"Weatherbea"

A few weeks ago, I was approached to do a drawing for a logo. Since I'm not a graphic designer, or specialist with logo's, I was hesitant. But they assured me they just wanted a drawing of their dog with a hat.
I couldn't refuse that request.
This is Weatherbea, the spokesdog (get it, like spokesperson except she's a dog) for RodaLuLu's Puppy Fancies.
Need a dog collar? Leash? RodaLuLu's might just be your answer. I like it, because they're all handmade. I don't currently have a dog- but the second I get one I'll be purchasing a collar from RodaLuLu's (and they have a Texas shaped dog charm! Of course any dog of mine will be representing the Lone Star state, regardless of my location).

"Weatherbea" was completed using 2b, 4b, 6b and ebony pencils, on 8 1/2" x 11" 20lb. paper. I did have to use a little white paint on the eyes and some of the hairs to make them stand out a bit better. 

"Precocious Penny"

For starters, our internet has been acting up for the past few weeks, this is the first time I have a half-way decent connection, and even then, it's pretty crappy. So I'm sorry I haven't been posting.

This is "Precocious Penny". This little girl is one of the most amazing little kids I have ever met in my entire life. Whenever I'm around her, it's like interacting with someone who is much much older. She's almost intimidating (but adorable so the intimidation goes away quickly). She's also added to my growing list of favorite children (which this list is based off of the kids flipping me the bird, unintentionally. I have the photographic evidence of this little angel giving me the bird while I was reading to her.)

This drawing was completed on 8/12" x 11" paper using 2B and 4B pencils.

Nobody Panic: Knitting and a drawing

I couldn't go thru the month of May and not post something.

I've been busy. I have been working on stuff.

Here's the Koolhaas hat I did in a blue color.

And the Orange Shawl I'm working on (Part of the Toshstrology Collection: Aries Shawlette in Tosh Merino Light: Toshstrology-March '16-Aries...you can join the Toshstrology collection on Ravelry $15 (I believe that's the cost) gets you 12 months of patterns- they come out monthly, so we're all on May right now.)

And of course the completed drawing of my baby niece (which is a year over due so she's way cuter now)

I had been nominated this past week to post 7 pieces of art for 7 days and nominate people daily to do the same (on social media, not on the blog)...I nominated 6 people and I think only 2 people opted in, and only 1 is actually carrying it out past day 2, so yeah. I'm still proud of myself for doing it every day. I've been in a funk recently and the challenge helped pull me out of it. I completed the drawing of my niece and started another drawing that is long over due.

I've got another drawing that has to be completed relatively soon, so I've got to get started. Fingers crossed, June will have way more posts than May :)

DQ Baby

Once upon a time there was a contest. In a galaxy not so far away...but my memory, it's not so good. So I don't remember the contest, what it was for, who set it up, if it ever really existed or not....(kidding, I remember the winner, just not the contest)

Anyway, my friend Daniel from college won the contest, and finally (this could have been over 7 years ago for all I remember) decided to cash in on the drawing he was owed.

This is his niece, who I've dubbed "DQ Baby". As soon as I saw the photo, I knew it was right up my alley.

The expression on her face is hilarious- those eyes! How awesome is she?

On a side note, for those of you visiting my blog who have not eaten at a DQ in Texas, you don't know what you are missing...unfortunately for me, I do. Dairy Queen, outside of the state of Texas, is a sad beast. They all still have blizzards, but they are severely lacking in all of the other fantastic menu items that make going to DQ a meal. I miss the Chicken Strip basket with fries and Texas Toast...dipping sauce, gravy. Yeah, completely not healthy- but freakin' delicious. My face would look something like "DQ Baby" if I ever get back to a Texas DQ.

Dora

I'm pretty ashamed that it has taken me so long to complete this drawing. I believe I've moved three times since I was asked to draw it...I don't even live in the same state as I did when it was given to me. I swear that doesn't normally happen. And even though this is for someone who is like family, that's no excuse.

This is actually a drawing of Gonzo's grandma. His aunt asked me to draw it, which I was more than happy to complete...but with moves, the file I was keeping it in so it wouldn't get bent, was misplaced. I didn't find it until I unpacked a box a week ago, and immediately finished the hair (which I'm still not sure I'm very happy with- but the photo I was working from made it look like a dark black helmet instead of actual hair...I wasn't comfortable making it as dark as the photo had it)- the rest of the drawing has been done for close to a year now, if not over a year.

Anyway. I still have a long over do drawing of my niece to complete for my mom, but I'm kind of sort of working a normal full time schedule lately, so I haven't found the time. As soon as that's done I'll post it up. 

Baby Kai

I have some friends that have an adorable baby that has posing down!

Normally I don't post progress shots of my drawings, for various self conscious reasons.  But I have always enjoyed the look of partially completed drawings- as if faces or hands are floating in white space- or that they are only connected by a random line that would normally be a shirt or hat. I actually prefer less detail of the random line than what I have here...but whatever.

Most of my clients are looking for a completed drawing and that's what I provide- but occasionally I like to take photos of partially completed drawings to have something to look back on and wish that I hadn't completed.

That's not true.  I do like completing the drawings.  I like drawing the shading on clothing and finding shadows that maybe weren't clear in the photos I'm drawing from.  But there's something about the partially completed drawings that I really enjoy.  Maybe I'll do family portraits for myself- of people in my family... the drawings will be partially completed and then I can hang them in my office or living room for conversation pieces.  Time will tell.

Here is the finished product.

It's on 8 1/2" x 11" 20lb. printer paper.  I used HB, B, 2B and 4B graphite pencils.  Planning took several days to get all the kinks worked out on the perspective- but actually drawing the details and shading took roughly 5 hours.

Cute baby!  I have another baby drawing that I'll be working on in a the next few weeks, so stay tuned!

I don't really have anything to share today.

No pictures.

No works in progress.

No knitting to show off.  I know, I know- then why am I posting?  Because I'm trying to maintain the blog a little better this year.

Well I guess I can show you a bit of something I'm working on for myself:

It's a peak at a digital painting self portrait I'm working on.

I will admit I'm attempting to do more digital painting (I haven't touched that stuff in years).  I'm not very good at it currently, but you know what they say about practice...

I'm knee deep in working on knitted and crocheted goodies for my soon-to-get-here niece.  I'll probably post a sneak peak of those before I send them off.  I still need to get the "baby groot" pattern hammered out and posted, and I have a few more goodies that I'll need to share with you at some point, just not yet. 

I may be out of touch next week, due to family coming to town, but if I get time I'll try to post any progress I have on projects I'm working on.

Hope everyone has a fantastic end of the week and weekend!

"Flow"

A little something from my sketchbook on this glorious Sunday morning.

I got a little carried away on this one during a flight to Los Angeles. Thankfully the turbulence didn't get crazy and for the most part all of the lines were where I had intended them to be.

I'll be heading back to Texas today, and I have a few doodles in mind for the flight home...provided I don't fall asleep.

There's something about California...I'm not into crowds, Los Angeles definitely does not have a shortage of people, but there's something oddly peaceful here even with all of the chaos. 

So many people warned me that I would hate it, but oddly enough I feel like I have lived here my entire life. It's a surreal feeling. 

True, LA is a congested mess...sorry, I was about to write something that would have sounded like I had turned into a California hippie, which isn't necessarily a bad thing- but something I will reserve for when I actually move here...something about how we are all on the same road in life...but yeah....another time for that.

Anyway, I will continue to go with the flow of this crazy life and keep you posted. I got some great pictures of the Venice Beach sunset last night that I'm tempted to paint...fingers crossed I get something done on those soon.

Take care!