more winter comfort

while the winter temperatures continue to drop outside,

 me and my doodle pencil have been oh-so-happy inside 

channeling lots of goodies on my comfort list.   

for example, a personalized set of "elvie gloves" 

to keep my hands warm….

heading outside wearing

a pair of super cute boots, a beanie, and

 a polka-dot scarf….

wrapping up in a toasty blanket 

while enjoying a bowl of tomato soup and grilled cheese sammie….

wearing a pair of argyle socks and bunny slippers 

while swooning over the intoxicating aroma of 

chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven….

and always, always having a mug of hot chocolate nearby.

(actually, the cookies and hot chocolate goes for any time of the year…!)

it's winter and it's crazy cold outside,

but i'm super happy with so many things that truly warm my heart!

xox

{note:  the only thing i would change about this artwork is the paper.  

this project began as a simple doodle on a piece of textwove paper 

that i randomly pulled out of my drawer.  as i continued to work along,

i really struggled against the softness of the paper and it didn't take

well to erasing at all.  next time i'll definitely grab my favorite

fabriano artistico 140 lb. hot press paper!}

{supplies:  this artwork was created using derwent watercolor and

 inktense pencils and a .3 mechanical pencil on arches textwove paper}

name play

our documented life project challenge this week was to
write your name, and then embellish it…..

and you can probably guess that after being so nervous with last week's prompt,
this week, i had an absolute ball!

i kept this page really simple, and added some of my favorite things….

and to be honest, i don't know which i had more fun with,
the writing-my-name part, or the embellishing!
the entire process was total happy!!


{supplies:  fabriano artistico 140 lb. HP paper, derwent watercolor pencils, pitt pens,
derwent inktense pencils, pan pastel, uniball signo white gel pen, washi tape,
6B and 3B graphite pencils}

flourish

when i grow up,  i want to write on walls just like dana tanamachi.  

:))

{you can watch this video in large format here}

inspiration monday…..and a giveaway!

i can't think of anything more inspiring than opening a journal to a blank page
and filling it with a favorite quote!

all it takes are some simple letterforms and variations…..

a little bit of page composition…..

and some doodly finishing touches!

and i'd love to create a doodle page together with you
in my new online class over at creative workshops…..







because we're going to learn about all these things….and more!


please join me in the classroom over at creative workshops for my new online class
doodle page !

the doors to the classroom open on february 17th!
here's what's in store:
*we'll talk about finding inspiration
*we'll brush up on some simple print letterforms and learn several variations
*we'll get some insight on basic page composition principles
 *and we'll have some fun with watercolor and shading techniques!

there's over two hours of video instruction, along with lots of PDFs for you to print out! and you'll have 24/7 access to the classroom….come and go as you like, and journal while eating chocolate and wearing your pajamas!

♥♥♥♥♥

and to celebrate this creative new year and all the inspiration it holds,
i'm giving away a seat in the classroom!
all you need to do is leave a comment here on this post (just one comment per person, please!) by 10:00 p.m. EST on wednesday, january 8th.  one recipient will be chosen over at random.org, and i'll announce the name here on my blog on thursday, january 9th!  please make sure your comment either links back to your blog, or leave your e-mail so i can contact you if your name is chosen!  (this giveaway is open to all bloggy sweeties who are 18 years of age or older!)

see you in the classroom!

{please click here for more information and registration!}


edited:  comments are now closed….thank you so much!!

happy artful new year!

welcome to 2014!
'tis the season for setting resolutions for a new year….
but truth be told, i'm still working on my goals for last year!
(and my ever-expanding-chocolate-inspired-hips
tell the story that my 2013 resolution to lose weight is still in progress)

so i've decided my resolution for this year is
to fulfill my goals from last year,
to keep following my heart…..

and strive for the most artful, authentic,
create art-from-my-heart kind of year possible!

wishing you a very artful new year!!
xox


{supplies:  moleskine journal, derwent inktense pencils, koi watercolor,
pitt artist pens, pilot "choose" white gel pen, 6B pencil}

inspiration monday

i've discovered that sometimes when i'm looking for inspiration,

it's nice to catch up with an old friend,  like my dover doodle book......

because on the pages inside, you can always create silly stories about new friends....
like tom, and his day at the museum:

(tom's silly story goes like this....)

"once upon a time, tom found something he liked
in the case at the museum."

"and it didn't take long before tom was in a

  glazed-over-eyes-must-have-choco-trance." 

"actually, it became an all-out choco-emergency."

later that day, tom had discovered the moral of the silly story:
"always be prepared"
(or in choco-terms,  always carry a hammer in your backpack.)
:))

{this silly story was created in my dover doodle book using micron pens,

derwent inktense pencils, and a 4B graphite pencil}

{you can find the dover doodle book here!}

inspiration monday

before.....

during......

and after!

*repeat daily:  
be creative, stay strong, and grow happy!



{drawn in my walls notebook using micron pens, pan pastel,
derwent inktense pencils,  derwent graphitint pencil, 4B graphite pencil}

inspiration monday

confession:  when i first saw this sweet little book at the store, i didn't give myself permission to buy it right away.  i went back to the rack three times before i decided to bring it home with me.  yes, this book looked mighty happy, and i'm always in the mood for some happy......but i kept hearing that little voice inside me asking "hey, don't you usually work in blank journals?".  then i realized that's exactly why this doodle book appealed to me!  sometimes the thought of a blank page is too overwhelming.  sometimes you need a little kick-start to get you to the next place.  and sometimes you just need to do something a little different.

so once i was back in my studio with my new doodle-friend, i thought this would be a great page to start with (well, i guess it was already started.....all i had to do was finish it!).

and i decided that i like the way simon thinks!

 then i thought i'd try to think outside the candy jar a bit......

and do a little lettering......because i really only know of one type of candy.....

then i decided it might be fun to take something that's obvious,
and put my own cheesy twist on it....

cheesecake, anyone?!


 conclusion: when you're in your favorite art store and walking back to the book rack for the third time,   that's usually a sign that it's time to ignore the little voice inside and go with what inspires you!
(you'll be glad you did!)

{pages finished using micron pen, water-soluble markers, waterbrush, 4B pencil}

{to do}......{elvie-encore-post #6}

hope you have some fun things on your "to do" list today!

{journal page created using micron pens and watercolor pencils}

i'm currently on a little bloggy break......

this is an encore presentation of a post originally featured on september 9, 2009

permission slip

of all the things i love to do, resting is not one of them.  

not only do i not like to rest, i'm really not very good at it either.

to me, resting is on that life-list of stuff that we've got to do every once in a while

whether we want to or not......like going to the dentist.......or exercising......

but the thing about rest is that it's in kahoots with that persistent little voice inside of you.....it nags at you in a gentle little whisper, and you ignore it of course, but before you know it, it's bellowing at you.  and eventually you have to listen....and be somewhat obedient to the calling.  

so today i'm giving myself permission to take a bit of a creative break......and do some resting for the next few weeks.  {although i've already thought of some ways to cheat, so i'll be sneaking in some "elvie re-posts" here and there......}

in the meantime, i wish all of you bloggy sweeties a fabulously creative weekend ahead.....

mixed in with a bit of rest for yourself, too!!

see you soon......xoxo

all play and no work

practice makes perfect.  :)

  and while i'd love to be more perfect in painting flowers and leaves (i've never had a knack for it), i'm having more of a problem with the "practice" part.  because when i start practicing, and painting leaves, for example, it doesn't take too long for my mind to start wandering.....

and before i know it, i start to think of other things i could be doing with those leaves.  

like doodling little fishies.....

or little birdies flying in for a landing.....

or writing secret little messages.....

or other strange things that pop into my head

(i'm taking suggestions as to what to call this little guy....)

so i really shouldn't be too surprised when i sometimes feel like i don't get too much accomplished......

or why i still can't paint leaves too well......heeheehee.

:))

inspiration monday

it's true what they say:  inspiration really will strike when you least expect it.  the other day i was surfing through my new pottery barn catalog, and when i saw these fabulous birdcages.....

this image popped into my brain and i had to doodle it onto some paper right away!  i'm not sure why the birdcage is sitting on top of a box, but inspiration is a little kooky that way sometimes!

{i'm also not sure why the birdcage doesn't have a door.....maybe that's why the little birdie is so happy?!}

doodle finished onto a separate piece of paper and added to my journal......

watercolor, watercolor pencil, micron pens, 4B pencil

click on image for better view

happy zone

i treated myself to some fabriano artistico 140 lb. soft press paper.......it's nice and heavy like watercolor paper, but the surface is smoother, making it a little easier to letter on.  i haven't had a chance to do much experimenting with it yet, so i decided to make a little journal "teesha-style".....these are super easy to make, and i love the fact that there aren't lots and lots of pages inside that i'll feel obligated/intimidated to fill up right away!!  pure happiness!!

this journal cover was created using watercolor pencils, micron pens, graphite pencil, and pan pastel.

click on image for larger view

inspiration monday

is everyone inspired to begin another great year of creativity?!!
there's nothing quite like a holiday break to get yourself rested and reacquainted with all of your favorite art supplies!

but before i jump into the new year, i have one project leftover from last year......

i filled up the inside of my orange journal last month, but didn't have anything on the outside.....so, here's a little doodle that i finished a few days ago for the front cover.....

                              

and here's a video i made to give you a peek inside, start to finish!

you can also watch it in larger format here at you tube.

i'm looking forward to spending this creative new year with you!!
:))

inspiration monday

"there are always flowers for those who want to see them."

henri matisse

here's to nurturing the beautiful inspiration garden

that's growing in your heart!

wishing you a wonderfully creative monday!

journal page finished using acrylic paints, pan pastel, micron pens, 

uniball signo white gel pen, 4B pencil

meet the thumbuds

i think that creating artwork is just like having little babies.  we give birth to new ideas, nurture them, watch them grow......and sooner or later, we take a deep breath and let them go out into the world.  such is the case with my little "thumbuds".  these little guys have been a part of me since i was in school and doodling in my spiral notebooks in class (instead of listening to the teacher....)......

and now all of these (many) years later, they've reappeared in a more sophisticated form.....on notecards.... and they're ready to go out into the world!  if you're interested in adopting any of these little sweeties, they're currently hanging out in my etsy shop.  their main goal is to put a smile on your face, and they're fairly easy to take of.....as long as you have a steady supply of dark chocolate on hand when mealtime rolls around.....

happy weekend to you!!!