New Miniature Painting ACEO Easter Bunny

I started a new miniature painting today...little Easter Bunny. I am having fun with flowing lines and detail, all in the theme of Spring and Easter!

I am in California caring for my mom right now, in the old 1930s bungalow where I grew up. The house and the street are SO quite. There is just amazing sense timelessness right now. Its incredibly peaceful.

Mom is snoring quietly under her soft flannel sheets...really the only sound in the house except a ticking clock.

Finished "Little Blue Angel" Miniature Painting ACEO

Here she is!

(Click on her image to find her eBay listing, learn more about Animal Dreams, and Art For Critters)

Here is her WIP (Work In progress)

"Little Blue Angel"
3.5 inches by 2.5 inches
India ink, watercolor, and colored pencil
Benefits Animal Dreams Feline Rescue in honor of Leslie Smallridge


Enjoy!

Another Step In Newest Miniature Painting ACEO Angel

This morning I began to add light layers of watercolor bringing in the colors of Little Angel. Now, I will delicately strengthen these colors with pencil. Although I am happy with the background, to some extent, I want the contrast and drama to be greater, so I will add layers of colored pencil over that as well. Below is a work in progress slide show of Little Angel

Work In progress



This afternoon I have worked in the colored pencil back ground...will refine a bit more....



Mom is having a late morning nap on another sunny California day.

Step Closer To Little Angel Miniature Painting

I am moving in to the next phase on my latest miniature painting (3.5 inch by 2.5 inch ACEO). I added the rich blue ink wash in the background which then accentuates the dynamic composition. I like how having Little Angel off center adds nice drama between her wing and the negative space behind her.

Below is a close up of the tiny dots I use called stipple:


Mom is content with the morning paper and her cup of warm decaf coffee.

Another Step For The Angel Miniature ACEO

Creeping along on this newest little painting (ACEO 3.5 inches by 2.5 inches). Because I want the texture to be very smooth on this little angel, just like she would appear as a sculpture, I am working mainly in stipple (tiny dots) Its a very, very slow process but well worth it I think. Since I am here in my home town caring for my mom right now, my thoughts are mostly on these final pages in moms life. Today especially, I am feeling the inevitability of her passing and it kind of has my heart in my throat. I think that is some of the feeling behind this new painting, a bit sad, but tender and beautiful too.

Mom is napping quietly as the afternoon sunlight filters through her bedroom curtains.

New Miniature ACEO Little Angel

I started a new painting today while I care for mom in California. This is a little Angel Statue, which I am inspired to portray as just a bit melancholy but sweet and tender as well. My challenge will be to create the effect of stone, weathered and slightly moss covered. I picture the little Angel at night, with the starry sky in the background and deep blue shadows across her face.

The miniature painting's follow up:
Step Two
Step Three
Step Four
Finished

The Other Easter Bunny Card

(You can click on the image to buy this card)


Ahhhh, finally! The glitch of yesterday has been resolved and I now have Easter card number two posted in my shop. This is the image that my little elderly lady friend who sat next to me on the plane across country Wednesday helped to design. Her input, and me welcoming her opinion, seemed to delight her no end. :)

Gave mom a nice sponge bath and shampoo today. Sleeping happily now...

Easter Card I Designed On The Plane To California

(Click on the image to purchase this little card)

I had a fairly pleasant flight across the continent (on my way to care for mom). What a long way it is from New England to California! On the second leg of my long flight, I sat next to a darling elderly woman who completely enjoyed gazing over my shoulder at the design I was working on. Before long she was adding her opinion on how the design should unravel. I welcomed her opinions, a second set of eyes can be very refreshing! So, together we designed this new Easter card and she will certainly be getting a copy in her mailbox soon. I/we did design a second version in a horizontal format, but I am having technical difficulties with my manufacturer. I hope to resolve that tomorrow.

Enjoy!
Mom is well, content in bed with a fresh novel in her hands.

Headed Out To California To Care For Mom

I will be going to California again to care for my elderly mother from March 24 through April 7. My oldest sister, Adrian has been with my mom almost every moment since mom fell and broke her hip a year ago. Each of us (the three remaining siblings) are taking a bit of time so that "Ade" can go home to Alaska for a much needed respite. Since mom fell we have all had to adjust to this new chapter in her life. These are the late pages of an incredible, courageous, and inspiring life that has shaped all six of us tremendously. It is a bit painful yet empowering to accompany this grand woman's journey into life's new chapter.

I have a new little NetBook, so I will be able to continue blog posting from Mom's kitchen table, see you on the other side of the continent.

Spring Blooms Indoors

These are the only blooms around my house right now and they are indoors in my living room window! This is a Walking Iris that a friend gave me years ago. It blooms when it's really happy and with just the right conditions (as in warm, sunny, and with the right humidity). With our wood stove chugging along and the cast iron "steamer" on top filling the room with moisture, this lovely plant has bloomed for me. It is always a real gift when the Walking Iris blooms, especially since the blooms only last one day.

Enjoy!!

Auction For Tuxedo Cat Painting Ends In A few Hours

(Shown about twice actual size)

This little ACEO eBay auction ends in about four hours and a portion of the sales will help local feral kitties. Click on the image to check out the auction or place a bid.
Hope you are have a glorious Sunday!!

Enjoy!!

Spring Fever, Spring Flowers, And Spring Babies

Pastel Crocus and sweet white Snowdrops are poking their timid heads above the last patches of snow! When I was out walking with my dog today I wanted to sweep up all that lovely color and press it to my winter starved eyes. Above is one of my favorite miniature ACEOs depicting a wee little Cottontail in a bed of Crocus. I think I love this piece most of all because it has a watercolor feeling and of course, the subject. :) Happy Spring!!!

Little Bunny on eBay
Little Bunny on ArtFire
Little Bunny on Etsy

Enjoy!!

And...Finished! New Miniature Painting Spring Mouse And Duckling

You can see a work in process here
"Spring Mouse And Duckling"
India ink and colored pencil with some white acrylic.
ACEO (3.5 inches by 2.5 inches)

Benefits Animal Dreams Feline Rescue
(click on the painting to find it's eBay auction)

Enjoy!

Almost Done With Latest Miniature Painting ACEO

I am coming into the very last (and really the most fun) part of this process. From here I will add the fine details, white hairs and any strong contrasts.

My walk this afternoon with my sweet Casey dog was delightful. I saw some bright Crocus and delicate Snow bells peeking through the last drifts of snow. Seeing them made me want to jump and shout with delight...knowing that spring really is near.

Newest Miniature ACEO Nearing Completion

I am nearing the final stages for this newest miniature (ACEO). The next steps are refining, adding detail and the last touches which bring the painting "up a notch'.
Now...must get outside into the fresh air!

Enjoy!

Next Step For New Miniature ACEO Spring Mouse And Duckling

I worked a little more on my newest miniature painting this afternoon. I layer on colored pencil is such a way that it feels to me more like paint. I love how the pencil colors blend together but also stay translucent to show the ink beneath.

(Might have spent a bit too much time on Twitter today...it's just so darn fun! Like being at a local pub only with out the drinks or smoke)

Next Step In New ACEO Miniature Spring Mouse And Duckling

Worked in some background this afternoon. The colors are a bit off since I am working on the 10 yr. old laptop today! :)

First Steps For Latest Miniature Painting, Spring Babies

I got the initial drawing for my newest miniature (ACEO) painting done this morning. Its all about spring! Here in New England, the weather has been gloriously springlike. Yesterday the temperature climbed into the 50s, which made me all but giddy with joy!! Spring is sweet in snow country!
Enjoy.

Finished "Spring Tuxedo Cat" Miniature Art ACEO

(Shown about twice actual size)

I finished "Spring Tuxedo Cat" this afternoon. This was a fun mix of white pencil on India ink and my usual technique of colored pencil layered over an ink drawing. I also add a bit of white acrylic. The little painting will help benefit Animal Dreams charity and is an ACEO (2.5 inches by 3.5 inches)



Spring Tuxedo is on eBay auction here and click here to see the step by step.

First Steps For New Miniature Spring Tuxedo Cat

Finally got started on a new painting this afternoon. It seemed a rough start though...I ran out of ink, had to refill my technical pen, then patiently coax it to re-start. Then I accidentally dipped my sleeve right into the dish of green ink! Still, I got a start. :)

Shown about twice its actual size.




And a little further....

Have a great afternoon.

Bunch - O - Bookmarks! Bunnies, Cats, Mice, Frogs...On Auction.

I have been creating these little bookmarks for about a year. It's been really fun to dismantle my original art (digitally) then redesign it in a book mark format! I can take parts of a painting that I love, remove parts I am not so happy with, then combine to create a whole new piece of art. These are on seven day auction ending Sunday.

Find them all on seven day auction with free shipping here!
Below is a little eBay widget which also shows the bookmarks that are out on seven day auction. These will end on Sunday.



Enjoy!