Nonchalance in the Garden

I'm a bit of a nonchalant gardener.  I have messy borders, some things are a bit overgrown, and overall it's a rather raffish looking garden - but I like to think it has a certain roguish charm.  

This is my interpretation of it.  I'd say it's in a slightly abstract sort of way. 

I used watercolors and India Ink on a 5" x 7" multimedia paper.

This photo looks a little dark, I didn't take it in natural lighting and it looks kind of dingy compared to the original....I admit to not having had my tea yet this morning!

Digital Downloads

I've been mulling around with the idea of offering some digital downloads online.  I kind of like the idea of instantly printing out a pretty background for a scrapbook project or maybe as a poster to frame on the wall.  

They'd be cheap and fun and summery.  

Or maybe I could add some words to it to make it more interesting.  I don't know - just messin' around.  It's good to strain the brain every once in awhile with thinking! :)

This is a watercolor and India ink quick little painting on a 5 x 7 multi-media paper.  

I'm slowly adding to my Etsy store at backyardjungle.etsy.com

Many thanks for looking at my art blog!  

Wishing you a day full of lovely visions. 

The Summerhouse

I've titled this small watercolor painting "The Summerhouse".  I am a HUGE anglophile and adore anything English - especially their gardens.  

I'll always remember visiting England and wandering around the glorious gardens of an old estate, turning the corner and seeing a gorgeous little building amongst the flowers.  It was definitely memorable.

This is just a quickie 2.5" x 3.5" painting on heavy watercolor paper, but I plan to add some bigger paintings of English gardens to my Etsy shop in the near future.

"Looking out the Mudroom door" - well, I don't really have a proper mudroom, but I use part of my laundry room as one.  

And I most certainly have mud...especially now in the rainy season.

This is another little ACEO 2.5" x 3.5" (6.35cm x 8.89cm) watercolor on heavy watercolor paper.  

ACEO stands for Artist Cards, Editions and Originals.  They are a popular and very affordable way to collect artwork from various artists. 

My Etsy Store is Open - at long last!

It took me awhile, but I've done, diddly, done it - finally!  It was all the putsy stuff like shipping and legal things that took time to sift through - and I still don't have it all together and there's not much in it as yet, but I've been wanting to do this for some time and I'm excited that my Etsy shop is now up and running.

I will be adding more items each week.  Much more garden (and other) themed original paintings, prints, notecards, bookmarks, photographs and whatever else I come up with.  

Since I just opened yesterday, my Etsy link is not yet working, so I'll post that on the side bar when it is.  But if you go to Etsy and search Backyard Jungle Art it will come up.

Etsy has been in existence for 10 years now - wow!  I always seem to jump on the bandwagon a bit late...

This is a Watercolor and India Ink painting on heavy watercolor paper.  I've titled it "Lanai".    

Day of the Dead Mini ACEO Paintings

Day of the Dead - I know, it's been done to death...(sorry about that, hehe).  But when I read that the new James Bond film opens with scenes from a Dia de los Muertos celebration, well, that got me thinking it might be fun to paint up some sugar skulls and see how it goes.

If you search online, you'll find amazing artworks of this Mexican celebration that honors those that have gone on before.  

I didn't really know what I was doing and started with the piranha and just left it all blue around, then I did the horse and thought it needed something extra in the background, and then I really got going and decked out the last three with flowers and scrolls and that seemed to be more fitting with other artworks I've noticed representing this colorful remembrance holiday.

I love learning and experiencing other cultures.  I've had the great fortune to live in several different parts of the world and gained such interesting perspectives of how others than my own culture live.    

These are mini paintings referenced as ACEO (Art Cards Editions and Originals).  Sized 2.5 x 3.5 inches, watercolor and ink on heavy watercolor paper.

Mini Paintings (ACEO)

Just finished a few of these little miniature paintings to add to my Etsy shop that I'm planning on opening this weekend.

They're called ACEO's which stand for Art Card Originals and Editions.  Only 2.5 x 3.5 inches, they allow for people to easily collect original artworks from various artists at a reasonable price.

Yes, I've painted Psychedelic Turtle again, haha - he's become a favorite.  Along with Funky Butterfly, Pink Octopussy, Contemplative Owl and Mr. Bug.  

I'll be adding a link to my shop on the sidebar when it opens.  

These are watercolors and India Ink on heavy watercolor paper.

Happy Summer Solstice!

Summer Solstice, also known as Litha is about giving thanks and honoring all the abundance the suns rays give to all living things on our beautiful planet.  

Well, something like that.  There's a lot I could say about it, but it would take paragraphs and you probably already have a pretty good idea of what I'm talking about...

I've put in some symbols of the Summer Solstice with the sunflowers, daisies and honeysuckles reaching toward the sun.

I stuck a red salamander down in the right corner, which is a fire elemental. You may not have recognized it - kind of looks like a tiny dinosaur, haha.

Oak leaves tied in her hair symbolize strength.  She's drinking mead made from honey and those are bees on her chalice, just in case anyone wondered about that.

Reds, yellows and oranges are the colors of the season - when everything is growing and blooming and producing at their peak.

I honor every day by being grateful and lighting a candle when I meditate.  But for the solstice, I light a big honkin' tray full of candles - since I can't have a bonfire...I hope you are having a lovely Midsummer and celebrate in your own way!    

And to my friends in the southern hemisphere, may you enjoy the winter!