Have you met Wishing Willow! Swing in for a Giveaway!

If you've not visited the wonderful blog Wishing Willow then you are truly missing out on some lovely finds! Read on to find out a bit about the fantastic team of Nate and Tara:

Tara: "As a little girl, I found a kind of magic in the silhouette of a willow tree, as if all the hiddenness of a world undiscovered lurked just on the other side of its branches. Wishes, I imagined, lay waiting to be made within the shaded cove of the willow. Being a grownup doesn’t mean a girl can’t wish anymore. But I have a better idea now of the kinds of things worth wishing for. My goal in creating this blog is to provide for all of you a forum where products that are truly special can be featured, reviewed, and shared with a community that remembers what it was like to make wishes…and the magic of finding out that some wishes come true."

"The creative labor behind Wishing Willow's unique look and feel is a team effort. While I oversee the product selection, correspondence with designers, layout and site management, my husband Nate handles the writing of the features themselves. My pleasure in this process comes not only from finding and featuring new artists and designers, but also from enjoying my husband's crafting of words on a daily basis. Wishing Willow, for me, is a showcase not only of your work, but of his as well.Our Best To You,Tara & Nate"

Recently they wrote up a generous and so very eloquent review of my illustrative work. Along with this there is a giveaway so be sure to visit and enter to win one of my prints!

A Pocket Full of Pins!

Just updated the shop today with some shrinky illustration/art badges! They were so much fun to make. This one is my favorite!

Some New Bethezda Goodies

I've been meaning to get back to making some Bethezda illustrations. When I look at her I see the sweet yet occasionally sassy temperament that female cats are famous for. It is my opinion that girl cats are far more sassy and independent creatures than their male counterparts (but in a good way). This one is called "Bethezda in Blossoms," she's looking a little zen here setteled into a bed of sweet spring cherry blossoms. She can think of no better way to meditate about life's events. I'd love to be sitting there as well.

So the other night I was thinking of making some fun little art pins and pendants and then received a comment from a collector that inquired if Bethezda would ever make an appearance on a pin. Well that was the kick in the pants I needed to develop an illustration and sweet little matching art brooch.

Next on my creative to do list is revisit my sketchbook project, finish up my pins, and work on some new illustrations...Oh and I also need to finish up a paper clay and cloth doll class that I've taken online.

The Art House Gallery's Sketchbook Project 3

So I'm participating in the Art House Gallery's Sketchbook Project 3 and I'm feeling a bit of a time crunch! I'm also a bit timid about it. It's due by Feb. 15th Here's the progress so far:

The Pirate's Life Series is Complete!

Yay! This took a bit longer than I expected. Here's how it's put together. First the pencil drawings which are shaded and scanned into the computer. Next, the background, which is made up of one of my painted canvases which has been scanned into the computer makes up the background. Some hand marbleized rice paper, which again has been scanned in to the computer makes up the texture of the narwhale's body and the waves. The swirls in the waves are from the swirls of the marbleized rice paper! Fun huh? Lastly, color it in using Photoshop. Here you can see the final results! All three, We Arrrrr Friends, Tiarrrrghed, and Ahoy Moon, can be purchased as a print set from my etsy shop: GumballGrenade

I NEED to paint!

I'm craving painting beyond belief! I'm about ready to do away with the "formal" living room, just to have adequate lighting. The problem is that my basement is unfinished and the yellow insulation casts and unbearable hue on whatever I paint. Yuck! It's funny when I ignore the desire to paint I get cranky (that's the nice way to put it). It's impulsive, irritating, and nagging in the best way! Here's a little pic of the first watercolor painting I sold.

Little Red and Big Bad Wolf Fabric!!!

Can I just say that I'm so excited and grateful to have won this weeks fabric design contest over at spoonflower.com! Yay! Huge, gigantic, hugs and kisses to all those who voted! The design came in with over 500 votes, taking 41% of the votes! That's crazy! So I was curious as to how or even if the fabric was selling over in Spoonflower's etsy shop and was shocked to see that 28 yards have been already been ordered on it's first day! I think it will be available for 1 week only. If you like the fabric and want coordinating prints you can purchase them as a set in either of my shops: GumballGrenade.Etsy.com or FablesandFoxes.Etsy.com

A Pirate's Life For Me

Just thought I would post a sneak peek of a sketch from a pirate and narwhale series that I'm working on! This little guys is just plain ti-arrrrghed! Sorry, I couldn't resist.

To Resolve or not?

The new year always brings about the urge for people to resolve to do the next year differently or improve their lives in some way be it big or small. I've pondered the idea of making a resolution and all topics come to mind: living with health, kindness, creativity, green principles, artistic goals. I can't find or even afford to select only one particular idea. Everyday it changes. There are always things to strive for, but there is also so much to be content with. It's a balance between wanting to improve one's life and still living in each moment with the realization and awareness of being grateful for life in the moment. So I leave you with a quote or mantra for the new year that I'm resolving to do. I hope it spurns even more introspection, contemplation, and contentment with life.

"Every day we should hear at least one little song, read one good poem, see one exquisite picture, and, if possible, speak a few sensible words."

-Goeth