Kid Christmas Presents

I haven't posted much about my drawing work lately because I had been working on door/wall hangings for my nieces and nephews.  I recently added them as an option to my Etsy because word of mouth showed they were popular cute little things! The cat and tiger are by far my favorite!! Available for purchase at https://www.etsy.com/shop/MidnightOilPaintShop?ref=hdr_shop_menu

 
 

 

 

The Rose

I was feeling down today, so I decided to have a little Art fun.  It's been a while since I did anything without at least starting a class besides my drawings for kids.  I drew this rose and originally planned to water color the Rose, but I decided to switch to pastels last minute.  I loved it after I cut it out even more.  The next problem was a background.  I was thinking plain white or plain black, but it just didn't feel right.  Finally, I settled on the original pastel scene that I made back on my blogaversary.  A little crazy, but I honestly love a little crazy.  To me, it's a freeing piece of art.  A lot of people probably won't like the combination of the two, but I am 100% OK with that.

Logs on the fire fill me with desire...

Tonight's painting was brought to you by the "We wish we had a fire place" foundation!  This was a fun little painting, though I got really frustrated with the flames until I redid them all with my favorite little fan brush.  Still doesn't look like I would like it, but looks way better than I had it!  This was another Sherpa video.  My Bob Ross one's always turn out better, but the Art Sherpa teaches a lot more technique.  Although, quite honestly, her technique rarely works for me.  This is ok though because it allows me to reconsider what I didn't like and develop my own technique for the next time. The class of course is available here.

Christmas in the Mountains

Well, my house did not get cleaned this morning, but I got my piano practicing done and another painting completed!  I got new metallic paints last night from my Secret Santa at our Company Christmas Party.  The pearl really brought out the snow on the trees.  Definitely my new favorite white.  Absolutely gorgeous.  This was probably one of my favorite Bob Ross classes I've taken.  I actually payed attention the whole time... well almost the whole time. (Class here).

Deep Snow

It's been a while since I've posted because I've been so busy with getting Christmas gifts ready. This was another Bob Ross Class (class here).  I did the first 15 minutes or so with Bob to get the beginning, then did the next hour on my own.  Needless to say, this looks nothing like his original.  Available for purchase https://www.etsy.com/listing/484703816/deep-snow https://www.etsy.com

Writing Wednesday- The Silence

I wrote this poem back when my husband and I were dating to help him understand the struggle of depression and anxiety I was going through.

The Silence
It's when the silence comes
that I fear the most.
When night falls
and shadows dance around the room.

My thoughts and fears
 come out to haunt me.
My doubts and nightmares
become true.

When nothing is left
but raw hope.
The feeling of falling,
grasping into the darkness.

It's always the night
that I fear the most.
When the silence calls me, the loneliness consumes,
and the nightmares haunt.

Friday Funday Art Challenge

So, I stole this from Mei Yu on fun to draw YouTube.  She did a 100 marker coloring challenge.  I only had 60 markers (and they are pretty awful 😂).  So I had to color a picture using all of the colors once.  Just for the record, a lot of my markers turn out not to be the same color as their tops 😂.  That caused a couple interesting areas. 

 

 

 

2016 Art bloopers 😂

Derpy Pikachu

Brings a new meaning to coffee and canvas 😂

 I may have messed up on the sizing 😂

 My color are a bit off. I need new markers 😭

 Shading gone wrong.  I tried to draw myself, but I'm pale as all get out, and as I've said, those marker colors suck haha

 
 

 

 

 

 

Fairy Dresses Part 2

 So yesterday I decided to do one of my favorite creative activities: Fairy dresses from flowers.  Alex got me this beautiful bouquet, and the flowers are starting to die.  First, I made 3 dresses using their own flower type.  Then, I made two combing the variations.  Next, I added hodge podge to seal the deal.  This discolored them a little, but so would pressing them.  Finally, I attempted to draw models on them.  Some worked out beautifully, the first two were a little rough.  All in all they took me about a day to finish.  

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 (Shows hodge podge still drying!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Writing Wednesday

So, in attempts to continue challenging myself I'm starting writing Wednesday.  I'll be posting some of my writing each Wednesday, whether new or old.  Like my paintings, it's so I can see improvement see what I can be working towards.  Today's was found in an old notebook of mine.  A short thought-provoking blurb.  I saw a very interesting painting in an art gallery that really intrigued me.  I wish I still had the picture of it.  This is an opening to a fictional piece.  Update: I found the painting!

 

 

 

 

 

"I was fourteen when I first saw it.  At first, I rolled my eyes at the graffiti'd wall. Stupid underprivileged teens and their 'gang' writing.  I'm sorry to say I stereotyped and walked by it without a second thought.  Four years I walked by that wall, and four years I never really looked.  The city tried painting over it, of course, but the painting always found its way back.  

           It was only after my first year at university that I stopped to look at it.  Paint splattered into Lady Liberty stood out covered by the words, "Liberty... give it to me."  I'm not sure what caught my eye, but something about that demand intrigued me.  How have we come so far that we demand liberty.  It is no longer a privilege we have, but  a demand "Give it to me".  The words of an upset child when her toy is taken.  How far we've fallen.  

           Call progress if you dare, but I see brother turned against brother.  A planet overrun by humans trying to get ahead, not to survive, but because we believe we deserve it.  Where did we learn that we deserve everything and we don't have to fight for what we want?  This planet is dying and it's our fault.  People are dying and it's our fault.  Now, what do we really deserve?

           The entitlement era needs to end.  Someone needs to end it.  I'm not sure how long I stayed starring at that wall, but something snapped in me that day.  Quite honestly, I didn't give a care what it was."

Autumn Colors and Fall Leaves

this was my first class with Ginger Cook (Here for the YouTube class).  She is very straight forward and a really good teacher.  I still think Fall is the hardest scenery to do!  Available for purchase at midnightoilpaintshop

Halloween Art Celebration Part 2- Paintings

So, but the time I finished the backgrounds, it was late in the afternoon and I started loosing patience haha.

The first painting was the first one I have done by Angela Anderson.  She has some very interesting techniques that I actually found really hard.  I will definitely try her again though to learn more about the way she paints.  I was a little disappointed when she didn't teach how to draw.  If you don't know how to draw the things, you just need to trace them.  I'd rather learn to draw, so I chose to do the simpler of the two choices.  (Click Here to take her class.)

The second was by the Art Sherpa.  It was made for kids, but for some reason I found it harder than her adult classes!  My husband won't let me put his cat in a costume, so I say this is what he would look like!!!  I wish I would have known about her when I was a teacher.  She really talked about some great stuff about dealing with hard times in life in a great way for kids (and adults).  If you have kids, try this one with them!!! (Click Here for the class!)

Of course, my cat is all dressed up for Trick or Nipping!!!