Monday, April 29, 2013

"Zentangle Beta" a new ACEO

Here is another Beta!  Only this time I have used zentangle designs in creating this little gem of a fish.  Been feeling kinda sluggish lately, so this is about as creative as I can get ... the weather is supposed to be getting warm towards the end of the week ... maybe that will perk me up!  I can always hope!

"Zentangle Beta"


The original is available at this link:

Open Edition prints here:

Take care,
Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

More ......... "Monarch Fairies"!

I think I have an ACEO Fairy Series in the makings!  Just finished two more of the Monarch Fairy ACEOs ....


Each of these detailed ACEOs can take from 8 to 10 hours to complete.  Each one begins with a blank piece of Stonehenge paper upon which I create the subject using an erasable terra cotta pencil.  I then use a technical art pen and provide an ink outline to the elements in the piece.  After which all of the pencil lines are erased to reveal a black & white coloring page type of image.

The fun then begins by applying layers and layers of colored pencil and subtly blending those applications of color together.  The is a very time consuming process but well worth the effort.  Once this stage is completed I begin the slow but steady work of re-inking all the initial lines and adding fine detail designs to the image.

When  I am finally satisfied with the results, the newly created piece is then sealed with a spray finishing laminate to preserve the colors and prevent damage.


"Blue Monarch Fairy and Butterfly"

and
"Pink Monarch Fairy and Butterfly"


I am enjoying these little ladies ... think I'll go make some more!

Friday, April 19, 2013

"Monarch Fairy and Butterfly"

I seem to be favoring fairies lately ... my latest ACEO piece is a take on the monarch butterfly, a Monarch Fairy!  Perhaps she is the protector of Monarch Butterflies?  If so, she certainly looks like a very loving and caring protector ... 

"Monarch Fairy and Butterfly"


I really think Monarch Butterflies are so very beautiful, perhaps this weekend I'll try my hand at creating a Blue Monarch Fairy and Butterfly ACEO ... sounds like fun!  Don't you think?

The original of this little gem is now on eBay:

Authorized Open Edition ACEO Art Prints are on Etsy:

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Big hugs,
Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

"Georgie Girl's Fairy"

I belong to several teams and groups on Etsy and eBay.   In one of the groups, one of the younger artists just had her first baby girl and has named her Georgie.  Well, this is a really friendly and supportive group with great comradery and one of the gals suggested we do an ACEO shower for Katie!

What a great idea!  So today I had fun creating a special little ACEO that I have titled "Georgie Girl's Fairy" ... will send it off to Katie tomorrow!

"Georgie Girl's Fairy"


I think she is kinda sweet!


Hope you all have a peaceful evening...

Karen Anne

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

"Dragonfly and Crocuses" .... The Colored Pencil Magazine April Challenge

The subject photo for the Colored Pencil Magazine's April Challenge is Crocuses!  I decided, however, that a dragonfly would look pretty nifty in my version so I added a fuschia colored one!  Fun!

"Dragonfly and Crocuses"

for your reference, here is the photo...



I have also made prints of my rendition so they are available as One Dollar ACEOs in my Etsy Shop:

This current challenge is open until May 10, 2013.  If you are a colored pencil artist, why not join in?

Hope you are all having a wonderful day!
Karen Anne aka IrelandBrady

Sunday, April 14, 2013

"Bird of Paradise Fairy"

One of our favorite flowers is the "Bird of Paradise" and I thought it would be fun to create a Bird of Paradise Fairy ACEO.  The beauty of the Bird of Paradise is mesmerizing and captivating, evoking dreams of exotic lands  and glorious colors and natural splendors.  

And here is my latest ACEO, "Bird of Paradise Fairy" ... albeit, if I do say so myself, she does look a bit like Carmen Miranda!


The original is now up for auction at eBay:

Authorized Open Edition ACEO Art Prints are on Etsy:

Best wishes for a beautiful spring week ...

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

Thursday, April 11, 2013

"Birds of Paradise" plus one little blue haired Garden Fairy ...

One of our favorite flowers is the "Bird of Paradise" and I thought it would be fun to create a Bird of Paradise ACEO complete with a little blue haired garden fairy peeking out from amidst a garden of blooms.

Also, I received a new of set colored pencils yesterday that I was quite eager to try out, SoHo Urban Artist Professional colored pencils.  WOW!  I LOVE these pencils!  Its like they were made for me and to my own personal specifications!  I can hardly wait until I begin my next piece just so I can work with these little gems again!

Hope you like ......

"Birds of Paradise"


The original is now on eBay...

and Open Edition ACEO Authorized Art Prints are at Etsy ...

Looking forward to a great Friday! 
Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

"Blue Dragonfly"

Here my latest ACEO which I have titled "Blue Dragonfly". I really like Dragonflies ... they remind of something pre-historic and they always make me smile, plus they don't bite! The patterns in their wings are so delicate and complex, with each new dragonfly I create on paper ... I get a little better at capturing that beauty. I hope you like my "Blue Dragonfly"!



I have the original listed in my eBay Store ...

and Open Edition ACEO Authorized Art Prints in my Etsy Shop ...

Hope all is well with you and you are enjoying this day (even though it is wet and gloomy here)!

Karen Anne aka IrelandBrady


Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Dragonfly Fairy (with Mystic Fairy Flower)

It has been awhile since I created any fairy illustrations, so yesterday I did!


With this piece, I wanted to see how much detail I could get into a 2.5" x 3.5" area. So, I began with a tiny face with a fairy and a dragonfly in mind. Combined the two to create a "Dragonfly Fairy" and went from there. As the drawing progressed, the Mystic Fairy Flower was added, as well as several other zentangle inspired patterns. The final result is what you are viewing in this post.

"Dragonfly Fairy"

The original is up for auction at eBay....

Open Editions prints are in my Etsy Shop ....

Hope you are all having a wonderful day!
Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

Monday, April 1, 2013

Flowers and Zentangle

Hi!  I recently finished two new ACEOs and thought I would take a minute to share them with you.

The first is "Crocus" with a Zentangle inspired background:


The second is "Springtime Flowers", zentangle style:


Hope you all had a wonderful and blessed Easter weekend!

Karen Anne