Mini Ink Originals/ with Easels

Original Ink/ "Stars and Stripes Forever" /Patriotic Elephant

                                      "Stars and Stripes Forever" / Patriotic Elephant  8x10

                             I wish an elephant came with every candy cane I bought!!!  ;)  S-

Original Ink/ "Vigilance"/U.S.A. Owl

                                                             "Vigilance"  8x10

  This is my Patriotic owl for the "Celebration of Our Independence" exhibition at Glenn Eure's Gallery.    Sorry, eagle...  Your eyes are not big enough to watch our borders! ;) S-

Original Inks/ greeting card/Postcard/Owl

Original Watercolors/ Children's Book/Haley and Paddy

            These are two more watercolors for my children's book.  The best part of this process for me is being able to write and illustrate based on a real relationship between two very different animals.   True friendships have no barriers!!!!  Both pieces are 11x10".  S-

India Ink Dragons

                                                                          8x9"

      These little marvels were created on vellum paper with Dr. Martin's India Ink.  It has been awhile since I've used this medium and it was completely freeing and enjoyable.  I love vibrant colors and blending liquid inks  is much easier than watercolors can be.  When I use the same medium over and over for too long of a time I lose the joy of creating.  These dragons tossed me right back out of the box I was stuck in...  S-

Original Watercolor/ "Beautiful Beginnings"

                                                       "Beautiful Beginnings"  10x12

                                               Watercolors and ink on watercolor paper

Original Watercolors/ cards

          These are my first two watercolor cards...  They are painted on watercolor paper with Windsor and Newton watercolors.   They were a bit time-consuming but were made as gifts so it was worth the time!! ;)  Sandy-

Original Watercolor/ "Ariel's Birthday Bunny"

                                                            "Ariel's Birthday Bunny"

                                                                           6x6"

         This is the watercolor version of the pastel piece I created for my grand-daughter, Ariel, on her fourth birthday.   I have been using pastels for a few years now, as opposed to watercolors, which are still fairly new to me.   I am more comfortable with pastels and can work more quickly, but I find that with every medium I experiment with,  I not only grow as an artist, I develop new techniques to use with the mediums I started with.  Not all of my experiments come out exactly as planned, but some "mistakes" turn out even better then conceived.  ;)  Sandy-

Original Watercolor/ "Of a Delicate Nature"/snail

                                                              "Of a Delicate Nature"

                                                                            6x7"

        Yes I DO have a softer side!!! ;)   I have been fascinated by these delicate creatures that are able to carry their homes around with them since I was a little girl.  Nature's true little gypsies,  they are small little works of art and move at their own pace.  This piece was created on rough cold-press watercolor paper.  :) Sandy-

Original Watercolor/ "Shine On"/ Dragonfly

                                                                   "Shine On"

                                                                        6x5"

        This little dragonfly was created for my mentor, Lori.  She is an extremely gifted artist and I have been blessed for she has chosen to take me under her wing to teach me how to fly.  Thank you to all my artist friends, personal friends and family members that have given me support, pushed me when necessary and encouraged me to believe in myself and the path I was destined for.  I hope to never disappoint you and to continue to grow as an artist with your love and guidance. <3 Sandy-

Original Watercolor/"Honey"

                                                                       "Honey"

                                                                          11x12"

 This is Frances's "Honey"!  I was going through my horse photos and noticed the sleeve of the owner of this horse and lo and behold it was Frances!!  Honey was the horse I was intending to sketch and apparently I succeeded!!!  ;)

Original Watercolor/ "Out of Place" Elephant

                                                        "Out of Place"  Elephant
                                                                     
                                                                     11x12"



     This is the first animal in my "Out of Place" series.  I discovered this elephant, (he is actually a book-end), residing in a rental home that my husband was shooting interiors of for a photography job.  I successfully captured some images of him as I found him absolutely endearing after accidentally deleted three hours of shots from my camera;  I do not possess the photography skills of my partner, but am learning by making mistakes and getting past them.   This statuesque elephant possesses beautiful lines and was a joy to sketch and then bring to life with watercolors!!   Painted on  300 gsm. rough watercolor paper.  :)    Sandy-

                                                                       

"If I Follow You Home Will You Keep Me/"/Original Pastel/Raccoon

                                                "If I Follow You Home Will You Keep Me?"
   
                                                                               "11x14"

                                                            Original Pastel on Pastelboard

"Ariel's Birthday Bunny"/Original Pastel Rabbit

                                                      "Ariel's Birthday Bunny"  6x7"

                                                       Original Pastel on pastelboard

                              Happy Fourth Birthday Ariel!!!   I love you!! Hugs & Kisses-

"Determined Beauty"/ Original Pastel Horse

                                                              "Determined Beauty"  7x9"

                                                            Original Pastel on Pastelboard

"Hoo Loves Me?"/ Original Pastel/Owl

                                                           "Hoo Loves Me?"  6x6"

                                                      Original Pastel on Pastelboard

"No Cabbage?"/ Original Watercolor for Children's Book

                                                                   "No Cabbage?"  9x9"

                                                    Original watercolor paints/ pencil

India Ink Originals

"Weston's Wave"/ Original Watercolor

                 
                                                                 "Weston's Wave"

                                                                        "7x6.5"
                                     Original watercolor painted on acid-free, cold -press paper.

                             

From Trash to Treasure...

     This is just a little note I'm writing about the beauty of the art world.   Art is a matter of taste and preference.  Some of the pieces that I have done that came out absolutely wrong in my eyes are favorites of people I know.  My family has quite a large collection of my discarded and rejected pieces- even ones I actually threw away in frustration and disappointment.  When I visualize a piece I want to do I have certain expectations of how I expect it to turn out and when it doesn't get there I automatically think its trash.  I don't expect everyone to love every piece I do- I hate half of them because they didn't turn out the way I wanted.. a perfect example.. Marty's frogs and crab.  The crab only had one eye- I didn't notice this until I had already posted it after a 12 hour day- and the habitats got lost in the background color as they were so similar.  I haven't given up on it- (The crab now has BOTH eyes.. ;), but it is for someone special so I will continue to devote more time to it.  For future reference..  I seem to routinely MISS things- such as the case of the horses without the tails.. and if anyone does notice a missing eye, leg, arm or other important appendage please feel free to inform me.  I promise I will not be upset- I will be grateful! ;)  Happy painting to all.. Sandy   This little horse was rescued from the garbage and is now hanging on the wall of someone I love! ;)