Cardinal Painting Work in Progress...

Here is a work in progress view of a male cardinal that I am painting.  I've made the bird's perch a more detailed, but I think I might also like to add a bit of a shadow below the bird and some moss.  I think I'm very close to being done on this painting though.

A Little Variation, Italian Chocolate Cookies!

I hope that if you celebrate Thanksgiving, you had a wonderful one!  I didn't get a chance to paint yesterday, but I did bake some cookies.  The recipe here makes around double of what you see on this plate.  I did add a couple of eggs to the recipe as well as a little more butter.  They're an Italian type of cookie, meant to be the consistency of pie crust, but I like my cookies a little softer, so I altered the recipe a bit.  I also really like chocolate, so after the frosting dried on the top, I put them face down on some wax paper and added the frosting that had spilled off the top onto the bottom.  Even after my alterations, they're still a little dry, so if you like an extremely moist cookie, I'd suggest another recipe.  I don't get to bake that often, so I thought I would digitally share my cookies :)  Now off to paint!

Seahorses Painting Work in Progress, One Seahorse Almost Complete...

Here is a work in progress view of two seahorses that I am painting.  I'm taking a little break from my angel painting, I was trying to get it done to list yesterday, but that didn't quite happen.  I'm hoping I'll manage to finish her for next Tuesday, this week is a bit hectic though...  On this painting I have one seahorse with just some touch ups to do and one completely left to go.

I'm not sure if I'll have a chance to post tomorrow, so if I don't, Happy Thanksgiving if you celebrate it!

An Original Painting of a Blue Winter Angel, a Christmas Poinsettia Art Print, & ACEOs!

"Winter Belle" Original 8"x10" painting here

8"x10" print here

ACEO 2.5"x3.5" Limited Edition LE 1st of 25 here

This week I am listing "Winter Belle" my original blue angel fairy with snowflakes painting.  I also have additional giclee art prints here.  

I think this angel has a quality of great serenity.

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

"The Joy of Christmas" Original SOLD

ACEO 2.5"x3.5" Limited Edition LE 1st of 25 here

5"x7" print here

My featured print for the week is "The Joy of Christmas," a red poinsettia flower.  

I also have additional giclee art prints on ebay here.  This week I have two variations of a deep red rose, a fawn, Snow White, an anthurium duet, and my porthole mermaid.

I don't think I'm ready at all for the holidays, but ready or not, here they come...

Frida Kahlo: Surrealist Artist from In Wonderland at LACMA + Angel Fairy with a Cat WIP

A while back, I went to the LACMA show In Wonderland: The Surrealist Adventures of Women Artists in Mexico and the United States.  Here are some pieces by artist Frida Kahlo.  When I think of women artists, she is one of the first that comes to mind.  I've posted some close ups on one of my favorites of hers, "Self-portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird."  There were also some pieces in the show that I hadn't seen before, I hope you will enjoy them.  Frida Kahlo said "I paint myself because I am so often alone and because I am the subject I know best."

I wrote a post about her piece "El suicidio de Dorothy Hale (The Suicide of Dorothy Hale)" towards the start of this series, it may be found here.  André Breton, one of the founders of the surrealist movement, said of Frida Kahlo's artwork that it was as a "ribbon around a bomb."  This concludes the majority of images from this show; at some point, I'd like to do one more post where I put all of the links together.

Frida Kahlo, Self Portrait The Two Fridas

Frida Kahlo, Self-portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird

Frida Kahlo, Self-portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird Close Up I

Frida Kahlo, Self-portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird Close Up II

Frida Kahlo, Sol y vida (Sun and Life)

Frida Kahlo, Niña tehuacana, Lucha María o Sol y Luna (Portrait of Lucha María, Girl from Tehuacán, or Sun and Moon)

Frida Kahlo, Niña tehuacana, Lucha María o Sol y Luna (Portrait of Lucha María, Girl from Tehuacán, or Sun and Moon) Close Up

I am linking this post with Inspire Me Monday

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

Here is a work in progress view of my angel fairy with a cat.  I'm pretty much done with her dress now, the kitty is almost done, and then it's on to her hair.  I'm still missing a title for her though.  Sometimes titles suggest themselves to me while I'm painting, but so far, not yet...

Unicorn Sketch...

Here is a sketch of a unicorn.  It is based on a photograph of a horse by Shawn Parker, you may see more of his photography here.  I'm trying to decided if I'm going to paint this or not...


To view more Sunday Sketches, please visit:
http://www.bluechairdiaryillustrations.com/

Angel Fairy with a Cat Painting Work in Progress, Her Hands...

Here is a work in progress view of an angel fairy holding a black cat that I am painting.  I've now painted her hands.  I sometimes avoid drawing and painting hands, but in this case, I felt that the painting would suffer if I tried to find a way to leave them out.  I've also worked with her sleeve, but while the dress is blocked in, I intend to play with it a bit more...

Work in Progress on Angel Fairy Holding a Cat Painting Continues...

Here is another work in progress view of my painting of an angel fairy holding a black cat.  I've painted her eyelashes, eyebrows, lips, and also some more of her dress.  Next up is her hands...


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

Seahorses Painting Work in Progress, the Start of a Seahorse...

Here is a work in progress view of two seahorses that I am painting.  I've started on a seahorse, in my reference, they are a dark brown and creme.  I think that would look good too, but after trying different colors in photoshop, I've decided to paint them purple.  I love purple *almost* as much as I love blue...

Angel Fairy Holding a Cat Painting Work in Progress Continues...

Here is a work in progress view of my angel fairy holding a cat that I am painting.  I've repainted the kitties paw and I'm working on the angel fairy's face now...

An Original Painting of a White Rabbit, a Dragon with the Hiccups Art Print, & ACEOs!

"Snowy Bunny" Original 8"x10" painting here

8"x10" print here

ACEO 2.5"x3.5" Limited Edition LE 1st of 25 here

This week I am listing "Snowy Bunny" my original white rabbit painting.  I also have additional giclee art prints here.

This is little bunny is one of my favorites, I hope you will enjoy seeing him!

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

"Hiccup" Original SOLD

ACEO 2.5"x3.5" Limited Edition LE 1st of 25 here

5"x7" print here

My featured print for the week is "Hiccup," a young blue and purple dragon who is flaming just a little bit by accident.

I also have additional giclee art prints on ebay here.   This week I have something of a theme, animals and fantasy animals.

I'm only offering two ACEO prints a week at this point, if anyone has a special request, please let me know and I'd be happy to try to oblige (some images are little more of a challenge then others to fit into the size constraints, but so far it has gone fairly well).

Kay Sage: Surrealist Artist from In Wonderland at LACMA + Seahorses WIP

A while back, I went to the LACMA show In Wonderland: The Surrealist Adventures of Women Artists in Mexico and the United States.  Here are some pieces by artist Kay Sage.  I thought her artwork was very interesting and reminded me a bit of some of Salvador Dali's pieces.  "Danger, Construction Ahead" was her first large scale painting that she did in the U.S. and it was focused on European intellectuals, some of whom Kay Sage helped to relocate due to the war.  With the last two, I'm not certain which number went with which piece, but I thought they were both fascinating.

Kay Sage, Blue Wind

Kay Sage, Danger, Construction Ahead

Kay Sage, Danger, Construction Ahead Close Up

Kay Sage, The Minutes, No. 19 or No. 14

Kay Sage, The Minutes, No. 19 or No. 14

I am linking this post with Inspire Me Monday

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

Here is a work in progress view of my two seahorses.  I believe I'm finished with the seaweed...

Mermaid Face Sketch...

Here is a sketch of the face of a mermaid.  This is my second time sketching her, but I think it still needs more refinement.  Once I've finalized this sketch, in photoshop I'll incorporate some clownfish or seahorses that I've sketched. I think I'm leaning towards clownfish though since I'm currently already working on a seahorse painting...


To view more Sunday Sketches, please visit:
http://www.bluechairdiaryillustrations.com/

Angel Fairy Holding a Cat Painting Work in Progress...

Here is a work in progress view of my angel fairy holding a cat that I am painting.  I've worked on her neck, started on the kitty, and a bit of her attire as well.  I need to go back in and redo the cat's paw though, Alex has pointed out a more accurate way to do that, I'm very lucky to have him checking in over my shoulder sometimes...

Work in Progress on Seahorses Painting, the Seaweed Continues...

Here is another work in progress view of my painting of two seahorses.  I'm not done with the seaweed at the point, but I'm making progress...


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

Green Eyes for my Angel Fairy Holding a Cat Painting Work in Progress...

Here is a work in progress view of my angel fairy holding a cat that I am painting.  They now both have eyes of green with some yellow.  I'm planning on painting the kitty black and the angel fairy will likely have dark hair, possibly with dark green highlights.  Hair is one of the last things I paint though, so that's quite a ways away...

Red Cardinal Bird Painting Work in Progress...

Here is a work in progress view of a red male cardinal bird that I am painting.  He's almost finished, but I think I need to do a little more with tree stump he is standing on...

An Original Painting of a Gothic Mermaid, a Pink Rose Art Print, & ACEOs!

"Looking In" Original 11"x11" painting directly on a porthole frame here

8"x10" print here

ACEO 2.5"x3.5" Limited Edition LE 1st of 25 here

This week I am listing "Looking In" my original gothic big eye fantasy mermaid painting.  I also have additional giclee art prints here.  

This is my newest mermaid painting, it took me a while to get it together to list, but here she is...  Alex helped me to add some rust drips to the prints, I hope you'll take a look! 

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

"Alegria" Original SOLD

ACEO 2.5"x3.5" Limited Edition LE 1st of 25 here

5"x7" print here

My featured print for the week is "Alegria," two pink roses, one in full bloom, the other still a bud.

I also have additional giclee art prints on ebay here.  There are mermaids, angel fairies, two versions of a deep red rose, and a sweet big eyed Siamese kitten.

Muriel Streeter, Loren MacIver, Dorr Bothwell, Stella Snead, & Louise Bourgeois: Surrealist Artists from In Wonderland at LACMA + Angel Fairy Holding a Cat WIP

A while back, I went to the LACMA show In Wonderland: The Surrealist Adventures of Women Artists in Mexico and the United States.  Here are some pieces by artists Muriel Streeter, Loren MacIver, Dorr Bothwell, Stella Snead, and Louise Bourgeois.  Before I saw this show, I didn't realize what a wide range surrealist art has.  There was such a diversity of art displayed!

Muriel Streeter, The Chess Queens

Loren MacIver, Spring Forms

Dorr Bothwell, Hollywood Success

Stella Snead, Advancing Monuments

Louise Bourgeois, Persistent Antagonism (Personage)

Louise Bourgeois, Persistent Antagonism (Personage) Close Up

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

Here is a work in progress view of my angel fairy holding a cat painting.  I've added some detail to the wings.

White Water Lily Sketch...

Here is a sketch of a white water lily and a water lily bud.  I'm not sure what I'm going to use it for yet.  I might paint the lilies as is or I might have them be a part of my next flower fairy maiden or they might just remain a sketch.  I haven't decided yet.  I love water lilies and photograph them at almost any opportunity.  I know that I intend to incorporate a water lily into my next flower fairy maiden, but I'm not sure if this is the one though...


To view more Sunday Sketches, please visit:
http://www.bluechairdiaryillustrations.com/

Seahorses Painting Work in Progress, the Start of the Seaweed...

Here is a work in progress view of two seahorses that I am painting.  I've started painting the seaweed.  I still have quite a ways to go on the seaweed before I'm done, there's a bunch of it to the right of the seahorses.  I won't decide if I'm keeping the seaweed or painting over it until I'm done painting the seahorses...

Work in Progress on Angel Fairy with a Cat Painting...

Here is another work in progress view of my angel fairy with a cat painting.  I have started on her wings.  I like these, but I've decided they need a bit more detail...


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

Start of my Seahorses Painting Work in Progress...

Here is a work in progress view of two seahorses that I am painting.  At this point I've painted in the background, the next step will be to start in on the seaweed.  I'm not certain if I'll keep it in once I've painted the seahorses or not yet though...

Start of my Angel Fairy with a Cat Work in Progress...

Here is a work in progress view of my angel fairy with a cat.  At this point I've laid down the sketch and I am just getting started on the painting... 

An Original Painting of a Blue Crescent Moon Fairy, a Blue Fairy Mermaid Art Print, & More!

"Gossamer Moon" Original 8"x10" painting on canvas here

8"x10" print here

This week I am listing "Gossamer Moon" my original gothic big eye fantasy crescent moon fairy painting.  I also have additional giclee art prints here.

I had computer problems and once again ran out of time to get my newest original mermaid painting up; however, I am sharing a print of a different mermaid as my featured print this week.  I also am unable to offer any ACEO art prints this week because I am still in the process of getting everything set up, but by next week I should be able to offer some...

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

"Soft Light" Original painting Not for Sale

8"x10" print here

My featured print for the week is "Soft Light," a blue and purple gothic fairy mermaid.  I wanted her to have dominion of the ocean and the air...

I also have additional giclee art prints on ebay here.  There are fairies, sweet pea flowers, a self portrait, pink saucer magnolias, a horse, Snow White, a sailboat, and a hummingbird.  I'm a bit eclectic in what I love and it shows in what I paint...

This week there aren't any ACEO prints, but there should be again by next week.

Angel Fairy Face for my Kitty Sketch...

Here is a sketch of the face I'd like to use for the angel fairy holding a cat.  I still need to tweak it a bit, but this is the base.  I'm thinking that in the final version, her face will be a little more narrow and her hair will be different.  She'll definitely have big eyes though!


To view more Sunday Sketches, please visit:
http://www.bluechairdiaryillustrations.com/

A Calla Lily for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)...

Traditionally marigolds are the flowers offered, but I have yet to paint marigold flowers.  Here is a pink calla lily titled "Flowing Grace" that I painted a while back.

Almost Complete Work in Progress on Iris Fairy Maiden Painting...

Here is another work in progress view of my iris fairy maiden "Iris Dream."  I have painted all of the petals now, all she needs is for me to finish her top and she's done...


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