faces2

faces2
Originally uploaded by meganhoover

Had to get back to some "stream of consciousness" painting -- finding faces and painting what I "saw".

Feeling defeated!  While ordering pizza for the family tonight, my 2 year old decided the carpet needed to be a new shade of gold.  He used my good Holbein Matte paint and made a HUGE mess on the carpet and himself.  I guess we worked quickly enough because the area seems ok and I got it off of his clothes.  I LOVE working with acrylic paint but it is also a HAZARD with little ones around.  Luckily, he didn't eat any!!  Back to painting or at least thinking about painting...sigh.

New Painting In Progress...part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJyG1euO9Pw

A Cup of Loveliness

I finished this piece this morning.  It's different than what I have been doing but I still tried to apply some of my favorite things like the wobbly pencil lines and not worrying too much about proportions (although my analytical side got the best of me when I was "casting" a shadow -- phooey that analytical stuff). This is an 8x8 chunky gallery wrapped canvas.  While I wanted it to be more quirky, I think I still I like it.  

MESSY STUDIO

009 - Copy (2)
Originally uploaded by meganhoover

I feel like a MAD SCIENTIST...BUAH HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!! I've got so many pieces cookin'. I LOVE working on more than one piece at a time. I don't really have the space for it, but I manage. It helps me not to "muddy" my paintings, giving them a chance to dry a little in between layers.

Here are some pieces in progress:

Follow Your Heart

FOLLOW YOUR HEART
11 x 14 on paper

I continue on this journey.  I have some tweaking to do on this one but wanted to post something today.  This was on heavy Fabriano paper (LOVE this paper!)  LOTS of texture makes drybrushing many layers a snap.  I am still "learning" the process that works best and because I can't seem to paint every day, I sometimes have to "re-learn" from mistakes.  I can hear my own words, "Oh, yeah...don't put heavy outlines first -- that makes things muddy."  Or, "ok, be free and loose -- don't overthink the shapes.  WHIMSY, WHIMSY."  Anyway, I hope to make these into cards just in time for Valentine's Day.  Maybe I'll do a few more (sketches are ready for that) and have sets made.  Can't decide if I should have the words "follow your heart" ON the painting.  I'm toying with that idea. 
Happy creating!  ~smiles!~

watering can1

watering can1
Originally uploaded by meganhoover

The universe for the characters in my series "Beauty in the Bizarre" is widening...I do feel onto something but I also am treading lightly to keep "the look" going for different subject matter and scenarios. I'm sure my art will evolve as I do more pieces. Lots of ideas and paintings to be done. I'm still having fun so I guess that means KEEP GOING!

untitled

untitled
Originally uploaded by meganhoover

I've been posting a lot of little things I started a while ago but just recently finished -- so don't go a'thinkin' I'm over here being totally prolific or something. Just happened to post them one after another. I have more experimenting to do with this style. I'm thinking of doing more full body paintings (not NUDES silly!). My sketchbook is coming to life again with new characters and that usually means painting is around the corner. I'll post those when I have time. Sometimes I wonder if I should be blogging about trying to paint with small children instead of just what I like doing when I get the time to paint. I'll definitely have to write about those woes some time...the guilt of wanting my own thing!! Ahhh. Really, I JUST WANNA PAINT!!!! LOL...smiles to all who happen to venture my way. Happy painting (or crafting, or sewing, or juggling or whatever makes your heart sing!)

bizarre ornament side view

bizarre ornament side view
Originally uploaded by meganhoover

Here's another ornament...don't know how many of these I'll do especially since Christmas is over but they were fun. Just needs a hole drilled and some ribbon or something.

bizarre ornament front

bizarre ornament front
Originally uploaded by meganhoover

Penguin ornament

Penguin ornament
Originally uploaded by meganhoover

penguin ornament side view

penguin ornament side view
Originally uploaded by meganhoover

penguin ornament front

penguin ornament front
Originally uploaded by meganhoover

finished this a little while ago...just need to drill a hole and slip a ribbon or tie something pretty to it. the back is finished as well -- these take longer even though they are smaller (more details I guess).

Queen

Queen
Originally uploaded by meganhoover

Most of my pieces are or seem to be boys/men and with two daughters who are always monitoring my art, I had to do a girly one. They'd like me to paint some more "normal" looking faces but these are just too fun! (What is NORMAL anyway??) Ha! I think I need to start selling these. The stack is piling up with no place to go! Sooner or later, you'll see this on ETSY.

2010 Woo Hoo!

Tonight was a milestone for us.  We took ALL of the kids, including Jack (2) to see a movie in the theater.  He was pretty well behaved and didn't really get squirmy until the end.  We saw Alvin and the Chipmunks.  Apparently, the "swirly" scene when Simon gets swished in the toilet had a big impact on him.  He hasn't stopped mentioning "toilet, not nice, eww". 
I managed to carve out a little time to work on this piece.  I've been a little burned out lately and this is me experimenting again with my water soluble pastels and gesso and acrylic paint...no graphite in this one for a change.  Gotta get back to "PLAY" time with my supplies.  Looking foward to more experimenting.  It's sooo relaxing, especially after the toddler goes to bed! 
Hope you all enjoyed the first day of 2010.  It's hard to believe it's already here.  WOWEE.

Here are some shots of the painting I did today.

This is a close up of the texture...YUMMY texture.  I love working with lots of drybrushing over heavy texture.  It's awesome!

Here's another close up:

AND another just for fun...

Have a great weekend!  Smiles!

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.

Dance

Dance
Originally uploaded by meganhoover

Still working on this...don't have much time with one child still in diapers. Not sure where to go with this one but i know it's not finished.

Waiting

Waiting
Originally uploaded by meganhoover

close up

Waiting

Waiting
Originally uploaded by meganhoover

watercolor paper...acrylic paint, wc pencils and crayons, pens, pencil and antiquing medium.

Angel in progress

Angel in progress
Originally uploaded by meganhoover

Angel in progress

Angel in progress
Originally uploaded by meganhoover

more of the figure developing

Angel in progress

Angel in progress
Originally uploaded by meganhoover

I've been wanting to paint some religious type subjects or angels and this is one that is still in progress. It's about 10 inches by 10 inches on watercolor paper. I've used lots of texture and the paper feels more like leather now!

black haired angel

black haired angel
Originally uploaded by meganhoover

This was completed last month. It's a small piece on wood (about 3 x 7). I'm still trying to find my style and testing out different ways to do eyes, lips, hair, etc. She didn't start out as an angel but that's where I ended up. While it doesn't seem so at first glance, she has a LOT of layers!

Farmer’s Market Saturday

Today we ventured to downtown McKinney where they’ve done a beautiful job restoring many of the old buildings and streets.  We took the long way but found the farmers market where we bought some veggies, soap, lavender, and some peach salsa …plus a few treats for the dog.  Then we had lunch at a favorite local restaurant called “The Pantry” which included a sampling of their delicious pies.  On the way back to the car, I popped into a gallery where I got some info on making prints of my paintings.  I’m so excited to get some more work done and finally maybe sell some prints.  I’m still in the preparation phase I think…maybe I need to jump!  Anyway, we had a great time and before we headed back home, we threw pennies in the fountain and watched Jack run around.  He was so happy to be out of that stroller – always fun to see his happy face!

It's been a looooong time since I posted anything. So much has happened. We're now in Texas -- yeehaw! I'm painting again and it feels great!

PORTRAIT

CAKE

I'm rushing with this one... as always. I have so many ideas and no time for execution. Have a great week!

This was done with Photoshop CS and a wacom. I'm getting used to the wacom tablet... it's fun!

UNDER THE SEA

This was just a quickie...I'll change it up more by adding highlights to the bubbles, maybe some seaweed or shells along the bottom and maybe even changing the color of some of the fish. Just wanted to post quickly in case I didn't get time later this week. Haven't posted in a long time -- the toddlers are keeping me very busy these days! I may be collaborating on a children's book soon. Wish me luck!

TEA

Just playing around on Photoshop CS. I have a Wacom Tablet. This came about truly by accident...it's not the look I was going for but I thought it was kind of whimsical. The colors are very simple -- again, not what was in my mind at all. I like the irregularity and sketchiness of it though. Well, it is what it is. TEA.

CHAIR

GLAMOUR

Three year olds are hilarious (and frustrating). She's quite glamorous in this ensemble... a too big sweater, tights, and feather slippers from Grandma. I added the tiara and wand digitally (and of course played with textures and filters in Photoshop CS.) Enjoy!

HOLIDAY

I have been so busy I haven't posted anything in so long. I just thought this was a funny one from last year... two year olds don't REALLY want to sit with Santa. They're just glad when he's done delivering gifts!

STRENGTH

This is an acrylic painting I did from a photo I took in Spain several years ago. The Sunflower is an amazing thing -- deceiving actually. They are so STRONG, you almost cannot break off a flower with your hands. The blossoms were HUGE and the stalks stood more than 6 feet tall!

See this in my e-store... as a print(16"x20") or on anything from mugs, to shirts, to totes.

NIGHT