Whimsy and Stars Studio

My "Art On-the-Go" Bag

I just love to paint with my watercolors and doodle tiny cute children. But as a working mom (of two wonderful teens) I find it hard sometimes to find time during my day to work on my art.

One of the things that really has helped me is to find little pockets of time in my day to make some quick sketches and capture some ideas in paper. I often work on new concepts for new illustrations or stamp designs while I'm away from my studio. 

I have an "Art-on the Go" tote bag that I carry with me everywhere I go. Inside I keep all of my most used (and portable) art supplies. 

Here are the supplies you would find inside my art bag...

Sakura Koi Watercolor Field Box Set - 24 Color Palette + Waterbrush Pen.

Prismacolor Colored Pencils

Sakura Pigma Micron Pens

Canson Black Sketch Book Hardbound

Pentel Twist Erase III 0.5mm Automatic Pencils

If you are like me, trying to carve some creative time in your already busy life, I encourage you to make yourself a little "on the go" kit. Having your creative supplies accesible anytime it does help to keep all those creative juices flowing!

I wish you all a wonderful & artsy weekend!

Love,

Subtle color schemes . Golden hues . Design Team inspiration

Card by DT: Lis
Digital Stamp: Sweet Pea Baby
Visit Lis' blog for her post about this card: http://mycraftblogumentary.blogspot.com/2011/08/whimsy-and-stars-studio-guest-dt-card.html 

Card by DT: Dorcas
Digital Stamp: Alex Flowers
Visit Dorcas blog post for more info on this card: http://dorcasdesigns.blogspot.com/2011/08/for-you.html


Card by DT: Tricia
Digital Stamp: Faith Flowers
Stop by Tricia's blog and read more info on this card:
http://simplystamping.blogspot.com/2011/08/sweet-mojo.html 

Thank you Lis, Dorcas and Tricia!! Stay tuned, I will be posting more gorgeous creations from our Design Team!! Next: Cheery & Happy Colors!! Happy Orange tones!

Too cute cards! I'm inspired! Ready to start coloring!

This cute card was created by Tricia Traxler at: http://simplystamping.blogspot.com/

She used my Brand NEW Digi Design "Spring Boy & Girl". I just love the fabulous colors, the paper selection and her great coloring technique. Love the soft clouds too.

Tricia was the winner of the Holiday & Special Occasion challenge that I hosted at Crafters Digital Art Center! This is one of the digis that she won! Congratulations Tricia on winning the first Whimsy and Stars Studio challenge!

Tricia's Card materials:

• Digi Stamp Design from Whimsy and Stars Studio

Spring Boy & Girl

• Cosmo Cricket/October Afternoon paper
• Sentiment is a "real" stamp from The Angel Company
• Sentiment tag die is from Clear Dollar Stamps
• She used Copics to color the digi image

Thank you Tricia for sharing such cute card with us!

Here is another beautiful card from Tricia:

For this card Tricia used my New Digi Design "Faith Flowers"

Here is the listing for this Digi:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/65338030/digi-mro-design-faith-flowers

 

• Sentiment is a "real" stamp from The Angel Company
• She used Copics to color the digi image

Thank you Tricia! Simply beautiful work :)

 

 

You Do Matter! A little illo 4 u!

 

“Today you are You, that is truer than true.

There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”

~ Dr. Seuss quote

 Art by Jessie Willcox Smith

Well, it sure has been a long time since my last post, hasn’t it? Autumn has come and gone, and Christmas is here. I love Christmas-time!!! Our home is already starting to look "Christmassie" in spite of the warm temperatures (Florida weather). The smell of the baked goods and the anticipation of gift-giving is making our home life so cheery and full of gratitude.

Our family calendar have been filled with school activities, sports/practices, family gatherings and everything in between (I'm sure you all can relate) :) Making "free" time almost impossible. I've decided to start carrying my "portable studio" everywhere I go (sketchbook, MicroPigma pens and my Prismacolor pencils). While I wait between kids activities you will find me doodling, reading or simply sketching new ideas. Its amazing what blocks of 15 to 30 minutes can do to keep creative juices going. This "creative time" is a necessity for me. I have to do something creative each day even if it is 15 minutes...finding little pockets of time to create. This provides me balance and happiness.

How do you find time to do your creative work? Feel welcome to leave your comment.

Inspiring!!: I leave you with a great link about Women Children's Book Illustrators through history: http://www.ortakales.com/illustrators/

I drew this sketch this morning, it really reflects how I'm feeling about my art lately.

I constantly have Ideas floating over my head...and sometimes having too many ideas popping all at once is confusing and overwhelming...(I know some of you know exactly what I mean).

Which one I start first? I want to do them ALL now! Yikes! what a great lesson for patience and seeking wisdom....

Holly Hobbie coming back!

Yeap! It's true! She is coming back with her cute little girls and boys! Hurray!

http://www.hollyhobbie.com/

Naive/Naif Art

During the past four months I have been studying and researching "Naive/Naif Art". I have found great sources of info and amazing artists around the world. I admire the usage of bright colors and the gorgeous magical landscapes...totally enchanting!

Three of my favorite artists are Silvana Langlois: Silvana Langlois. and Pilar Sala: http://www.artenaif.com/Galeria.htm and Alejandro Costas: http://www.alejandrocostas.com.ar/galeria.asp?tabla=obrasI I admire their work, is magical! I love their interpretation of the landscape and skies...

More about Naive Art: http://www.daprix.com/barton/artist/naive.html#Anchor%20Intro%20Naive Here is a little from Anatole Jakovsky, one of the foremost patrons of naïve art and the founder of the Musée International d'Art Naïf Anatole Jakovsky, Nice, France.

" The individual vision of every naïve painter arises from a condition of the soul, which is particularly unique and commanding. this vision, like every artistic concept, merges with a necessity to express itself, a necessity much stronger than the artist himself. He succumbs to this necessity and is forced to realize his vision at all costs. One is reminded of what 'le Douanier' Rousseau said; "It is not I that am drawing, it is this thing at the end of my hand." the conclusion to be drawn from this is that the naïve painter is akin to a person possessed. He is in the grip of a 'thing', the nature of which he cannot logically understand." -Anatole Jakovsky

Here is an example of some great Naif artists from around the world:
http://www.artistas.artenaif.com/links.htm#
http://www.midan.org/en/naiveart.htm
http://xoomer.virgilio.it/madifazi/artenaif.htm