Back to School...

     It is August, which means it's back to school time in Tennessee.  School actually started on August 1st, (remember when we didn't go back until after Labor Day!) I went back a little bit before that, so I've been "very busy"!  

    I thought I would let you know what I've been up to, well.... in the realm of art.  Maybe no blog, but there was some art being created.  

    

 "You must be a friend," said Corduroy. "I've always wanted a friend." 

I became a teachers assistant in the Nashville, Metro Public School system in 2008.  Once my teachers found out I was an art ed major, they have been asking me to draw for the doors and bulletin boards in our rooms.  The curriculum in Pre-K Life Skills is "A book a month".  

Our book for September will be Corduroy. The story and pictures by Don Freeman.

The last page of this book really speaks to me.  When Lisa finally took Corduroy home was a very touching message, I felt that it deserved a spotlight in our room.  

Just wanted to show you the almost finished product.  

 

I thought about not showing you the cute little raccoon I drew on the bulletin board from our August book, The Kissing Hand,  as you can see it's sideways.  I emailed myself from snapfish and something went very wrong.  But, this is me talking, so I added it.  

 

Turn your head to the right and you will see it.  Ha!  My teacher wanted me to do this before I left work the day of the open house.  A lot of pressure, but I liked it.  

Ps.... I can't remember who wrote The Kissing Hand,  ..... 

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn, Ruth E. Harper and Nancy M. Leak

What did we ever do before Wikipedia and Google?  I vaguely remember, but it's hard.   

Back in 2012, I did this door for the book of the month.  "The Mitten". 

I also did this rendition of "Jamberry" in 2012

    I also did a very large rendition of " The Napping House ", but I don't have anything but a portion of the painting and it's very blurry. This was extremely large. 

A blurry copy of the painting I did of The Napping House.  2012 also.  

I have done many more, but I have no pictures, so you will just have to take my word for it.  Since I have an Etsy Shop, a facebook page and this blog my renderings will not be as elaborate as in the past.  But, I will still do them, they are a lot of fun.  

The Mitten by Jan Brett

Jamberry by Bruce Degen 

The Napping House by Audrey Wood and Don Wood

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What else have I been doing you ask?  Ha, I know..... I'm just gonna tell you, so please act like you asked.  

Messy, messy, messy!  Finishing up the "Lollipop L"

Happy Halloween "H"

I started my "P"  paper & paper dolls collage. 

A lot of odds and ends for inspiration and future works....

  And, while in the studio doing some painting on my recent letters, I looked over to see if I could find some more red paint ( I left the drawer with the paint in it on the bed.....my studio/extra bedroom) and look what I found..... 

What a life! 

As far as Papa's portrait..... Ha!  still in the works, going slow.  I know I'm not going to come down and find it finished.  No matter what we tell our kids, there are no little fairies that come and do work for you while you are asleep.  I know because I prayed for them, and they didn't come..... Ha!  Just kidding!  

 

Time gone by.......  

     I forgot to show you the finished product of my backroad gas station that I told you about in July.   I put pictures on my facebook page "AllBeckysCreations",  I added it to my Etsy shop , but I forgot to add it to my blog....."Shame on Me!"  Well here it is as it appears in my Etsy Shop......  TA DA!!!!!!

A 6 x 12 colored pencil drawing

6" x 12" colored pencil drawing "Time Gone By"

$100.00 USD

Only 1 available

Overview

• Handmade item
• Materials: colored pencil, giclee print
• Ships worldwide from United States

• This shop accepts Etsy Gift Cards

These Eyes.....

These eyes........ ewe? 

I decided to start over with the portrait of  my grandfather, since Blair said it looked like a spanish gentleman.  As I've said before, "That's not my grandfather!" 

I took the photo of Papa and turned it upside down.  I decided after others, who know, told me it might be easier to draw upside down.  Left brain/right brain thing.....?  Well, it looks some better, as better goes.....but I'm still not convinced it looks like Papa.  Lordy, this is not easy!  

I realized somewhere along the way that the eyes were all wrong.  (All Wrong).  In the big scheme of things, it does look much better, but those eyes?  In my attempt to get everything even and in the correct place, I have either gone TooBig with the eyes, or too little. 

I know you may not be able to see the actual drawing very well, but take my word for it, it doesn't look too much like my grandfather either.  Although I'm getting better.  I think I will see this one to completion with shadows and all.  It will be fun!  And it goes along with my persistance at doing this until I get it right.  This journey is really pretty fun.  When I get frustrated, I remind myself that it is a journey.  I'll get there, just not today.  

"Are we there yet?"  

I thought I'd just throw that in, trying to be silly again.  

 

Oh yeah!  Look what I've been working on.  My Logo...!  So cool.  Not finished yet and it will be some time before I'll get to send it to a printer for inauguration, but I think it is nice.  

rough draft, you know.  

 

I will be having another artist interview soon.  I had asked April Cole to talk with me about her art, but I caught her right after a move out of state, so I'm waiting for things to settle down for her, but she is coming.... so get ready!