Carmen Medlin - Blog of Art and LIfe

Blog move is official... now!

2010-11-15T10:29:00.000-08:00

Ok friends, my blog is officially moved here:

http://carmenmedlinart.wordpress.com

All new updates will be found there from now on! Also, all of my entries from this Blogspot blog are there, too. :)

Lavender Lilly

2010-11-03T23:25:00.000-07:00

Yeehaw, new art to share! I'm sitting here watching Murder, She Wrote with my Hubs and just listed this little pretty in my Etsy shop:

Lavender Lilly ACEO
Finally I'm getting back into the painting groove. Had a lot of commissions lately, which is great -- but am starting to find some time to work on my own stuff, too. I think winter here in South Dakota is going to be a shock for this former Californian! It is so cold out right now, and it's only November! We've had a lot of adventures out here so far. So much to see and do around the Black Hills area, like Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse monument, a woolly mammoth dig site, Cosmos Mystery Area, cool towns like Deadwood and Hill City... super neat! We have a lot of things on our list to go see. One of my favorite places that we drive through is Wind Cave National Park...lots and lots of Bison. I should post pictures here of those. The little young ones are so cute! As are the prairie dogs that pop up all over.
The other day when we were driving home at night, there was a huge fluffy owl sitting right in the middle of the road. He didn't care at all that a car was coming and didn't move a muscle. Silly owl, lol! Luckily we didn't hit him. The wildlife around here is great, even if not too smart about getting in the roads sometimes.

My art is now available as rubber stamps!!

2010-10-29T15:29:00.000-07:00

Yep, finally I can tell you all my new licensor... it is Susana's Custom Art and Card Design! We've been working together for some months to create an absolutely adorable line of stamps. They are just beautifully made, they did a great job making them. There will be lots of exclusive designs made for SCACD so go check them out!!

Carmen Medlin for SCACD

And happy stamping..... ;)

Things in the Works

2010-10-07T14:46:00.000-07:00

Long time no see! Life has been a constant whirlwind since the wedding, and my husband and I have moved across the country (half of it anyway) to the Black Hills of South Dakota! It's so gorgeous out here. We found a place in the forest where there are plenty of critters. There are also a lot more color-changing trees here than I'm used to... so many birches and poplars showing their beautiful Fall foliage. Although our forest is primarily Ponderosa pine. Happiness. Nicely, I also have a dedicated art studio room at our new place too! First time I've ever had one of those. Of course, if we had kids at this house it would likely turn into a nursery, heheh.
This year has been something of a long rest from the art business, with an occasional painting or two showing up -- but I'm happy to say things are stirring up again and I am anxious to paint in earnest. I have a very exciting new licensing contract that I will be able to announce soon, which has been refreshing and fun to create for. I hope you all will enjoy the fun too! :)
Once again I'm thinking of moving my blog, but I'll be moving it directly onto my website. Thus, not hard to find, heheh. When that is all set up I'll announce it here. Since my name has changed and all, I've decided I want to use my married name for art after all and not do the hyphen thing... it's what feels best and most settled to me on the inside. Hence, lots of things are changing. Such as my website proper! My carmenkeys domain is still there, it just has a link to my new domain, which is (suprise) www.carmenmedlin.com so people can get used to it. I'm trying to make it as easy as I can for folks to find me by my old name. Also I'm working on migrating my Etsy shop over to the new one, and I'll let you know when that is done, too.
Lastly, here is a little deer that was in our yard:

So cute!!!

Married!

2010-06-23T22:15:00.000-07:00

So the big day was Sunday, June 20! I'm now Mrs. Medlin. :) The ceremony was lovely, our friends worked so hard to make it a beautiful day. We had a good time with my immediate family, too (it was a small gathering) and my kitty Kiba was finally able to move down here with me! He's hanging out with me in the office right now, staring at me as I type. He's gradually becoming acclimatized to the place, and not too much fur flying between him and our other cat, Sparkie. Though Sparkie is very jealous and is demanding extra pets for bringing this orange beast here.
My computer is still being fixed, so I'm still typing on David's computer. I have so much to do regarding website banner changes and such! I hope my laptop is recovered soon. Like I mentioned before in the comments, I decided on going with a hyphenated last name just for the art business so people can still find me. In everyday life no hyphen though. :)
I'm also in finding a second JOB mode... never my favorite to job hunt. The economy's been difficult this year and hard on my art business. I still have hopes of making it full time again though. A family business, by golly! I am not giving up. I'd love nothing more than for David and me to be home together, both doing the art business full time. God willing, it will happen.
Well goodnight all, I might just have it in me to make some cookies this evening!

Computer Doom

2010-06-16T12:46:00.000-07:00

Well sadly, my computer has had a royal meltdown, and David is now in the process of fixing it (ie, completely re-formatting it)! Thus, progress on the Zazzle shop and pretty much everything else art businessy has been temporarily halted. I suppose it could have had worse timing, as this weekend is our wedding ceremony and as such, I am quite a busy girl anyway. Almost time!! I am trying to clean this house for my parents' sakes, heheh.
Once the computer is back in business, I think it would be fun to post some sketches. I hear ice cream calling me from the freezer...

Thoughts of a Monday

2010-06-07T17:20:00.001-07:00

Howdy! I'm working on the Zazzle store today... It was that or tackle the upstairs bathroom of doom (OH how it needs cleaning), and surprise, the store won. Not much of a contest there, hee hee.
Yesterday we met with the wedding photographer (also a good friend) and took some lovely pictures! I can't wait to get them back. I'm feeling blessed by how people are pulling together to make the ceremony nice. Without them it would not have been anything like this.
It's a scorching day in Fresno-town and I'm hiding indoors with all of the blinds drawn to try and keep the heat out. Iced tea abounds. Later I will attempt making cookies with no eggs. I've read that applesauce might work as a substitute, and that I have plenty of.
1:28pm
I love my man, among many other reasons, because he'll play Lincoln Logs with me, build little corrals and cabins and barns, and play with the little plastic farmer and cow with voices and everything. It's good for a My Little Pony and various other toys-loving freak like me to find another toy-loving freak. Viva inner childhood. That is all. :)

Thoughts of a Thursday

2010-06-04T20:32:00.000-07:00

So I decided to open up a Zazzle store! Still working on it. Probably will be for awhile, so many things to choose from!
Today, besides working, has been a low-key one of watching old X-Files episodes and the first X-Men. Haha, both X I just realized. My fiance and I have decided to watch all of the X-Files seasons in order. I love that show!! Oh yes, and I've been re-creating various website headers, banners, etc. to update my new soon-to-be married name, which I'm going to hyphenate for the art business for now. So they'll be popping up here, there, everywhere...
Back to X-Men and perhaps some sketching.

By golly, I'm partially moved

2010-06-03T13:52:00.000-07:00

Well here I am in sunny Fresno! Phase 1 of moving complete. I have managed to thus far paint a couple of mermaid ACEOs…

Heart of the Sea On auction HERE

Yellow Mermaid On auction HERE

It’s crazy the difference in weather between here and Shasta Lake. It was rainy and gloomy and cold up north, but here it is sunny and hot! Life is even busier too, I’m afraid, what with the wedding ceremony soon and all. But it should be fun! Now I must catch up on an inbox full of emails and figure out a lot of stuff about life…

Random things

2010-05-26T21:53:00.001-07:00

5/25/10
4:03pm
I’m SO overwhelmed right now. I only have 3 days left to pack!! Hot chocolate, come rescue me.
Yowza! There was some really loud thunder just now, and it’s pouring buckets outside. What a weird spring! It goes from sunny and hot to cold and thunderstormy in the space of a day. Lucky and Belle are hovering around me, they hate thunder. Kiba cat is hiding under the bed.
5/26/10
Whew. Overwhelm averted, packing DONE! Now I can get back to some semblance of normalcy, eh? It sure looks sparse in here. My cat is very disturbed by all of this, and is still hiding under the bed. Poor monster, kitties do hate change and things like moving. Sadly I won’t be able to get him moved until a little later; he’ll be staying with my Pa (whom he loves, thankfully). I’m kind of moving in stages.
I haven’t any art to share today, as I’ve been so busy with the packing but perhaps I can get an ACEO or two done in the next couple of days? Oh I hope so! Time to go unwind.

I say, it's Monday!

2010-05-24T17:29:00.000-07:00

2:15pm
Paying bills – Yeehaw! It always makes me feel like a “grownup” when I pay bills, heheh. Probably about the only time I feel like that… Have to go to the post office today and ship off some art. I’m thankful for the sale, things have been slow! At this moment, every dog in the neighborhood has simultaneously decided to howl. Do they have some kind of howling sixth sense? Or maybe they just heard something that humans can’t hear and want to howl about it together. Either way, they’re probably having fun.
4:50pm
I’m back home and starting to feel the overwhelm again! Does anyone else feel a paralysis creeping on when there is too much to do? When I stopped by the store today I picked up a little bitty notebook that I plan on carrying everywhere with me… I often remember things I have to do or need when I’m doing something else and then promptly forget them seconds later. So I thought maybe this would make my life a little easier. Just as long as I *remember* to bring the notebook along, heh. I’ve often thought maybe a little digital voice recorder would be useful that way.
Anyhow, yesterday was a birthday party for my Pa and youngest brother. Pretty low key, we just all hung out together with my mom and ate delicious things. I made cake. My Pa barbecued. It was fun! Here is the finished Lucky dog portrait:

He is sitting next to the Belle portrait now. Never did share the Belle portrait on my blog, but it was from Christmas:

This upcoming weekend I’ll be starting the moving process as my wedding approaches. Agggh! Too much to do! Guess I’d better go do some of it before my dearest fiancé is home from work and we can play some long-distance Scrabble. I am glad for internet Scrabble. And for webcams to be able to see snuggly fiancé’s face.

So I decided to make a Sale page

2010-05-20T21:57:00.000-07:00

I decided to put a Sale section in my Etsy shop where I can put stuff/ maybe rotate things for significantly less of a price from time to time. Woohoo! Sooooo.... here it is:
Super neat, it's Carmen's Etsy Sale Page!
Sadly, due to the rental of a very lame movie, I have missed my beloved Fringe. I'll have to catch up with it on Hulu tomorrow I suppose.

So it is Thursday

2010-05-20T19:11:00.000-07:00

Howdy! It’s been a slow, quiet day here in the forest even though I have a gazillion things to do and my brain is swiss cheese and shuts down when it thinks about the gazillion things to do. At least one thing I am getting done today is a sketch for my Pa’s birthday… well it’s going to be a painting, but I thought I’d show a little WIP sketch. Of the family dog, Lucky. He’s the only family dog I haven’t painted for him yet, so hopefully he’ll enjoy it. Sorry for the blurry quality, I took this with the little internal webcam on my laptop!

Other than that, a good friend of mine is getting married not long after I am, and we are putting together a kind of coloring book for the kids to color in at her reception. I thought it was a very cute idea! Here’s a peek at the sort of thing I’m doing with that:

I call these little kitties Ralph and Sylvia, hee hee… I do want to do more with them.
I must admit, it’s been really difficult getting back into doing my artwork on a regular basis. I feel like I’m all over the map stylewise and having a difficult time settling into something. I don’t know if it’s all the crazyness with getting married/moving house/family drama or what. I’ve never been too great with chaos! Not without a lot of concentration, and I guess mine has been pulled in too many directions this year. Trying not to stress too much about it. I’m moving soon to a much bigger city (goodbye little forest – sniff!!) so that could be good for local art business. I may need to take another job too, in addition to my typing/editing for Army chaplains who are going to school gig I seem to have fallen into, heheh. I do generally enjoy the typing.
My mom informed me that she found a bunch of Serendipity books in the used book section of the library and she snagged them for me. I love my mom! I loved those so much when I was a kid. I especially loved that Glitterby Baby was dedicated to all the children in my own hometown! I thought that was super cool. Plus, it has a Pegasus in it. And those are super cool.
I know I do this from time to time and then forget, but I’ve thought about what the purpose of this blog is supposed to be… and I personally become fascinated with artists who just share the minutiae of their daily lives. And, the people who collect my art are a very creative, enjoyable bunch that I identify with a lot – so if I enjoy artist bloggers who share about their daily lives, perhaps people who like my artwork would enjoy the same. I guess I’ve always been a little afraid that I would bore people with that. Maybe some might find it boring, but heck, I think I’m going to just go for it. Minutiae of daily life, here I come!! Plus it will be something to post, heheh.

She emerges with art!

2010-05-11T20:47:00.000-07:00

Finally, finally I have some art to share. My last name is going to be changing soon :D so I am still figuring out all the logistics of that and unsure what to do with this blog! Since its url has my maiden name on it. Thoughts, anyone? Since my last name is changing, I thought I'd also change some other usernames that needed changing too, such as my Ebay username... it's now "yarmalade." Just so you know.
Anyhow, I'm all about the cute these days:

Owl Snuggles ACEO On auction HERE!

Flying Lessons ACEO On auction HERE!

Watermelon Picnic ACEO In my Etsy shop HERE

I hope my muse will settle on something and stay there for once. These cute type things have been brewing for a couple of months and I've started doing a bunch of vector work with it too. More on that later as I get better. :) For now, life is crazy busy as I get ready to move house and have a lot of change ahead of me.
I've looked back on the past year of artwork, and it looks like my inner artist just took a long vacation! I have not painted much this year... have hit a lot of pretty major blocks, knowing I need to evolve in some direction that flows instead of always fighting against the current. It got to the point where I absolutely hated drawing, even. Luckily these cute kinds of characters have made it enjoyable to draw again. Especially as my new married life approaches, I've felt some life coming back into the inner artist. I hope that continues to grow!

Mustard!

2010-03-15T19:06:00.000-07:00

Well hi everyone, and thank you for all your well-wishes! I have a new little wildflower painting to share -- truly I am inspired by Spring coming soon with all of its smells and pretty things to see. It was warm today for the first time in rather awhile, so I took the opportunity to sit outside in the sun. I hope that trend continues!

Bee and Wild Mustard - 6x6" Watercolor
Available in my Etsy Shop

Yep, still on my flower kick. It might last awhile. I have so many photos I have taken of little wild things and little garden things that I really think I ought to make use of them, eh? I am uncertain, however, what to do with these website-wise. Perhaps when I have painted a good chunk more of them I'll make a separate website for this style. What do you think? Or is that complicating things too much.

Realism is Fun

2010-03-05T15:58:00.000-08:00

By golly, I painted something. It's been awhile! Like I said in my last post, I'm trying some realism for a change. I've found it to be relaxing so far, just finding all of the interesting colors and shapes and values. Here's some nature for y'all:

Rose Hip - 5x7 Watercolor
It's HERE in my Etsy Shop!
Today was a cleaning the house kind of day, since my brain can't seem to settle down and focus on anything requiring concentration. For some reason cleaning and organizing my external environment helps me think better. The floor situation was getting dire anyway! *Blush*

Oldies but Goodies

2010-03-04T14:58:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone! Sadly, the local gallery here that had a bunch of my artwork in it had to close -- but the good news is that all of those paintings (and a few prints) are now available to all of you. I've put everybody in my Etsy shop -- Click here to visit my shop! You might find some unexpected old friends in there.
Well, the big news is that I got engaged! :) Which is why I've been so scarce.
I have started painting some fine art lately, and I am enjoying it. It's been a very long time since I've really done any of that and I think I needed that kind of refreshment. Soon it shall be popping up here on the blog.
Spring is coming and it is about time to think about VEGETABLES again for the garden! I can't wait to start planting tomatoes. I'd really like to try some heirloom varieties, they have such beautiful colors and can get enormous. I had good luck last year with growing tomatoes in buckets, so I think I will do it again. Happy March, everyone!

Pinwheel Summer and Happy New Year

2010-01-02T18:45:00.000-08:00

A new painting freshly dried:

Pinwheel Summer

Original available in my Etsy Shop

I've been feeling cold this winter, so had to paint something warm. The grass is always greener on the other side, eh? When it is summer and hot, I wish it were cold. Ah well. Also I must say, that my scanner didn't do this little girl justice -- much more subtlety going on in person.
Happy New Year, everybody! The end of 2009 momentous things have been happening in my life; hence my scarcity here. I feel good things coming in 2010 and a renewed sense of getting my art life in order. Looking forward to seeing where God takes me. Yeehaw!

Squirrely

2009-11-30T15:25:00.000-08:00

I'm in a Christmasy mood...

Woodland Christmas

Available HERE in my Etsy Shop

Sorry I've been so absent in the blog world! There is a lot going on at present, and I've been very distracted. Pretty soon I'll be taking off to visit my relatives for a week and a half, so there will probably be ACEO cards showing up (since they're so small and portable whilst traveling). Hopefully I will get a good amount of painting done!
It is just about time for me to put up my little Christmas tree. I have to dig it out of the garage and my little box of ornaments. I love all the colored lights that are all over town this time of year. And hot chocolate! And eggnog!

A Rainy Day for an Art Post

2009-11-17T16:06:00.001-08:00

New stuff has dried!

Mandolin Player

Available in Etsy Shop

He Knows the Way

Available in Etsy Shop

Argh, I still hate my scanner -- it totally washed out all of the subtle colors and shading out of this girl's white dress. Ah well, rest assured it looks a lot more interesting in person.

It is raining! It has looked like evening all day long, and I've been bundled in my gray little old man sweater. It is a day I wish I could curl up with a book and tea all day. Well, I can have the tea at any rate!

Vulnerability

2009-11-11T14:06:00.000-08:00

This one's all dry...

Vulnerability

Available HERE in my Etsy Shop

It is very cold and rainy up here on the foresty hill today... strangely, a few tomatoes still hang on to the withered plants pretending to ripen, but they look kind of mottled. Tomatoes in November??

Last week we had TWO birds smack into the front window of the house. One did not make it :( but the other I put in a box way up on the big wooden stepladder, and he was only stunned so eventually recovered. Poor birdies! I am not sure why they are flying into the window all of a sudden, perhaps they think the lily-ish pattern on the curtains makes it a real bush to land in.

This is *definitely* curling up and sketching weather. When I was little rainy days were my favorite days to draw, in my pajamas at the table in the dining room, where we had a giant window from floor to ceiling (just a window, not a sliding glass door). That, or I'd go out and roll in the mud in my best Sunday dresses (sorry, Mommy!).

*Proceeds to drawing*

Above All Else, Guard Your Heart

2009-10-31T18:24:00.000-07:00

Above All Else, Guard Your Heart

...for it is the wellspring of life. (Proverbs 4:23)

Available in my Etsy Shop

These are fun, I tell you. It's been a long day, helping a friend of mine move house -- I think I got my exercise in for the day as her new place is up a gigantic flight of stairs! Over a horse stable, no less. It was actually a very cool place.

My brain has just wandered off somewhere, so that is all! It must have seen something shiny.

First Dance

2009-10-29T21:16:00.000-07:00

My newest, hot off the drying rack!

First Dance

Available in my Etsy Shop

I'm fond of this one, I think because of the whimsical/stylized look. There is another similar girl that is still drying up on the shelf. Maybe this girl is going to the prom -- I never went to mine!
There are little sprouting green things coming up in the compost heap again, looks like squash. Surely there is a squash that will grow in the colder months? It's about time to tear out all the dead stuff at this point anyhow, so I suppose I could plant the new volunteers.
Brain turning off now. Goodnight!

Star Garden

2009-10-26T14:34:00.000-07:00

Here's a rabbit for you.

Star Garden

Yep, it's available in my Etsy shop!

I've two pieces in the oil paint stage to do today... and a sketch... and we'll see what else. Where's the chocolate cake?

Squirrels and Party Dresses

2009-10-24T11:09:00.000-07:00

Good morn! Here is me, trying to break the habit of working into the wee hours by starting earlier. I have TWO paintings to show y'all today....

Phineas and Abigail

Available in my Etsy Shop HERE

Christmas Party - already sold, sorry!

The squirrels were fun. Phineas and Abigail are a couple of characters I've had in my head for awhile... Phineas has shown up a few times in illustrations but this is Abigail's first appearance outside my head. I have not quite yet settled on a style for them -- maybe this style will win out?
There is still a small, lone watermelon up in the garden patch that I ought to go pick. I wonder what winter vegetables I can plant? I'd like to have something going most of the year up there. Anyone have ideas? :)

Candied Flowers and Little Brown Bird

2009-10-18T15:24:00.000-07:00

I have returned! Not that I went anywhere, but was waiting for these little ACEOs to dry. These two are in my new oil/mixed media technique -- which I am loving so much that I've been doing everything that way ever since I tried it.

Candied Flowers

Little Brown Bird

These are on auction HERE!

It is FINALLY decent Fall weather around here. I am bundled up in my little old man sweater, it is cloudy outside, and I have music on. I am even in the midst of doing a Christmas-themed painting!

Now aren't pets supposed to STOP shedding when it gets cold? There are giant balls of yellow fluff coming off of Belle (dog) and my tiger cat leaves his fur all over me whenever I snuggle him. What gives?

Illustration Friday: Flying

2009-10-12T18:11:00.000-07:00

Migration

This pioneer lady is wistfully wondering where the birds fly off to every autumn...

Original is available in my Etsy Shop

Quail Girl

2009-10-12T18:03:00.000-07:00

My other paintings are dry enough now :) -- here is another oil/mixed media girl!

Quail Girl

Original is available in my Etsy Shop

I really like this painting... she was supposed to be a girl and her pet quail, but wound up *becoming* the quail instead. Yay for new mixed media technique!
Unwillingly I think I am coming down with something. I have felt under the weather all day and have drank tea without ceasing. It's almost time to put away the springy lilac teapot and get out my red winter teapot!!
I had wanted to make some sort of cake or brownie this evening for women's Bible study tomorrow, but I don't know if I'll have energy to get quite that creative. It was a bowl of canned chili for dinner, even. Off to post my Illustration Friday...

A dry Dusk Blooms

2009-10-09T15:44:00.000-07:00

Dusk Blooms is dry!

And she is available in my Etsy Shop :)

Today I am having a little supper get-together at my house, so I've been busy making ridiculously chocolatey cake. It's been hard not to sneak a piece before everyone gets here. I have also been doing more paintings in this mixed media style and LOVING it. I have two that are still drying, and I have decided not to post them twice like this one (heheh) so as not to drive my readers crazy. But... I will post them on Twitter because I am excited about them. They'll be blogged of when they are dry!
It is very quiet around here today, hanging out with the cats. The dogs have been banished to the backyard because they are shedding bucketloads of hair... at least until *after* my guests go home.

Dusk Blooms

2009-10-02T23:53:00.001-07:00

I've had a painting breakthrough! Thanks to my friend Sara Butcher, who suggested keeping the best of both worlds with watercolors and acrylics/oils. (Thank you, Sara!)
So this has a watercolor underpainting, then three layers of acrylic sealant (which incidentally added an interesting texture), then oil paint glazes over the top. I couldn't scan this as the oil paint is not dry yet of course... so bear with my photo glare.

Dusk Blooms

Yay! I had such fun with it. I LOVE oil painting, it's just that it is frustrating with the drying time and all. But since this only has thin glazes over the top of an underpainting, I expect it will take significantly less time.
She started out as Red Riding Hood, but now the atmospheric effects make her a bit more mysterious than that -- so it's anyone's guess who she is. ;) I look forward to using this experiment more!

Meow... Georgian Era Kitty

2009-09-30T13:58:00.000-07:00

I am so glad that Fall is finally here weather-wise! Here I sit, in my LONG SLEEVES and SOCKS. Two days ago it was still tank tops and bare feet. But I digress -- here's a new kitty (she was fun to paint):

Cultured Lady

Available in Etsy shop

And a little girl ACEO:

Pine Cone Girl

Currently on AUCTION

I am thinking about picking up the acrylics and oils again. I love my watercolors, but there are certain effects that I just cannot achieve with them (at least not without a fight!)... and perhaps it would stir up the creative juices more. I wonder how acceptable it is to have different mediums in one's portfolio?
I've been looking around at art on Etsy and there are just so many wonderful, whimsical things there. I often feel I'm too "straight-laced" with my work, not enough movement and playfulness. Hm.
The last crop of tomatoes has fallen to a sad plight -- some kind of tiny bug has invaded and everything is covered with little black dots/weblike things. Sad, sad! I'll have to figure out what that is so we can avoid it next year. I am glad at least we got two good rounds of tomatoes before this.
Off I go to dig out the acrylics from under my bed... :)

A Little Bird Told Me

2009-09-27T13:54:00.001-07:00

This girl was awfully fun to paint.... I like this decorative style, it's kind of like doodling with paint in the background.

A Little Bird Told Me

Available in my Etsy shop

Also, I made a little kitty.

Tabby in the Garden

She happens to be on auction right now, HERE!

My mom and I went to the fish hatchery this weekend -- the salmon were still quite little, but soooo many of them. I guess there is a Salmon Festival coming up in October, and we shall be there! I really like the drive, very scenic country with the occasional barn and a lot of horses everywhere. Seems idyllic. Soon it will be time to visit the pumpkin patch. :) A new tradition for our family.
It was nice to get away this weekend and stuff myself with pizza and cheesecake. Now, home again and work to be done! And eat healthier, heh.

New Paintings

2009-09-22T13:59:00.000-07:00

Great scott, I've been remiss in posting my latest work... so you get two. :)

Welcome (finished version!)

Available in Etsy shop

Decoration Party

Available in Etsy shop

I've been rather a typing slave lately so haven't been keeping up too well with the blog! Still been popping in a couple of times a day on Twitter though. I type & format college papers for a couple of people, and the term is in full swing. Thank goodness I don't actually have to *write* them; I always hated writing academic papers in school.

Illustration Friday: Welcome

2009-09-16T23:50:00.000-07:00

A sketch this week... to be painted later! Grandma cat welcomes her daughter and family for a visit. :)

Spooky painting finally finished!

2009-09-09T18:59:00.001-07:00

Her Fears Were Magnified

Original available in Etsy shop

Whew, I was about to give up on this one, but my lovely critique group talked me out of it and suggested a lot of good changes.
Boy, I have been just beat lately. Am I not getting enough vitamins or something? Not enough tiger snuggles? My brain has just turned off, so I guess that will be all for this evening!

Illustration Friday: Strong

2009-09-07T19:05:00.000-07:00

Strong

I can't wait to go to the pumpkin patch this year, and have fun like this kid!

Original available in Etsy shop

Autumn time...

2009-09-03T16:25:00.001-07:00

FINALLY it is September. I wish the weather would realize this, too... It's about 90 degrees in my house right now. Last month was so busy and full of crazy stuff, I'll be glad to see things (hopefully) slow down and I can get back to posting more!
Anyhow, I made these two little illustrations yesterday, and decided to auction them since I haven't done one of those in awhile.
Auctions are HERE!

Harvest Time ACEO

A Scholar ACEO

I am still thoroughly stuck on the haunted house girl painting, so I am going with FUN and CUTE instead for awhile and maybe that will help with the stuck. Good to keep the paintbrush moving.
Yesterday my Pa brought home a giant heirloom tomato the size of a cantaloupe. It's so cool-looking! Yellow, and full of interesting ridges and sections. I must find out what these are and grow some next year. Anyone know of giant heirloom tomatoes and where to buy the seeds?

Sketchy WIP stuff

2009-08-24T14:59:00.000-07:00

Working on something for Illustration Friday....
Rough sketch:

More refined sketch:

Still much work to do!

Even though it is still very much summer over here, I am spending the day drinking warm herbal tea -- have a cavity that has started hurting with cold stuff. Bah!! Have I mentioned I am terrified of the dentist? I am going to have to drag myself over there sooner or later. Preferably sooner.
Second round of tomatoes have begun ripening, cucumbers have finally slowed down (good since we could no longer keep up!), and I used a great deal of the jalapeños to make jalapeño poppers. That was very tasty, and absolutely bursting with calories.
Back to drawing!

Little Birdies

2009-08-18T19:49:00.000-07:00

Made these little guys today....

Hummingbird and Lilacs ACEO
Available in Etsy shop

Titmouse and Peonies ACEO
Available in Etsy shop

Been getting a hankering to illustrate the different animals/plants I see around here in the forest. These are some of them!
The melons are ripening in the garden finally, so there is an abundance of watermelon and cantaloupe. Yum!
Creative chaos for the day:

I think I need to rearrange the "studio", I am starting to feel cramped! Plus my mom has given me a lovely big area rug that wants to go in here somewhere... That's about all I've got for today. :)

Who's up for more owls?

2009-08-11T14:31:00.000-07:00

Made these little guys yesterday:

Tea for a Saw-Whet ACEO

Original available in Etsy shop

Professor of the Barn ACEO

Original available in Etsy shop

I am irritated how my scanner sucked all the subtle coloring out of owl #2 -- rest assured, he has a lot more going on than this image shows! It is SO time for a new scanner. Anyone seen a Saw-Whet in person? I've seen some before when I lived in Eugene out at the Raptor Center (rehab for raptors!). They are the CUTEST THINGS IN THE UNIVERSE and they could fit in your pocket.
I've discovered people are really enjoying these little realistic animal ACEOs... so I obey the public. ;) I like them too.
I've been working on a sketch for Illustration Friday (Impatient); it may or may not be done in time! I'm also trying to finish a website for my Grandpa's memorial this Saturday, so time is getting a little pressed. Hopefully I'll have something done in time for IF though! Maybe it should just be a drawing, that might help.

Ageless

2009-08-02T23:21:00.000-07:00

It's done!

Ageless

Original available in Etsy shop
Prints & such available in ArtWanted shop

My mailing list is having a glitch at the moment, so this blog post will have to do for an announcement! It's been that kind of a weird day. Really, oppressively hot/muggy...I am SO ready for autumn, and I am glad it is August so only one more month of summer. Though the vegetable garden is a pretty cool summer thing I must admit. Tomatoes are really starting to come in now, I just picked about 7 of them today! And gave away a big sack of cucumbers, as we are up to our ears in those.
Good gracious, almost midnight. Maybe I will indulge in a nice book.

More WIPs

2009-08-02T19:40:00.000-07:00

Further progression of horse and girl...

It is done now, so I will post the finished result soon!

WIPs galore

2009-07-29T16:43:00.000-07:00

Who's up for some slightly fuzzy pictures?
I am painting my little girl and horse illustration some more today...

A couple more sketches to be developed -- they may or may not look anything like this by the time I'm done:

My tiger is doing all the relaxation today (please excuse my laundry!):

Pretty as a Picture

2009-07-29T16:25:00.000-07:00

Finished this little duo that's been laying around awhile...

Pretty as a Picture

I don't think that dog is interested in sitting still for a portrait!
Original available in Etsy shop

Back from bit of hiatus

2009-07-28T16:27:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, I am back -- for those who don't follow me on Twitter, there have been yet more difficult times for our family as my grandpa (whom we call Groompoo) passed away last week. We are doing ok, and thank you for all your well wishes and prayers so far!
Naturally I haven't really been in the mood to create or socialize much but I think I am going to get "back on the train" now... starting with today's no-pressure whatever I feel like drawing sketch:

I am going to paint these little friends as soon as I'm done with this post.
These are my drawing companions today:

Lucky and Kiba :) -- it is insanely hot at the forest on the hill; a scorching 117 degrees, so everyone is pretty much flopping all over floors and beds and such. Last I checked, Belle was flopped in the dining room and Bitsy under the coffee table.
Now to watch Hulu and paint.

Owl's Hollow

2009-07-16T00:47:00.000-07:00

What would it be like to hang out with an owl for a day...

This is, in fact, available on Etsy :)

Today's Harvest

2009-07-15T11:30:00.000-07:00

Can't resist sharing the garden fun today!

A bucket of goodness picked this morning. There were okra too, but we ate them. They aren't the least slimy if you grill them or fry them!

This is what happens when a potato grows in your compost heap. I wonder what the flowers will do?

The current state of the top garden. Squashes and melons have taken over EVERYTHING. I think we'll plan a whole lot more space for them next year. The mystery squash turned out to be acorn squash.
Back to painting for me. :)

Two more WIP shots

2009-07-15T00:14:00.000-07:00

Going to have to stop for the evening as it is after midnight! But Schubert's piano Fantasie in F Minor for 4 hands playing in my earphones is so lovely.... I'll have to finish listening to it. :) One of my fellow music students and I used to attempt to play this duet back in the college days, ha ha. I'm afraid the "attempting" was more on my part than hers, she was a wonderful sight reader!
Well, goodnight then.

WIP Owl's Hollow

2009-07-14T19:04:00.001-07:00

This one is for Illustration Friday, still have to paint it!

Mice and Life

2009-07-13T19:09:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone, long time no see!
Life craziness has gotten the better of me. Despite this here are some mouse ACEOs on auction! Click HERE for the auctions

Lady at Court

Hug from Mama

I haven't had much painting time for a couple of weeks, but have had a lot of typing time instead (I have a typing side-job). My grandfather is in the hospital, so we have been visiting him a lot too -- have had some real scares with him. Today was the memorial for a dear family friend (my dad's best buddy as long as I've been alive!), and my dad was brave enough to get up in front of everyone with a guitar and sing "I'm Going Home on the Morning Train". He did a great job, I was proud of him! I know Eddie would have loved it. So yes, with all of these things it's been a roller coaster around here going from one emotion to the next. Still trucking along.
Our garden has been exploding with vegetables, so many we cannot even eat them all. The tomatoes have begun ripening too and they taste *awesome*.
Today's sampling:

There were more squashes and some bell peppers, but they got et for breakfast.

Peachy and Sunbeam say hello.

Lizzy and Mr. Darcy

2009-07-01T13:46:00.000-07:00

Well here they are, finished!

Elizabeth Bennet

Fitzwilliam Darcy

I'm selling the originals as a set HERE on Etsy.

Lizzy prints are HERE
Darcy prints are HERE

Well, my Darcy is certainly no Colin Firth, but he'll have to do. :)
It has become scorchingly hot in the forest. Most days I just hide indoors with the curtains closed to keep the heat out, and come alive again at dusk! Makes for some odd sleeping hours sometimes. Today isn't so bad. Todays harvest from the garden: cucumbers (both English and pickling), a zucchini, and a beet. The eggplant is now 3 inches long! It is cute. And all of the hot pepper plants are covered in baby peppers. There are a lot of bell peppers sprouting, too, and we are waiting for them to change colors. Can't wait for the tomatoes to ripen! I cannot believe how gigantic the leaves of a crookneck squash are. They look like dinosaur age leaves!
Side note: I find it amusing that Darth Vader has his own Twitter account.
The end.

Girls on the prairie

2009-06-26T15:08:00.000-07:00

So here's my pioneer girl painting, all finished!

A Letter from Brother
8x10in Watercolor and colored pencil on hot press paper.
These two pioneer girls are reading a much-anticipated letter from their older brother, who has gone out further west beyond the prairie.

Original is HERE
Prints and such are HERE

Been a quiet day in the forest. A good day, really -- I think I have the best collectors in the world. :) (Art collectors, that is!)
I am still working on portrait-style Mr. Darcy and Lizzie paintings. Brother watching The Simpsons on another laptop here in my studio space, we'll see how working goes! I am feeling quiet, so I suppose that'll be all for now. There will be ice cream later.

Horses!

2009-06-24T23:48:00.000-07:00

So I finished this horse illustration, and I thought it was fun to do:

New Baby
8x8in Watercolor and colored pencil on hot press paper.
A mare and her new foal are enjoying the sweet smell of the hay in the stable this fine spring day.
This was created for the “Ripped Off” 2009 EBSQ show! It is based on Kiya Sanders's (who happens to be my best friend!) “Horse and Baby”, found here. Kiya has also painted her own versions of my Talisman of Escape and November Shadow. The show isn't up yet so I can't show hers to you yet! It is a fun show to do, and it occurs once a year.

Oh yes, and:
Original is at my Etsy shop!'
Prints & such are at my ArtWanted shop!

The end.

Gardening update and Upside down tomatoes in a 2-liter bottle update

2009-06-23T13:35:00.000-07:00

Hey all -- I know I've been terribly absent for over a week! We've actually been dealing with a lot of crazy circumstances and losses in our family, all at once and I guess I haven't felt like posting. I tend to be rather private about emotional goings-on, and there are a lot of goings-on. Just trying to roll with it all and depend on God. He seems to be the only unshakeable One around here!
Anywho, I have still been painting; just finished a pioneer girl illustration that I've submitted to my critique group for any revisions before I post it here. And currently, I am working on a horse painting! A mama and baby, for the EBSQ "Ripped Off" show. I'm doing it in a rather picture-book type format, with space for text.
Last but not least, it is SO time for a garden update as our gardens are exploding! There are going to be a lot of pictures, bear with me. ;)

Current state of the top garden. The cucumbers and watermelons are quickly migrating and spreading over the bottom half!

Current state of the front garden. There are also gigantic zucchini plants, oregano and lavender that you don't see in this picture. Those tomato plants are absolutely covered now in little green tomatoes! Had to finally tie them to the stakes today as they are starting to bow from the weight.

The upside down tomatoes are doing splendidly. Even they are now covered with little green tomatoes, which sprouted since this photo was taken! Some of their stalks have flipped now so that they point straight down instead of growing upwards like this.

This is a great way to reuse those plastic bottles for a good thing, folks! A refresher on how I did this:

UPSIDE DOWN TOMATOES IN A 2-LITER BOTTLE!
Need: Baby tomato plant, 2-liter bottle, craft knife, single hole-punch, 2 long pieces of thick string or twine (I crocheted mine out of yarn with a chain stitch), coffee filter, dirt.
1. Cut the bottom off of a 2-liter bottle or juice bottle.
2. Punch 4 evenly spaced holes around the rim of the bottom to put hanging string through. Can put duct tape around the rim before you do this for more strength if you want.
3. Pull a piece of twine through 2 of the holes on each side, so that the twine hugs the outside of the bottle to hang it with.
4. Carefully pull baby tomato plant through the smaller mouth of the bottle, by either leaves or roots, whichever will go through easiest until the leafy part is all outside the bottle.
5. Put a coffee filter around the plant's base like a tree skirt inside the bottle so it won't fall out as you put the dirt in.
6. Fill up the bottle with dirt, with the small mouth of the bottle & plant facing downwards.
7. Tie it up somewhere sunny!
8. Water it very well, until the water runs out the bottom. After that keep it consistently moist. In my hot/dry climate I water them every day, sometimes even twice for REALLY hot days. Less if it's cloudy/raining.
9. Watch it grow and eat some lovely tomatoes!

Yum!

I love this completely adorable watermelon. It's about softball sized now, I wonder how big it will grow?

Aah! Bell pepper of cuteness!

Eggplants really make beautiful flowers. This wound up turning into a baby eggplant.

Mystery squash in the top garden. I have no idea what this will be, but it is huge! Methinks there was a seed in the compost when we mixed it in with the garden soil. In the compost heap itself there is another great big mystery squash growing that is different from this one, and today I discovered some potato plants growing in there too! Compost heaps are really great fun. Full of surprises. ;)

Here is what I picked today. Three pickling cucumbers (there will be salad tonight!), a big zucchini, and some oregano. The oregano was getting leggy and was sprouting little blossoms, so I thought it ought to be trimmed. This garden has been such a rewarding experience and joyful too. Good to have some joy especially when the world has gone crazy.
Well that's it for now, folks! Hopefully an art update soon.

Er yeah, more critters!

2009-06-15T15:44:00.001-07:00

So apparently this making of little ACEOs with animals in them thing is quite fun. I have more!

Cornflower Mouse ACEO

Sparrow ACEO

Auctions are here of course!

Also good practice for more realistic-style animals for illustration jobs. Which reminds me, I finally sent out some promo postcards today!! Now that I've actually broken the ice and DONE it, it doesn't feel as intimidating as it did before. Yay, finally.
I am going to have to make another post about gardening soon, all of our vegetables are exploding with life! There are little green tomatoes all over the place, many more zucchini, even a cute tiny watermelon. And I didn't know that eggplant made such pretty purple flowers.
My mom's car has just broke down on top of everything else -- agh. I sure don't know what it is going on, it seems like everything is going wrong all at once for her! At least the house is getting nicely re-done, it's actually turning out to be something of a blessing because of the whole flooding incident. It smells of new wood and construction in there.
Still a lot of work to do today, I'd best keep on going. Have a beautiful summer day, all!

Spot Illustrations

2009-06-13T23:11:00.001-07:00

I've been making these little animal spot illustrations today, and they've been really fun. Here are two of them up on auction at the moment:

Poppy Rabbit ACEO

Smiling Beaver ACEO

Auctions are here!

My poor displaced mum is still here, probably will be for awhile yet. They've torn out the ceiling and the floors, so her house is a shell! It's been a busy family kind of week. My sister's birthday was also yesterday, and we celebrated with supper and strawberry cake with cream cheese frosting. She turned the big 21, heheh. Tonight's supper was chicken dumpling stew. Yum!
My cat is busy snoring away over on his favorite perch on the bookshelf, and I have a bit of work to do yet. I wonder if there will be more thunderstorms? They just keep coming and coming.

New painting: Strangely Familiar

2009-06-11T15:56:00.000-07:00

So I've finished the oil-like girl at last! It seemed like a good place to stop, rather than keep tweaking it.

Strangely Familiar
6x8in Watercolor on hot press paper.
Dreams are funny things, mixing ordinary things with the fantastic.

Original available in Etsy shop
Prints & such available in ArtWanted shop

A detail:

It's been quite an eventful past few days... for those on Twitter, you know that my mom's house whilst in its roof shingle-less state got flooded out in a huge thunderstorm and nearly destroyed, so after a very late night evacuation of important things my mom and brother are staying here with us. Thankfully the roofers are paying for the damages and the house can be repaired (unlike what we thought at first), but wow what a nightmare! I sure hope all of their belongings can be salvaged; we already got most of the super-important stuff out a couple of nights ago. Sheesh, you just never know when something like this will happen and your world changes in an instant! My mommy has been displaced and poor brother shocked. :(
In nicer news, my promotional postcards have arrived and they look pretty. My critique group made lots of great suggestions for how I can improve them, so that is what I will do for the next batch. Now to send out to publishers!
Hopefully I will have more time to blog soon, it's been craziness around here!

Sketch!

2009-06-05T20:07:00.001-07:00

So I've decided to start offering sketches on Etsy. Usually I'm pretty possessive of those since I don't get to keep most of my paintings, but I thought it would be fun to do some on purpose that I know I'll be letting fly to new homes!

Friend of the Meadow
8x10"

She's available here on Etsy!

And here's a detail:

I just had an artichoke and a grilled cheese sandwich, but strangely am still hungry. Bah! Maybe it is that I did not have any chocolate for dessert. ;) It will soon be remedied! Can you believe I'm still working on the giant chocolate block I got from Trader Joe's... I've had it for a month. Only a few squares to go!
It's been raining all day here in the forest, which is probably good since it is fire season now.
I'm stalled on the oil-like watercolor painting, it seems to have come to a grinding halt! Methinks I need to walk away from it for awhile and come back with fresh eyes. Meanwhile I can delve into the million other projects that are going on.

A Year of Sketching!

2009-06-04T15:10:00.000-07:00

So I've finally finished up this back-burner project, which is to put my entire sketchbook from 2008 up on my website. Go and see!

My 2008 Sketchbook
Okay, so you might have to be a little dedicated to click through all those thumbnails. But still, could be fun! I love looking at other people's sketchbooks.

I had a credit to use over at Paperback Swap (lovely wonderful way to get free books!) and I ordered Catundra, one of those Serendipity books I loved so much as a kid. I got it today, and oh is it cheering me! I've always adored Robin James's illustrations and looking at them was definitely an influence on me wanting to be an artist when I was growing up. They're just so colorful and lush and sweet. Plus, anything that brings me back to my childhood gets an A+ from me. ;)
We have ACTUAL, REAL ZUCCHINIS growing on the zucchini plants now! The bell peppers have started to flower! This is all rather too exciting. The top garden is really growing well too -- it's really kind of amazing that these lovely green things with fruit on them come from just a little seed.
In other art news, I am actually finding myself in the rare (for me) position of having *too many ideas at once*. Now if I can just draw them all before I forget them.

Illustration Friday: Adapt

2009-06-03T17:01:00.000-07:00

Adapt

This little boy is enjoying his family's vacation by the sea, and thanks to a snorkel and fins he can swim with the dolphins!

Original is available at Etsy shop
Prints & such are available at ArtWanted shop

New Art: It's Raining Hearts

2009-05-28T21:59:00.001-07:00

Whew, it's been a busy day at the ol' Keys household! Thought I would share this little illustration:

It's Raining Hearts
7x9.5in Watercolor on hot press paper.

This was originally created for an EBSQ show, “Reinterpreting Children's Art”. I based it on a drawing my sister did for me when she was a child, of a girl standing in the rain (except the rain was hearts!). The duck with the red umbrella just showed up on his own, I think he saw her dancing there and thought it looked like fun!

Original is available in my Etsy Shop

And, this is the original drawing my sister did, lo these many years ago :)

Time to get back to work, I'm afraid I haven't much to say this evening!

Gnomish goodness and toys!

2009-05-27T14:18:00.000-07:00

Well good afternoon!
It is really quite hot here in Northern California. I am wishing for a pool...
This is how my Pa's birthday present turned out:

We had a fun time yesterday, went with my Pa, the Grandfolk and my Mommy to a cheesecake restaurant and I had a REALLY good salad and a REALLY good piece of almond amaretto cheesecake. Oh, raptures! I think that was the best cheesecake I've had, ever. Dut went to check for Green Lights again last night but I didn't go. He found one, and then another bioluminescent caterpillar!! It had a row of glowing dots on its back. Rats, I missed it. So maybe we'll go again and THEN I'll bring my camera. :)
I decided to dig out an old dollhouse of mine and paint it brown:

I think maybe some rusty tan or cedar red type color for trim accents... still have to do that. The bear family is moving in! Remember those Sylvanian Families from the 80s? I still have most of my Evergreen grey bear family from when I was a kid. So they are moving in to the dollhouse. Looking rather sparse still... maybe I'll figure out how to make furniture, as buying it is rather too expensive!

As many of you know I am a big fan of toys. I don't think we should ever have to give them up, or our imaginations! Perhaps that puts me in a special class of geekery, but oh well. ;) No sense in changing that either now that I'm a big girl.

WIP Gnome Girl and Garden Madness

2009-05-25T14:00:00.000-07:00

Good afternoon, world!
Here's a peek at my WIP of Araya for my dad's birthday. Ack, have to finish today, his birthday is tomorrow!

After this I have to get seriously busy on another painting (haven't even drawn it yet, agh) for a show at EBSQ, an online artist gallery I am a member of. You are supposed to find a drawing that a little kid has done and then make your own version of it! Think the show is called "Childhood Re-visited". I found a cute one my sister did for me probably at about 11 years old that I am going to re-visit. It was between that and one of my youngest brother's "rug cats" that he used to do. They were so cute! He'd always draw these cats curled up on a rug full of crazy patterns. I miss both of their childhood selves...
So our garden is really working! The "downstairs garden" as I call it is growing tall, the tomatoes are starting to flower, the zucchini is starting to form. The upside down tomatoes aren't growing as fast but they still seem to be doing well. Maybe it just takes them longer to get to the fruiting.

Here is a cute little tomato flower:

Zucchini madness in a tupperware "pot":

Look at the little guys! The zucchini is what is growing beneath those funny hairy flower-things.

We inherited a pot of oregano. Have to put it in a much bigger pot so it will grow nice and large, and then we can pick off pieces for cooking!

A view of the sprouting "upstairs garden". No, we don't have any stairs, it's just that this one is in back of the house on top of the hill. Those cucumbers are going crazy!

Lastly, the Oleanders are starting to flower. I'm not a huge fan of Oleanders, but I thought this shade of reddish-magenta was pretty. They'll lighten a bit later to more of a fuchsia.

Thanks for hanging in there with my garden pictures! I'm just too excited that it is actually working.

Mermaid goodness, macaroni salad, and an Interview!

2009-05-23T21:02:00.000-07:00

It's been a good and busy Saturday -- had a barbecue with our church family, which was full of the lovely foods that pop up at potlucks. I brought macaroni salad and spice cake. :) I couldn't even try it all there was so much! Got too full. It's a huge blessing to be able to say that, really. So many people are going hungry and homeless especially nowadays, I'm really learning to count my blessings. This means no more complaining about how dirty my house gets with all this red clay dust around here!! Ouch, conviction for me there! Seriously, I'm lucky to have food and housing.

*News!* I have recently been interviewed by the wonderful Elena of Elena's Easel, if you'd like to read more about the behind-the-scenes part of my art! Also check out Elena's adorable colored pencil children's illustrations, I love the jungle animals. :)
Here is the interview!

I finished painting the two little mermaid art cards, which were fun. I wonder what a mermaid town would look like?

I decided to do auctions for these girls. Click here for the auctions!

Coral ACEO
2.5x3.5in. Watercolor on hot press paper.
Coral is a very curious girl from Mermaid Town, and she likes to collect shells from all of her explorations and bring home many strange pets.

Kara ACEO
2.5x3.5in. Watercolor on hot press paper.
Kara is a girl from Mermaid Town with a big imagination. She hopes to live in a sand castle someday!

I think my Pa and I might go look for Green Lights again tonight. If so, I'm definitely bringing my camera. Night, all!

WIP Sketches and "Green Lights" glow worms

2009-05-22T01:36:00.000-07:00

Great scott, it is after 1am! And I'm still sketching... might call it quits after this blog post though. Today is all about works-in-progress, and I thought I might share some of them.

(Click picture to see larger version!)
So these are the things I'm working on right now. The little gnome girl is actually my niece Araya, and it's supposed to be for my dad's birthday. :) He never reads this blog, so he won't know! I looked at so many cute pictures of mice for reference that I might just have to go snuggle my cat from cute overload. Not that I wouldn't have snuggled him anyway. ;) Anyway, I'm really excited about the painting that is half-finished in particular! Here is a close-up of the girl's face:

Like I had mentioned in an earlier post, I'm trying to get the look I used to achieve with acrylics and oils, except with watercolor. It's actually started to work!! Getting the contrast right is rather challenging I must say.
Oh dear, moth just bit the dust literally in my floor lamp -- doesn't smell pretty. And now it is on fire!!! @_@
Had to turn it off. That was alarming. Back to our regular scheduled programming.
So last night my dad and I went on the annual trek to go look for "Green Lights" as we call them, which are a species of glow worm that are really rare; wish I could remember the scientific name for them! Anyway they only come out for about a week or so of the year, in mid to late May. We've only ever found them around this particular pond, and go every year to look. They look just like little green stars shining out from the grass and rocks! We found 3 last night and we shall go back a little later to see if any more come out. Next time I'll bring my camera and hope I can keep it still enough to get a good picture. It was really pretty out last night, the big pond was glassy and reflected back all of the stars.
It is sad that the more they develop the land around the pond, the less Green Lights we find. I guess that is getting to be a big problem for glow worms the world round, they need such specific conditions to survive. They are beautiful creatures!

Rabbit illustration!

2009-05-20T12:32:00.000-07:00

Time for a new rabbit painting....

Leaves for Stew
5x7in Watercolor on hot press paper.
Lily and Mother Rabbit are collecting aromatic leaves for the stew they are going to make for that evening's supper.

Click here to buy original
Click here to buy prints & such

These rabbits were fun. Last night I started painting a sketch I've had laying around for months, and I am really loving it! I was wistfully wishing for the kind of look I used to get with acrylics and oils, and so am trying to achieve something like that with the watercolors. It is a bit more time-consuming I must say, but it looks super cool I think.
Today is my baby brother's birthday! He is 15 years old. I'm old enough to be his mom really, and that's kind of how I relate to him by default. I suppose I get less mom-ish the older he gets. We are all going to see Wolverine at the movies.
My tomato and zucchini plants are getting ready to flower!!! I can hardly believe it! As a first-time vegetable gardener, these things are exciting. ;) The zucchini plants are getting absolutely huge.
Okay, now SOMEBODY make me stop eating crackers and get down to some more work.

Garden for a Princess

2009-05-19T15:00:00.001-07:00

It's high time I posted my latest painting!

Garden for a Princess
5x7in. Watercolor on hot press paper.
This royal maiden is enjoying a stroll within the castle gardens.

Original is on Etsy
Prints & such are on ArtWanted

It is warm and summery here in the hilly forest, and the heat makes me feel slow and stupid. The constant guzzling of water is helping, though. I have a stack of paintings waiting for me to get cracking on them! I'm trying to decide if time would be better spent painting as many paintings as I can, or if it would be better to spend most of my time on the marketing of it. Half and half? It won't matter how many paintings there are if no one can find them, I suppose.
Nose to the grindstone for me.

Sketching, it's what's for dinner

2009-05-18T00:29:00.000-07:00

Hello world!
Thought I'd make a post of recent sketches. It's been suggested that I make a whole series of Jane Austen-y (and suchlike) illustrations, so I did some practicing for Mr. Darcy. There was a whole page of men, but here's a better one (heh).

That's Doctor Who on the left, by the way. ;) Hm... is Darcy stuffy enough? Dashing enough? Men are a lot harder for me to draw!
I have taken to quick-sketching things around me, as I am rather weak with manmade objects drawingwise. Hey, it's an episode of Fringe on my laptop! I think I like how the headphones turned out best. These really are fun, and I've done some whilst sitting in the passenger seat of the car sketching other cars. And I *hate* drawing cars, but this way was fun.

Whilst in one of my frequent artist blocks I remembered that a really great way to get ideas is just to draw a bunch of thumbnails. That is what I did here, and have already sprouted many drawings to paint off of it. Must remember to do this more often!!

Lastly, here is some gratuitous Kiba spam:

Had a busy weekend full of being in a parade (yipes!) with smiling and waving until my face fell off. Plus, a photographer came up and took a picture of me and I hope I don't wind up in the paper. *nervous laugh* Also I went to my good friend's wedding shower, whom I've known since we were 11 or 12! Can't believe she's getting married -- she used to be my ONE friend in 6th grade, seriously. If she was not at school lunch I ate it alone with the dandelions. And, I hung out at my mommy's house making delicious things and attempting to watch Ghost Hunters on an annoyingly skippy internet connection.
I had wanted to draw when I got home tonight, but instead got an urge to sew a dress. And thus now it is 12:30pm and time for bed!

Garden Obsession...and Art!

2009-05-15T18:30:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!
I know, long time no see... I've been so wrapped up in planting the front and back gardens that it's been a little bit of an obsession, heheh. Finally today I got everything planted, so I should be around more! I tend to be a bit all-or-nothing with some things. Also, we've had some unfortunate family drama and I still don't know how it's going to work out -- lots of worry and stress! I am trying to follow God's orders, "Trust in Me" and leave it to Him to work out. I just hate it when little children get stuck in the middle of big fat drama; it really hurts them the most. :(
Anyway, I've discovered that even when I go quiet on the blog front I still manage to do a bunch of Twittering! Easy to get in those little thoughts, eh.
I've got a new painting to share! This little girl was fun to paint, I was really digging the bright green in the background. And the cherry tomatoes make me hungry...

Unexpected Friend

Original is on Etsy!

I have so many things to say backlogged that I've forgotten most of it. Sigh. Who wants to see my garden? :)

My little box of zinnias, with remnants of old sidewalk chalk underneath. I think that was a crow saying "caw", heheh.

I found this WONDERFUL SMELLING basil at the store. I can hardly wait for it to grow up so we can have pesto!! Even just looking at the leaves makes me want to eat it.

Part of our big vegetable garden up on the hill behind the house. This, of course, is corn. There are also carrots, beets, peas, cauliflower, watermelon, cantaloupe, squash, cucumbers, onions, peppers and okra in the big garden. Besides the front garden of tomatoes, zucchini, bell peppers and herbs. I am weird, I dearly love okra. At least fried in cornmeal, I don't know about any squishy soup. ;) Surely *something* will grow, yes??? It's our first real vegetable garden, went a little crazy with it.

This little "volunteer" squash was found growing in the compost heap. It is growing right out of the old squash! There are some green onions sprouting in the compost as well.

The front yard with various potted things. The plants are already much taller than this, they are growing like crazy!

These are the wild sweet peas that spring up every year in the little meadow at the bottom of our hill. I always have to take pictures. ;)

Perhaps I will begin a practice of writing several blog posts in advance so I will not get backlogged again and won't feel pressured, heh. In fact, I will write some more now as this is already too long. Good evening, all!

Illustration Friday: Parade

2009-05-14T12:37:00.001-07:00

Parade

Sunny growing season is here, and the children are celebrating by having their own parade across the garden, joined by their pets.

Original is on Etsy
Prints are on ArtWanted

Illustration Friday: Theater

2009-04-29T14:38:00.001-07:00

Dress Rehearsal

It is time once again for play season in the wild wood, and the mice are working their hardest to put on a great production.

(And if you simply must have it for your own....)
Original is on Etsy
Prints & such are on ArtWanted

Jane Austen strikes again!

2009-04-27T22:56:00.000-07:00

Good evening!
I have finally got round to scanning in this little Jane Austen-inspired illustration. It's Catherine Morland! Silly thing, sitting here reading her gothic romance novels and imagining all sorts of strange goings-on.

Catherine at Northanger Abbey

Original is in Etsy shop
Prints & such are in ArtWanted shop

Spent the weekend helping my mommy pick out new house trimmings for her remodeling she's going to have done. Wow, that was fun being an interior decorator for a little while!
I had strawberry shortcake for dessert tonight :) and I have a serious INNER EDITOR keeping me from really writing much in this post, not much for any good reason. Hm!
Added lavender and zinnias to the garden, oh boy. And I have a strong urge to drag out the My Little Pony collection. Instead, I will probably be painting.

Illustration Friday: Impossibility

2009-04-22T21:37:00.001-07:00

Dream Tree

This little girl believes in dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem.

(And, if you want this for your very own....)
Buy Original on Etsy
Buy Prints on ArtWanted

Sun bonnets, tomatoes, and sketches oh my!

2009-04-22T16:37:00.000-07:00

Haven't been very good at sitting at the desk today... too busy gardening! I got to wear my new sun bonnet I made and plant some more tomatoes.
Here is my bonnet!

And here are my tomatoes!

I learned how to plant them this way several places on the 'net, but here is a good page: Upside-down tomatoes (or whatever) in a 2 Liter bottle
Apparently this is the DIY recycling version of the "Topsy Turvy" thing. And it doesn't cost a bunch of money, either. I hope they grow nicely! I do need to find a sunnier place to hang them -- my mom is bringing me an old wooden ladder and I think I'll hang the tomatoes from it in some sunny spot. There are still two baby plants who need planters...
I've been trying to sketch more lately, even if I don't get to the actual painting. I've been clamming up an awful lot on the art scene this past month, and I think part of this is due to ignoring my little inner artist's need to play on paper (or wherever) without that PRESSURE to create soemthing that will sell! I really, truly need to have that non-pressure time. I also really truly need to remember this fact.
Anyway, here's a sketch:

And, this is the sketch for the painting I'm currently doing for Illustration Friday:

Have to get my butt in gear and finish it!

I want to dress like Lizzie Bennett

2009-04-21T13:27:00.000-07:00

Hiya! And cheerio!
Well first off, I'm going to show you the new little ACEOs -- though I'm annoyed with my scanner just now for washing out the colors. Need a new one!

Hot Cup of Tea - ACEO
Click here to buy on Etsy

Tea Therapy - ACEO
Click here to buy on Etsy

Kite Flying - ACEO
Click here to buy on Etsy

Personally, I'm fond of the rabbit.
There was actually a fourth, but I ended up disliking it so much that it is swimming at the bottom of the ACEO pile, perhaps never to see the light of day.
I planted zucchini earlier today :) -- I do hope they grow because I LOVE zucchini! I love to make zucchini bread, and also just plain sauteeing it in a pan and eating it that way. It's good stuff, Maynard. It's been difficult finding spots that get full sun 6+ hours of the day around here, too many foresty trees everywhere! Guess it helps that I'm using moveable containers.
Oh yeah, and I'm almost done making my sun bonnet. I will feel like Laura Ingalls. I am hoping that this small sewing project will give me further confidence to tackle making a Regency-era ensemble.... underthings and all!! But I SO want to dress up like Lizzie Bennett. Every day, I mean it. And I'm totally using a bedsheet to make the chemise, because it's cheaper than buying that much fabric for something that never will be seen in public.
Well it's time to shut down the Procrastination Machine and update my website.

Gardening is good for mending me

2009-04-19T19:33:00.000-07:00

Good evening!
Boy it's been a stretch of doing rather non-creative work the past while, lots of typing and web maintenance. I am painting now though, after being inspired by this adorable blog: Doe-C-Doe
It's full of vintage retro goodness and it made me want to paint vintage-y looking things (involving rabbits and cats!). So I am.
In other news, I am making a garden! I tried one last year and utterly failed at it, so I was rather discouraged about trying it again this year. But I've been urged from the inside to do it, so here I am. This time I used baby plants instead of seeds, so hopefully that will significantly increase my chances of actually getting them to grow!

Ah, yep -- those are cat sand buckets. Gotta recycle, right?
On the subject of cats, it is time for gratuitous cat pictures! Humor me, will you.

Must be nice to be a cat, lazing on top of bookshelves. And Kiba manages to look so bored whilst doing so.

I like this shot of Bitsy in the front yard. Spring in the forest!! She's been spending a lot of time outdoors these days, as Kiba has taken a sudden love of chasing her relentlessly around the house. Poor Bitsy!

Here's that ruffian now, with his sly look.
Well dearests, I have managed to eat nothing but chocolate for dinner. This simply won't do. I'm thinking baked potato with feta, sounds like a strange yet intriguing idea.
Hopefully there will be art to post soon!

Innocence

2009-04-15T12:34:00.000-07:00

Good noontide!
It's a sunny but chilly day here in the forest. I'm about to go work on some website stuff for a client, but thought I'd put in a bit of a post first -- and eat chocolate. For you non-Twitter folk out there (and thus haven't heard me gush about it already), I just discovered the most wonderful indie musical group! They've been around awhile but I'd never heard of them until now, called The Innocence Mission. I picked up their album Small Planes a few days ago. Anyway, I identify so much with the lyrics and the motivation behind them, besides it being beautiful to listen to. Like I see life through a similar lens.
Just had to gush for a minute. ;)
From the sketchbook:

A bit of a pictorial "journaling" on mourning the rather destroyed life I left before I moved here -- and time to let go of it, because I've gained a much better prize when I moved to this house... and that is Jesus.

Kiba is modeling the afghan I just finished crocheting a couple of days ago. Isn't it cheerful? I think it looks like a garden.

Today I felt compelled to bring the lilac bush inside so I could look at it and smell it whilst working. It's difficult trying to keep Kiba out of the plant water though! It's sitting on my "new" shelf that my mom just gave me. I haven't had a proper bookshelf in 3 years! Finally everyone can start emerging from the piles under my bed and stand up like proper little books. :)

The bottom of our hill.... oh cheerful yard, how I wish I could roll around in the grass and dirt all day!

Childhood

2009-04-11T16:59:00.000-07:00

Thinking a lot about childhood today... it's been a weird day!
Firstly I have been practicing more sequential art (or art from the same story) and I have this little boy and his squirrel friend to show you:

Balance ACEO
Original is on Etsy

Sharing a Meal ACEO
Original is on Etsy

I was outside sketching in the sun earlier, and made a drawing of a little boy flying a kite -- at which point I burst into tears because it reminds me of my brother Travis and I miss him! He lives in Seattle. He used to love to fly kites when we were kids.
I was feeling pretty nostalgic in general, listening to music that my parents used to play when I was very small! Puts me in a strange state of mind. I have such an emotional connection with childhood, all the beauties and fears.
Also I had a really scary nightmare last night about a serial killer who would suffocate people with plastic wrap and I caught him in the act. I woke up yelling! Boy, haven't done that in a while. Maybe I need to watch less tv.
Scary as that was, it really was a very beautiful warm day outside. Butterflies were swirling all over the air, mostly to have a meal of the lilac bush and many of them went for the periwinkle as well. While I was smelling a lilac, one of them flew to my cheek! :) My Kiba cat sure had fun watching them too -- I had to intervene once when he pounced on one. Okay, now I feel I MUST post some pictures of butterflies.

Black Swallowtail -- the kind that was on my cheek!

I don't know what kind this is, but I like them.

Another Swallowtail.

Now it is evening and we really must go grocery shopping. I made a chocolate cake and also must make hot fudge frosting for it! As you can see, I'm no longer avoiding sugar as a rule :P ... don't want to go hog wild either but hey, tomorrow's a holiday. Happy Resurrection Sunday/Easter to all!

Illustration Friday: Talisman

2009-04-08T22:57:00.000-07:00

Talisman of Escape
A good story book is a talisman against the dreariest of days – turning them into adventures and sunny places.

(And, if you want this for your very own....)
Original is on Etsy
Prints are on Artwanted

Random stuff on a Wednesday

2009-04-08T11:42:00.000-07:00

Good morning!
I had this weird dream about an owl with bright colored feathers around his head, and it would come into the house if you hooted at it. Then it would play with your kittens (and not eat them). And everybody at our church lived in the same apartment complex. Heheh.
Anyway, right now I'm painting this:

Trying to think how I can work this into "Talisman" for IF! A good book is a talisman against boredom, right? Yeah. That's it. Though I don't think I would be bored at all with a couple of cats on a sunny, flowery hill. (But hey, maybe that's part of the story)
I have this weird dry scaly patch on my eyelid, for a couple of weeks now. I wish it would go away! I've been putting Vitamin E oil on it.
I really must paint now.

I can't help it

2009-04-06T19:54:00.000-07:00

Good evening!
Right now, I am excited about this:

The lilac bush right out the front window is my favorite thing about spring. It smells so lovely. Every year I end up blogging about it, haha -- but I can't help it. The other wonderful thing about the lilac bush is that all the butterflies show up too! So far I've seen black swallowtails, monarchs, and some little brownish orange ones. Our finch feeder, normally completely swarmed with yellow finches, is now deserted. Methinks a natural food source has opened up somewhere now that spring is here. My hummingbirds are still visiting their feeder but not as often -- I'm sure they vastly prefer flower nectar when it can be had!
My niece went back home yesterday and I had to clean up the tornado path of toys and coloring supplies throughout the house, heh. It's fun when she comes. Also had to go through the outgrown baby clothes and sniffle a little bit, remembering when she used to wear them. Kids grow up SO fast! I decided I would do a little quilt type thing of fabric from her outgrown clothes. A few dresses I couldn't bear to cut up, though.
The other day whilst visiting a family friend's house I went out and took a bunch of pictures of "weeds", as my dad would say. ;) Really, it's wild mustard and very cheerful! This honey bee certainly thinks so.

My mommy's house also had some loveliness on her fruit trees in the front yard:

Alas, I have no art to share today since I've been rather busy with a couple of side jobs of late. Nothing terribly exciting, but I don't mind it and the extra money is a blessing.
It is almost baked potato time. Two nice ones in the oven as I type! Soon one of them will be accompanied by olive oil, salt, pepper, nutritional yeast, and pepita seeds. Oh, glory!
Last but not least, I've been awarded a little Kreativ Blogger award by the lovely Pixie Wildflower! Thank you, Cathy!

And I in turn dub Heather Sleightholm of Audrey Eclectic a most Kreativ Blogger. This is one of my favorite blogs to read (not to mention the drool-worthy artwork), so go check it out!! It's all about nostalgic, olden days prairie goodness.
Off I go then...

Little Miss, Fairies and such

2009-04-03T17:51:00.000-07:00

Yo! So my niece Araya is here this weekend :) and right now it is nap time. I can't believe how big she is getting, I took a cute little home video of her playing her child-sized guitar and singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". Very talented two year old, hee hee. I insist upon watching the Secret of NIMH later on!
So I made a FAIRY, felt like doing something old-school. I also decided to put her on auction, though I already had some kind of shady bidding made on it and had to relist. Anyway, here she is:

Cyclamen Fairy
Click here for original on auction

It was supposed to be for the EBSQ show "Cyclamen", but I ended up not getting the scan color-adjusted and all that in time because of the New and Wonderful Computer business. Oh well! I love to paint flowers anyway.
Oh yes, I got around to fixing my very broken music page on my website, for those who are interested in hearing some:
Carmen's Music Page
It's kind of like a movie score-ish style, with singing in some of it.
Uh-oh. Little Miss is stirring!

Newness and some murky deep thoughts

2009-04-01T22:32:00.000-07:00

Hi neighbors! I've been a bit scarce for a number of days... long story short, my old computer was getting to be nearly unusable and..... I got a new one!!! God is so kind -- I've been praying and praying for one, as it has become very difficult trying to run my business off of the old battered thing. Last week an anonymous benefactor (and fellow believer) felt strongly that they wanted to give me a computer, and they didn't know I had been praying for one either.

When the new one got ordered I burst into tears actually (heh) because it was just such a kind thing for God to do and I felt His love for me. I didn't have the funds to just run out and get a new machine, that's for sure! Not by a long shot.
So it arrived yesterday :) and I've been setting it up with my files and programs since then. Also I got a random wild notion to rearrange my studio/bedroom, heheh. So there you have it -- disappearing Carmen!

I can't tell you how nice it is to be able to edit art files in GIMP and not want to tear out my hair because it takes 5 minutes to do any little thing. It just zips right through now!
Part of my rearranging of the studio (which also happens to be my bedroom) included making an inspiration board:

Random pictures from magazines, cards, wrapping paper, just anything that took my fancy. And some crochet flowers. ;)

Snaggle digs her new spot in the yarn basket. She can see everything from there! Plus having the yarn out makes me feel cheery. Those two albums are full of old pictures of my ancestors, mostly Victorian with some Civil War. Very cool!

There's the dresser. I love that little tea kettle on top of the speaker with the cheerful yellow and orange flowers. I found it at a second hand store and it is rusty inside, but it made me feel happy to look at it so to home it went!

In the three years I've been here I had never put pictures on my walls. This is very strange for me. But I decided it was time to do it now. The little girl in the photograph is me, drawing at my grandparents' table. :) I think I was three?

My nightstand. Not sure why I'm showing you all this, haha, but I just liked how it came together with the turtle candle holder and the pineapple doily. I seriously need bookshelves, I've got books crammed under my bed all over the place.

Anyway, the combination of all of these things have actually kept me awake at night a few times, like some big CHANGE is on the horizon. I don't know why, but this arrangement of my sleeping and working space makes me feel like a very little girl again -- I mean 4 and younger, before some very terrible things occurred in my life. So I feel that 4 and younger is like, the real me... and maybe the big CHANGE in the air will be something to do with that.
Wow this post is long, thanks for hanging in there!

That sneaky old artist's block

2009-03-26T13:17:00.000-07:00

So this is what I *want* my desk to be looking like right now:

But alas! It is pretty clean. No paints on it, just a cup of tea and my computer that hates me. Hopefully soon I will be getting a new computer -- seriously I've had to do hard drive re-formats about 7 times now on this thing. Four Windows installs and three Linux installs (may have lost count). Woohoo! This poor old thing wants to retire badly.
Anyway, I'm having some artist's block at present. I think what it is usually is that I have struggles with Big Bad Time Management. Time Management is scary to my nebulous brain. I would love to learn how to deal with it in a way that is nebulous brained creative person-friendly. Prescribed routines that last too long tend to be rebelled against. So this all leads to me constantly feeling pressured to be DOING SOMETHING (!!!) and that isn't a very healthy place for art, not even art with deadlines. Deadlines are a fact of this business, painting with or without inspiration is a fact of this business -- but I am not helping myself by this constant pressure of guilt about time management. Just thinking out loud. :) Also I did not eat very well nutritionally yesterday and that often brings these things on. Blah!
So, lastly -- I decided to join Twitter and give it a whirl. I don't know that I love it yet, but I'm giving it a try! Random thoughts are appealing to me. This is me: http://twitter.com/yarmalade
Until next time!

Illustration Friday: Subtract

2009-03-24T22:07:00.000-07:00

Just One

These two naughty mice don't think anyone will notice if they steal one of the apricots off of the table.

Notice the small things

2009-03-23T15:52:00.001-07:00

Howdy and now for some random thoughts...
It seems our society is very interested in bigger, better, more exciting, more flashy, MORE period -- and I thought it would be nice to step back and look at some of the *little things*, simple things that I enjoy that would probably not even be noticed usually.
1. I like how the little drops of water line up on the top rail in the shower, all in a row. I like to take my finger across the rail and make all of the drops go down my hand -- and they're always cooler than the hot water of the shower. Maybe that's weird, but there it is. ;)
2. A patch of moss on the ground can be almost irresistible! Velvety green and squishy and I like to touch it.
3. I like when my cat's fur is in a patch of sunlight, and if I look real close every hair has rainbows in it.
4. I like how when you stir a cup of hot chocolate, you will get a spiral galaxy in your cup.
5. I love to smell a box of crayons.
6. My favorite word is "susurrus", which means the sound of the wind through the trees. It reminds me of Psalm 96 where it says, "Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the LORD". I really think they are singing, with a little help from friend wind.
7. The smell of wet, fallen leaves = mmmmmm.
8. I like to watch people write with a pen. Just how they move their hand and how the letters form.

Wasn't really going for a set number here, but that'll do for the present. Wow, I *really* need to stop eating these kettle chips. Help!
Lastly, here is a tiny woman riding a rabbit from the ol' sketchbook:

Afghan mishaps, etc.

2009-03-22T17:00:00.000-07:00

I've been crocheting an afghan that looks like a garden of flowers, and realized today that I forgot to make a whole bunch of the squares (and I've already made ever so many joining seams). Rats! Guess I'm not as close as I thought to finishing.
Anyhow, I have a new little painting to show:

Garden Dance
Click here to buy original
Click here to buy prints & such

I thought we might have a little more "random photos from my life" today. Well they're really not that random, because it is all about how I spent my morning once I got home from church. I really did not want to go to church at all at first but I am glad I did -- I'm always blessed when I go despite my morning grumps. (Not really a morning person).
I had this for breakfast:

Grilled onions and bell peppers with seeds sprinkled on! It was so tasty, I wish I had some more to eat right NOW. I've been on an absolutely no sugar, no caffeine and no white flour detox for a couple of weeks, so I have learned to eat my veggies in new ways. Bah, I'm such a grain-eater. I really miss chocolate too. I am trying to do this for about a month.
Here is my morning tea ritual:

Peppermint, yum!
Also I practiced my alto recorder for awhile -- shame on me, I haven't practiced very much for a couple of months. When my niece was here I played it all the time since she enjoyed it and I couldn't really do a lot of painting and such. Now she has her own green one, too that I keep here for her when visiting. ;)

Off I go to figure this afghan thing out! :P

Sometimes I feel impish

2009-03-20T20:29:00.000-07:00

Ah, so it is Friday. The week has slipped right past me! I didn't get an Illustration Friday done, bah. Better luck this week I hope.
Today I bought a couple of coloring books from the dollar store -- I've been coloring in them like mad lately. My dad likes to tell me I'm too old for coloring books, but I say nonsense! You're never too old for coloring books. My grandma used to go to her good friend's house often and color in coloring books when my mom was a kid, I'm told. Apparently it was good stress relief. :) That's one thing I love about Grammy, is that she has never lost that impish youth on the inside.
I give you all permission to have your very own big box of crayons and a color book! If anyone tells you that you are too old for them, just stick your tongue out and blow a raspberry or three. That's what I do.
Well I have an ACEO to share! I sketched it out on St. Patty's day, whilst sitting in the sunny yard. That day I had decided that I needed to do as much of my work as I could outdoors, so I plucked out a clover sprig and came up with this little girl:

In His Light
Click here to buy the original on Etsy
Click here to buy prints & such on ArtWanted

And now I will share one of the weirdest trees I've come across....

It's very Tim Burton, don't you think? This tree is along Highway 99, near many many almond groves. I've never seen an oak grow quite this nutty! Here it is from a bit of a different angle:

Very snaky, very "too many trunks". Or something. But it is cool!

Official Spring is only a day away!

2009-03-19T14:49:00.001-07:00

This is me, being a better blogger. ;)
Spring has arrived on my little foresty hill, hurrah! Our neighbor's Mimosa tree, although having no leaf buds yet, is covered still with the dried seed pods of winter. Today I heard the wind go through them and they rattled just like little rattlesnakes! It was almost as if each one was being shaken from the inside.
I do have some lovely pictures of the blossoms on the plum trees coming out...

Little white tree brides by the stream. A lot of frogs have been chirping out here!

I'm not sure what kind of tree this is, but it has really pretty pink flowers. They smell good too. :)

Here is a little sketch I amused myself with when I was doing jury duty (not while in court, of course!). What if the wolf really wanted to be friends with Little Red but was too shy to just ask?

Something about Little Red's face reminds me of "Coraline", which of course makes me want to go see the movie. I already have the soundtrack oddly enough -- I have never bought a movie score prior to actually seeing the movie before this, but it is so quirky and lovely.
Lastly today I will leave you with my tiger cat:

He has decided that my shawl makes a perfect blanket for his bed. I hope everyone is having a bit of Spring wherever you are. I have to go kick my hiney and get some work done. I've let it pile up and I'm a little overwhelmed!

....Crawls out of the muck.....

2009-03-18T15:47:00.000-07:00

Well I'm still alive! Combined jury duty and a nasty flu has had me rather wiped out for awhile. I read a really good article on Empty Easel about blogging types, and it got me thinking about what I really wanted out of this blog. My favorite blogs that I read every day are generally blogs of other artists, and they do more than just list their latest work -- they really give an insight into their own little worlds. I want to do that! I'm afraid I've slipped into mainly "look what I've painted next!" out of laziness and uncertainty about what to write. I think that sort of blog is good too and I also read many of those, but my favorites are definitely the ones that share an inner world along with the art. So I will now challenge myself to be better at that sort of journaling. :) It's funny, I have kept regular pen and ink journals all of my life and have no trouble at all with those! It's just that I use those for processing thoughts and emotions and not really a list of what I did that day, so I'm not sure how to do that here. Hm. I'll figure this online thing out somehow!
Anyhow, NOW I am going to share some new ACEOs :) -- and they are on auction here if anyone should desire them...

Whale Watcher

Daisy Girl

I think I need to paint a whale again, it was fun! It's an absolutely glorious day here in Northern California, and I spent some of it wandering around outside in the trees and grass. My tiger cat enjoyed it too, we both needed a good airing out. Some of the trees are blossoming, and the beloved lilac bush is showing baby leaf shoots. I can't wait until it is in bloom! I really have to get on myself to go outside and be out in Creation. I get so wrapped up in my little cocoon of desk, paint, and computer that it can sometimes be very draining. Watching movies on Hulu while I paint is nice but there is just nothing like being outside with the beautiful creatures God has made.

Girls and Dogs

2009-03-02T15:16:00.000-08:00

Well I've gone ahead and put "Sunday Breezes" up for sale:

Original on Etsy
Prints & Products on ArtWanted

Also I have three new ACEOs with dogs in them! I rarely paint dogs so I thought I should get some practice in.
The dog ACEOs are all on auction here!

Best Friends

Dog School

My Yellow Dog

Maybe not very mysterious that they all look like our family dog Lucky, heheh.
It's been a strange kind of half-rainy, half-sunny day. I like the sunny parts. :) But of course, California badly needs rain so it's great we are getting so much lately.
I enjoyed painting "Sunday Breezes" so much I think it is time I did more faith-based illustrations. God is always my inspiration anyway!
I have finally obtained some new rechargeable batteries for my beloved digital camera, so I hope I get some nice pictures of the outdoors, sketches and such soon. I have missed my camera!
I think I'm finally coming out of this brain fog I've been in for weeks... sorry if I've owed you an email or have been slow about commenting. I've let papers pile up, messes creep in and that is never a good thing for this little scatterbrain. I've been spending some time organizing which is helping enormously.
God bless you all!

Illustration Friday: Breezy

2009-03-01T19:50:00.000-08:00

Sunday Breezes

Little Julia is on her way to church one windy Sunday morning, with her Bible in hand.

Noon on a Wednesday

2009-02-18T12:23:00.000-08:00

Thank you everyone for your birthday wishes! :) I did have a very nice day, just hanging out with my family. And there was Swiss chocolate cake with pecan frosting! With coconut sorbet for ice cream, yum. At the bookstore I picked out Amigurumi World: Seriously Cute Crochet by Ana Paula Rimoli. Sooo cute! I can't wait to make the little apple with the worm in it.
I have a new morning ritual. I got these little dainty teacups/saucers for my birthday, three of them with a different flower on each. So! Now I am going to make a pot of tea and drink out of my little dainty cups, like I am doing today. There is "Candy Cane Lane" tea in it at the moment! Yum!
Anyway, on to business! I finally finished up the colored version of "Clandestine" and it is here:

The Owl and the Pussycat
Purchase the Original on Etsy
Purchase Prints on ArtWanted

Also, I put my little rabbit drawing from last week up for sale:

Garden of Time - Original on Etsy
Garden of Time - Prints on ArtWanted

I've had some requests for more children, so I think I'll have to do some more of those and hold back my urge to do millions more rabbits! Ha ha.

Happy Birthday to Me

2009-02-15T12:33:00.000-08:00

It's my birthday today! My dad has already made me a super tasty breakfast :) and hopefully there will be some nice tea and cake later on.
Anyway, I wanted to share my new painting today because it seemed so tea-party-ish even though there is no tea in it. Just the outfit I guess!

Little Mama
Original purchase information
Prints purchase information

I think we might go to the bookstore and I will go pick out a neat book. I love books!!! I've always cared far more about books and music than I ever have about clothing, which is evident in my very non-trendy wardrobe. ;)
For some reason I am really into crochet food right now. Especially desserts. I bought a pattern the other day to make the most adorable teapot!! It is from KTB Designs on Etsy, and is in fact my first Etsy purchase. All of her patterns and creations are UBER CUTE. Check them out!
I'd best go get ready to head out for birthday festivities.

Illustration Friday: Time

2009-02-12T15:15:00.000-08:00

Garden of Time

Illustration Friday: Flawed

2009-02-04T15:24:00.000-08:00

Flawed

Miss Iris cat frowns at her mirror as she dresses for the ball -- one whisker simply will not comb out nicely like the others!

New art: Scary Storm

2009-01-30T21:13:00.001-08:00

Bunnies don't like thunderstorms!

Scary Storm Click here for Etsy purchase info

I need more work on perspective! Though granted, it is supposed to be a round room like inside a tree or hollow and thus it was harder to figure it out.
Ah, listening to Mozart's "Laudate Dominum" on my earphones right now, the Maria Zadori version. Heaven!!
It's a good night for sketching I think. Amidst my pile of commissions I've THANKFULLY been getting, I haven't had much time for it. But I shipped one off, have another sketch approved, and finished this rabbit painting AND started another painting.... so I think I can allow myself some fun sketching eh! I ought to make time for it anyway really, it is so necessary for getting new ideas and working things out at least for me.
It's kind of interesting how I can watch tv and listen to audio dramas whilst painting, but those are way too distracting for sketching. Have to have music and only music for that.

2009-01-28T12:01:00.000-08:00

I've put "Climbing" on Etsy -- Click here for listing!

Boy is it chilly today. Sunny and bright, but COLD. The woodstove doesn't seem to be keeping up too well with it, I'm freezing over here in my room! I have some commissions to do today, some paintings to ship, and I am going to re-design my business card. In a couple of days my aunt will be here!! My brother and I have always called her "Extra", as in Extra Mom. I will be excited to see her.
And now it is time for Random Photos From My Life!

I liked how my colored pencils looked all lined up in a row. So y'all get a picture.

The results of my new cookie press and cookie book I got for Christmas. These were awesome! I need to make more!

On sunny WARM days I like to go outside and sit in the "fairy thicket" at the bottom of our hill. On this particular day I was writing old-fashioned snail mail letters with dip pens and ink. I miss snail mail letters.

I also like to take my favorite dolls along on sunny warm days to the fairy thicket. They need a good airing out too you know. ;)

And, because someone asked, this is in fact the fairies' ballroom. The one my cat broke a second doorway in, haha.

And now ends this episode of Random Photos From My Life.

Illustration Friday: Climbing

2009-01-27T22:02:00.000-08:00

Climbing

Looks like this chap is having some trouble climbing after those birds!

Critters...

2009-01-26T22:04:00.000-08:00

So I made some more ACEOs! I believe I have officially used up the last of my ACEO paper. I suppose I'll have to make some more, or paint something larger now. Anyhow, on to the critters...

Thawing Season ACEO Click here for Etsy purchase info

This kitty was another sketchbook creation -- I really like the side view here, but I am having trouble getting a front and 3/4 view that I like of this type of cat. It kind of reminds me of the bunnies I've been doing, maybe they'll live in the same village. ;) Again with my new favorite sketchy technical pen!

Needlework ACEO Click here for Etsy purchase info

I brought this Georgian bunny back for a sequel, I like her.

Lastly of the originals I found this little "old school" fairy miss that has been lying in my pile of ACEO paper for ages... finally decided to finish her up and put her on Ebay:

Little Rose ACEO Click here for auction

And finally, I have a bunch of prints/gift items/suchlike on ArtWanted of the following:

Pruning Time
Resolve
One Pale Morning
Fire Contained
Francesca
Winter Wings
Flutter

I watch a lot of tv shows on Hulu.com and listen to a lot of radio dramas when I paint... it is funny how when I look at my paintings later I always remember what story/show it was that I listened to at the time.