Art 52 #12 Drawing

Kelp-Pen and Ink Drawing

Art 52 #7-11 Drawings

Mandela Sketches Pen and Ink, Inktense Pencils

Art 52 #6 Digital Heart

My last Heart/Love themed  post for February.
It started as a pen/ink, watercolour illustration and as I often do with these types of projects; became overworked. Since taking my Photoshop class last year, I often play with transforming my images with the help of layers and effects, (I sure do love the selection tools.)
As fun as digital art is I'm looking forward to picking up a paintbrush again after a few weeks and spending some time in my studio on the weekend with real paints and brushes.

Art 52 #4 Love Birds

I wanted to make some themed card designs this year as it's been a goal of mine to explore work inspired by some favorite illustrators. I'll be focusing on this style for February with a Love theme, (get it? Valentine's day? ) Kind of obvious I know but it fits in with what I've been working on.
This is a mixed media painting of two lovebirds, a subject I thought would make a good Valentine design although it probably wont get that far.
This has multiple layers of watercolour, ink and gesso and a bit of Photoshop to make up for the overworking.
I'm not crazy about it and probably would have just stuck it in a drawer will never meet the Art 52 challenge with that attitude, so lets call it done

Art 52 #2 Ray

This small watercolour was painted as a birthday present for a teenage girl who misses a recently departed little friend.
Ray was the companion to Casey who I painted a few months ago for her brother's birthday. I never thought I would see the day I would paint two rats, I'm definitely looking at these little creatures with a new appreciation. 

#2 of the Art 52 project, ( #9 in the 50 creature project)

#1 Art 52 Willow's Fish Tray

Okay this wasn't what I pictured for my first art piece of 2013, but it just happens to be the first one finished. At first I didn't think it lined up with this month's "Companion" theme but as it's for my newest little companion I think it's okay. Its also #8 in the 50 creature project.

I painted this little tray for the kitten's feeding area. (a very messy place.)
It was supposed to be just a solid colour but looked kind of plain with just a coat of pale blue acrylic and adding red-orange on the sides was still not enough. I had found a rice paper watercolour monotype of a fish in an old portfolio and as the print was the perfect size it was was adhered to the surface of the tray with acrylic gel medium.

Then I followed the usual pattern of getting carried away by painting a whole bunch of layers and glazes. Now still trying to decide between pouring resin or just coating it with a few layers of of varathane varnish.

I hope Willow appreciates it!

Hello 2013

I'm starting full time employment in a week or two, the first "real" job I've had in years. I'm not giving up on art but really wanted to separate the making of art with the making a living for awhile. Working full time means setting some goals  to stay creative throughout the year. The 50 creature project I began a few months ago will still continue but I'm going to adapt and wrap it inside a bigger project for 2013. . After some thought I decided to start a body of work that could include the creature themes and allow me to play with other ideas and subject matter.
For each week of the year I will create a work of art, 52 pieces in all. It may be a drawing, painting or sculpture but it will be art and I will attempt to post it on this blog every week. I'm hoping this project will allow me to create more freely, draw more and stop endlessly overworking the same pieces while helping me to complete my work.
The title Art 52 was suggested to me by Janet Vanderhoof, who did her own 52 painting project for 2012

To make this undertaking manageable lets break each month into a theme, if there are four pieces a month, that will take me to 48 which is pretty close to the mark. On months I feel more productive I will do more to bring me up to my goal of 52 works of art. Some months I may be less prolific which will require me to step it up if I don't want to fall behind.

This month's topic is still following the Creature theme: Companions, ( I have a some some beloved pet commissions to finish.) I don't have a painting finished yet, so here's a lovely photo my daughter took of our new kitten. Enjoy!
Look for the first painting of Art 52 next week.

"Willow" Rhia Davies-Willson © 2012