Expecting... new things!

Which I'm not. Just for the record - before you email me about it!!

This one's 6x8". Coloured pencil, ink, painted cardboard, packing stuff, on canvas paper (+ my favourite circles.)

And this is the first time I've even tried using canvas paper. I bought three pads of it a couple of years ago, and then shoved them in a draw (I'm good at that). It's pretty cool to work on, huh?

I just had this idea that in between my 'big' pieces (which aren't really so big, as much as time-consuming) I'd like to do some 'small' pieces. Just fun stuff. A bit of a play with mixed media. I've chopped up a bunch of substrates in either 6x8" or 8x10" so that they're ready to grab on impulse. Easy sizes. I'd like to aim to do one every week, but I'm not going to absolutely hold myself to it, otherwise I'll just get cranky if I miss a week. Having said that, if I'm having a crazy-busy work week, at least I could achieve something with these little pieces - at the times when everything's a bit too full on to be getting into my 'big' stuff. You know what I mean - those weeks.

It's just a way to keep the momentum going. I usually like to be able to work on my 'big' artwork for good blocks of time. If I only have an hour, I find it hard to get into it sometimes, because I know I'll have to stop so soon. This is where these 'small' pieces will come in. Most of them I won't actually finish in only an hour (if any), but at least I can get one finished in a few short bursts, and some of them might even spur ideas for 'big' pieces. It's just a way to get all my ideas down while they're still there. If I turn every little idea I have into a 'big' piece, I'll never get to them all. And I'll just get cranky again ;)

I'm actually really looking forward to this spur-of-the-moment art idea. Usually I have everything planned out before I go. It will be fun to just go for it, rather than being so meticulous.

And remember this background from AGES ago?

 

The one that I said I was going to start AGES ago? I have it on record the last time I did any artwork (other than "expecting" last night) - it was the 23rd of August. 3 weeks ago. That's not how I roll! So, I've finally been able to start it:

Looks pretty odd now. What is it going to be?

***Leave me a comment with your guess, before I post the finished piece on Monday, and I'll randomly pick someone to receive a free board-mounted canvas giclee print of it! (1 of 150.)***

When they are printed, that is. I have to finish it first! (But I will remember, I promise!)

[We'll see what kind of response I get, and this might even become a common occurance! Hey, I like giveaways. Do you like giveaways?]

Also: how totally awesome am I at picking the reject pencils?

Who wants their led to stay inside their pencil, anyway?

And bad news: The plover eggs that inspired that little piece? A fox ate them all this morning. And here I was welcoming spring! Boo.

Comments

[Lexy]

I'm trying to resist giving you a clue. But, i'm going to cave anyway and say:

It starts with 'M'.

And it's not a Monster!!

Goodnight!

[Kasie@~The Art of Life~]

I love, love,love the expecting piece!

Hmmm. Is your new piece a monkey of some sort?
Whatever it is it's already looking great.

I linked to your contest on my blog.
Have a great weekend!

[Shelley]

It's a MONKEY!! I just love how the white pencil crayon pops out on the background. Thanks for showing us in-progress pics, I love seeing how it all comes together!

[aramas]

where do you live?! Snakes, foxes, possums... well ok possums are everywhere, but foxes?!

I really like how the white stands out on the mankey (?) and that the whole body isnt there.... It would be interesting to see a finished piece that way... if that makes sense. Like where the shaddow would be leave as the background...just my 2c :p

Either way, Im really looking forward to seeing this one. Something about that pale colouring.

[Louise]

I'm definitely going with monkey :)

You do amazing work, I get excited whenever I see you have a new post in Bloglines LOL

[Preston Pierce]

Is it a marmaset Zentini?

[Preston Pierce]

you are crazy Arex!

[Deborah Ross]

Hi Lexy, it must be one of those funny little monkeys I just saw at the zoo, I don't know the name but they were like only a foot long and extra hyper. As always I love your work and can't wait to see this finished.

[Go Amie]

It's gorgeous (I snuck a peek at a more recent post). You are very talented!

[mim]

oh! I discovered your site thru Kal's, just in time for a contest! Love your technique, I'm a fan of coloured pencils too. hmmm.. Is it a Macaque of some sort?

[Lexy]

It is a Macaque, mim! I was going for monkey... but I looked up Macaques and that's exactly what it is!

There you go: You know what I've drawn even better than I do!