MOVING ON…

The time has come… 

I have moved my blog to a self hosted version HERE

I am also excited to share the new design of my website amykhay.com

Thanks for reading & have a creative day!

WATERY SKETCH

One of my favorite ways to sketch out ideas for possible pieces is by the use of watercolor.  I dig constructing images with transparent layers.  Here is a little study of a landscape from my memory.

Taking a break from designing on the computer to play on paper is always welcomed and is the best stress reliever.

RIGHT SAID, THREAD

Seeing all the shades of embroidery floss & threads at the craft store gives me visions of embellished fashion and storytelling tapestries of old.  I’ll grab a couple of colors to add to my palette at home while there shopping for other projects. 

While taking sewing classes a few years ago, I was determined to learn more about the art of needlework. It’s an art form I’ve always been impressed by. I bought myself The Reader’s Digest Complete Guide to Needlework.  It’s a killer resource.  I pull it out every now and then and add on to a piece I’ve been slowly needling at.

It’s fun to use my drawings as a map for the needlework.  I’m looking forward to getting a few more of these started.

MARKET VALUE

Every Saturday The Irvine Farmer’s Market has everything you could possibly need for a perfect weekend.  I love going for the fresh fruits & vegetables, but even more I love using them as an excuse to check out what’s new on the 1st aisle… clothes, jewelery, and all sorts of handmade goodness!

Susana of Treetops always has tempting treasures in her eclectic booth.  Above, I was trying on a leather & turquoise knotty necklace.  Below, one of her adorable ceramic pieces.

While I was there I ate some cara cara oranges and one of my favorite treats from Black Market Bakery... the mushroom, shallot, cheddar stuffed focaccia pocket!  I ate it all before I could take a picture!I was dying over Janet of Studio Blue‘s latest pieces.  I posted her friendship bracelet already.  She has some sweet but edgy pieces that include soft subtle colors of leather too.Another booth I always get sucked into is Arte Liberal.  Tania is always overflowing with fun trendy clothes and accessories at crazy awesome prices.

It was a nice morning collecting inspiration at the market and saying hello to my creative friends.  I actually came home with some food too.  I’m hoping this little bird bead is still at Treetops this coming Saturday. I may need to adopt him.

KID PAINT

Every Thursday I get the privilege of hanging out with my 2 year old niece for the day.  We have a great time together.  Recently we had a painting session.  Doing art with kids is always a fun learning experience.

I’m looking forward to seeing how her style develops over the years.

CUTTING BETWEEN THE LINES

Cutting things into intricate mazes is something I love to do. Usually it’s a piece of wood, but sometimes it’s just paper. (or leaves, or  fabric, or plastic) Here is a sketch I was playing around with when I realized I needed to cut the negative space away.I really enjoy working this way.  It’s a great process to help me develop future woodcut pieces.The shadows are good inspiration too.  Wonder when these ideas will pop up in future pieces…stay tuned!

 

COLORS OF THE DAY

The other day I noticed some common colors in my day.  The palette started off with greens, yellows, touches of browns, a cool blue accent here and there.
I was wearing a couple of bracelets by my friend, Janet, from Studio Blue and a strand of hand tanned deer hide.

Then, this elevator acted as a transition……sprinkled with pico de gallo powder! Yum! (thanks to my cuz who reminded me how awesome this tastes!)Sneaking in a few moments with my stack of unread magazines.  I love a good color story.  What colors were prevalent in your day?

IT’S ALWAYS SNOWY IN SOCAL

Lately, it’s been sunny and magnificent here in southern California.  We had an unusual amount of rain not too long ago, so the sun has been killer.  I love where I live… our lack of snow here is something I appreciate! (although it’s very close) A while back I painted a room for a 6 year old boy who wanted the best of both worlds.  When his parents asked him what he would want painted on his walls, the boy had a decisive list; wolves in the snow, bald eagles, an arctic fox, and more snow.  His parents agreed, but insisted on a harvest moon too!

I added a couple other little critters here and there, a ferret, squirrel and a rabbit.  I especially liked painting a bald eagle on the ceiling.  Ceiling painting is always exciting to me. It’s a fun perspective to work in.Around the bed are the boy’s snowy guardians.  I like creating something close the bed that is friendly & that a child can stare at until they drift off into sleep.  I tried to get life into their eyes so that he might be inclined to name them all.

The bald eagle was a nice change from the usual requests.  I made sure to include the family scene since male & female bald eagles share the nesting duties. (which I’m sure the boy was well aware of!)

This eagle is on a wall that leads to a shared bathroom, which leads to another room I painted, full of horses… but that’s another post.  Have a creative day!

ART HISTORY

Not too long ago I was approached about doing a painting for a 40th Wedding Anniversary present.  Inspired by another painting from a children’s book of a fun and colorful cityscape, the daughter of the couple above wanted to me to create a similar composition using all the houses & places that were part of her parent’s journey to present.

I thought her idea was so creative!  I also suggested adding a little frame for a mini portrait of the child that was brought home to that particular house.  It also gave me a chance to use that awesome wedding picture above in front of the chapel.  She added the grandkids for the vacation/retirement house pool.  Too cute!

It was really cool to get to know this couples’ history through creating this art piece.  And, how cool to be happily married for 40 years…and counting!

Here is the painting finished.  I like how they are looking at their life together, proud & happy :)  I think it would be fun to do some more paintings like this.  Do you know some good candidates?

ROCK OUT

Lately I’ve been enjoying painting monotone using the ochre I find in rocks.  I see these rocks all over while on walks or hikes.  I love this color!  The range of values I can achieve with this simple little rock makes me giddy.

I love the simplicity of only needing a rock, brush, water & paper to keep me happy for hours!