Wendy's Sunflowers

Wendy's Sunflowers

Watercolor

11 x 14

I was inspired to paint these sunflowers for my mother-in-law Wendy.  Sunflowers are her most loved flowers, which I'm sure is because they are a very warm, and cheerful flower, just like she is.  This painting worked out really great for mothers day.  I had some prints made up and gave one to all of the special women in my life.. Thank you Wendy for your inspiring warmth, love, and cheerful attitude about life! 

Tiger Lily is Finished!!

Tiger Lily

Watercolor

8 x 10

She is all finished up and ready to send off..

Tiger Lily WIP

Tiger Lily

I am almost done with this kitty cat portrait.. Just a few more details to finish.. And shipping it off to arrive by Mothers Day!

Why I do what I do...

I just delivered the set of portraits yesterday.. and I was so nervous!  But as soon as the grandmother saw them, my nervous feelings turned to joyful feelings!  She loved them so much she had tears in her eyes!  Thank goodness.. I guess I am still so new at this and I find myself so vulnerable when I put my work out there to be judged.  But that is definitely something that will have to change since I want to pursue this as my career.  And I have been told that is will get easier as I go.  I'm so excited for what is ahead of me.  I have two commissions that I am starting soon.  One is of a mother and her two daughters on kindergarten graduation day, and the other an amazing scene of deer that my client got a picture of while on a trip with her husband.  Both are special memories, and they are entrusting me to paint these memories that will be treasured forever..  I love that I get to be a part of it, and that is why I do what I do.  

Home Rendering

Home Rendering

Watercolor

8 x 10

I just completed this home portrait rendering today.. I actually found it at the bottom of one of my art boxes a few days ago.. It has been half way finished for the past 6 years!  I wonder what else I will find...

The Brady Brothers

Kyren and Rowan

Finished, matted, and ready to go!  I am going to take these in today.. Still nervous but I am glad to be finished up with these.  Wish me luck!!

Pet Portrait

Tiger Lily

Watercolor

8 x 10

I am currently working on this pet portrait of a sweet little kitty named Tiger Lily.  She belongs to my Aunt, and I have heard how she keeps her giggling all day long.. She has the cutest, spunkiest little way about her..

All Finished up here!!

Kyren

Watercolor

8 x 10

I finally finished this little guy up!  Now the hard part for me.. I have to take the portrait to my clients.. I always get so nervous!  I wonder if that will ever change..  Do any of you artists that do commissioned work struggle with nerves?  I would love some advice from you on that! 

The Copper Kettle

The Copper Kettle

Watercolor

11 x 14

I staged this still life years ago.. In my high school years in fact.  Just found it in the closet and thought I would through it up!

Kyren, work in progress

All I have left to do is the plaid shirt to match Rowan (a previous portrait of Kyren's little brother), and a few details.

Kyren.. yet again..

I was unsatisfied with the last portrait of Kyren.. so I threw it away and started a new one.. I am going to try not to overwork this one.. 

Waiting For The Tide, Matted and Framed

Waiting For The Tide

10 x 13

Giclee Print $65.00

I decided to frame this piece in a driftwood frame with a double mat.  My intentions were to display this painting in a rich ornate gold frame, but when I took it in, I found that it just didn't work with it.  I had Giclee prints made on an acid free watercolor paper with an archival of over 200 years.  Each print comes mounted on a sturdy foam core board.  I would be happy to help with matting and framing if you need it.

Waiting For The Tide, the home stretch...

 

 Waiting For The Tide

10 x 13

I am so close to having this piece finished.  It will definitely be done today!  I just have to add a few more details to the boats and reflections to the people.  I can't wait to have this matted and framed.  Everything looks so much more awesome that way!

Waiting For The Tide, Work In Progress

It's slowly coming along.. I can't wait to add the dark shadows in the water!!  I just love how adding in the people really puts these giant boats into perspective.

Waiting For The Tide

I am working on this painting of some beached ships.. I just love the rusty colors on the ship in front.. It makes such a cool reflection on the wet beach.  Still a work in progress, but I plan on having it completed in a couple of days.  I'm still on my "ocean, shell, anything coastal" trend.  Although, with everything going on in the world right now.. I'm not so sure I want to be anywhere near the ocean.  It really is a tragedy, and so many are needing our prayers right now.

Seashells Finished

Shells
Watercolor
5 x 7

Alright!  I finished my seashell painting.  I am doing two more to go into a mat made for three.. So should be fun deciding what to do next!

Seashells

I am working on this seashell painting right now.. It certainly isn't the best, but it is fun.  I love anything to do with the ocean.  I have seashells all over my house, and have recently painted the soft blue green color in my girl's room, and bathrooms..  I just love that color of blue with cream, tans, light greens, and browns.  It's so airy.  Okay, I got a little off track there.  So I still have a little work to do on this small 5 x 7 painting, but should have it wrapped up in a few.  Then I will try another one!

Redfish Lake

This is one painting that I would love to attempt again.  I just wonder how different it would turn out with all of the new things I have learned.  Should be fun to see.  Redfish Lake is one of my favorite places.  My husband and I took our girls camping at Redfish last summer.  One of the best family vacations we have been on.  It is just so beautiful how Sawtooth mountains surround the small lake.  Stunning.

Palms in the Sunset

This painting is from awhile ago.  Not my best work of course.  I just thought I would put it up for fun.  It has been tapped to the back of my painting board for a couple years now and I finally took it off. 

Sale! Take 15% off your Commissioned Watercolor Portrait. Now through Mothers Day!

Sale!! I am running a special from now through Mothers Day, May 8th, 2011. Commissioned Portraits are now on sale for 15 percent off your total order. Gift Certificates available as well, and I will honer the same rate for Gift Certificates bought during this special.    http://www.etsy.com/listing/66203958/custom-watercolor-portrait

Original Price $300.00 >>> Sale $255.00
Original Price $350.00 >>> Sale $297.50
Original Price $425.00 >>> Sale $361.25
Original Price $600.00 >>> Sale $510.00

Boy With Sailboat

I came across this painting I did several years back.  It was just sitting at the bottom of a bin full of art supplies.  A great spot for it right?  I love the simpleness of this painting.  The colors are light, the boy is pondering in thought.  It inspires me in a way and brings to life the calm sounds and peacefulness of the oceans crashing waves on the shore.  Kind of crazy that I can get all of that just by looking at a little boy with a sailboat.  I guess I can just envision the view in front of him.  Wow, this really gets me excited for a family vacation to the coast.  Do you have any feelings when you see this painting or something similar to it?

Feeling Inspired

I made a trip to my art supply store a couple days ago, and treated myself to some new paints.. Winsor and Newton's Permanent Rose, Winsor Blue (green shade), and  Aureolin.  I am so excited to get painting!  Getting new brushes and paint's is like a child getting a new puppy!  I can't wait to play with them, and try new things.  It fascinates me the way that the colors blend together.  I also treated myself to a new palette.  This one is much larger than my others and has a lid on it to keep the paints wet.  So I am excited.  I am starting another portrait today.  He is a sweet little boy named Kyren and is the older brother to the previous portrait I recently finished of Rowan.  I will try to post my WIP later this afternoon or tomorrow morning.  Thanks for reading, and have a wonderful Thursday!

I Think I'm Done...

Okay.. I am getting to the point where I am afraid of overworking this portrait.  Sometimes it is just better to leave it alone.  I am pretty happy with how it has come together. 

Another Update

So I am nearing the end of this portrait.. It has been a great experience and insight to how a commissioned portrait will work.  It takes time and a lot of updates for my commissioner to see the painting come together.. Which I just love!  It is exciting and shows just how much work is really involved and how all the layers create something cool.  I hope this year will bring me more commissioned portraits and animal portraits as well.  This is what I love doing most and if I can get away with making my love affair with art my career, then bring it on!  Thanks for looking friends.

Nearing The End...

I am getting so close to finishing this portrait of my three handsome cousins.  Yet there is still so much to do as far as details, background, and shirts go.  I am planning on painting them in light blue and white pinstripe button up shirts.  The amount of time that is going into this portrait is a little more than I anticipated, however, this is also the first portrait I have painted with three people in it.  I am shooting to have the final portrait finished in this next week sometime.