Wishes, Hopes and Dreams

Here is my latest WIP

He eyes need more intensity and there are some details

I want to include at the bottom of the work.

This is mainly watercolor, but I used some acrylic in the 

dress and background and some watercolor pencil for details.

She will be a gift for a friend once it's finished. 

This is the completed piece.
She looks really sweet. I'd like to imagine that there
are sweet angels who collect and 
care for wishes, hopes and dreams.

October and November Sketches

Sweet Angel

I have been busy, busy. Unfortunately, there hasn't been time to paint. There is time to sketch on many days. Early mornings are best if I can capture the time. It's already 10:34 and I have been up since 6:30! I just got to scan some recent sketches that I am pleased with. I want to paint a gift for a good friend who is retiring soon. She likes angels, so I hope to paint this "Sweet Angel" for her.

Round Design Pattern

Little Witch 

Vined Pumpkin

Round Design Pattern is something I dreamed up because I love circular design. It could use some texture and color.










This "Little Witch" is inspired by an antique card that I found in a box at Barnes and Noble in October. I wanted to create my own version of this.

In Paint Works Magazine, October, 2011, there are always some inspiring designs to produce in painted media.  This is my version of Robin Mani's "Pumpkin Swirls Plate".  I liked this idea so much, that I went on to paint the design in several combined media 

WIP Gingerbread House

Here is my latest work in progress.

I love the gingerbread cottages at the camground on Martha's Vinyard. They are so charming.

I would love to paint a series of pictures representing the little village tucked behind Oak's Bluffs marina.

It's so calm, peaceful and charming.

Here is my first attempt - done in acrylics. Painting the details is taking longer than I imagined.

I sure hope I get better and quicker at this.

Anyhow, I'll keep working on this one and post my progress.

Recent Sketches

I love the way these setches came out. I'm keeping a little visual journal and adding pictures to the notes and messages that I write.

It's fun to see what develops as I go. Not everything scans like the original, especially when painted.

I have more, and I promise to keep scanning them.

I'm still learning how this scanner works, so

please bear with me.

Dear Blog Friends

Some of you may think that I have abandoned my blogging! Trust me, I know I haven't posted anything in a long time. It is not intentional. I have been reading posts faithfully. More Importantly, I try to sketch and paint something every day. Life keeps interrupting and keeping me busy. I love my aart and I love all of your beautiful work.

I now have a new scanner that I'm getting comfortable using. So soon, I'll post some of my efforts - promise!

Watercolor Again!

Well, my friends and visitors,

I decided to explore some watercolor again.

Here are the results...

some notecards.

Watercolor is so much fun.

It's quick, adaptable to many subjects

and satisfying.

I even decorated the back of each of these cards :)!

Until I get a chance to create some more,

enjoy the week!

Facebook

Hello friends, I just want to let everyone know that Dolci Studio now has a page on Facebook. I have a badge on the sidebar in my blog. Please visit and press the "like " button if you haven't done it yet.

I hope to continue to expand my work. Please visit and let me know what you think.

Thank you all for your wonderful support.

Fun Babies

Here are the acrylic paintings that I created from my concept pictures.
I'm relieved that they are complete,

but I have some more to work on.

I called this one Blanket of Dreams

This is called Chickies.

This one I called Dragonflies.

Somehow they don't look quite the same when they're scanned.

Details that I labored over barely show while other components stand out changing the way that features appear.



Concept Pictures

Finally, I was able to upload my two additional drawings.

Some kind of glitch must have happened earlier.

An Inspiration!

This is what I've been doing lately. I actually have three colored pencil concept drawings completed, but for some reason, they wouldn't upload. I might try to darken them a bit and try again. They are a little pale. I want to paint these babies and reproduce them for sale in a gift shop. I just haven't decided how big they should be. I'm also thinking of making copies and use them as collage. Any thoughts or suggestions are much appreciated. I just hope I can show you the other two sketches.

Butterfly Party

I decided to dabble in a little watercolor this weekend. It ws fun to go back to something light and delicate. I was able to get nice results even though they are not as vibrant as the acryllics. I didn't want to overdo the details in this painting. I have a couple more ideas to try using butterflies.
On another note, still about butterflies, Trudi Sissons at Two Dresses Studio is collecting artful butterflies for the Holocaust Museum in Houston Texas. I'm placing a button on my sidebar with a link to her page, if you're interested in participating. 
Briefly, the Holocaust Museum is collecting 1.5 million handmade butterflies to remember the 1,500,000 children who perished as a result of the Holocaust. Consider participating in this beautiful memorial that will be displayed in the Spring, 2013.   The Poem, I Never Saw Another Butterfly, written by Pavel Friedman on June 4, 1942 is the inspiration for this project. You can find the poem on Trudi's blog. The deadline for entries is December 31, 2011.



The View

A while ago, I was asked to create a painting for my sister-in-law's guest room.

For a while I put the idea on a back burner. I just couldn't come up with a suitable idea.

Fortunately, she was still interested, so I decided to paint something with a window/door view of the beach.

I find the process of finding the right subject so challenging, sometimes.

I'm not sure why I get stuck.

I am happy with this so far. I think it needs a little more work, but I wanted to show my work in progress.

The image at the top is an earlier version of the work. I decided that the interior of the cottage needed some more detail, so I added the wreath, rug and tote bag.

Color Added

The painting of my clementines is complete. I love the color combinations! It's always so satisfying to produce something that has been floating around in my head.

Clementines, Pickup Trucks , Little Boys and Other Things

I really wasn't going to wait so long to post another entry, but, time does zoom along. I created this little sketch earlier this week and really liked the look of it. I have started to create an acrylic painting which is on my worktable now.

 I liked the sketch so much, that I decided to add an outline using my #1 Micron Pen. I might just paint it again using watercolor...Hmm, I'll have to give that a try.

I have finally painted "Zippy" the old pickup truck. I was going to make it into a valentine for my Grandson, Casey. I have not decided about it yet. He was flipping through my sketchbook one day. He counted how many of the drawings were of girls and how many were boys. He liked some of the female pictures, but he wanted to know if I could draw more boys. I'll have to work on that, certainly.

 He didn't see it, but I did one of him while I was on vacation cruising in the Bahamas.

I read with interest what goes on in some of my favorite creative/artist-blogger's posts. Some seem so productive and successful.

Kelly Rae wrote a very provocative article about celebrating yourself and the skills that you possess "The Secret Ingredient is You". She was upset because another artist had used some examples of work that looked strikingly similar to her work.  In addition, someone else had posted information on a blog using Kelly Rae's exact words. This is distressing, mainly because it seems like many creatives are trying to get to the same place - publication, national recognition, or licensed at the same time. It's distressing because CREATIVITY should NOT be a competition... Hello! Creativity and the work around it comes from within. If an artist produces work worthy of note, other creatives should acknowledge that person and produce original work as their own examples.

Another inspirational artist who's work I read and admire is Leah author of Creative Every Day. Each month Leah posts a theme and produces some examples of her work in the topic. This month the theme has been Cosmos - a beautiful, broad and exciting topic. If a creative person is looking for ideas, Leah is a great resource.

I guess I had better go back to painting.

If you visit my post, please leave a comment. I love to hear from others.

More Sketches

I just love getting new ideas! This morning I did this little sketch using a picture I found in an advertisement. When I woke up, I decided to try this. I love old trucks and cars. They have so much character. I can see that this drawing needs some work because the running board is too low to the ground...teehee. It would get scraped by every rock and stone. Well, it's just a sketch so no harm done.

When I paint it, I'll fix things.

Here's another view of Zippy (that's the name I gave the little truck).

This version obviously has a better suspension! :) Now I can paint and not worry about scraping the undercarriage.

Have you noticed today's date? it's 1/01/11 - really cool! The number one by itself signifies new beginnings, independence and decisions. My personal word for the new year is awareness, so I feel compelled to be aware of my surroundings, signs and events. I was drawn to understand the significance of  today's date.

I hope the new year begins blissfully for everyone who reads this. Expect the best for yourself and your loved ones.