"Eirinn Go Brach!"

After I completed "Irish Eyes Are Smiling" I decided I liked the character so well that I would illustrate a larger version with more detail.  Today I finished "Eirinn Go Brach!" and I must say, I am really pleased with the results.

I haven't had a chance to list him yet in My Etsy Shop but I thought I give my blog friends a preview...

"Eirinn Go Brach"

Hope you like him as much as I do!

Happy Day!

Karen Anne aka IrelandBrady

"Two New ACEO's"

I have been busy working on celtic knotwork design exercises and finally decided it was time to do some ACEO's.  This first one is a variation on a design I learned through exercises in Sheila Sturrock's book, "Celtic Knotwork Designs" ......

"Celtic Knot in Purples and Blues"

In this next ACEO I have combined my love of drawing people with my love for celtic designs and come up with my version of "Irish Eyes Are Smiling". The inspiration for this came from a picture of a mountain man my husband was using for one of his projects. When I saw the picture I saw an Irishman in his kilt and holding his shillelagh (prounounced shih-LAY-lee), a far cry from a gruffy looking mountain man wouldn't you say! Anyway, that is the image I saw in my mind and drew.

"Irish Eyes Are Smiling"

I have listed both ACEO's in My Etsy Shop today.  If you get a chance, stop by and visit!

Happy Day!

Karen Anne aka IrelandBrady

"Chapter 6 - Exercises #52 through #57"

I was back to the drawing pad with some celtic knot designs today, not as many as yesterday but I did manage to get in a couple.  I have now entered into Chapter 6 of Sheila Sturrock's "Celtic Knotwork Design" and am relaxing enough to have a bit of fun by coloring them in.

Today I completed designs number 52 through 57.  Would have completed more but regular life imposed upon me (doing dishes, cleaning up messes, paying bills, preparing food ... you know the mundane stuff that keeps one's life comfortable), oh to have a house keeper!  That is my fantasy dream!

With no further ado, here is what I completed today:

"Exercises #52 through #57"

If you should ever decide you want to try your hand at celtic knotwork, get Sheila's book;  she has brilliantly laid out and simplified the art of celtic knotwork!  

Take care and happy day!

Karen Anne aka IrelandBrady

"Celtic Knot Design Exercises #23 through #51"

I have been a busy person today!  I was so excited about learning more celtic knot designs that I started in at 6:30AM today and finally pried my fingers off my pen tonight at 5:30PM.  I think I over did it, my fingers were locked in position!  And "Danny Boy" (my miniature pinscher) was not too happy with me today ... I guess he felt ignored, poor baby!

I did mange to complete two pages of celtic knot exercises from Chapter 5 of Sheila Sturrock's book "Celtic Knotwork Designs" and am pleased with how much I have learned.  I also received, in today's mail, "Celtic Knotwork Handbook" by Sheila Sturrock, which is a smaller condensed version of "Celtic Knotwork Designs".  It is small and compact and I'll be able to take it along on trips, etc. and practice designs whenever I find the opportunity.  Yes!

So... here are the two pages of exercises I completed today .....

"Exercises #23 to #38"

"Exercises #39 to #51"

As you can see, the designs are beginning to get more detailed and complex.  This is so much fun and exciting to be learning something I thought was beyond my comprehension!  I am now beginning to understand the plotting and how one can alter a design to give it a different perspective.  

My eldest grandson requested that I create a celtic design for him to have made into a tattoo awhile back and I told him I didn't think I was capable of doing one.  By the time I have finished this book I think I will have the confidence to create a special design just for him.  Won't that be grand!

Take care all and may your day be filled with blessings and love!

Karen Anne aka IrelandBrady

  

"Learning The In's & Out's of Celtic Knots"

I really want to know more about the art of Celtic Knot Designs so I purchased several books by various authors.  The one book that really "clicked" with the way my mind works is Celtic Knotwork Designs by Sheila Sturrock.  I received the publication, with others, yesterday and immediately started myself on a regime of trying out each of the designs she has patiently laid out, beginning with design #1.

I hope to become versatile in Celtic Knot Designs so that eventually I can incorporate these wonderful designs into my art work in ways that will enhance what I am creating.

I thought those of you who are following along might enjoy watching my progress of the various exercises through the chapters in her book.  I have just completed Chapter 3 and am attaching the exercises I have so far completed.

Exercises #1 through #13

Exercises #14 through #22

If any of you are interested in learning the art of celtic knot designs you can purchase reasonably priced books through http://www.abebooks.com/.  If you are interested in books by Sheila Sturrock here is a direct link to her books through ABEBooks.com.

As I said earlier, I have been through several books and her books really connect with the way my mind works and I am clearly understanding each lesson I learn.  Many thanks to Sheila Sturrock!

Take care and happy day!

Karen Anne aka IrelandBrady

"Before and After"

I finally finished adjusting the Celtic Mount Mat #1 that was too large to fit into a 8"x10" opening correctly.  In PhotoShop I learned how to cut out one part, reduce another part, and touch up using PS tools with the aid of a Wacom Tablet.

So, with no further ado's, here are the before and after prints .....

BEFORE

 

                                                           AFTER

                   

What do you think?

Karen Anne

"A Wee Bit O' Irish Cheer!"

St. Paddy's Day is just around the corner, may you be starting off right with a wee bit o' "Irish Cheer" in the charming company o' this spirited little leprechaun! 

"Irish Cheer"

Mounted on Celtic Knot Design Mount Mat

May the luck of the Irish be with you!

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

"Back In The Groove"

Hi everybody!

Well, it has been busy the past week or so.  Last week I was driving my sister back & forth for chemo treatments for a blood & bone marrow malady she is struggling through and I learned my friend in B.C. is being treated for her cancer weekly with her chemo treatments.  Our passports are in the works and should arrive sooner than later so we should be heading up north sometime in March!

In between taking my sis to her treatments I jumped into my own survival therapy ... art work!  First I designed what I thought would be a great mount mat for ACEO's in a celtic knot pattern.  I wanted it to fit into an 8"x10" frame so I measured carefully and laid out my pattern and began.  I finished it last Friday morning (2/18) and printed off my first copy and I was delighted with it!

Went to put it into an 8"x10" frame and, horror of horrors, it was a bit too large!  I had drawn it to exactly 8"x10" measurements, which when put into a frame obscures the outer edges because there is about an 1/8" ridge on a 8"x10" frame .... but I still like it, so here it is:

But, because I wasn't happy with the overall effect and I couldn't reduce because then the area where the ACEO is to be mounted reduces as well and then it doesn't look right.  So, not to be discouraged, I began a new plan of attack on a similar design with my drawing measurements being smaller, around 7"x9".  I just finished the new design today (2/21), putting in about 8 hours a day for the past 4 days, and I am really HAPPY with the results!  And it fits!  Yes!

Here, for your viewing enjoyment, is my "new and improved" B & W Celtic Knot Design Mount Mat for ACEO's......

Would love to hear how you like both versions and what you think of these pieces.  I will be posting the second version in My Etsy Shop later on this week.  First I have to take a few photographs of how it looks framed.

Hugs!

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady

"Celtic Knot Shamrock"

St. Patrick's Day is on its way and I thought now would be a good time to try my hand at some Celtic Knot designs. My first attempt at this beautiful style of art is a piece I have titled "Celtic Knot Shamrock".   I have the original ACEO as well as Open Edition ACEO art prints now available in My Etsy Shop.

"Celtic Knot Shamrock"

I am going to try my hand at some more celtic knot designs and hope to be sharing them with you in the near future.  Wish me luck (of the Irish?) in my latest endeavors!

Your friend,

Karen Anne aka Ireland Brady