Paintings for Christmas presents

     With the Christmas season approaching a my wife and I having a young baby I knew gift giving would have to be different this year. I began to think of things to give to my family members that would really mean something, and not just be mere material items. I really put my thought and heart into what I decided to give the family, and this year giving those gifts was the most exciting part rather than receptivity new things. 

     Watching my daughter on her first Christmas interacting with her cousin Juliette, unwrapping gifts and being hugged ad kissed by her grandparents, uncles, aunts, ad cousins was so sweet and memorable. For my father-in-law I painted a rustic farm scene. I created a nativity scene for my mother-in-law. My brother-in-laws are both athletes and I created a caricature ad a patriotic painting. My sister-in-law received two watercolor paintings one of the koi previously posted ad another of some orchids previously posted from Lewis Ginter. My mother received another orchid painting and pastel apple still life and my father an Irish farm pasture.

Adventures in moleskine sketch journaling

     Recently I have decided to take up journaling, but as an artist of course this task could not simply include writing. For the last three days I have been writing personal entries as well as logging pen sketches/illustrations to suite the writing, to match my mood, style, or simply amusing page filler. I have seen that there are many illustrators out there keeping up with their thoughts and creative juices on the go this way. 

     For my journal I chose a small format hard-bound sketchbook with a canvas cover rather than a traditional moleskine brand to avoid the cost as this is a new venture for me. More than anything I hope to blend the water color sketching as week as other mediums into a single place so I can inspire myself to strive for better skill and increased work output. Hopefully beyond theses exercises, new projects will come to light all while letting me get my thoughts out as well. I am also uploading some teasers of the artwork so far.

Updated bro caricature with color

I took some time I refine my caricature drawing of my brother working at bobs sport shop. Looks like I haven't forgotten how to use colors even though it's been awhile. Whew o_0.