I was kidnapped by Pirates!!

is the answer I give when asked where did you go.
It sounds so much better than all the drama that became my life for this past season.
But as the saying goes.
This to shall pass. And dog gone it.

It.

Will.

Pass.

NOW!


Copyright 2007 Dawn
ACEO 2.5x3.5 inches
color pencil
100 lb. bristol board


See all better!

I have had at least one blog since 2002. Started with an anonymous one. Then the farm blog, which spun off the cooking one, craft one, photography one... then the Art one (this one) and the Writing one. And a couple more. Crazy, huh?

Remember back when we all had one blog, then the pendulum swung and most of us had several blogs or a "more" link to keep reading.... then back it swung to having one blog and now it seems anything goes.

Knitting and cooking blogs were and still are a big thing.

But OH MY I have found so many adorable Home/Cottage/Romantic Decor blogs. I was just giddy seeing all these talented women's homes. Like a mega home tour. For Free!!

And giveaways, whoa, how about those. Awesome.

Only one thing puzzles me. Not many bloggers using Blogrolling. What's up with that?

I will be as soon as I get settled in again. A lot going on and with NaNoWriMo right around the corner. If I work on my blogroll now... all I will do is read Your Blogs and not finish again this year.

Motto for 2007 NaNoWriMo.... write first, read others later. Like in December.

PS. To those that used to read the Farm blog.... Kiddo is doing well. Me, too.

IF: Open

Title:Open Seas


size: 2.5 in. x 3.5 in.
support: watercolor paper
medium: colored pencil


The Open Sea was my first thought when I read the topic.

I've been out of pocket way to long. Seems appropriate that Open would be my return post to Illustration Friday in a long, long time.

A lot of changes in blogger while I was away from posting on my blog. Please bear with me over the next few days while I figure out all the new to me bells and whistles.

Coming to a city near you!!!

Be on the look out for this symbol. You may find in anywhere. On a tree, on a statue, in the loo, (hey, that was those "across the pond" artist's idea), on a bench, in a park, in a store... you get the idea. A2A could be anywhere.


My first drops were in March, in Farmersville, Tx....

These drops were not reported... so either they weren't found, not appreciated, or they didn't like that fact that this art were prints. I prefer to believe they didn't have access to a computer.

My camera's batteries were dead so no photos of these 2 dropsites.

Next 4 drops were done May 29th and 30th.

This one at the Kroger Gas Pumps, at FM 544 & Shiloh, in Plano, TX

This one at Kirby Park, in Wylie, TX

Another drop in Wylie, TX. Downtown in front of "The Ole Back Porch" on a bench.

Last drop for May. Also in Wylie, TX. Downtown in front of "Davis & Co" taped to a charming little purple table.

Check out this awesome international movement of Artists Sharing their Art with the world. A2A site

Happy Hunting. I hope you find a wonderful "free" piece of ART in your city, town or village real soon.

If you do find an A2A piece of art be sure to report your find on the website. Us, Artists really like to know that our ART was found.

On a personal note, after an almost 3 month hiatus, (March, April, May). I am back in my "cube" studio creating more ACEO's to post here and on eBay for sale. Keep checking in.

Update: On becoming a full time Artist in 2006... it's getting closer to being a reality. I am getting lots of interest in the land I have for sale. Studio should be finally really by the end of June. Keep me in your prayers, please.

So much to do and SO little time.

I have been missing in action on my Farm/Family blog and here for quite a bit.

Between continuing recovery from my knee surgery, then a severe allergy to newly applied concrete stain at work, and time with my now 17 year old daughter, I just haven't taken the time to post.

Plus I have been creating and selling more of these fun ACEO's. Remember, they are Art Cards, Originals, and Editions.

I had been trying to list some on eBay and get some ready to do a Art 2 Art drops around the Metroplex. Art 2 Art is going to be the neatest thing, but more about that later.

Plus, I haven't posted on Studio Friday or Illustration Friday in ages.

I am going to finally open my Etsy store and use this blog to show more of what I have created. So y'all can buy them directly from me or go through Etsy. I will link that when I have some stuff in there.

Oh and the international Artisans' Exchange that I admin is having a group swap. Sign up ends Feb 25th. Group is now invite only, but I'll let in just about everyone! This is the flickr group that luminate art started. Come join and swap art with us. It's fun. Especially if you can speak portugese.

I do have some new stuff scanned and uploaded to FLickr, so it's time to share.

Okay this ACEO I thought needed a beak or something... well it sold right out from under my pencil... really, so no beak, but I did get a quick scan... you need to squint not the best quality. ACEO= 2.5" x 3.5". Playing card size. Not one of my best ,but the buyer loved it.

This next ACEO may go to eBay... or y'all may buy it for the bargain price of $15.99, which includes S&H and insurance to the US.
International shipping, let's talk.

Cattails and Dragonfly

SOLD on eBay

Now this next one maybe something new to y'all it's called an Art Squared piece.

Dance of the Sunflowers

This is 4"x4", colored pencil on acid free heavy card stock.

SOLD on eBay

As always my art is always a one of a kind original unless I tell y'all differently.

More coming later... I am trying to finish up a Mardi Gras set to list on eBay this Sunday, in time for Fat Tuesday!!

Plus I have been doing some more doodles that instead of a Mother and Child, they came out looking like Geisha's. Almost finished but Sweetie took my GOOD colored pencils out of my bag so I was missing some colors to finish them up.

Have a great weekend, everyone! I do think I will go play Michele's Weekend Game, I miss everyone.

Happy Valentine's Day and EDM# 54

You can't choose who you're gonna love...

Did this last year, while at work. Do frogs have little tails?

Thought this would work for EDM Challenge #54.... then I reread the directions!

- Draw someone or something you love - and journal about it.

Hmmmmmm... well, darn. I don't really love frogs or turtles... or fantasy lilies. So I guess I need to actually draw something new for this challenge.

Cloissane

I did this in High School. It was great fun. I would love to do this again when I can afford the supplies. Hopefully, I would be much better!!

I have a couple of other pieces I will get around to scanning someday and post.

Plus, I have some sterling silver pieces I made during that same semester.

I could have spent all day in the Art Room during my high school years.... sometimes I came close what with passes out of study hall (yes, back in the OLD days we had a period for doing homework) and skipping PE.

:)

Happy Birthday .... to Me!!!

My first ACEO of 2006

Finally I got one in on time for the eBay ACEO group's Theme Week... "Baby, It's cold outside"



Size is 3.5 x 2.5 inches...standard ACEO size!


It's up for sale on eBay now!!! SOLD! (private sale, not on eBay)

Been a very busy year so far...lots of cleaning and organizing. I will get that studio done soon!!!

I have completed several ACEO's. The jester series is almost completed. I am excited about a golf course, "famous hole" series I am doing.

Now just to get everything posted on eBay...dang, it takes me forever to list something!

So here's on more ACEO that I did for Illo Friday "Sea", that I didn't get posted over there and soon will list on eBay.



Decided to keep this one. I love the sea!

So much shopping ....

and so little time. I got alot of gift cards this year! Yea!! However, since the weather is cooperating I am not shopping, but working on the studio.

We got alot done yesterday. All the to donate stuff out, swept the floor, laid down the "dumpster" rug... yes, we got a wonderful like new, 8x12, rug out of the dumpster where I work, shelves moved around, and more stuff tossed out.

Today, after a brief, at least I hope it will be brief, bout of food poisoning we will be sorting out books and getting them set up in bookcases.

I need a tattoo to remind me not to eat Chinese food, it doesn't like me....ever!

Photos later today!!! Of course, I again failed to take before photos.

To One and All

Black & White Swap

This is the first in a series of "The Jesters" that I am doing to sell on eBay. This one however was for the Swap done in October. Mine was sent to an Artist in Brazil.

The jester, itself, is a print of my original drawing. Each jester will be hand colored or hand painted then glued to an original background. Each different in it's own way.

No two alike.

It's sure been a long week

I made it to work everyday, but Tuesday. I was just plain worn out from all the walking , with a walker, that is hard work I tell you. Plus I pulled a muscle or whatever in the middle of my back on my third trip to the Ladies Room, 4 floors down, as the building management chose to tear up and redo our 5th floor one, 2 weeks before we moved to our new building. Jerks!!! Anyway, I ended up having to use the wheelchair to get back and forth to the Ladies Room and walker walked everywhere else for the rest of the week.

On Tuesday afternoon I created 2 more ACEO's...

This one was for "theme week" What I am afraid of"

I am really not afraid of spiders, well, those fast brown ones I don't like. I am really afraid of rodents... rats, mice... EEeeeeCKKK!!! But I am so afraid of them I can't draw them either. Can we say phobia?

I didn't get it listed on eBay though. By the time I finished it and the other my daughter was home.... dinner, a chat, and a pain pill left me ready for a evening nap.

Right, those pain pills knock me out. SO I didn't wake up until minutes before the cut off time for posting "Theme week" ACEO's and it takes me forever to post a listing. Hopefully, I will be faster today when I list this one.

Isn't he the cutest thing! This one will be hard to part with. I really like scarecrows.

If you want to keep an eye on my eBay listings here is the link.

We moved in to our new building Friday. It is awesome. Today, I am going to go buy a few small art supplies to keep there in my drawer so I don't have to lug things in and out everyday.

Yes, I am fortunate to work at a place where I can draw/color while I wait for calls. This is where I "color" all my stamped greeting cards and Christmas cards. Now, I plan on doing ACEO's there as well. Except for any watercoloring. I think that is where the boss would draw the line.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Where Have I Been????

Spending a whole lot of time in the Doctor's Office. I am now happily recovering from knee surgery, not a replacement.

I did alot of sketching in a small spiral notebook. On a forum somewhere, probably on yahoo I stated that I had not used a lined notebook before and didn't know if I would like to sketch with all those lines. Well since I was spending so much time in waitng rooms and only had a lined notebook and a ink pen. I thought what the heck...



As always click on photos to enlarge.

Here is a close up of the Doc's Office... didn't matter which side of the hall you are on the office stays the same, just switched/flipped, as in a mirror image... right down to the soap dispensers.




I have also been lurking in eBay in the ACEO group. Art Cards, Editions, and Originals... I have bought 3 now and I am addicted.

I am listing my first one today.



http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7358582176

It is only 2 1/2 inches by 3 1/2 inches. Check it out and check out all the other artists that do these incredible mini pieces. Search for ACEO.

Looking forward to getting back to participating in Illo Friday, EDM, and Studio Friday. I have missed y'all.

Mother and Child #1

a series of Mother and Child inspired doodles

Mother and Child #3

A series of Mother and Child inspired doodles

Wisdom

n. accumulated knowledge or erudition or enlightenment...




The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.
William Shakespeare
"As You Like It", Act 5 scene 1

Submission for Illustration Friday
8/11/05
sketchbook and colored pencil

Empty

Submission for Illustration Friday



8/05/05 Empty
medium: paper and colored pencil

Ever have one of those days? A day full of empty?

Sketchbooks

Submission for Studio Friday



I draw, doodle, sketch, glue cut-outs from magazines, doodle, and draw some more.

I doodle when I don't have anything exactly in mind to draw. I have been quite pleased with a couple of them.

I even convince co-workers to doodle when they comment on my "art". The sketchbook page on the right was doodled by Diana, who said "Oh I can't do those. I am not that creative" ... she doodled, I colored them in. I think the fish came out quite well.

I am a firm believer that if you just DO it, you will be amazed at what you can DO.

Every child is an artist. It's when we grow up that we forget that.

And it's fun. It sure helps the day at work go faster that's for sure.

The sketchbook with the field and bugs is full.

The one standing up is one that I am doing my collage stuff in and I am now using it for Illustration Friday, too.

For the collages I paste interesting images cut from old magazines, well some aren't to old, I have been known to come close to snatching a current magazine from a co-worker when I see something that I just have to have for a collage. They humor me quite well.

The cut-outs serve as inspiration for me to draw something to go with them.

Somewhere packed away I have many other sketchbooks from years gone by. Eventually as I fix up my studio area and unpack all those boxes I will find my old "friends" again.

Sketchbook Pages

pages from my collage sketchbook

I like to cut and paste interesting images in the pages then come back later and sketch in drawings to go with the cut-outs.

The Horse on the left wanted to be a giraffe, with a long tongue flicking out to get the offered bunch of whatever, alas he became a horse, almost an anime looking horse.

Who knows tomorrow he could become a unicorn.

Aging

Submission for Illustration Friday: Aging
7/29/05

*(added this note 8/05/05 due to comment: Academie Sketchbook, Crayola Colored Pencils, Prang Watercolor wash as background... I wouldn't have the slightest idea how to use computer/illustrator :) (I'm a single mom. I buy lots of my supplies during back to school sales... this week is a big sale week here!!! Yea!!! )

I originally thought about doing strawberries because I had just thrown out about 1/2 a carton. Such a waste of goodness.

Bananas were easier to do than fuzzy strawberries.

I am sad to say I also have had more than one banana age to ooze liquid.

I really need to freeze them when they get too ripe so that I can thaw them and make banana bread.

Now if I can just convince my daughter to do that as well.