As Time Stands Still...

... I swear some of my work could literally take years to complete. You see it's my own creations that take all of my emotion, passion, and sometimes depression.

... working on portraits for my clients it's such a wonderful Escape. To create pieces no not they're going to enjoy for a lifetime and perhaps four generations. It's these kinds of works that move right along smoothly... with time. Holidays come and go, as do my portrait works.

... so here you have an example of one of my pieces that has been standing still since the end of last year... I'll get to you, sometime.

An Angel's Portrait, Stillborn, Still Loved ❤

When approached to do a portrait...a portrait of an angel... left speechless, and couldn't imagine what a family dealing with this extraordinary loss must be going through.

As the only memento, a photograph of their sweet little baby. Which to me speeks volumes, a tiny little body of a little girl whoes spirit is now in heaven.

With the thought of having to do this sweet angel's portrait I could transform their photograph into a living beautiful baby whose soul shines from her tiny face. A memento that her parents can look at with joy and comfort.

Words can't express the emotion that goes into one of my pieces... please don't hesitate to reach out. I'm hear to listen to your story, no matter how heartbreaking it may be.... my client's are inspiring me every day.

Custom Portraits with A Bit of Whimsy 🦋

Time has gone on... as did my passion for art. Like my drawings, looking at a blank piece of paper, I never really know what will come to life. I feel as though my career in art is parallel with my individual drawings. In that I would never have imagined that portraiture was a path meant for me.

Nor would I have imagined that my love for art could ever progress. It has grown in leaps and bounds. I can attribute that to all of the beautiful people that I have had the blessings to get to know, as well as beloved families. Complete strangers have been able to share their loved ones with me in a way that is so personal. I feel honored to be able to do what I do on a daily basis. And to know in my heart that this is what I will be doing for the rest of my life.

I've been able to help create life long keepsakes. Precious moments that are frozen in time. And at times mementos to remember a beloved one has been lost. Families heartbroken over a loss of a child...knowing that in a small way, I've been able to bring a bit  comfort to them.

Always, it's my dear clients and their stories that are a constant inspiration to me.

Drawing Every Day Learning Every Day

A few pieces that I've done recently ~

Graphite is still my go to medium. It's honestly part of me and will always be *my medium. Although colored pencils that I've experienced with much in the past simply don't seem to have the same effect... they're too soft. 6H is my graphite favorite by far. My work revolves around the delicate fine lines ... this I can achieve with the 6H going up the latter of course for layering. I simply can never get a fine enough line when it comes to colored pencils.

Once the penciling is in place, I almost always now add some watercolors. I've added to my arsenal when it comes to paints and brushes... truly falling in love with the medium more and more each day.

Long  story short, I don't think I'll ever stop learning, truly everyday that I sit down to work on a piece I feel is a learning experience. I'm often told that I am talented. I always say that I chalk it up to lots of practice and a ton of willpower. I can certainly attribute my art to my determination/passion.

Watercolor ~

I've said time and time again... "I'm not a painter".  My comfort zone has always been and will always be pencils. Watercolors happened by chance. Realizing that my pieces needed a pop of color. It's with great uncertainty to attempt to touch my drawing paintbrush with the fear that I'm going to ruin it.

I picked up my first paint brush in 2012. I've since come more comfortable with the medium. But have yet to create a piece that is entirely a "painting".

Here is my most recently play with watercolors ~

Titled "Longing to be Hidden"

It's where she belongs... never to be seen, always in the background. The comfort she feels of being invisible consumes her. The very thought of being "seen" is her worst fear.

Still Obsessed with Coffee Staining

The first piece I ever did was completely by chance. In 2012 I started exploring with color as pencil has has always been my choice medium. I always felt that adding color would "ruin" it. So, with wanting to live on the edge experimenting with watercolors, only had a few colors disposal (pink & blue if I remember correctly).The piece that I had been working on felt as though needed some earthy tones. In the back of my head I was thinking, "I know I've heard of tea staining before, why not give it a try". Low and behold, no tea bags in my house. With of course tons of coffee at my disposal, it was sort of a no brainer.

Fast forward to today... New year, new art... 

Untitled

Don't Be Afraid to Dream

Untitled

Portraits, Portraits & More Portraits...

Simply put, I have the most amazing customers. I've had the honor and privilege to see the visions of their loved ones come to life! 

For starters I was trusted with sweet "Hercules". I've never even attempted to do a pet portrait before... I kept saying to myself throughout the drawing "do I even know what I'm doing?" Nevertheless, thank goodness... he came out looking very handsome ;)

I've been entrusted with a couple of recent seniors who's senior pictures were oh so beautiful... truly an inspiration and joy to create!

Regardless of the subject... I'm always so very grateful for the opportunity to create for others.

A Fantasy Scene for a Kindred Spirit ~ Graphite Pencils and Coffee Staining

I just completed this piece for a very special customer... she is truly a kindred spirit and has the most amazing visions. I used all graphite pencils with just a touch of coffee staining to complete this magical scene. She's sort of a lost soul, searching for a purpose in life. It was hard to see this one go, I get so connected to my work.
 

Reflections of Time Gone By

I honestly feel like a broken record "where has the time gone?" 2014 for me has been the year of commissions. I have been so busy with portraits and custom artwork that I'm afraid I've only got a few original pieces to show for 2014. This has been a first for me... there is nothing more that I love than staring at a blank piece of paper and waiting to see what will come to life. I've had that luxury a few times over the course of the year. This piece although was a commission I had free reign... "A girl with sunflowers" was the only requirement... this was the outcome. This piece I finally finished last month.. she was a piece started back in the Spring of 2014.. I didn't want to rush to finish her, she needed my undivided attention. She's my favorite from the year by far.... she's called "Without Wings".

Last but not least... here is a piece I sketched recently... I wish I had more time, I could draw pieces like this all day long. So much to talk about but so little words come to mind. I wish I was better with words on paper as I was with pictures.

A pencil drawing with coffee staining... and my own reflections ~

I've been so wrapped up with commissions...I'm simply yearning to create, to create something that I can call "mine". I'll share a piece, one of my latest original pencil drawings with some coffee staining.. I've called her "As Time Stands Still". She just looks like an old soul to me from years ago that will always be there, as time flies by, her spirit simply stands still... one of these days, I'll have the time to sit and create again... this piece was done in the winter time.

 I'll later share some of the special commissions I've completed and am working on. So busy, it's sort of surreal. & as much as I miss making my original art, of course I wouldn't have it any other way :)

Being a kid I never knew what I wanted to be when I grow up... let's just say my personal expectations just were very low. I was terrible in school.. as the story goes never went to college. I suppose having a family and being a stay at home mom was fulfilling enough. It wasn't until I seriously started creating, and doing what I love most that the drive came. I never wanted anything so badly before, lol an emotion that was entirely unfamiliar to me.

I keep feeling like I need to look over my shoulder to see who's life I'm living.. "Dreams do come true?" (I'm almost afraid to say that out loud) I am constantly asking myself...

Enough of my ramblings... off to create...

 

Just a Sketch ~ Untitled

I just finished this piece, just a sketch from my sketchbook. Like I said in my prior post... I really wish she was on better paper... I truly only intended on her being a quick sketch. I think she turned out to be a bit more special than I anticipated. Nonetheless, here she is untitled. Just graphite pencils were used, I contemplated using color, but in the end decided to leave her just black and white.


 

A Work in Progress

... I never know how a piece is going to come out when I first start.  I'm so in love with her so far and wish she was on more than just sketch book paper. Not sure if I should add color? 

"You Can't Get In".

I just finished her... She's titled "You Can't Get In". I used graphite pencils and coffee staining for this piece & she's 11" x 14".

She feels so emotionally vulnerable... so much so that she can only feel comfort in her own solitude. Letting anyone "in" will just be too tragic.

 

My artwork on a phone case!

I've recently acquired a new phone, after having the first Samsung Galaxy, I thought it was time to upgrade to the S4 (not so recently, actually a few months ago, lol). I've been holding out for a case, and of course darling husband has been on my case (no pun intended) because I'm so incredibly clumsy I'm bound to drop it sooner or later.

Long story short, I made one :D I've wanted to make one using "Permission to Cry"... she's one of my personal favorites... so, here she is, as a phone case... can't wait to get it!! I'll be sure to take some pics of it when it arrives :)

A page from my Sketchbook

New year, new sketchbook.... this is the second sketch from my new book that Santa brought me :) I've called her "A Familiar Face". I added just a touch of color for her flowers using colored pencils.

I'll share another few pieces that are works in progress in days to come... My new years resolution is to update my blog more often, lol, we'll see how that goes ;)

Artwork... artwork... & more artwork...

It's summer & time is just flying by... my baby girl is turning 8 years old next week. And darling son is a sweetheart at 10... I keep telling them to stop growing up so fast, but they don't listen to me....

 

Not a day goes by that I'm not creating, so with that said, I haven't blogged in which feels like forever, so I've got TONS of new creations to share! In the past few months I've managed to make one of my rooms in to a little studio for myself.... Got myself a really nice table from Restoration Hardware, it's turning out to be perfect for me... my mom thinks it's too rustic, but like I said, perfect, between all the paint stains, coffee stains etc.. oh & I forgot to mention I share the room with Fred... my pet rabbit ;)  (I really need to post of pic of him).

 

Now, where to start, I'm not ever sure if these are in order, but here we go....

 

 

"Reflections" more & more coffee staining...



"Wandering, Forever Wandering" I've used wine staining for this piece.  I created her shortly after my first experiments with coffee.

Here is "Secrets"  If you only knew... & if her secrets came out her world would come crashing down all around her... her secrets are a burden, but must never be revealed.

Simply "Lost in a Dream" (continuing with my coffee obsession) just slightly here...

This piece represents a person who is trying to find themselves... it's not something you can "look" for it just sort of happens all on it's own.. I've called her "Finding Yourself... Finding Myself"

 

 

 

Last but not least... my most recent piece, she's called "Permission to Cry"....

 

 

 
 

More Coffee Stainning

Ok, now that I've determined that Yes, coffee is a medium... (obviously, amongst other things like tea and wine (thanks Tammie ;))

I have fallen in love with the way coffee looks on paper. It gives the drawing such warmth, but mostly darkness... I like the dark tones that it gives that raw look & emotion that I feel when I use it. I think bringing something new to my art.... I hope you can "feel" a bit as I did when creating them...

She's called "Neglect" ...... not in the way you would right away think.  Not neglected by anyone particular.  It's the fact *she* neglects herself... You see she's always had an overwhelming feeling of low self worth... As if she doesn't "deserve" to be taken care of... she neglects her physical appearance as well as her health and emotional being.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is simply "Want" She always has a look of *want* in her eyes... constantly wanting to be loved, to be cared for, appreciated...



 



Is Coffee a Medium?

Just one of the many questions I often ask myself in regards to my art, still feeling like a person who is "impersonating" an artist. I only started using watercolors within the past few years... So the idea of picking up a paint brush at all is still very foreign to me. 

It was my first piece here "Imagine" where I incorporated the greens using watercolor. After finishing her I was left feeling like she needed something else... My thoughts were to incorporate some subtle browns... Having no brown watercolors, I started to think "aha, tea staining, I've heard of that before". Long story short, there were no tea bags in the house either... & being in the moment of creating brewed a cup of coffee & well here you have it. My first pieces using "coffee staining" so whether or not it is an appropriate *art medium*, here I sit still pondering that question...






This was my second attempt... wanting to use more... so, meet my newest favorite piece. She doesn't have a name.... To my surprise she sold less than a day after completing her & listing her in my shop. So now I look at her on my screen thinking... "You weren't mine to begin with... that's why I didn't name you"





Thanks for looking. I really need to blog more! As in all of my recent posts... there just simply isn't enough time in a day!


Wishing all a very magical New Year :)

xo

Black Friday Etsy Art Sale is Here!

I just activated my coupon code... What the heck...what's one more day ;D

WHIMSYBLACKFRIDAY     This will give you 15% off now till through Cyber Monday!

You can use this coupon code on all of my original art & prints :)

Enjoy! & have a most magical & blessed Thanksgiving :)

Tis the season to create!!

Hugs
Joanna
xoxo

Black Friday Art Sale!

Where has the time gone?! Thanksgiving is just around the corner & that means... Black Friday Sales! I for one love to shop on Black Friday... I think however this year, I'm going to offer up some really special offers in my etsy shop www.etsy.com/shop/ABitofWhimsyArt and spend the day with Etsy!

Stay tuned, because I'm going to announce a special coupon for %15 off all of my artwork. This will run from Black Friday all the way through Cyber Monday :) But, if you convo me & tell me that you're one of my special blogging friends, I'll be more than happy to offer free shipping world wide as well :)

I also wanted to come on here & blog a bit about Hurricane Sandy, but it's too depressing.  I just wanted to point out that I do have a few prints in my shop where I'm donating 100% of the proceeds to the red cross.

I want to wish anyone of my friends on the East coast who might have been effected by Sandy that you stay warm & stay strong!!

Joanna
xo