A Step Forward

Prints From Original Artwork | Whims And Fancies

 

Prints Available In Shop

 

Hi Everyone!  I have something really exciting to share with you today.  A few months after the beginning of Whims And Fancies, I started creating paper piecing patterns because I wanted to create quilt blocks from the images that I drew.  Drawing and painting have always been a part of my world, ever since I learned how to hold a pencil.  After months of sharing my paintings here and being encouraged by your kind words, I have decided to sell some of my artwork as prints.

 

 

 

 

I worked on these prints every waking moment of the last few weeks.  I won’t bore you with the details, but somewhere in there, I sneaked in some quick sewing.  I needed a larger zipper-bag to carry sketchbooks and colour pencils.  I love making these two-tone bags.  The clock and the math fabric were made for each other.

 

 

 

 

I like the combination of red and grey, hence the red zipper.  I selected the grey lining fabric for two reasons – it won’t show the colour pencil rubbings and the red pops very well against it.  I really love this bag and now I carry it in my backpack whenever I travel.

 

Speaking of travel, you may have noticed that a lot of my paintings are inspired by my travels.  So, no surprise there that the prints I selected were inspired by places that I have visited.

 

Without further ado, here is the very first set of paintings –

 

 

 

Purchase Weatherd Scottish Abbey

 

I painted most of this one during the long hours of travel during our flight, both to and from England.  It is based on the picture I took at Dryburgh Abbey in Scotland. I so enjoyed the tranquil moment standing alone in front of this aged and wet stone abbey chapter house ruin that it became the subject of my painting.

 

 

 

Purchase Magician’s Bookshelf

 

If you have known me for a while now, you probably know how much I love books.  I also love old ruins and stonework.  I created a Magician’s Bookshelf full of magic books, featuring a candlelit bookshelf adorned with stone leaves, and a wise raven watching over the books.

 

 

 

Purchase Heather In The Yorkshire Moors

 

During one of our countless visits to the British Isles, we drove out one afternoon to the outskirts of Whitby in Yorkshire.  The fields were covered by heather as far as the eye could see, and the sky was full of flowing clouds.

 

 

 

Purchase Summer Sailing in Whitby, Yorkshire

 

As we were walking to dinner that same evening, a lonely white sailboat on the North Sea caught my eye.  The Yorkshire Sky was still beautiful with the setting sun.  It was so calming and peaceful that I relived the feeling while painting this on a much later day.

 

I hope you liked the selection.  This is a huge step for me.  Many Thanks to all my friends here who continue to be so supportive and encouraging!!  I would be very happy if you could please take a look at the prints in my shop and help spread the word.

 

You can still link up on this month’s  Wandering Camera here.

 

Thank you again!
-Soma

 

 

I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page.  Please pay a visit to some of them.  

 

 

 

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Wandering Camera – Magician’s Bookshelf

Magician's Bookshelf Painting | Whims And Fancies

 

Purchase Magician’s Bookshelf

 

Hi Everyone!  Welcome to Wandering Camera.  I am really excited to share photos of this painted bookshelf with you this month.  I love the romantics of magic and decided to embark on a journey of painting a magic alphabet series.  I chose B for bookshelf. Specifically, a magician’s bookshelf.   I love to and tend to do a lot of research for my work.   I had a fantastic time looking into alchemy and magic.

 

 

 

York Cathedral | Whims And Fancies

 

York Cathedral, England, 2016

 

 

I looked into my vault of travel photos for stonework depicting vines and leaves.

 

 

St. Clement's Church, Isle Of Harris, Scotland | Whims And Fancies

 

St. Clement’s Church, Scotland, 2018

 

Nothing says magic to me more than stone.  These are two of the photos I used for reference.

 

 

Magician's Bookshelf Painting | Whims And Fancies

 

 

Before I started inking the drawing, I practised on a separate piece of paper with a dip pen.  Unfortunately, the rough surface of the cold press paper that I used kept catching the pen too much, causing very uneven lines instead of the smooth and controlled lines that I wanted.

 

 

Magician's Bookshelf Painting | Whims And Fancies

 

 

I switched to a very small brush which glided easily on the paper.  I was able to create controlled and tiny strokes for the cross hatching using waterproof Speedball Super Black india ink.

However, inks are very harsh on brushes.  I learned that the hard way after almost destroying the first one.  Brushes need to be cleaned quite often with a good brush soap.  Also, instead of my gentle watercolour brushes, I will be using a little stiffer acrylic ones for inking.

 

 

Magician's Bookshelf Painting | Whims And Fancies

 

 

It took me awhile to draw those tiny cross hatch marks.  It was quite meditative.

 

 

Magician's Bookshelf Painting | Whims And Fancies

 

 

Then, early December, I started painting.  I wanted the stone bookshelf to be illuminated by candlelight.  Using warm yellows and warm browns, gently and slowly, I finished painting the bookshelf.

 

 

Magician's Bookshelf Painting | Whims And Fancies

 

Purchase Magician’s Bookshelf

 

I thought of painting all the books in one colour, but that seemed very boring.   Magic should be exciting!  So I decided to match the colours of the books with their titles.

 

 

Magician's Bookshelf Painting | Whims And Fancies

 

 

I would love to paint this bookshelf larger one day and add more details to the book spines.

 

 

Magician's Bookshelf Painting | Whims And Fancies

 

 

The ancient and wise raven watches over both the books and the magician.  Even though she is candlelit,  she also glows from within.

 

 

 

 

Purchase Magician’s Bookshelf

 

Quoting my friend Dixie – a bibliotheque filled with books on practical magic, spells, and alchemy.  I would so love to take a peek at these books.  If only I too was made of ink and paper!

 

-Soma

 

I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page.  Please pay a visit to some of them. 

 

 

 

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