Monday, February 27, 2012

A Wonderful Surprise from Magic Love Crow!

This past week I received a wonderful surprise from MagicLoveCrow aka Stacy.  She is a dear friend of mine who lives in Canada.  Stacy and I met through Etsy and have been following and sharing each others work for the past several years.  Stacy always seems to know when someone is in need of a smile and generously shares her love with so many.

Well, by know I suppose you are wondering what I received from Stacy ... It is a wonderful Baby Crow ACEO titled "Dream Catcher".   How she knew I absolutely love dream catchers is a mystery to me, but at a time when I needed something to cheer me up and bring a big smile to my face she sent me .....


I so enjoy the many paintings she has created, and watching her imagination and creativity soar, much like a Crow enjoying the beauty of flight.  This is one gift that is dearly cherished.

Finally, as Stacy always says, Big Hugs and Keep on Smiling! ;oD


Zentangle Inspired Number Eight

Friday, February 24, 2012

"Strawberry" A New Colored Pencil Study

This is another colored pencil study of a Strawberry.    The original background did not turn out well at all ... so an "India Ink" wash to the rescue!


If you are interested in learning these techniques yourself, purchase the book "Colored Pencil Painting Bible" (Techniques for Achieving Luminous Color and Ultrarealistic Effects) by Alyona Nickelsen

This book has to be one of the best investments I have ever made!

Zentangle Inspired Number Seven


Thursday, February 23, 2012

Day 75 of the "75 Day Sketch Challenge"!!!!!!

I made it!  YA-HOO!  I did it, I did it, I did it!  Here is sketch Number 75!  Before my Mom's macular degeneration became so severe, she carved some of the most amazing pieces of art out of wood.  This drawing is of one of her simpler pieces ... a wood spoon that I now have hanging in my kitchen ....


Zentangle Inspired Number Six

Here is Zentangle Inspired Number Six ... also available in my Etsy Shop as an 8" x 10" art print and a 2.5" x 3.5" ACEO!


Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Day 74 of "75 Day Sketch Challenge"

Have you ever had a colored pencil that you just love but can no longer find that particular color (for one reason or another) and you are down to the stub and rationing out its useage?  Desperately holding onto that little bit that is left, just wishing you could extend its life just a wee bit longer....

Well, I stumbled upon General's "Pencil Extender"!  It is marvelous!  You just insert your little stub into the metal holder & use the crimp ring to secure it and voila!  You have a manageable pencil again!


Zentangle Inspired Number Five

Zentangle Number Five is now available in my Etsy Shop as an ACEO (2.5" x 3.5") and as an 8" x 10" authorized art print.


Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Day 73 2-21-2012

Today I sketched my Guacamole making pestle and mortar ... then thought it would be fun to include my favorite Guacamole recipe, courtesy of "Bon Appetit" ...


Zentangle Inspired Number Four

A new day, a new number!  Today is the Number Four which is listed in my Etsy Shop in ACEO format of 2.5" x 3.5" as well as an 8" x 10" Art Print.


Monday, February 20, 2012

Some New Colored Pencil ACEO's

I am learning some new colored pencil techniques from a book I recently purchased titled "Colored Pencil Painting Bible" by Alyona Nickelsen.   Ms. Nickelsen brings the dynamics of colored pencils to a wonderful new level.  I know I will never be able to accomplish work like hers ... but I am certain I will learn to improve!

"Cherries"




Day 72

Well, since we already have a Raggedy Ann it would seem appropriate that we include a Raggedy Andy!  Now, in our household .... no one wanted Raggedy Andy in his traditional garb ... my boys want Andy in a football outfit!  So, with some slight pattern adjustments ...  here is Andy in his football togs!


The Number Three

Zentangle Number Three is now available in my Etsy Shop as an authorized art print (8" x 10") and in ACEO format (2.5" x 3.5") .....


Saturday, February 18, 2012

A New Zentangle Inspired Series!

As an accompaniment to my Zentangle Inspired Alphabet Series, I recently completed the Zentangle Numeral/Number Series.  The number series is being made available as an Authorized Art Print (8" x 10") and in ACEO format (2.5" x 3.5").  They will also be available as coloring pages, you need to specify if you want a color page so that your print will be made on a laser printer.  Many people have received enjoyment from adding color to the black & white letters thereby making them personal.

Each day I will be listing a new number in my Etsy Shop, as well as posting them in this blog.  For today, I am pleased to present you with ....


Friday, February 17, 2012

Day 69

Today was one of those days when I just couldn't settle on what to sketch, so I decided to try my hand at one of those drawings where you put the pen to the paper and don't lift it up again until you are finished ... a one line scribble drawing?   I don't know what it's called but here is my rendition ....

Not one of my better efforts, but at least I sketched something today!  

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Day 68

I guess I was in a silly mood today when I drew this sketch ... I was remembering when the kids were little and I would let them have a bubble bath and they would sink down below the bubbles and pop up!  I guess a good title for this sketch could be ....

"Bubble Wrapped"

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Day 56

This has been a fun day!  First I completed my 4th "29 Faces" Challenge as a graphite pencil sketch.  She turned out so cute that I decided to redo her in ink for the "75 Day Sketch Challenge"
#4 in the "29 Faces Challenge"

Day 56 in the "75 Day Sketch Challenge"

And then I decided to experiment around in Photoshop and added some colors to the ink drawing .......

Kinda fun!  I'll have to experiment some more in Photoshop until I get this adding color down pat without losing so many details in the drawing .....

Friday, February 3, 2012

Day 55

Today's sketch is of some items I have in a large dried arrangement .... exciting!


Thursday, February 2, 2012

Day 54

Today's subject is an old cast iron toy train engine, it is mounted on an old piece of a juniper fence post ....

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Day 53

Today is Day 53 and I felt like doodling .... so today's sketch is titled "It's A Doodle Day"!

Call me a fool, but I have also started another challenge ... this is a fun challenge.  Over a period of 29 days (beginning 2/1/2012) each party draws one face, posts it to their blog, which is linked to the originating blog, Ayala Art.  What is really cool is that when you go to Ayala Art's blog you will find a list of all the talented artists who are participating in this fun challenge & you are able to click on their name(s) and be linked to their blog where their drawing is posted!

Since I have the "75 Day Sketch Challenge" being posted in this blog, all of my "29 Faces" drawings are being posting on my other blog, HummingBelles.blogspot.com, so you can also hop over there!