I started this piece back in November of last year around the time that I was participating in the 151 Midtown Arts Show. As a matter of fact, anyone visiting the show may well have seen me working on this piece live. These progress pictures were originally uploaded to my Twitpic Account linked to my Twitter Account. If you haven’t yet followed me, I invite you to! I frequently share in-progress shots and tiny glimpses into things I’m currently doing. In addition, there is also my Facebook Fan Page which I also invite you to join– I’m cooking up a fun contest that is available only to those who follow me on Twitter of Facebook! More news to follow…

This piece started out as an idea to complete a ballerina painting to represent each season, however it somehow took me two full seasons to finish this one. I suppose it’s just one of those things– life gets in the way. I’m in the middle of a day-job transition and am looking into grad school. Plus, within this time frame, I’ve moved, opened an online store, and been dealing with a handful of commissions.

Anyway, this is a fairy-esque ballerina who represents the spirit of Autumn. I made her outfit a little more modern in style because I didn’t feel that a true pancake tutu would fit the scene. And of course, she has a Welsh Corgi escort– no fairy should be without one! This was completed with Windsor & Newton watercolors on Bristol Board.

Prints of this piece will be available shortly, and will available at all of my upcoming shows this year.

Autumn Ballerina Preliminary Sketches: Ballpoint pen on paper

Autumn Ballerina – 11″ x 14″ Watercolor and ink on Bristol

Autumn Ballerina – 11″ x 14″ Watercolor and ink on Bristol

Autumn Ballerina – 11″ x 14″ Watercolor and ink on Bristol

Autumn Ballerina – 11″ x 14″ Watercolor and ink on Bristol

This evening I had a fun adventure in the world of live broadcast entertainment. I joined up with UStream.tv, and created my very own show named Joie in the Studio. I ran a test show to figure out how things worked, and it seemed to be a small hit!

Please see more information about the show here: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/joie-in-the-studio

Here is a clip from the first episode of Joie in the Studio:

I would like to do more live broadcasts on a regular basis. What are the best times and days to do this? I don’t want to compete with major TV programming. What about an early Wednesday evening time? Tell me your thoughts.

In closing, I also have a new YouTube Account where the clips of my show will be posted. Please visit me!

Here’s just a few small things I’ve been working on as of late. I’m also working on Vinny #2, but I thought it’d be fun to share some other side projects I’ve had going on, small as they may be. Breaks up the monotony, ya know?

This a snapshot of the next two Snippets that I’ve been working on. I swear they won’t all be dogs. Really. I promise! They are watercolors with a tad of inks, of course. The bottom one is a Golden Retriever, and the top will be a basset hound.

This is a silly cartoon corgi that I felt like doing the other day. It’s not officially finished, as I’ve still got some painting to do on her ears and tongue. I thought it was cute… but of course it was cute. It’s inspired by something in my life that’s equally as cute:

<3 my pup.

More soon!

Nothing like new art to start a week off on the right foot! I finally got the scan of the Vinny cover back from my editor, so I thought I’d post it! Click the thumbnail to see the larger version!

Vinny #1 – Watercolor and ink on bristol.

The original actually has the logo painted onto it, which is totally old-school in method. However, what you don’t see here is a photoshopped version with a different logo on it. The writers/editors/bigwigs are still deciding on the logo, so who knows what it’ll end up looking like in the end? Only the person that owns the original painting will know for sure.

I was really pleased with how eloquently Vinny himself translates to watercolor. If only I had enough time to the entire book in watercolors… heh. I can’t wait to do the next ones. Watercolors are seriously one of my most favorite mediums.

More fun news: The pencilling for Vinny #2 is officially underway!

Here’s some in-progress shots of me working on the cover to Vinny #1. Thus far it’s done in all watercolor on bristol with small amounts of graphite.

And yes, I’m left-handed.