New Work

I haven't been blogging much, but I have been painting quite a bit lately (yay!) Here is some of my recent work -

 "A Summer Day on Lake Pepin" - Watercolor and PanPastel (9 by 12)

 "Butterfly in Spring" - Watercolor (8 by 10)

"Sunset Petals" - Watercolor (5 by 7)

 "Fly II" - Watercolor (5 by 7)

"Mr. Kitty" - Watercolor (5 by 7) (My first animal/pet in watercolor!)

Untitled - Watercolor and PanPastel (5 by 7)

Some of these paintings are available in my Etsy shop and the others are just practice. If you'd like to keep up with my work, please follow me on Instagram - @angelasexpressions

Hope you all had a great weekend! xoxo

Remembrance V

For the past five years I have been painting an American flag in honor of the anniversary of September 11th. This is appropriately called "Remembrance V," done in watercolor. I hope you will keep those affected by the tragedy in your thoughts and prayers today. 

Inspiration

Recently, I was reminded by Patience Brewster, the artist behind these adorable Christmas ornaments, that August is Artist Appreciation Month! I thought I would do a post about who/what inspires my work to celebrate. I have given it a lot of thought over the past several days and come to the conclusion that color is probably my biggest inspiration. I get so excited when I squeeze new paint onto my palette and working with fun colors is almost like a therapeutic experience. 

I not only like to create art, but I love admiring others work as well. I seem to be particularly drawn to loose, colorful watercolors. I have always thought of color, especially in paintings, to be healing in some way. I have been known to soak up the beauty in paintings in galleries and in nature that invoke a positive emotion in me. What I hope to achieve is create works of art that cause others to feel something, like I do when I'm admiring a really beautiful painting or taking in a breathtaking scene. And, in a way, this extends to my quilts and other handmade items as well. I love the way handmade quilts, decorative items, and artwork make a home feel. 

So, in general, I am inspired by color and the beauty around me. If I can put that love into my work in a way that extends to the person admiring it, I have done my job. :)

Cyber Monday

Hey everyone! I just wanted to let you know that I'm having a Cyber Monday "sale" in my Etsy shop today. Free shipping on every item! Simply enter coupon code "CyberMondaySale" at checkout. Only within the U.S. please. Offer ends tonight around midnight! :)

New Scripture Paintings

 "Fruit of the Spirit"

"Psalm 139:14"

 

I know there is nothing complicated at all about these scripture paintings, but I'm having a lot of fun with them. Doing the lettering, and masking it out is incredibly tedious, but I'm loving the outcome. "Fruit of the Spirit" is 12 by 16, and "Psalm 139:14" is 11 by 14. I want to do some even larger.

 

I was inspired to do these paintings from a love of wood signs done in a similar style. I was looking into making my own signs (which I still may do at some point) but got the idea to do paintings instead. I just love them. And they look spectacular framed. So, they can be more of an elegant addition to home decor, compared to a wood sign. It just all depends on what style you like.

 

Here's an example of one I framed for myself:

 

Anyway, I have prints available of all 3 of these paintings, and I will list some originals soon. I may even take some custom orders.

 

Hope you're having a great week!



New Toy

I was so excited to receive this Artograph LED 300 Digital Projector today! It's a very belated graduation present from my husband. I never thought I would be interested in a projector, but this one is great! Because it's digital, it can be hooked up to the computer, ipad, smartphones and flashdrives. I've been wanting to start painting larger, and I think this will really help. I can use my smaller drawings to create larger pieces. Of course I can also project my photographs. What I really love about this projector, aside from the fact that it's digital, is that it can be used in daylight. Many projectors only work in complete darkness. This projector will also project movies and play music. I have yet to actually play around with it, but I'm excited to see what it can really do, and how it will aid me in my work. :)

 

I hope you're having a great day!

Future Plans

I thought I would take this opportunity to share my plans for my art. I’m almost ashamed to admit that I haven’t painted in over 6 months (which resulted in my turning my studio into a study). I’m on a little break from school right now and have been trying to decide where I want to go with my painting and quilting. For the last 6 – 9 months I have been cranking out one custom rag quilt after another and I’ve finally reached the point of being completely burnt out. Because I haven’t painted in such a long time and have been spending all of my time making rag quilts I realized that I haven’t actually been expressing my creativity. I want my quilts to be more like works of art, and one-of-a-kind items. I still intend to do some rag quilts, but I want to make more time for creating unique items. Of course the same would be true for my paintings.

As some of you may know I’m starting my master’s program in a couple months and I can’t imagine I will have much time for painting or quilting once I begin. However, I am determined to make time for either, or both. After all, I am an artist and need a creative outlet. But school will be my main priority.

I had briefly thought that I wanted to be a full time artist and quilter and had dreams of opening up my own studio/shop but for some reason I didn’t feel content with that idea. I absolutely love spending my time painting and quilting but I believe I have more to offer. I not only dreamed of being an artist when I was young but also of becoming a therapist; however that seemed like an impossible dream. Now it’s a dream coming true and I couldn’t be happier.

I plan to continue blogging, so I hope you’ll stick around. :)

 

 



New Sewing Room/Studio

I've been very busy over the past week changing some rooms around. Considering that I haven't used my art studio in some time, I decided it would be best to turn it into my study. Therefore I had to move my painting stuff up to my sewing room.

 

 My new painting space. It's not much compared to what it used to be, but considering how little I've been painting, it will do for now. Besides, it's very cozy upstairs this time of year.

 

If you remember what my sewing room looked like before, it hasn't changed all that much. Somehow it looks and feels more spacious.

 

I hope you've enjoyed this little look around my sewing room/studio! Have a great weekend!

Inside Look - Watercolor Mini #1

"Inside Look" - Mini Watercolor Painting

I'm finally starting that painting challenge/series. I'm calling it "50 Mini Watercolor Paintings for $15 each." I so love painting these little mini watercolors. They're 2 1/2" by 3 1/2 (artist trading card size). I just thought this would be a fun way to get back into my watercolors and these little paintings will make good studies for larger pieces.

At $15 each these are completely affordable! And what I love to do with these minis is to frame them with a big white mat.

Isn't that cute? The outer dimension of that mat is 8 by 10 (I have these for sale in my Etsy shop as well).

These little paintings will be available for purchase in my Etsy shop but we can make other arrangements if you don't have an Etsy account. Just send me an email at - angela292@hotmail.com

Have a lovely weekend!



A Look Around My Studio

I love looking at other artist's creative spaces, so I thought I would make a little video of mine.

Have a great weekend!

Goals

"A New England Lighthouse" 5 by 7, Pastel Painting

Available Here

It's that time of year again - time to start thinking about setting goals for the new year. I recently found my list of art goals that I'd set for 2011. There are many that I didn't meet (such as the number of paintings that I wanted to accomplish) and some that I did (such as my financial goals related to my art). Even though I didn't meet many of my goals, I still believe in setting them. Goals give you something to strive for and even if you don't achieve them, you're still moving forward.

For this year I'm not going to set a goal for a certain number of paintings that I want to do. Instead, I've made a resolution to find a better balance for my art and quilting. I think I've come up with something that will work. Instead of trying to paint one day and quilt the next, I'm going to alternate weeks. One week I'll paint, and the next I'll quilt. It should work rather well.

I'd love to hear your art related goals for the new year!

My First Art Show!

"Cosmos" 5 by 7, Watercolor Painting

Available Here

I booked my first show yesterday! It will take place in the River Room of the Stillwater Art Guild Gallery in Stillwater Minnesota. I will be doing it along with one of the owners, Randy. I had originally thought about doing it myself but the space is pretty large and I wasn't sure I would be able to fill it. Perhaps next year I could take on a solo show! So anyway the show will take place for the month of December, this year. I have lots of time to prepare, but a lot of work to do!

One of my goals for this year is to do more things like this. I'm relatively shy and don't like talking about myself a whole lot, but I know in order for my business to grow I have to step out of my comfort zone a bit. This is the first step!

I took a bunch of new work to the gallery yesterday and brought some back as well. One of the pieces I brought back is "Cosmos," shown above. Check out my Etsy shop for some more new stuff!

Hope you're having a great week!

My Art In The Smurfs

If you've been following my blog for a while you know that some of my hand painted cigar boxes were purchased for the set of The Smurfs film. Well the movie just came out on DVD and I was able to get some still shots of the scenes in which you can see my boxes. I circled them in the photos below. :)

My Peach Roses box.

Another shot of my Peach Roses box.
My Red Poppies box, behind Smurfette! Another shot of my Red Poppies box.

They actually purchased 3 boxes, but I have been unable to find that one. It's possible that they chose not to use it; either that or it's hiding somewhere.

If you have children or just enjoy these types of movies, I highly suggest this one! It's actually really cute.

Have a great week!

Huge Art Sale!

I'm having a crazy sale on Etsy right now. I just significantly marked down paintings that were already at a reduced price. All of the paintings are original and most of them are $20 with free shipping! I know what you're thinking, "have I lost my mind?!" Not quite, but I'd like to make some room for some new work. I'm only offering this sale for a few days. See some of the paintings below. Check out my "Reduced Art" section to see more.

"Pink Sky" 5 by 7 Pastel
"Apple and Pears" 5 by 7 Pastel

"Grow" 5 by 7 Pastel

"Christmas Poinsettia" 5 by 7 Pastel

These paintings will only be available for a short time and whatever doesn't sell on Etsy will be going to the Stillwater Art Guild Gallery to be a part of the November and December trunk show. I know it seems a bit early to be thinking about Christmas gifts but this might be a fabulous way to start your holiday shopping. You can't beat these prices!

Have a lovely weekend!

No Apologies

I made a decision recently to stop feeling guilty and to stop apologizing for my art. Perhaps you're wondering why I would feel guilty or need to apologize for it. Well, I have gotten grief over the years from people who think that I shouldn't sell different types of items in my Etsy shop (I sell original fine art, prints, quilts, hand painted boxes and other decorative painted items). I've also gotten grief for supposedly not finding my "voice" as an artist yet.

To tell you the truth I'm just tired of it all. I shouldn't have to feel guilty because I have many interests. And I sell some of everything on Etsy, which tells me that people enjoy my different crafts as well as my fine artwork. And regarding my "voice" as an artist, I don't know why I have to paint in one medium and in one particular style. That just doesn't match my personality. I like to experiment. Some subjects I like to do a little looser and others I like to do more realistic. I appreciate the opinion of other artists, but I think it's time that I just follow my own path. Art is subjective and there should not be any rules. Giving into the harsh opinions of others has put a damper in my creativity.

I'm choosing to pursue what I choose and that's that. :)

The Smurfs

I'm so excited! I went to see the Smurfs on Sunday and I spotted some of my boxes! The set decorator purchased the three boxes pictured below. My husband, brother and sister and I all went to see the movie and were scanning the rooms trying to find the boxes.

I think I spotted this one and the one below on some tables. I'll have to wait until it comes out on DVD to see where they all were.
This peach roses box was clearly seen in many shots. In the movie, the Smurfs redecorate part of the living room, in the apartment of the main characters and this box is standing up right on the left hand side of the screen on a table. I'll admit that it was very cool seeing something I painted in a movie!

And the movie was cute. If you have kids or enjoy family type movies, you should go see it. :)

I couldn't help but pick up this little Smurf from McDonald's yesterday! :)

As a little celebration I'm having another cigar box sale on Etsy. 50% off any box with coupon code "boxsale."

My brother and sister were visiting this entire last week, but left for home today. While I'm sad that they're gone, I'm happy that things will be going back to normal around here. Which means I should be doing some more painting soon!

I hope you have a great week!

My Art In The Smurfs

The Smurfs is coming out next Friday! If you follow my blog you already know that some of my hand painted cigar boxes were purchased for the set of this movie. This was well over a year ago and it's so exciting that the release is almost here! I'm looking forward to seeing the movie and trying to spot my boxes. Luckily my brother and sister will be visiting next week so we can all see it together. And the movie looks cute, so you should take your family to see it. :)

Tulip in White

"Tulip in White" 5 by 7, Watercolor Painting

Available Here SOLD

I actually completed a new painting! It's been 2 months, I can't even believe it. If I hadn't gotten married I would say that going 2 months without painting is unacceptable. :) At least I had a good reason.

Anyway, I'll admit I felt a little rusty with this piece, but I enjoyed it. Getting the shade of those shadows was a challenge. I also used a piece of 140lb watercolor paper that had been stretched on a piece of gatorboard for several weeks and I had some issues with it. I used Winsor & Newton paints on this piece and the size is 5 x 7.

If anyone is interested, this painting is available in my Etsy shop for $50 plus free shipping.

It's good to be back! I've missed you all! :)

Cosmos

"Cosmos" 5 by 7, Watercolor Painting

I completed this little watercolor today. It took me much longer than normal as I wasn't able to use a blow dryer to speed things along. My Fiance has been working nights again this week and I didn't want to risk waking him with the dryer. It was certainly a different way of painting. But I'm happy with the way it turned out.

This little painting will join "Twin Roses" at the Stillwater Art Guild Gallery soon.

Have a lovely evening!

Art Goals for 2011

"A Day Away" 9 by 12, Pastel Painting

NFS

Art Goals for 2011

1. Paint at least 4 times a week (I'd like to be able to dedicate more time but I'm also a full time college student).

2. Keep the computer off while I'm working, or if it's on, let it be for listening to music only.

3. Paint what I want, not what I think others will like.

4. Try to nail down a few subjects that I really enjoy and can improve on.

5. Dedicate a lot of time to painting animals.

6. Overall spend less time on the computer and more time painting.

7. Paint some larger paintings.

8. Dedicate more time to drawing.

9. Experiment with watercolor underpaintings for landscapes and skies (in pastel).

10. Participate in monthly painting challenges.

11. Blog more often (at least 4 times a week).

12. Complete some larger paintings for the gallery.

13. Complete at least 150 paintings this year (this past year I completed approximately 75).

14. Start doing a "painting-of-the-month." (A larger more detailed piece)

15. Continue studying painting books and generally keep myself educated in anything art related.

16. Participate in at least 1 painting competition.

17. Spend more time painting with watercolor.

So there it is. I sort of feel that the list isn't complete, so I may add to it. I hope in publishing my list of goals it will help to keep me focused on them. I'd love to hear any art goals you have for the new year! :)

"A Day Away" is one of the first pastel paintings I ever did and it was completed in February of this year. It's nice to compare my earlier works to my more recent ones and see how I have improved.

I hope you all had a great Christmas!