An Unwelcome visitor.... and a free vintage Image

Tell me folks, how would you like to see this ugly mug on your curtains??

This poor fellow made his way into my home. I was at my desk working on a painting, when all of the sudden I saw something from the corner of my eye flying around the ceiling, and the cats came running. Of course I panicked when I realized it was a bat, and called my mom to come and get it, meanwhile screaming because it kept swooping down close to my head. Eventually I calmed down and realized it was more scared of me than I was of it, and waited patiently for it to land somewhere. And grabbed my camera, lol!
It took a while to get rid of him, he was definitely full of energy, but landed on top of my bookshelf. I quickly put a tupperware container over him, and took him outside. They are pretty ugly up close, but kind of cute too. Now I'm worried about how he got in.  Ah, the joys of owning an older home.

I have another free vintage image for you to download and use in your artwork. Isn't this such a romantic picture? It is a vintage postcard I purchased, very old, you can tell by the fading. Not sure of the date, I can't tell from their clothing. Anyway, just click on the image to bring up a larger version, then right click and download.

Thanks for reading!

The Hope of Love

hello friends! Here is my latest illustration on a vintage page from a book dated 1918. I think he turned out pretty cute, surrounded by pinks, lol!

It's been a rainy weekend, perfect for staying in and painting.
After ruining a few ACEOs I was working on,  I realized I either don't understand color theory very well, or my watercolors and acrylic paints are not the right shades.

Can anyone recommend a  particular brand of watercolors that you feel are very bright and intense? Or even inks?
I mostly use Windsor and Newton watercolors, but would like something more bold.
Is there a really bright, transparent  pink out there, that is not muted? It's my favorite color, and I can't seem to get the intensity I want. A transparent purple would be nice too. The one I've got is just too dull, I can't seem to do anything with it.
I've heard good things about Windsor and Newton's Opera pink, but don't have it yet.
The Daler-Rowney FW Acrylic inks are quite nice, and easy to use. I may have to take a trip to the art store for some more goodies :-)

thanks for reading!
xoxo

Illustration Friday - Star Gazing

Hello friends.  I couldn't resist this weeks topic at Illustration Friday. I had a great idea for last weeks, but never got to it on time, and was determined to not miss this one. I'm still working on my watercolor skills, I'd like to be more loose and playful, not always controlled.
Here's a tip for anyone wanting to practice with watercolor:   never paint on 90lb watercolor paper without stretching it first. This painting buckled big time!

Hitching a Ride Over the Moon

hello dear readers! I'm not feeling too inspired to write anything clever tonight, but here is my latest illustration on a vintage page.

Right now I'm waiting for my sister to bring me a carton of ice cream from a new shop that opened. I don't know what it is about this place, but the ice cream is addictive! Last weekend after a trip to the farmers' market for some fresh foods, we stopped by for a cone. I tried a peanut butter and banana cone, and wow!! I can't stop thinking about it, lol!

My window is open and I can hear a man whistling some old fashioned tunes, very loudly I may add. It's kind of nice, like in those old detective movies where a man dressed in a dark suit and fedora goes off whistling into the night.

Does anyone know when Project Runway will be airing in Canada? We are usually 3 weeks behind but I can't find information anywhere.

Oh my, this blog post is all over the place!  I better stop rambling now, haha!
Hope you are all enjoying your summer (or winter if you are in the Southern hemisphere).

Newest ACEOs and Free Vintage Photo for you

hello everyone. Today is Civic Holiday in Canada, so we had a nice 3 -day weekend. I can't believe it's August already, the summer seems to be flying by so quickly. The only art I seem to be doing these days are my little ACEOs. I'm just not in the mood to do anything larger. The weather has been fabulous all summer, and I'd rather be out enjoying it. Winter comes too soon here, and there will be plenty of time to stay in and create larger art once the cold temperatures arrive.

See, the little guy above is trying to stay cool during this hot summer of ours, and so is the wee mouse, lol!

Yesterday me and my friends went antiquing.  I didn't buy much, but I did pick up 2 cheap packages of various vintage ephemera to use in my art. I remembered to take my camera along, and snapped a pic of these cute monks.

Later on in the day I went with my  friend  (who googled me and discovered this blog, haha!) went to her partners farm for a wonderful barbecue.  After dinner I even got to bottle feed an orphan colt. He was so hungry he went through 5 bottles in no time. He's a cute little fellow, lol!

You know it's funny to have a friend discover your blog. I've never mentioned it to anyone since I see this as an art blog mostly, and now 2 people who know me in person have found me out.  Guess I got to be careful what I say, lol!

I'm curious about other bloggers. Do you let your friends and family know about your blog, or do you have a sort of 'secret' identity?

Last but not least, here is another free vintage photo for you to use in your art. I bought this at a store which sells vintage and antique clothes and other items. The owner figures it is from the early 1900's, before 1920.
Aren't they the cutest kids? I'd love to see what you do with this, feel free to send me a comment or link.
Don't forget when saving to your computer, click the image once to bring up the larger version. Enjoy!