Monday, March 31, 2008

Art Video



I've been having a ton of fun making little short videos at www.animoto.com - it's easy, free and addicting! I've got more on my youtube link - check them out here!
www.youtube.com/livefunky

Saturday, March 29, 2008

More painterly sketches

Happy Day
Acrylic on watercolor paper, 2008




Tempted

Acrylic on watercolor paper, 2008.





Face of a Friend
Acrylic on watercolor paper, 2008




Alternate Landscape
Acrylic and oil pastel on watercolor paper, 2008.

All available original art and prints at www.livefunky.etsy.com

Friday, March 28, 2008

Sketching in paint

You Can Call It Impossible
Acrylic paint on watercolor paper, 2008.




Pile Up
Acrylic on watercolor paper, 2008.



Rise Up (SOLD)
Acrylic on watercolor paper, 2008.








Out to In Focus
Acrylic on watercolor paper, 2008.



Once all blank canvases were painted on last night, I turned to some watercolor paper to keep the inspiration flowing. I ended up doing a few painterly sketches that I have listed in my Etsy shop for a very reasonable price. As I plan on expanding my shop to include larger and pricier work, I still want to have some original art that is within a "real world" budget. These are great because they lend themselves to taking chances, learning new things, and maybe stumbling upon a composition that will work on a larger scale.


See all available art for purchase at http://www.livefunky.etsy.com/

Thursday, March 27, 2008

More original art

Windows and Doors
Acrylic on 8 x 10 canvas panel, 2008



The Quilts of My Youth
Mixed media on 5 x 7 canvas panel, 2008




I can't express how happy I am to be painting again. It's been since before I left for Florida when I was working on the big commission - that was the last time I held a brush in my hand. In this past month or so I've focused more on digital illustrations and product development as well as designing my website (which still isn't exactly what I want, but it will do for now). That's all fine, and I guess for whatever reason I needed this time away (otherwise I would have been painting!) but the point is I feel REALLY good right NOW.

I am exploring these compositions with bold black lines - something I've been working with for years - instead of my more recent "boxy" paintings or drip paintings. Each style is "me", just in a slightly different voice or approach.

So anyway, Thank you to the gods of paint for removing this painter's block and freeing my hand and heart to do what I love to do most!

ALL AVAILABLE ART CAN BE FOUND AT http://www.livefunky.etsy.com/

Back on Track

What Are You Thinking?
Original acrylic on 8 x 10 canvas panel, 2008.


Bits and Pieces and The Path
Original acrylic on 8 x 10 canvas panel, 2008.

After a long break from painting, I'm back to the brush. The colors in these two paintings are inspired by this spring feeling I have inside (not quite outside yet, but it's coming). Even just seeing the tips of green from my irises starting to poke up makes my soul sing. I'll be painting for the rest of the day, so hopefully I'll have more to share by this evening.

All available artwork at http://www.livefunky.etsy.com/

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Update on Updates

The front page and overall layout was changed again today. This is much more what I had in mind for the vision/look/approach for my website, http://www.livefunky.com/

What are your thoughts on the design... yes please or no thank you? If you notice a whoopsie moment anywhere, don't hesitate to bring it to my attention. Thanks!

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Updating Website


Your honest critiques are greatly appreciated! http://www.livefunky.com/
I still have to add the about me section (always the hardest).

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Beautiful Sunset

Illustrator version of photo below. Part of a new gallery of images at www.zazzle.com/naturalmystic


I punched up the contrast on this picture I ran outside to take just before the sun set over the hill. There is no way to capture the briliant purples of the hillside and the way the sky looks like it's fire red. Still I think it's cool that this orb formed in the picture around the sun.

Spring IS on it's way. I have a hard time believing it, because around here we usually get all excited by a few warms days then - BAM - we get ten inches of snow or something. I can't wait for those bits of green to start popping up, the birds to return, and the sun to shine warm on my coatless back!

Patience..... Reminding myself not to wish my life away, live in the moment. Be happy here and now.

Just as an aside, what are other artists thoughts on Alchemy returning to Etsy? Anyone have any luck so far? And then there is the link in our shops to do custom orders - anyone not very happy about that? For those that are going for it, are you thinking about pricing or do you already have a system all worked out for custom orders? I've been kind of all over the map as far as past orders. I think I need to get something more solid worked out for the future.

Anyway, hope everyone is having a great day!

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Examples of Commissions

Etsy has a new feature where buyers can request custom orders. If you look at my shop's page at http://www.livefunky.etsy.com/ you will see a button that says Request Custom Item

I thought it would be nice to give buyers an idea of what I have done in the past working with customer's ideas and color preferences.


This is my most recent commission. It is a 48" x 48" acrylic painting on stretched canvas. The composition was based on the painting White Out in colors that fit my buyer's decor.


This altered playing card was created for a buyer that found another 6 of clubs card I made online (see here) that was already sold. She had a personal connection to this card, and since the first creation was already sold, I created this new card with an emphasis on the two connections she had to the 6 of clubs - luck and love!



An 18" x 24" acrylic reproduction of the painting Breakthrough





A pair of two 36" x 36" acrylic paintings on canvas. I love this set! I'd love to do ten more of these or more!



A 24" x 36" version of the slightly smaller acrylic painting available for sale Here

Monday, March 10, 2008

New Livefunky Products!


Lots of fun designs and patterns over at www.zazzle.com/livefunky* - mousepads, mugs, buttons, magnets and greeting cards!

Sunday, March 09, 2008

New Designs for Zazzle


I've been adding some new designs to my Modern Art Apparel shop at www.zazzle.com/artjct* - hats, ties, and men's and women's tshirts.

Friday, March 07, 2008

Featured on Vintage Indie!

Woo hoo! My spring green vintage purse (seen above) was featured in a post on Vintage Indie! Check out this awesome blog and scroll down to see the post http://vintageindie.typepad.com/

To see my vintage shop go to www.VintageJunction.etsy.com

Thursday, March 06, 2008

Vintage Junction

Please visit my new Etsy shop for sassy vintage accessories! www.VintageJunction.etsy.com

Sunday, March 02, 2008

City On Stilts

Acrylic on 8 x 10 stretched canvas, 2008.
Available at www.livefunky.etsy.com

Spring Thinking

Spring Thinking

Acrylic on 5 x 7 canvas panel, 2008

Available at http://www.livefunky.etsy.com/