News!!! Read all about it......

Hi Everyone...I was contacted by the talented Lisa M Griffin about being the October Artist on her blog....you can head over and read the fun interview by heading here....

Thank you for popping by and all of your wonderful support and friendships!!!

Tweet

The Victorian Lady....which one do you prefer?

I did this piece and made it two ways ....She is a mysterious Victorian Woman...I don't know much about her....but I will find out....maybe I can hire an investigator....

The Three Muses want something Victorian so the first thing that always comes to mind for me is these amazing well dressed women who always had wonderful dresses and wonderful jewelry and wonderful hair!!!

I played with it two ways... I am partial to the top piece with my fun background work....

what do you think?

Tweet

This weather is for the birds....

I have been working on a lot of birds lately....they are all singing and getting ready for the chillier weather that will be heading our way....

This is a new watercolour and ink I did of this adorable little blue bird....I call him Paris Blues.....

What do you think of the colours?

Tweet

My latest ink and watercolour.....the Paris Tweet!

Lately I have been working in the studio with several mediums...today I thought I would show you my latest cute bird....I call this the Paris Tweet two ways....I love this cute little birdy....I have him dark and light.....what do you think is better?

The darker one or the lighter piece....

I am submitting my "Paris Tweet" to MMM this week...the theme is open and I just can't stop creating these ink and watercolour pieces....

Happy Monday!!!

Tweet

Sunday Sketches and Sunday Postcard....Autumn is in the Air

I love this time of year....Autumn is the culmination of all the hard work we put in to grow wonderful things....the fruits of our labor...so to speak...so this also symbolizes all the work I have done this year with respect to my illustrations and my published work....It is time to celebrate and enjoy the colours and changes ahead! I purposely only posted the ink sketches....a juxtaposition on all the Autumnal colours out there right now...and today I plan on heading to see some of that colour...and some of the pumpkins that are harvested....

Happy Sunday...

You can also pop back all week as I share some new paintings and some new illustration work....

My submissions to Sunday Sketches this week and Sunday Postcard art....

Tweet

Beautiful Butterflies

I just got a note from Shannon....the shop owner of
thecleverkitty...she creates the cutes felted baby shoes, hair accessories, jewelry, and more! you have to pop by and check out her cute shop....

She curated this wonderful collection of butterflies and was sweet enough to include one of my art prints...titled...."Summer Friends"

So pop by her treasury and show us some love and click on some of the fun finds too...

Tweet

illustration Friday - Old Fashioned

I love the old fashioned Victorian ladies of the past....they were always dressed up and they had some cool hairstyles too....this piece is mixed...some ink and watercolour ladies with some digital fun.....

and to all of my illustrator friends...you should check out this site...

100 Illustrations

You can get your work published in their first annual book that will come out next year. Once you submit samples or a website....and you get approved...For a small fee you can get published, and get some help with marketing your work. Check it out!

Head to the site for more information.

Tweet

Theme Thursday - two things

the only two things I could think of...with Halloween illustration work all around!

Happy Thursday!!!

Tweet

Are you an illustrator? do you want to get published and also market your work?

I think it is important to help other as we help ourselves...so I am starting something new to help market the work of Illustrators everywhere....and as a bonus also get them Published!

I started a small Publishing company a while back and after working on postcard campaigns and spending small fortunes for on-line portfolio sites to get my work out there, I came up with something totally new and out of the box. My Publishing company will be creating an Annual book that will highlight the work of 100 Illustrators. 

Each year our panel will choose 100 illustrators to create 100 illustrations that will be published in our Annual book. This book will be available at almost every bookstore via it's ISBN. The book will also be used as a marketing tool to help get more exposure for your work. 100 Illustrations will maintain a list of all the leading Art Directors and people in the Business so we can help you market you work.

This is a new and wonderful way to create something more than just a postcard mailing or an on-line portfolio site. For less money you can get Published, get help with your marketing to the leaders in the Industry and also have an on-line presence.

So whether you're a seasoned Illustrator or an Aspiring one you will be part of a new way to get your work out to the masses. 100 Illustrations will be an Annual book that will be created with new work each year. These will become wonderful keepsakes for you and your families and for everyone who is in love with beautiful illustrations. So try something totally out of the box and get your work Published and out there!

We are now accepting submissions for our first Annual Published Picture book that is all about you...the illustrators out there. The deadline to join this wonderful project is January 3rd 2011. There are only 100 spots available so be sure to send in your submissions.

So hurry and submit your work for review....

There are 5 members on our panel that approve each illustrator....and there will only be 100 spots open...

If you have any questions about the project...you can send them to the team

Tweet

Envelope Art....how fun is this!!!

I have always loved seeing people create these cool envelope art pieces...they are so pretty that I would never open the packages....so this week the theme over at Three Muses is Envelopes...and this one is a piece I created that is all about Halloween...

Boo!!!

P.S.  I am working on some fun Halloween Freebies you can print and use for fun so stay tuned my friends!!!

Tweet

A little Birdy told me!!!

It's your Anniversary Mom &  Dad!!!!

Happy 42nd Anniversary to the Greatest Parents in the World!! My parents are so amazing and I am so grateful to be lucky enough to share many wonderful days with them each and every week. You have taught us all about love and family and I am so grateful to you both.

You are amazing in every way....as Parents, as best friends, and as Grandparents Cole loves you both dearly and wishes you all the best as you celebrate this special day!!!!


a new birdy watercolour I just finished and a painting I did for my parents....part of my custom work.

Tweet

The View from Liberty

I love Lady Liberty...she represents so much for so many people and is an iconic image for New York City....a favorite place of mine....

I was thrilled to get a note from Stephanie, the shop owner over at SLC Designs... a very neat shop with Vintage and Handmade Jewelery.

She curated this wonderful collection titled "The View from Liberty" and was sweet enough to include my one of a kind Lady Liberty peg doll...

Tweet

Do you ever feel like somedays the only thing holding you together are lots and lots of "butons"?

You this whole week I felt a bit under the weather...it was a struggle to get out and do anything....so this piece is a visualization of how I felt when I had to do anything...like I had to be held together by buttons...silly as it sounds.....it makes sense to me!!! tee hee...but the great thing is art never really has to make any sense...it just has to help make you feel something.....

Anyways...Sunday Sketches and Buttons were on my mind as this week ....

Over Mixed Media Monday the theme is "buttons" so this piece came to life in my mind...and here it is....

I love buttons!!!

Tweet

Breast Cancer Awareness...A collection to inspire

I just got a note from Shop Owner
sandijagt..she creates all kinds of handmade wire jewelry and accessories. you have to pop by and check out her shop...

She curated this special collection to help with Breast Cancer Awareness....

She was sweet enough to include this Spring has Sprung Print of mine...symbolizing a new start.....

So pop by and show us some love and click on all of the items!!!

Tweet

1950's pin up - Fan art - I love these cool pieces they did in the 50's

I know it would be strange to say that I am a huge fan of the 1950's pin up art...but I am...so when I saw the prompt over at Sunday Postcard art...I had to do a ink and watercolour piece to honor that fun loving period....Everyone always looked so good back then...their hair was always made up...they had the coolest red lipstick!!! I love it!! I think that is why I love red lipstick so much...and my nickname is lips!!! lol

I think I will have to do more of these...

The above image is some fan art I created as inspired by Illustrator Al Moore.

Moore was a busy illustrator from the 1940s to the late 50s, generating advertising, fashion, story art, and pin-ups. Covers for Saturday Evening Post and Collier's and interior work for these and Woman's Home Companion, American Magazine, Woman's Day, McCall's, Cosmopolitan. Ads for Hertz, Whitman's Chocolates, Ford, Camay, Nash, US Rubber, Coke, Old Gold, Botany. Replaced Vargas and Petty as Esquire's main pin-up man. Moore's girls are less glossy and impossible than those of his talented predecessors, being more girl-next door realistic and natural. He provided calendars for Esquire, Brown and Bigelow. Last illustrations for Pan Am and US Olympics.

Happy Sunday!!!

Tweet

Illustration Friday - Acrobat

This is what happens when your still sick in bed and you take out your sketchbook and your blackberry to see what the theme is on IF ....

Happy Friday!!!

Tweet

Sipping Tea along the River Seine....wonderful collection....

I got a lovely note from shop owner Brandy....of  B.Link - her shop is filled with one of a kind handmade goodies so you have to pop in and say hello....

She curated this fun collection titled

"Sipping Tea Along the River Seine"

and was sweet enough to include my Paris Park Print!

Make sure you pop by and show us some love!!!

Tweet

The whole house is ill...so some days of rest ahead....

Well...it's official...we are all ill...and just curling up in front of the fire...with blankets...medicine and season premieres....

So I am not working on art in the studio yet....just getting better and getting the family all back to normal...so I am sharing a shopping find that I love...I bought this Victorian stand that I am using in our kitchen for fruits and veggies...I love it!!! it just makes me smile...

so when I get better I will be around to see what you all have been up to...

Hugs
Diana

Tweet

Three's a crowd!

You know that old saying...."Three's a Crowd" well that is what this piece is titled...once the third bird came by....everyone's feathers got all ruffled...and the place was a mess....

This is my submission to "Three Muses" this week...the theme is "Printed Word" .......I didn't print anything...no words needed for this one....

Happy Wednesday!!!

I plan on spending the whole day in the studio....

Don't forget to download your free bookplates....just click here or on the photo left.....

Print them...cut them out....and run them through your Xyron Sticker maker and you have some really fun book plates for the children....

and don't forget to pop back often for some more free fun you can enjoy with your friends and family!!!

Tweet

I'm back in the studio....with a ton of ideas....

I was taking a mini vacation from the studio....but now I am back with full force...and I have so many ideas that have been inspired from my little vacation!!! I think we all need to just take some time to relax and let our creativity bud again!!!

Here are some dresses made with scraps.....The original will be a watercolour for the Monthly dress challenge so when it is complete I will show you it!!!

Happy Tuesday!!!

Tweet

Autumn is a great time...what a wonderful collection this turned out to be!

I just got a note from the shop owner of isewcute, a sweet shop filled with Embroidery Patterns and Very Cute Resin Jewelry.

She curated this wonderful Autumnal collection and titled it
"Autumn is a Great Time to Take a Walk in the Woods"

She was sweet enough to also include one of my spool dolls...Hoot the Wise old Owl!

Please pop by ans leave us some comments and clicks too!!!

Tweet

Mixed Media Monday....."I've been meaning to ....."

Make more of my original Cupcake dolls....

I haven't worked on my line of cupcake dolls in a while...so this challenge over at Mixed Media Monday....was just what I needed to create more of my sweet cuppies!!!

Tweet

Sunday Postcard Art - My Victorian Blues.....

I love Victorian things....everything vintage just makes me think of what it was like back in that era.....I often visit some amazing old Victorian Mansions and take tours to see how people lived back then....and then I create characters that I feel lived in those homes....the ladies...the cool clothes....everything.....

This weeks theme over at Sunday Postcard Art is "Feeling Blue" so I created this postcard with a Victorian Lady all in blue...she is a watercolour I created and then scanned and used in this piece....

I hope you have a wonderful Sunday!!!

Thank you for popping by and saying hello...I always love to hear from you....

and don't forget to download your free book plates from my website....

Tweet

Illustration Friday - Proverb

As you sow, so shall you reap.
-- English Proverbs

I always try to do nice things so nice things can happen to me.....hence my take on this week's IF...

what you do comes back to you--you get back what you give out. I try to always have good intentions and my symbolism is sowing the pretty flowers...so one can enjoy their beauty....

Tweet

Getting ready for the big day...and a gift for you all!!!

I am busy getting things ready for Cole's first half day at school...and I have been inspired to create some fun stuff for him....Every student has to have a Pre-K License...so I did a special custom one!!! that is so adorable....these go into a binder that each child takes home so their families can learn about their classmates...and then I made him the coolest fun round stickers that he can put on his books and things....and since so many people keep asking me if I make custom ones...now I do....these are in my shop...and you can get a custom PDF made that you can use over and over and over....from Kindergarten to University!!! lol...

and to celebrate Cole's first day ever at school...

I made some fun book plates that you can download and print for your little ones!

I print mine out on premium matte paper that is water proof and then I cut them and use my sticker machine to make them stickers...and voila!!! a fun way to put your child's name on his books....Xyron products are so cool and you can make stickers that are anywhere from 1.5 inches to 5 inches....for these book plates and my circle fun stickers above I used the 2.5 inch machine...and the permanent adhesive cartridge.....a great investment for fun projects!!!

Happy Creating everyone!!! and Happy Back to School Week!!!

Tweet

These cats are so popular this week!!!

I just got a note from the shop owner over at oh buckets.
She has a really cute shop!!! make sure you check it out!!!
She curated this wonderful and sweet Halloween collection titled....A "sweet" Halloween

and was sweet enough to include my vintage cat cupcake toppers....this is the third treasury featuring these felines this week!!! what fun!!!

So pop by and show us some love!!!

Tweet

Bye Bye Summer....Hello Autumn!

I am a huge fan of summer and all the fun it brings....but Autumn is all about warm colours and everything is at it's best!!! so I am a really big fan of Autumn...

I am submitting this piece to Theme Thursday....since the theme is Autumn!

Happy Thursday!!! one more sleep before Cole starts his first day of school!!! first day ever!!! I am so proud of him!!! Thankfully Friday he only goes for a few hours...then next week!!! he will start some full days!!! I am more worried about missing him than he is....I will try to be strong!!!

Tweet

Everyone is already in Halloween Mode!!! I love a vintage Halloween!

I got another lovely note today from Pam the shop owner over at
Sew Gracious...she has the most fun collection of all things fabric....and even some cool Halloween Baskets. You have to pop by and check out her shop!!

She was in a vintage Halloween mood when she curated this fab collection titled Vintage Halloween and she was sweet enough to include my vintage cat cupcake toppers!!!

So pop by and show us some love and click on all the goodies!!! but don't get scared!!! BOO!!!

Tweet

oh what fun!!! a Halloween collection....

I just got a lovely note from Teresa, the shop owner at
Cedar Junction which is filled with collage, assemblage, mixed media art!!

She curated this super fun Halloween collection that makes me want to create more Halloween Art!!!

The Treasury is called "Candy Corn in my bucket" and you can pop by and show us some love and don't forget to click through the wonderful collection too!!! She featured my Black cat vintage cupcake toppers!!! what fun!!!

I am so thrilled to be featured!!!

Tweet

Does an artist really ever go on a vacation and not create?

There have been times I packed for my vacations and forgot some clothes...but I have never forgotten to bring some art supplies...this past mini-vacation I did pack a bunch of stuff in case I got inspired and this is what I made...and I have been inspired to create some more Halloween inspired art...so here they are!!!

Presenting my Jacks on the boxes!!! and my new spool dolls....

I am submitting these cute creations to Mixed Media Monday this week...the theme is "warm it up" and these just make me feel all warm like warm fires in the fall...the colours are all warm....and they were so fun to work on.....

All of these guys will be heading to my Etsy shop and I will be creating some new things too!!! so stop by and see all that is happening in and out of my studio....

Tweet

I'm back!!! and what a nice welcome home with this feature!!! Busy as a Bee

Hello Everyone!!!

I have missed you all so much and can't wait to take some time to visit your wonderful blogs and see what you have been up to! I took an extended mini vacation and it was just what I needed for some inspiration. I have some fun projects to show you all and I will post them soon!!! Thank you for your visits!!! and your wonderful comments...I always love hearing from you.....

I just got back to find a note from shop owner Galia of NoniBam. She curated this super sweet collection of Bee inspired pieces and named it "Busy as a Bee"

She was sweet enough to include my Paris Queen Bee print and you all know how much I love bees!!!


Please pop by her shop and her gorgeous treasury and click on the items and leave us some love!!!

great to be back with you all!!! I will be visiting you all now that I am back!!!

Hugs
Diana

Tweet