Mujer Mimosa - A Portrait

So as you can see....I have been working on a portrait for my Etsy store. This is another original that will be for sale. It's a lovely little piece that will be going in my Askew Portrait series. 

.... Detail .....

watercolor, acrylic and ink on watercolor paper

A Day of Celebration

My little Toot has been with us two amazing years! We let her have cake and ice cream all on her own because this was her day. I don't let her have candy and hardly anything sugary like this, but for her birthday I had to let her loose and she loved it. 

Enjoy sweetie pie! 

I baked and decorated the cake myself. I tried to let her help, but she lost interest after the sprinkles were put away.  It came out pretty good. Having My Girl has taken me back to my youth, when I used to bake and decorate birthday cakes for the family. I was so lucky to have a mother and father who made time for us and a do it yourself attitude that has stayed with me all my life. I will be passing these principals to my one and only girl. These are the best gifts any parent could give their children. We are blessed.

The Canvas Sneakers

I used an iridescent blue and violet on part of the droplet shapes and on the eyes and tongues. There are a lot of subtle details that can only be seen in person. I'm very happy with the finished pieces.

 

This is a nice detail on the back.

 

Time to move on to other projects. 

Earth Hour 2008

Remember the date Saturday March 29th at 8pm.....Lights Out.  

Click here to learn more. 

Rest your Tired Dogs.

I'm only showing the rear of the sneakers. I want the rest to be seen by my nephew first before I put more views up for everyone else to see. I'm pleased with the finished results. Working on canvas sneakers was a nice challenge and the paint was a good change for me. These two cute domesticated carnivorous mammals are, "Fonzy and Candy". 

Now that I'm done here with this project I can charge ahead with some portraits that I've got started in different stages. 

I'm also going start something with the Super Sculpey which I got a while back. I might just attempt making an insect of some sort. 

She Is for Horses

Another fantastic day! The Toot and I went to visit my friend Liz and this is where we were this morning. Liz and her daughter are volunteers at the Willie Ross Foundation -Equestrian Program. This was a great experience which I will never forget. Thank you Liz!

Liz is an artist and she also teaches Pacific Island dance. You can read more about her dancing here and her art here.

This is Kolohe and he was a sweetheart to let my little Toot ride on his back.


Getting ready to be saddled up.


This is her first time on a horse and she wasn't afraid to get on. I was so proud and excited for her. Yes, I was the one afraid, but I really wanted her to experience this. Just do it! I got a lump in my throut from watching her ride with no sign of fear.



This is a different horse that I caught enjoying the heat and sand. Beautiful Animals.



This was our view while we ate our lunch. I didn't want to leave. It was beautiful and I truly enjoy conversations with Liz.

Experimenting with Technology

This is something I've been working on at night. I created a sketch in my sketchbook and decided to add color on the computer with Illustrator. I still like the original sketch from my sketchbook. The line quality is a lot more richer and it has a handmade quality that I just appreciate so much more. Nothing like handmade. Well, I'm still experimenting and trying to figure out how to accomplish more of the handmade look with the tools available on the computer. I don't really know if that makes any sense, since I am creating the images with my own hand, but I'm using a different tool. As I'm typing this, I just remembered that I have a pressure sensitive pen to accomplish what I was just trying to explain. Okay, I'm a little dim. I forgot I had it. Back to the drawing board.

What's for Dinner Mom?

Well, I've whipped up some guacamole and made some tacos to go with that. We've also got some fresh strawberries from the Farmer's Market. Let's eat!

She Sketch

I had to get a portrait in. Something that had to get out of me. Something quick and rough to look at. A little sparkle too.

Great Day!

I'm giving a peek of the canvas sneakers I've been working on. I'm almost done and I'm looking forward to showing them to my nephew. This is his dog "Fonzy". This is my first layer of washes and I'll be working on its mate next. These are new paints that we got specifically for this project. I'm very happy with the painting and I hope Manny likes them.

Now, this is what I'm reading and it is a great read. It was a recommendation from one of the bloggers I enjoy reading. Isn't it wonderful when you find people who care about the same things you do. Before the internet I felt so different and isolated. There was no spark left in me. When I discovered Blogs I finally found some kindred spirits. Anyway, I am so happy I got this book. And the blog I'm speaking of is, "By Sun and Candlelight".

I feel like I'm getting an education catered to my beliefs and I don't have to pay thousands of dollars for this information. I love the internet and the good people who share their experience. I know I'm not a great writer, but I hope to give some inspiration to someone out there who sees some similarities in my life or art.

 

This has been a great day and I'm so grateful to have my family.

To Thelma, my friend. 

I miss you so much. 

When I read books like this, I know you are still teaching me to be happy and grateful.