Susan Fox's Art, Etc.

"Summer Evening"

2010-07-03T17:04:00.000-07:00

Hopefully the dolrums are over! Finally felt like doing something. 8x10, colored pencil. I've come to use "don't paint from a photo unless you can improve the photo" as a guide. I really loved the photo of this geranium bloom but I did make a few changes to hopefully improve the composition. The little batch of buds on the right side actually pointed straight out to the side and I felt like it led your eye out of the painting, so I re-directed them upward so hopefully they help your eye move in a circle around the flower. I wanted them to still break the plane of the circle of leaves and for the brightness of the largest bud to show up against the dark background. Other changes were very minor, but I think helped.

Russell Raccoon

2010-06-30T19:46:00.000-07:00

Just to show that I at least tried something! This pastel (about 6x9") was done from a photo my son-in-law took of a baby raccoon who seemed to have been abandoned by his mom. They saw her carry one baby off, but she didn't come back for hours and hours, leaving little Russell worried, I'm sure. She finally did come and retrieve him and they moved on.

Summer Doldrums Continue

2010-06-15T17:55:00.001-07:00

Spending every spare minute in my garden...art seems to have taken a back seat for now. I keep thinking I should be painting something from my garden, but find myself doing more photography for now (my garden blog: http://susnfxgarden.blogspot.com/ ).

Third Place, Mixed Media, Intermountain Society of Artists Spring Show

2010-05-21T19:58:00.000-07:00

"Watch Your Step" took third place in the mixed media category (which is where they put everything that isn't watercolor or oil). Very fun to win an award! Now if I could just get my creative brain going again...it seems to have been in neutral for a very long time...

Intermountain Society of Artists Spring Show

2010-05-13T09:50:00.000-07:00

I'm entering these three pieces into the show this year. They're framed and ready to go--keeping my fingers crossed that at least one will be accepted into the show. Opening social and award presentation is next Friday (May 21). I had good luck last year (3rd place, mixed media)--the first show I ever entered, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for this year.

The Doldrums

2010-05-06T06:39:00.001-07:00

Seem to be in an artistic slump right now...haven't been doing much at all. Getting a few pieces matted and framed for the upcoming Intermountain Society of Artists spring show. Still here and kicking, but need something to get me jump-started with my pencils or pastels again!

Gander

2010-04-09T18:29:00.000-07:00

I've spent a couple of frustrating weeks working with pastels...nothing to show for it at all. Took a photo of this gander this morning at Wheeler Farm. He was standing on one leg when a little girl ran toward him. He stretched his head up and was about to give her a warning honk. I loved his long neck and his almost ballet-like stance. Pastel on white velour paper. May have gotten a bit carried away with the background...I may try this on another surface later.

Looting the Robin's Nest

2010-03-26T12:32:00.000-07:00

Last summer there was a funny little finch who was obsessed with manmade stuff for his nest near my garden. He would bring pieces of kleenex, a HUGE piece of the waxed paper liner from a cookie or cracker box, etc. After the baby robins had left their nest nearby, I saw this little finch trying to snitch the one manmade item in the robin's nest--a slim little strip of paper. Unfortunately, it was woven into the nest well enough that he couldn't pull it out and had to give up. I've had it in my head to do a picture of him since then. Colored pencil, 8x10.

Toby Tweaked

2010-03-20T08:49:00.000-07:00

After looking at Toby for a day or so, I made the decision to put in a background--I'm happier with it now. I feel it grounds him and puts him in a setting rather than just thin air. By the way, he's not after a creature! In order to get him to quit looking at me while I took his photo, I pulled around one of his toys (he's 11+ years old and doesn't play much but he does look), then quickly aimed and clicked while he was still looking at the toy. (The colors don't quite match up in the two photos I've posted due to differences in photo editing while trying to get the colors as true as possible.)

Toby

2010-03-18T19:37:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite subjects, my old cat Toby. This is my first pastel on velour paper--very interesting to work with. Not easily blended, but a lovely soft texture. Still not happy with my fur rendering, but overall I'm happy with this one. Pastel on brown velour paper, 8x10.

Thanks, Mariska

2010-03-14T18:54:00.000-07:00

Received a Sunshine Award from pastel artist, Mariska. It's appreciated! I know I'm supposed to pass this on to 12 other bloggers, but it always seems the folks I pick have already received one..I'll see if I can do it this time.

30-Minute Pastel - Bunny

2010-03-13T09:28:00.001-08:00

Still working away with pastels, having some fun and trying to loosen up. Found a little gem of a book, "30-Minute Art, Pastels" by Margaret Evans and it's been a real inspiration for me to just jump in and try some things! This baby bunny is one of three I did yesterday (there are more colors in him than really show up--the shadow area on his side is actually two grays and a light and a dark violet). I took the photo a few years ago when my daughter and I went to La Caille, a Salt Lake City French restaurant set on many acres with their own vineyard, peacocks and other exotic birds, gardens, etc. There were rabbits laying around under trees here and there, with several babies--so tiny and sweet! Anyway, back from my sentimental journey...just wanted to post something to show that I'm still here and keeping busy. Trying to get geared up for a serious colored pencil piece next.

Easter Radishes

2010-02-26T18:33:00.000-08:00

Not entirely happy with this (happier than with the previous attempt!), but I'm posting it to show that I'm actually working on things! After the detail of the green vase, I wanted to try something a little looser, so I gave these radishes a try in pastel. Not sure why they're called Easter radishes, but that's what they were labeled at the store. I tried these previously on Wallis sanded paper and the red radishes ended up looking candied, so I put these on Strathmore Mi-Tinte paper--surely did dull them down! I'm pleased...not sure what it is, but this one just doesn't make me smile as I usually do when really pleased with a work...8x10.

Name Change

2010-02-23T12:04:00.001-08:00

Big day for me...I've finally got my name back! Lots of hassles changing every identification in the world for the last 27 years, but worth it. Hopefully my artwork will improve now that I'm really me again.

Green Vase

2010-02-20T14:57:00.000-08:00

Colored pencil, 9x12. This one was MUCH more difficult than I anticipated. I've spent a frustrating week on it and glad to be done. The reference photo I took was actually of the vase sitting on my kitchen floor--white tiles with black grout. I didn't want the lines in the final drawing, so I had to do all the reflections in the glass while leaving out the black lines. In some places (particularly in the cut glass areas) it was almost impossible to tell what would be happening in a certain space if the black line wasn't there! Whew! Moving on...

Kaibab Rocks

2010-02-07T15:43:00.001-08:00

Hesitated over posting this as I'm just learning pastels and this is my first real attempt at a landscape and is obviously very beginnerish. These beautiful lichen-covered rocks were at an overlook in the Kaibab National Forest in northern Arizona (near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon). I bought a pastel landscape book by Albert Handell and it gave me the courage to give this a try.

Interesting note on the paper: This is on Wallis sanded paper. I did one terrible version of this landscape and was going to throw it in the trash, but the paper is expensive, so I tried something--I put it in the kitchen sink and washed as much of the pastel off as I could, then let it dry. It still left quite a bit of color, but I could easily go over it and change/correct things. This paper can really take some punishment! (Now I wish I'd tried that with the other five pieces I ruined and threw in the trash!)

Winston

2010-02-01T19:25:00.000-08:00

Is he cute or what?! Winston's photo was posted on Painting Friends as the "Friday Foto" painting challenge. I wanted another try at fur, shorter this time, so this was a great opportunity. Overall I'm pleased, although I could still use a lesson on short fur! About 10x10, colored pencil.

Pastel Sunrise

2010-01-19T08:11:00.001-08:00

Had an extra piece of superfine sandpaper on hand, so when I saw a sunrise photo on Wet Canvas (thanks, artastic), I gave it a try with pastels. The reference photo was more complicated, but I simplified it to just the sky and a few trees, concentrating on the sky. Mine's not nearly as vivid as the reference photo, but I'm happy with it, considering that I have so few pastels (18, I believe) and had to make due with the colors I had.

Toby Watching Birds

2010-01-16T18:53:00.000-08:00

8x10, colored pencil with a bit of white pastel. Toby from above while he watched the action at the birdfeeder through the window.

Dog Fur Exercise

2010-01-13T12:24:00.000-08:00

This is a small colored pencil piece done from an Ann Kullberg kit. I've wanted to learn how to depict fur with colored pencils and this seemed like a better idea than taking an entire class just to learn about fur. She sends out a reference photo, step-by-step instructions on colors to use, blending techniques, and photos taken at 5-6 stages, including the finished drawing. It was a fun little exercise and although my dog's fur doesn't look as fine as her dog's does, I'm fairly pleased. I need to take more time, sharpen my pencils oftener, and start concentrating on individual hairs earlier in the process.

Pear on Glass Dish, pastel

2010-01-08T18:26:00.000-08:00

Desiree, one of the extraordinarily talented artists on Painting Friends, walked us through this pear on glass using pastel on sandpaper (oh, my fingers!). What a lot of fun--and frustration! Keep reminding myself I'm new to the pastel medium and shouldn't expect a lot, but the glass dish was a real challenge for me--lots of tiny lines of varying values. It's pretty messy in real life. I'm happy with the pear itself and the background, but I'm ready to try something else that doesn't have any glass in it! Later...the more I look at this, the more I like it--could be worth the sore fingertips!

Iris

2010-01-08T18:23:00.000-08:00

Tried a different colored pencil technique--using a preliminary grisaille (grayed underpainting)--and I'm not sure florals are the best use of a grisaille. No blending (just a little dry brush scumbling over the background), just layers and layers of pink, blue, magenta, indigo, etc.

Peppers II: Color Wheel

2010-01-02T07:55:00.000-08:00

8x10 colored pencil. Had a lot of problems with this one. It's okay but I'm not ecstatic about it. The color in the background is particularly uneven because I made a poor attempt at texture and then had to cover it all up to try to get rid of it (don't ask--it involved a true blue color stick and a metal cheese grater--actually not a bad idea but not for this piece). Also struggled with the dark side of the yellow pepper. I'd like to have a go at that section again.

The Pepper Project: Pepper I

2009-12-27T08:27:00.000-08:00

I want to do three 8x10 colored pencil works of colorful peppers for my kitchen (which is especially strange, since I don't eat peppers--but they're so beautiful!). I took 35 photographs of peppers yesterday and this is the first painting. I actually like it, even though there's an obvious problem: the light source. This is really bizarre because there appear to be two light sources even in the photograph! The sun was the only light source but the shadow of the pepper goes straight east (if you will) and the plate shadow heads southeast. So, it may take me 4-5 attempts to get three usable works (but for my kitchen, who cares?).

Merry Christmas

2009-12-23T11:37:00.000-08:00

I did this little 4x6 colored pencil piece--a detail from a photo posted by Ruth on Painting Friends. The photo was of a large bouquet of flowers but I liked the Christmasy feel of these little red berries surrounded by greenery.

Plums

2009-12-05T11:27:00.000-08:00

I've re-worked this 8x12 colored pencil piece since I originally posted it. I added a slight background to show the plum shapes and strengthened the reds/yellows in the light areas of the plums. I've also strengthened the white highlights in the glass dish. Not going to do anything else to it--enough is enough. I believe I chose a paper that was too dark and nearly lost the plums! I learned a lot and look forward to trying another challenge with toned paper.

Watch Your Step

2009-11-20T12:38:00.000-08:00

Many years ago when talking to my mom on the phone, she mentioned that some robins had built a nest on one of my dad's ladders. I have a small fake nest and eggs on a shelf in my house and one day I was looking at it and remembered her little story. This painting is the result. 9x12 colored pencil.

2nd Place Intermediate Division - Intermountain Society of Artists Fall Show

2009-11-14T20:15:00.001-08:00

I was pleased to walk into the fall show opening tonight and see that my "Sandwich Bag III: No Leftovers" had won 2nd place, intermediate division. Apparently they didn't call any of the award winners in advance for this show, so I was completely taken by surprise (didn't even take my camera, so there's no photo of me with a goofy grin standing by my painting). I was so pleased! The Members of Merit of the ISA (professional artists who have won many major awards) aren't allowed to take part in the fall show, so it's not so overwhelming and makes everyone feel like they have a more equal chance to win when they're not going up against some of the biggest names in the area. The artwork was still very high caliber and it was a very nice honor to take an award.

Southern Utah Scene

2009-11-07T11:48:00.000-08:00

Hesitate to even post this as it's so beginnerish, but I did want folks to know I'm still plugging away, trying to learn and have some fun. Took a photo of some great red rocks near my brother's house in Kanab, Utah. I've tried painting this in watercolors a couple of times--failures. Yesterday I was fooling around with some pastels (I only have 14 colors) and decided to give this a try. It was such a gorgeous day here I moved everything out onto the patio and worked on this in the sun and breezes (so as not to choke to death on pastel dust). I have a lot to learn about pastels!! I think I need pastel pencils, not sticks, as I can't get a sharp edge to save me and the blurry edges frustrate me. At any rate, I thoroughly enjoyed doing it on such a beautiful day.

Orchid for Karen

2009-10-30T19:14:00.001-07:00

My aunt has been encouraging me to do more florals, so I spent the day on this small (5x7, colored pencil) orchid close-up. Sorry to say the photo looks better than the real thing! I really wasn't going for this hot pink and wanted the whole thing more delicate. Just not happy with this one. Have another reference photo waiting in the wings, so I may try another soon.

Sandwich Bag III: No Leftovers

2009-10-25T11:15:00.001-07:00

This 6x9 colored pencil piece was done as a semi-serious challenge from Jaytee on Painting Friends. I was lamenting that Linda Lucas Hardy does plastic bags and there's another colored pencil artist who does paper sacks--what's left?!? Jaytee suggested I put the paper sack inside the plastic bag--so I did! Colors are richer in real life. I didn't do much heavy blending on this one, mostly on the fork and a little less so on the plastic bag. Wish Prismacolor would come up with a really beautiful golden brown--I find myself frequently looking for just this color and end up having to blend to get what I want. The paper sack is yellow ochre, burnt ochre, light umber, dark umber, and a little black.

Sandwich Bag II

2009-10-18T16:46:00.000-07:00

I have a friend at work who loved the little sandwich bag I did for the alphabet challenge on Painting Friends so much that I decided to re-do it larger (and hopefully better) as a gift for her. This is 8x10. I hadn't intended to use any solvent on this piece as the main blue I used (Prismacolor Light Cerulean) turned an unacceptable bright blue when blended with a colorless blender. When I finally finished the piece I just couldn't get past the fact that the baggie should be smoother than the background, so I attacked it with a colorless blender. At first I thought I'd ruined it but after working over the whole bag, then going back in with a Verithin Indigo pencil to sharpen lines and shapes, I decided I liked it. A little on the turquoise side, but I think the smoother surface makes up for it.

Macaw

2009-10-10T09:54:00.000-07:00

Just so folks know I'm still plugging away at my art. This was done from a photo of a macaw on Painting Friends (a Friday challenge) who was sitting on a bare branch, probably at a zoo. My daughter and son-in-law had seen wild macaws in Costa Rica on their honeymoon, so I used a tree from one of their photos so the bird would look more at home. There appeared to be moss on the branches in the photo and I liked that look. Didn't do much blending on the macaw--just some dry brush scumbling--but used a colorless marker on the leaves, making them look a bit smoother to enhance the difference in texture from the macaw's roughness. I think I'll go back in and erase the tip of his beak--he's looking pretty dangerous! (Although, when you think about it, they don't get their beaks clipped in the wild...)
Colored pencil, about 7x8".

Pine Cone

2009-09-26T10:54:00.000-07:00

I've wanted to paint the bottom of a pine cone for years (this one's a combination of a photo of a pine cone I found years ago and one I picked up off the ground last week). Love the symmetry! The color in the photo isn't perfect, but it's close to the original (there's no real difference between the bottom and top halves of the painting and, as usual, the stippled pen work doesn't show up). In the end, I'm a little disappointed--it seems uninteresting to me. I think now that I should have shown the edge of the pine cone, not just the bottom. Another time--on to the next project! 8x10, watercolor, pen & ink.

Still life in wood

2009-09-21T07:34:00.000-07:00

I gathered together these three wooden "thingys" for a small still life as my "W" alphabet artwork on the Painting Friends site. I love the warmth and texture of wood and it was fun to attempt to depict the different surfaces of these three pieces. The tall chicken-looking item I bought at an outlet store for $2 years ago and I still love it. The round bird was purchased for my new garden, but I worried about it getting wet, so it's safely in the house. It practically glows with a golden warmth. The round ornament I purchased from a Navajo girl at a roadside stand in northern Arizona. It has rock art symbols etched into it and is a lovely cedar color. I used a vivid blue background as a complement to the golden color of the round bird. Approx. 8"x8", colored pencil.

Start small so you don't go crazy!

2009-09-10T07:59:00.000-07:00

I've seen the wonderful plastic bag colored pencil works by Linda Lucas Hardy and wondered if I could ever "do" plastic. Gave it a try in this little colored pencil piece--5x6" intentionally so I didn't go insane and give up. The challenge was to keep myself focused on shapes and not think about it being plastic: "This triangle is a lighter blue than the rectangle next to it, with a small wedge of white in between." Although it's very beginnerish, I was pleased with it overall as I think it reads plastic baggie.

Working out the artist's block

2009-09-05T19:30:00.000-07:00

Tried a challenge on Painting Friends that really was a challenge for me--depicting copper in colored pencil. The colander and apples were sitting on a white soft cloth (batting?) and I used a light lavender to depict the folds, depressions, etc.--unfortunately, I can't get it to show up in the scan. I used a colored pencil "recipe" for copper by Janie Gildow and Barbara Newton, including colors such as black grape, terra cotta, pink, tuscan red, pale vermillion, and even jade green!

The difference in color between the apples on the cloth and the apples in the colander is intentional: the apples in the colander definitely looked cooler in color, the apples on the cloth warmer (reflecting more white??).

A little photography to get through mental block

2009-08-26T09:56:00.000-07:00

Haven't been able to get past my painting/drawing block, but this morning as I sat on my patio watching the scrub jays come for peanuts from the feeder, I found myself really looking at the foliage in the garden. Even now, when nothing dramatic is blooming, the colors and shapes are just beautiful. (Click on photos for larger view.)

Portraits - Yikes!

2009-07-05T18:11:00.001-07:00

I've avoided drawing or painting people--always said I was one of those who simply couldn't do people. But I've decided it's ridiculous not to at least try. I've been studying the portrait portion of "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" again, and doing some practice sketches over the past week or two. Still haven't managed to find the secret to making the portrait actually look like the person, not just a person. It's been excellent practice, however, trying to recall the rules for relationships of facial features. I've been working from some old black & white family photos just for fun. For what it's worth, here are my practice sketches (click on the photo for a larger version):

My younger brother in the 50s sometime. This is the closest I've gotten to a portrait that slightly resembles the individual.

My aunt--this doesn't look like her at all! (One of the first ones I tried.)

My great-uncle in his WWI uniform - no resemblance to the real thing.

One of my uncles as a baby--everything but the face looks just like him!

Navajo Weaving

2009-06-29T07:14:00.000-07:00

My parents bought this small Navajo weaving (10"x20") many years ago and it was in our house while I was growing up. It now sits on my dresser. I did this colored pencil piece (on blue pastel paper) as my "N" painting for Painting Friends' A-Z paint-along. The challenge for me was to make a flat object appear 3D.

Doldrums....

2009-06-22T06:45:00.001-07:00

Got to work on a new colored pencil piece--I've been really excited about this one, a tulip close-up with some really rich colors. A few hours into it, I really blew it. Used a blender way too soon (denatured alcohol) and then a wrong (dark) color too heavily on top of that--I know better than that! It's really put me on the skids and I can't seem to get working again--on anything at all, not just this piece. Tried some serious erasing in the worst spot, and maybe tonight I'll see if it can be saved.

In the past these times have lasted up to six months. Hoping to force myself to get back to work quickly, though.

In the meantime, here's a little colored pencil piece I did for a two hour challenge on Painting Friends: Wilford's Onion. In the 1950s my family lived in a tiny little town (450 pop.) in southern Utah. The neighbors across the street would have us over for barbeques in the summertime and there'd always be big purple onions from their garden. Seeing a purple onion always reminds me of those wonderful summer evenings.

Summer Beauty

2009-06-12T12:17:00.001-07:00

At the same time my neighbor's roses started hanging over my fence (it's not stealing if they're on my side of the fence, right?), I ran across a stippled black/white rose in one of my pen & ink books. This 5x7 piece is the result. Pen & ink (colored pens), stippled.

Old Barn

2009-06-04T20:39:00.000-07:00

A few years ago while driving in Centerville, Utah, I happened to glance down a little side road and saw this terrific old falling-down barn. It had so many great textures: rock, weathered wood, metal, cement... I took a few photos and I'm glad I did because I drove by in April and they've torn it down. Did a close-up watercolor of this a long time ago, but actually think I like this pen & ink sketch better.

Tulips

2009-05-24T08:25:00.001-07:00

Had some fun with pastels yesterday. I have almost no experience with pastels--they're incredibly messy! But this was a nice relaxing little project that took about an hour. I think they'd have looked better on a dark paper instead of the orange-y color and I wish I hadn't put in that diagonal leaf which blocks your eye from moving through the piece.

Lenten Rose, Evening

2009-05-19T19:20:00.000-07:00

Thought I had this one finished, but decided to darken the background so the flower would pop a little more, and then got some good suggestions from folks on Painting Friends about darkening the top leaf and the lower left leaf to help the composition. I'm happier with it now. Colored pencil,9x12.

Intermountain Society of Artists Show

2009-05-15T21:14:00.001-07:00

I was so thrilled to walk into the show opening tonight and see a 3rd place ribbon by my "Corner of the Garden" piece. I'd been told I'd won an award but was convinced it would be a Honorable Mention. I also thought the show was divided between beginners, intermediate, and advanced, but I was right in there with the big guns--a professional won first place and another won an honorable mention--so I felt even better about it. Now to get busy on new works for the fall show!

Time to start something new...

2009-05-05T11:19:00.001-07:00

The pocketwatch is finished, the wedding's over and the garden's in, so it's time for something new. I think a colored pencil piece this time. Entering one piece into the Intermountain Society of Artists show for next week (can't use the pocketwatch as it isn't from my own personal photo):

Also entered my "Shells" in the online annual Ann Kullberg show in June:

These are my first show entries and although I realize I'll be lucky to even be juried into the ISA show, I'm doing it for the experience.

39 stippling hours later - it's done!

2009-04-29T19:49:00.000-07:00

First photo is just taken by the camera - color is off and missing lots of detail. The second was on the scanner and is much more real-to-life but the scanner won't take the whole thing (10x10"). I'm wondering now, though...is it art? I enlarged the photo and traced about 50% of the lines (just the major lines, so I didn't get lost). I didn't compose it (other than to decide on a format and the decision to eliminate the lid of the watch--on the left). I basically did a black/white pen/ink copy of the original photo--which I didn't take. I've been planning on entering it in the Intermountain Society of Artists' spring show next week, but now I don't know...

Like Clockwork WIP Part 7

2009-04-25T15:11:00.001-07:00

26 hours into this now. It's been a slow couple of weeks--working on a huge garden project. Major work's over now, so I can ease off and get back to finishing this piece.

Like Clockwork WIP Part 6

2009-04-15T19:39:00.001-07:00

Nearly half done! Now at 20 hours stippling. Haven't had as much time the last two weeks with a huge garden project going on. Found a fun way to ease my copyright worries on this intense piece--hid my name in it!

Clockwork WIP Part 5

2009-04-10T18:56:00.000-07:00

Now at 14 hours stippling--I'd say about one-third done. Had I known how difficult the detail on this piece was going to be, I don't know that I'd have had the courage to start. Copyright issues are beginning to concern me--I'd hate to have someone copy this piece after so much intense work. Looking into ways to protect my artwork.

Clockwork - WIP Part 4

2009-04-05T17:03:00.001-07:00

Eight hours into this now. A couple of parts have been frustrating as the lines are so tiny it's hard to tell what they're doing, but I've gotten through them and then done some easier portions to lessen the stress. One of the great things about stippling is that you can leave if you're feeling frustrated...do five minutes at a time or an hour at a time.

Clockwork - WIP Part 3

2009-04-04T18:15:00.001-07:00

Progress after 3-1/2 hours of stippling:
Moving right along...following the reference photo as closely as possible. I've made one fairly substantial error, but I'm not going to point it out; unless you've got the original in front of you, you'll never notice it (and might not even then, if I can cover my tracks well enough)! I continually go back over stippled areas as I work, darkening a bit here and there, sometimes even just a dot or two can make a huge difference. Going to play with my new camera a little and see if I can't get clearer shots--I'm losing a lot of detail. (Notes: If you click on the photo, it enlarges a bit...and...the slightly darker diagonal area on the left of the piece is a plastic sheet I lay under my hand/wrist so I don't smear the pencil tracing underneath as I work.)

Clockwork - WIP Part 2

2009-04-04T18:02:00.000-07:00

After getting set up, I started dotting at the right side (because I'm left handed, this is the most obvious place to start) with a .25 Rapidograph pen. It's a tiny, tiny nib but this piece is so detailed, I want to get it right. Getting started:
Although it's incredibly time-consuming, I find stippling to be very stress-free and actually almost meditative. Every dot matters and I love having the time to consider where to darken, where to even out a line with a few dots. Much more comfortable than watercolor where I constantly feel rushed. (Identifying items in the photo: on the left is my tracing and beginning stippling, a piece of tape marking the 10" border and edge of the paper, then the "original" black and white photo close at hand for reference. My original will never look as dark as the copy I'm using as reference because my paper is white and the copy paper isn't.)

Clockwork - Work in Progress

2009-04-04T17:44:00.001-07:00

For some time I've wanted to do a very detailed pen & ink stippled piece of the inner workings of an old pocketwatch. Not having an old pocketwatch around, I pushed it to the back of my mind from where it emerged yesterday with an idea. I Googled antique pocketwatches and found the most amazing site, just filled with gorgeous watches, photographed beautifully. I found several that would work perfectly and, crossing my fingers, emailed the site for permission to use a photograph for the artwork I had in mind. Within an hour I got a "yes" from Stephen Bogoff, the site owner (http://www.bogoff.com/pocket/pocket.html). Thanks, Steve!

Spent quite some time deciding on what kind of format to use, and finally decided square was the only way to go. It means custom matting and framing, but we'll see how it turns out and deal with that when the time comes.

Because the watch is so detailed, there was no way I could free-hand it, so enlarging and tracing was mandatory. Took about 1-1/2 hours to do, with another hour today tweaking the outside circle and getting ready to start stippling. (The black/white photo of the watch and my tracing.) It's going to be 10"x10"

Set in Stone

2009-04-01T18:51:00.000-07:00

The reference photo for this pen & ink stippled (dots) piece came from my friend and superb photographer Peter in Ireland. I'm glad he took the photo when he did--he wrote recently that the owners had cut the top of the tree off!

VIPs (Very Important Pets)

2009-03-28T10:48:00.000-07:00

Keeping me company--Toby (he'll be 11 this year!). I'd always wanted to do a close-up of a cat's eye and Toby kindly obliged by sitting on my lap while I took a picture of him. (Colored pencil on pastel paper)

And Lucy, the empty-headed cocker I got from a rescue organization five years ago.

Homage to Georgia O'Keeffe

2009-03-25T20:19:00.000-07:00

My sister Lori sent me two postcards from a Georgia O'Keeffe exhibit--gorgeous paintings of extremely close-up views of flowers. When choosing a reference photo for a 2-hour challenge on the Painting Friends website, I noticed a rose and immediately thought of doing a very close-up colored pencil piece of the center of the rose. I like the way it turned out--thanks, Lori! (I certainly didn't finish it in two hours. It took more like five.)

(Homage to Georgia O'Keeffe, 6x8, colored pencil)

Shells

2009-03-25T05:20:00.001-07:00

My latest colored pencil piece--the largest and most detailed I've done yet. A real challenge and great learning experience. (Approx. 35-40 hrs.)
(Shells, 11x14, 3/09)

The Fam

2009-03-24T18:28:00.001-07:00

Zach, Becky, and Barney

Christmas Eve 2008

The Fox Clan, July 2008

A little background...

2009-03-24T18:17:00.000-07:00

I started really taking an interest in art at a rather late age, and began with about five years of watercolor. I still love watercolor, but have never felt completely comfortable with it and for the most part just find myself frustrated.

About two years ago I tried working with pen & ink and colored pencil and feel like I've really found my niche! I still flounder around a bit with the watercolors, but I love the control I have particularly with colored pencil and when stippling with pen & ink.

This is the first colored pencil piece I did in April 2007.
(Watch Your Step, colored pencil)

The old broad goes high tech

2009-03-24T17:30:00.000-07:00

For an old gal from the carbon paper era, this is a real adventure! Wanted a spot where I could post photos of my artwork, pets, family (Becky and Zach!), and anything else I happen to think of. We'll see how it goes as I get started.

(Butterfly Wing, 5x7, colored pencil)