Something New

I've been sketching a lot of rats recently.
'Home' is a quick little painting I worked on this week, but it isn't quite finished. Almost, but not there yet. I left my watercolors alone for this one and turned to an old friend; my acrylics.







Hope everyone had a fantastic Valentines Day! Onto the weekend!

Post-Holiday Cards

Last weekend a fantastic friend of mine came to me with an idea. She and her husband had their hands full buying a new house over the holidays and weren't able to send out Christmas cards. Now that they are in and settled (and have an exciting permanent address!) she wanted to create a card that could function as a belated holiday wish as well as a notification of their new address.

They also have an awesome cat.

This is what I came up with for the illustration on the front of the card. The whole process took about 3 days and now we are excitedly awaiting the results from the printer.

I've been knee-deep in a few very serious projects, so having a quick fun diversion was a nice change of pace. Can't wait to see how they look printed!

Flying Pigeon

Its been pretty windy here. Aside from making it obnoxious to run or bike into the wind (which somehow always seems to be the way I need to go...) it keeps the temperatures really nice and stirs up the air a good bit. It also seems to stir up the neighborhood pidgeon/dove population.

Now that I have a bit of a break in between projects, my brain has sort of floundered around trying to decide what to start next. This can be a dangerous time for me, as it is far easier to waste time when I'm not exactly 'ignoring' my to do list (since I haven't decided on one yet). To keep idleness at bay, I like to just draw. A lot.

Which is how I end up outside, tracking down flocks of fluttering pigeons.

Hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend!

The Hobbit and Some Really Old Work

I was grateful to be able to spend the holidays with my family in Michigan this year, and though it was a quick (and rather cold) trip - we made the most of our time together.

One thing we were all hoping to get to was a showing of The Hobbit. I had already seen the movie once, but I was anxious to see it with others that shared my excitement for the previous 3 films. The day after Christmas (in the midst of a terrific snow storm) we all piled in the car and made our way (slowly, but surely) to the movie theatre.

While in the seats awaiting the start of the movie my sister and I regaled each other with our fond memories of experiencing The Lord of the Rings trilogy together. We share a deep mutual affection for the books and movies, and it was exciting to be on the verge of another multi-year fantastical event.

I started to think about how much influence the books and films have had on my life, when I was gobsmacked by a rather hefty realization. I've always loved drawing, Ever since my squishy little toddler fingers could grasp a crayon, but it was reading/watching The Hobbit, The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings that finally gave me the direction to pursue art. It wasn't exactly subtle either.

After seeing The Fellowship of the Ring, I found myself enamored with the work of Alan Lee and John Howe and spent nearly every day of my first semester at college trying to recreate their work. You might ask at this point, "how does a college kid have that much time on her hands?" Well, I didn't. I drew so much, that my grades suffered. I was enrolled in the Biology program, but was spending so much time with my art - that my Bio homework was taking a serious backseat.

It was then, in the middle of painting my interpretation of the lands of the elves in the Silmarillion that I felt lightening. It was so obvious that it was silly. I had no business being a Biology major. I was failing to see that the one thing I loved and could actually see myself doing for the rest of my life, was right there.

So I switched schools and enrolled in Studio Art. Suddenly, my hours spent making things was actually encouraged and rewarded. It was awesome. I'll always have a fondess for the films, specifically for providing me with the kick in the butt I needed to discover my path (also for their awesomeness in general).

While I was up north and contemplating all this, I scrounged around for my old sketchbooks and actually managed to find my old Tolkien-inspired book from 2002-2003.

Here are a few sketches from that book, 10 years ago... (yikes, has it really been that long?)

And then here's a quick mini-sketch I did after seeing The Hobbit.

In other news, the Art Studies Showcase is this week! I'll be showing 3 new pieces and will be there for the entire event. If you are in the area, stop by and say hello!

Merry Christmas!!

Here I am, 10 hours before my flight to Michigan - packing, doing laundry and wrapping my last presents when I realize "I'M OUT OF GIFT TAGS!!!" Usually, this wouldn't be a big deal, but 90% of the boxes I am currently packaging up are the same size/shape and easily mix-up-able.

So I quick made up a sheet of tags (based off my Christmas cards this year) and figured I would throw them up on the blog if anyone else was in the same predicament.

Click here to download my 2012 Christmas Gift Tags!

I hope everyone has a warm and wonderful holiday!

A few fish

Throughout college, my goldfish tank provided an endless supply of inspiration for mindless sketching. I loved watching my fat little Oranda Peaches and her Ranchu buddy Max bumble about the tank in search of alge or a lost flake of food. I owe many of my 100-level art class assignments to their antics.

I no longer have the vast fish tank I once had, but I still love to paint fish when I can find them!

I hope everyone is having a nice start to the holiday season! I've got a few cards left to mail, some cookies that need baked and of course a ton of unwrapped presents to attend to - but I'll get there. More coffee!!

A Postcard for a Good Cause

I sent in my watercolor piece for the Fowler Art Collective; Year Two Postcard Exhibit on Friday.

My postcard will be up with others for sale at the event on December 7th - with 25% of the profits generated going to NYFA's emergency relief fund for Hurricane Sandy.

The show looks to be a great event, I just wish I could make it up to New York to see it. If anyone finds themselves in the vicinity, let me know how it was!