Sunday, December 6, 2015

I did a real painting!

So I actually pulled out my acrylic paints and painted on canvas again. It has been like three years since I did anything remotely like this but I had a lot of fun!

I tried to paint with a palette knife; which I've never done before but it was super fun in the end! I think it looks good, this picture doesn't really give it much credit but I like the thicker paint look and there is color everywhere.

I was inspired by Leonid Afremov's paintings; sure I didn't even get close to his level but I had fun.

Saturday, November 28, 2015

Inspired Wall Hangings

So the other day I was trying to figure out what I should put on my wall; I have two vacant nails in the wall screaming for attention. I wanted to put something to encourage and inspire me; something that will make me smile each time I see it.

My mother has these antique wall hangings that we find at Estate sales which I think are amazing:
I wanted to do my own version of the image or at least the style; originally I just wanted to copy the silhouette and just put a picture from my mission in the background. I served in Switzerland and France, so I had plenty of breath taking views and pictures. Then I kept looking at my mission pictures and I ended up using them for my silhouettes, too.

I loved my mission, up till that point it was the best part of my life and I still hold so many fond memories; the most inspiring part of my mission were the amazing ladies I was paired with. So here is what I came up with for my wall:



 I ended up making three (I couldn't stop); I'm going to add quotes and choose my two favorite. (the bottom two) and then mount them on board. This was a fun project and I loved looking back at all the amazing miracles that happened on my mission. Thanks everyone for the inspiration!

Thursday, November 12, 2015

IF- Whimsical

And I finally got around to a illustration Friday; this weeks theme was a bit hard to figure out until I looked outside saw some leaves blowing in the wind, I figured that was pretty whimsical; right? In any case, I really just enjoyed getting back to just drawing.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Inktober #21 -Snow Owl

I did Hedwig! One of my favorite kind of owl and yes even before they were in the Harry Potter series. Though that did help :)

Sunday, October 18, 2015

Inktober #18 - Swift

So when I was a kid there was a challenge at 7-eleven where if you answered a question correctly you get a free slurpee. Well one of the questions was: What is the fastest bird? I thought it was a peregrin falcon. When I answered it, he said I was wrong; that the fastest bird was called a swift. I didn't get the slurpee but I now will never forget this little bird. maybe because it lost me a slurpee. ;)

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Inktober #15- Silver-Billed Woodpecker

So these birds are considered extinct, but they are extremely shy birds to the point that they might not exist anymore but there continue to be sightings so are they really extinct? I think they have a unique design and markings so I really hope that they're just elusive and not extinct. Hopefully.

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Inktober #14 - Cardinal

So when I was a kid I just called these birds 'red jay's'; I didn't actually learn this birds name until I watched the newer Sleepy Hallow. I saw these birds all over while  lived in Florida, and it was fun watching them fly around. A real treat :)

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Inktober #13 - Blue Jay

I didn't realize how beautiful Blue Jays are until I did a poster for a friend; he wanted a poster for the Toronto Blue Jays. The poster turned out great, and I really like the design of these birds.

Monday, October 12, 2015

Inktober #12 - Sea Gull

These aren't one of my favorite birds; most of the time they are an annoyance and a reason to be paranoid of the sky at the beach. But they are the state bird of Utah, and they got there by their veracious appetite to the point where they saved the early settlers from a swarm of crickets.

So I guess there is a reason for every creature despite how annoying they can be to be on the earth :)

Sunday, October 11, 2015

Inktober #11 - Calliope Hummingbird

This little guy is found in the great state of Washington, I didn't realize just how many species of hummingbirds there were so I started looking for ones closer to home. I liked this one the best, mainly because of their distinct red-ish purple pattern on it's chest.

Enjoy :)

Saturday, October 10, 2015

Inktober #10 - Pigeon

Everyone has had run ins with these birds; normally I only see these things as rats with wings but at the same time they are one of the few creatures that can coincide with us even if they are the bottom dwellers. Still here is to the humble pigeon.... those nasty disgusting things.

Friday, October 9, 2015

Inktober #9 - Starling

These little birds are everywhere and apparently evasive. I still think their cute. :)

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Inktober #8 - Magpie

The Magpie is probably one of my favorite birds; yeah they're scavangers, but their so pretty!

That reminds me of a story. While I was in Idaho I overheard a couple talking to a friend on the phone. They were not from Idaho and were probably visiting Yellow Stone which was very close. Well they were so excited because along with seeing buffaloes and elk they also got to see a really cool looking bird. They exclaimed to their friend that they had seen a 'Magpie', (mind you these birds were everywhere and are as common as crows) it was just so funny that they got so excited over a magpie.

Yeah,who am I kidding, I get excited over seeing these birds as well, happy Inktober!

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Inktober #7 - Canadian Goose

These were always fun Birds. One thing I've learned about them recently, when I moved up to Canada, I asked my friend what they call them, she just called them geese... kinda anti-climatic but whatever.

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Inktober #6 - Robin

These guys used to hang out in our back yard all the time and I'm pretty sure they're still there every spring. They're cute birds that I think everyone has seen :)

Monday, October 5, 2015

Inktober - Red necked Grebe

So growing up my parents owned a small cabin on Diamond lake, and we would go and stay there during the summer. While there I would sit and listen to the loons out on the lake and enjoy the general nature all around me. A few years ago, we were again out on the lake when my Uncle Stan pulled out his phone and identified what I always thought was a loon was actually a Red Necked Grebe. Crazy what those phones can do ;)

In honor of my childhood adventures in the Grebe's homeland of Diamond Lake, I created this drawing and Yay for #inktober.  :)

Sunday, October 4, 2015

Inktober #4 - Pacific NorthWest Quail

So when I was younger we had a vacant lot right next to my house which was a perfect habitat for these little guys. They would be so fun to watch as they ran around in little to large groups. I even had the chance to save some of their chicks when they got stuck in the staircase to our basement.

 The lot was bought up and a home was built on it now, so I don't see them as often, but they're still pretty special little birds. Yippee the Pacific Northwest Quail!

Saturday, October 3, 2015

Inktober #3 - Belted King Fisher

I've always been inspired by the coloring of the King Fisher; this one is only in black and white but it was still fun to see the design and unique look  :)

Inktober #2 - Gold Finch

I love the State that I'm from; so I thought to honor it by doing our State Bird the Golden Finch. This cute little guys was super fun to draw.

Thursday, October 1, 2015

Day 1 Inktober

This year, I'm going to try to focus on birds; they'll have to be quick drawings but I'm hoping I'll keep with it and do one each day of Inktober. Happy Drawing!

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

IF: Vacation

I was looking at everyone else's submissions and a lot of people associated beaches with vacation. As I thought about it I realized, yes the beach is a great vacation but for some the beach isn't the ideal vacation. When I think of the beach I think of sand getting everywhere and sunburns. But I think that a great vacation is a peaceful time reading a book. Each of our ideas of vacation is different but it is still a time to relax and not have to worry about life.

I wanted to illustrate this idea that sometimes you might feel a little singled out in your idea of vacation but it is still just a vacation and you should enjoy it.

So Happy start of the Summer Vacation, whatever that might entail, have a good one.