A Napping Fairy Puppy Art Print & Additional Prints with Hues of Yellow...

My featured print auction for the week is on eBay here.  It is of a fairy puppy basking and napping atop a sunflower.

Additional artwork prints that I have listed are "Tulip" a yellow and red blossom, "Ocean Born" a blonde goddess inspired by Aphrodite/Venus, "Sunlight Sunbright" a yellow sunflower, and "Zen Water Lily" a pink and yellow nymphaea.  They're all based on my original paintings and may be found here starting today and ending next Thursday.  They all have some amount of yellow in them.

Except for images that I have yet to upload, my art is also available on my website at http://www.lisarusso.com; however, I like to sometimes offer some images on eBay at a lower promotional rate for the duration of the auctions!

Recently I've been trying to offer a small original weekly, but my organization system has not held up to the rigueurs of the holiday season...  I know my art is in a closet somewhere, but where, ah, that is the question...  Hopefully I'll be a bit better organized by the next time I list.  One nice thing about images saved on a computer is that they tend to be a bit more stationary!

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!

For Christmas my mother put up this framed print of the poinsettia flower painting "The Joy of Christmas" that I painted earlier this year.

She also put up this ceramic owl ornament that I made in Elementary School...  I made a whole group of animals that year, but I'll only subject you to this one this year :).

My mother inspires me.  For me, Christmas is in large part the love and joy my mother has taught me to see. She has a beautiful faith and I am so glad to be her daughter.

No matter what you celebrate, I hope you have a wonderful holiday season filled with love and joy!

I am linking this post with Inspire Me Monday
http://www.create-with-joy.com/

Red Mushrooms Original Painting & Some Prints...

This week I finished this original red mushroom painting that's up on ebay here.  It's part of Nibblefest and starts at 99c, no reserve.  It's titled Mushroom Village.

I also have some additional prints listed, they all have some brown, even the tiniest little bit, in them...  They're all based on my original paintings and may be found here ending next Thursday.

Today is my birthday and also traditionally winter solstice as well as when the world is scheduled to end (or rather the Mayan calendar slated to restart), so an eventful day for certain!  I hope everyone is having an excellent week...

Anyway, I'm joining in this week with Paint Party Friday.  To see more participants, please visit:
http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com/

Blue & Purple Tiger Lily Original Painting & Print...

This week I have an original from my blue and purple flower series up on ebay here and the print is here.  It's titled Night Lily.

I also have some additional prints listed, they're all from my blue and purple flower series...  They're all based on my original paintings and may be found here starting today and ending next Thursday.  I have some additional prints from the series that I don't have up yet, but I'll probably add them into the mix gradually.

Usually my promo special pricing for originals is 25% off, but in honor of the holidays, my original painting is listed at 50% off of my studio rate with a bin at my studio rate.

Anyway, I hope the week has been treating you really well!

Wordless Wednesday: Craig & Amy's Wedding, Part I

On Wednesdays, when I get a chance, I like to share a photo, or in this case a number of photographs, that I've taken.  In this case, there are a few of me too.  These are some pictures from Craig and Amy's amazing wedding, it was a costume wedding...  I took more pictures then I care to admit, but I've winnowed them down to some of my favorites!  This is Part I of III.  The bride has yet to come out, but she definitely will in Part II...

Edit: Part II is here and Part III is here.

Alex and I as dueling Totoros...

More dueling...

Totoros reconciled...

Craig, the dapper groom...

Ladies from the wedding party...

The officiator...

Noah and Jillian...

Although I'm somewhat Wordy, I am participating in Wordless Wednesday.  To see more Wordless Wednesday links, please visit:
http://blog.aquariann.com/
http://www.create-with-joy.com/

My Thoughts on the Book "Painting Acrylic Flowers A-Z" by Lexi Sundell

I bought the book "Painting Acrylic Flowers A-Z" by Lexi Sundell a while back.  The art looked excellent and the book was on special so I decided to buy it.  Sometimes I'm disappointed with book purchases that I make online without seeing the book in person first, but this time I definitely was not!

The first section of the book covers materials and methods, so for 43 pages, she covers stuff like materials, simplified shapes of the flowers, composition, as well as beautifully photographed technique examples.  One of her suggestions that she utilizes quite frequently is using a medium to create striations and then when the medium is dry letting the color be picked up by the striations.  I haven't tried the technique, but it works extremely well for her.

Pages 46 to 125 have example flower paintings with detailed directions on how to paint them.  Each flower generally has two pages dedicated to it with very specific instructions on which colors to mix.  Each one has a special section devoted to explaining details that may be challenging and giving some advice as well as specific images pertinent to the example.  The flower I scanned in is a Gazania, not one I was familiar with before, but the special detail section was interesting to me.

She shares 40 flowers in this section.  Overall I was very pleased with this book, the information was presented clearly and well.  I think the information could be applied to a range of skills level.  I love to paint flowers and I enjoyed this book.  I feel like it could be especially useful if I were feeling blocked with a flower, even if that specific flower was not included, I could look at a similar flower...

The images in the directory are tiny, but I'm including it to give you an idea of the specific flowers she covers.  She also does a very detailed peony example in the introductory section.

I'm not in any way associated with the author, publisher, or selling venues of this book.  I just read it recently and thought it was a solid addition to my reference section and decided to share it here.

I am linking this post with Inspire Me Monday
http://www.create-with-joy.com/

Blue Winter Christmas Angel Original Painting & Various Prints...

This week I finished up this painting.  The original is on ebay here and the print is here.


It's a painting I thought I had finished last year, but on looking at it, I realized it needed a bit more attention!  I find that sometimes I can see things better when I don't look at them for a while...

I also finished the poinsettia painting I shared a work in progress shot a while back, but I forgot to post the link to the completed original on Friday the week that I did that...  If you'd like to take a look, I have it up as a print here.

I also have some additional prints listed, this week with a theme of blue and white, except for the poinsettia...  That bit of red snuck in...  They're all based on my original paintings and may be found here starting today and ending next Thursday.

I've done a little bit on my Bird of Paradise painting, but so little I'd feel silly posting an update picture!

Anyway, I'm joining in this week with Paint Party Friday.  To see more participants, please visit:
http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com/

A Cute Kitty Cat and Assorted Prints...

My featured print auction for the week is on eBay here.  It is of cute grey striped kitten.  I sold the original, this is the first time I've listed it as a print!

Additional fine art prints listed are "Drowning" a self portrait, "Sienna" a green eyed fairy, "Zen Water Lily" a pink and yellow water lily, and "Hiccup" a young dragon.  They're all based on my original paintings and may be found here starting today and ending next Tuesday. 

Most of my art is also available on my website at http://www.lisarusso.com; however, I like to sometimes offer some images on eBay at a lower promotional start rate for the duration of the auctions!

I hope the start of this week is treating you well!

An Egyptian Fairy Painting and a Little Progress on the Bird of Paradise...

This Egyptian fairy painting is titled "Blood of the Nile."  The original is here and the print is here.

I've done a little bit on my Bird of Paradise painting.

I also spent some time visiting with family this week.  If you celebrate Thanksgiving, I hope you had an excellent one!

Anyway, I'm joining in this week with Paint Party Friday.  To see more participants, please visit:
http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com

An Original Red Poinsettia Painting and Various Art Prints...

I have this small red poinsettia painting up on ebay here.  As she is listed as part of Nibblefest, she starts at 99c with no reserve! This soft flower painting is titled "The Joy of Christmas" and is a 5"x7" acrylic painting on canvas panel.  The auction will end next Tuesday.

Additionally I have some fine art prints listed.  They are "Corazon" a deep red rose listed both in a close up view and the full view, "Little Owl" a small barn owl, "Gentle" a brown rabbit, "Deep in Thought" a blue gothic angel, and "Turning" a gray horse amidst some yellow flowers.  They're all based on my original paintings and may be found here starting today and ending next Tuesday.

Most of my art is also available on my website at http://www.lisarusso.com; however, I like to sometimes offer some images on eBay at a lower promotional start rate for the duration of the auctions!

One of these days I'll start my Nibblefest painting earlier and be more certain of completion on time...  One of these days, perhaps...

Artists at Descanso Gardens and Progress on My Poinsettia...

On a recent trip to Descanso Gardens, I saw some artists painting from life.  This one is by one of the Japanese shinto lanterns!

I'm a bit slow, so I tend to paint from photographs.  It still inspired me to pick up my paint brushes when I went home though.  There were quite a few artists there doing this that day, I tend to think they were there as part of a class.

Here is a work in progress view of my poinsettia painting.  I definitely think I will be getting it done in time for Nibblefest!

I am linking this post with Inspire Me Monday

http://www.create-with-joy.com/

A White Winter Bunny Rabbit and the Start of a Poinsettia...

It's starting to feel a lot like winter, so I've decided to list my white winter hare painting.  The original is here and the print is here.

I've also started working on my Nibblefest entry.  The theme this month is nature.  I've started to paint a small poinsettia, hopefully I'll finish on time!

Anyway, I'm joining in this week with Paint Party Friday.  To see more participants, please visit:

http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com/

An Expressionist Purple Bearded Iris and Additional Art Prints...

My featured print auction for the week is on eBay here.  It is of an expressionist purple bearded iris flower.  I sold the original a while ago, this is the first time I've listed it as a print!

Additional fine art prints listed are "Apple of My Eye" a green eyed goddess, "Violet Dreams" a blue gothic angel inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, "To Fly or Not to Fly" a fairy kitten, and "White Lily" a white lily.  They're all based on my original paintings and may be found here starting today and ending next Tuesday.

Most of my art is also available on my website at http://www.lisarusso.com; however, I like to sometimes offer some images on eBay at a lower promotional start rate for the duration of the auctions!

I've been a bit under the weather, but much less so today!  I hope you're having an excellent day.

A Wee Bit of Progress on my Bird of Paradise Painting...

This week has been rather a car focused week unfortunately, so my art focus has been limited.  I've made an eensy teensy bit of progress on my flower painting.  There's a place near where I live that has an abundance of birds of paradise that I go to often, it really is beautiful how they unfold as they bloom.

Anyway, I'm joining in this week with Paint Party Friday.  To see more participants, please visit:
http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com/

Wordless Wednesday: Nap Interrupted...

Cats:  "Yes, we know we're cute, but is it unclear that we're trying to nap?!?"

Actually, I think they're more than cute, they're adorable, and rest assured they resumed their naps pronto...

Although I'm somewhat Wordy, I am participating in Wordless Wednesday.  To see more Wordless Wednesday links, please visit:
http://www.wordlesswednesday.com/newhome/
http://blog.aquariann.com/
http://www.create-with-joy.com/

Two Abstract Unicorns and Various Prints...

My featured print auction for the week is on eBay here.  It is of an abstract expressionist unicorn.  I also have another one with a similar feeling here.  I sold the originals a while ago, this is the first time I've listed them as prints!

Additional fine art prints listed are "Azure Haired Beauty" a blue gothic fairy, "Standing Tall" the square version of a bearded iris as well as the 5"x7" inch version, and "Twirls and Curls" a blue haired mermaid with some fishy friends.  They're all based on my original paintings and may be found here starting today and ending next Tuesday.

Most of my art is also available on my website at http://www.lisarusso.com; however, I like to sometimes offer some images on eBay at a lower promotional start rate for the duration of the auctions!

Today is voting day here, I voted through the mail this year.  I haven't been watching the polls, I'm just going to wait until tomorrow and see what it brings...

Fairy Painting & A Little Progress on my Bird of Paradise Painting...

I've listed Sienna as an original here and as a print here on ebay.  The original is a 9"x12" acrylic fairy painting I started quite some time ago.  I made an adjustment to one of her eyes and now I consider her to be finished.  The original is a bit more textured than most of my more current pieces.  She also has a bit more of a brushy quality in terms of technique.  She's one of my favorites of my pieces.

I've been working on my bird of paradise painting and made a little bit of progress.  This is where I currently am with it.

Also, I'm joining in this week with Paint Party Friday.  To see more participants, please visit:
http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com/

Dia de los Muertos Balloons and Flowers...

I've never painted any Dia de los Muertos art.  I've often thought about it and I've done some sketches, but I've yet to get any further than that...  Perhaps if I start now, I might have something in time for next year...

I went to the market today and I saw these festive sugar skull inspired balloons and some beautiful flowers and I thought I would share them here...

Wordless Wednesday: Happy Halloween!

Here is my Halloween pumpkin, graciously carved into a jack-o-lantern by artist Alex Ledante; and some of our Halloween decor, sweetly given by Craig, Noah, and Amy.  Happy Halloween!

Please keep safe with all of the intense weather.

Although I'm somewhat Wordy, I am participating in Wordless Wednesday.  To see more Wordless Wednesday links, please visit: 

http://www.wordlesswednesday.com/newhome/ 

http://blog.aquariann.com/

http://www.create-with-joy.com/

An Abstract Angel Print and Various Others...

My featured print auction for the week is on eBay here.  It is of an abstract angel at prayer standing firm against the wind.  I sold the original a while ago, this is the first time I've listed it as a print!

Additional fine art prints listed are "Barn Owl" a little owl, "Pink Ribbons" a soft pink rose, "The Gift" a mermaid and sea friends, and "Waiting for You" a brown and tan cat.  They're all based on my original paintings and may be found here starting today and ending next Tuesday.

Most of my art is also available on my website at http://www.lisarusso.com; however, I like to sometimes offer some images on eBay at a lower promotional start rate for the duration of the auctions!

I've seen some of the images of hurricanes that are almost unbelievable.  My thoughts for their safety are with those in the path.

Art by Stunning Realist Artist Al-Rubaie...

painting by Al-Rubaie

This piece is by artist Al-Rubaie.  As gorgeous as it is on the screen, my scanner can not convey the true beauty of it.  This piece is one of my favorite pieces of art.  I would highly recommend checking out some of this artist's work here on ebay.  Right now the artist has a couple of larger pieces up that are magnificent.  Al-Rubaie also paints and offers smaller pieces on occasion, which is how I had the good fortune to acquire some pieces by this artist.  They are all fantastic and I feel so honored to have them, but this is the only one I have scanned it at the moment.  I am hoping to do a follow up post at some point to this one and share some more with you.

I feel like I've been given a rare opportunity to see this art and artist and I want to share this with you.  This artist is a gift and I think that art can be a window to the soul of the artist and what I see is so full of grace.  Getting to see this art and having the opportunity to know this artist moves me and inspires me.

I am linking this post with Inspire Me Monday
http://www.create-with-joy.com/

Teensy Bit of Progress on the Bird of Paradise Painting...

I've made an eensy teensy bit of progress on my bird of paradise painting.  On seeing the background in the light, it became clear to me that while I liked the color, there wasn't enough coverage.  So, I went over that again.  I've started in on the "plumage," but I'm not that far along.  I definitely need to play with the range of colors in the orange and yellow hues.  I can also tell I will be doing a lot of touching up along the edges later on, but fortunately I mixed a lot of the background color.  I love acrylics, but they have the unfortunate tendency of drying slightly darker than their original color, which can sometimes be difficult.  I feel that their benefits outweigh their disadvantages though, so they remain my primary medium of choice...

Anyway, I'm joining in this week with Paint Party Friday.  To see more participants, please visit:
http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com/

Wordless Wednesday: Koi Fish

Here are a couple of koi fish swimming quite leisurely that I photographed at one of my favorite spots at Descanso Gardens.


Although I'm somewhat Wordy, I am participating in Wordless Wednesday.  To see more Wordless Wednesday links, please visit:
http://www.wordlesswednesday.com/newhome/
http://blog.aquariann.com/
http://www.create-with-joy.com/

A Hiccuping Little Dragon Print and Various Others...

My featured print auction for the week is on eBay here.  It is of a blue and purple dragon and is titled "Hiccup."  I sold the original a while ago, this is the first time I've listed it as a print!

Additional fine art prints listed are "Snowy Bunny" a white rabbit, "Apple of My Eye" a Roman orchard goddess named Pomona, "Crossings" a sailboat painting based on a picture I took in San Pedro, and "More Than One Way to Fly" a fairy with her fox squirrel friend hoping for a dirigible voyage.  They're all based on my original paintings and may be found here starting today and ending next Tuesday.

Most of my art is also available on my website at http://www.lisarusso.com; however, I like to sometimes offer some images on eBay at a lower promotional start rate for the duration of the auctions!

A New NFAC Original Mermaid Painting up for Auction Plus More!

I have this small original mermaid painting up on ebay here.  As she is listed as part of Nibblefest, she starts at 99c! This blue and purple gothic mermaid painting is titled "Blending" and is a 5"x7" acrylic painting on gallery wrapped canvas.  The auction will end next Saturday.

In addition, I've listed "Hallofaerie" my Halloween goddess fairy with her pumpkin both as a print and an original, as well as "Deep in Thought" my blue goth angel fairy as a print.  These three are short auctions and will end on Monday.  I wanted to list them with an end time that would make it likely that they would likely make it for Halloween delivery.  They may be found here.

Most of my art is also available on my website at http://www.lisarusso.com; however, I like to sometimes offer some images on eBay at a lower promotional start rate for the duration of the auctions!

I've been a bit lax about posting and visiting, I hope to do better.  I've been a bit distracted.  I hope you have been well!

Wordless Wednesday: Bike Racka Non Grata

The bike rack went up, the bikes preferred the trees...

Although I'm somewhat Wordy, I am participating in Wordless Wednesday.  To see more Wordless Wednesday links, please visit:
http://www.wordlesswednesday.com/newhome/
http://blog.aquariann.com/
http://www.create-with-joy.com/

A Purple Calla Lily, my Halloween Fairy as a Print, and Additional Listings...

My featured print auction for the week is on eBay here.  It is of a deep purple calla lily and is titled "Open."  I also listed a print version of "Hallofaerie," she is here.

Additional fine art prints listed are "Joyous Duet" a dark red anthurium flower duo, "Deep in Thought" an ethereal angel, and "Bright Triad" a bright red anthurium flower trio.  They're all based on my original paintings and may be found here starting today and ending next Tuesday.


Most of my art is also available on my website at http://www.lisarusso.com; however, I like to sometimes offer some images on eBay at a lower promotional start rate for the duration of the auctions!

My Work In Progress Bird of Paradise Painting...

So, I finally put my bird of paradise painting on the easel, with every intention of making progress.  Then I decided the baby blue background wasn't working for me.  Now it's a darker shade of blue.  In fact a little bit darker then this photo shows, the flash went off and has altered the color somewhat.  I feel better about it now, but while it's progress in how I feel about it, it's sort of a horizontal progress.  I am in much the same place I was when I shared this painting to begin with, it's just a slightly different direction.

I did, however, finish another painting earlier this week, my Halloween fairy painting.  She's on eBay here or you may visit her further down on my page...

Also, I'm joining in this week with Paint Party Friday.  To see more participants, please visit:
http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com/

Wordless Wednesday: Gourds in a Row

I can't remember where I took this photograph, but it fits with the Fall mood I am in...

Although I'm somewhat Wordy, I am participating in Wordless Wednesday.  To see more Wordless Wednesday links, please visit:
http://www.wordlesswednesday.com/newhome/
http://blog.aquariann.com/
http://www.create-with-joy.com/

A New Original Fairy Halloween Painting & Print Listings!

My newest painting is on eBay here.  It is of a goddess fairy with outspread wings and her Halloween pumpkin.  I have been working on this painting off and on for quite some time...  I just finished up this original today and this is her online debut, the introductory start price is 25% lower than my studio rate, with the BIN at my studio rate.  This auction is for the original painting, but I will try to put together a print auction for next week.  

Additionally, I have some fine art prints listed.  They are "Soft Dream" a purple rose, "Lace Wings" a Latina fae, two versions of "Standing Tall" a purple bearded iris, and "Violet Dreams" a blue angel loosely inspired by the master artist Leonardo Da Vinci.  They're all based on my original paintings and may be found here starting today and ending next Tuesday. 

Most of my art is also available on my website at http://www.lisarusso.com; however, I like to sometimes offer some images on eBay at a lower promotional start rate for the duration of the auctions!

The Filter Foundry Artist RETNA Installation...

artist RETNA

 For any that might have wondered from my last Monday's post, what's going on behind the Berlin Wall?  This post is for you!  For any that might be wondering when I'll go from installation art back to other kinds of art in my Monday meanderings, this is the last of the installation art that I have from my current adventures.  However, I'm not sure when I'll run into more of it...

artist RETNA

 To celebrate LACMA's Artwalk 2012, the Filter Foundry commissioned RETNA to use his unique style to adorn the building at 5900 Wilshire in Los Angeles, CA.  It's a building that is across the street from LACMA.

artist RETNA

 World renowned street artist RETNA painted each section of twenty seven feet high by twenty eight feet long pane individually.  RETNA's window pane "canvas" extended more than three thousand square feet!

artist RETNA

Although I did not venture inside, this installation may also be seen from the inside looking out.  As this is a temporary installation, if you intend to visit it, I'd suggest hopping on over to their website to be certain that it's still there.
http://www.facebook.com/artbyfilterfoundry/photos
http://www.facebook.com/artbyfilterfoundry/photos_albums

I am linking this post with Inspire Me Monday
http://www.create-with-joy.com/