Leopard Cub in Progress

Just wanted to share this little gem I'm working on...this is #3 in my Cubs ACEO art card series.

I'm thoroughly enjoying my color pencils again and love this little illustration board for creating miniatures.

--Jai

Cheetah Cub ACEO

It's been a while since I posted, I know. But I haven't been being lazy! :) I've been working my tail off, at my jobs and at my true love...my art. Recently I found some fabulous pieces of illustration board (with vellum), precut to standard ACEO art trading card sizes of 2 1/2" x 3 1/2". I bought one package, and it has 5 boards in the package. I decided to complete a series of 5 miniature paintings to try out this board.

First, let me say, I LOVE IT! I have missed creating art in miniature! And I love the feel of the illustration board. This first painting shown here is titled Cheetah Cub and is completed in Prismacolor pencils. It's the first in the series, which I've titled "Cubs". Keep watching my blog for the other 4...I promise I'll post them!

I've put the original up for sale on my website dedicated to my big eye animals.


This photo here is taken outdoors and shows the original miniature art in natural light.

And this is an example of how the mini art might look when matted and framed.

--Jai

My Heart

I had completed this painting before as a digital work of art and after several months, I decided I wasn't too thrilled with the work. I decided to add this delightful kitty to my big eyed animal art collection, so I completed the same art again, this time in Prismacolor and with - of course - big eyes!

This is little Oreo. Her original photo had her holding a tennis ball, but I thought I'd create her holding a stuffed heart instead. You can check out the in progress photos on my website (though I didn't put as many up of this one as the previous ones). I've also added this art to lots of fun cards and gift items in my shop.

I've started my next work, which will be a delightful Emu. Watch the in progress page for her progression. There's one in progress photo up at this point. I would have worked on her more, but I got sidetracked when I stumbled on a fabulous tutorial. The tutorial covered burnishing and layering in great detail. I have used the techniques in depth on previous works...it definitely creates an amazing sense of aliveness. For about 10 minutes I thought about delving into that with these recent works. But then I changed my mind. I like the looser feel I'm getting with these works, and I'm not sure it would serve the pieces for this series well.

I have to admit though, I'm now feeling that little thump-thump in my heart to create a piece with extreme realism again, just like I used to do. Perhaps I'll burnish the Emu's nose and beak area on this current painting just to get it out of my system. But for the rest of it, I think I'll just keep things loose and free form. :)

--Jai

Kitty Cookin' Up Trouble

I completed this color pencil painting in my big eyed art series this week. How about this sweet little fella? He's cookin' up trouble with his chef's hat on and a bowl of vegetable soup, with the letters that spell...of course...TROUBLE! :) I had so much fun with this illustration!

You can see the in progress photos of Cookin' Up Trouble on my website, as well as purchase the original there if you desire. You also might like the image on the wide variety of gifts in my online gift shop.

As always, thanks for stopping in and for sharing my art with others, too!

--Jai

A little BIG EYE art

I have had two delicious days to myself. Although most of the 1st one was spent with a migraine that was trying to attack me, I didn't have to leave the house for anything. Which means...I could actually allow my creativity to emerge again! As soon as I was able, I went down to the studio and began this color pencil painting. It all worked so perfectly (I love it when that happens!). Stroke after stroke, this artwork titled "Uncle Sam" came together easily.

It all began when I was browsing through my photos from the dog show. When I saw the shot of this Pekingese pup, I could just see him wearing patriotic gear for the 4th of July. I could also see him as a BIG EYE dog...a form of art I've been meaning to try for years with my animals. So while I felt I was dying on the 4th, I managed to infuse life into this little fella with my Prismacolors.

This is the first time I've used vellum paper (1oo lb) and I LOVE IT. I think it's what made the painting flow so smoothly. I'm so excited with how this one turned out, I've decided to keep on with the big eye animals, and some other critters like birds and reptiles. I'm going to do them all in color pencil, and under my brush name of Silajai, which I haven't used in several years. I've even set up a separate website address to showcase just these works of art. I hope you'll stop by and bookmark it. With my work schedule, who knows when the next one will be done. I know it will frustrate the stew out of me not to be able to work on my art as much as I'd like, but who knows, maybe the originals will begin selling and I'll be able to do what I'm supposed to be doing again - painting and illustrating.

As always, thanks for stopping by, and thanks for sharing my blog and websites with your fellow art lovers.

InJoy,
Jai