Digital Sketching And Cards

I have been obsessed with digital sketching these days.  My new combo is to create a digital sketch in  Paper 53 (my fav drawing app!)  and then add photo filters.  Currently my fav photo filters are Snapseed, PicTapGo, Pixlromatic, and Distressedfx.  It gives my sketches that bit of grunge I love so much.  

This particular sketch I printed out on matte photo paper and made a pretty card with it.  It is currently in my etsy shop.  I plan on creating many more of these with my digital art as well as images of my watercolors.  Hopefully I will get those uploaded to etsy soon.  

available on etsy

click here

If you check out any of those apps let me know!  Would love to hear what you think and of course see what amazing work you create!  Paper 53 is a must see!  So fun!

Hope you are all well enjoying the summer which of course is flying by too fast.

xo

New Digital Art and An Etsy Sale!!

Its hard to believe how much a photo image can be transformed!  Last night I used a recent sunset/tree image and played with it in the Art Studio app on my iPhone to transform it into this piece of digital art, 'Be Still' .  I just love what you can do.  I wish the screen was bigger because it seriously burns my eyes staring at such a small screen especially when I am tired.  lol

Hope you all enjoyed the long holiday weekend.  I tried to stay away from shopping this weekend and
relaxed at home.  Hard to believe Thanksgiving is over already!  

Lastly I wanted to let you all know that today I am having a sale in my etsy shop.  Use the coupon code "CYBERSALE12"  for 50% off!!  

To check out what I have for sale these days 

Click HERE!!

xo

An Unexpected Surprise

original pencil drawing by James Watson

A couple of weeks ago I was contacted through my etsy shop by James Watson, an artist requesting my permission to sketch one of my pug photos. I was very surprised especially given the amount of pug images listed that he would want to sketch mine.

It was also emotional. As most of you know my pug Bosco passed away back in September. It is still hard for me to look at his picture. Although he is all over my etsy store and on my computer! I cannot go too far without seeing his sweet face.

This is the image he worked from . . .

"Missing You"

available on etsy

James' work is AMAZING!! My husband and I love this drawing!! He captured the emotion in my photo and sometimes I think it looks better than the original image! He sent me a scanned image that I printed out and will frame. The original sketch is available in his etsy shop. He also does commissions.

Check out James' work on etsy HERE and on facebook HERE !!

Beyond The Trees - New Photo Collage Finished!

For those of you who missed yesterday's post I shared the beginnings to this piece. I decided to go with the blue and raw umber color palette and I am very happy I did! I love how this piece turned out. It looks better in person as I still don't take good photos of my work and this 11x14 was too big to scan. lol

Here is the photo of how it began that I shared yesterday. And I did love what the black background did for my painting process.

I really was able to get in a zone for a bit and smear some paint around trying not to worry about what was happening. Here is part of the process below. I liked it at this point and debated going any farther. This is always the point where I fear ruining it! This canvas had 2 other 'paintings gone bad' on it but that gave great texture to the new painting!

That payne's gray is my fav. I love the shade of blue it becomes when mixed with titanium white! And the raw umber goes so nicely with it. And then there is stamping . . . my dogwood once again (love) and butterflies!

Beyond The Trees

mixed media on 11x14 wrapped canvas

available on etsy

Thanks to those who left a comment on yesterday's PPF post!! I so appreciated all the encouragement at the beginning stage of this piece!

Wishing you all a great day!!

xo

Birdie Painting And An Etsy Sale!

Birdie Love

mixed media on 8x10 canvas board

available on etsy

I have been painting more this week and it is helping me feel better. This little birdie I shared for Sunday Sketches last week. Despite the face that she gained a bit of belly weight from her sketch (lol) I love how this painting came out! I love light blue and yellow together. I am addicted to stamping too. I recently bought a dogwood tree stamp. Love it! As you can see it showed up in a few places on this canvas!

I also found a bin at the craft store with stamps for $1. Well, I just had to check them out and found this cute stamp with the words "delight in the little things". I thought it fit well with this birdie.

And I am excited to announce the first sale in my etsy shop! I am having a summer sale in my shop from today till the end of this month. Just remember to use the coupon code SUMMERSALE1 in the coupon box at checkout.

You will find my little birdie there too :)

Hope you are all having a great start to the weekend!

xo

Sketching . . . How I've Missed You

"Her Heart Waits . . ."

With all of the photography work I have been doing it felt good to pick up my graphite pencils, grab my sketchbook and get to sketching! It has been awhile and I realized that I miss it. There is just something about the simplicity of pencil and paper that draws me in.

I often fear that when I get stuck in one medium (lately it is photography) that somehow I will forget how to do any other type of art. Sounds pretty silly doesn't it?! I am embarrassed to even admit that to you guys! Have you ever felt that way?

I need to realize that hopping around is part of the process. And it can be fun! That is if I let it be.

At first I sketched out this girl with no window. And then I wondered where she was looking. So I drew the window frame, added the stars and it felt complete. Now if only I could paint this! Maybe I will try if I can tear myself away from my photos!

Oh and today I was pleasantly surprised to find out that my coffee mug photo is included in this lovely treasury on etsy! You can check it out HERE!

NYC, Janet, And An Etsy Treasury

Hello my friends! Hope you all had an enjoyable weekend! I am here to report that the Janet Jackson concert was AMAZING!!! She performed all of her #1 hits which was great! I remember buying her Control album when I was in high school in the 80's. I have been a fan ever since then. She looked great and her dancing is incredible to watch. I was up on my feet dancing for most of the concert!

We saw her at Radio City. I wanted to share a couple of photos I took in and around the theater. Boy was the city bustling Saturday night! We ate dinner at a fabulous italian place, Nizza's before heading to the show. If you are ever in NYC it is worth a visit!

And this morning I found out one of my art prints is included
in a lovely etsy treasury!

"Make a Wish"
8x8 Print of Original Painting

You can take a peek at the treasury HERE!
And thanks for all the great comments on my last post!

Believe . . . She Has Joined My Etsy Shop!

"Believe"

mixed media on 8x10 canvas board

Thanks for all the great comments on my last post. I have been in the grungy black and white thing for a few weeks now and when I was in my studio this morning I saw this painting. I created her over the summer and she is definitely one of my favorites. I went with the pink and brown palette and embellished her with butterfly stickers. I also used bubble wrap for some texture as this was my pre molding paste days. She was so fun to paint!

I felt it was time to add her to my etsy shop. I listed her today. Although she clashes with my new black and white pieces she has renewed my love of pastels! Maybe I am ready for a color change . . .

My Pug Is In An Etsy Treasury!

Bosco has been quite popular on etsy. Yesterday I found out he is included in a super cute pug treasury titled May I Have Your Attention, Please! by Tangledwood.

He is my favorite subject to photograph! I just can't get enough of that cute face!

Check out the treasury HERE!

PS . . . Thanks for all your great comments on yesterday's post! I listed a print in my etsy shop of that winter scene. I printed it out the other night on matte photo paper and loved the results! You can see the new listing HERE!

Christmas Image . . .

I took this picture last Christmas. It is our little tree perched on the bay window sill. One night I looked at it and thought about how the glow of the lights was so lovely. I wanted to capture that moment. I altered it in a sepia tone....oh how I love sepia!

Yesterday I listed it in my etsy shop. I think it would make a nice Christmas card!

Hope you all had a great holiday and are enjoying a creative weekend!

Seek Peace. . . . A New Painting

"Seek Peace . . ."

mixed media on 9x12 canvas board

Sold

Here she is in her painted version! Although I like the original sketch better I do like the color palette which was a mystery to me even as I was painting her. She ended up more goth than I expected! This time I used some distress ink around the edges and I like the effect it gives. This one is also inspired by Tam's class Art, Heart, and Healing. Check out the link along my sidebar and join us if you haven't already!

In other news I sold my first painting! And I wasn't even trying. I have not listed any of my paintings in my etsy shop as I don't feel confident enough in them yet to sell them. I just posted a photo of it on FB to share it with some friends as I always do with my artwork and I received a comment from someone that loved it. He asked me if I would consider selling it because he wanted to give it to his 8 year old daughter who is an aspiring artist. She recently won a first place award in an art contest and told me how proud he is of her. He thought my painting would help inspire her to follow her dream.

I have to say I got all choked up hearing this story. I instantly thought back to when I was her age and won the first place ribbon for my pastel butterfly. Then I thought about how neither of my parents ever encouraged me with my creative interests. I waited until the age of 40 to begin painting. I instantly felt a connection to this little girl who is blessed with a dad that wants to support and inspire her dreams. That pretty much sealed the deal for me. I felt it was no accident that I was presented with this opportunity to help inspire her. It was syncronicity for me! You can see the photo of that painting here.

Oh, and one more thing . . . thanks so much for your lovely comments on my sunset photo!

A Birthday Themed Bosco!

I took this photo last week for a custom etsy order. The request was for a pug photo card with a birthday theme. I didn't make any promises as my little guy hates to pose and hates clothes (especially hats) even more. My hubby helped me with the hat and held Bosco still.

This was the best one of the lot! I took the shot in color and then digitally altered it with an antique tone. He so doesn't look happy but is still darn cute! Then again I am biased since he is my furkid!

Hope you are all enjoying a lovely weekend! It finally feels like fall here in NY! YAY! Finally cool weather!

Wow! Another Etsy Treasury . . . For My Pug!

Missing You

5x7 fine art photo card

I listed this photo card of my little boy Bosco in my etsy shop yesterday. This is actually the photo I sketched from which I recently shared with you. (see that post here). It is one of my favs. I think the black and white captures the essence of his expressive face!

This card has been included in an etsy treasury titled "Pug Love" by Hyacynthe. (check out the treasury here!) This treasury is too cute! It is filled with all kinds of cute pug themed items! Who doesn't love pugs?! I am very excited to have my card included! A big thank you to Hyacynthe!

And I also would like to thank Debbie over at The Wug's Backyard Blogspot for featuring my etsy shop in her blog post today! She did a lovely job and I am honored to be featured! Thanks Debbie! (Check out her post here!)

I am having a lovely weekend and I hope you are too!

My Angel Card Is Featured In An Etsy Treasury!

I want to take a moment and thank Realfaery on Etsy for including me in their treasury Natural Love today! Check out the treasury here!

I am very excited to have one of my photo cards part of such a lovely treasury!

And of course I couldn't wait to share my exciting news with all of you!

Stumbling Through Fear . . .

I first discovered Etsy back in November of 2005 not long after it was launched. Back then I was making handmade beaded jewelry. I was having fun giving them away to family and friends. I had a thought about opening up an Etsy store and selling some. No pressure, just for fun. But as with most things in my life I felt that my work wasn't good enough. Then I thought "Who am I" to even consider something like that! Needless to say I never opened a shop.

Finally this past December, 4 years later I jumped in and opened a one to sell my photography. I had used my own photo to make Christmas cards and loved it. Even with all the same voices telling me I wasn't good enough I somehow pushed through and put my work out there. And although it was scary it did feel good. These are two of the very first cards I made but for whatever reason I never listed them. I think its time they took their place in my shop!

On this first card is a photo I took of the clock down at Grand Central Station in NYC. I used metallic bronze card stock embellished with a gold heart sticker.

The photo on this next card I took last year around Valentine's Day. The box of chocolates is from my husband. I loved how it looked along side the lamp. I shot this photo without looking. I just held it up, pointed it downward and clicked the button. I surprised myself with the results.

Have any of you fought those same thoughts telling you your work was not good enough? And if so did it make you stumble for a bit preventing you from putting it out there?

Angels and Love . . .

It is amazing what you can find amongst the everyday items laying around the house that would make good composition for a photo. I took this photo last winter. It is an angel statue my friend gave me when my father passed away 2 years ago which I set between votive candle holders. It is set on the shelf of our tall standing lamp with the light shining on it. I took this in color but digitally altered it in sepia (my favorite tone for many photos!) because I loved the antique feel it elicits.

I also used this picture for handmade Christmas cards I sent out last year. The sentiment it exudes just felt right for the holidays. I will be listing it in my Etsy shop. It is one of my favs!

Hope you are all having a great Saturday!