Love Birds

{Watercolor, 2012}

My brother-in-law is getting married this summer and all the new sister-in-laws are planning on throwing his fiancee a bridal shower. I was asked to do two love birds for the invitation and I tried to use some of the colors she has planned for her wedding. I love weddings and I can't wait to go to theirs in August!

Little Watercolors

{watercolor, 2012}

{watercolor, 2012}

I painted the little Valentine beaver in my watercolor class this afternoon. The flowers and plants are the product of spending a little free time experimenting with a slightly different style of painting. (and I would like to continue evolving this style!) I am really enjoying playing with watercolor and also learning more about it in my class from a more traditional standpoint.

Illustration Friday - Perennial (Uncolored Version)

{Ink on Paper, 2011}

I did a drawing of flowering plants that are perennials here in Iowa. I have each of these plants in my own garden. Can you guess what plants they are? I will be posting a digitally colored version later this week, as well as identifying what plants they are. Aside from illustration, gardening is one my my most favorite activities and I especially like when illustration is inspired by gardening!

Recent ACEOs

{ACEO Cards, 2011}

{ACEO Cards, 2011}

{ACEO Cards, 2011}

I've been loving my Faber-Castell Pitt Brush pens. I use them in my sketchbook a lot but I thought they would be fun with some Artist's Trading Cards. I'll be adding these to my Etsy shop whenever I get the time to list them. In the meantime, let me know if you are interested in one of them. They are $3.00 each and you can e-mail me at candartist@aol.com telling me which one(s) you want and to arrange payment.

Sketchbook Ramblings

{Sketchbook, 2011}

{Sketchbook, 2011}

You know how some writers do free-writing exercises to stay fresh and inspire new ideas? I like to do the same thing with drawing in my sketchbook. (I think a lot of illustrators/artists do!) Last night I did the top image in my sketchbook. When I ran out of room, I went to bed feeling satisfied that I had emptied my mind for the day. That is a typical looking page for night sketching. Its disorganized and random. However, the second image is a morning sketch with space to breathe and the items are related. This is typical of morning sketching. Is anyone else like this? Do you find the later in the day it gets, the more chaotic your sketchbook gets? I think its sort of amusing, and something I only just noticed about myself recently... even if I have been doing it for years!

Crafty Projects: Teacups and Scarves

{Teacup with Pilea Plant, 2011}

{Pilea Plant Care Guide, 2011}

{Teacups with Pilea Plant, 2011}

{Teacup with Pilea Plant, 2011}

I planted several Pilea plants in vintage teacups as Christmas presents for friends this year. Pilea plants have tiny leaves and are really easy to grow. I used a Martha Stewart craft punch to make the rabbit shapes and glued them onto toothpicks (added eyes and rosy cheeks with a marker too!). I made a little care guide to go with the plants, wrapped them up and sent them on their happy little way! The care guide was made using watercolor images that I Photoshopped together. Maybe you'll recognize the imagery from this post!

{Infinity Scarf, 2011}

{Infinity Scarf, 2011}

My other recent project, that I made last night, was an infinity scarf. If you have followed this blog for awhile, you know I dabble in sewing. I really like the satisfaction of making something useful with my own hands. Part of the reason I made this is due to my New Year's resolution. For the year of 2011 I vow to not buy any new clothing. I also started a new blog to chronicle my year of handmade, upcycling and coping with not shopping. (Many of my blog friends don't know this, but I LOVE shopping! This is going to be hard.) If you want to read more about my year without new clothes you can visit it at 7YearsBack. I'll be sharing more writing and projects for handmade living over there. Of course anything creative, such as this infinity scarf, will always have a mention on this blog. Though, probably with less explanation! In general, I like this blog to be less wordy and more image focused.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

{Watercolor, 2010}

How does your container garden grow? Mine grows with several succulents and tropical plants all in a row! This piece is also listed in my Etsy shop for $18 and you can get an extra 15% off if you use the coupon code CIBLOGSALE now through December 24th, 2010!