Here's what I've been up to lately.

Instead of blogging all the time, I have been playing in my sketchbook and working on a pastel profile.  Here is a glimpse of some of what I have been playing around with.  Nothing earth-shattering, just playful, fun sketches and pictures:

And here is a peek at the newest pastel I have been working on.  This is just the first layer, she will need more fine tuning still, but I really like her.

Finally started drawing again!

I'm working my way through the book, The Artist's Way, and I feel that because of doing those morning pages, I have finally gotten to start drawing again.  Nothing spectacular or wonderful.  As a matter of fact, to complete the first one I had to use a grid system to get the spacing and sizing correct.  Here it is:

Then the next week I tried to draw without the grid and did not do so good, but I still like the picture.  I am planning to work some more and tweak parts of this picture and will show you again when I feel it is finished.  I liked this picture because the girl in it has the largest eyes I have ever seen on a person. 

I think her nose is too long and her jaw is too weak, so will be working on those issues.  Otherwise, I really think it looks like the girl in the picture I used to draw from.

More to come later!

Related articles

• Exercise 19: Enlarging an existing drawing (rlangham.wordpress.com)
• Goal #3: 30 Day Drawing Challenge (suninspired.org)
• Day 7 Drawing Challenge (ourlovelywords.wordpress.com)
• 10. Stop thinking, start drawing. (dschenasi.wordpress.com)
• The Artist's Way Week #4 (writinghood.com)
• Is Journaling a Cure for Creative Blocks? (artistsroad.wordpress.com)
• The Artist's Way Week #1 (writinghood.com)

Window Shopping Wednesday -- Sharon Tomlinson

I'd like to showcase one of my favorite artists here, named Sharon Tomlinson.  I discovered her a long time ago on YouTube and then found her blog quite by accident.  Since I believe that there are no coincidences, I decided that it was meant for me to follow her work.  Since then, not only do I follow her blog, but I took one of her online classes and I watch all of her videos.  She posts "morning art" videos on her blog--these are just little snippets of her working before she goes to work every morning.  I simply love her work; her ladies are not only beautiful, but seem other-wordly to me.


Please feel free to follow her blog at Norah's Art and leave her a comment when you visit.  She will respond and she is the epitome of the Texas lady.  I know you will enjoy talking to her.

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Here is just an small example of this wonderful woman's work:

 Be sure to check out her new classes on Ning, too!

Window Shopping Wednesday -- Noodle and Lou Studio

Here is an artist that I have been following for quite a while.  She does fantastic mixed media paintings and she loves vintage things.  Her blog is full of pictures of all types of vintage things.  She also makes the cutest little houses, called Lullettes.  I think the houses are what first caught my attention.  Anyway, here are some pictures of her work.  I invite you to visit here blog and go to her Etsy store to see her work.  I love it.  Her work is fun and happy.  You will find her at noodle and lou studio.
Aren't these just the cutest?

 She also makes really cute dolls:

Please visit her and leave her a message if you love her work as much as I do.

Window Shopping Wednesday -- Megan Hoover

Here is an artist I found that I simply love.  Her work is fresh, funky, and funny.  All things that make for great art in my mind.  Please visit her blog at WANNA PAINT!  Below are a few of her paintings for you to get a little taste of her work.  Enjoy!

I especially love the little girl floating away with her heart! Such a great talent and a very nice lady, too.

Window Shopping Wednesday

Another Wednesday.  Now to show you the work of another of my favorite artists here on the web.  I hope you are enjoying these trips to visit websites.  I hope you like these artists so much that you begin to follow their work as I do.  So, here we go....
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Christine Alvarado makes the most beautiful and delicate dolls I have ever seen.  She obviously loves what she does.  Her dolls are exquisite. To visit, just click on any of the images and you will be taken to her site.

Please visit her site and look at all the beauties she has made.  These are just a few.

Alice in Wonderland Dolls by Cart Before the Horse Etsy Shop

Here is an article I found about one of my favorite doll artist couples.  I visit their blog regularly and am always pleasantly surprised by the work available for viewing there.  They certainly are talented and really enjoy what they do.  Whimsy and fantasy abound in their collective imaginations.  Please visit them and tell them I sent you.

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Contemporary Folk Art Dolls



Here's the link to the original article 

By: Katie Cordrey (Rockstar) Apr 11, 10
Oregon-based Etsy Artists Dylan and Jo make one-of-a-kind contemporary folk art pieces which they sell in their Etsy shop, CartBeforetheHorse. One of their creations is a set of Alice in Wonderland dolls. The contemporary folk-art set comes with Alice, her pink flamingo, the Queen of Hearts, and the Cheshire Cat. It is made-to-order through the couple’s CartBeforetheHorse shop on Etsy.
Alice in Wonderland dolls are just one set in the couple’s joyful, quirky collection of contemporary folk art pieces.


Source: thecartbeforethehorse.blogspot
Readmore: etsy

I found a new website with great online classes

In my nightly surfing, I came across this wonderful site, The ArtTrader Magazine.  At this site you can find all of the copies of the magazine since the beginning of print.  All are available for download, so you can read them at your own pace.  They are full of beautiful art and the articles are informative and interesting.  If you are not into ATC's or mail art, you can simply enjoy the beauty of the pages--they should help to inspire you to expand your artwork.  I downloaded all nine of the magazines and have been reading my way through them tonight.  I hope you will drop by and get your copies, they are free, because I know you will enjoy them.

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• Mail Me Art (danidraws.com)

Here's a look at why I like paper mache!

This artist has the most enjoyable and whimsical creations.  Please browse through the galleries and see if you don't agree.  This really is why I love paper mache, it's so versatile.

I love that you can take a medium available anywhere, that children can use to create, and make these gorgeous sculptures.  If you do an online search, you will find many paper mache artists out there whose works are unbelievable!

Here is the link to view PapierDog