"Almost" New Blog

I recently created a new blog, Beauty in Life, where I planned to share scriptures, quotes, advice, healthy recipes, photography, a little art and anything else I found inspiring and fun. However, I  decided to just expand this blog to include those types of posts. Rather than try to manage two blogs, this will be easier. Look for my first post soon! I think it will be a super yummy smoothie recipe! :)

New Zoom Lens

I was trying out my new zoom lens for my Canon camera today. I've been noticing just how many birds we have around our area and this past weekend my husband and I created a bit of a bird haven in our backyard. We set up different bird feeders including a hummingbird feeder and a bird bath. These are a few of the photos that I got today.

 I have no idea what kind of bird this is.

 This Robin was just trotting around the yard before finding a worm.

 I love the bright yellow color of this Gold Finch. He's so pretty.

 And rather silly too! He hung out here a while before making it onto the feeder.

I think this hummingbird was a bit confused. The hummingbird feeder we set up is close to our deck, but it didn't stop her from trying.

I've always had a love of birds, I'm not entirely sure why. I suppose it could be a combination of their beautiful colors and sounds. I've been wanting to build up my reference library and even start doing some wildlife in watercolor. I've been overwhelmed with custom quilt orders, but I'm going to make an effort to make more time for painting. The only paintings I've done this year are 4 custom pet portraits, and I miss it terribly.

Imagekind

I just uploaded a bunch of paintings and photography to Imagekind. I've been meaning to do it for a long time but just kept forgetting. Imagekind is great because after you've chosen your image you have a bunch of options. You can order just a simple print, have it framed or printed on canvas. I kept the markup low so that everything is affordable. Definitely check it out because there is so much to choose from.

30 Things You May Not Know About Me

I used to love making these lists, but I have yet to put one on my blog. So, here is my first one:

30 Things You May Not Know About Me

1. I have an identical twin sister
2. I served in the United States Air Force, 7 years ago, for a short time.
3. As well as being an artist, I’m a quilter.
4. I’m currently in my 3rd year of college and will graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in law.
5. I have three younger brothers.
6. When I’m not painting, or creating, I’m thinking about painting or creating.
7. Two days a month I have what I call “days of silence” where I do not watch TV, talk on the phone, or listen to music.
8. I paint with every medium.
9. I love flowers so much that I believe God put them here just for me.
10. I’m a bit of a neat freak. My studio has to be clean and organized before I can create.
11. I have to listen to music while I’m painting.
12. My favorite music to play while I’m creating is Christian, or music I would play while doing yoga or meditating.
13. I love doing makeup and styling hair and seriously considered being a beautician.
14. I meditate frequently.
15. I’m getting married next year.
16. I love photography.
17. Mackinac Island, Michigan is one of my favorite places.
18. Even though I paint, quilt and create constantly, I have very little of my own creations around my home (I’m working on changing that!)
19. When it comes to guns, I'm a naturally good shooter.
20. I love to read.
21. I have two tattoos.
22. I hope to have a large flower and vegetable garden someday.
23. I’m very into the Harry Potter books and movies as well as the Twilight books and movies.
24. One of my favorite things to do is go to local greenhouses and take hundreds of photos.
25. I have the two sweetest dogs ever.
26. I’m afraid of the water.
27. I suffer from motion sickness, even when I go for a short ride in the car.
28. At one time I could do more than 50 push-ups in a minute.
29. I consider myself to be a free spirit.
30. Some of my art was purchased for the movie, The Smurfs, that comes out next year.

Well I hope you have gotten to know me a little better, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Creativity Boot Camp Day 8

"Ornament" 5 by 7 Pastel Painting

"Ornament" is my painting for day 8 of Creativity Bootcamp (only 5 left!). With the word prompt of the day being "ornament," I wanted to think outside the box and not do a Christmas ornament. I've been wanting to paint this vase for such a long time and this was the perfect opportunity. The colors of this bottle are so beautiful! I had a wonderful time doing this painting, even though it took nearly all day! :)

The original photograph was taken by an incredible photographer, Kate Young. She has graciously allowed me to use her photos as references for paintings. I didn't realize it until today, but this is the 4th photo of hers that I've used for this bootcamp! You have to check out her blog, she's wonderful!

Day 15

Today's photograph is one that I took last weekend. I bought these lilies from a local florist and tried propping them against different things to get some interesting photos. I've never seen lilies this big before! They're so bright and fun.

I decided that I'm going to stop this "painting challenge" for now. I have just been posting photographs, which is fun, but wasn't my original intent. I am just too super busy at the moment to paint. I started a painting today, but I don't know when I'll have another opportunity to work on it. I'm going to be participating in "Creativity Bootcamp" in a couple weeks, and it's 2 weeks long. During this "training" I will be painting everyday for 2 weeks and it will wrap up this challenge perfectly. It begins June 6th, and I'm very excited about it.

Today's Quote: "The happiness of a man in this life does not consist in the absence but in the mastery of his passions." Alfred Lord Tennyson

Day 14

Today's photograph I took recently at my favorite greenhouse. I regret not purchasing some of these flowers. I bought Foxgloves instead, and I love them, but these would have been nice too.

Well today has been spent getting ready for company - hanging up curtains, pictures, and cleaning. I accomplished a lot, but I still have a lot to do. I'm pacing myself :). I'll be lucky if I can get any painting done this week. It just might be a week full of photographs! :)

Today's Quote: "I’ve learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as making a 'life'." Maya Angelou

Day 13 - Painting Challenge

It's a photograph today. I love this picture. The colors of the Dahlia petals are just stunning. I think it would make a great pastel painting.. hmmm... All I need is more ideas! :)

I received an order of art supplies yesterday so I'm excited to break them in and try some new things. I mentioned botany artist Billy Showell the other day. I've been wanting to try some realism in watercolor (inspired by her), because I have more of a loose style, but I didn't have any hotpress paper. I've never even seen hotpress paper before, so I was quite surprised at the type of surface it is. I generally enjoy painting on rough watercolor paper, so this is very different. Now my only problem is finding the time. I'm expecting some company next week, and I've been busy getting the house ready. So, I will continue posting what I can, when I can. :)

Today's Quote: "I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers." - Claude Monet

Have a great weekend!!!

Day 9 - Painting Challenge

I definitely could not have picked a worse time to do this painting challenge. I have been busier in the past few weeks than I have been in a long time, and there is no end in sight. I have various appointments lined up. I'm also expecting some company in a couple of weeks. So, I'm not going to worry about posting everyday, if I'm unable to. If I paint something, I will definitely share it with you (if it's worth sharing :) ) and I may post other things as well.

Today I have a little homework to finish, and I think I'm going to head to the greenhouse and pick out some annuals to plant. It's 75 and sunny today! Perfect day to be outside! Enjoy your Sunday!!

Today's Quote: "There is no love without forgiveness, and there is no forgiveness without love."
Bryant H. McGill

Day 8 - Painting Challenge

It's my birthday today and to celebrate, I went to one of my favorite greenhouses to take some pictures. I just feel in heaven surrounded by all those beautiful flowers! The photo above is one of my favorites from the day. I just love the color of those pansies. So rich and beautiful.

I plan on getting back to painting tomorrow since my homework is complete!

Today's Quote: "We look forward to the time when the Power of Love will replace the Love of Power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace." William Ewart Gladstone

Day 7 - Painting Challenge

I wish I would have had time to paint today, but I was doing homework all day. So, instead of a painting, I'll share another photograph! I also took this one this past Sunday at the park. I wish I could remember the name of this flower, but I can't think of it! Oh well. I took several pictures of this flower and this is one of my favorites. The wind was blowing and it was difficult to get a good shot.

Tomorrow is my birthday and I have a bunch of things planned, so I'm not sure that I will get a painting in. If not, I will be sure to share something :).

Today's Quote: "The happiest man is he who learns from nature the lesson of worship." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Day 6 - Painting Challenge

As you can tell, no painting today. This is a photograph that I took on Sunday at the local park. I was completely struck by the beautiful colors of the tulips. They were probably the prettiest pink I have ever seen. I look forward to painting some of these flowers.

I was looking over how much school work I have this week, and I was overwhelmed! I have midterms and big assignments due this week. Don't they know I have a birthday Friday? :) Something tells me they really don't care! :) So, I have A LOT of work to do, and I don't have any time to sit down and paint. I hope to get back to painting by the weekend, or next week at the latest.

Today's Quote: "Chase down your passion like it's the last bus of the night." Glade Byron Addams

Day 3 - Painting Challenge

Well as you can probably tell this is not a painting. I decided to substitute for a photograph today. Sunday's are usually pretty relaxed for me, and I decided to go and take some more pictures today. This tulip is one of my favorites. We ended up taking our dogs to the park today and as soon as we got there I noticed all of these beautiful flowers. I had to rush home and get my camera before the sun fell. I got some great shots, and we had fun too! :)

Happy Mother's Day to all of you Moms! I don't have children, but I feel like my two dogs are my kids! And I certainly love them as if they were :). I hope you all had a great weekend.

Today's Quote: "Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever." ~Author Unknown

Greenhouse Flowers

This morning I made a special trip to my favorite greenhouse. I make an effort to go at least once a year to take a lot of pictures. In my opinion you can never have too many pictures of flowers! :) Last year I was disappointed that I didn't get that many close ups, so today I made sure to get very close to the flowers. I got some great photos and I'm feeling so inspired to paint! I like to use my own photos as much as possible, when I'm using them as references for paintings. I hope to put these photos to good use, soon! Enjoy!

All images © Angela Bishop

Welcome Spring! New Pastel Painting

I just completed this pastel painting, "Welcome Spring." I used a combination of Mount Vision pastels, and pastel pencils to complete this painting. It is done on 6 x 6 Ampersand Pastelbord. The reference photo I used for this painting is from my Great Uncle Mike. He and his significant other, Kay, are wonderful photographers and graciously allowed me to use some of their photos as references. You must check out their website - http://www.klbenedict.com/.

This painting was a little different for me. I typically paint pretty loose, but I didn't want to use that approach with this painting. I was striving for a realistic look. I'm still learning what my style is, especially since recently changing mediums from watercolor to soft pastels. In watercolor I like to be very loose. I suppose it depends on the subject I'm working on as well.

I enjoyed this painting so much that I'm planning on doing others using a similar style.

Please check my Etsy store for new items!

Thank you and have a great weekend!

Sale and New Item of the Week

Hi all! Happy New Year!

I'm currently having a sale on all of my quilted items in my Etsy shop - they're all 50% off, until the 15th of this month. This would be a great time to stock up for the next fall and holiday season! I will not be having another sale like this!

Also, my item of the week this week is an embellished photo storage box for $22 and free shipping! It's a rather large box, and you could really put anything in it. I have the exact same box in my studio (not embellished) and I have paintings in it.

Have a great week everyone!

Black and White Photography

There is something about black and white photos that I just love. They're just so classy and sophisticated. That and they go with any decor! :) I added some black and white photography prints to my Etsy page today (http://www.angelasexpressions.etsy.com/). My favorite is the Lonely Train Bridge. I loved being there one evening last summer. Such a beautiful place.