Some Art, a Gnome, and Jazz

"If you weren't stargazing  ...you'd be home by now"

More gnomes... more sketchbook project pages!

This page was based on Vincent Van Gogh's "Starry Night":

The colors from this painting paired with the stars led me to my next page:

"If you weren't dancing with the stars  ...you'd be home by now"

This page was based on Henri Matisse's "Icarus":

And since this cut paper collage by Matisse was part of his "Jazz" series, it led me to my next page:

"If you weren't making music  ...you'd be home by now"

This page was based on Jean Dubuffet's "Jazz Band":

One thing leads to another, and I continue to plug away at my Sketchbook Project.

(The theme for my sketchbook is "...you'd be home by now".  If you'd like to find out more about my inspiration, you can find it in this post.)

I dream of gnomes...

The Sketchbook Project Meets Whimsical Wednesday

"If you weren't such a mess ...you'd be home by now"

It's Whimsical Wednesday and I thought a gnome covered in paint would be a fun addition to the merriment!  (I'm thinking it has a little bit of a "Where's Waldo" vibe.  What do you think?)

And so the sketchbook project continues...  Today's page is based on Jackson Pollock's "Convergence":

(The theme for my sketchbook is "...you'd be home by now".  If you'd like to find out more about my inspiration, you can find it in this post.)

More gnomes to come...

Sketchbook Project: Creative Tuesday Edition

"If you hadn't lost track of time... you'd be home by now"

The theme for Creative Tuesday over at Mr. Toast's blog is "New Year".  Since I have to keep plugging away at The Sketchbook Project, I thought it would be fun to combine the two challenges.

It is hard not to think about the passing of time when a new year rolls around.  As a result, Salvador Dali's "The Persistence of Memory" seemed like the perfect painting to base today's drawing on.

(The theme for my sketchbook is "...you'd be home by now".  If you'd like to find out more about my inspiration, you can find it in this post.)

Be sure to check back... a lot more gnome drawings are on the way!

The Sketchbook Project... Finally!

I have finally started working inside my moleskine!  (Nothing like waiting until the last minute, right?!?)

On Friday I stitched the new Arches watercolor paper pages into the cover that I had already painted.  (In case you didn't know, I took my sketchbook apart to put heavier paper inside.)  The good news is that since the paper is so much thicker, there was only room for 20 pages... So this project is still doable by the deadline as long as I eat, sleep and breathe Sketchbook Project!  (And that's exactly what I plan on doing.)

This first drawing was based on the painting L'Homme au Chapeau Melon by Rene Magritte:

Stay tuned for more gnome art adventures...

Since it's Sunday, don't forget to stop by Sophia's blog to see what my friends have been up to for their Sunday Sketches!

Update:

After I posted this I checked my mail and found a very exciting message from Charlie Corrigan.  Charlie is a very talented artist who was inspired by my 30 in 30 for 30 project and has started her own exciting challenge for the month of January! 

During the month of January, Charlie will be creating an original piece of artwork every day - that means 31 original paintings/illustrations in 31 days.  She will also be offering some of those originals in her etsy shop for the incredible price of $11.00 - that isn't a typo... yes, an original piece of artwork for only $11.00! 

So, be sure to stop by her blog and show her some love.  (And if you're so inclined, you can join in the fun - she has rallied a group of artists to join her in her journey!)

The Last Sketch of 2010 and Creative Goals for 2011!

Happy Gnu Year!

I figured I had just enough time to squeeze in a little more silliness before the end of 2010.  I couldn't help myself... Oh how I love to play with words!

I also thought this would be the perfect time to write out my creative goals for 2011.  I don't know about you, but I always feel like writing something down makes it more real... more official.  So, in the spirit of keeping myself on track in the coming year, here goes...

2011 Creative Goals

• work on, finish up, and mail out The Sketchbook Project (this is at the very top of my list because the deadline is January 15th!)
• learn how to sew
• build a website
• take more photographs and learn more about Photoshop
• attend more life drawing sessions with Stevie
• work in my sketchbook daily (even if it's only 10 minutes!)
• paint at least 52 new paintings
• finally create the children's book dummy that has been kicking around in my head for so many years
• submit to a creative magazine
• submit a t-shirt design to Threadless
• update my etsy shop with new artwork often
• look into selling my work at local art fairs, shops, and galleries
• create more edible art
• keep having fun!

Lots to do, but I have a whole year to do it!

What are some of your goals for 2011?

Edible Art Love

"Eating Manhattan"  3 ft.x 4ft. chocolate chip cookie map

I am a big believer that art comes in many forms... including edible.  My first "official" edible art piece was created in one of my college art classes.  (Although the beginning of my edible art creation can be traced all the way back to second grade:  I remember sitting at the kitchen table with my mom using food coloring to paint faces on marshmallow snowman "sculptures".)

My love of edible art was renewed a couple of years ago when I stumbled upon the truly amazing baking blog, Bakerella.  Angie Dudley (a.k.a. Bakerella) is the Queen of Cupcake Pops and edible artist extraordinaire.  I have been so inspired by all of her unbelievably creative confectionery wonders.  (If you read my last post you will be happy to learn that I did receive Bakerella's new book for Christmas and it is fantastic!) 

These were the very first cupcake pops I ever made.  I made 48 pops and painted 2 terracotta pots to give as hostess gifts for a couple of 4th of July parties I was invited to.

I was bitten by the cupcake pop bug and created these fun beach bears a few weeks later for T-man's pool party! 

I also made this Woman's Day inspired cake (complete with coconut bra wearing hula bears)!

I've created pops for bake sales...

And teacher appreciation gifts...

I've even made them for my niece's graduation.

But my edible art obsession doesn't end there...

I love baking and decorating cookies!  I made these for Tyler's Half-Birthday Celebration at preschool last year.  He asked for "Snoopy Basketball" cookies but I couldn't find a cookie cutter... so I created a stencil to cut out the dough then drew on them with royal icing.

Smiles to you, my fabulous blogging friends...

No matter what medium you choose, I hope today (and every day) finds you creating some sweet art and even sweeter memories!

Sweet Holiday Greetings

In order to get ready for the holidays, I've assembled an army of snowmen inspired by my baking hero, Bakerella.  (I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Santa brings me her new book!)

As I've mentioned before, I love handmade gifts...

This year for my neighbors I made snowman cake pops, candy coated oreos, and lightbulb candy pops.  Normally I paint terra cotta pots in a matching theme, but since I was running short on time I used these adorable snowman bowls I found at The Christmas Tree Shop.

The snowmen are so cute I could just eat them up! 

Well, I'm off to start havin' some Christmas fun, so from my house to yours...

We wish you a

ridiculously fun

holiday season!

Love,

Kristin, Tyler (a.k.a. T-man) & Bob