For the Intimidation of Blogs

There is something about an art blog that scares the pants off of me. It's like all of the sudden the ideas and thoughts of the innermost chambers of my heart are broadcast for the world to see...It is a little like walking down the street naked, because so much of who I am is exposed. Art, for me, is really a piece of my soul...my brains on paper. So, do I care if people like it? 80% not really...but 20% very much. Make sense?

All of that was supposed to be an apology of some sorts for not EVER posting art on this blog. Really, I just saw 6,000+ people have looked at this blog (which scared me to death), and I have decided to try harder to show what I feel really happy and confident about. Just be patient with me....An art blog is like a blank sketchbook page, only a bagillion times worse because it is TOTALLY out in the open, and all the sudden instead of spewing my brains on paper by my happy little self, I have to show everyone the evidence!

SO please enjoy! These are the 6 "Moments" paintings...awkward moments, touching moments, just moments! They might not look like much, but for me they really mark a milestone in my life as an illustrator. First of all, I completed them just a week before my first child was born (so amid hormones and tears galore). Second, I really didn't have much experience with watercolor. I just loved it, so I decided to do 6 HUGE paintings. By the way, watercolor is hard. You can't just throw white down, you have to leave the white, AND you can't just paint over an ugly area, you have to carefully lift off and glaze and repeat, but only a few times, otherwise you go through the paper.
Really, this series was a great learning experience for me, and really helped me progress.

I hope you enjoy "Moments"--some of which are from actual experiences.

My inspiration comes from Norman Rockwell, who I admire for accurately capturing moments from everyday life. He made normal american moments famous. The dinner painting is a modern take on his "Freedom from Want" painting--my how family dinners have changed since the 1940s! The 'roadtrip' painting also mimiks a simular one of his, as does the  'awkward date.' I think everyday life and moments are worth depicting!

"Moments"

I am have a goal to be more diligent with my blog. So here is a color study and some sketches of paintings I am currently working on. I am depicting "moments" from life that are funny or awkward, and especially relatable. I'll be sure to keep you posted with each painting as they progress. There will be 6 total.

More Watercolor Magic!

So I am having a blast! I think I am finally letting go of the baggage and just making art. The passion comes when you do your best to make a great picture, and you love every second of creating it, and then you can't stop smiling when you look at it again and again. Not saying I love everything I paint, or that there aren't improvements to make, but I think the "fun" I am having creating the piece is starting to show in the final product. I think my artwork is more or less a journey of my personal self discovery as an artist and as a person in general.

Winter 2012

I LOVE watercolor! I am taking my first class and breathing it all in! The top paintings are based on my sister and paintings by a professional artist names Lisa Leeva. I have also had a recent fascination with chickens...and specifically, chickens playing basketball. I am having a lot of fun, and I am working on two other chicken paintings.

More from my portfolio

More from "The Bubble!" It's DONE!

Pgs. 41-42 of "The Bubble"

Here is a sample of one of my "nearly finished" pages!  I should have my entire book done by the end of this week!