A New Name

"My Neighbor's Fence"

colored pencil

14 x 20"

Still at it. Getting prepared and competing in the Art at the Arnold sidelined my progress a bit. But I have been working steadily on this drawing all week.

One of the great benefits of blogging is that you receive feedback from your readers. One reader, much more savvy than I, let me know that my original title "Poison Ivy" would not be a good idea as the ivy I am drawing is something else entirely. And since I have no idea what it is (I am not a gardener), I have changed the title to "My Neighbor's Fence". I am rather pleased with it, too, because it's such a great metaphor for having good neighbors (which we do).

So, thank you, readers for keeping me in line and for your feedback. I really appreciate it!

Continued Progress - Poison Ivy

Whew. This represents about 4-5 hours worth of work. The fiddly bits on the right side with all the water spots and mold are a real challenge. One I am enjoying, though.

New Digs; New Work

Recently, I was accepted into an artist studio group, Junctionview, where an old warehouse was renovated with many art studios. I couldn't be happier. I have my own space away from the house where I only work on my art. It's fabulous for me.

I have an amazing studio at home; however, I just had the hardest time working there. There was always a load of laundry to do, a phone call to take, a visitor - you know the drill. I just wasn't good at working at home. Has anyone else had this problem. I can't believe I am the only one.

So here's a little bit of my current work in progress. It's a colored pencil drawing on Stonehenge paper which measures 14 x 22". It's very slow work and the piece is large for a colored pencil drawing (and for me), but I am very happy with it so far.

Backlit Roses WIP - 2

More of my current colored pencil project. This one is very grainy and not burnished at all. Am rather liking it this way. We'll see what I come up with as it progresses.

Roses - WIP

My next work in progress: 9 x 6 1/2" colored pencil drawing on Stonehenge. Got to thank my brother, Brian, once again for a fantastic reference photo.

I am really enjoying this one and can't wait to work on it. Maybe it's the complimentary orange/yellow/blue/purple colors.

Not sure yet of its title. I'll keep you posted.

Shadowplay WIP - Almost Finished

This piece is almost finished. Just a few more tweaks and touches should bring it around.

Shadowplay WIP - Continues

My goal with this piece was to create a work of realism but with an abstact-like composition. I have a few more planned with this idea in mind as well.

"Shadowplay"

colored pencil

7 1/2 x 9 1/2"

Shadowplay - WIP Continues

Continuing my post from yesterday, my current colored pencil drawing in progress.

Shadowplay - New Work In Progress

Finally, I have started a new colored pencil drawing. It has been a long time and I was beginning to think I had forgotten how to use my pencils. Only time will tell, but so far so good.

My brother, Brian, has been taking some incredible photographs which he generously has given me permission to use as reference photos so I hope to have several more of these done soon.

I am using Stonehenge paper and the drawing measures 7 1/2 x 9 1/2 inches.

New WIP - Bolivian Lady

Bolivian Lady

Stage 1

Bolivian Lady

Stage 2

Bolivian Lady

Stage 3

This piece is very large for me - it measures 18 x 14". It's pure colored pencil on white Stonehenge paper. If you, too, work in colored pencil, you have an idea of how work intensive this piece is and has been, especially with the background.

As much work as it is, I have enjoyed it- almost feel guilty at times. (Does anyone else feel guilty about loving their work, too?)

I am working from a reference photo I took last year while in Bolivia. I was fascinated by how the women dressed and how they carried everything in their wraps. The Bolivian women are some of the hardest working people I have ever seen. In this piece I hope to capture some of that work-filled life in her face along with her feminity and beauty.

I've been meaning to start one of these large pieces from Bolivia since last year. Maybe because I have my second trip booked for this spring, I felt compelled to begin this drawing. I'm not sure, but it is motivating me to get ready to travel again.

Let me know what you think. Love your comments and suggestions.