Swaps

So, I have been a terrible blogger.  This is due to the fact that I love my kindle so much  that I hate getting on the big old desktop computer so that I can share pictures easily.  Maybe someday I will get a laptop so that this won't be an issue anymore.

The topic of this blog is swaps.  I have been participating in them regularly.  Every month there is a swap hosted by Trish Vigil Lovato on Ady Almanza's blog.  If you are in Ady's private group on facebook, "Ady's Doll Dreams",  you find out what the theme will be and ask to be invited to the the swap blog.  It is so much fun to get art from people all over the world.  Trish also does private swaps.  She asked if anyone wanted to do a paper doll swap then posted a link to a website with templates.  I joined in and this is what my doll looks like that I sent to her.

Here is the link to the website with the paper doll templates in case you would like to try.  http://www.theenchantedgallery.com/paperdolls.html

The swap for August was a "Mermie" swap.  For this swap we did three ATCs each and sent them to three different people.  Here are what mine looked like.

The swap for this month was called "Head Shots".  This is what mine looks like.  I will be sending it out in a couple days.  I might do some touch up work on it first.

I hope you like what you see.  If you would like to see more look for Ady's Doll Dreams private facebook page.  She likes getting new members.

Ady Almanza's inktense workshop

Ady Almanza has a new workshop where you can learn how to create beautiful dolls using inktense pencils.  You can sign up by going to Ady's blog or you could possibly win a free spot in her class by sharing on your face book page.

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Whimsical girls and fairies art work

Here is more of my whimsical girl artwork.  Which one do you like best?

I actually did this on on my 40th birthday while listening to a one man band and drinking a beer with my boyfriend on a patio of a bar and grill.  Perfect day. 

Art Journaling

my first portrait in pastells

My first time painting a face with acrylics.  I call it "Fairy Kisses."

This started as doodling.  I doodled for a long while.

From Ady's Dreamy Ladies workshop

From Ady's Dreamy Ladies workshop

My nine year old niece love my art so I made her this card for her birthday

This Flower Fairy was for a swap

Art Journaling

Her face is quite crooked but she was done when I was still in the beginning stages of learning

Class work from Ady's Doll Dreams Basic

First day as a blogger

     I tried to start a blog a while ago but didn't really understand how to get it started.  Well, I think I have it figured out now.  I know that starting a blog shouldn't be that hard to do but it wasn't letting me name the blog or create it.  I am thinking that working from my kindle may not have been the best way to start, BUT... I am here now and I want to share things I learn along with some of my artwork, decorating ideas and crafting adventures.    
How I got into whimsical art

     I really loved art class in school.  I loved it so much that I took it all four years I was in high school.  I wasn't even close to being one of the best in any of my classes but I loved trying out all those art supplies and techniques.  Fast forward 20 years... I was thinking about how much I like fairies, and thought I wanted to get one tattooed on me.  I looked and looked for one that I wouldn't mind looking at for the rest of my life but I couldn't find one that had a pretty face and had wings I liked.  I found flaws in every fairy I found.  Too sexy, too mean looking... it was always something.  Then I found Ady Almanza's Doll Dreams.  Oh my goodness!

   Ady's "dolls" are so cute and beautiful.  I think I first saw her work on you Tube.  From there I found her on Facebook and joined her private group.  This group was full of people that took her online workshop.  A workshop that teaches you how to draw DOLLS!!!!  I signed up as soon as I had the money to and to buy some supplies.  This started me on my whimsical drawings and art journaling.  Now I am taking more workshops from Ady as well as some from other artists which I will mention later, but for now, I am telling you that if I had not found Ady, I would not be making art.  I would not have a beautiful, wonderful, colorful stash of art supplies.

     I haven't sold anything yet because I am still learning, experimenting and improving as an artist, but if you could see the things I drew a year and a half ago and what I draw now...   My friends at work are always wanting me to draw a fairy for them.  It is good practice and someday I would like to be able to sell a couple.  I guess that is my ultimate goal.  I am not in a hurry, like I said, I am still learning.  Having someone find my work and buy it would be amazing to me... even if it only happens once or twice.

     I never did get that tattoo.  Not sure if I want one now.  I am way to picky about what I want to live with...on my body...for the rest of my life.  Here is the link if you would like to check out Ady Almanza's work. http://adrianaalmanza.blogspot.com/   She is a really good teacher.  If you like to look but not draw and paint she has items for sale on Etsy.

   This is my most recent work in a brad new art journal. The page almost made itself.  I am not so comfortable drawing arms, legs, hands and feet YET.  I tucked her arms behind her back so I wouldn't have to face that challenge yet.  While she was still in pencil I was thinking about going back in and doing something with her arms when I realized that she looks like the wall flower that I can be when I am in a room full of people and only know one or two.  I am shy around people I don't know and I don't go out.  I go have lunch with friends only a few times a year although my boyfriend and I go out to a restaurant about once every week or two.  Hope you like my "Not-So-Social Butterfly"