Tag: #WIP

ZenSquirrel WIP

by Free Spirit Meg, posted in Work In Progress, Zentangle Inspired Art (ZIA)

My latest totem is certainly one of the most interesting. The creature I was inspired to do this time is a flying squirrel. I know I have already completed the Squirrel Totem but I had to add this one to the collection. I recently read an article from National Geographic about the recent discovery that certain species of flying squirrels glow a vibrant pink when under ultraviolet light. Scientists are still trying to figure out why this happens and if it useful to the animals or not. The colors were beautiful with the hot pink in the light areas and a shade of blue in the darker areas. I decided I had to this for my next totem piece. I have the ink finished and will start the color on it today. With just the line art though it is already vivid and bright! It’s fun using different colors than I normally would. Especially pink which is a color I use the least.

Next week I will post the symbolism behind the flying squirrel. I wonder how different or similar it will be to a common squirrel. If you are interested in reading the article from Nat Geo, I posted the link at the bottom of this post. Thanks for stopping by today! Check back often for new work!

Shine bright, free spirits!

Squirrel Totem

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Related Posts: Squirrel

National Geographic Article:
Flying squirrels secretly glow pink, thanks to fluorescence

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ZenCoyote WIP

by Free Spirit Meg, posted in Sketchbook, Zentangle Inspired Art (ZIA)

Thankfully the snowstorm has passed and I can finally get back to my art! I started the color on Coyote and plan to have it finished this weekend. Coyotes actually have a diverse range of colors in there fur and it has been interesting pairing them together. I can’t wait to see what it looks like once it’s finished!

Also, I have been adding a lot of my work in my shops on Society6 and Redbubble. I am so excited with how my art looks on everything and it’s so much fun building my shop. Make sure to check it out. Yesterday I added Blue Jay Totem and I love how the tapestry turned out!

Thanks for stopping by! Stay warm, free spirits!

ZenSkunk WIP

by Free Spirit Meg, posted in Sketchbook, Zentangle Inspired Art (ZIA)

 

BW Skunk WMI just finished the ink for my latest totem, the skunk. I am very pleased with how this one came out. Though, this is actually my second attempt. My first attempt was not working at all. The tangles were messy and rushed. The drawing was not flowing and I couldn’t “see” what I wanted to do with it. It stunk! (see what I did there) So I accepted defeat and started a new one. This is the result. Much better. I used flower related tangles because I always think of the skunk from Bambi:

“He can call me flower, if he wants to.”

Next is color, what little color there is. It will be more or less shading. That makes things easy yet difficult. It’s easy because there is not much to it; it’s difficult because the detail can get lost in the black. I will share the finished piece later this week and we will check out the symbolism of the skunk. I am very interested to learn skunk. I have never looked it up in the past and I see them frequently. I wonder what lessons are in store for us!

What do you think about skunks? Have any funny stories? Share them in the comments below. Thanks for stopping by! I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving weekend.

Cura te ipsum, free spirits!

ZenTurkey WIP

by Free Spirit Meg, posted in Sketchbook, Zentangle Inspired Art (ZIA)

BW Turkey WM

I was originally going to start working on skunk as my next totem. I saw so many earlier this year and even though the temperatures are growing colder, they are still appearing to me. They must have a message that I need to receive! I apologize skunk but I will have to complete you next week! I figured this week was appropriate to honor the turkey and discover what lessons they have in store for us. Some of their symbolism is obvious, some is not. I will go into more detail on that in my next post on Thanksgiving Day. The turkey’s symbolism will be accompanied with the completed drawing in color. For now, I have completed the ink portion of the piece. I am pleased with how it turned out. I didn’t have to go to work today, another rain out, so I had a lot of time to myself while my son was at school. I put on some headphones, listened to some tunes and zoned out into my art. That’s the best way for me to do great and efficient work. I get so “in the zone” that when my husband tries to get my attention he scares me every time! I don’t even realize he is there. Luckily, I have grown a super power to not let bumps and jerks affect my drawing hand, so no drawings were harmed in the process.

I hope everyone is ready for Thanksgiving. I know I am! I am going to stuff myself until I pass out! Thanks for stopping by this week. Check back in a couple days and see the completed turkey totem!

Until next time,

“The more you practice the art of thankfulness, the more you have to be thankful for.”

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Ending Quote by Norman Vincent Peale

 

Zentiger WIP II

by Free Spirit Meg, posted in FSM Updates, Sketchbook, Zentangle Inspired Art (ZIA)

Now that Inktober is complete, I can get back on track with my totem animals. I left off with Tiger. This piece is just about finished. I haven’t touched it in a month and the funny thing is it will probably only take me another 20 minutes to complete! Once I have it finished I will share the finished piece and the wisdom that Tiger has to share with us.

Thanks for stopping by! Check back soon for more!

Until next time,

“Painting from nature is not copying the object; it is realizing one’s sensations.” ~ Paul Cézanne

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FSM Update: Tiger Teaser

by Free Spirit Meg, posted in FSM Updates

Tiger Totem BW

Hey All! I’m getting back on track with my totem animal drawings. I started the sketch to a new one today. I will be taking a break from my “Megtography” so I can start focusing on my artwork more. It is quite a challenge posting a photo a day, especially an interesting photo a day! Kudos to all the photographers out there that can keep up with it! For me though, my artwork is more important so I need to get back in the flow with my drawings! To spice it up, I am working on the mighty tiger. I have a huge adoration for big felines and tigers are one of the most striking!

Check back soon to see the completed piece and learn about tiger symbolism. Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time,

“There is no off switch for a tiger.” -German Proverb

 

 

 

FSM Updates: Mourning Dove WIP

by Free Spirit Meg, posted in FSM Updates, Sketchbook, Zentangle Inspired Art (ZIA)

Morning Dove Totem BW

I finished the ink for my latest totem drawing. I am quite pleased with how it turned out. I usually have my Zentangle book handy so I can use official tangles in my work. This time I created my own tangles and was happy with the results. I want it to be 100% original and unique since this is a meaningful gift for my grandfather. I can’t wait to see how it will pop with the color added.

I want to start a realism piece very soon. I have focusing a lot on my totem animals and Zentangle as a way to clear my mind and work on my time management. It has been a while since I have created a realism piece and have decided it is time to get back in the saddle. Speaking of saddles, it will be an equine related piece, which is another subject I have neglected. I can’t call myself an equine artist if I don’t have any equine work!

I will also be working on my website. I have a lot of fun playing around with the customization and will be working on making everything neat and easy to find.

Thanks for stopping by. Check back next week to see the completed mourning dove piece and the symbolism behind this beautiful creature!

Until next time,

“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” -Will Rogers

For: Sudan and Northern White Rhinos

by Free Spirit Meg, posted in In Memory of, Zentangle Inspired Art (ZIA)

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My newest totem animal piece is in honor of Sudan, the last male northern white rhinoceros. You may have heard that he died a few days ago from a leg infection and age related problems. There are only two northern white rhinos left, both older females. The western black rhino was declared extinct in 2013 and unfortunately the northern white is not far behind. Scientists are doing what they can to attempt the creation of a “science lab” offspring but any success in achieving such a feat is uncertain.

Extinction from natural causes can not be prevented but this sadly could have been. The northern white rhino, a subspecies of the southern white rhino, has arrived at such a fate due to poaching and loss of habitat. It is truly sad to know there is still so much negligence in the world. So many humans still believe they are truly superior to any other living creature. It’s sickening.

Please, animals are not here for our amusement. They are not here to decorate our homes. We do not need to wear them to look good. We do not need to kill them to slice off a horn, some skin, a skull, a lucky foot on a keychain….Seriously? Why? Stop spending money on this shit people! It is terrible, cruel, horribly selfish and ignorant.

(Ahem)…Anyways…

…my latest piece was very calming to create (if you can believe it, haha) and I’m very happy with how it turned out. I still need to add the color but this will mostly be shading. I mean, it’s a white rhino so the color should be easy! This piece remained simple but sometimes that’s how it goes. It seems to work with this gentle giant’s demeanor. I will have a new totem animal post ready for Monday morning with the symbolism for Rhino.

Is there anything you’d like to add about Sedan or northern white rhinos? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Thanks for stopping by.

Until next time,

“Since the beginning of time, we have been the guardians and the healers of the forest. We have too long forgotten the magic powers of nature. The time has come to call on them again. Remember: all the magic of creation exists within a single tiny seed.”

 

Sources:
http://time.com/5209390/sudan-rhino-rhinoceros-northern-white/
https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2018/03/northern-white-rhino-male-sudan-death-extinction-spd/
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/20/science/rhino-sudan-extinct. html
Ending quote from the movie, Ferngully: The Last Rainforest

Free Spirit WIP -VI-

by Free Spirit Meg, posted in Sketchbook, Traditional Art

I was commissioned to do a memorial piece of a beloved pet that passed away recently. I am truly sorry for their loss. I am still familiar with the heartache that accompanies such a tragedy. With the recent passing of Sasha, it is rewarding to be able to help someone else that feels the same sting. I hope I can do this beautiful dog justice with my next portrait drawing. I don’t want to give away too many details, about the subject, until the finished piece has been given to the recipient.

Here is the outline sketch for the piece. I am very excited to see how it turns out. It will be finished by next week! Can you guess what breed she is?

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Thank you for reading this week’s post! If you have recently lost a pet, feel free to share their picture below and what you loved best about them. In times of loss, we need to remember the good times spent together.

Until next time,

“I wish none of this had happened… ‘So do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.”

Dusty Drawings

by Free Spirit Meg, posted in Traditional Art

I have quite a few pieces that I have started in the past and for some reason or another they have been left unfinished. I’m quite fond of all of them. It’s not that I didn’t want to finish them. They were just pushed to the back burner and forgotten about. I figured if I shared these dusty works that I just might get the motivation to complete them all.

My first long lost WIP is a mare and foal. I was working on it for a Mother’s Day art show. I completed a couple drawings for the show already and was hoping to finish this one to add. I didn’t have enough time to complete it, though it is half way there. I’m excited to finish this one.

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Next is a simple drawing I started for practice. I was using a reference photo that I took at a steeplechase in Nashville, TN. It was never intended to be more than practice which is why it has been put off for so long.

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This next one is also from a photo I took at the same steeplechase. I played around with the image on a photo editing program and exaggerated the already vibrant colors. I decided it would make an awesome painting and started working on it. Unfortunately, painting isn’t my true passion and will easily get surpassed by my urge to draw.

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Another painting has been waiting a very long time for me to finish it. I started a painting of flowers I had photographed at the Botanical Gardens in Toledo, OH. The colors were bright with many shades of pink throughout it. Again, my lack of ambition to paint has left this piece neglected.

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Last but not least, another drawing that I am itching to finish. This one is barely started. I haven’t even erased my grid lines yet. This faint sketch is to become a portrait of one of my parent’s horses, Spirit. He is a gorgeous Spotted Saddle Horse with a trademark “V” on his neck. He is a natural beauty and I was eager to incorporate his elegance into my work. Now I just need to do the work!

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That concludes my neglected WIPS collection. Now that I have brought them to light, I know there are at least a couple that will reach completion. The urge may strike at any moment!…….maybe.

Which piece would you like to see completed? Leave a comment below! I would love to hear from you. Thanks for reading!

Until next time,

“Hard work may not always result in success, but it will never result in regret.”