Eye Candy Art * Rachelle Hartley * Mixed Media Art and Illustrations

Imagine

2011-05-28T21:32:00.001-07:00

Imagine by Rachelle Hartley featuring a travel luggage

Summer ... bring it on!

2011-05-23T12:37:00.001-07:00

Summer ... bring it on! by Rachelle Hartley featuring lacquer jewelry

A Great Day at Clothesline Art Show on Sunday August 15th

2010-08-19T20:47:00.000-07:00

It was a beauiful venue and a gorgeous day ... there were many wonderful people attending and selling at the Clothesline Art Show at Coast Collective on Sunday.

I sold a couple of pieces (yay!) ... and thank you again to the purchasers!!

I also received a lot of great comments on my paintings as well.

Plus, I handed out about 150 brochures for my Intuitive Painting Workshops.

Here are some pictures to commemorate this memorable day.

Even Chachi had fun hanging out with Jake!

Intuitive Painting Workshops - Absolutely no painting experience required!

2010-08-16T22:25:00.000-07:00

NOTE: Workshops are on hiatus right now. Stay tuned!

Intuitive painting is really all about playing with paint and color (and other supplies – think: collage) and having FUN and most importantly, being non-judgemental with ourselves and our creations. This type of creative expression allows you to connect with your inner voice in a way that you may never have experienced before. It is a type of active meditation that goes deep into your subconscious and connects you with your heart centre. This type of painting can be a powerful, yet gentle process for transformation – just think of me as your personal creativity coach! One recent workshop participant had this to say about their experience:

“I am so grateful for our session. What a positive and encouraging foray into the unknown world of moving liquid color to where it will dry and change a hundred times. I appreciate so much your organization and sweet reminders to keep the process moving in a way that was very safe for me. I think it has an integral component to moving through mid life blockages.”

One-on-one sessions or groups of up to 4 people max.
(plan a session for yourself, or get a group of friends together)
$50/person (includes all supplies and materials)
2.5 hours per session
Sessions begin at 6pm on weeknights / 1pm on weekends and holidays (sessions are 2.5 hours long)
Contact me by email at art.rachelle.hartley@gmail.com to arrange a convenient date … and let the FUN begin! NOTE: Workshops are on hiatus right now. Stay tuned!
Extras: for an additional $10 per person, I can incorporate an Osho Zen Tarot reading. "Zen insists on the unique capacity of every human being to reach enlightenment - our freedom freedom from the illusion of ego created by the mind. And it insists that this capacity can be realized only through meditation." ~Osho. Painting is a form of meditation - an active (act of) meditation. This tarot does not predict the future, it mirrors the moment - what is here, now, without judgement or comparison.

Imagine ART dripping from every tree !!! It's TRUE at the Clothesline Art Show: August 15.10

2010-08-13T23:39:00.000-07:00

... now imagine my art dripping from the trees and scattered about a magical forest, beside a beautiful blue lagoon.

... imagine watching artists at work ... imagine live music, food, beer and wine, and more on the beautiful grounds of the Coast Collective in Colwood. It's actually happening this Sunday, August 15th from 10am - 4pm ... I hope you can make it.

Photo: Coast Collective website

Soul Retrieval ~ Part Deux ... the muse had other ideas ...

2009-09-22T17:50:00.000-07:00

Title: Soul Retrieval

16x20 acrylics (an other 'stuff') on canvas

Okay, so I thought this painting was finished ... but the muse had other ideas! Early on in the process, when the large 'peeled back' area emerged in the top right of the painting, I kept sensing that it looked a little like a teapot ... I kept sweeping this idea aside as it seemed silly to have a teapot floating in space at the top of the painting. Besides, it certainly didn't go with my emerging theme of 'Soul Retrieval'! The symbol of the teapot persisted however, even after I told myself the painting was complete (I even blogged about it earlier today ~ before the teapot).

After I had blogged about it, I was looking at the painting again and still the teapot image kept persisting. I was actually thinking of ways to change the shape so it looked less like a teapot! Then suddenly it occured to me when the pose of the figure reminded me of the old singing nursery rhyme "I'm a Little Teapot" ... of course the teapot made perfect sense!! I sang this song A LOT when I was a little girl and of course 'performed' the actions that went with the song. In case you're not familiar, it goes like this ...

"I'm a little teapot short and stout.

Here is my handle,

here is my spout.

When I get all steamed up,

hear me shout ...

Just tip me over and pour me out!"

Sooo, I set to work (again). The basic shape of the teapot was already there; I just blended what wasn't the teapot into the background and added a few little details to give it some personality. Other additions to the painting were the square black and white "t" shapes pouring out of the teapot and I also added a small square mirror to the bottom right of the canvas and 6 crystals scattered about (a little personal symbolism).

Teapot Symbolism: I'm releasing "T" which means I will be an empty vessel for what comes next ... I've hung the painting upside down to aid with this transition (I think it still works aesthetically upside down as well!?!)

... I just googled "I'm a Little Teapot" and found a second verse (who knew?!) to the song on Wikipedia ...

"I'm a clever teapot,

yes it's true.
Here let me show you
what I can do.

I can change my handle

and my spout.
Just tip me over and pour me out!" ...

... seems hanging 'Soul Retrieval' upside down (reversing it) is more appropriate ('clever') than I thought!! lol

Soul Retrieval

2009-09-22T12:29:00.000-07:00

Title: Soul Retrieval

16x20 acrylic (and other 'stuff') on canvas

Summer is over and I'm hopefull that Fall will bring happier times.

The past three months have been the most challenging time of my life. I have a lot of changes on the horizon. Because of everything I'm dealing with at the moment, I haven't created any real art since the end of June. Finally, yesterday, I created 'Soul Retrieval'.This painting represents to me the culmination of "all that".

It is actually a piece that I began last summer. It was an abstract using foil as collage. Then last Fall I decided I didn't like it so I scraped black acrylic all over the surface. This past weekend, I white washed a lot of it and then scraped it back in spots. Yesterday, I decided to squeeze some aqua blue directly onto the canvas and that's when things really started to happen ... the surface is quite textured due to the crumpled foil I originally used. Once I had the aqua blue spread out I decided to take the sanding block and sand the surface back in spots. When I did this, some of the foil started to peel back in places. I helped this along by pulling/peeling back the layers. In some instances it peeled back to a smooth, shiny foil layer and in other instances right down to the bare canvas. I really enjoyed this process ...

it felt like I was revealing something that was precious and determined to be revealed.

It was all very abstract at first and then I painted a band of horizontal black and white stripes near the bottom of the painting. This is where the trouble began ... I was trying to just go with the flow and let the painting develop the way it wanted to, but I struggled quite a while with this now fairly prominent checkerboard pattern I had created that now was threatening to mess everything up! First, I extended the checkered 'line' downwards (which is now the left arm of the figure). That just seemed to make things worse! I kept telling myself to breathe and 'trust the process and don't get discouraged'. This was HARD. Next, I decided to extend the lines downward to the bottom of the painting, forming what is now the torso of the figure. At first, I thought this shape should become a house. It felt like a house to me. But oh wait ... there was the problem of this awkward appendage protruding from the square! I decided to go with it ... it wanted to be a figure ... I painted the other arm extending upwards. Then I went to my sketchbook to try and work out what the figure would look like. Here's that sketch ...

I went back to the canvas and painted the figure. I struggled with the decision to give her hair or not. In the end, as you can see ... bald is beautiful. In deciding wether or not to give her hair, I thought about my 'Rebirth' painting which also features a bald figure. I asked myself if I was not giving this figure hair because I was scared to paint the hair in fear of messing everything up ... a form of avoidance of course! I sat with this thought for awhile and then I went and got the 'Rebirth' painting (which coincidentally is the same size canvas) and I placed the two paintings side by side. That confirmed it. No hair! I think the two paintings relate beautifully together. What do you think?

Suffice it to say that 'Soul Retrieval' is a powerful metaphor for what is happening in my life right now. Even reading back over what I've written is very revealing to me. I can recognize levels of meaning as I 'read between the lines'. This is why I LOVE ART!!!!!

Mad Hatter's Tea Party

2009-06-17T01:32:00.000-07:00

A Mad Hatter's Tea Party ... what a great idea. It was a blast! A magical Sunday afternoon filled with sunshine, silliness, friends, sharing and art. The setting was a beautiful garden in the countryside ... picture it ... we drank exotic teas and noshed on some very tasty treats ... we played poi and took pictures ... we swapped paper dolls ... we shared our latest art journals and projects ... we traded emphera and embellishments and best of all, we created a wonderful piece of mixed up media art together.

Pretty as a picture ... an old frame and an oversized daisy make for great photo props!! Even the dogs Cody and Keiko wanted to join the fun.

Giselle the horse was wondering what on earth we were doing!?

We had some laughs trying to master the art of 'poi'.

Later in the afternoon we rolled up our sleeves and got to work on a collaborative project (below are details of the one painting) ... it was a magical mix of artists and media. Such FUN!

We are truly outstanding in our field!

As the sun was setting, we captured one last memory of a most-memorable day. We'll be keeping our eyes open for that white rabbit ... you just never know when he might show up again to take us all on another artventure. i can't wait!!!!

Rebirth - insights into my creative process

2009-05-04T21:45:00.000-07:00

"Rebirth" is a painting that i completed in May, 2007. Somehow, i never did get around to posting it to my blog at the time, although i did upload it to Flickr!

Today, i received a comment on it from GroggyFroggy who found it on Flickr after doing a Google search for "colorful art". i'm thrilled she found it, because i've been contemplating listing it for sale at my Esty shop and after finding this comment in my inbox, this little synchronicity just sealed the deal.

In the middle of painting this piece, i began working with Deborah Russell, a Creativity Coach (Deborah's services were a gift from my Aunt!). i enjoyed a few weekly coaching sessions with Deborah by phone and email. At the time, i wrote about the progression of "Rebirth" in my journal. i thought it might be fun to share some of those ramblings now (if you just want to see the final painting ... scroll all the way to the bottom of the post now!). It's a long post, so thanks for reading! LOL! i hope it gives you a sense of how the painting evolved over a period of about two weeks (from middle to end stages) as well as insights into my ideas and feelings behind its creation. The following are excerpts taken from my journal and emails with Deborah, as well as pictures (i wish i had taken more!) of the painting in progress ...

************************************

May 15, 2007 - Notes to Self:

Possible Titles: "Take Flight", "Creation"

Actual Progress:
a crow and daisies have emerged at the bottom of the canvas
the figure is still there, just beneath the surface, waiting to be painted

Possibilities(?):
an upturned face on the figure
mouth open wide
arms/wings reaching for the sky
a black and white striped neck
a clock under/as part of the left arm of the figure
a map in the background behind the figure

Thoughts:

"...as i painted tonight, i was listening to the Chakra Clearing CD by Doreen Virtue. It was inspiring and it felt right. It struck me that the affirmations that are spoken on the CD follow nicely with the feeling i am trying to convey in this painting ..."

Coaching:

"...i spoke to Deborah, my Creativity Coach tonight about my reluctance to paint the figure. i'm aware that it comes from a place of fear because in a previous attempt to paint a figure in another painting, i became so frustrated that i ended up gessoing over the half-formed image as well as other parts of the painting, at which point i felt deep regret! i don't want this painting to meet the same fate, because i already really like the the daisies and the crow. i know there is a figure there! it came to me even before the image of the crow or daisies appeared. Deborah asked me if i had a clear vision in my mind of what the figure looked like. i told her that the arms were impossibly long and up-stretched, as if flying. i could also visualize a curvy neck with black and white stripes ... i explained to her this is all i could imagine and this was the reason for my reluctance to start painting with so little to go on. At this point, i have no vision of what the body might look like or how it would fit in behind the crow ..."

May 22, 2007 email to Creativity Coach (excerpts):

"... i did pursue the figure in my 16x20 canvas. i started by painting the parts i could see in my mind ... the long curving black and white striped-neck and the head. As i continued to paint, i came to realize that i could not percieve a clear picture of what the body looked like because the figure in my painting is not an actual person with a body, it is more of a spirit. The body actually turned out to look something like a feather ..."

"...i am feeling fairly close to being done this painting, however, i struggle a little with the ‘weird’ imagery. i don’t know why because i want to paint in a way that flows from my imagination … to go where the painting wants to go, but … i guess i’m still too worried about the results. i’ve attached a picture of it so you can get a sense of what i have been talking about. i am setting it aside for a little bit, not because i don’t want to finish it. But i feel like i want to start making some progress on the 8x8 canvases and i’m hoping that in doing this, the final inspiration i’m looking for to finish the 16x20 painting will come to me ..."

"... (after looking at the photo again) i’m just not sure i really like it at all. i’m not sure if it can be salvaged. There are parts of it i like, but overall, i’m not satisfied with it. Something is missing, and at this point, i don’t exactly know what that is. i feel there is something more to be developed in the background over the head and underneath the left arm, above the flowers. How do you know if/when you should give up on something that is not working? Or should you struggle with it and find a way to make it work no matter what? ..."

FYI: as it turned out, i never really did put this painting aside to work on the other canvases (as mentioned in my email). Instead, i continued to work on "Rebirth", adding little bits, here and there until is was completely finished - less than a week later.

May 24, 2007 email to Creativity Coach (excerpts):

"Thanks for the great session tonight. i am finding it very beneficial! Like i mentioned, it useful to talk about the painting and my process with someone who understands. i like the questions you ask and it is helping me to ask myself similar questions as i go long. It helps me to keep things moving and it's keeping me in touch with my feelings. When i’m asking questions, the judgmental voice has much less opportunity to voice its opinion ..."

"... i’ve made some progress on the painting tonight and i am pleased with how it is progressing. As i was speaking to you on the phone, i kept seeing swirls under the arm on the left side of the painting. When i got off the phone, i knew that is what i had to paint. i like the result. i painted (the swirls) while sitting in front of my webcam, ‘joining’ in my sister’s baby shower in Calgary. It was great just hearing everybody chattering back and forth and being able to chat and interact with my family as i painted. They asked to see my painting and it delighted me to hear “ooh, that’s cool … love the bird … very colorful” Of course they’re probably biased ‘cause they love me, but i’ll take the positive feedback wherever i can get and be happy with it too! :0 )"

"i've attached the latest progress. i stopped after painting the green swirls. i should have stopped before that - ugh! i don’t like the green swirls, it was better without them. i will need to fix it tonight but i have no more energy or patience to do that ..."

New Title: "Rebirth"

May 26, 2007 - Ideas to FINISH the Painting (epiphany):
a branch with two fantastical leaves growing out of the top of the head of the figure
a crow flying above the figures head
red and orange flames trying to engulf the crow and the nest
the crow will not leave the nest, because it is protecting an egg (it's creation)
the flames are 'licking' and 'swirling' dangerously close to the flowers
the spririt is rising up like a 'Phoenix', transcending the flames

May 27, 2007 - Stayed up until Midnight to complete Rebirth:

"... i just had to finish the painting. It was already done in my mind, all i had do was paint what i saw. i am thrilled with the outcome. i think it's really cool. The flames are my favorite part. i've never painted (or ever really drawn) flames before. i just kept painting until they looked like the flames i saw in my mind ..."

Final Thoughts:
One leaf appears 'sprouting' from the head of the figure. It seemed fitting that it was a "Renewal" leaf (the painting i completed just before i began working on "Rebirth"! I really enjoy painting in this way, rather than in a style that is more realistic because it allows what is in my heart to come out!

Here is what the final painting looks like.

16" x 20" mixed media on canvas

Thanks. For those of you that read all the way to the end - well done! i hope you enjoyed it ~ Rachelle

p.s. Any and all comments greatly welcomed

Art for Sale ...

2009-04-26T16:04:00.000-07:00

colorful, yummy art for sale! i've finally done it. i am now selling some of my original artwork and prints online at my new EyeCandyArt Etsy Shop so please stop by and check it out ...

i have decided to donate 2% net of all sales from my Esty Shop to CARE Canada. CARE Canada is an organization that is working to end global poverty and empower women.

Inspiring Videos and "Dryer Girl" Illustration

2009-04-02T00:46:00.000-07:00

i love these music videos. The songs and videos are both very different but each of them wonderful in their own right. The common thread ... a bed! The first video, "Her Morning Elegance" is like poetry in motion. The second video, "Sleep on It" is just plain hysterical ... it really cracks me up!! Enjoy ...

p.s., The girl in the first video reminds me of an illustration i did a while back of a red headed girl with hair flying in the wind. These days, red headed girl actually hangs out on my dryer ... it makes doing laundry slightly more interesting. Here's "Dryer Girl"

Givin' the Ol' Blog a Face Lift

2009-03-31T02:02:00.000-07:00

i've been inspired by Somerset Studios Artful Blogging magazine (Feb/Mar/Apr 2009) Edition. i have started giving my blog a little 'pep me up'. So far, the only major change is the blog header. What do you think?

i started my blog back in November 2005, and like so many other 'artful' bloggers, i did it because i wanted to participate in Illustration Friday and the easiest way to do that was to create a blog. Lately, i've noticed that blogs are getting much more creative and customized and i think Artful Blogging magazine can probably take some of the credit for this trend.

My favorite blog from the magazine ... definitely has to be Geninne's Art Blog. i just love everything about it. Her blog is so crisp, colorful and organized, just like her life, judging by her posts! Her artwork is beautiful and she has lots of great ideas. If my blog could end up being half as good as hers, i'd be thrilled beyond measure. Stay Tuned ...

This is what my old Blog Header looked like. What do you think of the new one? i've done something similar for my Etsy Shop as well.

Artwork: In My Heart (original mixed media collage painting)

2009-03-09T18:03:00.000-07:00

A mixed media piece on 11" x 14" canvas.

This one will be for sale on my Etsy Shop in April.

It is a layered collage. The support is an 11x14 wrapped canvas. The colorful background is canvas paper that has been collaged to the canvas. The large heart is acetate that has been collaged to the canvas paper ... and last, but certainly not least ... the small heart is made of clay and has been collaged to the acetate heart. i think the outcome is pretty cool. Here is another view (the colors on the photo are not that great, but it gives you and idea of the depth of the painting).

Starry Nights

2009-02-15T22:49:00.000-08:00

This is a layered digital piece done in Photoshop. I created most of the artwork by hand first using various mediums. The artwork was then digitized and the layers were created.

This is my version of Van Gough's Starry Nights.

Artwork: Full Bloom

2008-04-11T23:39:00.000-07:00

8.5x11" Mixed Media on Board

This piece was really fun to make and it's fairly small so it went rather quickly. I started out painting a layer of absorbent ground gesso onto the board and then added texture and dimension with a variety of 'things'. After that dried, I began painting with acrylics ... then came the chalk pastels and that's when things really began to happen ... it was very abstract in the beginning and then suddenly I thought "hey, those circular shapes could make great flowers" ... and voila! It's in FULL BLOOM.

Artwork: Luminous

2008-04-04T23:29:00.000-07:00

8.5x11" Mixed Media on Transparency Film

© Copyright Rachelle Baum

Last night, I was up late working on this painting. I started experimenting with inks, liquid acrylics and oil pastels on transparency film. This is the *Luminous* result of that experimentation (click on the picture for a larger view). It is even more luminous when you hold it up to the light!! I roughly sketched the outline of the heart onto the transparency using several different colors of oil pastels. Then I used a combination of magenta and gold acrylic inks as well as indigo and burnt sienna drawing inks to blend the colors. I couldn't resist adding some glitter too and a smidge of black fine line marker.

I think I'm going to hang this in my kitchen window.
I can't wait to do more "experimenting" :0 )

My SWEET Studio

2008-04-04T23:00:00.000-07:00

On the Easter long weekend a couple of weeks ago, I totally organized my studio! It was kind of organized, but I just started and suddenly it was like I could find the perfect spot for everything. I LOVE it. I feel blessed to have such an inspirational *sweet* spot to create in!!

Artwork: Abundance

2008-04-04T22:40:00.000-07:00

15x10" Acrylics on Raw Canvas

Recently, I attended a two-day weekend workshop on Abstract Painting. One of the coolest techniques I learned was painting with acrylics on raw canvas. I started the painting above during the last hour of the workshop and then proceeded to obsess over it for the next three days until it was completed. To prepare the canvas to accept the paint, water with a little dish detergent added was brushed all over the canvas and then allowed to dry. Next, I began painting with watered down acrylics. First, it was all about the color and blending, then the shapes began to emerge. I developed the shapes further by drawing directly onto the canvas with a white pastel pencil and emphasizing the forms with color and line. The image reminds of a an intense summer afternoon when the sun is blazing and the air is filled with possibilities and *Abundance*

Artwork: Renewal (original mixed media painting for sale on etsy)

2007-05-05T04:50:00.000-07:00

12 x 16" Acrylic and Pastel on Canvas

I began this painting just over a year ago. Since that time it has sat dormant. Tonight I was inspired to pick it up once again. It is titled "Renewal", which is appropriate for Spring. The seven boxes represent this year. 2007 is all about change, renewal and re-inventing yourself. I am pleased with the way it has turned out. I hope you like it too. Any and all feedback is appreciated.

Illustration: Meet Betty-Jo

2007-04-21T23:43:00.000-07:00

Betty-Jo is someone I dreamt up back in 2005. Since then, she has been barely more than a figment of my imagination.
Until today that is ...I finally finished my first drawing of the world according to Betty-Jo.

Artwork: Slideshow

2007-04-15T05:39:00.000-07:00

Use this link to view a slideshow of some of my artwork.

Artwork: Maddison

2007-03-21T18:01:00.000-07:00

Let me introduce you to Maddison. She's a real sweetheart and loves to dance!

What do you think of her?

What do you think of this design and layout? Let me know.

Artwork: Oh Canada

2007-03-21T17:35:00.000-07:00

OH CANADA ... and yes, the beaver is a PROUD and NOBLE anmial!

Digital montage created as part of a slideshow for
dears friends from China. They lived in Canada briefly and returned home with
many sweet memories. I incoroporated their favorite colors and beloved maple leaf. It made me proud when they said that they felt there was nothing better than having Canadian friends.

Cool: Labels Feature

2007-03-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

I just figured out the Labels feature. In case you don't know what this is, let me explain:

After each posting, you will notice the words "Labels:". When you post something new, you have the option of adding labels. Labels are like keywords that you choose to describe your post. I have added labels such as "Abstracts", "Acrylic Paintings", etc. Each of these keywords is a link or a 'Label'. If you click on "Acrylic Painting" for instance, the link will take you to all of my artwork that is done in acrylics.

Of course, me being the supreme (okay, some may call it 'obsessive') organizer that I am ... I LOVE this feature!!!

:0 )

Artwork: Coasting

2007-03-19T23:11:00.000-07:00

This abstract is called "Coasting" because for me it conjures up the thrill of riding a roller coaster. The blur of colors and shapes as you spiral at break-neck speeds around the track
... clickety-clack, clickety-clack!

What kind if feeling does it inspire in you?

Artwork: Yum, Fresh Crab!

2007-03-19T22:55:00.000-07:00

I am having fun with Photoshop. Can you tell?

Catch him before he runs away!

Artwork: My Heart Sings

2007-02-05T23:04:00.000-08:00

It has been almost a year since I have posted to my blog! No excuses, other than being uninspired to create art. This heart-themed mixed media illustration/painting is just in time for Valentine's Day.

Artwork: Here There and Everywhere

2006-04-08T20:00:00.000-07:00

A playful expression using textures, color and pattern. The dancing woman emerged at the end of the process. The vibrant explosion of colors convey the joy and freedom I'm experiencing in my life at the moment. A leap of FAITH has been taken and there is no turning back now!

11x14 acrylic on canvas

Artwork: Lotus Flower

2006-03-10T11:25:00.000-08:00

16x20" Acrylic on Canvas

I think this lotus flower would also make a beautiful tatoo. Do you?

Illustration Friday: Simple

2006-02-13T17:53:00.000-08:00

What could be simpler than playing fetch with your favorite puppy!!? This illustration is based on my adorable dog Chachi. Chachi has lots and lots of personality. He was only a few months old when this picture was taken. He is now close to five years old but just as cute! He is a shitzu and japanese spitz cross.

Artwork: Kandinsky and Tulips - The Painting

2006-02-06T00:26:00.000-08:00

24x30 acrylic on canvas

The painting is finished, I posted the 'in-progress' version quite awhile ago. It sat like that for a long time. I finally got going on it once again 4 days ago and now it's finished. I am very happy with the way it turned out. I love the sheer size of it. Every time I look at it, I am reminded of our sunny livingroom in our house in Calgary.

Artwork: Self-Portrait

2006-01-22T21:10:00.000-08:00

5x5 mixed media on pastel paper

Illustration Friday: Cats

2006-01-21T18:30:00.000-08:00

I had these two cat illustrations to go with this weeks theme. The cat on the ball is watercolor, pencil crayon and ink on watercolor paper. The sweet dreams cat is drawn in ink and pencil crayon on the back of an envelope.

The cat on the ball illustration will become an acrylic painting on canvas for my niece Kennedy who will be 6 months old next Friday.

Artwork: Follow Your Heart

2006-01-21T18:03:00.000-08:00

This painting, like "Beyond Imagination" was created in

the "Your Creative Soul" course. It is one of my favorites because
it is so dynamic and spontaneous.

Artwork: Chickadee's Dream Painting

2006-01-16T22:18:00.000-08:00

12x16 acrylic on canvas

This is the completed painting from my Chickadee's Dream
illustration (posted previously). I am quite pleased with it and I LOVE the colors.

Illustration Friday: Imagine Santa in Space ...

2005-12-19T13:48:00.000-08:00

Imagine ... Santa in space, delivering toys to the galaxy!

Artwork: More Kandinsky and Tulips

2005-12-18T00:55:00.000-08:00

This is the pastel study I did of the Kandinsky and Tulips photograph as a mock-up for the acrylic painting I am working on. The painting is still in the 'not so pretty' stage as basically I have only blocked in the main colors as an underpainting. I will post the painting again as I progress.

Artwork: Kandinsky and Tulips

2005-12-12T23:36:00.000-08:00

This is a photograph I took last year in my living room. The tulips were a surprise from my husband. I love the way the sunlight filters through them and the way they 'pop' against the bright colors in the Kandinsky painting in the background. This photo has been filtered in photoshop and printed on Velour Paper. I have also created a pastel piece of this image and I am currently working on an 24x30 acrylic on canvas.
© Rachelle Baum

Illustration Friday: Surprise

2005-12-09T20:55:00.000-08:00

SURPRISE!

I have a present under my tree for you!!

Merry Christmas

Artwork: Emily Buys A Daisy

2005-12-09T18:45:00.000-08:00

Here is what Emily has been up to. This is the background and foreground for the "Emily" artwork I posted earlier. It is an ink drawing that was colored and 'fixed' up in Photoshop.

© Rachelle Baum

Artwork: Emily

2005-12-09T04:04:00.000-08:00

My latest creation is "Emily". She started out as an ink drawing that was scanned into Photoshop. I'm thrilled with the way she has turned out. She is going to be part of a larger illustration where she will be carrying a big flower pot. Stay tuned. I'll post it all as soon as I am done.

© Rachelle Baum

Artwork: Beyond Imagination (giclee print for sale on etsy)

2005-12-07T13:59:00.000-08:00

This is the original painting I did last year that inspired my "Blue" Illustration Friday post. I painted it during a class called "Your Creative Soul". It was done entirely without a paintbrush. This course was FANTASTIC and had a huge impact on me. I learned so much about creating for the pure joy of it. I learned to stop judging my work and to just HAVE FUN!

This is the course synopsis for Your Creative Soul:
"Recognize and have confidence in your own creative potential. What begins in the art room spills over into the rest of your life. Experience simple and playful methods to inspire your artistic self. Unusual and inexpensive materials are used to remove the fear created by 'masterpiece mind-set'. The 3-hour sessions include creating intuitive paintings from internal images and ideas, the true use of rulers (great paint spreaders and mixers), and music inspired work. All supplies included."

Quote: Embrace your uniqueness ...

2005-12-07T03:51:00.000-08:00

"Embrace your uniqueness. Time is too short to be living someone else's life."
~Kobi Yamada

Illustration Friday: Blue

2005-12-06T17:06:00.000-08:00

This is what I imagine the Milky Way would like if you were flying through it ...
it's on my list of things to do!

I extracted the image from one of my paintings titled "Beyond Imagination". This image has been heavily filtered in Photoshop.

Artwork: Three Wise Snowmen

2005-11-22T22:55:00.000-08:00

One day, I created a little snowman made out of socks (new, clean socks!). He was so CUTE that I decided to draw his portrait ... this is the result. How could you resist the charms of such a fine fellow?

Artwork: Jake Throws a Party

2005-11-22T16:58:00.000-08:00

Illustration Friday: Free (Chickadee's Dream)

2005-11-21T20:57:00.000-08:00

Last night I created Chickadee's Dream and thought
that it fit well with this weeks Illustration Friday theme of "Free".

My Beautiful Studio

2005-11-21T12:44:00.000-08:00

SNUGgery~

This is my beautiful studio. An entire room dedicated to making art and creations of all kinds! The name Snuggery was borrowed from Eleanor Roosevelt. It just seemed to fit.

I have long been fascinated with Artist's Studios. It's fun to get a glimpse into the private working space of the creator. I am always delighted when I find artist's that have posted pictures of their studios online for everyone to enjoy.

I noticed Holly ~ Creative Blend had a picture of her studio posted. She also has links to other bloggers with studio shots.

Author of Everyday Matters, Danny Gregory wrote ...
"I see from your blog that you like artists studios, I posted a little thing about books I like and the last one is of a book entirely of Francis Bacons studio. Check it out at ..."
25 Books of the Year

Check it out. The books are FASCINATING. Also look into his new book The Creative License: Giving Yourself Permission to Be the Artist You Truly Are that is coming out in January 2006. I can hardly wait to get my hands on a copy!! He taught himself to draw and his illustration style is definitely EYE CANDY.

Illustration Friday: Free

2005-11-19T02:40:00.000-08:00

FrEE:

My first submission to Illustration Friday. The original is 12x12 conte, charcoal and ink on paper.

Wouldn't you just love to be as FREE as a bird?

© Copyright Rachelle Baum