Pacific Citrus: An Art Blog

Pacific Citrus is Moving!!

2011-08-08T11:17:00.000-07:00

I want to blog about my two favorite things in the world, Art & Writing. Please visit me at Scribbles and Books where I will be posting my own misadventures into art and writing as well as sharing the scribbles and books that inspire me. Thanks to every visitor that has landed at Pacific Citrus and encouraged my growth as an artist and writer!

http://scribblesandbooks.blogspot.com

Vintage Children's Books: The Art of Frank Hill

2011-07-22T08:08:00.000-07:00

I love drifting through the Children's Book section at my local Goodwill because I tend to discover illustrators that I would otherwise not find at the bookstore or library. Last week, I happened across a book titled Winston's Red Boots (Sea Buddies) {available at Amazon for a penny, no joke}.

I was enamored with the vintage style of drawing. I'm finding it hard for me to describe what it is exactly I like, but it includes the use of line, the coloring of the image, and the bold volume that hints at an illustrator's background in drafting (everything is in perfect perspective). It took a bit of time to dig up info on the author's and illustrators. Actually, I didn't find anything on Carol Hill, but I did manage to find Frank. It turns out Frank is big time!

Frank has illustrated Snoopy, Dennis the Menace, Felix the Cat, Short Ribs, and Bugs Bunny! I was blown away when I discovered this! Good art, can't be denied! I love his drawing of the lion. He illustrated the lion, cut it out, and placed it on orange paper. It has big impact without the modern means of using the computer. The most exciting aspect is that Frank is still drawing. I want to post a few more of his lovely images, using mostly black ink, from his website. Frank Hill rocks!

{All images via Frank Hill Illustrations}

Happy 4th of July!

2011-07-04T10:38:00.000-07:00

{collage & ink drawing with digital color.}

I'm wishing America a day of rememberance, beauty, relaxation, and good BBQ fun! Let us never forget our amazing history and be proud of those that have served and serve our nation! Make today sweet!

PS: Note on the doodle. I cut out pieces of a newspaper and white pieces of paper and glued it down. After it was dry, I used black Indian ink to outline the area. I scanned it and imported it into Corel Painter Essentials and digitally inked the red and blue. I learned in Corel Painter today that I can use the lasso to highlight a section and then use it like a stencil. The area remained highlighted when I switched to the brush tool so that I would color within the area I selected! What an awesome new way for me to play digitally! If you have any tips, please share them or link your blog via a comment! Happy art on a such an awesome day!

10 Minute Doodles: Digital Color Challenge

2011-07-02T10:14:00.000-07:00

{Ink drawing on Bristol Paper. Digital Color.}

This is really a lost & found doodle. I drew the image quite some time ago. I rediscovered it while flipping through a pad of paper. I felt like doing a super quick digital color before heading off to the pool. Well...it's not such a summer palette! This looks like autumn! When you give yourself only 10 minutes, sometimes you just go with the flow! I let this be what it wanted to be. Now I'm going with the flow...right to the pool! Have a beautiful Saturday!

Happy Canada Day!

2011-07-01T08:43:00.000-07:00

Happy Canada Day! A super quick doodle! I wanted to do more but my husband is freaking that we have to go enjoy the day. Ta-ta! Make your Friday fabulous!! I'll probably edit this picture properly later!!

Cheers!!

Look at Things Differently...Broccoli Treehouse!

2011-06-29T08:26:00.000-07:00

{Created by Brock Davis}

A Doodle of My Mom Doodling..

2011-06-23T08:27:00.000-07:00

{3x5 Pencil Drawing of My Mom Doodling at AGO, Toronto}

It's doodle mania whenever my mom is in town! She was in Toronto this last May and I rediscovered this drawing I did of her. I think this is the best drawing I've ever done of her. To me it feels authenticate, perhaps not flattering, but real. Sometimes you have to put the pretty aside to see the real. In the end, I feel this picture perfectly captures the concentration of my mom making art and of that brief moment in the cafe! After we were done doodling, we had our own showing at the Art Gallery of Ontario, cafe level!

My Mom laughing after catching me doodling her!

Our First Showing at the Ago! Thanks to the leftover dishes for holding these doodles up!

I'm wishing my Mom a safe trip back home. She has just traveled 5 countries in the last month and is ending in Austria!! XOXO-MOM!!!

Night Doodles

2011-06-22T14:41:00.000-07:00

{Portable Art Studio}

Last Saturday, I was invited to attend a play that was part of the Luminato Festival in Toronto. The play was about mothers and daughters and looked more like a performance piece than a play. My instincts were right and this "play" was totally the sort of art that made me wonder how much could I endure. It was awful. After an hour, I had to make a dash to the restroom. What I didn't know was that I wouldn't be allowed back to my seat! There was 30 minutes left and I had to sit out in the lobby! Thank god for my portable doodle studio or I would have been lost!

{Front Street, Toronto. Watercolor in Sketch Book}

I have to say that I loved sitting here in this quiet lobby. The windows were beautiful and I got to watch the sunset. What could have been better? I took this negative and flipped it to a super-duper positive! My doodle watercolor sketch in the end...it starts with the night sky!

{Front Street, Toronto. Watercolor in Sketch Book}

Art Challenge: Draw a Gesture in One Minute!

2011-06-22T09:18:00.000-07:00

{Figure Quick Sketch. Image by Chris L.}

The Besotted Brand Blog is my favorite daily read. It is filled with imagination, hope, and creative adventures.

Today, the lovely Miss B, posted on the adventure of watercolor and posted some links to great resources on the web. Inspired by Miss B, I went on my own YouTube adventure and discovered Matthew39arch, as posted above. He has uploaded over 100 videos to YouTube and runs an online art school and blog at Drawing Tutorials Online. His blog is fantastic. You'll find tons of resources to inspire your own art adventures. In my own watercolor & art experience, drawing is the fundamental element in any work of art. Sometimes when you tighten up the reigns and put restrictions on what you're looking at, you'll get fresh results. It is also beneficial to move your eye away from specific details like eyes, hands, or even clothes, and see the entire subject at once. Here is an awesome video by Matthew39arch to get your juices flowing!

Art Challenge: Draw 5 gestures in 5 minutes.
Time each gesture & drawing for one minute.

Use images from the web, magazines, or visit a local hustling place like a park or mall to get this challenge done. Please post links in the comment section to your blog to share!

I also recommend that you check out Figure Quick Sketch. It is an amazing website that will help you to think differently about what is possible in a one minute sketch.

{One-minute poses at Figure Quick Sketch}

Update: Do I have an eye for talent?! It turns out that Matthew39arch is teacher at The School of Visual Arts, NYC! So he totally rocks! I also wanted those that aren't interested in drawing people to also think out of the box. Draw dogs, cats, birds, moving things, etc. One of Matthew's students at SVA is Lindsay and she adores dogs {me too!}. Here are some quick sketches that Matthew posted on his blog. I love these sketches!!

The Seven Deadly Sins

Want a live look into Lindsay Caitlin's sketchbook? Thanks be to Matthew! Just another reason why I love the internet so darn much!!!

Happy Father-to-Be Day!

2011-06-19T07:58:00.000-07:00

{Pencil Drawing with Digital Color. }

My husband and I are only two months away from welcoming our first child into the world! We are so excited and started the tradition of Mother & Father's Day early! I surprised my hubby this morning with this handcrafted card to celebrate the day! I choose neutral colors so that the card can be used for boys or girls! I added a second image for inside the card and used Pages to print the card. He was delighted to get the card, but I know he liked his gift better! LOL!

{Up & Away!}

I hope your Father's Day is filled with love, joy, and peace!

Doodles on the Go: Paddle Festival Toronto

2011-06-13T06:35:00.000-07:00

Family on the Board Walk at Sunnyside Pavillion, Toronto. Watercolor.
{PaddleFest is a waterfront festival dedicated to kayaking, canoeing, SUP boarding-my favorite, and all water sports}

One of the things I love most about hot weather is that the heat dries up watercolors so fast. It makes the medium amp up for portable doodles. If things get way to hot, then you can add medium to extend drying times, but I like to roll with what I've got. Speaking of that...did you notice my portable watercolor tin? You can't find that one in stores and that's the point! I created a totally customized watercolor tin. I was at a the Style at Home Design Show Convention where I was given this tin by Beaui-Tone paints, supposedly so I could carry around paint chip tiles. Ha! Instead I took the top of a yogurt container, cut it into pieces that fit this metal box, and hot glued it in. I added my favorite colors and voila! Doodles on the go! I've done this with an old Altoid box too. Look around, think out of the box, and then make your own watercolor box! The bonus is that I promise that after you've done it you'll feel really crafty. Have a beautiful day.

Nursery Art: SoCal Beach City Paintings

2011-06-11T07:59:00.000-07:00

SoCal Beach City No. 1 {Left Panel}. Acrylic on Wood. 36x36.

If you missed it at my other blog, Modern Girl Style, then I've awesome news to share! My husband and I are preggers! We are so thrilled and delighted to announce that we are expecting a baby at the end of August. To celebrate have a summer baby and my SoCal roots, our nursery has an ocean theme! I painted these two paintings to hang above our crib. I need to take a more respectable photo because these iPhone shots aren't cutting it! But I had to share!

SoCal Beach City Paintings above our Crib

I created the backgrounds first using spackle knifes I picked up at Home Depot. Once the paint was dry, I carefully added in the infamous boardwalk that stretches from Newport Beach to Roy Rogers Beach. After that, I added in beach homes that were influenced by the architecture of Venice Beach. The lifeguard towers are in homage to Torrance Beach, where I spent most of my high school years having fun! I was going to add in people, but my husband walked in and said NO! He loved them as they were. So ta-da! Now I need to frames these up and take better photos!

SoCal Beach City No. 2 {Right Panel}. Acrylic on Wood. 36x36.

Chair Doodles

2011-06-11T07:13:00.000-07:00

Orange Rocking Chair Doodle

Time is rocking away and I took some time to watercolor two chairs. Rocking chairs are on the mind because its summer! Which chair are you? Traditional or modern?

Girl About Town

2011-05-11T07:17:00.000-07:00

Watercolor Doodle

It is what it is! I'm not crazy about this one, but I wanted to share none the less. It was a good lesson on the fun challenge of watercoloring a person. What I don't like about it is that it doesn't have movement and you can tell I wasn't relaxed. C'est la vie!

A Royal Doodle!

2011-04-29T09:14:00.000-07:00

I did a quick drawing and digitally colored it. A little bit of text and I'm ready to share it! The Royal Wedding was awesome. Check out my reaction at Modern Girl Style!

Cake Doodle

2011-04-23T09:02:00.000-07:00

Weekend Art Prompts: Create!

2011-04-22T08:26:00.000-07:00

Take this weekend to create something fun! Why not try a new medium or experiment with your favorite? Here are a few idea prompts:

Try a garden theme.
Draw your art tools and/or supplies.
Celebrate the season with your own take on it. Bunnies anyone?
Collage your vision of the perfect summer!
Take your art process on the road and visit a new place.

Connect with a link to your blog or your flickr account if you come up with something to share! Bonne chance!

Happy Easter: Free Screen Saver Download

2011-04-20T08:51:00.000-07:00

Double Click Image and Control Click to Save as a Screensaver

It's so exciting to build my writing and art studio over from scratch. It involves a bunch of work, toting books and art supplies, but it also gives me an opportunity to declutter! The result of this process is the total enjoyment of quickly doodling new ideas. I can't say enough what it means to have my scanner on a desk! Before, I had to reach down and over to a small table to scan things. That meant I never did! It was always a chore to scan, but now it's awesome! I can take the quickest sketch and turn it into something. Here is the preliminary sketch that I quickly created as the foundation for the Happy Easter screensaver. It's pretty rough and I thought that I was just going to be wasting my time! LOL! I love the end result, as seen above.

My first sketch of the bunny

I scanned the image and colored it in Coral Painter Essentials. I used the round watercolor brush and worked with opacity levels to create my bunny. I also used the charcoal brush and filled in the original strokes that might have been colored. C'est voila! This sketch only took 15 minutes, give or take. In all, I can't wait to doodle more!

Art Challenge: Bunny Digital Color

For those looking to improve their digital coloring techniques, download my sketch of the bunny above {option click for macs, save to desktop, and open in your favorite art program like Coral, Photoshop, or Artrage}. Take 15 minutes to color the bunny. Google bunnies to get a realistic idea of color or invent your own. Play with different brushes and opacities levels.

Please post a link to your blog so everyone can check out your bunny!

Easter Egg Doodle!

2011-04-19T18:40:00.000-07:00

I've just moved my home office to our lofted upstairs den. It is quite a process, but I can't wait for everything to be final. I already feel more creative juices flowing like this Easter Egg doodle. I drew the eggs by hand and digitally inked them. Voila!

Pool Side Watercolor: I want to Siesta in OC!

2011-04-09T13:31:00.000-07:00

Pool Siesta Watercolor. 8x8. April 2011

I've been missing home so much lately! Nothing beats the pleasant weather of Orange County this time of read. I just want to grab a book and my watercolors and lounge! I'm also so disheartened by the color reproduction of my watercolors via my HP 4570c scanner that I'm thinking about adding a new scanner to my wish list. Does anyone have any scan tips or tricks? Please let me know! Now...where is my beach towel and sunglasses?

Weekend Retreat

2011-04-08T09:54:00.000-07:00

I love doing watercolor illustrations of rooms. Wouldn't this be a lovely place to chill for a couple hours reading a great book?

Fresh Squeeze OJ

2011-03-30T10:32:00.000-07:00

I'm an OJ fiend! I love waking in the morning and pulling out my juicer to make awesome fresh squeezed OJ. This is a little ode to the orange. Why not celebrate all the little things that make you happy in life?

Watercolor Weekend

2011-03-28T10:42:00.001-07:00

The Blue Room. Watercolor and Pencil. 5x7. 2011

This weekend I've been working on a nonfiction book proposal. I wanted to give you a sneak peek to some of the illustrations that I've been working on. I think it frames up very nicely.

Jack Russell Terrier Painting in Progress

2011-03-28T10:41:00.001-07:00

Painting in Progress

I've been managing to sneak in time to make art. I've been working on an acrylic painting of a Jack Russell Terrier chasing a ball. You can see the faint outline of where I plan to put the ball by the rear leg. I'll post more once I've progressed. Have a beautiful day!

Launching into Doodles in 2011!

2011-01-26T08:40:00.000-08:00

I have been putting my doodles on hold for the last two months as I work to complete a fictional novel. I did manage to squeak in some watercolors at breakfast. The first watercolor I did was super tight and fussy. It didn't help that I dropped paint in the wrong place! Oh well, live and learn.

The following breakfast I used pencil and stopped drawing about half of the picture. I wanted the work to look more free spirited and spontaneous.

The next several breakfasts I sketched the image using only watercolor. The result is that I was more loose and natural in approach. It felt so much better to just let the colors flow. This was a great week of waking up my hand to doodles and art again in 2011. Thanks for viewing!

Matchbox Mice

2010-12-10T08:01:00.000-08:00

All images and toys for sale via Romp!

Thanks to reading a digital edition of Woman's Day, which is a magazine I oddly enjoy, I discovered the totally fantastic toy shop called Romp. Romp was launched in Brooklyn in 2005 by a designer and mom named Jenn Labelle. Jenn's NYC roots shine through in the beauty of every item that she has selected for sale on her website.

I particularly flipped for these Matchbox mice. I love the size, the color palette, and its something that gets my creative juices flowing. Enjoy these super sweet images, but heck, for only $12 you can have one of your own or better yet, maybe you could help Santa out with a few gifts for a sweet youngster!

These images make me want to watercolor! But, my doodle days are on hold until I finish my novel!

WOOF HOLIDAY SALE--50% OFF EVERYTHING!!!

2010-12-06T10:16:00.000-08:00

Let's get merry and joyful this holiday season! 50% off everything selling at The Modern Art Co etsy shop until December 25, 2010! Just enter the coupon code:

WOOFHOLIDAYSALE

Now the hard part is waiting to see what Santa brings!

Holiday Gift Tags

2010-11-24T08:51:00.001-08:00

I've been doodling in long holiday shopping lines. I digitally colored my ink drawings once I get back home and turned them into tags and things. Grab a free download of all these tags, which are totally ready for you to print at home, cut, and use!

The next tag doesn't have a border....

This is a Reindeer Reminder card for children that need to remember to be good!

Here are a few more fun images I messed with this morning...

Here is the original doodle done with ink on paper. I was standing in the longest line at the store and this drawing kept my mind off it! Isn't it wonderful when you can create doodles no matter where you are?

Working Watercolor

2010-11-01T19:42:00.001-07:00

beachdreams, originally uploaded by Pacific Citrus.

I wanted to work on my technique of using watercolor and painting people. This is the outcome. A bit too literal. I want to get loose, baby. Be free. Know what I mean? I did have fun painting the line and the hair. So...another day. Another doodle.

Miniature Cabin

2010-10-31T14:58:00.001-07:00

Miniature Cabin, originally uploaded by Pacific Citrus.

This is my favorite shot from the Miniature Enthusiasts of Toronto. This is a miniature shot of an exterior mini-cabin. It could be cover for Eddie Bauer! Luv it! HAPPY HALLOWEEN, too!!

Day #10: Does my Work count as Art?

2010-10-16T07:30:00.000-07:00

Okay, I'm not going to define what art is. Not yet. I am going to say that art doesn't have to be a 15ft painted canvas mural hanging inside the Vatican. Art can be a small moment. It doesn't have to be huge and everlasting. It might just be a thought captured on paper while having a coffee. In fact, all fellow artists and doodlers should be well aware that the smallest seed action can lead to much bigger things. So, forget the shading and contours. Your challenge today is to create something while waiting in line or while having a coffee, or any uncommon place to make art, and let loose on paper. Bring your pencils, pen, or even a portable watercolor studio. Here are some of my own recent doodles drawn at Tim Horton's Coffeeshop (a real Canadian tradition, eh). It consists of watercolor used to create the ear muffs and black pen for the rest. Really simple, stuff. My kind of art.

Day # 10: Does my Work count as Art? To Do List

Get out of old habits. Pick a new place to make art.
Whip up a really quick sketch or doodle. Try it standing in line using an iPhone app like Drawing or sketch in a small notebook.
Hold onto this sketch for future revisions.

Welcome to The Modern Art Co.

2010-10-16T06:39:00.000-07:00

All the doodle making and art challenges I've been doing at Pacific Citrus totally impacted me. I had a surge of creative energy and started a series of dog paintings. I've also strived to be a bit more professional in my approach with the painting so I started a separate website for my finished artwork! Welcome to The Modern Art Co. This is my new home for work that is ready to hit the road to a new place. The 30 Day challenge will be moving forth from this point on, but I had to update things with a where the heck have I been post! Now you know. Woof!!

Day #9: Draw a Dog Art Challenge

2010-09-24T08:02:00.001-07:00

Daily Doodle, originally uploaded by Pacific Citrus.

Today, forget everything you've learned and just draw. Think of this like a tennis lesson. You get instruction and then you just have to jump on the court and play. That's the point of the challenge today. Draw a dog. Use a photograph if you like. There aren't any rules. You could even create a connect the dot dog doodle if you're so inclined. That's why art is so fantastic!

Day #8: Blindness and the Art of Contour Drawing

2010-09-16T17:50:00.000-07:00

Image via TPub

One of my favorite quotes is from a studio manager I used to work for. In his personal life, he was a motorcycle racer. I'm not a biker babe, but he always applied a piece of motorcycle philosophy to working at a hectic paced photography studio, and as he always said to me:

"Sometimes you have to go slow in order to go fast."

A blind contour drawing is about going slow and connecting to that head space of really looking. It's not about a race to the end. Go slow. Take some time with this. Don't cheat corners. It's a simple exercise that every artist will try. Some will love it and others will love, love, love it.

A beautiful blind contour drawing done created and posted at Julie's Journal. She added color later in photoshop.

How to Create a Blind Contour Drawing

Pick your subject. It can be a plant, teapot, pumpkin, or anything that you like that isn't too complicated.
Grab your trusty favorite pencil. Pick one spot to begin and let your eye follow the edge of the object. Here is the important part of this exercise...DO NOT LOOK at the drawing in progress and DO NOT LET YOUR PENCIL LIFT OFF THE PAGE. You can fill in details after the fact.
If you cheat, then you must be punished. Okay, just kidding! A trick to help with your blind contour is to place a paper plate over the top of your pencil, like so...

Blind Contour drawing info and image via Camp Creek Blog

WHY? WHAT FOR?

Blind contour drawings are awesome at blocking that pesty inner critic and learning to trust the eye. It's a real liberating act. So give it a shot! Be blind, be wild, let your passion soar!

Super Drawing, right? Awesome Blind Contour drawing for sale at Ink Finger

Day #8: Blindness and the Art of Contour Drawing To Do List

Spend 15 minutes doing a blind contour. So pick an object that is simple.
EXTRA CREDIT: Try adding some details after your done or spice things up with color.
Remember this isn't about a "perfect" picture. This exercise is about a "free" picture.

There is even a group movement known at Blind Contour Friday. This is created by Learning Daily.

Day #7: Inspiration and the Muse

2010-09-15T11:42:00.000-07:00

Image via Abby Try Again

It's time to celebrate! You have officially made it to Day #7 of the 30 Day Art Challenge! Whoo-hoo!! Let's keep up the mojo by looking into the things that inspire the artist within. Inspiration can come from any place. It could be a great dinner, a strange moment on the subway, or a favorite piece of music. I've really love the Black Cab sessions done a few years back, which is a bunch of great artists jumping inside a cab and playing music. I love Bon Iver and his Parisian Black Cab Session.

Bon Iver from Black Cab Sessions on Vimeo.

So what gets you lifted?

Image via Youngna park

What drives your artist soul?

Image via Cig Harvey

What story do you want to tell with your art? Are you ready to open yourself up like a book?

Handmade Journal available at Marcadearts Press

Take the call of inspiration when it finds you! Pick up on that vibe and make a note of it. Write it down. Get it on paper. Work to connect with the muse in your life!

Image via Jen Zahigian

Day #7: Inspiration and the Muse To Do List

What is your muse? Make a list of 10 things that inspire you to create and do art. It can be anything, anything at all in the world!
Freestyle write about why you want to create. A freewrite means don't worry about spelling or grammar. What is it that you want or need to express? Can you start to clarify about that? Was it one moment in particular that got you interested in art? Was it an art show? Was it a movie? Was it a person in your life? Take 10 minutes to freewrite about it.

Reconnect to what your ultimate goal is for making art. Might it be to create a painting, write a children's story, or have an art show? Research what your first step to realizing that goal would be.

Day #6: The Shady Life

2010-09-14T10:13:00.000-07:00

Image via Elfwood

Most people really dread and hate all these pencil shading assignments. I know about it. I did, too. It always seemed so darn boring and laborious. The trouble with these assignments is that it really builds art making muscle! If you can draw with pencil, then you can go on to master just about every other medium, in terms of representational art. In my book, it helps with abstract art, too. You can think in terms of shape and shade. Okay, so it's time to grin and bear it. This is one of the passages to being an artist. Until I think of a new way to understand shading, then this is it. Watch this video on shading and try it at home.That's the homework for today. Grab some objects around your house and get shady.

Day #6: The Shady Life

Watch the video posted in today's art challenge.
Try to create your own shade exercise as shown in the video.

Day #5: Find Some Shade

2010-09-13T09:59:00.000-07:00

Image via Blog Schmlog

Now that you can understand, or that you're working toward understanding the basic geometry, or shape, inside the things you want to draw. It's time to bring those drawing to life. Grab some pencils that marked in the range of softness to hardness. I like Derwent Graphic Pencil kits.

There is a complete range of light and darkness that you'll use to create your drawings. Okay, we're not going to start with drawing the above horse, but let's just take simple steps to understand the concept of shading. For every pencil that you have, make a box on a piece of paper. The top row should be for pencils marked H and the bottom row marked B. Hold the pencil gently in your hand and start to gently fill the box in. You should notice that a 6H is going to have a very sharp line that is tight. If you compare that to a 6B, the line is soft and life is much easier when it comes to filling in the box. Here is a quick demo of the deal-o.

Image via Zindy Zone

Once you feel you understand your pencils, draw a circle. Let's shade it!

Create a light source for the circle. If you need help imaging this, grab an orange or something round and place it near a lamp or a window. The light hitting the object will be your light source. Make a note of it on your drawing like so..The gently dotted line represents the highlight of the light source and the oblong shade represents the cast shadow.

Take a look at the orange or the similar object you've selected. You'll notice that light bends around the object. There are really dark areas and light areas. There are midtones, too. There is the cast shadow on the table or surface where your object rests. All of this information plays into creating a life-like drawing.

Image via Learn to Art--great website & resource, too!

Time to shade in your midtone range on the circle.

Gently use your pencil set to fill in the rest of the shades. Make sure that you have contrast. Contrast is all about having dense darks and bright whites. The more contrast the better the picture. Too much contrast can work against your drawing, too. It's all about balance, baby!

Finally, rethink the contrast. Clean up the edges. Go for a masterpiece! Use the information I've provided and read more about this demo at How to Draw and Shade Spheres. You're final piece should look close to this or even better than this!

All Circle and Sphere images via eHow

Here is another great tool to understanding shading created by Brandon McKinney.

Image Source and Great Article on Shading

Day#5: Find Some Shade To Do List

Spend 15 minutes creating a sphere drawing by using pencils.

Day #4: Shape

2010-09-12T10:44:00.000-07:00

Cafeteria as Work of Art

Yesterday you took time to locate your subject. Great. Super fantastic. We are walking a journey step by step. Grab your subject, hopefully something inanimate that won't walk off in the middle of your drawing, and get ready to make some art. Study your object for a few moments and look for the basic shape of the object. There might be a few shapes that compose your subject. Here are some great examples how animators of the 1940's used this formula of combing shapes to invent characters for comics and cartoons. John K Stuff has a fantastic post about drawing 2-legged characters if you'd like to learn more.

In the above picture, an animator would start with a line of expression or a line of motion. The second step reveals the basic shape of the character and then is refined to finish. In our lesson for today, we're just concerned about the basic shape of an object. Here is another awesome example of how one baby step leads to another and that leads to cool art.

Let's get more visual with a video demo.

My sister is currently tackling a pastel class at college. She just sent me her first basic drawing...guess what? Her picture is of shapes! In class or in the studio, this drawing of the basic shape of an object is considered a thumbnail sketch. Don't think about shading or doing anything but...drawing the basic shape of your subject!

Artwork by Keri and available for purchase at the price of $1 million dollars. ;)

Day #4: Shape To Do List

Draw the basic shape or combination of shapes of your subject.
Repeat with other objects or subjects.
Spend 15 minutes making art today and reviewing all materials posted today, including the video!

DAY #3: Find Your Subject!

2010-09-11T08:17:00.000-07:00

Image via Coconuts and Lime

Mark today as an adventure in "seeing" not "looking." Shift your typical gaze to what might make for a good drawing. It could be anything. A lizard carrying a hot pink purse. A dog on a chair. A kitchen sink full of dishes. We're not going to get into context or content. We're going to grab one item and sit with it, draw it, photograph it, or whatever your medium calls for. The first way to start to translate subject to art is to think in terms of the frame.

Newbie artists often make frames with their hands or using black board paper to help with the process of separating the subject. Try this right now. Bring your hands together and frame something in your room.

Awesome! You are working at finding your subject. Now once you've found your subject. Draw it. Take 15 minutes to draw, create, photograph, your subject. You can choose to make art that is representational or abstract. Maybe a little of both, like the next image, but don't think today. Just find your subject and make art. Composition, line, color, and ya-ta-da-ta will come later in this 30 Day challenge!

Is this piece of art a representation of vases or is is abstract? You decide. I vote for a little of both.

Artwork by Lines and Dots

DAY #2: Find Your Subject To Do List

Create a cropping device with black paper, or a rolled up piece of paper, or your hands.
See the world as art, don't passively look around. Select your subject for today's art challenge.
Do your creative art flow for 15 minutes.

DAY #2: Destroy the Inner Critic

2010-09-10T04:27:00.000-07:00

Now that you've got some art supplies pulled together its time to understand what has prevented you from making more art in the past. There can be tons of theories that you've strung together over the years that stop you from tapping into the gifts you have. Here are a few:

Image: Inspiraculum

The attitude of making excuses about not having enough time, art supplies, money, talent, education, and anything you can add to the pile isn't going to be an excuse for the next 30 days of this talent. It's time to pull your demon out of the closet and face up to the inner critic that has been inhibiting your artistic growth.

Day #2: To Do List

Make a list of what has stopped your artistic expression in the past? If you don't know what I'm taking about, then maybe that is the first item to place on your list. It would read: "I don't know why I haven't started sooner." Take 10-15 minutes on this exercise and really listen to yourself with kindness and honesty. If you dig deep, then deep you go!
Draw a face or capture an image of what your inner critic looks like. Let loose. Let go. Use crayons if you want. Don't let your inner critic stop you this time. Get creating. Take 5 minutes on this exercise.
TIME TO DESTROY. We're going to take this monster down with love. Write positive affirmations to every negative thing you have written down in Step#1.
Rewrite the Positive Affirmation list onto an index card and staple it over your inner critic monster. If you've got a really bad monster, then let me invite you to take a walk to a large safe open area and burn this sucker over a tealight. Don't get too pyro. Be safe, use sense. No one should wind up in jail over this! It is only Day #2!

Keep your developing dialogue with your inner artist in order by placing this challenge into a folder or journal. Make this a special place for your eyes only. See you tomorrow and let me know how it goes!

The Stay Up Late or Get up Early 30 Day Art Challenge! Day#1: Gather Your Art Supplies!

2010-09-09T05:29:00.000-07:00

Poster available from BB-Blog

Back to school, back to work, back the September grind. Why not make this month a bit more special and take a 30 Day Art Challenge with me? What it consists of is doodling, drawing, painting, photography or doing what ever you like for 30 Days. No experience required, genius artists accepted, come as you are to the challenge with all the little or the lots of art experience you have. Each day I'll post an idea for the daily challenge to get some creative juice flowing through the veins. The important thing is that you don't have to take hours out of the day to get creative. Bring paper with you on your day and doodle away. If you like photography, get set to carry your camera by your side for the next several weeks. Share your entries by adding links to your blog in the Pacific Citrus comment section. One more note, you can start this 30 Day Art Challenge whenever you like, these posts will be up till the end of time. So...let's go for it and start right now!!!!

DAY #1: Gather Your Art Supplies

Image: RobotNine

You can change your medium through this challenge like socks, but get something in your hands for tomorrow. Better yet, take some time and organize your materials. Get paper if you're out. If your camera is loaded with photos of a wild BBQ party, download your card and file manage your pictures on your computer. Get today straight and prep for the future of this challenge!

Day #1: To-Do List

Get art supplies in order.
Make space at home for your art. If it means clearing the kitchen table off and placing yellow crime scene tape around your space to work, then do it!
Take the pledge by leaving a comment and maybe a note about what you would like to get out of the Art Challenge.
EXTRA CREDIT: Follow Pacific Citrus via Google Friend Connect!!

Who let the Dogs Out?

2010-08-19T12:36:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite dog sketches in some time. It feels more natural to me, not sure why. Maybe it's that happy dog tail!

Last but not least, another hound. Kind of reminds me of my own dog. I love scrappy looking dogs!

Bird Watching

2010-08-06T12:04:00.000-07:00

My husband has complained that I doodle too much...so I literally stopped. Tragic, right? Then, my sister was in town and everything went out the window for two weeks! I had so much fun with her! But, know what? No one can ever doodle too much! I'm an artist and a writer, either love me as I am or take a hike! I've been into watercolors as of late. These doodles sometimes have the messy mistake of my dog knocking a card over when its drying or the wind scattering it off while I'm working. Oh well! I love birds and these have been fun, quick, and easy to make!

Tons of Doodles...

2010-07-08T07:29:00.000-07:00

Red Wing Blackbird Singing in the Evening

Fun with Text

I luv, luv, luv bumblebees!

As usual, tons of doodles but no time to scan and post. I'm cheating by quickly posting a few doodles I've been meaning to share. The stuff I've been working on lately has been pencil drawings of animals, which aren't scanning well because of the paper is larger than my scanner-sounds like a photo shoot to me! I also have to mention again how much I love blogger! It is such a blessing to discover so many talented artists that inspire my life to breath out creativity!

The Lifeguard House

2010-06-16T10:09:00.000-07:00

I had my first photo show in Toronto at Sleeping Giant Gallery. I have to download pictures and share, but yesterday I manage to eek out a doodle. This is of a lifeguard house that sits on the East side of Toronto. The colors are so much more superb than this quick pen doodle. I want to go back to this beach and watercolor. There are times when one wants a bit more than a pen to work with. I also had my husband waiting for me on his motorcycle, itching to ride, and he just caught me doing this post! HAHA! Got to run!

I Drive Fast

2010-06-06T16:27:00.000-07:00

I like to drive fast, but its even better when someone drives fast for you. I have great memories of being on a double decker bus in Rome that was absurdly fast. Not like London, where the above doodle is set, but who cares. London is so cool you don't have to move fast.

Do you park fast by reversing into a spot? Only people ready to haul away ASAP try this move!

This is a quick doodle of an expensive Mercedes that I screwed up because some other car pulled up behind it and started honking. Well, my!! Next time-now I need to doodle fast!!

IF: SLITHER

2010-06-03T09:22:00.000-07:00

I've been working up to trying to do Illustration Friday's illustration challenges for awhile, now. I kept putting it off, telling myself I wasn't ready and that I didn't have the doodle skills to do it. Today I woke up in the mood that life is about now or never. So I went for it. It wasn't easy for me. My first sketch was of a strange superhero that would make your skin crawl and slither. After that, it was another strange Indiana Jones type sticking his hand in a crack and having snakes and spiders slither over his fingers. I liked that one but knew I wouldn't have time to finish that doodle by tomorrow. So then I made a list of things that slither and came up with the slither marathon. What a fun challenge it was!

Blue Doodles

2010-05-28T08:48:00.000-07:00

I discovered these old doodles I did last summer on my external hard drive. There is still something fun about the simplicity of these doodles...I mean I'm ready to smack the drums, smells flowers, and go for a boat ride!!

Have a Break

2010-05-22T12:15:00.000-07:00

I managed to doodle my first building in Toronto. It kind of happened by accident. I didn't have my iPod, but I had my little dog with me. I made friends with lots of bums that wanted to doodle with me. Isn't art great like that? It's a universal language. My doggie wasn't so keen on the bums and kept most of them away long enough for me to actually get this sketch done.

Lazy Afternoons

2010-05-20T08:03:00.000-07:00

I bought a new set of Pitt Big Markers and had fun using these super fat pens. I think my fun exploring these pens comes across even more in the next doodle....my dog is so lazy and loves his afternoon naps, and so he hates it when I mess with him. He's always so aware of cameras and when I'm staring at him. So he stares back! LOL!

That dog is so tough to draw. He's got fur every where..maybe I should try something a bit different...something that stays put!

I love Faber-Castell Pitt Big Brush pens. They are so portable and fun! Please let the marker Gods still be making these fun to doodle with pen! Here is a beautiful set I found at Amazon...I hope the wish fairy finds me soon!! Maybe then I won't be so lazy!!

Be Cool!

2010-05-19T11:54:00.000-07:00

Penguin doodles! Just a quick sketch of these cute little guys who are always dressed for every occasion!

My New Bike

2010-05-18T10:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I ventured off to the art supply store to grab a new portable pad of paper for doodles. I was so sad to discover that Faber-Castell will no longer be making Pitt Pens!! WHAT!!! It is my favorite brand of pen ever!! Please someone tell me it isn't true.

On another front, the weather just keeps getting better for bike rides. My husband, the best in the world, bought me a new bike and I love, love, love it! It's white with black accents and a cool bike rack over the back tire. My plan is to get more portable with my doodles. The homes in Toronto are so old and lovely. I really want to draw them, but then I get nervous about having people watch what I'm doing. I think I'll have to learn how to get over this fear. My simple answer to that classic question, "So are you an artist?" will have to be, "Hey! I just love to doodle!" Now where did I put my bike bell?

Doodles from a Street Car

2010-05-14T06:53:00.000-07:00

I was in for an adventure when I took a Toronto Street Car to the Opera last night...It was all just another reason to grab paper and ink and quickly doodle things from my seat. I only had time for three doodles before I had to jump off the street car! It was rainy spring day so there were lots of green trees and umbrellas!

Want to know what a Toronto streetcar is? Volia!

DIY Green Watercolors

2010-05-06T12:57:00.000-07:00

{image via Whole Living May 2010}

I've been feeling an itch to watercolor as the days turn warm. I was wonderfully surprised as I saw this sweet idea on making your own watercolors. I'm sure the pigment is way too pale so I'd suggest mixing in raw pigment from a great source like Williamsburg Handmade Artisan Paint Company. You could even get a bit more crazy and try using bits of ground earth, spices, or anything with some color!

Glue, Paper, Scissors, & The Genius of Matthew Sporzynzki

2010-04-21T08:27:00.000-07:00

{Paper Sculpture by Matthew Sporzynzki for Real Simple Magazine}

I've always loved miniatures, but it seems lately I'm becoming more obsessed...more on that later. Suffice it say that I was thrilled to learn that Real Simple Magazine has organized the amazing miniature paper sculptures of Matthew Sporzynzki! He creates everything by hand and uses paper as his primary medium. He is is at work. He tends to get two weeks to create a sculpture for magazine articles and works on them right up to the day of the photo shoot.

{image via Creative Envy}

“You have to keep working on them until they don’t look like garbage anymore!” says Matthew, admitting that his sculptures are “far better received than I perceive them myself. I see the flaws.” Let's take a stroll through his word while attempting to savor every last detail!

{images via Real Simple}

I can only image how he sees stacks of paper at the art store!

{image via David Stark Sketchbook}

Why not investigate hundreds of his creations and get inspired!!!

Opera Doodles...Queen of England & Queen of Scots

2010-04-15T11:24:00.000-07:00

My warm up doodle of Mary Stuarda frolicking happily in a field of flowers...I like my pencil sketch because it reminds me of a Botticelli. Ah...no where as close in all respects, of course! But I like my free method. You can start to notice my eye changes as my hand warms up. Mary Stuarda, Queen of Scotland, learns of her impending doom and weeps.

A women should never challenge the Queen of England, Elizabeth I, or face the chopping block. As I am part of the Elizabeth's royal handmaidens, I've enjoyed watching the amazing costumes of the Queen. My sketch doens't bring justice to the beautiful white feathered fan that hangs from her hip.

Just a couple of quick sketches before being brought on stage...tonight is a full dress rehearsal which means an hour in the hair and make-up chair...but I won't mind that a bit!!

Opera Doodles

2010-04-03T17:24:00.000-07:00

My portable doodle studio! I'm back at the Opera and ready to sketch, but first how about a walk through inside the Four Season's Centre Toronto. It is truly beautiful!

The grand lobby is modern with a balance of steel, glass, and natural materials like wood. It's a space that makes you pause to think about the space.

A wonderful subterranean space that leads to restrooms and who knows what else! I didn't spend much time hanging out down here, but I did like that in some way it reminded me of the lower levels of the Louvre in Paris. Time to venture toward the stage!

This is the orchestra pit with only a pianist to guide the principals and chorus. The man standing in the pit is the maestro. The other man standing by the chairs is the cover for the maestro if anything crazy happened. I love listening to the maestro direct the chorus and help along the principal opera singers if they miss lyrics (happens all the time) or need direction on how the music should sound. It's all mostly over my head! Let's head back stage...

Set pieces are hanging around stage right in the wings. These are the Flying Dutchman someone said, who knows, but this space is massive! Here is another photo to give you an idea of the scale, you might have to tilt your head...

Okay..now you want to know what it feels like standing on stage staring at all those seats?

That's a bunch of people and my camera phone missed the fifth level! Now, here are some doodles of the principals. I've got some great photos of the rehearsal in progress but I'm not going to publish those photos till after the performances are done. It just doesn't seem right to me. I like that mystery to be there for people headed out to the show! The next image is the assistant maestro in I sketched in pencil, he is always focused on everything happening on stage. As always, click images if you like for a larger more detailed view.

At the center of everything is the director, in this case Stephen Lawless (awesome name, right!). His assistant director, a wonderfully sweet woman, leaning in toward Stephan to receive comments and input. She is so helpful at organizing information quickly and getting results from everyone on stage in moments.

However, what matters at the end of the night are the performances by the principals. Anna performing during the final act, you can just image all the drama.

Rehearsals aren't for another week so I'll have to transfer my attention to something new...I think I have just the idea but it needs to be doodled out!

Find Time for Creativity by Being Prepared For It

2010-03-31T08:41:00.000-07:00

Most of the rampant doodles that I would sneak in every day came to a stunning halt when that had to be replaced with packing up for our big move. We survived, as surprising as this can be for anyone that moves, but we're still slowing unpacking. As if that wasn't hectic enough, I managed to get cast in an Opera as a supernumerary (which is a fancy word for background extra and no, I don't sing, haha!). I'll be part of the Mary Stuarda Opera playing in May, buy a ticket & come see me!

{The recently built and opened Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts Toronto}

I'll be posting more details about the clothes and process on this blog and at Modern Girl Style. Suffice it say, that I got through the fittings and had an exceedingly good time at our first rehersal last night. Let me sneak you a peek...

The image is a little bit shaky because I'm guessing this sort of thing is a no-no...but I blog about my life so I can't resist. This was moments before the chorus came in and oh my goodness, was the sounds they made like that of heaven! This opera at the Four Seasons Theatre in Toronto is going to be amazing! So, as I am part of the "Royal Court and one of the Maidens to the Queen," I had an opportunity to doodle away. I wish I had my pencils, I was stuck with only a few markers and my hand isn't as good as it was in January.

Later in the evening, the principals arrived to truly bless us with the gift of their voices. A few more doodles of Queen Elizabeth I feeling regret at having the Queen of Scotland beheaded, not just because of political reasons but because her lover was more into Mary Stuarda than the Queen of England. My next doodle is of Anna who was playing the Queen of England at the start of rehearsal. I'm not sure if she was the understudy, but she was amazing! I love how the principal opera singers would tie on skirts to improve their characters or wear crowns made of cardboard wrapped in gold paper. Despite the elaborate costumes, its amazing how you feel the depth of the characters emotion through the music. That's opera, isn't it?

And another sketch of Mary Stuarda kneeling before the chopping block..

Finding time for creativity can be as simple as always keeping a few pencils or markers in your purse, being prepared for the moment. In addition, don't be shy about attempting to learn how to draw. I didn't make any big show about it, and I was willing to make mistakes as the other supers around me watched. Needless to say that watching the opera process unfold in front of our eyes was way more exciting than watching me doodle away. So I gained a valuable lesson in not feeling self-conscious and accepting whatever mistakes I might make. So, I've got another practice tonight. I'll see what I get as far as photos and doodles.

Check out the music overture on this great two disc CD...maybe you can also find the audio CD at your local library, too. Better yet, buy tickets to hear this amazing ensemble live at the Four Seasons Centre! Take your pick, but do find a way to hear this music!

Postcards from the Garden

2010-03-06T19:11:00.000-08:00

I'm stuck to shooting my rocks for six weeks as part of my commitment to the souvenir foto group on flickr. As it happened to be, today I felt like writing. So the narrative urge continues to my photography. Here are a few more...

At the moment, all of my art supplies are packed for our big move in a week so no art doodling at the moment-sniff-sniff!!!!!

I've Got a Sweet Tooth for Photography...

2010-02-26T16:29:00.000-08:00

Oranges and pinks can be so sultry! I was loving the time spent at our local flower conservatory where I soaked up the heat and beauty, but kept a watchful eye on the snow dropping outside so fast. I loved the contrast of being inside in a tropical haven and the winter landscape. Click the photos to reveal the entire image!

How to Spot a Buck in the Workplace

2010-02-24T06:44:00.000-08:00

Everyone knows an evil manager or co-worker that gets under your skin and makes you cringe. Last night, I listened to a very dear friend describe to me the "Buck" in her life. So I got to doodling and thisis what I thought he must look like. People like Buck are always listening for every last detail to use against you, they hide near the water cooler-so watch out! They also tend to have bald spots or weird facial hair. Pretty much, you'll know him or her when you see them because you feel like you hear nails scratching on a chalkboard!

A study in Winter No. 2

2010-02-20T18:55:00.001-08:00

This is the first assignment for the Souvenir Foto Photography Group, a group designed to motivate peeps to get out and shoot. And more exciting news on the way...I'm having my first gallery exhibit! It's at Sleeping Giant Gallery located in beautiful downtown Toronto. Things are going to heat up for me in March!

Places I'd Rather Be...

2010-02-18T15:20:00.000-08:00

Strolling down a summer lane with a book in hand and ice cream in the other!

I shot this photo in the neighborhood last summer. I can't wait to see summer skies again!

Pink Abstract

2010-02-16T12:26:00.000-08:00

My heart goes on for pink.

I should be eating but instead I'm doodling...

2010-02-12T09:20:00.001-08:00

Today's mindless doodle is this:

Let's Nest!

2010-02-10T20:47:00.000-08:00

My husband and I are moving into our dream loft, and our first home together! I'm so excited that I created this little digital doodle in honor of the start of more good things to come our way! Thanks to God for answering our prayers, even before we won the multiple biding frenzy on this place! That divine source of creative energy has been responsible for so much and I can't help but feel the blessing! That's my rant, which I try to not do to much, and this doodle is dedicated to anyone that is HAPPY TO NEST!

Octopus & Boot

2010-02-07T10:53:00.000-08:00

On waking one morning, I decided to quickly carve up two ideas I had: An octopus & a western cowboy boot (which I modeled off my own boots). I really don't know what got it going but it was fun to create. Here are a few prints of the boot (ye-haw!)

And the Octopus, which I like how leggy he is!

Now I think I need to carve up a woodblock of an octopus wearing cowboy boots!

I love West Elm frames. I tossed a boot into an extra frame I had. It's not a perfect fit, so it's only a temporary home. On to the next doodle...

Doggie Doodle

2010-01-28T18:10:00.000-08:00

I've unpacked and treated myself to a quick doggie doodle. It's kind of crazy, but once I returned back home I came to find out my Sony monitor was fried. The power was totally gone. Off to the store. My husband and I picked out a new Samsung 24inch monitor that totally rocks! I would never have gone with such a large widescreen monitor, but I think the universe is asking me to keep doodling. Now, my hubby wonders why I don't want to leave the computer! LOL! More pictures and doodle to come. Plus, I've got some fun prints and paintings to share!!!

Watercolor Doodle

2010-01-18T23:26:00.000-08:00

I've been doodling away mostly everyday. It seems to be the only escape I can find from the hectic lifestyle that the New Year has swept into my life. I actually love the colors on the watercolor doodles I did, but I'm not too happy about the scans. I'm using a new Epson Artisan 810 and the scanner is really hot and burns out the color. Here is a better example with the watercolor that I did of my nephew...

I need to figure that out before I post, but I know myself. I'd probable move on to new doodles and never share these. Anyhow, another day, another doodle, another opportunity to create, to share, to give joy, love, and pray!!

Doodle Around Town: Artist Trading Cards

2010-01-13T23:43:00.000-08:00

Sometimes all the time you have in a day for art, is the amount of time it takes to drink a coffee. I've loved the idea of artist trading cards and so I cut up paper that I tote around. I also bring along Faber-Castell PITT markers and a UHU glue stick for those spare moments when I can doodle. The above is a prime example of snagging a table at Starbucks and turning it into a temporary craft table. I grabbed a newspaper and felt more ambitious.

The other great thing about quick doodles is that your family member will love to take a moment to create their own doodles, which become a fun family record of your time together. Since I haven't seen my mother much, and during her career she has served as an art mentor to California educators, she loves to doodle, too. It all looks very serious-but really it's not! We just know time is short, so we focus!

I really like the fun collage like giraffe that I created. It's a good start.

Whoops! That's a little dark. Here is a close up.

I even got my 8 year-old nephew into the fun. Here is is working away on what almost looks like a self-portrait.

A sneak peek at his work in progress....

I've got one more fun encounter I managed to captured while my mother and I were dining at P.F. Chang's-yes, we have no shame for doodling! Our waiter loved our stuff and wanted to sit down with us to doodle. Isn't art wonderful how it can reach out to so many different people of all backgrounds!

A happy shot of us with our artist trading cards....

MAKE YOUR OWN ARTIST TRADING CARDS

It's so easy to make your own artist trading cards. Simply take a heavy paper like bristol, watercolor paper, or a mixed media paper that you prefer and cut it up into 2x3 rectangles. Some art supply stores sell artist trading card carriers, which I use to carry our blank paper and saved doodles. If you want another option, art supply stores are all carrying artist trading cards. They tend to come with about 15 cards and plastic sleeves to place your artwork in, much like baseball cards. Give it Artist Trading Cards a shot one day when you think that there is absolutely no way you have the time to create art. I promise you that there is time, you just need to set yourself up for success! Only your perspective on life and creation is your limit!

Happy New Year Doodle!

2010-01-01T07:58:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! I can't believe how many things I'm thankful for! The angels were watching over my family when I walked out of the house on New Year's Eve and left a pot of rice on the stove. Neighbors called 911, and the fire department broke into our home and saved the night. It sounds worse than it was, but scary none the less, and I think my favorite dog in the world finally recovered from the trauma. Here is my little love on a way more pleasant day...dreaming....

So, back to more doodles and art today and the year ahead! My goal for 2010 is to finish one of my concepts for a children's book. Thanks again to everyone that has stopped by my humble little blog and thanks to all the amazing bloggers and artists that continue to inspire me every single day!!!!

Sea Life Collagraphs

2009-12-30T11:15:00.000-08:00

Collagraphs are created by collaging pieces of items together and making a print. I took all the left over cardboard from Christmas to make these prints. The printing of cardboard takes way more ink than I expected, so I need to re-print these prints again. But, I wanted to share these before I took the journey back home. I think these would be cute and fun a kids room, or maybe even for a little book of prints, but this is quite large. I printed this onto 16x20 paper to give you an idea of scale.

I made this the next day after I woke up with an image of walrus in my head-oh the strange things I dream! LOL!

Here is the print:

Yep, I've got more to learn, but this was super fun! I love sea life!!!

For those interested in printmaking, I love this printmaking bible book. It's just beautiful!!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

2009-12-24T07:52:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays! I plan on using the holiday time to doodle while with the family...I can't wait to see what Santa drops under the tree-hopefully more art supplies!!! LOL!! Alright, cheers to everyone and keep doodling!

Abstract Doodle

2009-12-12T08:14:00.001-08:00

{abstract doodle untitled one}

Woke up with the want to abstract doodle. Now I'm off to cater a party for 50+ people-oh boy!!! The things you do for family!

Run Away

2009-12-08T08:02:00.000-08:00

Different day, different doodle! I woke up with the urge to get away from it all!!!

The Art of Book Trailers

2009-12-08T06:16:00.000-08:00

Most of the time, there really isn't any art to a book trailer. Most are pretty bland or cheesy, but this book trailer created by the New Zealand Book Council is totally amazing! I'm glad I found it via Murder by 4.

Odosketch Doodle

2009-12-07T20:24:00.000-08:00

I've been on a digital art kick and found another super-fun doodle program, and its totally gratis! Odosketch is the true hipster doodle art platform, not that there is anything wrong with that! One thing I wasn't too crazy about, no undo, or pen sizes,or color fill, but hey it was fun, so why not! Give it a whirl yerself & spend some time doodling!

Winter Blooms

2009-12-02T10:18:00.001-08:00

Nothing like flowers to add an upward beat to life. Here is a quick digital doodle that I created after discovering the fun of Art Rage. I happened to be browsing through the Wacom newsletter where I found this fun program for only $25! Love it! I'd suggest downloading the free starter package to compare it to other programs you might have. Art Rage is big with the zany scrapbook peeps, of which I've never counted myself as one. Sweet! Enjoy the flower..and remember to breathe when things get muddled!

Holiday Shopping Idea: Perpetual Paris by Little Brown Pen

2009-11-30T07:33:00.000-08:00

I'm getting back to my typical routine, post Thanksgiving, and bumbling around my favorite blogs when I happened to check out Little Brown Pen. She's got a beautiful picture of a delicate snow in Paris! After reading her blog, I clicked to her Etsy link and OMG!! WOW! This calendar is stunning!

The photographs are images that Little Brown Pen captured around Paris. I love that this calendar can constantly be modified for every year. It's just so beautiful and the scale of the photographs are lovely. I think this would make a wonderful gift. It's so elegant, modern, and timeless (forgive the pun!). Check out more of her stuff at Etsy.

Here is an awesome video about the making of this super beautiful calendar, too.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T06:20:00.000-08:00

What will I be doing? Watching the Macy's Day Parade, of course! My favorite!!

I also have to shout out a special token of gratitude to the friends, family, opportunities, books, blogs, art supplies, and everything else plus more for the things I have in my life! Amen to that!

Ode to the Owl

2009-11-24T18:10:00.001-08:00

All those birds went to my head..a quick fun doodle, an ode to the owl!

Karate in the Air

2009-11-23T13:46:00.000-08:00

I was buzzing around the internet and watched an awesome video at Gurney Travels (you have to check it out-its the best), which led me on to the video above. Birds of prey has fascinated me from a very young age. Here is another great video of an eagle in slow motion.

Night Landscapes

2009-11-19T10:54:00.001-08:00

On a whim, much like everything else that happens in my life, I decided to try woodblock printmaking. I headed out to my local craft store, bought the tools, and headed over to Home Depot to pick up some wood. My efforts were just that...long toil on something that is really unforgivable if you mess up. Well, I never let a mess-up stop me from finishing. Here is my first attempt at a woodblock carving, which has been based on a dream I had in September. There is one horse and two dogs. I like how "stars" were printed by accident (that means I had stuff sticking to my roller when I was inking the block). I'm so inspired by the Japanese artists and anyone who has control over this medium. It's also really hard to work with work because you do have to use some muscle.

Here is a detail of my horse...

And a detail of the two dogs standing by the winter tree....

I've got a second woodblock done, which I'll post later because I need to print it. The whole process of woodblock printing is revising my way of seeing the world. You really have to look differently at images.

Jet-Set Weekend Trip: Let's go to Miniatur Wunderland!

2009-11-13T09:00:00.000-08:00

Since I was a child, I've always loved miniature anything. It might have been an obsession that started with my first trip to Disneyland or constructing California missions in the third grade. Who knows how it started or why, but I never lost the love over the years. In fact, I graduated from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and it so happens that they have a miniature room collection of which some had been constructed by Walt Disney. The world really is small...anyhow, I digress from the point of this post.. Let's jet-set off to Hamburg, Germany to visit the largest collection of miniature railroads in the world at Miniatur Wunderland

Wouldn't it be wonderful to take off for the weekend to visit Miniatur Wunderland! It supposedly takes over 40 computers to run the trains, ships, people, and places in their exhibits. Here is a quick highlight trip for all those, like me, that have previous engagements.

{image: Daily Dose of Imagery}

{image: Miniatur Wunderland}

{image: Flickr}

{image: Szene in Hamburg}

{image: Hamburg}

If you wondered what controlling this many models looked like, then look no further...

Check out a great little piece about Miniatur Wunderland on Wikipedia

For All the World to See...

2009-11-13T08:26:00.001-08:00

I woke up yesterday morning with this idea for a relief woodcut. I jumped out of bed and set to work. I added the text to the balloon drifting over the city today and felt that this little woodblock was complete. There comes a time for every person to let go and let the world receive what you've made. I like to think that this process doesn't have to be frightening, but joyful like a balloon drifting up into the sky. What do you want to give to world?

Flipping Out

2009-11-10T07:28:00.000-08:00

I just wrote a quick post at Modern Girl Style about all the crazy news that I read in one hour. A quick recap...Mr. Rogers passed away and Metropolitan Home is no longer publishing after the December issue. Two huge sources of inspiration for me.... I did a quick doodle of a hair flip in indian black ink using a bamboo reed pen. Sometimes you just need to flip out and then bring it all back together.

More Doodles

2009-11-08T09:11:00.000-08:00

It's been hectic for me the last two weeks. I've been packing to go to NYC to run the marathon and it has taken about a week to decompress from having done it. I have to say add that running the NYC marathon was one of the best things I've ever done with my life. I will truly never in this life forget the people of New York or the runners that found their courage to give it their all. Anyhow, I found myself last night laying on the floor in the living room, watching lots of movies and design shows, and doodling in ink. I'll be doing something with these sketches, not sure what, but I had fun making them. I also spent the night learning how to paper engineer pop-ups, but nothing yet to show. My artistic journey carries on doodle to doodle! Now I need to catch up with all the lovely blogs that I follow!

In the meantime as I strike out on my hunt for beautiful and inspiring images, let me leave you with a snap I took of a NYC midtown residential lobby entrance. It looks like a paint-by-number painting, but it's obvious not. I like this painting, and well if I'm to tell the truth, I like paint-by-number paintings, too---they are so kitsch. If anyone knows who painted this, I'd love to know!

Photos by Chrissie White

2009-10-27T23:09:00.000-07:00

I was zooming along my merry web browsing way and came across the work of Chrissie White at All the Mountains. It was like all that clicking and loading links had been to see these completely amazing photos.

The best part is that these emotional deep photos had been shot by a young female photographer, and I mean really young, she's only sixteen. I'm not one to be hung up on age, but she brings such a breath of freshness to the photographic image that at her very young age it's so exciting! Her work is more mature and better than certain MFA students I went to school with, and I think any other person who has gone to art school or not would agree! So I sent off an email telling her I loved her work and would love to interview her. I'm the lucky you and so are you because she's ready to talk about her work, passion, and even offer the rest us some advice on how to take better photos. Yeah!

Meet Chrissie White

{Chrissie White, age 15}

As I'm putting this post together, I'm also learning more about Chrissie. It seems that I'm not the only person that had noticed the quality of her work and the gift of her talent. The Seattle Pi ran an interview with her last year that was not only focused on her talent, but her enormous web following at Flickr.

The Interview

1. Was there a certain moment when you realized that you wanted to be a photographer? If not, what got you started on your path?

I can't remember a particular moment, however throughout the year that I was 13 I explored photography a lot and went through a phase of really admiring the art. I think from there I really decided I wanted to do this art form with some sort of determination. I used to take a lot of pictures and it was very enjoyable. Now photography makes me a bit sad, it's really a shame. I have found in myself, and in other photographers, that the more accomplished you become the harder it is to take a picture that you really like.

I think personal standards are set very high once people start to notice your art. It makes it harder to take photos and say to yourself " I like this photo a lot" because you really worry what other people will think. sometimes I wish to delete all my prior work and start out new, very quietly and privately. I would like to take at least a years worth of photos and keep them completely private to see if it makes any difference in how I feel.

2. What inspires your vision? Have you had any mentors to help you along your way? What photographers, designers, or artists would you love to meet?

I'm inspired by a lot of things, usually I just see an object, or a place and I visualize a scene which could take place incorporating that. However, I am into more spontaneous and candid photos lately. I always have a vision of what I want the picture to turn out like, so I compose accordingly.

It is such a shame when you miss a good photographic moment! that is the big problem with candid photos. I have not really had any "mentors", however my friends are great for brainstorming ideas with. I like meeting any photographers, it is always fun to be nerdy and talk photography with them.

3. I should say that I really love that picture you did of a young girl floating over a bed.

How did you make that picture? How much post-processing work do you do on images? What programs do you use, like Photoshop, et cetra, and how did you learn these programs?

Well a friend and I did a small series while we were in Maine on peter pan (however none of the other photos were released) and we were inspired by the bedroom in which the picture was taken in. Many people think it was all photoshopped. However, there was no photoshop involved in the "levitation," we came up with a plan to just jump off the bed post and form that position with the body. There was a speedlight placed outside the window for the "glowy" effect. I used to do a lot of post-processing back when I did more conceptual images. However recently I am working on more of a "realism" approach to photography and usually only do tonal editing work. I use photoshop cs3, I learned it by just playing around with it for a few weeks and reading tutorials online. I still don't know that much about it though!

4. What advice can you give to newbie photographers, young or old, on taking better pictures or working with models to family members?

Take pictures that you agree with, and always give yourself ways to improve. You should try to stay away from cliche's and really focus on your composition and lighting in the picture.

Both family members and models should be treated with the same respect, You can boss your family around a bit more however they will not want to take pictures with you if you do not make it enjoyable for them. It is also good if you listen to any ideas that they have to contribute because often they can inspire you.

5. What is your favorite photograph taken by someone other than yourself?

I have many! but two of my recent favorites are from flickr: Heyday and Tailakova

Both photos have a certain sadness and tiredness to them without being too obvious, it's very real.

{I think that this influence can be found in this next photo taken by Chrissie. Isn't it lovely?}

Bonus Question: What would be your dream photo shoot? What celebrity or person would you want in the shot and where would it be?

I don't have a dream photoshoot! I would really like to take people off the street one day and have them model in a fashion shoot with real fashion models. I think it would be interesting to see the comparison between the two groups.

Hail the young poetess, Chrissie! What a stellar start to a long photographic career! My only advice to Chrissie is to keep listening to the beat of her own drum, which I believe she won't have any trouble doing. Let's follow her beat through a few more photos! Still want more? I found another great interview at Art n Light. Thanks to Chrissie for stopping by!!!

INTERVIEW FIRST PUBLISHED AT MODERN GIRL STYLE {my other blog}

Fall Harvest

2009-10-25T14:41:00.000-07:00

{Pomegrante & White Pumpkin}

{acrylic on beechwood panel}

My veggies and fruits are delivered to my front door every friday by an Organic Delivery system. So, every Friday I feel like it's Christmas. There are always so many beautiful, fresh, and local produce that I always grab a camera and take tons of snaps. Well...today I mixed it up and created this little piece. I'm also feeling a little bit of that transition to Fall, sniff, sniff, and taking the time to just enjoy the beauty of good food and art was a perfect recipe for feeling better!

Here is a quick look at my palette, too....messy and full of color!

I'm on my way to learning how to mix it all up.

Give a Hoot

2009-10-16T09:59:00.000-07:00

{Acrylic Monoprints & Ink}

The transition to fall has had been hard for a Pacific girl like me living in a zone 9 region (aka Canada). Thank god for art supplies! I spend some of my time doodling and talking to my family in Cali, which helps me to remember the beauty of the place I come from. As for these owls, these were my first venture into monoprints using acrylic paint. I've got alot to learn, but I sure found the fun and joy in making them!

The Magic of the Magic Kingdom

2009-10-11T11:03:00.000-07:00

The fine creative folks at Magic Kingdom published an amazing video that captures a truly new perspective of Disneyland. David Roark used Nikon tilt-shift lens to create this short video. There is an interesting interview at Disney Blog. So...everything in this video is real, not models. It's just awesome to watch!

My Ferrari Collection

2009-10-09T13:12:00.000-07:00

{ink & pencil-click image for better view}

Doodles of vintage ferrari based on car collector magazine I found in the street. The magazines I found were for the most part in really good order. I know that some dude with a penchant for old vintage cars is missing his magazine collection. It was a good find one day while walking my dog.

Meet You At The Races!

2009-10-08T17:15:00.000-07:00

Last night, my husband surprised me with an outing to our local horse track. I've been really obsessed with horses lately, so I was there to draw-not to bet! I managed to get three sketches done in three hours, which was due to this being a totally new experience for me. There was lots to look at and do. The racetrack has a paddock where people can watch the horses moments before being brought to the racetrack. I did this quick sketch while everyone around me was placing bets.

Nothing to special, really just a warm-up sketch. It was also pretty cold, too. I had to warm-up my hands before and after races. The sketch at the top of this post is my favorite. I sketched this from the program book while trying to warm-up inside. My last sketch was of the race track. I wish I had more time to have done more. However, it was a great inspiration and I totally loved the whole outing.

So...my blog so far is a bit crazy. There is no consistency in my work or medium. I'm all about playing around in different mediums and having fun!

For the Love of Chickens....

2009-09-30T09:05:00.001-07:00

As I should be writing my novel, but always manage to waste time I recently came across yet another amazing website called Chicken Spaghetti. I've stumbled into a jewel of a blog! Stuff for adults, kids, and kids at heart. Here is a quick bio on Susan and her Chicken Spaghetti blog..it really is first rate:

Since 2005, Susan Thomsen has written about children's books at her blog, Chicken Spaghetti, which she named after a favorite Southern casserole. Once upon a time she worked at The New Yorker in the Goings On About Town section, and later reviewed New York theater for an online city guide. She is the author of Elvis: A Tribute to the King, a gift book in the shape of a record. A member of the Authors Guild and PEN American Center, Susan lives in Connecticut with her husband, 10-year-old son, and various pets, including an orange tabby cat, two chickens, and a garter snake named Snakey.

Chicken Spaghetti has been recommended at E! Online, School Library Journal, and the online edition of The Horn Book. Susan has been on blogging panels at the Westport (CT) Public Library; the Festival of Words in Norwalk, CT; and the National Council of Teachers of English annual convention. Her work has appeared online at PBS Parents' Booklights blog and the Poetry Foundation.

What really drove me wild was a post she did on Susan Orlean, famous author of The Orchid Thief, which was based on an Oscar-winning film Adaptation. Susan has written a children's book and has fallen in love with chickens.

{Hollywood Reporter Image & Article}

The New Yorker about her love of chickens. This is something you really have to watch. Check it out here or watch it now.

On that note, I've really got to write a novel and maybe if I'm lucky in the evening I can doodle a chicken or two. Want some more inspiration on new things to try in your backyard? Check out the Backyard Chicken , as mentioned in Susan Orleans New Yorker interiew, or I discovered another great blog called Backyard Farming. Okay...I'm flying the coop, so to speak!

Whale of a Good Time

2009-09-29T14:01:00.000-07:00

I've been so busy that I haven't had much time to do anything. All excuses, right! So..talking on the phone with my sister I doodled a whale. Tons of fun!!!

Hitting Bumps and Riding On

2009-09-23T20:46:00.000-07:00

Recently, I've haven't had much time or energy to doodle and make art. I'm currently blessed to have the time to work on writing my first novel and that demands energy (no joke, right). I've already written the book two-three times and I'm praying that this is the draft next to a final. Writing is all about rewriting. Anyhow, I'm not fixin' to talk about the agony of art, sciences, and letters, but I wanted to post a note of encouragement for any person that is in the midst of starting off in school, maybe a new project, or anything that has got its ups and downs... Dig in, pull up your boot straps, and ride. Sometimes the answer to any puzzling moment in adulthood needs to be answered with more action and less thought.

Ah...the last thing I've got to post is a remark that the current banner for this blog isn't finished. I probably should have waited to post it, but what the heck! Life for me is about appreciating the state of play. Why not do a quick 5 minute doodle before my AM yoga and post it! I promise I'll get something up there, when I've got a bit more time and focus, to post a banner that looks heck of a lot better. Time for me to hop off to bed! Night!

Fanny and the Blackbird

2009-09-18T00:10:00.000-07:00

Fanny the Horse often spent many lonely afternoons in her pasture. The wind made her cold. The tree had lost its leaves and she almost lost hope.

Until one day a blackbird was swept into Fanny's pasture during a terrible storm. Fanny nursed the little blackbird back to health and they became the closest of friends. As the weather cooled down even more for winter, the blackbird kept looking to the sky for signs of his family.

After weeks of watching the skies, there appeared a flock of blackbirds headed south. Fanny knew it was time. Before the blackbird went to find his family in the sky, he made one promise to Fanny. It was that one day when the earth was warm and the trees had leaves again, he'd return.

watercolor & ink

Man vs. Kangaroo

2009-09-17T07:36:00.001-07:00

Morning doodle based on some pictures I took at the zoo. And, ahem, there were no boxers trying to box a kangaroo, this is a really old funny photo from the zoo's prehistoric days.

Doodle of the Day

2009-09-16T07:58:00.000-07:00

Pacific Citrus is going to officially be the fertile place that I plant ideas for my art, sketches, and doodles. I thought I was going to transfer my other website, Modern Girl Style, to this blog, but it didn't happen. Too much of a mess to transfer 3 years of work on Typepad to Blogger. Anyhow, this blog is devoted to fresh ideas (hopefully) and an artistic place for me to share my work. Thanks for looking. I love comments because I've only recently rediscovered my love for creating art.

The baboon behind bars was a sketch I did in Corel after a family disruption left me less than content. Does it feel like when family fights occur, and you're the middle lady, that really you're only watching it all? Oh well...it was just a passing moment, a passing mood!

More to Come Soon!!

2009-05-17T11:43:00.000-07:00