Painting does make me happy.

For a few weeks, I've been a little worked up over switching jobs, interviewing and that sort of not so fun stuff. Dakota said a few nights ago, "You NEED to paint again, you're much happier when you paint."
I've always thought in the back of my mind that I paint because I am happy... maybe I've had it backwards all along.
Tonight's painting... let's just say I'm feeling pretty great right now, and my husband is pretty great too.

Prints

Here are some colorful prints I have so far for mt first craft show coming up in February! I am super nervous about it and do not know what to expect. Worst case, I have my Christmas shopping done for next year!

Man's Best Friend

This commission was a nice surprise. I was contacted to paint this as a Christmas gift for her husband. The dog passed almost 2 years ago to the day. It is hard to lose a family member, and some people, see their pets as family. I was happy to do this piece.

From the woman who commissioned the painting- Thank you so much, my husband will absolutely love this. It's already framed. Our heart and soul dog crossed the rainbow bridge 2 years ago today ❤️🐾❤️🐾" 

Luca Speed Painting

Here it is! I'm still getting used to making these speed painting videos. Luca was so much fun to paint. Let me know if you have a portrait (people or pets) or any other painting projects you might have!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnQcXpma-ZM

Painting Luca

Here is a painting of a little boy named Luca. His grandmother commissioned the piece and I was very excited to work on it! She really liked how it turned out. The only thing that I was skeptical about was that in the painting, I thought that Luca looked a little old than in the photograph. But after seeing him in person, I didn't think that anymore. It's possible the photo she gave me was from a while ago and the painting looks more like his current self. Young kids change on a daily basis! It's made from water color on paper.

I also created a speed painting video out of this. It took me about 3 hours to paint and the video is less than a minute. Here it is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnQcXpma-ZM

x

Painting Dakota

It feels good to paint! I'm in love with this painting I created of Dakota. My favorite part by far is his epic beard! I have never painted a beard so I was nervous that I might looked like it was not actually attached to his face. It turned out much better that I expected and I am happy that it looked like him.

Here is the link to the speed painting video I created for it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPISx8MlRsA

More Fish Paintings!

 More fish paintings inspired by Dakota! A quick look into what my sketchbook looks like lately. I'm exploring color, line, shape and of course.... FISH!

Watercolor Tiger

Here is a work in progress! This tiger is coming together nicely and I am loving the colors I have so far. I am painting with watercolor again so I am slowly adding layer by layer. I have to be careful that I don't have to much water on the brush so it doesn't take off any previous layers. At least that is how I have been painting with them lately. As far as process goes... I DO NOT DRAW IT BEFORE. When I am painting from life or a photograph with watercolor I have been "drawing" with the paint brush first. Usually in a really light blue color. I roughly map out shadows and outlines and then slowly add more details as I go, starting with the lightest color first.

Childrens book spread.

Text for this page is: And as we are floating, something catches our eyes. A field full of flowers and blue butterflies.
I'm still working on my layouts for the other pages but I wanted to start painting one. I used watercolor and some of the elements of this painting will be used for my cover as well.

The Frog Prince in Rome.

In my Children's book Illustration class for this semester we were given the assignment to pick a book that has already been published and change the time and place. I chose to do "The Frog Prince" and it will take place in Rome. I had a friend, Kate Maggiolino, dress up in her roman clothing (Bed sheets :P ) and she posed for me as I took reference photos. Here are some of the actual illustrations so far.