Monday, February 29, 2016

Red Bouquet

 
Collage on Acrylic Background
Strathmore Watercolor Paper, 6" x 9"


Sunday, February 28, 2016

Thursday, February 25, 2016

We Read to Know We Are Not Alone (CS Lewis)

 
Daniel Smith Walnut Ink
P-8 Hiro Leonardt Poster Pen nib
 
The homework assignment at the Westcoast Calligraphy Society was "use a tool that you have never used before".  This 8mm nib qualified.  We were given a sample of the walnut ink at our last meeting, so I used that to write with.  The wide nib was used to do the Neuland "alone", and then I used a pointed nib to add the script and the lines. 


Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Monday, February 22, 2016

February Book Club Love

 

Joanne Sharpe has a book club for her book, The Art of Whimsical Lettering.  This is the assignment for February.

Friday, February 19, 2016

New in My Sketchbook

 
This sketch from last Saturday was an exercise in painting shapes.  I put the watercolour on the page first and drew around it after.  Fun!

 
And here I tried out Fun Foam stamps with Inktense Blocks.


Thursday, February 18, 2016

Collage Time!

 
I'm often inspired by the books I read.  One of the books on my stack right now is Collage Techniques by Gerald Brommer.  I've been sorting collage papers and thinking about other fodder.  These collages are Artist Trading Cards for the upcoming swap.



Wednesday, February 17, 2016

The Viburnum is Blooming

 
My sketchbook is also a place to document what's blooming in the neighbourhood.


Tuesday, February 16, 2016

A New Bookmark

 
Hand Carved Bird Stamp
Other stamps by inque boutique and Autumn Leaves
 
When I made this bookmark recently, it was to replace the ratty old one shown above (on the right).  But I found that I still couldn't bear to throw it out.  The only solution was to make a new one!

Monday, February 15, 2016

A Loving Heart

 
Inktense Blocks and Pointed Pen
Strathmore Watercolor Journal 6" x 9"
 
I found this quote on a blog I follow, Lettering Tutorial.  It's a new blog, started by a new lettering artist to document and share her lettering experiences.  She has some tutorials and resources for beginners, a book club, and she shares her experiences through a regular podcast.  She also features interviews with renowned lettering artists.  If you're interested in trying your hand at lettering - check it out!


Sunday, February 14, 2016

Happy Valentine's Day!

 
This is the card I made to tell my husband how much I love him.  On the inside, the verse is finished:
 
 
 
Happy Valentine's Day to you all too!



Thursday, February 11, 2016

What's in My Sketchbook?

My sketchbook has become a place for quick sketching and trying things out.
 

 
playing with patterns...
 
 
copying cute vintage letters and ornaments....
 
 
jotting down silly ideas:  Athlete's Foot
 
It's nothing momentous, but I think we all should have a place to experiment.
 
 
 


Monday, February 8, 2016

Love is in the Air

 
Strathmore Watercolor 6" x 9"
Inktense Blocks, Stabilo Pencil and Gelatos


Sunday, February 7, 2016

My Help Comes From the Lord

 
Strathmore Watercolor 6" x 9"
Inktense Blocks, Sharpie, Pointed Pen
 
Happy Sunday, everbody!

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Playing Around with Supplies

 
 
I've been playing around with Gelatos and Inktense Blocks this week.  Sometimes I can't even remember what I've used.  There's definitely gelatos here, but what's underneath??  It could be Intense.  I've been trying Inktense on the first layer because it is permanent.
 
 
 
On this next one I had to put acrylic paint on the top because Gelatos weren't covering well.
 
 



Monday, February 1, 2016

Focus on the Good Stuff

 
I hate to admit it, but if left to my own devices, I'm a "glass half empty" kind of gal.  The outlook that made me a good project manager, managing risk and always imagining the bad things that could derail the project, can be discouraging.
 
Sometimes I need to be reminded to "focus on the good stuff".  And there really is lots of it, isn't there?