Note Cards

Have you heard of Etsy? Quite a few people mention that I should open up an Etsy store. I think I will. A friend suggested that I put my artwork onto a note card. I like how they turn out. She also order my first box of cards. How cool is that?!

CAT FRIDAY: Cats + art = an awesome First Cat Friday

CAT FRIDAY: Cats + art = an awesome First Cat Friday

Last Friday my cat was featured on the INLANDER . Okay I was in it, too. It went coincide with my Cat Art Show.

Art Show

For the month of August 2014, I would be showing at Pottery Place Plus in downtown Spokane.
If you like cat art or something whimsical, come and see my work!

Art Prints

Before my art show there were a lot of preparation that were involved. I had my artwork professionally scanned and printed on archival fine art watercolor paper. The printer did a wonderful job. It's expensive but I think the quality is worth it. The fine art prints really shows the depth and color of my original painting well versus if I get it printed at a copier place. At the copier place (like Kinkos) the color is not brilliant (like the original) and comes out flat and dull. Besides I don't think it's really a great way to print your artwork or show off your artwork with a copy machine.

Then I wrote a short artist comment for each piece. I matted, labeled, and package them in cello bags. It was more work than I realized. I didn't get much sleep before the show.

Commissioned Work

It's always exciting to get a commissioned work but it's actually hard to do. You don't have the flexibility to do as you pleased. For instance, this client wants his son's favorite stuffed animal to be included into my illustration. I find that difficult since I don't have a connection to the subject matter (to conjure up a story or pun). Then it occurred to me that I can always treat it like a pet portrait. So here it it. "Pet Portrait" for a boy and his favorite stuffed animal.

Come and Play with Us

Inspired by the old classic horror movie "The Shining". I could never finish watching this movie because it's so creepy.

Sketching Simplified

As the weather gets better, it gets harder to stay indoor and paint. I couldn't resist the urge to go outside and try plein air.

1.) I discover I need to to get a better sketch pad......at least one that's suitable for watercolor. I only got one dab of blue on the paper. The paper doesn't soak up the paint.

2.) Need to sketch FAST! That means no details and simplify everything. Believe me that sketch was simplified (for me) but I still need to simplified a lot more.

3.) Bring a folding chair, water, and wear your hat....and try to stay in the shade.

4.) Pack light. Pen and pencil and drawing pad is all you need if you are only sketching.

5.) Bring a camera to take pictures, if you plan to finish the painting at home.

I know it sounds basic but sometimes I forget and not done one of the things that I've listed. Ugh!

Preliminary Sketch

I do really detailed sketches before I put my watercolor on. Sometimes it looks like a finished drawing. Sometimes I am afraid to put color on it because there is always the chance you can ruin the painting by muddy up the coloring.

Sherlock Bones

It's not my usual cat illustration but once you let your inner dog out, you kind of have to finish it. :p

Old Dog Sketch

Sometimes you find old unfinished sketches that you've done a long time ago but I was quite excited to finally finish painting it. I probably drew that after I did my digital drawing.

I took some time out to join the Spokane Sketcher to brush up on my drawing skills. I have to admit I am a bit rusty but it was fun meeting other artist and sketching. The problem (for me) sketching on site is that I never finish it. I would always finding something (details) to keep on drawing.

Happy St.Patrick's Day

I feel lucky today. I am holding a four leaf clover in the palm of my hand...and a cat, too. :p 

Progress

It's almost a year (shy of one month) since I painted my first cat watercolor. I thought I would paint (my first one) again. Putting it side by side, I couldn't believe how much my style had changed. It's gotten more realistic and detail and it takes a lot longer to paint, too.

Revisting Old Works

I am thinking about building my own website with my artwork. It's rather challenging to come up with what artwork to put in it. My artwork had been very diversify in medium and subject matter. Obviously I should put up my recent work (watercolor) but I started out in oil. I still like to revisit that medium. However, I haven't figure out my subject matter yet or what I like to express. I don't have many of my original oil painting left and the only one left are "work in progress" that really translate abandon work from over 10 years ago. *blush* I did mostly portraits and figure paintings and I wonder if I am able to draw human figure any more. Hopefully it's like riding a bike that once you learn it you can pick it up again.

Illustration Friday: Twisted

Doesn't everyone twist themselves to match their outfits?

Caturday Night Fever

Remember the movie "Caturday Night Fever" from the 70's? I don't think I ever saw it. I was too young. I do know there was one cool cat that made dancing with one paw up in the air iconic. :p

Chairman Meow

These cat illustrations are getting longer to paint as they get more complex. I am also learning new watercolor skills with each painting. For example, from the last painting, I learn something as simple as to tape down the paper to keep it from buckling!

Marie Catoinette

Your Highness

I didn't expect how much detail I was able to accomplish with watercolor. I also discover the more detail you put into the painting, it also requires twice as much time to paint it. 

The Sky is the Limit

Everyone loves a bedtime story, right?

Daydream

Don't you ever wonder what's up with cats that just sit there and stare into space?

Royal Portrait

I think all cats think they're royalty and demand to be treated as such. :)

Back to Basic

My stepson showed an interest in drawing. I was thrilled and inspired. People make new year resolutions on loosing weight, quit bad habits, etc. But I thought maybe I should just practice drawing more.