My Shelfari Bookshelf

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Sunday, January 1, 2017

A Return to Drawing and Blogging

1/1/2017

Happy New Year!

I can't believe how long it has been since I've been in here!  I have been in such a funk over the last few years.   I have hardly done anything creative during my time away from this blog.

Though I have given up on making resolutions, I am planning to engage in more creative activities this year.

Here's to a creative and prosperous New Year for myself and anyone who happens upon this blog.

A.Marie

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Blue Monday: Bonny in Blue

I was skimming through the style section of Essence online when I noticed they had a lot of blue items featured. Royal blue seems to be the preferred shade of blue this year . This led me to go on a hunt for other things that look fabulous in blue. I found several items I love. I have decided to share some of my royal blue finds with you today for Blue Monday.

First up is Kerry Washington in a classic royal blue dress. She looks stunning.


Next up is the classic trench in royal blue. I would love to have one of these in my wardrobe. This ensemble was put together by Shanae Sylva for the business life.

This is followed by another trench from the Jessica Simpson collection.How about a pair of blue suede boots?
No. Well I dare you to take these for a stroll. If I could walk in those...

Keeping it tied to art I love the way Lauren used this painting as inspiration for this ensemble featuring a royal blue skirt that she pulled together. Okay I don't really know if the painting was the inspiration, but I think it would be cool if it was.

And finally my own inspired piece. I drew this sketch back in January, 2010. After seeing all the royal blue fashions over the weekend I decided to revisit it and color her outfit royal blue or as close to royal blue as I could get with the pencil I had.

I love all the blues I came across this weekend and I will share more later. Happy Blue Monday.





Best Wishes,


A.Marie












Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Watercolor Artist Creativity Exercise


Over the last few days I have been working on a creativity exercise from the September issue of Watercolor Artist Magazine. You use red, yellow, and blue transparent paint and basically let the paint be the guide after you place the colors on the paper. It was also billed as a different way to save your whites. When I started I was aiming for more of a blue background, but I am pleased with what I got.

I'm off to work now. Have a great day and happy painting.

Best Wishes,

A.Marie

Monday, September 5, 2011

Collage Art


This is my first attempt at creating collage art. I decided to go with the landscape composition and a monochromatic palette of blues as it seemed the easiest to me. I used mainly napkins that I painted and some scraps of blue I cut from catalogs to create the landscape. The painting I used acrylic and watercolor. I had fun creating this and I'm pleased with my first attempt. I'm ordering Collage Journeys and haunting Jane Davies blog of the same name for instruction and inspiration. If anyone else knows of any great collage instructors, books, and/or sites they recommend I would love to hear about them.

Today is the last day of my vacation. I'm both sad and excited. I return to work tomorrow, and I look forward to meeting my new class. But, I will miss having so much free time for art. For those celebrating, have a wonderful labor day. Happy drawing everyone. Happy Blue Monday to all the participants in Smiling Sallie's Blue Monday.

Best Wishes,

A.Marie

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Pen and ink sketch #18


I've had this vase in my house for a long time, but I never really paid any attention to it. I'm not even sure where I got it from. I don't know if the previous owner of the house left it, or if we inherited it from Reggie's mom. It wasn't until I started cleaning out my basement and moving some of my art materials upstairs did I give it any attention. I decided to bring it upstairs as something I could use for a drawing project. I have fallen for this vase. It is a very heavy metal and I love the lines and details on it. I decided to use it for my pen and ink sketch of the day.

The shape gave me a lot of problems so I decided to color it in after I worked out most of the problems, and of course I had problems with the color brown. I am going to use this vase as a study project. The shape, details, and colors should give me a lot of art work over the next week or two.

Any suggestions on painting brown metals would be greatly appreciated. As always happy drawing.

Best Wishes,

A.Marie

Thursday, September 1, 2011

EDM #209 Draw a Shadow




I have been holding Draw a Shadow in my mind as a sketch to do for a while. I have been looking at shadows trying to spy a really good on to draw. I was on facebook last night or rather early this morning browsing the photos my nephew has posted on his page, when I came across this photo of a baby crocodile. The thing I liked most about the photo was the shadow of a group of people standing on the bank looking at the crocodile. My nephew is the one on the end taking the photo. The shadow makes a nice frame at the bottom of the page and I like this. So I left him a note saying I was using the picture for a drawing exercise. I hope he is happy to inspire his aunt to create.








Happy Drawing,





A.Marie

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

EDM #5 Draw Your Bed in Pen and Ink







It has been 16 days since I officially started the pen and ink challenge. Today I am posting two drawings from that challenge. The first drawing is some pink orchids. I like the composition of this page. I originally was going to draw the pot as well as the flowers. I'm glad I ran out of space. I would also like to try painting some orchids. The second sketch is a sketch of my bed. There is a lot wrong in this sketch but I like the subject enough to do this drawing again so I can get the proportions right. I love the lines and the details of the headboard, yet I was avoiding it as a subject matter until Julie of In Pursuit of a Hidden Artist posted a sketch of her bed yesterday. Thanks for the inspiration Julie. Happy Drawing this Wednesday. I can't believe it's Wednesday already.




Best Wishes,


A.Marie

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Direct Links to EDM Challenges






323 - Draw something sad

322 - Draw something related to what you do

321 - Draw something forbidden

320 - Draw something you'll give away

319 - Draw the condiments on a diner or casual restaurant table

318 - Draw something with numbers

317 Draw your hair in the morning

316 -Draw a travel memory

315 - Draw something under water

314 Draw something that has a knob

313 - Draw something you look up at from below

312 Draw something very light

311 Draw something that you need two of to make a set

310 Draw your junk drawer

309 - Draw something with more than two legs

308 - Draw something slippery

307 - Draw something raw

306 - Draw a snack

305 - Draw something huge

304 - Draw something you can

302 - Draw something in motion

301 - Draw something cute

300 - Draw something bright

299 - Draw a table

298 - Draw something strange

297 - Draw a bottle of water

296 - Draw something orange

295 - Draw some toast

294 - Draw something that makes you smile

293 - Draw something made of glass

292 - Draw a night scene

291 - Draw or paint an illustration for the cover of your favorite book

290 - Draw a teapot

289 - Draw an appliance you bought or received but don't use

288 - Draw something with spots

287 - Draw something colorful

286 - Draw a shirt 285 - Draw something that loves the sun

284 - Draw your downtown

283 - Draw something shiny

282 - Something you've been putting off doing, or don't want to do

281 - Draw what keeps you warm or cool

280 - Something you don't see every day

279 - Something that starts with the last letter of your name.

278 - Something that starts with the first letter of your name

277 - Something that should have been invented by now

276 - Draw your grocery store 275 Draw a tube of toothpaste

274 - Draw the cover of your favorite book

273 - Draw a collection of tools

272- Illustrate a line from a song.

271- Free choice

270 - Draw something you'd like to preserve

269 - Draw something annoying

268 - Draw something you need

267 - Draw something flexible

266 - Draw something or someone you cherish

265 - Draw your neighbor

264 - Draw your floor

263 - Draw your favorite cleaning supply

262 - Draw your shower or tub

261 - Draw a Winter Olympic event

260 - Draw a filled suitcase

259 - Draw something from a pet's point of view

258 - Draw the inside of your closet

257 - Draw a houseplant

256 - Draw something bubbly

255 - Draw a person near you on a train, bus or plane

254 - Draw something that represents joy

253 - Draw your socks

252 - Draw a pine or fir tree

251 - Draw perfume or a scented product

250 - Draw something you got for free

249 - Draw a coffeepot

248 - Draw a lock

247 - Draw something creepy

246 - Draw some gloves

245 - Draw something "October"

244 - Draw the oldest thing in your refrigerator

243 - Draw a pillow

242 - Draw a figurine or tzatchke you have

241 - Draw what you see from your kitchen window

240 - Draw a pencil, your favorite if you like.

239 - Draw something that scares you

238 - Draw something from a first aid kit

237 - Draw what's under your bed, or the view from under your bed

236 - Draw the palm of your left hand

235 - Draw a butterfly

234 - Draw something that belongs to someone else

233 - Draw your favorite drink

232 - Draw the last thing you bought

231 - Draw your junk drawer

230 - Draw a map

229 - Draw a summer joy

228 - Draw something that makes you laugh

227 - Draw a tote bag 226 - Draw a screw

225 - Draw something sticky

224 - Draw a jug or pitcher

223 - Draw a favorite sound

222 - Draw your favorite drawing tool

221 - Draw a handheld game

220 - Draw the moon

219 - Draw a window

218 - Draw a knife or a blade

217 - Draw an umbrella

216 - Draw your inner critic

215 - Draw your thumb

214 - Draw something representing a favorite hobby

213 - Draw a microwave oven

212 - Draw something with a mirror image

211 - Draw or paint an everyday object in the style of an old master or notable painter you admire.

210 - Draw some underwear

209 - Draw a shadow

208 - Something out of place

207 - Draw something that has a shell, or draw a seashell

206 - Draw something familiar to you that you know is called something else in another region. (Example: soda is also called pop)

205 - Draw a soda can 204 - Draw something frosty

203 - Draw a glass of juice

202 - Draw a cookie

201 - Draw a stapler

200 - Draw something lucky

199 - Draw a toe

198 - Draw some noodles

197 - Draw a remote control

196 - Draw a rope

195 - Draw a fork

194 - Draw a baked potato

193 - Draw a closeup part of something

192 - Draw something that floats

191 - Draw some paper money

190 - Draw your palette or selection of colors

189 - Draw a shaver or razor

188 - Draw a peanut in the shell or out

187 - Draw a fan

186 - Draw something you've always wanted

185 - Draw a cat

184 - Draw a park bench or other outside bench

183 - Draw something dangerous

182 - Draw a truck.

181 - Draw a trash or garbage can

180 - Draw something in your favorite color

179 - Draw an onion

178 - Draw something red

177 - Draw a flag

176- Draw something summer

175 - Draw a basket and what it holds

174 - Draw a bridge

173 - Draw something from memory

172 - Draw something that sparkles

171 - Draw some ice cream

170 - Draw a zipper

169 - Draw a piece of cake

168 - Draw your daily newspaper

167 - Draw something that needs fixing

166 - Draw a fish

165 - Draw the front of your house, apartment bldg, condo, dorm etc.

164 - Draw a camera

163 - Draw a deck of cards

162 - Draw your breakfast

161 - Draw something you think smells wonderful

160 - Draw a trophy or award

159 - Draw a favorite cooking tool

158 - Draw a kernel of popped popcorn

157 - Draw a towel 156 - Draw a sandwich

155 - Draw something with a step or steps

154 - Draw or paint a lemon 153 - Draw something in a plastic wrapper

152 - Draw a nut

151 - Free choice

150 - Draw a candle

149 - Draw a broom

148 - Draw or paint something soothing

147 - Draw or paint something made of wood

146 - Draw a favorite food

145 - Draw (or paint) a tree in autumn

144 - Draw something square

143 - Draw an herb or spice

142 - Draw something hot

141 - Draw something with bristles

140 - Draw an envelope

139 - Draw something with a handle

138 - Draw something soft

137 - Draw something you can turn on or off

136 - Draw or paint something that's alive - a living thing - animal or plant

135 - Draw a salad

134 - Draw a familiar person place or thing, but from an unusual angle

133 - Draw a peach

132 - Draw a chain

131 - Draw a spray bottle

130 - Draw some school supplies.

129 - Draw people doing something.

128 - Draw a view through a doorway from one interior room to another.

127 - Draw a skyscape

126 - Draw a sponge

125 - Draw a bird

124 - Draw something yellow

123 - Draw a bell

122 - Draw something where shade is a prominent part of the subject

121 - Draw a coin or some coins and journal about memories about coins from your childhood.

120 - Draw a flashlight

119 - Draw some rocks

118 - Draw some hair

117 - Draw something round

116 - Draw something green

115 - Draw a shopping cart or basket

114 - Draw something ugly you love and keep for sentimental reasons. Journal about it, too.

113 - Draw or paint a fence

112 - Draw something fresh

111 - Draw a bowl

110 - Draw something with a flame or flames

109 - Draw a clock you have around your house

108 - Draw a light bulb

107 - Draw how you get your news - at a newsstand, vending box or on your porch

106 - Draw something tart or sour

105 - Draw some scissors

104 - Draw some salt and pepper shakers

103 - Draw some exercise equipment - what you use to stay fit.

102 - Draw a power plug

101 - Draw a bar of soap

100 - Draw or paint a landscape

99 - Draw something that represents a new years resolution of yours

98 - Free choice. Draw anything you like. We're all busy before the holidays.

97 - Draw a present you have received. Why is it special?

96 - Draw something sweet

95 - Draw a holiday card

94 - Draw a spoon and journal a little about it

93 - Draw an egg carton, with or without eggs in it.

92 - Draw a brown paper bag

91 - Draw an apple

90 - Draw something with wings

89 - Draw a button or buttons

88 - Draw something breezy - something that blows in the wind - a flag, leaves, your choice.

87 - Draw your lunch and journal about it.

86 - Draw a traffic sign (stop, yield, crossing, directional, arrows, etc.)

85 - Draw a store in your neighborhood.

84 - Draw some bread and write about it if you like.

83 - Draw a nearby body of water - ocean, lake, pond, river

82 - Draw your artspace - drawing board, desk, studio, table - draw where you create.

81 - Draw a streetlight 80 - Draw something that makes you happy, and write about it, too.

79 - Draw an ear, or two or three or more

78 - Draw a souvenir of a place you've been. journal a bit about your memories of the place.

77 - Draw something cold or cool. Chill, people.

76 - Draw some flowers (or colorful showy foliage if you're in the S. hemisphere and don't find flowers in bloom.)

75 - Draw the ingredients and/or process of a favorite recipe - and journal about it.

74 - Draw some clouds and write about them

73 - Draw a mailbox and write about the most important piece of real world mail you've ever received(not email - snail mail.)

72 - Draw somewhere new. Go somewhere new to you and draw what you find. Write about it, too.

71 - Draw something representing your favorite sport.

70 - Draw what you're afraid of. Write about it, if you dare.

69 - Draw a beverage and write a little about it.

68 - Draw your computer

67 - Draw something Mom - your mother, something that reminds you of motherhood. Journal, too.

66 - Draw a fire hydrant and make a journal entry about fire fighters

65 - Draw your nose, a friend's or a strangers. Or a pet's.

64 - Draw your sink - at home, work or wherever

63 - Go on a nature walk, pick up items, draw what you find

62 - Draw a previous challenge in a different medium than you usually use.

61 - Draw a grouping of 2 or more of similar objects

60 - Draw an automobile or a part of one

59 - Draw a sign or spring (or fall if you live in the southern hemisphere.)

58 - Draw a hat, cap or other headgear. is it sentimental? Write about it.

57 - Draw a picture frame and the picture in it. Write about why it�s special to you.

56 - Draw a self portrait

55 - Draw a doorknob, plain or fancy

54 - Draw someone or something you love - and journal about it.

53 - Draw a mouth and journal about speaking out or holding one's tongue.

52 - Draw a dog (yours or a friends or anyone's) and journal about your dog relationships.

51 - Draw your TV and favorite show playing. Journal about why you like that show etc.

50 - Draw your home's entryway and journal your thoughts and feelings about homecoming.

49 - Draw your refrigerator interior (and contents) or exterior (and what's on the door)

48 - Draw something that represents your new year's goal or resolution

47 - Draw a challenge from the past year 1-46 that you didn't try before

46 - Draw something holiday themed (Hanukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, winter solstice)

45 - Draw your medicine cabinet (the inside of it)

44 - Draw an animal - a pet, a zoo animal, a stuffed one.

43 - Draw something china or ceramic

42 - Draw something you are thankful for

41 - Draw a landmark of your city

40 - Draw something with folds

39 - Draw your toothbrush

38 - month long challenge until end of November 2005 - draw at a museum

38 - Draw something related to Halloween, All Souls Day, Dia de los Muertos, All Saints, etc.

37 - Draw some keys

36 - Draw out in public

35 - Draw a bicycle or a part of one

34 - Draw a fall leaf

33- Draw an eye

32 - Draw something metallic

31 - Draw something you collect

30 - Draw a chair or anything else you feel like.

29 - Draw something architectural or anything else.

28 - Draw an appliance or anything else you like.

27 - Draw a book or anything else you want.

26 - Draw anything you like. If you want to draw a vegetable, that�s fine, too.

25 - Draw a glass (the kind you drink from)

24 - Draw a piece of fruit

23 - Draw your foot

22 - Draw a piece of clothing

21 - Draw something old, antique or vintage

20 - Draw something "Dad" - in honor of Fathers Day

19 - Draw something you've made

18 - Draw the view from a window of your house, apartment, office, etc.

17 - Draw a musical instrument

16 - Draw a favorite tool

15 - Draw a tree or trees, leaves or branches

14 - Draw what you see in the morning when you get up

13 - Draw your telephone (land line, cell, old-fashioned?)

12 - Draw what you ate for dinner

11 - Draw your glasses or sunglasses

10 - Draw your hand or hands (or someone elses if you like)

9 - Draw a bit of "organized chaos" - your messy desk, your table stacked with books, etc.

8 - Draw your watch or other piece of jewelry

7 - Draw a bottle, jar or tin from the kitchen

6 - Draw your favorite well-loved object or a childhood toy

5 - Draw your bed

4 - Draw your mug or cup

3 - Purses, Wallets or Bags

2 - Draw a desk lamp or other lamp

1 - Draw a shoe.



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