Return to blogging!

Well...I am back!  I took a couple month hiatus from blogging because I honestly got sick of going on my computer!  I needed some time to just read, be outside and finish up school.  Has anyone gotten so sick of their computer and the thought of being online?  I just needed a break but now I feel more refreshed!  So here is some new art that I just finished!  I am on a lemon kick I think.  I just love how fresh lemons are (they smell amazing also!)  I can't stop drinking lemonade lately and just love the look of lemons in a bowl as a centerpiece.  So here are some lemon-inspired artworks:

And here is a painting inspired by just the idea of being able to eat and drink outside!  I just adore summer:)

I call this painting "Tea Alfresco"  Yay for outdoor tea (or coffee) parties!

Well all of this talk about outside is making me want to actually GO outside:)  I will leave you with two things.  1)  This lovely inspiration page I found in my "inspiration" file box. It is from Midwest Living magazing (2/2010) and the colors are just so fresh and summer-like.  I hope it inspires you as much as me:)

2)  I will leave you with this lovely song

Inspiration

One of my dearest friends just gave me an adorable calendar filled with inspiring quotes.  This quote in particular caught my eye.  I just love the colors and the quote is so inspirational.

 I am going to frame and hang it in my studio or classroom (still deciding!) Lovely inspiration and fantastic typography don't you think?!  I'm a little obsessed with fonts and lettering lately if you haven't noticed?!   What quote inspires you?

Inspiration: 1980's Childcraft

I don't know if you remember the Childcraft books from the 70's and 80's?! They were published by World Book (remember when people actually had encyclopedias?!) My Grandmother was one of World Book's top sellers around 20-30 years ago. My family always scored free encyclopedias and lucky for me...the Childcraft How and Why Library



Recently I have been going through these old books and have been finding some very cool illustrations that really inspire me! Check them out!

The book I will be exploring tonight is:


Look at these adorable clouds!


Check out these lovely flowers



And I just love these pen and ink figures...so fun:)



Some pictures are a little odd though....check out this Creeper...YIKES!


And my favorite:


All I can say is...Yay for 1980's illustrations! Have a great night! I am off to watch Lost!

10 minute sketch: Pink Heels

Here is today's 10 minute sketch. It is of one of my favorite spring shoes. These are cute pink heels I got at Banana Republic a couple of years ago and they never seem to go out of style (at least to me they don't!) The only thing is that they are not the most comfortable shoes if you have to be on your feet all day! I did this sketch with a green colored pencil and some watercolors.

I also have some swatches of paper and fabric that I found recently that have really inspired me. Here is a piece of fabric I found in an old box of fabric we have at school. I just love the colors and the flower shapes. I will definitely be using these flower shapes in my artwork sometime soon!


Here is some beautiful paper that I got when I was in Venice about 2 years ago. I bought some jewelry at a boutique there and it came wrapped in this paper. I just love the paisleys and the floral pattern.


What inspires you?