Getting Back to Basics

Tomorrow I will be returning to Mad Men county....yeesss, back to advertising land.

Honestly speaking, I am completely thankful for this time off because it offered me an opportunity to get back to my art and to feel inspired and happy again.

Here are some things I had the chance to dooooo....

I submitted some artwork to a contest....too bad they didn't get selected....hahaha.... :S
Oh well, it was a good try:

Then, I practiced my drawing skills a little bit.....eeek.....

And to my surprise, I started painting again....

...not to mention, I started this blog because SJ wanted us to do it. :)

SJ's Writing Assignment

Recently, SJ (my good friend...and *cough* *cough* blogging partner..haha) got into teacher's college and had to write a story about herself.  Being the creative person that she is, she wrote it like a children's book and her talented sister Ann illustrated a few pictures.

For those of you who know SJ, her sister did an amazing job capturing all the subtleties and details. 

Please click on each image for larger view.

Scandinavian Animals at the Fair -- Matryoshka Dolls ~ Set 1

This is the 1st set of Matryoshka dolls that I've painted.  In all honesty, I have not touched a paint brush in 10 or so years and I must confess I have now completely fallen back in love with it.  Most art pieces that I've painted in the past are mostly "functional" vs. canvases, and this is no exception.

I will not take credit for this idea because it was originally inspired by Irina Troitskaya who's work is ever lovely and flawless. 

Lastly, I usually never keep what I paint, so needless to say, this set of sweet-toothed arctic animals are now safe and sound in Umeå, Sverige, keeping a lovely little Prince company throughout the winter months. ;)

Here's the entire process, from start to finish.....

Rough Sketches and Colour Study:

 Here they are unpainted:

Base coat:

Sketched and outlined:

Colouring in each animal:

After varnishing... too bad I over varnished as there are some yellow banding on the Arctic Fox, Snow Owl and Snow Hare...... *sigh*:

Personalized message at the bottom:

Here they are getting ready for their long journey:

Filles et Garcons -- par Anatole France

Yesterday I fell in love with a beautiful yet fragile book from the U of T book sale.

Here are some illustrations by MB. de Monvel.

This is my favourite one called "L'Artiste":

This one reminds me of SJ ;) :

Framing Completed!

Finally, all the art pieces have been framed.

I am extremely happy with the way the taxidermy vintage Pillsbury dolls have turned out.

Here they are.....! :)

Here are some of my other art that needs to be hung...

Happy Friday!

Moments in Kraków.....

Was it a dream?
Here are yet some more of my moments in Poland...

By day...

Coffee and snacks at a café:

One of the best things about places in Kraków is that the walls are often adorned with old photographs:

By Night...

The best kielbasa in the world (I wish we had this here):

Playing Scopa by candlelight at a cozy bar: