Sunday Sketches: Carnival Fun

It's been an intense week of non-stop illustration work as well as the launch of my latest online course, "Watercolor 101: My illustration Secrets". I'm excited about this course and the engagement of those who've signed up has been wonderful. The great thing about my online courses is that they're now always open. Meaning, peeps can sign up anytime they want and are able to take the course day or night, 7-days a week, with lifetime access. Woot!

This week I'm sharing with you a peek of the illustrations for one of my many upcoming children's books, "No Matter How Small". I've had a lot of fun developing the illustrations for this book, especially the carnival scene. Makes you want to hop on the merry-go-round, doesn't it? Hee

Wishing everyone a wonderful Sunday. Happy doodling! :)

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Sunday Sketches: Mason Jar Love

One of the simple things I've fallen in love with over the summer is planting little plants in various mason jars we picked up at the thrift store a few months back. It was fun to spend an afternoon with my baby brother back in May, planting tiny plants into a few small mason jars. Now, they're growing leaps and bounds and look so cozy in our kitchen window. In fact, just a few weeks ago, I took a few seeds from a lemon we had, planted them in the last empty mason jar we had....now it's sprouting up like you wouldn't believe!

With that said, those little jars displayed in the window inspired this darling illustration above. As I sat at my desk in the studio, I started thinking about the various things one can use mason jars for.  Talk about finding JOY in the simple things! Hee I'd love to hear what you would do with a box of empty mason jars around your home. :)

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Submit your artwork by signing up below with a link to your website/blog. PLEASE make sure to visit each other! One of the biggest reasons for this co-op is to encourage and lift others up in their creative endeavors as well. Thank you!

Sunday Sketches: Christmas in July...err, August?

(Click on the book cover above to see the entire MAGICAL illustration in detail)

Over the past few weeks, I've been mentioning the various children's book projects on my plate, including a super secret one. Well, I've been given the green light to start sharing about it and if you missed the initial announcement earlier this week, here it is again, along with some super cute sneak peeks of the process.

Introducing, "Mia's Magical Christmas Eve", which will be available in November. This is another fabulous collaboration with award-winning author, Karen J. Roberts. I'm looking forward to sharing more with you but until then, enjoy this tiny preview during this little....Christmas in July....err, August!

I'm off to see what everyone else has been up to. Happy Sunday Sketches, everyone! 

Grab the Sunday Sketches button HERE.
 
Submit your artwork by signing up below with a link to your website/blog. PLEASE make sure to visit each other! One of the biggest reasons for this co-op is to encourage and lift others up in their creative endeavors as well. Thank you!

Sunday Sketches: More JOY

For those of you who've followed along my journey for awhile now, you know I speak often of looking for JOY in the ordinary things surrounding us every day. Whether it's how the morning sun shines in your kitchen window, your family pet curled up so cute and cuddly on the sofa - whatever it may be...there is JOY in the ordinary around us.

Yesterday was a paint day. Meaning, I spent the entire day, even into the late night hours, painting. With all of the project deadlines rapidly approaching and feeling quite creative, I pushed through and accomplished quite a bit. Including this lovely daisy warm-up. I can't tell you just how much joy I find in taking 20 minutes or so out of each day to simply doodle or paint whatever is on my heart. Don't get me wrong, I love, LOVE the work on my desk. However, I've found my creative juices continue to grow and blossom by taking the time out each day to caress and mold my own creative spirit. Give it a try for a week and come back here and let me know how it has impacted your creative soul. I'd love to hear all about it!

In closing, here's another time-lapse movie I made, sharing my creative process for the beautiful daisies above. Enjoy and remember to find JOY in the ordinary...

   

Grab the Sunday Sketches button HERE.
 
Submit your artwork by signing up below with a link to your website/blog. PLEASE make sure to visit each other! One of the biggest reasons for this co-op is to encourage and lift others up in their creative endeavors as well. Thank you!

Sunday Sketches: Be Your Own Kind of Beautiful

It's been a lovely week spending time with family visiting from out of town for my step-daughter's wedding. The remaining peeps left on Friday morning so Mr. Toast and I are now enjoying a more laid back, peaceful weekend.

With August now arriving, I thought it fitting to do a tiny "hello august" illustration at one of our favorite coffee shops in town, The Little Bird Bakeshop. We visit this darling bakeshop almost every weekend, enjoying time with good friends, tasty baked goods and a warm cuppa. Uh huh. Come join us some weekend if you're ever in the neighborhood. :)

Wishing you a lovely weekend and remember, be your own kind of beautiful! Always believe in YOU!

Grab the Sunday Sketches button HERE.
 
Submit your artwork by signing up below with a link to your website/blog. PLEASE make sure to visit each other! One of the biggest reasons for this co-op is to encourage and lift others up in their creative endeavors as well. Thank you!