My first tiny paycheck from my second job came in last Friday. What's the first thing I buy for myself? New art supplies! ♥ I needed a new sketchbook and some colored ink pens. Art supplies count as necessities when you're an artist, right? ;)

And as for Camera lust... I think I've found the solution to my photography woes. I'm not gonna get a high quality compact cam for under approx. $400... for that money I might as well buy a DSLR, though entry level versions run upwards from $450... not to mention buying lenses, etc.

All I really want is a camera that let's me manually change settings (ike a DSLR) with high quality, professional quality output. What I found? Hybrid Cameras. Specifically? Panasonic Lumix FZ35. It's amazing and a decent price (depending on what site you check out.) I could probably save up for one within a few paychecks now that I've got this second job and this silly Nikon can be used when I just want to take random snapshots.

Life's been pretty busy lately, so forgive the lack of updates.

I did receive this lovely notepad as a gift though! Love the color and the cameo-ish feel to it. I've always loved silhouettes/cameos and old fashioned motifs. I think the person who gave it to me said they found it at Barnes and Noble, so happy notepad hunting!

Some of this stuff is on my portfolio site, too... others haven't seen the light of day since 2004. I'd rather they go to a good home than sit in storage. I'm planning to sell these either through ebay or etsy (haven't decided yet) and will be offering a free sketch of the buyer's choice with each purchase. :)

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE LISTING

 Trying to sell some of my original pieces. If you or anyone you know might be interested, please take a look at my ebay listing? Thanks so much! (If you'd rather just look at the posted picture, that's fine too.)

Details: Watercolor on Arches Cold Press paper; Created 2007

One of my biggest artistic challenges is that I have so many ideas and start a lot of projects... to the point that half of the projects get put on hold for new ideas. One of my New Years Resolutions is to finish projects before starting a new one. Anyway, this painting is based on a photo taken at Maymont Park in Richmond, VA last summer. I know I wish it was summer right now! (Too bad we don't all live in somewhere like Australia at the moment, hmm?)

Preliminary sketchwork for a 5x7 watercolor piece. I haven't quite decided on her clothing yet and her "crown" needs some work. (Please ignore the strange hand- once the shading is in it will look correct, I promise.) I'm pretty excited to be working on this, actually, because I've got a fair idea of how exactly I'm going to work this one. :)

Work in progress. Originally an embossing with touches of watercolor, I'm reworking it in gouache. It's maybe 50% done at the moment. I'll post a full set of progress pictures when it's finished.

Please excuse the fuzzy photo. Bad quality.