so much that it just transformed into this. Soon I saw the face in the heart and that became my valentine stamp from the previous post.

This girl had to take a break and go powder her nose. She's surely hiding something very sad as you can see in her eyes. I hope she gets a handle on her emotions and can go back to the party and have a fun time after all.

This is of course another ACEO, 2.5x3.5 inches, acrylic.

Valentines Day Cards - Or any occasion really

I printed some Valentines Day cards with my hand made stamp today. This is the best picture I got of the design. I have some that are printed with 2 colors - black and red or black and pink. Then I added some glitter to the wet acrylic paint. I do like the colored ones but I wanted to show a clear pix of the design here. And if ever something looked better in person, these hand printed cards are it - with each looking a bit different from the next. And the little bit of fine glitter adds a special something.

Why do I use acrylic paint and not ink? Well, I just don't have the ink right now. I've made my Christmas cards for 2 years now in the same way. I'm guessing people like ink better than paint because the paint is very thick on the stamp. It dries fast and if you're not careful it can start to clog the stamp up. And I'm not sure how well the glitter would stick to the ink. The paint makes for an unpredictable outcome, but that also makes each card that much more unique. I've just been happy with how the cards turn out with paint so I haven't gotten any ink to use instead.

They're for sale on etsy right now

I Heart U - carved stamp

I drew and carved this stamp last night. It's carved on a 2 3/4x4 1/2 inch Speedball Speedy-Cut. These are so soft to carve, making for an easy way to make your own hand made stamp. I always seem to forget about making letters backward and that's the only slight problem I had with this.

Froggy Went a Courtin' - NFAC

I joined in on NibbleFest this month. The theme was - music/musician. A familiar subject for me. This is "Froggy Went a Courtin'", and I pretty much love these two.

I was listening to WDVX, which I often do on Sundays, and I heard the Froggy song. This was a very old version from the 30s. My memories of Froggy Went a Courtin, are of Tom and Jerry. Jerry had an old cowboy uncle and he sang that song. It left a big impression on me and I think I must've always loved the song, (and the adorable mouse uncle). Then I heard the song on Wild Hog in the Woods which is on from 6-7 pm PST, on WDVX. That's when I decided to do this cute couple for my nibblefest entry. My son sang the song in music. It's nice to hear there's some culture that is still taught. I don't like to think of what happens to poor Froggy in the end. So I just think of him in this happy way. Enjoying the day out courtin this fair lady.

I'm in an ACEO mood lately, and that's what this is. 3.5x2.5 inches, watercolor and pen and ink.

-SOLD-

Illustration Friday - Super Hero

Here we have "Rocky Raccoon-Defender of the Forest". He's faster than a speeding arsonist, more powerful than a bunch of bark beetles, and able to leap tall bulldozers with a single bound.

I'm not in the habit of drawing super heroes, so coming up with an idea was challenging. I finally thought that it would be great if there only were a super hero to protect the forest and it's creatures. Although I also thought it would be nice to have a super hero to clean my house and make dinner.

This is an ACEO, 2.5x3.5 inches, watercolor and pen and ink.

click here to see it on Etsy.

Three Little Friends

Here are 3 Luv-N-Kitties. I really enjoy these little cuties. So fun to make. All three are on etsyright now.

We woke up to an unexpected couple of inches of snow this morning. It was a blustery, snowy morning and that made for a chaotic time of getting ready. I got a ride to town with a friend for an art lesson at the school. Because of my confusing morning, I forgot my camera so I will post later about that lesson. I will teach the same lesson to the other Kindergarten class next week, so maybe you'll be interested in hearing about it then.

Painting a Day - Illustration Friday-80s

This is my entry for this week's Ilustration Friday. The theme is 80s. This is "MewDonna".

I couldn't make up my mind while I was thinking about the 80s. My interests at that time were so varied, and changed so often. So I just thought of what was very influentual during that time. And, of course, Madonna came to mind. And then MewDonna was born. I did actually buy the first Madonna album, on cassette tape. What's a cassette? Seems so ancient, and more obsolete than records. Because I still listen to records, but rarely listen to cassettes. I did have a lot of fun dancing to Madonna many times, especially to that first album. That was before she had really hit it big and before I got a bit burned out from her. I was a bit anti-mainstream back then. Guess I still am.

Having come of age during the 80s made it a very eventful time for me. But I wouldn't say they were the best of times. Well, maybe some of it was!

It's an ACEO, 3.5x2.5 inches, acrylic.

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Luv-N-Kitties

This is my first Luv-N-Kitty. She's very folky-cute and she even has a heart pocket that holds a special Valentine's Day card (or any special message.) As with all my sewing projects, I used vintage or reclaimed fabrics, as well as a little felt. Her face is painted in acrylic. I've got a couple more just about to be finished, probably today sometime. You can find this cutey for sale on etsy by clicking here.


I really like the idea of "Painting a Day", but I'm discovering it is just impossible for me. I'm finding that it is affecting my blog habits. I only seem to post paintings since I started this Daily painting thing. I don't want the administrator on the Daily Painting site to have extra work by weeding through my non-painting blogs. So because of this I don't post my other creations. And well, I have to do these other things as well as paint. That's the way I am. I like the idea of painting new pieces for the practice and the productivity. But I find the creative deadline daunting. I don't want to paint just anything. I have to have an interesting subject, and somedays I don't have an interesting subject in my mind. I knew that would be a problem for me, and is definately one I need to work on. But I also think it's important for me to make other things besides a new idea on canvas everyday. So I don't know, will I be kicked out of the group?

Well, I've decided to just create, and blog, whatever is naturally happening for me--rather than hindering the creative process with rules that I alone have put on myself!

Painting a Day - Cheers again

I liked my previous painting a day so much that I wanted to paint a sister for her. Well this sister must be the problem child because she took so much longer to paint than the first one. I finally had to just say, "Oh well," and give up on her. Some times paintings just flow and I'm happy with them right away. Other times, well here she is! She's ok, really! I do kind of like her quirky, goofy expression. I just have to accept her for what she is. And stop wasting time on this one painting. Maybe I learned a little something from the endless workings of her face. I don't know! But anyway I had to post a painting since I will leave town AGAIN tomorrow. So as usual I get on a role, then boom, something stops my production. Check back in a couple days, please. I promise I will have a longer stretch of creativity. That's a promise to myself!

This is acrylic on 5x7" canvas board.

click here to see it on Etsy.

Painting a Day - Cheers to the New Year!

This is my new Painting A Day. Finished in the year 2006 - just finished tonight. 5x7 acrylic on canvas board. Cheers to the New Year! 2007 Yahh!! I also had a beer for my New Year's Drink. But I drank mine straight from the bottle. I had a Bavaria from Holland. One of the Beers of the World that I got for Christmas.

Again I say Cheers to the New Year and may your 2007 be happy, healthy and prosperous!

-SOLD-

Where have I been?

I had to take a break to make sure that I got all my Christmas projects done. I made 23 of these little Tweet 'N' Scents. Now I'm trying to post this before the New Year begins!!

Each little bird is made from vintage or reclaimed fabric. They are stuffed with lavender flowers and sweet orange essential oil. Relaxing, soothing, sleep promoter. Freshen a closet, drawer or closet. Put under your pillow for sweet dreams.

I put a couple of Tweet 'N' Scents in my Etsy shop.

click here to see them on Etsy.

You can expect to see me more again, now that the holidays are over. Although I do have plans to leave town again soon.

Painting a Day - 60s Peace

This is "60s Peace in 2006" - Acrylic - ACEO 2.5x3.5 inches.

The theme this week for the ATC/ACEO Enthusiasts Group was "60s". This is what I did. Back in the 80s I did a lot of art like this. So this was fun and very comfortable for me. It's suppose to be based on the 60s, but I find it very appropriate for 2006. Is this deja vu, or does it seem like the 60s all over again? Well, maybe in someways.

-SOLD-

Painting a Day - Daphne Daffodil

Meet "Daphne Daffodil". She's one of the faeries that lives in my garden. Sadly, she's gone away for the winter. I look forward to her return this coming spring.

This painting is 5x7 inches, acrylic on canvas panel.

click here to see it on Etsy.

Painting a Day - Forbidden

Where did this girl come from? Well, first I saw this pix of my sister. I then did some sketches of her in this pose. Then I stylized it to look more big-eyed, and added the apple. My sister is quite the model, so I'm lucky to have her to use for inspiration.

This is acrylic on 140 lb watercolor paper (acid-free). The size is standard ACEO size - 2.5x3.5 inches.

I couldn't make my 9pm deadline for submission into the DailyPainters site. I guess I should start my paintings before 7pm, then I might make it!

-SOLD-

Painting a Day/Illustration Friday - Invention

Today I participated in Illustration Friday-Invention. The title of my illustration is "Radio is the Bee's Knees". This commemorates the invention of the radio. I think it was a truly fabulous invention. The size of this is about 5x7 inches. Watercolor and pen and ink on 140 lb watercolor paper.

I just love the 20s jazz era with it's flappers and such. So this was a lot of fun to do. I've been listening to Radio Dismuke on the internet. It plays 20s and 30s jazz and pop music. I think it's very refreshing to get a dose of that old music once and a while.

Oh, and the little painting on the wall is based on a watercolor I bought at a yard sale. It was painted by A.Rosalie Morrish in 1921.

-SOLD-

Painting a Day - Kitty the Southern Belle

This is today's Painting a Day". It's more like Painting a Week for me though! Again I was out of town. When the kid is on school break, well, I've got to leave town! We had to use our Disney passes, so we went to Disneyland for holiday festivities. We have a lot of fun there amongst all the people. And of course, we got to see my little twin nephews. They are the cutest! And almost one year old. So they take up A LOT of time! But SOOO enjoyable to be around. Then Thanksgiving Festivities, and now I'm back on track - for now. I'm amazed how so many can keep up so well with their Painting a Day. Because now I'm thinking "How will I keep this going with the holidays?" I usually make lots of gifts and I'm feeling the crunch now. So I hope I don't get kicked out of the group because I'm probably going to be skipping more days for the gift making. Oh well, I'll just have to do the best I can!

This painting was thrown together today, again at the very last minute. She is "Kitty the Southern Belle". It is 5x7 inches, acrylic on canvas panel. Not much to say about it. I love cats, I love history, and I love costume. When the creativity is not flowing, I usually create something that fits in that group!

Painting a Day - Edward from Boston

It's been a while since I've done a dog. I was under pressure to think of something to paint, especially since I missed the day before. That's when I decided to do an old stand by for my subject. For any of you that have seen other art of mine, you may know I like to do animals dressed up. I just love them! I started painting animals this way back when I first was on eBay - in the year 2000. So I still go back to them once in a while. Well, as I started painting this, I had 2 hours until the cutoff time of 9pm (that's when you're either in or out on the dailypainters.com site.) I had some distrations along the way so I really had to push it at the end to make it on time. Luckily, acrylic dries so fast! I was waving that thing to get it to dry. Then scanned and luckily posted on my blog in time for the cut. Had any one thing gone wrong, I wouldn't have made it. I had 2 minutes to spare!

This is Edward from Boston. acrylic 140 lb watercolor paper, ACEO. (2.5x3.5 inches)

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