Mr. Nautilus Says "Why, Hello!"

The finished nautilus painting! I'm very pleased (very difficult to see all the details in this pic--I'm hoping to eventually get prints done of these so that I won't be the only nerd with some nautilus art on my walls). Ya know, there just ain't enough nautilus artwork out there. I was telling some folks at work about my sea critter painting series I've been working on and how this past week I've been painting up a nautilus. I got the oddest looks. "Nautilus? Just what the hell is that?" Sigh. Needless to say, a long nature lecture took place that same day between me and my coworkers. I am proud to inform you all that they are now more than educated on all things cephalopod.

On the movie front, I just received Adaptation in the mail and will be watching it with glee tonight (I love this movie--is there some reason why I don't own it yet?). And I just found out that Pan's Labyrinth will be available on dvd next month! Waves of excitement!

Tomorrow I'll be attending the local farmer's market and then will work a late shift at the ceramic studio. But Sunday is lookin' mighty fine for a nice painting and general art day. I can't wait!

Thank you guys for the sweet comments on the pirate update. I'm convinced that pirates will never go out of style (and it's a damn good thing, too). Here's to a lovely weekend all-around!

Shiver Me Timbers

Oh my goodness! I've just uploaded the shop with loads of piratey goods and I'm thrilled with how bright, colorful and cheery everything looks together. This was an absolute blast to do and posting an actual date for the themed update works really really well for me (that way, come noon or high water, I make sure to get everything done and listed in time).

And yes, I've already got plans for the next themed update. I'm thinkin' it's time for some sea critters myself (and perhaps the return of the ellusive squid pendant? We'll just have to wait and see). I'll let you know when I have more details worked out and when I'll be having the next Themed Update.

Happy Monday!

Countdown To Pirate Overload!

So, tomorrow's the big day... Pirates! I've been busy creating lots of pirate-themed goodies to list and it looks like I'll have quite the assortment for tomorrow. Charms, stud earrings, a hand-drawn necklace I'm so thrilled with (you can see it halfway done in the photo above--and yes, it's double-sided! You'll have to check out the listing to see detailed shots and the other side), a dangly skeleton pin (not quite put together in the photo--he's currently a pile 'o bones waiting to get varnished and assembled), arty jolly rodger gold composite leaf pendant, a mini empty rum bottle pendant (complete with attached itty bitty crab!), and even a painting. You can see the beginnings of the mini painting in the photo. It'll have a stylized ship, aged for a vintage-y look, and a lovely ribbon hanger tied on so you can hang it on a wall, rear view mirror, or this year's Christmas tree. Whew! Also, Pirates of the Caribbean III comes out next month in theaters (yes!)--not that my update and the movie are related or anything. No siree...
I must say, even with all the sculpting and creating goings on around here, I've been a painting fool this past week as well (which might be the reason as to why I'm finally beginning to offer up some teeny original paintings in the shop). Just the other day I completed a neato 8x10" squid painting on hardboard and I'm quite smitten with it. It's now varnished and hanging pretty in a yummy white frame I picked up at Joann's earlier.

In the works is the next painting in the series--a nautilus! And of course, he's on a delicious pink and cream stripe background. I love combining odd critters and subjects with elegant, innocent, and sweet designs. I have the background completed and just need to get to work on painting that nautilus. And then, my favorite part, the gentle aging... One of these days, I'll have to get some prints done of these (alas, my current printer just ain't quite cut out for detailed art prints--but a nice printer is definitely on my "need to buy" list).

Thought I'd also share a ceramic plate I just did down at work. I did it the same day as my squid acrylic painting--massive squiddy inspiration that day I guess. Above you can see the rough pencil sketch on the plate, and below is the finished plate--ready for a big slice of cake!


That's all for now. I think it's time for a nice coffee break... I hope everyone's weekend has gone smoothly and I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow at the shop for some pirate mayhem!

New Banner!

I'm always tinkering around with new design ideas for my shop banner and this is the latest result. Kinda plain and simple, but I was seriously sick of the full-out color of the last one and, when it comes to design, I'm a no-nonsense sleek and chic kinda girl. Plus, this is the first time I've actually used my product photography in the design and I'm very happy with the outcome (and did I mention it's very customizable? Score!). If you have the eyes of a feline...or a giant squid...you may also have noticed that the current banner is announcing an upcoming event--the big Pirate Update! Yup, it's official. Mark your calendars--the 23rd will be full of "yarrrrs", "avasts", and lots and lots of rum. I'm stoked! Feel free to bookmark ye ol' shop or "heart" me on the Etsy site for a jab at the goodies!

Themed Updates

I hope everyone's Easter weekend went well. I went and saw Grindhouse on Easter day (which I find somewhat hilarious). The movie(s) was awesome and so fun! There's so few films out there where the experience of seeing the movie is given just as much thought as the movie itself. Brilliant.

I'm currently working out some new designs for the ol' shop and am toying around with the idea of, I kid you not, themed updates. Every couple of weeks I'll list a bunch of new goodies that go along with the same theme. I think it'll be kinda fun and exciting (or, at least, I hope so). You know how I am though, we'll see how long this idea can last. I've begun compiling a list in my sketchbook of possible update themes (I'm a mega list-maker--that's how most of my creations begin). The first one I'll be doing? Pirates! I've already got a hand-drawn necklace in the works to go with the theme and I must say, tis lookin' good.

The little kitty charm you see above will be listed in the shop on Sunday. He's such a cutie!

New Couch! Hoozah!

Oh my. Where does all the time go? I'm dying to do some miniature paintings (it's been over a week since I've painted anything and I'm getting quite fidgety as a result) and because it's such a drop-dead gorgeous day today (over 70 degrees here in the Puget Sound--in April no less! Wow!) I think I'm gonna push everything else I need to get done (like, laundry, shipping, and movies) off to the side. I need to paint. Need.

Ahem. I forgot to mention in my last post that I bought, drumroll please..... my first brand spanking new couch! Oh man, I'm so pumped to get it. Can't really afford one, and I'm really not looking forward to getting the next Visa bill, but who cares! New couch! A Todd Oldham Lazboy one! With an awesome retro design in black and white! Which reminds me--must get throw to cover said new couch from dangerous cat claws. The picture below is not the best--the fabric looks WAY better in person and I got the couch with wooden legs instead of the yucky metal ones. Also got some kick-ass pillows to go with it in red. It's gonna be so bright and bold...

Here's a list of stuff I've done/seen/will be doing/noticed/blah blah blah:

1) the cherry tree in the backyard is in full bloom and it's stunning. Seeing all those bright white blossoms is enough to rip your eyeballs right out of their sockets when you walk by.

2) saw 300 with my brother, who came up to the Northwest last weekend from Phoenix for my dad's retirement ceremony. I know a lot of people are torn on this movie, but I loved it. I'd see it again just to witness that cinematography. There was one scene at the very end (an aerial pan-back) that was mind-numbingly gorgeous. I honestly thought at first that I was staring at a painting. So cool. And for all those incredibly dim-witted critics who actually complained about historical acuracy, I say this: pffftt! I still can't wrap my head around where the hell they got the notion that this was meant to be seen as a historical film. Dude. There was a full-blown narration over nearly the entire flick--they made it so clear that it was meant to be viewed as a retelling of the battle through Spartan eyes. Spartan propoganda, if you will. Sheesh.

3) yes, I really need to get more listed in the shop. And I know I keep saying I will be soon--trust me that I will. There's just so much going on right now and I'm in a bit over my head at the moment.

4) nothing like a trip down to the nearest Rite Aid at 8am for deodorant...

5) a dear friend of mine lent me a stack of Astonishing X-Men comics, written by Joss Whedon and illustrated by John Cassaday and I went through all of them in one day. I need more. God, I am such a nerd.

I hope you have a wonderful Easter! Take a nice break and chill--I know I'll be. :)