77/365:2013 ATC Mrs. March

77/365:2013 ATC  Mrs. March

Mrs. March is an eternal optimist, she plants pansies and marigolds and hopes that the summer is coming soon so she can set the flowers outside.

Want to trade/swap an ATC? Read here to see how: http://ewian.blogspot.no/2012/12/atc-artist-trading-cards.html

Medium used: watercolour, colouring pencil and pencil.

46/365:2013 ATC shh baby is sleeping

Parents have been tiptoeing around their sleeping infants since time began. Whispering: “Shh, baby is sleeping''.

But it only works with the first-born, when it is simpler to control domestic noise levels.

A radio playing or household appliances humming away can actually help the baby sleep. Interestingly, the concept of generating noise for the sake of making infant sleep is the latest in nursery gadgetry.

Want to trade/swap an ATC? Read here to see how: http://ewian.blogspot.no/2012/12/atc-artist-trading-cards.html

Medium used: watercolour, pencil and a gel pen.

May the 4th be with you!

Did you know that today is Star Wars Day? Jepp! May the 4th be with you! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars_Day


Medium used: pencil, ink, watercolour and permanent marker.

Marionettes

Sketch the rich man.

I am making Marionette dolls. I have made birds and a doll before, but that was soft one and quite simple. This time I trying humans. I began to look at couples who could play against each other. You have the classics: priest - devil and prince - princess. But you also have nurse - doctor, troll - askeladden (ashlad, Norwegian fairytale figure), Father - son, wife - husband, sultan - belly dancer, cowboy - Indian, Adam and Eve, butler - maid, Leia - Han Solo, and and many more.

Sketch, the poor man

You see there were many thoughts and ideas. The choice fell however on: poor - rich. I wanted to make men. I tend to make girls in my illustrations and artworks. So to stretch myself, I would have characteristic men.

Have you ever made dolls? Marionettes? I would love some tips!

Medium used in the sketch: pencil, watercolour and permanent marker.

Moly_X_3 Emma's book

I am participating in the moley_X_3 project. Here are the entry for Emma's book. To follow the books journey you can go here moleskinex3.blogspot.com

For Emma's book I was inspired by the floating movement of balloons. How much fun it would be to go for a ride.

Mediums used: Pencil for sketching. Medallion permanent marker for lining. Distress ink for shadowing. Colouring and pastel pencil for the houses and face form Faber-Castell and Derwent. Odourless white spirit. Acrylic paint for the balloons, mouth, glasses and hair. Leaf gold dust. Nail polish for the scarf. Distress stickles for the sweater and scarf. White gel pen from Sakura.

Art Journal - no uterine cancer

The relief flows through me! Finally got the message: no uterine cancer! This has hung over us for many months. There has been much concern, despair, frustration and grief.

NO: Lettelsen strømmer gjennom meg! Endelig kom beskjeden: ingen livmorkreft! Dette har hengt over oss i mange måneder. Det har vært mye bekymring, fortvilelse, frustrasjon og sorg.

Medium used: pencil, permanent marker, acrylic paint, distress stickles, promarkers and watercolour.

IF shadows

Sometimes the shadows can be overwhelming.

Mediums used: pencil, charcoal pencil, eraser, tinted charcoal pencil and permanent marker.

200 blog posts!

200 blog posts! Hooray!

I started the blog in August 2007, but was unsure what to do with a blog. I knew I wanted to share part of my creative life. Then came the big question; was I blogging in English or Norwegian? The next blog post was not until the beginning of April the following year where I still was not sure about the language, but had by when decided that if I should have a blog, I just had to start. My feeling was that if I should have a blog, I had to say something, not just post pictures. After a chat with an English speaking friend, the decision came to me, it should be in English. I should at least try. The point of the blog was, after all to share, and most people in Norway are able to read English. Within a week the first real blog post was out on the net. It was an illustration, IF - save made ​​for the Illustration Friday's challenge. There have been a lot of illustrations and little education material which was the first I created and shared online through my own website www.ewian.com (who finally gets a renovation these days). The linguistic challenge is still one of the largest. It is easy to explain techniques and share in Norwegian, but when English is not a language I speak, other than the occasionally holiday use, it is difficult to learn new terms and practice them correct. Getting enough language extension and enrichment is a challenge. It should be noted that the feedback that I have received inspire me to continue blogging. So far, there have been 200 blog posts. Thanks for your support!

The illo is made for this little anniversary. Mediums used: pencil, watercolours, permanent marker, stamp and ink pad.

Moly_x_3 Barbara's book

I am participating in the moley_X_3 project. Here are the entry for Barbara's book. To follow the books journey you can go here moleskinex3.blogspot.com/

As mentioned yesterday, I had a lot of trouble finding the right motive, you can see the post here . I ended up with a dragon inspired by the Norwegian stave church (Wikipedia) On it's back it has a girl. She is playing the flute.
The clouds are super iridescent, do not show up in the photo though.

Progress so far in the book.

Medium used: pencil, permanent marker, velvet decorative tape, promarkers, gel pen, iridescent watercolours and acrylic paint.

IF bicycle

Longing for spring and summertime, so I can go on bicycle rides. This weeks word at http://illustrationfriday.com is bicycle.

Medium used: pencil, permanent marker, matt medium, distress stickles, pattern paper, watercolour and watersoluble wax pastel.

2011 postcard swap, iHanna - in the mail

Three little fishes hanging in a row

I made 13 cards, 10 for the swap, one to keep, one to give away, and one to sell.

The motive is the same, however all the little fishes has different "personality".

So where are they "swimming" to?

I mailed them of: one to Norway, two to Sweden, one to Finland, one to Italy, one to Canada and four to the U.S.

This one I am selling,$30.00 USD. I'll put it up in my Etsy shop later this week(if it has not sold),

if you are interested send me a mail.

What kind of fish do think it is?

Have You Ever Been Fishing?

My favourite fishing place is the sea. Going out with a boat, using a line and hook.

One Little, Two Little, Three Little Fishes
(to the tune of One Little, Two Little, Three Little Indians)
One little, two little, three little fishes
Four little, five little, six little fishes
Seven little, eight little, nine little fishes
Ten little fishes in the pond.

These fishes are going to stay at my hose. For now they are hanging in the studio.

Some in progress pictures.

Working in my studio.

Medium used: pencil, permanent marker, masking fluid, Diamond glaze, charcoal, gloss medium, gel pen, watercolour and varnish.

Art journal - farewell

The word farewell is my favourite word to say when paring with a friend. You send your friend of with a blessing! The word works for me in both English and Norwegian. The Norwegian way to write and pronounce is close to the English: farvel. Pronounced

I woke up really early 03.40 and was not able to fall a sleep again, at least not until I have made this entry.

Medium used: pencil, permanent marker and watercolour.

Waltzing Matilda

You'll come a waltzing Matilda with me?

Medium used: permanent marker, watersoluble wax pastel, watercolour, pencil, eraser, acrylic paint, paper, embossing fluid, mica laced pigment , watercolour pencil and glue.

So looking forward to see how the rest of the book will develop and how people and the art will interact on the pages.


For those of you how don't know the words to Waltzing Matilda here they are:

Once a jolly swagman sat beside the billabong,
Under the shade of a coolibah tree,
And he sang as he sat and waited by the billabong
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me

Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me
And he sang as he sat and waited by the billabong
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me.

Down came a jumbuck to drink beside the billabong
Up jumped the swagman and seized him with glee
And he sang as he tucked jumbuck in his tuckerbag
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me

Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me
And he sang as he sat and waited by the billabong
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me.

Down came the stockman, riding on his thoroughbred,
Down came the troopers, one, two, three.
"Where's the jolly jumbuck you've got in your tuckerbag?
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me

Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me
And he sang as he sat and waited by the billabong
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me.

Up jumped the swagman and plunged into the billabong,
"You'll never catch me alive," cried he
And his ghost may be heard as you ride beside the billabong,
You'll come a waltzing matilda with me.

Text:A.B. (Banjo) Paterson

So if I got this right, explanation of Australian slang used in the song:
Billabong = A waterhole
Billy = A can or small kettle used to boil water for tea
Coolabah tree = A type of native tree in Australia
Jumbuck = A sheep
Swagman = Someone who lives on the open road, a hobo. The term came from the canvas bag that they would carry their bedroll and/or belongings in
Trooper = In Australia's early days, there was no police force. The colony was protected by and policed by soldiers.
Tucker bag = A knapsack or bag for storing food in the bush.

St.Lucia give away 2010

The day of St.Lucia is on December 13, and you'll have from now and until December 13 to enter the give away.

I celebrate Christmas and I celebrate St.Lucia, I am not catholic but the Lucia tradition is strong here in Norway. I also like the St.Lucia celebrating, it is not about what am I going to get, but what can I do for others.

I'll add another journal with supplies if there is more than a 100 comments, if there is more than 500 comments I'll add yet another journal with supplies.

You are more than welcome to blog about this in your own blog, but it is not obligated!

Why the give away?
There are so many wonderful bloggers out there giving a lot of them self. It is nice to get some feedback that people appreciate it. Those who read the comments may find a good blog. You will feel better knowing you have done something kind.

The price items is close to what I have my purse when I go out.
1 Daler - Rowney, graduate sketchbook
1 box neocolorII, watersoluble 15 colours
3 acrylic paints, black, grey, white
1 Sakura prima micron 01 archival ink pen
1 Bic ecolution HB pencil
1 pencil sharpener from Derwent
1 eraser CretacoloR monolith -line

The give away.
1. I want you to go to a blog you like, preferably a blog that do not get a lot (thousands) of comments.
2. Find a post on the blog you chose and say something NICE! in the comments.
3. Come back here and add a link to the post you commented on.
4. I will draw a winner on the December 13, check the comment you made and email you for your mailing address and send the packed on its way.

Here is how St.Lucia is celebrated here in Norway.

Santa Lucia is celebrated on December 13th. It is usually celebrated with a girl dressed in a white gown with a red sash or glitter belt, wearing an evergreen wreath with candles on her head. She is followed by a number of girl attendants, also dressed in white with one candle in there hand. The boys, "star-boys", also participate in the ceremony. They too are dressed in white gowns and they wear pointed hats and a stick with a star on.

At home:
The Lucia (the oldest girl in the family) wakes up her family by bringing a tray of coffee/tea and sweet-buns called "lussekatter"- translates to Lucia’s Cats. It is also custom to share lussekatter with the closes neighbours if they don’t have children.

Kindergarten:
The oldest children in the kindergarten 5-6 years old have a candlelight parade. They sing carols and give away lussekatter. The younger children and all the parents are invited to come and look at the parade. The parade then goes of to a retirement home, where they sing and give away some more lussekatter. The people there thank the Queen of Light, Lucia, for bringing hope during the darkest time of the year.

Schools:
The youngest children at the school have a candlelight parade. They sing carols and give away lussekatter to the other students.

In some towns:
Offices and communities sponsor candlelight parades in the evening, in which carols are sung.

Hotels
There is often an early Lucia breakfast this day.

--
If the mail goes there I will send it to you, no matter where you are in the world! The postage is pretty much the same where ever you are!

View form a studio window - video

I am participating in a moley_X project. If you are curious or want to follow the adventure of this group of artists from around the world, in a Japanese fold Moleskine sketchbook exchange you can go here: http://moleskinex79.blogspot.com

As mention in my blog post yesterday: http://ewian.blogspot.com/2010/10/view-form-studio-window.html My inspiration for this entry was the view from my studio window. I love the motive of the clothesline. This one I share with my neighbour. In this entry I have used a bit whimsical style. So excited to see how the rest of the book will develop. Wondering how people and the art will interact on the pages.

Medium used: pencil, eraser, acrylic paint, iridescent, vinyl paint, vintage paper, permanent marker, crystal gloss, promarkers, gesso and glue.

Music by Free-Spoken Band titled, Back Home you can find them on Jamendo http://www.jamendo.com/en/artist/Free-spoken_band

View form a studio window

I am participating in a moley_X project. If you are curious or want to follow the adventure of this group of artists from around the world, in a Japanese fold Moleskine sketchbook exchange you can go here: http://moleskinex79.blogspot.com


My inspiration for this entry was the view from my studio window. I love the motive of the clothesline. This one I share with my neighbour. In this entry I have used a bit whimsical style. So excited to see how the rest of the book will develop. Wondering how people and the art will interact on the pages.

I'll upload the video on how I made my entry, just need to edit it down to under 10 minutes.


Medium used: pencil, eraser, acrylic paint, iridescent, vinyl paint, vintage paper, permanent marker, crystal gloss, promarkers, gesso and glue.

IF - old-fashioned

The word for Illustration Friday is old-fashioned. Although there is a lot of cool old fashioned things, I do like the classic Apache bike-cycle. I was never lucky enough to have one as a child, but there was some of the elderly boys that let us girls have a try.

The illo is made on gessoed background, drawn with a pencil and then drawn with ultramarine blue and silver acrylic paint.

Medium used: gesso, pencil, acrylic paint.

EDM#17 - Draw a musical instrument

The EDM challenge#17 said: "Draw a musical instrument"

I made the instrument by drawing and cutting it out of paper. Then I laid it under another sheet of paper and rubbed the pencil over. I then did the drawing on top.

The inspiration came from our nationalday 17. of may, the bands play a lot of catchy tunes, and they seems to get stuck in my head for weeks.

Medium used: pencil and paper

Art journal - still in the jungle

After the last post I decide to make to give it another try. So this girl is still in the jungle. Not sure what she is doing there. Maybe she have meet someone interesting.

Medium used: pencil, watercolours and permanent marker.

IF - diary

Well I started a diary/journal when I was 10. I still have those old ones and it is full of dear diary stuff, fun to read how I saw my life then. I stopped writing when my conscience turned heavy from not writing everyday like my friends. I picked it up again some years later realising I did the journalling for my own sake. I now know I do not have to write everything I have on my mind... Most days it is a drawing or a illustration.

Here is the rules I made for my self:
- make an entry to an "art journal" everyday
- for at least 15 minutes
- put at least one line on the paper
- not feel obligated to finish a drawing
- bring the "art journal" with me every time I go out side

You can read more about it here http://ewian.blogspot.com/2009/06/drawing-everyday.html

This illustration is for the Illustration Friday word "diary". So what do I capture in my diary/journal, well there is a bit of everything that touches my life. For somebody else to read my entry's, it would look chaotic or like a jungle. So that's what the name of this girls diary is "E through the jungle" (Norwegian text "E gjennom jungel"). The words highlighted are in Norwegian and would translate to: wonderful, wrote down the precious thoughts, warm and brilliant words.

Medium used: pencil, vintage paper, acrylic paint, watercolours.