Nasturtiums and Purple Sage

This week in the world of Blue Pear I am working on larger paintings.  I find larger paintings more difficult, I don't know why.  This one is "Nasturtiums and Purple Sage", 11"x14".  I'm still working on it, deepening the darks and cleaning up edges.  I haven't decided if I am going to leave the upper left corner light or go really dark with it. My thinking is the red might really pop with a darker background.  On the other hand it might overpower it and once it is dark I can't take it back!  I have a tendency to overwork paintings and this one is looking pretty good right now so I don't want to go too far.

On the business side of art here is a peek at what I am cooking up.

Having fun with my logo and seeing what can be done with a painting at the same time! From upper right:  Round stickers for the back of notecard boxes etc., lined paper notebook, totebag, box of notecards, business card and a single notecard.  I would have to charge around $28.00 for the totebag unless I can figure out a way to sell large quantities, I'm not sure about that one.  It is pretty big so maybe that wouldn't be too much???  It's a fun Christmas present idea if nothing else.

Full Steam Ahead

This last week has flown by.  I have been very busy pulling a "business" together.  Because I have started other businesses this one is falling into place nicely.  I will post business cards and such in a week or so, I have worked on a logo design and integrated everything together.  A business plan is emerging that I am feeling really positive about and it is giving me a direction to head and all the steps to get there.  Focus!

There were a few commitments that I made prior to deciding to go full steam ahead on the business so I have been working hard to get those done before diving 100% into painting items for Blue Pear Gallery.

First I had to finish the bookmarks for the Above and Below Bookmark Swap at Illustrated ATC's.  Here are the finished products.  I decided to paint just three as the fourth is always a gift for the person hosting the swap and optional. 

These are 2.5"x6".  I really like the one with the sailboat and the wreak, pure imagination.  I might have prints done up of this one....

Deadlines

Just remembered that I commited to a artist trading card swap for haunted houses and the deadline is fast approaching.  Nothing like a deadline to keep you painting!

Take a look:
Did I create mood?
They don't have titles yet.  Any ideas?

These were great pracitice on stormy skies and really fun to do.  I found a technique of painting then washing off then painting again then washing off really builds layers and can create some interesting effects.  Found that out by accident....like so many things I figure it out by trail and error.  Painting lots of paintings that nobody ever sees but learning with each one.

Next I have to work on 4 bookmarks for a bookmark swap I committed to and it has a deadline too.  The theme is "Above and Below".

Newest ATCS

 I think this little fairie has a story to tell . . . so I will try to tell it in pictures.  I have already started the series and I will post as I finish.  (I'll also work on the image resolution.)

My garden is a great source of inspiration so my second series begins here with the Elephant garden guardian. 

I think the creative river is flowing again.  Sometimes you just have to wait it out.

Getting started

Sometimes you just have to jump in.
So I am.
We will see where this leads.......