Chinstrap Penguin Bird Sketch Art + Purple & Burgundy Sweet Pea Blossoms Original Painting Website Update...

Here is a bird sketch of a chinstrap penguin.  I was drawn to sketch him because he seemed to be having so much fun in the snow.  Also, starting tomorrow, I will be sketching humanesque faces for the 29 faces in September challenge.  This time around specifies no animal faces, so I decided to get a non human face in for today...  I say humanesque faces, as they will be fantasy big eye females mostly, not so much strictly human...

I am also participating in Sunday Sketches.  To view more Sunday Sketches, please visit:
http://bluechairdiary.blogspot.com/

To Touch the Sky Original 8"x10" Painting, Open Edition 8"x10" Giclee Prints, & Limited Edition Giclee 2.5"x3.5" ACEO Prints Here

These purple and burgundy sweet pea blossoms are reaching for the sky.  I love flowers and these were just so lovely, I could not resist painting them.  This piece is available as an original, as prints, and Limited Edition ACEOs on my website!  

Every week on Tuesday, I try to list a small original, some giclee art prints, and giclee LE ACEO prints at promotional prices. Visit here to see what I have available this week! 

Mini Work in Progress Update on my Original Water Lilies Painting + Gothic Big Eye Mermaid Website Update...

Here is a work in progress view of my water lilies painting.  I've started work on the lower water lily, I still have a very long ways to go on this painting.  This is just a mini update on my 18"x24" lotus painting, I very much felt like painting last night, but was so tired, I just didn't get too far into it.  Waterlilies are so beautiful to me, I have a huge folder of reference waterlily photographs that I've taken, and still I take more whenever the option presents itself to me...

Song of the Siren Original 7"x5" Painting, Open Edition 7"x5" Giclee Prints, & Limited Edition Giclee 3.5"x2.5" ACEO Prints Here

This gothic big eye mermaid with blue green hair has her eyes closed, lost in the moment.  This piece is available as an original, as prints, and Limited Edition ACEOs on my website!

Every week on Tuesday, I try to list a small original, some giclee art prints, and giclee LE ACEO prints at promotional prices. Visit here to see what I have available this week!

A Photograph of a Turtle at the Norton Simon Museum of Art...

This photograph is of a turtle who was in the pond and garden area of the Norton Simon Museum of Art.  This is the only time I can recall having seen a turtle there, and he looked none too pleased at being spotted.  He seemed to be saying, "paparazzi please, this is my me time;" but he was so cute I couldn't resist taking a quick photo of him...

Mini Work in Progress Update on my Original Mermaid with Seahorses Painting...

Here is a work in progress view of my mermaid with seahorses painting.  I've worked on her eyelashes, her lips, and a bit of shading; but she still needs her hair!  I had hoped to have this 11"x14" painting done by this Tuesday, but I'm now hoping I will have her done for next Tuesday...

My Original Pink Sweet Pea Blossoms Flower Painting! Art Prints & ACEOs!

This Week "Budding Blooms" Original 5"x7" Painting here

5"x7" print here

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

I am listing "Budding Blooms," an original painting of two pink sweet pea blossoms against a soft blue sky.  Flowers are one of my favorite topics to paint...  I didn't finish the mermaid with seahorses for today, but hopefully for next Tuesday.  I'll try to post a mini update tomorrow.

I also have additional giclee art and ACEO prints here this week from Tuesday to Tuesday with a theme of flowers; there is a bird of paradise, an orchid, an iris, a rose, a tulip, anthuriums, and lilies too...

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...  I have started at updating and adding payment buttons to my website.  It's a very slow project, but one I am working on.

Little Owl (Athene noctua) Bird Sketch + Blue Purple Mermaid Fairy Website Update...

Here is another little owl (Athene noctua), once I get on a topic, I tend to roll with it for a while.  I don't think this is Athena's owl, but it is a sibling.  I plan on doing an individual painting of this one...

I am also participating in Sunday Sketches.  To view more Sunday Sketches, please visit:
http://bluechairdiary.blogspot.com/

Soft Light Original Painting NFS

Open Edition 8"x10" Giclee Prints & Limited Edition Giclee ACEO Prints Here

Soft Light is of an Asian gothic mermaid basking in a gentle light.  She is predominantly blue and purple and has wings in addition to her mermaid tail, giving her dominion of the air and sea.  The original version of this painting is not for sale, but I do have the piece available as 8"x10" prints and 2.5"x3.5" LE ACEOs!  I hope you will enjoy seeing this image today. 

Every week on Tuesday, I try to list a small original, some giclee art prints, and giclee LE ACEO prints at promotional prices.  Visit here to see what I have available this week!

A Photograph of Some Yellow and Red Orchids...

This photograph is of a grouping of yellow and red orchids.  They were grown by Alex's former neighbors.  I thought they were quite beautiful.  Orchids are one of my favorite flowers.  I hope you will enjoy this photo...

Work in Progress Mermaid with Seahorses Original Painting & Aiko Koi Fish Website Update...

Here is a work in progress view of my 11"x14" original mermaid painting with seahorses.  I've done some more work on the shading on her face, but I'm still working on her eyelashes and lips.  I also see some of her shading that I may revisit as well...  After that, all that's left is her hair, I'd like to have this done by Tuesday, but I'm not sure how much time she'll need to be entirely complete.


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

Aiko Koi Original 5"x7" Painting, Open Edition 5"x7" Giclee Prints, & Limited Edition Giclee ACEO Prints Here

This brocaded koi fish has a heart shaped marking, in Japan koi fish are symbols of love and affection, which is a subject that appeals to me greatly.  This piece is available as an original, as prints, and Limited Edition ACEOs on my website!  

Every week on Tuesday, I try to list a small original, some giclee art prints, and giclee LE ACEO prints at promotional prices. Visit here to see what I have available this week! 

Athena Minerva in Progress Sketch...

Here is another sketch of a possibility for the goddess for my Athena Minerva painting with her owl (I have an owl sketch I'm happy with, but the owl will be combined with this one in photoshop).  This one is closer to the mood I want for the piece...

My Original Blue & Purple Dragon Claims the Rock Painting! Art Prints & ACEOs!

This Week "Dragonsrock" Original 8"x10" Painting here

8"x10" print here

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

I am listing "Dragonsrock," an original painting of a surreal lowbrow fantasy blue and purple dragon with a claim on the rock.  I think the dragon is quite content and thinking of treasure...

I also have additional giclee art and ACEO prints here this week from Tuesday to Tuesday with a theme of magical beings; there are more dragons, unicorns, and a fairy dog and fairy cat too...

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...  I have started at updating and adding payment buttons to my website.  It's a very slow project, but one I am working on.

LACMA Show Fashioning Fashion VI & a Work in Progress Dragon...

I was looking through my reference images files, and I came across two folders with images from the LACMA show Fashioning Fashion: European Dress in Detail, 1700–1915.  I love fashion and find it very inspiring.  Here are some of the images to the show, I hope that you will enjoy them.  I will post more from this show on other Mondays, although probably not always consecutively.

If you'd like to see what I have up of this show thus far, please click here.

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

Here is another work in progress view of my dragon.  I am almost done!  I think I will be able to have it ready to post the final image tomorrow.

Athena Minerva in Progress Sketch & an Abstract Angel Art Website Update...

Here is a sketch of a possibility for the goddess for my Athena Minerva painting with her owl.  While this one has a sweet quality, I think I'd like to give her a more serious expression, so it's back to the drawing board for me.  It's very important to me to get the sketch the way I want it before I begin painting and sometimes this takes more than one try for me...


I am also participating in Sunday Sketches.  To view more Sunday Sketches, please visit:
http://bluechairdiary.blogspot.com/

Halo Original Painting SOLD

Open Edition 8"x10" Giclee Prints & Limited Edition Giclee ACEO Prints Here

Halo is of an abstract angel inspired loosely by Ted DeGrazia.  She is part of a series.  I sold the original blue angel, but I do have this piece available as prints and ACEOs!

Every week on Tuesday, I try to list a small original, some giclee art prints, and giclee LE ACEO prints at promotional prices. Visit here to see what I have available this week! 

Continuing Work in Progress on my Original Dragon Painting...

Here is a work in progress view of my dragon painting.  I like how it's going, but I didn't quite get as far as I'd hoped yesterday.  I'm hoping to have this 8"x10" painting done by Tuesday, but we'll see how today goes...

A Photograph of a Sunflower & my Original Sunflower Painting + Prints & ACEOs Website Update...

This photograph is of a vibrant sunflower.  Every once in a while, I buy some to bring home.  I love sunflowers, there's something about them that seems so full of hope to me.  I hope you will enjoy this photo...

Petite Fleur de Soleil Open Edition 5"x7" Giclee Prints & Limited Edition Giclee ACEO Prints Here

Petite Fleur de Soleil is of a vibrant garden sunflower set against a soft sky.  There's something about sunflowers that draw me in.  The original has sold, thanks T!  This piece is available as prints and Limited Edition ACEOs!  

Every week on Tuesday, I try to list a small original, some giclee art prints, and giclee LE ACEO prints at promotional prices. Visit here to see what I have available this week! 

Continuing Work in Progress on my Original Mermaid with Seahorses Painting...

Here is a work in progress view of my big eye mermaid with her seahorse friends painting.  I've done some more layers on her neck and shoulders.  Her face is started, but I'm not quite done with the shading.  I think the changes will be fairly subtle, but while I'm close, I'm not quite ready to move on to her eyebrows, eyelashes, and lips...

My Original Purple and Burgundy Sweet Pea Flowers Painting! Art Prints & ACEOs!

This Week "To Touch the Sky" Original 8"x10" Painting here

8"x10" print here

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

I am listing "To Touch the Sky," an original painting of deep purple and burgundy sweet pea flowers.  This piece is dreaming of the sky.

I also have additional giclee art and ACEO prints here this week with a theme of flowers; roses, anthuriums, a tulip, a calla lily, and some more sweet pea blossoms too...

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...  I have started at updating and adding payment buttons to my website.  It's a very slow project, but one I am working on.

Love Letter by Pietro Antonio Rotari at the Norton Simon Museum of Art & an Aphrodite Venus Goddess Website Update

This is a piece that I love at the Norton Simon Museum of Art.  By Pietro Antonio Rotari, a very highly successful artist of his day, I feel that this piece has such charm.  "Young Girl Writing a Love Letter" has such a sweet feeling.  These days I think letters on paper are fairly rare, but I think they are wonderful!

Young Girl Writing a Love Letter by Pietro Antonio Rotari

I am linking this post with Inspire Me Monday

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

Ocean Born Original Painting NFS

Open Edition 5"x7" Giclee Prints & Limited Edition Giclee ACEO Prints Here

"Ocean Born" is a goddess of love.  Born of the ocean, the Greek goddess Aphrodite, also known to the Romans as Venus, has long flowing hair and a golden corset.  She has big green eyes.  The original is not for sale, but I do have her available as prints and ACEOs!

Every week on Tuesday, I try to list a small original, some giclee art prints, and giclee LE ACEO prints at promotional prices. Visit here to see what I have available this week!

A Little Owl (Athene noctua) Sketch Two & a Purple Calla Lily Flower Website Update...

Here is a sketch of a Little Owl (Athene noctua).  This is the favored owl of the Greek goddess Athena, also known as Minerva by the Romans.  Alex suggested that I might want my owl for my painting of Athens to be in more of an upright pose than the one I sketched before, he found this owl for me.  I like them both, but I think this may fit the mood of the piece a little more so than the first one...


I am also participating in Sunday Sketches.  To view more Sunday Sketches, please visit:
http://bluechairdiary.blogspot.com/

Intensity Original 5"x7" Painting, Open Edition 5"x7" Giclee Prints & Limited Edition Giclee ACEO Prints Here

Intensity is of a purple calla lily set against a very light grey sky.  Flowers are so beautiful to me, they remind me of my grandparents and their love of nature.  The style is a soft realism.  This piece available as an original, as prints, and Limited Edition ACEOs!  

Every week on Tuesday, I try to list a small original, some giclee art prints, and giclee LE ACEO prints at promotional prices. Visit here to see what I have available this week!

Work in Progress Dragon Original Painting...

Here is a work in progress view of my 8"x10" dragon painting "Dragonsrock."  I've been working on the rock the dragon loves so much, I think I am ready to move on to the dragon proper!  I'm almost done with the eye, I think eyes are so crucial that I tend to do them fairly early on.

Work in Progress Mermaid with Seahorses...

Here is a work in progress view of an 11"x14" big eye mermaid with seahorses painting.  I've made some progress on her neck and shoulder.  I've also worked a bit on the rock for my dragon painting, but I'd like to get a little further with that before I post another update.


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

A Photograph of an Orange Dragonfly at Descanso Gardens...

This photograph is of an orange dragonfly.  I took it at Descanso Gardens, the dragonfly looks a little like it's saying hello.  There are some times of year when there are a lot of them near the bodies of water.  I hope you will enjoy this photo...

Original Fantasy Big Eye Paintings, Purple Haired Gothic Beauties! Art Prints & ACEOs!

Cleo Original 16"x20" Painting on Canvas on My Website Here

This Week 8"x10" print here

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

This week I am listing "Cleo" at my promotional rate as a print and ACEO. The original gothic angel fairy with deep purple hair and big light violet eyes is available for purchase on my website! I also have additional giclee art and ACEO prints on ebay here with a theme of some of my purple haired fantasy angels and fairies. 

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... I have started at updating and adding payment buttons to my website. It's a very slow project, but one I am working on.

This Week "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, for my small original at my promo rate, I have "Sylph of Violet," a purple gothic fairy angel with blue skin in a deep purple gown.  She has big blue eyes and light violet hair...

The auctions will end next Tuesday and include my self portrait as a print and ACEO print...

Irises by Vincent van Gogh at the J. Paul Getty Center Museum of Art & a Water Lily WIP

I love the art of Vincent van Gogh, there's such a wonderful energy and passion to his work.  This piece is part of the permanent collection at the J. Paul Getty Center Museum of Art.  Although he considered it to be a study rather than a finished piece, I think it is one of my favorites by him.  At one art lecture I attended, they said the one white iris symbolized hope.  It was painted in the garden of the Saint-Remy asylum where he was recuperating.

Irises by Vincent van Gogh as framed

Irises by Vincent van Gogh

Irises by Vincent van Gogh detail I

Irises by Vincent van Gogh detail II

I am linking this post with Inspire Me Monday

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

Here is a work in progress view of my water lily painting.  I am mostly done with the background and am ready to start painting the water lilies.  Although one waterlily is touched with pink and the other a bit of yellow, the waterlilies will be predominantly white.  It is on an 18"x24" canvas.

A Little Owl (Athene noctua) Sketch & Fairy Dog on a Sunflower Website Update...

Here is a sketch of a Little Owl (Athene noctua).  This is the favored owl of the Greek goddess Athena, also known as Minerva by the Romans.  I am going to have this little owl nestled on Athena's shoulder for one of my upcoming paintings.  Thanks to Paul Sawford for letting me use his amazing photo as reference...

I am also participating in Sunday Sketches.  To view more Sunday Sketches, please visit:

http://www.bluechairdiary.com/blog/

Dreamer Original Painting SOLD

Open Edition 8"x10" Giclee Prints & Limited Edition Giclee ACEO Prints Here

I sold the original version of this sweet fairy dog napping on a sunflower, but I do have the piece available as prints and LE ACEOs!  I hope you will enjoy seeing this image today. 

Every week on Tuesday, I try to list a small original, some giclee art prints, and giclee LE ACEO prints at promotional prices.  Visit here to see what I have available this week!

The Big Eyes of My Original Mermaid with Seahorses Painting Work in Progress...

Here is a work in progress view of my mermaid with her seahorse friends painting.  I've completed her big blue eyes.  I'm experimenting with painting on panel right now, in some ways I like it better than working on canvas, in other ways I miss the canvas.  I'm also going to put some gesso on some of the canvases I have and see how I like that.  I think the hot weather makes it an excellent time for doing that!

Work in Progress Dragon & a Hesitant Fairy Kitten...

Here is a work in progress view of an 8"x10" dragon painting.  I've finished with the sky.  I did some touch ups on some of the wet in wet that I'd done as well as doing a few layers on the sections under the wings that I'd forgotten...  I've also started his rock, I'm planning on adding some texture to it and then I can start on the dragon actual.  I'm considering "Dragonsrock" as a title.


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

To Fly or Not to Fly Original Painting SOLD

Open Edition 8"x10" Giclee Prints & Limited Edition Giclee ACEO Prints Here

I sold the original version of this fairy kitten debating on the merits of taking flight, but I do have the piece available as prints and LE ACEOs!  I hope you will enjoy seeing this image today. 

Every week on Tuesday, I try to list a small original, some giclee art prints, and giclee LE ACEO prints at promotional prices.  Visit here to see what I have available this week!