Image Maker

Valentine's Day

2012-01-27T08:31:00.001-08:00

A little steampunk heart for Valentine's Day!

Bassett Hound puppy finished

2012-01-24T10:31:00.000-08:00

Well I took another few hours and finished up my Bassett Hound. I'm very happy with how he turned out! Giclee's and Valentine's Day cards of him available on my Etsy site!

Bassett Hound puppy 4 or 5 I forget!

2012-01-13T12:04:00.001-08:00

I'm getting there. Added many, many layers of color but I'm still not done. Have to put it away for a few days and then take it back out.

Sketch glass in car cup holder

2012-01-12T13:07:00.000-08:00

Bumpy, boring rides are always richer and more rewarding if I am sketching! Whatever it is. Usually the dashboard! Pen on graph paper.

Bassett Hound puppy 3

2012-01-12T12:51:00.000-08:00

Step 3 is much like the last step, keep erasing and adding color. I'm drawing on some nice toned coffee with cream orangy kind of color (don't have the name but you get the idea!) Canson paper and it seems to be taking the color well except for the white. Again, I might switch to Prismacolor for the white. I've erased all the pencil from the top of the face and filled it in with the colored pencil. I try to watch which way the fur is falling and make my stokes copy that direction. If you haven't drawn on nice Canson paper because it seems expensive, take into account that you can fold it in half, tear it and then fold those 2 pieces in half and tear it again. Makes 4 good sized sheets for only a dollar or 2 each. It's really worth the investment for any drawings you intend to finish up and frame. It's archival so your drawings will last. Be sure to apply fixative so you don't get haze (called wax bloom) over your colors and they stay bright. And if you are drawing in shifts and have applied lots of layers, consider spraying with workable fixative which will help to lift the texture back up a bit so it has more tooth. Burnishing can press the color deeply into the paper and this helps if you want to go back into it with more color layers. Gives the pencil more bite into the paper. I'm also showing the colors I will be using. Browns, reds, orange, yellow, beigey tan, and of course white. Also a pink in there. May add some blues into the whites later.

Bassett Hound puppy step 2

2012-01-12T12:40:00.000-08:00

My next step it to start adding some color around the eyes and then start around the face. I am using Derwent colored pencils for this. I used 3 browns, and 2 yellows, an orange and a bit of white. The white pencil seems very stiff. I may have to switch to a Prismacolor pencil for that. I like the buttery feel of those pencils. As I get to the edge of my original pencil lines, I erase them because I don't want to draw over them. They can skip or become muddy.

Bassett Hound puppy

2012-01-12T12:35:00.001-08:00

Well I started a cute Bassett Hound puppy the other night. Here is the first sketch I do when I begin. I do it lightly so I can erase it easily. It's gets all the proportions down and the basic dark and light areas.

Art Classes

2012-01-08T15:23:00.000-08:00

I will be holding new art classes starting in January. The first one is at Whittier Vo-Tech in Haverhill, MA, starts Monday, January 23rd, from 6-8:30 pm, and is "Learn to Draw" for 8 weeks.

The second one is at Timberlane High School in Plaistow, NH and starts Tuesday, February 7th from 6-8pm, and is "Learn to Draw."

The third one is at Newburyport High School in Newburyport, MA, and starts Wednesday, February 24th, from 6-8 for 5 weeks and is "Colored Pencil Drawing."

I will also be teaching a "Learn to Draw" class at the Seacoast Artists Association in Exeter, NH, starting March 1, for 8 weeks, from 11:30 to 1:15. Also a "Colored Pencil Class", same place, starting March 1 for eight weeks, from 1:30 to 3:15. Hope you can make it to one of these classes. Feel free to contact me if you are interested in more details.

I love to teach! Who knew?

Winner of the Giclee contest!

2012-01-07T15:02:00.000-08:00

I put all the names in a hat and pulled out "Revolving Doors"! He likes my polar bear so I'll be sending him an 8 x 10 giclee. I see from his blog he is very eco-conscious and he's from Sweden! Hope he gets my email soon and sends me his mailing address!

Then I picked out one more name just because I wanted too, and I picked out "Barbara". She likes my Barn Owl so I'll send her out an 8 x 10 giclee. Her blog is all about crafts like paper clay and sculpture crafts. She's also great at scrapbooking from what I could see. Check out both of these great blogs!

Thanks to everyone who participated. I will be doing this again next month. Maybe for Valentine's Day. That's my anniversary!

Art Give-a-way!

2011-12-29T14:12:00.000-08:00

Oh heck, it's almost New Year's Eve, time to give away some art!

Tell me what piece of mine you like, and why, in a comment under this post, and I'll pick a winner out of a hat from all the comments. An 8 x 10 giclee will be sent to the person who's name gets picked (or I can send you a card or ACEO if you prefer). So pick carefully!

You can see most of my colored pencil pieces here if you want to slog through my blog, or you can see them at my Etsy Shop. (This giveaway does not include the oil paintings or collages!) Click on any image under "My Etsy Shop" to the right on this page, or here's the link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/roxy5235

Have fun! Something free is always fun!! Post your comment before January 5th. I'll choose a winner January 6th!

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-22T11:46:00.001-08:00

Though we have no snow this minute, Cleo is waiting for the next storm with pleasant memories of last year's abundance!

Elephant for Abbie

2011-12-10T09:26:00.001-08:00

I started this a looooong time ago, and figured I'd better finish it before Christmas! Almost done!

Colored Pencil Blog

2011-12-09T11:02:00.001-08:00

I've been adding some posts to my new blog with colored pencil tips if you're interested in learning more about them! Here's the page: http://revelleimagemaker.blogspot.com/

Drawings for Christmas

2011-12-07T10:14:00.001-08:00

Hi everyone. I've been busy drawing and painting some Christmas presents. My daughter hardly ever comes to this blog (fingers crossed) so I'm going to post them here for you to see. I worked from photos and did the drawings on Rising Museum board (the rough side this time) and used a variety of pencils from 4H to 2B. I had so much fun! Hope you enjoy them. The 3 girls are my daughters kids, and Aaron is my step daughter's son.

My greeting card has been blogged

2011-11-30T13:27:00.001-08:00

The woman who runs this blog found me on Etsy and asked if she could feature one of my Christmas cards on her blog in Philadelphia. Seems the pit bull is the favorite dog of pet owners in Philly. Of course I said yes! I created it from an old found photo and brought it into Photoshop to add details. If you like like it, twitter it and add it to your Facebook page for me! Thanks!
http://www.thephillydog.com/archives/4344

New classes

2011-11-30T11:20:00.001-08:00

I will b teaching a "Colored Pencil" evening class in Newburyport, MA starting February 8th. Email me for details if you are interested. I'll post links for all classes soon. They are in the process of posting them on web pages and getting the brochures ready for printing.

I'll also be teaching two "Learn to Draw" classes evenings, early in the year. One will be at Whittier Vo-Tech in Haverhill, MA, and the other will be at Timberlane High School in Plaistow, NH. I'll list the details and the web sites for registration, as soon as they are posted. Looks like I'm going to be busy! Yeah!

Colored Pencil Class in Newburyport

2011-11-30T11:14:00.001-08:00

I'll be teaching a colored pencil class in Newburyport starting February 8, 2012. Email me if you need more details!

For all artists and Illustrators who have work that has been published

2011-11-29T09:48:00.001-08:00

Something of interest to all artists and illustrators who have work that has been published. You may have some money waiting for you to collect!
http://ipaorphanworks.blogspot.com/2011/11/money-for-artists.html

Arts Business Institute

2011-11-25T07:24:00.001-08:00

My little penguin has been blogged about under "Great Handmade Gifts" in the Arts Institute Blog, as one of twenty! I'm psyched! Check it out. http://www.artsbusinessinstitute.org/

John Bavaro

2011-11-22T11:27:00.001-08:00

This drawing was done by John Bavaro on an iphone! Amazing! Here's a link to his flickr site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/john_bavaro/5258778104/in/set-72157624153669292/

See all his primates that he drew on his iphone, using an app called "Brushes". I might have to get it for myself.

Colored Pencil Class

2011-11-11T11:11:00.001-08:00

Had a great time in class yesterday, teaching the students to use watercolor colored pencils. I had them draw an apple first with the watercolor pencils, and then when it was dry, go over it with their Prismacolors. I can see them progressing each week. Here's the apple I drew last weekend using watercolor pencils and going over it with Prismacolors. I brought it to class to show them what was possible.

Just posted a new Christmas card

2011-11-09T09:57:00.000-08:00

This is for all the Pit Bull lovers!

Check it out on my Etsy site. Thanks!http://www.etsy.com/listing/85725373/pit-bull-christmas-holiday-card

Some great pencil drawings

2011-11-09T08:18:00.000-08:00

Check out these sites to see some fabulous graphie and chalk drawings!http://www.odditycentral.com/pics/meticulously-detailed-drawings-made-with-graphite-and-chalk.htmlSome humongous ballpoint pen drawings:http://www.odditycentral.com/pics/the-photo-like-ballpoint-pen-drawings-of-juan-francisco-casas.htmlAnd some fantastic pencil drawings:http://www.odditycentral.com/pics/the-amzing-pencil-art-of-paul-lung.html

This drawing is by Paul Lung.

Raul Pazos

2011-11-03T08:05:00.000-07:00

Please check out this artist. This work was done on Fabriano 180, in colored pencil and pen and ink! Amazing, huh???? Here's his Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Raul-Pazos/184754028318

Great news

2011-11-02T17:28:00.000-07:00

Having a great day. Sold 50 Christmas cards today, shipping them to Australia tomorrow! Then I was contacted by a great woman who runs a "dog" blog in Philly. She is going to feature my Pit Bull Christmas card on her blog in a "Holiday Gift Guide" for dog owners and dog lovers! My card will be featured with 9 other great unique dog items! Those Philly natives love their pitts! Woo hoo!!!

Drawing Class

2011-11-01T14:43:00.000-07:00

Today my students brought in mirrors and had a first attempt at drawing themselves. Self portraits are always difficult for people new to drawing. They have a hard time "seeing" beyond what they imagine they look like. Even when their first marks seem odd to them, they have a hard time believing that there is "that amount of space between their eyes", etc. until you show them by having them measure. It's such a pleasure to bring their eyes into focus and see them wrestle with the right side of their brains, as the lips get wider and the nose goes higher in their drawings. I explained that they should try to treat the image of themselves like a drawing of a bunch of lines and shapes, and to look at the negative shapes that the planes of their faces make. Always interesting results! Some take a long time getting the shape of the face correct while others seem to speed through, only to grab the eraser at the end. I love teaching. The students are doing awesome!This image is from my hero of the self-portrait, Kathe Kollwitz, 1924

Check out this great website

2011-11-01T12:54:00.001-07:00

I came across this great website with movies, awe inspiring, and art-inspiring, if any of you want to check it out. Both the adults and the kids should see this!http://thekidshouldseethis.com/

Art Classes

2011-10-26T14:02:00.000-07:00

Adults “Learn to Draw” Class for Beginners If you always wanted to learn to draw and didn’t think it was possible, I promise you, you can learn to draw! I will teach you to break down objects into their basic elements so you can truly see what you are trying to draw. Learn about shape, positive and negative space, overlapping, and working with spatial relationships between objects. Learn how to use shading to create volume and start to understand what perspective can add to your drawings. WHAT TO BRING: Black fine tip markers such as Staedtler pigment liners. Medium and wide black markers. A good set of colored markers including 2 shades of gray. A ream of white drawing paper or 9 x 12 drawing paper pad such as Strathmore. You can find these at an art supply store, Staples or online at www.dickblick.com.

Class starts Tuesday, November 22nd, 2011 and runs 8 weeks. Class is from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm. Cost is $120.00. To hold your spot mail a check to Revelle Taillon, 26 West Pine Street, Plaistow, NH 03865. Class size limited to 6.

Charlie Christmas card

2011-10-26T11:59:00.000-07:00

I also created a new Christmas card using my colored pencil drawing of Charlie. Enjoy!

New Christmas Card

2011-10-26T11:56:00.001-07:00

I used my little deer to create a "Rudolph" want-a-be Christmas card!

Turtles on black canson paper

2011-10-26T11:43:00.000-07:00

I decided to try some black Canson drawing paper for a turtle I wanted to draw, since there were tons of black areas on the image to start with. It's pretty much the same as drawing on a toned paper, in that you can add all your light colored pencils on top of the paper for your highlights. I was pleased that I could still start out with my trusty lead pencil, as I was concerned it might not show up on the black! But it did. Here are the first few steps in my drawing, as I took some shots along the way. It was pretty hard to get the photos looking good in Photoshop. Next time, I'll scan it and see if that looks better. I shot these photos on my phone. LAZY!Let me know what you think!

Another bumpy ride

2011-10-26T11:23:00.001-07:00

This time we were driving to my daughter's house in my husbands car. He was driving, I was drawing...or at least I was trying to draw!

Driving

2011-10-12T07:53:00.000-07:00

I guess I'll probably draw the rest of my dashboard as I have my hubby drive us here and there, or I wait for my granddaughter. It's very relaxing and fun!

Waiting

2011-10-11T07:29:00.000-07:00

I've been doing some quick sketches while waiting for my granddaughter, Emily,

to get out of track practice. Since I'm waiting in the car..

A new artist friend

2011-10-04T08:33:00.000-07:00

I got some lovely notecards for a friend I met on line. She's from the Netherlands and she draws some great cats. If you'd like to check out her work see her flickr page here!http://www.flickr.com/photos/sandrabrouwer/6099087655/in/photostreamIn return, I sent her some of my greeting cards! What a great way to exchange some art. I love the web!!!

My car keys

2011-09-30T11:56:00.000-07:00

A quick sketch I did of my car keys while sitting in the drivers seat waiting for my granddaughter to get done with track practice. Done in copic markers and micron pen. No wonder they

feel so heavy in my purse!!

Colored Pencil Class

2011-09-30T10:51:00.000-07:00

Had a great time explaining the basics of colored pencil to my new students. They were all great and very attentive. I only forgot to pack one thing when I was getting ready to leave the house...my pencil sharpener! Oh boy! At least everyone else had theirs. I also got a couple more calls for the Learn to Draw class so I'll have 2 more students there next Tuesday. I'm wondering why I didn't try this earlier? I love to watch people learn to draw! I'm even considering teaching a short Photoshop class teaching artist the basics after they do the scan, what now? I imagine lots of them would like to learn that.

Learn to draw

2011-09-28T12:04:00.000-07:00

Well I started my "Learn to Draw" class for adults yesterday and it went great. The students were concentrating on what I was teaching them and the exercises and sketches they did were really well done. They even asked if there was homework! So I sent them home with something to do and told them they should definitely consider have a sketchbook and drawing in it every day. Hope they take me up on that suggestion! Colored Pencil class starts tomorrow! Yipee!

Another botanical illustrator

2011-09-26T08:50:00.000-07:00

Lisa Tommasi's images are a delight with tiny butterflies and insects on each page fluttering between her plants and veggies. Check them out. Really delicate and beautiful.

http://www.lisatommasi.com/tavole-botaniche/fiori-flowers/

Just some info on colored pencil art

2011-09-22T12:14:00.000-07:00

COLORED PENCIL SOCIETIES
http://www.cpsa.org/
Colored Pencil Society of America

http://www.ukcps.co.uk/
UK Coloured Pencil Society

http://www.colouredpencils.com.au/welcome/?wlfrom=%2F
Australin Coloured Pencil Network

http://www.cpsd.dk/
Colored Pencil Society of Denmark

http://colouredpencilcanada.ca/
Colored Pencil Society of Canada

Colored Pencils
Derwent
http://www.pencils.co.uk/

Faber Castell
http://www.fabercastell.com/14786/Welcome/index_ebene2.aspx

Caran d”Ache
http://www.carandache.com/m/index.lbl

Staedtler
http://www.staedtler.com/

Prismacolor
http://www.prismacolor.com/home

Paper
Strathmore
http://www.strathmoreartist.com/

Canson
http://www.canson-us.com/ArtistPapers.asp

New Birthday card

2011-09-15T12:18:00.000-07:00

I love to find old antique photos and play with them in Photoshop until I come up with a great new look, then offer them for sale in my Etsy Shop as birthday cards. This one will be a bit hit with any dog lover!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/60904177/pit-bull-dog-birthday-card

Botanical Art website

2011-09-15T10:51:00.001-07:00

Just spent a good half hour looking at all of this amazing botanical art. If you want to get lost in loveliness, check it out!
http://www.botanicalartists.com/index.htm

Pen and Ink and Dr. Martin's ink, Sheep

2011-09-06T10:25:00.000-07:00

Here's a fun sheep I created with pen and ink, Dr. Martin's inks and acrylics. I added the jewelry for fun. After all, it's a girl sheep!

Wacom to release "Inkling"

2011-08-30T11:52:00.000-07:00

You all have to check this out! An easy way to transfer your sketches right into your computer as vector artwork! Oh my, I have to have one of these!.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2392066,00.asp

Elephant video

2011-08-25T08:54:00.000-07:00

I just watched this great video about 2 elephants that were reunited after 20 years. Made me cry. You should check it out!
http://www.dogwork.com/relp8/#

Florida tree

2011-08-24T13:47:00.000-07:00

Here's a sketch I did a while ago while my husband was off fishing. It's amazing to me how much detail I was able to draw when I just sat still for half an hour! I'm usually in such a rush when I'm sketching.

I'll be teaching some classes soon!

2011-08-23T12:05:00.000-07:00

Art Classes to be held at Seacoast Artist Association
Seacoast Artist Association
225 Water Street, Exeter, NH 03833
603) 778-8856, www.seacoastartist.org

Childrens “Learn to Draw” Class for Grades 5 to 8
Learn to see what you are trying to draw in a new way so that you are happy with your art. Learn about the elements of shape, positive and negative space, overlapping, and working with spatial relationships between objects. Learn how to use shading so that your drawings look three dimensional.
WHAT TO BRING: Black fine tip markers such as Staedtler pigment liner. Medium and wide black markers. A good set of colored markers including 2 shades of gray. A ream of white drawing paper or 9 x 12 drawing paper pad such as Strathmore. You can find these at an art supply store, Staples or online at www.dickblick.com.
Class starts Saturday, October 1, 2011 and runs for 5 weeks. Class is on Saturdays from 12 pm to 2 pm. Cost is $75.00. To hold your spot mail a check to Revelle Taillon, 26 West Pine Street, Plaistow, NH 03865. Class size limited to 6.

Adults “Learn to Draw” Class for Beginners
If you always wanted to learn to draw and didn’t think it was possible, I promise you, you can learn to draw! I will teach you to break down objects into their basic elements so you can truly see what you are trying to draw. Learn about shape, positive and negative space, overlapping, and working with spatial relationships between objects. Learn how to use shading to create volume and start to understand what perspective can add to your drawings.
WHAT TO BRING: Black fine tip markers such as Staedtler pigment liner. Medium and wide black markers. A good set of colored markers including 2 shades of gray. A ream of white drawing paper or 9 x 12 drawing paper pad such as Strathmore. You can find these at an art supply store, Staples or online at www.dickblick.com.
Class starts Tuesday, September 27th, 2011 and runs 8 weeks. Class is from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm. Cost is $120.00. To hold your spot mail a check to Revelle Taillon, 26 West Pine Street, Plaistow, NH 03865. Class size limited to 6.

Colored Pencil Drawing Classes, held weekly
WHAT TO BRING: Set of quality colored pencils. Prismacolors are one of the most popular and easy to find at art supply stores, or on www.dickblick.com. Also bring pencil sharpener, either a hand held one or battery operated; a kneaded eraser and a hard white drawing eraser, 2B pencil, a colorless blender pencil and/or a colorless blender marker. Nice to have, but not absolutely necessary is a matte workable fixative and a permanent fixative for your finished drawings. Quality colored pencil drawing paper.
Class starts Thursday, September 29th, 2011. Classes will be each Thursday from 1:30pm to 3:30pm. Class will be paid for weekly, $15 per class.

For more information you may call:
Revelle Taillon at 603-382-3397 or email her at rtaillon@comcast.net.

Learn to Draw classes for beginners

2011-08-18T17:38:00.000-07:00

I'll also be teaching some learn to draw classes in Exeter. Going to meet with the woman in charge tomorrow. I've been working on my lessons and handouts this week. I may do both a children's class and an adult class and see which I prefer teaching. I'm really excited about this. I've had cabin fever this summer and I need to get out of the studio and out into the world again! Who else gets cabin fever after a while? Art can sometimes turn into such a solitary business. Any teachers out there with good advice on how long to hold the class and how many weeks?

Colored Pencil Workshops

2011-08-10T13:03:00.000-07:00

I've been asked to give another colored pencil workshop and maybe teach a regular weekly class. Looking forward to getting out of the studio some more. It's been a long summer! I'll post updates when I have more information.

Grains of sand

2011-08-10T12:59:00.000-07:00

Found this site showing blow=ups of tiny grains of sand. Who knew they were so beautiful?

http://www.dailygood.org/more.php?n=4687

Halloween Poster

2011-07-21T12:14:00.001-07:00

Getting my Etsy shop ready for Halloween! If you need a knock-out poster for your door....

Just Pine Needles

2011-07-21T11:25:00.000-07:00

I was fooling around with a photo I had taken a while ago, after a rain storm, of some pine needles on the ground. Here's what I came up with! This was fun.

Scientific Illustration

2011-07-19T11:13:00.000-07:00

I stumbled onto a couple of scientific art/illustration sites and I though I'd pass them along to anyone who is interested. One is http://www.science-art.com/ and the second is Guild of Natural Science Illustrators | GNSI
www.gnsi.org. Does anyone have any experience as a member of either of these sites? The first one looked interesting but doesn't seem to have updated newsletters or advertising. The last newsletter looks like 2007. But there are some good links on this page: http://www.science-art.com/links/. I sent them an email to see what's up with updating their site. I may contact a few of their artists for some feedback also.

Read this extremely moving blog/documentary....

2011-07-17T18:53:00.001-07:00

http://www.darcypadilla.com/thejulieproject/intro.html

Volunteering

2011-07-12T07:15:00.000-07:00

Always wanted to volunteer and decided to submit an application to a no-kill feline shelter. I'll keep you up to date when I hear back. This is exciting!

Vacation is over

2011-07-11T08:29:00.000-07:00

We had a great time on Newfound Lake in New Hampshire. But all good vacations must end. Here's a great sunset over our beach and one of my granddaughter, Emily, and Cleopatra, having a deep conversation about when we will get to the ice cream shop at the end of the lake!

Tiger graphite drawing

2011-06-27T10:17:00.001-07:00

I did this drawing a while ago and have been meaning to add giclees of him to my Etsy shop. You can see them here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/76755175/tiger

In honor of this momentous occasion, I am giving away a free 8x10 inch giclee to anyone who leaves a comment here on my posting of this tiger. So post before July 13th, and I will select one lucky winner! You've all been so supportive while I've been getting back on my feet. Hope you win! He comes printed on Moab Lasal Gloss paper printed in archival inks. Have a great day!

"Sky Water"

2011-06-25T09:15:00.000-07:00

I've been listening to some meditation tapes and this is one section that I love listening too. Hope it will bring you some peace today!

"In such a day, in September or October, Walden is a perfect forest mirror, set round with stones as precious to my eye as if fewer or rarer. Nothing so fair, so pure, and at the same time so large, as a lake, perchance, lies on the surface of the earth. Sky water. It needs no fence. Nations come and go without defiling it. It is a mirror which no stone can crack, whose quicksilver will never wear off, whose gilding Nature continually repairs; no storms, no dust, can dim its surface ever fresh; a mirror in which all impurity presented to it sinks, swept and dusted by the sun's hazy brush,—this the light-dust cloth,—which retains no breath that is breathed on it, but sends its own to float as clouds high above its surface, and be reflected in its bosom still."
Walden ~Thoreau

Pick up at the Brush Gallery

2011-06-20T08:53:00.000-07:00

Well I was happy to bring my Dad over to see my artwork at the Brush Gallery in Lowell before the show closed. He's up here from South Carolina for the summer. After that we attending a birdhouse building seminar and each build out own. He's outside staining them now. Copper roofs to be added tomorrow! So happy now that spring has arrived!

Finally feeling better!

2011-06-17T14:31:00.000-07:00

It's been a long haul, but I'm feeling almost human again! Back to creating new artwork right after vacation. Newfound Lake in New Hampshire is one of the 3 cleanest lakes in the country! We were lucky enough to find a place that allows dogs and Cleo is looking forward to vacation as much as we are.

getting over my operation, ah, that's operations!

2011-05-27T17:42:00.000-07:00

Went in to get my gallbladder out and they decided my appendix had to come out also. So I've been very sore and mopping around the house all week. Beginning to feel a bit better today. By tomorrow I should be up and around, though very slowly! 4 to 6 weeks recovery for an appendix. Oi! Well, it's warmed up anyway, from 48 to 88 degrees in a week, just as New England likes to do. All the flowers are blooming and I need to get my dahlias in the ground! I'll have to get my hubbie to help me out. Not supposed to do any lifting, etc. for a while still. I miss doing my art. But I've really been out of it. Maybe tomorrow! My Dad is coming to visit in June so I'll keep him busy sanding me some frames. He loves to keep busy, at almost 93! Hope I'm that spry at his age!

Been so busy

2011-05-21T08:53:00.001-07:00

I've been soooo busy. Held my colored pencil workshop and was so busy having fun, didn't even shoot any photos! Sorry. We were spread out over 3 tables and all the students were great. They asked me to teach a weekly class right after summer.

Then went to the opening at the Brush Gallery and met some wonderful fellow artists. Had a great time. It was an awesome show.

Now I am updating my bird prints in my shops to include the scientific latin names, the person who classified and named the species and the date that was done. I'm hoping that will appeal to people more. Here's one example, but you can see more on my Etsy site: http://www.etsy.com/shop/roxy5235

It's been raining here for about a week, but today the sun finally came out! What a relief! Hope you are all enjoying the weekend!

Door poster

2011-05-05T07:30:00.001-07:00

Went to drop off my pieces for the Brush Gallery show and there was my owl on the poster. I'm having a fun month! This must be my "15 minutes of fame"!

Rooster is finished but still drying

2011-05-03T18:24:00.001-07:00

I thought I posted this earlier, but I guess not. It's up on a shelf drying. I'm really happy with the way it came out!

COLORED PENCIL WORKSHOP MAY 10 2-4 PM

2011-04-27T12:49:00.000-07:00

I sent out press releases to several papers and wanted to re-post this for anyone new looking for this information. I'm not sure how to keep it at the top of my blog, so here is the info. I have been preparing exercises, and cutting various papers for you to try at the workshop. This is going to be fun and informative. See you there!

COLORED PENCIL WORKSHOP – Revelle Taillon – Tuesday, May 10, 2011 – 2:00 to 4:00 pm – COST $50.00. To be held at the Seacoast Artists Association, 225 Water Street, Exeter, NH, 603-778-8856 http://www.seacoastartist.org/

WHAT TO BRING: Set of colored pencils. Prismacolors are one of the most popular and easy to find at art supply stores, or on www.dickblick.com. Also bring pencil sharpener, either a hand held one or battery operated; a kneaded eraser and a hard white drawing eraser, a drawing pencil, a colorless blender pencil, a colorless blender marker. (Dick Blick carries a colored pencil accessory set for $11.20). Nice to have, but not absolutely necessary is a matte workable fixative and a permanent fixative. If you know what you want to use to draw on, bring your own paper. I will have various quality papers to purchase for $1 each.

Class is limited to 10, so mail check to Revelle Taillon, 26 West Pine St., Plaistow, NH 03865 (603-382-3397) to reserve a spot. rtaillon@comcast.net. Revelle’s blog is http://revelleimagemaker.blogspot.com/

NOTE: Two of my bird drawings have been accepted into a gallery exhibit at The Brush Gallery, 256 Market St, Lowell, MA in collaboration with the Massachusetts Audubon Society. Purpose is to focus attention on birds and their habitats and raise funds for the volunteers who care for injured birds. Dates are May 7 to June 18. http://www.thebrush.org/aboutBrush.htm

Sheep final

2011-04-22T13:52:00.001-07:00

I forgot to post the final image of my first sheep. I've been letting other paintings get in the way and then going back and forth, with, is this done? And I finally decided it is done. Yeah! I took various photos around the house for when I post to Etsy, but this will probably go into an upcoming art show and I'll just sell prints on my site. Happy Easter!

Brush Gallery email blast

2011-04-20T13:25:00.000-07:00

I was pleasantly surprised to receive the email blast advertising the "For The Birds" exhibit at The Brush Gallery in Lowell, because they had chosen to use the image of my Great Horned Owl for their ad! I hope they are also using it for all of their promotions, like the brochure and postcards, but I'll have to wait and see what they have put together. Here is a screen shot of the email (as much of it as I could get into the screen at one time). Happy dance!

Tonight I'm going down to the Seacoast Artist Association in Exeter, NH, both to join, and meet the members. I'll pass out some business cards and see if anyone else is interested in attending the colored pencil drawing workshop I am holding there on May 10th. Should be fun and informative. Their next gallery show is called is called "Who Let the Art Out of the Barn" and I may enter either my chicken drawing or my sheep oil painting (if it ever dries!). Talk about kismet!

Information about my colored pencil workshop May 10

2011-04-11T15:30:00.000-07:00

COLORED PENCIL WORKSHOP – Revelle Taillon – Tuesday, May 10, 2011 – 2:00 to 4:00 – COST $50.00. To be held at the Seacoast Artists Association, 225 Water Street, Exeter, NH, 603-778-8856 http://www.seacoastartist.org/

WHAT TO BRING: Set of colored pencils. Prismacolors are one of the most popular and easy to find at art supply stores, or on www.dickblick.com. Also bring pencil sharpener, either a hand held one or battery operated; a kneaded eraser and a hard white drawing eraser, an ebony graphite drawing pencil, a colorless blender pencil, a colorless blender marker. (Dick Blick carries a colored pencil accessory set for $11.20). Nice to have, but not absolutely necessary is a matte workable fixative and a permanent fixative. If you know what you want to use, bring your own paper or Revelle will have various 8 x 10 papers to purchase.

Class is limited to 10, so mail check to Revelle Taillon, 26 West Pine St., Plaistow, NH 03865 (603-382-3397) to reserve a spot. rtaillon@comcast.net. Revelle’s blog is http://revelleimagemaker.blogspot.com/

NOTE: Two of Revelle’s bird drawings have been accepted into a gallery exhibit at The Brush Gallery, 256 Market St, Lowell, MA in collaboration with the Massachusetts Audubon Society. Purpose is to focus attention on birds and their habitats and raise funds for the volunteers who care for injured birds. Dates are May 7 to June 18. http://www.thebrush.org/aboutBrush.htm

Work accepted for a Gallery Show

2011-04-10T10:11:00.002-07:00

Yeah! Two of my pieces have been accepted for a gallery show at The Brush Gallery in Lowell, MA, details below. They chose my Flamingo and my Great Horned Owl. Now to get them professionally framed. I'm am over the top psyched!

May 7 - June 18, 2011
FOR THE BIRDS

Juror: David Allen Sibley; well-known author, illustrator and ornithologist

Organized by Eileen Byrne

Artists' Reception: May 14, 2011, 2 - 4 pm

A collaboration with the Massachusetts Audubon Society to focus attention on birds and their habitats and to raise funds for the volunteers who care for injured birds until they are able to be returned to the wild.

An exhibition in the series Art of Nature.

The Brush Gallery is at 256 Market Street, Lowell MA. Here's their website:http://www.thebrush.org/aboutBrush.htm

Work accepted for a Gallery Sho!!!

2011-04-10T10:11:00.001-07:00

Work is good!

2011-04-07T08:29:00.000-07:00

Today I am setting up a definite date to host a "drawing in colored pencil" workshop at the Seacoast Artist Association in Exeter! They contacted me and asked me if I wanted to run one and I said YES! Then last night she said she's forwarding my info to someone at the Great Bay Art Association in Dover, about setting up a workshop for them also! I'm in heaven, needless to say!

Ordering more business cards at Moo.com. If you haven't checked them out, you should. You can have a different image on each card, and right now you can get a free sample pack with 10 different designs Check them out! http://us.moo.com/ I did not get paid for this mini commercial. I just love their cards. I got the sticker book too and they are so cute. I put them on all the envelopes when I ship items I have sold from my Etsy shop. I think I'll try their MiniCards next as hang tags.

Also just sold a Flamingo print.

And I was contacted by a licensor I sent samples too, and she may be interested in a licensing deal for my greeting cards!

And on top of that, my first little crocus has popped up her beautiful little head in my garden. Doing the happy dance this week!

Rooster gets blue

2011-04-04T08:03:00.000-07:00

Had another fun Saturday adding some blue feathers to my little friend here. I'll let that dry a bit and then add more detail in the blue feathers so you can tell the lighter colored feathers sit on top. then for the background. I usually leave that for last. This one I'll be using for some decorative images, as well as selling the original and prints, so I may scan it in after the feathers are done and before I add the background. Much less to delete in Photoshop! I'll let the white help me timewise.

I never really thought I'd be painting a rooster! It's surprising even me. Enjoy! I may have to do more.

a rooster close up

2011-04-01T13:04:00.000-07:00

Snow on april Fool's Day- sounds like New England!

2011-04-01T12:55:00.000-07:00

At least it was only a few inches and it's already starting to melt. So I spent some time painting on Mr. Rooster. Enjoy!

New bird art. Rooster.

2011-03-30T13:28:00.000-07:00

I am beginning a new oil painting, this time a rooster. Here's the beginning pencil sketch and he's looking very dapper! Feathers in oil paint will be a fun experiment, after all that colored pencil work.

Taxes and roosters

2011-03-29T12:06:00.000-07:00

Been working on taxes for what seems like forever! I'll be glad to be done. I'll be working on a rooster this week. Keep an eye out!

sheep face stage 6 and 7

2011-03-19T19:26:00.001-07:00

sheep face number one

2011-03-19T19:20:00.001-07:00

So today I mixed up some fresh medium and painted several coats on this fine sheep. I have lots of whites to add to the dark fur around the ruff, and then a few more layers of glazes, kind of golden/purple/green/ecru, so don't faint when you see the darkness! I recently bought some new small # 1 and two brushes and they'll do a good job added those curly sheep fur! Here are five stages.

5 Sheep

2011-03-19T19:09:00.000-07:00

After I penciled in the five sheep on the gessoed boards, I added one color and lots of medium. I ended up with these three, looking very orangey/gray. I had to wait for this coat to dry and today I started adding more ayers. I'll post those next.

Some warm weather, finally

2011-03-19T18:24:00.001-07:00

It was 70 degrees on Friday, and only 46 today. That's New England for you! It was great to see the snow in my front yard melting away from my garden and seeing some small tulip and daffodil sprouts popping their heads up in the garden. My husband bought new posts for the mailboxes and returned them to their rightful places. I also noticed that my garden is smaller than I thought, once the snow melted away. Time to enlarge again! My friend went with me to a nursery I had never been to and I had a blast. Once of the things I noticed was all the "birds" products they carry, and so of course I left them a few card samples for the owner. They had some canaries, a parrot and a pair of doves in the gift shop area, and it they were singing and cooing up a storm. Makes me want some canaries!!!

The name of the place is Churchills and it's in Exeter, NH. Stop in if you are ever in the area. I can hardly wait until the weather stabilizes, to go back and buy some more flowers. I bought some pansies and a Venus Fly Trap plant for my granddaughter who really wants one! Found out you really shouldn't feed them hamburger!!! Spring has begun to slowly creep over my town and I couldn't e happier!

I painted some more on my sheep but haven't downloaded the image yet. I'll try to post it tomorrow! Happy Saturday!

A new shop

2011-03-11T14:36:00.000-08:00

I will be selling my work in a new shop, Diddies & Doodads at 57 Pleasant Steet in Epping, NH. Psyched! Lovely shop in an old remodeled barn. Stop in if you're in the neighborhood!

Also finished my pig painting and put it for sale in my Etsy shop. I'll be making prints also. This weekend the sheep paintings begin! Wish me luck! That's a lot of wool!

Full sheep pencil sketch

2011-03-01T13:39:00.001-08:00

Here's the second sheep. Something's not quite right with his face but I'll fix it as I paint. I'm fussy like that!

Sheep face

2011-03-01T13:24:00.001-08:00

I'm going to do a triptych of sheep, and I have 2 of the pencil sketches done. Still need to draw the third one which will have 3 sheep in it. I figure I'll work on all three at the same time to save on remixing paint. Here's the first one.

stage one piggy pencil sketch on gesso

2011-03-01T13:15:00.000-08:00

This little piggy went to market! Not really. Here's the pencil sketch I started with to begin my pig painting. I have some masonite all covered with 3 or 4 coats of gesso, just aching for some paint! I got tired of colored pencils for a while and thought I'd do some more oil painting. I most always start with pencil. I took this photo with my phone so it's not so great!

stage 2 piggy

2011-03-01T13:13:00.000-08:00

This has some undercoat of oil which is what I usually do before going in with any detail. It lays down a tone on the gesso. I'm not sure everyone does this quite like me!

stage 3 piggy

2011-03-01T13:12:00.000-08:00

This stage has a good coat of oil paint, but I need to let it dry before I go back in with details.

Mutt stage 2

2011-02-25T08:07:00.000-08:00

Well here is my adorable mutt at stage 2. I still want to make some changes here and there, but not get too fussy. Question...what do you find the best way to photograph your oil paintings, is? I can't take it outside because it's still snowing and raining. I can't scan it, because it's still wet. Gonna try by the window, with no flask. The shiny oil paint keeps giving me reflections! I never have that problem with my colored pencils, obviously, because I can scan them and they con't shine. Been a while since I painted!

Gonna do some oil painting today

2011-02-22T10:33:00.000-08:00

Need a change of pace so I believe I will do some oil painting for a few weeks. Here's a rough sketch I did on masonite I painted with gesso. I love making a lot of these small 8 x 10 panels, get them all ready, and I can grab one when the mood strikes.

Duckling used for an Easter card

2011-02-10T11:06:00.001-08:00

The text just came to me while I was designing this card. Enjoy!

Fajita Cat

2011-02-09T13:20:00.000-08:00

One of my cats, Mr. T loves to curl up under or inside of anything. Somehow he rolled himself into this blanket on my chair and all I could think of was fajitas and soft tacos! At least he was warm.

Taught a girl scout troop last night

2011-02-09T13:10:00.000-08:00

They give you one and a half hours to do 6 projects with the girls so I pretty much raced through it. Touched briefly on perspective, grayscale, mediums, line, etc., then got to have them interview me while I showed them some samples of my artwork. I wished it could have been one lesson on one thing! But they all get an art badge anyway! I thought I would be nervous, but they were all well behaved and asked intelligent questions. Plus they liked my art! So I felt good when I left!! LOL!!! Thanks to my daughter, Erin, for asking me, and thanks to my granddaughter, Emily, for helping out passing out the materials!

need i say more?

2011-02-09T13:08:00.001-08:00

February 3, 2011

2011-02-03T12:47:00.000-08:00

Well we are still up to our eyeballs in snow, and another 6 inches is forecast for Saturday. It's already over 6 feet high on both sides of my driveway. I have to turn off the radio and put the windows down, before I exit, so I can hear if anyone is coming. At least I work at home. Where my husband works, they had 12 of the guys up on the roof shoveling so it wouldn't cave in. On the way home from an appointment, I saw a snowblower on the second floor of the fire station, blowing snow off! Now that's New England ingenuity! As for me, I'm kind of in a slump. It's too cold and slippery to take the dog out walking too far and I'm not very motivated to start any new artwork at home. Kind of waiting for spring to melt at least 2 or 3 feet of what is already on the ground! Maybe tomorrow I'll motivate myself to get moving. I did do some yoga the other day! That has to count for something! so I'm going to post a nice reminder of what spring looks likes in my yard to cheer me up! Enjoy.

I used my little robin to make a birthday card!

2011-02-02T09:37:00.000-08:00

close up

2011-01-31T14:35:00.001-08:00

Baby Robin completed

2011-01-31T14:33:00.000-08:00

I had fun finishing this cute little robin and I was hoping he would bring spring to my neighborhood. Not to be. We're expecting 2 more days of snow and I have no idea where we are going to put it! but it's February tomorrow!

Robin stage 3

2011-01-24T07:38:00.000-08:00

I've worked a little bit more and filling in the feathers. I erase most of the plain pencil as I go, then add the colored pencil bit by bit. I've added some blacks and grays and orangey colors and he's starting to fill out. I add whites both under and on top of the other colors, though it's usually much easier to only add it under. Some colored pencils are slicker than others and the white just just doesn't want to adhere. More tomorrow!

A little beak looking for mom!

2011-01-21T07:37:00.001-08:00

A little color

2011-01-21T07:33:00.000-08:00

Because they are so helpless, baby robins have quite the camouflage going on! Bits or reddish orange and brown all over their chest and lots of baby feathers with creamy white detail. This may take a bit longer than I had anticipated! But the snow is still coming down, so I may sit and color some today while I'm waiting for it to stop. STOP SNOWING!!! Please?????

It's almost spring!

2011-01-20T14:06:00.001-08:00

Well, we are supposed to get 5-7 more inches of snow tomorrow, but I am ever the optimist! January is more than half over so it must be getting close to spring. I was told to go out and get some more sunshine to up my vitamin D. So once I bundled up in 3 shirts, a sweatshirt, 2 scarves, my winter coat, and my big black wool cap, the only thing showing was my nose! I went for the walk, but didn't get much D!!!

So my thoughts naturally turn toward the robin's returning. so I've started a little baby robin, fresh out of the nest and we'll see where that takes us.