No. 2 - Letterpress - Mixed Media.

The second piece in the new series. It looks like I'll (finally) be participating in the senior jury this fall. Yeah! Now I just have to find more time to make the work. 

Marker and colored pencil on marker paper. 6" x 6".

Spring (Break).

A new marker and colored pencil drawing on marker paper. 6" x 6"

Phalaenopsis - Marker & Pencil.

A little marker and pencil drawing I finished up this week. Unfortunately, I had a marker explode about 8 hours in, and the original has a small spattering of brown ink on the white paper area outside of the image area (removed in this image).

7" x 7"

For the next few months, I'm doomed to general studies and occasional art-related assignments. I will do my best to take photographs along the way and post as often as I can.

Nesting Dolls - 2d

Simple but fun. Ink and watercolors on 5" x 7" watercolor paper.

 

Extra Progress Shots! (Because I forgot I had them!)

I typically send my husband progress shots and ask for his input when he's away at work, and I completely forgot about including those in the last blog post. Not quality photos, but they show a little more of the step-by-step than the scans I posted, so here they are:

Mixed Media - Here's to Trying New Things.

This started out in pieces as random sketches in a notebook. I decided to patch them together in one composition, which I then transferred onto good paper by way of my ghetto lightbox. (My acrylic palette balanced upon a lamp which was sitting on the floor).

Unfortunately, I had a mishap with the first attempt that I will be blaming entirely on the miskit, and not  my impetuousness. After a few days, I decided to give the project another go. I transferred the drawing again in pencil, and then redrew my final lines in ink.

After cleaning up the remaining pencil marks, I went in with a small, round brush and laid in thin washes of Speedball, Super Black India Ink (waterproof). Typically, I'm a graphite girl. I like to get my values from pencil shading before spraying with a fixative and then adding in color, but I thought I'd try something new.

The last step was to add washes of watercolor over the values I had created with the ink. I think the next time I try this, I'm going to use a different paper. The softness of this brand didn't hold up very well to all of the harassment. I touched up a few highlight areas with white acrylic paint in the end.

The piece is roughly 6 1/8" x 8 1/4" with a paper/white border of about an inch all of the way around.

I look forward to playing around with this process more when I have time around commission work, and I'll do my best to post about it along the way.

Cheers!

Catch Up/"Letterpress - VA".

Moving day finally came and went and we're now in the process of unpacking, sorting, and settling. 

The atmosphere at the new house is quite a bit different than what we're used to; the silence of country life is a happy change after years of living near a busy intersection in town. The traffic and sirens have been replaced by the wind and wildlife. Every morning I wake up in disbelief that this is now our home.

Rooms are coming together steadily, but the studio is still miles from done. So, for now, it looks like I'll be toting my art supplies around the house with me as I steal time away from unpacking.

Here is a little drawing I started working on prior to the move, finally finished:

Marker & colored pencil on marker paper.

Paper Size: 5" x 5"

Image Size: 4" x 4"

"Letterpress - VA" is available for purchase @ my Etsy shop.

Pencil/watercolor Sketch.

I bought a pack of precut 5" x 7" watercolor sheets and have been trying to come up with a use for them. Here's a mini portrait of myself with my lovely friend, Beth.

Mixed Media Bunnies + An Update.

I've been working on this piece off and on for the last few months and am glad to say that it is finally finished!

Graphite, watercolor, and acrylic paint on 12" x 12" Rives BFK.

I'm also pleased to announce that a local shop/gallery, Otter & Oak, now has several of my pieces on display in their gallery. They are located in a beautiful older building in downtown Hinton, WV. If you're local to this part of the world, it's well worth the trip to see what they have to offer (and maybe spend a little time on the river while you're there!).

"Summer Night - WV" - Mixed Media Drawing.

It has been one grueling summer so far, folks. I can't wait for August to get here so we can take a break from the remodel and nerd it up at the Chicago comic con!

Markers & colored pencil on marker paper.

4" x 4"

"Over Dinner - WV" - Marker & Colored Pencil Drawing.

Marker & colored pencil on marker paper.

Paper Size: 5" x 5"

Image Size: 4" x 4"

"This & That - NC" - Marker & Pencil Illustration.

I've had a few photographs of this wall hanging around for a couple of years now, so I thought I'd give drawing it a go. Those little bricks were murder.

I like the color choices, but I feel like the details could have turned out a little smoother.

Marker & colored pencil on marker paper.

4" x 4" with a 1/2" border.

"Scroll - WV" - Marker & Colored Pencil Drawing.

Back when I was a teenager, and long before I became a vegan, I bought a vintage tooled-leather purse. I loved it to bits, despite the fact that I didn't (and still don't, for that matter) like carrying a bag around. I still think the colors and textures are amazing, but for the most part, it stays put, hanging on my closet doorknob. 

So here is a (vegan approved) study of it's charming details.

You can find this drawing for sale  --->HERE<--- at my Etsy shop.

Happy Weekend!

Lost & Found - A Mixed Media Drawing.

After two years of being out of contact, a good friend and I were able to catch up in person last week. Most of my college years were spent sitting next to this guy, both in class and out. He was someone I trusted when it came to sharing ideas, crappy drawings, or my fears of talking in front of the class. 

Something that came up during our time together the other night was my lack of a sketchbook. I feel like I've talked about this in the past (or maybe I've just been thinking it), but I almost never sit down and draw anymore. I usually figure out what I want to work on, gather my reference, and work it from start to finish in one shot. At most, I have little stacks of bond paper lying around that I might rough an idea out on, and then throw back on the pile. 

So, I decided to take the first step and reclaim the cleanest sketchbook I own. Tucked inside the back of the book, I discovered a treasure: a marker and would-be colored pencil drawing that I had to have started around three years ago. I have memories of sitting behind the bar that I worked in at the time, smoking cigarettes and furiously throwing in layers of color between customers.

All of this time later, (still) sans cigarettes, I finished up the drawing. I was shocked to find that I still had the reference photos. Unfortunately, the resolution was so incredibly low that most of what ended up on the page was guess work.

No matter. I still like the color choices I made all of those years ago, and it was neat to look back and see how I was going about its creation. For sure, I've refined the process since then: smoothed things out and all.

All of that aside, I believe the drawing was totally worth salvaging and I'm glad to be sharing it with you today.

6" x 7 7/8" with a 3/4 inch border,

marker and colored pencil on marker paper.

I made good on my other promise to myself and finally scraped my oil palette as well. Hopefully I'll have some new work in that department to post here soon.

"Shed - WV" - Farewell, Autumn.

After a wonderfully lazy vacation and quiet, no-turkey day at home, S. and I are in the spirit of Christmas. While we don't necessarily go for the shopping madness, we've already dragged out our decorations despite the lingering warm weather.

Now we just have to find a Christmas Tree!

Here is a little drawing to commemorate the passing of Fall, and all of the beautiful colors that come with it.

Image Size: 4" x 4"
Paper Size: 5" x 5"

Marker & colored pencil on paper.

"Vintage - WV" - A Gift.

Best of luck to Stephanie & Heath as they settle in to their new life together as married folk.

It was a challenge finding just the right objects to suit her style, but in the end, I think I made the right choices: antique perfume bottles in an array of colors, nestled in a bold black & white fabric. I hope she enjoys the finished drawing as much as I do. I'm just honored to get a smidgen of wall space in their home. =)

4" x 4"

Marker & colored pencil on marker paper.

"Treasured - WV" - Guitar Illustration

Marker & colored pencil on marker paper.

Paper Size: 5" x 5"

Image Size: 4" x 4"

This is a drawing with close-up detail of one of my guitars. The instrument was given to me by my grandfather when I was a teenager, and though I'm more apt to pick up an acoustic these days, it remains one of my most beloved keepsakes.

"Shop - WV"

Because unlike the stereotype, I collect art supplies instead of clothing or shoes.

Marker & colored pencil on marker paper.

Paper Size 5" x 5"

Image size: 4" x 4"

I'm currently in magpie mode, collecting items to reference for a drawing that will be going to a friend from college. She and her long-time fella recently tied the knot so I wanted to gift her with something customized to her unique tastes. Updates coming soon.

"Lunch Break - WV" - Berry Drawing.

What can I say? The foodie in me just couldn't pass up the beautiful mix of colors in my bowl. 

Marker & colored pencil on marker paper. 

Paper Size: 5" x 5"

Image Size: 4" x 4"

 The original is for sale over at my Etsy shop.

Thanks for looking!

Ice Cream Sundae - Marker & Pencil Drawing.

A sweet treat that graced me with its presence one hot summer night.