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