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!

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

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

Sorry for being gone...

Hello!

The Holidays tend to be a time of year when I tend to drop out of life. For the last few years, it has been a struggle with stress and depression, trying to make it through. 

I also like to hibernate in winter...it gets dark and I curl up and stay inside watching Netflix.

On a happier note...I have found a subject for my art that I am passionate about. Many artists have that one subject that they prefer to work with, because it has a special meaning or interest for them. Many of the artists that I am admiring on YouTube (Christy Tomlinson, Effy Wild, Leilani Joy) all use girls in a lot of their work. I wanted to find my passion subject...

 I LOVE BUTTERFLIES!!! They are a great symbol of transformation, spirit, and beauty. I am reading about butterflies of North America, and have started some sketches.

Please come back and seeing how my passion blooms into works of art. Thanks for reading!

Mandy

Still slacking...

Hello!

I am still here, and not doing the sketching I am wanting to. I had a busy weekend. Saturday, I was working all day, then I picked up my daughter, and we had a little slumber party( her & me). Sunday, I got to be her make-up model, and then we experimented with nail polish. My daughter loves YouTube make-up tutorials. (She is only ten!)

I spent yesterday doing...nothing! Well, I did mange to watch a lot of Netflix( like all day!)

Today, I did venture some sketching. I will post pictures tomorrow. 

Until next time...

Not a bad picture, for having taken it myself( of myself).

Thanks for reading!

Mandy

Slow but steady...

Hello!

I am back again. I have decided to attempt to make posts every other day. (Less pressure) I am still trying to get myself in the habit of sketching something once a day. It's an uphill battle.

I did a sketch yesterday, of a kitten:

Its got a little attitude!

I also spent sometime working on a Zentangled ATC of the letter K for a swap.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Thanks for reading!

Mandy

I really do procrastinate...

Hello! 

from my first couple of posts, you probably thought I don't really procrastinate. Well, I am still not caught up with my 'sketch a day' challenge. I guess I will settle for every few days.

Sketch #3 was done on Monday:

My lunch dishes at the mall food court.

I have been working on swaps:

Brown themed...

Otherwise I have been enjoying Netflix. Spent most of yesterday watching Orange Is the New Black.

I will try to post something everyday( or so).

Thanks for reading!

Mandy

Procrastination lasts...

It was a big day at work.We celebrated the official Grand Opening of our new studio. By the time it was over I had developed a headache. Now, almost 4 hours later it hasn't gone away. I don't feel like sketching. I almost didn't even make this post.

If my head feels better tomorrow I will post 2 sketches to make up for my slacking.

For your viewing pleasure:

A couple bracelets I make that are available for purchase on my Etsy shop www.etsy.com/shop/MandilynJane

Thanks for reading!

Mandy

Procrastination strikes again...

Hello!

As I sit here and the evening gets later...I think to myself, "You haven't sketched today." My reply, "I'm tired, can't i just relax and watch Netflix. I did get up at 6 am, and then work for 7 hours. I deserve to relax..."

I am giving in to my slacker self... I may sketch later, but I doubt it. Do you ever put off doing things because you don't feel like it? Let me know.

Since there is no sketch today, I will still treat your eyes to something nice.

Altered Dictionary page for B: Boa ( a snake, or feathered accessory?)

Thanks for reading!

Mandy

Day Two Sketch

Hello!

I am back again with my second "Sketch A Day" post. Today, I sketched while having a snack before work. I drew the lovely ad holder on the table...

So Pretty! 

It is not very exciting, but it still practice. 

I wanted to work on a painting that is in progress today, but I got wrapped up watching my latest Netflix obsession Lost Girl. I'll just have to try tomorrow!

Anyway, thanks for reading!

(A bookmark I created. Copies are available at www.etsy.com/shop/MandilynJane )

First day of"Sketch A Day" challenge...

Hello!
As I promised yesterday, I started my "Sketch A Day" challenge. With the help of a library book, How to Draw Animals in simple steps by Polly Pinder, Susie Hodge, Eva Dutton, and Jonathan Newey. I chose to draw their cat featured on page 13.

The eyes are a bit big, but I think it is not too bad.

I started this challenge because I am not much of a sketcher. I prefer to color, and do abstract stuff, than try to draw realistic. My new job at an art studio requires that teach kids how to create realistic drawings, so I thought I should practice. This sketch is quite small, only about 3" squared.

Also, I said I would show you the finished Zentangle from yesterday.

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed it, and stay tuned for more.

Mandy

A true procrastinator...

I decided that as part of my NEW BLOG, I would also start a personal challenge of creating a sketch a day. Well...now it is getting late and I don't feel like sketching. SO, I will start my challenge tomorrow!

I did create a Zentangle ATC for a swap using the letter 'J'. So here it is:

Still need to add shading... I'll do a better picture later.

Thanks for reading!

Mandy

A whole new world...

Hello!

I am so excited to start my blog! (I'm a little nervous too) I have never blogged before, so it might take a while for me to get the hang of it. So please be patient.

I want to share with you my creative endeavors, art, and life. I will post pictures of what I am up to, and hopefully I will get some feedback.

I create things for myself, for my Etsy shop(https://www.etsy.com/shop/MandilynJane), and for swaps on Swap-bot. I welcome any questions!

This is me with my shocked face. I can't believe I'm doing this!

Here is an altered dictionary page featuring the word Arch.

My lovely little model/daughter wearing some of bracelets I have created.

Thank you for reading, and I will bring you more soon!

Mandy