An Original Painting of a Blue Haired Mermaid, an Abstract Angel Art Print, & ACEOs!

Happy New Year! "Twirls and Curls" Original 11"x14" painting here

8"x10" print here

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

This week I am listing "Twirls and Curls" my original blue haired mermaid painting.  I also have additional giclee art prints here.  This week I don't have a theme, they're just the ones that jumped out at me and said "list me this week."

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...

"Windswept" Original Painting SOLD

5"x7" print here

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

This is my featured print for the week.  I also have additional giclee art prints on ebay here.  This week there are mermaids, a fairy, a dragon, a cardinal, anthurium flowers, a bull mastiff dog and their person, and this angel.

Tis the time of year for resolutions.  I tend to not keep mine, so I haven't decided if I'm making any this year...

I hope you have a very happy new year!

Sogetsu Ikebana Japanese Flower Arrangements at Descanso Gardens Part I & Unicorn WIP

On one of my visits to Descanso Gardens, they had a show of Sogetsu Ikebana.  It is a Japanese art of flower arranging.  The emphasis is on expressing the spirit of the moment.  I found the arrangements beautiful and compelling.  These pieces were contributed by the group Yokou.  Here are some of my favorites.  I especially liked the pieces with birds of paradise in them, but there were so many wonderful pieces!  This is part I of II.  Edit: Part II is here.

I am linking this post with Inspire Me Monday

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

Here is a work in progress view of my unicorn painting inspired by a photograph by Shawn Parker.  I am getting close to finishing it.  I need to paint the mane and then I feel the horn could be lighter, but that depends on how it looks once I've painted in the mane.

Master Study Sketch of "The Cicada" by Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot...

"The Cicada" by Jean-Baptiste Camille Corot is one of my favorite paintings at the Norton Simon Museum.  Whenever I go there, I consider myself very fortunate to have the opportunity to see it.  It occured to me that it has been a while since I've painted a master study.  This is a rough sketch of Corot's original painting that I photographed whilst visiting the museum.  I've decided in my version, more of her hair will be down.  Seeing them side by side, I realize that I definitely need to focus on her hands and redraw them, in this sketch they are tiny!  While I know that I will never capture the beauty of this master painting myself, I feel that painting a master study allows me to see into the original more deeply and learn from the experience.


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

Work in Progress Mermaid with Clownfish Painting, Big Brown Eyes...

Here is a work in progress view of my mermaid with clownfish painting.  I have started work on the mermaid.  I'm not very far in, but her big brown eyes are almost done...

Unicorn Painting Work in Progress & White Chocolate Fudge...

Here is a work in progress view of my unicorn painting.  I've mainly worked on the unicorn's eye at this point.  Eyes are very predominant in my paintings; so, when possible, I like to get them established fairly early on in the painting...  

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

http://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com/

I made this recipe for the holidays and I think it was well received.  It certainly appealed to my sweet tooth.  Laurie at her blog here, "I Love a Cloudy Day" posted the recipe.  I love her blog, if you haven't visited her before, it is a delight.  Her fudge looked absolutely perfect, mine less so, but still tasty!

She said "you just melt 3 cups white chocolate pieces, stir in one can Eagle Brand milk, have ready an 8 x 8 pan with parchment , break up  in large chunks 12 peanut butter cups in bottom of pan then pour chocolate eagle brand mixture over, crumble the last few peanut butter cups on top, chill and slice, wow is it deadly, my my, very good."

It was delicious indeed.  I crumbled three chocolate peanut butter cups (well, I had to taste one to be sure it was a good batch!) on top, most of the crumblies didn't stick though.  When I do the recipe again, I'll try to push them in a bit more.

My blog/page has been less about art and more about the holidays right now, but I was very happy to do a little painting on my unicorn yesterday!

Christmas Cheer & Happy Holidays...

I hope that if you celebrate Christmas, you are having a wonderful one and regardless of what holidays you are celebrating they are full of joy.  I'm sorry I'm a bit behind in visiting, but I'm just taking a little break from helping in the kitchen!  I would like to wish you all a happy holiday season!

An Original Painting of a White Lily, a Purple Bearded Iris Art Print, & ACEOs!

"White Lily" 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 "White Lily" my original white lily painting.  I also have additional flower themed giclee art prints here.

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...

"Standing Tall" Original Painting SOLD

5"x7" print here

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

This is my featured print for the week.  I also have additional giclee art prints on ebay here.   This week I have a theme of flowers...  There is this iris, also in square format, a tulip in both 5"x7" and square format, anthuriums, sweet pea blossoms, and the white lily.

Happy Holidays!

Just a quick hello...

I bought these two bouquets, one for my mother and one for Alex's mother today.  I feel almost ready!  I hope your preparations, your holidays, and your festivities are going well!

Waterlily Sketch...

Here is my sketch of a waterlily.  I love waterlilies.  This is based off of a pink waterlily.  They are out of season here right now, but I took a lot of reference photographs of the water lilies when they were still in season.  I am contemplating two new water lily paintings, one a flower fairy maiden and another that is just a waterlily...

I am not entirely unprepared for Christmas, but I am not entirely prepared either.  There is just still so much to do!  It is my intention to post as I usually do in the next few days, but that's contingent on how well my list goes today I think...  I am hoping that regardless of what you celebrate, you are having a wonderful holiday season.


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

Work in Progress Mermaid with Clownfish Painting, Clownfish Fini...

Here is a work in progress view of my mermaid with clownfish painting.  I am pretty much done with the clownfish.  The differences on the monitor from my last update are probably fairly subtle, but I've enhanced some of their shading and added some slightly translucent elements of their fins.  When I get there, I'm going to have some of the mermaid's hair going over the little guy in the lower right hand corner, but some of it is behind, so I had to block some of her hair loosely in for the translucent bits...

It's my birthday today and my mother and I are going to go to Descanso Gardens or the Norton Simon Museum of Art (two of my favorite places).  Today is also the Winter Solstice.  Happy Winter's Solstice to you if you celebrate it!

Unicorn Painting Work in Progress...

Here is a work in progress view of my unicorn painting.  I've done a bit of work on the background.  I started off with the idea of doing a very light background on this painting inspired by Shawn Parker's photograph, but have decided instead to have a darker one so that the white unicorn will shine...


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

A White Rose From Our Garden...

Here is a white rose from our garden to you.  I took this photograph a couple of weeks ago.  There's something about white flowers that make them especially compelling to me to paint and take photos of.

Alex and I are going to donate some stuff to the Union Rescue Mission later today.  It's a great place to donate to.  They're a women's and children's shelter and they also give donated items to the local community.  When I donate there, I feel like what I am giving will get a great second life.  This will be our last donation for the year.  We haven't donated as much this year as last year, but hopefully in the next year we will improve upon this year.

Work in Progress Mermaid with Clownfish Painting, Clownfish Near Completion...

Here is a work in progress view of my mermaid with clownfish painting.  I want to add some accents to the clown fish, but I am almost finished with them.  Soon I can start with the mermaid...

An Original Painting of a Violet Fairy, a Purple Rose Art Print, & ACEOs!

"Sylph of Violet" 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 "Sylph of Violet" my original purple and blue faery painting.  I also have additional blue and purple themed giclee art prints here.

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 Dream" Original Painting SOLD

8"x10" print here

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

This is my featured print for the week.  I also have additional giclee art prints on ebay here.  This week I have a theme of blue and purple, two of my favorite colors...  There are fantasy angels, fairies, a rose, a lily, and my self portrait.

Lego Sculptures at Downtown Disney Part II + Mermaid with Clownfish WIP...

I saw these sculptures at the Lego store when I went to visit the Wonderland Gallery at Downtown Disney, I didn't take any pictures at the gallery because I wasn't sure if it was allowed or not; but, when I saw these Lego pieces at the Lego store, I was thrilled.  I took too many photos to post all at one time, so I posted a Part I here last week.  I hope you will enjoy them, it's a little different from what usually inspires me, but I thought they were fun!  

Aladdin, Jasmine, and Genie

Aladdin, Jasmine, and Genie

Aladdin, Jasmine, and Genie

Toy Story, Woody and Buzz Lightyear

Toy Story, Woody and Buzz Lightyear

Background to the Toy Story Sculpture

Background to the Toy Story Sculpture, Close Up 

It looks a bit like Impressionist art...

A Wizard

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

I've been working on my mermaid with clownfish painting.  In this work in progress view, I've added some more layers to the fish and completed the black accents of the first fish.  After I do all of the black for all of the clownfish, I will probably go back in and work with the fish a little more, but they are coming along...

Unicorn Sketch on Canvas...

Here is my sketch for a unicorn.  As it is a magical being, I've made the eye and mane bigger than my inspiration photograph by Shawn Parker.  It is on canvas and my next step with it will be to paint the background.  Well, technically I paint the sides of the canvas first, but that doesn't really count...  I have darkened the sketch a little bit in photoshop to hopefully make it easier to see.  This is a small 5"x7" piece, so I was able to scan it in.  The camera and the scanner both have virtues, but for smaller pieces, I usually prefer to scan them if there isn't any paint or if the paint is completely dry...


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

Just Some Roses From Our Garden...

Yesterday, I didn't do any art at all, but I still wanted to share some beauty with you today.  I ran some errands, read a little, and spent some time with Alex.  Some days are just like that.  These are some roses from our garden that I photographed.  There aren't a lot of roses blooming right now, but there are a few.  I think they are a bright spot in a winter day.  Although technically winter doesn't begin until the Solstice on the 21st of December (I know this because it is my birthday, I don't know when any of the other Solstices begin...), it feels like it is winter now.

Mermaid with Clownfish Painting Work in Progress Continues...

Here is a work in progress view of my mermaid with clownfish painting.  I've done a little bit of work on the third fish.  Yesterday I took some time to go with my mother to an event she wanted to go to, so not so much work on the painting, but definitely a change of pace.  Now the phrase running through my head is "Oh fishy, fishy, fishy, fish" from Monty Python.  There's something about this piece that just lends itself to fishy thoughts...


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

Mermaid with Clownfish Painting Work in Progress...

Here is a work in progress view of my mermaid with clownfish painting.  One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish...  Okay, so actually there are three fish and they will all be shades of orange and have black and white accents; but, that keeps running through my head as I paint them...  I have started on the clownfish, two out of three have most of their base coats and I have started on the third.

Work in Progress, Mermaid with Clownfish Painting...

Here is a work in progress view of my mermaid with clownfish painting.  I saw this shade of blue in a documentary about coral reefs and fish populations.  When I saw it, I knew it was the background color I wanted for this painting.  I've just begun the painting and I am looking forward to starting on the clown fish...

An Original Painting of Two Seahorses, a Blue Mermaid Art Print, & ACEOs!

"Entwined" 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 "Entwined" my original purple and lavender seahorses painting.  I also have additional giclee art prints here.

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...

"Blending" Original Painting SOLD

5"x7" print here

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

I also have additional giclee art prints on ebay here.  This week I have a theme of the ocean; some of my art offered this week is of sailboats and the sea, some of it is of its denizens...  Ships, mermaids, seahorses, and the ocean - Ahoy!

Lego Sculptures at Downtown Disney Part I + My Practice Canvas...

I saw these sculptures at the Lego store when I went to visit the Wonderland Gallery at Downtown Disney, I didn't take any pictures at the gallery because I wasn't sure if it was allowed or not; but, when I saw these Lego pieces at the Lego store, I was thrilled.  I took too many photos to post all at one time, so there will be a Part II probably next week.  I hope you will enjoy them, it's a little different from what usually inspires me, but I thought they were fun!

Men Made of Men

Men Made of Men Close Up

Beauty (Belle) and the Beast

Lumière, a Candelabra and Cogsworth, a Clock

The Beast

Giant Dragon Fighting a Knight on a Horse

My Lovely Mother with the Hulk

A Friendlier Dragon Peeking Out From a Wall of Product

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

I've been headache plagued so I haven't made any progress on my mermaid painting yet.  This canvas is my practice canvas.  I use it to try different things out.  Before I put seaweed on my seahorses painting, I painted a portion of the canvas the color I used for the ocean and tested the colors I wanted to use for the seaweed here.  I also tested two different types of texture mediums I bought to see which one would work best for my painting rose immersion.  I plan on finding my gesso (where that has absconded to I'm not really sure at the moment) and blocking in some white to do some test skin tones before I use them on the mermaid painting.  It's presently pretty covered with color because I hate wasting paint and I enjoy smishing it around and seeing what transpires.  It was also definitely long past time to start a new palette...