I Finally Went Big

Hi there. How are you?

Friends, I finally did it. I went big! It only took 3 months for me to sit down and actually finish this large (for me) 12" x 18" drawing.

I'm pretty darn happy with the results.

I finally finished this large 12" x 18" drawing that I started in September 2016!

It all started in September.

After making several small drawings in this same style, I felt the urge to work on a larger scale. You can see and read more about those earlier pieces HERE.

In September 2016, I found a pad of 12" x 18" paper in my husband's art supply stash and went to work with a red Bic pen. I thought it would be fun to share the process shots that I took along the way. 

Here are the first marks I made.

The first marks of my 12" x 18" abstract ink drawing. I started with the red.

The early stages of my abstract ballpoint pen drawing.

Then I added blue.

After a while, I started layering in the royal blue. Adding a second, darker value adds more depth and dimension to the composition. I had considered using black instead of the blue, but the art teacher in me thought better of that. Color in your darks is always a better option. This color combo might be a bit patriotic and maybe cliche. I don't care, I love it!

A work in progress shot of my large abstract ballpoint drawing. See how much more dimension the areas with the blue have than those with just red.

A detail section of my still untitled ballpoint pen drawing.

The last leg

Last Friday, I spent much of the day in the studio. I was determined to finish up this drawing. After a day's work, I took photo of the piece. For some reason when I look at my work on the computer screen, I can better take in the composition as a whole.

After months in the works, this drawing was nearly complete.

Finally finished!

After a few more tweaks, my drawing was finally complete. Yahoo! My next hurdle is to properly photograph it so that I can make prints and/or textiles out of this composition. (Can't you just see this on a pillow?)

The best way I've found to archive my work is to scan it. As this drawing is way to big to fit on my scanner bed, this isn't an option. Hopefully I'll have some time later this week to set up the tripod and my trusty Nikon DSLR and make it happen.

Eventually, I'll frame this piece too. My handy husband is going to help me make custom frames for this new series. No more cradled hardboard mounting and varnishing.....These pieces need to behind some glass! (Well, actually plexiglass.)

Here's what it might look like framed:

Completed and still untitled ballpoint pen drawing in framed mockup.

I'm still not sure what color/finish the frame will be. I just know it will be minimal and will hopefully complement and elevate the work.

Want to buy this piece unframed? Just get in touch!

That's all for now. Hope you enjoyed this. I'll be back next week with another post.

Anything you'd like to know about?

Do tell.  I don't have a topic in mind for next week yet.

Ciao!

2017 Coloring Calendars Are Here!

Hi there. How are you?

The 2017 Coloring Calendar is here. Click to purchase!

2017 Coloring Calendars are Here!

After many months in the making, I've got 12 new hand drawn calendar pages for you to color and enjoy. I'm so pleased with how these turned out and am excited to send them out into the world.

Printed on a nice thick cardstock, you can color with sharpies or any other marker on this 2017 coloring calendar.

Color with any Media

Each page in this spiral bound calendar measures 5.5" x 8.5" and are single sided so that you can easily share or hang your colored creations. The calendar was professionally printed right here in Carbondale on a nice heavy card-stock, so feel free to coloring with any tool of your choice. I've colored here with Sharpies and other permanent markers, and there was just a tiny bit of bleed through onto the back side of the page.

The spiral bound calendar comes with a small hole in each page so it's easy to hang.

Ready to hang. Easy to gift.

Believe it or not, the holiday season is almost upon us. At just $17.00, these calendars make a great gift to keep on hand for any creative on your list.

With a small hole at the bottom of each page, this calendar is easy to hang in your home or office. I hung mine on the wall just above my computer so I can easily refer to it.

The calendar illustrations look cool colored and uncolored.

Looks cool uncolored

Not into coloring? The 12 hand drawn illustrations can stand on their own without color. I most likely won't color my own calendar.......I honestly don't have the patience for coloring. (Crazy, but true.)

Act fast. These won't last!

If you enjoy my artwork and blog, please share this post and my sale with your friends.

Ciao!

Ready to Go Big!

Hi there. How are you?

After weeks of directing all of my attention to my soon to be released coloring calendar, I was itching to make some original works. I had a stack of small 4"x4" cradled hardboard panels in my studio and decided to use 'em up.

Here's what I made:

Small, abstract pen drawings on colored paper. All are now for sale in my shop. Click to purchase!

The first 4 featured black ink on colored paper.

Very quickly, I could see a new style emerging in this collection. The focus on negative space that permeated my work for a time was gone. This new work is reminiscent of plaits or woven strands. I liked where this was heading.

Small ballpoint pen drawings on paper, each in a different color of ink. Click through to purchase!

Then I got a set of assorted colored ballpoint pens.

It was "Back to School" time, and I picked up a set of 8 assorted ballpoints for $1.50. I don't know why I'd never used anything other than black ink in my years of ballpoint pen drawing. I do know that I'm hooked and can't wait to do more drawing with my expanded color palette!

View fullsize

My newest sketchbook drawing got me thinking big. I'm ready supersize these drawings!

Now, I'm itching to "Go Big."

I really enjoyed working on this full page spread in my Moleskine the other day.  This drawing measures just 8" x 10", but it feels expansive in comparison to the tiny 4" x 4" squares I've been making. There's room to move and experiment and I liked that. I've come to the conclusion that It's time to go big!

I'm thinking my next piece will be made with same royal blue ink. Or maybe red? All I know is that I'm going to work larger, and I'll be sure to let you know how it goes!

That's all for now. Ciao!

P.S. All of the pieces shown in this post are now for sale in my shop. At $50 with free shipping these ready to hang beauties make a lovely gift. Want more than one? I'll give you a discount. Get in touch!