ACEO Joy
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I’ve been feeling rather joyless lately about my art. Not for very long, just a few days but none the less, I started to think about why this last year I have been able to find such joy in painting. So much so that I couldn’t wait to get back to it. It has not always been like that. I used to torture myself throughout the process of doing a painting. I really never found much joy in the process, only the result. These last few days, I have been feeling like that again and it all has to do with that nasty old ego. It has stepped in and is trying to take over.
“Go away ego, I will continue to paint for the joy of it and if someone likes it along the way then that is just the icing.”
I did these two ACEOs tonight and it was fun. So there.
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IF-Balloon
‘She liked the argyle socks, but what she really wanted was a balloon!’
OK, I know this is a bit of a stretch but, having a latex allergy, I really can’t bring myself to paint these things. I also know that it is extremely hard to explain to a two year old that they can’t have a balloon because mommy’s lips will swell up like a blowfish!
Hold Still, Hold On
Hold still for one more moment
Stay still for one more second
More
These paintings are inspired by my children but are memories of being a child. Feeling scared and small. Time went so slowly then and yet looking back it seems so distant and foggy.
This is an original 12″x12″ mixed media painting on a 1″ deep wood stretcher.
The Cardinal’s song
“Cheer, cheer, cheer,
whoit, whoit, whoit, whoit,
chip”
I hear you welcoming winter
I welcome it too
It’s soft feathery flakes
Tickle my nose and cheeks
They gently land on my eyelashes
Cardinal, you are so red against the crisp white snow,
Like a winter berry
A Christmas bird
My favorite time of year
Winter is on its way and I am trying my hardest at being positive.
Opinion – Illustration Friday – I Talked To A Crow Today
I never met a crow that didn’t have an opinion about one thing or another!
This is a piece I did earlier this year.
The following poem accompanies it.
I talked to a crow today,
or rather, he talked to me.
I’m not sure what he was going on about
but he did go on and on and on.
I talked to a crow today,
he had an awful lot to say.
“Mr. Crow,” I said politely, ” will you please let me get a word in?”
But he wasn’t even listening.
He went on and on and on.
That is the way it is with crows,
and sometimes with people too.
Not really interested in conversing,
but rather in the sound of their own voice.
I listened to a crow today,
he went on and on and on.
Just Too Young
It is hard to be two. Everyone knows that you can’t teach a two year old in a ‘do what I say environment’. Don’t even try! To a two year old ‘do what I say’ means ‘do anything BUT that!’ and, make sure you pout your lips so they are touching your nose, cross your arms tight across your chest, and on occasion, throw yourself on the floor in a heap. Is it any wonder that ballet classes are offered to 3 and up? The problem with this is that a two year old sees themselves as ready and the idea that someone might even suggest that they may not be is insulting, to say the least!
UH OH … cue the lips and arms and ONE… TWO… THREE… dissolve in tears to the floor!
This is an original 12″x12″ mixed media painting on a 2″ deep wood panel.
Sad Music
She just can’t help it, some music just makes her so sad. And still, she loves to play.
This is an original11.5″x15.5″ mixed media painting from my Harlequin series.
Too Young For Ballet Class
Poor Scarlett. She is just a little too young for ballet class. (She doesn’t think she is though!) Next year, Scarlett. Next year.
This ACEO is sold …thanks Grandmother!
Harlequin ACEOs
Three new ACEO harlequin musicians available at my etsy store http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5037264
ACEO The Mushroom Tam
I did this mixed media ACEO last night. The tam is inspired by the artist Dadaya from Kyoto on etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5069929 I just love her stuff! It is so whimsical and colourful. She was in the same treasury as me yesterday. I have added her to my blogroll tniytoadstool-label.blogspot.com Check her out.
Ring Around The Rosie
I did this illustration for the December issue of our community newspaper, The Rat Creek Press http://www.ratcreek.org/. This issue’s focus is ‘good Neighbors’.
This original mixed media painting is available here http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17177061
My Red Flute
I did this mixed media mini canvas (2.5″x2.5″) today.
Available here http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17176544
The Red Beret- Mini Canvas
This is an original mixed media painting on a 2.5″x2.5″ mini canvas that I did today. It is available here
Another Red Accordion
This is an original 8″x10″ mixed media painting on paper covered canvas.
I did an ACEO of this same image a few days ago. I am just loving this new character and colour palette! Music is very much a part of our house. The girls just love to give Chris and I a concert. They both love applause. I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Not me, Chris. I can’t play a note.
Little, Little Red Riding Hood
Here is a smaller version of Don’t Stray From The Path. It is a mixed media ACEO that i finished today.
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Oh, by the way, yesterday I was featured in this really neat newsletter called Paper Street’s Catch Of The Day, this is a family operation (even their eight year old son is involved). You have to subscribe to get the newsletter emailed to you http://paperstreetsupplies.com/
They also have a shop on etsy http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5291682
Thanks you guys!
My Red Accordion
This ACEO is an original mixed media painting that I did today.
I love this new character. She is a harlequin musician. Here she is playing her red accordion. I plan on doing a larger version in the next couple of days.
My Red Guitar
I love my red guitar
It almost looks juicy
I could just eat it up
It makes sweet music
That fills me up
It makes me feel happy
It makes me feel content
This an original 11″x15.5″ mixed media painting on 100% rag paper.
This painting is available here http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16864305
Eating Watermelon
This is the third time that I have painted this subject. I have done one ACEO and one 11″x15.5″ mixed media piece on paper. This time around I have painted it on 11″x14″ profile canvas (3″deep).
This has been included in a treasury on etsy! http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=18516
It is avaiable in my etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16805616
The Girl With The Magenta Hair
Hey! I was added to another treasury today! It is called The Little Red Coat http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=18359
She stood silently in the winter night. The cold air touched the tip of her nose and flushed her cheeks. She wiggled her nose to stop the tickle in her nostrils. She liked that feeling, when the hair inside her nose began to freeze. It was an odd sensation but it meant winter was really here.
The snow sparkled in the moonlight. How could she think it so beautiful and hate it so much all at once? It was hard to explain but standing there, in the moment, with the snow softly falling around her, it was undeniably breathtaking. And for right now that was all that mattered. Perhaps that was the key to it all, not resisting it so much. Not anticipating the months to come, but instead, just taking pleasure in the beauty of the present moment.
This is a mixed media 12″x 16″ painting on wood stretcher. It is 1″ deep and the sides are painted magenta. This painting is available here http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16805934
Halloween 2008
Here are the Spider Princess and the Spider Queen. The Spider Queen won first prize for her costume. I know, I know, I actually won first prize but I guess I’ll let her keep the ribbon. It is only fair.
