Watercolor Posies

It's been an interesting year since I last blogged. A little detour with health issues - so boring I think. I have been watercolor-ing some spring flowers for several weeks then Spoonflower announced their new monthly challenge and it was watercolor!

I had put together several variations to be offered on fabric. Here is my design when I first started:



Then I painted some coordinating leaves and blooms:

I'll post a link when I get all my variations proofed, etc.  I think I'll enter an aqua-scattered version.

Chicken Update

Finished chicken quilt. 45" square.  Chicken fabric available at Spoonflower:    http://www.spoonflower.com/designs/2877121

Other chicken items available at Zazzle:  http://www.zazzle.com/goldersbug/chicken?q=chicken

This blog is on a brief holiday away. Soon to return with a new bloglet. Stay tuned.

True Colours

Meet Cathy Pascoe.  A Canadian artist who began with graphite and now works in coloured pencil. Talented to tips of her fingers, her work has been featured in Strokes of Genius 5 (see below).

For those who think of colored pencil only as a  teacher's mark on a school test - wake up!

Coloured pencil is steadily gaining in popularity, fans, followers, and a widening circle of artists. Today's coloured pencils are made from a oil based or wax based or water-soluble pigmented core surrounded by wood. And that is just the beginning of the choices for coloured pencil now.

Copyright image  Cathy Pascoe  'Reflections and Refractions'

Coloured pencil artwork covers a wide assortment of materials.  Artists have passionate views on the type of pencils they use. Some artists use strictly oil based brands while other artists have all types and brands on their tables. And about those tables - some artists swear by their heated tablets as a way to blend those colours.  And then there are the solvents. The discussions can become slightly heated again about the use and type of solvents as a way to blend colours perfectly. All in an effort to share the methods. :)

Artist Cathy Pascoe shows her expertise in using her choice of materials within the coloured pencil spectrum.  Cathy's work - especially her studies of glass, crystal, chrome or any subject with transparent or reflective surfaces - shows a stunning knowledge of her tools and her subjects.  Her work is a masterclass of technique in coloured pencil.

Statement from the artist :

I have spent most of my career as an elementary school teacher with my portraiture as an ongoing hobby. I am a self taught artist. Until five years ago, my work was only done in graphite pencil on paper. In 2005, I began using coloured pencils in my work. At the same time, I began to broaden my subject matter. My drawings are bright, vibrant pictures in coloured pencil, done in a realistic style. My work is presently being shown at the Centre for International Governance Innovation in Waterloo, the Voila Institute in Kitchener, the Sound Factory in Waterloo, the Quest Art School and Gallery in Midland and the Waterloo Uptown Gallery.

Copyright image  Cathy Pascoe  'Auburn Beauty'
8" x 10 " coloured pencil on paper

Copyright image  Cathy Pascoe "Crystal Clear "    8" x 10"
Coloured pencil on drafting film

Contact information:

cathypascoe@live.ca

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cathy-Pascoe-Art/109084739135546

http://www.kwsa.ca/kwsa-members/cathy-pascoe

http://uptowngallerywaterloo.com/

(don't you just love free stuff? I know it makes my day when I get a box from DickBlick!)

Papier-mâché Artist Alycia Matthews

© Alycia Matthews

Newburyport, MA artist Alycia Matthews has a gift for seeing the creative, charming, and just plain fun side to seasonal holidays.  She hand sculpts these whimsical characters in papier mache / paper clay, plus oddments of dowels, etc. then paints them with bright and heart-warming colors.  I'm guessing here but I suspect her of tapping a wand over their heads to give them that cheerfully alive expression.

© Alycia Matthews

Her work is so incredibly diverse in subject matter.  Chirpy chicks to fairytale wall-sitting eggs to patriotic firecracker guys.  Some of her figures are part of a small treasure box lid.  To fill or not with jellybeans or candy corn or peppermints. You know you want one for your office desk. Or tuck one in among your teapot collection at home. Wherever you find a place, these are handmade, one of a kind art pieces. Not toys for children, make sure to put them where tiny hands can't reach!

© Alycia Matthews

Although right on target with themes of Halloween, nothing ho-hum or predictable in her art. Little uncommon creatures made to give joy to the viewer.

© Alycia Matthews

Her work is available online at Etsy and at many seasonal events. This summer she will be at The Vintage Bazaar in Salisbury MA. The dates are June 21 & 22 at Pettengill Farm.

Then there is Flukes & Finds & Friends in Salisburyport MA. That is at 70 State St. running from June 28 to July 4th.  

A wonderful opportunity to see these unique and wonderful pieces up close. No matter the holiday, this artist brings a colorful and unique flavor to the season.  (Personally I find myself considering one of her birds or fish.) Which do you like?

For browsing Alycia's little creatures:

http://www.alyciasart.blogspot.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/alyciasart

Scrummy Colour

Metromash  © Sharon Turner 



Adjective: scrummy (scrummier,scrummiest)  skrú-mee

     Usage: Brit

Extremely pleasing to the sense of taste

1. "the dessert was scrummy"; 
   - delectable, delicious, luscious, pleasant-tasting, scrumptious, toothsome, yummy

Sharon Turner's art is scrummylicious. Her rich use of colour and line makes for brilliant visual texture and striking images. Metromash (above) is one of my favorites. See how many world famous landmarks you can identify.  http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/1549200

New York Beauty with Mog ©Sharon Turner

New York Beauty Mogless 

New York Beauty comes in fabric, many gift or office items. The cat is not for sale. Yet.

Harlequin Feathers is perfect for adding colour. Feathers, feathers, feathers so richly reflecting nature but with combinations never seen grouped together.

Harlequin Feathers  ©Sharon Turner
 fabric available from Spoonflower, Zazzle items, Deny Designs and more

I just love these brilliantly coloured froggies. It's available in pink, orange, slate and this turquoise. Just stunning. And makes for incredible wallpaper. See this on Spoonflower for more choices.
http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/2045435

Congo Tree Frog ©Sharon Turner  
http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/2088950

 Giraffe Love © Sharon Turner 
pillow from Deny Designs, also more pillows and items with these giraffes from Zazzle http://www.zazzle.com/scrummylicious/

Scrummy lives in Nottingham, UK with her husband and two children. And a cat :)  And a lot of colour.  

At home with many home styles, Scrummy's designs are not gender specific either. I love the depth of design in all her work. No flat ordinary art here. Bold and vivid, her colour choices are rich and fun too. Her designs are intricate patterns that invite the viewer to come closer. Are you able to find all the Los Angeles landmarks in this Los Angeles Coral design?

Los Angeles Coral ©Sharon Turner
http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/2339097

Have you ever fallen in love with a marvelous print or palette and then tried to find anything matchable? So frustrating. Scrummy  has her art available on a very wide range of products.  From bedsheets to iphone cases to coasters to cards to mouse mats. So picking a few items can pull your space into wow. 

This wonderful chameleon looks great anywhere he pops up!




















Visit the sites that carry her work and see many, many more brilliant designs by Scrummy.


facebook.com/SharonTurner.ScrummyThings
zazzle.com/scrummylicious
society6.com/sharonturner
denydesigns.com/collections/artist/ar-sharon-turner
M edge
printsonwood.com/artists/sharonturner
Casetagram
Bespo

All work this entry copyright Sharon Turner.

Vickie Learner Adams

Having previously enjoyed artist Vickie Learner Adam's black and white graphic Pandas, I was wowed to discover this artist's full color illustrations/posters/prints painted in a very different style. Charming colorful butterflies, bears, cats, rabbits and more are absolutely perfect for a child's room. Filled with rich tones her work has just the right amount of detail to fascinate children (and parents).  

An illustrator with over 20 books to her credit (done mostly under Vickie M. Learner), includeing the award winning "One Hundred Million Reasons for Owning an Elephant.

Enjoy these examples of her work. They are available as posters/prints in a 11" x 14" size which is a standard frame size.

 I do admit to a soft spot for the birthday bugs!

11" x 14"
poster/print
Vickie Learner Adams

11" x 14"
poster/print
Vickie Learner Adams

11" x 14"
poster/print
Vickie Learner Adams

Statement from the artist:

"One fine day back in 2008, I was visiting a cooperative craft and art store in a neighboring town to pick up some of my items. They were raising the fees for the artists. I was almost out the door when another artist started to admire my Mother Goose posters. She was my favorite type of person...friendly and creative. She ended up buying a print from me and encouraging me to explore etsy. I was intrigued and went home to check out this etsy thing. And the rest is history. " 

Vickie Learner Adams

Pine Bush, New York

contact info:

Visit the Vickie Learner Adams Etsy shop:    http://www.etsy.com/shop/hoddleypoddley

website portfolio:   http://www.coroflot.com/vlearner/portfolio

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