Wordless Wednesday: Girl and Pomeranian

Just did a lovely summery watercolor 'Girl and Pomeranian.' Isn't that doggie so adorable? I want one! Only I don't want to scoop poop. I have enough of that with my two guinea pigs.

The good news for pet fans everywhere:  I am now doing custom pet portraits at my Etsy Store so convo me if you want to know more!

Happy Wordless Wednesday to dogs everywhere. Join the doggy bloghop!

Novica Handmade Gifts $50 Giveaway (Ends 9/10)

I have been wanting to show you this batik robe I fell in LOVE with from Novica and am adding to my boudoir collection.

The robe is made by a talented artisan in Bali and one of the many beautiful creations found on NOVICA, a company that works with National Geographic to give talented artisans around the world a place to express their artistic talents and provide access to the world market.

When you order one of these unique products Novica don't just have them stockpiled in a warehouse. The product will come direct from the artisan, in a lovely drawstring bag (if it is jewelry) with a note from the person who made it. A lovely touch don't you think?

I must say I have spent quite a few hours ogling their site and can just imagine myself lounging in my batik robe on one of their amazing double hammocks....the breeze ruffling my hair.....

 

While I am in the hammock I can also see myself  sipping a margarita from one of these stylish glasses:

The wonderful people at Novica have given me a $50 Gift Certificate for one lucky winner. So hop over to the Novica site and check out their wonderful summer collection including cotton dresses and cool batik clothing.

Then enter my Rafflecopter giveaway below. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. Anyone in any part of the world is eligible to join in and I'll announce a winner on 10th September.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Flea Market in Berlin

Coming back after a trip from Berlin I really wanted to capture the hustle and bustle of a street market at Fehrbelliner Platz which takes place on Saturdays. What a great place for people watching and snapping up bargains.

At first I wanted to do a watercolor to capture all the hurly burly of dogs barking, elbows shoving and people grabbing antiques to see if they might be priceless rather than decorative bits of tat. But I found I had no watercolor paper at home. Since necessity is the mother of invention I found some pastel paper and coated it with gesso. Gesso gives such a lovely three dimensional feel doesn't it?

Then I did  a bit of watercolor over it and finished it off with chalk and oil pastels. I think it captures the atmosphere nicely.

Whatever you do don't miss a trip to Berlin. It is so bohemian and unique. The people wear colorful and outrageous clothes and don't give a fig for what is 'on trend.' And the gelati is simply to die for.....

Flower Bouquet from Friends

On Monday there was a terrible storm here in Baltimore and we lost power all evening. Luckily we have a generator which illuminated part of our house, so we invited our (powerless!) neighbors who have three small kids to have dinner with us. It was great fun. The next day our neighbors gave me this bouquet to say thank you. It made me so happy and it was so beautiful I felt I had to get out my watercolors and paint it.

Purple Splotched Lilies

Aren't these splotchy speckly lilies in my garden amazing?

They inspired me to paint this watercolor. I did wet on wet with plenty of splotches sprayed on with a toothbrush to give it some texture. Let me know what you think!

What are your favorite flowers to paint?

From Pooches to Parrots I'm your go to gal!

The Girls, pastel 2013

 

detail

detail

Ginger Cat, 2013

Things are busy, busy, busy. I'm working on some commissions for pet and human portraits in watercolor or pastel. Go on over to my Etsy store to find out more!! I would love to create something unique and beautiful for you!

The easiest thing for me is if you email me a few of your favorite photos of the subject and we can choose which one will work the best. The better quality the source photos, the better the portrait will be. For pets it is best to get down to their eye level to really capture their essential spirit when you click your pics.

If you are choosing to use professional photos, please make sure you have obtained the reproduction license from your photographer.  Please be nice and contact your photographer and ask for permission before sending in a photo.

Your custom portrait will arrive to you unframed and securely packaged in recycled cardboard ready for framing for yourself or as a gift.

I look forward to creating something beautiful for you. Please contact me at emmakcontact[at]yahoo.com

Happy Easter from the Chattering Duck and Friends

It's been a long snowy winter with plenty of time to get clickety-clackety with my crochet needles. And just in time for Easter I've finished three little friends. A mummy rabbit and her son plus a duck who looks like he just won't shut up [get pattern at Amirugumi to Go]

Happy Easter! Have a good one and don't eat too many Easter eggs!

Are you going away for Easter? Not me, I'm having a Staycation.