Tag Archives: dailypost

Arting for 365 Day 85: Chihuly Gardens

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Day 85 (7/23/12): Chihuly Gardens

4.75 x 4.75″ Pastel and ink on paper

Before leaving Seattle yesterday, we were lucky enough to visit the Chihuly Garden and Glass with our friend and his dad. We had seen some work by Chihuly (an incredibly skilled glass blower) earlier this year, but seeing it out in the garden was really a completely different experience. The colors were vibrant and worked harmoniously with the natural surroundings. I highly recommend you visit if you happen to be in Seattle.

After the gardens, we headed to the airport where I pulled out my pastels and pen, and got to work on day 85’s piece. I used simple shapes and lines to create the abstracted interpretation of the colorful work I had seen. Thanks, Jesse, for taking us!

Arting for 365 Day 80: Cut Out for It

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Day 80 (7/17/12): Cut Out for It

11 x 14″ Cut paper

Years back an acquaintance of mine let me know that my ink drawings reminded him a bit of a fantastic artist named Nikki McClure. While her work was cut paper, I think the style of our lines might have been what made a connection for him. I dug that he likened my work to hers, but had no desire to move in the paper cutting direction.

Since that time I have come upon the work of Beatrice Coron and a few others who happen to be amazingly talented cut paper artists. Inspired by the work they do and knowing that I need to push myself to experiment with new processes; I decided to take a crack it.

My initial attempt on this piece was so-so. I was desperately trying for precise, controlled lines with a big ‘ol box cutter like thing (I don’t recommend this but my exacto blade was dull). But after buying new blades to clean up my initial cuts and adding more detail, I found I loved the process. The challenge of manipulating the paper into intricate designs is fantastic! I’m pretty darned sure there will be more of these to come.

This original piece available for purchase.

Arting for 365 Day 78: High on the Hog

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Day 78 (7/15/12): High on the HogGoal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

The other day I heard a news report that is pretty common. It regarded big banks (which to me equals a bunch of super rich men and perhaps a few women) who were acting like jack asses with other people’s money. The amount of money these banks had played with and lost was astonishing.

Shortly after that, another report came on talking about Mitt Romney and some out of touch thing he had said regarding money.

Both of these reports got me thinking about the old saying “high on the hog.” Years ago, I imagine saying such a thing meant someone was doing well for themselves – they bought a new car or house or took a big vacation. But what in the heck does it mean today? Instead of one new car, perhaps a few new jets? Instead of a house a block of buildings?  To be high on the hog these days, the hog has got to be sitting pretty high.

P.S. If you don’t want to think of this adorable pig as social commentary, just think of it as “Babe – Pig in the City.” That’s what the boyfriend says it reminds him of anyway.

Original and print available for purchase.

Arting for 365 Day 77: Drawing Post Brew Fest and Late Drive Home

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Day 77 *7/14/12): Drawing Post BrewfestGoal: To create one piece of work each day for 365 consecutive days

Yesterday was a jam packed day of visiting with friends and enjoying a brewfest. We had a great time but it also meant I was pushing the envelope to get my daily art piece done.

Nearer to midnight than I am comfortable with, I created this abstracted floral ink piece. Drawing the detailed thick and thin flowing lines was a great way to finish up my day.

Original piece and print  both available for purchase.

Arting for 365 Day 72: Emu

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Day 72 (7/9/12): Emu

11 x 14″ Acrylic on crazy thick paper

Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

I’ve been enjoying personifying animals in my work lately.  The images make me laugh and tackling human ideas and emotions via a four footed or winged friend is something I’ve really enjoyed. It puts things in perspective – which keeps me from taking things too seriously.

For day 72 I wanted to explore the emu. This little guy is a study for a larger piece I have in mind in which I plan to personify Mr. Emu.

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Original and prints of this piece are available for purchase

Arting for 365 Day 71: Pinks and Oranges

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Goal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

I happily dug into my stash of Sierra Nevada paper coasters, again, to create day 71’s work. To begin the piece, I taped the coasters together, similar to day 48. I’m a fan of this process for a few reasons:

1. When you lay the finished squares together, you see a larger work

2. Each individual square is its own little work of art

3. I really, for some odd reason, like the leftover marks from where I pull the tape off.

This coaster making go-round, I opted for a bright pink and orange color palette. Using my trusty ink pen I drew some foliage, and added a smidge of green to complete the piece. I really dig the work and think beer pints are going to feel right at home on these bold little guys.

On a somewhat separate note, I found out that coating the coasters with varnish is a great way to make them last. So I am making a bunch of new sets, which I’ll have to share when I get finished. I’m also starting to make prints of the originals. The slideshow has an example of one of the prints on a ceramic coaster tile – although it’s a wee bit hard to see w/the glass on top of it…

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Original piece available for sale at https://www.etsy.com/listing/103992812/pinks-and-oranges-mixed-media-originals

Coasters using prints of this design also available https://www.etsy.com/listing/103999594/pinks-and-oranges-printed-coasters

Arting for 365 Day 70: Serious Business

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4 x 5″ Ink on Paper

Yesterday I decided to draw a self-portrait to replace my avatar. I sat in front of the mirror and held still as my pencil moved across the paper. I worked and worked, but I just wasn’t feeling it. Original idea nixed. Cat character idea adopted.

The goal in drawing the character was to capture a cat’s no-nonsense personality using human characteristics. Most cats- our cat, Box included- seem to take every endeavor quite seriously. From getting in the middle of whatever project we are working on to chasing string, it is all done with complete focus. The cat is all business, while we laugh at his ridiculousness.

Box is such an inspiration!

This original piece available for purchase at https://www.etsy.com/listing/103904640/serious-business-original-ink-drawing

Prints available too! https://www.etsy.com/listing/103904722/serious-business-cat-character-print

Arting for 365 Day 69: Out of Place

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18 x 22″ Ink on paper

He was a farm horse with dreams of the big top.

A perfected routine of balancing balls, jumping through hoops, and standing atop a small pedestal – all in full feathered regalia – proved a huge hit in the corral. He often wondered, though, if he would find such praise under the red and white stripes of the real thing.

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This piece available for purchase at https://www.etsy.com/listing/103820514/out-of-place-original-ink-drawing

I’m also working on getting prints made of a bunch of my other work. If you are interested in anything, please let me know.

Arting for 365 Day 68: Lone Ball

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Day 68 (7/5/12): Lone BallGoal: To create one piece of art each day for 365 consecutive days

The ball definitely sat all alone, but somehow it did not feel lonely. Perfectly content with its rounded self, it reflected the evening light as the sun moved down the horizon.

This piece available for purchase at or by emailing micah@azzlsoft.com

Arting for 365 Day 67: Not Just Any Fruit

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Day 67 (7/4/12): Not Just Any Fruit

4 x 5.5″ Greeting card. Watercolor.

Goal: To create one piece of work each day for 365 consecutive days

Most fruits are enjoyable enough. They are sweet and refreshing – leaving you feeling pretty good about eating your daily quota. For the most part, you enjoy them, but they aren’t something you’d yell about from the rooftop. Now and again, though, at the peak of a season, you come upon a fruit that is beyond delectable.

Its juices run down your hand as you slurp madly to catch every last bit. Bright reds, oranges, purples and greens hint at the goodness inside. Your salivary glands work overtime just imagining the next bite. This is not just any fruit. This fruit deserves a place on a pedestal.

This piece available for purchase at https://www.etsy.com/listing/103687979/not-just-any-fruit-original-watercolor or by emailing micah@azzlsoft.com