My 365 Project - ACEO Sketch cards for Charity

For every day of 2012, I will be drawing one ACEO sketch card. Every single one will be for sale - ALL proceeds to be donated to charity at the end of 2012.

My charity of choice is a local foundation called Alternatives to Violence, who is currently raising money to build a safehouse. This safehouse will provide a secure shelter to women and children who have recently escaped physical and sexual abuse.

With the safehouse, 312 individuals every year will receive crisis intervention, counseling, safety planning, advocacy and shelter.

Together, through art, we can help make a difference.

The Plan:

♥My cards will range from $5 to $11 depending on subject and detail. 

♥Only my costs(Etsy, Paypal, Material fees) will be deducted and the rest will go to Alternatives to Violence(ATV) at the end of the year. 

♥I will share every card I create  - that means a new piece of art to see and share every day, through my DeviantArt, Facebook, Twitter, Etsy and Tumblr.

♥I will be drawing various subjects, including portraits from the casts of Supernatural, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Sherlock, Star Wars & Firefly. Also musicians such as Michael Jackson, Tokio Hotel, Jared Leto, Lady Gaga and lots more. And whatever else I can think of!

-Send me requests, I will need lots of ideas!

♥At the end of each month, I will tally up how much we have raised and let you know which cards from that month are still available for you to purchase for charity.

My 365 project will be done in addition to all my usual art creations and commissions, so this is going to be a busy year! I’m looking forward to all there is to create and capture and inspire. I’m looking forward to the challenge and all I have to learn. But more than anything, I’m looking forward to helping families find a new beginning, find hope, and a future with new light.

Visit ATV and read about the safehouse project details at:  AlternativesToViolence.org

Color me Inspired: Book Art!

As an avid reader and writer, (and artist, but you already knew that.) I love to see how other people combine their hobbies. Ingenuity is a huge part of my life and I'm most inspired when I find some truly unique ideas!

Like these book paintings for example! I never would have thought to use a book as a canvas and really love the effect! 

Check out more of his work!

And how about these bookmobiles? Looks like the perfect way to recycle a book that's maybe seen too many days. If I had a library to decorate, this would definitely be in it.

The Shophouse

Waiting Room Blues

Blue is one of the most powerful colors. It can convey deep emotion and reminds us of the sky and sea. For me, it makes me feel right at home. My kitchen is decorated in bold cobalt and sometimes, while you're away from home in a waiting room, a little taste of home is just what you need.

Pictured above are a few of my favorites from Etsy!
♥Twilight Art Print by BestArtStudios2
♥Art Deco Necklace by boylerpf
♥Super Sparkler Studs by Mashugana
♥Dance Troop in Blue by clementseye
♥Marigold Paper Flowers by DragonflyExpression


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Artists' Greatest Enemies (and the weapons against them)

I received a message a few weeks ago from someone who was struggling in their pursuit of art. As I read the message, I found myself nodding and smiling. I’ve been through all the same things before. Actually, I think every artist has! So what do we do with these ‘Art Enemies’?

*I have no confidence in drawing and my perfectionism gets in the way.

In high school I sat next to a girl who could take anything and make it a masterpiece...while mine looked absolutely elementary! I'd often walk out of the class feeling incredibly frustrated and disappointed with myself. But what helped me most in overcoming that was looking at each new drawing as a step in the right direction. I used to stick notes to my drawings and picked out what I did like in each piece. I called it my 'positive study'. It really helped me find my confidence in drawing. I kept all of those drawings. Every single one, even…or perhaps, especially if I hated it. I tucked them away in a folder and put that folder out of sight, slowly adding to it until I found that those sticky notes were getting fuller and fuller of the things I liked in each drawing. It seemed a little pointless at the time, but it became ritual. Not only did I get a lot of practice, but I gained a lot of confidence! I still do that mentally every time I’m working on a drawing. It helped me turn my perfectionism into a skill for me to use, rather than to despise.

*When I’m finally in the mood to draw, I can’t find anything too draw.

I think I hate this more than the perfectionism! So I started looking for ways to head off the problem before I ran into it again. I found a nice, fat binder and started filling it with pictures that caught my eye. For any reason. I collected magazines and calendars and newspapers and went crazy with scissors and glue! I call that bright, heavy binder my Idea Book. I’ve had it for years now and still add to it…and I still find myself referring back to it whenever I get stuck.

BUT: if you’re not such a great fan of glue and paper cuts, I also have a digital version. Just a folder on my laptop filled to the brim of pictures and art that I’ve stumbled across on the internet that inspire me. Works just as well.

*It takes me forever to even finish a drawing

Same here! Most of what I do takes anywhere from 25-45 hours to finish, spread over weeks…or even months! You just have to remember that you’re drawing for fun. Because you love it. Not because it’s something that needs to get done…even if it’s a class assignment. There’s no timer clicking down on the wall. Take every last second you need and don’t worry (or even count) how long it takes you. Just enjoy it.

*I get distracted and can’t focus enough to stick with a drawing.

Oh, the distractions and shiny things around us! The first thing I recommend is a space for you to draw. Somewhere comfortable and secluded where you can gather all your supplies to get creative. I usually choose my bedroom or my converted art studio.

But the key for me (and many others)? Music. Simply play your favorites or whatever you’re in the mood for and keep it playing in the background. Music not only keeps me focused, but I also find that I’m more inspired and creative when listening to music. I very rarely ever draw without it. (or else, I start singing some random song to myself instead)

We all have our own little quirks and tools, and I’d love to hear what works for you! Comment and let me know!