New Bookmark Design - Cute White Kitten Cat

Click on the thumbnail to enlarge!

This afternoon I designed a new bookmark from my miniature painting "White Kitten". I use a graphics program in which I dismantle my art and then redesign the painting in a book mark format. Each bookmark is signed and dated. The protective vinyl sleeve which surrounds the bookmark measures 2.5 inches by 7 inches with an extra 1.5 inch area from which to hang a favorite tassel. Printed from my Epson printer with Archival Ink on Epson High Quality Ultra Premium Paper. These little gems are rated to last 98 years or 200 years if kept in your book. (That's a long time!) :)


You can buy this new book mark here on Etsy or here on eBay.


Have a wonderful evening!

White Bunny Rabbit Wall Clock

I used my miniature painting from a few months back, edited it a graphics program, and turned it into this cute wall clock! I love the way the little white rabbit looks against a winter blue background on this wall clock. It would be really adorable in a baby's nursery. Just click on the image to find winter bunny wall clock in my gift shop, or here if you prefer purchasing from eBay.

Enjoy!

How About A Valentine Scottie Dog Magnet?

This might be a fun little Valentines Day gift...perfect pocket size, just add a few chocolates.



Find him in my gift shop by clicking on his image.
Stay warm!

Little Brown Cow for the Childrens Book "The Cats Meow"

"Little Brown Cow" for the Childrens Book The Cats Meow
by Jana Laiz
#3 of 2009, ACEO 2.5 " by 3.5"
India Ink, some White Acrylic, and Colored Pencil
Benefits FieldHaven Feline Rescue.

Jana is the author of the award nominated Weeping Under This Same Moon and Elephants of the Tsunami


Read more about The Cat's Meow here and see the full step by step here


Have a great day,

Final Steps for Childrens Book Illustration - The Cats Meow

I am approaching the final steps for my first illustration of The Cat's Meow by Jana Laiz. This afternoon I added more layers of colored pencil and adjusted some proportions and symmetry. I am now about to do the final details which I really think is the most enjoyable part of the process....taking the painting up and over that place of "nice little painting" to "wow!" (hopefully)

Jana is the author of the award nominated Weeping Under This Same Moon and Elephants of the Tsunami


Read more about The Cat's Meow here
Have a great day,

More Work in Progress for The Childrens Book - The Cats Meow

This morning I am working on the next step for the illustration of The Cat's Meow by Jana Laiz I am beginning to layer the colored pencil in heavy coats. The colored pencil becomes more like paint at this point when there are many layers and since colored pencil is translucent, all the under layers (as well as the initial ink drawing) show through.

This afternoon I am building up the layers of colored pencil:



The Cat's Meow by Jana Laiz is going to be such a joy to illustrate!

Jana is the author of the award nominated Weeping Under This Same Moon and Elephants of the Tsunami


Read more about The Cat's Meow here
Have a great day,

Second Step for New Childrens Book Illustration - The Cat's Meow

Here is the second step for the illustration of The Cat's Meow by Jana Laiz


Today I added the India ink wash in the background which really brings Little Brown Cow forward. Now the fun part: layer after layer of colored pencil!

Jana is the author of the award nominated Weeping Under This Same Moon and Elephants of the Tsunami


Read more about The Cat's Meow here
Have a great evening,

Newly Discovered - Original Old Watercolor Iris

Bid on the original here

This morning I pulled an old painting from the dusty dark corner of my studio to re-introduce it to the world. This Watercolor Iris is from 1980! I have always loved the design although never quite found the right home for the painting. After I rescued it from the dust, I used a graphics program to clean up the image, strengthen the colors, and print it on a collection of gifts listed below. The original is now up for sale on eBay and I am hoping it will finally find a happy home. Maybe this little Watercolor Iris can come out of the dark and onto someone's wall.
Enjoy!


Iris Journal

Iris Tile

Iris Clock

Iris Gift Cards

First Steps of the New Childrens Book Illustration (The Cat's Meow)

Here is the first illustration for a new book written by my dear friend Jana Laiz! Jana is the author of the award nominated Weeping Under This Same Moon and Elephants of the Tsunami


Read more about The Cat's Meow here
Have a great evening,

Keeping Them Warm!

The last three days I came to realize how strong my motherly instinct is to keep my family safe and warm! On Friday afternoon, (as the temperatures hovered around zero degrees outside) our new furnace failed. Apparently it was so cold that the oil in our tank coagulated which caused the furnace to shut down. Luckily we have a new wood stove that is situated on the upper floor of our house and I quickly set to work stoking that little stove fully! Over the course of the next three days, with several service calls, the night temps. hitting ten below, and much of my time tending that fire in the wood stove, we are finally back up to speed with heat in our house. I discovered that having my family in the cold was really stressful, it made me realize that as a mom, keeping my kids warm and safe is right up there in the most important mom jobs. Thank heavens for the wood stove!!! Above is a little painting I recently did for Moonlight Memoirs which makes me think of my little kiddos staying warm, safe, and all tucked in..as angels flit by in the bitter cold night.



Stay warm!

New Childrens Book Illustration Project

I am excited to let you know I have just begun the illustrations for a new book written by my dear friend Jana Laiz! The Cat's Meow is a children's book filled with adorable baby animals all coming together to help a very young person welcome their new baby sister or brother. This book is going to be delightful and I am so excited to share the process with you. Jana has written several books such a the award nominated Weeping Under This Same Moon and Elephants of the Tsunami

Keep watching for the very first illustration which I will begin tonight.

Have a great evening,

Winter Mouse and Berries Miniature..Finished, I Think...

I believe I am finished with Winter Mouse and Berries...I'll let him rest a while and then revisit with a fresh eye before I list him this afternoon on eBay auction.


4:10 PM...Done!



"Winter Mouse and Berries" #2 of 2009
ACEO 2.5 " by 3.5"
India Ink, some White Acrylic, and Colored Pencil
Benefits FieldHaven Feline Rescue.

(Click on the painting to place your bid)


(Click on the thumbnail above to enlarge but remember the size of the original is 3.5 inches by 2.5 inches, about 1/4 the size shown)


You can see the Work In Progress (WIP) below:
WIP

Step Six in Winter Mouse and Berries Painting...Homestretch!

Coming in to the homestretch on this little painting! This is my favorite part, honing in and adding the fine details (disregard the kitty hair...one of the hazards of working with a cat in your lap!)




You can see the Work In Progress (WIP) below:
WIP


Have a great week!

More Valentines Day Designs!

I am on a roll this morning! I redesigned my Chipmunk painting from last year, gave Chippy a big red Valentine Heart to hold and printed him on a series of VDay gifts...I think he turned out really cute!


Valentines Day Chippy and Heart Magnet (above)
You can find the Chippy Magnet in my gift shop by clicking on the image above, buy him here on eBay, or right here from my blog

Valentines Day Chippy and Heart Greeting Cards (above)
Or as a smaller Notecard

~And~


Valentines Day Chippy and Heart Post Cards (above)

You can click on any image to find that Valentine gift in my shop!
Have a great day.

New Valentines Day Gifts - Cute Scottie Dog Magnet

Today I designed another cute little Valentine Magnet. This handsome Scottie Dog is perfect for Valentine's Day and is the just the right size for the teacher's special gift, or perhaps grab a few to shower some love on all your special Valentines.

You can buy little Valentines Scottie here on eBay, here in my gift shop, or right here on my blog.


Valentines Day is a just around the corner!

Step Five in Winter Mouse and Berries Painting

Today I am adding the layers of color and texture to little Winter Mouse's fur:




You can see the Work In Progress (WIP) below:
WIP


Have a great week!

New Art From Crow Raven Painting

Yesterday I created a series of art gifts from my recent Crow Raven painting. Sometimes I am less than thrilled with a painting and I use a graphics program to re-design my own original art to come up with a new composition. I am so much happier with Crow Raven in these designs. Thank you to Alena Yakushevan and 123RoyaltyFree for the reference photograph I used for my original painting.

(Click on any image to find that item, or visit my online gift shop if you prefer to shop there)


Refrigerator Magnet (above)


Ceramic Tile Coaster (above)


Jewelry (ACEO Storage) Box (above)


Framed Ceramic Tile (above)


Handmade Book Mark (above)

You can watch the WIP (Work in Progress) slide show of my original Raven art.

Step Four in Winter Mouse and Berries Painting

This morning (after the awesome winter walk I mentioned here on my blog earlier) I added the berries in "Winter Mouse and Berries":




You can see the Work In Progress (WIP) below:
WIP


Happy Sunday!

Snow Covered Sunday

Early morning walk, still partially dark, deep snow, fresh and fluffy. Monochromatic tree branches and a muffled cottony quiet. Its Sunday morning so there is no rush…no frantic town plows or hurried commuters. Just a sweet snow painted landscape for my dog and I to relish. Its like a secret, or a dream, so silent and surreal. A white New England Winter morning, perfect and unruffled.

Step Three in Winter Mouse and Berries Painting

This afternoon (as another winter storm approaches New England) I worked out the colored pencil over India ink background on my "Winter Mouse and Berries" painting. I love how colored pencil has a certain glow about it, the richness of color never fails to make me happy!



Enjoy your weekend, stay warm!