'Melody Joy' and 'Butterfly Kisses'

Inspired by a sketch I did several months back in my sketchbook, I recently painted a commission for a very sweet friend, a gift for a beautiful baby girl for her baptism. 'Melody Joy' ~ 5x7 acrylics on antique music sheet circa 1890's and canvas board

And now that I'm working in watercolors again I wanted to see if I could get the image down on watercolor paper as well, with some changes so it reflected my vision for the original sketch more closely. This is the result: 'Butterfly Kisses' ~ 5x7 pencil and watercolors on 140 lb. cold pressed watercolor paper

Beginning Illustration for 2012

As part of my New Year's resolution I have made a promise to myself to work on my illustration skills. Illustrating children's books has been such a dream of mine in recent years, and I would so love to enter this field of work. Here is my first attempt (obviously a work in progress):

I didn't base it off of any story, I just wanted to convey a sense of story with the painting initially. I had forgotten how much I enjoy watercolors.

New Pieces

Apparently I've been quite remiss in posting pics of my latest pieces here to my blog! Here is a bit of everything I've been creating over the last month or so:
I've been having so much fun with the framed jewelry. The artwork in the small square pendants measures only 1/2" by 1/2", and I love testing myself to see how much detail I can fit into them. My poor pencils are being ground down to stubs, as I need to keep them constantly sharpened to extract the detail I need.






I also created these polymer clay Christmas ornaments, each with a small bit of hand-painted goodness and protected with wonderful glossy varnish.



Last is this small 5x7 acrylic painting in my "Dreamer" series, painted on canvas board. She sold at Jingle Fest...hurrah! So happy when my paintings find good homes. :)



If you see a piece you like above but don't see it for sale in my shop please e-mail me at hoydendesigns@gmail.com. With the Craft show last week and Thanksgiving just days ago I haven't had a chance at all to list them, but most are available. And there's still time to get your U.S. shipments in time for Christmas!

Jingle Fest 2011

Here's my table at Jingle Fest 2011! Thank you to everyone who came out to see me! Despite being a rainy and cold day it was a great success, and so much fun.

JingleFest Art and Craft Faire!

In 9 days I'll be at the 'JingleFest Holiday Art and Craft Faire! I'm so very excited, and hope that if you're anywhere near San Jose, CA on November 20th that you'll stop by and visit me!

There will be 80 vendors, with something for everyone on your holiday list. If you do manage to come please be sure to stop by my table and say "hi!". I'll be right inside the entrance, one of the very first tables on the right.
I'll also be having a giveawy at my table. Anyone who signs up to be on my e-mail mailing list will be entered into a drawing to win this original mixed media piece:

She measures 8x10 and is on 140 lb. cold-pressed watercolor paper. I hope to see you there!

'Still' - Mixed Media Piece

The word "still" embodies all that is peaceful and quiet to me. That's why my newest mixed media piece is named that; I couldn't think of a better word for what this woman seems to be feeling.

'Still' measures 5x7 and was created using pencils and watercolors on 140 lb.cold-pressed watercolor paper.

Two New Alice Paintings

Once again Miss Alice has cauht my fancy and my imagination. Here are the two newest of my paintings inspired by Alice in Wonderland, and there are several more in my little sketchbook just waiting to be brought to life.
'Such a Long Way to Fall 2' 8x10 acrylics on gallery-wrapped canvas (currently for sale at EniThing boutique at Westgate Mall in San Jose, CA - see side bar to the right for a link to their website):



'Drink Me' 8x10 acrylics on canvas board (to be kept in my private collection for my illustration portfolio):

The Sweetest Thing mixed media painting

I'm still fiddling around with new methods of painting. Here's the latest, entitled 'The Sweetest Thing'. This is a 5x7 piece, done on 140 lb. cold pressed watercolor paper, with pencils and watercolors.

The Dreamer 3 - New Acrylic Painting

Here is a small 5x7 acrylic painting on canvas board I completed a short while ago. It seems I've been drawing and painting quite a few of these flowing haired ladies lately, and so have decided to create of series of them called The Dreamers. I have another on my desk nearly finished that I'll be sharing with you soon.

'Feel My Love' - Mixed Media Painting

While discussing a possible commission for a dear friend's daughter, I had a sudden image in my mind of working a pencil likeness over a music sheet. I wasn't sure if it would work, so I took an antique photo that touched me emotionally and began working. This is what I was able to come up with:

'Feel My Love' ~ 5x7 mixed media painting, utilizing acrylics, pencil and watercolors on an antique music sheet circa 1890, attached to a canvas board painted a deep purple and protected with a matte varnish.