Well the last couple of weeks have been WONDERFUL for me in terms of art. Firstly, I had a chance to break in the incredible drafting table that my dad built for me this year...It's made out of maple and comes equipped with a wooden mechanism that lifts the top to two different angles - One for drawing and one for painting. I haven't thrown any colorful acrylic at it yet, but that's definitely the next item on my agenda. I also was able to complete two drawings - Coincidentally, both were of little boys! Gotta love adorable children =)So the first drawing was of my cousin, Cathy, and her brand new baby, Mason. He was born at the end of March and is the first child for Cathy and her husband. I can't wait for them to have more, to be honest. Mason was so quiet and well-behaved when we met him earlier this month. I've never seen a quieter baby in my life!
The portrait was one from a professional photo shoot the couple had with little Mason. My mom had sent me a link to the photos and I saw this one and decided there was no way I couldn't draw it...There are times that I see a photo and just KNOW that it was taken so that someone could draw it. This was definitely one of those photos...Plus, what better time to draw and present it as a gift to my cousin since Mother's Day was right in our midst?! I think it was a great surprise for her when I gave it to her a couple of weeks ago. Sometimes I wish that I could capture the reactions of people when I give them one of my drawings. The reaction is one of the many driving forces behind my art. I would probably feel like a sucessful artist if I never recieved payment for a single piece. The joy the drawings seem to give to people is TRULY payment enough - I am not trying to be cheesy here!
The second drawing, which I actually finished just last night, was for a coworker. Her birthday was yesterday, so my department decided that we should frame a drawing that I would do, an image of her grandson, for her. The picture came from an outing to the sandbox during a preschool weekday - I simply love the playful expression on his face. It looks like he's got his eye on some colorful toy and he's planning his attack =)When we gave the framed drawing to our coworker this morning, she was brought to tears by the portrait. Now THAT is a reaction I will treasure forever...To be able to capture a loved one in such a way that it brings out all of that emotion is wonderful to behold. I am so glad that I was able to give her something unique for her birthday! Birthdays AND kids are the greatest...
I recently came across another photo that is just SCREAMING to be drawn - My best friend recently graduated from Nursing School. I can't even begin to tell you how proud and ellated I am for her!!! What an awesome acheivement and I am incredibly blessed to have seen her grow and find her path in life. What an admirable and heroic path to choose, too!!
To commemorate her achievements, I decided to take this drawing that I came across of her and her EQUALLY photogenic husband, and draw it as a gift. I am chomping at the bit to get this one going because it's just such a wonderful, carefree image! Besides - They are both so frickin' GORGEOUS, who wouldn't want to spend upwards of six hours staring intently at each little feature on their faces, trying to recreate the details juuuuusssttt right?! An artist's dream!Here's to many a late night, with graphite pencil smudges and acrylic paint on every inch of my hands (and inevitably, my face as well) ::smiles::
Two elements of the design I MUST include: A tree/leaf and an owl. I actually think I have an idea that I need to try out...I recently bought two fabulous little glass owls from the Estate Specialist downtown so they will more than likely be my inspiration. To give you a slight hint, I might also include a pencil in the design...Think my brand: "artcarriedaway"....That was a pretty huge hint...If you can't get it from that, then you're pretty daft.