BEST OF THE WEST - West Michigan that is!

Hello! Please check out these great handmade goodies from MICHIGAN. These artist are my team members! We are an awesome group of artists supporting each other!  

You can check out work from some of the Etsy West Michigan Team members at the following link:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=44086

THANKS FOR SUPPORTING HANDMADE ARTS!

Putting It All Together - A Work in Progress

Last night - 12:30 am – I found myself sitting at my desk doodling instead of sleeping.  Here is what I made: four small illustrations with watercolor, marker & ink.  They were originally part of one larger piece but I cut it up!! 

I am in the process of deciding how to put together these four pieces. (Or maybe I will just let them work as pieces on their own).   Here are some of my layout options.  Please feel free to comment with your thoughts!  

I love a good critique!!  I will blog later about the final product!

CREATIVE TO-DO LIST. Not an oxymoron.

The next time you need to write a to-do-list, you can make it an art project!

 

I had lots of ideas swirling in my head. I wanted them out of my mind but not to be forgotten.  If I write down my ideas I seem to get some relief from having to think too much! 

 

I was in need of a good list but also in the mood to be creative and colorful!  So – I did both at the same time!!

 

Here is my ENORMOUS, colorful to-do-list!

 

I will update with images of my progress as I tackle crossing out each colorful line.

Have I ever mentioned that I love sharpie markers?  I like Prismacolor markers a lot also.  They are much more expensive though, which makes them a little less practical to have a multitude of them.

Searching for Spring

Today was a bright and sunny day. It was cold but the sun was encouraging.  

 

I took a walk this evening excited by the soft light.   I was searching for inspirations. 

Over the last few days our snow has been melting. I went in search of signs of spring and found only remnants of the summer and fall waiting to be reborn this spring.  They are hopeful for the warmth and rebirth!  I too am watching and waiting!

ETSY WEST MICHIGAN TEAM TREASURY!

Please check out our team treasury that is featured on Etsy through Monday the 9th of February.  Thanks to the wonderful curator, LaShelle, for putting together such a great team treasury.  PURPLE PASSIONS! 

PURPLE PASSIONS OF ETSYWMI:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=38200

LASHELLE'S ETSY SHOP:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6036277

Sick on the Couch = SKETCHING TIME

A fun and productive afternoon on the couch!  Here are some new warm ups and experiments! Both are 8"x8" on textured paper.  I also got out the sewing machine to add some details before I started drawing.  I used pencil, oil pastels, colored pencil, thread, and sharpie marker.  The second drawing I also used a golden, clear drying, black speckled medium.  I was having FUN!

Oil Pastel Research

I have an interest to vary from my normal acrylic painting.  I have been pulled in the illustration direction.  I have been having fun experimenting with lines designed drawn instead of painted.  With that in mind I want to experiment with oil pastels.  I dug through a box of art supplies that haven’t been used in years and found an old case of oil pastels from my college days.  Needless to say I need an update. 

Does anyone have a recommendation on a quality oil pastel that is affordable?

If there is anyone else interested in learning more about oil pastels, here is a very informative website I found while researching.

http://www.explore-oil-pastels-with-robert-sloan.com/oil-pastels-reviews.html