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.