Monday, July 16, 2012

Finale - Summer of Enchantment

Hellooooo!  It's our finale week of Summer of Color 2. For this last week Kristin has chosen the ice cream colors from BR's watermelon sorbet with chocolate chip seeds. 

To round out my theme "Summer of Enchantment", I've decided to share Little Red Riding Hood in my altered book journal.


I will be adding writing to the spread but of course I haven't been able to get to it yet,lol.

I must say I had a lot of fun with this years' challenge and I thank the lovely Kristen at Twinkle Twinkle for her hosting and organization of this very popular challenge.  Will she continue with it next year?

To you my readers, I have loved and appreciated your comments and hope you have enjoyed my content.  I must admit I was extremely busy during this time and was not able to visit all of you and thank you personally yet.  But never fear, I will get to you all!  I have to see everyone's entries and I need to pop by your blogs even if you didn't participate.  I miss you all so much!

I will be continuing to post along this Enchanted Summer theme and will be sharing painting in the future as well.

I am having to re-organize the studio once again.  Whew!  What a mess, lol!  At least it shows that I've been doing something in there.

I've got some exciting ideas to work on rest of the Summer. Hope to share more later.

Music in the studio this week was Pink!, Funhouse.  I really love "Glitter in the Air" - I never tire of it.  I also "spun" the Dixie Chicks, Fly.

Keep your personal fan pointed AWAY from your mica pigments and keep those pencils and brushes moving!

Forever in art,

Jessi

Monday, July 9, 2012

In Search of Mermaids

Good morning my artsy friends!  I was inspired to take a trip to the ocean this last week to go in search of mermaids.  I know there are mermaids by the Oregon coast and I just needed a little sign to spur on my creativity for this week's SOC journal page.



As I began my journey in Bandon, I was lucky enough to meet a talking Raven.  She pointed me in the direction of a mermaid beach after sharing her enchanted adventures with me.

So off I went...

Right away I spotted the place where a mermaid would come ashore to visit her lover that waited in the moonlight...

    
Enchanted, I walked on...


As I searched along the tide line for mermaid baubles I heard a musical tinkling laugh coming from behind.  As I whirled around I heard a splash and there amongst the pebbles and shell bits was a giant heart inscribed in the sand.  Oh, Raven was so right about a mermaid being here!  I think that she must have flown down  and whispered in her ear that I was coming!


One last gaze out to sea as the pelicans flew by and it was time to go.

I can't wait to return again for more clues and inspiration for my mermaid paintings and journal spreads!

So keep those eyes wide open while you pick the paint off your nail polish, you just might see evidence of an enchanted creature too!

Forever in art,

Jessi  

Monday, July 2, 2012

Week Four at Summer Of Color

Hellooooo!  It's week four at the Summer of Color 2!  This week's challenge was a delicious Strawberry Lemonade.  I whipped up a quickie Fairy last night for you all.



She's not that great but it was a time crunch, o.k.? Lol!  I did her on the first serviette background I did in this journal and it was extremely bumpy.  Virtually impossible to do such a small face on but I persevered.  I used gesso and a little acrylic for the base and then did did her in my usual prismacolor pencils.  I added an irredescent coat to her wings but of course it didn't photograph.

Next week is some wild and crazy sherbet combo and I'm really looking forward to this one.  I hope I have the time to do it!

Got to run, I'm off to the Oregon coast in search of mermaid evidence!  Stay tuned...

Forever in art,

Jessi

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Week Three Summer of Color

Hi all you peeps out in artland! I am running soooo late on my Summer of Color entry this week and I apologize.  I still have not been around to everybody yet from last week. 

Things have been a little critical in taking care of Mom lately.  So many etras, the Dr. and tests at the hospital... She is doing pretty well through it all.

So on to my entry.  My interpretation of this weeks ice cream flavor of Baseball nut is very loose.  Vanilla ice cream with blackberry swirl and cashews.  I was at a loss and not feeling very creative so my entry is a mermaid girlie face with piercing eyes.  She just came out of my pencil one night very late...


Next weeks color is Strawberry Lemonade and I hope I can be a little more creative with that one!

Keep up the good work everyone!!!  Thank you for all your comments and staying loyal even though I've not made it around to everyone yet.

Forever in art,

Jessi

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Summer of Enchantment continues at SOC2

It is week two of the Summer of Color 2 challenge!  I had some difficulty finishing everything I wanted to share.  So, to start off here is a mermaid journal spread.  Our prompt is Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream and I know it doesn't match as good as it could.  The fairy I am working on is a better prompt match but she isn't finished yet.

Mermie isn't as green as I would like her to be for this challenge. The camera didn't pick up the green tones as well for some reason but I was pleased with her Summer vibe.

      


Out of focus but just showing her irridesence... She is so sparkly in person.


So she's more mint than chocolate chip that's for sure, lol.  My fairy is taking a lot more time than I thought she would so I will have to share her later on.

I hope you are all enjoying the outstanding creativity that is being shared through this blog hop.  I know I am!

It might take me a while to visit you all as I am taking care of my Mother right now.  She is feeling better so I 'm hoping to have more time to spend with Summer of Color 2 in the future.

Keep your art journal or papers and supplies close at hand to catch all the enchanted creativity coming your way.  I'm afraid I have collected stuff all around my magic chair again to have it all close at hand, lol.  There are so many wonderful vibes out there just waiting to inspire us!

Thank you all for coming by and leaving your sweet comments.  It means more to me than you know!

Forever in art,

Jessi


Monday, June 11, 2012

Summer of Enchantment

Helloooo!  It's that time again!  Time for the Summer of Color 2 hosted by our lovely Kristin at Twinkle, Twinkle!  This first week's prompt was Rainbow Sherbet...

For my theme this Summer I have chosen  to do Enchanted Creatures in my altered book Journal.
Here is my first - a flirty Summer fairy
 
 
This shot shows a little more of her glitter - so hard to photograph!
 
Here is Kristin's prompt. This photo just makes my mouth drool!
 
 
I'm looking forward to visiting everyone's blog site and joining in on this Summer's arty fun!
So keep those lips smacking and your creative minds fed as we journey thru Kristin's ice cream wonderland!
 
Forever in art,
 
Jessi
 
 
 
 
 

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Fairy Frolic!

Hello my fairy loving friends - Ha!  Fairy Frolic has started here in my tiny studio. The weather has warmed up and the fairies have come out to play in my blooming garden.  Here is Summer's "Sunday Girl" done up in an altered book journal. 

Sunday Girl

And here is another one I did on Strathmore's mixed Media Paper...

 In Flight

This was not my favorite paper to work on with Prismas and markers, I prefer smooth bristol, but it wasn't bad.  The camera really washed her out!

I will be posting more fairies  that is if I can tear myself away from puttering about my garden and yard, lol!  One thing you all know about me. It's all about Faeries, Mermaids, Angels and Goddesses!

On another note, I took my Mom out for a belated Mother's Day trip.  We went to Bandon By the Sea and had a fab time of it.  Of course we stopped by my favorite, Winter River Books, and enjoyed lunch looking out over the sea. Mom does have a certain weakness for clam chowder. Not me! I had blackened chicken with salad. We went sightseeing and then stopped at the bakery to get Mom some cookies and bread.  The drive to and from Bandon was spectacular as well - and fun was had by all!

Might I suggest that you keep your eyes open in the wilder and less traveled green area's for our magical flower fairies.  They seem to be coming out more this year than ever before!

Well it's that time when I always say, keep your paint trays and brushes close at hand and your colored pencils sharpened and I will see you soon!

Forever in art,

Jessi

Saturday, May 5, 2012

My Art Filled World

Hello beautiful artists! I know it's been a while and all I can say is, "Whew, I've been crazy busy!" So, three online classes and a trip to Los Angeles and I'm finally here. I've been keeping myself very busy with art plans and renderings etc. Working at beefing up my studio supplies of course (always) and neglecting to clean and organize the studio space. I must clean up in there today 'cuz I'm reduced to about the table space of 18" x 18"- yikes!

Here are a couple of things I've been working on...


She is one I worked on back in February using only Caran D'ache neocolor II's. Then this week I played with it a little more adding prisma colors to it. This photo really doesn't show the detail in the background or shading. Don't know why.

Then I made a journal out of two really thrashed antique book covers and filled it with fabrianao 140lb. hot press watercolor paper - my favorite! I decorated the inside covers with tape and decorative papers.





Well, that's all I'm going to tease you with for now, ha! I will be sharing some fantasy art over the next few weeks as I work in my journals. I have one larger piece I'm about halfway finished with so it will be up in the next post.

Kristin at Twinkle, Twinkle will be hosting her Colors of Summer play dates again this Summer and I am going to try and participate. Woo Hoo!

Please forgive me for not stopping by your blogs lately - bad girl I know. I am trying to get organized so I can manage all this stuff I've got going on, lol.

So until next time, keep scrubing that gesso off your fingers and I'll see you soon!

Forever in art,

Jessica

Monday, April 2, 2012

In like a Lion, Out like a Lion

Helloooo...from the studioooo! Wow, March was a windy, wet, frozen weather catastrophe here. Spring seems to be getting wilder here every year.  It's o.k. though, more time to spend indoors in the studio painting and sketching to my little heart's content.  Actually, I do my sketching in my magic chair. (As most of you know already, hee, hee).

I'm finishing up my class with Jane D. and then promptly starting a new one with her as well.  She's an awesome teacher and talent.  What I love about her is her ability to identify with every level of artist from the very beginner to the more experienced. Her teaching works for everyone.

My most recent homework was inspired by my desire to connect with fairy tales and the vast amounts of wooded area here. Also, Jane did a video where she was sketching out in the woods...


"The Harbinger"
Beware little girl...Something wicked this way comes...

Just to let you all know, I've been experiencing Internet connection problems for a couple of weeks.  I apologize if I haven't responded to your comments or stopped by your blogs lately.  The cable company thinks they've got it fixed - we'll see.  It certainly has opened my eyes to how important the Internet and all my blog buddies are to me.  Know that you are very much appreciated and loved!

Keep those paint brushes flippin' baby!

Forever in art,

Jessi

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Spring Flurries

Hi there!  Spring is really here now and it came in with a bang. Snow, wind, hail, rain -  you name it, it came down on us. Still flooding today and just not sure how long all of this is going to last.  I hope you are all having a nicer blooming Spring so far. 

So to chase this weather away it's time to visit my Spring fantasy land of faeries and mermaid faces straight from my studio. I have a couple of faces to share from my class with Jane Davenport...

Wistful Mermaid Journal Spread - Craft Acrylics

Colored Pencil Girlie

 
1940"s Starlet - Soft Pastels

We've been doing faces, journal spreads and figures using different supplies in order to get a feel for them and to determine which ones are our faves.

That's it for now.  More are coming next week.  I think I'm going to be taking Jane's class, "I Heart Drawing" next week so I will learn to be more comfortable drawing the figure.

Have a wonderful week and try to keep that copic marker off the tops of your fingernails (I was not successful)!

Forever in art,
Jessi

Monday, March 12, 2012

Some Faeries for Spring

Hellooo!  I've been in the studio experimenting with all my lovely art supplies and playing along with Jane Davenport in her class "Supplies Me".  I figured since I had spent all my money on these supplies I'd better try to learn how to use them, lol!

I'm really enjoying her class and stretching my abilities.  Not all has gone smoothly though - there's a bit of a learning curve, which is good.

Here are some photos of a couple of things I worked on in my art journal...


Welcome To My World

Tiny Dancer
Too tiny! I will not work this small again! The journal was too small really.

These are in a little art journal I made from Fabriano 90 lb. watercolor paper.  I really don't like the 90 lb. I prefer the 140 lb. but I had this on hand and I wanted to use it up.

I did both fairies in watercolor which I am just now learning to do. For me, acrylics are much more comfortable to use!

I will be sharing more art from the class as I progress.  I have decided to up the ante with my art this year so I will be working furiously - yay!!!  Butterfly girl will be back too. (boy has she had some adventures to share!)

Keep picking away at the paint under your fingernails and I'll see you next time.

Forever in art,

Jessi





Tuesday, February 28, 2012

I'm Back! Finally...

Hello my fellow bloggers, artists and friends!  I can't believe I've been away this long!  So much of life happening and finally I am able to get back to the things I love - like making art in my studio!

First up, Butterfly Girl is begging to be developed so I am revealing her true identity - Jessalyn Bella -aka- Butterfly girl.


Jessalyn Bella aka Butterfly Girl

I'm in the process of redesigning her wings so they will be easier to reproduce as she goes on her adventures.


Butterfly Girl

I just wish I had some extra time to learn how to use my Bamboo tablet but for now I will continue to do her by hand.  I work so slowly that I could never do this for a living even if I wanted too! Ha!

My studio re-organization is done and I've added artwork from a very talented artist, Magaly at The Itsy Bitsy Spill. I just love the fun vibe and energy her artwork gives me!



The weather has been so dark you can't see the wonderful colors on the wall or the paintings - oh well, better luck next time.

I will try and get by your blogs for a peek, I've missed you all so much!

Forever in art,

Jessi -aka- ?