liquid birdsong

Summer Evening

2011-08-18T14:56:00.000-07:00

Summer Evening

watercolor

8.5 x 9

Happy Memorial Day

2011-05-27T15:11:00.000-07:00

Painting by Childe Hassam, 1917

Happy Memorial Day Weekend :)

Naples

2011-04-29T08:59:00.000-07:00

Naples

7 x 7

watercolor on paper

My grandad used to live in Naples, FL. It was a pretty fun place to visit... to say the least :) Naples has one of those beaches that one dreams about. Crystal clear water, white sand, seashells and sand dollars. In fact, my husband's first gift to me was a sand dollar from Naples with a quote that he had handwritten on the back. {sigh} yes, I'll marry you.

Sorry for the mushiness :) Maybe all this royal wedding craziness has me in a romantic mood. Just got a text from my mom that says we'll be having a brit style tea time and pimms cocktails tonight to celebrate! Haha ;)

Anyway, I'll definitely be doing more watercolors of Naples. It's fun to paint a place that brings back such fond memories.

Snake River Watercolor

2011-04-27T09:12:00.000-07:00

Snake River

6 x 8

watercolor study

I am finding that it is very different photographing watercolors. If anyone has any tips let me know! I'm finding that the colors are quite different and the whites are quite gray. OH watercolors, I will conquer you.

This is a {slightly grayed} study of the Snake River painting that I posted below. Hope you all are having a lovely spring. Thanks for checking in!

Watercolor Studies

2011-04-26T14:36:00.000-07:00

Up the Mountain

6 x 8

watercolor

I've been working on some watercolor studies lately. Watercolor painting does not come naturally to me, although I do enjoy it. It is like thinking backwards if you compare it to oil or acrylic painting. It's also not so easy {if at all possible} to fix a mistake! I suppose that is good for my brain. I have many more to come so stay tuned...

I've also been working on pet portraits and I have a couple commissions that I need to start! Mike is in his full swing of landscape season and I occasionally get to help him color or ink a design. Things are getting busy but fun around here :)

Snake River

2011-04-13T16:30:00.000-07:00

Snake River

11 x 14

A simple sketch

2011-04-07T13:39:00.000-07:00

Tucker

Charcoal on Paper

8 x 10

Charley

2011-03-19T20:13:00.000-07:00

Charley

10 x 10

oil on canvas

This is a sample pet portrait I did to display at Long Dog Fat Cat :) Gotta love those puppy dog eyes! This is my uncle's family dog, Charley! Named for Hurricane Charley. What a sweetie!

Tucker!

2011-03-09T12:37:00.001-08:00

Meet Tucker! We've been busy getting to know this beautiful boy over the past week and a half! He is great and we've had so much fun with him :) I think he's getting used to our routine and his new cat sister Jesse. She keeps her distance but is starting to come around more and more. Hopefully I'll be starting a painting of Tucker soon! I'm currently working on a couple of other pet portraits to display at Long Dog Fat Cat out in Village Pointe South. They are so sweet there and very helpful! If you have a dog or cat with special diet needs or you just want to upgrade your pet food, I would highly recommend this store! Everything is corn and grain free. It's easier on their tummies :)

Back to work!

Re-hab Furnishings

2011-02-21T13:14:00.000-08:00

I'm very proud of my husband and his "winter" company Re-hab. Check out the website if you get a chance! We're still adding content to it, of course. He has been designing, making and selling tables for a couple years now and it's really starting to flourish! He absolutely loves doing it. Here is one of his most recent tables:

This table is called the 'Tucker' in honor of our new dog that we'll be getting this weekend! It's made of solid Walnut and recycled steel. Isn't it beautiful? It's currently displayed at Pearson & Co. here in Omaha along with some of my art! If you have a chance, check out this store! It's beautiful! They have really nice furniture, art and decor. They are out in Legacy and the owners are super friendly :)

New little painting

2011-02-21T12:31:00.000-08:00

Limon

oil on linen

8 x 8.25

available for purchase at my etsy shop!

This little painting was a fun one. I think I'll do a larger version soon. I've been working on a couple landscapes lately that haven't been going so well... let's just say they're very purple. Not that there is anything wrong with purple, but they are very purple. I haven't even been able to look at them in a week. So I've been working on smaller paintings and painting the edges of older paintings, sketching, writing down ideas... anything to not work on these other dreaded paintings!! I know I can always start over, but there's just something in me that wants to be able to finish them! I'll keep you posted...

A recent pet portrait

2011-02-07T12:43:00.000-08:00

Abbie & Jackson

Oil on Canvas

16 x 20

Sold

Here is a recent pet portrait I did for one of my oldest friends! Her sister commissioned it and it was a surprise which was fun! I really enjoyed this one. I enjoyed the challenge of painting a black dog, the texture of their fur and painting all the grass. Aren't animals so fun? We are currently in the process of adopting a dog from a rescue... pretty exciting!! A new subject for my paintings :)

Check out some of my other pet portraits on my facebook page! Become a fan while you're at it!

Painting Update

2011-01-13T12:50:00.000-08:00

A short post today as I am busy painting and cleaning... but here is a painting very much in progress. Sorry that I couldn't figure out how to get the pic on my blog! I took the picture with my phone so it's not the best, but here it is anyway! It's a big one so I have a ways to go! I'm enjoying painting the ocean in the middle of January :)

I have not blogged in so long and I feel like I have lots to update! So stay tuned! I'll be posting some new ideas... what I've been working on... what I will be working on... some inspirations...

OH! and check out my mom's new blog, Ink Wash Letters {very exciting!} about our family history, Omaha history and the arts in Omaha with a focus on a WWII pilot that was an amazingly talented artist {my great uncle Bruce}.

Magnet Paintings

2010-11-30T14:45:00.000-08:00

Singing on the Shore

Original Oil Magnet

1.25 x 5

Available for purchase in my etsy shop!

Extorted From the Sea

Original Oil Magnet Painting

1.25 x 5

Available for purchase in my etsy shop!

These are two in a series of mini magnet paintings that are now available in my etsy shop! I've had a lot of fun painting them. It's nice to be able to paint such beautiful places. I've been busy with some commissions, but I've been meaning to do these for quite some time. I'm glad that I finally got around to it! The titles come from Emily Dickinson poems... in case you're wondering. Her poems are so beautiful.

Watercolor Studies

2010-10-26T09:46:00.000-07:00

Palm Study

5 x 5.5

watercolor

Palm Study 2

4.75 x 5.5

watercolor

We've just returned from a vacation to beautiful Puerto Vallarta. I have hundreds of inspirational photos to work from now :) The sunsets were fantastic! I considered the possibility of becoming a beach vendor just so I could have an excuse to paint that view everyday! Alas, I chose to come back to the beautiful midwest. I actually do love the midwest landscape, especially in fall. Don't be surprised to find a mix of midwest and tropical landscapes on my site though. I just can't pick one over the other! These are just some little palm tree studies that I did in watercolor. I love the way each palm tree has it's own quirky shape!

Promised Sunrise

2010-10-15T08:25:00.000-07:00

Promised Sunrise

oil on canvas

18 x 24

Sold

Here is a recent commission that was a lot of fun. I loved painting the warm light in the clouds against the dark, stormy clouds. This was a surprise anniversary gift for a husband that was in the Navy. It's always an honor to be commissioned to paint something that is meaningful to someone. I have to say, it's a highlight of my job : )

Just Another Day in Paradise

2010-10-06T13:26:00.000-07:00

Just Another Day

18 x 24

oil on canvas

I can't believe how long it's been since I've posted! Here is my latest painting available for purchase from my etsy shop. This was from a photo that I took while on the beach in Costa Rica. That's Pedro, our bus driver :) It was a beautiful day on the Caribbean!

New Mexico Evening

2010-07-13T15:53:00.001-07:00

Originally uploaded by life.of.leia

New Mexico Evening

oil on panel

5 x 7

Available for purchase at my etsy shop!

An evening drive through the desert inspired this painting. Has me wanting to be back there. I am still wanting to paint more of the midwestern landscape but yesterday I was having trouble finding a picture I wanted to paint. Thankfully last night we had a lovely evening at a friend's lake and I took countless pictures! It was the perfect lighting and the perfect setting. I'm so excited to get started!

Happy 4th of July!

2010-07-03T12:56:00.000-07:00

Iowa Landscape

8 x 10

oil on panel

Available for purchase in my etsy shop!

Happy 4th of July! Enjoy your holiday weekend everyone!

Fields of Iowa

2010-06-29T15:03:00.000-07:00

Fields of Iowa

8 x 10

oil on panel

Available for purchase from my etsy shop!

"To me, every hour of the day and night is an unspeakably perfect miracle."

~ Walt Whitman

This is another painting from my midwestern landscapes. I used a photo that I took on a road trip back in May. I just got back from a road trip down to Kansas City this past weekend. I wish I had gotten some pictures of the landscape this time. The amount of flooding in the fields was incredible. It's really unbelievable how rainy it has been this spring. Living in the city I have become a little removed from it. Hopefully the rain will stop for a bit for all the people whose farms and homes are at stake. This is not nearly as important but some of my plants are beginning to rot from all the water as well! The weather really shows us how little we are in control.

Spring Sky

2010-06-22T18:38:00.000-07:00

Spring Sky

Oil on Canvas Panel

8 x 10

Now Available in my etsy shop!

Oh how I love a road trip through rolling hills and manicured farmlands under a big cloud-filled sky...

Whoever says the midwestern landscape is boring must be crazy! This is my latest little landscape painting. I'm starting a series of midwest landscapes. I'm really excited about it and I don't think I'll ever get bored with it...

"What was any art but a mold to imprison for a moment the shining elusive element which is life itself- life hurrying past us and running away, to strong to stop, too sweet to lose." - Willa Cather

Sketches

2010-05-19T09:44:00.000-07:00

These were just some quick sketches of my adorable cousin Gracy. She is a lot of fun to sketch... I love all of her flowing hair! I think sketching is important. It helps me to visualize a possible painting and keep up my drawing skills. As a painter, I think understanding value and being able to translate it onto the canvas is key. Sketching always helps me to focus more on value. These sketches were quickly done, not really studies in value but they still are a good exercise even if you only have 5 minutes!

Our Sweet Riley

2010-05-14T15:04:00.000-07:00

We lost our sweet Riley this week to cancer. He was nearly perfect in every way. He was always happy and was eager to please us. He gave us a lot of love over the past 10 years and we couldn't have asked for a better dog. As you can see, he also was a great model. We love you Riley.

Recent Portrait

2010-05-13T12:22:00.000-07:00

Sold

18 x 24

Oil on Canvas

This is one of my recent commissioned portraits. I had a lot of fun playing with skin tones and lighter hair colors. They are really cute kids! Who wouldn't want to paint those faces? It was challenging to have to paint black clothing from a photograph, but I tried to make it interesting by mixing my own blacks and making sure it was a rich black with some blueish highlights.

Costa Rican Cloudscape

2010-04-22T11:23:00.000-07:00

This is a recent painting I did from a photo my husband snapped from a bus in Costa Rica. My original vision for the painting was a bit different, but sometimes they tend to take on a life of their own don't they? I honestly think it could be stronger compositionally, but I decided to leave it as it is and maybe my next cloudscape will be more of a study in composition!

A Mural!

2010-04-20T15:10:00.000-07:00

Oh my! I can't believe it's been so long since I've posted anything! It has been a busy spring with painting, landscaping season starting back up and getting our house ready to put on the market! Here are some photos of the mural that I worked on in March. I painted it for Sevenings Landscaping in Legacy West. (They work with my husband's landscape design firm Olive Branch). It was a lot of fun to do a mural for them and I wish them much success in their beautiful retail spot!

I really enjoyed working on this mural. It was fun to be doing something new and different from the norm. It also had me thinking of how to possibly do more mural work. It's just nice to get out of the house and do something else for a little while! So... if you know of anyone in the Omaha area needing a mural or decorative painting of any kind let me know! I think I'll be getting together a little portfolio of mural work/decorative painting soon!

Agnes Lake

2010-03-09T10:42:00.000-08:00

Agnes Lake

oil on canvas

12 x 12

Available for purchase through my etsy shop!

This painting is inspired by one of our hikes up to Agnes Lake in Northern Colorado. It is such a beautiful lake - I recommend the trip to you all! Riley loved hiking through Colorado with us. The city parks here in Omaha don't quite compare. There are plenty of state parks around here that are beautiful though! We definitely don't take advantage of them! Anyway, Agnes Lake is one of my favorite memories of living in Colorado so I'm glad that I finally did a painting of it!

Riley

2010-03-04T10:01:00.001-08:00

Riley

12 x 12

oil on canvas

Available for purchase at my etsy shop!

Here is another recent painting of my dog Riley. He has had a long, tough winter of not being able to properly play with the ball. I keep telling him the snow is melting and we will play again! This painting captures his "please, will somebody play with me" expression. It can also be seen at Long Dog Fat Cat.

Chew-Chew

2010-03-02T11:11:00.000-08:00

Chewie

12 x 12

oil on canvas

Available for purchase at my etsy shop!

Hello all! Wow, it's been too long! You would think I would blog more during the winter months, but apparently not. I have missed blogging a bit, but sometimes I think it might be good for me to take a step back from technology and focus on the real world :) Thank you to those of you that have become new followers! I'm excited to check out some new blogs and get all kinds of creative ideas from all you brilliant people out there!

The painting up above is my parent's cat, Chewie. (Yes, that is short for Chew-bacca). She is the best. A little loud and needy at times, but the cuddliest cat I've ever met! I am hesitant to put this one up for sale, but I know I can paint another one, if need be. So, for now it is listed on my etsy shop and it can also be seen here in Omaha at Long Dog Fat Cat.

Still working on those mini paintings from my previous post... they kinda got pushed aside as more pressing paintings came up! Hope you all have a great day! Spring is almost here!!

A New Project

2010-01-27T15:36:00.001-08:00

I will admit, I have been slacking on posting new items in my etsy shop. I am going to start a new project of painting on these outdoor furniture samples that my husband had left over from his outdoor design business. I'm sure there are many fun, crafty things one could do with these little samples, but all I see are mini paintings! I normally don't paint so small so it will be a new kind of challenge. I would like to add some more affordable art to my etsy shop too and this is the perfect way! What would you do with these samples? I'm curious what genius ideas are out there! They are pretty just as they are, but the artist in me must alter them!!

Charcoal Sketches

2010-01-13T11:54:00.000-08:00

I recently did these for my friend, Stacy. (Check out her fun blog sometime!) She gave them to her sister who has three beautiful girls! Kids grow so fast and this is a nice way to preserve a special time in life!

Chihuahua Portrait

2010-01-08T14:18:00.000-08:00

Chihuahua

12 x 12

oil on canvas

Sold

This was one of my commissioned paintings for Christmas. I really love painting animals. It is fun to try and capture their personality and expression in a painting. I hope to do many more! Thanks to Long Dog, Fat Cat for hanging my art and making this commission possible! They have really great, healthy pet food and cute toys and accessories too! Check it out if you are in the Omaha area! (In the strip mall just south of Village Pointe).

Back to Work

2010-01-06T12:50:00.000-08:00

Zorinsky Lake

18 x 18

oil on canvas

Available for purchase at my etsy shop!

I had a wonderful Christmas full of snow and family and friends! I was able to complete my commissioned paintings with enough time to finish Christmas shopping and even do a little baking! I actually loved the Christmas snowstorm because it slowed us down a bit. It was so nice to be snowed in for Christmas eve and literally trudge through the snow to get to our parent's houses! The snow days throughout December also helped keep me home painting which was nice. Today it is still snowing so here is a water painting to remind us of warmer days! I love the snow, but I don't think I've ever painted it... I may have to do that one of these days! I'm hoping to finally get back into a routine of painting and blogging and posting on Etsy. I have a few commissions to work on, as well as the annual Art & Soup in February. I have lots of ideas! Thanks for checking out my blog! Stay warm out there!

How to plan a portrait (Part 3)

2009-12-12T10:46:00.000-08:00

Voila! Here is the finished portrait. I kept it simple by unifying their clothing and giving it a solid background. I think that helps the focus to be on their faces. By doing a lot of the measuring ahead of time, I was able to focus on color mixing and value tones rather than painting over mistakes (I've learned my lesson over the years). So, I will be shipping it off on Monday.. a painting would be such a nice surprise for Christmas :)

How to plan a portrait (Part 2)

2009-12-10T15:49:00.000-08:00

OK please don't judge me. This is not pretty, but it is the next step in my painting process. This is the underpainting. I like to do this for a couple reasons. It helps me to catch mistakes before I spend time mixing colors. If you look at the girl on the right, you can see that her body is much too small for her head. I may not have caught this as quickly if I hadn't done the underpainting. Also, it helps me to lay in some value structure (hence, the splotchy faces). It may not be pretty, but once I start putting color on top it gets better! Lastly, I really like layering lighter colors on top of darks because it gives the painting depth and interest.

One thing to remember when doing an underpainting... keep it thin. You want it to dry before you start painting color on top. (Also follows the "fat over thin" rule in order to prevent cracking). Stay tuned to see the final painting!

How to plan a portrait

2009-12-09T15:24:00.000-08:00

It can be tricky to do a portrait of six kids but planning well in the beginning makes it a lot easier. Believe me, I am not the best planner but I put my non-meticulous ways to work to ensure fewer setbacks later on. I always start with a sketch. It may not look like much but it helps me familiarize myself with the faces and the composition. The pictures I was given to work with for this portrait were fairly small so I blew them up as much as I could without getting blurry. I had to work between two separate photos to get the best view of each child so drawing out the composition in a sketchbook helps to sort it out. I often make notes in the sketchbook to remind myself of ideas and colors.

Once I am ready to tackle the canvas I start laying out the composition in pencil. I don't normally do this because I usually enjoy just moving paint around and not tainting my canvas with pencil, although when I'm painting six portraits on one canvas I have to measure and re-measure and that is a little easier in pencil. I make sure to measure every head, set of eyes, forehead to chin, ear to ear.... you get the idea. This is not a mathematical method nor is it graphed out. I use my pencil or paintbrush to measure. It's more like eyeballing until you get it right. I like this method because I am still using my eyes rather than relying on a graph. I think it just works best for my brain. After this step is done it's time to start painting! My next post will be about the underpainting.

Computer woes!

2009-11-23T14:13:00.000-08:00

My apologies for the lack of posting!! We've had some unfortunate computer malfunctions as of late and it is keeping me from blogging. :( I'm not really tech savvy, but apparently after we did software updates on both of our computers the hard drive on one of them completely died and the other one is showing signs of doing the same thing! yikes! So, a few hundred dollars later, we have at least saved what was on one computer and we are currently backing up the other, but I still can't load photos quite yet. These aren't even old computers! uggh. On a positive note, it has given me time to just focus on painting and a few projects around the house so that is good!

I am currently working on a large portrait of six kids, a paris scene and some charcoal portraits. I am also planning new work to start on after the holidays. I will have to be ready for Art & Soup again... one of my favorite art events of the year! It sure makes the month of February way more fun! Hopefully, I will be able to update you with photos soon!

Stacks-o-paintings!

2009-11-06T15:06:00.000-08:00

I now have stacks of paintings in my basement. I used to store quite a few of them at my hubby's design studio, but now they are living with us. We are planning on building a proper storage unit for them, but until then, they are simply on some scrap pieces of lumber to protect them from any moisture. Anyone in need of a painting? I would love to clear some of them outta here! Nikki, do you see the one of you there? Want it?

Anyway, I am planning on painting in an extra bedroom, but because we also use it as an office, I don't have room for all of my supplies. So, I am planning on tackling a rather large project (for me) this fall of making one of our (icky) basement rooms into a craft room! I am actually really excited about it. I will have a place to do art, wrap gifts, package paintings and store all of my supplies! Stay tuned for photos.... I will hopefully be starting this weekend!

Back to Blogging :)

2009-11-03T15:58:00.001-08:00

Pears
(we installed these at my mother-in-laws recently)
NFS

I'm back! A lot has happened since I last blogged and it all kinda threw me out of sorts, but I am ready to be a part of the blogging world again! First of all, we moved our businesses out of a retail spot and back into our home. I had been painting there so my whole studio was hauled back to our house and it still is sadly in a state of disarray. I have two easels in what we call "the studio" which is really a small bedroom but most of my supplies and paintings are currently in the basement in a storage area. aggghhh. We have moved all of Mike's landscape design supplies and whatnot back into our house as well and it currently resides in the attic. I need to get a move on organizing everything because I have orders for the holidays! I'm excited to be painting from home again, just as long as I can banish most of the clutter that has seeped into our little abode.

Secondly, I did have surgery last week so I spent a few days mostly in bed. No worries, I am in good health and ready to be creative once again. I owe a big thank you to all of our friends and family that brought us meals and cookies! We have such wonderful friends.

Last, but certainly not least, a good friend of mine had her baby, Micah Eleanor on October 24th. Liz is a faithful friend that even follows this little blog! She is always an encouragement to me, makes me smile and is just an amazing woman. Her daughter was born 11 weeks premature and weighed 1 lb 15 oz. She is a beautiful little girl with awesome parents and she is doing well and gaining weight. I love reading Liz's blog daily to see pictures of Micah and see how she is doing. Check it out and keep them in your prayers!

Holiday Commissions

2009-10-21T13:33:00.000-07:00

Adam & Asher
16 x 20
oil on canvas

SOLD

I am currently accepting commissions for the holidays. Just a reminder to get them in quick, if you're interested! I like to know 6 - 8 weeks ahead of time and, with the holidays, 8 weeks is preferable. If you are interested in a portrait, I can do full color oil, black and white oil or charcoal. Pricing is determined by size, medium and the number of faces in the portrait, so please let me know what you have in mind and I can give you an estimate. If you are interested in a charcoal 4-6 weeks notice is plenty.

Portrait commissions usually increase every November/December for me. I love the holidays and the flurry of activity and it is fun to be a part of a gift that will be so special and last a lifetime. Check out some samples of previous commissions on my website.

ACEOs

2009-10-20T11:52:00.000-07:00

Boxes Made of Shells
2.5 x 3.5
ACEO
Mixed Media

I have finally joined the club and posted some ACEOs at my etsy shop!

I know these are totally different than my paintings, but I am enjoying them for the moment and don't want to limit myself creatively. I figure if I enjoy something and I am still creating it can only help my painting. When I first started making these little collages (years ago) I wanted to keep them really simple. I still like the simplicity and the negative space (I'm a big fan of white) but I think in my next set I will be adding more paint and color. We will see what happens.

You may be wondering what inspired these little guys. I was into art journals at the time and I spent some time creating little collages in my journal every day. I have always loved collecting paper, little notes, card or ephemera and I love scrapbooks! I also love reading and writing. I actually started out as an english/journalism double major in college and I have so much respect for the art of putting words together. When I find a line in a book that I love, I almost can't get it out of my head until I do something with it. I like to use them for painting titles or just doodle them in a sketch or in my journal. With these collages I feel like I am able to combine my love of painting and writing and collecting. It feels a little more like a hobby, but I love it. So, take a look at my etsy store if you would like to see more!

New Collages on Etsy!

2009-10-14T15:47:00.000-07:00

She Called to Him
4 x 6
Mixed Media on Paper

Available for purchase at my etsy shop!

I finally got a few of my new collages posted on etsy! They are a new project of mine that I am really excited about! I have more ready to post so stay tuned! I will have aceos (art trading cards), notecards and possibly some larger versions in the future. I am trying them on my current etsy shop for now... we will see how it goes. If they are successful, they may get their own shop.

Something New to Come

2009-10-08T17:15:00.000-07:00

I am working on a new project that I am really excited about! You will soon find something new in my etsy shop! The image above is a sneak preview! It is so much fun and I hope you like it as much as I do!

September Landscape

2009-10-01T17:56:00.000-07:00

September Landscape

5 x 7

oil on canvas

I know it's the first of October and I'm posting a painting with the title September, but it was September when it was painted! This spot is in Iowa, just outside of Glenwood where some of our friends live. It is a really pretty area with many paintable views.

If you would like to see my paintings in person, please stop by Olive Branch in Rockbrook Village on Saturday during the Apple Day Craft Show! We will be open 10 - 5. We would love to see you there!

Weekend-o-fun!

2009-09-30T11:23:00.000-07:00

Serene Atmosphere
by
Sarah Rishel

My husband and I attended the Plaza Art Fair in Kansas City this past weekend to celebrate our anniversary. It was so much fun to see so many talented artists in one place! We also ran into my freshman year roommate Megan in the midst of thousands of people which was fun! It was so good to see her again! This is my second time visiting the Plaza Art Fair and I have to say it is by far the best art fair I have ever seen. I know there are many great art fairs out there, but in this part of the country, they are a little sparse. It is probably 4-5 times the size of our Summer Art Festival in Omaha and filled with hundreds of talented artists. From what I've heard, it is tough competition to get into it... I may try for next year... we will see!

The above print was our big purchase for the weekend. Sorry for the bad photo, it was still wrapped in plastic. We bought an intaglio print by Sarah Rishel. Check out her website to see more of her work! Mike and I both really enjoy looking at and collecting etchings. I am fascinated by the amount of work that goes into them. I hope one day I will have access to a printmaking shop so that I can do etchings too!

We also spent an afternoon at the Nelson-Atkins Art Museum which is beautiful and worth a trip! We saw quite a few Thiebaud's and some really beautiful baroque paintings and so much more! If you ever make it to KC you must visit the Nelson-Atkins and the Kemper!

Mike in the Baroque GalleryOutside the Nelson-Atkins

Iowa Sunset

2009-09-29T13:00:00.000-07:00

Iowa Sunset
9 x 12
oil on canvas

Available for purchase at my etsy shop!

I'll be honest, this painting was a difficult one for me. I had a completely different version of it yesterday. The clouds were more abstract and choppy before and it was distracting so I decided to make them a little more smooth. I still don't know what I think about it, but I couldn't work on it anymore. So, this is how it will stay.

Mike thought I should title this painting Nebraska Sunset As Seen From Iowa. I thought that was pretty funny, but I stuck with Iowa Sunset :)

Aspen Leaf

2009-09-24T20:19:00.000-07:00

Aspen Leaf

12 x 20

oil on canvas

Available for purchase at my etsy shop!

Here is my latest painting... can you tell I'm inspired by the change of season? This was a fun one, it's a little washed out in the photograph though. I think the greys are more rich in person.

Charcoal Portraits

2009-09-23T21:16:00.000-07:00

Flower Girl

14 x 17

Charcoal

Most of the time you'll find me painting, but I love drawing almost as much as painting! I admit, I sometimes neglect my drawing because painting is so time involved. Last year, I kind of went through a charcoal drawing frenzy... all I did for a while (as far as artwork) was sit on the floor and sketch up a storm! Yes, on the floor, I didn't have a drawing table set up at the time and I don't find an easel that conducive to sketching. Anyway, it was a lot of fun and tonight I found myself browsing through some of these drawings and realizing I miss it and I need to get back to it~

If you happen to be looking for a unique gift, a charcoal portrait is a nice option. They look great in all different types of homes, especially when they are framed nicely! They are also quite affordable for a piece of custom artwork. My charcoal portrait prices start at $75 for a 14 x 17. I think that's a pretty good deal myself :) I also offer framing services, shipping and gift wrap if needed! Check out more of my charcoals on my website if you have a moment. Thanks for looking!

Also, thanks to my friend Stacy for giving me a mention on her new blog ... the copy cat cottage! If you have an interest in decorating on a budget, her blog is inspiring. She has a beautiful home and is full of good ideas (even though she claims to be a copy cat). Take a minute to check it out!

Decor on a Budget

2009-09-21T15:05:00.000-07:00

Now, if you need some inspiration for decorating on a budget this holiday season or I'm sure she will have excellent handmade gift ideas... do check out my friend Stacy's new blog The Copy Cat Cottage! She is full of creative and tasteful ideas on a budget and she takes beautiful photographs!

Must See Etsy Artists

2009-09-21T14:26:00.000-07:00

photo from laughing squid's flickr page

Here are some of my favorite etsy artists!

Erin Spencer - beautiful landscape paintings
Irene Suchocki - really sweet photographs
Elizabeth Scott - delicate jewelry inspired by nature
Amy Hatch - pretty, vintage inspired jewelry

Each of these shops would make a special, one of a kind gift for someone you love!

Buy Handmade!!

2009-09-21T12:18:00.000-07:00

Fisherman's Boat
5 x 7
oil on panel

Sold

As we all know, but don't really want to talk about it yet, the holidays are just around the corner! Christmas is a popular time for people to order paintings and I have a couple commissions lined up already. I usually request 4-6 weeks notice for a commissioned piece and for the holidays it nice to have around 8 weeks. We are only 13 weeks away... yikes!

I know the economy has hit everyone and extras like art are often the first things to be cut from the budget. I also know that art can be expensive, sometimes ridiculously expensive. I just wanted to encourage you this holiday season to fight the urge to shop at big box stores (I do it too... I'm not pointing fingers) and consider making more gifts, buying from local stores or buying handmade items from etsy shops or ebay! There is so much affordable art out there! Sometimes you might even find a beautiful original painting or drawing that is cheaper than a print from a big box store! There are amazing deals to be had out there right now and many artists trying to sell their work.

As an artist, it can be fun to talk about art and do the art, but when it comes to pricing and talking about money it's no longer as much fun! If only we could all just paint for free and do it just for the love of it! In this economy, artists are trying to find ways to make their art more affordable, like doing smaller paintings or offering free shipping. For example, the little boat painting above recently sold for $25! This fall I will be adding many more in this price range to my etsy shop so be sure to check it out!

Sunday Fishing

2009-09-18T16:02:00.000-07:00

Sunday Fishing
5 x 7
oil on canvas

Available for purchase at my etsy shop!

I always feel a little weird doing these little baby paintings, but I am going to be doing more of them to try and stock up my etsy shop. I'm just used to working on a slightly bigger scale, but I do enjoy working quickly and being able to try anything in a small size instead of the commitment of a large painting. Don't worry though, I will still be painting larger paintings :)

Rio Grande

2009-09-17T19:09:00.000-07:00

Rio Grande

16 x 20

oil on canvas

Here is the completed painting! This was a spot outside of Taos, NM where you can actually visit the Gorge and then take a drive down into the canyon and you end up alongside the river. What a great spot to do some fishing or have a picnic! Beware if you are afraid of heights though!

Rio Grande Sneak Preview

2009-09-16T19:36:00.000-07:00

This is a portion of the painting I am currently working on. I was hoping to have it completed and posted by now, but sometimes I just can't rush a painting. It is a painting of the Rio Grande River outside of Taos, NM. I will be finishing up the sky and water tomorrow and will post the finished product as soon as I can.

The art fair was fun even though it was a little slow. The way they set up the booths completely blocks our shop from view so we had a few visitors but not as many as we would have liked. We are looking forward to the Craft Fair on October 3rd though. The booths will not be in front of our shop, so people might actually find us! Thanks to all the family that came to visit and keep us company during the art fair! You have all been so supportive of our ventures.

Remember to check out the Olive Branch blog when you get a chance! Today's post was about beautiful scabiosa blooms. (One of my top-five flowers). I should do a painting of some scabiosa sometime.

Also, if you haven't already, become a fan of Leia Brown Studio on facebook! Thanks to those of you that are already fans :)

Rockbrook Art Fair

2009-09-11T12:33:00.000-07:00

The Rockbrook Art Fair is this weekend! Come visit us at Olive Branch! We have my art on display, a nice selection of garden art by local artists and beautiful containers to plant your fall mums in!

Hours:
Saturday 10 - 6
Sunday 10 - 5

Location:
Rockbrook Village - 108th & Center
Olive Branch (across from Great Harvest Bread)

Top 5 Loves

2009-09-09T13:54:00.000-07:00

Pelvis with the Distance
by
Georgia O'Keefe

My Top 5 Loves (at this moment):

1. Georgia O'Keefe's New Mexico paintings.

2. Gummi Vitamins for adults. mmm.

3. The movie Julie & Julia. I saw it with my mom on Labor Day and loved it!

4. The anticipation of fall.

5. Reading Garance Dore's blog in French and then checking to see if I translated correctly by reading it in English. I know... kinda weird.

Jones Beach

2009-09-08T18:47:00.001-07:00

Jones Beach
16 x 20
oil on canvas

I finished this painting today of Jones Beach, NY. It felt a little different for me, maybe because there was no water to paint! I've been painting a lot of water lately which I love and I have also been painting mostly figures in a landscape. Doing all this landscape painting makes me feel a little like Bob Ross! I used to stick solely to portraits, but I am now branching out and, I have to say, I am really enjoying it.

What I love about water-filled landscape paintings is that they are calming and remind me of some of my favorite places and favorite things to do. They also generally include many shades of blue which is my favorite hue :) So, with this painting I wanted it to still have the same calming effect minus the water. I hope it worked. It does remind me of a fun trip!

One of the (many) goals of my painting is to create a "scrapbook" of this life. To thank God for the beautiful places I've seen and the amazing people I've met. I absolutely love painting, but sometimes it feels like I give up so many other things so that I have time to paint. When I look back at the paintings I've done though, I am so thankful for the life I've been blessed to have. That is when I am reminded of all that God has done and I don't ever want to stop thanking Him.

"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him." 2 Corinthians 2:14

Top 5 Loves

2009-08-31T15:04:00.000-07:00

Painting of a Native American by N.C. Wyeth
1907

Top 5 Things I Love at This Moment:
(In no particular order)

1. The art of N.C. Wyeth.

2. Amazing weather.

3. The music of Mat Kearney.

4. The daily painting blog by Edward Gordon.

5. This verse: "In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." Job 12:10

Red Umbrella

2009-08-27T15:22:00.001-07:00

Red Umbrella
8 x 10
oil on panel

Available for purchase at my etsy shop!

This is a painting done from a photo taken by my husband on his last trip to Costa Rica. I was unable to go, but he nicely took a lot of photos for me! He has a pretty good eye!

p.s. this is my 100th post! yay!

Bring Your Rain Again (Again)

2009-08-26T11:54:00.000-07:00

Bring Your Rain Again
oil on canvas
30 x 40

I finished the large version of this painting! (At least I think I have... I am still pondering going back into the rocks a little bit). It is funny how similar the 8 x 10 looks on the computer screen and yet how different in person.

I am really inspired by water lately, so I think I am going to run with that for a while. Today is a nice rainy day to get me inspired... although I am fighting off the urge to take a nap... why does rain do that??

Sisters

2009-08-19T14:35:00.001-07:00

Sisters
11 x 14
charcoal

SOLD

Some of you may recognize this from the first pigtail sketch that I did about a month ago. This one was commissioned by a friend that has two daughters. I've been having fun with these sketches. Stay tuned for more : )

Bring Your Rain Again

2009-08-12T15:20:00.000-07:00

Bring Your Rain Again
8 x 10
oil on canvas panel

Available for purchase at my etsy shop!

These are definitely my favorite colors. I don't know about you, but I see blues, greys and blacks and I am instantly calmed down and transported to a beach or something. This was the most amazing rock beach in Costa Rica before a storm came in. There was so much wildlife too! Pelicans, snails, crabs, toucans even! Such a beautiful memory.

Preparing the Pineapple Fields - 8 x 10 - Original Oil Painting

2009-08-04T10:28:00.001-07:00

Preparing the Pineapple Fields
8 x 10
oil on canvas panel

Available for purchase at my etsy shop!

Here is the finished painting. Somehow it looks a little crooked on the computer. It is a straight-ish horizon line in real life! I'm thinking I will do this one as a large painting. Maybe 24 x 30 or so? I'll be able to capture more of the light in the fields and trees with a larger canvas.

Animal Art

2009-07-30T11:52:00.000-07:00

Costa Rican Kitten
oil on canvas

Available for purchase at Long Dog Fat Cat!

We took a few of my animal paintings to a new shop near Village Pointe today. They are called Long Dog Fat Cat and they sell natural pet food and toys and they also support local artists by hanging our work in their store! You should check it out if you are in the area. The owners are very friendly and knowledgeable.

Underpainting

2009-07-29T20:49:00.000-07:00

Preparing the Pineapple Fields (in progress)

8 x 10

oil on canvas

I started a new painting today of a pineapple field worker in Costa Rica. It has been on my list of photos to paint since 2005 (yikes) and I have finally decided to tackle it. I'm still trying to decide whether or not I should do a large painting of it. This is more of a study I suppose. This also gives you an idea what my underpainting looks like... pretty simple really.

Yankee - 12 x 12 - Original Oil Painting

2009-07-28T15:49:00.000-07:00

Yankee
12 x 12
oil on canvas

Available for purchase at my etsy shop!

This is a painting of my in-laws golden doodle puppy. Isn't he cute? Until he pees on the carpet...

Yankee

2009-07-24T15:21:00.000-07:00

Yankee
9 x 12
charcoal study

A painting of Yankee will be posted soon!

Little Koi

2009-07-22T09:46:00.000-07:00

Little Koi
12 x 12
oil on canvas

Available for purchase at my etsy shop!

Felt like I was on a roll with koi fish. I will do more I'm sure!

A Very Professional Art Installation

2009-07-21T10:43:00.000-07:00

This is what the koi painting looks like installed in Dave and Tiffaney's bedroom! I don't always get to see where my paintings end up, so it was nice to be able to do this for friends and get to be there for the installation!

You should see what I had to go through to get this picture though. I will show you.

Hannah decided to grace us with her presence in this photo.

Then we were challenged with trying to get a shot of her flying through the air.

Can you find Tiffaney in this shot? She was trying to fly too.

This one was really impressive. It seems as though she is levitating?!

I think maybe Hannah and Annie were jealous of Tiffaney's levitating skills, so they decided to bury her in her own pillows.

Who knew installing art could be so fun? (There may have been some peach bellinis involved).

Thanks friends for the good times!!

Koi Details

2009-07-17T10:25:00.001-07:00

Koi Triptych (details)

Here are some detail shots of the koi painting. We will be helping them hang it this weekend, so hopefully I will have some installation shots for you!

Koi Triptych Painting

2009-07-17T09:58:00.000-07:00

Koi Triptych
24 x 72
oil on canvas

SOLD

Here is the big Koi triptych... finally! Dave and Tiffaney took it last night and they were really happy with it! Phew. It's always nice to have that part over with. They are going to put it over their bed. I think it will look nice. It was a lot of work but a lot of fun too. I'm already working on a small koi painting again. I figure I might as well keep painting koi while they are fresh in my mind! I kinda want one for my bedroom now...

Pig Tails - sketch of the day

2009-07-10T16:35:00.000-07:00

Pig Tails
6 x 10
charcoal on paper

SOLD

Wishing you all a carefree summer weekend!

Water Lily

2009-07-02T17:38:00.000-07:00

Water Lily

9 x 12

oil on canvas

Available for purchase at my etsy shop!

This was a fun one to paint. I am really hoping to paint many more botanicals this summer. Since I am working at a landscape design firm, I am getting really inspired by anything that grows!

Koi Painting

2009-06-30T15:11:00.000-07:00

So, I know you haven't heard from me in a while... this koi painting is why. It was last week's "mystery painting" which Stacy guessed correctly! It is a painting that I have been working on for too long, but it is a 6' long painting so that makes me feel a little better about it. It is a commission for friends and luckily they were willing to wait for it. It is actually a triptych (painted on three separate canvases). They haven't seen it yet so don't tell them it's on my blog. I know they don't follow my blog... so as long as no one directs them here, I'm safe posting it! These pictures just give you a little taste of the final product... I still have to go back into some areas and add finishing details.

Mystery Painting

2009-06-24T13:14:00.000-07:00

I'm working on a fairly large painting for some friends. It has taken me forever and finally this week I am determined to get it done! It is not a subject I normally paint, which may be why it's taking me so long. Here is a sneak preview. Any guesses?

Poudre River

2009-06-23T09:57:00.000-07:00

Poudre River

20 x 24

oil on canvas

Available for purchase at my etsy shop!

It seems fitting that I post one of my paintings of boulders and water because I have just colored my first landscape design for Olive Branch which included many boulders and a very large water feature. I found that I really enjoy that type of drawing and coloring with markers and I am looking forward to learning more about it!

"I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way - things I had no words for." - Georgia O'Keefe

Inspiration in D.C.

2009-06-22T14:46:00.001-07:00

While in Washington D.C. I was able to visit the National Gallery of Art and the National Portrait Gallery which were both beautiful and enormous museums. I really enjoyed seeing the Vermeer paintings at the National Gallery and there was a beautiful portrait by Cezanne of his father reading the paper. Inspired me to do more portraits. It was also fun to the Hope campaign poster of Obama... it is a really beautiful piece of artwork when you see it in person. I had no idea it was a collage with layers of patterned paper and ink. I have always been intrigued by collage and printmaking and want to do more of it! We also went to the Botanic Gardens where I took a million photos! So, there was not a lack of inspiration on my trip! Now I just need to get back to work!

Washington DC

2009-06-15T20:28:00.000-07:00

Spent the day sight seeing in DC including a tour of the capitol - very cool. Here is a shot of the rotunda. I am hoping to see as much art as possible in the next couple days! I could use another week here!

Books by Susan Vreeland

2009-06-11T15:04:00.000-07:00

I don't have a painting to post today (I helped my husband lay a flagstone pathway) but I will tell you about a great book that I am reading by Susan Vreeland called Luncheon of the Boating Party. It's a story written around the painting by Renoir. I know it's kinda funny that I ready novels about painters, but Susan Vreeland is such an excellent story teller... I enjoy them a lot. I also highly recommend Girl in Hyacinth Blue and The Passion of Artemesia.

Red Tulip

2009-06-10T16:25:00.000-07:00

Red Tulip
9 x 12
oil on canvas

Available for purchase at my etsy shop!

Since we bought a new camera, I have been going crazy taking photos of our garden. This was one of the first flower photos I took this spring. It was fun to use so much red paint... I don't often get to do that! It was also nice working in a new studio space. I have much more room to back up and look at what I'm doing. Stay tuned for more garden inspired paintings!

Take It Outside

2009-06-09T12:34:00.000-07:00

We have a new blog at Olive Branch called Take It Outside! If you enjoy gardening and appreciate garden design you will like this blog! Make sure you become a follower so you don't miss anything! We will be updating often with tips, ideas, local happenings and anything else that inspires us! Check it out today at http://olivebranchoutdoor.blogspot.com

Leia at Olive Branch

2009-06-08T08:48:00.000-07:00

Here is a little of what you'll see at Olive Branch these days! I still have so many ideas as far as display and merging our two businesses, but I have to take it one day at a time! If you're in the Omaha area, please come visit us! We are located in Rockbrook Village across from Great Harvest (free slices!) Olive Branch has great containers for the garden, outdoor sculpture by local artists and beautiful outdoor furniture! It is also fun to take a look at some of the designs and projects that Mike has been working on.

Wayne Thiebeau

2009-06-06T11:14:00.000-07:00

I love the work of Wayne Thiebeau. I was fortunate enough to see his Retrospectives exhibit in Kansas City about 5 years ago. His work is beautiful and he reminds me of my great uncle Bruce who died in WWII. They would be about the same age if he were still alive. Bruce was also an illustrator and an artist in the army. He would paint pin-up girls for the officers. In one of his letters he wrote he said he wasn't in the war to draw! I think he brought beauty and distraction to men that were serving our country and missing home. Anyway, that's what I think about when I see Wayne Thiebeau's work. This video tells his story. If you love art or dessert you'll like this video!

Art and Landscape Design

2009-06-05T19:49:00.000-07:00

Today was a big day! My husband and I have officially joined forces and I will be helping him at Olive Branch (his landscape design studio) as well as painting at Olive Branch from here on out. We are very excited about this new venture and what this next chapter of our lives will bring. Today I helped him organize and make room for a messy painter like me! The shop looks great, it is still full of outdoor furniture and accessories, but now is featuring some of my paintings! I will post pictures of the it next week. All of this has me thinking I need to do some landscape-inspired paintings! Stay tuned!

sketch of my cat

2009-06-01T20:23:00.000-07:00

Jesse in the Window

9 x 12

charcoal on paper

Available for purchase at my etsy shop!

Just a quick study of my cat. I just loved the way the light hit her fur. Hopefully, I'll get the chance to paint it.

a day of gardening and sketching

2009-05-27T21:22:00.000-07:00

Much of this dreary day I spent gardening and sketching. The gardening went well. I was able to get quite a bit done and I love being out there digging in the dirt! The sketching, on the other hand, did not go so well. This was my best sketch of the day. I was fairly rusty. Between work and the yard calling for my attention, I haven't been able to draw and paint as much as I would like. I started a sketch of a friend and no matter what I did I could not get it to look like her! I am grateful that I had the time to sketch today though... I need the practice!! Can't complain too much... a day of gardening and sketching is a dream day if you ask me!

my new easel

2009-05-25T21:17:00.000-07:00

I am so excited I have a new easel! My husband spotted it on Craig's List for a great price and it's exactly what I wanted! Can't wait to break it in!

Pet Portraits

2009-05-20T20:30:00.000-07:00

Mastiff

19.5 x 25

charcoal on paper

I am very excited to be doing more pet portraits lately! I am going to start actually marketing them around Omaha and expanding the category on my website as well. I really enjoy painting animals and many people have shown interest.

If you or anyone you know might be interested, let me know! Prices are actually very reasonable. Charcoals start at $75 and oil paintings start at $125! That is for something that will last for a lifetime :)

Funny, I have painted both my pets and would love to have them hanging in my house, but my pets are just too cute! They keep selling paintings for me! I guess I just have to keep painting them!

From Drawing to Painting

2009-05-18T20:21:00.000-07:00

Emily

above: charcoal on paper

below: oil on canvas

It is interesting to think about whether an artist is born with natural, God-given ability or whether it is learned. I think it's a bit of both. I believe that God created me the way I am for a purpose... I have a passion for art and He wants me to use it. At the same time, I know that much of my ability comes from hours and hours of practicing my drawing skills. (He gave me the interest so I wouldn't get bored though!)

Drawing is really a prerequisite for painting. If a person struggles with being able to draw proportionately, he will still struggle with it whether he uses a paintbrush or a pencil. Achieving a likeness of someone means being able to measure proportions. A successful drawing also has a variation of values, good composition and perhaps some interesting texture. Paint adds another challenge on top of all that (not to mention color!) Mixing the paint, making sure the edges are visually compelling, waiting for it to dry... these all create their own challenges. I have found that it is very important to keep up my drawing skills because it makes my paintings go that much more smoothly. I have enough to worry about without having to redo something because it was laid out incorrectly! Painting isn't necessarily more difficult, there are just other things to think about. It can actually be a lot more difficult to fix a drawing than an oil painting. Drawing and painting are very different mediums, but they complement each other so well!

New Easel

2009-05-15T22:09:00.001-07:00

I am on the hunt for a new easel. I am very excited to be adding an additional painting corner to my life! I will be setting up an easel at my husband's design studio so that I can be there to help customers and help my husband :) So, I will be needing another easel. Hopefully, I will be able to find one that is a little more functional than the one that I currently own. I definitely need an H frame... that is crucial... other than that, I don't really know what I'm looking for. There are so many options out there! I have seen some pretty cool homemade easel setups, but I don't know that I have to time or energy to make my own custom easel. I will let you know what I find! Anyone know of any great deals out there?

My painting corner

2009-05-05T21:18:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd show you how I sometimes work from the computer. It works really well actually... it is convenient to have the computer right there so I can listen to music or a sermon, check my email and also zoom in on the photo I'm working from. I have seen other artists that have a computer screen mounted to their easel which would be nice, but this works just as well. I have a very small space to work in, but it's all I need for right now. The only problem is that I sometimes forget to step back from my little corner. I need to work on that.

Oakley

2009-05-01T12:09:00.000-07:00

Oakley

10 x 10

oil on canvas

SOLD

Here is my most recent commission of Oakley the cat! He was a lot of fun to paint. Gotta love those blue eyes!

Palette

2009-04-30T19:52:00.000-07:00

Here is my palette for the cat painting that I will posting tomorrow. The colors look like candy colors, not what you would guess would make up a cat huh? Look how messy I am with my white paint... shameful.

The Perfect Day for Painting!

2009-04-26T21:17:00.000-07:00

Today was a beautiful, rainy day! Perfect for staying indoors and getting some painting done! Unfortunately, I can't show you my work because they are commissions. Soon, I will post them and you can see what I've been working on. I have also been taking many pictures with my new camera so I will have plenty of inspiration for future paintings! I am very thankful for rainy days because if it had been warm and sunny I wouldn't have gotten anything done today!

Ode to Ranunculus!

2009-04-17T21:15:00.000-07:00

tangerine ranunculus

from alt_prospettiva's flickr stream

The painting is pretty slow these days because I have been working so much at the flower shop! It is prom and wedding season and we have been busy making corsages and boutonnieres. We actually had a lot of ranunculus in the shop this week, which happens to be my favorite flower :) Aren't they beautiful?! I could just eat them. Anyway, they are very inspiring and I should do some ranunculus paintings don't you think? So I apologize that I don't have a new painting for you, but I offer you a delicious flower photo instead!

Also, side note, we just upgraded our camera so I can take (hopefully) inspiring and paintable photos like the one above! I haven't had a chance to play with it yet... maybe this weekend...

Cat Eye

2009-04-15T19:44:00.001-07:00

This is a portion of a commission that I am currently working on. I will show you the final product after my client has seen it! It is a 10 x 10 oil painting of a cherished feline companion. I absolutely love cats so it is a joy to paint them!

DRC

2009-04-14T18:14:00.000-07:00

DRC

14 x 18

mixed media

I used to have a pen pal/sponsored sister in the DRC through Women for Women International. That is what inspired this painting. I now have a sister in Nigeria. It is an amazing organization that supports women survivors of war all over the world. They equip them with the skills they need to survive and feed their families. Many of these women have lost their husbands and several children. They are so thankful to receive help and a letter from someone who cares. Check out their website if you think you might be interested in donating or becoming a sponsor!

My Blog Post on Portraits.com

2009-04-11T08:25:00.000-07:00

Hey all, just wanted to let you know that my recent blog post on portrait thumbnails was featured on a great blog and website Portraits.com! You should check it out, especially if you have any interest in portraiture. There are many useful tips and topics related to portraits of all kinds.

I am really grateful that I started this blog. It is really just a journal on my thoughts about art and the creative process. Last night, my husband and I were talking about how beneficial it is to have a blog as an artist. It helps me collect my thoughts and realize how many ideas I have. It also helps me to get a little feedback! I love exploring other artist's blogs and learning from them too! Check out my blog roll for some really beautiful artwork!

How to Capture Movement

2009-04-10T15:03:00.000-07:00

Salsa Dancer

charcoal

18 x 20

This is a quick sketch of a salsa dancer that I did a while back. It is fun to pick an artistic element to focus on when sketching. Drawing dancers are a great way to study movement. I love a piece of artwork that captures movement. I grew up fascinated and somewhat obsessed with dance and ballet in particular. So much so, that for a while I spent every waking moment (aside from school) dancing. Dance is such a beautiful way that people express themselves and drawing or painting is a great way to capture that expression! I may not be able to pirouette through life anymore, but I can certainly draw those that are!

Some tips for capturing movement in a sketch:

1. Draw with a loose hand. If you are too meticulous and rigid, you will have a tough time communicating any motion in your drawing.

2. Look at your subject more than your paper. I know this one is hard for many of us, but if you are concentrating too hard on your drawing rather than your subject, you risk missing the essence of your subject. Especially if you are drawing from life, don't look away from your subject! If you have to look at your paper, make it quick!

3. Use a blocking-in technique. In the drawing above, you can see how I "blocked-in" her sleeve. It is a quick way to capture the shape of something and it doesn't have to be perfect! Even if it take you a few tries, blocking-in can give your drawing a rustic, loose quality that can be quite charming!

4. Don't forget value! The darkness or lightness of something can help translate movement to the paper. Having light, dark and medium values is crucial to almost any piece of artwork, but especially when one is trying to capture movement! Think of a light, quickly sketched line vs. a dark, heavily sketched mass vs. a broad swash with the side of your charcoal. These different techniques all describe a different kind of movement and all are really useful. Variation is definitely more exciting to the eye and helps to move the eye around the paper.

5. Draw in circles. This is definitely one of those rules made to be broken, but I find that it is easier for me to draw with a loose hand when I draw using quick circle-like movements that describe my subject. My great-aunt Harryette showed me this trick when I was 7 or 8 years old and it has really stuck with me. She was a genius at drawing horses.. she could draw them in her sleep! She taught me that a horse can be drawn using all circles and it really works! I think any animal or human can be drawn the same way.

AND finally.... LOSE THE ERASER! This is the best way to learn to draw! It teaches you to get it right the first time and so what if you have a line out of place?! It only gives your drawing more character!

Portrait Thumbnails

2009-04-07T15:23:00.000-07:00

Portrait Thumbnails

Here is a peek at my sloppy thumbnails that I do before painting a portrait. I spend more time if I have been commissioned to do a portrait, but if I am just painting for myself I am usually pretty anxious to get to the painting part. As you can see, sometimes I get distracted or maybe I was on the phone and started doodling. It is good to take advantage of the benefits that come from drawing preliminary thumbnails.... so I am going to try to focus next time and maybe do a little less doodling and a little more problem solving!

Thumbnails are a really useful tool before starting a painting. Especially if you are able to spend a little more time working out the composition. It saves so much time in the end. Anytime you can prevent having to paint over something, it is a good thing! The most effective way of using thumbnails would be to test out different compositions, different values and even the shape of your canvas or paper. It's amazing how many different versions of the same subject can be created! So, I would challenge you artists out there (including myself!) to experiment a little more with thumbnails and we will end up with artwork that is fresh, well planned and maybe a little unexpected!