Witchetty

Illustration Friday - Foggy

This was a spontanious little illustration that I created today, I didn't know it was going to fit the 'Foggy' topic for this weeks IF until I was almost finished. I only just scrape in to submit this by a few hours.

This measures 8" x 10" on kraft coloured cardstock and created using pen, acrylics and pencil. I had so much fun colouring with my pencils today, I don't usually use pencils very often but I found it really soothing and relaxing today.

I also just used a limited palette today. I used 8 pencils ranging in tones from green to blue and used only those colours on her hair, tail, eyes and the water. The only other colour was white and a splash of colour for the lotus flower.

I enjoyed this so much that I have just began a mermaid painting on canvas. This little mermaid is available on Etsy.

xx Bee

Mixed Media Monday - Let's Have Tea

This weeks topic for Mixed Media Monday is 'Let's Have Tea'. I thought that I would do something a little bit different this week and created this little illustration using pen, pencil, acrylics and pretty paper. It is titled "Taking a Tea Break".

It is amazing what a difference a week can make and how quickly we fall in and out of love with a product or technique. Last week I just had to get messy with paints and charcoal and was really loving the thick lines and great way it all mixed and blended together. This week I am completely in love with lines, lovely clear and crisp lines.

It has actually been a lovely change to get back to some drawing and sketching, as I often get so caught up with creating a painting that I forget how much I really enjoy to just draw. I think there are definitely some more little illo's on there way this week.

This little sweetheart is available in my Madeit Store. International buyers are very welcome to purchase.

xx Bee

Looking forwards while looking back.

I have been busy house hunting over the past two days so I haven't had a chance to catch up here, so I thought today would just be a quick update post. Still no luck in the house hunting department but I think we are getting close.

Firstly, I was very excited to learn that I had won Mixed Media Monday's art of the week for the topic of Monocromatic.  Wow, there were so many fantastic entries so it was an honour to be chosen.

Those of you that are regular visitors of my blog may have noticed that I have given my blog a little face lift. It is something that I have been meaning to complete for a while now and when I woke up on Friday with a headcold I decided to spend the day doing some much needed 'house keeping' here on the net. I tidied my Etsy store and marked a few canvases down to clear. With the impending move I thought it would be better if I didn't have as much artwork to pack, so if you are interested, you can view the specials here.

I also finished the design for my blog and I am really happy with how it turned out. I moved all of my blog links onto a page of their own here on my blog and created a button in the side bar to find them. It gives my sidebar a much cleaner look as I think as it was getting a bit cluttered. I also designed and created buttons for my Etsy store, email, and my new Madeit Store. Madeit is a website that was created to give Australian designers a place to sell their work and to network and advertise themselves. I have heard some really wonderful things from other Australian artists and thought that it was time to create my own store.

Which brings me the the heading of this post...."Looking forward while looking back". With the completion of my new design here and my new Madeit store I feel as though I am really moving forward in a positive way and it reminds me of where I have come from. I remember how nervous I was to show anyone my work when I first start painting and I felt so many times like a fraud pretending to want to be an artist. What a difference a year can make and I owe a lot of my confidence on the many wonderful and generous visitors that leave comments about my art here on my blog.

I also wanted to revisit an older piece of art because it is my favourite painting and the first to be listed in my Madeit store.

The Two of Us - I have always been blessed with a close relationship with my Mother and I absolutely adore my daughter Jade. I think every women knows how special the bond between a Mother and her daughter can be, whether you are a daughter or a mother, it is a profoundly deep bond that can never be broken. Even at times when desiring independence and needing to be recognised as a women in your own right, your Mother is one of the most important people in influencing who you become in this world.

xx Bee

Sisters

 As promised I have created another monocromatic piece for Mixed Media Monday, but it also fits in with a couple of other challenge blogs. The theme this week over at Thank God It's Friday is Brothers & Sisters, hence the title of this piece, and over at Theme Thursday the challenge is People with wings. So.....

This is another little 5" x 7" mixed media on canvas. I am really enjoying working with the smaller size as it creates fun little paintings that fit within everyone's budget. Jade also enjoys working on the smaller size which means I am back to 8" x 10" until I get to the art store to purchase some more smaller canvases LOL.

And again I was having fun playing with charcoal, I just love the way it mixes with the paint, so yummy!!

Available now in my Etsy Store.

xxx Bee

I've been given a blog award

 I have been given this award by Karen, thank you so much Karen, it was such a lovely surprise this morning when I ventured over to your blog. And so the rules of accepting the award are......

1) Put the logo on your blog.

2) Add a link to the person who awarded you.

3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs.

4) Add links to those blogs on yours.

5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.

So my 7 are......

Karen, Campbell Jane, Diane, KJ, Dani, Leah and Danita

These are all wonderful, creative and individual artists that I enjoy 'visiting' on a regular basis.

xxx Bee

Mixed Media Monday - Dance and Monocromatic

I missed last weeks MMM topic of Dance, so I thought this week I would combine both Dance and Monocramatic into one piece.

 

I had actually created it using the pink tones before I realised that this weeks topic was monocromatic. I know there is a little bit of other colour there but I really wanted to show it off. I will create another monocromatic piece as well and try to be truer to the topic.

This is a little 5 x 7 canvas and she was created using scrapbooking papers as the background, acrylics, charcoal, pen and rubber stamps.

I love the gorgeous lines that the charcoal create and the way it blends with the paint. LOVING charcoal at the moment!!!

She is available now in my Etsy Store.

xx Bee

Mixed Media Monday - Place

This is my first time participating in Mixed Media Monday and this weeks challenge is 'Place'. I think in the physical sense then this artwork represents heaven, however I also like to think that is shows how a person can arrive at an emotional or spiritual place along the journey of life.

This year has been rather challenging and I have felt it really important to remain positive and feel true gratitude for the blessings that I have in my life.

I am having so many problems with typepad this morning that I willl finish this post by showing the stitching that I did on this piece. I have been meaning to add more detail and dimension to my work for a while and I always enjoyed adding stitching and buttons/beads to my scrapbooking work.

Available now in my Etsy Store.

xx Bee

No much painting happening....

.....but I have some wonderful news. Our house is under offer!!!

We have made the decision to downsize and take life a little easier for a while. I think I will try and go back to school next year as well and pursue a new career. My heart would love to follow a career in art but I just don't know if I could make a full time living at it. So I will probably go back to my second love and study teaching. I worked with kids before having my own daughter and I love getting creative with the children and watching them develop.

I am lucky enough to have a husband who understands how important my art is to me and knows that no matter what my day job is I will always be an artist.

So now the next challenge is to find the perfect property at the right price. We are happy to downsize to a 3 bedroom house as long as it has an area that can be used as a joint study/art room I am happy. We are looking at the worst house on the best street at the moment hoping to find a fixer-upper in a nice area. So there won't be a huge amount of new paintings being created over the next few weeks. I am going to spend a few hours this afternoon painting as I don't know when I will get another chance.

xx Bee

Hope

"When you despair, I bring hope".

This weeks Inspire Me Thursday topic is Art in Everyday. I like to think that everyday we are guided and protected by angels, here to give us love, protection and hope when we need it most.

Have you ever had that feeling that someone you loved and who has passed over feels so close they are almost present in the moment.

Available now in my Etsy store.

xx Bee

Finally some ACEO's and an update

I apologise for the lack of posts this week. I received some really bad news on Tuesday morning and it has left me reeling. I am not ready to share it just yet as I am still trying to come to terms with it myself. I thought a post was needed however to show off my first ever ACEO's, something I have been wanting to try for ages and finally completed three.

So without further ado.....let me introduce:

Jasmine

Camille

 Contessa

They are available in my Etsy store.

xx Bee