Naquaiya

Hide and Seek Coyotes

2012-01-27T12:18:00.000-08:00

Hide and Seek Coyotes

Here's a giclee print from my wild pen and ink cartoon.

Having lived in high desert country, canyons and the like, I've seen this guy hanging around. Here he is playing with his pals.

Maybe you need a little gift for your kid, nephew, old karate instructor? Here you go.

Like it enough to buy it?
Buy it from my Etsy Shop.

Daylies

2012-01-25T07:07:00.000-08:00

Daylilies is a new scratchboard panel. I'm hoping this scratchboard gives a casual in-formal feeling. To me that is what daylilies are all about. They are tough, colorful and a bit on the wild side. They're not as elegant as the iris, but they have their own ambiance. This piece is 12"x9" and a giclee print of the same size is available in my Etsy shop. Get ready for spring. Personally, I've seen enough rain and now that it snowed last week, I've seen enough of that too. Peeking through the fence are a few daisies for good luck.

Like what you see?? You can buy it from my Etsy Shop.

Kiss Me You Fool!

2012-01-23T14:33:00.000-08:00

I loved seeing my humorous card of scratchboard luscious red lips on the Valentine promotional slide show grouping of special cards for Valentine's Day. The site is http://artist.greetingcarduniverse.com/ love that kind of recognition.
Thanks to everybody on the forum who congratulated me. I think the photographer did a great job with the red ribbons and candy hearts too.

Sisters, Forest Dancers, Turquoise Color Tinted Scratchboard

2012-01-14T08:57:00.000-08:00

Sisters is a new gicleee print from Naquaiya
Measures 10"x8" and printed on HIgh Quality Matte archival paper
Paper size is 11"x8.5"
Two girls frolic in the forest is the theme.
Many interesting design and etching techniques in this intricate drawing.
Buy it here.

Paint your Heart Out Baby!

2012-01-09T11:23:00.000-08:00

Go ahead and have fun! Paint your heart out. This is for my friends who are not waiting to be invited to paint, just dive in and do it!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012

2011-12-31T12:57:00.000-08:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND ENEMIES....
HERE'S HOPING 2012 WILL BE WAY, WAY BETTER
FOR EVERYONE!
regardless of color,creed,poverty level or ridiculous misplaced wealth.
Actually, the latter group can grovel for a year or two, just
to see what it feels like.
LONG LIVE AMERICA AND MAY SHE SURVIVE THE STORM!

Holiday Tree, many languages

2011-12-23T07:55:00.000-08:00

In any language, the message is simple.
These words are attributed to St. Francis of Assisi.
Happy Holidays to everyone, near and far.

Beautiful Strawberries, engraving style

2011-12-19T12:49:00.000-08:00

Beautiful Strawberries
giclee print on heavy matte paper
image size 14"x11"

Have a berry on me. A new scratchboard giclee available in my gallery.
email naquaiya@pair.com

Polish Merry Christmas

2011-12-12T15:51:00.000-08:00

To all my Polish Friends.
Maybe someday I will be lucky enough to visit your beautiful country.
Here is a new design for you.
When I was little, I read Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates.
There is no reason why we can't spread the word
of a nostalgic skating holiday party.
All over the world!

Design Contest, Let it Snow!

2011-12-08T11:21:00.000-08:00

Hello friends, Here is my entry for GCU Community Let it Snow contest. I warn you, this is really tough, every card is beautiful! You are more than welcome to vote for me here .
Here is my snow entry. This is from an original watercolor I did a few years ago. It is still selling well as a Christmas card and more often in Italian than other languages. I like the feeling of snow piled just about as high as it can go. I love nostalgia as you can tell, mostly because I have memories of childhood snow, sledding, ice skating etc. in New England.

CLICK THE CARD TO PURCHASE OR GET A CLOSER LOOK!

I have giclee prints available of this image too in my Ocean Park Gallery. Just let me know if you want one. You can order a print through my Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/naquaiya

Here Come Bookmarks

2011-12-07T09:23:00.000-08:00

My mind is spinning. Holidays are reeling in old friends and new friends. It's been busier this year than I can ever remember. Are you reading? If you are, or if you are not, how about a new bookmark? Traditionally, artists seek words of wisdom for their paper placeholders. I could not find anything online that remotely came close to how I feel about wheat. Hence: the new bookmark you see before you. Encased in a nice plastic holder,embellished with glitzy ribbon. Stop in my gallery or email me (naquaiya@pair.com) with your order.

An Open Letter to Adobe re: Photoshop upgrades

2011-12-01T09:07:00.001-08:00

This old gal is ticked off! She may be ripped off! Read Scott Kelby's open letter to Adobe and learn.

turkey free thanksgiving

2011-11-20T10:43:00.000-08:00

Looks like deer hunting season has hit. Our sweet black tail deer can be seen crossing the streets and foraging for all gardeners' treats around her. Please don't hunt in Ocean Park. It's far from cool! If you see those wild turkeys around the lake, please let them be. Feed them don't eat them. All in fun. So have a nice, cozy, fattening Thanksgiving day.

Who does your hair?

2011-11-07T08:55:00.000-08:00

You know it's Monday when you wake up looking like this.

2011-11-05T11:21:00.000-07:00

This drawing/card is for my friend Michael Capilone!

Thanks Michael, you make me laugh always.

bridge to somewhere?

2011-11-04T09:01:00.000-07:00

Bridge to somewhere? A mini watercolor on 300lb Arches paper. measures 5x3. fun inquire purchase

2011-11-02T10:07:00.000-07:00

Life's A Bitch

available as a giclee print in my Etsy Store

Hey, somebody knows what this is all about and

might like it on their wall.

Give a gift of art!

It will last a lifetime.

2011-10-27T15:39:00.000-07:00

H is for Heidelberg Press

I'm now a Certified Printer Gal

Thanks PFL for certifying me as a qualified

printing agent. I passed the exam and it was

complete fun. I want to see those big 4 color

Heidelberg sheet presses in action.

2011-10-26T08:36:00.000-07:00

The tulip tree has great big pink flowers in the spring. If you have never seen one, the first time you spot one, it will be a real treat. This little drawing was done in gold leaf, gold paint, and scratched out on scratchboard clayboard. The composition is something worthy of future investigation as the leaves of this tree are just as smashing as the flowers. This needs to be drawn in Illustrator to do it justice. It's an early new year's resolution. Part of my continuing exploration of letters, and alphabets. Reading now? The Complete Manual of Typography by Felici, Pastime? Learning more Adoobe In Design and hoping most will stick.

LIGHTNING ROUND: THE GREAT PUMPKIN

2011-10-22T13:46:00.000-07:00

My contribution to the great pumpkin round for GCU designers. Help yourself to a little sweet orange treat. Nice and warm, home made crust and real whipped cream to boot!

The carved pumpkin was originally associated with the harvesting season before becoming a symbol of Halloween in the US. It seems a shame to waste a whole pumpkin whose sole purpose has been to be displayed during Halloween. Fortunately, there are a few ways to avoid throwing your pumpkin away after the spooky season is over.

This year I have designed some new Halloween Cards

that are on the Grumpy Side.

Have you ever met a Pumpkin Bully?

How about giving your mother-in-law a

diploma in bad behavior?

No?

What other great holiday carves up

orange pumpkins with mean faces

and scarry teeth?

Save electricity.
Carve a pumpkin.

Click a card. Make a Designer Happy!

Halloween Pumpkins
- Choose pumpkins that don't have bruises or blemishes.
- Carve it the week of Halloween and not sooner to prevent rotting due to the warmth of your home.
- Place your pumpkin in a cool spot -- putting it near radiators will increase the risk of mold developing.
- Don't carve the pumpkin but paint the outside instead; your pumpkin will keep for several weeks longer than one that has been carved.
Pumpkins to Eat
- Cut the pumpkin in half with a sharp knife. Then cut the flesh into cubes.
- Cook the pumpkin in boiling water. Allow it to simmer for roughly 2 hours. Alternatively, you can roast the pumpkin cubes or roast it without carving for 1-2 hours at a medium heat.
- Place the pumpkin cubes or the roasted scooped out flesh into freezer bags or airtight containers. It's a good idea to measure how much pumpkin you will need for each recipe you make, so you can adequately proportion each container and avoid defrosting more than necessary.

Hopi Corn Maiden, alternative birthday

2011-10-13T12:11:00.000-07:00

There is no flash here. There is no hoopla. This is just connecting to our roots and passing blessings on. If you would like to send a different birthday card, think of this one. The recipient may just stop and think a moment about what a blessing it is to reach another year, feel loved or share love. The corn maiden brings us harvest for the coming winter. We bring messages of love, hope and good wishes to each other.

Thanksgiving

2011-10-08T06:39:00.000-07:00

Beautiful hand drawn Thanksgiving Cards from GCU artists worldwide. See what other artists are doing for this holiday celebration.

http://judyadamsonartanddesign.blogspot.com/2011/09/thanksgiving-cards-by-gcu-artist-who.html

Julie frames my walnut ink watercolor

2011-09-30T16:07:00.000-07:00

Oh Julie Quinn, you made my day when you brought one of my watercolors in to show me how you had it framed. The colors are amazing and you really have good taste. Can I have it back? Just kidding. It really looks great and you look great in my gallery. Love ya! Thanks again for show it to me and how it will live in your home from now on.

Under Sea Food Chain

2011-09-27T15:17:00.000-07:00

Under Sea Food Chain

scratchboard original $600

measures 14"x28"
with frame 18"x32"

WINNER FIRST PLACE IN DRAWING CATEGORY
READ ABOUT THE SHOW

My newest drawing is about a sort of up-side-down food chain. It's about the state of the world we are living in today. What used to be up is now down and visa versa. The tiny moon in the upper left reflecting on the ocean with its swirling waves is the outside world as we know it. The sea is undergoing massive changes and it's swirling salty waters are repeated again on the lower right. The currents pull back and forth, moving fish and birds in opposite directions. Who is chasing who? Who is uppermost on the food chain? Fish to birds and birds to fish. Dragons to fish to octapus to flounder are carried along, through the dark waters.

If you would like a giclee of this new work, it is available in my Etsy shop.

Thanks for following my blog.

Tree Reflections with Falling Leaves

2011-09-14T10:23:00.000-07:00

Tree Reflections with Falling Leaves

scratchboard drawing

12" x 9"

Drawing again because I miss it so much and touching base with nature again. The way these leaves scatter and drift down to the water tells me the change of season is around the bend. The summer, though brief, has been the nicest summer I have seen here in Washington. My favorite time of day is later in the afternoon when the sun is warm but there is a slight ocean breeze. I'd call that heaven in a minute.

Paints in Aspens

2011-09-12T09:35:00.000-07:00

A new scratchboard original

measures 24x36
framed in lemonwood engraved ramin
$900

WINNER 2ND PLACE IN DRAWING CATEGORY
read about the show

Have you ever seen elephants or zebras running on the beach? I have. Sometimes I see paint horses in my back yard too. Running, as though they had some place to go in a hurry.

Alphabet

2011-09-07T05:37:00.000-07:00

What's in a letter? I've completed a whimsical alphabet in watercolor. I'm spending a lot of time reading about construction of letters, use of fonts, typography in general. This research led me to design my first set. It is an exercise I recommend. There is a lot to learn and it was great fun, spurring more ideas for the 2nd set. The first use of these letters are monogrammed greeting cards as seen here on Greeting Card Universe.. The next work in progress is to emboss them and produce a series of bookmarks. I think that will be fun and a unique gift item for my gallery.

Butterflies Lightning Round

2011-08-16T21:13:00.000-07:00

The butterfly in "Imagine, Dare, Do" card was strictly from my imagination and the patterns were made up on the spot with a wacom pen and tablet.

I remember as a child when very simple gifts were given. Way back and I won't admit to how back that goes, my brother and I were given butterfly nets. We went around catching butterflies all summer. We just let them go, but it was fun to look at them. There were a lot of butterflies back then. There are not so many now and seeing one is really a treat. I never thought nasturtiums were that pretty a flower but butterflies just love them.

I enjoy the San Diego zoo because of their wonderful butterfly garden. It's really a magical place if you ever get a chance to see it. It is a big cage and you walk around inside and it is just overflowing with flowers and fragrance and many butterflies, that you would never otherwise see.

Drawing butterflies is fun.

Here is a great little site if you would like to sketch some butterflies for fun. The patterns on the wing tips are very specific to the type of butterfly and they are key features as to the species.

I think this butterfly painting by Romo is very beautiful. It really captures the spirit and gentleness of these delicate creatures.

Nan Engen brings us a beautiful watercolor with this card

Lastly, I'm going to indulge in more of my butterfly cards because I am so crazy for butterflies. This Congratulations card is also available in English

This swallowtail is a silk painting.

When you see a butterfly say hello but don't touch it. You can hurt them either by breaking a wing or scraping the protective coating on them.

Cat Fish Heaven

2011-08-07T16:56:00.001-07:00

Cat Fish Heaven is actually a special die cut card I designed a few years ago. The white cat is inside the frame and when you open the card, you will see the rest of the design on the inside. When I made this, I did not have a computer or printer, so only the prototype existed. I am ready to go into production with this card and tomorrow or the next day I will show what it looks like on the inside. The art was done with a crow quill pen nib, india ink, and gouache paint. It is one of my favorite of this type of card and I had forgotten about it. I ran across it recently in a notebook and am exciting about producing it.

Design of the Day, Old style black telephone

2011-08-02T09:01:00.000-07:00

Thanks GCU for naming my old style telephone card Design of the Day.

Garlic Bread for the Ape in You

2011-08-01T19:10:00.000-07:00

He's elegantly dressed, has perfect table manners and has a charming baritone voice with a slight southern drawl. Have I fallen in love with a big ape? Click him to find out his message.

Bringing the fish

2011-07-29T07:42:00.000-07:00

She tries so darned hard but always is JUST a little off. She's at the pot luck and discovers she's done it once again! Can you think of a name for this gal? I'd appreciate suggestions. All I can come up with is GollyMolly.

Thank you French greeting card

2011-07-28T08:15:00.000-07:00

Would you like to say "Thank You" to someone with a beautiful paper greeting card? How about saying it in German, Spanish, Polish, Slovenian, Portuguese or Yiddish? Click this card to learn more. The pen and the ink speak to me. This design is part of the mandala series I've been doing for a few years now. Mandalas originate from within and their energy flows as the circle of life. You might say "What goes around comes around" sort of philosophy. In the end we come back to the beginning as we were when we were born. I love these soft colors and the green is like the softest of grasses on your barefeet.

Wearing a Pumpkin

2011-07-27T09:17:00.000-07:00

Are you a meanie on Haloweenie? Click this card to save the day.

Guest Blogger--John H.Johnson of Cottage Creek Greetings

2011-07-18T14:55:00.001-07:00

As part of Greeting Card Universe Community blog, some
artists participate in blog challenges coordinated by
Corrie Kuipers of GCU. John and I are appearing on each
other's blogs to get the word out about what we do and
how we do it. You can read my contribution on his blog.

Why Digital Art just works for Me!
Hello, my name is John H. Johnson. I love doing digital art!
I opened up a greeting card store at Greeting Card Universe.
Here's my store:

I started out as a traditional artist and even though I still love it,
I have really found myself gravitating more and more to digital art
as my preferred medium. I will never, and could never, completely
abandon traditional art. For me though, the computer is like an art
store, stocked with everything I could ever need. I can't run out of
my favorite color in the middle of a project, there's no waiting for
the paint to dry, and best of all, if I don't like what I've just
done I have unlimited undo's! There are a lot of other reasons to go
digital, and other reasons to not go digital, but suffice it to say,
for me, digital art just works!I normally work on my desktop PC with
a Wacom graphics tablet, and a scanner, using a combination of
Illustrator, Photoshop, and Painter for my main software. I either
hand draw my rough layout in pencil and scan it into the computer
or I draw straight into the computer with my Wacom and stylus.
I have my rough art on one layer and ink the clean up art on another
layer (I love layers, and I use a lot of them when I work!). I do the
color work on multiple other layers using different layer blending
modes to get just the look I want. On the color work, I first start
by filling in all the different mid value color shapes throughout
the design. Next,I add the rough in highlights and rough in shadows.
Then, I refine the highlights and shadows and play around trying to
get the contrast right. The layers insure that the cleaned up outlines
of my main drawing stay crisp and clean! I like to add textures to my
paintings to add interest and give a more traditional look to the work.
I use the airbrush tool a lot but in any one painting I can sometimes
use multiple digital mediums on a single project. Most of the cards
in my GCU card shop have been done this way. Here are three examples
of this work from my GCU cards:

Happy Holidays! Greeting Card

Unfortunately, my PC has been down for sometime now (it runs for 10 minutes
to a half an hour at a time and then shuts itself down). I'm looking at
getting the PC fixed as a short term fix, but, in the long run I'm planning
on saving for a really good Mac! In the meantime, having no computer for a
digital artist was the worst! Then, came my iPad!I got an iPad this last
February from my wife. It was a birthday present and, I have to say,
it is AWESOME! For those of you that don't know what an iPad is: It's a
tablet computer from Apple that measures 9.50 inches tall by 7.31 inches wide.
It's only 0.34 inch thick and weighs only 1.33 pounds. It's the perfect hand
held computer! I can take it anywhere and do my art! The battery lasts up to
10 hours on a charge! It has a touchscreen, and is a GREAT tool for artists
when combined with a Targus drawing Stylus, and the best art apps. My favorite
art apps are: Inkpad,which is a vector based drawing app that rivals illustrator,
and only costs $1.99,and ArtRage, which is a natural medium painting and
drawing app that rivals Painter,for only $6.99. Other great art apps are:
Brushes, Art Studio, Sketch Book Pro, Abobe Ideas, and Bamboo Papers. Now,
I'm not saying these apps have everything that the more expensive software
packages have but, they work really well!When doing art on the iPad you draw
right on the screen with the stylus. When I finally got the hang of the VERY
thick tip of the stylus, it became a lot like drawing on paper or painting
on canvas when I work on my iPad. That's the advantage the iPad touchscreen
has over a Wacom graphics tablet connected to your PC or Mac!You're drawing
right on the surface of your art so your hand is not removed from the work!

The iPads biggest disadvantage is that, unlike the Wacom graphics tablet, the
iPad touchscreen is not pressure sensitive yet. Pressure sensitive means: The
harder you push down the darker and thicker the resulting lines, and the softer
you push down the lighter and thinner the resulting lines. Pressure sensitivity
gives you more natural looking strokes. The software people are working on this,
and I'm convinced the iPad will be pressure sensitive soon! for now, Wacom has
the iPad beat in this important area.Other disadvantages for the iPad are that
it does not support Flash content on the web, and there is a lot of Flash content
out there on the web! Also, Apple has made it VERY hard to upload my art files
to sites like facebook, blogger, and even GCU. I have found apps that make it
possible to upload to facebook and my blog from my iPad now but, Unfortunately,
not as easily, or conveniently as it was from my desktop PC.  GCU, at this time,
has no app for uploading art files from an iPad. I have to email myself the art
files I create on my iPad. Then, I have to borrow my mother-in-law's laptop to
download those files from my email into a folder on her desktop. Only then, can
I upload the art files to GCU from her laptop! Not very convenient, but for now,
it works. If you plan on getting an iPad, and I do recommend  them, just know
that you will have to have a traditional PC or Mac also for all the reasons
listed above. I need to save faster for that new Mac!!!Here are some cards
have created recently using only my iPad:

 Thank you John for that informative post.  You've got me really intereted
in the IPad and I just love your style.

Happy is the Home that's filled with Love

2011-07-15T16:32:00.000-07:00

I've been drawing a lot lately and sometimes just park my car and draw whatever I see. Little houses down by the beach are just so cool. This one was interesting--mostly because of its big old fireplace. So I did a quick sketch. I added the pooch and am thrilled to play with brushes in PS5. So here we go, I'd love to see this in a series.

Witches Lay on some Swag!

2011-07-10T16:05:00.000-07:00

Well, here they are folks. Those 'hornery witches are at it again. Lay on the swag baby--you've got style!
Just kicking ideas around like an old tin can.

Peninsula Clay Artists Show is Coming UP!

2011-07-08T09:47:00.000-07:00

Time	Friday, August 12 at 4:00pm - August 20 at 6:00pm

Location	The Artisan, 114 Main Street, Ilwaco, WA

More Info

Third Annual Clay Show
August 9-20, 2011
The Artisan in Ilwaco, WA

There is something for everyone-- from beginner to advanced clay artists, for those who appreciate finished pieces of art and those who enjoy hands-on workshops and demonstrations, for artists who want to hone their skills and artists and novices who want to try something new. There will be plenty to learn and much clay art to enjoy. Learn from leading clay artists and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow clay artists.

Highlights of this two week event include:
August 9-10: Two-day clay and metal jewelry workshop presented by Mary Hindman. $125* for two days and includes materials. Registration is required.

August 12-13: Two-day workshop on Saggar firing, raku and wheel techniques presented by Ruth Allen. $125* for two days. Includes materials. Registration is required.

August 12: Opening reception of Peninsula Clay Artists. Free.

August 16, 17 and 18: Mosaics workshops and community mosaics project presented by Heather Richardson and Renee O’Connor. Register for any one ($75*), two ($125*), or all three days ($175*). Or, work on only community project for $25* per afternoon. Fees include all materials. Registration required.

August 20: Community mosaics project unveiled during the Ilwaco Art Walk.

Ongoing during the show:
Various kilns will be available for workshop participants to glaze and fire several pieces of work.
Gallery will be open. Some clay creations will be for sale.
Demos and hands-on activities. Free and open to the public.

* Discounts for PCA, PAA, OPA and WCA members.

For more information contact Jan Richardson at 360-665-2603 or

Jan@windymeadowspottery.com.

For the Artist In You--Drawing Tips

2011-07-07T20:45:00.000-07:00

For the artist in you--here is a little card I designed in 2008. It's all about having fun with art and a little horse who dreams of becoming a big dressage horse someday. Of course, by the looks of him, we know that can never be. But we love him anyway because he's sweet and innocent and tries so darned hard. Here he is trying to become a DaVinci. His little head swims with great expectations and gigantic ideas.

The inside greeting reads "Drawing is fun and relaxing Find a quiet place for yourself. Maybe your garden will do. Sit down and draw, draw, draw."
Purchase HERE

Halloween Diploma for Mother In Law

2011-07-06T18:48:00.000-07:00

If your Mother in Law has a great sense of humor
If you are brave enough
If you are stupid enough
Here is a card for her.
Inside verse reads: BUY IT HERE!

You've made the grade from bitch to witch! So go ahead and have yourself a Happy Halloween!

Happy Birthday Pisces

2011-07-04T14:33:00.000-07:00

This fish has been on my mind since I did the first pen and ink of it in my sketch pad. I loved it as a black and white but felt I could add a little more mystery to it. So fish seek birds and birds seek fish. Enjoy this drawing and click here to purchase the card. I am now taking it to another level and doing the fish and bird theme in a scratchboard panel. It's a large and exciting piece. I am always amazed how one little thing leads to another.

Happy 4th of July everybody. I have made a fresh lemon meringue pie for the party and fireworks on the beach tonight!

Green Eyed Cat Scratchboard

2011-07-03T21:30:00.000-07:00

A cat with green eyes that glow in the dark.

He's a regal, striped wonder.

A giclee print available in my Etsy shop.

Halloween bullies, funny and cute card

2011-07-01T07:46:00.000-07:00

I know, I know... It's summer so who cares about Halloween? I do. Here's a new Halloween card.

Kids are natural bullies but sometimes they sure can be funny and cute about it.

Click to buy some in time for All Hallows Eve.

Happy Canada Day

2011-06-30T12:44:00.000-07:00

When is Canada Day 2011?

Canada Day 2011 is Friday, July 1st.

Canada Day in Quebec

In Quebec, Canada Day is not celebrated as fervently as in the rest of the country. Federal offices, schools, banks are closed but many people in Quebec look at July 1st as "moving day," as this date has been historically the end of lease agreements.

Canada Day is celebrated on July 1st across the country. July 1st marks the anniversary of the formation of the union of the British North America provinces in a federation under the name of Canada - that's the technical explanation, but Canada Day also means fireworks and the year's biggest national party. The Canada Day holiday is akin to the U.S. July 4th celebration but on a more Canadian scale.

What To Expect on Canada Day

Schools, banks, government offices and many other stores and businesses are closed on July 1st. Call ahead to restaurants, stores and tourist attractions to confirm Canada Day hours. Typically, Canada Day celebrations include parades, fireworks, barbecues and other get-togethers.

Above are 4 cards I have designed to celebrate Canada Day. They are available in French and in English.
Click to learn more and purchase my card. All the drawings and watercolors were done by hand.
Thanks for looking!

Making Pies, Women at Work Series

2011-06-28T17:58:00.000-07:00

Some people enjoy their jobs and are more suited than others when it comes to the kind of work they do. This woman is very devoted and takes pride in her work. She can make my pie anytime. See my Etsy shop for a giclee print on metallic lustre paper with the blackest of blacks you've ever seen.

Blog Carnival: Lighting Round, Kitties

2011-06-27T18:58:00.000-07:00

Could be that CATS IN LOVE express more with their body language than we could imagine?

It's easy to see why felines are a big draw for artists. The body language of cats is very expressive. When they are hungry, they come up to us and rub our legs and make little soft pleadings, turning in circles while purring. When they are angry they arch their backs and their ears go flat with whiskers forward. When they are affectionate, they become as soft as silk and knead our laps or as some folks say "play the piano". My cats show off when people come over. I have one who does tricks for my friends as she joyfully rolls over and over and over on the floor. She knows darn well she has an audience.

So cats in Love? Sure, why not!

The cats you see here are all greeting cards. What a wonderful way to collect art!

Click each card to see more, purchase, send to a friend or collect for yourself. Be careful though, this card collecting could become addictive.

Here are all the participants. Please visit and leave comments.

LIGHTNING ROUND: KITTIES
Furry Friends “Animals are such agreeable friends...” Painted Cottage, Judith Cheng Cats Are Angels Among Us “Let’s face it, cat lovers are passionate about their cats…” Rycky Creations, Robin Chaffin Jack and Lillie: The Story of Two Rescues “Jack and Lillie are cats...” DB Visual Arts, Denise Beverly Friends with Fur “I wish I could say I have kitties and cats running all over the place...” Janet Lee Designs, Janet Palaggi An Ode to Kitties “I love cats...” Diana’s Cards, Diana Delosh For All Us Cat Lovers “A life without cats?!? A love story...” Aura2000, Aura 2000 Everyday Art: Inspirational Kitties and Cats “The key to finding inspiration in everyday places and things is observing…” Sun at Night Studios, Sun at Night Feline Friends “Cats can be great companions...” Sunshine’s Creative Explorations, Donna Lorello Feline Fever “I fell in love with cats almost twenty years ago...” It’s a Beautiful World, Catherine Sherman The Kitty and the Mashed Potatoes “Sulu was a rescued feral kitten...” Kilter Cards, A Ley Luna, a New Family Member “My daughter and her boyfriend just got a sweet little kitten a couple days ago...” I Love Cuttables, Cindy Johns Cats in Love “Could it be that cats in love express more with their body language than we can imagine?” Naquiaya’s Cards, Naquaiya Meow, Meow, Meow “Being the owner (did I say that?) of five cats…” Cherie’s Arts ‘N Crafts, Cherie When the Cat’s Away “Cats, can anyone truly resist them?” Salon of Art, Doreen Erhardt Our Beautiful Gypsy Kitty “One day probably 20 years ago a gorgeous seven toed calico cat just showed up literally on our doorstep…” Dragonfire Graphics, Betsy Bush Here, Kitty! Kitty! Kitty “DogBreedz isn’t only about Man’s Best Friend…” DogBreedz, Peggy Mundell My Rescue Cat Speckles: A Love Story “On one blazing hot summer night in 2006 in Plano, Texas, a cat wandered outside next to the large patio of my apartment…” This & That, Rick McBride CorrieWeb is the Cat’s Meow “I love kitties!” CorrieWeb, Corrie Kuipers I Was Always a Dog Person “Kitties were an acquired taste for me...” Cottage Creek Greetings, John H. Johnson My Cat Loves Birthday Candles “I live with a cat who is fascinated by fire…” Blessing Art Cards, Sharon Fernleaf New ‘Kit’ On the Block “Introducing Abby, our newest critter kid!” Cards from the Heart, Lisa Charlton

Something about Koi Fish

2011-06-22T15:37:00.000-07:00

There are now two watercolor paintings

of koi fish on my Etsy site.

What is it about these fish that

is so irristible?

Etsy Lush

2011-06-21T10:19:00.000-07:00

Village Cemetery scratchboard is now appearing on Etsy Lush for June 21. This is awesome and I'm happy that a little friendly cemetery is getting attention. The little black tree in the front shows us ghosts of sweet mourners from the past. I feel they are only peaceful in their embrace and not at all sad. Maybe time has worn them to soften their edges.

Etsy Lush

2011-06-19T17:11:00.000-07:00

I am happy. Yippee!!! I made the Etsy Lush page for my many mammals scratchboard drawing.
Check it out: click the above title to see the whole page.

Blog Carnival II: SHE SELLS SEASHELLS BY THE SEASHORE

2011-06-17T20:45:00.000-07:00

                                         Artists from the top down, Sandra Rose Design
                                                                                  M.A. Nolan
                                                                                  Christian Slanec
                                                                                  Monique Zuckerman

     One of nature's wonders is the seashell. Her forms range from simple to very complex. It's always exciting to find a beautiful shell on the beach. I own quite a few lovely shell mirrors and marvel at the colors and shapes. Most of them come from an artist who's mother in law gave her boxes and boxes of shells she collected in the 1950's. I like thinking I know a little something about these shells and how old they are. No wonder artists are fascinated by shells. They hold a mystery.
     These four designs are from artists at Greeting Card Universe and as you can see, they have quite a range of representing the seashell. Some are photographs, some hand drawn, All of them show a great respect for one of nature's wonders.
     Click the shell you like and it will take you right to the greeting card. Have fun!
SEE THE WHOLE COLLECTION FROM PARTICIPANTS!

Naquaiya

Hide and Seek Coyotes

Daylies

Kiss Me You Fool!

Sisters, Forest Dancers, Turquoise Color Tinted Scratchboard

Paint your Heart Out Baby!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012

Holiday Tree, many languages

Beautiful Strawberries, engraving style

Polish Merry Christmas

Design Contest, Let it Snow!

Here Come Bookmarks

An Open Letter to Adobe re: Photoshop upgrades

turkey free thanksgiving

Who does your hair?

bridge to somewhere?

LIGHTNING ROUND: THE GREAT PUMPKIN

Halloween Pumpkins

Pumpkins to Eat

Hopi Corn Maiden, alternative birthday

Thanksgiving

Julie frames my walnut ink watercolor

Under Sea Food Chain

Tree Reflections with Falling Leaves

Paints in Aspens

Alphabet

Butterflies Lightning Round

Cat Fish Heaven

Design of the Day, Old style black telephone

Garlic Bread for the Ape in You

Bringing the fish

Thank you French greeting card

Wearing a Pumpkin

Guest Blogger--John H.Johnson of Cottage Creek Greetings

Happy is the Home that's filled with Love

Witches Lay on some Swag!

Peninsula Clay Artists Show is Coming UP!

For the Artist In You--Drawing Tips

Halloween Diploma for Mother In Law

Happy Birthday Pisces

Green Eyed Cat Scratchboard

Halloween bullies, funny and cute card

Happy Canada Day

When is Canada Day 2011?

Canada Day in Quebec

What To Expect on Canada Day

Making Pies, Women at Work Series

Blog Carnival: Lighting Round, Kitties

Something about Koi Fish

Etsy Lush

Etsy Lush

Blog Carnival II: SHE SELLS SEASHELLS BY THE SEASHORE