Back to the Drawling Board

Friends painting for Luau Auction

2010-06-29T20:41:00.000-07:00

Self Portrait

2010-06-12T20:53:00.000-07:00

doodles about the everyday

2010-05-26T21:06:00.000-07:00

Paws in Park 2010 illustration for t-shirts - 2 colorways

2010-05-24T21:04:00.001-07:00

Illustration for grey T
Illustration for white T

more doggy dogs

2010-05-16T15:16:00.000-07:00

bugs and minerals and how they effect our lives

2010-05-04T20:25:00.000-07:00

DOGGY DOGS & friends

2010-04-29T20:32:00.000-07:00

sting like a bee (detail of larger piece)

2010-04-02T20:21:00.000-07:00

rescued from hibernation by a sweet smell of SPRING

2010-03-30T21:03:00.001-07:00

If I am going to take the time - it is ALL worth my best effort

2010-03-25T20:49:00.000-07:00

So, as I mentioned a few posts ago, I am really trying to focus on refining illustrations and thoughts instead of just doodling and sketching. So, I wanted to show a few steps of the process of working on my Bear and Daisies illustration. It started out as an idea or doodle from my imagination (the dark bear) when I was sitting in my car waiting for yoga class to start, then when I got home, I redrew it more to my aesthetic liking. Now, I am taking my time in refining slowly and with care - as I would work that I do for my corporate "day job." I mean, shouldn't the work I do for myself be treated with as much care as what I do for others? Isn't what I create (whether it be for me or someone else), all "me" anyways? Why would I create with less care just because it is "only personal" work? These are questions I am starting to ask and address.
I also have been continuing life sketching, as I hope to make my seeing and drawing one thing until my drawing is like breathing (oh some day). Concepting, researching, designing and refining are tools to communicate. Drawing is a way of seeing.

Hand Sketches and Drawing Playtime

2010-03-17T19:27:00.000-07:00

That Part Inside

2010-03-13T16:59:00.000-08:00

I thought this piece above was fitting for this week's Illustration Friday Post "subteranean."

As I mentioned earlier, I am taking part in the In the Fishbowl Course by Marisa at Creative Thursday. There were a few questions she suggested we ask ourselves...

Why do I love what I create?
I enjoy seeing something I am proud of and seeing someone else enjoying it is always a bonus.
I enjoy giving people things that I create specifically for that person.
I enjoy the process of seeing an idea or direction or inclination "come to life."
I enjoy the possibility of making something utilitarian and visually interesting or meaningful out of nothing.
I enjoy creating something with someone else sometime (a social thing) - the "creating" becomes a whole new thing.

What makes me lose all track of time?
Solving visual problems.
Drawing.
Hanging out with Donald (his real name is Jon - my husband).
Using my hands - working, creating...
Riding my bike, walking, running, swimming, yogaing.

What does success look like?
Creating things that are useful and interesting to myself or others.
Solving problems to make life better for myself or others.
Being self-sufficient.
Living on very little and having lots of time to live my life as I see it should be (time = freedom).

How do I feel in relation to my work?
Excited and invigorated that I have decided not to box myself in and pre-define what being creative is. I am willing to just following inspiration and see where this takes me.
I am excited to work with others creatively.
I am excited that possibilities are endless.
I am excited that it is not about money.

I'd love to hear your thoughts...

Have a great evening!

more sketches and doodles from the last few days

2010-03-09T20:42:00.000-08:00

Rough Sketches and More Hand Studies

2010-03-05T19:43:00.000-08:00

Hands are always so "available" to practice "seeing as drawing." The other sketch is a rough brainstorm sketch for a metal gate project and the other is I think how I felt that day (I think I wanted to go play, but for some reason I was doing things I didn't want to instead.

Together and In the Fishbowl

2010-03-02T03:10:00.000-08:00

Above: Work by Marisa Haedike

I have been taking an e-course called Together by Marisa Haedike & Creative Thursday and Sean Hogan and it has been so inspiring. I only wish that I would have had more time to participate. It was great, though - even though I have been so very busy with the remodel, I still was able to listen to their inspiring talks while I worked during the day.

Now that the remodel is coming to a close, I am looking forward to delving more deeply into things again in my personal creative pursuits. I have normally had a hard time saying no to things that have taken up my time when I could be creating for myself, but I am proud to say that I recently turned down a significantly profitable venture in order to go after things that are more specifically "my own." It is a top priority for me to focus as much as possible with every decision I make - especially when it comes to things I love to do. "Together" really inspired me to do this even more and I really recommend it, when she offers it again, to anyone who is an artist or is passionate about living a life that they are happy with.

Above: In the Fishbowl by Marisa Haedike

That is why Marisa's next class - "In the Fishbowl" seems very exciting to me. I cant wait to see what she has to say, spend more time meeting other students and applying what I learn from the class to my life. Class starts this Thursday. I highly recommend it!!

www.creativethursday.com

time...I love time...

2010-02-27T20:14:00.000-08:00

Ahhhh...it feels good to have more time again! We have been knee deep in remodeling chaos - staying up late to get all of this done for the last few weeks and have had construction going on for the last month. But we are approaching being really done ( we are doing the fun part - attaching light fixtures, installing the dishwasher)...I think my brain is coming back again finally. I never thought construction would be so mind numbing! But, I am glad we did it because now I want to cook...which will save us money...which will allow more time for things I want to do like drawing and being outdoors. Hoorah!

so, more doodling to do...

more and more doodles

2010-02-17T19:20:00.000-08:00

more sketches more doodles

2010-02-16T20:33:00.000-08:00

doodles and drawings

2010-02-13T21:24:00.000-08:00

sketches from the last few weeks

2010-02-11T14:55:00.000-08:00

This guy came from a mass of shading with graphite. He just grew out of it.

Northwest Pacific Coast

2010-01-26T20:11:00.000-08:00

I forgot about how much I used to love landscape painting. I love the somber mood of the NW Coast...I was thinking about it and painted this quick watercolor and gouache piece this evening. There was something about the somber rainy days of the Northwest. There was something soothing about it - like a nice dark blanket to create under and be inspired by. The colors, I remember, were vibrant under the dark grey light of the winter.

Sketches and Studies from Last Week

2010-01-24T18:55:00.000-08:00

I am focusing on studies and sketches for my grandmother's ancestry project as well as drawing what "just comes out" when I draw in the evenings. Somehow a lot of birds came out this week. And the sketches from days of old are in the realm of the 1600s. Keepin' it real yo.

Studies for 18th Century Homes and Ladies

2010-01-17T22:00:00.000-08:00

There's a reason for "studies" before beginning a painting. The pen I used here is much to dark and thick.

Post for Illustration Friday topic "Wilderness"

2010-01-17T21:34:00.000-08:00

This is a painting from a few years back, but I thought it would be fitting for "Wilderness"...

Research for Rowley Village and More Drawing Practice

2010-01-16T21:01:00.000-08:00

I am working on a painting - a "family village" (tree) for my grandmother's ancestry, which she was actually able to trace back to 1542. I have been researching the architecture and fashion for the different places and periods each of these families lived from 1542 England, to 1700s Massachusets and New York, to Ann Arbor, Michigan in the 1800s and then to Van Wert and Bucyrus, Ohio late 1800s to the present. It is really fascinating and fun. I am inspired by the styling of the paintings from the 1500s. So, I think I am leaning towards making this village scene fairly detailed...so drew a little sketch of a mundane object in my house for a little practice.
Another VERY important factor is that my grandmother's family came from England (which means I have some English in me - I thought I had mainly German ancestry). My grandfather's family came directly from Germany. Soooo, this will start out with English cottages and not German villages. Just shows how important it is to get details straight at the very beginning development stages!

Dogly, Burglar, Letter People and Bikini for Fitness Class Flyer

2010-01-16T20:55:00.000-08:00

more accurate placement for the Bowman Family Village Est 1542

2010-01-13T19:45:00.000-08:00

Posts for Jan 11 and 12...what I am up to these days...

2010-01-12T20:08:00.000-08:00

Studies for lettering on my up and coming website.

The W of my animal alphabet beginnings.
Partial blind contour drawing.
Study 1 for the Bowman Family Village (it's like a family tree) painting. It is for my grandmother and all who are related to her.
More accurately positioned study for Family Village Painting.

My new focus is to complete a more in depth painting or art piece each week. Stay tuned...I am try to learn self discipline!

odd toed ungulate and more

2010-01-08T21:58:00.000-08:00

hot summer flowers

2010-01-04T21:03:00.000-08:00

evening sketches and doodles

2010-01-01T20:28:00.000-08:00

final framed painting for my brother and his new wife and some evening sketches (it's about time)!

2009-12-29T20:18:00.000-08:00

felty fun gift guys and painting for wedding

2009-12-15T20:49:00.000-08:00

underpainting for Wedding Gift and Christmas card

2009-12-08T20:22:00.000-08:00

coloring pages, gifts and thoughts

2009-11-29T18:55:00.000-08:00

another coloring page for ma

2009-11-22T19:11:00.000-08:00

continuation of little painting and 1 more coloring page

2009-11-18T19:59:00.000-08:00

2 more pages for ma's coloring book

2009-11-17T20:14:00.001-08:00

page 4 - Ma's coloring pages

2009-11-15T17:32:00.000-08:00

studies for painting and misc. sketches

2009-11-15T17:21:00.000-08:00

More Designs for Ma's Book

2009-11-12T18:38:00.000-08:00

Ma's Christmas Coloring Pages - 1 and 2

2009-11-10T20:49:00.000-08:00

more beginnings for gifts

2009-11-08T19:00:00.000-08:00

sketches for candleholder wedding gift

2009-11-05T20:29:00.000-08:00

Cycling Poster for Xmas

2009-11-03T20:05:00.000-08:00

Harry the Downtown Santa

2009-11-02T20:06:00.000-08:00

some rough stuff

2009-10-30T19:48:00.000-07:00

latest sketches and thoughts

2009-10-25T16:33:00.000-07:00

cleo - ready for business - dreaming of spring

2009-10-22T19:23:00.000-07:00

dinner for the day

2009-10-18T18:51:00.000-07:00

unusual creatures

2009-10-17T19:07:00.000-07:00

tears

2009-10-13T20:23:00.000-07:00

sketches while in transit to and from the west

2009-10-11T19:31:00.000-07:00

drawings from sketchbook

2009-10-06T19:36:00.000-07:00

patterns and doodles from travel

2009-10-06T19:28:00.000-07:00

lots of doodles lately

2009-09-29T21:50:00.000-07:00

doodles

2009-09-27T20:12:00.001-07:00

my second home in Norway

2009-09-25T20:26:00.000-07:00

doodles

2009-09-24T19:39:00.000-07:00

Westport sketch while waiting

2009-09-22T18:47:00.000-07:00

more...

2009-09-20T17:42:00.001-07:00

images from journal while in Washington

2009-09-20T17:38:00.000-07:00

ms. tinamous picks a dress

2009-09-13T19:52:00.000-07:00

a few more pals

2009-09-12T19:36:00.000-07:00

more pals...

2009-09-11T01:58:00.000-07:00

NEW LAMP

2009-09-09T21:42:00.000-07:00

this is handy

2009-09-08T20:16:00.001-07:00

new chair from urban mining homewares...

2009-09-06T22:00:00.001-07:00

grandma's glass assortment

2009-09-03T19:38:00.000-07:00

Jon in the car on Sunday

2009-08-30T20:03:00.001-07:00

concept sketch: scary cute

2009-08-29T21:57:00.000-07:00

sweet dreams...

2009-08-29T10:59:00.000-07:00

CAUTION for Illustration Friday

2009-08-28T20:33:00.000-07:00

I thought this was fitting for this week's Illustration Friday topic: Caution.

MAGNIFY for Illustration Friday

2009-08-27T20:11:00.000-07:00

I thought this drawing was fitting for this week's Illustration Friday topic: Magnify

2 bears

2009-08-27T20:09:00.000-07:00

tonighty nite

2009-08-25T21:51:00.000-07:00

I am feeling tired tonight, but made the time to draw, as usual. It is as important as brushing my teeth. I saw an ad the other day that read "I make things because when I don't, I get sad." So true...

barbeque utensils

2009-08-23T18:54:00.001-07:00

It had been a while since I just sat down a looked at something and drew it, so that is what I did tonight. We were going to barbeque, but we ended up just sitting on the patio drawing. It was a really nice evening for it!

more detail on an older painting and new characters

2009-08-22T21:02:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to work on paintings longer and giving them the attention they need. This one was a painting I did last winter and thought I was done, but now I don't think so...the story is only half told! So, I keep working away at it. Here are some details from this evening.

I am also thinking of characters and little guys and these are what popped out of my head.

project for art unleashed & more detail on raging storm

2009-08-20T21:25:00.000-07:00

It was fun to gocco, then paint and build a cutstom frame for this piece for Art Unleashed. I plan to go this year and buy some art! The best thing about it is that the proceeds go to the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City.

The last two are more detail on the "raging storm" painting. I am trying to spend more time on each piece and give each the attention it needs.

now I know why they say I Heart Gocco!

2009-08-18T20:58:00.000-07:00

Jon got me a Gocco printer for my birthday...and I am now just using it for an "Art Unleashed" project. I thought you couldn't get the Gocco printers anymore, but I guess you can. Artists and Craftmen Supply in KC carries them. I really like it!

I need to get more ink though. The kit only came with black. I want to use four colors - yellow, blue and orange with my black line-work on the next printing session. I will also need more screens...and more paper because you have to print like 50 for each screen and I already used up my paper!

I used Dr. Ph. Martin's Radiant Concentrated Watercolors for the color areas for this print. I like the yellow dots...that bright paint is so much fun to use!

a few selected doodles for the evening...

2009-08-17T20:33:00.000-07:00

wintery boots

2009-08-16T18:07:00.000-07:00

so many sales...

2009-08-15T17:51:00.000-07:00

bananas for bananas

2009-08-14T14:45:00.000-07:00

it's magic!

2009-08-10T20:08:00.001-07:00

post that includes posts that should have been posted many posts ago

2009-08-10T19:15:00.000-07:00

TONIGHT'S POST

2009-08-04T21:02:00.000-07:00

more kangaroo-like kangas

2009-08-03T18:00:00.000-07:00

mo' munkey

2009-08-01T15:15:00.001-07:00

monkity monkeys

2009-07-30T20:48:00.000-07:00

birdies

2009-07-30T20:33:00.001-07:00

buddies

2009-07-28T20:05:00.000-07:00

friends and family

2009-07-27T20:16:00.000-07:00

monkey, grammy bird with cookie & wee bird

2009-07-25T21:38:00.000-07:00

freaky bird

2009-07-24T21:38:00.000-07:00

swashes, little guys and doodle-ohs

2009-07-23T20:59:00.000-07:00

birds and Jongee sleeping

2009-07-20T20:41:00.000-07:00

my garden

2009-07-19T19:18:00.000-07:00

coffee, dessert and the octopus ordeal

2009-07-18T21:59:00.000-07:00

some peeps i like

2009-07-16T21:30:00.000-07:00