Art Exercise

I really think  I have Art ADD. Or more, maybe I'm over-saturated on ideas and things to do. I have been continuing with the ACEOs:

"Swing" Acrylic on black illustration board, ACEO Available on my site for purchase

But then I knew it was finally time to get my Queen of Hearts moving along. So, I finally started sketching her out on a 16x20 canvas:

Now, she's only part of the canvas. That is just a close-up. I'm planning another flamingo at her feet, and the white rabbit peaking from behind her skirts, and I think some playing cards here and there along with a sculpted garden behind her... or perhaps her castle in the distance? I'm not entirely sure about the background yet, and it's holding me up (I also need to fix her bodice so it's more accurate in the proportions. I free hand everything onto the canvas, so it's an organic work in progress.) I'm pleased with her face. Regal and scary at the same time, which I like better than the frumpy version you tend to see of her. I mean, there has to be a reason she ended up in charge and stayed that way, right?

Anyway, so that is in progress and then my fine art magnets finally arrived from the printer:

They're actually more vibrant in person, I should have tweaked the photo a bit, but I was very excited!

I'm selling the big magnets (about the size of a postcard) for $5, (and the little ones for $3, but only in person.) Right now, I'm offering a free little one with the purchase of any four big ones in my Etsy shop. 

Socrates checking out the small magnet of the painting he modeled for. He approves!

Eventually I'll get them up on my main website, but I have figured out that it's probably time for an overhaul and integration of a new shop system on my main website... but I don't have time for that right now. So, Etsy, it is.

And then I found out that there are art auction groups on Facebook! I had no idea, and I'm honestly not sure how I even found them, but find them I did! I joined, unsure of what to expect, and I have actually made some sales! (And bought quite a few items as well, the talent there is stellar.) Here is the link to the first group, and here is the link to the second. Neither one has anything up for auction yet, but they both will open on the 5th with their themed auctions. The first link has non-specific auctions every week as well minus the one themed per month. I know of several artists who blog and visit me who really ought to check them out, and consider putting up some of their work. (The current theme of Bizarre and Surreal is more unusual for them. My fantasy work fits in just fine, so keep an eye on the sites and consider joining me maybe?)

The only downside (if you can call it that) is that I now have all sorts of prompts and reasons to work on smaller works and create things, and I want to very much!!! But... well, remember how I was bothered because I am a slow painter? I'm still a slow painter.

However, this has gotten me a bit more excited about working on these smaller pieces and perhaps trying to pick up the pace. Maybe my normal big paintings will still take months, but perhaps I can gain a little more confidence in my speed by working on these. Like art-workouts. Exercise for my paint brush!

Anyway, I've waited until the last minute, but I'm going to try and knock some pieces out for both. The theme for the monthly group is Moon Goddess. Boy, is that a topic I have covered well in my paintings! But I want to make some new ones too. So, we'll see how it goes.

Additionally, by digging into all of this, I've realized there are some things in my style that I would like to change, in particular the faces of my subjects. I haven't figured out how I want to do eyes yet, and the noses I keep going back and forth on too. Well, it's given me reason to start messing with my sketchbook and making things that will never be sold simply because I'm trying to figure out what feels right. It's been an incredibly long time since I have done that!

Minus us still working on the kitchen, that's all that's been happening. Just crazy art, summer, house project busy! I hope you are all well!

We had just gotten the tiles up in this photo, if you remember from a few posts back the pictures with the old then the new counter, you'll be able to see how much this helps the kitchen look better! We grouted last night, but we're still not done. We're going to get copper outlet covers and hardware for the cabinets to fancy them up. Who knew a kitchen would take so much work?!