Pastel Drawing

I have never worked with pastels before. It is kind of neat we get to take a beginner course in mixed media. Next up is water color. Another new medium for me. This should be interesting.

My newest project

Did you know this makes my 9th or 10th blog..JEEZ! Well, this is for a good cause and I get to have fun and create kitty graphics. Might as well do something good with my talent, right? Click on the link to take you there.

NEW Graphic Design Blog

Click on the image to go. In order to keep my art separated, I have started a different blog for my portfolio. I will keep sharing here as much as I can and hopefully bring more folk art to this page when I have some free time (which seems like never, these days)

~Riverside Cemetery~

It has been a while since I shared any photography on here, so I thought I would add these. I took these last winter in Colorado. I miss that gorgeous blue sky.

Color Theory Final

Artist Statement:

The goal of my design was to create a piece that was abstract in nature, but evoked a familiar feeling from its viewer. The original inspiration was of art deco, the colors of the 70’s and Indian art. When playing with color strategies for this design, the colors of turquoise-blue the compliment of the orange-brown hues that I was originally intending to use, transformed the abstractness of this piece to something very familiar to me. Turquoise is used a lot in Indian jewelry and without intention this piece began to remind me of that. My desired outcome was to create something abstract, yet familiar to the viewer.

The use of slightly varying hues of turquoise and orange/brown create contrast along with the design conveying a slight vibration. My challenges when designing this piece were minimal. Changing the background to black created a more interesting visual effect. Also, connecting my zig-zag lines with rounded edges softened and connected the pieces as well as giving them a more natural feel.

I am very happy about the outcome and feel that it accomplished more than I intended from my stated goals. Personally, the 70’s were not my favorite in color scheme, so throwing in the gorgeous colors of turquoise has made this piece more attractive. I took colors and inspiration from things that I normally do not gravitate to so that it would challenge me artistically. It brought more satisfaction from stepping outside of my normal vibrant colors and “whimsical flare” art approach.

Pentagram

This one my teachers second favorite. It was mine as well. At least now I know I have a good eye. I was a little worried about whether she'd approve of them. I don't really consider myself an abstract artist, though I have done a few paintings. Here is what she said, "It has a completely different feel. It is very contemporary and reminiscent of modern painting." YEAH!!!!

Compliment

Bezold Effect

This is my favorite design out of the thumbnails for my final project. I like the turquoise and the brown, I think I managed to get the feeling I was looking for. It reminds me of jewelry in a way. It was my professors favorite as well, which I am thrilled. Here's what she said, ""This composition has a very rhythmic quality to it. You have used contrast which makes each of these examples striking. Your composition also makes great use of negative space as a design element."

I was supposed to work on some extra credit today and the day is three quarters over! Dang it! Hopefully, I get a good grade on this project at least.

Analogous

Color Theory - Thumbnails

This is completely outside the box for me. Abstracts are not my thing..but, I thought I would tackle it for this project. I call it a modern interpretation of Art deco, Indian & 70's.

Eccentric Dissonance

Compliment & Split Compiment

Color Theory Class. Honestly, I am not that impressed with my assignment, but whatever.... I got it done. I wish I had more time to play and create, but there is just not enough time. Between work, school and remodeling the house (oh and fostering kitties) it is just crazy in my world. I had to hire the neighbor kid to mow my lawn. This summer is flying by. I don't mind. It is too hot for me out there. The cool fall breeze is gonna be nice! I can't wait.

Queen of Hearts

Siamese Cat

Magnolia

Honda 1000R

Dedicated to my brother

VROOOOM!

Meow

Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cone

Looks pretty yummy, huh?
It was already 80 degrees at 8am this morning. It looks gorgeous out, but just a little too humid for my taste. So, I will be hanging inside, once again. I am getting a lot of practice with my drawing in Illustrator, so I am content.

Ice Cream

Looks yummy, doesn't it? We walked up to DQ this evening. I was real good and "did not get anything" After reading their calories...I am not sure I will be having DQ very often. This cone would be at least 500 calories!

Memorial Cupcake

Birthday Cup Cake

My New Obsession

Cup Cakes!

Cake, anyone?

Another quick drawing in Illustrator. So much fun to make, too!

Cherry Cupcake Anyone?

Yummy! It looks like I slaved over this scrumptious cup cake, doesn't it? NOPE. One thing I am good at is my quick drawing. I suppose it is a good quality to have as a cartoonist. I am very happy how my little cup cake turned out! Makes me want to make a whole slew of them!! heehee

Moving Banner - Beginner Flash

It's been over a year since I animated anything.
I am so happy that I have not forgot how to do it! lol Now, I am gonna play some more! Adios!

1/2 Hour Self Portrait

Though, it took little time, this was not as easy. That chin kept giving me issues. Oh, well. I am taking the rest of the night off. I will come back tomorrow and tweak it.

Illustrator girls

This was fun to make. Took me less than an hour. I love that I can quickly change the colors. Not sure which one I like best. They are all so cute!!

Digital Island Girl - Illustrator CS5

I could not resist playing in Illustrator again. I really like how this one turned out. Drawing in Illustrator reminds me of drawing in flash. I love this girls eye color and the vibrant head band.

Beginner Drawing in Illustrator CS5

COOL! I created my first drawing in Illustrator. I used the pencil tool. This is so different than my painting in Photoshop. Each part is a separate path. It only took me an hour. That's not bad for a beginner! I am feeling a little bit better about Illustrator now. Though, I would love to know if I can shade my painting. We will see!

Another Quick Painting in Photoshop

After hours of schoolwork, I had to practice painting in Photoshop. I know my lines could be crisper, but I am pretty tired of looking at my computer screen. So, I am hanging up my Wacom board for the day. I love the chocolate background.

Learning Shapes in Illustrator

Today, I learned how to make basic shapes and convert them into flowers. This tutorial was cool. The water is transparent. That was an interesting effect. This looks very simple to create, but it took me a while. Learning is so much fun.

Island Girl Gone Digital

Didn't I say I was gonna stop sitting in front of the computer and veg on the couch. LOL It's 930 already and I didn't relax at all. Oh well. I was having a little fun drawing one of my prior paintings in Photoshop. I am trying to master the pen tool. It's not easy! I experimented with smudge and opacity a little on this one. She's such a pretty girl. Who does she remind you of?

~Lazy Sunday~

It's a rainy day here. I have been working on school work most of the afternoon. I am a bit tired of looking at my computer screen, so I am not about to draw in Photoshop today. I kind of feel like being lazy and hanging on the couch. Not sure yet, if that is what I will do.

This 5x7 painting is one of my favorites. It was inspired by a Gritty Jane original. I could not find an image of it to share as she is not creating angel art anymore.

Simple Painting in Photoshop

Yeah! Summer is almost here. The weather has been pretty nice. When it's not raining that is. I start working part time soon. The hours are perfect for a college student.

I also invited mom to come have a craft day with me once a week. Mom started painting. Art runs in the family. Though, mom was like me and had not created in a very long time. I am going to help her with a blog, so she can share her art.

More Free Brushes

I tried some of the free Photoshop brushes that I downloaded. I also played with layers and opacity. These brushes are cool. There's a lot of free downloads out there. I am looking for some really cool fonts. My class this term is Design Applications. I am learning more about the Adobe products and even some computer stuff I did not know. Outside of that I have a bunch of free Adobe Illustrator drawing courses to take through school. I am finding out that, though I am pretty talented, I am clueless about drawing in them! Wish me luck.

Free Brushes & School

It's the 1st day of a new term. I downloaded yet another version of Adobe (CS5 Design Series) I wonder if I can sell my old versions. Anyway, part of our assignment this week was to download some free brushes. This was made with a floral brush I downloaded from http://freephotoshop.org Pretty cool, huh? In less than 30 seconds I made art. WOW. Now that's my kind of fun!

~Dodge & Burn~ Photoshop CS4

Worked on my shading techniques this morning. I am not formally trained in fine art, being a cartoonist I am not very good at making my girls look real. Though, I am happy with being a cartoonist, I do admire artists that can do much more. This girl is inspired by a Gritty Jane painting. I used the dodge and burn technique in the hair and above the eyes and under the chin. It's so much fun realizing what you can do in Photoshop.

Princess - Photoshop CS4

Trying something different... lol I'd like to work on a portfolio for children's art. It is a dream of my to illustrate for children's books. So, I have to start somewhere. Let the journey begin!

My lines are a mess here. I need to work on my outline technique. I am sure there is a simpler way to do this. Maybe break them up into layers. Oh well. She is cute, regardless.

More Practice - Photoshop CS4

All I want to do is play in Photoshop. This is another very quick painting. I have been a bad girl. I have not tried any new techniques. Just learning to draw my lines well on the computer is hard enough. Oh well.

I love Carla Girards whimsical flowers. Here I added a manipulated version of her flowers to one of my angel paintings.