Break Time is Now OVER!

Not that I’ve actually taken a break in life, but the blog break is officially over. These past couple of months have been busy with work, household chores, the book, family and friends. In other words, LIFE!


My finger is doing better, but I have a feeling it will never fully recover. I have limited strength and an ever-present “pop” every time I bend it. So, I guess I just need to put on my big girl panties and move on!

My jewelry wardrobe continues to grow, as I “experiment” with the whole jewelry-making process. My sister gave me a jewelry making book for Christmas and a charm bracelet book for my Birthday. All my husband has to say about it is, “Oh No!”

Last month I had the pleasure of organizing a bridal shower with a friend, for a friend. It was a small, intimate affair, and so instead of a cake we had cupcakes. I made them, and wouldn’t you know, it led me in another direction. Cake Decorating Classes! In my attempt to make something “pretty” for the shower, I realized I hadn’t the skill to create what I wanted, so I did my best

and signed up for the Wilton Cake Decorating class at my local Michael’s store. You can be sure I will now include cake decorating as a topic for future posts.

Work on the book continues.

Zoe's PawPrintArt will be expanded to include paintings painted with a paw print paintbrush the I made in Corel Painter.  The paintbrush was created using an image of Zoe's paw and will be used to paint entire paintings.  It's kind of a strange concept, I know, but here is a very fast, very rough painting that I painted so you could see what I'm talking about.  It is a Celtic Knot, done in celebration of St. Patrick's Day.

If you look closely, you will see that every bit of this painting was painted using Zoe's PawPrintArt paintbrush that I created in Painter! 

Well, I guess that's the past couple of months in a nut shell.  I'll be back with regular postings about art, jewelery making, cake decorating, the book, and whatever else I can share with you.

Today's Quote:  "Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today."  ~James Dean

What's on My Easel...

With the Tribute to Francis painting completed, I decided to try my hand at an animal portrait, of sorts. This drawing is from a photograph I took in the Cal Poly Canyon. The painting is being painted in Corel Painter XI, using the Artists/Impressionist brushes for the underpainting, and Pastel brushes to finalize. The painting will be called, "A Little Bit Country".

Step 1 - the drawing...
Step 2 - underpainting (Artist/Impressionist brushes) and beginning detail on the cow...

Step 3 - work out the colors and detail using Pastel brushes...

From the Jewelry Box...

The jewelry box is filling up fast -- following are a few of the latest designs...

Cover to Cover...

Work on the book continues. The text is divided among the pages and I am working on rough draft sketches. I've been drawing the sketches into a sketchbook in random order and at this point they are just "gist" sketches. I now need to scan them and add them to the text pages to see how they look. Once I have a visual, I can see what sketches need to be "revised" to ensure that some images take up the whole page, some cover a spread of 2 pages, some have a margin around them, some are toned differently, etc. -- in other words, to ensure that they are not all the same. We want to make sure that each page is different and catches the reader by surprise.

Today's Quote...

"One should either be a work of art, or wear a work of art." ~ Oscar Wilde

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas...

I know, I know, Thanksgiving hasn't even been celebrated and I'm already planning for Christmas!

My family draws names for our family gift exchange, and then we purchase or make something for the individuals whose names we have drawn. We all start out with great intentions of buying or making our gifts early, but year after year SOME of us end up in a mad rush. I am so thankful that last year I followed through and got things done early. I was so relaxed and as we gathered together, I was truly able to celebrate the REASON for the season. I like that peace and joy that I was able to experience, and fully intend to get things done early this year also.

What's on my Easel...
I'm amazed at how many people collect snowman "things," but that knowledge helped me focus on this year's offering of handpainted ornaments and Christmas cards. Each ornament is an original, hand signed, miniature painting. Each original painting is framed in a hanging ornament frame, and comes with a certificate of authenticity. Following are some examples of the framed, miniature originals -- they will be added to my Etsy shop tonight, and more will be added throughout the holiday season.


Snowman Christmas Cards will also be offered individually and in sets...


From the Jewelry Box...
Today the jewelry box holds three new simple, but elegant earring sets. Each set is made with Sterling Silver ear wires and Sterling silver, glass, and Swarovski Crystal beads.


Cover to Cover...
The book printers have done an excellent job in providing all of the information we need to move forward. At this stage in the game, I am drawing rough sketches of each page. Once I have a few more done, they will be submitted to the author for comment/suggestions, etc. The rough sketches will then be refined a bit, and once we agree that they tell the story, they will be made into "formal" illustrations.

Today's Quote...
"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." ~ Will Rogers

Joy is an Inside Job

I've come to a bit of a realization -- while I was in the gallery in Morro Bay, I painted things that I THOUGHT (hoped) would sell to the "tourists", however I lost somewhat of myself in that. What I love to paint are what I call "Portraits of Life -- of people, pets, places and favorite things" -- in other words, things that are important and special to me and those that commission my paintings.

What's on my Easel...

It is an absolute joy to work on the "Tribute to Francis" painting. As I paint I am able to focus on Francis' life and the impact that he had. I am thankful for the beauty that he graced us with -- for the irises that fill my front garden with beauty, and for the legacy of a family in which he can be proud.

As a reminder, this is where we left off...


The painting is still in process. As I paint small sections, I see other sections that need additional attention -- like the yellow iris. Now that the purple iris is blocked in and partially painted, I see that the yellow iris is too light and doesn't have enough contrast to complement the purple iris.

I will continue working on this painting and provide you with an update next Tuesday.

From the Jewelry Box...

Since I started posting about jewelry making, I have received some requests to share my newly acquired wire wrapping skills. I have to confess, I am still pretty "green", but I love to see that "aha" moment as people learn new things, and am happy to share what I know...or what I think I know... with others. Robin was one who recently asked if I would teach her how to wire wrap. We set up a time and she came to my home, learned the basics of wire wrapping, and she made a lovely pair of reddish orange earrings. Robin is one of those creative sorts, so I can't wait to see what she will create!

I have always loved the ocean and am VERY thankful that we live on California's central coast. My latest necklace and earring design is based on the shells of the ocean and reflection of the sun on the water...


Cover to Cover...
When I started "making art," I learned that there was so much more to it than just standing in a museum or gallery and appreciating the work that someone else had created. There was the inspiration, the planning, the making the work itself. Then there are a multitude of background activities and processes involved in getting the artwork ready for presentation or sale. Well, just as I learned there is more to the artwork than just the finished product, I am learning that there is more to a book than just going to the bookstore, pulling one off of the shelf, reading it, and then setting it aside.

When asked to illustrate a children's book my mind immediately went into process mode and asked...How many illustrations? How many pages? Full color or select colors? Portrait (tall) or landscape (wide)? What is the page size? Will the illustrations go to the edge of page or will there be a margin?

Never having worked on a book before, these are questions the author and I began researching. We contacted publishers and book printers, and the information we received from them caused our heads to spin. Not really, but we realized that there is a lot involved in publishing a book.

At this point, we have determined the number of pages and the page size -- the other questions are yet to be answered. As we continue down the publishing road, I will continue to share what we learn along the way.

Until then, remember...

Quote of the day...
"Joy is not in things; it is in us." -- Richard Wagner

Create!

From the Jewelry Box…

I made a pair of shell bead earrings to wear with today’s work outfit, so I thought I would share. I took the photos with my cell phone, so they are not the highest quality, but I think you’ll get the idea…

Also, I completed the bracelet for my great-niece, Drina. Drina is 11 years old and a jewelry designer in her own right. I hope she is encouraged to reach for the stars and “create” jewelry to her heart’s content!

Today’s Quote: It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. ~Frederick Douglass

"A Tribute To Francis" update

What is on my easel...
The acrylic painting, “A Tribute to Francis” is coming right along. Last Thursday’s post showed the background colors being added and blended, the next step is to start building the leaf layers. The leaves are painted onto a separate layer in a flat wash.

Highlight and shadow colors are then added in and all are blended together.

The above technique is used to add the various layers of leaves…

Once the leaves are in, I add a flat wash where the flowers will go…


This is today’s stopping point. Next time I will begin defining the flowers by adding the highlight, shadow and midtone areas.


From the Jewelry box ...

My friend Karen celebrated her ##nd Birthday on Saturday. I put my newly acquired wire-wrap skills into use and made her a sterling silver, Peridot and Apatite necklace. It's funny -- I picked out the stones for her necklace based on the "natural" color clothing she wears. I learned later that Peridot is her birthstone -- I love it when things like that happen!


Okay, by now you should know that I didn't stop there. I made two bracelet and earring sets -- each made with shells and other stones and findings...



Today's Quote: “Painting from nature is not copying the object, it is realizing one’s sensations.” – Paul Cezanne

A Tribute to Francis II

Back in April I posted a message about the story behind the Irises that were growing in my garden. Well I am finally starting the painting entitled "A Tribute to Francis." This will be a digital acrylic painting and this is what I’ve done so far…

Step 1 – the drawing and composition stage…
First, I drew the irises…

Then I added the leaves, and where they would be placed for a pleasing composition.

Step 2 – the painting stage…
First, I filled the page with a flat wash of yellow (I use yellow as the background color so that it glows through the top layers).

Second, I added random marks on the page, using colors that will be incorporated into the painting at some point.

Third, I added another layer of marks

Then blended those random marks together, for a soft kaleidoscope of color

Next, I added more random marks, this time using shades of purple and yellow, where the irises will be placed.

This is the stopping point for today, but check back again soon for an update.



From the jewelry box…
Uh oh, this jewelry making is becoming addicting. I "whipped up" these earrings a week ago to go with the black and white outfit I wore to the office today!

Today’s Quote: A smile is a curve that sets everything straight. - Anonymous

Introducing: What's on my easel...

Welcome to my new Tuesday post, "What's on my easel", where I will be sharing about the things that I am working on at the moment.

1. A commissioned watercolor pet portrait (unfortunately I can’t post an image because I don’t have the owner’s permission). The portrait is being built up layer- by-layer and quite tight.
2. A non-commissioned pet portrait of a welsh terrior. This is more of a practice piece and is being done in watercolor, following a more direct painting method. I started with a washy background and let it dry, then wet a large area on the dog and added a LOT of paint to it, in 2 to 4 colors (side-by-side or dropped on top of another color) and let it mix on the paper. The sections were divided into tail, hind right leg, front and shoulders, back and belly, and head. There is more to do, so check back for an update…

From the jewelry box…

I just completed a wire-wrapped bracelet for a friend. She has a family home in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and she loves all things Southwest, including turquoise jewelry. Sharon, at Beads of Sharon, introduced me to “mosaic turquoise” – it is made from turquoise that has been mined and cut, then the remaining bits of stone are "repurposed" and pressed together (somehow), to form a beautiful mosaic bead. No part of the stone is wasted, and it is really quite beautiful. I thought it was unusual and fit the bill perfectly! Happy Birthday Michelle!

Quote for the day: “Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” Scott Adams

It's a Wrap!

Wire wrap that is! Last night my BFF Saundra and I took a wire wrap jewelry making class. This is our 2nd jewelry making class -- the first was a beginning class taken last fall -- you know the kind, "this is a bead, this is a pair of needle nose pliers," etc. Even though it was a beginner class, we learned enough in one night to complete a necklace, bracelet, and pair of earrings -- and we left feeling comfortable enough with our "skills" that I made earrings for my friends for Christmas 2008.

I love to learn new things and last night's wire wrap class was quite fun. The class was held at BEADS OF SHARON, an unassuming beadshop in San Luis Obispo. The shop is located in an industrial park, so unless you know it's there, you have probably driven by and missed the wonderful inventory, classes, and assistance that Sharon offers. (Also, Sharon is gracious enough to offer my greeting cards, magnets, and miniature original paintings.)

Sharon started the evening by asking us to pick out 10 beads, plus some findings. We selected our beads and findings and she immediately started us on wire wrapping with a copper wire -- evidently copper is a little easier for beginners to use to learn the technique. As we felt comfortable with the process, we abandoned our sample wire and switched to sterling silver wire and set to the task of creating a bracelet and a pair of earrings. In just 3-1/2 hours, Sharon took us from fumbling jewelry maker wanna-bes, to wire wrappers...

The beads in my bracelet are from top left, clockwise: Garnet, Sterling Silver Bead, New Jade, Yellow Turquoise, Glass Pearl, New Jade, a nut, Serpentine, and another Sterling Silver bead. Sharon didn't skimp on the materials she allowed us to use for our first projects, and she made sure each person had a good understanding of the process.

If you ever have the chance, I would recommend visiting the Beads of Sharon shop and/or taking a class. You might even consider a "girls night" out, birthday party or shower there. It is a great opportunity to hang out with a wonderful bunch of ladies, learn something new, and add to your jewelry wardrobe all at the same time!