Another ACEO Attempt

This little guy was my second attempt at making an ACEO.  I think he turned out pretty good.  It was very hard to get all that detail into such a small space!  I have learned that I should not start out with such intricate designs when trying something new.  Then again, I've always been that way.  The very first quilt I made was for my mom who has relocated to Arizona.  I wanted the quilt to reflect the region so I used Native American Indian signs for the quilting part with a Kokopelli as the center  of attention.  Not an easy task for a brand new quilter, but I love challenges.

Anyway, I got the design idea from one of my Goodwill artbook finds.  I used watercolor pencils and added watercolors where I thought it needed a little extra oomph.  Now, if I could just get up enough nerve to try my acrylics!

Still having back problems but I am moving a little better.  My right leg keeps going numb all the way to my toes so I think I'm going to have to go back to the doctor.  She told me to give it two weeks and we're at about 1.5 right now.  Somehow I don't see it getting miraculously better in the next few days.  :(  At least I'm back to drawing and painting!  :)

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Creativity Boot Camp Day - 11

'Hush'

Pencil on Sketch Paper

'Hush' Close Up

Ok, I'm at work last night and I decide I want to try my first real pencil sketch portrait.  Yes, I get to do these kinds of things at work.  :)  Anyway, I decide to go for it and do one of the practice sketches from Lee Hammond's Big Book of Drawing.  Now, it didn't turn out exactly like hers.  The girl actually looks much younger in the inspiration piece, but I really love how she turned out.  Then, I click on CBC and our prompt word is 'Hush'.  Maybe I just wanted her to fit but I really feel that she fits!  In fact, I think she's perfect.  Maybe not technically, I'm still learning don't forget and she is my first portrait sketch.  Up till now it's been eyeballs, noses and mouths but nothing put together.

More good news.  I went to Goodwill today and found 5 yes 5 art books.  Four on sketching and one on Art Techniques.  I know, right????  I would have had to pay over $100 easily if I bought them brand new!  What a deal!

Even more good news!  My ACEO's were added to the Ripple blog today!  Yay me for sure!  You can find that post here and my post about the inspiration behind them here.  I don't think the day could have gotten any better.  Hopefully today will be equally as good and I'll have a good weigh in.  ;)

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Illustration Friday and Ripple

If you haven't heard of Illustration Friday and Ripple  please take a minute to check them out.  This week on IF the topic is 'Ripple'.  Based on the topic you create a work of art in whatever your chosen medium is and submit it to their gallery.  Ripple is a blog where you can find donated artwork to help save the animals affected by the oil spill. Each sketchcard on this blog is $10.00. The $10.00 is a donation to help the animal victims of the Deep Water Horizon Gulf Oil Spill. Every penny is donated. The two Non-Profits that are benefiting are The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies and The International Bird Rescue Research Center. You can purchase a card if you donate directly to one of the non-profits and email the confirmation and your address to ripplesketches@verizon.net. The artist will mail you the signed card.

We don't have to feel helpless. We can help. Our small actions together will ripple outward. 

Here are my submissions for IF and Ripple.  They will be available on Ripple as soon as I figure out how to do that. LOL.  Actually I've emailed Kelly to let her know I want to donate them.

'Better Days'

ACEO Watercolor on Strathmore Coldpress Watercolor 300 Series 140# Paper

'Lizzie'

ACEO Watercolor on Strathmore Coldpress Watercolor 300 Series 140# Paper

'Lizzie' was my first ACEO ever, well technically this one is the second as I gave the first to my wonderful boyfriend without whom I probably would not be creating art at all.  Lizzie is the name of our newest parakeet.  She was just a baby when we got her and is the sweetest bird we have.  I know parakeets don't have much to do with the oil spill but she is a feathered friend of all of the birds being affected on a daily basis.

'Better Days' was my second ACEO attempt.  My inspiration was the beautiful water I saw in Key West and Cozumel, Mexico years ago on a cruise.  I think of those days as better days for the marine life that have to endure this tragedy.  'Better Days' is a shot from below the whale looking upward.  Hope you enjoy them as I had a lot of fun making them.

Thank you Melanie for providing the link to Illustration Friday!

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