Holiday Sprites

Happy New Year!

Hard to believe it's already 2014! I don't know what happened in 2013 but it wasn't until the end of the year that I really started to engage myself more in art and start playing around more with my art. Definitely will let that continue into this next year!

I have expanded my presence more onto other websites but I love using this blog to put the different steps of my projects into one entry - such as the holiday sprites below. 

Making sprites is always a joy for me and I really wanted to get back into making them again. I was a little ambitious this year in tackling a large quantity of sprites in a short time (my Christmas spirit was delayed by the warm weather, bah!).  

Sketches for the holly and poinsettia sprites.
Watercolor pencil and col-erase pencil.

The collection of 2.5x3.5 sprites given away to friends and family.
Acrylic with metallic watercolor wash.

A 5x7 poinsettia sprite - given to a close friend of mine.
Acrylic with metallic watercolor wash.

A 5x7 poinsettia and holly sprite - given to my family.
Acrylic with metallic watercolor wash.

A 5x7 holly sprites - exchanged during the Very Merry Art Trade.
Acrylic with metallic watercolor wash.

 Of course, I had to paint my cats for my wonderful boyfriend, hehe.

Oliver, Singer and Sargent.
5x7 Acrylic with metallic watercolor wash.

May this year be fruitful and bright for all of us!

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30 Day Challenge: Day 3

First of three paintings for an upcoming art show. I love gouache despite how temperamental it can be. A lot of things I wish I could go back and fix, but overall, very happy with the result.

"And so she slept in the stars: Moon" - 6" x 9"
Gouache and acrylic on Arches Cold Pressed Watercolor Block

Commission: A Little Girl's Fantasy Land

I have done a few murals for the family who commissioned this piece. After the second mural I did for their youngest daughter, the oldest asked me if I could paint her imaginary world. At first, she wanted a mural, but I suggested a painting - to which the mom agreed. Later in the day, I was delivered a drawing from the girl, and felt completely inspired to use the drawing as the foundation of the painting. I was also inspired by the trend of turning toddlers' drawings into art pieces or photography. 

For Avalon: A Little Girl's Fantasy Land

Acrylic on canvas, 16"x20"

Avalon's original drawing

Sketchy Saturday

I've been having fun using excess paint and other mediums for my sketches. 

Here's also a WIP for a challenge on CGHub:

When Being Chased By Lions, Let the Hummingbird Guide You

When Being Chased By Lions, Let the Hummingbird Guide You

Acrylic on canvas board, 9"x12"

Had a dream a while back, where I was being chased by lions in a forest. A black hummingbird, whose red skeleton I could see, guided me to safety. 

I've been working on this concept for a couple of weeks, mainly because there aren't too many hummingbird skeleton references out on the internet. Decided to break out the acrylics for this, and it felt nice to try out some new techniques. 

Also included a horrible photo of the gouache study I did and the sketchbook page exploring the idea: