Doodle Directory Giveaway

I am so excited to share this with you.  I haven’t worked on my doodle directory in a few years. Recently I finished another 60 doodle images that make the 6th set in my doodle directory series. I've done a few simple drawings in this set which I haven't included in previous sets.



I’ll show you a little behind the scenes drawing as these doodles came together.



If you’ve been following my Instagram account then you’ve probably seen these before.



But it’s fun to revisit them here.



I find that as I’m working on my bigger projects like my Ballerina and Diver and since I can’t (or won’t) lug these drawings to work or on vacation. That doodling in my small moleskine, keeps me sane and happy.  My hand still gets line practice and my head stays in the game with colors and shapes.  And as far as my drawing goes…..doodling has definitely helped…..hands down



I am influenced by so many artists out there.  And half of them probably don’t even claim the label “Artist”.



I’ve seen a ton of wonderful doodle work on Instagram, by fellow doodlers, illustrators, painters, watercolorists, art journallers, and zentangle people. 



So much inspiration!!  Instagram has a whole community of artsy-doodley interactive and like minded folks.



Artists are a sensitive lot….but we have to get over that and show our work.  I’m not one for “closet artistry”.   It’s amazing the motivation and suggestions that people give from blog post feedback and instagram sharing. 



I’ve worked more in photoshop on this last set.  I wanted the colors more consistent.



Photo-editing is a must if you want to put these kind of things up for sale.



Now, back to the GIVEAWAY!  Just a couple of things to qualify.

• Please follow my Instagram account …. Eden921
• You must comment on the Giveaway Post over there
• Contest Closes Feb 28 midnight
• I’ll post the winner on March 1 (on Instagram)

That’s it.  Pretty easy.  And just because I can….I’d like to offer a discount in my etsy shop for the full set as well.

That’s 60 4x6 prints with 6 doodle squares on each print.  An amazing 360 separate doodles.
Just use code DOODLEFUN for a 30% discount.



Prints come as above.  As 4x6 pictures.
Enjoy your doodling and Good Luck!!

My Creative Book Stash

They say….you can learn a lot about a person just by looking at the books she likes to read.  And that’s probably very true for me.



I’d have to put magazines in that book category too!  Any time I travel, I add to my magazine stash.  These are not cheap, but they are worth every penny in the inspiration and visual delight category.

• Where Woman Create
• Art Journaling & Artful Blogging (Stampington)
• Cloth Paper Scissors

Then there are the more esoteric reads:

• Artist’s Way
• the War of Art
• Art and Fear

And since I love textile design….I picked up a few to help me understand this field better:

• Print and Pattern 1 & 2
• A Field Guide to Fabric Design

And to help me figure out the body better:

• Face Parts
• The Big Book of the Human Anatomy
• Lifelike Drawing
• Creative Fashion Drawing
• How to Draw People
• Secrets to Drawing Realistic Faces

Since watercolor frustrates me so, I thought I might gain some insight from these books:

• Watercolor Secrets
• The Watercolor Bible
• Watercolor Wisdom
• Atmospheric Watercolours

Then there are my magazine subscriptions and various zines!  So many people in the spotlight!! So much talent!



Funny that there are so many books titled “Secrets to….”.  The real secret is applying…..put pen/pencil/brush to paper and play!  But when you aren’t in a class with an instructor hovering over you, reading helps tons!  It just takes a bit more time.

I’m probably a half-ass reader.  I don’t read every word written about every technique covered.  But I do look at all the pictures.  And when I’m stuck or blocked or frustrated….picking up one of these books gets me back on course. 

Where there’s a will there’s a way!  Amen

A Bird in his right mind….

Clarence- the Creative Cashier ….He’s definitely in his Right-brain, and he has been all his life. Funny, that with a name like Clarence you’d think he’d be a big time Lawyer, just like his Dad. But Clarence works as a cashier at the Art Store, where he’s a big help to his customers. He knows every type of art media and is very forthcoming with advice. He’s quite the asset! He’s very bright and has lots of ideas, his only problem is he can’t stay on task. He becomes too distracted. As a free spirit, this job is perfect for him. Once he can harness some self-discipline he’ll really make something of himself. …..I’m just saying

Are you tired of my birdies yet???? I’ve finally found a real-life art class, so hopefully I can put a little more variety into the next bird. I must admit, they are fun to draw and to hear about their little lives. I’m enjoying the slow-journaling I learned from Tammy (@ Daisy Yellow) when I write on my paper. Otherwise, my handwriting would be quite sloppy!

In case you’ve missed it, I’d like to introduce my little bird family.

• Billie Jean, Cleopatra, Andre, Suzie, Martha & Renee
• Olga
• Sheila
• Easter Birdie
• Patty
• Terri
• Diane
• Susie
• Regina
• Penny
• Amy
• Leo

I just realized I’ve drawn 18 of these guys! Eighteen!!…. and I’m not bored with them yet, highly unusual! But like I said, they have taken on a life of their own and are asking to be created or something like that! LOL!!

To be no one but yourself in a world which is doing it’s best to make you just like everybody else, means to fight the greatest battle there is or ever will be. - e.e. cummings

I’ve always loved this quote, because I find it so true. Really, how boring would the world be if we all thought the same, looked the same, did the same things? I try to limit my TV viewing, because after a couple of hours watching the boob-tube I feel like I have to be more like “her” or “her”. Visiting other countries or cities is such a good experience, it enhances our perspective on ways to live. All cultures have their norms, but freedom of expression is pretty cross-cultural, don’t you think?

Freedom of Expression……this is what ART is all about. We really don’t have to sketch the house with the straight lines, do we?…..we can put our own spin on it and do a less straight line version like this. We get to decide what colors we want to use as we draw or paint. We can choose to be more playful and draw a whimsical character or try our hand at something more life-like. Ahhh, the choices, the possibilities!! Endless!