Wedding Cake Topper

art: So, this is a (not so good) image of a drawing of Zane's wedding cake topper. I love it. I wish I would have thought of it. I don't know Zane and his bride, but I would love to meet them someday!
I was at a wedding recently with another great topper...I think I'll do a drawing of that one as well as soon as I get some time.

architecture: Judge's benches...a category of their own. Although technically not architecture, I am loving it. We'll see if we actually get to design something!

Photos of Girls

Photographs are not my strong point, but these aren't so bad. They'll make good portraits someday, don't you think?

C.N.

I felt obligated to post again since I was referring friends to my blog.
This is a portrait I did for my friend's daughter's 1st birthday invitations.

I Love Duane's Couch 2

art: I wanted to paint Duane again with a different take on the pattern. I wouldn't mind taking on a 3rd version...we'll see. I'm currently working on a graphite version. I love to do things multiple times. I feel like one time just gets you started. To really study a subject, you have to rule out all options, right? That sounds like an "architectural" approach to a problem, doesn't it?

architecture: I opened a set of old drawings from 2004 which was an addition to a Cape Cod style house similar to the project I am beginning. It was inspiring. The couple I was working with at the time had design backgrounds which makes them much easier to work for! I haven't seen that finished, but I am going to. I'll post before and afters.

I Love Duane's Couch

art: Isn't Duane cute? I am supposed to be doing a graphite version, but I was so inspired by this puppy and his hip sofa that I can't stop painting him! (Lucky may be getting a bit jealous...)

architecture: I have a meeting with another contractor tomorrow to draw an addition to his house. Why since I've moved to NEPA have I only been hired by contractors? Does that mean they're smarter than the rest? Cheaper? Trying to take the easy way out, definitely. I hate working this way, but how can you say no when you need money and live in this market? Do I have to state that this market doesn't exactly appreciate good design. This guy said to me, "I don't want you to spend a lot of time on it." (What does that mean?) And I replied, "Believe me, neither do I."

With Stripes 3

art: working on portraits...

This was created from a compilation of photographs. It was a challenge to capture the spirit of all of the children without having met them. It's funny how much we actually rely on our experience with someone or our idea of them to influence what we physically see. All teenage girls should realize that as much as I do right now!

architecture: working on tenants...

The development end is no easier than the design end...except there's more free food.

Update

Just a little update:

art: I have been very busy and have not, unfortuneately been creating daily paintings. I have a couple of shows coming up in the spring. I have to finish some pieces and frame them. I also have a few commissioned projects that I have been working on. Needless to say, they are taking much longer than expected!

architecture: This week I got all of my paperwork completed for my IDP. That means I can take the test. When, I don't know, but I am excited about it. I am finding that developing this building is stressful. It is still the same situation: sit and do nothing, then "we need it tomorrow." If anyone has tips on how to get around that, let me know! And please don't mention the phrase "time management."

Locks of Love

She cut 12" off to donate to Locks of Love. Yeah Izzy!

N & J with Plant

11 x 14, graphite with colored pencil

I had this idea to incorporate the plant. With the watercolor composition, it felt like the plant was too spiky for the softness of the medium.

art: I am working on a composite portrait with 5 children. They will be done in graphite and colored pencil, but I am at a loss for the theme of the background. I need to think about ways to experiment with the background once I have the graphite complete.

architecture: Coordinating development and interior design is new to me. It feels a little like we are winging it, but it isn't rocket science! It might become more difficult when we give the interiors people our bloody sheets of mark-ups...

Running Megan

11 x 14, watercolor

Funny Beach Baby

5 x 7, watercolor

I know that I have been a very bad blogger...I will have to get back to my daily paintings.

This sketch is of J at the beach....it isn't quite finished, but it might be better off that way. It is so difficult to capture quirky expressions and make it looke intentional. Hopefully there will be a better rendition in the future.

N & J

9 x 12, watercolor

Girls at Lake

5 x 7 ish, watercolor and ink

Cupcake Design 4

5 x 7, mixed media

Cupcake Design 3

5x7, mixed media
Brent, I know that you are getting sick of cupcakes too, but buy a t-shirt at cafepress for Ava's birthday

Cupcake Design 2

5 x 7, mixed media

Cupcake Design I

5x7, mixed media, a little too sweet...

art: a lot of work, no one makes changes, and I get paid on time...oh, and I've made people happy...

architecture: Wayne only wants a new roof now, didn't I predict this? I only hope that getting paid isn't a problem now that he changed his mind. AAA building starting up ASAP.

which sounds more fun to you?

Runner Sketch 3

4 x 6, watercolor

Runner Sketch 2

4x6, watercolor
a second runner sketch

Sno Mountain

architecture: The latest at Sno Mountain. It was so much fun to design

this food servery...we had a tight budget but used materials in a different way to give them something new.

Runner Sketch

4 x 6, watercolor

G.R.

9 x 12, graphite

Melissa's miniature Rebel Without a Cause

Pink Baby

art: I love these colors...at least it isn't another house Brent!

architecture: hopefully we can find some tenants for the latest project tomorrow....and Wayne changed his mind again. Now he only wants a roof. Apparently my construction estimate wasn't really "nuts" at all.

Lynn's Puppy

art: don't you just love him? it makes me want one. Izzy was very happy today. Her friend Noah bought a gerbil and named it Isabel. Maybe we should opt for the gerbil instead of the dog....

architecture: do I have to?

Silk Painting

art: I have begun to paint on silk. It is a lot of fun, but not very easy. I think if I end up with my own sarong this summer, I'll have suceeded. I need some practice as you can tell. I also need a website. I think I'll work on that today...but I am not motivated. It is not easy to learn a new computer program by yourself. It takes courage to learn anything new. Wait until you see the puppy.

architecture: The profession and all those who practice it are a disappointment to me lately. What are you all trying to prove? I may be finished...

Allen & Stephen's House

12 x 18, watercolor

art: Allen's house:

Confession: this is a 2-day painting.

Allen, let me know what you think. Sorry I bypassed the sketches I promised you. Your house is so beautiful I just wanted to paint it. I am usually not one for symmetry, but it definitely works here! It isn't too late for changes, so any comments are appreciated. (The appearance of lines that divide it in thirds is actually due to my crappy computer skills.)

architecture: Thomas Residence CDs almost finished...OK as finished as they are going to be for now!

Mad Hatter

9 x 12, watercolor and ink

The Mad Hatter Dock Party...that warm weather can't come fast enough!

Purple House

5 x 7, mixed media

art: I want to live in one of these houses....I am going to print sets of notecards. Let me know if you are interested! I only have a few more in me, but I will give you a break for the next few days.

architecture: Does anyone know of an inexpensive way to replace FPE electrical panels? If I can find a way, we may be able to keep a commercial project...

Dark Pink House

5 x 7, watercolor

Yellow House

5 x 7, mixed media

art: I'm going to work on a house portrait this evening. It is a traditional brick house in the winter. I also hope to get some time to work on my tribute to Anthropologie. I am addicted to that catalog; I even had my hair cut like the model in the latest edition. I hope they don't stop sending it since I have never ordered anything!

architecture: I finished a pricing set today....probably not worth posting! North Lake Residence will be finished this week too, hopefully!

PS almost ready to take the exam!!!!

Blue House

5x7, mixed media

Pink House

art: OK so I have been a little bit of a slacker. I have been having trouble with scanning. The new one should arrive in the mail in the next few days. I'm very excited tonight...I am going to be painting the cutest little puppy! I really want one, but know that taking care of it would push me over the limit right now. Any ideas?

architecture: very busy which is great...it is just school delays and sick cats that are keeping me from accomplishing all that I need to!

This Time with Color

4 x 6, watercolor

new version of previous, only this time with more color....I think I have a little personal trouble with color!

_____ Happens

4 x 6, watercolor

Genie

6.5 x 10.5, watercolor, marker, collage

M.M. 3

4 x 6, watercolor

M.M. 2

4 x 6, watercolor

M.M. 1

The 1st and oldest M.M...

4x6, watercolor

Press On

Happy Birthday Alda!

Girl with Green Eyes

5 x 7, watercolor

Baby with Green Eyes

8 x 10, watercolor

Wilkes-Barre 2

The YMCA in Wilkes-Barre from the top of the Provencial Towers Parkade...

Wilkes-Barre

art & architecture: The City of Wilkes-Barre may be experiencing a renaissance...in any case, there are some interesting examples of architecture there. It seems to be that the purest of styles originated and occurred in nearby cities such as Philadelphia and New York. By the time these trends reached places like Wilkes-Barre and Scranton they were morphed, transformed and blended into styles and buildings which may just be a little more interesting....

In Purple

They have such attitude...and know early on that sunglasses always help with that...

With Stripes 2

architectutre: wall sections, deck rails, hopefully some creativity will abound.

art: another art lesson today. I am so excited. Children never cease to amaze me; they are incredibly inspiring. Let's be honest: I never cared much about them until I experienced my own. And there is that double-edged sword: they often drive you insane but when they aren't around, you miss them and their boundless energy and curiosity.

art 2: paintings of Wilkes-Barre coming along slowly...at least I've begun. I hope to post soon!

With Stripes

architecture: still working...turning our little project into quite a big one. Is it possible to do any project without using something vinyl? The number one rule in archtitectural design: anything that starts out as steel turns to wood...anything that starts out as wood turns to vinyl...

art: why can't I stop doing portraits of children? they never seem to bore me...

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to the best man on the planet... Hmmmmm....something with a 7!

Nothing to Wear

Isn't it incredible how the tiniest of females are already obsessed with the way they look and what they are wearing? Is it a basic instinct? Or learned? Or a little of both? How old are we before we realize that it doesn't really matter to anyone but ourselves?

Progress

architecture: booming...lots of work...residential and commercial. presentation tomorrow: addition to lake house. i think that i have designed two good options to transform the 1 story brick 1950s ranch into a 2 story lake cottage...the creative downfall to architecture is that unless you can convincingly persuade the client to spend a little bit of money, chances are you are back to vinyl siding and dryvit

art: has anyone even taken one of my postcards?