Bird a Day #48

Another sketchbook page. This time from the San Francisco Zoo. You just can't go wrong with African Penguins. They might be one of my favorites to draw. Such characters and personality.

Bird a Day #47

If you've been around this blog awhile, you will know that I once challenged myself to draw daily. Well, like most of my art, that took a hiatus. However, I have been wanting to try it again. So interspersed with other artwork I will re-start the bird a day. For #47 I'm posting a page from my sketchbook that I did recently. So maybe it could count for four? Just kidding. We went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and saw puffins. I was floored. They are pretty cool creatures. Here are some drawings of them.

Peanut.

I've had the pleasure of painting critters for Joan three times now. She started as a friend of a dear friend, but has now become a friend of mine too. You may remember Max and Zoe. This is her new critter Peanut and what a character she is. I love seeing pictures of her and man, is she gorgeous! Thanks Karen for loving me enough to commission artwork for your dear friends and thanks Joan for being such a lovely person to paint for. You both are so encouraging!

Peanut.

Jellyfish.

A friend here commissioned me to create a jellyfish piece for a friend of hers. It was a fun challenge and definitely not something I normally do. Overall, I'm pretty happy with this critter. Yes, jellyfish can still be considered critters. 

Cara's Birthday.

This is quite an old piece as Cara's birthday was New Year's Eve but still never too late to post a piece. 

For Cara.

More Jack Russells.

Similar to my sisters, my in-laws have had jack russells most of their lives. They raised them and bred them and really just loved the critters. In the almost seven years I've known them, there were three critters that I got to know - Badger, Lexi, and Maggie. Unfortunately, over the past few years they have all had to be put down. They lived long healthy lives and brought A LOT of joy into our lives. I painted these guys for my mother in law's birthday and am happy to share them finally. 

Badger

Lexie

Maggie

A few new cards.

So I've been terrible about posting. But fortunately it is not because I haven't been creating. I've been doing a lot actually. I wanted to get some updates so I thought I would start with a few things I documented quickly on my phone. I know, I know, I should be scanning ALL of these. But sometimes the quickness of creating them doesn't allow for that. So here are some cards I created for various purposes. I've really enjoyed experimenting more and more with what watercolors can do.

Birthday card for Matt.

Birthday card for Lisa. 

(I wish I had a better pic of this)

Birthday card for Lisa.

(There are two fantastic Lisa's out here)

Card for a friend of a friend who lost this sweet critter.

The gorgeous Peanut for Joan's birthday, commissioned by Karen.

(There's an oil of this one coming soon)

Hope you enjoy! Look for more posts as I slowly get my act together. :)