First Commission of the Year!

"Yin and Yang" 11x14 Acrylics on board

Like the post title says, this is the first commission of the year! A cute pair of Chihuahua's. This painting was a HUGE challenge for me to undertake. Namely because I have never drawn this breed of dog before. Despite all the challenges involved I am extremely pleased with the outcome of this painting! I went a little slow with this one to make sure I nailed it, and I'm happy I did. The thing that really threw me off with this painting was the coloring of the dogs. I've never painted anything with their colors before, so I was a little stumped for awhile with what to do with them. I ended up just sitting and staring at the painting and my available colors a lot trying out different combinations and patterns in my head, and when I thought I had it I put the plan to the canvas. The results were just what I was hoping for!

Playing Catch Up

"Sleepy Head" 2.5x3.5" Colored Pencil

This painting is an oldie, but goodie. Once I realized that I wanted art to become apart of my life other than being a fun hobby I sat down and really pushed myself hard to try and get used to other subjects. Since I almost always paint horses, so the goal at that point in time was to draw everything but horses! At first this failed miserably. I went through about a month solid of my everyday paintings failing. I was getting very discouraged, and decided I needed to change my game a little. See, at the time I was trying to get an ACEO finished in under an hour, so with this one I decided to sit down and simple do the best I could no matter how long it took. Sounds simple I know! I sat at my art desk for over three hours trying to make sure this little work was perfect. And I am certainly pleased with the end results, even to this day! I learned that it really doesn't matter how much time you spend on a work, it's taking the time to make sure you do it right.

I also apologies to you guys for lack of up dates. The little camera I was using to take photos of my work was stolen, so I have no way to post my new stuff :( Hopefully I'll get a replacement in the next month or so!

Happy Painting!!!

Massive Chaos

"Silent Comfort"

Melody had another relapse last week with her injury and ended up going back in for surgery. It's now been a 7 month nightmare in trying to keep my horse alive. Every time I see the vets they tell me that my horse should be dead. I just keep trekking, and treating her because I know if I slack off even slightly she could get infected and die.

Back when she first injured herself I put my entire life on hold while I stressed out and obsessed over keeping my beloved mare alive. I felt empty and alone, but I figured this was all because of what was happening right in front of me. My horse was seriously hurt, and that's all there was to it. In reality it wasn't. It wasn't the stress of the horse's injury that was making me feel empty- it was the lack of creative energy that was doing it.

It's only been the past 3 months that I've realized I HAVE to paint, I HAVE to write, I HAVE to use my creativity or there's really no point in being here. After I complete a painting or write a short story I feel so warm, so full of life. It doesn't matter what kind of day I've had, if I come home and do something creative everything is instantly better. Art is a part of life, and I have to do it. Since I embraced my creative side again I'm not as stressed out. The threat of dire things still looms heavier over my head, but I can deal with it now. I can take it and channel it into something- a painting, a short story.

Poor Melody still has a long way to go. She came home Friday after her surgery and it confined to strict stall rest. She's such a brave little mare. Everyday when she sees me she nickers happily and rests her head on my chest. I keep praying everything will be alright, and any doubt or troubles get washed away in layers of paint on canvas.

Belle ACEO

"Belle" 2.5 x3.5 Colored Pencil on Paper

This beautiful mare is owned by my Barn Manager, and I couldn't help but try my hand at painting her! She's a Champion Arabian Halter horse, and full of attitude! Around the stables we call her "Barbie" because of how she struts around! It's always amusing the personalities these creatures have, and that's most of the reason why I'm so drawn to horses. Their beauty and grace is just the perfect subject for a painting!

I also like completing these smaller works of art. They come in handy if there isn't a lot of time to complete a larger work, and they help keep things challenging. It's very hard to come up with a pleasing composition with such a tiny work space! Colors and contrasts become even more important than the subject matter as one trys to make the painting successful. With the time factor, I can usually have one of these completed in less than an hour. And in a busy work day between school, writing, music, and exercises- like I said, larger works just keep getting pushed back. This is especially true with school since I'm an art major, I have so many paintings due for different professors there just isn't time for personal work sometimes!

Back Into the Groove

"Sprinkled Petals" 3x5 Colored Pencil on Paper

Melody is still not 100% better yet, but she's getting there! Thank you for all the encouragement and prayers for my lovely horse. I am slowly getting back into the groove of things as my life starts to slow down again and thoughts that my beloved horse might die start to fade from my mind. School has once again started, and I'm very excited that I will be graduating in December!

I am taking an oil painting class this semester, and I'm not sure if the Professor and I are going to get along. I am pretty comparably with myself as an artist. I know my style isn't set, for these things are always changing, but the Professor doesn't like my work so far. She doesn't like my palette, or how I start my paintings. To say the least, this should be interesting. One thing we seem to be debating at the moment is the usage of black in a painting. I use it. She says I should throw it out.

The huge debate about the color black came about with the Impressionists, before then black was a very acceptable color to use in paintings. Used sparingly, I think black can greatly enhance a painting and the shadows within it. Yes, too much black and muddy and dull a painting I understand that, but there is also only so far a dark Prussian blue can shape a shadow.

The colored pencil work I posted has no black added to the shadows. Yes it does have depth and volume to it, it still feels a little flat in some areas. The shadows seem unrealistic to me. It was really only recently that I began to use black again in my work, but again, I use it only to help with my shadows.

Lack of Updates...

Sorry for the lack up updates everyone! My horse seriously hurt herself around May 26, and treatment is still going on. As soon as my horse is well again I have TONS of art to post for you guys. But, please keep Melody in your thoughts and prayers and hopefully she will be healed up within the next few weeks.

Compliments

Well, the semester with Feng is over, and I must say I am sad to have it end. I have learned so much from his watercolor class! Loosing up my style was a biggie for me, and I really hope I can continue and apply this to my other mediums as well.

I have lots of art I need to photograph and post up on here. Now that my classes are over this should happen soon!

Till then- Happy Creating!!