I'm in a book!!!!

Dear Readers,
Happy Holidays!  I apologize for my absence, holidays and two weeks of bad colds have kept me away. But I have some exciting news to share- the Sketchbook Project book finally came!!!!  I am printed in a book-a very small picture, but I'm in there!  Considering this has been one of my life goals for a long time, I'm pretty happy.  Granted, its not a book I illustrated, but it's a start and I'm celebrating it! 

 The Cover of the Book!

My picture, right in the middle!

The original illustration

 On a sadder note, as an elementary teacher myself, I am thinking and praying for everyone involved in the tragedy this weekend.  Please include them in your prayers tonight.

Liz

Hurricane Housebound, Day 2

Dear Readers,
Well, Hurricane Sandy was a rough one- my thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who was affected by the storm.  Where I was was not hit very hard- power lines down and some flooded cars.  We were able to go out in the afternoon today- and back to work tomorrow!  So before I head off to the real world tomorrow, I thought I would leave you with a few works in progress.

These first two are hand-painted cards that I hope to sell soon.

This is a work in progress- a canvas using acrylic- I am so excited to see it finished!

Hope everyone is well and safe tonight.

Hurricane Housebound, Day 1

Dear Readers,
Well, if you are anywhere on the East Coast, you are in the same boat as I am-sitting in your house, waiting out the storm.  So far, we have not lost power, but I feel as if that is coming within the next hour or so.  So I thought  I would put up a blog post, since I spent much of today painting.  (The rest of today I was trying to figure out a soy mocha, not as successful.)

Lately I have started experimenting with backgrounds, simple ones like clouds.  I like it a lot, I think it adds something to the art.  I know it is not "purist" botanical illustration, but with one eye on hopefully having a show this summer, I am trying to make my art more sell-able. Let me know what you think... and stay safe out there today!

My view of the hurricane!

30 Things I Want to Do When I am 30 (Personal Musings)

Dear Readers

Today I want to post some personal musings I have been having.  Because of this I will not be posting this post to facebook, as I sometimes do to have more people look at my art.  But just you my wonderful blogger readers will get to read this one.

Some of these musings have been occurring because I am going to be 30 soon, but I decided that instead of thinking about that birthday negatively, I want to think about it positively.  To that end I wrote up a "30 Things I Want to Do When I Am 30" List.  It made me feel very excited about this upcoming year!

Other of my musings come about just from the nature of being a completely unknown artist.  Over the summer I did a lot of thinking about why I make art, even when nothing happens and nothing gets sold.  I came to the conclusion that I want to always keep on making art, even if I only ever sell one painting, like my hero Van Gogh. This page has been sitting in my sketchbook for a while, but I thought it would be good to put in my personal musings post.

Thanks for listening, my friends.

Drawing Challenge Days 20-27

Dear Readers,
Well, I told myself that I am not allowed to go outside and play on this beautiful Saturday until I have sat at my computer and blogged!  Not that blogging is a chore, but my drawings have been piling up and I've been running around working my new job, so there you have it. 

 I've been very inspired by what I've seen on other blogs lately, in particular artsyville wrote a post about taking an art retreat-this is something I definitely want to do!  Let me know what you think readers- maybe we can make this happen.  What do we think- mountains or ocean?

Either way I am finishing up my 30 day drawing challenge (it took 60, but hey, my rules were weak.) Come back tomorrow for the last 3!

Day 20-

One of my new favorites!

Day 21

 Day 22

 Day 23-

A quote I find very profound given my current obsession with flowers.

 Day 24- 

My Favorite Coloring page

 Day 25-

A marker doodle

 Day 26-

"Pirate Pig is NOT Amused"

No idea and I love it!

Day 27- 

An unfinished ink drawing

Coloring Pages (Drawing Challenge Days 15-19)

Dear Readers,

Happy Labor Day!  Have you gone back to school too?  These past two weeks have been full of teacher meetings, first days of school, and meeting all of my new students.  So far, I LOVE my new job!  Everyone has been wonderful to me and the kids have been working hard.  But my blogging and drawing have slowed down, because I am concentrating on making this the best school year I can.  The drawings I have today are what I call 'coloring pages' because I doodle the images and then go back later with colored pencil or paint and fill them in.  I find it so relaxing!  If anyone wants some coloring pages, email me and I will happily send you some!  

Day 15

Day 16 (my favorite)

Day 17 (needs work)

Day 18

Now I'm off to spend the rest of the morning coloring in my coloring pages!

Teacher's Week! (Drawing Challenge Days 12-14)

Dear Readers,

Yesterday was my first day at my new job, and already, I love this place.  One of the first things they did when they got all of the newly-hired art teachers in one room, was hand us a beautiful new sketchbook.  To keep.  Just to draw in and inspire us!  If any of you know how teaching works, this is not usually what happens.  

My beautiful new sketchbook!  

So I have decided to use my new sketchbook to keep at work (or in my car) and to doodle/draw inspirations in when I have time during the day.  And I've already started! 
I don't know what side of the fence you are on in the "doodle during lectures" debate, but I am a copious doodler.  But, in my defense, I also take pages of notes at the same time! (A technique perfected in college)  During teacher week, I have been attending lots of meetings and using my sketchbook at the same time.  Are you a doodler? I'd love to see some doodles!

Day 12- A Klimt inspired doodle

Day 13

Day 14- My favorite doodle so far- a Celtic Doodle!

Drawing Challenge Days 10 and 11

Dear Readers,
 Two more drawings today, as well as a BEAUTIFUL painting from Annie. Working on scanning in my art, so still adjusting fonts and colors. 
Thanks for reading! 

Day 10- A quote I've been thinking about a lot lately!

Annie's Amazing Day 10!

Day 11- Definitely needs more color! 

Summer Musings (Drawing Challenge Days 8 and 9)

Dear Readers,
As summer ends and I start getting myself mentally prepared for school, looking back this was a summer about being grateful and enjoying the little things.  I am grateful for having a new job, first of all.  After breaking my toe early in the summer, I am grateful for the ability to walk (and my patient husband).  I am grateful for friends who draw with me- now I have two (Sarah and Annie!) joining my drawing challenge.  It was a wonderful summer, full of drawing adventures to different places.  Yesterday I went on a drawing adventure to a place called Patuxent Ponds, where I bothered the fisherman jumping around trying to get my drawing. (The things we do for art!)  Check out the drawings and let me know how your summer has gone!

Day 8- Will paint for a later day!

Sarah's Day 8! 

Annie's Day 8

Day 9- Also to be painted

Annie's Day 9

Annie's Day 7

Thank you for checking in with us! 

Drawing Challenge! Days 2-7

Dear Readers,
Well, its been a week of my drawing challenge and I've been doing good with the drawing, but not so good with the blogging about it.  I had a wonderful weekend visit from my sister, niece and nephews, and we had a blast! But between trips to the park and sleeping bag races down the stairs, there wasn't much time to blog!
Also, I have a friend joining me for the drawing challenge!  She has graciously sent me pictures to put on my blog.  Her style is very different from mine, and wonderful.  Let me know if you want to join us!

Day 2

Annie's Day 2!

Day 3

Annie's Day 3

Day 4- Something a little different

Day 5- Color!

Day 6- A work in progress

Day 7-

I read this at the B&B we stayed at in St. Michaels MD, and I've wanted to illustrate it for a while now.  

Let me know what you think so far!  

-Liz

30 Day Drawing Challenge

Dear Readers,

Happy August!  With 2 weeks left of summer, I have decided to have an incentive to draw more.  I have seen a lot of blogs talk about the 30 Day Drawing Challenge.  I have thought about doing this, but to be honest I'm not very good at drawing on command. So I'm going to change the rules.  Why not?  So here goes:

My 30 Day Drawing Challenge Rules:

1.  I will do a drawing, any drawing, every day for 30 days.

2.  I will post them on the blog in order, but not necessarily every day.

That's it.  2 rules.  Anyone want to join me?...... Crickets?....  Let me know if you decide to draw with me, and link back to my site! 
Ok. Here Goes.

  Day 1: Chinese Hibiscus-from my trip to the Botanical Gardens in D.C.

I hope you decide to join me-
Thanks for reading, either way!
Liz
P.s.  Do you like the new look of the blog?

Summer Sketches

Dear Readers,

How is your summer going?  I've been keeping busy with errands, interviews, and sometimes, sketches!  I am proud to announce that I have a new job!  I am very excited for a new opportunity.  I will be at three schools, but I've done two schools before.  Any advice, art teachers?

As for my sketches, I spent the day last Wednesday at the Botanical Gardens in D.C.  I loved it!  It wasn't air conditioned, and pretty humid, but I kept taking breaks and managed to get some great sketches.  I will keep you posted as I finish these.  Also, I am trying to put copyrights on my work, just for safety online.  So if you notice it, that's why.  Now that I have finished the craziness of interviewing, I hope to keep up with my sketching!  See you soon!

The End! (Of Owl, anyway)

Dear Friends,
 I know all of you have been sitting there thinking "Where is the end of the owl story? Its been WEEKS!"  Or, you know, you might have forgotten all about it.  But that's ok, I forgive you, since I hope you are forgiving of me!  I've been traveling for the last 3 weeks, and before that it was the end of the school year, which as any teacher knows, is pretty much just 'hold on till its over'.  But I'm back now, with fresh resolutions to blog more, and read blogs more.
SO... to finish the owl book!  If you're just reading this now, or can't remember from weeks ago, this is a story I wrote and illustrated called "Why did the Owl make everyone Laugh?"   It was part of The Sketchbook Project and they currently are keeping it at the Brooklyn Art Library.

So the plot of the story is that Owl sets out to find out what makes everyone laugh.  He runs into some underwear, falls out of a tree, and currently, is being held hostage by a cat.  The cat has asked him what is funny...

Hooray!!! The End!  Let me know what you think of it!

If you ever do make it to the Brooklyn Art Library, my book's call # is 176.8-4.  Please visit- it might get lonely!