Almost Too Busy

I’ve been almost to busy to create art. Almost, but not quite! I still haven’t been creating at the speed I was last year but I’m convinced that’s just my way. I’m considering starting another home & family type blog since that’s where most of my energy is being devoted these days. One of my friends mentioned that she missed seeing my recipes on facebook. I do my best to avoid that site, so I think a blog would be an excellent alternative.

Here’s what I’ve been working on lately, mostly drawings these days, color coming from soft pastels and colored pencils. I love soft pastels! I love the effects you can create with them. I just need more work with them.

“Imagine Invent Explore” – drawing created by Melody Kittles – To purchase your print of this item, click the photo to go to my deviantArt page.

I started first with pencil, then inked over the lines. The balloon’s color comes from the colored pencils and I added color to the sky with the pastels. In this next one, I used ink and soft pastels.

“Changes” – drawing by Melody Kittles – If you’d like to purchase your own print of this piece, please click on the photo to go to my deviantArt page.

This piece is very organic…it’s a vine…or a tree…or just some random leaves and twigs…leaves a lot open for the imagination. My husband says he really likes this one.

If you like either of these pieces and would like to have a print of your own, you can click on the photos to go directly to my deviantArt page, where you can choose from a variety of items sporting my prints. They’d make nice holiday gifts!

My Second Mandala

My first mandala sits unpainted while my second just flowed freely in both digital editing and in watercolor. I’m calling the second one “Refining Fire” and it’s based on Philippians 4:8. This verse is so helpful for positive thinking! It encourage people  to “focus your thoughts on what is true, noble, righteous, pure, lovable or admirable, on some virtue or on something praiseworthy.” This is one of my favorite scriptures because this is the way I want to be, what I want to keep my mind focused on. My digital art skills still need work, mostly because one much be more patient. I think this piece came out well, considering I’m still a novice in digital art. I’m much happier with the painted version which I will share when all three mandalas are completed. I hope you enjoy this one and the positivity I hope to convey through it.

“Refining Fire (Digital Finish)” – artwork by Melody Kittles – To read more about this piece, or to purchase a print or gift, click the photo to be redirected to my deviantArt page.

Paintings!

I haven’t had much time to paint so far this year. I’ve only done three. I really like the first two, which are mixed media (ink/acrylics) done with a straw painting technique. The last one is a mixed media creation done in watercolors and acrylics. I’m happy enough with it but I still have a lot to learn about watercolors. I’m going to keep trying. I hope you enjoy these paintings of mine. If you do, please take a moment to leave a comment. I’ll be happy with constructive criticism, too. Also, if you really like what you see, please spread the word! These are up for sale at my deviantArt site. Thanks for reading!

“Inferno” – mixed media artwork by Melody R. Kittles – Please click the photo to visit my deviantArt page to read more about this piece and/or order your own print!

“Dance” – mixed media artwork by Melody Kittles – Please click the photo to learn more about this piece and/or order your own print at my deviantArt page.

“Journey Together” – mixed media artwork by Melody Kittles – To read more about this piece, and/or order your own print, click the photo to visit my deviantArt page.

Special Occasion Hair Decorations

I’ve been working on dresses for an upcoming event. Our youngest has a very special theme for her garb. I made these hair ornaments to top everything off. I’m really hoping they work.

The photo only shows one of them and, while they are a pair, they are different. I hope you like them!

A New Year, A New Practice, And A New Artwork

Happy New Year!

I’m sure you’re wondering what I’m talking about. We are dropping our home internet access. I still have internet through my phone, but it will be limited. I’ll post as I’m able and as the app allows. Sometimes the WordPress app glitches. Even so, I know my posts will not be regular (not that they have been lately, but…) I do want my readers to know I will continue to post as I’m able. At the very least, I can say that when I do post, it will most likely be on Saturdays, unless we are traveling. I want to spend more time with my family and not be so heavily reliant on the internet.

My newest art piece is a straw painting done in ink and acrylics. For more information, or to purchase a print or art gift, please click the photo to go to my deviantART page.

“Spring Half-Dreamed” – artwork by Melody Kittles – There’s a nymph hidden in there, helping the tree bloom. Can you find her? I was totally surprised to find her there! Please click the photo for more information, or to purchase a print or art gift.

It is my hope and prayer that each of my readers will have a happy and prosperous 2015. See you later!

Gilded Blessings

I’ve been fighting a nasty cold all week. I’m only just getting my voice back after 4 days without it. I sound like a squeaky hinge. But I have been working on more art and this is my latest. It took a total of two days work. It’s done in layers and the first layer had to dry before I could finish it with the details.

“Gilded Blessings” – Mixed Media artwork by Melody Kittles – watercolor, acrylic, ink – For more info, please click the photo to go to my deviantART page.

Yesterday’s Art Challenge: Dusk

About 3 days ago, before the steampunk costumes were completed, I had an idea pop into my head for an abstract drawing. No colors really came to mind but I wanted to use curved and straight lines to form what I hoped would be an interesting art piece. This is the result of my efforts. I think it would translate well to graffiti but, alas! I haven’t got the spray paint, nor is that product in my budget at this time. This is mixed media art done in Sharpie marker, pencil, colored pencils, watercolor pencils, and Bic permanent color markers. I’ve always enjoyed making these kinds of odd shapes and then adding in little details. I hope you enjoy the piece! Also, if you’d like to be among the first to see my work, then do check out my deviantART page. I have started using it to post my work first, since they offer the creative commons license as you upload each piece. I left the icon in my sidebar because it allows people know my work is my own and asking permission before use is necessary. Without further ado, here is my piece for yesterday’s challenge. I haven’t gotten a lot of feedback on it yet. I guess we’ll see how that goes in the future.

“Dusk” – mixed media artwork by me – Please click the photo to go to my deviantART page to read more about it.

Experimenting With Digital Art

As you may know by reading a previous post, I just started experimenting with Gimp. This short post tonight is to show my first attempt at digital art. I had fun so I’ll work on it some more. I wonder if I will still love it after working with it over time or if I’ll get tired of it. I guess we’ll see!

“A Pleasant Distraction” – I’m really happy with the way my first attempt at digital art came out. Please click the photo for more info, to download a digital copy for personal use only, or to purchase a print.

There are days when I have so much fun creating things, I don’t care whether anyone else things they’re good or not. And then there are days when I think, “Why in the world am I sharing this terribly awful piece of work? No one’s going to like it!” It’s a terrible roller coaster ride. But I really am having fun and I’ll continue creating things as long as it’s fun for me. I’ll also continue to share the things I create, too, whether I or anyone else likes them or not. As similar as we are, we humans are not cookie cutters and tastes differ. You never know which work will speak to whom!

Flower Photos

I took three photos of flowers in our yard to see what I could do with them in my phone editing apps. I used Pixlr Express today to edit these. But I also have Flickr’s editing tools, now, so I’ll be playing around with those a bit, too. I hope you enjoy these photos! I’m trying a new way to post photos that doesn’t take so much time. Our internet connection being as terribly slow as it is, it makes it very difficult for me to upload photos in one place, only to have to upload them all over again in another. Meh…it didn’t work. Oh, well, the long way round it is! John has inspired me quite a lot and he’s helped me with ways to improve the photos I take.

Picture one is of some tiny purple wildflowers that grow in our yard every year. Clicking on the photo will take you to my deviantART page for this photo.

Picture two is of a rosebud deep inside the tangled branches of the rose bush. Clicking the photo will take you to my deviantART page for this photo.

Photo three is of goldenrods and a small crawfish hole. Gotta watch out for those crawfish holes! They like to photobomb, eh? It was a breezy day and the flowers kept moving. Clicking on this photo will bring you to my deviantART page for it.

 

 

Today’s Art Challenge: Bright Colors/ Splashes of Color

I wasn’t sure whether I’d get to participate in today’s challenge or not. The weekend and the past two days were complete wash-outs. I’ve been so busy trying to get my stuff out where people can see it. I’ll be glad when I’m down to simple upload and maintenance. Then, maybe, I’ll have time to remember to breathe!

“Beautiful Sunset Colors” ~ The sky was so beautiful and the natural frame so nice, I didn’t have to edit it at all! If you click on the photo, you should be directed to this photo on my Flicker account. If you do, and you like my submissions, please click follow! 🙂