Shannon's Artist Blog

My work is now available at the Arts of Snohomish Gallery.  http://www.artsofsnohomish.org

There are originals, prints and cards for sale.  This weekend is the reception on July 25th for the Gardens and Landscapes show.  This is my piece in that show,

I’m really bad about writing blog updates; I realized I haven’t put anything up for over a month, yikes….  Still working on Pet Portraits, I’ve donated a gift certificate to help out the Kirkland Canine Festival. The event happens in July, they will have my business name and a link to my site in May on their website, www.kdog.org.

 I’ve been working a lot on a piece for the Lynnwood 2010 themed art exhibit.  The theme is “green” as either the color or the environment.   My work has a scene with squirrels; I started it up and messed up on the fur of the squirrels.  It did not look right at all, so I’ve been working on figuring it out so it will look right, doing color studies and such.

I’ve also been trying to get involved in the arts community, I went to Arts Connect meeting, met some interesting people, I plan to continue going to their meetings. They have a show in July, I won’t get to enough meetings for this year, but hopefully I’ll make it next.  I also sent off the form to join the Mukilteo Arts Guild so hopefully that will provide some opportunities.

            The other project I’ve been working on is a T-shirt design.  Since most sites that take submissions want it in a vector format I got Inkscape and I am slowly figuring out the program.

Anyway here’s a picture I did for Easter.

Got the website updated over the weekend, all the information for portraits are up.  My husband Matt put in lots of work to make sure everything looks good.  Next step will be going out there and advertise and network.  I worked a little today on finding dog parks around and designing a flier.

I finished a larger dog drawing; most the samples I have been working on have been 8×10 so they will fit on the scanner.  Had to take a photo of this one and it took a few tries.  I ended up photographing it on my patio on a nice day so the colors are more accurate.

I’ve been focusing on dog portraits the last few days. I’m trying to get a varied set of portraits for examples on the web site.  Also I’m slowly figuring out different fur textures.  My goal is to have a page on pet portrait commissions up by the end of this week.
I also think it would be fun to make small fimo sculptures to sell.  I like to mix up what I’m doing, otherwise my hand can cramp up from too much drawing.  Matt suggested doing personalized dolls.  I think on Saturday I’ll experiment with trying to make a couple dolls.  I also might try out making animals as well.

I have been focusing more on arts over crafts lately.  There are just too many issues with selling anything that is for or can be perceived for kids.  I finished the squirrel drawing I was working for the tiny art show, I’m not too happy with it.  This is the last frame of three.

So I’ve been working in just improving my skills, learning more about composition and lots of sketching.  Also started on a portrait of my in-laws cat, Fluffy, to help build up my portfolio for pet portraits.

I’m excited, going to the zoo with my husband tomorrow.  Planning to take lots of photos and taking my sketchbook with me.  Hopefully the weather will be okay.

  Finally got the otter drawing colored and done!  I like the way it came out overall.  I do think I need to work on another medium to do the backgrounds. It takes so much time to do in colored pencil and get the color washes to look smooth.  

   There’s a gallery in Edmonds called Gallery North in Edmonds that is having a miniature and small painting show in March.  I’m planning to submit something there.  

I spent a lot of time today researching legal and tax info for small businesses, now my head hurts.