Margaret: In Loving Memory 8"x10"

Although this piece took me a little longer than I originally anticipated (a bit over two weeks), I'm really pleased with the outcome. I had a picture to work from that I was able to reproduce pretty accurately and then added a background that I thought would compliment the colors of the dog. This portrait was also done with colored pencils, which I think was a great medium to convey the coloring and texture of the dog, as well as add an interesting look to the background. The layering of the colors took a long time, and getting the tiny details (the teeth, the brindle coloring) was difficult but I'm really happy with how I was able to capture those little pieces that truly make the piece as accurate as possible to the subject.   

Old Ford 11"x14"

I finished this piece a few weeks ago but have only now gotten the chance to post it. I love how this one turned out--I started it with high hopes, didn't like the way the colors were turning out (i used colored pencils for the color) and put it away for a while, focusing on some other work. Finally I came back to it three weeks ago and played around with the colors, trying a little more layering and working the color until I got the bright red that I was looking for. I have this prints of this piece with me at the Farmer's Market as well as for sale at Moulton's Market in Amherst, NH. 

Frenemies 9"x12"

So finally a piece with animals that aren't horses;) I saw this picture and thought it was so adorable that I just had to do it. I had a hard time getting the texture of the kitten's fur to look realistic, as well as accurately convey the color variations in its coat. The cat was grey, but each hair is a different value, and that's difficult to portray with pencils on paper. I think I did a good job of it though, and it doesn't look too flat. I love the puppy's wrinkly face being squished by the kitten's paw, and you can tell the puppy has an amazingly patient disposition, which I also tried to capture in this piece. 

This drawing will be for sale this week at the Amherst Famer's Market, so stop on by and see what else I have to offer or commission a piece of your own! Thanks for everyone who came out last week, it was nice seeing you and getting to chat! 

Pink Rose 9"x12"

Due to the inclement weather, I didn't get to set up my stall at the Amherst Farmer's Market, which was a major bummer. However, the day wasn't a complete waste as I dug out my oil pastels and got to work. This picture I thought was appropriate for the season and will make a great greeting card and prints; it's certainly a colorful change from the graphite pencils I've been fond of of late. It was certainly nice to get back to some of my older mediums to check my skills, and I had fun playing around with the oil pastels again. So, if you like what you see this piece, prints, and greeting cards will be available at the Amherst Farmer's Market (2:30-6:30 the Village Green) and also at the Golden Egg in Salzburg Square. Stop by and check it out! 

PS-The colors are more vivid in real life, I promise. 

Apple with Leaves 8"x10"

Another from my apple note card collection. I decided to add some leaves to this one and I really like how they came out. The stem also adds some dimension and character to the picture that the other piece doesn't have, although I like each of them for their different qualities. I'm making this picture into note cards as well, to be sold at both the Golden Egg and the Amherst Farmer's Market, so if you're interested in buying these stop by! 

PS-The photos I took of both of this and the Apples piece aren't of the best quality, so to get a better idea of their true beauty please come by in person and check them out. 

Apples 8"x10"

This is a piece that I plan on making into blank note cards in the hopes that people will use the simple but detailed piece as thank you notes or greeting cards. I'm planning on packaging ten cards with envelopes and selling them at The Golden Egg in Salzburg Square, Amherst, as well as at my stall at the Amherst Famer's Market on the Village Common. This was a fun little piece that really tested my skills with shadow and light, and I had fun making the still-life and photographing it up at the lake this past weekend. My career as a photographer isn't solid yet, so I'll stick to the drawing for now. 

Aunt Ronnie's Ski House

My first commissioned piece! Aunt Ronnie asked me to do this drawing of her ski house up in Maine so that she could always be reminded of her sanctuary. This piece was a little difficult for me in that there were so many straight lines! I don't have a lot of experience with architectural drawings so this was a bit of a new experience for me but I'm really happy with the outcome. I especially love the soft texture of the pine trees in the background to the straight, solid structure of the house itself. This was done on an 8.5"x11" piece of drawing paper and Aunt Ronnie asked me to make it into blank greeting cards, which is an option with all the pieces I create. My hope is that Aunt Ronnie will look at this picture and feel as though she's up in Maine enjoying her ski house!