Illustration Friday - Talent

Sing Your Heart Out! Karaoke notwithstanding, in the car, in the shower - I do love to sing but don't tell my son that - he always threatens to jump out of the car when I break out in song . . . whatever . . .

Illustration Friday - Whisper

This is my submission for illustration friday in the nick of time; the topic was Whisper.

The birdy was made from my vintage wallpaper collection and the music sheet is vintage also. I had a lot of leftover mat cardboard, this one is pink. The girl was drawn on paper first, colored pencil and acrylic paints added after glueing down on the cardboard, and more paint and stamps added.

I'm thinking of making prints off this, along with the previous post, and add to my etsy shop later.

A little silliness

The Illustration Friday topic for last week was Wool. I remembered a song by Weezer called The Sweater Song. The lyrics "If you want to destroy my sweater, pull this thread as I walk away" was stuck in my head, and this is what I came up with. I'm a bit three days late to submit it but I thought I'd post on my blog anyway. 

Giveaway Goodies!

The very talented and generous Micki from The Secret Hermit needed cheering up because of a hand injury preventing her from doing any art, so she had a giveaway on her blog, and I won! She asked readers of her blog to send her a postcard from where they live, to give her some cheer and inspiration. Her daughter pulled my name from a hat. You can see her doing that here and the postcard and bookmark I sent her. The goodies came in the mail all the way from England - see below. I loved everything; her artwork is amazing! Thanks so much Micki for your art and inspiration!

    Scrapbooking papers in the plastic bag

    Pretty pink striped packaging

    This original art is on canvas board. Just love the detail and shading 

    of the colors.

How to get out of a creative rut

This article I ran across was a good reminder for me to not compare myself to others and to stay organized. It is so easy to get distracted when in a creative rut, looking at the work of others, start doubting my own abilities, and get down on myself and my designs. But the key is to get back on track right away. The blogger said she likes to get out and go to thrift stores for inspiration. I, too, like to do this from time to time. It's so good to get away from the computer sometimes and get refreshed. So if you feel you are in a rut and are looking to stay organized creatively, head on over and read this article.

New blog look

Oh, by the way, how do you like my new blog look? Feel free to leave a comment and tell me what you think. And if you like to, follow my blog on the right column. Thanks so much for visiting!

a sketch and Suzi Blu art workshop

This is a sketch I did of Natalie Wood from Life magazine pictures here http://life.time.com/culture/natalie-wood-rare-photographs/?xid=newsletter-life-weekly#1

She was smiling with her teeth showing in the picture; I sketched her with her mouth closed. I've yet to learn how to draw smiling faces with teeth. This is just a practice effort and not an exact representation. I really like to watch classic movies, and Natalie W. was just awesome in West Side Story, one of my fav movies of her.

Also, I'm taking part in Suzi Blu's Petite Doll mixed media workshop, and will show my efforts in upcoming posts. Here is a link to her workshop: http://suziblu.typepad.com/a_lovely_dream/2010/11/petite-dolls-for-beginners-beginners-have-no-fearpetite-dolls-are-hereself-guided-workshopall-you-need-to-make-pretty-fo.html

After about a year and a half break, I'm back! It has been a very hot summer here in Denver. Record breaking temps in the 90's - 100's. Finally, temps in the low 80's today and next week - a veritable cold front, brrrrrr. j/k

I've just been working on a couple of projects for my dear nieces (see previous post, Zoe's doll), and now here's a mixed media painting titled Three Sisters for Karleigh.

 I had drawn the girls on paper first with markers, added acrylics, glued on painted canvas, then sealed with gloss varnish. My niece loved it and already knows where she will be displaying it in her room. 

A doll for Zoe

I made this fabric doll for my niece, Zoe. She named her Lexie.

Aren't they cute together?

Craft Show in Castle Rock

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Me and my good friend, Sharelle, along with my son, Javan, who was a very big help, participated in the Fall Harvest Craft and Gift Show in the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Castle Rock, Colorado last Saturday and Sunday.  This was the third show I did this year (the first two was the Sweet William Market, August and September, which I neglected to blog about!).  We had a lot of fun and there were some awesome vendors there.

1. My table - Jessi Designs.  My art lockets drew interest along with the bookmarks, magnets, cards and prints I designed from my original art. 

2.  Me!

3.  My friend, Sharelle of Sharelle's of Denver.  She creates the most wonderful art coats and her Sister Girl pins, earrings, journals, bookmarks, cards, and fabric eye glass cases are just gorgeous.

4.  Johnny of Two Mile Creek Specialty Foods - He had the best tasting Habanero jelly I ever had.  Great with cream cheese and wheat thins.

5.  Carmen with Carmen's Kitchen - Their almond toffee candy is the best!

6. Allison and her husband of A Little Twisted Jewelry - Fun jewelry and accessory pieces.

7.  Lourdes of Lourdes Rios Designs - She creates sophisticated ready to wear gowns.

8.  Denise of Goddess Wisdom Jewelry - Her jewelry caught my eye as they had a vintage inspired and funky appeal which matches her personality.  She generously gave away the pieces I had an eye on to me - :)

9.  Last but not least was Nick with Direct TV -- Really, this show was not that boring!

My son did not want his picture taken - (though he was the regular social butterfly - almost everyone knew him by name by the time it was all over). 

A boy and his dog

Here is my next project:

This is an 8 x 10 acrylic and markers on canvas. I still need to apply spray varnish to protect it.  Just wanted to upload this as soon as it was dry.  I am going to have prints made and will be in my Etsy shop soon.  I also would welcome any comments and suggestions or even just to say Hi - have a great week! ")

Tony Curtis

As I have maybe mentioned before, I love classic movies.  Turner Classic Movies is my favorite cable station.  Today, I was watching a Tony Curtis movie, The Vikings, from 1958.  I knew that he also is an artist, so after I checked out IMDB.com (Internet Movie Database) to find his official website and to read a little about him, I went to his website, to check out his paintings.  His work reminds me of my fav artist, Matisse and a some of Manet.  I will post pics of some of his artwork later.  In the meantime, click on his website above and enjoy - :)

Sisters in the Pink

I ran across a sketch I made of these two girls in my art room:

 and thought to bring it to life (and color) to this:

This is on canvas on wood, 8x10, with acrylic paints and markers.  My sister, Kelly saw it today and wanted to buy it, so it is on hold for now. But I will have prints of it on sale in my etsy store soon.

Kathy's dogs

I forgot to post this:

A coworker asked me to do a painting of her dogs, 9x12 - 2 pugs, a pom/pug mix, and an australian shepherd mix.  Told her it would be very illustrative, not an exact representation but she said that would be okay. This is the result. She has it hanging on the wall next to her desk at work.  I am so flattered!

Triptych

This is a triptych I painted for my sister, Kelly's office at work, 9 x 12. Not sure what type of flower these are, possibly some type of roses or tulips.  She had emailed me a bunch of pics as inspiration and I picked these.  What do you think of my first attempt at this?

I Won Danita Art Giveaway!

I was so thrilled to have been chosen to win the Danita Art giveaway, the book, Where Women Create Book of Inspiration.  It was interesting to read that she is also inspired by children's books and Matisse - as I am too.  She also added two pretty handmade bookmarks, aren't they cute?

Original art prints in my etsy store

I have some new art prints in my etsy store from my original mixed media canvas paintings.  Other sizes will be coming soon - prints from original 8x10's, and 4x5 cards.  I also plan to add fabric dolls inspired by my whimsy girls prints - Macy, Annabella, Madison.  More later.

Whimsy Girls

Besides making jewelry, I've been doing some drawing and painting lately.  Here are two of my efforts:

I used acrylic and gouache paints along with some polka dot fabric for the red dress on canvas. These are my very first efforts; need more practice.  I have four nieces, one grown (24) and three ages 8, 10, and 13 who will figure in future projects. 

I'm also very intrigued with mixed media art - will be using some new and vintage fabric from my stash in my art.  Fabric is really my first love, especially vintage.  Whenever I go to thrift stores I peruse all the fabric including bedsheets, pillowcases, and bedspreads.  I also love to browse through Etsy for vintage fabric and have bought some wonderful fabric there.  If I had more time I will be designing and studying fabric and textiles.  I had an aunt who was talented in that area.  My father was also artistic; he was a talented sketcher and loved to draw.  Another aunt of mine told me he used to draw nude women from memory very well when he was younger, as she used to run across his sketches when she snooped in his room.  I often saw him doodling and sketching a lot when I was a kid.

All my life I dreamed of being an artist but always thought that I didn't have the time, it wasn't practical but as I have gotten older, I've realized that I need to be able to express myself, explore different facets of myself I did not know I had.  The internet, Etsy, blogging and Blogspot, etc., have opened wide my eyes, and artistic inspiration has been pouring out almost to the point where I feel overwhelmed.  I've always had a problem with focus.  I get easily distracted and want to try everything out there artistically.  So I have learned and still learning to try everything but one thing at a time.  Seems like an oxymoron, doesn't it?  All I know is that I have to be myself, a controlled scatterbrain, if there is one.  Well, enough of that. 

If you happen to come across this blog, please feel free to comment.  I love comments and feedback as I am constantly learning and do not view myself as an accomplished artist but a newbie trying to accomplish art and grow artistically.  Have a great rest of the weekend all.

New items listed and Sale

I'm having a sale at my Etsy store:

http://www.jessidesigns.etsy.com/

If you buy more than 1 item I will combine shipping. Just let me know before ordering so I can edit the invoice

I've also uploaded new items - Necklaces from my own unique designs and made with repurposed jewelry parts - very green!

New items will be added this weekend - rings, bracelets, and more earrings

Free giveaway

Free giveaway at:

http://www.akanedesigns.blogspot.com/