Newest painting...still going with the Bizarres

I'm still at it with these faces.  I'm just trying to spread myself out a little and see if I can be somewhat consistent with some seasonal things.  I'm working on some Valentine ideas.  I'd like to make the jump to selling on Etsy.  Any ideas, tips, help for printing these?  I'm worried about packaging and not knowing how or what to do.  If anyone has some ideas, please let me know.  I'll be googling ase well to see what others have done. 

Hope everyone had an awesome Christmas.  We actually had a white Christmas -- here in Texas, that is RARE.  In fact, it's been almost 90 years since that has happened in north Texas.  Here are some amazing photos:

My MOM!!

Me and my two year old, Jack

Amazing blogs/sites to check out

Forever I have wanted to write (and illustrate) children's books but have put those dreams on hold to take time and sharpen my painting skills.  I love mixed media and it's all I have time for right now.  Maybe someday it will evolve into something more.  I'm happy right now playing with all kinds of paper, paint, gel medium, pencils, etc.  In the meantime, I thought I'd share a link to one of the many children's book illustrator's blogs I found really fun to visit.  She is so creative and she uses a lot of red and aqua which I LOVE.  Her name is Jenny B. Harris and her blog is www.allsorts.typepad.com.  Check it out when you get a chance!!  The children's book illustrator's world is like a ginormous candy store for the eyes.  Although I haven't visited her site in a few years, I'm sure you'll find Holli Conger interesting : www.agirlwhocreates.com.  Ok, I'll leave it at that since those two sites will take you forever to peruse.  Here's a photo of our GRISWOLD tree.  Literally, it's more than 10 feet tall. 

I'm off to make a list of the cookies we want to make.  Everyone chooses one kind, plus we make and decorate sugar cookies.  Two of my favorites are Butterscotch Haystacks (with chow mein noodles) and Chocolate cookies with peanut butter chips -- YUM.

Merry Christmas ya'll!

What's in my sketchbook?

Thought I'd post what is in my sketchbook.  When I first started doing these crazy faces, I went berzerk with a pencil and my sketchbook.  I've never drawn so freely before in my life.  I'm usually so extremely careful with proportions and perfection -- this is much more relaxing!!  If you haven't tried to let go and draw in a more child-like way, I recommend giving it a whirl!  Sometimes I watch my children draw and it's humbling to see them create without fear of judgement.  I'm striving for that and I hope it will make me a better artist.  In turn, maybe that freedom will spill over into other parts of my life.

striped hat

striped hat
Originally uploaded by meganhoover

This little guy looks sad...all of my pieces are looking that way a bit. Maybe I'll try some happier faces. Still enjoying these...got some "Itty Bitty Bizarres" in the works as part of my "Beauty in the Bizarre" series.

Santa

004
Originally uploaded by meganhoover

This guy was done on scrap paper but I have since glued him to a less "irregular" piece of watercolor paper. I'll post the new one soon. I think he'd make great Christmas cards!

Catching Up and Breathing

I've recently uncovered a style to call my own...something I've been trying to achieve for a long time. With the help of Mystele of Little Glimpses Studio (http://www.mystele.com/) and her online "Gut Art" class, I was able to push past some artistic blocks and find me. Don't know how long this will last but I'm having so much fun. My sketchbook is overflowing with ideas for new paintings. It should keep me busy for a long time!

Here's one that is spoken for...she'll be surprised when she gets it. I'll tell you more about that later! I call it "Shared Vision" and it was done on watercolor paper with acrylics, torn paper, and graphite.