Tag Archives: design

A little something

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I made this with what little time I had this last week.  In case you need to be caught up, my husband and I bought a house and have been moving.  And, as you may have noticed a running theme throughout my posts, nothing can happen by itsself.  This coincided with a business trip my husband had to take, and our 4 and 6 year olds getting sick.  So, once again, I have been juggling…

The background is a photo of the background of a painting that I am working on. I happened across this quote and thought it was so appropriate, given the election season atmosphere.  Feel free to snag this and share it, if you’re so inclined!

If you’re on facebook, be sure to stop by my page and click like!  It’s much easier for me to post small updates there.  (But don’t worry, you guys get all the really awesome stuff!)

Too busy to blog!

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Hi, it’s me, your long lost blogger!

I have been sketching. Not daily, but still keeping the spark alive.

I have been prepping canvases and boards for projects on deck.

I have been rehearsing with my hip hop dance team for our upcoming performance, and taking my son to his performances. (Today we went to a children’s cancer benefit so my son could perform)

I have been meeting with mortgage lenders and house shopping.

I have been doing everything…. except blogging.

This is my latest sketch.  Let me know what you think in the comments!

Cupcake and Crossbones

 

 

Octopaisley

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I decided to teach myself how to draw paisley last night. This is something that I have noted in the back of my mind as something I’ve wanted to do for quite some time now.  As I began to sketch last night, I was thinking of how daunting it had seemed, and how that had always kept me from even sitting down to give it a try, when I realized that (like most things) it wasn’t that hard really.  This discovery led me to the realization that I let fear of failure cause me to falter in my confidence in my artistic ability, and that I get in the way of my own success.  But such are the demons that wake after an arduous day and an evening of cocktails that slips into the sleepless hours before dawn.  So before I forced my brain to quiet and my eyes to close, I took a step toward fighting that demon, and this is what happened:

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I mean it.

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Here we go! Summer is officially in full swing, we finally finished up the school year for my lil’ critters and got my house back to acceptable standards.  This translates into me finally having the clarity of space and mind to begin drawing again!  Now I just need to get myself back into a good habit of working every day and get my kids adjusted to the idea that for that small piece of my day, my world doesn’t entirely revolve around them.  But I’m back in the saddle, and I mean it!

This is the piece I did today, one out of 5 or 6 in a series.  5″x7″ Prismacolor pencil on black paper.

Also, through the end of June all commissioned pieces will be $25 off! If you’re interested, please contact me at e11evenshades[at]gmail[dot]com for details and pricing information.

Chicks to be Counted…

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In the spirit of Eastre and the new Sun of Spring, things seem to be turning a new leaf.  There are hints of change floating on the earthy, floral scented winds of the season. There is a hope of things to come, the anticipation of their coming to fruition.  Life is in motion, and it would seem that opportunities are blossoming at every turn, and I can’t wait to let you all in on it.  But, for now I am erring on the side of caution, and not counting my chicks before they hatch.  I am so excited for the year to come, and can’t wait to share it with you –you– whose support, encouragement, kind words, and mere interest in the ramblings and messiness I call this adventure of a life, have given me the courage and motivation to continue and push through the hard, cold soil of Winter and into the radiant sunshine of Spring.

...waiting...

Real Food is Beautiful

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When you can’t find me playing in colors, or chasing my children, odds are you will find me in the kitchen.

I have discovered an ardor for cooking, and have delved into the world of “real foodism,” that is to say, that I look beyond the label and have really researched the food industry (primarily in the US) and what I have discovered has driven me to create meals mindfully (and would strongly encourage you to do the same, dear friend. But this little blog won’t hold my soapbox, so I will spare you).  Anyway, you could truly say it is one of my passions.  Now if only I could capture the aroma….

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“You were given life; it is your duty (and also your entitlement as a human being) to find something beautiful within life, no matter how slight.”
~ Elizabeth Gilbert

Busy

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I’ve been busy lately finishing up a painting that I am doing on commission.  It’s still got a few final tweaks before its grand debut, but here are a few quick peeks at it.

I am currently accepting new commissions for acrylic, charcoal, and ink. Please email me at e11evenshades@gmail.com for a detailed pricing list, to receive a personalized quote, and place an order.

Catching up

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Oh February, thou art like the harpy, which, to betray, dost with thine angel’s face, seize with thine eagle’s talons!¹

Even your holiday of love, and unseasonably warm weather have done little to distract me from the egregious stresses you have wrought on my life. This last week should have been free and clear, a spring-board to getting my life back in order, but, O! you lowly month of gloom and pre-spring limbo, you had to prove that you had other plans– and that you did, to a T. Raining bile-inducing pestilence on my already muddled life, rendering me useless beyond caring for sick children, spouse, and self. I see your scheme, your evil plot: make me weak and distracted, then to hobble me with scattered toys, smother me in unkempt laundry,  bury me in an avalanche of unwashed dishes…

But you will not win.  The sun is shining today, my house is quiet and I am gathering my strength and my thoughts. You have succeeded in leading me off of my path, breaking hard-earned habits. I have felt discouraged, distracted, and disappointed. But it isn’t for naught. I still have something to show for it. I may not have sketched on more than a handful of days, even with nothing of worth, but I never, not once, lost sight of my goal. I never gave up on myself, this project, or my dreams. And here’s proof:

fixies and mixtapes

24"x 24" mixed media- collage and acrylic

I also did two smaller projects as gifts for a couple of my friends’ daughters.
This one, using crayon and paper flowers:

waxworks, melted crayon art

and an ambigram (which can be read both upside down and right-side up) for Fiona:

6" x 12" ink and pencil on artboard

To see more of my ambigrams, click here!

Do your worst, February, with your awkwardly spelled name and short-month syndrome. Take your extra day and shove it. March is gonna be awesome.

¹from Pericles, Prince of Tyre (except the “Oh February” part)