"Mad as a March Hare"

I belong to a team named "ACEO ~ Art Card Editions and Originals on eBay" (this is their Facebook Page) and each month they hold a theme week contest that runs from the first of the month to the seventh.  The theme for the first week in March is "Mad as a March Hare".  Now of course that title sounded like a lot of fun to me so I just had to create two ACEOs to enter!

Tomorrow (3-1-13), all participants will be posting their entries, I am sure they are going to be quite creative and a lot of fun!  To view the entries, wait until 3/1/13 and go to eBay by using this link:  http://search.ebay.com/ACEO-TW  or just go to eBay and put ACEO TW MAR in the search area.

You know, if you create ACEOs and sell them on eBay ... you might just want to join this group!  The members are wonderfully creative, supportive and welcoming.  I joined through the Facebook page.

So, with no further ado ... here is a preview sneak peek of my two entries in the March Theme Week Contest:

"Mad as a March Hare #1"

"Mad as a March Hare #2"

Now I'll have to actively get down to the pursuit of "clean house" ... ugh.

Have a great day!

Karen Anne

"The Mermaid and The Sea Horse"

Finally, I finished my Beta inspired mermaid!  Added a little fantasy sea horse, some sea weed, mussels, a star fish, a sand dollar, a bit of coral and some odd colored water.  The original size is 8.5" x 10.5" and was completed using colored pencils (primarily Prismacolor Verithins) and fine tip art pens.   I didn't want a lot of paper texture showing through so I used a smooth art paper that is made for use with artist ink pens.  For the air bubbles (by the sea horse and the mermaid) and the pearls (in her hair) and accents on the fins and tail, I used a white gel pen.

I haven't yet posted this in either my Etsy Shop or my eBay Store, thought it would be nice to first get some feedback on what people think of my first mermaid.  I fell in love with the gorgeous fins and tails on the Beta fish and really wanted to incorporate some of that beauty into this piece.  I hope you like it!

I think I'd like to do at least one more mermaid, but I think it will be awhile before I get to do more art work.  Time has a way of catching up with one and it is time to get the paper work done for taxes AND to deep clean the house!  

I mean MAJOR Goodwill and Salvation Army will be VERY happy type of cleaning!  The type of DEEP cleaning that will empty a LOT of extra "stuff" and open up some rooms for use cleaning!  We moved into this house 10/1/1970 and it was very, very empty.  43 years later, the 3 kids have moved on, 1 grandkid moved in, another grand has a lot of her stuff here while she is overseas (in the Navy).  Heck, we still have Jim's old Boy Scout uniform upstairs!  Boxes get moved, get piled, get saved and the "mass" accumulates!  But the darned thing is ... I know as soon as I give or toss something away ... I'll find I need it!  This is gonna be WAY hard!  The good thing will be ... what is left will be "findable"! 

So if you don't hear from me for quite awhile, its not that I am ignoring you ... its just something that we gotta do before we are too old to move anything and everything collapses in on top of us!  The hardest part will be the two of us agreeing on things that should go.  

And our kids will surely breath a sign of relief!  They are terrified that we may die and leave everything for them to go through!  Like I told my hubby, if we really miss something we can always go to Goodwill or Salvation Army and visit it!  I'm sure this project will take a good month, if we don't wane in our attempts.  Wish us luck!

Happy day all!

Karen Anne 

"Bitty Betta #12" !

The series is complete!  Here is the final little charmer .....

"Bitty Betta 12"

Hmmm, he seems to look a bit sad that the series is ending.....

You can find the original ACEO for sale on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=281065909961

Open Edition ACEO Art Prints on Etsy:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/IrelandBrady?ref=si_shop

Wishing you all a great weekend!

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

One more Bitty Betta!

OK, I just had to try one more Betta!  LOL!  This is a version of the crown fin betta, a siamese fighting fish.  I think this is my final Betta for awhile ... but you never know what tomorrow will bring!

"Bitty Betta #4"

The original ACEO is listed at my eBay Store:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=281061847722

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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/122895402/aceo-open-edition-art-print-titled-bitty

One thing for sure, I am improving on the scales and fins and tail!

Happy day!

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

Well Hello ... It's Bitty Betta #3!

Obviously I am on a Betta Binge!  Just finished another little cutie today .... went for purple this time around!

"Bitty Betta #3"

This little ACEO original is available in my eBay Store:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=281061511539

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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/122802610/aceo-open-edition-art-print-titled-bitty

I think I am having too much fun with littler charmers!

Happy Day!

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

"Fan Tail Bitty Betta"

I am having fun mixing watercolor pencils, colored pencils and artist ink pens.  This little art piece has been created on Stonehenge art paper; Stonehenge paper is marvelous because it doesn't warp when water is applied to it ... well, it does warp a bit when wet but as soon as it dries the paper is once again flat.  ACEOs are a marvelous and fun way to practice new techniques.  So I will probably be creating quite a few this month!  Today's ACEO is titled:

"Bitty Betta #2" a fan tail siamese fighting fish...

The original ACEO is for sale in my eBay shop at this link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=281061079410

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

https://www.etsy.com/listing/122684218/aceo-open-edition-art-print-titled-bitty

Happy day everybody!

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!

Reflections of an Art Studio Doorknob

This month's art challenge at the Colored Pencil Magazine is #1302 "Doorknob" from a photo by Michael A. Kechula (his link will take you to his site).  When I first saw the photo, I was far from charmed ... it was of a badly painted door, frame, and doorknob.  First I thought of the doorknob from Disney's "Alice in Wonderland" ... but since Disney had already done that ... it was out.  Then I looked at the photo again and was INSPIRED!  Here is the colored pencil illustration from that inspiration that I finally completed today ....

"Reflections of an Art Studio Doorknob"

I began this illustration on January 26, 2013 and finished it today, January 30, 2013 ... and while I was working on it I also scanned the progress to share with you .....

Now, if you would like to see the work in progress set to music, just click on this YouTube link to be taken to my slideshow video titled "Reflections of an Art Studio Doorknob"!

The finished size of this piece is 8.5" x 8.75", was done on Strathmore Bristal smooth paper using colored pencils (Prisma Verithins, Lyra Rembrandt, and Lyra Rembrandt skin tones colored pencils) and artist marker pens.

I hope you like what I have done and enjoy the slideshow (if you watch it)!

Happy Day!

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

The Colored Pencil Magazine January 2013 Challenge

The Colored Pencil Magazine January Challenge is from a photo of a Beta Fish.  I really had a lot of fun with this illustration!  As I was drawing my pencil sketch I kept thinking of a 1950's Hot Rod with flames shooting back from the front of the car, guess the way I drew the fin tips is what inspired that idea.  Anyway, I decided to go with the hot rod flame theme ... worked for me since I was in a bit of a fanciful mood anyway.  Guess one could call this a "Hot Rod Flame Beta"!

This illustration was completed on Stonehenge paper using Verithin and Lyra Rembrandt colored pencils.  I find these two brands work well together for me.  I did use some art marker pen to sharpen up the detail around the eyes and mouth.  The finished size is 8.5" x 10.5" and I will be posting open edition art prints and ACEOs of it in my Etsy Store shortly.

"Flame, the Hot Red Crown Fin Beta Fish"

Here is the theme photo for this month's challenge...

If you would like to see the other great entries, use this link to the CPM Challenge Pool on Flickr 

If you are a colored pencil artist, why not join in on the challenges?  They are loads of fun and there are categories for pros and beginners alike, so all are welcome to join in!

Take care and be happy!

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

The January 2013 Colored Pencil Magazine challege

January's challenge at the CPM  is of a snow leopard, here is the original photo that has been provided for interpretation ....

a magnificent cat to be sure!

Drawings of animals are NOT a strong suit with me ... in fact, I generally avoid them so this was a real challenge!  I have a heck of a time drawing anything facing to the right, this being a cat facing the right was just too much of a challenge, so when I downloaded the photo image I flipped it so the leopard was facing to the left ... better odds that I would actually capture an image that somewhat bore a resemblance of the original photo.

That being said, here is my attempt at a "Snow Leopard" ...

You can view all the entries at:  http://www.flickr.com/groups/cpmchallenge/pool/
You will find many wonderful entries here and a wide range of artistic interpretations!

I am super excited about the February Challenge, it is of a red beta fish with glorious fins!  Working on it right now and look forward to sharing my version in a week or so.... Yes!

Take care and be happy!
Karen Anne

PS  If you are an artist who works with colored pencils, why not come over and join in on the challenges?  It is for Pros and Students alike!  It is loads of fun and one terrific group of people!

Christmas Tree 2012

I thought I would take a few minutes to wish all of you a "Blessed Christmas".  So many of you have shared your Christmas decorations, memories, families and blessings that I thought it was time for me to do the same.

We have a new "Slim" Christmas Tree this year and my hubby didn't want to overly decorate it this season.  It is a rather simple tree but it still makes us happy when we turn it on and watch it slowly turn on its rotating stand.  This year the tree was so tall that we did not have room to adorn it with the Santa Tree Topper so I decided to try out full ribbons tied to the top, then (having much more ribbon left) I began randomly placing ribbons on the tree.  Followed by our collection of Native American Butterfly Dancers and glass icicles.

Over the years I have made beaded ornament covers for our children and grandchildren and I had a few left over to also hang on this tree.  My hubby really likes these ornaments and was a bit sad that we only had a few plus some that my dearest friend had made for us.  So, for his 2012 Christmas Gift I made 13 beaded ornaments just for him ... they are now all hanging on the tree as well.

Here is a picture of our tree with the lights off and then with the lights on ...

Next are some of the ornaments festooning our tree.....

 

 

The following is a special ACEO from Stacy aka Magic Love Crow

 

This miniature Santa is a cherished gift from Maddy Rose

The string ornament in the following picture was made by my dear niece, Emily June, the ornament along side is one of the one's made this year...

 

and next is a close up of one of Emily June's ornaments...

Next is one of the Native American Butterfly Dancer ornaments I have collected over a period of time.....

Next is a Kilted Santa with Bag Pipes that is one of my hubby's favs!  And a MaddyRose ornament attached to a fireplace adornment....

And lastly is a beaded ornament cover I made for my hubby many years ago in 

Irish colors .....

God bless us all,

Karen Anne

"HAPPY THANKSGIVING!"

And the Colored Pencil Magazine Pro Winner of the October Challenge is .......

I just received an email that nearly knocked me off my chair!   And I just had to share it with all of you ....  here it is:

Karen Anne Brady

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PRO CHALLENGE WINNER! 1 message

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COLORED PENCIL Magazine	Fri, Nov 16, 2012 at 3:13 PM
Reply-To: COLORED PENCIL Magazine To: KABrady.Art@gmail.com
Karen, I am so pleased to write to tell you that after much deliberation, we have selected you as the Pro Winner of the October 2012 #1210 Kiiro Art Challenge! You have also won a great prize from our friends and sponsors at UART to include 10 huge sheets of  18 x 24 sanded pastel 600 grade paper. This is a great prize and you are going to be surprised when it arrives how unique a surface this is to draw on. I hope you share with us something you do on it. Why you were selected by our staff: We just couldn’t escape your charming colorful concept and brilliant execution of this gecko challenge. It is an exciting change of perspective AND mirror image that isn’t too perfect of a mirror so that each lizard has it’s own little personality. We also love how you didn’t give up when you weren’t quite satisfied with your first attempt and how you pushed yourself to take chances the second time around. I know this wonderfully illustrated piece is one that many people would love as a print of and I hope it serves you well, if you put prints up for sale, be sure to link to it on the flickr page. Of course you have full rights to your image and use of the photograph. We will be showing you off in the December 2012 issue and facebook page. Check back on our blog to see all the entries and other winner. Please send your shipping address to us. You are still eligible to win again so please continue to join this awesome group of artists at flickr. http://www.flickr.com/groups/cpmchallenge Sally Ford COLORED PENCIL Magazine admin@coloredpencilmag.com www.coloredpencilmag.com Join us on facebook! www.facebook.com/coloredpencilmagazine My Blog Friends, You can view all of the wonderful and creative submissions at http://www.flickr.com/groups/cpmchallenge/pool/with/8139128623/#photo_8139128623 where you'll find a wide range of artistic views of the monthly challenge photos! Oh ... and here is the piece that won!  I titled it "Two Snow Leopard Geckos" If you would like your own print, you can find them in my Etsy Shop

as an art print (in various sizes) or in ACEO format!

Holey Moley!  I am still shaking! And I have to tell you ... as I opened it, I was looking forward to seeing who had won ... and was totally stunned when I saw that it was me!

Happy Day to all!
Karen Anne