(Inside A Black Apple)

Flying By Night

There are lots of nighttime travels via various animals in my next picture book, but except in a tiny cameo (much to my chagrin) we didn't manage to include a bat.

So this is me, setting things right.


Flying By Night     11"x14"x1"    Acrylic on wood

Bats are getting their day in this new series of paintings!

Over fir forests, with the faintest pink of dawn creeping in. Just the most lovely dream (or thing to do while everyone else is dreaming.)

 

A Boxing Match

Fisticuffs!

A Boxing Match    14"x11"x1"    Acrylic on wood

(as always, you can click to enlarge a bit)

First, I have to confess to a hopeless crush on old-fashioned boxers (ie: Ron Swanson's steakhouse poster is one of my favorite things about Parks & Recreation.) Secondly, I am a known bear-fan, so there we have it: two loves in battle.

The last week has been very wonderful and very busy and otherworldly: I had a pie-party, left my twenties behind, and visited Snow White.

Now I'm setting back to work at finishing the handful of paintings left to complete this series. When they're ready, I'll be having an enormous update with over a dozen new paintings and possibly/probably some other treasures.

More pictures & further dispatches soon!

Fill-in-the-Banner Valentines

Are you in need of an eleventh-hour Valentine?
I made these to use as my own personal cards this year, and I thought it would be nice to share them here! You can use them as-is with vermilion hearts, or you can go a little glitter-crazy on the hearts like I did (I used five different kinds from the big Martha set.)

My favorite thing about these is the little bit of room for personalization. Within the name banners, of course, but also re: glitter choice. The warm silver glitter had a lovely old-timey effect, while classic red was so exuberant and, well, classic.

And even if you don't glitterize them, I think they're sweet just as they are (as seen in the first photo.) I printed mine on 4"x6" cream-colored postcard stock.

*Download the Lovebird Valentine file here*

Please note: these are for personal use only, and are not to be sold or used for commercial purposes by any person or business, little or big.

Happy Valentine's Day, sweet peas!

Tattooed Lady, Flora

Tattooed Lady, Flora     11"x14"x1"    Acrylic on wood

A companion of sorts to the illustrated lady featured in the last portrait! What could be nicer than to carry a garden with you, always in bloom, even in the darkest Winter?

I've gotten a few emails about when these new paintings will be available, and I'm hoping for early March! In the meantime, I still have a few tricks up my sleeve, framing to do, etc.

Oh! And Stay tuned for some personalizable Valentines in a day or two.

Happy Monday!

Tattooed Lady, Rara Avis

Since this group of paintings seems to be about the intertwining of the wild world and the ordinary one, I thought there should be portraits with skin inked in beautiful tattoos of natural things.

Tattooed Lady, Rara Avis     11x14x1    Acrylic on wood

I've actually had this rare bird in my mind for a long time, and now she is here. There is another of these portraits already finished - a companion of sorts. She'll be up here soon!

Right now I am off to make and send some valentines...I am woefully behind this year, but I have faith in my stores of glitter and red envelopes.

Happy weekend!

Common Black Squirrel with Ribbon

Common Black Squirrel with Ribbon     8"x10"     Acrylic on wood

A dapper little squirrel (I love black squirrels, they seem so otherworldly) and a couple of portraits I'm really excited about coming up! I'm in such a work-mode that it's hard for me to tear myself away for anything, even scanning & sharing the paintings.

See you soon!