Swap ATCs / April

These four art cards were created for a Swap on Illustrated Atc's. The challenge was to create them in a limited palette. This group was limited to pale blue/mint green/brown/peach.

I was inspired by grave statues or Mourning Statues, so they all have a bronze like patina. Bronze starts off as a golden or honey brown, but after years of oxidation in the elements it gets a wonderful range of greens and blues.

-Silence
-Ecstasy
-Rest
-Memory

Get Motivated

I just havent had that feeling, that desire to be truely creative. I wouldnt call it an Artist Block, because I still have lots of ideas, and inspiration. When it comes to actually getting down to it my motivation evaporates.

I have lots of excuses. An above average work shedule, crappy weather, my house is getting a fresh coat of paint, but really I have to be honest because I think the real reason is still the lingering effect of my Grandmothers passing. I have been thinking about it quite a bit and its interesting how these kinds of things can truely change a person. I feel changed. Fundamentally. I dont know how though and in what ways, which is why I just cant bring my self to paint.

Now that all being said I am still really, really enjoying my escapades in my Miniature art cards. I love makeing them. I love being involved in IllustratedATC's and joining themed swaps, and doing custom trades. Its a real joy, and I am very fulfilled by it artistically. Maybe that more than anything is the real reason I havent tackled a canvas in 4 months.

4 months. That doesnt sound like that long of a time when I write it down. It certainly feels much longer. I am always very consious of the timeline of my year. They have been going by so fast lately. I watched Oprah's interview with Shirley Mclean the other week, and Shirley talked about our spiritual sense of SPEED. Of the world moving so fast, and it was so true. Thats exactly how I feel. Its like im standing in an energy wind tunnel and its all moving so fast, and im being swept along with it.

Parnassius Titania

A larger artwork, which was sent out as a part of the Secret Bunny Swap mentioned in the previous post.

*Click on the image to magnify.*

"Parnassius Titania"
4x6 inches.
Ink and watercolor, on Arches cold-press paper.

Art Cards for a Secret Bunny

On Iatc's I participated in a Secret Bunny Swap. Basically we all make presents for each other, put together in a marvelous package and mail it to our partner. You can choose to send a Mini, Small or Large package. I did up two small and two mini, for my 4 partners. I will get the same in return from 4 different artists.

Presented here are the artworks I created.

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Two koi cards in this partners favorite colour combinations. :)

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Two flowers that were this partners favorite.

A Sun Goddes atc.

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Athena and her Olive Tree atc.

Both for seperate Bunnies.

Featured Artcard

One of my Klimpt inspired art cards was recently featured in Art Trader Magazine. Its a free online publication, that you can download. Check it out! :) www.arttradermag.com

Artist Field Journal / ATC's

I created these ATC's for an "Artist Field Guide" Swap on Iatc's. I had a blast drawing them, and I know I will be creating more. They are so fresh, fun, and rejuvinating. Both to look at and also to create.

I think this will turn into a series, with more cards and also larger drawings. This isnt something earth shattering or groundbreaking. Its not a new idea, I remember creating similar drawings in College, and im pretty sure students all over the world try their hand at this style, but for some reason its exactly what I need as an artist at this time. I dont know how to explain how good this makes me feel, it just does.

*Click on an image to magnify.*

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- Mountain Ash

- Oriental Lily

- Elephant Ear

Black and White Cards

I like going back to basics sometimes, and just creating an image in strict black and white. These were all created for custom trades, except for the Owls which were just for me. :)
*Click on an image to magnify.*

- The Current Weaver
- Hoot Posse
- Deep Sea Diver

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- Tree Watcher

- Wind of Imagination

- Gryffin

- Alexander, from Where The Wild Things Are.

Getting back into the swing.

It has been a long time since I have updated this blog. Whats been happening? Well, lots of stuff. I have to go back a bit though.

I finished my last large painting "Falcon Allegro" on Nov 5th, the same day my Grandmother passed away. Today (Mar 8th) one of my goldfish died, and I guess im feeling a bit nostalgic, which is why I decided it was time to get back to blogging.

I will be going a bit backwards as I post new artworks and the like, since I like those to be chonological, so while this post will be at the top of the list, there will be a lot of new artwork poping up with earlier dates tagged to them (even though they have never been shown on this blog before). Confused yet? Its ok, its happens to me all the time.

So, last November I was wrapped up in family life, and Christmas, and all that jazz. I decided to take a little break from my art to re-energize. Those words were no sooner spoken to myself, when I "vollunteered" to create an exhibit to be on display in January. I spent the better part of December creating 10 new paintings all inspired by my Pop Jellies.
http://tempeststudios.blogspot.com/2009/07/paintings-july-6-12.html

After I was done, I was totally ready for that break, and I haven't painted with my acrylics at all so far this year. Instead I have been having fun with my ATC hobby, and doing a lot of trading and collecting of little miniatures.

I dont know what the rest of the year is going to bring, but I have dusted off my paint and canvas, and I have started a new "Bird" painting. I have a large 36x60 canvas with Cedar Waxwings on the go, and plans for two 40x40 canvas's jumping off from this ... http://tempeststudios.blogspot.com/2010/04/3.html.

Keep your eyes peeled for more posts featuring ALL the art cards I have drawn over the last 4 months, and some deep sea creature paintings which were featured in my Jan Exhibit "Of Patterns and Sea Creatures".

Edit: Posted some photos. :)
http://tempeststudios.blogspot.com/2011/03/of-patterns-and-sea-creatures-exhibit.html

2011 Fish Cards

Fish cards produced so far this year. Some of them have been traded, and some of them were created for sale in my Etsy Shop http://tempeststudios.etsy.com/ and you will find them there.

Somewhere in here is my 250th art card! :) Thats a lot!
*Click on an image to magnify.*

Harry Potter Swap / Feb

I joined a Harry Potter Swap on Iatcs.com and immediately thought of drawing a new interpretation of the Hogwarts House Crests. I really enjoy the art of Heraldry, so I really enjoyed creating these.
*Click on an image to magnify.*

The heraldic animal for each house is Raven, Snake, Lion, and Badger.

Flowers for Spring

These flower cards are all for sale in my Etsy Shop. http://tempeststudios.etsy.com/

- Yellow Coneflower *Sold*
- Green Coneflower
- Blue Aster *Sold*
- White Windflower *Sold*
- Pink Rose *Traded*
- Orange Tango Lily
- Poets Daffodil
- Dragons Tongue

Colour Queen ATC's / Ongoing

This is a series of ATC's I have been working on. I wanted each to be a depiction of a Fantasy Queen, wearing a crown of some sort. Each one is done with a solo colour (with a few accents).
* Click on an image ot magnify.*

So far ...
- Emerald Queen
- Grey Queen
- Violet Queen
- Golden Queen
- Blue Queen