Painting Progression

This is a post that I've been wanting to do for a while now and just never got around to finishing it. Below is a progression video of one of the double page spreads from Mr. Groundhog Wants The Day Off. Although the video quality isn't excellent I am still happy with the video that I was able to put together. It shows a little insight to how my paintings look from start to finish. I hope you Enjoy watching! :)

Painting Progression video
Music: Alicia Keys
As I Am (Intro)

Chalk Walk

Below are some pictures from a Chalk Walk competition in West Hartford, CT.
I recently participated in a sidewalk chalk competition which was part of the West Hartford Art League's annual ArtWalk. My idea was spontaneous. I came up with it literally that morning and just wanted to do something happy and colorful. It was fun working on such a large scale with only 6 hours to complete it. It was awesome to see all the other artists of all ages participating and turned out to be a wonderful day! Check out more pictures from the chalk competition on the Hartford Courant website here.

Me with my drawing


Hippo in a Ball Pit
Chalk Pastel
2010


Me with the winner of the competition Bonnie Gayle Morrill
Check out more of her amazing art work here

My Book is an App!!

I'm still not quite sure how I feel about this news, but the book I illustrated was made into an app. with Story Chimes. It is designed for both the iPhone and iPad. On one hand it is really neat to see the book in digital format with all the exciting features! On the other hand I will always love a printed book that a child can hold and flip through and hope that they never become obsolete. If you own an iPhone or iPad and would like to check it out Click Here or on the image above and get the app for only $1.99 !

Beach sketches

☀ Sketchbook pages from a day at the beach ☀

Belmar Beach
archival ink pen

2010

Commissioned Portrait from the past

The portrait below is an old commission that I had done a few years ago (before my blog existed). I came across photos that I had taken and since I wasn't able to share it before, I thought I'd do this post. I worked from a really nice vintage photograph and enjoyed painting in a simple monochromatic way, fading the background and drawing softly with the colored pencils. I thought it was a lovely image and had a wonderful time working on it.



Watercolor and colored pencils on watercolor paper

(painting detail)

New Painting

"I have you fast in my fortress,
And will not let you depart,

But put you down into the dungeon

In the round-tower of my heart.

And there will keep you forever

Yes, forever and a day,

Till the walls shall crumble to ruin,

And molder in dust away!"

an excerpt from The Children's Hour
by: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Two Bleeding Hearts : Undying Love
Watercolor
10.5" x 14"

I've recently finished the above painting for an open watercolor show in New England. The painting is of two flowers appropriately called Bleeding Hearts. This plant bears heart- shaped flowers, from which a little "drop of blood" dangles at the bottom, and are often a symbol of undying love.

Working on this painting was a bit of a challenge because it had to be done in strictly aqua media and I hadn't done a full watercolor painting since college. In my other work I like to get it to a point in watercolor or acrylics and then noodle away with my colored pencils to finish it. I'm not crazy about the painting but I figured if it doesn't get accepted into the show, I will have to get my colored pencils out and finish it until I'm happy.
Below is a photograph of me working on the painting at what seems to be my most productive hour, late at night when everyone is fast asleep. It's my quiet time to spend under the peaceful light of my desk lamp with music in my ears; no distractions; and nothing else to concentrate on but my painting. :)

Drawing pad in stores :)

It was a good feeling to walk into A.C. Moore today and see my artwork among all the art pads! I was told that they wouldn't be in stores until fall. After hearing from a friend that she had seen one in Massachusetts I wondered if they were in more stores. I'm not sure if they are in all art stores yet, but they are in A.C. Moore :)