Art Give-a-way!

Oh heck, it's almost New Year's Eve, time to give away some art!

Tell me what piece of mine you like, and why, in a comment under this post, and I'll pick a winner out of a hat from all the comments. An 8 x 10 giclee will be sent to the person who's name gets picked (or I can send you a card or ACEO if you prefer). So pick carefully!

You can see most of my colored pencil pieces here if you want to slog through my blog, or you can see them at my Etsy Shop. (This giveaway does not include the oil paintings or collages!) Click on any image under "My Etsy Shop" to the right on this page, or here's the link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/roxy5235

Have fun! Something free is always fun!! Post your comment before January 5th. I'll choose a winner January 6th!

Happy Holidays!

Though we have no snow this minute, Cleo is waiting for the next storm with pleasant memories of last year's abundance!

Elephant for Abbie

I started this a looooong time ago, and figured I'd better finish it before Christmas! Almost done!

Colored Pencil Blog

I've been adding some posts to my new blog with colored pencil tips if you're interested in learning more about them! Here's the page: http://revelleimagemaker.blogspot.com/

Drawings for Christmas

Hi everyone. I've been busy drawing and painting some Christmas presents. My daughter hardly ever comes to this blog (fingers crossed) so I'm going to post them here for you to see. I worked from photos and did the drawings on Rising Museum board (the rough side this time) and used a variety of pencils from 4H to 2B. I had so much fun! Hope you enjoy them. The 3 girls are my daughters kids, and Aaron is my step daughter's son.

My greeting card has been blogged

The woman who runs this blog found me on Etsy and asked if she could feature one of my Christmas cards on her blog in Philadelphia. Seems the pit bull is the favorite dog of pet owners in Philly. Of course I said yes! I created it from an old found photo and brought it into Photoshop to add details. If you like like it, twitter it and add it to your Facebook page for me! Thanks!
http://www.thephillydog.com/archives/4344

New classes

I will b teaching a "Colored Pencil" evening class in Newburyport, MA starting February 8th. Email me for details if you are interested. I'll post links for all classes soon. They are in the process of posting them on web pages and getting the brochures ready for printing.

I'll also be teaching two "Learn to Draw" classes evenings, early in the year. One will be at Whittier Vo-Tech in Haverhill, MA, and the other will be at Timberlane High School in Plaistow, NH. I'll list the details and the web sites for registration, as soon as they are posted. Looks like I'm going to be busy! Yeah!

Colored Pencil Class in Newburyport

I'll be teaching a colored pencil class in Newburyport starting February 8, 2012. Email me if you need more details!

For all artists and Illustrators who have work that has been published

Something of interest to all artists and illustrators who have work that has been published. You may have some money waiting for you to collect!
http://ipaorphanworks.blogspot.com/2011/11/money-for-artists.html

Arts Business Institute

My little penguin has been blogged about under "Great Handmade Gifts" in the Arts Institute Blog, as one of twenty! I'm psyched! Check it out. http://www.artsbusinessinstitute.org/

John Bavaro

This drawing was done by John Bavaro on an iphone! Amazing! Here's a link to his flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/john_bavaro/5258778104/in/set-72157624153669292/

See all his primates that he drew on his iphone, using an app called "Brushes". I might have to get it for myself.

Colored Pencil Class

Had a great time in class yesterday, teaching the students to use watercolor colored pencils. I had them draw an apple first with the watercolor pencils, and then when it was dry, go over it with their Prismacolors. I can see them progressing each week. Here's the apple I drew last weekend using watercolor pencils and going over it with Prismacolors. I brought it to class to show them what was possible.

Just posted a new Christmas card

This is for all the Pit Bull lovers!

Check it out on my Etsy site. Thanks! http://www.etsy.com/listing/85725373/pit-bull-christmas-holiday-card

Some great pencil drawings

Check out these sites to see some fabulous graphie and chalk drawings! http://www.odditycentral.com/pics/meticulously-detailed-drawings-made-with-graphite-and-chalk.html Some humongous ballpoint pen drawings: http://www.odditycentral.com/pics/the-photo-like-ballpoint-pen-drawings-of-juan-francisco-casas.html And some fantastic pencil drawings: http://www.odditycentral.com/pics/the-amzing-pencil-art-of-paul-lung.html

This drawing is by Paul Lung.

Raul Pazos

Please check out this artist. This work was done on Fabriano 180, in colored pencil and pen and ink! Amazing, huh???? Here's his Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Raul-Pazos/184754028318

Great news

Having a great day. Sold 50 Christmas cards today, shipping them to Australia tomorrow! Then I was contacted by a great woman who runs a "dog" blog in Philly. She is going to feature my Pit Bull Christmas card on her blog in a "Holiday Gift Guide" for dog owners and dog lovers! My card will be featured with 9 other great unique dog items! Those Philly natives love their pitts! Woo hoo!!!

Drawing Class

Today my students brought in mirrors and had a first attempt at drawing themselves. Self portraits are always difficult for people new to drawing. They have a hard time "seeing" beyond what they imagine they look like. Even when their first marks seem odd to them, they have a hard time believing that there is "that amount of space between their eyes", etc. until you show them by having them measure. It's such a pleasure to bring their eyes into focus and see them wrestle with the right side of their brains, as the lips get wider and the nose goes higher in their drawings. I explained that they should try to treat the image of themselves like a drawing of a bunch of lines and shapes, and to look at the negative shapes that the planes of their faces make. Always interesting results! Some take a long time getting the shape of the face correct while others seem to speed through, only to grab the eraser at the end. I love teaching. The students are doing awesome! This image is from my hero of the self-portrait, Kathe Kollwitz, 1924

.

Check out this great website

I came across this great website with movies, awe inspiring, and art-inspiring, if any of you want to check it out. Both the adults and the kids should see this! http://thekidshouldseethis.com/

Art Classes

Adults “Learn to Draw” Class for Beginners If you always wanted to learn to draw and didn’t think it was possible, I promise you, you can learn to draw! I will teach you to break down objects into their basic elements so you can truly see what you are trying to draw. Learn about shape, positive and negative space, overlapping, and working with spatial relationships between objects. Learn how to use shading to create volume and start to understand what perspective can add to your drawings. WHAT TO BRING: Black fine tip markers such as Staedtler pigment liners. Medium and wide black markers. A good set of colored markers including 2 shades of gray. A ream of white drawing paper or 9 x 12 drawing paper pad such as Strathmore. You can find these at an art supply store, Staples or online at www.dickblick.com.

Class starts Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011 and runs 8 weeks. Class is from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm. Cost is $120.00. To hold your spot mail a check to Revelle Taillon, 26 West Pine Street, Plaistow, NH 03865. Class size limited to 6.

Charlie Christmas card

I also created a new Christmas card using my colored pencil drawing of Charlie. Enjoy!

New Christmas Card

I used my little deer to create a "Rudolph" want-a-be Christmas card!

Turtles on black canson paper

I decided to try some black Canson drawing paper for a turtle I wanted to draw, since there were tons of black areas on the image to start with. It's pretty much the same as drawing on a toned paper, in that you can add all your light colored pencils on top of the paper for your highlights. I was pleased that I could still start out with my trusty lead pencil, as I was concerned it might not show up on the black! But it did. Here are the first few steps in my drawing, as I took some shots along the way. It was pretty hard to get the photos looking good in Photoshop. Next time, I'll scan it and see if that looks better. I shot these photos on my phone. LAZY! Let me know what you think!

Another bumpy ride

This time we were driving to my daughter's house in my husbands car. He was driving, I was drawing...or at least I was trying to draw!

Driving

I guess I'll probably draw the rest of my dashboard as I have my hubby drive us here and there, or I wait for my granddaughter. It's very relaxing and fun!

Waiting

I've been doing some quick sketches while waiting for my granddaughter, Emily,

to get out of track practice. Since I'm waiting in the car..

A new artist friend

I got some lovely notecards for a friend I met on line. She's from the Netherlands and she draws some great cats. If you'd like to check out her work see her flickr page here! http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandrabrouwer/6099087655/in/photostream In return, I sent her some of my greeting cards! What a great way to exchange some art. I love the web!!!

My car keys

A quick sketch I did of my car keys while sitting in the drivers seat waiting for my granddaughter to get done with track practice. Done in copic markers and micron pen. No wonder they

feel so heavy in my purse!!

Colored Pencil Class

Had a great time explaining the basics of colored pencil to my new students. They were all great and very attentive. I only forgot to pack one thing when I was getting ready to leave the house...my pencil sharpener! Oh boy! At least everyone else had theirs. I also got a couple more calls for the Learn to Draw class so I'll have 2 more students there next Tuesday. I'm wondering why I didn't try this earlier? I love to watch people learn to draw! I'm even considering teaching a short Photoshop class teaching artist the basics after they do the scan, what now? I imagine lots of them would like to learn that.

Learn to draw

Well I started my "Learn to Draw" class for adults yesterday and it went great. The students were concentrating on what I was teaching them and the exercises and sketches they did were really well done. They even asked if there was homework! So I sent them home with something to do and told them they should definitely consider have a sketchbook and drawing in it every day. Hope they take me up on that suggestion! Colored Pencil class starts tomorrow! Yipee!

Another botanical illustrator

Lisa Tommasi's images are a delight with tiny butterflies and insects on each page fluttering between her plants and veggies. Check them out. Really delicate and beautiful.

http://www.lisatommasi.com/tavole-botaniche/fiori-flowers/

Just some info on colored pencil art

COLORED PENCIL SOCIETIES
http://www.cpsa.org/
Colored Pencil Society of America

http://www.ukcps.co.uk/
UK Coloured Pencil Society

http://www.colouredpencils.com.au/welcome/?wlfrom=%2F
Australin Coloured Pencil Network

http://www.cpsd.dk/
Colored Pencil Society of Denmark

http://colouredpencilcanada.ca/
Colored Pencil Society of Canada

Colored Pencils
Derwent
http://www.pencils.co.uk/

Faber Castell
http://www.fabercastell.com/14786/Welcome/index_ebene2.aspx

Caran d”Ache
http://www.carandache.com/m/index.lbl

Staedtler
http://www.staedtler.com/

Prismacolor
http://www.prismacolor.com/home

Paper
Strathmore
http://www.strathmoreartist.com/

Canson
http://www.canson-us.com/ArtistPapers.asp

New Birthday card

I love to find old antique photos and play with them in Photoshop until I come up with a great new look, then offer them for sale in my Etsy Shop as birthday cards. This one will be a bit hit with any dog lover!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/60904177/pit-bull-dog-birthday-card

Botanical Art website

Just spent a good half hour looking at all of this amazing botanical art. If you want to get lost in loveliness, check it out!
http://www.botanicalartists.com/index.htm

Pen and Ink and Dr. Martin's ink, Sheep

Here's a fun sheep I created with pen and ink, Dr. Martin's inks and acrylics. I added the jewelry for fun. After all, it's a girl sheep!

Wacom to release "Inkling"

You all have to check this out! An easy way to transfer your sketches right into your computer as vector artwork! Oh my, I have to have one of these!.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2392066,00.asp

Elephant video

I just watched this great video about 2 elephants that were reunited after 20 years. Made me cry. You should check it out!
http://www.dogwork.com/relp8/#

Florida tree

Here's a sketch I did a while ago while my husband was off fishing. It's amazing to me how much detail I was able to draw when I just sat still for half an hour! I'm usually in such a rush when I'm sketching.

I'll be teaching some classes soon!

Art Classes to be held at Seacoast Artist Association
Seacoast Artist Association
225 Water Street, Exeter, NH 03833
603) 778-8856, www.seacoastartist.org

Childrens “Learn to Draw” Class for Grades 5 to 8
Learn to see what you are trying to draw in a new way so that you are happy with your art. Learn about the elements of shape, positive and negative space, overlapping, and working with spatial relationships between objects. Learn how to use shading so that your drawings look three dimensional.
WHAT TO BRING: Black fine tip markers such as Staedtler pigment liner. Medium and wide black markers. A good set of colored markers including 2 shades of gray. A ream of white drawing paper or 9 x 12 drawing paper pad such as Strathmore. You can find these at an art supply store, Staples or online at www.dickblick.com.
Class starts Saturday, October 1, 2011 and runs for 5 weeks. Class is on Saturdays from 12 pm to 2 pm. Cost is $75.00. To hold your spot mail a check to Revelle Taillon, 26 West Pine Street, Plaistow, NH 03865. Class size limited to 6.

Adults “Learn to Draw” Class for Beginners
If you always wanted to learn to draw and didn’t think it was possible, I promise you, you can learn to draw! I will teach you to break down objects into their basic elements so you can truly see what you are trying to draw. Learn about shape, positive and negative space, overlapping, and working with spatial relationships between objects. Learn how to use shading to create volume and start to understand what perspective can add to your drawings.
WHAT TO BRING: Black fine tip markers such as Staedtler pigment liner. Medium and wide black markers. A good set of colored markers including 2 shades of gray. A ream of white drawing paper or 9 x 12 drawing paper pad such as Strathmore. You can find these at an art supply store, Staples or online at www.dickblick.com.
Class starts Tuesday, September 27th, 2011 and runs 8 weeks. Class is from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm. Cost is $120.00. To hold your spot mail a check to Revelle Taillon, 26 West Pine Street, Plaistow, NH 03865. Class size limited to 6.

Colored Pencil Drawing Classes, held weekly
WHAT TO BRING: Set of quality colored pencils. Prismacolors are one of the most popular and easy to find at art supply stores, or on www.dickblick.com. Also bring pencil sharpener, either a hand held one or battery operated; a kneaded eraser and a hard white drawing eraser, 2B pencil, a colorless blender pencil and/or a colorless blender marker. Nice to have, but not absolutely necessary is a matte workable fixative and a permanent fixative for your finished drawings. Quality colored pencil drawing paper.
Class starts Thursday, September 29th, 2011. Classes will be each Thursday from 1:30pm to 3:30pm. Class will be paid for weekly, $15 per class.

For more information you may call:
Revelle Taillon at 603-382-3397 or email her at rtaillon@comcast.net.

Learn to Draw classes for beginners

I'll also be teaching some learn to draw classes in Exeter. Going to meet with the woman in charge tomorrow. I've been working on my lessons and handouts this week. I may do both a children's class and an adult class and see which I prefer teaching. I'm really excited about this. I've had cabin fever this summer and I need to get out of the studio and out into the world again! Who else gets cabin fever after a while? Art can sometimes turn into such a solitary business. Any teachers out there with good advice on how long to hold the class and how many weeks?

Colored Pencil Workshops

I've been asked to give another colored pencil workshop and maybe teach a regular weekly class. Looking forward to getting out of the studio some more. It's been a long summer! I'll post updates when I have more information.

Grains of sand

Found this site showing blow=ups of tiny grains of sand. Who knew they were so beautiful?

http://www.dailygood.org/more.php?n=4687

Halloween Poster

Getting my Etsy shop ready for Halloween! If you need a knock-out poster for your door....

Just Pine Needles

I was fooling around with a photo I had taken a while ago, after a rain storm, of some pine needles on the ground. Here's what I came up with! This was fun.

Scientific Illustration

I stumbled onto a couple of scientific art/illustration sites and I though I'd pass them along to anyone who is interested. One is http://www.science-art.com/ and the second is Guild of Natural Science Illustrators | GNSI
www.gnsi.org. Does anyone have any experience as a member of either of these sites? The first one looked interesting but doesn't seem to have updated newsletters or advertising. The last newsletter looks like 2007. But there are some good links on this page: http://www.science-art.com/links/. I sent them an email to see what's up with updating their site. I may contact a few of their artists for some feedback also.

Read this extremely moving blog/documentary....

http://www.darcypadilla.com/thejulieproject/intro.html

Volunteering

Always wanted to volunteer and decided to submit an application to a no-kill feline shelter. I'll keep you up to date when I hear back. This is exciting!

Vacation is over

We had a great time on Newfound Lake in New Hampshire. But all good vacations must end. Here's a great sunset over our beach and one of my granddaughter, Emily, and Cleopatra, having a deep conversation about when we will get to the ice cream shop at the end of the lake!

Tiger graphite drawing

I did this drawing a while ago and have been meaning to add giclees of him to my Etsy shop. You can see them here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/76755175/tiger

In honor of this momentous occasion, I am giving away a free 8x10 inch giclee to anyone who leaves a comment here on my posting of this tiger. So post before July 13th, and I will select one lucky winner! You've all been so supportive while I've been getting back on my feet. Hope you win! He comes printed on Moab Lasal Gloss paper printed in archival inks. Have a great day!

"Sky Water"

I've been listening to some meditation tapes and this is one section that I love listening too. Hope it will bring you some peace today!


"In such a day, in September or October, Walden is a perfect forest mirror, set round with stones as precious to my eye as if fewer or rarer. Nothing so fair, so pure, and at the same time so large, as a lake, perchance, lies on the surface of the earth. Sky water. It needs no fence. Nations come and go without defiling it. It is a mirror which no stone can crack, whose quicksilver will never wear off, whose gilding Nature continually repairs; no storms, no dust, can dim its surface ever fresh; a mirror in which all impurity presented to it sinks, swept and dusted by the sun's hazy brush,—this the light-dust cloth,—which retains no breath that is breathed on it, but sends its own to float as clouds high above its surface, and be reflected in its bosom still."
Walden ~Thoreau

Pick up at the Brush Gallery

Well I was happy to bring my Dad over to see my artwork at the Brush Gallery in Lowell before the show closed. He's up here from South Carolina for the summer. After that we attending a birdhouse building seminar and each build out own. He's outside staining them now. Copper roofs to be added tomorrow! So happy now that spring has arrived!

Finally feeling better!

It's been a long haul, but I'm feeling almost human again! Back to creating new artwork right after vacation. Newfound Lake in New Hampshire is one of the 3 cleanest lakes in the country! We were lucky enough to find a place that allows dogs and Cleo is looking forward to vacation as much as we are.