Creative Tuesday's Cats and a wee bit of Origami

Rolling back into the swing of things with another Creative Tuesday!

Now I might have possibly misinterpreted the theme as the cat in my picture is not black.... so maybe a more philosophical approach could suffice. My cat is dark - mummified and maybe even evil? Ok maybe that's too harsh.

Either way I am up at the crack of dawn drawing cats and videoing my efforts. If you haven't seen already I am now dabbling in some speed drawing. trying new things in each video. They are far from perfect and are mute since I need some research into music and copyright.

I want to work out next how to take a good video of painting without boring the viewers! What would you like to see me do with this?

Here's the finished cat painting...

Mummified Cat - Original ATC - Katie Hone

Head on over to Creative Tuesday this week to see others interpretation of the theme.

Origami again!!!

On another note I am really throwing myself back into origami. I used to do it and loved it but was very much a solo enjoyment. Now I have a few friends interested we're very keen on working on Christmas decorations! Need more paper already though but I suppose nothing is stopping me from cutting up paper myself... Food for thought!

Modular Origami - 5 Pointed Star

Drawlloween

I am a few days early but I have completed this whole challenge - it has been amazingly challenging! it has introduced pixel art to me (the one subject I was least looking forward to but enjoyed the most!) Has anyone else embarked on this challenge? I reckon I can do it again for next year too.

These pictures are not in order but if you need to refer to the Drawlloween theme list I talk about it in my previous post: Art Topic List for Halloween - Oh and Cookies

Drawlloween Challenge (Landscape ATCs) - Not in Order

Drawlloween Challenge (Portrait ATCs) - Not in Order

Before I leave I'd like to refer you to a free giveaway on my Facebook page (Katie Hone - Illustrator) - please send your love that way and who knows you could get lucky! I will be introducing free giveaways every month so please get involved.

Thank you for stopping by, any and all feedback on the video would be great!

32 Art Trading Cards in just five days!

What a crazy month this has been

Last year I participated in one of the most fun events on IllustratedATCs - called a Halloween-Athon. I'm sure it's popular elsewhere but here we set aside four days in October to make and trade frantically. Last year I was extremely under prepared. I had to go to work in the early morning which made staying up late to keep up with American trading impossible.

This year however:

1. I took 5 days off work

2. I made about 20 cards beforehand (with the help of #Drawlloween prompts) - check out one of my last posts to see the prompts.

3. I drew out lots of outlines to simply paint later.

Halloween-Athon - ATCs Trading - Katie Hone

That didn't stop the calamity, that is my computer suddenly stopped functioning. I had a very panicked 12 hours where I thought some of my images would be lost forever. A massive sigh of relief when a disk clean up (which took 5 hours) got it back.

And my results?

52 cards made

43 cards traded

I am exhausted!

ATC art by Katie Hone - Halloween-Athon

Mailing list at the end of Halloween-Athon

Monday was great, I could slow down and get the packages ready which for some reason is something I really enjoy. 

I am looking forward to the coming weeks of mail art!

I also received a Secret Halloween package - another mail art madness I do at IllustratedATCs - here is my little Georgie playing with the dolls I received.

Georgie - Aged 2 playing with DADAology's Vampire art Doll

I like to share this art with Georgie - check out the pictures of when Georgie was weeks old, she got a bunch of ATCs as a gift for when she was born. ATCs on her just looked so huge!!

What is my workstation like?

I've been seeing some interesting work spaces lately and want to add mine to the collection - along with my general environment.

Noodlerabbit88 - Work space

I work very small so realistically I use very little space. In this picture you can see my usual layout for painting ATC's - this bat is day 14 on Drawlloween - one of my more simpler designs. Anyhow I have my computer right in front of me because I can't tear myself away from my emails and Facebook!

Lego Minifigure and art collection - Katie Hone

Boxes of stuff - organised heaven!

Workspace and inspiration

These pictures are what surrounds me, mostly envies, Moos and inchies - inspiring and a great collection of Lego Mini - Figures (which by the way I love)!

Finally I wanted to share these awesome pictures that TF Balding has got on her Facebook page called Southern Sweet Tea Studio - She is an exceptional artist and here she's done a time lapse of her latest piece which will be a giveaway to a random lucky winner. Check out her Etsy shop too.

TF Balding 2015 Southern Sweet Tea Studio

I would love to see your workspace too, how organised are you?

Check out how much my art and working has changed. 

A Canvas Work in Progress

Way back in 2012 I used to paint canvas, bigger, more space needed. I'm quite glad I work small with my little set up!

Art Topic List For Halloween, oh and Cookies!!

Hello everybody! I hope everyone is doing good.

Monday

I had a rather epic day with a new friend from work, she is all artsy and we had grand plans to do some interesting stuff. I was going to introduce her to Art Trading Cards, make origami things, this strange plastic bead you can melt down and mold which then hardens. Followed by an interesting dinner and cookies (we figured that would appease the Georgie girl).

How did we do?

We made dinner and cookies - hah!!!

Jody and I spent the whole day chatting and I showed my enormous collection of Art Trading Cards I have collected in two years. Georgie wanted plenty of attention and wouldn't go down for her much needed nap.

Georgie mashes up the mix

Georgie beats the dough into submission

Drawlloween Challenge

My topic list for Drawlloween

Oh this is such fun - for every day in October this year is a topic, we post everyday with our creations and with any luck I will complete all 31 and get a cute little pixel challenge trophy! Don't we just love pixel trophies!

Here is a sneak peak at a few completed ones:

Drawlloween - Ghosts - Eyeballs - Skull - Dragon - Devil --- Katie Hone

Someone you must go and look at

Clicking a few links and looking around the internet I happened to bump into a very good friend of mine on her blog! And it's rich with posts and ideas which, when I have a bit more time I will start reading through. Her name is Amy Weaver - you can find her blog at TheWeaversHand. She has traded some awesome pictures of my daughter, I'm not usually a great fan of collage but the way she uses mixed media is just incredible. Seriously check her out!

Moos made by Amy Weaver - Georgie Atkin 

Children's Books and Youtube Banners

Out of the woods and back into blogging. A new effort to blog at least once a week on either Mondays or Wednesdays.

What am I doing currently? A lot! Seriously I have every single toe and finger dipped into projects with one larger project in mind. Though the way to do this is actually to take my hands and feet out and stick them all into one big bucket... Ok now it's sounding weird! 

A children's book has been an idea I've had for ages but it isn't just me who says this. People from all over who have seen and received my art have always said I might be pretty good at this. I was never keen because I found the project a bit too large to comprehend. With a little help from time management apps (Trello is just wonderful) - I am now attempting to remove myself from small projects and really make a go at this.

Here are some images from an idea --- also found on Etsy:

Elephant and Giraffe at Breakfast

Elephant Skiing down a Volcano

Giraffe and Elephant Original Aceo - Katie Hone

Elephant Skiing on Volcano Original Aceo - Katie Hone

Perhaps I am falling at the first hurdle which is the story itself... am I really meant to write and illustrate, might have to put my feelers out for an author!

Scott Whitehill Youtube Challenges Channel - Art by Katie Hone

One of my other little side projects is aiding small time Youtubers with bits of artwork to help make their profile colourful and attractive. Make way for Scott Whitehill - he happens to work with me at the local Tesco and aims to make a channel about strange and wonderful challenges. Using some of his challenges has helped with my painting.... Eating candy vs insects - yummy!!! Go check him out, support is always a great thing! Do you know a Youtuber that needs a little hand in some fun free banner art? Send me a message!

It's nice to get back into the blogging atmosphere - I'd love to hear your comments :D

Also my Aceo Etsy store is now back up and running with a goal of keeping the shop full and exciting!

Cheese Trees and Beached Hippos

YES - an abnormal title for abnormal art!!!

I have started a new swap over at ATCSforall and I decided to try and create a truely random set of cards. My aim was to have three seperate list of themes and to choose randomly from each one of them to try and draw on a tiny ATC.

So here is my first one - Beached Hippos find themselves amidst a desert of rainbow melting cactus!

2.5" x 3.5" Original ACEO - Hippos beached rainbow cactus

This can be found on Ebay here.

And my second one - Giraffe wonders around on the moon and finds a rainbow igloo amongst the cheese trees. (I loved drawing the cheese trees and also igloos have become one of my favorite things to draw!

2.5" x 3.5" Original ACEO - Giraffe finds a rainbow igloo and cheese trees

This can be found on Ebay here.

I am really enjoying really surreal art because you can make the stories up afterwards - I do love the idea of cheese trees growing on the moon instead of the moon being made of cheese. So many ideas!!

Creative Tuesday - Jam on Toast

Over at Creative Tuesday the theme this fortnight is "Hot Toast and Jam" - I of course can't ever miss the opportunity to bring out my pair of cute giraffes who obviously seem to like this for breakfast. I sit here and wish and wish I could have a pair of tiny giraffes... Anyone seen the scene in Despicable Me when they shrink the elephant... yes I would love that shrink ray :)

2.5" x 3.5" Original ACEO - Giraffes eat Jam on Toast

Pop on over to Creative Tuesday see what other people have made!

This item is also in my Etsy store - hop on over if you want to see where these critters also go.

Creative Tuesday - "I want to go to"

Every time I hear the phrase "I want to go to" I nearly always think of the moon.... so hmmm... I decided to draw all of the giraffe family hanging out on a rather Mars looking like moon (what with the bright red colours). Well we can all bend the rules a little!!!

2.5" x 3.5" Original Art ACEO - Giraffes on the Moon

 

 

 

 

Head on over to Creative Tuesday's little corner of blog land to see other inspirations for this fortnight's topic :)

 

 

You can find this piece of art for sale here in my Etsy shop.

 

I have also kept myself busy with this month's NFAC Theme: All in a Row

 

Check out my Elephants - Giraffes - Pigs

All on eBay now!

 

Creative Tuesday - SOCKS

It's been ages since I last wrote on my blog and I've decided to come back with some ultra cute elephants in socks (of course).

 

Inspired by Creative Tuesday's theme of socks I wanted to incorporate my love of elephants with such a fun theme.

 

 

Here is my:

"Casual Elephant in a Party Hat and Super Comfortable Soft Slipper Socks"

 

2.5" x 3.5" ACEO

 

And:

"Happy Stampy Elephant in his Fashionably Long Stripy Socks"

 



2.5" x 3.5" ACEO

 

Very happy to pop back into the blogging world again and hope to have fun with more blog hopping.

 

Check out all other awesome "sock" entries at Creative Tuesdays fun little corner of the internet :)

 

*Waving*

 

 

So I've just noticed that "socks" has already expired and I was too late, I think I just saw the theme and got so excited I went ahead with it anyway - no matter - no harm in linking it all up anyway and I'll check out the next theme!



Creative Tuesday - Forest

I have joined so many different swaps in the last month - where do I begin...

Well to link over to Creative Tuesday who's theme is Forest I have a swap that fits in nicely!

I got invited to a "People of the Forest" swap - animals were allowed but there had to be one humanoid at least on every card. For some reason I find when it comes to mythical or fantasy based characters I lack greatly in imagination. To achieve all of these I spent ages looking on the internet and seeing what I could try and draw. I came up with the idea of a tree ent - but is that a humanoid or plant??? Hmmm anyhow - the Mushroom Man is my fave.

Check out Creative Tuesday for other forest inspired art.

Georgie's Goodie Bag

Georgie got a goodie bag from an art friend of mine!

 

First of all this started out as a standard 2-2 trade.

 

I made these two for her:

Orange Butterfly - 2.5 x 3.5 Original ATC

Blue Butterflies - 2.5 x 3.5 Original ATC

In return I received these two cards:

 

Particularly love that Georgie card! I also received an extra card - yay!!!

And then as if that wasn't enough I also got 4 children's books, 2 US stamps (for me to use in further swaps), a gorgeous 6-9 month Bunny onesie - and a snuggle bunny!!!!

And here is Georgie having a good snuggle!!

Such a kind gesture - Georgie has received many a gift from my art friends - I can't thank you enough!!

Blue, Blue BLUE!!!

Over at Artist's playroom the theme is Monochrome which once again is very conveneint because I have just done a swap called Strangely Blue. Now the rule wasn't necassarily that everything was blue - just that the main object was blue. However I have never painted something in just one hue and didn't see why the whole thing couldn't be...

Pop on over to see what colours other people chose - Artist's Playroom.

So I decided to pick things that are not usually seen as a blue object -

We start off with peas in a pod - aw

Peas in Pods - 2.5 x 3.5 Original ACEO

A couple of Halloween Pumpkins...

Halloween Pumpkins - 2.5 x 3.5 Original ACEO

This was just random - someone playing the guitar...

Playing Acoustic Guitar - 2.5 x 3.5 Original ACEO

Probably my favorite of the bunch is this wee Lego man!

Lego Man - 2.5 x 3.5 Original ACEO

 Next up a blue rose...

Blue Rose - 2.5 x 3.5 Original ACEO

Urm yes Mike Wizowski - who doesn't love this guy!

Mike Wizowski Monsters Inc - 2.5 x 3.5 Original ACEO

 A tiger...

Blue Siberian Tiger - 2.5 x 3.5 Original ACEO

Then we have an ever famous NOT red London Bus which can be found in my etsy store here...

Blue London Bus - 2.5 x 3.5 Original ACEO

And last but not least for all you Whovians! Which can also be found in my etsy store here...

Dr Who Blue Dalek - 2.5 x 3.5 Original ACEO

Phew - so many blue things!!

I reward you for reading such an epic post with a Georgie picture - she is giggling now and lifting her head right up when on her tummy!

Mondrian with a Twist

Not one to pass up another great swap - I got invited to Mondrian with a Twist. I suppose you already know that the twist is Giraffe and Elephant! Of course - because they like to explore the Art world!

Mondrian with a Twist - ATC

 

Here are the first four Mondrian's I did - after this they suddenly got popular.

 

 

I ended up agreeing to a few personal trades and then did these.

 

After that I decided on a new technique with the shading, by doing this it made them look richer with detail.

 

Here I have one up for sale!

 

And last night I did a Mondrian altered envie! Oh wow I've fallen in love with it and of course I want to give it to the person intended but I will miss it!

 

Anyone know if an altered envie might sell? I wonder... Would you buy one and what price?