Annika's Angel

My sister passed away over 2 years ago, not a day goes by that I do not think of her.  Earlier this year her eldest daughter and her little girl came by to visit and brought a favorite photo of my sister hugging her granddaughter ... when I saw the photo it reminded of an angel hugging onto a little loved one.  Or perhaps it was the saying my niece had written under the photo "Annika's Angel" that made me see my sweet sister as an angel hugging her granddaughter.

Whatever it was, it helped to produce this colored pencil painting ...

"Annika's Angel" completed on 5/20/2015 ...

I hope you enjoy looking at "Annika's Angel".

Take care, God bless,
Karen Anne

Blue Dasher Dragonfly

Hello Friends!  I recently completed a colored pencil entry into the Colored Pencil Magazine's July 2014 Art Contest because I loved the dragonfly reference photo.  I didn't win the CPM contest, but I did win in the fact that I tried out a totally wet colored pencil background and a different technique for doing the wings, which I really like.

However, when I look at the finished piece, it just seems to be lacking something so I made a print  and added leaves to see if that is what is missing.  Before I alter the original I thought I would present it to you to see which you prefer.  Dragonfly with plain background?  Dragonfly with leaves?

Looking forward to your responses ...

Oh, here is a copy of the reference photo ...

Lil' Dragon - Pyro Training - Day Five

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY USA!  Hope everyone is having great weather to celebrate this day of Independence!

We are just hanging around the ol' homestead.   I was able to spend a bit of time working on "Lil' Dragon, Pyro in Training".  Yes!  I was able to apply a base coat with watercolor paints to the body and the fire, and then I began work on the shadowing of the wood in the fire pit.  I also lightened up the sky a bit, to add more contrast, with a light grey colored pencil.  I am looking forward to working on the little guy some more tomorrow!

And Jim tried, in vain, to locate which circuit breaker has deadened all the electrical outlets on the north side of our home; the circuit box labels do not make much sense at all and after 2 days of trying to figure things out, Jim finally broke down and called an electrician who should be here next Tuesday.

As an alternative project, Jim is now working on putting together our new Gorilla Garden Dump Cart!
It should make yard work much easier than trying to drag stuff around in a recycling tub!

Best wishes for wonderful 4th of July celebrations all across this great nation!

Take care and be happy,
Karen Anne

Tuesday Progress on Lil' Dragon

I had a bit of time after all the other stuff that needed tending today so I was actually able to work a bit on the Lil' Dragon.  Today his face and arm/hand holding the Dragon Pop have been completed and I started shadowing on the yellow part of his torso ... I think I may just complete this lil' guy tomorrow!

PS  Today I received two lovely comments from Oma Linda and Lise ... would you believe, I hit the "Delete" button instead of the "Publish" button!  I just want you both to know I received you comments, and I loved them ... that Delete button is just too darn close to the Publish button!  Sorry Oma Linda and Lise!  

Monday progress on Lil' Dragon

Put on some nice classic Rock Radio today and began working on the Lil' Fella!  Using my Yarka Watercolor paints I applied a nice bright coat of color which I am following up with shadowing using my Prismacolor Verithin pencils and Tombow Irojiten pencils.  The pens are Prismacolor Premier Fine Line Markers (.005) for the extra fine and color lines, with Faber Castell Pitt Pens for the stronger black ink lines.

I managed to finish up his wings today and I am very happy with the results.  I'll have to wait until Wednesday before I can work on the drawing again because I have too many scheduled things to take care of tomorrow.  Really looking forward to Wednesday!

Here are some photos of today's endeavors ...

Here is a close up of the detail on the wings ...

Happy day to all!

Karen Anne

Progress on Lil' Dragon

This is as far as I got on the "Lil' Fella" Friday, 6/13/14; working on the background, have applied water color pencils to the background and am using the resulting patterns to create a somewhat fantasy background.  I have applied a plastic film over the lil' guy so that I don't smudge him up too much; as you can see, some of the water did seep under the plastic frisket film ... but, hopefully, not enough to do much damage.

I wanted the background to be on the muted side so I used Derwent Graphitint water color pencils, then did a bit of shadowing with Verithin and TomBow colored pencils.  I used a .005 Presmacolor black ink art pen for the line work.  Just an FYI for anyone interested.

I finished the rest of the background on Saturday, 6/14/14, and look forward to working on the Lil' Guy on Sunday or Monday ... probably Monday since Sunday is Father's Day.  

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all the great Dads out there!

 

"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...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/121093773250?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/129136213/aceo-open-edition-art-print-titled-birds?ref=shop_home_active

Looking forward to a great Friday! 

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

"Easter Egg Bunny"

OK ... as you can tell ... I'm not avidly "gleaning" as I said I would!  Keep walking past my art area and  those darn colored pencils, marker pens, and water colors just keep enticing me over ... then I sit down to just straighten things up, next thing I know I have a pencil in hand and a few hours have just slipped away!  Figure mole hill gleaning will work just fine!

Here is a new little ACEO I just finished this morning ... thought an Easter theme to be appropriate for this time of year so here is ....

"Easter Egg Bunny"

He has just popped out of his shell and doesn't know quite what to make of the world around him!  It is filled with beautiful bright colors and wonderful smells but he is so very used to the safety and security of his little shell.  I'm sure he will be enticed to venture out and explore before too long!

You can find the original ACEO at eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=281074888274

And Open Edition ACEO Art Prints at Etsy:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/125739511/aceo-open-edition-art-print-titled

Hope you are all having a GREAT day!

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

Bitty Betta 11

Presenting number 11 in my Bitty Betta series ... this little betta seems to have a lot to say!  I wanted to try a beta with an open mouth .. I think he turned out cute ... looks like he is so happy he is singing!

"Bitty Betta 11"

Original ACEO is on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=281065501138

Open Edition ACEO Art Prints are at Etsy:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/123705212/aceo-open-edition-art-print-titled-bitty

Have a grand day everyone!

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

"Bitty Betta #10" has arrived!

Thank you for the encouragement and support on my "Bitty Betta" Series ... I have decided to go for 12 of my new little friends ... here is

"Bitty Betta #10"

Once again, the original of this ACEO is available to you in my eBay Store at this link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=281065178818

Open Edition ACEO art prints can be purchased at my Etsy Shop with this link:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/123634050/aceo-open-edition-art-print-titled-bitty

Wishing all of you a happy day,

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

And here is "Bitty Betta #9"!

Well, here is "Bitty Betta #9"!  But, you know, I am really getting the hang of these charming little fish ... don't know if I can stop at 9 .... don't be surprised if I extend the series to 12 ... What do you think?

"Bitty Betta #9"

This little guy seems to be a bit on the patriotic side!

You can find the original ACEO to bid on in my Etsy Store:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=281064521777

And you can find Open Edition ACEO Art Prints under the "One Dollar ACEO Prints" section of my Etsy Shop:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/123472551/aceo-open-edition-art-print-titled-bitty

Hope you are all having a wonderful day!

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

"Bitty Betta #8"

Just finished my eighth bitty betta .... and I do believe number nine will finish me off ... at least for awhile!

"Bitty Betta #8"

Again, the original ACEO is for sale in my eBay store:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281064145746?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

And Open Edition ACEO art prints are listed in my Etsy shop:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/123376941/aceo-open-edition-art-print-titled-bitty

Happy day everyone!

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

Here is "Bitty Betta #7"!

I decided I am going to go for nine "Bitty Bettas"!  So here is number 7 ....

"Bitty Betta #7"

The original of this charming little Betta is now listed in my eBay store:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=281063709323

Open Edition ACEO art prints are available in my Etsy shop:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/123272881/aceo-open-edition-art-print-titled-bitty

Happy day everyone!

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

Would You Believe? Another Bitty Betta!

I am really getting into these little Bitty Bettas!  I becoming very comfortable with the fins, tails and scales, YES!  Maybe a few more and I'll actually feel ready to attempt a Betta Mermaid ....

"Bitty Betta #6"

The original ACEO is for sale in my eBay Store:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=281062607681

Open Edition ACEO Art Prints are available to you in my Etsy Shop:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/123098958/aceo-open-edition-art-print-titled-bitty

Happy day all!

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

Ta-da! Bitty Betta #5!

OK, I thought I was over my Betta Binge ... but guess not!  Really, these little ACEOs are great practice for getting comfortable with the various betta fins, tails and scales ... once I am really comfortable with those things, I'll begin work on the mermaid ... correction, Betta Mermaid!  Of course, she will be larger than an ACEO ... an idea is formulating in my brain and once it is ready to be put on paper I will begin.  In the meantime .... more Bettas!

"Bitty Betta #5"

The orginal ACEO is available in my eBay Store:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281062475079? ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Open Edition ACEO Art Prints are for sale in my Etsy Shop:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/123055690/aceo-open-edition-art-print-titled-bitty

Happy day everyone!

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

"Bitty Betta" a Siamese Fighting Fish

Hi Everybody!

I am experimenting with combining watercolor pencils, colored pencils and art pens.  My goal is to achieve brighter and more vivid colors.  This is one of my first little ACEO attempts and I call him

"Bitty Betta"

The original ACEO is for sale in my newly re-opened eBay Store at this link:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/281060667217?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

And Open Edition ACEO art prints are available in my Etsy Shop at this link:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/122588100/aceo-open-edition-art-print-titled-bitty

My originals don't do that well on Etsy and some friends encouraged me to try selling them on eBay, so far the experience there has been favorable!

Happy day all!

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

PS  Looking forward to working on another new ACEO tomorrow.  I like this combination of watercolor pencils, colored pencils and ink!

"Dancing Dragonflies"

"Dancing Dragonflies" is my latest illustration.  This drawing was inspired by a couple who are getting married in October, their theme is dragonflies and their colors are deep violet and cranberry red.  For some reason I kept seeing two dragonflies in my mind and just had to get the design down on paper ... and the color combination of violet and red was a great plus!

The dragonflies took about two days to complete, during which time I kept mulling over in my mind what should I do with the background?  Leaves kept popping up ... so, once I had completed the two dragonflies I made a copy and began experimenting ...since leaves predominated my mind, I started there, grabbed a green art pen and started randomly putting them down on paper.  I liked the effect it was having and grabbed the original and spent the next two days drawing green leaves!

I think this drawing really turned out quite nice and am happy to share it with you today, so... here is

"Dancing Dragonflies"

This illustration is now available in my Etsy Shop as an authorized art print (your choice of print size up to 8.5" x 11") and as an open edition ACEO (size 2.5" x 3.5").

I was really surprised when I made my first print of the original ... the print actually looked better than the original!  That's a first and quite a nice surprise!

Happy Day All!

Karen Anne

Building up to "Celebrate Oz" Blog Party!

As a build up to the "Celebrate Oz" blog party over at Oma Linda's blog, "Olde Baggs 'n Stuffed Shirts" , I have begun listing the 18 Oz ACEO's in my Etsy Shop.  I am listing one a day until the 19th of July (Partay Day!) and thought I'd share them here as well.

I have a bunch of giveaways planned for the fun celebration day  ....  one lucky person will win an Oz ACEO original of their choice!  Be sure to come back on July 19th for details on how to enter!

OK ... so, here are the first five Oz ACEO's that I have currently listed in my shop ....

"Hello My Pretty!"

"Dorothy and Toto"

"The Wicked Witch Is Dead!"

"Munchkins"

"Glinda"

I'm really looking forward to Oma Linda's Celebrate Oz 2012 Party and hope you will join in on the fun too!  If you would like to personally participate add your link to Oma Linda's Participants Linky List!

Happy Day!

Karen Anne

Two Last Water Drop ACEO Originals

I finished two more original ACEO's featuring water drops .... I think I now have the concept of water drops down.  Plus, I'm getting tired of water drops!  LOL!

"Mama Water Drop and Her Little Droplets"

 

"Water Drops on Deep Red" 

I look at this one and it looks like a clown face!  LOL!  Too funny!  I think I definitely need to move onto another subject matter!

These two originals are for sale in my Etsy Shop and again ... no limited edition or open edition prints will be made from these colored pencil ACEO's.

Happy Day!

Karen Anne