Tennessee Rose

"Tennessee Rose" 5 by 7, Watercolor Painting

I was in the mood for a watercolor today. I couldn't wait to paint those soft petals. The reference photo I used was from the WetCanvas reference library and the person lived in Tennessee, so that's where I got the title.

This painting was done on 140lb cold press watercolor paper with Winsor & Newton paints. I will have this painting listed on Etsy soon.

Please don't forget that until March 31st 100% of all Etsy sales will be donated to the Red Cross to help those affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Just a few days left! If you were planning on giving anyway, this is a great way to do it. :)

Have a great weekend!

A Visitor

"A Visitor" 5 by 7, Pastel Painting

Another little kitty today. Actually it's the same cat as in my last painting. Once again, thank you to Nancy Rose for allowing me to use your great photo for this painting. This one was a lot of fun. It was nice to spend an equal amount of time on the background as on the cat.

I haven't listed this painting on Etsy yet, but I plan on doing so within the next week or so. I have some collectors of my little cat paintings and I'm waiting to list a few of them at the same time.

Also, if you're interested in a custom pet portrait, I am taking orders. I was thinking of what a great Mother's Day or Father's Day gift that would make! For more information on custom pet portraits, click here. I also have listings available for different sizes in my Etsy shop.

Have a wonderful day!

Closeup

"Closeup" 5 by 7, Pastel Painting

"Closeup" is my latest pastel painting. It's been about 2 weeks since my last one and I felt a little rusty, but it felt great to be painting again. I finally completed my final projects and finals for school and I'm on a short break. What a relief to not have to think about school for a couple weeks! :)

"Closeup" is based on a reference photo by Nancy Rose. The painting was completed with pastel pencils on pastelbord. I'm not going to list it for sale just yet. But if you're interested, keep checking my Etsy page to see if I've listed it for sale.

I hope you have a nice afternoon!

My Art in The Smurfs Movie

Those of you who have been following my blog for a while now may remember that Columbia Pictures purchased some of my art (some of my hand painted cigar boxes) last year for the set of The Smurfs. Well, the trailer is finally out! The movie comes out in August. I have no idea what role exactly my boxes will play so it will be fun to try and spot them! :)

Etsy Sales Will Be Donated To The Red Cross

Effective today, until March 31st I will be donating 100% of my Etsy sales to the American Red Cross in an effort to help those affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. I did this last year when that terrible earthquake hit Haiti and ended up having a small amount to donate. In times like this I feel so helpless, but feel like I want to do something, anything to help. This is about the least that I can do. But if you were thinking about donating some money anyway, this is a cool way to do it because you get something in return. Just visit my Etsy store, place an order and on April 1st I will place the donation with the Red Cross. Thank you so much!

Little Dahlia

"Little Dahlia" 2 1/2 by 3 1/2, Watercolor Painting

After about a week and a half without painting I just had to do this little painting today. I have 1 week left of classes and my professors have been piling on the work. This week is going to be the worst with final projects due and exams. But after that I will have a 2 week break.

This mini painting was done on 140lb watercolor paper with Winsor & Newton paints. These mini paintings really have to be seen in person to be appreciated. Scanning or photographing just does not do them justice. For that reason I think I might start selling them in the gallery instead of on Etsy. But I will still share them. They also make great studies for larger paintings.

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Interview With Artist Nancy Medina

Continuing with my "Artists I Admire" series, I recently interviewed artist Nancy Medina. I have been an admirer of her work ever since I first set eyes on one of her large flower pot paintings.

Please read the interview below and take a look at a few of Nancy's beautiful paintings.

"Summer Wish Sunflowers"

Can you share a little bit about your art background?

I began drawing and sketching in the first grade, and I used to get in trouble for doodling in the margins of my homework. I remember drawing the Frito Bandito on a blank page in the back of my first grade reader. I just couldn't let that entire white page go to waste! When I turned 30, I made a new year's resolution to begin painting. I studied art in College, and then took some workshops but mostly I am self taught.

"Sapphire Iris"

I know you mostly paint in oil but do you ever, or have you ever painted in other mediums?

I began painting in watercolor, mostly large botanical works on heavy 300 lb paper. I was single and poor and living in Santa Barbara so I would trade paintings for furniture.

"Pas de deux Poppies"

How would you describe your painting style?

My painting style is impressionistic, with an emphasis on bold color. I like my work to feel as if it is moving, as if the color is vibrating, in the tradition of the old impressionist masters.

"Fleurs dans Blue Hydrangeas"

Can you tell me a little bit about your painting process?

Now I work mostly in oils, starting with transparent underpaintings and building up to opaque, brighter colors in the final stages.

Your florals are beautiful. Can you tell me why you enjoy painting them so much?

I love painting florals because color makes me happy. Mother nature gives me free material to work from every day. How can anyone look at a rich red geranium and not want to paint it?

"Silent Serenity White Poppies"

Did you set any art goals for this year?

My art goals are lofty, I want to be able to make enough money with my art so that I can quit my full time job and become a full time artist someday. For now, that pesky mortgage is in the way.

How has blogging and the internet changed your life as an artist?

Blogging and the internet has really helped my art career, especially after I was juried into the original Daily Painters group, http://www.dailypainters.com/. Micah Condon and a small group of talented artists created this online gallery, which has thousands of viewers each day.

"Hearts Ablaze Sunflowers"

Do you have any advice for artists just starting out?

For artists getting started, I would encourage them not to get discouraged, but to work hard. Put that energy into your canvas and spend time in the studio. Look to the masters and the great teachers when you feel lost. My art has grown over the past four years, you can see my style has changed drastically if you look back in time on my blog. I still have a long way to go, but I am enjoying the journey.

Thank you Nancy for a great interview!

You can check out Nancy's blog by clicking here, and you can visit her website by clicking here.

Orange Pansy

"Orange Pansy" 2 1/2 by 3 1/2, Watercolor Painting

Available Here

Another watercolor mini today. I had no idea painting pansies could be so much fun! I've only painted 1 other pansy before, a blue one. I remember enjoying doing the veining and I enjoyed it just as much the second time around. Something about all those little details that just pull the piece together. Unfortunately the scanner seems to blend colors together and doesn't pick up the subtle details. You have to see these little mini's in person to really appreciate them. :)

This little painting is available in my Etsy shop if anyone is interested.

Have a great afternoon!

Prints and Other News

Well this is what I have been working on today. I'm planning another trip to the gallery tomorrow and I wanted to bring some new prints along. I purchased a swanky new printer a few months ago and I'm actually able to make my own Giclee prints now. The printer is great but it's still a hassle getting the images just right. Although it still beats troubling someone else to do it for me.

I'm afraid that I may not be posting too many new paintings over the next few weeks. I'm nearing the end of my current college classes so I have final projects and exams coming up. I'm also getting married in June so I'm beginning to make plans for that. I don't want to lose momentum with my paintings, but there is only so much time in the day. :)

Fuchsia

"Fuchsia" 2 1/2 by 3 1/2, Watercolor Painting

Available Here

I couldn't resist painting another mini today. I just love Fuchsia flowers and I don't know why it took me this long to finally paint one. It was fun and I think I'll try a bigger one next time.

This mini painting is available in my Etsy shop if you're interested.

Have a nice weekend!

New Website

"Blue Bells" 12 by 16, Watercolor Painting

Private Collection

I finally got my website set up! I have been working on it for a couple days and I'm quite happy with the way that it has turned out. There are a few things that I'd still like to add, but it's pretty much done. If you'd like to see a portfolio of my work I suggest you check out my website. My website address is: http://www.angelabishopart.com

Thanks!

Red Rose

"Red Rose" 2 1/2 by 3 1/2, Watercolor Painting

Available Here

Here is my first watercolor ACEO for Etsy. All the others I've done were delivered to the gallery this past weekend. Now I'm working on some for my website. I think it's important to have a range of pieces (and different prices) available for people to choose from.

This little paintings are highly collectible and affordable original pieces of art. "Red Rose" was completed on 140lb watercolor paper. This mini painting is listed for $20. I also have acid free white mat boards available for them. They're 8 by 10 with an opening of 2 1/2 by 3 1/2. These fit very easily in an 8 by 10 frame.

Have a lovely day!

Hiding Spot

"Hiding Spot" 5 by 7, Pastel Painting

Available Here

This kitty was so much fun to paint. I have to thank Nancy Rose again for allowing me to use her photo as a reference. I'm not sure I did the photo justice, but it was fun trying. :)

This painting was completed on pastelbord with mostly pastel pencils. It is available in my Etsy shop for $50 and free shipping.

Update

The above painting, "An Apple A Day" is an 8 by 10 pastel painting. I had originally painted it for a window piece for the gallery. I delivered some new work yesterday and brought this one home. It's now available in my Etsy shop for purchase. I also relisted "Shell On The Shore," "Summer Pond," and "Summer Cherries."
Here is a photo of two of the little watercolor paintings that I framed and hung in the gallery. I really like the way these look framed like this.

I spent the day at the gallery yesterday and I am feeling very inspired. Now that my hand is healed I'm looking forward to spending more time in the studio painting.

I hope you had a nice weekend.

Open Tulip & 200th Post

"Open Tulip" 8 by 10, Watercolor Painting

Ah, it feels so good to be painting again! I was worried that my hand wouldn't heal properly and that I would need surgery. It's not 100% healed, but I am able to write and paint so I am happy. :) And this is my 200th post! Blogging has been a great way for me to share my art with everyone and to receive feedback as well.

I actually started this painting before I hurt my hand and it was difficult to get back to it after almost 2 weeks. I usually like to finish a piece within a day or two so this was a bit of a struggle to get back into, but I'm pleased with the way it turned out. I originally began this painting thinking that it would end up in the gallery. I'm not sure quite yet. Have to see how it will look framed. I used all Winsor and Newton paints on 140lb cold press paper.

Have a nice afternoon!

Bunny Sketch

My hand is feeling much better and I thought I would try painting today. I did work on a painting that I started before I injured my hand, today. Then this afternoon I decided to do a little sketching. I bought this super cute children's book called "Quiet Bunny's Spring Colors" and the bunny in it is just adorable so I decided to try drawing it. I haven't sat down to draw anything in years. I don't consider the drawings I do for my paintings real "drawings" because it's really just an outline.

I have some confidence in my ability to draw/paint animals in realism for my fine art work, but creating a animal character for a children's book is more difficult for me. This is why I need to draw a lot more and just play around.

I've decided to put together an illustration portfolio, or at least to begin planning it. I will need a good 8 -15 illustrations showcasing what I can do. Because I don't draw all that much, I think I will need to spend quite a bit of time on this. I plan to give myself several months to do this because it's not something that I want to rush and I will continue to work on other projects also.

I hope you all had a nice Valentine's Day!

New Creative Endeavor - Writing

Since I hurt my hand and have not been able to paint, I've been thinking about something that I've always been interested in, writing. I have always been a reader and I used to write stories all the time when I was a kid, just for fun. As I got older I began to write poetry. I tried to dig out some of my old poems and stories but only found a couple. I wanted to share them with you but the poem is about love and is kind of personal, and the story I wrote when I was in elementary school. It's called, "The Haunted House." It was terribly written but it brought back the love I had for story telling.

I actually have to thank the person who told me that my artwork has no emotion because their comment is what got me thinking. I was admiring an illustration done by an artist I really respect and I had an intense emotional response to it. I began thinking how I wished my work could have that kind of impact on others. When I go into the studio in the morning I think, "What will I paint today?" It's more about creating a pretty picture than anything, but I still consider it an emotional outpouring because I love it.

Anyway, I was thinking first about illustration and then I began thinking about writing. I think as creative beings we're always trying to find new ways to express ourselves. I picked up some reference material on illustrating children's books a few years ago because it was an interest of mine but never looked at it. I've let the fear of failure keep me from trying many things. I've decided that I have to at least try it because I will never forgive myself if I don't.

There are so many reasons why I am interested in writing and illustrating children's books. First, I don't think children read enough today with all the video games and other electronic means of entertainment. Secondly, I think children can learn a great deal of life lessons from books. I so enjoyed books as a child and I love the thought of creating something that a child can enjoy and learn from at the same time.

Initially I had decided not to share this idea with anyone, except for close family who I knew would be supportive, but then I thought that I had to share it with everyone else because I'm just so excited about it. I know I probably do enough considering I have quilting, photography, decorative painting and fine art, but I'm not going to hold back because I'm already involved in so many other things. I've let people make me feel bad for having so many interests and I realized that that isn't right. People can be great at many things, I've seen it, and that's what gives me encouragement.

I in no way intend on quitting painting, I just plan to work some writing and illustrating in there too. I will certainly share my work with you as I go along. I have so many ideas and I can hardly wait to get started!

I hope you have a great weekend, and happy early Valentine's Day!

Hand Injury

I just want to let you all know that I injured my hand the other day and I probably won't be putting out a painting for a couple weeks. I won't bother to tell you what happened because it's one of those stupid injuries. The good news is that I didn't break anything, and if everything goes well it will heal on it's own and I will not need surgery. I'm having a very difficult time spending my time on the couch instead of in my studio. I think I'm already experiencing painting withdrawals. :) Anyway, I didn't want you all to think that I fell off the face of the earth. I'll be back soon, I hope!

Be Kind

I usually like to reserve my blog posts for positivity and I don’t usually complain but I feel a need to vent a little today. I have been overwhelmed lately by negative comments on my artwork. I’ve been receiving impolite comments on my painting style, which is realism, as well as people suggesting that I do not put any emotion into my art. I really feel a need to address these comments and to remind people of the old saying, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”

Regarding my painting style, I am learning that you cannot choose your style, just like you cannot choose the style of your handwriting. You can force yourself to paint a certain way for a while, but eventually you will fall into something naturally. I never thought that I would be a realistic painter but the more that I paint the more that that’s what I’m leaning toward, and I’m learning to just except it and embrace it. People have suggested to me that realism is “taking the easy way out” and that it’s not an artistic expression at all, it’s simply copying. I say of course it’s an artistic expression. Something that I’ve noticed is that the people who make such comments paint very loosely and I’d like to see them try to paint realistically. It’s not easy and I enjoy the challenge to trying to paint something exactly the way I see it. How can you criticize someone for painting what they see? There are many artists whose work I don’t particularly like, but I still respect them and their passion for what they do.

Regarding my work showing no emotion, I think that has been among the most hurtful comments that I have gotten. I believe that all art is an emotional outpouring. A need to express ourselves and the way we view the world in a creative way. All art is emotional. You may not see how painting a still life of peppers, for example, is an emotional outpouring, but it is. Just because you may not have an emotional reaction to a piece or art doesn’t mean that it didn’t come from an emotional place for the artist. I paint what I love, what brings me joy and what I find unique.

Art is very personal. When you criticize someone’s work, you’re criticizing them. You don’t have to like my work, but really if you don’t have anything kind to say, please don’t say anything at all. Most of you have been so kind and supportive and I thank you very much for that.

Magnolia Blossom

"Magnolia Blossom" 2 1/2 by 3 1/2, Watercolor Painting

Today's painting is this little magnolia blossom. Those shadows just drew me in. I'm a little disappointed because these mini paintings don't seem to be scanning very well. They look so much better in person. In fact that's something to always keep in mind with art that you see online; it will always look better in person.

This little magnolia painting is reserved for the gallery.

I hope you have a nice weekend!