Continue reading »]]> This was the highlight of my Christmas projects. I can’t tell you how fun it was painting a portrait of this precious little girl, while expecting my own baby. This little jewel is MacKenzie, and her little sleeping self is sure to warm your heart as she did mine.

The reference photograph was taken by the extremely talented Kahlia of J. K. Mitchell Photography. If you think that this photo of MacKenzie is gorgeously cute, than you will love all the other work by Kahlia. From the beginning of memory photos in maternity moments to your infant to your children’s happy moments to the whole entire family, Kahlia is diversely skilled in documenting all the different and precious stages of your life. You can check out the variety of her amazing work HERE.

I’m honestly super picky about canvases, therefore, I result in making my own. With the help of my wonderful husband, we got this tightly stretched and extremely smooth canvas surface.

After making my own crop of the reference, I sketched the painting out in charcoal. The charcoal properties won’t bleed to the surface of the painting like pencil will overtime, preserving the quality of the painting.

This is the first layer of paint with the second layer going on the background. I mapped out the colors and shapes of the baby, hat, and ribbon. Don’t you love those lips?

As the second layer is applied, I focus on the gradation of colors and detail of the hat. The ribbon begins to shine. I try to paint as much detail as possible, without overworking the paint.

Portrait finished! The third layer of paint and such creamy skin. The eye lash, lips, hat, and ribbon detailed are set in place. Don’t you want to touch those cheeks? I’m so happy with how this painting turned out! This commissioned portrait was a Christmas gift for MacKenzie’s family. Thank you, Kirsten, for believing in me and letting me be apart of this special time!  Here are some close ups for you to enjoy.

Continue reading »]]> As the new year has begun, I hope it’s living up to all of your hopes and expectations this first week of 2012. I know for myself, it comes with much welcome and relief. Something about a fresh year and a clean calendar to help start a new creative mood. Speaking of new…

The Weather Man

This new graphite drawing is of a  particular cyborg character that came from the depths of the story I’m writing. I couldn’t wait to get his face on paper. His title has so much meaning to the role he has to play.  Although a sub character, the Weather Man’s part is crucial. His personality is far from charming but entirely mysterious, and as you’ve probably noticed,  he is a little more than slightly disgruntled. So what do you think? I’ve been contemplating on adding some digital spice and color. Perhaps the gray is perfect for his droll mood, but maybe with a touch of color in his life, we just might see him smile.

Hmmmm, many smiles is what I definitely hope for this new year. What aspirations do you have for 2012? To be completely honest, I’m not the person who will make a list of all my new year’s resolutions. Life changes so much, and a person can change, I never put expectations on something, like time, that you can’t rely on. That’s just me. I do have a mission though with my art this year — to be as creative as possible, while learning to be a mom. I think that’s enough for to fill up anyone’s plate for a whole entire calendar, don’t you?

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This week I finished up the last of the custom portrait deadlines for Christmas, as well as dots2lines orders. It was pretty intense, and so much happening at once. I seriously think a confined earthquake rolled through our cramped bedroom.  Now, at least, I have a chance to catch up on some much needed life to-do’s and tasks, especially in preparation for Baby Pennington. I’m 28 weeks. Can you believe how fast that’s approaching? 12-ish weeks left? SERIOUSLY? Speaking of dates fast approaching….

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Who’s excited about Christmas coming? For some reason, perhaps it’s because I’m pregnant, but I feel super excited this year! Something feels different and special. Maybe because it’s my husband’s and my second Christmas season together as a family. Whatever the reason, I’ve been taking in the decorations, Christmas music, and better yet — the Christmas baking!

I’ve been gathering all of my 2011 Christmas Baking Recipes off of my Pinterest finds this year. Really looking forward to trying all of these recipes out.  Have any great recipes of your own to share?

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Many things will be happening after the holiday season ends…

What’s to come?

● Portrait progression posts!

● New Artwork!

● More dots2lines stationary being released - customize your own!

● New website in the works – looking forward to a makeover.

● Inside look at our new 5th-wheel! Eeep!

● The New Year…

● Baby Pennington’s birthday!!!

Can’t wait to share more with you!

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Don’t you love finding things that are so uniquely full of surprises? I found just that when I came across this special creative through Oh my! Handmade Goodness by Jessika Hepburn. (A fantabulous blog, by the way, that you should really check out for more of your homemade goodies.)

Now this particular product from Lea Redmond of Leafcutter Designs that I’m about to share with you is such an extremely cute and clever idea! Lea describes her products as “curious whimsical goods,” and you can’t pin the description closer to the truth than that. The items in her shop range from Matchbox Theater Kits to the World’s Smallest Postal Service. Are you curious yet? Well, I don’t want to spoil anymore fun surprises so go visit her shop to see all the other nifty fun-made things that Lea has to offer!

But this item is my absolute favorite — the Tiny Stationary Mail Kit. This is perfect to give as a gift during the holidays or to use for your own personal mailings of the tiniest letters and packages. How much fun would it be to receive a tiny package full of something sweet or a little thoughtful note? This kit has everything you need to make mini mail. View it in the vid below.

World’s Smallest Post Service Kit – An Introduction from Leafcutter Designs on Vimeo.

To learn more about Lea and her work visit the Leafcutter Design blog. Thank you, Lea, for making something different and happy in this world!

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▬▬▬ What I’m so thankful for ▬▬▬

● My God and Savior who has been with me every step of the way through my journey.
● A most amazing husband who is encouraging, providing, and loving.
● The little baby that’s been with me for six months!
● The supportive family and friends that surround us.
● Time; that is a gift we can never get back.

And now it’s time for me to go get up to Maryland for thanksgiving celebration with the in-laws!

You all have a blessed day and happy Thanksgiving!

What are you most thankful for this year?

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Found this music video through another creative’s blog, and I had to share it with you! Introducing, The Staves.

Besides loving music, I love good vocals. These young ladies’ soft voices are truly captivating. But don’t just listen to the video! Make sure you watch for all the artistic components added! Makes for a fantastical video mood.

Hope you enjoy!
GP

Continue reading »]]> My relationship with the Milton family goes all the way back to when I was six and younger. We were living in Bremerton, Washington, at the time, and they were a family who attended our church. Since I was so young, the memories are foggy, but I know they were good, fun, and wholesome times with the wonderful, loving family. Several occasions us Kettell children even had the exciting time of staying over at their house while my parents were packing for our move to Connecticut. It wasn’t until my wedding in 2010 that I was so excited to be reunited with them again!

Ever since, Mr. Milton had his mind set on commissioning me to make art for him. But when he came to me this past summer, he had the whole plan ready and knew exactly what he wanted. From a portrait of him and his wife, the idea turned into a whole family treasure for his wife’s wedding anniversary present.

This is the photograph he sent me. For a better composition, I moved the family around into a close knit arrangement. Mr. Milton had also mentioned having artsy foliage in the background, and I put it in suggestively.

Stage One – The painting is 18″ x 24″ and it was an interesting task fitting seven people into those dimensions without making the everyone too small.

Stage Two – I feel like how one would write on paper from left to right, up to down, is how I paint a pastel. I work from the top left and over because I’m right handed. Also, the pastel is delicate and this allows me to keep the pastel from spreading around too much.

Stage Three – First facial hair I put on a painting! And the glasses are always an interesting whammy as I try to smooth the face and not wash out the glasses.

Stage Four – Many of those who know how I work also know that I love using my fingers to smooth and blend the pastel. This is one of the few mediums where I really get dirty!

Stage Five - Almost there! What do I have to finish besides the last subject? The background and my sig go on last.

Finished! I love the way it turned out and am so excited how they all came together as family in the photograph and I still have that unity and love portrayed into the portrait. That is how I know I was successful.

This was my work area once the portrait was completed. Because of how I like to keep my art supplies organized (it always makes it easier when you have to go back and look for something), I had to put all of those pencils back in the exact spot they came in. And yes, if the pencil was out of its slot I used it in the portrait. So many colors…still boggles my mind on how many colors go into my colored pieces.

Mr. Milton very cleverly setup the surprise by telling Mrs. Milton that they were coming to a place to get an oar for their daughter (the one in the bottom left corner), and coming to the Kettell farm was a huge surprise. Yet on top of that when I brought the portrait up to her, that just put her through the roof with excitement! Happy anniversary, Mr. and Mrs. Milton, and thank you for letting me be apart of this very special time of your life! I’ll always be honored as friends, family, and patrons give me the chance to be apart of their lives. It’s what makes the artwork I do have so much meaning.

Have any questions about the process? I’d love to answer them!

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❖VISIT WEBSITE SHOP❖
❖VISIT ETSY SHOP❖

This Week #3′s special Happy Thought, in the dots2lines Grand Opening MONTH of HAPPINESS is that… *drum roll please*  when you buy a stationary bundle or single, you get one free, for all orders made from Sunday, October 30th, to Saturday, November 5th!! And you get to decide what you want to receive double of.  (Make sure you leave word to me in the comment box during checkout for which stationary set or single you prefer.) All additional shipping is free. Sorry, hand designed Moleskine notebooks and doodlers are not included in this offer.

Last week I was finishing up a seven person pastel portrait and now I’m busy with two custom designed Moleskine cover projects, but hopefully, hopefully after Wednesday you’ll find new listings up on the shops. If you have any questions about custom work, feel free to contact me!

Have a very happy week!

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Follow me on Twitter for behind the scenes & works in progress! @GracesPenn
Like me on Facebook to receive updates & special offers! Grace Pennington Art
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❖VISIT WEBSITE SHOP❖
❖VISIT ETSY SHOP❖

This weeks special Happy Thought, in the dots2lines Grand Opening MONTH of HAPPINESS… *drum roll please*  is that with every order you make, you get DOUBLE of what you ordered for FREE with no additional shipping charges!!! Yes, you heard me right. If you get a set or single bunch of cards, you get a second of that for FREE!

This applies to all orders made from this Sunday, the 23rd, to Saturday, the 29th.  However, this does not include the original hand drawn dots2lines Moleskine notebooks and doodlers. (I couldn’t make the same one twice!)

New listings will also be going up by the end of the week, so be sure to check back with the shop, to stock up on Thanksgiving cads and take part in this super happy week!

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It’s fun to sip hot chocolate on this cold and windy fall afternoon from a mug with a little dots2lines design that is themed around our Lord.

The Women’s Ministry of Centreville Baptist Church had these mugs made through my mom, whom came to me and asked if I could do a little something. She told me the theme for the coming year was “Our Unchangeable God.” I worked within the imprint area and this is what I came up with. It’s really simple with vintage letters, and features the signature dots2lines flower. Kelly, on the Women’s Ministry team, did an excellent job coordinating colors and picking out the mug style, and it really turned out quite beautifully. Definitely a unique collaborative effort!

The Bible verse reference on the reverse side, that accompanies the phrase, is Psalm 33:11 which is:

The counsel of the LORD stands forever,
the plans of His heart from generation to generation.

I love how steadfast God can be and this verse reminds me of just that.  No matter what changes, from the people in our lives to the unforeseeable events, we can always rely on His immovable character.

It was really nice to help my mom out with one of her projects, and it was very special to contribute to the church through my art.

Stay warm and happy autumn!