Laura K Maxwell
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The life of a project

4/28/2015

6 Comments

 
It's good to get out of your comfort zone.  It is also, obviously, uncomfortable.  This weekend I got out of my art comfort zone by tackling a painting (I usually stick with pen, not paintbrush).  A friend had given me an easel, so I thought it was time.  I spent the whole time second-guessing myself though.  It was the kind of process mapped out below, that I'm sure many artists (or anyone tackling any sort of project) can relate to.
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Stolen from the book "Steal Like an Artist" by Austin Kleon, who apparently stole it from someone else.
And of course I love process shots....
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At this point, I'm still on the first dot, thinking it's going to be AWESOME. But my opinion of my painting goes downhill from there...
I kept asking Ryan for suggestions and then would get defensive when he'd suggest anything.
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By the end, I did like it.  Not love, but like.  Not as bad as I thought.  I wasn't ashamed to post it all over social media, so there's that. It has lots of fun energy.
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If you DO happen to love it, you can buy prints and products of it from Society6, and can contact me about buying the original.
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I AM excited to tackle another painting soon. :)
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6 Comments

Roses and Puppies

4/23/2015

3 Comments

 
The rose is growing patterns and color.
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I'm having fun with this little flower and have high hopes for her.

I'm also beginning a commissioned project that is close to my heart as well.
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There may have to be some yellow roses involved in this one..

In adventure updates, we went on a fun/hard hike this past weekend with a 1:1 dog:person ratio.

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posing under the Rock of Ages
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Kylie and her pup Henry--who was such a trooper!
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Action shot. Lots of creeks to cross.
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Love how they are all single file in this one.
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Me, taking it all in
Btw: I did not take any of the above photos.  Our friends Ari and Kylie did. I'm thankful we've made such great friends so quickly up here.  Definitely an answer to prayer.
3 Comments

new on etsy

4/17/2015

1 Comment

 
Those of you who follow me on facebook may have noticed I've been trying to beef up my Etsy shop.  Here are some of the lastest goodies I've added there....

New cards....
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Coffee postcard
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Elephant Greeting Card
New signed prints...
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Patterns on Patagonia -- 11x14 Print
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Pattern Penguin -- 8x10 Print
A new coloring sheet....
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And these lovely screen-printed tote bags.... 
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Swirl Tote
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Mermaid Tote
So that's just a penny for your thoughts as you wonder what to do with your tax return....

And since it's rose season here in Portland, I've started a rose drawing.
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This will soon also be available as a coloring page.  I want to start getting in the habit of scanning my drawings while they are in the outline-phase, so I can create a nice stash of coloring pages and eventually perhaps publish a coloring book :)

Enjoy your weekend.

1 Comment

Working from pictures

4/12/2015

1 Comment

 
I refuse to start my blog post saying it's been too long since I last blogged.  There.

Since moving here we've taken so many beautiful pictures of the glorious natural beauty that surrounds where we live.
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Taken just yesterday at Cape Kiwanda.
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I want to start drawing more from what we've seen.  Like right now, I'm working on a drawing from when Victoria visited us.  Of her walking through the red woods in Hoyt Arboretum here in Portland
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Currently working on adding color. Though I scanned it in black and white too in case I decide I like that better.
I have lots of great material to work with. 

Thankful for my adventure partner.
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Taken last night, watching the sunset at the coast.
1 Comment

Big news...

4/1/2015

1 Comment

 
Big news guys, Ryan and I have decided to move to Alaska!
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"Alaska" by Christiane Engel
We just feel really called there.  Ryan lived there when he was a toddler and has fond memories.




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"Alaska" by Richard Eijkenbroek
Ok ok, you caught me!  April Fools! I can never keep a joke going.  No, we are really still fond of beautiful Oregon.
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"Map of Oregon" by Christiane Engel
But deep in our heart we will always be from..
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"Postcard from Texas" by Christiane Engel
Ok, I'm getting a little carried away with these maps, but aren't they so charming?    The artist is Christiane Engle and she has a bunch more.  I like how even Waco is included in Texas.

I mentioned before that I joined an art co-op here called Artistic Portland.  We recently launched a new and improved website, check it out!  There is such a great diversity of artists involved.

In other recent art news.... I have lots of little projects going, but one that I'll share now is the beginnings of the Alphabet.
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Eventually, you'll be able to purchase prints of individual letters, a print of the whole alphabet all together, or customize if you want a certain word or initials.  It's nice to have something small and straight forward--like a letter--to work on in-between bigger projects.

1 Comment

    Laura

    A place to share the process. A space to be honest about the triumphs and trials of my daily life as an artist and mama. Writing motivates and refreshes me.

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    Laura is currently reading..

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    Devotional Classics: Selected Readings for Individuals and Groups
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