thankful

Just so thankful today for beautiful sunshine and a job I love. What are you thankful for?

new work space

I am really so excited to be writing to you from my new (old) desk and upstairs-by-the-window work space!  I love the light in our house and how the shadows shift from room to room.  In the morning it's soft and cool, but by 10:00 the shadows are already slanting into the hallway and creeping into the next room.  And then there's this golden hour that comes about 4:00 everyday when I come upstairs from my basement studio and find the entire house illuminated like a giant glowing balloon.

I just love natural light and the way it makes me feel so inspired.  So, this weekend I dragged Corrie along with me to this great antique store near my house, bought a new (old) table, and begged my husband for a little space in his office, which he so lovingly gave me as he rarely even uses the room.  Just like that I have a work space upstairs right in front of a big 'ol window that let's me in on that soft and cool morning light.  I must say, these squirrels digging holes all over my back yard might be a little distracting, but other than that I am loving it!

The screech owl painting was inspired by a this little guy who was disguised in a tree above my husband's head on Saturday when Seth came to pick up my table.  I've never seen a screech in person so close up!  It really made my day.  :)

cwdrawings

Corrie's Drawing Space

Self Portrait by cwdrawings

Self Portrait by cwdrawings

Custom Adult Pencil Portrait- Double by cwdrawings

Custom Adult Pencil Portrait- Double by cwdrawings

Custom Child Pencil Portrait by cwdrawings

Custom Child Pencil Portrait by cwdrawings

Custom Infant Pencil Portrait by cwdrawings

Custom Infant Pencil Portrait by cwdrawings

 A few weeks ago my best friend Corrie and I sat down together and, while I simply guided her through the process, she put months and months of work together in one place and officially launched her own Etsy shop: cwdrawings!  Make no mistake, opening a great Etsy shop is a big deal and requires a ton of preparation.  It brings to mind aspects of the business of selling our work we artists typically don't give much thought to: shipping, item photos and descriptions, taxes, etc.  But Corrie has made it seem effortless, and her shop is absolutely beautiful.  You really must see all of her portraits for yourself!  She draws people of all ages- ancient to infant- and somehow makes them all look equally amazing.  Click on over to her shop, her facebook, and her twitter pages and let her know how much you love her!  And if you think a portrait like these would make a great addition to your home or a wonderful gift for a loved one(Valentine's Day?), you'd be exactly right. ;)

Happy Monday to you all!

Shop Update

Saturdays always feel like free work days to me.  I can slow down a bit and work on a few fun projects I've been meaning to get to all week.  So today, instead of updating my shop with new items, I've redone my Etsy "About" page with these behind-the-scenes photos and short descriptions of how I work.  Jump here to read more!

The Visitor

How was your weekend friend?  Is it getting cold where you live?  My closet is slowly filling up with sweaters and leggings and mittens.  I do love this time of year!

I have been making plenty of plans for new winter paintings, but while those sketches are brewing it's been nice to work on something familiar in between all the custom work.  Butterflies!  My mother-in-law saw this gorgeous swallowtail in her yard this past summer and was quick enough to photograph it in time to capture its wings both clasped shut and wide open.  The underside of the hind wings are a gorgeous blue and orange and black and white pattern.  I had the pictures propped up against my easel, beckoning me, for the longest time.  Suddenly last week I just picked up a canvas and started painting!  So far I am loving the dark and light contrast and repetitive pattern.  I think I'll call it The Visitor.  This is the first layer.

Just thought I'd share!  Hope your week is off and running.