In the case of Magpie-Shapeshifter, I spent my days (mostly while kids were in school) slowly formulating color patterns as I saw them in my mind. I never know exactly where a painting is going to take me. In the case of Magpie-Shapeshifter, the only thing I was conscious of was my desire to achieve a sense of dancing birds, dappled lighting and a forest full of animistic energy. I documented the progression of this painting by making daily scans of my work.

The first few days of painting focused on establishing a value pattern

After the first day of painting, I decided to change the position of the Magpie-Shapeshifter’s bird eye. It didn’t make sense to use a side view of a bird on a front view of the shapeshifter’s face. You can decipher this change on Day Two.  The bird’s eye shape takes on a more elliptical form. The shapeshifter’s face was inspired by a Facebook friend who kindly sent me a lovely photo of herself to use as inspiration. Thank you Cesca!

Cesca's eyes are striking and served as a wonderful source of inspiration.

Days three and four included lots of dry brushing (more paint, less water) in the foreground and a slow buildup of warm yellow/greens in the background.  I loved working on all aspects of this painting. I would bounce between painting rocks in the foreground and creating dappled lighting on the trees. If you look closely, you might discern a face or two in the tree bark.

I love to achieve a sense of elemental integration in my paintings—the approach has Jungian overtones with its metaphorical ties to the psyche. The roots, the water, the trees, the sky and of course the birds–all can be seen as symbols of the mind and thought processes.

Here’s the latest scan. I may work on the foreground rocks a wee bit more, but overall I’m satisfied with the results.

Just about finished--maybe a few more touches of dry brush and it's done!

In other art news:

As many of you know, another facet of my creative journey has entailed creating special “Spirit Drawings” for fans and friends around the world. Here’s an updated gallery showcasing the many visions brought to fruition with the help of my creative customers’ keywords. It has been a wonderful way to connect with fans of my artwork in a personal way. Thank you to everyone who has participated in this fantastic creative process!

Here's a recent set of wrapped Spirit Drawings.

Spirit Drawings

If you would like to be a part of this gallery, I’m still taking orders. My goal is to complete 50 drawings before the release of my Ghosts & Spirits Tarot deck in April. Yes, it looks like April is the month we’ll finally get to hold this long-awaited deck in our hands!

In other Hunt-Krameville news:

Hubby turned 41! Kyra and I saw to it that he had homemade goodies for his big day. I made the homemade pizza and Kyra decorated the requested carrot cake and cream cheese frosting.

Kyra, the triumphant cake decorator.

There I am working the pizza dough. I have a long way to go before I master the technique!

Life is art. Treat everything you do as if it’s a new adventure!

~Lisa

January is turning into a “studio hermit” month as drawing and painting have slowly supplanted the hullaballoo of the holidays. The Swallow-Shapeshifter painting-in-progress had been on the board for a while due to other pressing commitments. But the “break” allowed its after-image-glow to seer into the depths of consciousness and materialize into a more thoughtful, well-executed image. I like this piece as it encompasses everything I love about doing art. It’s always hard to explain exactly what the creative drive is all about, but in the barest of explications, I think it’s a transverse humming of the soul; an intersection of energy that coalesces into something penetrable and emotive.

Finished pencil drawing and initial watercolor washes.

Washes are followed by the drybrushing of details.

The finished Swallow-Shapeshifter watercolor painting

In other Hunt-Kramerville news:

A creative life is anything but a pristine one, as many of my author, artist and musician friends would concur. As much as I would love to maintain command of my surrounds, I often have to make choices that exclude household fastidiousness. I probably take the “A clean house is a sign of a wasted life” too much to heart. Given how jam-packed my days are, negotiating studio time and/or practicing piano or well, just being mom; dusting and other mundane labors are allowed to languish on the backlog of to-dos.

The happy corner of the kitchen and the magical realm that is Kyra's bedroom.

My mother-in-law, who has the “perfect” home,  passes on her House and Garden-style magazines to me—often somewhat butchered by her gregarious scissor hands, but with enough intact to provide me with sensual escapism. I don’t really read these periodicals, but I will leaf through dreamy pages of idyllic perfection as I proceed to fantasize about my own interior decorating choices. But more times than not, rather than being dazzled by overall layouts, I will hone in on nooks and crannies and the details that give personalized expression to one’s domicile. In between piles of chaos, I nurture cozy corners in my home; little pockets of pleasure that tell stories about the inhabitants and offer temporary reprieve from the debris of a life well lived.

The corner of my bedroom, a space of quietude and good fairy tale reads. On the shelf I have a book entitled "Colors" that friend/fan Lloyd Goatee had made for me. You can also see my dear friend Kris Waldherr's portrait of Isis and a gorgeous Waterhouse poster that she had sent to me. The teddy bear is one of my oldest possessions circa 1970--full of patches and holes from a lifetime of adoration. Every single object in this photo tells its own story.

This is all I seem to be able to maintain without big fuss—a small blissful exercise in nesting. Do you have sacred spaces in your home? Do you pay close attention to the apexes that bring a room together and perhaps serve as subconscious stability?

I think for me, my cozy corners help to balance creative distractions and smatterings of overwhelmed-ness. I notice that our furry, feathery creature companions tend to gravitate to these comfort zones. I think this says it all.

Kippers and Snowy in the corner of the library. Elsa with her alligator friend on the corner of our bed.

When I walk into my studio, the first thing I see is one of my cozy corners. That seems to set the right balance for a day that will certainly be filled by messy creative activity.

Kyra doing what she loves to do the most: reading fairy tales.

In this house, we all like to curl up to a good book in a cozy nook.

~ Lisa

A Yuletide gift from my dear friend Cindy Coombe

The transition from 2011 to 2012 was a mix of excitement and tumult. We finally finished our kitchen, with a mere few days to spare before visitors descended on Chez Hunt-Kramerville. During that period of “out with the old/in with the new”–my press proofs for Ghosts & Spirits Tarot finally arrived. The smell of new kitchen and fresh press proof sheets were acute reminders of how life is constantly changing. It feels good to enter 2012 with a sense of newness and fresh opportunities. We also added a few home accouterments that helped to enhance our abode including the above new message on our reading room wall. My friend of 25 years sent this incredibly thoughtful gift to me as it so encapsulates what I do. I toyed with putting in my studio, but felt it was an important message to share with the whole family. We’re a wee bit creatively eccentric here, so this quote resonates for us all.

Dark, rich and delicious. The proofs are stunning like sinfully mouthwatering chocolates, at least that's how I feel!

Meanwhile in the studio, my family was as excited about the Ghosts press proofs as I was. These are by far my darkest, rawest, most subconsciously driven works to date. I really surprised myself with this body of work. I didn’t know I had it in me! But obviously things had to come out, and boy did the ghosts pour through keyholes in the mind.

Kort and the kids holding up the Ghost goodies.

Here I am holding the cover proof. This is what a box would look like if flattened. Lots of careful planning for the designer! Also, my fans chose the cover art! Yup---we had a vote on Facebook and "Snow Ghost" prevailed. For those who voted for "King Hamlet", it was decided that his presence would grace the back of the box, so everyone wins!

I’ve also been “letting go” of some original watercolor and pencil artwork, much of it published as I realize I can’t hold on to them forever and prefer if they would be in the hands of those who would truly treasure my creations. Here are some samples of reasonable offerings I’ve made exclusively through my Lisa Hunt Art Group Facebook page. So far, everything I’ve posted has sold which is really nice. I also know that my customers are getting wonderful deals for original art with an added personal touch. Thank you for your continued support. Keep an eye for future art postings!

This is a watercolor illustration for a book entitled Magickal Mermaids and was sold to Mary.

This one was a book cover image for "The Guide to Little People" and sold to Kelli.

This monochromatic watercolor painting appeared in D.J. Conway's Elemental Magick. I added a remarque on the mat board. As of this posting, this piece was still for sale.

In other Hunt-Kramerville news:

The kids have winter break, so it was nice to see Kyra being creative as she was teaching herself how to draw fairies, elves and princesses. She is adamant that I don't help her as she thinks she's already better at drawing them than I am. Hahahah!

Connor, having just earned his Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do "Foot and Hand Way" has been studying anatomy. He did a pretty good job drawing his own arms on notebook paper. I like the fact that he colorized them with his new colored pencil set.

And last but not least…

After 15 years in darkness, Kort has finally graduated to an office with a window. He seems much happier these days as a result! Congrats Kort!

Happy Hunky Hubby in his new workspace

Wishing everyone a fabulous 2012!

~Lisa

Spirit Drawings

I just mailed out the last of holiday orders—drawing right up until the last possible moment to assure delivery of goodies. I can happily report that I have completed and mailed almost 40 Spirit Drawings in the last few months (Yes, I’m still taking orders). What a ride and what a great way to keep everything energized in the studio!  In between working on commissions for people from around the world, I managed to finish up Ghosts and Spirits Tarot (at the printer as I write), and work on paintings for my Bird project.

Here are a few newly rendered drawings stretched on boards and ready for paint:

Pencil renderings of Robin-Shapeshifter and Grouse-Shapeshifter. Robin-Shapeshifter illustrates dawning of the new, resurrection and birth--appropriate as we approach another year cycle.

With one eye on the 2011 hourglass, I’m cleaning up the studio and am reflecting on the approaching holidays. In my house we fully embrace the magic of this time of year. Our yearly ritual entails discarding clutter and old energy in anticipation of the new year ahead and the sense of renewal that accompanies it.  What will you be doing to prepare for 2012? Do you plan to break any chains and let go of those things that are weighing you down?

Jacob Marley and his chains from the Ghost and Spirits Tarot. The painting was still stapled on the watercolor board when this was scanned.

15 Chains (Jacob Marley)

In A Christmas Carol, Jacob Marley was Ebenezer Scrooge’s business partner and only friend. On Christmas Eve, the anniversary of Marley’s death, his ghost paid Scrooge an unexpected visit. The ghost’s chains, cash box and padlocks encumbered his spirit and served as reminders of his material-driven life. Marley comes to his parsimonious partner as a symbol of this potential dreadful fate, telling him to expect three spirit encounters. The ghost of Jacob Marley hangs in limbo as the shadows of an illusionary life keep his spirit in a state of stasis.

Divinatory meaning: You are harboring obsessive desires that cannot fill an empty void. Instead, it is weighing you down with deep-seated dissatisfaction. Open your eyes to the truth and start recognizing what is truly important.

(From the Ghosts & Spirits Tarot, due to be published early 2012)

In other Hunt-Kramerville news:

After almost 7 years of intense training, our 11 year old son earned his Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. With his Black Belt, his Master finally cut off his Padawan braid. Connor transitioned from boy to young man—with his Black Belt heart and mind there to navigate him through his challenging middle grade years (yes, bullies are a persistent fixture in the preteen landscape). There is something to wearing a Black Belt—it alters a person and makes the individual feel keenly aware of one’s environment. It also instills a confidence that goes with having journeyed from an unaware white belt to a humbled black belt who has learned to expect the unexpected. Once a black belt, one’s perception is forever altered: from the ashes rises the warrior ready to take on life’s challenges with perspicacious intent. Connor holds his head higher, appears more focused and exudes a positive energy that says “here’s a good, conscientious guy”. I’m proud of what he’s accomplished and feel confident that he will remain on the path of good character and future achievement.

Connor's Black Belt ceremony. Photos by Kort Kramer 2011

Meanwhile, here’s a clip from our 7 year old daughter’s recital.

Her piano professor, who is a brilliant musician and masterful instructor, told me “She is going to be great when she’s eight!”. We’ll see, but for now, I’m enjoying watching this ray of sunshine grow.

At the Lynn University Conservatory venue in Boca Raton where Kyra performed

Kyra performing while her teacher looks on. It's a good sign that he's smiling!

Wishing everyone a very healthy happy holiday and an inspirational year ahead!

~Lisa

My 30th Spirit Drawing!

After taking a week off to work on remodeling the kitchen, I came back to the studio with an abundance of stored-up creative energy. The result was successive, almost explosive dances with my pencils. It was like entering a traffic-less highway with just miles and miles of open roadway ahead; the horizon serving as an endless canvas of ideas.

Here are some Spirit Drawings I worked on during this fortuitous week

Spirit Drawings based on customers' "Key Spirit Words".

After creating 30 drawings for wonderful individuals around the world, I’m still excited and fresh with every new drawing. If you would like to order a Spirit Drawing, I would be happy to create an original pencil drawing based on YOUR ideas. Visit my holiday specials or Spirit Drawings page for more information.

http://ghostsandspiritstarot.com/spirit_drawings.html

And here are a few drawings I’m working on for the bird project. This week I’m focusing on drawing Robin-Shapeshifter, Grouse-Shapeshifter and Bluejay-Shapeshifter (not pictured here).

Spontaneous drawing on watercolor paper. Works-in-Progress

My kids picked up on their fiery mama’s creative vibes and were decidedly studio companions after school. Kyra did her first drawing for Alphabeasts, an open submission online gallery of fantastical beasts.

Kyra's submission for "G" (age 7)

In other Hunt-Kramerville news:

A display of Rankin/Bass figurines. The 1960's stop-motion animations were among my favorites as a child.

Connor absconded with "Herbie the Elf (dentist wannabee)" and built him a lego machine.

Also, both Kyra and Connor made honor roll this past fall semester. I’m very proud of my children’s good studying habits. I made it clear that creative ideas come more easily when one reads and studies a lot! So far, my parenting strategy is working.

Connor's honor roll certificate. He's now a viable candidate for AP classes.

And last but not least, Mom aka “Omi” turned 70. Happy Birthday Omi!

Mom with Kyra and Connor on her 70th Birthday. 70 is no longer old age!

~ Lisa

Artist and model Tamara Newman sent me a beautiful photo of herself to use as inspiration for a bird shapeshifter piece. I immediately knew I had to draw her. I loved how she pulled up her hair and looked to the sky as if she was about to open her wings and fly into the heavens of endless possibilities.

Tamara, hailing from the United Kingdom exhibits her work at various art festivals and has had work published in FAE Magazine and The Magical Times. Her magical creations are also sold in specialty shops in Glastonbury and Cornwall. Tamara boasts a strong following of admirers and fans with her versatile presentations. I love her dragon font!

Tamara, a beautiful lady and an accomplished artist in her own right.

Everything about her posture, her countenance, her coloring and even her fantasy artwork made me gravitate to the barn swallow. Lesley Morrison, who is writing the companion book for the “bird project”  (to be published by U.S. Games) e-mailed me some thoughts about the swallow and the powerful energies that they possess:

“The swallow is a herald of many interesting energies. It is precision of flight, innocence of spirit, upward movement, and a link to many powerful deities. Swallow has mastered agility, whirling in flight and changing direction in midair to capture its prey.

Swallow is a harmony, balancing the peaceful and chaotic faces of life. It is a hope that wherever our dreams may dance we will master the instincts to catch them.” ~Lesley Morrison, author of The Healing Wisdom of Birds

Painting of Thumbelina flying with her swallow friend from The Fairy Tale Tarot (Llewellyn 2009)

I’ve always loved the swallow and relished painting one in flight for the beloved fairy tale, Thumbelina. I’ve always viewed this bird as a harbinger for a happily ever after, with its fantastical fae-like presence. It darts as it flies with its swift, incisive movements—almost as if it is in play, teasing human observers with it’s unpredictable movements.

“The swallow is an auspicious symbol of hope and renewal. It glides over the waters of the unconscious, where dreams and collective myths flow. The bird and girl fly through mists, leaving their troubles behind.” ~excerpt from The Fairy Tale Tarot

I started with a sketch, taking design/layout and anatomy all into consideration.

Then I refined it by working out the anatomical kinks. Photos tend to distort and in this case, the arms are largely obscured by shadow and fabric, so I drew out the bones and muscles and adjusted their size to give the drawing an elegant, aesthetic quality. Once I felt I had a solid drawing to work from, I rubbed the back of the tracing with graphite before redrawing it onto a stretched sheet of ARCHES 140 lb. watercolor paper.

The traced-down image serves as a basic template for the final drawing. After many hours of intense rendering with a fine arts mindset accompanying every stroke, I felt the drawing was finished. As you can see, much of the drawing is created spontaneously on the watercolor paper. These days, I rarely over plan the tracing—I just let the details emerge without formulaic construct. This helps me connect with the image on a deep, soulful level without distractions.

Detail of face

——————————–

In Hunt-Kramerville news:

Goodbye old kitchen! Little do people know that the woman behind the soft pencil drawings and delicate watercolor paintings has been slowly remodeling her house the frugal way–with her own hammer and nails.
I grew up amid construction, having helped my family build their house when I was a little girl (now my wise old Pop advises and helps me with my house). Believe it or not, the physical demands of home improvement tasks actually feed the intense creative spates in my studio. It’s the act of renewing something that breathes fresh air into cognitive streams. I don’t get artist’s block because I build blocks, so to speak, between brainstorming sessions. This balance between home improvement and artistic expansion is a satisfying way to move through my middle years. My feet are solidly on the ground, yet I can still spread my wings.

Connor will be taking his black belt test in December. Cutting off the *padawan* braid will be part of Connor’s transition to Junior Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. Poor Kippers won’t be able to perch on it anymore.

~ Lisa

Parrot-Shapeshifter on the table with photographic reference

I’m not a big fan of using photographic reference. For me, I feel it tends to impede my creative flow. But sometimes a photograph will provide the artist with a peek at the world from a new point of view. When I rely too much on my own mental resources without refreshing the internal well, there is a potential for stagnation and redundancy. I’ve seen this happen to other artists and it scares me about myself. If an artist keeps taking the path of least resistance, it can get boring to the viewer. My favorite artists tend to be those who keep it fresh by expanding their repertoire while maintaining an air of humility about their work. They are the forever-learners who push and push and push never letting ego hinder the process.

My own favorite pieces tend to be ones that I consciously move into edgy realms of new possibilities. It’s like peering over a cliff and taking that leap without knowing exactly where and how you’re going to land. I think it’s important for an artist to be conscious of potential failure without fearing it. Fear and ego are often closely aligned. Let go and see your work fly!  If a painting doesn’t work, it’s not the end of the world but the beginning of further understanding and growth.

doodling ideas in sketchbook

With Parrot-Shapeshifter, I felt I needed to change up my palette so to speak and knew the extraordinary spirit that is the author/artist Emily Carding was just the energetic boost I needed.  Anyone who has acquainted her/himself with this amazing woman will know exactly what I’m talking about.

Photo of Emily Carding by Anna Simon

Lesley Morrison, author of The Healing Wisdom of birds, describes Parrot as, “A magnificent species of bird, parrots give the medicine of color to the world, and the healing everyone experiences through its beauty.  People who carry parrot medicine are often drawn to the visual arts, even costume design, or wherever they can work with colors on a daily basis.”

photo reference and inital watercolor paint washes

Who better to pose for the chromatic Parrot-Shapeshifter than a fellow artist whose work encapsulates the essence of parrot energy? Emily is a woman who exudes vibrant charisma as a photogenic model/actor and as an accomplished artist and writer. She has published many works including the brilliantly executed Transparent Tarot. She has many well-received decks with Schiffer Books and is currently working on projects entitled the Simple Wisdom of the Household Dog and Faery Crafy, both due out next year. You can learn more about the lovely Emily by visiting her website:  www.childofavalon.com.

I asked Emily to say a few words about being “Parrot-Shapeshifter” and was surprised by her reply, indicative of her generous spirit:

” I have been a fan of Lisa’s work since long before I was ever published myself so I am honoured beyond words to be the inspiration behind this extraordinary piece of art. When Lisa asked whether there was a particular bird I felt a connection with, I gave her free choice as I was curious to see what she would choose. The parrot both surprised and delighted me- the more I look at it, the more I realise how perfect a choice it is. I think Lisa has really outdone herself with the extraordinary colour and detail, as well as her trademark touch of magic!” ~Emily Carding, November 2011

Thank you Em — xo

Here’s what you helped make happen…

The finished Parrot-Shapeshifter painting.

While sketching Parrot-Shapeshifter, it became clear to me that I really needed to look at some good close-up shots of parrots. I wanted to understand those delicious patterns on the feathers and felt it was necessary to acquire good reference. I asked my friend and local photographer Moxie Nox if she would be willing to provide me with photos from one of her outings to a local sanctuary.

Moxie's amazing close-up of parrot. Look at the details!

I was delighted by the many poses and skillful zooms that she was able to provide for me. Please check out her website and friend her on Facebook. She is a delightful, insightful woman who has so many gifts to share. www.moxienox.com

“I’ve always been fascinated by the birds and enjoy taking pictures of them. I’m very fortunate to live very close to Flamingo Gardens (Davie, Florida) where I love to go often; to lose myself in photographing the birds and other wildlife that reside there. It’s pure magic in those Gardens.” ~Moxie Nox aka Melissa Ritchey

Many of us artists tend to be studio hermits and even semi-recluses, but the richness of our work often includes the outside world and how we see and feel about everything around us. This includes the symbiotic exchanges that artists often share—full of mutual support and words of inspiration and of course, helpful critiques! I’m fortunate to have largely avoided artist’s block during my 25 year career and credit this for having nurtured and maintained many diverse relationships with kindred creative spirits. Thank you Em and Moxie and thank you everyone who has touched me in ways that have nurtured my art!

In Hunt-Kramerville news: The house of continual creative messes

Speaking of vibrant colors: Here’s Kyra’s PTA 2011 “Reflections” art project submission. This year’s theme is “Diversity”. She recently completed a unit on coral reefs at school and decided to apply her knowledge about biodiversity and symbiosis to her art. Kort and I are extremely impressed with her  innate talents and undeterred confidence. She knew what she wanted to do and went ahead and did it. I thought the whole cut-away idea was really cool! As soon as we get it back, it’s going to be professionally framed.

"Sunset Sea" by Kyra Kramer

Here’s a picture of Connor in his Halloween costume that he designed and made himself. Unfortunately, he claimed the discomfort of wearing it made it hard to trick or treat!

Connor in his homemade Iron Man costume (his comic book hero of choice at present) Photo: Jonathan Hunt 2011

~Lisa

The arrival of pre-press material

When the fed ex guy dropped off a fat box from my art director at U.S. Games, my happy dance alarm threw me into a whirl as I quickly tore into its contents.  Out came the final Ghosts & Spirits Tarot manuscript, card back designs, card art and the long-awaited cover designs. It is hard to describe how one feels when one first lays eyes on pieces of production, but it is similar to seeing one’s artwork or earned award newly framed and hanging on the wall. It encapsalutes one’s work and dedication into a small bundle of instant recognition and it’s loaded with emotion.

The front cover design (not finalized)

The back of the box design

Card back design

The Ghosts and Spirits Tarot is like nothing I’ve done before. It called into action every nook and cranny of my psyche—employing deep dark figments of recessed fears along with the myths and legends that have occupied my creative life since I was a child. Not everything is dark, heavy and scary, but it is probably the first deck I’ve created that exposes so much rawness with vividity. It is untangling of sorts—where all the hung up pieces have fallen out of a web of resistance; tumbling into these 79 cards. Here are some sample cards for you to look at (more coming in future blog posts). I tried to pick a variety to help illustrate the diverse nature of this unique deck.

Yes, 79 cards. The other thing that makes this deck different is your involvement through social networking and the many eyes and voices that have contributed to its evolution. I had fans and friends vote for pieces including images for the cover art and an image for Four of Swords. Due to the overwhelming response and strong arguments for both images in question, the good folks at U.S. Games decided to include both Snow Ghost and Hamlet on the card box. You made this happen! For Four of swords, instead of the omission of one of the images, it was decided that an extra card would be added to the deck. How fun is that?

Here's the extra card that so many of you voted for. It's one of my favorite images in the deck.

In other Hunt-Kramerville news:

Kyra’s daily repertoire includes books, critters and artwork.

Kyra, Kippers and Timmy--trio of bookworms.

I love this diorama that Kyra did for her coral reef project. It earned her an A!

Happy sea creatures!

Contrasting Kyra’s peaceful realms is Connor’s robo battles:

I'm impressed by my 11 year old son's intuitive perspective skills. No, I do not teach him how to do art. He just does it.

~ Lisa

Drawing used for underpainting

I had no idea where I was going to take Loon-Shapeshifter. It was a piece that evolved through feelings, nostalgia and from a place where simplicity was beautiful and complex. Loon-Shapeshifter was not the subject of a painting, but part of a wider story where trees, water and sky all merge together in seamless harmony. While painting, I felt Loon quietly skim the soothing cool waters, reflecting the monochromatic landscape—neutral, peaceful and deeply connected to the universe.

In a previous post, I talked about sketching and drawing Loon-Shapeshifter. In this post, I will take you through the painting process from gathering reference and supplies.

Here are a few brushes, a painting dish for big washes and a willing impromptu model, aka the poor husband.

The yellow opaque material is dried mascoid.

I sometimes use mascoid to help protect some of the whites of the paper. For those of you who are unfamiliar with mascoid, it’s like rubber cement that you apply to select areas of the watercolor paper. After it dries, you can paint to your heart’s content without worrying about the designated areas that you want to keep free of watercolor. I use mascoid rather selectively as sometimes it’s easier to paint without it.

Initial washes of paint from top to bottom.

Watercolor painting requires patience.

With this painting, I divided the washes at the horizon line and let the pools of color gather where trees meet water. While the top half dried, I worked on the bottom half.

It takes layer after layer of watercolor to build a painting. It's hard to see the difference between scans, but the saturation slowly builds with each subsequent paint application This is the calmest period during a painting---the middle--- after the initial frenzy of washes and before the intensity of detail work.

Before getting into the nitty gritty and final stages of the painting, I remove the mascoid and allow the white areas to join the rest of the painting.

Pulling mascoid off is fun and exciting! I never know exactly what the end result will be.

Finishing it off…….

The effects lend to an ethereal, magical atmosphere. Having established the value patterns (light and dark areas), I now focus on creating more texture with dry brushing techniques. I find that mascoid helps to enhance a dimensional quality in artwork, if used judiciously.

During the final stretch, I reapplied mascoid in the foreground and included some areas that had already been painted. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the end result gave the piece a shimmery look; something that perfectly captured the essence of the loon’s spirit that I was hoping to achieve.

I am very pleased with the outcome! I hope you are too.

~ Lisa

Bear Spirit and Celtic Shaman Healer

Mermaid Dreams and Bird Spirit

These drawings are rendered on quality paper using graphite. They’re mounted on foam core board and are lovingly wrapped with protective cellophane. They take approximately two weeks from initial order to delivery. A “spirit drawing” certificate of authenticity is included.

Each original drawing is beautifully wrapped with my own hands.

This certificate of authenticity was designed by the talented Kort Kramer and is signed by me!

If you are interested in ordering an original drawing at an affordable $28.00, please visit my Spirits Drawings page at my Ghosts & Spirits website.

In other Hunt-Kramerville news…

Connor putting his graphic novel writing/drawing skills to good use!

Connor is a chip off the ol’ block. He has figured out that embellishing one’s Language Arts writing assignments with accompanying illustrations is a great way to engage the reader (and hopefully the teacher). I used to do this too and still do!

And… Kyra took and passed her Green Belt test. She has definitely inherited my “Wildhorse” spirit, though I can’t kick as well as she can. Congratulations Kyra!

Kyra doing a front kick. Watch out!

~Lisa