Sunday Sketches

(© 2013 BCD Illustrations - Starbucks, Fort Collins, CO.)

My apologies to all my lovely friends and peeps out here.  As you know, I'm in the middle of moving and settling in.  I'm not quite to where I can actually unpack yet, so all of my art supplies are not available for another week or so.

Please accept my apologies!  If you've completed artwork, please feel free to still sign up and I'll be sure to visit everyone this afternoon.

Starbucks LOVE

I was surprised this morning with this wonderful Starbucks - (a peppermint mocha w/half the syrup and LOTS of whipped cream, mind you!) - from an amazing guy in my life.  Gotta love him!  He really made my morning and put that extra kick in my walk! Uh huh.  :)

Sunday Sketches

Hello and WELCOME to another FANTASTIC week of sketching, painting and all things art!  I'll be away for most of the weekend moving, but plan to visit everyone at some point on Monday.   So far, the move is going well and I look forward to sharing photos of my new space, the puppy and much more.

Above is a doodle which represents a part of my every day life.  Tea, cookies, cakes - anything sweet, actually. Uh huh. Hee.

Happy SS to all of my wonderful peeps!  Make sure to take a peek at the new snapshot of my puppy on the sidebar.  Isn't he TOTALLY adorable?  Brendel Jo is his name. :)

Grab the Sunday Sketches button here.

This week's participants:
Please sign-up below to submit your sketch for this week, which will also allow others to stop and visit.

We're MOVING!

It's that time of year when life brings about changes, such as MOVING!  Sigh.  :D  Anyway, just a quick announcement to let you know my puppy and I are moving to our new home in just a few days.

I'm really looking forward to the new location, space and studio room.  So, be on the lookout for fabulous photos of our coming adventures throughout this next year.  I want to send out a special thanks to my friends, J & M, for allowing me to live in their beautiful home while they spend the next year in Australia.  :)

Creative Tuesdays - ALPHABET

 

Uh huh.  Yep.  It's time for another Creative Tuesdays.  Are you ready?  I certainly am!  ALPHABET was the theme for this round.  It was definitely challenging but once I determined my approach, it all fell into place - and I couldn't be happier! 

To start with, I sketched out every single latte and frappuccino cup by hand, followed by a design on each.  Once this was completed, I added my first layer of watercolors to each cup, left it for 24 hours to dry, returning this evening to add the second layer of color to provide the 3D affect.  Finally, I wrote out a list of drinks from a to z, then transferred to my illustration.  Introducing my latte and tea alphabet!  Hee

The first picture is an actual photo of the art so you can see the lovely watercolor affect.  The second is a scan, simply so one can read each of the names of the lattes and frapps.  Nummy!

No matter what tea, latte or coffee you drink, you're bound to find your favorite in the selection above.  So, what are you waiting for? Grab your cuppa, pull up a chair and stay for awhile.  :)

Sunday Sketches

I'm amazed at how quickly summer is passing and I've still so much to do!  In two more months, I'll be back to the books, studying away.  In the meantime, enjoy the quick sketch above as I attempt to work out some tea pot and tea cup designs in head on paper.  :)

On another note, as I sit here at Starbucks this early evening, rain pattering against the pavement, I recognize tomorrow is Father's Day.  It will now be the second one since my father passed 18 months ago.  Although it feels easier in some ways, it's still incredibly difficult at other times.  Tears well up when I think of the last time I saw him - sitting next to his bed, holding his hand and gently singing to him.  He loved it when I would do so.

As some of you already know, I didn't grow up in a great home (see sidebar) environment.  When I last visited with my father, we talked about various situations growing up.  God gave my daddy and I the opportunity to mend the broken past and I'm thankful for it.  I know he's in heaven now, although there are many times I wish we had more time together...

Grab the Sunday Sketches button here.

This week's participants:
Please sign-up below to submit your sketch for this week, which will also allow others to stop and visit.

Got Cuppa?

Good morning! It's been awhile since I've participated in Paint Party Fridays and am SO glad to be
a part of it this week! Yeah! Below are a few illustrations I'm working on for a customer. I've got several other changes and tweaks to make so keep an eye out as I "explore" the hot cuppa world. :)

I would really like to hear your feedback as I'm doing some medium experimentation on my end. Which is your favorite? What do you like or don't like? Is there anything you'd add...or remove?

Have a HAPPY FRIDAY! :)

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For more wonderful PPF work, make sure to stop over here.

Introducing Dory (my pa-doodle)

After taking care of a very sick puppy all morning and part of this early afternoon, I sat down to put to paper a familiar saying to many of us, constantly swirling around in my mind - "Just Keep Swimming!"  Good ol' Dory, from Finding Nemo, often makes her way into my heart and mind, pushing me through some of my challenging days.  Silly, but oh so true.

Above is my heart tribute to Dory. My very own, "Pa-DOODLE" = Doodle + Paint.  Hee Hee :)

Sunday Sketches

Here's a little idea I'm currently working on.  It's been in my head for several weeks now, but not quite going down on paper as I'd like.  So, we'll see how it transitions here and there, in between the ongoing custom orders over the summer break.  I do envision it eventually being a watercolor to give it that soft, childlike feel.  I'd love to hear your ideas of what to add, change, etc.  :)

On another note, I've been feeling a bit under the weather tonight.  From roommate issues, the stress of my upcoming move (lease is up) and some ongoing pain in the left side of my jaw.   Sigh.  Oh dear me.  Bring on the comfy sofa, throw blankets and the perfect cup of tea.  Uh huh.

I'm looking forward to visiting everyone this week and hope you're all doing well.

Grab the Sunday Sketches button here.

This week's participants:
Please sign-up below to submit your sketch for this week, which will also allow others to stop and visit.

Beatrix Potter Inspiration & Personalizations

I love this little bunny all cozied up in her pink bed!  Isn't she darling?  One of my very own illustrations inspired by Beatrix Potter and her story of overcoming great loss in her own life.  She is truly my art inspiration.

I'm ready to do more of these darling small paintings, so feel free to email me at bluechairdiary@yahoo.com to place your order.  These original watercolor illustrations are 4x6 for only $18.00 and can be customized to a girl or boy bunny, with any color you desire.  I'm also offering 10% of all orders for the month of June, whether a custom order (FREE set-up fee) or items from my wonderful shop.  What a deal!

So, what are you waiting for?  Brighten someone's heart and imagination with my darling Beatrix Potter inspired illustrations.  :)

Creative Tuesdays - CANDY

I've been fairly busy this past week in the studio, focused on a few custom orders for my clients.  Between working at the school during the morning hours and spending my afternoons creating, I've been just as busy as if I was taking classes

Anyway, I've taken a small break from the custom orders to put my "candy" idea to paper for this round of Creative Tuesdays.  I really liked this challenge and actually incorporated my Facebook friend's favorite candy into this particular piece.  It was fun for all of us! What candy do YOU spot in the illustration above? Tee hee  :)

I've already added some other shading and edits since this photo, so I'll be sure to post an updated and final photo when it's ready.  Happy CT!

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For more wonderful, creative ideas, make sure to visit Creative Tuesdays.

Sunday Sketches

Hello and WELCOME, old and new peeps!  :)  This past week has just flown by, but in a good way.  I've been at school working in the Mathematics Department during the morning hours and working away on custom illustrations in the afternoon.  I LOVE it!  (Did I say just how MUCH I love it?  Uh huh.  Oh yeah.  Hee)  Although I do miss my academic studies (call me crazy!), I'm thoroughly enjoying my break. :)

Above is my new owl I developed earlier this afternoon.  Isn't he adorable?  All he needs is a name!  I've a feeling there's going to be more of these little fellows in the future.

OK.  Off to see what everyone else has been up to this past week.  Thank you for your patience as I get back into the swing of blogging, etc.  It's taken me more than just Sunday to catch up with everyone.  Hugs! xx

Grab the Sunday Sketches button here.

This week's participants:
Please sign-up below to submit your sketch for this week, which will also allow others to stop and visit.