Building Rescue Love

A Tail to Tell!

In talking about our respective causes & procedures with Stephanie, the author & proprietor of Crystal Allure Creations, the conversation turned to developing designs. Years ago, I'd designed a collection for her transplant awareness foundation, Lungs for Life, of butterflies. Flights of Life represent the gift of new breath with healthy lungs, post-transplant.  I ran her through the steps of how I do a watercolor note card design. It's similar to the process I showed a few months back in doing my Bird Squares.

It may seem like a lot of extra work, and, in a way, it is. But, what I find is that it makes me feel more secure in approaching an art piece.

One of the bad habits we have, as artists, is to overwork a piece . By taking a few extra steps, that tendency can be avoided.

Inspiration for the Painting: The Minions

Sketch for Minions & Squirrel
©Bronson Hill Arts 2014

I start with a basic sketch on regular sketch paper. It enables me to safely erase errors without real damage to the paper's texture. Once I have the lines & composition I want, I darken those details and lightly erase the superfluous marks.

Then I scan the picture into the computer. I can clean up any stray pencil marks and sometimes see what needs to be fine tuned on the following sketch.

Yes, the following sketch: I'll make a print onto heavier paper (such as watercolor paper) and adjust as many deficits as I can. At that point, I'll add the crosshatch/shading to the image. Then, you guessed it, scan it again.

Shaded Sketch for Minions & Squirrel
©Bronson Hill Arts 2014

Why? If I'm not satisfied with the second step, I can do it again! The same principle applies to the 3rd, , 4th, etc., steps!

Once I finish the sketch completely, I'll make a copy on higher quality watercolor paper. From there, I can paint away!

If I fumble, I can easily start again at any point I'd like. It takes a certain hesitancy out of the flow. I've used this method several times over & love the freedom it gives me to try. And try again, if necessary!

Making Progress on Minions & Squirrel

That being said, here is the final painting of the Kitty Kapers "Minions & Squirrel" card:

A very special "Thank you!" to Dina & her family for the great photograph &, mostly, the fantastic amount of love they put into raising these fur babies, the Minions, from the beginning!

The Minions & Squirrel
5x7 Watercolor on 140# Canson Paper
©BEDeuel Bronson Hill Arts 2014

All profits on the Note Card collections are given to the specified charity. In the case of Kitty Kapers, the proceeds will go to Another Chance Pet Rescue. 

And the Winner Is....

You've caught me in an incredibly indecisive mood, ladies! I cannot decide who wins the Sweetheart Love in a Small Container Giveaway!

So, that being said, ALL 3 of you- Joanne, Chris and Carol, have won! 

Contact me at my email, bronsonhillarts@gmail.com, with information on where to send your prizes and if you prefer grapes or flowers, bud vases or candle holders! But, first to contact me gets first choice!

Thank you so much for participating in the giveaway. It's been wonderful reading about your love for your sweethearts and for life, too.

Have a fantastic Valentine's Day, ladies!

A Great Start to 2011!

Congratulations to Heather of Azure Island Designs! Heather's name was drawn at the Crystal Allure Jewelry blog for my giveaway of 6 handpainted postcards. I am very happy that Heather won. And I thank her so much for her interest and support of Bronson Hill Arts.

Stephanie at Crystal Allure has done extensive work for transplant awareness through the years with her jewelry and her organization, Lungs for Life. The design idea used for the postcards was suggested to me by Stephanie: butterflies. The lovely creatures are symbolic for lung transplants, the gift of new life.

As a result of this small collaboration, Stephanie and I have decided to offer a collection of these postcards as notecards. The name of the collection will be Flights of Life. A portion of the money for each set sold will be donated to Lungs for Life Foundation and for transplant awareness programs.

The Flights of Life Collection will be added to along the way, in the hopes that you'll be able to select which cards you get in your order. The notecards will be printed on textured 110 lb. white matte paper and include a matching envelope. As a bonus, an individually-designed, handcrafted package will be included for the first 15 orders received. We'll also include free shipping for those first 25 orders. The cost will be $15.95 per set. If you order 2 or more sets, the cost will drop to $14.50 each with free shipping (even after the first 25 orders!).

The notecards would make a wonderful gift to both someone you like (or even, love) and those who need our help to continue living.

So, again, Heather and everyone: Thank you for participating in the giveaway!

And, thank you, in advance for helping Bronson Hill Arts help others. It's a great way to start 2011!