Watercolor Bliss and the Artspark Winter Tutorial

This is my favorite time of year. It's gloriously colorful here in North Carolina.

I have a little time for being with family and art making.

I took time out this morning to play with paint and color.

Now it's time to get to work. I spent yesterday unpacking from the last teaching trip and cleaning out part of the studio. I've got a tutorial to get ready for you all!

But you don't have to wait for me. One of the reasons I'm beginning to love watercolors along with textiles is the inspiration I get from the fabulous and beautiful, Jane LaFazio. She's got a lovely little tutorial up on her blog for making these unique gift bags.

http://janeville.blogspot.com/2011/11/sketch-stitch-gift-bag-tutorial.html

Go.
Be INSPIRED!

Imaginary Creatures

One of my favorite artists and illustrators is named Omar Rayyan.

Fluffy, by Omar Rayyan

on etsy

I love his slightly twisted and humorous imagination.

Contessa with Squid, by Omar Rayyan

prints on Etsy

 I smile whenever I see his work.

Courtship, by Omar Rayyan

 I don't have his prodigious experience and the natural results of his due diligence with pencil and brush. Some day I might, but not yet.

But last night right before bed I was thinking about this month's Sketchbook Challenge theme of imaginary creatures and started scribbling and a few seconds later I had a long necked goat with wings and fangs. No idea at the beginning what it was going to be. But there you go. Fun to be had with pencil in hand.