Today I'm finally updating my shop with some new ear cuffs and jewelry pieces. I love how it all comes together, and I can just gaze at my shop admiringly, knowing that I did that (with the help of my lovely model of course). It's a pretty rewarding feeling.


I'm also working out my plans for the Portobello Market in September. I want to have lots of unique, handmade items, that inspire the gypsy inside everyone. I can't wait to display my paintings, but am kind of nervous too. I've never sold an original painting directly to a customer (in person) before. I wonder what that feels like?

I'm also going to try to pick up a pyrography set so that I can make some wood burnt pendants and paintings. I'm super excited to experiment with that. I'd also really love to make some wind chimes, but those may have to wait for next summer, when I can collect a mass of shells and driftwood (and am lighter so that the task is easier).

Speaking of being lighter, I am feeling pretty great. An extremely generous friend of a friend has given me such a wonderful gift - a treadmill! I am so thankful... *-*. I've been walking on it nearly everyday and have already worked up to doing 20 minutes straight. I have a lot of weight to lose, and it's going to take a loooooooong time, but this is a start. I'm also agoraphobic, so having a treadmill is a good way to make sure that I can stay fit when I don't feel comfortable going outside alone. We also get a lot of rain year round, and a treadmill means I don't have to get soaking wet and muddy to exercise!

The Femme Thou Art Collective is having another auction this month and the theme is the White Lady. I'm very, very interested in this theme (I will probably make a journal post describing why), and can't wait to get started. I might even make a video of the painting process to share with you all. Speaking of videos, have you seen my two youtube channels yet? I have one for painting and one for crafts. Make sure to subscribe to both my channels so you can receive regular updates ^_^

Painting

Crafts


And finally, a cute cat on a messy art desk. Enjoy!

Grimm Art Show @ Blackbird Studios!

I'm excited to announce I'll be a participating artist in the Grimm Show at Blackbird Studios in Las Vegas, Nevada, this winter!  I'll be alongside some of my major art inspirations for the first time, and it's blowing my mind. I feel so excited and inspired!

The deadline is coming up fast, so I plan on painting 15+ days straight, in an attempt to create five, 12 x 16 inch illustrations. I'm not sure if I'll be able to finish all five in time, because it's such a large format for me, and I'm extremely detail oriented, which takes a lot of time.

I plan on completing the paintings together in stages - first pencils, then inks, base colours, and then full on colour.

I have had the first three paintings in the list below on my 'to do' list for quite some time (for about a year or two), so I have them pretty well envisioned in my head, and would definitely like to have them finished in time. The other two would be fun, and I hope I get a chance to finish them too!

The Six Swans
Little Red Riding Hood
Hansel & Gretel
Rumpelstiltskin
Snow-White and Rose-Red
And mayyyybe The Princess and the Pea

This means I'll have to put my Goddess of the Dead painting on hold, and that she won't be painted in time for the holiday. I'm disappointed that I won't get to do this one in time, but it's a personal project, so it can be pushed to the side for now. Here are some inspirational artworks that have already been created with the Grimm Fairy Tale themes, enjoy! :

Swans by Amy Erhlich: The Wild Swans via 

Click below to view more images! :)

News & Nachos

Hello lovelies! Summer is finally here!
It's been really cloudy and muggy here today, but I've heard other parts of the world are getting blasting heat, so no complaints here!

In news, I have a little show coming up on July 7th, at MiniComi, which I'm looking forward too. I haven't decided on the products I'll be selling yet, and I still need to get my printer fixed, so we'll see how that goes. Then there's BC Ren Fest which I still need to sign up for, and will be doing asap, as it's just in a few weeks.

My ear cuffs have also been accepted into the Indie Gift Box project which is super exciting, so I'll update with details on that soon. :) I'm still working on the giveaway items (I know, I take forever, I apologize!), and hope to have those out tomorrow. I also owe some aceo cards (that are finished and just need to be mailed out). I am such a procrastinator sometimes...


Then there's the painting for Camilla's Tanpopo competition, which I need to finish and mail out ASAP. 

And finally, my mom and I are starting a new business together, called Sparrows Trove. Which I will keep a surprise until we launch it ;)

Wow, that's a lot of stuff, eh?!

Now for some pics from an adventure to Boston Pizza a few nights ago.

I am Canadian after all! :P

I love the lighting in this shot. 

We practically had the room to ourselves!

A neccessity, except when eating finger food.

My glass of cold Peach Cider.

The best nachos with Jalapeno peppers EVER. YUM!!!

Hope you're all having a lovely start to summer! :)