Painting Bliss

Doodle a Day May

 

 

I'm an Instagram addict... I have nearly pulled myself from every social network, only visiting my facebook fan page to post my blog posts and that is it. There is no scrolling through peoples business, reading tweets, or whatever time stealing places... except Instagram... because I love the community of artists there and the ability to share my love of photography. '

 

(Prompt Word - Lunar)

 

While sliding down the list of images the other day I noticed that an artist I follow was participating in a little Instagram daily doodle prompt where each day of the month has a prompt word to ignite the creative soul. Of course I inquired and was led to the list and am now participating the best I can with a busy artistic and mommy schedule. I may miss a day here and there but I am attempting to participate as much as possible. I like the way it provokes my thought and how I end up with a piece of art I hadn't planned out in the first place. Also a sweet way to stock the ol' Etsy shop!

 

(Word Prompt - What your Eating)

 

I have thought about offering you a weekly word prompt for some time now... you can take the word in any way you want and create something... it doesn't even have to be visual! You can write a poem or something! The world is your playground! Before I go ahead and jump on that band wagon, what do you think? I am interested in hearing your opinion!

 

So hey, if you like either of those pieces and just know you need them in your life... they are right here!

 

 

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The Art Project of Houston

 

 

 

Graffiti art IS art. It's an amazingly colorful and inspiring medium I have completely no understanding of. The idea of using different tips on the end of spray cans to complete a larger than life perfectly blended piece of art just blows my mind. Who knows, maybe someday I will have the opportunity of trying out some can art!

After poppin' tags at the nearest thrift outlet we took a hop, skip, and not even a jump to a series of buildings amazingly decorated with works of evolving and ever changing art. This project is called the Houston Art Project, supported by the Bread of Life and funded by the Rice University.

Jax and I wandered down paint laden corridors as we talked in our best white girl street slang. Cameras snapping and lines like "I'll pop a cap in yo ass" echoed off the walls.

Here are images I took at the Houston Art Project. I was blown away at every turn, by every new amazing piece of WOW!

 

 

 

 

 I told Jax I would pay her a whole dollar to lay on one of those couches, but she declined (come on! lol).

In my opinion every town, city, and place should donate an abandoned building to this sort for cause. Not only is the cause great, but the public gets to experience graffiti art in a positive light.

 

Painting the Zodiac

 

 

 In between page spreads I am starting a little side project... probably silly as I have other deadlines looming around me... but you must always work on what you are inspired to create even when there is little time to create it.

And so, I have decided to paint the zodiac signs into little character girls. Something a little mindless, cute, and easy to fit in between other paint stroked paper projects. I'm enjoying being artistically consumed, it's exciting and inspiring to have so many things going on even though at times my poor little brain swells and wonders if it will pop! In the end, it always works out. It has yet not to.

 

 

 

A Portrait and Pride

 

In the past I have done a few playful portraits, nothing serious though. I had the pleasure of drawing a caricture of miss Polly from The Enchanted Pixie, and Lovely Laura from The Blue Eyed Night Owl. Their portraits came out beautiful and I loved them! But I went with carictures of them because I was too nervous and hesitant to do a true to life portrait. We can't live our life in fear right? No! Easier said than done I know, but if you never let fear go and continue not trusting yourself, then how will you grow? You won't.... so I trusted and was amazed by what I had the capability of achieving. Tooting own horn? Yeah maybe, it's healthy to toot your horn once in awhile! Toot Toot!

 

 

 

Last week I received a commission from a really sweet and friendly woman looking to have a piece done similar to one that had sold a few hours before on Etsy. I gladly told her I would love to and we started chatting about what she would like to see. Moments later she sent me a beautiful photograph of her daughter for inspiration. Inspired it did for almost instantly I saw what was to be created! Running it past her, she was completely excited to "trust the artist".

Being so excited and inspired, I was able to finish the piece quite quickly! This portrait isn't a caricature but a true to life depiction. I only made a few minor changes such as giving her a wee bit more of a smile, placing her in a dress, and of course the background and flowers.

Now, I'm not showing the entire piece today as I want it to be a surprise to the little girls mom... so I promise soon, but for now enjoy the sneaky peeks!

 

 

 

I'm really proud of this piece and super elated the mom of this shiny soul thinks it's so beautiful. I thank her for the opportunity to see what my skills were capable of producing. I hope to have future opportunities with such success!

 

 

91 Years is a Grand Long Time

 

 

My grandmother turns 91 in just a few days. I don't get to see her very often, but had the happy opportunity to do so yesterday. I spent time holding her hand, sharing hugs, and loving smiles. I miss our relationship, the way it used to be. Age is such a horrible thing, she cycles now in her mind and forgets so very easily. She is beautiful, and I love her. We had her favorite cake that my mom made, chocolate cake with homemade whipped cream. I couldn't believe after all the intimate years we shared, that I didn't know that. I'm the type of person that values knowing how someone takes their coffee/tea, I like to know favorites as well. I pride myself in remembering these things so when I can make someones beverage or favorite something for them they will know that I remembered and that I remembered because I love them and it was important to me.

My youngest helped blow out her candles and I made sure to wait until last when gifts were presented. I had painted a piece of art for her. I hadn't given her artwork since I was a child!

When I was young she had a canary named Rudy, he sang all the time... especially to the t.v. when it was on. She always had a love for canaries, so I felt it only right to create one for her.

The words I came up with, came naturally and quickly. I just seemed to know what it should say.

 

 

 

 

This piece will be available via my Etsy shop as prints and note cards in the near future!

 

 

My Week Through The Eyes of Instagram 2/10 - 1/17

 

This past week brought a beautiful bouquet of flowers, a spring-like day, and lots of artwork. Every single morning is spent not on the computer but with my watercolors, coffee, and other assorted art materials. The cat and I fight over my paint water, I dip my brush into the water just past his face as he slurps up what he thinks is deliciousness. Silly cat! Painting every single day is doing wonders for my skill. With each piece I see improvement where I thought there was no improvement before. Sounds a little conceited I think, for an artist is always improving and growing. I'm in love with my new work and soon the Etsy shop will be filled with a plethora of new pieces.

 

Like my photographs? Follow me via @Paintingbliss on Instagram

Thank you :)

My Week Through The Eyes of Instagram 2/3 - 1/10

 

 

“the buddhists say there are 149 ways to god. i'm not looking for god, only for myself, and that is far more complicated.” ~ Jeanette Winterson, Sexing the Cherry

 

 

 

If you enjoy my work and/or photographs feel free to follow me @paintingbliss via Instagram

“We can't be afraid of change. You may feel very secure in the pond that you are in, but if you never venture out of it, you will never know that there is such a thing as an ocean, a sea. Holding onto something that is good for you now, may be the very reason why you don't have something better.”

~ C. Joybell C.

 

 

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New Work and Some Artist Chatter

 

I have been really busy drawing, just letting myself be completely me.  I think most of the time, even though being so extroverted (secretly introverted), it's hard to just allow myself to let myself go. Go as in just allow the work to flow uninhibited from me. My inner critic tends to say mean things and I believe him. He goes on to add comments I didn't ask for and I end up doing something beautiful but not fully Ashlie.

If I'm being honest I have also been really nervous seeing what exactly me is... and the nerves add to worry because switching gears is scary!

Scary, none the less... I can't hold back. I have had such wonderful (thank you so freaking much) reception for my new work on Instagram, and now here on the blog that you all are just showing me critic or no inner critic that I am on the right path. In fact, I have never had so many comments and glowing remarks! Bllluuuusssh you guys!

There are several drawings piling up now and today although yesterday I shared new work... I am showing you more! All of these I am piling up until there is enough to revamp the Etsy shop.

To help clear out the shop or at least make it so that my book of art isn't so full and unappreciated, I am offering a -

25% off coupon

- to my etsy shop on anything you wish.

Just use the coupon code BEYOU upon check out and thank you in advance for anyone who actually uses it.

So onto new work...

 

"We Make"

8x10

Pen and Watercolor

 

 

 

As I mentioned yesterday, prints to come! Of course I will let you know when ;) I hope you enjoy this new piece as much as I do. I'm feeling very inspired and very much like a spring bloom unfurling one petal at a time.

 

New Work - " The Collector "

 

 

 

 

"The Collector"

8x10 Pen and Watercolor

Prints to Come

 

 

 

 

My Week Through The Eyes of Instagram 1/21 - 1/27

 

 

 

 











If you enjoy my instagrams and would like to follow me you may do so @Paintingbliss