have a seat….and a video

for me, part of the fun in creating my chair collection was 

the challenge of how to find a proper "home" for it.

 i usually like to create a little book for my artwork,

but since each one of my chairs was illustrated on loose sheets of paper,

that made the book option difficult.

 and then i started thinking about the actual chairs in my illustrations,

and took inspiration that chairs are most comfortable arranged in a cozy room…. 

and when you open the doors to the room…. 

each chair is there, inviting you to have a seat!

so, instead of making a book, 

i created this simple box structure for my chairs to live in.


 

here's a little video peek of my illustrated
chair chamber!

 

you can watch this video in larger format here!

{you can read more information about each chair in this series

and the inspiration behind it here}

{to create these illustrations, i've cut 140lb CP watercolor paper to 6" x 6", 

and i've used watercolor, a little colored pencil, and graphite pencils.

the cover was created using a sheet of canson mi-teintes paper.}

have a seat, part three

after illustrating lots of these little chairs,

i'm learning a lot by adding different styles to my "collection"!

some are easier than others, 

and some look a little wonky, no matter how long you work on them 

(i may have worked on this one a little too long….)

so when i've had too much of a brown bar stool,

there's nothing like a sweet little garden chair 

with a little blue birdie to lighten things up a bit.

and then it's on to the ultimate challenge….the papasan,
which i've also dubbed as "the neptune chair"….
because i'll have to practice this one many, many times to be able
to draw that cushion so it doesn't look like a giant seashell!  :))

oh well, as they say….
chair-practice makes chair-perfect,
and keeping the process fun makes a lot of chair-happy!!

i'll be sharing a video soon showing all ten chairs together...

 you can also see other chairs in this series here and here!

{these chairs were inspired by one of the lessons taught by

danielle donaldson in her "storybooks and studious girls" class.

to create these illustrations, i've cut 140lb CP watercolor paper to 6" x 6", 

and i've used watercolor, a little colored pencil, and graphite pencils}

have a seat, part two

i'm still having tons of fun

drawing and illustrating these little chairs….

and i've discovered by the time i'm finished with one chair,

i can't wait to start on the next one!

i am seriously hooked!

it's been a while since i've been able to sink my creative teeth 

into a fun project like this…..i can't tell you how good that feels!!

you can see the first three chairs in this series here!

{these chairs were inspired by one of the lessons taught by

danielle donaldson in her "storybooks and studious girls" class.

to create these illustrations, i've cut 140lb CP watercolor paper to 6" x 6", 

and i've used watercolor, a little colored pencil, and graphite pencils}

Happy Memorial Day!

{the following post is an "inspiration monday" project that i shared in 2013}

 repurposing your artwork can be as easy as 1-2-3!

first, choose a journal page or other artwork you've done that really inspires you.  scan it into your computer and print it out using a high quality setting -or- take it to a nearby office supply store and they will make a good quality copy for you.  then gather some of your favorite art supplies!

(since today is Memorial Day here in America,

i'm using this artwork that i did in 2010.)

now here's the 1-2-3!

1- use one of your favorite elements in your artwork..

(for example,  i really love this star in the artwork i'm using, so i cut it out.)

2- now take another element of your artwork and try to think of a new way to use it.

(for mine, i really like those red stripes, but instead of painting them,
i'm using red twine to give the suggestion of stripes)

(if you use a small hole punch on the edge of the paper,
it will create a notch that's perfect to hold that twine in place,
and it will help to keep the paper from tearing!)

3- look for ways you can use your supplies to update elements in your artwork.

(for example, i liked the border scallops in my artwork,
but instead of drawing them, i updated the look
 by using a scallop paper punch with this stamped sentiment)

now put everything together, and you have a brand new project inspired by artwork

 that you've already done....and it was easy as 1-2-3!

✰ ✰ ✰

this card is dedicated with gratitude to all those brave men and women who have served our country, those who have given their lives in the line of duty, and those who continue to guard and protect our freedoms.  you are our true heroes, and we honor you today....and every day!

✰ ✰ ✰

{supplies:  memorial day artwork, white and blue card stock,
 doodlebug twine, colorbox stamp pads, thank you rubber stamp, 
ranger archival stamp pad, scissors, adhesive, foam dots}

have a seat

i am slowly but surely getting back into my studio,

and i've been having an absolute ball as a student in 

danielle donaldson's online class, "storybooks and studious girls"!

danielle offers many hours of fabulous instruction on illustrative sketching

and watercolor basics, not to mention

instructions and demonstrations of how to draw her sweet little "girls"

and put it all in your very own "rainbow storybook".
she also offers a great lesson on perspective drawing….

and speaking of perspective drawing,

she takes the mystique, and let's face it, the pain, out of the process

by showing us how to draw a chair…..

and i must confess,  i'm kinda hooked!

i never realized there were so many types of chairs…..

or how much fun it would be illustrating them!

you can read more info about danielle's class here.

{supplies:  strathmore 140lb. CP paper, watercolor, 

colored pencil, HB and 6B pencil}