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Thursday, April 28, 2016

A dash of love for you...and me!


Sometimes, all we need to get through a "bump" in the week is a little dash of love. I don't know about you but it's already been one of those weeks where I could use a bit - so I created some love for us all - a quick darling doodle. Uh huh.

If you've got the blues or not feeling well (like muwah) - whatever it is, simply grab a dash of love and sprinkle it all over. Before you know it, you'll be feeling better inside and out!

Sunday, April 24, 2016

Sunday Sketches: Exploring the Magic of Illustrating


A few weeks ago, I had mentioned about taking some online classes to improve my illustration techniques. The results have been amazing and has been building my confidence more and more as a children's illustrator. Who could ask for more?!

Each class is compiled of several, lengthy lessons and have been well worth the time spent exploring the magical world of illustrating. From understanding basic anatomy and movement to facial features/expressions, it's been super fun! I'm also enjoying using my blue pencil to place ideas down and then fine-tuning with my mechanical pencil afterwards, (as you can see above).

It's been a lovely Spring weekend thus far. Tonight, we're cozied up on the sofa with the windows open, smelling the fresh rain tumbling to the ground. It's incredibly beautiful here this time of year and we're so thankful for where we live. I've a folder filled with more photos and hope to share them later on in the week. Until then, happy Spring and happy Sunday Sketches!

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If you're participating in Sunday Sketches, you can grab the NEW 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 encouraging and lifting others up in their creative endeavors as well. Thank you.

Monday, April 18, 2016

Hello Monday. I love you.

Today is a new day where hope, excitement, and wonderful creative adventures flood my heart - and only Mondays can bring such feelings. Thank you, Mondays, for always bringing that fresh new start to a brand new week of anything is possible. Hello, Monday. Did I say, I love you?

beginning new takeoff start fresh launch embark anew brand-new untouched crisp different blooming restored

Enjoy the latest doodle of mine above, taken from a family photo of my father's parents holding me as a baby. You'll be seeing her popping up in various places. Isn't she adorable? Ha!

Here's to a lovely, new week for each of you! May it be filled with smiles & unexpected blessings.


Sunday, April 17, 2016

Sunday Sketches: Floral Patterns


This week, I played with some floral patterns that have been floating around in my creative mind for the past 6 months or more. It's one of those ideas I hope to transition into wallpaper and/or material at some point in time. Of course, it's on my list of, "Wouldn't that would be awesome to do one day?!" (Raise your hand if you've got one of those mile long lists on your desk?)

Anyway, I utilized my new Tombow brushes again, exploring the combination of colors and layers in each illustration. They need a lot of fine tuning but at least my ideas are now down on paper. I'd love to hear your thoughts and any ideas you might have for the above drawings or future ones.

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

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If you're participating in Sunday Sketches, you can grab the NEW 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 encouraging and lifting others up in their creative endeavors as well. Thank you.

Friday, April 15, 2016

The Footprints of Spring


The footprints of Spring are everywhere in our cozy neighborhood. Besides the half a dozen "pocket parks" scattered here and there, countless flowering trees are bursting forth with blooms...and the most incredible scents. Springtime is a favorite of mine as it not only reminds me of the blessings in my life but also of new journeys and joyful moments to come. Happy Spring!

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

The House on Rabbit Hill


...where friends are all around and teatime is every afternoon at 4:00. Don't be late or you'll miss special guests from near and far! If you're running behind, Mr. Maxwell will leave his lamps lit for you to light the way. Hurry now. Grab your sack filled with delightful goodies and come say hello.

For more contributions on the current theme, "lamps", hop on over to Creative Tuesdays. You're sure to find a bit of magic and a pocketful of smiles.

A special thank you to my hubby, Michael, for helping me in adding lights/darks. He's a great teacher and I'm quite proud of my very first digital painting. Thank you, Mooks! 

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Sunday Sketches: Magical Overalls


Wouldn't you just love to have a pair of magical overalls? You know, the kind that have lots of pockets, big and small, and every time you reach into one, you find something special tucked deep within. It could be a favorite charm from your best friend or maybe it's that seashell you found at the beach last summer? Who knows but magical overalls are the best! Uh huh. Can you imagine what this red haired young boy has tucked away deep in his pockets?  :)

As mentioned last week, I've been working on fine tuning my characters and technique, along with exploring some new mediums. Like these fabulous Tombow brushes above. They look like markers but are actually brushes with ink that paint in the most incredible way. The end results have a watercolor look and feel to them. What's even better are the multiple, yet simple, ways you can use them. For example, you can create shadowing by layering the the same color as many times as you'd like. Also, you can mix the colors with one another without ruining the tips of your brushes. I'm in love with them and will be implementing these into my children's illustrations.

It's been a long week here. I'm looking forward to sitting down with a cup of tea in hand, relaxing and catching up with everyone. Happy Sunday Sketches, everyone!

If you're participating in Sunday Sketches, you can grab the NEW 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 encouraging and lifting others up in their creative endeavors as well. Thank you.

Sunday, April 03, 2016

Sunday Sketches: Delighted Heart


As I continue to work through my online classes, custom work and picture books I'm illustrating, my childlike heart has been exploding in unimaginable ways! As the excitement and giddiness rises inside, memories from my childhood begin to surface. I reflect back to some of my favorites, such as spending time with my grandmother, learning to crochet or hot Sunday afternoon trips to the ice cream shop for banana shakes with my father.

Capturing all of those special moments on paper would be a dream, coming from an illustrator like myself. Not always easy to do. However, I certainly feel like I'm off to a really good start this past week and look forward to sharing more as the weeks progress. Simply exciting!

How about you? What do you like to do to capture those special memories in your life, whether it's photography, painting, writing - I'd love to hear about it.

If you're participating in Sunday Sketches, you can grab the NEW 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 encouraging and lifting others up in their creative endeavors as well. Thank you.