Andie Illustrates

Winter Fun from A to Z!

2012-01-26T15:20:00.004-06:00

I am so happy to introduce you to another blog today. Rachel is a fellow Etsian and she was kind enough to feature other crafters on her blog, wordlove yesterday with this adorable idea "Etsy A-Z." My little pendant was featured, and I hope you check it out along with the other letters!

Here's the link: wordlove.

Welcome 2012!

2012-01-25T11:58:00.000-06:00

Hey Andie, whatcha been up to? Uh....logos, and watercolors and mommy stuff. Oh my! Here is a visual tour through the last couple of months.

These are the three sizes of pendants that I have been working on. I am truly in love with the tiny pebble ones. I like that the pebbles are imperfect and weirdly shaped. They are the most challenging to solder though. To make the solder look somewhat smooth in the back is quite a process and if I do it too long, the heat of the iron will burn the painting, and I have to trash it. Yikes!

I have also been working on some graphic design projects for our church. One was a graphic that was used at Christmas and Advent, there is also an identity project for the family ministries department of our church which will be unveiled to you in a future post. They are finished, but I want to make sure they can unveil them first.

Here is a project that I created for my family for Christmas presents. That kept me pretty busy for a while, but now I also offer it on my shop!

We had a great Christmas and New Years too, and now I feel re-energized to create new pieces for the spring! I am trying to figure out how to Twitter better, and updating my website all the time. Also, a new identity for my Etsy shop has been started! My shop name is This Little Pigment. Check out how it has grown!

Wearable Original Art

2011-11-19T06:26:00.001-06:00

Here it is, November and almost Thanksgiving. I have been pretty busy lately working on some graphic design projects and this past week started working on a new project for my Etsy shop for the holidays. These tiny original watercolors are encased in glass and soldered together to make a little pendant. They have been so much fun to make! The soldering has taken a little bit of practice, but now that I am getting it down, I can't stop!!!

This is a group photo of my first batch of necklaces. I have a ton of little watercolors on my pad, sketched out and ready to be painted this weekend. After that, I can get them made up into pendants. I plan to list as many as I can between now and Tuesday! Of course, next week I will be spending time with family and probably eating too much of something! Thursday morning I will be running before the festivities (I plan on 8 miles...We'll see if I collapse before that!) as I am training for a half marathon. I am so happy I have my creative projects to keep me going. I hope you have a beautiful Thanksgiving and that you remember all the ways we are all blessed everyday. I am going to post again hopefully on Wednesday with more pieces to view, but of course you can always check out my shop to see my most recent work! Click here. Have a great weekend and a fantastic Thanksgiving!!

Carolina Yard Birds

2011-10-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

Detail of Carolina Yard Birds

Here is my entry in the Southern Menagerie Show sponsored by the VAE and Junior League. If chosen, it will be shown during the Shopping Spree which is a very well attended shopping event. It's a departure from my series because of the theme. So, now back to my Origami series!!

Origami No. 4, Ascension

2011-10-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

This is the fourth painting in Origami series, titled Ascension. I have really enjoyed these origami paintings as I find them peaceful and I enjoy the subtlety of the differences in the white paper as the light hits it. In this painting I tried my hand at the gold leafing again and chose to make it part of the cloud. I have been wanting to explore clouds and skies as a subject matter for my paintings for some time now, so don't be surprised to see that as the next theme for the next series of 21. I have 17 more origami paintings to go though, so that comes first! Please let me know what you think of my paintings. I love to hear from you! Tomorrow, I will share my entry into the Southern Menagerie show.

Oxidation and Folded Show at the Halle

2011-10-05T09:00:00.000-05:00

So I promised some pictures from the Oxidation and Folded shows both at the Halle Cultural Arts Center through the end of October. Here are some pics from the reception that took place last Friday evening. Above, friends admire three of the five pieces I showcased in the Folded show.

Here is a photo of Debra Rubin and Emily Rubin Malpass with their work in the Folded Show. Debra's beautiful mobiles with origami cranes and boats were a wonderful three dimensional addition to Emily's and my paintings. They were so delicate and organic as they were presented hanging from branches. Emily's feminine and peaceful paintings had wonderful details like the impossibly small folded cranes sewn into the canvases.

My boys in the Spotlight Gallery at the reception. Tomorrow, I will unveil Origami No. 4, Ascension. This is the fifth piece I placed in the Folded show. I love it, and the way the gold leafing worked in this one. But you have to wait until tomorrow!

Origami No. 3, Leaves

2011-10-04T09:19:00.001-05:00

Wow! I have had a busy couple of weeks, so I have gotten a little behind on my blog. That means lots of new posts and pictures for you!! This is my entry for the juried Oxidation show at the Halle Cultural Art Center which will be open for the until the 28th of October. The reception for the show was last Friday and it was a great opportunity to meet other local artists. I was blessed to be asked by a friend to join her in a show in the spotlight gallery at Halle and we were excited to speak to visitors on the reception night about our work. Emily creates beautiful pottery, and also paints these beautiful serene paintings which have tiny origami cranes sewn into the canvas. Her mom, Debra Rubin creates gorgeous origami mobiles. The three different approaches in origami all compliment each other very well. I will post photos of the show in my next blog entry...tomorrow!

Origami No. 2, Dove

2011-09-15T16:20:00.000-05:00

This was a first for me! I have wanted to try adding gold leafing to a painting for a while and I finally tried it with this one. It is a delicate medium and I think I learned a lot from this experience for next time. I have created this painting and the other I am in the process with (I guess it will be Origami No. 3 even though it was started first) for an upcoming show at the Halle Cultural Center here in Apex. I am so excited to be part of the spotlight gallery with a friend of mine, Emily Malpass. She was so sweet to ask me to be a part of her show and I am so flattered! Check out some of her amazing work here.

At the same time as this show is going on, there is another show at Halle which is called Oxidation. I am debating what pieces I will enter into that show. The one that is still in progress is most likely the better candidate according to the theme. Hopefully I will be finished with it in a day or two at the most. There are two other shows I plan to enter over the next two weeks if I can get the work finished. I will let you know if any of them turn into an acceptance!!

Origami No. 1, Fish

2011-09-11T22:06:00.001-05:00

So, I decided after much thought to continue my origami paintings as my next series. Although I have done three paintings that are of origami, they were in the Tiny Treasures series, so this is the fourth painting of origami I have painted, but the first in the origami series. I am working on quite a few larger paintings right now, one to enter in a show, and a few more to round out a show that will be opening at the end of the month. I will post them, and information about the show as soon as I can!

Tiny Treasure No. 21, Paper Airplane

2011-07-29T20:31:00.000-05:00

Next week I have a show in downtown Raleigh and I am so excited. I am handing my painting over tomorrow, and I'm not sure if it will be this one or Tiny Treasure No. 20. I like them both, and as my boys pointed out, No. 20 is a more calming painting, but I like the dynamic nature of this painting. The under painting created this pattern that I used as an abstract shape and they evoke a landscape. I love the colors in the top and the way they blend and also the shape of the paper airplane. I would love to hear what you think about which Tiny Treasure should go in the show!!!

Tiny Treasure No. 20, Origami Boat

2011-07-29T20:18:00.000-05:00

Whew! So I have been working on quite a few pieces. A couple that aren't finished yet, and the finish of the Tiny Treasures series. This is No. 20 from that series. No. 21 will be posted in a few minutes. I have been working on my techniques and incorporating my under painting into my painting more and I am really happy about the effect. I have really enjoyed the Tiny Treasures series, but in particular have really loved the origami pieces. I am considering a few different themes for the next series, and one is possibly doing an entire series of origami paintings. Not sure. I am also very intrigued by clouds lately and would like to do a series that feature them. I would love to hear what you think!!!

Tiny Treasure No. 19, Moth

2011-07-18T08:21:00.000-05:00

Tiny Treasure No. 19 has actually been ready to post for a little while, but who can keep track of days during the summer? For all those following along, camping was awesome, but we brought so much stuff with us that I couldn't fit my easel in the car... really! So, I had to be content with taking lots of photos and hopefully one of those will be inspiration for a future painting. I am preparing for an art show with my group from VAE (Visual Art Exchange), Living Your Art. I am really excited but trying to narrow down which piece I will be showing. So, a lot of work is going on here that you will see in the next few weeks, but not right away. Never fear, I will post something else soon. On to Tiny Treasure No. 20!!!

Tiny Treasure No. 19, Moth (work in progress)

2011-07-07T15:54:00.000-05:00

Today's tiny treasure is courtesy of my sons who found this beauty and saved it for me (thanks boys!) I have wanted something similar (like a butterfly or bee) for a while, so I am really psyched to paint him. Unfortunately the summer schedule as predicted is wreaking havoc with my painting production, and I have also decided that although this started as a 365 day project, I am not going to rush any painting for the sake of the blog. So, I still have some work to do on this painting, hopefully a few more hours. I am camping for a few days, so this painting won't get worked on until I get back, but possibly I will get a painting in on our trip (hmmm... hopefully!!) My next series will start soon and I think it will be titled Home. I can't wait to create pieces in the series based on this theme. I am also working on taking some of my favorite pieces from the series that I have worked on so far, and create larger or different pieces to explore the themes a little deeper. I'll post the next painting I finish soon. Will it be this Tiny Treasure or a plein air??? Guess you'll have to wait to find out!!

I am working on a mailing list and would love to add you to it so you can find out about current shows and sales. I plan to have an e-newsletter that will be sent out once a month and occasional postcards via snail mail! If you would like to be included, please drop me a line at andie@andiefreeman.com. It is my promise to never sell or give your information to anyone, and you may opt out with out any problem at any time.

THANKS! Andie

New Website!!!

2011-06-30T08:54:00.000-05:00

Well, It's not a new URL...just visit the one you might have before: www.andiefreeman.com and you will see a bright and shiny new site. I have changed everything. My brand is getting streamlined to present my fine art in a consistent way across all the sites on which it appears. You may have noticed a slightly different blog header as part of this process, and shortly there will be a new header for the Etsy shop as well. I have recently cataloged my work so that I can keep track of creation dates and ownership of paintings that have been sold. I am using a very awesome program called Bento and part of the reason I purchased this program is that it also has a way to create mailing lists and other helpful management for creative types like moi. So, I am compiling a mailing list to send an occasional digital newsletter to and also postcards to announce upcoming shows and new work. Yes, that one is a real, snail mail, beautiful, four color postcard. Please join my mailing list by sending me a quick email! You may send me an email at andie@andiefreeman.com, or andie@andiefreemanillustration.com, or go to my site and use the contact page. Any way I will get it!! New work will be around the corner!!

Tiny Treasure No. 18, Yard Art

2011-06-28T13:03:00.000-05:00

This painting is of a piece of yard art hanging on a wall in an antique store I shot in Charleston. The head had an ancient Roman feel to it and I found it very intriguing. I temporarily titled it "The painting that will Freak my Kids Out." I am currently re-working or trying to finish my Lucky Strike painting and re-designing my site. I will be announcing it's re-grand opening in the next day or so.

Tiny Treasure No. 17 Fortune or Folly

2011-06-06T16:25:00.000-05:00

Wow! I am so grateful for the handful of people that are taking the time to follow me!!! You have no idea how much it matters to me! So, over the last couple of weeks we have camped, gone to Disney and I have participated in two really awesome workshops!!!! I am still in the midst of one (it's twice a week for two weeks.) This getting out of the house has really helped me to focus emotionally on my work, and today I got back into painting. I am also working on a brand new revamp of my website and blog. So exciting!

Here is Tiny Treasure No. 17, Fortune or Folly. I find the red very dramatic and mysterious. I think as a matter of fact that the fortune cookie will be my subject again tomorrow but in a very different painting. I look forward to my show and tell!!!!

Tiny Treasure No. 16

2011-05-19T12:02:00.000-05:00

So, today's tiny treasure is the little silver elephant at the top of this luscious (I mean, seriously yummy) cupcake from Starbucks that I procured this morning. I ended up painting this pretty quickly as I needed to get on another small project right away. I will be at a two day seminar tomorrow and Saturday, and then a camping trip Sat. and Sun... so you should see another painting on Monday! Have a great weekend!!!

Tiny Treasure No. 15

2011-05-18T21:22:00.000-05:00

I like to call this one Little Lamby. It's a plastic figurine of a lamb on a piece of notebook paper. So, I took some time to reflect today on the last few months. I think that this 365 project has taught me a lot of things. This is what I discovered: First of all, painting everyday is pretty reasonable. Getting a painting done everyday is not easy at all. As a mom and a business woman, there are things that sometimes just can't wait (proctoring at my children's school last week for three days, for example.) However, having that commitment to producing a painting a day allowed me to not feel guilty about painting and making it a priority which is also something I really needed. When I felt like I was required to post every day or else, painting was more important than other things like cleaning. Also, painting every day did hone my skills and I like a lot of the paintings that I was making, while I feel a little rusty right now. However, I don't like feeling limited by time to either give up on a painting and call it finished when I don't love it, or to pick simple subjects knowing that their paintings are more manageable to complete in a short amount of time. What does this mean? I need to give more time to my art, and stay committed to painting every day, but sometimes, I may need two or even three days on a single painting to make it what it really needs to be. And sometimes, I will have a day that produces a crummy painting (which is really ok!) and sometimes, I will get to take my kids to Disney (yes, we are going in about two weeks) and I won't be painting. So, you may not see a painting posted every day, but I am still going to post 365 paintings - at least!

Tiny Treasure No. 14

2011-05-15T13:03:00.002-05:00

Whew! I am back at painting my daily paintings. I went through a little funk, but I am making a concerted effort to make art every day. This Tiny Treasure is a painting of a swan on a notebook sheet. I used a photo that I took of some local swans out with their signets when I was taking photos around town. On to today's treasure!

Update after spring break!

2011-04-25T12:20:00.000-05:00

So, I took time off from my 365 project to work on some pieces specifically to enter an art show. I didn't get the Lucky Strike finished, but I am working on it this week. That means, I only entered one piece, River Rocks. I am hoping for the best, but not planning on getting in. After a hectic Palm Sunday weekend, we all had spring break (code for.... kids at home!) We took off for Hilton Head half way through the week and had the most amazing time. It was re-invigorating and I am ready to rock and roll this week. The painting above was one I did while the boys and my husband fished on the beach. I also painted a plein air piece early in the morning that same day which I will post later. Many photos were taken that I hope to use as reference material as well. This week expect to see a mixed group of paintings! Tiny treasures, plein air paintings and a few paintings that have been in progress.

Lucky Strike WIP (title in progress too)

2011-04-14T17:30:00.000-05:00

I really can't stand posting a work in progress because I truly hope that there will be a lot more refining done on this piece, however I do want to keep you all up to date with what I am working on. Right now, this is titled Lucky Strike, and as I said, some things will get tighter, and some will get looser. I can't wait to finish it but since it is a large piece and full of angles, it is very time consuming. I really want to see it finished the best that I can however. It is very exciting to work on a sizable canvas after creating for the last few months on pretty tiny canvases! Hopefully I will have some time to work on it tomorrow and I'll be able to update you again.

Around town...

2011-04-13T13:09:00.000-05:00

So, I have been working on some local landscapes this week. But I needed some more reference material so I spent yesterday running around Raleigh taking photos. Since I couldn't post yesterday, and I have a piece in progress I am not ready to share yet today, here are some of the sights from my field trip around town!

North Carolina River Rocks

2011-04-11T15:15:00.001-05:00

So, here's my first painting away from the 21/365 series. It was fun and challenging to do a landscape after taking a long break from them. Also, I am not used to working from photos, usually I work en plein aire which is fancy for outside in the world. Each has it's advantages and disadvantages. In particular, although a landscape changes in significant ways when painting from life throughout the span of an hour or two, you also have the advantage to look around an object and to see subtleties in the color and interaction between shapes. When working from a photo, advantages are: you don't have changes in lighting and other changes of the environment as well as the absence of gnats!

I would love to hear what you think!

Tiny Treasure No. 13

2011-04-07T21:00:00.000-05:00

So, here is an odd collection of items. I like the texture differences between them, the yellowed torn paper, the dragonfly wing and it's transparency, and the fluffiness of the feather. I may touch up some areas here and there, but basically this is finished.

I have a little announcement. I will still be painting every day, but I am going to take a week off from Tiny Treasures for another project. I need to paint some local landscapes so I can enter something into a local juried art show. I'll keep you up to date each day on what I am painting and as always I would love love love to hear your thoughts!!!!!

Tiny Treasure No. 12

2011-04-06T14:56:00.000-05:00

So, in an effort to think more about my subject matter and my body of work, I am planning to do more sketches before painting. This is a study for a potential painting of a feather, dragonfly wing and some pieces of a book page nailed to a piece of wood. I like the composition and the juxtaposition of the materials and textures. I hope that taking more time planning my paintings will pay off. I can't see how it wouldn't!

Tiny Treasure No. 11

2011-04-05T16:07:00.000-05:00

This tiny treasure is a little origami sailboat. I actually worked on this over two days, but who's counting? On to No.12!

TIny Treasure No. 10

2011-03-31T14:51:00.000-05:00

Whew! It has been a long week. I have created three paintings. Two I couldn't post because I didn't like them, kept working on them and then hated them more and moved on. This one took two sessions.... some time yesterday and most of the day today. It is of a little bubbler that goes on a necklace. A very funny little silver piece of jewelry that always entertains my boys! Obviously, here it is paired with a strawberry for a splash of color and sitting on an antique book.

I will be away from my studio for a couple of days... but I will keep drawing and creating when I can! I will post again in a couple of days!

Tiny Treasure No. 9

2011-03-27T13:18:00.000-05:00

This old book (S.S. Truant) was printed in 1837 and given to Charles Pilsbury by his aunt and then bought by me when I was about 11 approximately 145 years after it was printed. It is falling apart which adds to it's charm. I kept this painting of it simple and used it mostly as a shape.

Tiny Treasure No. 8 finished

2011-03-26T17:16:00.000-05:00

So here it is! Tiny Treasure No. 8. I am quite pleased with it, although I can always find something I want to improve. However, I really like to juxtapose items together to make an interesting composition. I have been in love with old photos for so long. I started gathering them when I was about 10. I am intrigued by photos of people I don't know that have passed. I like to dream about who they were, where they lived, how their lives passed. When we have gotten old, we have the benefit of knowing how the story played out, but when these photos are taken, the subjects are yet to know their fate in this world. To me, old photos capture this odd innocence and I am intrigued by their story. I hope you will be too.

Tiny Treasure No. 8 WIP

2011-03-25T15:58:00.000-05:00

This is really a work in progress! I wanted to do a painting with several pieces and so this one may take a little longer and I don't want to rush it. Below you can see my set up for the painting. The background will have a textural wall feel, like old, peeling paint. The treasures are some of my favorite ephemera that I just love and a shell and piece of sea glass. I hope to do more paintings like this as a grouping, but I guess I should see how this one goes first! I don't usually sketch in pencil, but usually sketch my preliminary sketch in paint. Today I felt I needed to sketch in pencil so I could get my lines straight and drawing a Bison is not my strong suit, so I needed to sketch it out several times before I was satisfied with the rough. Hopefully I will have time to at least work on this one tomorrow! Maybe even finish it?

Here's the set up for the painting:

Tiny Treasure No. 7 finished!

2011-03-25T14:47:00.000-05:00

Little Black Kitty's portrait is finished! Hope you like my strange little friend!

Tiny Treasure No. 7 and finished No. 6

2011-03-24T15:20:00.000-05:00

This sweet guy is a special treasure for me because it is one of the stuffies I made with my little boys. I haven't made that many (and I am amazed at the artists who make stuffies their art form!) so ours are definitely home made looking. I ask the boys which sock they like out of a pile, they pick eyes and draw a picture of their new friend. Then I sew the stuffie asking them questions about how they want their details. Little Black Kitty never got any ears, but he does get love from my youngest every night. This painting needs a lot of fleshing out with shading and some more depth to the background. I'll update it hopefully tomorrow!

Here is the finished Tiny Treasure No. 6!

Tiny Treasure No. 6 WIP

2011-03-23T17:11:00.000-05:00

This tiny treasure is not very tiny and those of you who know me will be surprised that a pair of shoes would be a treasure for me. I am not a girly lover of shoes. I actually kind of hate shoes. I don't like shopping for shoes, I hate spending money on shoes and I don't like to wear shoes. Especially heels. But, this pair of shoes are special to me. I had this great purse I got from my brother a few years ago that had ribbon rosettes all bunched together and I just love it! A few years ago I went on a date with my hubby for New Year's Eve to a big gala and wore a t-shirt I painted a big, black taffeta skirt and took these black heels and added the rosettes myself with sequins and pearls. They are kind of ratty now, but I still love the idea and would do it again! I'll work on this painting more tomorrow and re-post it along with Tiny Treasure No. 7!

Tiny Treasure No. 5 and updated No. 4

2011-03-22T22:17:00.000-05:00

So, the boys and I took a lovely hike through the woods and did a little fishing yesterday at Jordan Lake. I found this tiny treasure while walking through the woods and picked it up just to paint it. I have no idea what it is... maybe you do! It looks like an aquatic plant, but it's not. More of a mossy type thing.

Also, here is the peep finished. I am definitely going to paint more peeps. Peeps together, different color peeps...who knows?!

Tiny Treasure No. 4

2011-03-21T16:23:00.000-05:00

Still work in progress.... a peep!

Woops... some days I just don't got it.

2011-03-18T16:41:00.000-05:00

I tried to paint today but had to scratch my painting because it was going in a very icky direction. So you get a not so attractive pic of me....and my scratched painting.

Tiny Treasures No. 3

2011-03-17T12:33:00.000-05:00

Here is one of my boys' tiny treasures... a sketch of a Lego Harry Potter mini-figure! This was a good study for an upcoming painting. It was trickier than I thought it would be!

Tiny Treasures No. 2 Work in Progress

2011-03-16T17:20:00.000-05:00

This is a painting of one of my favorite funny little purses (a gift from my mother-in-law, thanks GG!) hanging on an awesome hand-painted armoire, also a gift from GG. It is a big painting and is still a work in progress. Hopefully I will be able to finish it tomorrow!

Tiny Treasures No. 1

2011-03-15T20:47:00.000-05:00

YAY! A new series! I have been looking forward to starting this series since Fruit No. 3!!! Not that I didn't love the fruit and eggs, I did. This is a wide open still life series. I plan to attack some treasures like Matchbox cars and Lego men, skeleton keys and oh, I guess you have to wait to find out what else! Today I painted a card with three mother-of-pearl buttons attached. The card it is based on is framed in a shadow box and we bought it a while back for my oldest son's nursery. It is simple and soft and feminine and white on white. I chose to make the background a dark bluish gray color, although I am also thinking of attacking it again with a lighter background down the road. Can't wait to see what I will paint tomorrow!!!

Fruit #21

2011-03-15T09:47:00.001-05:00

So, you may (or may not) be saying to yourself. "What about that girl with the paintings that get posted every day? What happened to her?" I am still here, I am healthy and trucking along. I had paying clients that really needed me to dedicate a couple of days just to them. Here I am again though, ready to paint daily. My wonderful husband helped me out with the kids so that I could paint last night and finish my last fruit painting. Not my last ever keep in mind, just the last fruit painting for this series. I wanted to do another avacado so that I can have the two together in a series...

Fruit #20

2011-03-10T17:10:00.000-06:00

Only one fruit left! I have so many other fruits I want to do, but I am really looking forward to the next series! This is the third painting with the tea cup and it will be offered with the other two in a piece featuring the three.

Look for my last fruit tomorrow or more likely Saturday!

Fruit #18 and #19!

2011-03-09T15:31:00.000-06:00

I had an incredibly busy day, but luckily Fruit No. 19 went pretty quickly and I only needed to spend about an hour more on Fruit No. 18. So, here they are! Almost at the end of this series! Only 2 more fruits and then it's on to the next subject. I am really looking forward to the next one!!!

Thanks Noah Scalin!

2011-03-08T21:43:00.000-06:00

Noah Scalin created the original 365 project and inspired me to start my project. I submitted a short video of my work to his blog to show off my project so far! Here is a link to his site, go visit and find out about his awesome work! Make Something 365
You can see my video on his blog, or you can view it here (but still go see his blog, it's very cool)
Andie Illustrates 21/365

Fruit #18 Work in Progress

2011-03-08T16:08:00.000-06:00

Work in progress today! I hope to post a finished #18 painting tomorrow plus Fruit #19 (hint hint... it goes well with Mexican food.)

Fruit #17

2011-03-05T11:03:00.000-06:00

Well, it's basically finished. There are some things I would like to fix but the paint is getting to that icky phase and now I have to wait until it is totally dry before I work on it more. On to Fruit #18!

Fruit #17 Work in Progress again...

2011-03-04T22:19:00.000-06:00

Ok, another day of work in progress. Hopefully I can finish it tomorrow!

Fruit #17 Work in Progress

2011-03-03T16:09:00.000-06:00

So, usually I only have a few hours to paint my daily painting. I wish I had more time, but as a busy mom and entrepreneur that's what I have. Today I started a larger painting, so that takes a little more time than usual. This is a special painting for my mom's new kitchen (I hope she likes it when it's finished!) So, today is a painting in process. The other peaches need to be added and some more color and lighting tweaks. I'll update you on the painting tomorrow!

Fruit #16

2011-03-02T15:56:00.000-06:00

Almost finished with fruit! Only 5 more to go and then it's off to the next theme. Hmmmmm...wonder what it will be? I know but maybe I won't tell and you can figure it out yourself. Until then, I hope you enjoy this still life of more over-ripe vine-ripened tomatoes!

Fruit #15

2011-03-01T21:34:00.000-06:00

I love love love these tomatoes! The vine ripened tomatoes have the most full wonderful flavor! I bought a big bag of them yesterday from the "too old" section! A great bargain for me since usually the food I paint ends up not getting eaten because they sit around and get kind of gross. This tomato has a wonderful deep, yummy red color! Hope you enjoy this tasty treat!

Fruit #14

2011-02-26T16:55:00.000-06:00

Another painting on a wood tile. A study of a very plump and somewhat bruised pear. Hope you like-y

Fruit #13

2011-02-25T12:32:00.000-06:00

So, I have really wanted to paint on wood for quite a while, and today is the day! Peaches, about 4 x 5 on wood in oils. I look forward to creating more pieces on wood!!

Fruit #12

2011-02-24T13:09:00.000-06:00

Ooooo! It looks like spring around here. It's cloudy and rainy, but I see signs of spring popping up! This yummy lemon just makes me feel like spring is here. Hope it brings sunshine into your day too! This piece is made with acrylics, watercolors and pencils on a page out of The Wind in the Willows. It was then attached to a lovely wood tile.

Fruit #11

2011-02-23T15:31:00.000-06:00

Lemons today! May touch this up a little, but other than that I think it's pretty much finished.

Fruit #10

2011-02-20T14:19:00.000-06:00

I am out of town today, so I did a sketch/watercolor of tomatoes. Yummy yummy tomatoes which we also had in our sandwich today (thanks GG!) Here is the sketch on an ATC.

Fruit #9

2011-02-18T17:57:00.000-06:00

Okay, so some days I love my painting, and sometimes...I don't. So, I hate to make a judgment on my blog, but this is not my favorite. Off day. But I did take some risks, and I think I learn from those.
On to tomorrow!

Fruit #8

2011-02-17T11:09:00.001-06:00

So, I had planned to do a more abstract pear today, but I just enjoyed the color of this and wanted to keep it more realistic. Wonder what tomorrow will hold!

Fruit #7

2011-02-16T13:43:00.000-06:00

Pears again today! Actually, it's the same pear but cut up a little bit more.

And here is an updated photo of Fruit #6 shot in better lighting...

Fruit #6, No really!

2011-02-15T19:06:00.000-06:00

Hmmm, a pear today. Hope you enjoy it!

Fruit #6?

2011-02-14T19:25:00.000-06:00

It's a white grapefruit in a snowstorm... can't you see it? Ok, sorry today was a sick day. I was sick the little guy was sick. It was sick ward at home. Back to Fruit #6 tomorrow. In the meantime, I will share this cool Valentine's Day treasury!
Have a Happy Valentine's Day Treasury

Fruit #5

2011-02-13T09:12:00.000-06:00

Yummy peaches today! I am out of town, and painted a peach painting yesterday but didn't have enough time to finish it, so today I am posting this sketch of peaches. Back with paintings tomorrow! This week I plan to paint some pears and papaya and peaches and pomegranates! I guess it's a week for fruits beginning with P!

Fruit #4

2011-02-11T10:32:00.000-06:00

Bananas cut into yummy little pieces. Yum!

Fruit #3

2011-02-10T16:49:00.000-06:00

Apples on the tree! I used apples in life at home and a photo of an apple tree for reference for this painting today. Hmmm... reminds me of my trip to the apple orchard with my son's kindergarten class last fall.

Fruit #2

2011-02-09T16:28:00.000-06:00

Whewwwww! It has been a crazy day! I have only been in the studio for about an hour today so it was tough to get this one where I wanted it, but I think I got there. This is a decadent (yet healthy) treat I love! Nutella and strawberries! YUM!!! It was fun painting to the smell of chocolate today, and the strawberries make a heart... perfect for Valentine's Day!
Wonder what's the fruit for tomorrow?

Fruit #1

2011-02-08T21:28:00.000-06:00

Ok, I know... many disappointed egg watchers out there. I need to come up with a catchy little name for this project now. "The 21's?" Here is the first installment of the 21 Fruits series. These yummy strawberries are sitting in a silver dish in sugar. A little sugar on strawberries was always a favorite treat for me as a kid, so it was a natural first painting in this series. Can't wait to create a new painting for tomorrow!
Tell me what you think! What is your favorite fruit?

Egg #22

2011-02-07T16:08:00.000-06:00

Egg #22 is a sketch I did using a photo as my reference.

I've taken a lot of time to think about how the 365 project is going and what I hope to accomplish from it. So far, I have been very pleased with the way that this project is helping me expand my portfolio of work. I am finding however that between all the other things I do during the day, that most days the daily painting is the only one I can get finished. So, I have decided to expand my project to include other subject matter so that my portfolio of paintings can keep growing. I am going to do 21 paintings of each subject and still paint and post daily. So, tomorrow will bring a new subject for 3 weeks... excited to see what it will bring??? Me too!

Egg #21

2011-02-05T17:04:00.000-06:00

Ok, not bad for a quick 45 min. painting. An egg in a Ball Jar, mostly finished.

Egg #20

2011-02-04T11:07:00.000-06:00

It's rainy here, and snowy in other parts of the country. Today's egg is a moody abstraction inspired by the weather.

Update on Egg #19

2011-02-04T09:33:00.000-06:00

Here is a better (I hope) photo of Egg #19. On to #20!

Egg #19

2011-02-03T16:48:00.000-06:00

I really like Egg 19, but again, I painted too late in the day to get a good photo of it, so again, it will be updated down the road. The background is a very deep magenta red and I am not sure it will really show up in photos, but I will try to shoot it again. Well, it's 5 PM, the kids are supposed to be doing homework, and I am supposed to be cooking, so off I go until tomorrow!

Egg #18, well, kind of.

2011-02-02T16:49:00.000-06:00

I had a pretty busy day today, but really wanted to paint this egg on a spoon next to a Ball jar. Well, needless to say, it's not finished. However, I wanted to keep my egg watchers watching, so here is a little taste of the unfinished painting. Hope your day was wonderful and crazy like mine!
See you tomorrow!

Egg #17

2011-02-01T10:34:00.000-06:00

Ok, I admit it, I doodled during Cub Scouts last night. Here's the result.... Egg #17.

Egg #16

2011-01-31T11:43:00.000-06:00

Egg in the grass... thinking about Easter already!

Egg #15

2011-01-31T08:39:00.000-06:00

Raw egg in a dish. Keep looking for Egg #16 later today!

Egg #14

2011-01-30T15:22:00.000-06:00

Today's egg is yesterday's egg...a robin's eggs in a nest. Would love to hear what you think!

Egg #13

2011-01-28T13:19:00.000-06:00

Not 100% finished, but this was a big canvas, so I had to take a pic and get it posted before it gets too late. I hope you like today's eggs!

Egg #12

2011-01-27T13:28:00.000-06:00

Oh anxious egg watchers! I am posting the last of my first dozen eggs, finally. Sickies and interruptions are all around so this was actually worked on for over three days on and off. Hope you like it! I think it looks like the start of a great breakfast!

Egg #11

2011-01-25T12:12:00.000-06:00

I think this dapper fellow is Egg in the City! I pulled out my acrylics last night and had a lot of fun rediscovering them with this piece. I plan to include more acrylic pieces overall in my gallery. I would love to know what you think!

Egg #10

2011-01-25T12:05:00.000-06:00

Whew! Finally! Where has this girl been? I mean.... you know, 365 means like, uh every day!!! Well, I have been sick. Sicky sick sick, yucky. So, maybe 365 means just 365. And I will do my best to get one done every day, but some days are just not possible. This egg was actually done about two days ago while I was trying to get myself feeling better. Watch out!!!! Next up is Egg #11!!!

Egg #9

2011-01-19T12:13:00.000-06:00

Eggs for Valentine's Day!

Egg #8

2011-01-18T14:28:00.000-06:00

Shabby chic meets egg meets feathers.

Egg #7

2011-01-18T08:58:00.000-06:00

Okay, not every egg will be my favorite but I did learn a lot from this egg. I used a metallic paint I hadn't really experimented with yet and learned a lot about how it flows (not very well.) So, here is Monday's golden egg. Today's egg will be posted later!

Egg #6 - Half a dozen!

2011-01-16T21:55:00.000-06:00

Sunday's egg.... a little mixed media with my oils today. I think I will do a few more like this down the road.

Egg #5

2011-01-16T21:46:00.000-06:00

This is Saturday's egg...Wet in wet still life of shells done with knife and brush.

Egg #4

2011-01-15T00:38:00.000-06:00

Wow! Ok... an egg a day is starting to get tough! This simple little illustration will be offered as a print on my www.ScribblesAndNibs.etsy.com shop and it took me a lot longer than I thought it would for a simple illustration! So, a little lighter than the others. What's up for tomorrow? I have no idea!

Egg #3

2011-01-13T17:27:00.000-06:00

Two eggs held together by medical tape. painted. Oil. Wet in wet. Hope you like.

Egg #2

2011-01-12T21:32:00.000-06:00

Life is fragile. Value it. Need I say more?

New Year, New Projects!

2011-01-12T16:01:00.000-06:00

As usual, a flurry of new motivation comes my way as soon as the new year hits. My goals get written down, I plan to have my days organized, but it always falls apart. My goal is to make small changes for big impact and to do them daily. I am inspired by my husband and his recent training for marathons. He ran his first marathon a couple of years ago and did another one last month. If you know anyone who runs marathons, you realize that there is a plan they follow right down to what they eat and when. It doesn't start on race day or even a couple of weeks ahead, but months ahead. It builds from short runs to longer ones and weekly there is a plan in place for building on progress.

I have some big goals, that have been interrupted by life for the last few years. To grow a thriving business, not just one that sells a piece of work occasionally. I want to lose the 15 pounds I have been carrying around with me that I don't need. I want to become a better mother, more organized and healthier all around. Whew. Small steps are needed. I want to see real progress by the end of the year.

I have been inspired by several other blogs as well. Recently on Etsy, I saw the blog post about the 365 day project which fits perfectly into the plan I already had of creating artwork every day. For me, the key to this is creating around a central theme which I don't have to decide daily (sometimes the hardest part!) I will still work on my other paintings and keep making a body of work for sale online and potentially working toward selling at an art fair in the future. Please check out this link to the Etsy article and make sure to click the link to see Noah Scanlin's Skull-a-Day project. It is so cool!!! http://www.etsy.com/storque/how-to/make-something-every-day-11501/

I swear, thinking about subject matter kept me busy for three days. I finally decided to paint eggs. All sorts of eggs in different ways. They are simple and elegant and full of meaning. They are new life, interrupted life, protected life and fragile. They are a representation of the themes I am already exploring about fleeting moments. Since I am starting my blog on Jan. 12, I am already 11 days behind! So, I plan to create 2 pieces of artwork on several days to catch up. I am not sure I am going to be able to keep interested in eggs for all 365 days, so on day 100 I am going to re-evaluate and decide if I will change subject matter.

I can't wait to hear what you think!!!! So, finally! Here's the first... Egg #1. It is a small painting painted in oils, wet in wet.

Looking for your opinion....yikes!

2010-02-04T09:34:00.000-06:00

So, I have been struggling with a question for a little while and would love...no, I NEED to hear your opinion!

I recently changed my shop banner from this...

to this...

because I am focusing my shop on more adult (less juvenile) items and more on my artwork/ art jewelry. So, I thought the new banner has more of an artsy/ edgy feel while maintaining some of the cute that was in the other. Someone suggested that my blog banner had more personality and I agreed. Now that I have changed my logo and banner, I am wondering if my target market (you) will respond to it as well.

Let me know which you like better and why! I am too close to it to have really good perspective and I really want to know what you think!!!

Thanks!!!!!

It's Baaaaaaaack!

2010-02-04T07:19:00.001-06:00

For anyone out there who has known me for several years, you know that I have had a few different entrepreneurial enterprises. As a graphic designer, I started off ten years ago just before the birth of my first son with my own little graphic design company. Yes, it was just me, and some might call it freelance, but I took it very seriously and created an award winning logo and identity suite for myself. Although all alone, I mostly worked for small businesses instead of just working for other design companies. I had a great time and working with these small clients, primarily working to make branding for them to help their business grow. Over time, my husband joined me as the writing half of the team and our company grew even more.

After a few years, we came up with the ultimate design project, a local family magazine that we started up creating the content, selling the product, running the show. As time went on, the magazine was sold to a larger company, and my hubby stayed with them as editor as I began pursuing my art/ illustration/ portraiture career.

That little design company was named Wowhouse Design. Well, since I have had some requests to do some new branding for small companies, and have been mulling around using my graphic design abilities at a different Etsy shop, I have decided to take the plunge and start a new Etsy shop creating stellar custom logos and adorable digital photo cards. For a while, the shop will be pretty sparse. I have a lot of other more pressing projects to take care of at this time. But this spring you can be sure to see some great Easter & spring photo cards for you to print at your local photo finisher (or Snapfish, or wherever) and custom logo packages for my fellow small business friends. I am excited to bring this other side of my personality back into the marketplace! Hope you are excited about it too!!!

What's been going on...Part Two

2010-02-02T11:22:00.000-06:00

The other relief effort is To Haiti with Love.

To Haiti with Love is a project through AimeeAsher spearheaded by Tammy DeYoung. She generously asked artists to help create cards for this kit and 16 artists put in their effort and love to create 41 printable all occasion cards, envelopes, digital scrap kit and more. The best part is 100% of the proceeds (after paypal fees) will be given to Food for the Poor. Visit http://www.foodforthepoor.org for more information about this charity and their work in Haiti.

This kit is beautiful and full of cool stuff to use in your scrapbooks and for gift giving. I see this as a total win/win! You get to help the relief effort, but at the same time, a card is always at your fingertips when you need it. Just print it out, and use it! How many times have you needed a card and not had the time to run out and pick one out? This kit is a great tool for a busy mom.

There is more information about the kit at http://www.aimeeasher.com/shoppe/newproducts.php

Please go check it out today and support relief efforts for Haiti!

What's been going on...Part One

2010-02-01T07:04:00.003-06:00

So as you know, I have been extra busy with a variety of projects. I am working on illustrations for I Love You More, A Lowcountry Tale, a book by Kelly Connell Brown. Hopefully this project will be finished soon allowing us to publish this spring!

I created two cards to enter into the Etsy / Cool Mom Picks Valentine’s Day Card contest benefiting the Children’s Heart Foundation. Although my designs didn’t get picked, I think they are really great, so I am offering them at my store. Please check out the winning set at http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39557184

and check out my two entries at: www.scribblesandnibs.etsy.com

Also, I have helped with two charitable efforts over the last week for Relief for Haiti. One is the Hearts for Haiti store to which I donated a couple of items, www.heartsforhaiti.etsy.com. I am amazed and happy to report that as of 1/30, Hearts for Haiti has raised over $23,000 after fees for Doctors without Borders! Isn’t that just phenomenal?

Later today, Part Two….To Haiti with Love!

I Love You More

2010-01-29T06:39:00.000-06:00

I have many different projects on my plate these days, but one that is very close to my heart is a children's book by a friend of mine from high school. Well, actually, I didn't really know her in high school, but through the magic of Facebook, we have become friends. I Love You More is a beautiful and touching book for children that is a prayer from a parent and highlights the beauty of the South Carolina lowcountry. The illustrations are just getting going (and with some work will be finished hopefully soon!) They each lovingly capture a feeling of lowcountry life that those of us from there will cherish for ourselves as well as our children. Keep reading in the future, I am sure you will see more about this project as it unfolds!

Sometimes you just have to scrawl

2010-01-20T07:53:00.000-06:00

Inspired by Artful Blogging, I started a notebook dedicated to sketches that were just for creativity's sake. No agenda. No product in mind. Just a place to create without judgment. This little doggie is one of my entries from last year. I found a photo of a dog in an ad and really wanted to use it as reference material for a sketch. That is my real handwriting. I even have a hard time reading it most days. Really, ask my husband... he thinks it is quite funny! The words are from some of my favorite songs. I am very inspired by music, but probably don't listen to it enough. The first song is Fearless by Pink Floyd. It is very inspirational to me, about the struggle we all face when facing our dreams. The other is a CSN song, Daylight Again. The line "Daylight again, following me to bed," resonates with me for all the sleepless nights I have spent (but don't that much any more.)

I hope you reach for your dreams fearlessly today.

Art Rules!

2010-01-19T07:46:00.000-06:00

Need I say more?? My new product line for this week is one I have been mulling around in my head for a while (I tend to do that) and finally was brought to life this weekend. My Art Rules pendants are individual pieces of art created on a little piece of wooden yardstick and then made into a pendant for art fans. A few pieces are mixed media and are individually drawn on before a coating of resin protect the art, some are hand burnished (love that wood burning smell) and then painted for a rustic and graphic look. Many more designs are on the drawing table...do you have any ideas for themes? I would love to hear from you! Do you like the painted one better than the mixed media, or are they both cool? Let me know your thoughts. I am thinking about dogs, and lemons, springy themes like beach chairs!
Hope this Tuesday is a good one for you and remember....Art Rules!

Hearts for Haiti

2010-01-18T09:43:00.001-06:00

Everyone has been touched by the widespread devastation in Haiti. The UN secretary general, Ban Ki-Moon was quoted yesterday as saying that the situation in Haiti is "one of the worst humanitarian crises in decades." As usual, I am in awe of the work people around the world do for each other, as many people join together to raise money or work in Haiti to help people get back on their feet. In particular, looting and crime has made the situation dangerous as well as the desperate lack of clean water.

I am proud to say that through two small grassroots efforts, I am hopefully helping those in need. I want to introduce you to one of them today... HeartsforHaiti an Etsy shop helping to make a difference.

This comes from their shop announcement and will tell you a little bit more...

This is an Etsy collective of donated items from hundreds of Etsy shops to raise money to rebuild Haiti. 100% of the proceeds from this shop (minus Etsy fees and Paypal fees) go directly to DoctorsWithoutBorders (http://doctorswithoutborders.org ) in bi-monthly increments. This shop has permission to use the DoctorsWithoutBorders name and a separate bank account and Paypal account have been opened to maintain the integrity of this shop.

Items have been donated from many individual shops; each shop has included their particulars ( country, shipping time) in each listing. All items include seller-donated free shipping (most worldwide, see individual listing) because the need is SO great, we want you to buy and help support Etsians helping Haiti. The theme for the next few weeks is on heart items but we have more than just that. Know that your purchase in this shop not only gets you a great Etsy item but it also helps alleviate the needs in Haiti through donations to DoctorsWithoutBorders (MedicinesSansFrontiers ).

Please visit the shop today and help make a difference to those in need in Haiti.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/HeartsforHaiti

Just When You Thought it was Safe to go in My Head...

2010-01-06T08:55:00.001-06:00

So, all cutesy little puppies and kitties and stuff in there? Those of you who know me well will not be surprised that I have a weird and wicked sense of humor and sometimes it sneaks out. So, the last prompt word for Andie Illustr8tes was Love, and I chose the suggestion to go with it as Bites. I have actually come up with two solutions for this challenge, one cute, one not so much. You can decide which this is. I have no idea why this came to me, but I went with it. So far, my son has said, "Are you putting that in your Etsy shop mom? I mean, why would anyone want that?" and my husband has said, "I love it, but that eye. I mean, it just creeps me out." I would love to know what you think of the first installment of Love Bites. I'm thinking it will make a nice Valentine's Day something... what do you think? Part Two will be unveiled tomorrow!

Good Morning Monday before Christmas!!

2009-12-21T07:08:00.000-06:00

Could this time of year be more hectic? I am running around getting ready for Christmas this week and finishing the next installment of Andie Illustr8tes, while listing new items and working on the illustrations for a book I am very proud to help create! Life is good! Busy is the way to be, but last night I has the strangest dreams and didn't sleep very well. One about a fire in the house, and we were running away and couldn't get away, and one about an alligator that was chasing me. Crazy! Well, I am really proud to post a new item to my shop today. This set of 12 cards (2 each of 6 designs) are reproductions of some watercolors I created a few years ago. I think they would be lovely for thank you notes or all occasion cards! What do you think?Uptown Boutique Card set of 12 with gift box

Top 5 Christmas Songs You Will Never Hear on the Radio!

2009-12-17T10:53:00.000-06:00

Oh! I am so excited about this post! I love music! I am not an expert but I like what I like. And this Christmas we have been listening to the two local radio stations dedicated to Chrsitmas music when we are in the car (supplemented with our own MP3 player full of Christmas songs.) The songs they play on the radio are frankly atrocious most of the time. Except for the classics from Bing and Nat King Cole that we have all heard millions of times, the rest is awful. If I hear that stupid Wham song or the song from Elton John again, I think I am going to throw the biggest fruit cake I can find at my radio! So I have compiled my list of Top 5 Songs that I hope you have never heard, but will love as much as I do. Find them on itunes... buy them. They are amazing. If I did this correctly, the playlist should be at the sidebar so you can hear the songs. Here goes:

5. My Evergreen by Squirrel Nut Zippers
4. Christmas by Blues Traveler
3. Carolina Christmas by Squirrel Nut Zippers
2. Gabriel's Message by Sting
1. Christmas Must Be Tonight by The Band

Other notables:
Auld Lang Syne by Lou Rawls
Christmas is Coming by John Denver and the Muppets (so funny!)
Cool Yule by Louis Armstrong and the Commanders
Zat You Santa Claus? by Louis Armstrong

Just a quick reminder!

2009-12-16T21:50:00.000-06:00

I will start my next illustration for Andie Illustr8tes tomorrow so if you want to give a suggestion word to go with LOVE and get entered into my drawing this week for a prize from my shop, then you need to leave a comment with a suggestion tonight!

What's New Wednesday!

2009-12-16T06:27:00.000-06:00

Every Wednesday, I plan to highlight other artists that are creating interesting and fun pieces of art. In honor of the Woodland Creatures Andie Illustr8tes installment, I would like to introduce you to The House of Mouse. Anna, a Brit living in the Netherlands is obviously a fan of the adorable and hysterical. Her beautiful and detailed mice each have a distinct personality and humor that no doubt fill their little space with joy. Pictured are three of her Star Wars Mice... EEEEK so cute! From left to right, Darth Vader Mouse, Luke Skywalker Mouse and Ewok Mouse.

Please visit Anna at her shop, The House of Mouse and check out all of the adorable mice that she creates by hand. http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheHouseOfMouse