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

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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.