holidays and links to enjoy

Since it's still the holidays, and I have spent time making and giving gifts, and have no new art to post, I thought I would give you some links to some of my favorite artists (not in any particular order):

love the biographical story element--

http://esart.com/collections/index.php?collection=28

these remind me of illustrations from stories in a children's encyclopedia I had as a child--

http://www.katherinechiu.net/pages/portraits08.htm

love the colors and characters and well executed details--

http://adamalaniz.com/images/alaniz_paintings.html

the textures and titles are fabulous--

http://www.jasherlynch.com/site/Home.html

i just love all of this guy's work--

http://benstrawn.carbonmade.com/projects/45188

And, a lot of other artists which I will probably link to sporadically throughout my blogging experience. I have to link to this site, too, since I have discovered a lot of amazing artists through it (I have it as a gadget on my Google home page)http://www.artistaday.com/

happy holidays! My favorite one is coming up soon...New Years!

While the last painting is in progress, here is the beginning of another one I thought I would post. I have tons of projects going right now, as I am also making a bunch of Christmas presents, so please be patient when waiting to see the final works.

In progress...

...still much to do and quite possibly change. The left side of the canvas needs a makeover. Can't wait to change it!

finished work, title: Storm Underground

This is another multilayer mixed media piece, finished before I photographed it. I am working on some others, and will post them soon.

sketchbook project

I have been working on my sketchbook project from the Art House Co-op for a while now, and I finally uploaded some of it's pages. Feel free to check it out...

http://arthousecoop.com/users/My-Own-Mind

Art House Co-op is a pretty cool site, it's a great way to get back into art on a regular basis. They have tons of projects you can get involved in, and they send you materials (for a minimal fee). You can show your portfolio as well as projects you are involved in on your own page. The sketchbook project is going to be a library of sketchbooks in Brooklyn, NY when they are all turned in. Art House Co-op is stationed in Atlanta, GA currently but will be moving to Brooklyn soon.

I still have a long way to go to finish my sketchbook...due at the beginning of January! Wish me luck!

finished work, title: "He Said She Said"

The work is finally complete! For details on media, just see my last post.

second and third layers

This is still a work in progress. I am experimenting with different line qualities and color combinations. The top image is actually layer 2 of the work, and below it is the image of layer 3. Once again, the media is India ink, watercolor pencils and graphite. I use calligraphy pen tips as well as brushes to apply the inks. (size is also 5"x7")

I remember you.

Here's a completed piece, same mixed media, same size (India ink, watercolor pencils, graphite, 5"x7") varnished on gessoed wood panel.

the finished work: "To the duka to buy some taffy"

And, just as I promised, here is the same piece, a few layers later. The translucent liquid quality of ink is too delicious. Here is a short story about the title:

"Duka" means "shop" in Swahili. When I was a kid, I used to walk down the road and buy these taffy bars at a little tiny shop built out of wood with a corrugated metal roof. They only cost one shilling (this is in Kenya, mind you) at the time, and came in several great flavors. I think strawberry was my favorite.

Welcome to my first blog post! I love the process of making art as much as the finished work, so I have decided to blog my process. I am currently working in India ink, graphite and watercolor pencils on 5"x7" gessoed wood panels. I am experimenting with layering, and subtracting. On this one I am messing around with sandpaper (as you can see has taken off the right side of the image).

Be sure to come back later to check out the progress...this is just the beginning.