New watercolor paper.  I normally use off-white hotpress (I love it for detailed work) but I stumbled upon this more textured, ecru-colored stuff that tickled my fancy.  Perhaps it’s this new paper, with its darker tone, that gave rise to Felix’s moody mix of murky green hues.  I’m not sure he’s finished but if not, he’s close.

Felix is actually a cheery example of a 8-armed fellow and surprisingly modest too.  He wears his medals with pride but doesn’t like to brag about his feats of strength.  He can be a little vain, however, and takes care to regularly groom his short golden locks (which, as you might imagine, can be quite challenging with a life underwater!).

Louise, a Narwhal; 5×7 watercolor & ink

I’ve just added to le shop a 5×7 print of my original watercolor and ink drawing: Louise, a Narwhal.  You may not know this, but narwhals are very sensitive creatures and have the ability to feel great empathy for other living things.

For every Louise print sold, 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the National Audubon Society, in an effort to help with the BP oil spill clean up in the Gulf of Mexico.

Where the Cardinals Sleep; 8.5 x 11 watercolor on paper

This is one of those pieces that had a very humble beginning.  I’m acquiring a much better habit of sketching to just draw and see where that takes me.

The other night Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow was on TV and with hot chocolate in hand (seems like there’s almost always hot chocolate involved any task I do!) I drew this lass, a cardinal friend.  Can you see references to the movie?  I think they kind of snuck in there unconsciously.

This watercolor and its sociable birds remind me of the time when I was younger…I was outside on my parents’ porch while my mom watered her garden.  The birds always liked to come by when she was doing this, perhaps because the fresh water was so much better than any standing pools they could find.  A house finch flew down from the birch trees and landed on my arm, Sleeping Beauty-style.  I was in a state of delight and concern for I had never experienced an encounter such as this - was this bird really friendly or was she trying to tell me something?  She looked at me and chirped and hopped from side to side a bit.  She jumped onto my shoulder just before tweeting her good-bye and flying back up into the trees.

Thank you SO much for taking my name poll and leaving your comments - I’m very glad I asked!  Sometimes it’s easy to forge ahead and forget that it can be helpful to get other people’s opinions.   As for my next step regarding a possible shop move (I haven’t made the commitment just yet), I’ll definitely keep you all posted!

I’m working on some new drawings, including more paper dolls.  I’m having a lot of fun just creating and drawing, I almost feel like a kid!  I stopped by Blick over the weekend to pick up more watercolor paper and pens which was terribly exciting. (I know, how nerdy is that?)   My other creative endeavors have fallen to the wayside, including a sea-inspired picnic quilt I’m making for my nephew’s 1st birthday,  (I really need to hop on that this weekend)  but I’ve been too engrossed to really notice.

It’s wonderfully drizzly and grey today, I think I’m going to cook up some soup for lunch.   Anyway, thank you again.  Happy Tuesday!