Lisa Victoria's Live Journal

still around

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:35:43 GMT

Working on the final paintings of my children's book project. Looks like it's been awhile since I've posted anything, but I'm still around :)
Actually, I better get back to work. I'll see if it's OK with the publishers to post some of the work I've finished so far.

Studio pictures

Fri, 30 May 2008 01:30:23 GMT

Thought I'd post some pictures of my studio. I really enjoy seeing other artists'
work spaces so I figure it was long over due that I post some of my own.

So here's where I work:

my desk, dry eraser board (where I keep track of my painting progress and schedule),
bookcase where I store my obsession for folders (I adore organizing even if
it doesn't look like it), wall of pictures from fellow artist friends and George
of course in
Dragon Dreaming (farthest framed picture to the right), gaurds the studio and keeps
me company.

view from my desk, with a wip

puppy pot! (the suculent is called Key Lime Pie, couldn't resist it) and my
African Violet: my "science experiment" is to see how big it'll get,
currently the diameter is 16"

I'm not kidding! It's the biggest one I've grown ever!

computer area across from my desk. The maps are for fun, to track where I've
shipped my work, good for perspective too

(you can see how small you and your problems are compared to the world).

The closet packed full of supplies, there's a full bathroom up here too (great
for cleaning paint and craft messes) and the hallway door.

To the far left is the stairs that lead down to the bottom floor.

view from the studio window. People love to let their little doggies run on
the lawn, it's entertaining :)

and looking straight down from the window you can see the patio garden.

Hope you enjoyed my studio tour :)

More bunny pictures

Thu, 15 May 2008 22:51:25 GMT

Here are some of the sketches from my journal. I've been reviewing anatomy
by drawing from my books and with the first sketch of the skull, bunny appeared

Here bunny is helping me paint, how I wish this was true in real life! :)

and here bunny is keeping me company as I'm waiting for the other members of
my art group to arrive for a meeting at a cafe. We're both having hot coco with whipped cream

Star Hopper

Thu, 15 May 2008 22:07:01 GMT

So far so good on keeping the trend of getting an ACEO done a week. We'll see how long this lasts. But there are more rabbit pictures to come :) I've been keeping a sketch journal and bunny (who may be my alter ego?) keeps popping up.

"Star Hopper"
acrylic painting on 140 lb. hot pressed water color paper

also on ebay

Fairy Challenge

Fri, 09 May 2008 00:00:13 GMT

This week I decided to pick up a challenge from Jeff Jackson: http://sonjebasa.blogspot.com/

and illustrate "Fairies taste like Poprocks' Guessing that there must be a little more to the story about how that phrase came to be. hmm. And I know Joe would have rathered I
had done something for the Sharks hockey subject. But maybe not, he was pretty
bummed when they lost in triple overtime :( Anyway this is what came to mind
for someone always drawing fairies and who has a vicious "sweet tooth."

"Candy Kisses Fairy" ACEO acrylic paint on hotpress watercolor paper

also on ebay
Auction ends May 15th 2008

The Slipper Fairy

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 23:56:48 GMT

Here's my latest ACEO, just finished this last weekend. I saw this orchid in
person!! Can you tell I'm excited? It was in Muir Woods, my favorite place to
hike. I didn't know the name at the time, but when I looked it up after I got
home the common name for this flower is "Fairy Slipper" how cool is
that? oh, of course I should mention I modified it just a tiny bit to emphasize the slipper- like qualities.
When I was drawing this, I kept imagining what it'd be like for this little fairy to have to wake up and find a new pair of shoes :)

"The Slipper Fairy" ACEO acrylic paint on hotpress watercolor paper

also on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130219065696&ssPageName=ADME:L:LCA:US:1123

Marshmallow Dragon Sculpture now on eBay

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:05:04 GMT

Marshmallow Dragon now on eBay!

"Marshmallow Dragon" about 2" high by 3.75" wide
(holding the marshmallow toasting stick)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130213617096

Please help! ACEOs needing names

Sun, 06 Apr 2008 23:35:44 GMT

I don't know why, but for me naming a painting always seems to be a challenge. On the rare occasion it's not, but this time I'm really
stumped! These two little bunnies need a good title. If anyone has any suggestions, or general ideas I'd be extremely grateful</p>

ACEO acrylic paintings

Marshmallow Dragon Sculpture

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 23:01:21 GMT

I'm excited to present my next dragon sculpture :) It's based on "Marshmallow
Dragon" an ACEO I did a while back inspired by the lovely Fudgeykat.
I found this kit to make a suncatcher that can glow in the dark! I thought
this would be perfect to use to make the flame for toasting the marshmallows.
And how cool that the white-ish part of the flame glows in the dark! Though
I couldn't figure out a good way to photograph that feature. If anyone
has any suggestions, I'm all ears.

"Marshmallow Dragon" about 2" high by 3.75" wide
(holding the marshmallow toasting stick)

Sculpey over wire and alluminum armature, acryllic paint, acrylic sealer,
wire floral tape, baked crystal and glowing baked crystals (for the fire),
apoxy glue.

the marshmallow toasting stick is removable

Surfing Duck

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:20:34 GMT

pretty neat :)

Rain Art

Tue, 04 Mar 2008 19:43:28 GMT

I think I'm on a theme of rain. The other day I found myself needing
to paint the raindrops I saw hanging on the tree outside my window (and
of course there had to be a fairy there too). Below is a better picture
of the "Rain Dragon" sculpture I finished a couple weeks ago,
and a link to view the auction on eBay with more pictures. Next on my
list is a painting of an Autumn Fairy and some more sculptures based on
my paintings; it's quite fun :)

"Rain Dragon" sculpture inspired by the ACEO
I painted of this dragon.

Also on Ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=130203334433&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=003
(auction ends March 11, 2008)

</a>

"Rain Drop Fairy" ACEO Acrylic painting

Also on Ebay
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=130203329095&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT&ih=003
(auction ends March 11, 2008)

Dragon Sculpture

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 21:43:17 GMT

Here's something a little different (I'm really excited!). It is a sculpture I made based
on my last ACEO card "Rain
Dragon" I have been watching the process of Annie Rodrigue's
gorgeous prototype sculpture "Little Batty Princess". It made
me realize how much I've missed sculpting myself. And I really liked the
idea of making a sculpture from a painting. I know this isn't a novel
idea by far, it's just usually when I sculpt I create a whole new character.
I've never done a figure from something I've painted first.

So I made this little dragon. I'll be putting it on eBay soon, this is
just a little sneak peak. If anyone has an idea of where pricing should
start, I would gladly welcome suggestions.

"Rain Dragon" Sculpture (sculpey over wire and
alluminum form, acrylic paint, acrylic sealer, fake floral stem, apoxy,
hot glue) Yes it is quite a mixed media piece. The dragon is about 3.5" high about 4.25" holding the leaf

And here are some more pictures:

Rain Dragon

Wed, 16 Jan 2008 23:09:24 GMT

Well, I've been away for a while. Had a wonderful holiday season :)
For the last couple of weeks it's been really rainy around here. Perfect
weather for working indoors. Though not so good weather for working on
oil painting commissions I need to finish soon. Anyway, thought I'd take
a break and do a quick little watercolor ACEO. A dragon for a rainy day.
This little guy is enjoying the weather. Me, I'm glad for the break of
sunshine we've had for the last couple of days. Ooh, I think most of my
oil paintings are dry now, so I can have another painting session!

"Rain Dragon" ACEO watercolor painting

Also on Ebay
(auction ends January 23, 2008)

Forest Fairy

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 18:51:37 GMT

Here's my latest ACEO. I really want to go hiking again in the woods,
but I can't right now because I have to run around getting ready for the
holidays like everyone else. And I get to make a ton of gingerbread cookies
and lefsa (a Norwegian food, it's like a tortilla but made out of potatoes
and flour). For the lefsa, I'm on my own, but my friends and I are going
to be having a cookie decorating party, so that should be a lot of fun
(hopefully we won't eat them all!)

"Forest Fairy" ACEO watercolor painting

Also on Ebay
(auction ends December 20, 2007)

Tropical Mermaid

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 18:09:47 GMT

My ACEO for this week, a mermaid, her name is Sundelee. I had a bit
of fun with her hair and jewelry. I wouldn't mind visiting this island
either, it looks nice and warm. Though I can't complain too much, today
is a beautiful crisp autumn day here in San Francisco.

"Sundelee" ACEO Acrylic painting

Also on Ebay
(auction ends December 12, 2007)

Christmas Fairy

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 18:22:41 GMT

Finally finished my Christmas Fairy ACEO. This picture reminds me of
how my sister and I would sit for hours when we were young under the Christmas
tree and be dazzled by all the lights, ornaments and how magical it all
looked. (of course this was after trying to analize what was in the gifts
from friends that were already under the tree).

"Christmas Fairy" ACEO Acrylic painting

Also on Ebay
(auction ends December 6, 2007)

Christmas Dragon ACEO

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 19:49:36 GMT

This ACEO was specially designed for one of my Christmas cards this
year. I'm currently working on a little fairy Christmas card design too.
But I wanted to have a special one featuring my dragon, George, and the
bunny. It's a continuation of "Dragon
Dreaming" and "Dragon
Moon" in which each image has a hidden rabbit. I figured for
Christmas, the bunny could come out of hiding and be decorating a cloud
Christmas tree.

"Heavenly Christmas" ACEO Acrylic painting

Also on Ebay
(auction ends November 28, 2007)

Zoo Sketch Crawl!

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 01:44:11 GMT

Today I attended a Zoo Sketch crawl at the Oakland Zoo; organized by
Jeff Jackson, a SCBWI member; though I don't think this was officially
an SCWBI event. Anyways, it was SO much fun, and today the weather was
perfect (not too hot, not too cold: as it has been unfortunately for the
last two of these events). Below are some of my sketches for the day.

I
decided to start out slow, drawing something that couldn't move too fast
:) Like a tortoise. Ha ha. Later on in the day, when I was more awake,
I drew this lion and the giraffe (which I think looks quite elegant sitting
like that)

The "horned" frog is my favorite drawing for the day. The little
frog next to him was SOOO tiny, I couldn't believe it. I should have brought
some other colored pencils too because it was bright orange, and the "horned"
frog was bright yellow. The last tree frog wasn't brightly colored, but
he was cute too; olive green with a yellow stripe. Hmm, I guess I could
color them in now, but would that be cheating? Not having done it all
on location? Probably not, but I'm feeling lazy. Can you tell I like frogs?
:)

This was a miniture goat of some kind that had such a big belly it looked pregnant, and when I was drawing it I could see much of his?/her?
back feet, so this drawing looks a little wierd to me, but I like the
face. The rest was meercats, zebras, lions and giraffes in repose. Can't
wait till the next Zoo Crawl (which got its inspiration from Sketch Crawl,
another fun thing to do: http://www.sketchcrawl.com/)

Drac's Leaf ACEO

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 23:17:36 GMT

I just finished this ACEO this afternoon. Felt I needed to do a fall themed
picture. Me, I love fall and being able to step on colorful dried out leaves
to hear the "crunch." But here's Drac, a baby dragon who has a
better use for leaves. He has just started learning how to fly, so today
he decided to take a leaf to "surf" the air while he practices
flapping his wings. Needless to say, I don't think his mother knows about
this adventure.

"Drac's Leaf" ACEO Acrylic painting

Also on Ebay
(auction ends October 18, 2007

Fairy Folk Festival

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 23:53:18 GMT

Some pictures from a recent show, The Fairy Folk Festival in Santa
Rosa, CA last Sept. 29th. It was a beautiful day and a great show with
lots of people in fairy costumes :)

Here's our booth:

Me in my costume again. I made some wings but they got a little uncomfortable later on so I
took them off. It was really wierd having something on my back like that,
and I kept bumping into things! I think I'm happy just painting fairies,
and at future fairy festivals I'll still dress in Renaissance costume
but no wings please.

There were all sorts of "creatures" at this faire,
here's a unicorn who attracted quite a crowd.

Wed, 26 Sep 2007 15:42:21 GMT

I realized it's been a while again since I've posted. Time has been flying away. I've been working on my book project and some commissions. But I managed to squeeze in a little ACEO. It was fun to do a quick little painting again :) This is a garden I would love to visit and to sit and read in. Unfortunately, it's just in my head.

"Fairy Garden" Acrylic painting ACEO

also on eBay
Auction ends October 3, 2007

Renn Costume

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 23:45:32 GMT

Here's a picture of the Rennaisance dress I made for the Medieval
Fantasy Festival we did last April. I ended up entering a costume contest.
Joe was very nice and manned the both on his own for a bit while I participated,
and ended up winning (I was really excited). The prize was for your portrait
taken in costume, and I received the picture a couple weeks ago, here
it is: (please pardon the boots, it was a cold and partly rainy day, and
I couldn't bear the thought of ruining my pair of suede slippers that
matched :) perfectly)

Gryphon Fairy

Wed, 15 Aug 2007 23:13:50 GMT

Sometimes I feel like I'm in a time warp. Or maybe it's just that
time flies, but I can't believe it's the middle of August already! *laughs*
Anyway, I went to the zoo last week and saw some amazing owls, which I
think in part inspired this piece. That and I've been working on sketches
for a new children's book contract that I just signed last month ( probably
why the month flew by) and in this wonderful story, a gryphon makes a
brief appearance. So I think it all got mixed up and this is what popped
into my head. Not sure why I'm always explaining where my ideas originate
from. Guess it's a way to talk about a picture. Though at the arts and
craft shows I do, I am asked frequently where my ideas come from. Maybe
I should tell them to go take a peek at my live journal :)

"Gryphon Fairy" Acrylic painting ACEO

also on eBay
Auction ends August 22, 2007

Sea Treasure

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 22:53:25 GMT

Here's the ACEO for this week. Inspired in part by Fudgeycat who commented
on the "Mermaid Princess" saying it looks like she's waiting for a friend to
bring her sunken treasure. Well of course that got my imagination going
and I drew this mearmaid deep below the sea who has found a secret treasure
stash. I imagine she's thinking of all the wonderful possibilities it
represents.

"Sea Treasure" Acrylic painting ACEO

also on eBay
Auction ends July 25, 2007

And then I put on this original water color painting "Tumbling Tumbalina"
on eBay too.

"Tumbling Tumbalina" Original water color painting
5"X7"

also on eBay
Auction ends July 25, 2007

Flying Pink Piggy

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 23:22:46 GMT

While it's not a fairy, this happy piggy probably feels like one. I haven't
done a whimsical animal painting in a while so this little character popped
into my head, onto my sketchbook and insisted upon being painted.

"Flying Pink Piggy" ACEO Acrylic painting

Also on Ebay
(auction ends July 16, 2007)