My dad loves Pecan Pie with chocolate chips in it. I painted this as a 5×7 for his birthday in October 2016.
Original illustration and hand lettering done in watercolor and ink.
A Family Logo
The last few years, I have helped the children make things to sell at our church’s Christmas Market. The year I started drawing and painting, I decided to make a new sign/logo/brand for our table. We’ve dubbed our little eight tenths of an acre “Claystone Family Farm” since all we really have around here is hard red clay and rocks.
I had already designed a family logo, but needed to create it into a big sign. Free hand was cheaper and faster than the other options. I think it turned out okay.
Our regular printed logo is similar, though perhaps more polished.
I like it better, but I did cheat a bit by using a computer font. It’s no secret. I’m still learning after all!
Pumpkin Pie – An Illustrated Recipe
Just about the time I got my “adult art supplies” (my own brushes, paints, and actual watercolor paper), Shayda Campbell taught us about illustrating recipes. This one had me excited.
Again, it was the end of September and I had Fall on my mind. I designed 3-4 versions before deciding on one. Then after it was done I did another one so I could switch things up a bit. I like different things about both of my final copies and don’t like parts of each as well, but overall, I was pleased with the project. Still learning. 🙂
The illustration above was the second I made. The first one didn’t scan right and was gifted to my sister before I realized it. This one graces my mother’s house each fall, so it was easier to access.
First Personal Success
I love fall, so in those early days of experimenting with my kid’s watercolors and card stock, the sunflowers and corn growing in the garden outside my window were a perfect subject.
When we are learning something new it’s all about comparison, isn’t it. Compared to some of the things I can do now, this looks pretty rough, but as the best thing I’d ever created before, this was pretty exciting.
I actually made something I was pleased with!
Introducing…
I’d like to introduce this new little blog. In this space I will be sharing my adventures in illustrating and watercolor. I’m new to the whole art scene. About 16 months ago I stumbled onto Shayda Campbell’s youtube channel and binge watched everything she had posted to that point while I supervised nap time. A couple weeks later, when I had finished them all, I decided I should give it a try. I made my way back through her videos, this time with pencil and paint brush in hand. I was using my kids paints and card stock, but it was enough for a beginner like me.
It was super fun, then, when my sweet husband gifted me with adult supplies for my birthday a few weeks later, and I haven’t looked back since. Over the past year plus, I’ve seen my style develop and have really enjoyed this new hobby.
Now, I’m a talker, but in this space, I am going to do my best to keep things simple. I gave up a blog years ago before my fifth little one was born. I just couldn’t keep up. And to be honest, I’m not going to try to keep up here. I’m hoping to just pop in as I have new things to share, and to let the pictures do the talking as much as possible. I’ll be posting some of the things I did early on (way back a year ago! haha) first, then sharing as I go.
Disclaimer: I am a homeschooling mama to 6 precious gifts from God. Illustrating, painting and hand lettering are things I get to do in my spare time… when there is some.
Blessings,
Babychaser
mama's brush 