Planning and Preparation

I have worked a lot this past week on current and new projects.

"Beyond the Garden Gate " is  almost completed. A few small additions will see it done. I am much happier with its outcome and I learnt much more on my Pan Pastel applications for backgrounds.

Two new projects have emerged....Australian Pacific Black Duck in reeds. I must be completely crazy for wanting to work on those reeds.....so this is the beginning!

I espied quite a few of these ducklings near the railway station in Castlemaine Victoria. This was the only one that would pose for a photo for me.
My other project is one I wanted to start,  so that I have something to work on by way of demonstration at the upcoming Queensland Wildlife Artist's Society Exhibition being held at my local art gallery.
I am still working on the composition but it is coming along.

As you can see the pencils have been flying about this past week.
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Heir Apparent

Is the name of the piece I am finishing off for an upcoming exhibition. He looked like this at the start of the weekend.....

And now he looks like this!

After a teeny bit more tweaking he is off to the framers.
He was snapped at Western Plains Zoo, Dubbo.  What a gorgeous bloke! Posed for us like a movie star!
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Magpie Progress

Another little update on "Beyond the Garden Gate " looking a little better thank goodness!  These progress shots are more for me but happy to share.

Being a big fan of old rusty things and rustic old posts....I relished working on the posts and gate....much more to do there. Worked some on the Magpies too which has helped!

The hours at art just flew by this week.....as you can see I was completely engrossed!

We are a varied lot as you can see.....such lovely people!
I will share this one again when its completely done.
I was surprised when Facebook threw up a memory from 3 years ago the other day. It was my first efforts from my very first classes....I was so nervous and excited. Still feel the same.....

Some days I feel I have made such progress and some days I  feel that I have so far to go.....but going into my fourth year since I made the decision to embrace my inner artist.......best decision EVER!

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Kakadu Kingfisher

After lots and lots of work on the Pandanus leaves my sweet little Azure Kingfisher is finished. This piece will always be a beautiful memory of our sunrise cruise on Yellow Water Billabong in Kakadu National Park. A magical morning!
I really learnt such a lot on this piece....pushing things back and highlighting things to bring them forward. I crazily enjoyed the process so much I have drawn a lovely duck in reeds I photographed in Castlemaine Victoria....piccies later! Anyway......"Kakadu Kingfisher "

"Beyond the Garden Gate" is taking shape and is in what I call the 'ugly' stage. I am experimenting with a faded background scene using Pan Pastels with coloured pencils over the top of some of it for detail......had to seek advice for all that I can tell you.......trying to extend yourself can often be challenging but worth it later.
So the jury is still out whether this one will work or not. But trying hard not to be too precious and document the journey warts and all!

At least the composition is looking better! The Magpies outside my door at present are singing away....hope they aren't laughing too hard lol!
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Beyond the Garden Gate

There is a little town near Broken Hill called Silverton. We visited it in 2016. It is a strange and interesting place. Down the road from the pub is an old stone miners cottage. On the side of the cottage someone has repurposed a lovely old garden gate.

The rusty gate attracted me straight away lol! I just knew that I wanted it in a drawing at sometime....that time has arrived.
How to use it? I wanted Magpies.....a favourite bird. I wake every morning to their beautiful melodic warbling and the house over the back has a Magpie apartment block in their backyard tree.....so Maggies it was......dragging out all my reference pics, not a lot of anything too great was apparent so quite a bit of artistic license was used.
And then we got down to a preliminary sketch. It was a bit of a challenge getting a composition I was happy with.....but finally something to work with.

Next transferring it on to my robust drawing paper.
That done. I have started to put down my base colours and block in the design (so I know where I am going lol)

I am hoping for some foliage behind the left hand Magpie but will deal with that next. I think it now has some potential.....she says with great confidence!
Watch this space!

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Off to New Homes

Happy New Year fellow creatives.....

I was fortunate enough to work on two drawings that were to be Christmas gifts in 2017 and they have now gone to their new owners.....
Sweet little "Tinker" who has gone over the rainbow bridge but was so beloved by his owner.....

His Mum is very pleased with her gift. He went all the way to the UK.
Also little gorgeous "Ralphie" that I shared earlier.

His Mum and Dad were very pleased also.....makes me very happy!
Thank you to those of you who leave me lovely comments about my art, I appreciate it so very much. I am looking forward to seeing where my art journey takes me, hoping to continue to grow and become more skillful as the year goes on.
There is so much in nature that inspires me and I strive to do that beauty justice with my humble pencils. Often a challenge but one I embrace with all my heart.
I wish you all a happy and creative year......wherever your creativity lies.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Creative Hub

As you all know I love my art classes and I  thought I  would share some action shots of the clever and fun people who share my Mondays. The lovely Sandra was snapping away whilst we worked hard.

Yours truly having a lovely time with my Kingfisher...

Progress is being made.....so enjoying this piece!

One of my fellow classmates is also a close personal friend and he is a very clever bloke in many areas....one is the beautiful prints he does from his original linocuts.
Loved receiving one of his Christmas cards featuring one of his original designs....

It's beautiful! In all the craziness that can get us distracted at this time of year, I hope you find some quiet creative time to come back to yourself.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Kakadu Kingfisher

Just a little update on my Azure Kingfisher I snapped on Yellow Water Billabong in Kakadu National Park.

Over 12 hours work so far....will keep me busy for a while.

More layers needed on this little fellow. The colour is quite hard to achieve. Well anyway I  do enjoy a bit of a challenge.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Koalas

As the end of the year approaches I felt the need to finish a piece featuring an animal I love. Having lived in my home for over 40 years and before the housing developments encroached on our area, we regularly encountered koalas in the wild. Such is not the case any longer. Sadly our koala population is depleted and in grave danger as their habitat is being destroyed on a monumental scale.
I love to draw them. My piece "Safe with Mum" is now finished and I love this sweet duo......the process.....

And the finished piece......

Of course there always  seems to be a new project waiting for me. I have just begun a new piece of a gorgeous Azure Kingfisher. Captured on the Yellow Water Billabong Kakadu. Prelim drawing done and first layers of pencil going down....can you see him there?

Ahhh! Love what I do.....

As the saying goes...."No tree.....No me!"
Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

In My Journal

I have a small collection of watercolour pencils and I love using them with a black pen. I wondered what some little Christmas drawings for some cards that I have in mind would look like.....so my trusty journal was the place to experiment.

I had such fun with them....I might try a few on real cards now....maybe try a couple of other designs too.
I love handmade Christmas!

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx

Calling it Done

My Scratchboard effort of the young male lion has taken me quite a while and I have decided enough is enough.....he is done! You can see how he has developed from the beginning.

Boy oh boy more practice needed......besides I want to get on and finish my coloured pencil version of him which has been languishing in my art folder. I now need a new (victim) model to go under the scalpel blade.
My other little finish is the otter in pastel pencils. Once again....MORE PRACTICE NEEDED! But I think he is adorable.

Getting my head around what the different tools and pencils are capable of and how to use their particular strengths is proving a wee bit challenging I must say.
My next challenge is to rethink a couple of pieces I had put aside. Particularly this one.....

I loved this rusty old beast but I definitely didn't think how to use it in a composition to advantage. I have done so much work on it that I want to make it work. So thinking cap is on!
Have a deliciously creative day.

Namaste and Blessings Michelle xxx