Toot your Horn !

Just finished this piece.  I think I like a big spotted dog.    And he's blue as well!

I've been busy as can be in my little studio.  Ideas just keep jumping into my head and need to be put down on paper.
So, now you know.  I make all my artwork by hand. No digital art for me.  Painting, cutting up paper (that I painted myself) gluing things down etc...  In other words, making a BIG mess and loving every minute of it!
To get this image on my blog, I take a photo of the artwork and then load it onto my computer.  Easy beans!

Big News!

I have some really big news!  I now have an agent!  Her name is Gwen Walters with the Gwen Walters Agency.  This is pretty big stuff for me.  I have been trying to figure this children's book publishing thing out for a few years.  And as some of you know, have completely started over in cut paper.  After working in watercolor for many years.  I have the wonderful Joy Chu to thank for introducing me to cut paper.  Which I took to like a duck takes to water! 
Lois was so happy she hopped on her red bike are rode around the block.  That's all she could do because of her short legs.  But it was a celebration of the corgi kind.

Just wanted to share my good news.  Now back to work!   Where is that dog?!

A Bit of Spring

This is a new piece, just finished.  The glue probably isn't even dry yet.  But, wanted to get this up on my blog.
I'm trying to get a lot of my fine art, cut paper put together for an upcoming show at the gallery.
I think this is some form of peony. 

The background is painted in acrylic paint and then I painted a stencil over the top.  That was just the background area.  Then I start making the flowers and the leaves.  They just sort of get layered into the final design.  This is one of my small pieces.  Only 5x7.
Hope you enjoy it!

Butterfly Queen

And just like that, she became queen of the garden!

I finished another cut paper piece.  I know, I'm really on a roll!  This one is the Butterfly Queen. Done with the paper I hand painted.  Very colorful, if I do say so myself.   Sort of tropical looking.  If you look closely, you can see her crown.  I painted the background with acrylic paint then stamped white letters on top of the blue paint.  I was trying for movement.  Then began building with paper. I made the butterfly first but added her to the piece last.  I like how it turned out.

 I thought I was suppose to be working at the gallery this afternoon.  But, I showed up to work and the other Friday person was there.   I think he got a little confused, or else it was me.  But, he wanted to stay and work and I wanted to go make art.  So, everyone is happy.

Snail Friend

I'm still playing with my homemade painted paper.  Here is a snail friend who would like to meet a ladybug.  At least he has his eyes on her.
Folks in Oregon are well acquainted with snails and slugs.  I wish they would travel to another yard or state for that matter.  But, that's just the way it is in the Northwest.  So, I guess we might as well make friends.

This is done in cut paper.  5x7 size

The Sun Came Out

The sun came out today, in Albany.  Turns out, the sun came out in my studio as well.
Still practicing with my hand painted papers.  I'm having fun.  Can you tell?

Trying Something New

Well, I am trying to expand my horizons.  Yes,  I really am.  I bought a video about painting and making textures on paper and then use them in collage form.  Well, I like cut paper.  But, I thought it might work for me as well.
Here is my first attempt.  I made a card.  All the paper used has been painted by me, or stamped with a stamp made by me.  I must admit, this has been very fun.

The next one, is a bit more involved.  But once again, I painted, stamped, textured, etc.. all the paper used.  Except that music paper.  But, I did paint on it.

I'm going to frame it and take it to the gallery.  I hope it sells.
Now, go out and try something new, yourself!