'Twas Brillig

Slowly but surely my Newfoundland Fishing Sheds are taking shape!

Last week:

This week:This is all still background under-painting...the fun stuff begins soon. Well, as soon as all those lobster pots get blocked in!

I'm challenging myself to finish this painting in the next 2 weeks so I can have it featured (along with "Myrtle the Turtle") in a student art show at A Southern Studio during the Palustris Festival!

(With apologies to Don Henley...)

I couldn't get a new canvas primed and sketched fast enough! My second painting is based on a photo I took in Newtown, Newfoundland in August 2008. The inspiration photo can be seen here.

Although I haven't progressed very far, my latest canvas is already showing dimensionality! It measures 20x30 inches.

I can't wait to start painting the water and all the reflections. Check out all those lobster traps just waiting to come to life!

Just wanted to share my progress on Myrtle! All the background painting is complete now and the real fun begins in class this Monday night. I can't wait to start making her come to life!

Just a peek at my first oil painting.....Myrtle the Turtle!
18 x 24"

I built, stretched, primed and stained the canvas myself during my first class with Frank Pierce at A Southern Studio. The background & darks have been slapped in...can't wait to start adding detail!

Check back to see my progress!

Yes, these sentiments are a few days late but just as heartfelt nonetheless! I wish everyone a happy, healthy and prosperous 2010!!!

I know it's only January....but it's 18F degrees outside right now and that is just a bit more than I can stomach. Worst part is that I know I have to bundle up to take Mariah the Wonderdog for a good long romp shortly.

So, is it any wonder I'm already looking forward to Spring? Just 2 months and the early daffodils will start peeking their golden heads into the air...and then the Bradford pear trees will put on their billowy show! Sigh... really, it's not all that far away!

Which brings me to the photo on the left! I've been featured in an Etsy Treasury for the first time!! Woot! I also sold my purple cow painting and he will be leaving Monday for his new home in New York City! No one told me that selling my art was going to be this much fun. :)

I'm looking forward to keeping in touch with all of you, dear readers, throughout the upcoming year....All kinds of new creative goodness is in the air! Stay tuned!!!

Well, once again, time has literally slipped away from me and I find another month gone. And things are changing fast!

The Tulgey Wood ('Twas Brillig on Etsy) is up and running with a broad selection of goodies ranging from dog toys to original paintings to Christmas ornaments! Check back often as things are being added all the time!

The Christmas shopping season is in full swing and I've really enjoyed visiting with friends, family, fans and folks who are just discovering my little Wonderland!

I hope you'll take a moment to browse my paintings....I'm pleased with how they are turning out. The White Rabbit & The Mad Hatter from the Alice in Wonderland series are now finished with The Red Queen nearing completion! I'm excited to announce that I sold my first art print of the Mad Hatter this past week!! Actually, that's my first art sale ever so you can understand why I am completely tickled!!!!!

My cow paintings, "Bethesda Belles" & "Some Days Are Moo" are also complete and available for sale as well, either at the studio shop or via The Tulgey Wood.


I have a few odd pieces in progress, most notably The Jabberwocky. Pictures will come soon!

One thing I definitely want to do is to thank all of you for following my little adventure in creativity! I appreciate every bit of feedback, good and not so.... it all helps me grow as an artist and artisan!

May your days be merry and bright!

I mentioned in my last post that I'm moving 'Twas Brillig Online over to Etsy! The process has begun and, for awhile, my wares will appear in both places...although not duplicated on both.

The new shop on Etsy is called The Tulgey Wood. (The name 'Twas Brillig was already taken. Drat!) I hope you'll pop by and peruse the newest additions!

In other news, my painting of the three Hereford cows, titled "Bethesda Belles", is currently on display at Flynne's Coffee Bar and Downtown Gallery as part of the art show "Painting the Town." The art was created by local artists and each image depicts a scene from Southern Pines! Well worth stopping in to see if you're in area. Of course, all the works are available for purchase. Art makes a great Christmas gift!

Wow...nearly an entire month has passed without a post. Not intentional, I promise! I've just been busy working on new items for the studio shop and paintings.......paintings.....and more paintings!
The Alice in Wonderland series is temporarily on hold. In its place, I've been working on a piece called 'Bethesda Belles' which will be shown in the Paint the Town Art Show next month at Flynne's Coffee Bar in Southern Pines, NC. All the artwork at the show will feature scenes from Southern Pines!


I've also completed a small canvas (5x7") of a purple cow, titled 'Some Days are Moo" as well as a small canvas board (6x8") of a crow, titled 'The Sentinel.' Both of these items will be available for sale soon and I'm planning on offering prints as well.


In other news, 'Twas Brillig will be adding an Etsy shop, The Tulgey Wood! This online shop will be in addition to 'Twas Brillig Online for the short term and will eventually be the only place on the web to buy Brillig goodies!

Here are more photos from my new "Alice in Wonderland" Series....

"White Rabbit"
Acrylic on Canvas, 12x12



And here's the start of the "Mad Hatter," the second character in what I believe will be a 3 canvas series. Not sure who the third character will be just yet!!!


And here's the dormouse, now taking a little snooze under the Tea Party table!


I hope you'll check back again soon to see the completed "Mad Hatter" and to find out who the next character will be!

Just wanted to take a second to share a sneak peek of my latest endeavor...."White Rabbit" from my newly conceived Alice in Wonderland series. Acrylic on canvas, 12x12. Stay tuned for more pictures as this work progresses and as I start the next piece in the series......"Mad Hatter!"

The weather has been fantastic in Southern Pines lately and I've been working in my newly discovered 'sidewalk studio.' Folks really seem to enjoy watching the creation process; some even stop back by every so often to see the progress! It even got me noticed by the local paper whose photographer took the next picture while I was creating a signboard for my store! Nothing like free press, yes??? :)

So...I had this little 4x6 canvas panel all gessoed and ready to use just sitting in the drawer at the studio (shop....studio shop...can't decide what I really want to call it LOL). It called out to me last week and I suddenly fancied myself a painter.

Apologies to the real artists who actually know something about perspective! Anyway, thought I'd play around with it and paint my little version of what it looks like on the street where I work! Those of you who actually know Southern Pines will undoubtedly be asking what in the Sam Hill I thought I was painting. Artistic license rules!!! (Yes, I omitted the street...so far!)

Fortunately, I can say that this piece is FAR from finished so stay tuned for a future post with the finished results. I'm hoping that it will be cute enough to turn into notecards.