Created YouTube channel...

Hello!

As you can see from the title of this post, I created a YouTube channel! I am now up loading 4 videos a week of my Minecraft play. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday I will upload my regular Survival series, and on Friday I will also upload a "Field Trip" video of somewhere else. This gives me something else to do with my time, and it is fun.

I forgot to mention...

Last week that I have placed the two pieces from a previous art show up for sale on my Etsy page.

Both pieces sell for $25 at my shop MandilynJane 

In Minecraft news...

So this week concludes my first week on YouTube. I have 4 episodes up and running,as well as an introduction, and later today I will post my first "Field Trip". I hope you have a chance to check it out!

www.youtube.com/channel/UCWqFBz_snqOrHKxiRuq9UNA

Spring is in the air...

Finally some pretty photos of flowers I have seen...

A little flowering tree with little leaves. If you know what it is please leave a comment.

A Northwest rhododendron

As always, thanks for reading! Leave a comment or subscribe!

Mandy 

So its Friday again...

Hello!

So it's Friday again, and time to post another blog entry...I don't have much to show this week, but I'll let you know what's happening.

Art Show...

I finished my colored pencil piece for an upcoming art show in Edmonds, WA at Stunningly Strange Gallery. The show starts on May 15th. Check it out if you are in the area. The theme of the show is 'Childhood'.

Other art stuff...

I will probably be finishing my bubbles painting in the near future.

This is my progress so far...

In Minecraft news...

I have created my YouTube channel, DragnFeathers. I will have my intro video up soon, and my first Let's Play video shortly after. The channel also coming with a Google+ page.

Enjoy the beginning of Summer! (Maybe?)

Thanks for reading! Comment or subscribe.

Mandy

More arts and less Minecraft...

Hello!

So I was recently talking to my boyfriend, and he asked if I was doing arts and crafts. I told him I was doing less art and too much Minecraft! So, now I am determined to change that and do MORE art and LESS Minecraft... We'll see how that goes, since I have also decided to start recording YouTube videos of playing Minecraft! Maybe people will like my videos and they will become popular, or maybe not. I know that I will have fun playing them!

Art Show Progress...

So the piece for my friends art show is coming along nicely.I have to have it finished by April 30th. I don't want to show pictures of the progress. I'll scan it when it's done.

In training this week...

I worked on another still life, but it isn't quite finished yet. Similar to the others, it feature a white mug, an orange, and a red bowl on a blue background. I have never really done still-life before and I am enjoying it a bit.

Spring is really here...

The flowers are blooming, the trees are leafing, and the birds are singing! I really like Spring! I feel bad that there have been no pictures so far in this post so I'll see if I can find something pretty for you to look at...

How about so mossy trees! This was taken at Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo Rose Garden.

I LOVE MOSSY THINGS!!!!

There is also this beautiful sunset with pink and purple clouds!

I LOVE PURPLE!!!!

In Minecraft...

On the multi-player server, I went mining for a while. I went to a mob trap and killed a bunch of wither skeletons. I bought  a wolf egg and tamed her, used a nametag and named her Violet. I bought an ocelot egg and tamed it, its name is Precious. On Easter a got an 'Easter Egg', it was a squid I have spawned it and will name him Borris!

As I mentioned at the beginning of the blog, I will be starting a YouTube channel and posting videos of my Minecraft fun! You can check it out now or wait until I've posted something! My channel is called DragnFeathers. I will have a link in the blog when I post my first video. 

As always, thanks for reading this! Please comment or subscribe( or both).

Mandy

Oops! I did it again...

Hello!

I should  really say, I DIDN'T do it again. As in, I didn't post a blog entry last week! I have no excuses.... Minecraft is addictive!

So I did get some art work done...YAY! I finished my Spring drawing of a bunny with a balloon.

Colored Pencil on Cardstock

I also started a new piece for an up coming art show themed on 'Childhood'. It is in colored pencil as well...

Of course, both piece do not have my watermark on them in real life.

At work...

While helping students this last week, I created two new fruit still life drawings. One green apple on red, and a red apple on green.

Both were done quickly as an example for the student, but I think they turned out pretty nice.

In Minecraft...

I have continued to play on the MCMonarch server. I have set up a little flower shop, and created a second 'country' home.

My flower shop!

 I will keep adding to all my building projects, but I think I will try out the Parcour  area soon to build up my skills. MiniMe (my daughter) says I should try going into the PvP world. We'll see...

HAPPY EASTER!!!

As always, thanks for reading! Leave comments or suggestions.

Mandy

Procrastination strikes again...

Hello!

So last week I didn't post anything... This week I am posting a couple days late! Better late than never! That seems to be my life motto, except when it comes to getting places, then its "Better early then late!"

No new personal art work this week, although I have two sketches for future projects( I haven't scanned them for you yet). I will post next week.

In training....

As training at work progresses, I have moved on to colorful fruit still lifes with introductory color theory. Using backgrounds of complementary color to the fruit. Starting with a simple orange on a blue background:

Next is a green apple on a red background:

Then a red apple on a green background:

Finally, a lemon on a purple background:

These are all done with soft chalk pastels. Next training I will do a white cup with a fruit. Then I will be moving on to watercolor...

In Minecraft News...

I have joined a new multiplayer server called, MCMonarch. I has a lot of features that I am looking forward to: free build survival lands, towns, parkour, PvP, mob areana... plus a Creative server, KitPvP, and Minigames servers. There are alot of nice people and a lot to see. So click the link to their web page to see more and get the IP address. Then look for me: DragnFeathers

Thanks for taking the time to read my blog! If you like it, click the link to follow me. Leaving a comment is nice too!

SPRING HAS SPRUNG!!!!!

Mandy

 

No post this week....

Busy at work and play...

I will make a big post on Friday!

So stay tuned!

Thanks for reading!

Better late, then never....

Hello!

This week in Art...

I have been distracted by Minecraft again this week. I did get a little art work done. I started this little picture done with colored pencils. I was thinking about the lovely spring weather we are having in Seattle right now, and upcoming Easter.

I am also sifting through ideas for a show a co-worker is curating... the theme is childhood.

I also took time to admire nature's beauty. A magnolia tree starting to bloom.

This week in Minecraft...

I have decided to join an online server or two( or three, or four...) to play with other people. So far it has been 50/50. The first server I joined is okay. They seem to be having some administrative problems with people abusing privileges, and technical bugs. I think they are working it all out. I will let you know my recommendation in a couple more weeks. The second, I joined late last night and it was pretty peaceful.

I have also been white-listed for another server that I haven't been able to get on yet, and another that is still in development by a guy here in Seattle.

In my private world, I ventured into the Nether...and died. I went back in 'Peaceful', gathered my remaining belongings and searched for the Nether fortress. After an hour of cautious serching, I went home with a lot of Nertherrack, and some glowstone. I will continue to search in peaceful, then switch so I can get some blazerods for a brewing stand. Wish me luck!

Until next week, don't forget to comment and let me know what you think about this blog. I would to have more followers!  Thanks for reading!

Mandy

 

What I'm NOT doing...

hello!

This week I have not done much art...I am just too addicted to watching Minecraft players on Youtube!

I did take a couple photos of my lovely neighborhood trees, and a couple screenshots of my Minecraft world (in case you wanted to see it).

Mini Monday

The one day this week I got some art done, while on hold... I was working a four part piece. Each canvas panel is 2" x 2". I painted WORMS!

Sorry the quality is bad, I had to use my camera phone. (It's a dumbphone!)

The weather...

Early in the week in rained heavily, which creates giant puddles in my neighborhood. The only good thing about that is the great reflections!

This was taken this week, with beautiful sunshine!

This is from November 2011, while it is still raining.

I like pictures of trees reflected in puddles. Its like look up while looking down!

Minecraft...

Okay, for any of you that are Minecraft fans, I play on PC. I have not ventured into multiplayer servers yet, but I am looking forward to it soon. Here is a glimpse of me on my front porch:

My gamer tag is Dragnfeathers, and my home is called Dragn's Lair.

I recently made a 'Love Garden" to shout out my favorite Youtube Minecraft players:

Stampylongnose

iBallisticSquid

Honeydew & Xephos (Yogcast Lewis & Simon)

I just built my first Nether Portal and will going there soon.

Thanks for reading this...please leave any comments, and follow me for regular updates!

See you next Friday!

Mandy

A New Plan...

Hello!

This week I decided to try a new plan to keep me motivated and productive. It worked a little bit. I decided to try to spend at least 30 minutes working on some art each day, and gave each day a theme.

Mini Monday

Tester Tuesday (sketches)

Watercolor Wednesday

Thoughtful Thursday (journal)

Finally Friday (work on main project)

As you can probably tell I like things that sound catchy. I spent 1 hour on Monday, 20 minutes on Tuesday, and about 15 minutes on Wednesday. Thursday nothing, and today I am writing to you. No art done :-(

What did I get done though....

Mini Monday

I prepped 4- 2" square canvas panels, and painted the background color for a small set. Then while I was waiting for some paint to dry I created a small 4" x 6" pastel picture of a lily pad with a flower.

Tester Tuesday

On Tuesday, I was lacking motivation, but I had 20 minutes to kill while cooking some rice so I did some sketching. I started working on the idea based on my troll doll "Trollina the Dragon Trainer". Here is what I have come up with so far.

Troll dolls are kind of weird, because they have big heads, big bellys, and little arms and legs. I gave her some eyelids and an earring; also some clothes! I will keep developing her and see where it goes.

Watercolor Wednesday

Another day where it is tough to get motivated... but I spent a few minutes and created a quick 5" x 8" painting based on a tutorial from the FrugalCrafter on Youtube.

Finally...

To wrap up the week.... that's it. The pastel and watercolor paintings will be available so purchase in my Etsy shop: MandilynJane so come check them out.

I will try again next week... hopefully I will create more art and spend less time playing Minecraft!

Please leave any comments or suggestion, and I hope you decide to follow this little blog! Thanks for reading! (You deserve a cake!)

Mandy

Did you miss me?

Hello!

I missed another week... slacking again! Sometimes playing video games is more fun that getting work done, even if work is art. I didn't really have much to share last week.

The Art show...

I have two pieces of art on display at BC Surf & Sport in Seattle, and they are for sale for just $10!!! If they are not sold before the show is taken down on March 15th, they will be available in my Etsy shop MandilynJane for $20. Here is what they look like:

More stuff from training...

I posted before some tonal still life drawing I created during work training, and now I have two more.

A red apple

A green apple and a white mug

Progress on my painting...

I have made a little progress on my painting since I last posted. I added a darker background color and outlined the 'bubbles' in black. 

I have ideas for what to add next...I will keep you posted, and when it is finally finished I will create a slideshow of the progression.

Thank you for reading this... please subscribe, share, and comment to let me know what you think!

Mandy

Where are you?

Hello!

I don't have much new this week. I spent too much time watching Stampylonghead on YouTube... I had some good laughs though.

First public showing...

I have submitted the sunflower from last weeks blog to the '100 Artists' show starting next week. If you are in Seattle, come to the University District next Friday, Feb. 21 for the Art Walk. I will have to small pieces on display at BC Surf & Sport. Yayy!

Book of Days...

No progress there...(booo).

Until next week...

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

Mandy

I was slacking again...

Hello! 

I missed posting last week. There really wasn't anything to post. I was too busy playing Minecraft, and didn't get any art done. This week I have torn myself away from my video game for a little while to post some things that I have worked on.

On the job training...

During training at work(I teach drawing and coloring with soft pastel to children and teens) I started learning 'tone studies'. Basically, grey toned still-life.

An apple and a lemon.

Preparing for Art Show...

I finished a sunflower painting for an upcoming show of small works. This is acrylic washes painted over a pencil sketch. I think it still needs something, but I am calling it done.

I have started on another piece for the show. So far it is a watercolor background that I will be drawing a butterfly over.

Book of Days...

I am terribly behind on my Book of Days. I think it is in week 5, and I have only gotten to week 2. Hopefully I will be getting a couple done next week. Week 2 was about the weather and the challenge was to draw a face on printed paper, cut it out and paint it. Here is my finished layout.

Until next week...

Thanks for reading this(I'm sure someone is...right?) Leave a comment or subscribe, or both to let me know you're out there reading this... okay... Bye

Mandy

I'm on a roll...

Hello!

Can you believe I have succeeded in posting three weeks in a row! Woohoo! 

From the past...

In my last post I promised a better view of my art journal page on my word of the year. So here it is:

All of things I want more of this year.

In progress...

I am behind on my Book of Days. I just started week 2, and we are already on week 3. Here is what I have so far:

This is week is about the weather and how it makes you feel. During winter in the Northwest it is grey a lot, and with the short days I get depressed. I am trying to beat the winter blues with art!

Also, I am working on creating 3 pieces that are 5" x 8" for an upcoming art show in February, which I will tell you more about later. So far, I have one started... I am using a pencil sketch that I created in training at work, and I am going to paint over it with thin acrylic washes(I think).

That's all for now...

Thanks for reading!

Mandy

Slacking as usual...

Hello again!!!

I have succeeded so far in posting each Friday. Yeah!

What  I did...

I didn't get a lot done this past week. Saturday, I celebrated my birthday with FREE Starbucks in the morning, and FREE frozen yogurt in the evening! I LOVE FREE STUFF!

I did work some on my current painting:

I also created my Art Journal spread for Book of Days basic with Effy Wild:

The pre-painted page

The finished page

I know the pictures are crappy, but I have buried my scanner, and am too lazy to dig it out right now. Plus, the batteries in my digital camera died(again!), so these were taken with my 'dumbphone'. I will post better pictures next week!

This enter was about my 'Word of the Year', and chose MORE. This year I want more of the good stuff!

What I did instead...

My daughter showed me some hilarious Youtube videos of this one guy(StampylongNose) playing Minecraft, and I am addicted now! I have stayed up several nights until 2 am watching his videos back to back to back, etc.. I have decided that to curb my addiction, I will get Minecraft(I don't have it already!) and play for about an hour each day. Being creative in a video game should still count as being creative in life. So maybe there will be pictures of my Minecraft world in here now and then too.

Enough about me...

If you read this, and like it please comment to let me know someone out there is paying attention. 

Thanks for reading!

Mandy

Happy 2014!!!

Greetings, and Happy 2014!!!

My promise to you...

My blogging has gotten off to a rough start( but that's what I get for trying to start at the end of the year). Now that the new year is here, I am ready to start fresh and make a dedicated effort to blog regularly. My promise to you is to create a post every Friday as sort of 'week in review' of what's been happening.

Recapping last year...

In my last post I told you about my attempt at drawing faces, and here is the picture...

I have to admit, I think the eye looks the best. I will probably try more faces in the future.

I also told you about my passion for butterflies. Here are some sketches...

These are from my imagination.

The copy is in colored pencil from a photo, 

and the bottom is more imagination/experimentation.

Finally, I drew what I thought a human with butterfly wings would look like(naked).

I guess she would be a fairy!

This year so far...

I have finished my first painting of the year(started last year of course)! It is up for sale on my etsy shop MandilynJane

I also created a couple black and white altered rolodex cards to angel to a fellow Swap-botter.

What's to come...

I am planning a year of more art! I will create for swaps, for sale, and for personal growth. Which leads me to announce my intention of following Effy Wild and her Book of Days basic(free) program. I will create a new art journal spread each week following her prompts. For more information on the project check out her website Book of Days Basic. I will have photos of my first layout next week. The prompt for this week is to pick a word for the year, and create a page based on it. My word for this year is "MORE" (more art, more money, more fun, more time with loved ones, more exercise, more, more, MORE!!!)

What to do now...

If you liked what you saw hear and want to hear about, and see photos of my art adventures of the coming year, please follow me. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions let me know. Until next week...

Blurry picture of me in pink furry slippers while working a the zoo a couple Christmases ago!

Mandy