Art vs. Artist 2025: A Year in Review ✨

 

This year is fast drawing to a close! Oil paintings, drawings, and sketches, oh my... 🎨

2025 was a year of exploration for me. From the feathered focus of #Birbfest to the spooky whimsy of Mab Graves' #Drawlloween, these challenges brought so much inspiration and joy. I’ve loved playing with scale—creating both large-scale works and tiny, 4"x4" oil paintings—and returning to the quiet beauty of toned paper drawings.

My heart remains rooted in big-eye fantasy femmes and whimsical animals. Art, love, and family are my world, and I’m so grateful you’ve been part of this journey!

Which piece from this year was your personal favorite?

Get ready for #Birbfest2026! 🐦🎨

 

If you love birds and art, here is the prompt list for January! Hosted by @monkeymintaka.bsky.social, this challenge is a wonderful way to kick off the New Year. You can find the full guide at: www.monkeymintaka.com/birbfest

I’m still happily finishing up a few pieces from this year's Birbfest, so I’ll be taking a low-pressure approach to 2026—but I can’t wait to be inspired by all your feathered creations!

Who else is planning to join in?

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! 🎄

 

I hope this day finds you and those you love filled with warmth, peace, and joy. I’m sharing this piece "The Joy of Christmas," a red poinsettia flower painting—one of my favorites that found its forever home—as a small thank you for being part of my creative journey.

Sending you my warmest holiday wishes.

With love, Lisabella Russo

Santa's Skipper is Ready to Ship! My Kawaii Penguin is Finished and Framed! 🐧

 ✨ EDIT: SOLD, Thanks so much! ✨

Look who's finally finished and out for a yuletide waddle! "Santa's Skipper"—the Magellanic chonkers kawaii penguin in his festive Santa hat—is completed and displayed in a charming ornate golden frame.

This original 4" x 6" oil painting (7" x 8.5" framed) is a wonderful small piece for any collector (or penguin lover)!

HOLIDAY DEADLINE ALERT: To guarantee shipping in time for Christmas US delivery, please purchase this Skipper by the end of Wednesday, December 17th!

DM me for details on claiming this little holiday bird!

The Crimson King and Ochre Queen are Complete and Framed! 👑

 

My festive pair of winter cardinals is ready to fly home for the holidays! The male "Crimson King" and the female "Ochre Queen" are both original, 4" x 4" round oil paintings on paper framed in ornate antique black frames (framed 6.5" x 7").

They are available individually, but I am offering a special 15% discount if they are purchased as a pair—the perfect set for a gallery wall!

HOLIDAY DEADLINE ALERT: To ensure US delivery by Christmas, please purchase by the end of Wednesday, December 17th, for shipping on the 18th!

DM me to claim the pair or inquire about an individual painting!

Ochre Queen: My Work in Progress Painting of a Female Cardinal 👑

 

I've been loving painting this festive pair of winter birds! Following up on the "Crimson King," here is the underpainting for the female cardinal, aptly titled "Ochre Queen."

Right now, she's a cozy brown underpainting, fluffed up and nestled against the initial snowy background. Soon, I'll be layering her with beautiful golden ochre feathers!

This original is a small 4" x 4" round oil painting on paper.

Stay tuned as I bring this sweet Queen's festive feathery details to life!

Crimson King: My Work in Progress Painting of a Male Cardinal 👑

 

'Tis the season for beautiful winter birds! I'm currently working on a festive pair of cardinals. This is the underpainting for the male, titled "Crimson King."

Right now, he's just a rich brown underpainting, fluffed up and nestled against the initial snowy background. Soon, he'll be layered with glorious crimson red! His female counterpart (the "golden ochre" queen!) is also underway, and I hope to share her WIP soon.

This original is a small 4" x 4" round oil painting on paper.

Special Note: His expression was inspired by a wonderful photograph shared by @ScottAnderson! Thank you for the inspiration!

Stay tuned as I bring this little King's festive feathery layers to life!

Santa's Skipper: My Work in Progress Painting of a Kawaii Magellanic Penguin 🐧

 

It's December, and the holiday paintings are underway! This is the underpainting and background for my Magellanic penguin piece, aptly titled "Santa's Skipper."

This little guy is a true kawaii chonkers who's ready for the season—he's wearing a Santa hat! 🎅

This original is a small 4" x 6" oil painting on paper, inspired by the #birbfest2025 challenge.

I'm currently working on bringing this Skipper to life! I also have a couple of cardinals on my easel, and I hope to share their progress soon.

Stay tuned for updates on this festive fellow!

Guardian of Thistles: My Familiar Painting is Completed and Framed!

 

Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃 I'm sharing a bit of whimsy and magic with you today.

This piece was inspired by Mab Graves's #Drawlloween prompt: #yourfamiliar. Meet my familiar, Bluebell, the "Guardian of Thistles." She's a charming bunny with long ram horns and a wonderfully quizzical expression!

This original traditional oil painting on paper is a beautifully small collectible! The art measures approximately 6" x 4" (the full framed size is approximately 7.5" x 5.5"). It comes ready to display in an ornate vintage tabletop frame.

The original painting is available for purchase! Please contact me directly for details if you're interested.

The Emerald Stare: My Big Eye Witch Painting is Completed and Framed!

 

EDIT: SOLD, Thanks so much!

"What a world, what a world, what a world..."

The timing is perfect! As Wicked: For Good releases in theaters today, I'm thrilled to reveal the finished painting of my big-eye version of the wicked witch of the West, Elphaba!

Titled "The Emerald Stare," this piece was sparked by Mab Graves's #Drawlloween #witch prompt. She captures Elphaba's intense gaze, complete with her characteristic pointed hat and signature green hue.

Miniature Magic: This original traditional oil painting on paper is petite! The art measures only approximately 2.75" x 3.5" (the full framed size is approximately 4" x 6"). It's a perfect pocket-sized piece of Oz!

The original framed painting is available for purchase! Please contact me directly for details if you're interested.