Christy DeKoning - Travels in Watercolor

The wait is over!

2012-02-02T15:45:00.000-05:00

You've been so patient!

I cannot believe how fortunate I've been in the last year.

After taking the plunge (and the water was deep!) and opening my very own

art gallery and espresso cafe last year, I took a sabbatical from portrait painting.

I've received so many emails, asking when I might be able to start painting again.

I'm happy to announce that the wait is over (almost) - this summer I will be working away at the wait list and accepting new commissions.

and of course, if you find yourself in Chatham, stop in and see me at DeKoKo's!

I look forward to hearing from you!

~ Christy

Where in the world?

2011-09-05T14:28:00.001-04:00

Hmmm, where in the world have I been?

Lately I've been hanging out at my new Espresso Bar & Art Gallery: DeKoKo's!

But it seems that my work has been popping up in different places while I've been occupied elsewhere - and who am I to complain about that!!!

This week I can be found at Heartful Art in a post about ACEOs.

Also, later in the week you might see my work over at Digital Designers on Etsy.

And you can usually find me in a treasury. This week, my favourite is Wine-ought!

~ later!

christy

New miniature landscapes

2011-04-06T14:15:00.000-04:00

I am taking a sabbatical from portrait commissions this year, and as a result I have two new miniature landscapes in *ACEO format.

Each one a response to some memory I hold dear.

Each one a mix of media: watercolour and conte crayon.

Each one a little burst of emotion.

"Somewhere Out There"
2.5 x 3.5 inches
watercolour & conte crayon on 300lb cold press paper

"Sienna Lake"
2.5 x 3.5 inches
watercolour & conte crayon on 300lb cold press paper

*ACEO = Art Cards, Editions & Originals

(little works of art exactly 2.5 x 3.5 inches)

Etsy "Front Page Material" for 2011

2011-04-03T12:31:00.000-04:00

It's always fun to see your items on the front page of Etsy. I used to receive notifications on Facebook whenever my work was featured - but I seem to have lost that functionality (probably due to my own misguided fiddling with code and/or permissions!) so I thought it would be fun to show off a few of the front pages from 2011 that I've had a spot in... not to mention, I thought you could use a really long run-on sentence just to shake things up a bit!

We'll start with yesterday:

... and then "little blue bird" was once again an alternate on March 1st, so I've included the slide show which also features the alternates:

This is from February 1st:

And my first front-page entry of the year - January 11:

Watercolour on canvas projects

2011-03-19T10:17:00.000-04:00

Watercolour on canvas projects.

More fun with canvas, this time using the new

watercolour ground by Daniel Smith to prepare the surface for watercolours.

I tested it out and found that, unlike Absorbent Ground by Golden, the paints do not become dulled by being absorbed into the canvas too much.

And look at the beautiful wet-in-wet techniques you can achieve now!

I added fluid acrylic to some of these projects,

and the spots of gold are Iridescent Sunstone watercolour paint by Daniel Smith

bunny (untitled) 4x4 inches, watercolour on canvas

the "canvas" wall of my studio - note my butterfly is hanging on its side
as a reminder for me to fix it!

abstract flowers, untitled, 8x10 watercolour and fluid acrylic on canvas

more abstract flowers (untitled) 4x4 inches, watercolour & fluid acrylic on canvas

The results of experimenting with different mediums on canvas - these simple designs are
works in progress. Some may never be finished, others might make it off the shelf someday!

Illustrations and a pinback button maker

2011-03-05T14:27:00.000-05:00

Illustrations

I have a tendency to doodle.

a lot.

So you can imagine what happened when I bought a button maker...

The fun of doodling within a constrained size (1") and playing with ink and coloured pencils!

Holy Pigment Batman! Check out the paint from Daniel Smith...

2011-01-28T12:05:00.003-05:00

Okay, you all know how much I love Daniel Smith Watercolours.
It's no secret.

The pigment is incredible, they have exclusive colours created from genuine gemstones (like Sleeping Beauty Turquoise from, you guessed it, Sleeping Beauty Mountain in Arizona)

I also love getting mail, and when I opened up a package of 238 colour dots from Daniel Smith, well, I was pretty excited. The next blog post from me will most likely show you all the little paintings I create from some of the colours I've never tried before. Like Moonglow, for example.

My long-term goals include creating a project book from my own work. I have to say, though, that I'm a little backed up. So if you have a yen to try your hand at watercolour and need a little guidance, may I suggest the new Project Book from Daniel Smith? The book contains 21 different projects and is accompanied by step-by-step DVD demonstrations for each project.

You have 3 different price options:

1) - just the book and dvd for $16.95

2) - the book, dvd, and 54 paint dots for $19.95

3) - the complete starter kit for $26.95 - you absolutely cannot go wrong with this one if you are just starting out - here's what you get:

The book and dvd
Color Dot Cards with 54 try-it size paint dots— contain enough paint to do your project
Size 5 Round Watercolor Brush
Plastic 10-well Palette and
10 5" x 7" Watercolor Cards
1/4 sheet of Tracing Paper

Each project is a painting designed to highlight three specific colors of DANIEL SMITH Watercolor. Subjects include flowers, fruit, birds, leaves, ribbons, landscapes, a sailboat, a zebra and a stained glass window. Each color is pictured and described, with pigment, granulation and transparency information. There’s a sketch for you to copy, and a finished example for you to follow. As you do the projects, you’ll learn about each color’s attributes and see how to use them effectively. With the Project Book and DVD, you’ll have fun increasing your knowledge of paints and color combinations.

And when you're done, let me know what you create! I'd love to see it. You can even post it to my Facebook Page!

In Search of: the perfect Bar Stool for painting while standing.

2011-01-27T15:03:00.000-05:00

My old bar stool finally kicked the bucket. I was leaning back on it, admiring my latest brush strokes, when I heard an ominous "click". No, not the deafening CRACK you might expect that would precede me falling backwards, arms flailing... just a "click", then a "huh?" and then, of course, me grasping for a handhold.

I'm so glad that my friends weren't around with their cameras.

So now I'm looking for a new place to park my rear while I paint in a quasi-standing position. I've checked out the local thrift stores and so far, nothing. It needs to be just the right height, with specific lean-to-standing ratio. If that is really a ratio, I'm not sure - but I'll know when I see it.

I've started looking online at all the modern bar stools available to ship to Canada. And I confess, I'm loving the selection. I'll keep you posted on what I come up with.

In other news, I've finished up the last of my "large" painting commissions this week. As some of you may have heard, I am no longer taking on any commissions larger than 8x10 inches. And that might get smaller and smaller as I focus more on the important things in my life.

Like tiny paintings that make me happy...
.... and a really good cup of coffee!

Paper Trails, Whiskers, and Cats who wear clothes...

2011-01-17T18:04:00.000-05:00

"300lb Cold Press ACEO Blanks" available at christydekoning.etsy.com

I'm often asked about my tools, surfaces and supplies.

When it comes to surfaces, there are so many factors to ask yourself:

"what do I want to achieve?"

"what tools will I use?"

"will the medium be wet or dry?"

"rough or smooth?"

and the list goes on!

But what if you just want something of absolute quality that you can do almost anything to?

Then I recommend Arches 300lb cold press paper.

You don't have to stretch it.

You can paint with almost any medium on it (not just watercolour)

You can print on it.

You can collage on it.

You can scratch out details and not go right through it.

It won't buckle.

It will last a VERY long time (it's archival).

So I've put together a little pack of 10 ACEO size sheets and 10 clear ACEO sleeves

for you to get creative with.

Make sure you let me know what you come up with!

A fun commission that finished off 2010 for me - two cats, two personalities, and a whole lot of fun.

opportunity

2011-01-04T11:43:00.001-05:00

opportunity, originally uploaded by christydekoning.

A New Year.
A fresh decade.
A world of opportunity
awaits you.

Will I blog more in 2011?
I don't know.
I find Facebook and Twitter easier.

What are your thoughts,
your plans,
your wishes,
your dreams,
your realities?

New ACEO landscapes and seascapes in my Etsy shop

2010-11-28T23:08:00.000-05:00

Just listed!

4 ACEO size giclee prints, listed for the first time.

"Sea, Sand & Dunes" seascape ACEO print by Christy DeKoning

"Sea, Sand & Dunes" was painted many years ago after returning from a trip to my childhood home of Coolum Beach in Queensland, Australia. I've tidied up the print and I'm very pleased with it. This print is also available in larger sizes.

"Lighthouse on the Hill" ACEO print by Christy DeKoning

One of my very early landscapes features a lighthouse and the keeper's cottage on top of a grassy hill with the sea in the distance. I've always been fond of this painting!

"Rose Bay" ACEO print by Christy DeKoning

"Rose Bay" features a seascape of the boats docked in Sydney Harbour on a dazzling sunlit morning. Painted earlier this year.

"Sunset on the Farm" ACEO landscape print by Christy DeKoning

You may recall seeing this painting a couple years ago. I've cropped it to suit ACEO dimensions and it has a fresh life!

A little something new

2010-11-25T11:10:00.000-05:00

A little something new

A little something pretty

A little bit of fancy

A silly little ditty

"Fiona Takes a Walk"
original ACEO illustration
ink & watercolor
$20 at Etsy.com

Horsing Around with Custom Note Cards

2010-11-16T13:38:00.000-05:00

I had a request for Horse Note Cards yesterday - and I thought I should mention that I can make note cards from any of my original paintings and designs.

Time for a new listing, you say?

Yes!

I'll just "throw it on the pile, I guess" (a favourite quote of mine from Ratatouille, probably heard too often in our household)

So what do you get when you order custom note cards from Christy?

For $12, you receive 6 cards (about 4x5 inches) printed with your favourite image from my collection, plus envelopes, plus 6 handmade seals to match the images you selected.

Can you mix & match the images?

ABSOLUTELY!

What if I want more than 6, you ask?

For $20, I'll make it a pack of 12.

I've made this pretty simple. Here's the custom notecard listing ...

Now the hardest part will be choosing your designs!

"Santa Baby" emperor penguin (or how I had fun with glitter)

2010-10-30T21:46:00.000-04:00

"Santa Baby"

Penguin, that is.

I decided, on a whim, to print a giclee of my baby penguin... with the Santa hat I added last year for Christmas cards ... and then to cover the red of the hat with micro glitter.

WOW!

that's all I can say.

I keep walking past this ACEO print in my studio, and when the light catches the glitter - it's stunning.

I love happy whims :-)

(I loved it so much that I printed the same painting at 8.5 x 11 inches, and went glitter-crazed on it too)

baby boy blue watercolor portrait

2010-10-18T18:59:00.000-04:00

6x6 watercolour portrait of a baby boy in blue.

I love how Manganese Blue granulates - see the texture in the background?

ah, the simple pleasures of paint.

Audacious? Me?

2010-10-12T12:17:00.002-04:00

"Start with a whisk and end with a broom." ~ John Singer Sargent

"10 seconds"
24x30 inches
watercolour on canvas

"Creativity means thinking on your feet, making adjustments and sorties as you go along, advancing commitment as well as erasure. Unless you express your wishes, however modestly or timidly, you may never know your power. Your general overall theme may be audacious, even simply audacious, but it is the final, well-planned flourishes that will help your work to fly."

~ Robert Genn

That inspiring message was in my inbox today, and it came at a wonderful moment for me because I am adding the final touches to a piece I'm entering into "Eye for Art" today. I had literally been standing there, paintbrush in one hand and wet rag (for erasing) in the other. Was it finished? Did it need a little more depth? Once I sorted out those final adjustments, I took a break and read my messages.

I've been told, on occasion, that I'm not lacking in audacity *grin*... so while thinking along those lines I pondered some possible titles I'd jotted down to go with this painting.

After much scribbling, erasing, staring at the painting, staring vacantly out the window, people watching, coffee, etc, I was satisfied with a title. Originally I was planning a series of paintings with the theme "Fiction" but as this piece seems to stand alone now, I wanted a more relevant, mysterious, funny, and even (dare I say it) more audacious title.

You can view the work-in-progress of "10 Seconds" in my previous blog post.

The tech specs:
24"x30"
watercolour on canvas
This entire painting was completed using only my Yarka #10 squirrel brush. I've found that when working on watercolour canvas, I achieve the best results with a natural fibre brush.
Paints by Daniel Smith, naturally. Basically I used Naphthamide Maroon, Quinacridone Burnt Orange, and Indanthrone Blue with a few added punches of colour.

The painting has now been sealed, and is ready to be delivered to the Thames Art Gallery for jurying today. I'm satisfied with the end result, and although it will be under the critical review of others very shortly, I feel no apprehension or nervousness.

This was painted for me, not the judges, and I stayed true to myself.

Would you like to receive Robert Genn's twice-weekly letters too? Visit his website, The Painter's Keys, and sign up!

Let's Get Primitive

2010-10-10T14:32:00.000-04:00

The Primitive Collection available only at www.christydekoning.etsy.com

Things got a little primitive at my place this week.

While playing and painting with my youngest son, I squeezed out just a little too much Duochrome Saguaro Green iridescent paint

(I love this stuff - shimmery gold green watercolour available exclusively from DanielSmith.com)

What's a girl to do?

Get messy, I say!

I had a sheet of hot pressed watercolour paper handy, and using a #4 round I just let the paint do what it wanted to. Loading up the brush with lots of juicy wet paint, I didn't worry about the end result, preferring to relax and let the brushstrokes do the talking.

What I ended up with was a pretty fun mix of primitive folk-art style creatures that I cut into ACEO cards.

Each one is numbered :

"Primitive #1 (the fish)

"Primitive #2" (turtle top left)

"Primitive #3"(lizards)

and "Primitive #4" (turtle top right)

A great exercise in loosening up. Try it!

Buy Handmade Gifts this Christmas!

Are you thinking about Christmas?

2010-10-08T14:30:00.000-04:00

I just received an order of art cards in the mail. I love how they were packed in their own little jewel case, which will keep them safe and clean until they move on to their new homes.

I chose my "Nutcracker" painting from last Christmas to use as the image on these art cards.
They are standard ACEO size - like a hockey card - 2.5 x 3.5 inches

and the cool part ...
the cards are printed on both sides, and have the same glossy feel as a playing card.

What do you think? You can find them in both my Etsy and ArtFire shops!

Buy Handmade Gifts this Christmas!

An Event!

2010-10-01T10:32:00.000-04:00

I'm in the middle of planning an event.

This is a big thing for me, because planning and organizing are not my strongest points.

I'm really good at showing up and making the best of any situation.

I'm the kind of girl who can make dinner in 5 minutes out of 2 ingredients

but give me all day to prepare

and I'll have done everything BUT make dinner

until 5 minutes before the guests arrive.

So the only way this is working for me is to just jump in and pretend it's happening tomorrow.

I've made phone calls, I've designed the poster, I've sent the ticket design to the printer and I've (somewhat) organized entertainment for the night. Thankfully I have two amazingly organized women leading the wagon here or who knows where our event might end up...

So what's the big deal? It's HUGE (well, in my world it is, anyway). On December 1, 2010 from 6pm to 9pm the Chatham-Kent Etsy Team will be presenting "An Evening at The Mansion". It will be an indulgent night of shopping for the finest quality handmade gifts in one of Chatham's most historical homes. The Mansion on Victoria was built in 1875 for the then Lord Mayor of Chatham. From their website: "The Mansion's original grandeur will charm and romance with its luxury and elegance. Complete with amenities of the discerning traveler, The Mansion is located on a beautiful tree lined street on one of Chatham's most prestigious avenue." Operating now as a B&B, for those who wish to come from afar for this event, why not stay at The Mansion?

As the event draws closer, I'll have more news for you on who will be exhibiting their work, what kind of entertainment, and the down-low on refreshments (aren't you glad I'm not cooking for this?)

For now, it's time to get back to work. Painting, that is.

I'm confident that my trusty CK Etsy team cohorts, Brenda Braun and Ann Kirkham, will give me a kick if I get preoccupied organizing my sock drawer and fall behind with my duties...

Allegro original butterfly painting

2010-09-16T12:04:00.002-04:00

Allegro original butterfly painting. Available for purchase here: www.christydekoning.etsy.com

Have I mentioned lately how much I'm enjoying working on canvas? I can manipulate the paint in any direction, lay it on thick, or dilute it by (literally) taking the shower head to it.

It withstands scrubbing, scraping, and all-round abuse. And if you don't like the way a painting is going, throw it in the shower with a scrubber (I like the little plastic surgical nail brushes) and start all over again. A wonderful platform for releasing one's artistic frustrations!

"Allegro" is a mixed media painting on 12x12 inch canvas, composed of watercolour, gouache, and a whole lot of movement (pushing and pulling the paint, dripping, and playing with light)

allegro |əˈlegrō| Music
"A direction to play lively and fast"

ORIGIN Italian, literally ‘lively, gay.’

Road Trip to Cooperstown (or a long way to drive for the love of John Singer Sargent)

2010-09-10T00:00:00.012-04:00

"Lady Agnew" - watercolour study by Christy DeKoning
of John Singer Sargent's work in oil: "Lady Agnew of Lochnaw"

I'm going on a road trip today - to Cooperstown, New York.

Not for the Baseball Hall of Fame, either.

So the question everyone asks is: why go there, if not for the love of the game?

My answer is short and sweet: John Singer Sargent

He was best known for his amazing oil portraits of prominent women at the turn of the century (last century, that is!)

I'll include a few of his watercolours here, because, after all, that is what you're here for, right?

His most famous (infamous) painting was of Madame Gautreau

- often referred to as "Madame X" - (you can google it) -

but I love this reference sketch, painted in watercolour:

Portrait of Madame Gautreau - 1883 John Singer SargentWatercolor on paper 35.5 x 25.2 cm

The Garden Wall John Singer Sargent -- 1910Transparent and opaque watercolor over graphite, with wax resist, on paper40 x 52.7 cm (15 3/4 x 20 3/4 in.)

The Green Dress John Singer Sargent -- 1912 Watercolor on paper 42 x 32 cm (16 1/2 x 12 5/8 in.)

And here are some of my favourites in oil. The moody and perfect "Repose":

(oh, how I love his use of blue)

Repose (Nonchaloire)John Singer Sargent -- 1911 Oil on canvas 63.8 x 76.2 cm (25 1/8 x 30 in.) The model is Sargent's niece, Rose-Marie Ormond Michel.

and of course, the intriguing, mysterious Lady Agnew:

Lady Agnew of Lochnaw John Singer Sargent -- 1892-93
Oil on canvas
124.5 x 99.7 cm (49 x 39 1/4 in.)

I'll be back on Monday, with photos and an account of our trip.
Till then, enjoy your own travels in watercolour!

Miniature canvas painting three ways

2010-09-08T01:00:00.001-04:00

I've had a miniature canvas primed in orange and ready for painting for, oh, about 2 years.

In moving into my new studio, I picked it up (unfinished) for the last time - this was NOT going to be put away again.

So I started with blue at the top, and worked my way down to a lavender softness, ending with a warm punch of terracotta. Then I put it aside to see what I can create from the chaos. I see a wave formation in the top left, as if we are looking at the sea from a little higher up on a dune, maybe. I could finish this off with a bit of Titanium White or gouache for the whitecaps of the waves, and some tall grass or flowers in the foreground.

By the way, if you're wondering, the base coat on this miniature canvas is acrylic and I'm painting directly over the acrylic with watercolour - which means I must use opaque white. It also means I'll use an acrylic sealer to finish it off and make the colours pop again.

But before I put this aside, I rotated the photos a couple times. I kind of like it on a vertical plane.

... and doesn't it look great flipped upside down?

Now it's a gorgeous sky over the ocean.

Or a cityscape painting (with more details added)

Oh the choices!

What do you see when you look at these? This is a great exercise for those of you who are trying to loosen up with your painting. Don't try to "make" something right away. Just let the colours mix, and then do some "cloud-watching" as I like to call it.

And you can pick up these cool miniature canvases at Blick Art Materials (just enter "mini canvas" in the search box) along with little easels to hold them!

A new studio for Christy!

2010-09-06T18:13:00.000-04:00

Here it is - my new studio!

I haven't finished moving in, but it's enough to get back to work.

In no order whatsoever, here is a list of improvements:

I can people-watch.

I can print IN THE SAME ROOM.

Loads of natural light.

I can people-watch.

I can cut mats IN THE SAME ROOM.

I have a corner devoted entirely to portrait sittings,

with enough privacy for nude work.

(or, I can have a little nap)

Did I mention I can people-watch?

I can pack up orders and prepare shipments IN THE SAME ROOM.

I can close the door.

I can make as big of a mess as I want to (because I can close the door).

...and I can people-watch!

I used to be in the back of my house, where I couldn't even hear people knocking at the door.

Now, I can lean over and decide whether the person at the door is worth going downstairs for

(yes, I'm talking about YOU, Mr. "I-can-lower-your-electricity-bill" guy)

The photos don't really show the depth of colour in the blue I've chosen, but you should get the picture.

The "sitting" area (once I put everything away)

The "shipping" area over on the right, and the "mat cutting" station right in the foreground.
And fuzzy yellow socks for when my feet get cold.

I'm not hanging art just yet, as we might be putting our house up for sale next year.

So the less holes in the plaster walls, the better.

But in the meantime, this new studio is a huge improvement for me.

And one last added bonus - we'll get our dining room back :-)

Sparrow ACEO watercolour painting

2010-08-31T00:00:00.001-04:00

A new Sparrow ACEO painting to help you keep

a little bit of summer with you

all year long.

"Bokeh Sparrow"
original ACEO watercolour by Christy DeKoning
available at christydekoning.etsy.com

"Use the talents you possess -

for the woods would be

a very silent place

if no birds sang

except for the best."

~Henry Van Dyke

Holly Golightly in a different light

2010-08-29T19:48:00.000-04:00

A touch of Tiffany's,

a bit of whimsy,

and a whole lot of Holly Golightly.

This original painting

features a charming waif

with huge green eyes

dressed to kill

as the lovely star of Breakfast at Tiffany's.

"A Touch of Tiffany"
original painting and giclee prints
available at christydekoning.etsy.com

This is the original sketch, and I'm making it available to purchase with the original painting.
And, like all my Audrey Hepburn-inspired art,
10% of the sales go to the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund.

Two Cats

2010-08-26T19:46:00.000-04:00

As some of you know, I've been selling some art at the Ridgetown Farmer's Market this summer.
An unlikely place, you might think, to sell art.

I know I certainly thought so when I gave it a try!

The surprise is, it was a really great change for me - not only does it get me out of my studio once a week, but I've also made new contacts, and sold not only some originals and prints but also received a few small commissions.

Here are two photos of Gambit - a beautiful little cat I was lucky enough to paint for a visiting Vet Tech student.

The second photo was taken before I finished her nose & mouth, but I'm sure you can get the idea.

New ACEO paintings to welcome the weekend

2010-08-20T09:30:00.000-04:00

Two new, original ACEO paintings listed on Etsy today to welcome the weekend.

Enjoy!

"Spring Opera" by Christy DeKoning
2.5 x 3.5 inches
Watercolour ACEO painting

"Beyond the Dunes" by Christy DeKoning

Original small watercolour

ACEO size (2.5 x 3.5 inches)

I was on vacation - really!!!!

2010-08-11T23:57:00.000-04:00

I didn't drop dead from toxic paint fumes... I was away, exploring the Bruce Peninsula and feeding my soul with sparkling crystal clear water, fascinating rock formations, exciting vistas and interesting wildlife.

Once I get to the bottom of my emails and find my desk again, I will have new art to post.

Until then, here's a peek at the lush life I was living:

Caves at Flower Pot Island

Early Morning, Hope Bay

Big Tub Harbour, Tobermory

Nathan in the sand dunes at Kincardine

Watercolour work-in-progress: figurative nude

2010-07-21T18:43:00.000-04:00

Work-in-Progress Wednesday

Figurative Nude on Canvas

charcoal sketch

first wash: idanthrone blue and naphthamide maroon

quinacridone gold

second wash: more of the same

adding quinacridone burnt orange and ultramarine turquoise

third wash: more of the same: adding quinacridone magenta

creating texture and atmosphere: rubbing out with water,

darkening contrasting values

"fiction #1"

24" x 30"

original figurative nude

watercolour on canvas

by christy dekoning

I need to set this aside for at least a day and decide what else it needs (if anything) before I sign it.

New original seascape watercolor painting and a winner for June!

2010-07-16T10:13:00.000-04:00

"Rose Bay"

8x10 inches

watercolour on 300lb cold press paper

One of my favourite places in the world is a little, tucked away spot between Double Bay and Rose Bay in Sydney Harbour called "Redleaf".

The library sits at the top of a hill, by the road.

Then you meander through a garden with palm trees and wooden benches,

to arrive at the steps down to the water.

the "pool" is enclosed by a boardwalk or pier that wraps around an enclosed swimming area.

This is a perfect spot for pulling yourself out of the water

and lying on the warm wooden deck, like an island oasis.

The water is perfect, and the sailboats sparkle and dip in the harbour.

"Rose Bay" is the first in a small series of 8x10 watercolours that I will be painting of the area.

*****

In other news:

I sat down at my desk this morning and looked at the date.
I mean, REALLY looked.

July 16.

So I started thinking, "did I draw Pam's name only 2 weeks ago?"

.... then I started looking back through my posts,
and the reality hit me.
Yes, time is flying by much faster than I initially suspected!

Pam was the MAY winner, and no, I hadn't drawn a name for June.
*hangs head*

I'm really thankful that you've all been so patient.
Not one of you has been snarky on my Facebook Page
or taken over my twitter feed
or even sent a little reminder email!

So without further ado,
may I present you with the winner of a $25 gift certificate from my online shop for June 2010:

Marlene!

Congratulations, Marlene. You can use the Gift Certificate to purchase anything in the shop, or put it towards a custom painting.

For anyone new following this blog, all you have to do is leave a comment on my blog posts for the current month and I'll enter your name into the draw (comment all you like, but I'll only count one comment per post). You can also get bonus entries by tweeting my blog posts on Twitter, or posting them to your Facebook status. Just make sure you come back to the blog and leave a link to the "extra" plug or I might not find out about it!

New fine art prints on Etsy!

2010-07-10T06:00:00.001-04:00

I'll be at the Ridgetown Farmer's Market today,

but if you aren't in Chatham-Kent,

feel free to browse my new prints on Etsy!

"Fall, Suspended"

fine art print by Christy DeKoning

"King of Infinite Space"

fine art print by Christy DeKoning

"Old Car"

fine art print by Christy DeKoning

Wordless Wednesday Baby Robin on the Fence

2010-07-07T05:07:00.000-04:00

Painting accepted into juried art show!

2010-07-06T16:35:00.001-04:00

"Sweet Love Submersive"

24" x 36"

watercolour on canvas

You may recall a few weeks ago, I was working on a painting for a juried community arts initiative.

Well, the piece is finished, sealed, wired, and delivered - and I got the call today that it had been accepted!

So as promised, here is the rest of the story:

Sweet Love Submersive

24”x36” watercolour on canvas

Christy DeKoning 2010

“There was a girl who woke up one morning without a dad.

He got lost in the dark. The girl knew he wouldn't come back because the place he went was too cold. The Water Wind pulled at him, bringing him deeper until he wasn't there anymore.

The girl got lost in many ways, and she knew not to trust water that was cold or dark. She knew to stay away, and she wondered why he didn't know what the Water Wind could do to him.

Many years later, when the girl was less a girl than a woman, and she wasn't quite so lost anymore, she ventured into the deep and cold. The Water Wind pulled at her – they tried to bring her down, too, but she held on to the Edge. She felt what he did, but didn't have to give in.”

~ Jenny-Rae Merritt 2010

“Sweet Love Submersive” is a collaboration between artists Christy DeKoning and Jenny-Rae Merritt.

On a windy, cold day in April, Jen and I took off to push our edges in the frigid waters of Lake Erie.

Jen was ferociously brave and stayed in the water for as many photos as we could manage before my fingers froze (yes, I was the one who caved first!)

Back in the studio, I was responsible for both pushing my own artistic edge with different colour choices and techniques than I would normally choose, and for creating a piece that represented all the emotional edges that Jenny-Rae had pushed (and conquered) while posing for me.

To finish it off, Jenny-Rae's story is painted on the edge of the canvas.

~ Christy DeKoning 2010

Lighthouse mini oil painting

2010-06-28T13:49:00.002-04:00

Sometimes, I put the watercolour aside

and bring out oil paint

so I can work with a palette knife.

"Untitled Lighthouse Oil Painting" (as yet)

oil on canvas

4x5 inches by Christy DeKoning

The Light-Keeper

by Robert Louis Stevenson

The brilliant kernel of the night,

The flaming lightroom circles me:

I sit within a blaze of light

Held high above the dusky sea.

Far off the surf doth break and roar

Along bleak miles of moonlit shore,

Where through the tides the tumbling wave

Falls in an avalanche of foam

And drives its churned waters home

Up many an undercliff and cave.

Audrey Hepburn in the spotlight.

2010-06-25T15:04:00.001-04:00

Today seems to be all about Audrey, so I thought a quick blog post might be in order.

Did you watch my short, quirky video last month where I briefly attempted to demonstrate how to paint with red wine? The clip was made with my webcam, and is a mirror image, but it gives you a bit of background on this painting below.

The original portrait is sold, however I've just listed two different giclee print versions: ACEO (2.5 x 3.5 inches) and 8x10

Audrey Hepburn in Red Wine

8x10 Giclee Fine Art Print

Another one of my Audrey Hepburn prints is featured in a treasury on Etsy right now. You can view all the Holly Golightly handmade items your heart desires!

And just so you know, I proudly support the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund, and you can help just by purchasing my art. With every sale of Audrey Hepburn prints in my shop, I donate 10% back to the fund.

Red Pointe Shoes in art

2010-06-22T12:11:00.000-04:00

Facelift in Red.

Recently, I gave my blog a little makeover. Did you notice? I felt like painting it red.

Maybe it was due, in part, to the fact that I was painting red ballet shoes. You may remember last month I painted a pair of pointe shoes with an indigo background.

As it happens, I was asked to paint the same image with red shoes. A rather simple task when I've already got the sketch worked out - it really just involved different colour choices.

The first time around, I went with a fun green tone in the background:

"Red Shoes on Green"

original watercolour ACEO painting

(I'm not sure what happened with my signature - I think I got distracted somewhere around the first "N")
these things happen.

And then I wanted to try something a little edgier - more monochromatic - with a grey background. Having spent many hours in my youth nursing tired toes that sometimes bled from too much pointe work, I just love how the red "bled" into the background. Happy accidents.

"Dancing in the Dark"

original watercolour ACEO painting (sold - prints available)

The images above are both uncropped. When cropped to fit standard ACEO size, they'll look like this:

The client I painted these for selected the grey one for her collection.

You can find the green version here on Etsy or ArtFire.

Solving problems with design and colour in watercolor paintings

2010-06-15T16:23:00.000-04:00

I'm working on a 24"x36" canvas for another community arts initiative. This one is called "On the Edge" and all works submitted must respond to an edge - be it physical, psychological or pushing an artistic edge.

I called on another artist friend of mine, Jen Merritt, to work on this with me. We went out into Lake Erie - freezing cold, windy, nasty conditions - to push our edges.

I have to say, in all honesty, that Jen did most of the "pushing" as I was the one with the camera, therefore a little warmer and drier!

Anyway, this story has more to it with pushing psychological and emotional edges, which I will share with you when the piece is finished. For now, I'm working on the artistic edges, and let me tell you, they weren't happening.

I have been stuck looking at this unfinished painting for weeks! I wanted to push my edges, but didn't know exactly where they were or how to even start.

Today, I was up at 4am to pick my son up from the airport (he decided not to move to Australia just yet and went for a visit instead) - when I got home, I looked at the painting (again) and then, uninspired, I had a nap. I was ready to throw in the towel and just paint her feet on the water's edge instead.

But the power of the nap should never be misjudged!

When I awoke, I realized that I had been dreaming - real, vibrant, big dreams.

And I could finally translate what was missing before: colour, contrast, drama and directional movement.

This is my mess on the floor - working big, with a house painting brush, and squishing out colour straight from the tube onto the painting. It still needs more work, but not too much - I will NOT over-work this!

(promise to self)

here, below, is how it's looking so far. The reflections are from the wet paint.

The May draw is for a $25 gift certificate from my ArtFire shop. It can be used toward anything, including a custom ACEO painting.

Congratulations, Pam - I just KNEW your name would come up sooner or later!

thank you for being here :-)

ACEO sale starts Friday

2010-06-03T21:31:00.000-04:00

Got a hankerin' for some new, original art on your walls?

Well, hold onto your jugular because I'm having a MASSIVE HUGE TOTALLY AWESOME SALE this weekend only.

All my original ACEO paintings will be marked down to $10 each from Friday until Sunday at midnight. That's three days to go crazy buying original art!

Here's a sampling of what's on sale:

"Sand Dollars"

2.5 x 3.5 inches

original ACEO painting on claybord

"Pointe Shoes on Indigo"

2.5 x 3.5 inches

original painting on claybord

"Pin Up #5"

2.5 x 3.5 inches

original painting on 140lb cold press paper

... and as if all these ACEO paintings on sale isn't enough, there are even some brand spankin' new items in my shop to choose from!

"more cowbell."

1" button

$1 each at etsy

because really, it's what we all need more of.

Retro Girl on the Telephone

2.25" Glass Pocket Mirror

$5 at etsy

And loads more. So I'll see you this weekend!

Today in the garden: rabbits, squirrels and a lone iris

2010-05-28T15:23:00.000-04:00

I do believe I've found my small animal to fill a large space!

The Thames Art Gallery is presenting a Community Arts Initiative this summer with the theme: "Big Spaces, Small Animals". It opens June 18, 2010 with the opening reception on June 19 at 8pm. Now, I've thought of various ways to respond to this, but I keep coming back to this one idea: fill a large space with a small animal.

When I went outside this morning, I found a rabbit collecting grass for her nest. Of course, by the time I got my camera out she spotted me and refused to gather more grass. I just got "the look" as anyone who's ever come across a rabbit in the garden knows all too well.

Deer in the headlights? You better believe it.

Anyway, as it happens, I have a few 20x30 watercolour canvases sitting around idly, not earning their keep at all. One of them is now earmarked to showcase Mrs. Rabbit, up close and personal.

Of course, I couldn't put the camera away without taking a few pics of the garden, and wouldn't you know it but Sparky the Squirrel was hanging around hoping for peanuts. Sparky has been living in our yard for over a year now, and he has a most handsome white patch on his tail, like it was dipped in white paint.

And there's a lovely couple of Robins who are expecting babies this year. They've built a beautiful nest above my kitchen window:

Not many blooms on the Irises this year - but here's one that finally opened up. I hope spring has sprung in your neck of the woods!

Painting Audrey Hepburn in wine video

2010-05-27T20:59:00.000-04:00

There was a little glitch recently that affected me in a very big way. Kindle and Penguin have not been able to come to terms about the e-book pricing, which meant that as of April 1st, 2010, there would be no new Penguin books for the Kindle (until an agreement is reached, I guess).

Considering that Dead in the Family was released on May 4th, this had a huge effect on my reading habits.

It wasn't until yesterday that I came across something quite by accident. It's available for download in Canada (at the typically inflated rate that we've come to expect).

Now I've read some blogs and found most folks aren't willing to pay $16.27 for an ebook. I, on the other hand, will pay almost anything for my Sookie fix. I figure it's good Karma somehow, for all the ebooks I've downloaded (and enjoyed) for free (legally, of course - there are always free books to choose from at the Kindle store)

So now I'm a happy camper, ready to stay up all night reading about the latest goings-on in the Sookieverse.

BUT WHAT ABOUT ART??? you ask....

Here. I made a little video for you today. Yes, I know it's poor quality. Yes, I know it's a mirror image. But I made it especially for you. Thank you for hanging in there while I didn't post for 2 weeks.

(and remember - your comments get you entered in the monthly giveaway - your chances are pretty good this month what with only a few posts!)

Vintage style art in progress for RetroFest

2010-05-13T16:54:00.000-04:00

It's RetroFest time again in Chatham, Ontario. According the banners and posters, we are the Classic Car Capital of Canada. It makes sense, as we are home to super cool RM Classic Cars.

But seriously, doesn't it feel like just yesterday that I was painting "A Slice of Bugatti"?

By golly, it does to me!

I want some new vintage-style buttons and mirrors in my shop, so I've been sketching some kitschy peeps. I thought you might like to see some of them before I add the ink and erase the pencil lines.

I start the old-fashioned way by sketching an upside-down egg for the head, and giving myself the guidelines as you can see. Quite often I'll do the hair first, before the features. It's easier to get a feel for the character once the hair is in place.

The poodle just kind of snuck in there.

Personally, I'm liking the top right girl. What about you?

(remember - your comments are entered into the monthly portrait giveaway)

Pointe Shoes painted for Tchaikovsky's birthday, Stampbord giveaway.

2010-05-07T16:36:00.002-04:00

"Pointe Shoes on Indigo"

watercolour and ink on claybord

purchase or view at christydekoning.etsy.com

Today would have been the 170th birthday of the Russian composer, Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky who created several of classical music's most popular works, including Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Sleeping Beauty and the 1812 Overture.

To celebrate, I painted something simple yet dramatic.

Pointe Shoes sketched in ink on 2.5 x 3.5 inch Stampbord (claybord).

Bold washes of Daniel Smith watercolour dripping with indigo and crimson hues.
Expressive lighting.

The surface of Stampbord is very smooth (unlike the pebbly texture of aquabord) which lends itself to fluid movement. It's not unlike painting on Yupo - colours drip and run if they are very wet, or stay put when used in full concentration. For those of you who love to stamp, it is marketed as:

"an incredible art and craft surface, developed by Ampersand Art Supply, that allows clean, perfect rubber stamp impressions every time. The surface is correctable and erasable, great for jewelry, custom boxes, magnets, altered books, ornaments, embellishments, scrapbooking & more!"

*****

More Gifting!!!

A little treat for you: the first 3 commenters who tell me they'd like to try Stampbord will receive one sample in the mail. Make sure you leave contact info (if it isn't in your blogger profile)

*****

Another reason to celebrate today.... it's time to announce the winning commenter for April:

Jan Pope, come on down!

Jan has won a custom ACEO portrait of her choice, with a single subject.

Each and every month I draw a name out of all the comments from the previous month. The winner receives a custom ACEO portrait (teeny tiny miniature painting). You can check out all the details here.

Pin Up #8 work in progress

2010-05-03T16:27:00.000-04:00

Amid the portraits I'm working on, there is nearly always something else on the go. In this case, it's "Pin Up #8". This one was inspired by a black and white photo of Rita Daigle in YANK - the army weekly. Because YANK was published by the armed forces, the content is in the public domain. So for me, it's a great source of retro inspiration.

When I'm sketching out a Pin Up, there are usually a lot of pencil strokes that need erasing. What I like to do is mix a light cool taupe wash and use a very fine brush to go over the lines I want to keep. Then, once it's dry, I can safely erase all the pencil lines.

"Pin Up #8" - stage 1

work-in-progress

I like to dive right in and suggest form during this stage. Sometimes I have no idea what colours I'll use on the clothing until I actually begin painting. Not much for planning, I tend to jump in headfirst.

For example, when I started this I was going to make my model a blonde. But I changed my mind about the direction of hair flow after I'd started (originally I sketched the hair falling straight down, as in the reference photo, but after I'd drawn in the arm I decided it looked better with her hand under a bit more hair). I don't like to "scrub out" too much on hot press (smooth) paper, so I just went darker instead, to keep it looking clean.

"Pin Up #8 - stage 2"

work-in-progress

After the first stage is finished, it's all about glazing. I try not to use too many layers because I live by the motto "only as many brush strokes as necessary" - it's what keeps everything fresh and vibrant. And let's face it: this is a painting, not a photo, so I want the viewers to be able to see brushstrokes.

There have been so many amazing pin up artists that I've drawn inspiration from, however one stands out for me: Alberto Vargas. I love to paint subjects, and I hate cluttering up my paintings with unnecessary background information. Vargas was so innovative and dramatic when he placed his figures without representing any furniture or background. This, to me, makes the figure more fluid - all you see is the beautiful lines created by the woman, without any distractions.

Rita Daigle in an issue of YANK army weekly magazine.

Above - the reference photo. Not much to go on, being so small and low resolution - but it's a fun starting point!

Paris and Postcards

2010-04-26T10:22:00.002-04:00

Charles Perrault Monument, Paris, originally uploaded by christydekoning.

I realized this weekend that it has been almost a year since I strolled through the beautiful gardens of Paris, or meandered the winding streets of Montmartre.

A year is too long!

On a day like today, my heart longs for Paris. To sit across from Puss in Boots, immortalized forever in a tribute to Charles Perrault, while children bounce on trampolines behind me.

Or perhaps I would set up my easel on the Pont des Arts to absorb the atmosphere and paint en plein air?

My day might end atop the butte Montmartre, peering over the shoulders of portrait artists and savouring ice cream from Tutti Sensi.

Where would you be?

If you happen to be the winning commenters, High on Craft, Glenda, or Alcatmom - you'll even have a pack of postcards ready to record your adventures!

Congratulations and thank you for commenting last post!

No News is Good News (for you)

2010-04-18T14:23:00.000-04:00

No news is good news (for you, anyway!)

I'm busy playing catchup with some portraits that I should have finished by now, so here's the good news for you:

I will send a pack of Cat Postcards to a random commenter on THIS POST ONLY!!!!

For every 5 unique comments, I'll add another pack of postcards. So if there are 10 unique commenters, I'll pick 2 winners, and so forth.

As usual, I'll use random.org for picking the lucky winners. And I'll see you with more news next time I come up for air.

Stormy Skies and Distant Trees

2010-04-12T20:48:00.000-04:00

A "pleine air" offering today.

I went to the park,

watched sparrows build nests,

laughed at the two ducks enjoying the water on top of the liner in the public pool,

soaked up the sun,

(relishing each ray)

and painted a little 5x7 landscape:

"Stormy Skies, Distant Trees"

5x7 inches

watercolour on 140lb cold press paper

I hope it draws you in, making you want to stay a while

(despite the threat of rain)

Love, Bunnies, Quilts and Sushi

2010-04-09T11:22:00.003-04:00

Love, originally uploaded by jnmerrit.

How could I not share this?

These beautiful animals live with my good friend, Jen Merritt.

I was browsing her Flickr stream today, wondering if she'd like to collaborate with me for a community arts initiative project coming up with the theme:

"Small Animals, Big Spaces" (or something like that)

... and of course her bunny came to mind. I just love Bernie and Bunny.

You can also check out Jen's fabulous new quilted pillow in her Etsy shop, PersephonesPlunders

I'll leave you today with my favourite item from Jen's shop. "For the Birds" mini sushi set.

So sweet, tiny and full of spring!

I'm off to work on some portraits so I can make time for this project.

I feel like Cinderella,

hurrying off to do her chores

so she can go to the ball!

Trouble downsizing my display.

2010-04-06T14:07:00.000-04:00

Aaaargh!!
I don't know how to downsize.

I have an event to attend tomorrow night and I need to downsize my display to only FOUR FEET.

Yup, half a table.
I'm able to bring an easel but it's just not enough.
The event is the first of its kind in Chatham-Kent, and the purpose is to introduce/connect the business side of our community to the arts & culture side. In other words, it's a "Business - meets - Arts" networking event.

I am including the large work-in-progress of Anna Pavlova so that I can paint while I'm there (when I'm not talking too much lol)

So yeah, this is my day today. I feel like I haven't accomplished anything other than fighting with my field easel for an hour or two. But it will all work out. Breathe in.... Breathe out....

So in other news, please tell me what you think of my mixed media here. It was one of those days for experimenting with different types of paint in an attempt to express the emotion of the hour.

(and remember - your comments get entered into the April draw for a custom mini portrait!)

"Blue Vase Virtuoso"

original mixed media

Watercolour, fluid acrylic and gouache

2.5 x 3.5 inches

$15 at Etsy

March Portrait Giveaway Winner

2010-04-05T11:42:00.000-04:00

At 11:31am today, I tweeted that I was about to draw a winner for March.

41 names were entered, the list was randomized, and Rebecca of SMELLY RHINO STUDIO won herself a sweet little mini portrait.

Congratulations Becca!

Here is a screen shot from today's draw. The names are entered in the order they appear on my blog, plus at the end of the list I add on the extra entries for tweeting, blogging, or otherwise social-media-hyping my blog contest! Remember if you promote my blog contest elsewhere on the web, to come back and leave a post letting me know.

Pear watercolour still life

2010-03-29T10:00:00.000-04:00

"Blush"

9x12 inches

watercolour on 140lb cold press paper

Still Life.

Not very exciting, I know, but a change from the usual for me, nonetheless.

I've been asked to instruct a watercolour class for this year's Mosaic Art Camp (link is to the pdf file from last year's Gala). The Art Camp is a 6-week long program at the Children's Treatment Centre in Chatham-Kent, Ontario which enables children of all abilities to experience various art mediums. The works are then auctioned off at a fundraising Gala in the fall. Last year, the artwork raised over $30,000!

Because this is a short class (one hour), we are working with a simple subject. I've chosen the pear for several reasons.

1) I like pears.

2) Pears are easily recognizable by their shape alone.

In other words, you can do almost anything to it and it will still look like a pear.

One can't really say the same for a banana.

3) Food sells.

I've found that still life studies of food in general are popular with collectors.

4) Simplicity in shape allows for creative colour accidents.

Now I have to break this down into simple steps. We'll be using one colour at a time, so when I have the lesson plan worked out I'll post it on my blog for anyone else that would like to try it. This image I've shared with you is my first pear, ever, so I'll likely simplify the colours a bit more - but it's a start.

in other news.... may I present Miss Zero, as promised yesterday:

It's my birthday today.

Which means I don't have to cook, I get to order in Thai tonight (I'm the only one in the house who appreciates Thai cuisine) and I can download book 9 of the Sookie Stackhouse series with my new KINDLE (ya baby!) - no more waiting for the paperback release in April.

If the sun would peek out, my day would be complete.

Paintings that reflect life.

2010-03-27T21:42:00.000-04:00

"Quinn"

8x10 watercolour portrait

- the unfinished version -

Sometimes I feel closest to a painting in the final stages before it is actually finished. At this stage of painting "Quinn" I hadn't added the detail to his jacket, deepened shadows or smoothed the hard edges of the facial features.

And I kind of like it.

I have several portraits on the go right now, so while I plug away at them I'll share a few of the paintings I completed in the last few months.

"Golden Days"

5x8 inches

(did I show you this already?)

These paintings all have a common thread, in that I love the life and vitality that I've created. Sometimes, as I've often said, "it just works".

"Doozer"

5x7 inches

watercolour on 140lb cold press paper

I LOVED loved loved painting Doozer.

I'll share Doozer's companion, Ms. Zero, with you next time!

(psst: remember to comment and/or retweet for a chance to win a FREE mini portrait)

Mixing Colours, Creating Moods

2010-03-25T10:15:00.000-04:00

Sometimes, things start out with just an idea.

a wisp of pink

a wash of red

a push of sand

and a drop of yellow

I have been making rings

out of original watercolours lately,

playing with different blends

and washes of colours

then sealing them under glass

"Sunset Strip" original hand-painted ring

While doing this last night

I came across a mix

that I had to try larger.

Whooooosh!

with a sweep of my arm

I cleared the space around me

(some of it is still on the floor)

I wet down a block of paper

laid in Perylene Red

then Quinacridone Red

New Gamboge

Transparent Red Oxide

and finally

pushed it around

with Buff Titanium

The result is in the first image.

Now to just let it sit

and be.

Until it tells me what it wants to be

when it grows up.

"Earth Bound" original hand-painted ring

* Remember that when you comment on my blog, you are entered to win a mini portrait each month. Here are the giveaway details if you missed it *

Wordless Wednesday Bird Edition

2010-03-24T17:45:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday Male Nude a la Jackson-Triggs 2009 Shiraz

2010-03-17T07:03:00.003-04:00

Painting with Wine - male nude, originally uploaded by christydekoning.
* remember, your comment and/or retweet gets entered into my monthly portrait giveaway!*

Zazzle Awards!

2010-03-15T15:52:00.000-04:00

I know I don't talk about Zazzle very often, but my artwork has received a bit of attention there lately so I thought I would share it with you.

This Easter Bunny greeting card won a Today's Best Award at Zazzle today:

Bunz the cool painted bunny by ChristyDeKoning

and this Barn Swallow Mousepad won the same award two days ago:

Painted Barn Swallow by ChristyDeKoning

I go through phases where I remember for a few days to create some Zazzle products with my new paintings - then I forget again for a month. My Zazzle shop seriously needs an overhaul, but that will be a rainy day kind of thing.

Actually, I tend to work my best on rainy days.
Unless I have a good book to read.
(the last book I read was #8 of the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris - I'm not quite ready to let go of the buzz from it and start something new just yet)

While we're speaking of books, what was the last book you really enjoyed?

Portrait Giveaway - moving it here to my blog!

2010-03-14T20:25:00.000-04:00

As some of you are fans of my Facebook Page, you might remember that I did a monthly portrait giveaway last year.

"Tell Me Lies" - detail

Watercolour 16"x20"

2010

Facebook put an end to that, when they revamped all their rules and regulations. Since then, I've had the giveaway on the backburner as I've explored different ideas and venues for the contest. I considered a Twitter contest - but I realize that not all of you are active tweeters like me.

So I've come full circle and ended up back here on my blog. The place where it all kind of started.

I have been a bit slack with my updates, and I realize it's because I feel pressured to share something really worthwhile with you. Sort of the "All or Nothing" kind of situation. So more often than not, I choose "Nothing".

"Golden"

Watercolour 6"x9"

2010

I've decided that this will be my goal for the year (i know it's March already - shhhh). Blog more. Think less. Share little tidbits of my life. Give a small portrait away every month.

So without further ado: the rules to the Christy DeKoning Original Portrait Giveaway (pretty posh eh?)

Rule #1: leave a comment here on my blog (only one comment per post per day will be recorded as an entry)
Rule #2: see rule #1

yup, that's all there is to it.

BUT wait! There's more...

... if you'd like to be entered more than once, then you can ReTweet this post on Twitter for a second entry, and/or Post it to your Blog or Facebook page for another entry. That can add up to 3 entries per day per person! Just make sure you come back here and leave me a link to the tweet, blog post or status update (you can use the handy "retweet" button at the bottom of each post)

I'll tally up the comments at the end of the month and use Random.Org to pick a winner.

oh right - the PRIZE!!!! A teensy weensy itty bitty miniature "ACEO" portrait, custom painted from a photo that the winner will email to me. Turnaround time for me to finish the portrait will be about 1 month or less.

"A Talent for Silence and Brevity" - detail

Watercolour 22"x30"

2008

Sock Monkeys caught monkeying around on tape.

2010-03-02T12:58:00.000-05:00

I'm working on a new illustration right now for a fun-lovin' Super 8 camera buff in Seattle. Two sock monkeys cavorting around with the Super 8 cameras, caught up in a reel of film. Here is the rough sketch that I'm about to start painting:

I've had the pleasure of creating several pieces of art for this fellow in the past, and you might notice a theme here:

And one for the cover of his Film School DVD:

This last one was fun - I used masking fluid on the "chalkboard" then painted over in black. When the paint was dry I just lifted off the mask and it was still white underneath.

(a tip: if you don't want to rub over your painting when removing masking fluid, take a piece of masking tape and press it onto the dry mask - lift up, and the gummy mask will come off with the tape)

I'll keep you posted with the progress of those naughty sock monkeys!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-02-24T22:15:00.000-05:00

"Blue"

8x10 giclee reproduction

available at Etsy and Artfire

Ballet Paintings in watercolor

2010-02-19T10:29:00.004-05:00

Ballet #2, originally uploaded by christydekoning.

I was browsing old slides recently and came across a whole case dedicated to my early dancing days.
Think chubby-cheeked three-year-old blue fairy ballerina, or a tap-dancing five-year-old dressed as a white horse (I believe it was part of Cinderella's carriage).

So I've sent a bunch of slides off to ScanCafe to have them turned into digital files, and when I get them back I'll be sure to share some of the cuter ones with you *wink*

But in the meantime, the nostalgia had me painting ballerinas. Or their legs, anyway. I love the way light and shadows play in the folds of a tutu, and the grace and form of a dancer's legs.

There will be more, but this is a little idea of where I'm going. Enjoy!

Ballet #1, originally uploaded by christydekoning.

Deanna Durbin portrait in watercolour

2010-02-10T17:16:00.003-05:00

Deanna Durbin portrait in watercolour, originally uploaded by christydekoning.

A rather decent-sized box of goodies came from Blicks a few days ago.
Oil paint, canvas, new brushes, metal paper, and some different brands of paper.

The first thing I had to do was try out "Lanaquarelle" 140lb cold press paper. I'd heard that it was a little smoother than Arches, but not completely lacking in texture like a hot-press surface.

I dug out an old public domain image of Deanna Durbin that I'd held onto for some time, and before long I'd sketched & painted her likeness on the new paper.

The blending was easy, the surface soft. It handled water and pigment well. I didn't do much "lifting out" so I can't report on it just yet in that department.

Overall though, I really like it for small detail work, and will likely be using it more often for future ACEO paintings. You can view and/or purchase Deanna Durbin ACEO at www.christydekoning.Etsy.com

Girl Next Door, meet my paintbrush...

2010-02-09T11:00:00.000-05:00

Custom Pin Up ~ 11x14 inches

Watercolour on Arches 140lb cold press paper

I had a fun commission last month - a custom '40s style pin up painting.

It started the same way any other commission does: the usual back and forth emails as we decide on placement, colours and size.

Then the fun began...

In order to transform my reference photo - a beautiful woman on the beach - into a '40s style pin up model, certain changes and allowances were necessary.

As always, I drew inspiration from the amazing art of Gil Elvgren, Pearl Frush and Alberto Vargas.

The legs needed to be elongated.

The bare feet swapped for platform sandals.

The leg opening of the bikini bottom needed to be lower across the thigh.

And the hair, which was wet in the photo, transformed into a soft mass of curls.

I'm very pleased with the finished work, and apparently the client's husband is, too *wink*

... the guessing game, revealed, and an ArtFire coupon code.

2010-02-02T20:57:00.000-05:00

... and the winner is, Manon Doyle for her comment:

"I'm thinking painting with a bird in it!! Isn't that the lamest guess you've ever heard? lol"

Well now, not so lame-o after all, Manon!

I have a little collection of glass birds, and this one is my favourite. Manon will be receiving a 4"x6" giclee print of this watercolour as her reward for throwing caution to the wind and guessing with gusto.

As a consolation prize to those that either didn't win, didn't bother guessing, or didn't have internet access last week because their cat peed on the ethernet cables, I'd like to offer this coupon code for my ArtFire shop:

code: MONKEY

will get you a whopping $5.00 off any order over $10.00 (before shipping)

See you in a few days with a new, custom Pin Up painting.

Australia calling... it's in our blood, I guess!

2010-01-27T22:55:00.000-05:00

I have had a rather busy week!

Most of you know that I grew up in Australia, and that I have two amazing sons. Well, my eldest son, Jordan has decided to give life in Australia a try, too. He's chomping at the bit and raring to go!

My Dad and Jordan, 1992

(photo taken after it was framed, sorry for reflections)

Which means that I've been sinking in piles of paperwork. Even though Jordan is an Australian citizen by descent, the forms to be filled out, photos to be notarized, and long-forgotten files of mine to be dug out have taken up my time completely. Oh, and waiting for a long-form birth certificate from Vital Statistics, too. Just in case there was any doubt that I am, indeed, his mother.

Phone calls to my Dad with requests like "hey, do you know where my High School Certificate is?" and "um, do you know where my Grade 8 report card is?" because even though I'm also an Australian citizen, with the papers to prove it, I also have to prove that I lived there for more than 2 years. Lucky for me, for some nostalgic reason or another I also kept my last income tax return. Oh, you can imagine the humor involved when I called the Taxation Centre in Sydney to update my address on file.

Steve, from Taxation: "now I know that you won't have this, but do you happen to remember the address on file for your last return?"

me: "sure, it's right here."

Steve: "here?"

me: "yeah, on my last income tax return statement"

Steve: "you still HAVE it?"

me: "um, yes"

Steve: "that was 20 years ago. I can't believe how organized you are"

(now this is where anyone that really knows me starts laughing hysterically because I am NOT organized)

me: "well, I guess I kept it because I was so excited to get money back!"

Jordan & Juniper, 2000

Yes, this has been my week. But now the papers are in Ottawa at the Australian High Commission, and apparently the wait time is only about 3 weeks.

Which is good, because anyone who remembers being 18, probably recalls not being able to wait for the weekend, let alone anything else.

Jordan, 2008

Guessing Game

2010-01-22T10:52:00.001-05:00

Guess?

I was over at Notes from Smelly Rhino Studio this morning and found that the amazing, multi-talented diva/artist that runs the joint has a pretty cool contest going on. So seeing as how I can't seem to come up with an original thought in my pretty head this morning, I figured I'd take her advice and share the game.

So here's what you have to do: There's a little snippet from a painting of mine above. Guess what the subject is, and you will win a 4x6 print of it. I haven't listed it yet, so you can't cheat! BUT... I have shown you photos of it before.

Good luck!

The guessing game ends Jan. 31st. ;)

Why don't you make this contagious?
Make a post on your own blog. Add one of your photos and say, "I'm playing the guessing game..What/where/who/When? Guess and you win the print! Guessing game ends Jan. 31st!"

Come back here, guess and leave the link to your blog. Tweet much? Hit the little retweet button and make someone happy (me).

Painting Penny Lane on AquaBord

2010-01-19T21:54:00.000-05:00

"Penny Lane"

8x10 watercolour on AquaBord
private collection

Now that the holidays are behind us for another year, I can start showing you what I was working on before Christmas - with no worrying about spoiling anyone's surprise under the tree.

Let me introduce you to Penny Lane.

I wanted to really emphasize the long strands of hair on Miss Penny, and that meant getting creative. So to start with, I selected AquaBord as my surface. My reason for this was that AquaBord "gives watercolorists unprecedented freedom and control. Comparable to watercolor paper, this multimedia panel simulates the absorbency and texture of cold pressed but allows color to be lifted back to white easily while also leaving the richest, most vibrant color possible. This reworkable surface provides natural looking highlights, fluid glazes, transparent subtle layers, and the ability to lift color while the surface is wet or even after it is dry."

(did you like that? pretty poetic, I thought.

Straight from the horse's mouth, too)

You can get AquaBord at Blicks for about 40% off the list price, in either a flat panel or with a cradle (like a shallow box for displaying "as is")

So as you can see, AquaBord is pretty versatile, and perfect for lifting out those white strands of hair from the black background. True to traditional watercolour, I didn't use any white paint on Penny Lane. My favourite part of this painting, however, is the eyes. I love how I was able to lift out a bit around the reflections, laying in different colours, to achieve that wonderful "glassy" appearance.

Valentine's Day original ACEO paintings

2010-01-16T14:01:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I did a little (and I really mean, "a little") de-stashing of my unfinished ACEO art.

What this means is that I dug around in a little box that used to hold taffy from Savannah, GA and found a few pieces that I'd abandoned, and felt inspired to finish.

This crow had a bright yellow background that I didn't know what to do with... so a little bit of paint later, I had a new Valentine's Day ACEO card:

"Red Heart Surprise"

original ACEO painting

Then, while I was still feeling all gushy and full of fancy, I painted this big heart growing out of the grass:

"Bloomin' Love"

original ACEO painting

And finally, I finished one of my Waif Kitties from last spring that just wasn't quite right:

Buy Handmade

Another Mudshake for my friend, please

2010-01-14T11:04:00.000-05:00

"Another Vodka Mudshake for my friend here..."

Now I don't drink very much. Mostly because over the years I've turned into a rather cheap date. Like "half-a-glass and I'm the happiest chick in the henhouse" kind of cheap.

But while I was away at Ste. Anne's Spa, I was charmed into trying a bottle of Irish Creme Vodka Cooler. Usually I find coolers of any kind to be sickly sweet, which means I couldn't finish one even if I wanted to - a rather safe bet if i want to keep my head on, right?

Enter the Creme de la Creme of coolers... I had a little taste and in the next breath, the bottle was empty.

Shocking, I know!

I am home now, trying to get motivated to clean the house. But with a 2-month waitlist of commissioned portraits ahead of me, I'm afraid the cleaning will have to wait.

Maybe I'll hire a student!

Ah, wouldn't that be sweet, me here painting and blogging while an underpaid teenager puts away the empties lurking in corners of my bookshelf:

(you know, I might be on to something here...)

With that said, I must make a flyer for the local high school and catch up with you on the flip side!

Happy New Year from my (messy) studio to yours.

Buy Handmade Gifts this Christmas!

Facebook Fan Page Update 12/21/2009

2009-12-21T15:27:00.000-05:00

A MESSAGE TO MY FACEBOOK FANS - this is the only way I can update my page, as of December 16th, 2009. I want you to know that I have no access to my Fan Page right now, other than via my Networked Blogs application.

I have submitted a bug report to Facebook, but as you probably know, that is a slow road to nowhere ... so all I can do is wait it out right now.

In the meantime, please remember you can follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ChristyDeKoning for the most up-to-date info possible.

(yes, I know I said my last blog post would be it for 2009 - but that was before I realized I could update Facebook by writing a blog post!)

Buy Handmade Gifts this Christmas!

Taylor Lautner as Jacob Black sketch and painting

2009-12-20T17:05:00.001-05:00

Taylor Lautner as Jacob Black - done two ways.

I was asked to paint the "short-haired" version of Jacob for an avid Twilight Fan to add to her collection of ACEO portraits.

The only request, other than short hair, was that the colour scheme match the rest of my Twilight paintings.

After creating the sketch, I wasn't sure if I wanted to use smooth or rough paper so I transferred the drawing to both 140lb hot press and cold press Arches paper.

(both are ACEO size: 2.5 x 3.5 inches)

After working out the painting on the textured paper, I decided to go back to my sketch on the smooth and have fun with a bit of ink instead, like a comic book character.

I'm curious - which one do you prefer?

This will be my final post for the year, as I'm closing the studio for Christmas and a much-needed spa getaway in January.

I'll return around the second week of January, refreshed and ready to share all the portraits I've been working on (the ones I can't show you yet because they are Christmas surprises)

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

How to paint a Yellow Lab in the grass in watercolor

2009-11-28T19:47:00.000-05:00

I haven't done a painting demo in a while, so I took 2 work-in-progress photos for this 5x7 watercolor painting of a yellow lab lying in the grass. Here we go:

Starting with a pencil sketch, erase all the unnecessary details so you are left with only the most important features outlined lightly. Use masking fluid to paint out the tiny white whiskers, the whites of the eyes, and a few highlights in the fur (anywhere you want to stay crisp white).

I like to start with the eyes and nose. Using any dark brown mix you like (I used French Ultramarine Blue and Burnt Umber) paint the outline with a strong mix of color and very little water. Clean your brush. Dip it in clear water and paint around the outline as far down as the shadows go - then work your way up to the paint you just added to the outline. It will mingle with the water and give a lovely soft shadow. Allowing that to dry, we'll go to the nose.

Using the same technique, paint the outline of the nose with a brown/blue mix, then add clear water to the inside of the nose, allowing it to blend and mingle. Drop in a bit of warm red or brown to the watery wash. Allow to dry.

Going back to the eyes, paint a wash of yellow and brown and allow to dry.

Mix a pale wash of Yellow Ochre and Violet Lake - very watery at this point. Let the colors mingle a bit on your palette so that you can get a few variations in tone. Using a large brush that holds a lot of paint (I used a #10 Yarka round) paint in the basic shadows. While the paint is still shiny-wet, lay in some Manganese Blue for the foreground shadows (paw, near side of face) and a touch of French Ultramarine Blue for the far shadows at the neck and back of head.

For the background, we're using Sap Green cooled down with French Ultramarine Blue in the background, and warmed up with Cobalt Yellow in the foreground. All you want to do at this point is lay in the color, outlining the dog, so that you can judge the values a bit more accurately. If you don't do the background first, then you might be tempted to use too much color on the dog - a bad move for a yellow lab, as most of them have very little color at all, except in the ears. By choosing a darker value color for the background, you will be able to keep the dog's color more delicate.

Walk away and allow all of this to dry COMPLETELY!

Okay, you've had your break - back to work. This is where we start refining things.

Using a very dark mix of French Ultramarine and Burnt Umber, paint the darkest shadows under the ears, and under the dog's muzzle. Or mouth. Or whatever you want to call that part. Now see where it gets lighter under the nose? There is more distance between the nose and the paw, so the shadow is lighter! I used watery Manganese Blue for that section.

Continue using the Violet/Ochre mix, with a little less water, to define the facial shape and structure.

Go back to the eyes and use a small brush for the details. Pay close attention to which direction the dog's fur grows in, and gently encourage the paint to follow the fur pattern. Darken the details on the nose, painting around the nostrils.

In the final stages, you want to add more Yellow Ochre to your mix and warm up the yellow on the ears, around the face a bit and on the paw, under the ear. When that is dry, go back with a light wash of Manganese Blue to punch up the color a little bit. Not too much, just enough to add interest and excitement. Paint the collar - I used the same Manganese Blue for continuity, because I didn't want it to be a focal point. But you could use any color you like - just be aware that if you paint it bright red, it will draw the eye up there and off the page.

Grass. This conjures up all kinds of dread in some artists, and a feeling of euphoria in others. It all depends upon your high school experiences and whether or not you excelled in Gym.

I didn't.

It's taken me years to get to the point where I am comfortable painting grass and not having it look like swamp water barfed all over the paper. Here's my technique:

Using a small, round (pointy) brush, take a dark green mix and paint it DOWN into the warm yellow mix (that is already dry on your paper). Then use clean water, or a watery mix of the dark green, to pull the dark green up into the background.

I'll do a demo on grass one day. Maybe I can have my teenage son help with the finer details.

~ enjoy!
Christy
Buy Handmade Gifts this Christmas!

original cupcake watercolor painting and pendant

2009-11-25T18:55:00.002-05:00

"Lush" original cupcake watercolor painting, originally uploaded by christydekoning.

$50 available at ArtFire

I really wanted to make a cupcake pendant, so today I painted this luscious cupcake on 5x7 cold press 140lb watercolor paper.

I love how it turned out, especially the cobalt blue background. I don't know about you, but it makes my mouth water!

"Cupcake Glass Tile Pendant"

$15 at ArtFire

Custom Watercolor Portraits Tuesday edition

2009-11-24T11:34:00.000-05:00

Good morning! It's another balmy November day here in Southwestern Ontario. I'm enjoying the mildest November I've had since I left Australia... divine. Yesterday, I sat on the front steps without a jacket. This is a big deal for me!

Okay on to business. I've nothing new for my shop so far; however, I'm finishing up a custom painting a day it seems. One of the best things about my job is the people I get to meet, and the fact that every day brings something new and fresh. Many artists don't enjoy commissions, but I love them, because it means I don't have time to suffer from "Artists Block". I wake up, make a smoothie, and sit down to a new idea just waiting for me to tackle it with form and colour.

And then there are the people I meet. I love hearing from clients that I painted portraits for a year ago, coming back to me this year for new paintings. I can see how their children have grown up, and learn a little about life in other countries and cultures. This painting, above, is for a favourite client of mine in Paris, France. I'm always delighted to hear from her, because I know she'll have something a little different, a little out of the ordinary for me. I'm sharing the first of 4 paintings with you today. Enjoy!

Buy Handmade Gifts this Christmas!

Marilyn Monroe, Vintage Wine, and a Victorian Christmas

2009-11-19T10:28:00.001-05:00

I start to feel like time is running out somewhere around this time each year... you too?

Deadlines, shopping, baking, cleaning*, family time, and parties! How can we possibly fit it all into one short month?

I'm working non-stop right now, between commissions that are needed for Christmas and creating new paintings to fill the gaps in my shop - and I'm not complaining - I love the buzz!

First of all, I'm working on new original ACEO paintings that I can offer at a lower price - $12 each - they will be simple and affordable little gems of art that you can stuff stockings with, embellish your giftwrap with, or add to a gift that is needing a little extra (I think they are the perfect add-on to a book, because I've found that ACEOs are just the right size for an impromptu bookmark!)

And now, without further ado, three new originals:

"Victorian Christmas Child with Reindeer"

original ACEO $12 at ArtFire

This next one I had to sketch out in preparation for a class I'll be teaching in February called "Painting with Wine". The idea came from one of my visits to Terry Banderas' art blog, and when I suggested it to the Thames Art Gallery they asked me to teach it! And yes, it's painted with real wine - in this case, Jackson Trigg's Merlot :-)

"A Good Year"

original ACEO painting $12 at ArtFire

"Some Like it Hot"

original ACEO painting $12 at ArtFire

So I'll try to post more often, but they will be short and sweet - "just the facts, ma'am!" to let you know what's happening in the studio (and around).

*that's just a rumour, of course, as it doesn't happen here!

Buy Handmade Gifts this Christmas!

Chatham-Kent Etsy artisan sale

2009-11-17T20:12:00.001-05:00

If you're in the Chatham-Kent area of Ontario this month, you can shop local handmade artisans not once, but twice!

The Chatham-Kent Etsy Street Team (search ckteam on etsy) is holding their first trunk sale on Thursday, Nov. 19 at the William Street Cafe. But don't worry if you miss it - we'll be back in town again at the decadent Eve Chocolatier on Nov. 26th.

it's been a few weeks since I posted a dog painting...

so here, not one, but three

Tom's Little Dog

Tom told his dog called Tim to beg,

And up at once he sat,

His two clear amber eyes fixed fast,

His haunches on his mat.Tom poised a lump of sugar on

His nose; then, "Trust!" says he;

Stiff as a guardsman sat his Tim;

Never a hair stirred he.

"Paid for!" says Tom; and in a trice

Up jerked that moist black nose;

A snap of teeth, a crunch, a munch,

And down the sugar goes!

~ Walter de la Mare

Buy Handmade Gifts this Christmas!

Nutcracker Ballet handmade Christmas Card

2009-11-08T13:03:00.002-05:00

I don't usually spend much time painting Christmas cards - for the obvious reason: it takes a lot of time to come up with a unique idea, sketch it out, decide on composition/value/colours, and then paint it.

But then I had an idea. One I had to act on.

My childhood memories of Christmas always involved the Nutcracker Ballet. I love painting ballet scenes; however, I usually paint them in the realism style. "What if", I said to myself, "I designed a simple 5x7 painting in a whimsical style..."

Out came the sketch book, and a Google image search for the ballet. I had the girl already dancing in my mind, but try as I might, I couldn't remember the details of the Nutcracker's jacket!

After transferring the sketch to my watercolor block, I realized that in order to keep the subjects looking fresh and clean, I needed a dark background. A Christmas tree would provide just the amount of contrast I had in mind. So I started with the tree, carefully painting around the subjects, alternating with intense Phthalo Blue and Ultramarine Turquoise. Then I added a light wash of manganese blue, brushing against the edge of the tree so the edges would bleed a little. While that wash was wet, I added Idanthrone Blue to the corners, to mimic stage lighting.

When that dried, the fun started. It didn't take long to complete the features on the subjects... but there was still something missing. I didn't trim the tree at first, because I was concerned about creating a background that was too "busy". But after assessing the painting at this stage, it was apparent to me that I needed to dress it up a bit.

Out came a tube of Daniel Smith "Iridescent Sunstone" watercolour for trimming the tree. This paint has a lovely sheen to it, making it perfect for adding a bit of bling. The last step was to lift out some circles on the tree to reveal the turquoise underneath, sign it, and remove the masking tape from the edges of the painting.

I took photos from the initial sketch to the finished painting, and was surprised to see that it only took me two hours from concept to completion. Not bad! When I transferred the sketch onto the block, I also made a reverse transfer so that I could easily paint it again while I'm in the mood.

I carefully designed this so that the paper can be folded to make a card, and then slip into a 5x7 frame. This way, the card is also the gift!

Buy Handmade Gifts this Christmas!

Oklahoma - Surrey with the fringe on top

2009-10-29T10:21:00.002-04:00

After my last post, and reading the comments, I thought it might be best to share this clip from Oklahoma!

Now, I was going to give you the original Gordon MacRae version. But there's a certain reader (or two) that I think might enjoy viewing Hugh Jackman today.

But of course, my real reason for posting this is to make you all smile.

Moons and cats and watercolor

2009-10-26T17:20:00.001-04:00

Last night, I was driving home in the dark.
This doesn't happen very often, as my days are mostly spent in my studio - but after an impromptu road trip to London (Canada) yesterday, I found myself gazing at the moon and headlights on the way home. Which, in turn, had me thinking of different ways to portray my vision with watercolor.

So there I was - the minute I got home (after slipping a sleeping little traveler into his bed - say that 10 times quickly!) slapping paint onto 300# paper.

Yes, you read that right. I took a 1/2 inch flat brush, dipped it in the water, squeezed most of it off then soaked up pure pigment for the darkest darks which I just slapped on down in as close to a circle as I could make freehand. I started with Idanthrone Blue, then dived right into Ultramarine Turquoise before dipping into a little Alizarin Crimson for the deepest black I could manage. True to transparent watercolor, none of these paintings have any white paint (I did use white ink for the signature on the first piece, though)

The paint dried almost immediately, having used very little water (just enough to lose the "shine") so I was able to take my scrubby brush to the edges of the moon and soften it just a bit right away. From there, I started dropping in little bits of water on the ground to suggest a few night blossoms. Scrub some more, pop in a little yellow, and there she be darlin' - a cool, bright moon.

Well I couldn't stop there - I was on a roll.

What else could I paint in the same style? How about a black cat? Yes, perfect! I had a scrap piece of paper with a bit of paint on it, but that would only provide more interest & texture. Using the same mix of Idanthrone Blue and Ultramarine Turquoise, I blocked in a cat as best I could from memory (all my cats were off sleeping somewhere and weren't around to pose for me)

After slapping down some red & orange, then a little bright green, I went back with my scrubbie to bring out the lovely turquoise highlights on the back, and a very small flat brush to lift off a few whiskers. Another one down, and I hadn't even made a cup of tea yet!

Okay, one more. I had a very old scrap of 300# paper that was different from my usual Arches brand. Not sure what it was, but it had a soft surface. For this I drew a slightly bigger moon using the bottom of an ink bottle, and then went about the same technique as the first moon scene. But this time I added a little water to the wash as it faded down to the ground. While it was still wet, I loaded up the brush with pure pigment again and made a horizon line to suggest dark water, then scrubbed out some reflections.

All this thinking about moons, traveling at night, and sleepy children brings to mind an old song. For those of you that know it, I guarantee you'll be cussin' me for putting it into your brain for the rest of the day!

I can see the stars gettin' blurry,

When we ride back home in the surrey,

Ridin' slowly home in the surrey with the fringe on top!

I can feel the day gettin' older,

Feel a sleepy head near my shoulder,

Noddin', droopin' close to my shoulder, till it falls kerplop!

The sun is swimmin' on the rim of a hill;

The moon is takin' a header,

And jist as I'm thinkin' all the earth is still,

A lark'll wake up in the medder.

Hush, you bird, my baby's a-sleepin'!

Maybe got a dream worth a-keepin'

Whoa! you team, and jist keep a-creepin' at a slow clip clop.

Don't you hurry with the surrey with the fringe on the top!

Buy Handmade Gifts this Christmas!

Halloween Masquerade Cat Card

2009-10-19T10:17:00.000-04:00

With less than 2 weeks until Halloween,
I thought it best to offer this card on Zazzle
(faster USA shipping)

Halloween Costume Cat Card by ChristyDeKoning

PLUS - you can customize it however you like!

A little birdie told me (Christmas is coming!)

2009-10-17T19:39:00.002-04:00

I've been working on some mini paintings on AquaBord lately. A lot of fun!

These little gems are 6 x 6 x 2 inches deep (see the second photo) and require no framing - perfect for Christmas gift-giving!

This one is called "A Little Sincerity".
Yes, it's no secret that I love to draw on the words of poets and playwrights when it comes to naming my artwork, and this is no exception (thanks Mr. Wilde)

As you can see, I haven't stained the sides yet (they are unfinished pine) but the end result will be a stain the same color as the Trompe l'oeil Frame I've painted on, giving this a delightful look when finished.

The photo below shows what the sides will eventually look like (I've had such fun at art exhibits, watching people go up and touch the painting - surprised to find it is a faux frame)

Now I have to decide what to paint next...another bird?

More kittens?

A sexy sailor?

(maybe I'd have to keep that last one though)

With Christmas coming, I'm curious about your holiday gift-giving. Do you hit the malls at the last minute, or do you plan your strategy early on and take advantage of online handmade shopping (like ArtFire or Etsy, for example).

I'll leave you with a little poetic inspiration for painting birds:

Laughing Song

When the green woods laugh with the voice of joy, 

And the dimpling stream runs laughing by; 

When the air does laugh with our merry wit, 

And the green hill laughs with the noise of it;

When the meadows laugh with lively green, 

And the grasshopper laughs in the merry scene,

When Mary and Susan and Emily

With their sweet round mouths sing "Ha, Ha, He!''

When the painted birds laugh in the shade, 

Where our table with cherries and nuts is spread,

Come live & be merry, and join with me, 

To sing the sweet chorus of "Ha, Ha, He!''

~William Blake

Giveaways and Sunshine at the Bright Side Project

2009-10-10T10:54:00.000-04:00

Looking for something to do today?

Like free goodies?

Head on over to The Bright Side Project...

their mission: The Bright Side Project is here to bring you sunshine every day with themed, daily giveaways. We hope to inspire you to stop for a second and remember life is (still) beautiful and there is goodness in the world

Not only can you enter to win a custom 5x7 portrait (valued at $100 USD) by yours truly, but there's still time to enter your comments for some other lovely items featured this past week.

Like a set of napkins from Dandi down under, or these amazing cookies from Sweet Ambs

Register on ArtFire.com

forgive my empty links...

2009-10-08T11:52:00.002-04:00

... I am working on them!

"the perfect disguise"

original ACEO mixed media

(also known as "how to save a lost cause painting")

5x7 black mat included, as shown.

available at ArtFire & Etsy

Is it okay to smile at an Alligator?

2009-10-07T15:26:00.005-04:00

How could I not smile while working on this tiny portrait?

2½ x 3½ inches of pure sunshine.

Just what I needed in a day of cold, windy skies.

The technical details:

I have no idea what colours were actually on my palette today.

seriously, when my tray starts to look like this it's time to do a little cleanup.

i think that's a bit of quinacridone red at the top.

ummm.... maybe some aureolin yellow

and, ah, pink. Yes, definitely Quinacridone Rose.

I know for a fact that I warmed it all up with Quinacridone Burnt Orange.

(are you sensing a pattern here?)

the hair has some ultramarine turquoise and lunar black.

I don't usually use black, as you probably remember me saying...

but in this case it was a new tube just begging to be opened!

But really, the colours only tell part of the story.

I recall my school days in Australia

School uniforms... lunch at the tuck shop...

and silly rhymes designed to make you giggle:

"From Sydney Zoo

An Alligator

Was put on board

A flying freighter.

He ate the pilot

And the navigator

Then asked for more,

With mashed potater.

~Spike Milligan

Wordless Wednesday

2009-09-30T08:11:00.002-04:00

Christmas Pin Up 2009

2009-09-27T23:10:00.002-04:00

So a little while ago I posted the charcoal sketch, "Legs Eleven", on my portfolio.

When I compose a value sketch, I invariably end up painting several different variations of the same theme.

Here is one painting, but probably not the last:

Now, if you're a member of my Facebook Page, you'll have seen this next one already - but for those of you who aren't...

(HOLD THE PHONE - you mean to tell me that some of you aren't in the loop? why not? I give away one painting every month - it's almost as good as free pie and chips - and who wouldn't want free pie and chips?)

... i'll understand if you need a moment to go join my page.

it's okay, we'll wait for you.

Now then, as I was saying - with Christmas just around the corner, I decided to create a Pin Up for the holidays, in the tradition of Vargas or Elvgren, but with my own little brand of sizzle.

I'm delighted with how she turned out in the sketch and can't wait to transfer this to AquaBord for the painting process.

The sketch will also be available for sale, closer to Christmas.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-09-23T10:09:00.003-04:00

Day 3 of Dog Art

2009-09-19T19:44:00.005-04:00

... and now back to our regularly scheduled programming ...

Today I'm listening to a new artist I was introduced to by Chuck Dilmore who writes evocative, funny and sometimes irreverent literature to tease and delight the senses over at Half Moons and Maidens. The artist is Imogen Heap, and she reminds me a little of Sarah McLachlan mixed with Bjork, with a little Garbage (the band, not the stuff of dreams for our neighbourhood crows).

I have painted three Greyhounds in my limited dog art career. I don't actually market myself as a dog artist, not only because of the pithy comments and connotations the term brings to mind, but because I don't feel comfortable with the subject matter. I'm not a dog person, so with each new canine portrait request comes a certain amount of research to get a hang of how the fur falls, the eyes reflect light, and so on.

I have to say though, that I'm starting to understand Greyhounds. My last two have allowed me to get a little more intimate with the bone structure. I'm especially pleased with how the grey & black turned out. Almost a whimsical expression, I believe. I'm also proud to mention that whenever I sell a Giclee of a Greyhound painting, I donate a portion to aid in Greyhound adoption at Greyhound Crossroads.

The power of music

2009-09-17T11:08:00.003-04:00

It's pretty common for artists to listen to music while working, and I'm no exception.
The problem is, sometimes music can work against me. Like today, I was sketching out a new dog ACEO and heard Taylor Swift's "The Best Day" for the first time. It hit me sideways, unexpected and yet so familiar.
I was crying big, wretched, noisy fat tears by the time it was done. Thank goodness I don't wear makeup while I paint.
I was going through old photos last weekend, still finding boxes to sort out since my mother passed away last year. This one is my favourite, because we are both obviously so happy.

I love you Mom!