Back to school

Being a self taught artist most of what I produce is what I have learned from books. However I wanted more. I wanted to hear all the basics actually being 'told' to me. Call it psychological but I wanted more - a formal education in art.

So I enrolled at the Academy of Realist Art and had my first class. They taught us how to measure and draw with exact sizing. Half of what they were talking about I knew or had read somewhere already. But on the other hand I learned the right way to sharpen and hold a pencil. How to use a knitting needle to measure. How to keep a light hand and build up graphite......and so much more.

I was concerned about sitting for 5 hours at a stretch as at home I am constantly moving around, drinking umpteen cups of tea, playing with the dog and basically just wandering around. But I did it - I did sit for the whole 6 hours aside from a 15 min lunch break and drank only 1 cup of tea - very pleased with myself.

It was wonderful being among like minded souls, surrounded by art and listening to classical music all day. I could definitely do this everyday.

Sketch of Corinne Bailey

Sketch of Nicole Ritchie

Sketch of Nicole Ritchie

I am enjoying our walks to school. We decided to walk the girls to and from school as it gives us some exercise and the dog gets his walk too. But aside from that it gives me so much more.....I get to find out first hand about their school experiences (otherwise D would tell me after a long day at work), I get to walk home with their friends too....funny little people 11 year olds are. I get to hear the rustling of the birch trees - such a pretty sound. I get to admire my neighbour's gardens.. I get to greet everyone walking in my path. I get to peek into "Narnia" everyday. (Narnia is this place under the evergreens along our walking path that is fully shaded and by the water canal. Its this secret spot the girls love going into and they have named it 'Narnia'. It truly is beautiful...serene, dark and natureful (new word I just coined). 

Do you have a place you can call Narnia? 

The growing popularity of portraits

Pic and article via the Apartmenttherapy blog

Classic forms of art never go out of style, but recent years have seen a resurgence of portrait popularity. Apartment Therapy has discussed stranger's portraits, portraits in the bedroom, vintage portraits, pet portraits, and just about everything in between. What's clear is that portraits — like the living subjects themselves — never fail to elicit emotion.

Click here to read the full article.

Studio life

If I had a studio / loft space this is how it would look........love the greys, whites and lab hardware...the ladder is my favorite.

Pic via the lovely OH HELLO FRIEND blog 

Love your LIFE

A sketchy day

Another sketch I completed a few days ago. I used a photo from a magazine and his name is Tony Duran. Sketching helps me to figure out the tones and values. I use colored pastels to add some color - in this one I used grey for the shadows.

Chanel Iman

Feels great to be home on a Monday morning and not have to go to work......anyhoo no time for play...gotta paint, upload the shop, update various media, print...............!! the list is never ending but making art takes priority. Just finished this sketch of a lovely model from one of my fashion magazines. Now I have to transfer to canvas. Have a lovely day people....life is good!

Busy Bee that's me

I have decided to pursue my art full time and last Friday was my last working day in the corporate world. Today I have been busy cleaning up the studio, packing away my craft supplies as I make more room for my art stuff. D will be revamping the studio completely to make desk space for both of us as we both will be running our own businesses from home. He does contracting work while I will be selling my original artwork.

So the plan is to create desk space for both of us, increased storage for dedicated craft, art and screen printing supplies. I also need a racking system to store the finished oil paintings and somewhere to dry them. Luckily the studio is in our lower level and I can control the lighting with track lights. I think next year calls for a big yard sale and getting rid of everything that is piling up in the crawl space.

I don't have an image for this post but leave you with a link to one of my favorite artists Carol Marine - such a talented lady with such a distinct style.

www.carolmarine.blogspot,.com

Etsy Treasury - featured for the third time

Oh Joy - I got featured in an ETSY TREASURY for the third time. Getting featured in a treasury means you get featured on the home page of etsy and that is more views by potential buyers.

The painting was Butternut Squash and CLICK HERE to see the entire collection created by the lovely SarahJohnAfana.

CLICK HERE TO BUY

What is an ETSY TREASURY? 
TheTreasury is an etsy member-curated gallery of short-lived lists of 12 hand-picked items each. Members can feature their favorite items, items selected on a theme, or just whoever they like.

Click on www.etsy.com to see the other treasuries created.  

SOLD

A portrait of my handsome nephew Liam. 

via the blog 'When I grow up'

And today begins my creative journey..............!!