Valentine's Art, Make Your Own Valentine's Day Gifts, My Art On Personal Checks

Hello Everyone!

I hope you are having a lovely February weekend. It is overcast with occasional sun breaks and drizzle here in the Pacific NW. That is better than what many folks on the East Coast have been getting. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. My Mother-In-Law said they can't even get out the door to shovel the snow is so deep! They live in Maine.

Valentine's Day will be here in a few days and to help inspire you with your Valentine's Day gifts, I found a few videos. The first one is a time lapse painting of a heart. Just when you think the artist can't possibly do anymore to the painting, it changes!

If you want to make your own cards, here is a very cute video with 21 designs that you can draw from the illustrator and author Shoo Raynor. He does make them all look very easy doesn't he?

Next is an abstract Heart Painting of mine that you can see on several different items on Zazzle. Feel free to drop by my shop Itaya's Designs and see what else I've been creating and sharing lately.

Reckless Heart Original Art Painting Poster by Itayasdesigns
Browse Original Posters

And finally, my artwork is now being featured at Check Advantage on Personal Checks, Check Book Covers, and Address Labels! Head on over to Check Advantage and have a look around. I am very honored to be included as one of their Licensed Artists.

(Click on Any Set To Visit Check Advantage)

Will you be making any of your Valentine's Day cards or gifts this year? I would love to hear about it or just say 'Hi!'.  :)

Happy New Years, Art Goals for 2013, Graphic Designs Art

Hello and Happy New Years to Everyone!

I was reading another lovely post by my friend Valerie at Ask A Zombie Housewife Blog and she inspired me to think about my New Years Art Goals. Take a look at her post at the link and the lovely artwork she has featured as well.

Setting New Years Resolutions has never been my thing. My goals and aspirations seem to change so much throughout the year that it just doesn't make sense to me to state huge sweeping goals that I might not even care about in a few months.

I like Valerie's idea of setting smaller goals instead of sweeping resolutions. That definitely works better for me.

One of my Art Goals for the new year is to learn more about creating graphic designs. Not everyone realizes that this is a passion of mine along side my painting. When I compare my designs to some other graphic design artists, I realize I have a ways to go before I am satisfied. Here are a few of my graphic and digital designs from recently and in the past.

Vintage Art Vintage Woman Ad She Longs For The Day Print by Itayasdesigns
Look for more office art at zazzle.com

Letters From Home Bird In Tree Poster Print by Itayasdesigns
Create a poster online at zazzle.com

Floral Bouquet Abstract - Print Poster by Itayasdesigns
Check out Prints & Posters online at Zazzle.com

Icons - Retro Grunge Collage - Poster Print by Itayasdesigns
Browse other Icons Posters

Lavender Daisy Flowers Floral iPad Mini Case by Itayasdesigns
Browse more Flowers iPad Mini Cases

I am also thankful for the sales and recognition I've received over the past year of 2012. Here are some paintings and designs that I've received the coveted 'Today's Best Award' for on Zazzle. Thank you to the Zazzle Team for this award and thank you to all my Awesome Customers for purchasing my artwork! 

A Stroll In The Park Medium Art Print Painting by Itayasdesigns
Browse other Painting Posters

Abstract Art Vintage Woman She Remembers Large Poster by Itayasdesigns
Make a poster from a picture online at Zazzle.

Purple Orchid Floral Flower Aged Antique Plate by Itayasdesigns
Browse more Orchid Plates

So what are YOUR Art goals for the year of 2013? I would love to hear about them!

Happy New Year!  :)
Itaya

Birthday Gifts, Gelli Arts, Gelatin Printing and Monoprinting Videos

Tuesday was my birthday (Yayyyy Me!) and my sweet hubby surprised me with a Gelli Plate for monoprinting type artwork. If you aren't familiar with a Gelli Plate, check out this link to their blog - Gelli Arts . Here are a few examples of fun things you can create using one of their Gelli Plates.

And a cool video showing how to create some of these awesome art designs - 

People have been doing monoprinting for ages using glass plates, gelatin plates, and lots of other smooth surfaces. I experimented with making my own gelatin plates using Knox gelatin and did have some success with it. Here is a link to start your research for making your own if you like - Making Your Own Gelatin Plate. Just go to Linda Germain's Blog for tons more tips and techniques. 

Although Linda makes it look super easy, there are some drawbacks to using a gelatin plate. For starters, the gelatin must be kept in the fridge and it does breakdown easily. It also does NOT last forever. More like 10 days to 2 weeks. 

So....I requested a Gelli Plate for my birthday and I got one! I'm very grateful for my hubby and my Gelli Plate.  :) I'll be playing with it and creating all kinds of cool art really soon once things settle down from the holidays.  

Until I get to create some prints using my Gelli Plate, here are a few images of artwork that I created using my homemade gelatin plate and a very smooth piece of laminated shelving.

I'm looking forward to seeing how different my prints will be with the Gelli Plate!

Here's another video showing a few more techniques using the Gelli Plate. Gelli Arts now has 3 sizes of Gelli Plates to choose from.

Fun huh?

What's on your Christmas Wish List? Got anything artsy on your list that you would care to share with us? I'd love to hear!  

Happy Creative Holidays!  :) 

Whimsical Woodland Baby Owl Painting, Red Barn, Nap Time

(click images for larger views)

Baby Barn Owl wasn't really crazy about having to take naps during the daytime. He knew he had to if he was going to stay up all night and play in the old red barn. 

He did love the branch in the big old tree that was especially his. It fit his feathery body just perfectly and made falling asleep so much easier.

Baby owl wished that for once his eyelids wouldn't get so heavy during the daytime so that he could fly and practice doing fancy swoops and dives.

He loved the old red barn that he and his family stayed in at night. It was fun playing tag with his friends way up in the rafters.

Soon it would be almost dark and that made him want to get to sleep even quicker!

Title - Nap Time

Size - 3 in. x 3 in. 

Acrylic Paint on Stretched Canvas

**Includes Tiny Easel Pictured**

Price - $20

Waiting For Treatbag,Whimsical Cat Art Painting, Acrylic and Texture on Canvas

(click images for larger view)

Smoky the kitty lives in Possum Trot Holler and has adopted a family where he likes to call 'home'. He doesn't like staying indoors very much as he has grown up living most of his life outdoors. It took a very long time before Smoky trusted his humans enough to 'allow' them to feed him. 

Smoky likes that his humans have a garage that he can stay in at night and during the cold and wet wintry months. They even have a place for him to sleep that has a heating pad when it is especially cold. He really likes sleeping there and dreaming his kitty dreams!

One of Smoky's humans feeds him treats and he has named that human Treat Bag. The other human usually just feeds him very healthy kitty food and he named her Food Bag. 

Although Smoky loves his healthy food, he loves treats even more! The treats that Treat Bag gives him make him feel all cozy and fuzzy inside. He really likes that feeling. 

Many days, Smoky sits at the edge of the yard waiting for Treat Bag to come home. It doesn't matter if Treat Bag has been gone for a long time or just a few hours, he still waits for him. 

Yes, Smoky loves Food Bag and relies on her for his primary nutrition, but he really LOVES Treat Bag and those magical treats in that shiny little pouch! 

Do you have a pet that has adopted you and 'allowed' you to take care of him?  

Title - Waiting For Treatbag

Size - 4 in. x 4 in. x .75 in.

Acrylic and Texture on Stretched Canvas

**Easel is Included**

Price - $22

This little painting would be a great gift for a cat lover, for a child's room or in a nursery. I would love to hear your thoughts about this painting or just to say HI!  

Making Choices Whimsical Woodland Fox Painting

(click on images for larger view)

Mrs. Fox has a very challenging time making choices and especially when she goes to the pumpkin patch near Possum Trot Holler.

She knows it's silly not to be able to pick out the pumpkin that would be perfect for her family without making such a fuss. How hard can it be for goodness sake? 

When she starts looking at all the lovely pumpkins, she wonders which one would make the most scrumptious pies and desserts and that's where the trouble begins. Her family really loves her pumpkin desserts for the holidays and she wants each dessert to taste better than ever before.

 This year, Mrs. Fox decides to just close her eyes and pick one and trust that it will taste just fine. Or maybe she will buy more than one just to make sure! 

 Do you have a hard time making choices sometimes like Mrs. Fox does?  :) 

Title - Making Choices

Acrylic Paint on Tiny Stretched Canvas

Size - 3 in. x 3 in. x 3/8 in.

**Easel Pictured Is Included**

Price - $20

I would love to hear your thoughts about this little painting, making choices, pumpkins or just to say 'Hi!'  :)

Adventure Day, Whimsical Woodland Bears Original Painting

(click on images for larger view)

Baby bear loved going on adventures with Mama bear. When she woke him in the morning and said, "Today is the perfect day for an adventure!", he knew it was going to be a fantabulous day for sure.

Mama bear was very creative with her adventures. One time they looked to see how many different kinds of leaves they could find. Another, they searched for tiny little rocks shaped just a certain way.

When they got back home, they always did something extra special and fun with the things they found on their adventure.

Once, they went walking by the water down the way and found special pieces of driftwood. When they got home, they made a teeny tiny little seascape with bits and pieces of shells and moss. He kept it by his bed and treasured it very much. 

"I wonder what special things we'll look for today!", thought Baby Bear. Oh he was just so excited he could scarcely eat his breakfast before heading out for their big day of adventure. 

Title - Adventure Day

Size - 3 in. x 3 in. x 3/8 in.

Acrylic Paint on Stretched Canvas

**Easel Is Included**

Price - $20

(plus shipping)

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An Evening Stroll, Whimsical Woodland Owl Art Landscape Painting

Mrs. Owl loves going for an evening stroll and especially when the moon is bright and full. Once the kiddies are all tucked in bed, she leaves Mr. Owl to sit with them and she quietly slips out to enjoy some much needed quiet time. 

Mrs. Owl knows that not every owl likes to go for walks like she does. Most of them would rather fly and perch way up high in the trees. She however, loves being on the ground and watching the moonlight casting shadows all around. 

The next time you're out for an evening stroll, pay close attention as you might come across a pretty little owl that also likes taking long walks in the moonlight. 

Title - An Evening Stroll

Size - 3 in. x 3 in.

Acrylic on Canvas

**Easel Included**

Price - $20.00

I love receiving your comments and thoughts! Feel free to let me know what you think of this painting or just to say Hi!  :)