Prints as of late

I've been working on some type poster prints lately. I've picked three separate quotes on three separate topics. Here are the first two on art/artists. Hopefully I can finish the third tonight. I've been thinking of making up some posters to sell. Whatchoo think?

UPDATE: I'll apologize now for the crappy display image quality.

The Woman Behind the Camera - What I learned from my Photographic Odyssey

The woman behind the camera - Still behind the camera.

As some of you might recall (well some of you constant followers, whomever you are), I did a 365 photo project last year. One photo a day for an entire year. I knew it wasn't anything new. I knew going into it that there might be some hard days to get into snapping away. I'll be the first to admit that I missed a few days here and there. There were only a few that I can count on one hand, and only missed them because of a hectic life. I also still have about five rolls of 120 film from a few days of the project that I have yet to develop and post to my photo-stream online.

This year I decided to forego the project. I didn't want to feel like I was stressed about taking my daily photo. I'll definitely own up to the truth; some days I just didn't even want to pick up a camera. I was afraid that I would overdo it. I was afraid that I might not make it the full year again. I was afraid that I might get burnt out on taking photos. I was afraid I was forcing it.

Over the last few weeks I've learned something about myself and the 365 project. I learned something from it. I learned a lot about photography, how to use multiple cameras, lighting, lenses and film. I believe that I improved my amateur hobby. That wasn't the most important thing I took from this experience. I've compiled a list of the things that I feel truly grateful for getting out of it, and I'm writing them down so I don't forget.

I learned...,

... even if I don't force myself to pick up the camera every day, I now want to pick up a camera...

...I get angry with myself if I go anywhere without a camera by my side. The opportunity always seems to present a photo when I am ill equipped...

...I appreciate the little things in life more, and I'm more apt to take photos of the little things to remember that blissful, happy moment in time...

...I really got around this last year. I saw some old friends from childhood, got to go home(town) more than I thought, had a lot of adventures and see some amazing things...

...I am more in love than words can explain. Looking back at special moments I caught on film and managed to snap make me smile and I'm glad to know I will always have those moments to look back on...

...I have an unhealthy obsession with my cats and dog...

and, last but not least...

...I am by no means a professional photographer. I wouldn't even say that to save my life, but I did learn that I am an amateur. A lover of photography.

Sea Lions For Shore - Again

I've been really excited to be playing again with my doodles. I've been having such a blast with this lil' Sea Lion guy that I'm tempted to do some more. I've been thinking of doing a whole zoo animal series. If you have a request for any specific animal I'm open to making a list. I have been really yearning for some playful creatures to do some prints of.

Exercising

Some recent doodles I did while I worked on my Valentine's card. These were fun. They're about the size of a quarter, and I pulled out my beloved Dr. Ph. Martin's water colors to paint them up. I only have four colors, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Green so I have to mix to get the rest of the spectrum in there. It was kind of fun to get back into the swing of hands on work and actual water color again. I always seem to really enjoy doing these teeny, doodle exercises. It only takes me a few minutes, but when I finish, I am itching to do more.

Oh, if you were wondering, yes, that is me in a bigfoot suit. I kind of have an obsession. As if you didn't know.

Happy Holidays-ish

This sketch was sitting in my sketchbook for a while. Then it sat for about three weeks on my laptop. I've been meaning to get it up but there have been a lot of things happening in life lately. (Isn't that always my story?) I know, it's a redundant theme in my life but it's true. It's been an emotional roller coaster for me the last few months. I did manage to get it on our yearly Christmas card, so I feel I've accomplished something. 

Oddly enough I think my subconscious is trying to get me back to my inner-child/immature self or something like that. I have four more illustrations I have done in my sketchbook that are all goofy and child-like. Not that my 'doodles' aren't normally goofy, but recently they have a little innocence about them. I had some downtime tonight and happen to bring my laptop with me, so I decided to finally get out some holiday message to all few of my devoted and frequently returning followers. You know who you are. 

So without further ado, please excuse my semi-boring attitude, and go out and enjoy the holiday season. Watch a little It's a Wonderful Life. That does the trick for me all the time.

A Taste...

of what I've been working on lately....