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'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

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

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 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