WORK IN PROGRESS

Wow it's been a long time, been busy putting in overtime at work, etc. And, just plain busy with life. This drawing seems to be taking forever too. It's pretty good sized, around 13-14 x 19-20. I keep thinking I'm almost done, then take a closer look and realize I have a lot of work ahead of me. I think I need to get a lot darker on it. I promised my sister I would upload it so she could check it out. Till next time!

"Happy Birthday to Me"

Well..... my birthday was a couple days ago and my husband gave me one of the greatest gifts ever. He took me out to Tanque Verde Ranch to take pictures of the horses.

I had no idea this place was even there. It's a little out of the way and hidden back in the desert. It's a real live Dude Ranch with hundreds of horses. I had been telling him for months I wanted to find some horses to photograph and he came through for me!!!

Now I really want to go horse back riding. I haven't been since I was a little kid, so I'm checking into some places to take a lesson or two, before we go.

I uploaded a few photos for you to enjoy. Of course I have a ton of new reference and cannot wait to get started on a drawing of a horse. The hard part is choosing one to do first. I got a ton of great photos.

Till next time!

"Pear" - 6.25" x 5"

It's been some time since I've posted. I've been quite busy to say the least. I finally put my website together! Some parts of it are not finished such as my bio. I'm not much of a writer.

I have 4 new drawings posted on the portfolio page of my website. This is one of my favorites. Not sure why.... probably because it was pretty quick and I didn't think too much about it . I also tried some new pencils on this one. Nero pencils by Cretacolor, which are charcoal and wax based. They feel like pencil but they can go all the way to black like charcoal. Nice!!

Till next time!

"Prickly Pear Bloom" - 13" x 18"

I just got this image back from being photographed. I am pretty happy with the way it turned out. I had tried a new paper for this drawing - it was a Strathmore bristol illustration board. It was OK, but.........

I still like my 300 lb, HP, bright white, Fabriano watercolor paper the best. I like trying new papers now and then, hoping I'll fall madly in love with one. I really like the whiteness and smoothness of illustration boards but can't seem to get as dark as I can with the watercolor paper. I like good contrast, and I have no problem getting it with the Fabriano 300 lb hp paper.

Till next time!

" It's Been a While"

I think that's a song title! Anyway, I felt the need to write.

I was working on a drawing of a coyote and I'm stuck. I worked on it for quite a while and got to a point where I wasn't happy with it and didn't know what I needed to do to make it right. I put the drawing away for a while with the hopes something will hit me in the head and suddenly I will know how to fix it!!

I also started a drawing of a prickly pear cactus in bloom. So far so good. I saw a call to artists from the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and thought I would give it a shot- mainly because I had just been there and had taken some beautiful photos of all the Cactus in bloom and knew I had to draw one of them. Shouldn't be too long before I finish.

I also recently put my name in for a Co-Op Gallery in town that has a very good reputation. I heard they would start jurying again near the end of August. I was told I need 6 drawings to jury in , so I better get it in gear. I really only have 3-4 that I'm really happy with right now but, I have faith I can muster up the required number before then! With my fingers crossed of course.

So many new things happening but, I like it. it's exciting. I just hope I don't make too many mistakes along the way. Wish me luck.

Till next time

"Carrying on the Tradition"

" Carrying on the Tradition" - Graphite - 13" x 18"
Well It's been so long since I've posted. I just got the drawing back from being professionally photographed. This was a first for me. There will be many more to follow. I also named the drawing "Carrying on the Tradition" (Thanks Ron!!) Thanks to everyone else for all your great suggestions.

I'm working on a drawing of a Pygmy Owl I photographed at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. I'm about 1/2 way. I was going to photograph it along the way, but got so caught up in it I forgot. I was also doing a little experimenting with carbon pencil to get the darks, really dark.

I've also been doing a little experimenting with a little bit of color. I'm enjoying it, and I like the way it's looking . if I continue to like what's happening I will share it with everyone but, for now it's just playing. We'll see!!

Till next time!!

WORK IN PROGRESS

Well I finally finished!! I never thought it would happen. Of course it isn't completely done. Now is the point where I put it away for a couple days and not look at it. Then I will pull it out again and see if I want to make any changes or get darker or lighter in any areas. Then I will Sign it and call it done.

I also need to name it. I have never really named a piece of art before. Everyone always has cool names for their art. If I'm going to take myself seriously as an artist I think I need to name them. If anyone wants to throw some cool names my way please feel free.

I have been reading a lot of blogs on line and I came across a few that have helped me focus on getting serious about my art and I really think it has changed me in a lot of ways. I feel I've reached a new level and I have more clear direction. I want to thank Marsha Robinett for her generous gift of information and insight with a link to her blog.

http://theextraordinarypencil.blogspot.com/


Marsha pointed me in the direction of another great blog, which I have just started reading. Tons of great information, and very funny I might add. A big thanks to you also Maggie.

http://greywarenart.blogspot.com/

I can't say enough about how much I have learned from reading these. For the first time in my life I feel like I'm headed in the right direction and I'm having so much fun.... Till next time!!