Symbolism plays a big part in my life and my art (yes, I’ve got a little of that hippie thing going). Celebrating a new year is in itself a form of symbolism. It represents new beginnings and hope for a better future. Life is constant renewal and we have the opportunity to renew and reinvent ourselves every day.  So, in this piece to mark the beginning of 2012, I incorporated some of my favorite icons to express that idea. Butterflies are symbols of metamorphosis, renewal, reincarnation, Psyche and the soul. The moon represents the feminine spirit, resurrection and the cyclical nature of all things. The fish is a masculine symbol and stands for the life-giving properties of water as well creativity. Circles have no beginning or end and therefore symbolize eternity and the infinite. I threw in the alchemical symbol for mercury to represent myself.  I won’t elaborate on that. ; ) Prints are available here. 

May you have a creative and abundant new year.

Yes, Melissa, there IS a Latte Lounge!  This commissioned piece has a great story behind it. As I love my art to be narrative, it was a joy to create.

My client and his wife met online several years ago. After a few emails and phone conversations, they agreed to meet for coffee at a central location, as they lived in cities about 30 miles apart. D. looked up coffee houses in the mid-city, picked the Latte Lounge and sent the info to M. The appointed time came and passed. M. was desperately driving up and down and around the given address but no Latte Lounge, as was D. After multiple, harried cell phone calls, they finally met (for the first time!) at a corner gas station and went on the hunt together. Alas, the mysterious Latte Lounge was never found but Cupid’s shot was straight. The story has become part of D & M’s family lore and I was honored to put it on paper.

I like incorporating arcane details in my illustrations and paintings; there are several in the Latte Lounge, including Spike, the lizard with the mutated tail. Watercolor, gouache, colored pencil and ink on hot press Arches paper. 16″ x 12″.

It’s no great revelation that the holidays are more fun for some than others. But some buck up and participate anyway with a sporting, if slightly begrudging, attitude.

My holiday offering for 2011. May the spirit move you. Or spirits.

Last year I was commissioned to do a series of Italian Greyhounds (which you can see here). I did many preliminary sketches – I loved their graceful lines and the possibilities they presented my imagination. This masked and Mercury-winged Greyhound came from one of the sketches that didn’t make the final cut for my client. Shades of ice blue and Phthalo green seemed just the right color choices. Watercolor, graphite and ink on hot press Arches paper. The original is 10″ x 10″ and is available for purchase as are prints, which you can buy directly from me or order online here.

I’ve been blog-neglectful the past month. Busy with various projects, including rebuilding my website which is a challenge as I have no idea what I am doing! But as tomorrow is Thanksgiving here in the U.S., which is pretty much the start of the (sometimes relentless) holiday season, here’s a little something to start the season properly. Cheers!

Want one for yourself? Print available at my Etsy shop.

It’s not about size, it’s all about attitude. The subject in question has plenty of it.

Watercolor, ink and graphite on Arches paper. Prints available here. 

I am happy to present my annual Halloween artwork on the first day of October, one of the most glorious months here in Texas. October diminishes, at least a little, the misery of August. Especially the recently past August of 2011. But back to the art. This year’s offering, Tempted by the Fruits, is a one page illustrated story.

“The temptation of proffered fruits trumped caution of feathered familiars.”

Fini.

Prints for purchase available here.  Previous years Halloween illustrations: The Witching Hour  and Wicked Halloween.

Meet Ella, a pampered pooch with a penchant for sneaking a drink from your glass when your head is turned. She isn’t really that spoiled, but it was fun painting her in the classic reclining odalisque pose. She enjoys the finer things in life, just like her owner. Prints available in my Etsy shop.  Salud, Ella!

Ever since I saw a photo of a praying mantis in this (what I assume to be) rather threatening, pre-combative stance, I’ve wanted to draw it. When I first saw the photo, I thought it was a creation of someone’s imagination. I’ve never seen a praying mantis looking like this – but I haven’t seen a whole lot of praying mantises period. I don’t recall ever seeing one with its wings unfurled. They are quite fearsome creatures with pretty voracious appetites and not particularly polite table manners. In spite of that, I think they are rather elegant. I’m guessing this is a female, as they are the more aggressive sex, sometimes devouring their mating partners after copulation and sometimes even during it. Yikes! Below is Ms. Mantis with a selection of her prey. She’s not very picky. I’m having a caption contest for a free piece of art on my Facebook art page, The Gretchen Show, if you’d care to click over and play.

Awaiting delivery of my new business cards to be graced by the Gold Goddess, who will also be fronting my revamped website…eventually! Some version of my drawn alter ego always plays host on my business cards. I love Pink Lady (who is still welcoming guests over at The Gretchen Show until I get the updated site up) but it was time for something new!