The Love Of Art And Animals

Critters are my passion:
Aside from my family, art and animals are what I love most. For as long as I can remember I’ve had a special rapport with critters, (as you can see in the old family photo to your left, I'm the one clutching a big furry cat).


(Below are some of my "staff" helping in my studio on a winter day)


I can recall as a child, believing I could “talk” to my cat, and collecting as many animals as my poor family could tolerate! I’ve always turned to nature for solace, especially during difficult times in life. Even simply watching the colorful backyard birds at my feeders, or stroking my dog’s silky head when she is curled up beside me, soothes away any troubles I encounter.
Today, I have a handful of pets (3 cats, a dog, and a horse) but support and care for thousands via my group Art For Critters.


Art For Critters:
A4C is a talented group of about 25 artists who donate a portion of their proceeds to select animal charities. Together we have raised over $50,000 since January 2006. As the co-leader of this group, I personally donated 10% of the proceeds from nearly all my of original paintings over the last 5 years. Additionally, in 2010 I ran my first and second "Run For The Critters" and raised $2,050 for the animals. This fall I ran a third Run For The Critters and raised $1141. Art For Critters has helped thousands of critters and I am SO honored to be a part of this amazing group!

My favorite animal art:
A few of my many Art For Critters paintings stand out, not just because I was happy with the final piece, but because of the particular animal the I was able to help through the sale of my work. Below are two miniatures (ACEOs) that I was especially moved to create and the animal rescue stories behind each.

"Old Dog Dawson" 2008
ACEO 2.5 " by 3.5"
India Ink, some White Acrylic, and Colored Pencil
10% benefited Old Dog Haven Rescue

I painted "Old Dog Dawson" for a specific charity event and represents a very sweet old dog who lost his people and needed a new home. Read Dawson's moving story!

"Ivan The Feral Cat"
ACEO 2.5 " by 3.5"
India Ink, some White Acrylic, and Colored Pencil
10% benefited Berkshire Animal Dreams

"Ivan" is a beautiful feral (wild) cat who has lived behind our town dump for six years. I've had the privilege of caring for Ivan since 2008. His story is really moving and inspired me to contribute 10% of ALL my original art sales ( about 50 paintings) for an entire year to Berkshire Animal Dreams! About Ivan

I know I will always be one of those people who find the company of animals especially inspiring and I feel blessed that I can convey some of that inspiration in my art.

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Find Melody's Animal Art Here:

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Enjoy!

Art Of Backyard Birds

As an artist I am inspired by the beautiful birds that frequent my backyard feeders. Summer birds as well as the feathered visitors that arrive in our deepest Winters, spark my creativity. Summer here in the Berkshires of Massachusetts is brief, but spectacular. There are sprawling lush-green country fields, bright-charming gardens, and vivid window boxes against the quaint New England homes. During our brief summers, I enjoy a visual treasure of colorful birds alongside a backdrop of vibrant flowers.
(Western Tanager ACEO above)

Below is a photograph I snapped this morning looking out my studio door. The lemon yellow birds are American Goldfinch and that splash of saffron in the foreground is a big happy sunflower.


American Goldfinch visit in Summer and Winter, but only sport their bright colors in the Summer. During the Winter months, Goldfinch are a soft subtle gray.

Below are two miniature pieces (ACEOs) I created of the familiar and charming Blue Jay



Winter in New England can be quite severe. It’s not unusual on a January day to have the wind chill dip to 40 degrees below zero with snow blowing and icicles covering the windows. Yet even on a day like that, when I look out my studio window, backyard birds are flitting about gathering seeds from my feeder and chirping merrily. In addition to their cheery attitude, thier colors are breathtaking! There is nothing like the unworldly red of the Northern Cardinal against a stark gray and icy white backdrop. In Winter my eyes seem to be more receptive to the subtle shades of the less colorful birds as well.


The dear little Black-capped Chickadee (shown in my tiny painting- ACEO above) is so small and jaunty with his deep black cap and brilliant white chest.


The female Northern Cardinal (as in my ACEO painting above) is especially colorful in the Winter, her subtle shades of cool gray and warm gold seem so striking to me, while in the Summer I rarely notice her. Watching the birds of Winter is one of the things that gets me through those long cold days, inspiring me and making me smile. In the deepest and darkest days of Winter, when everything is frozen and gray, these feathered friends bring me great joy.

Below is a portrait of the common Blue Jay on a snowy winter morning.



Below I've included an excerpt from the Audubon website, in hopes of inspiring you to enjoy the art of backyard birding:

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"Did you know that over 100 North American bird species supplement their natural diets with birdseed, suet, fruit and nectar obtained from feeders?
Bird feeding can benefit birds and also provides great bird watching from your own backyard. The obvious time to feed birds is in winter when natural food supplies are scarce; however, additional species visit feeders during the spring and fall migrations, and also during summer while nesting.

To keep birds coming back to your feeders in any season provide them with the following three essential elements:

* Variety of quality seed.
* Fresh water for drinking and bathing.
* Ample cover, preferably provided by native plants. Native plants also provide potential nesting sites and a source of natural food."

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Enjoy!

Art: Large or Small- Pros and Cons

"Spring Bunny" 2009, 3.5" x 2.5" India Ink, Colored Pencil, and White Acrylic

For the last six years I've been painting in a very small size format (2.5" x 3.5") known as ACEO. However, I haven't always painted in miniature! When my studio was larger and my children were smaller, I created paintings of a substantial size, usually several square feet. I believe that both small and large works of art have their advantages and disadvantages. In this post I'll describe some of the pros and cons of a painting's dimension.

"Sherwood Courthouse" 22"x30" Watercolor 1991 (above)

The Pros and Cons Of Painting Large:

Large usually gains more respect.
I've found that people (and galleries) tend to see bigger as better in art. For the most part, buyers have an easier time justifying a sizable investment in a work of art, if the work of art is large.

Large usually sells for a higher price.
(See above)

Large is more conducive to a loose style of painting.
Many artists enjoy painting with big- loose brushstrokes and a spontaneous style. This is quite difficult on a canvas that is only inches square!

Shipping large art is challenging.
Sending a large canvas across the country or over seas is expensive and complicated. Sometimes an artist will not sell outside of the US or ship out of the country because of the cost and hassle of packing a big painting.

"Tufted Titmouse" 2009, 5x5" Watercolor (above)

The Pros and Cons Of Painting Small:

Small is quicker.
The tiny dimensions of an ACEO lend themselves to a quick turnaround for a painting. Even with the tremendous detail that I love in my work, I can usually finish a miniature piece in a few days.

Small (sometimes) has less emotional investment.
When I've completed a tiny work of art, its not always up to my satisfaction. However, if the painting is a tiny ACEO that I've invested just a few days in, I can let it go even if when I'm unhappy it. On the other hand, when a very large painting (that I have spent many months on) fails to meet my standards, its a huge disappointment.

Small art requires little work space.
In a house filled with energetic teenagers and located in a beautiful (though expensive) part of the country, there is little room for a large studio space. I've been able to carve out a VERY small corner of our home to use as my current studio. My entire workspace can be quickly dismantled and packed into a basket if necessary. Painting in miniature lends itself beautifully to a diminutive work space.

Small art is more affordable:
ACEO are most famous for being affordable to the general public. That is a real advantage, especially in a tight economy. Anyone can afford original art when its just a few inches square!

Small art is easier to ship:
I love that my miniature art can be shipped anywhere in the world for just a few dollars! They are so small that I ship my ACEOs in a regular invitation size envelope.

Finally, I have a more satisfying relationship with my small art. I love that I can "pour myself into" a small painting and finish it before I become uninspired or lose momentum. Perhaps someday when my children have gone out into the world, and our need for this big house is gone...I'll have an expansive, quiet studio which holds large colorful paintings as well as tiny works of art.


"Monhegan Island Inn" 22" x 30" Watercolor 2002 (above)

Enjoy!

Miniature Art On Porcelain Ornaments

I create miniature paintings of woodland animals, birds, cats, fantasy beings and other critters in a format known as ACEO. Several years ago I discovered a company that does "print on demand". Print on demand means a company will print my miniature art on as few as one of their products (such as porcelain Christmas ornaments). In the past, an artist needed to purchase a large number of items printed with their art. This meant not only a substantial investment by the artist, but also the additional headache of inventory and shipping.

Cafe Press is my print on demand choice for wonderful art gifts. I've been working with Cafe Press for years now and have even been able to set up a nice virtual shop filled with my art on gift items. Zazzle is also a great site for print on demand art gifts. One of my favorite (and my customer's favorite!) items from Cafe Press is their porcelain Christmas ornaments.
These small oval or round decorative ornaments are beautifully printed. My art appears crisp and clear, plus the holiday decorations are of the highest quality. I have a very large and diverse collection of porcelain Christmas ornaments, some of which I've showcased here. I also created a special blog specifically to feature my little Christmas ornaments.
Each time I finish a small painting- ACEO (like the little Chipmunk above) I have it printed on one of these porcelain gems. It's been equally fun to custom design a few keepsake ornaments. The custom ornaments
feature subjects such as a special pet. As the holiday season begins to approach, I take requests on Twitter for design ideas and then highlight them on my Ornaments Blog along with a link back to the person who gave the suggestion! Here is an example of the Twitter ornament suggestion.

I have over two hundred Christmas ornaments in my online gift shop. Here are a few more examples of the great little holiday decorations:





Enjoy!

First Fabric Art Design

I have always wanted to design for fabric. Many years ago, when my first child was on the way, I decided to rekindle my love for sewing and create all the baby gear for her. I bought a bolt (that's about 100 yards!) of fabric I loved and began a season of sewing for my children that lasted for years. It was so much fun creating little works of art that my daughter could wear! Much of the joy in sewing is putting together beautiful fabric to create functional works of art.

Above and below are my very first fabric designs for sale! The designs are intended to be used in quilting, hence the simple squares. I am working on an exciting collaboration with Charlotte Wiggins of Bluebird Gardens Quilts and Gifts for one of a kind baby quilts.


Although I set aside my sewing endeavors the last seven years to focus on my miniature art and illustration, I continued to entertain the notion of designing for fabric. Recently my good friend Golders, who is also an artist, began designing for a great company called Spoonflower. Golders put together some really fun designs for Spoonflower. Here is her fabric collection and her blog post about her designs.

I am pleased to have the beginnings of a fabric collection on Spoonflower as well:

From the Spoonflower website:

"Spoonflower makes it possible for individuals to design, print and sell their own fabric designs. It was founded in May 2008 by two Internet geeks who had crafty wives but who knew nothing about textiles. The company came about because Stephen’s wife, Kim, persuaded him that being able to print her own fabric for curtains was a really cool idea. She wasn’t alone. The Spoonflower community now numbers around 70,000 individuals who use their own fabric to make curtains, quilts, clothes, bags, furniture, dolls, pillows, framed artwork, costumes, banners and much, much more."

I'll be creating more fabric designs and perhaps even sew some fun projects to sell in my Art Fire and Etsy shops!

Enjoy!