Saturday, November 28, 2009

Next Commission - Jen's Portrait


Jen's Portrait
8x10 inches
Graphite and coloured pencils on drafting film
Almost on top of all the commissions. The joy for me, is the variety of subjects and mediums that are requested which means each commission is a new challenge and there is never time for boredom to set in. I am ever grateful for the opportunity to do art on a full-time basis and, hopefully, bring some happiness to people along the way!!!!

Friday, November 27, 2009

Latest Commission - Charlie


Charlie
7x10 inches
Pastels and pencils on Velour Paper
This portrait is actually a Christmas present for my youngest son's Kindergarten Teacher (hopefully she doesn't read my blog!!!). Off to put up the Christmas decorations with the kids now, and then back to the drawing board. Hope our friends in the US all had a lovely Thanksgiving.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving and a New Commission

Sarah & Joey
8x10 inch
Coloured pencils and Pan pastels on drafting film
This commission is for my neighbour to give to her daughter. Their dearly beloved budgie has not been well lately, and just in case anything should happen to him, they wanted a keepsake to remember him by.
A few months ago, I discovered Pan Pastels, and for anyone doing people portraits, these pastels are a wonderful way of helping to smooth the skin out as you are in the finishing stages of a portrait. They respond well to an application of fixative.
Wishing all our friends in the US a wonderful Thanksgiving with family, friends and loved ones.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Another Commission - Cali


Cali
8x10 inches
Coloured pencils on drafting film
Three more commissions and I will finally have caught up on orders, and can reopen my stores again. Thank you so much to anyone who is waiting for a portrait - I do appreciate your patience.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Getting there - Another Commission - Rachael


Rachael
8x10 inches
Graphite and coloured pencils on drafting film
I go into a bit of panic mode when there is a backlog of commissions to do, as I don't like leaving clients waiting too long, but I am slowly starting to catch up. Thankfully today the weather has cooled down to a lovely 20 something degrees celcius - much more civilised!!!!
Cheers to all :))

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Latest Commission - Monk

Monk
8x10 inch
Coloured pencils on drafting film
Meet Monk - a 15 year old blue heeler/terrier cross.
On a serious note, my thoughts are with any of you in the UK caught in the floods and I do hope they subside quickly for you. Thankfully for us, today isn't turning out to be quite as hot as the weather people predicted, and so back to work for me!!!

Friday, November 20, 2009

Newest Commission - Lily the Whippet

Lily
5x7 inches
Coloured pencils on drafting film
I am making very slow progress on my commissions at the moment. In the last week we have had four days that have been over 39 degrees C (102 degrees F), and yesterday the mercury hit 42. We haven't even reached summer yet - it truly does get you thinking about Global Warming. I much prefer to snuggle up in warm clothes on a cool day with a nice hot cuppa, then melt in this heat, and find it quite challenging to be as productive as normal when it's hot!!! Enough of the whinging, at least I am blessed to be able to follow my love for art on a full-time basis and have more blessings than I can poke a stick at - back to the drawing board!!!!!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Latest Commission - A Day to Remember

A Day to Remeber
16 x 20 inches
Coloured pencils on drafting film
This is my latest commission and what a marathon it has been - it has kept me out of mischief day and night for more than a week. I did have reservations about working on such a large scale but for a special request like a wedding day, how could I refuse. I know now why I usually opt to work on a smaller scale!!! Back to work now, as I have a backlog of Christmas commissions to do. I do apologize to anyone who is wanting a commission done at the moment, as I have had to put all my stores in vacation mode whilst I catch up on all the orders.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Collectible Custom Miniature Art Jewellery




Years ago, before getting into art in a big way, I used to make little silk ribbon embroidery ornaments and sold them on consignment in various shops. It occurred to me, yesterday, that the supplier of these little picture frame stands also made some wonderful other castings that might be suitable for collectible art jewellery. What a delicious day I had today, going back to the shop where I used to buy these castings, and then sitting down to make this first combined pendant-brooch. The cat artwork is 3x4cm (1.2 x 1.5 inches) and has been set under a layer of resin, the pendant-brooch is 4.5 x 5.5cm. I am going to offer commissioned pet and people portraits as custom jewellery from my Ebay and Etsy stores.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Half Price Clearance on selected Framed Miniature Artworks

Eastern Rosella
70mm x 95mm
Watercolours on Fredrix watercolour canvas
Carousel Horse
70mm x 95mm
Watercolours on Illustration board
Fishing at Greenwell Point
70mm x 95mm
Watercolours on Rtistx 300 Panel
The New Dawn
70mm x 95mm
Watercolours on Fredrix Watercolour canvas
Joker's Muse
70mm x 95mm
Watercolours on Fredrix Watercolour Canvas

This is a sample of some of the framed miniature artworks that I have just placed for sale in my Etsy Store and they are all being sold at half their original price. I have reached the point where the one wall that I have allocated for my artwork is now saturated and it is time to make way for more!!!!!!


Thursday, November 5, 2009

Latest Commission - Soulful

Soulful
7x8 inches
Coloured pencils on drafting film
I know I said I wouldn't upload the second pug portrait, but it's a woman's perogative to change her mind, but no progress shots this time. After doing two portraits of pugs in a row, I have fallen in love with these beautiful little dogs - so much character in their wrinkled little faces.
A wonderful day full of smiles to all of you!!!! :)

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Latest Commission - Kit






Kit
7x8 inch
Coloured pencils on drafting film

Most of my commissions seem to be cats and people, both of which I love to do, but it was fun to do a dog for a change and the pugs have so much appeal. I have another pug to do tomorrow, but won't upload the finished portrait, as it is quite similar to this one. I have included the WIP shots, but got so consumed at the end that I forgot to head back to the scanner - you get the idea anyway. :)