New Journey in Watercolor

For a really long time I've wanted to learn to watercolor.  Something held me back, which, if I'm honest, was a bit of insecurity.  I've admired other's work, but didn't have the courage to try it myself.  Well, living here in the UK and all the beautiful scenery that is here and that comes from all our travels has inspired me to give it a go.  I was hesitant to put my firsts up to be scrutinized by others, but I've realized that there is a whole community of artists out there who are some beginners like me, but also other more seasoned artists who want to give encouragement and advice.  And I've found some strength in their words.  I admit my first attempts are rather child-like, but it didn't take long to start to get a feel for the paints and the water.  Not sure I've found my "style" yet, but it's coming.

Here a few early ones and I'll continue to note my progress as I go along in this new and wonderful world I've stepped into!

These I call my mini skyscapes.  I was basically learning to blend the paints and the skies made that easy.

Skyline Art Work

Oh...wow!

I hadn't realized how I've neglected my art work.  I have been busy this past year creating some pen and ink.  Here are the skyline pieces I've finished since being here in the UK.  It all kind of started with the idea of Zentangle.  But Zentangle is hard for me as I'm an "in-the-lines" kind of gal so I started creating these that combine mandalas and Zentangle into fun skyline art of some of my favorite cities.  Downloadable prints are available here...Aimee's Shoppe.

LONDON

London was my first piece.  The idea was the sun shining over the city and the river currents flowing beneath it.

PARIS

Paris was depicted with more flowers as I loved Paris in the Springtime.

ST LOUIS

Our hometown back in the States...St. Louis.  The arch, of course, with fireworks setting off around it and the river flowing in front of it.

LOUISVILLE

Louisville was a commission for trade piece.  The idea was that the compass always leads you home.  The fleur de lis, I learned, is a symbol of the city.

Available as Instant Downloads HERE!  @ Aimee's Shoppe

Artwork

Since our move to England, I've been spending time on my art again.  It's been a long while since I've posted anything here on the blog about what I've been doing.  I've got most of my recent work posted on Etsy and Fine Art America.  Etsy would be your best deal on beautiful Gallery Wrap Canvas Art.  I can offer the best deals by ordering myself.  Fine Art America you can find lots of products from cards, cell phone cases, prints, and framing options. 

And, recently, I have been chosen as a featured artist at Mindfulness Colouring Club.  If you are interested in joining this new colouring club, please use this link to sign up and help me out a bit with commissions...Mindfulness Colouring Club-Aimee Cunningham.  They will be continually uploading new works over each month.  If you are into the new coloring craze, this would be a great way to get new inspiration.  Stop over and see what it's all about.

These were a couple of the first completed drawings.  I've been drawing with pen and ink since I was in high school.  I didn't realize I'd been drawing in a particular style with patterns since before I knew it had a name.  It's commonly known as Zentangle.  I often call it Zendoodle.  I started drawing them because I loved the intricacy of the patterns and I can find it relaxing, but the whole Zen-thing wasn't why I started. 

New Zendoodle Animals

I started these last year and, finally, finished them up.  The lamb, duck, and rabbit are part of a nursery series.  The bunny I did a few years ago.  I think they make a really sweet set.

...and, of course, one of my favorites...the cat!

Pen and Ink

My Zendoodle drawings are beginning to take on lives of their own! 

I've decided to start offering these little creations in my Etsy Shop as digital download files that one can print on their own printer at home or in a lab.  My Baby Shower Book is now available.  All letters of the alphabet incorporated into pages that can be printed and handed out at the shower for friends and family to complete and return to the expecting mom giving her cherished words of wisdom and advice and also creating a little picture book for baby as he/she grows.  Pages can be collected into an 8x8 or 12x12 photo album.  I've also included a cover page.  I'm trying to find a cost-effective way to have the pages bound as a book that can be passed around at the shower.  Any ideas, I'm all ears!

I've begun work on shower invitations and printable artwork as well.

 www.AimeesShoppe.Etsy.com

Mandala Zendoodle

While waiting to hear about our big move, I spent a little time Zendoodling!  I wish I had more time for drawing, but I always have too many projects going.  And, there's just not enough time for everything.  I'm spending lots of time cleaning, repairing, sorting, and what I call purging.  It's very satisfying, but I'd rather be doing this...

 

 

Had fun creating this mandala zendoodle for my craft room.  I drew the pattern on 12x12 vellum paper and outlined with a permanent marker.  On the backside of the vellum, I used watercolor markers to add color blending them to create shadow and depth.  I placed a piece of white cardstock behind it when framing, but am curious how it would look just with the vellum framed allowing the wall color to show through.  Think I'll give it a try.

 

 



Zendoodling

Most everybody that knows me, knows that I love all things creative.  I've dabbled in a lot of different things over the years.  Thanks to my momma, who made sure we were exposed to lots of opportunities when we were young.  She had me in music and art classes as far back as I can remember.  I loved my art classes in high school and experimented with all kinds of mediums.  Some of my favorites were pen and ink.  Several years ago I picked up my pen again.  I started drawing some animal characters and filled them in with doodles.  They are kind of cute.  Most of these I used my old mechanical pen with India ink.

Recently, I realized that there is a name for this type of drawing...Zendoodles or Zentangles!  I'm not into the whole "Zen" thing, but I love the designs and the detail of these drawings.  I have to say it's pretty addicting.  The idea is to just doodle without giving it much thought, however, I'm one of those perfectionists so I sketch mine out with pencil before outlining.  Here are the projects I've been working on the past couple weeks. I've started using Sakura Art Markers for outlining and filling in.  They are a lot easier to use than the mechanical pen which is really fine and tends to clog on me all the time.

The next one is filled in with watercolor pencils giving it a soft watercolor look.

This is my first mandala...almost finished with a second larger one that is getting colored in with markers and a blending pen.  Coming soon!

Spring Arrives

Here it is finally...the sun close enough to warm the earth, to make the days longer.  We are in our Spring and it's wonderful.  The trees are opening and the flowers are popping their little heads through the ground, reaching for the warmth. 

Every day I, too, reach for the warmth, grow a little stronger as He fills me with peace and joy.  I know it is a gift, each day.  I'm learning to appreciate the little things.  My eyes are opening to all the mercies as I count each gift.  I wonder what this season will bring...

new beginnings,
new possibilites,
new dreams. 

MY JOY DARE

 

140.  Two lives entwined in marriage

141.  Redemption

142.  Resurrection

 

3 Gifts of God's Promises

143.  His saving grace

144.  To be with us always

145.  That Christ would rise in order to redeem us all

 

146.  Gift heard-Easter message

147.  Gift held-my husband's hand

148.  Gift hoped for-Easter with the sun shining

149.  Custard-filled donuts

 

3 Gifts White

150.  Frosty boy

151.  Puffy white clouds

152.  Pages in a book

 

153.  Smell of flowers in the air

154.  An incredibly large hawk that landed in the trees behind our house

 

 

155.  A new branding style that may work for all my business endeavors

156.  Daffodils



 

157.  New businss

158.  Time to relax

 

3 Gifts Waited For

159.  A new Desktop computer

160.  Springtime

161.  Warm weather

 

162.  My husband walking through the door every evening

163.  Phone calls from my girls

 

3 Gifts Blooming

164.  Our new lilac bush

165.  Tulips are just beginning to bloom

 

 

166. Crabapple trees

Orchids

Did you know that there are over 20,000 species of orchids, more than twice the number of bird species and four times more than mammals.  That's pretty impressive.  God must have loved these little guys!

I look forward to the Botanical Garden Orchid Show every year.  The display is captivating and beautiful.  I captured a few to share.  There are so many it's really hard to choose which ones to include.  Wish I could share them all.