Daily sketches and finished projects!

Been super busy around here lately - new pickup, new cows, new computer on the way, and an exciting trade on Etsy (but I'll talk more about that when it arrives).

First of all, since I'm just so excited about it, here is my new "hauling stuff to art shows" vehicle:

I've been having to borrow hubby's 4-door for shows, but now I have my own bigger cab with four doors, and I had a tonneau cover put on it too, so I can haul more stuff in the box and not have to worry about it blowing away. It will also be nice to buy gas instead of diesel! I super excited! :)

Now to my daily sketches. I don't have photos up to today, and I don't want to overwhelm you with too many at once either, so here's about a week's worth of them:

On to finished projects:
I posted a while back about my assignment for my course from The Art Instruction Schools. I finished it and sent it off last week. It was the "Drawing Objects" lesson, and the assignment was to draw a "sight-size" shoe. I can't wait to get it back and see what grade I got!

I also posted an in progress shot a while ago of the shirt I was sewing. I've finished that as well and have already worn it a few times. Please forgive my filthy mirror. I didn't notice it until I was editing the photo.

The turquoise cami underneath is not my creation, but I don't dare wear this shirt alone - seems to be a common theme. I'll have to figure out how to alter the patterns for a more modest look.

Anyone else finish any long-term projects lately?

Front page!!!

Right this moment, one of my photographs is on the front page of Artfire.com!!!

Bottom row, 3rd item is my draft horse photograph!

Another week of daily sketches

Well, I've been keeping up with the daily sketching... If only I could be as good at posting them every day. :)

Here goes:

Jan 5:

Jan. 6:

Jan. 7:

Jan. 8:

Jan. 9:

Jan. 10 & 11 - I finally decided to depart from the face. I found the tail to not be very interesting with the ceiling light, so I left it and just focused on hair detail today with the natural light.



Drawing a Day challenge

Wow, it's been a busy start to the year. I have been doing my daily sketches, but I've only spent a couple minutes a piece on them. I've actually decided exactly what I'm going to do with these sketches - I've chosen a model horse rather than using photographs. This will allow me to work from different angles/lighting, and I'm going to work from this horse every day for the month, forcing myself to study it in depth, rather than just a quick sketch and saying done.

I'm also working with a new pencil  that another pencil artist recommended to me. It's a Sanford Ebony pencil. It's very soft and smooth and has an incredible range of tone to it.

Actually, the biggest challenge with this project has been lighting. I didn't stop to think when I started that I'm going to be drawing at night nearly every day since it's dark when I leave for work and dark when I get home. I might have to rearange my studio table a bit at some point since the overhead light is directly above and behind me, which doesn't make for a very interesting lighting on the subject. This will have to wait until my still life drawing for my art classes is done though as I can't move that set up. Oh, the joys of living in a 100 year old farmhouse where they didn't see a reason for outlets.

January 1 - I very nearly forgot about this project, so I sat down to sketch for about 1 min. before falling into bed exhausted from the 5 hours of sleep I'd gotten the previous night.

January 2 - Drawing in the dark just isn't a lot of fun, but I decided to focus on the anatomy of the muzzle. I was bad and got bored with this very quickly and just didn't go any farther with it.

January 3 - Drawing in the dark again and, once again, not a lot of time. A side view of the muzzle this time.

January 4 - Today I'm at home, so I had some fun lighting. I worked on the eye and really like how this turned out. I'm actually thining of developing this into an actual drawing.

Meet Marabella, my lovely model. The last photo is pretty close to the view I drew from for today's sketch.

Looking forward

Sorry, I kind of dropped off the face of the blogosphere in the middle of my promotions of other ArtFire artists. The Christmas rush finally caught up with me, and it was drop blogging or drop other things. As it is, I'm just finishing our "Christmas" letter today. So I sincerely apologize to all those in the group on ArtFire that I'd agreed to help out. Hopefully the little bit I did do made some difference to someone.

Moving on... looking at how I can further my artwork in 2011, I joined a challenge on Etsy to do one piece of art each day for the month of January. Now, being that my style is so realistic and detailed, and taking into account my office job, there's no way I'm going to do a finished drawing each day, but I am going to sketch. It's something I need to do more of anyway. I might experiment on some days with oil pastels or ink, but those will be strictly as I feel up for them. I may not have the chance to photograph and post my sketches each day, but I will be posting as often as possible, so stay tuned for that. I will be in Wisconsin to visit family Jan. 1 and 2, so not only will I not be able to post until the 3rd, but it will be a real test of my dedication to even get sketches done those days! If there is anyone who'd like to join me in this challenge, please post here - I'd love to follow your progress!

Other art-related goals for 2011:
I completed three finished drawings the past year. I would like to make it four for 2011. I cringe at the sound of such a measly number, but I do have a job with a commute, housework, and a farm as well. Even improving on the past year would make me very happy!

I also want to accomplish more in the distance education art course I'm taking. I'm going on year six of what is supposed to take two years to complete, and I think it's time to buckle down and get it done! I think I'll align this goal with the other and say four lessons in 2011. I want to say I have 6-8 lessons left in the course, but I'm not sure.

So, there it is, I just wanted to document my goals, so I can look back later and remember what they were.

Christmas Candy!

I'm really trying to eat healthy and lose some weight for my sister's wedding next summer, but last night, while cutting mats at my mom and dad's, my mom was making Chex party mix, and there was a whole bunch of peanut butter chocolate star cookies - two of my weaknesses! I'm also partial to the almond bark dipped oreos and pecan pie.

What are your favorite Christmas goodies?

In case you need some reminders, here're some candy-inspired finds from ArtFire:

Garnet Earrings from Bella-Sweet Jewelry

These look just like hard candy to me - such wonderful colors! And the design's pretty nice too! :)

Pink Pom Pom Scarf from ByCamille

This looks like a scarf made of lollipops!

Flower Earrings from Zenith Jade Creations

These remind me of the rosettes my grandma always made for Christmas. I loved them so much!

Cotton Facial Rounds from White Dandelion Works

Admit it, at first you thought these were peppermint candies! They're actually a rather neat idea - basically reusable cotton balls. I'll admit I'm not the most eco-conscious person ever, but I never would've thought of this! And they're so cute too! :)

Pyramind Packages from NewCreatioNZ

If you actually plan on giving candy (or another small gift), what a fun way to package it! My sister and I loved our advent calendar when we were young. Wouldn't it be fun to have 25 of these little boxes numbered and hanging on the tree with a small surprise for each day?

Trying to stay warm

We're actually in a warm snap today; it's 18 degrees! Of course, today I'm stuck at work. Couldn't have been nice yesterday when I was home... such is life.

Before I forget, one of my drawings was featured in a new collection on ArtFire All the Pretty Horses. Go check it out!


And now, on to today's finds inspired by my quest for warmth!

Blue Shawl from ByCamille

Isn't this beautiful? I finally looked through all 27 pages of items yesterday in this shop. It's pretty amazing - go check it out!

Red Hat from White Dandelion Works

Oh, how I wish this was in my size! My fleece vest and scarf and both red, so this would fit in perfectly!

Fall Color Jewelry Set from KatsAll That

This makes me feel like I'm walking through the trees on a beautiful (WARM!) fall day! :)

Shaded Crystal Earrings from ZenithJade Creations

And these make me feel like I'm sitting next to the fireplace. :)

Hearts Candle Holder from Exquisite Studios

And because nothing can make you feel warmer than love does, I have to include this beautiful candle holder covered with hearts.

Also, before I go, I finally got my Beagle print listed in my Etsy shop yesterday. You can see it here.