New Faces and More

This winter has been one of pondering and looking at old things with a new eye. I am moving in a slightly different direction with my art and it has brought about some necessary introspection.  Now, in the description of this blog I say that my art focuses on the delights of life, mostly on the relationship between children and animals.  And that continues to be true.   And in recent years I have spent much more time creating pencil art than painting or working in collage.   And that continues to be true.   The truth is the changes stirring now may seem much bigger to me than to the one viewing the art.   We'll see what you think in time.   As my pondering has been on a very personal level, I've not shared the process.  But soon I will begin sharing the artistic results.

In the meantime, I have completed two more faces for the 100 Faces in 365 Days project.  These faces are quite imperfect as they are journal faces and not polished completed portraits.   But as I perpetually tell my students, journal pages should be fun and free from the confines of perfection. And so I share them here.

This tiger cub is Derwent Graphic Pencil on Moleskine soft cover journal.  The paper is not the best for blending graphite and it is buckled as a layer of paint was added to the back of the page on another day.  I do like the expression in his sweet curious eyes.

This is a pretty small drawing (about 3" x 4") done with Derwent Tinted Charcoal on Strathmore 500 Charcoal Paper.  I've never been fond of charcoal paper as I don't like the grid-like texture.  I was hoping the 500 charcoal paper would have a less invasive texture than what I had experienced previously in lesser charcoal papers.  And it was better.  But the grid still shows more than I prefer.  

I usually use Vellum Bristol Board paper or Mixed Media Paper for charcoal.  It has enough tooth to cooperate with the charcoal but has no distinctive texture to distract from the drawing.  But its white and I yearn to draw on colors.  

I love the colors of the Strathmore Toned Paper.  The particular gray and Kraft brown are so pretty and they look amazing with the Tinted Charcoal.  But the paper is just a bit too smooth to work as well as I would like with charcoal, especially to get detail in shading.   I contacted Strathmore pleading with them to make Bristol Board Vellum in the Toned Paper colors.  They said they would consider it but asked me to consider their 500 Charcoal papers.  Besides the ever present charcoal grid texture, the charcoal paper colors are not the same as the nice pretty Toned Paper colors.  And so, I am back at square one.   So, that's my 2 cents on that matter.  

I am joining the bandwagon for Bloglovin'.  I know, I know.... I'm a little late on this.  But, better late than not at all, right?  I'd love for you to join me there.    Follow my blog with Bloglovin


 
Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

On My Drawing Table Today

This is the beginning of a piece that has been in my head for a while.  Finally I am getting it down on paper.  There will be a surprise finish to it.

Remember this is the first day of Artful Gathering 2012.  You still have a few days to sign up for classes.  My Hopping Into Soft Pastels workshop is fun and anyone can do it, even if you've never drawn before.  You'll be surprised and delighted with what you learn and accomplish. 

Wind and Honey Creations

Kids Drawing Woodland Creatures

In July, I will be teaching a week long art adventure for kids.  The younger ones - ages 5 - 9, will be working in soft pastels.  Our theme will be Woodland Creatures.  This subject - a bear was a request from one of the boys.  Mac, this one's for you!  We will also be drawing a fox, a raccoon, a rabbit, and a fawn.  

In July I will show you some pictures of the kid's work.  They will be wonderful.




Wind and Honey Creations

Artful Gathering 2012 - Session Two

This summer Artful Gathering will blossom into not one but two wonderful sessions of classes, workshops, and creative fun. I have already shared with you what I will be teaching in session one. In session two I will be giving a workshop on an animal portrait. The subject will be a beautiful Barn Owl. And we will accomplish this portrait using a simple graphite pencil and a touch of Derwent graphitint pencil. This owl portrait was fun to create and will be even more fun to teach I will walk you through one step at a time. You will love drawing him. This workshop entitled A Portrait of Beauty and Wisdom and it is an intermediate to advanced class.

Wind and Honey Creations

On my Worktable today...

Today I am finishing up this leopard portrait. It has taken me longer than usual. It is a special gift for my son. Maybe that is why it has taken so long. I am excited to give it to him. I hope he is pleased.

Wind and Honey Creations

One World One Heart Blog Event

This is the 5th and last year of the One World One Heart blog event by A Whimsical Bohemian.  The theme this year is Flying on the Wings of One World One Heart. It is great fun, like a big international party where you get to visit many homes and studios in just one month's time while you sit on your couch in your jammies.  

For those of you that are new to my blog, here is just a bit about me.  I am an artist specializing in animal portraiture, altered art, and mixed media painting.  As they are truly my first love, animals find their way into most of my finished pieces.  Considering the heaviness of much of life, my goal is to produce art that reminds us of the delights of life.  I am also an art teacher teaching drawing, painting, and mixed media altered art.  I teach local and online classes to adults as well as children.  Pictured here are two of my studio assistants.

The "door prize" I am offering for the One World One Heart drawing is this delightfully decorated original mini moleskine journal. The journal is titled Fairytales by You.  Notice her butterfly wings?  How could she fly as is the theme without wings?  This would be a great place for you to record your thoughts, hopes, dreams, and even a 'to do' list or two. It is small enough to fit into even the smallest of purses or on your nightstand.  One of the rules for the One World One Heart event is that you must have a blog to participate in the drawings.  Be sure and give me a link back to your blog so I can contact you should you be the winner.  On Thursday, February 17 at 10:00 a.m. Central time I will place all the names in a special vintage basket, mix them up, and draw the winner's name.  Good luck!  And thank you for stopping by for a visit.  

Wind and Honey Creations

Oh The Talent of Youth!

I'm in the midst of teaching kid's daily art classes.  Our focus this year is Animals of the Rainforest.  The younger kids are creating 3-d art and the older kids are drawing animal portraits.  They are working in charcoal, graphite, and colored pencil.  Here are a couple of wonderful examples of Bengal Tigers.  The artist are 8 and 13 respectively.  Don't you just love those unruly whiskers!

I'll be back in a couple of days with more pictures.


Wind and Honey Creations
Creative Pencils - Online Drawing Lessons

Mini Traveling Art Kit

I've always had an interest in compact objects with the potential to hold your entire life in one small package. Even when I was very young I was intrigued with the Dr. Suess character representing the letter spazz in the book On Beyond Zebra. I was into deep literature as a child. The man in the illustration for the letter spaz carried his entire worldly possessions - unbrella, alarm clock, needle and thread, etc. on the curly hooks of the horns of his lanky camel like creature. (I wanted to post a picture here but thought I would probably be breaking copyright law.)

I'm not a terribly impatient person. Well, my husband would probably tell you otherwise. But actually, I can wait if I have something to do in the meantime. With that in mind and with Dr. Seuss as an inspiration, I have created for myself a little mini portfolio. I came up with this idea at about 3:00 a.m. one night. That is when my best ideas come. I will use this hand embellished case to pack art card blanks that can be stored in my purse. Then when I find myself in waiting mode in a doctor's office or before a meeting, I can whip out my art card and use that moment for creativity. The back of the mini portfolio is smooth and automatically becomes a perfect drawing board for my art card. I also have a small vintage children's watercolor tin that holds my basic pencils, erasers, etc. I'm so motivated by my little Suessian style portfolio for art cards, that I'm planning one for journaling supplies and one for collage work. I'll let you know when they are done. I'm sure you can hardly wait!

And then here are some pictures of my studio helpers and inspiration coaches. As you can see, they have a very tough

job.

The Premio Meme Award - Dah tah Dahhhhh

Tapestry316 of ETSY and tapestry316.blogspot.com has honored me with The Premio Meme Award. Tapestry316 is a watercolor artist with a love for animals that is communicated clearly through her art. Here is one of my favorites.

I want to Play

I have yet to find out if there is a mirrored ball trophy or million dollar prize that comes with this award. But, never the less, I am pleased to have received it. So while I wait for my check to arrive in the mail, I will comply with the steps to participation by telling you 7 little known facts about me.

1. I eat the crust first all the way around when I eat toast.

2. I collect and love to escape through reading children's books.

3. I played the trumpet in a presidential inaugural parade.

4. I have an obsession with rocking chairs.

5. I love African music.

6. I am allergic to mushrooms.

7. And the most delightful one of all - I have kissed a real live-fully awake- lion on the nose.

And now I will pass this award on to 7 other bloggers. Maybe they will get a mirrored ball trophy.

http://artsnark.blogspot.com/

http://beyondcraftworks.blogspot.com/

http://faeriegood.blogspot.com/

http://twostraycats.blogspot.com/

http://althena12.blogspot.com/

http://thewhytepaper.blogspot.com/

http://lolalynn.blogspot.com/

Custom Original Pet Portraits

Monday's Potpourri

In this first edition of Monday's Potpourri, I want to share some delightful pieces that I've found on etsy. The first feature is this pair of unique and creative dog earrings by BeadedTail. The ceramic dog beads have a vintage look that is accentuated by the black onyx beads.

Next is this very colorful kubist kitty print by LolaLynn. LolaLynn is an active member of efa etsy for animals/animals helping animals. Much of her art features animals and a percentage of all profits from sales goes to animal charities.

And my third choice is a mixed-media collage by MaureenTillman titled Be You-Nique. This fun piece of altered art is 8"x8". It would be a fun addition to any room.

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Finally, remember that you can find information about special portraits of your favorite pet on my website Wind and Honey Creations

i thank You God for most this amazing day

I painted this in memory of a moment I had with a real lion.  It was incredible.

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i thank You God for most this amazing

day;for the leaping greenly spirits of trees

and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything

which is natural which is infinite which is yes

(i who have died am alive again today,

and this is the sun's birthday; this is the birth

day of life and of love and wings: and of the gay

great happening illimitably earth)

how should tasting touching hearing seeing 

breathing any--lifted from the no

of all nothing--human merely being 

doubt unimaginable You?

(now the ears of my ears awake and

now the eyes of my eyes are opened)

ee cummings

Have a great day!       Elizabeth

Welcome to Wind and Honey's new blog!

I'll be using this site to provide updates and fun tid bits about my art work and other interesting things.

Please visit my personal website for a look at more collages and examples of my custom pet portraits.

                 

Enjoy!