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...