Three more additions to my sketchbook.

Three more additions to my "Zentangle" Sketchbook. Some people think I am stupid for doing these. They think I should just do "realistic" paintings. We are never going to make everyone happy... it is best to make myself happy doing what I love to do. I get totally lost in thought when I work on these. The time flies by... sometimes, if I start on one late in the evening, when I am working on these,  I get so lost in what I am doing, that when I look at the clock, it's the wee hours of the morning!

Lifted color on Pumpkins

I lifted some of the paint on the background pumpkins, like I said I was going to, and started to define the foreground pumpkins. Busy work week for the day job, so I might not get much else done until books go to press next week.

more work on the pumpkin patch...

Last night we went to celebrate my Dad's 79th birthday. We had dinner at a restaurant, which is no fun for me anymore while I am on a diet, except that I don't have to cook dinner, which in itself is always nice. The hardest part of dinner last night was when they brought dessert to the table. I got up and went outside and took a walk around the building. I could tell that people were unhappy with me, or thought I went outside to smoke (which I did not, because I quit smoking 2 years ago.) But let them think what they want. I don't care. I get very unhappy when I have to watch people eat desserts that I can't have, so I had to get out of there. I've lost almost 20 lbs, I think I will reach that goal this week... and then I am going to treat myself to a new sweater (although a very inexpensive one, because I still want to lose more weight). I love sweaters and sweatshirt, the fall is my favorite time of the year, and it is definitely sweater weather now!

When we got home, I blocked in where the pumping are going to be on this new watercolor painting I started. I am going to lift some of the color on the background pumpkins because they should be lighter than the ones in the foreground, to help with depth. I'm not done with the big trees yet either, tons of work to do on this, but I am enjoying the journey with it.

I also did this drawing in my zentangle sketchbook. I started listening to my audio book of "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho ... (I've lost count of how many times I have listened to it now, at least 5 times I would say) 4 hours later, when the book ended, I had finished this drawing, it was 2am, and I went to bed. I've got to stop doing that, I really need my "beauty rest"! But I just get lost in the story and doing my drawing and shading.

Painting of a pumpkin patch... work in progress

This watercolor painting is going to be a pumpkin patch, if I don't mess it up along the way. It's on a full sheet (20 x 30 inches) of watercolor paper. And a few more zentangles in my sketchbook.

Commissioned Painting Presented and SOLD :)

I presented this painting and the other one I did this morning, and this is the one Alex selected and purchased. She said that she will send me a photo of it after she gets it framed and hung in her house. I know this painting will be loved and am very happy. :)

Are you?

A Facebook friend of mine, a wonderfully talented artist, posed the question on her newsfeed: "Are you a 'Professional Artist'"?

That is a loaded question. If I judge my work to another's to decide that, if I consider them a far superior artist to myself, then I would have to say "no". But then I am judging my "Beginnings" to someone else's "middle".

If I look back at the artwork I did two years ago, and the artwork I am doing now, that I have sold some of my artwork, that I have been given commissions, entered art shows, and participated in art fairs, Not to mention that I have been a graphic designer/artist for over 20 years... then I would say "yes" to that question.

Again I am reminded of the words from my college professor, to "think like a designer" when I wanted to become a designer.

But there is still that little voice inside my head that laughs at me! "You DARE to consider yourself a "Professional Artist", let alone an "ARTIST?" Where does that "voice" come from? Why am I so hard on myself? "People will scoff at you if you call yourself a Professional Artist!" the voice says. "Oh SHUT UP Critic in my head!" Says I, I'm going to go paint!

Zentangle Sketchbook

I've started a new sketchbook of zentangle patterns, so that I can find the patterns and how to draw them. I'm also including some zentangle inspired artwork in it, just for me, I won't sell them. Here are a few photos I took.

Finished :)

I spent several hours finishing up this painting yesterday. I am really happy with the way this came out. I'm going to clean up my studio today and then on to something else. :)

work in progress continues...

Here is the progress I made on this painting last night... I really like the way this is coming along. I should have time to work on this again tonight. :)

Yesterday's progress

I really like the way this is coming out... still a lot to do, but it's coming along. :)

More work in progress...

 I spent most of the evening in my studio with this last night, got quite a bit done. I love when I start adding color... I am using Derwent inktense water soluble pencils for this, will probably add in some watercolors too. I have to confess, I wasn't sure I was going to be able to make this one work after I drew in the big spiral, but I think it works after adding some more of the pattern to different areas of the composition. I'm looking forward to getting back to this later today. :)

Abstract Painting Updated

Here is another update on the painting I have been working on. I do like the way this is coming out, I hope to have time to work on this again later today. :)

Update on new painting.

Here is an update on the new painting I started this week. I am really excited about the way this is coming about. I'll have another update on this tomorrow. I've got time to work on it this afternoon. :)

Abstract Artwork - With Zentangle Inspiration

Here is another 20 x 30 inch painting I started yesterday with zentangle inspiration. The commissioned artwork I did last week wasn't quite the same as this one, because in last weeks painting, I was working from a basic concept from a smaller painting I had done a couple years ago. 

This is different in that I don't have any idea what this is going to look like until it is done. I think that is what I like about doing this kind of artwork.

Choosing the patterns I want to use in each shape, if I want the area to light and airy or dense with detail, and then seeing how it looks once I am done with that shape is delightful, and sometimes bewildering. How am I going to make that big spiral work with the rest of this... only time will tell. It will work, or it won't, we will see. :)

Painting for Alex is finished. :)

This painting is finally finished... now just have to see if the couple like it or not. :)

Update of Work in progress

Here is the progress I made on the painting yesterday. Still so much work to do on this, but I like how it is coming along so far. (A lot more fun than watching football :))

Burning the mid-night oil again

After I got home from the Artist Mixer last night, I worked on this painting for several hours. There is something inspiring about talking with other artists about techniques and the mediums they like that makes me want to break out the brushes! :)

Time to bring on the zen!

I'm finished with the color on this commission painting, now it's time to add a little zen! Last but not least, I add shading to give it more depth. Now I'm getting ready to go downtown and see my artwork in the South Bend Artwalk, and go to the Artist Mixer. I'm really looking forward to meeting more of the local artists in person. This should be fun. :)

oops, I missed a thing, one more area to colorize. :)

More work in progress - Alex's Painting

Here is another update on the commissioned painting I have been working on for the young couple I met through ArtBeat. I spent several hours with this last night. Still quite a bit of work to be done, I am happy with the way it is progressing. :)

Work In Progress - Alex's Painting

I stayed up until 2am working on this painting for Alex. I should have more time to work on it today as magazines are finally off to press, and all ads have been prepped for the web. I like the progress I have made on the painting so far... I look forward to getting back to it later today. :)