"Beach in a Bowl"

This post is a little bit late, but I still like the idea so much I am sharing. This year for the holidays, instead of a tray of cookies for some of my friends, I gave a "Beach in a Bowl." Here's a photo of my Bowl Assembly Line on my dining room table.

I was lucky enough to be able to gather gorgeous seashells in Florida in December, which I took home, cleaned, and coated with a very light varnish. (These were all washed-up shells. Taking live shells is illegal and wrong.) A good friend mailed me sugar-white sand from her home in the Panhandle (thanks Linda!), and I found nice, 6" diameter glass globe-bowls at the Dollar Store. Small starfish came from a beach shop selling souvenirs. For those whose bowl was being hand delivered, I put one cup of sand in each bowl, then laid flattish sea shells like tiles on the sand. Next, I made sure each bowl got a nice variety of large and medium-sized shells in various colors. Finally, I sprinkled small shells on top, and placed a starfish in the mix. Each bowl also got something unique--a piece of driftwood, a "sea bean," beach glass, a piece of coral, or a sea worm shell.

For my friends whose gift had to be shipped, shells and sand were packaged in separate Ziploc bags, the starfish was wrapped in tissue, and the bowl got swathed in both paper and bubble wrap. Each recipient was able to assemble his or her own "beach."

If you live near a supply of sea shells, you might like this idea as a gift. In the past I have also made a "Beach in a Bottle" using a wide-mouthed, cork-stoppered bottle (from Pier One) laid on its side, ala "Ship in a Bottle." Be sure you get nice clean sand to use. If your beach's sand is not up to par, a trip to the craft store for some bright white sand may be in order.

New Year, New Art, New Challenges

For the new year, I've decided to branch out and explore new media and new projects at the studio. In late 2012, I returned to my cartoon roots (I used to illustrate greeting cards decades ago) and played with animal portraits I called "Animals with Attitude" (above examples). These pen and ink and watercolor designs have proved popular with my personal circle of friends, so I've decided to offer high-quality repros of them in my Etsy shop.

Additionally, Canyon Wren's Nest (me!) invested in a new top-end professional printer. This machine produces gallery quality images and accepts many different paper types, sizes, and thicknesses, so I'm excited to try out new media (in addition to the archival watercolor stock I already favor). And in my experimentation with the new technology, I've discovered the museum quality photographs I've been printing are gorgeous, so I'm also offering select photo prints at the Etsy shop as well.

Because of the enhanced capabilities of the new printer, I'm finally able to run larger versions of some of my pieces on watercolor stock. I get many requests for this "African Lion" image larger than the 8-1/2" x 11" size, so it's thrilling to be able to offer a bigger version on 13" x 19" stock.

Click on any of the images above to be directed to more information on my Etsy shop.

I look forward to expanding my artistic horizons and experimenting with new paint, paper, and techniques in the upcoming months. As always, thanks to everyone for the continued support.

Winter Evening at the Studio

Anyone who has attempted watercolor painting knows that quality natural light is essential to the process. You need soft but  intense natural light to illuminate the paper as you work, and to assist you in mixing just the right colors on your palette.

For me, the best natural light in my studio begins in March, due to my western facing window and the position of the sun at that time of year. So for now, while I do get a few "good" hours to paint on a sunny winter day, if the skies are dark, and of course, at night, I have to busy myself with other studio-related tasks, like promotion, organizing, fulfilling orders, etc.

Well, last night I realized the studio was a bit untidy and I attempted to clean and straighten out the room. I tend to work with a bit of disarray, but after the holiday rush to fill gift orders, the place looked like a tornado had come through. After a well-spent hour, things looked better, and in the light of day this morning, look better still. Thought some of you might enjoy a peek at nighttime in my art studio. As you can see, I surround myself with things that aren't art supplies, but that do make me smile and add a touch of whimsy.

My betta, Bert

I love wooden toys

Wooden alligator puzzle and coaster from Paris

I have an extensive English Bulldog collection, most of which is on a shelf in the kitchen

Wooden pig marionette

1960's light fixture draped with fabric

This cheap inflatable globe is frighteningly accurate

I use a 1930's vanity to hold supplies

Toys, etc.

A New York Times crossword puzzle is handy to have around while waiting for paint to dry. The transistor radio that I still use is at least 20 years old and was purchased on a camping trip to the Tetons.

Let it Snow

Back from Florida and enjoying a rather large snowstorm here in Colorado. If you're still holiday shopping, I just wanted to let customers know that my Etsy store is open for business, I can send art gifts directly to recipients (be sure you email me first to go over details before you buy), and a few items are up on ebay, too. Unfortunately, technical issues (that I'll try and fix after the holidays) have forced me to temporarily close my ecrater store.

A bounty of seashells gathered on the beaches of Sanibel