The View Finder

The bird house

2009-07-13T21:13:50Z

I painted this inspired by a bird house in the neighborhood. Bought some cushions to match!

Gouache on Arches watercolor paper.

I don't feel very well today ~ a very blue elephant

2009-07-09T21:07:39Z

Watercolors on Arches watercolor paper.

The somersaulting mouse

2009-07-01T22:57:32Z

Sir Mouse Sault

Watercolours on a tiny (4x6) Canson Montval watercolour block.

Peacock colours

2009-06-29T20:55:33Z

Gouache on watercolor paper

Weird faces

2009-06-23T19:58:30Z

Digital ~ Illustrator

A little birdy composition

2009-06-22T22:37:16Z

Watercolours on a tiny (4x6) Canson Montval watercolour block.

The Mouses

2009-06-19T17:33:52Z

From our trip to Disneyland

Minnie and Mickey Mouse

SFO

2009-06-18T18:03:59Z

In the backyard

2009-06-12T18:03:31Z

Pine tree in our neighbourhood on a cloudy day

2009-06-11T15:34:21Z

Boris Artzybasheff

2009-06-10T20:05:08Z

Aspiring to be an Illustrator, I often go through the different styles of other well known Illustrators. In that process, I stumbled up on the work of Boris Artzybasheff. Boris Artzybasheff was known for his strongly worked and often surreal designs. Born in 1899, there is considerable controversy on whether in Ukraine or Russia. He migrated to America in 1919 and worked in an engraving shop. The influences are evident in his work.

One of his first illustrations that I came across, was from Aesop's Fables, The tortoise and the Hare'. It happens to be one of my favourite stories of all time and I loved the visual that came along with it.

The original

Pen and ink

Wanting to experience the style, I copied the illustration. My version below, is flawed and far from accurate, making me wish I had access to a lightbox. A lot of the markings are missing but it was fun doing the details and the experience was very rewarding.

Gouache, pen and ink

Some more of his work here.

At the Embassy Suites, Oxnard

2009-06-10T15:08:57Z

At a park in SFO

2009-06-09T19:57:33Z

Froggie

2009-05-13T14:27:27Z

This is my second attempt at the composition, the first one gone all wrong. The mountains were wrong, the river was wrong and the colours were muddy. I am much happier with this one.

Watercolors on Arches watercolor paper.

Illustration Friday ~ Theater

2009-04-29T04:41:38Z

And she was transformed. I chose to paint this because the actors are magically transformed to play their part in the theater.

Watercolors on watercolor paper.

A mouse that likes olives and leaves the pits to mock

2009-04-27T19:49:08Z

Watercolors on watercolor paper.

David Nolan ~ assemblage and sculpture

2009-04-25T21:23:12Z

From here, a little more about David Nolan. He is a self taught artist creating assemblage and sculpture. After having spent over 30 years working with found objects, he began exhibiting his work in 2000 on Eastern Long Island. A retired professor Emeritus of Mathematics at SUNY, David moved from Long Island to Orange County, New York in the Fall of 2003 where he joined the Washingtonville Art Society.

Exhibiting at only six major shows on Long Island, David was awarded the following:

Mary O. Fritchie Outdoor Art Show and Exhibition, Westhampton Beach, New York
~ 2001 Third Place Mixed Media
~ 2003 First Place Sculpture

Gallery North Outdoor Art Show, Setauket, New York
~ 2001 Duane Davis Committee’s Choice Award

Presently David is an office holder with the Orange County Art Federation as well as the Washingtonville Art Society.

Words: Ana Barron
Pictures: Navina

The WaterLeaf boutique

2009-04-24T16:24:32Z

A white board advertising jewelry making classes first led me to the Waterleaf store. I have been a regular ever since. In this day and age when things are mass produced with very little thought behind them, it is refreshing to come into a store and find everything beautifully hand crafted, lending them a unique artisan quality. The visitors are introduced to the various specialties ~ beautiful stationery, organic skin care, handmade jewelry, earth friendly toys are just a few that come to mind.

Location:
WaterLeaf
2 East Main Street
Ramsey, New Jersey 07446

In addition to the beautiful articles for sale, there is an ever refreshed display of artwork from local artists. I have been very fortunate to be able to exhibit some of my work with them.

As a personal experience, as I walked in for my first jewelry making class, I entered a room full of beads from all over the world. To say that I went quite berserk would be an understatement. Ana and Joaquin Barron are dedicated towards the core of the concept ~ to preserve the environment and to help the community.

An interview with one of the proprietors, Ana Barron

Can you tell us a bit about yourselves?
Joaquin and I have been married for eighteen years. Aside from building a family together, we have always been interested in starting our own business and working together to bring about positive change. We both have previous retail experience and after years of planning, WaterLeaf was started in January, 2007 with the store opening in July, 2007.

What is the inspiration/philosophy for the WaterLeaf boutique?
Together, Joaquin and I, bring to WaterLeaf our love for stationery and all things beautiful, but most importantly our desire to preserve the environment and to aid those in need. The array of products found at WaterLeaf is in many instances earth-friendly, handmade and/or produced by vendors that are fair trade certified. Products by vendors that give a portion of their proceeds to charities or that provide opportunities to those in difficult circumstances are always featured as well. Aside from being purposeful, the product lines are chic and exquisite.

The name of the store is interesting. How did it come about?
Waterleaf is handmade paper in its initial stage of manufacture, consisting of paper fibers spread evenly over the surface of the hand mold. As it is unsized, it is very absorbent and has low water resistance. Waterleaf is also a perennial plant that can form dense colonies in shallow water or moist soils and can grow to 3 feet in height. Its flowers are blue in one sided clusters. We felt that both definitions were perfect for the store.

What can the people look for when they shop at WaterLeaf?
WaterLeaf is a truly unique shopping experience. It is much more than a gift and stationery store. Customers can find earth-friendly and socially responsible items for everyday life as well as special occasions. From organic lotions and soaps to glassware made from recycled wine bottles, each piece is functional and distinct. WaterLeaf also offers a complete line of custom invitations and personalized stationery. It is evident that all of the items are chosen with great care.

Who are the other artists exhibiting at the WaterLeaf boutique?

At this time, we also have art pieces by the following artists:

David Nolan is a self taught artist creating assemblage and sculpture. After having spent over 30 years working with found objects, he began exhibiting his work in 2000 on Eastern Long Island. A retired professor Emeritus of Mathematics at SUNY, David moved from Long Island to Orange County, New York in the Fall of 2003 where he joined the Washingtonville Art Society.

Exhibiting at only six major shows on Long Island, David was awarded the following:

Mary O. Fritchie Outdoor Art Show and Exhibition, Westhampton Beach, New York
~ 2001 Third Place Mixed Media
~ 2003 First Place Sculpture

Gallery North Outdoor Art Show, Setauket, New York
2001 Duane Davis Committee’s Choice Award

Presently David is an office holder with the Orange County Art Federation as well as the Washingtonville Art Society.

David Levitt is a chemical engineer by day and a wood carver/potter by night. He began wood carving in 2000. He is recognized for his cottonwood bark carvings of spirits, cottages, and lighthouses.

Lastly, we are also exhibiting the art work of the children who participate in our weekly art classes.

There are so many events that WaterLeaf hosts (for children and adults). Can you elaborate on them?
With the notion of bringing the community together and of being an active part of the community, WaterLeaf has integrated into the space a warm and inviting Beading/Art Studio suitable for birthday parties, private gatherings, and fundraisers or to simply spend an afternoon beading & designing. The room is often used for jewelry workshops and art classes taught by skilled individuals. We also have a chef come in once a month to do cooking demonstrations. In addition, we hold special shopping events in which we have a local musician provide music throughout the evening. The proceeds from such events often go to a local organization such as Ramsey Responds. It is truly a magnificent venue for people to come together in a relaxed environment to meet others and exchange ideas.

How would you like to represent yourself as a business?
At WaterLeaf, we are devoted to preserving the environment and aiding those in need while providing distinctive products and excellent services. Our ultimate hope is to become a positive force in the local and global community.

Description of some of the new items we will be receiving next week. Many of these are great Mother's Day gifts:

Baroni jewelry ~ simply elegant and versatile designs in high karat gold overlay or matte silver. Each piece is hand crafted. This designer is committed to impacting the environment as little as possible and to giving back to those in need. Baroni jewelry donates to charitable organizations including breast cancer, AIDS, women's and children's shelters, and schools.

Driscoll Design ~ handmade initial notecards. Their unique style blends nostalgic and modern imagery to create works that are at once elegant and fun. Made with 100% recycled paper and soy-based inks, the note cards are environmentally friendly.

Its Cactus and Beyond Borders ~ Beautiful wall sculptures made from discarded 55-gallon oil drums. Each sculpture is hand made by Haitian artisans using hammers and chisels to cut, shape, and contour. Beyond Borders is a member of the Fair Trade Federation and employs environmentally sustainable practices.

Envirosax ~ Eco-friendly, inexpensive, and chic reusable shopping bags. Envirosax bags are lightweight, portable, waterproof and each one holds the equivalent of two supermarket plastic bags thanks to reinforced seams. Envirosax donates a percentage of its sales to charities dedicated to the preservation of the environment.

They are also having a Trunk Show by First Time Charm on April 25. We will be showing the newest handmade jewelry designs.

Join their newsletter for regular updates.

Coming tomorrow ~ Updated photos on the WaterLeaf boutique and the artists featured.

Cherry Blossoms

2009-04-23T20:33:30Z

We took a trip to DC to see the Cherry Blssoms this year. I wanted to relive the experience by painting this.

Oils on canvas

This is also for my wonderful man who made it possible.

Coming up tomorrow ~ an interview with Ana Barron of the WaterLeaf Boutique.

The cow jumped over the moon

2009-04-21T01:33:11Z

watercolors on watercolor paper.

Illustration Friday this week ~ Impossibility.

Hey diddle diddle,
The cat and the fiddle,
The cow jumped over the moon,
The little dog laughed to see such fun,
And the dish ran away with the spoon.

Illustration Friday ~ Fleeting

2009-04-16T21:02:54Z

The Red Balloon ~ oils on canvas.

I saw The Red Balloon by Albert Lamorisse some time last week. It is a story about a little boy who finds a red balloon on his way to school. The 34 minute movie is about the special relationship the boy forms with his red balloon that follows him around like a loyal puppy. I think this is a really good review.

It made for a perfect subject for Illustration Friday this week ~ Fleeting.

What Herb Are You?

2009-04-15T00:47:36Z

You Are Cinnamon

You are intelligent and complex. You are both mild mannered and intense.
You are passionate to the point of being overpowering. People can't ignore your presence.

You are always questioning and learning in your life. You're on a bit of a spiritual journey.
You are drawn toward power and success. You are never quite satisfied with your achievements.

What Herb Are You?

Weeeeeeeeee ~ a painting a day

2009-04-03T00:43:39Z

Illustrator

Leap ~ a painting a day

2009-03-30T22:02:47Z

Watercolors on watercolor paper.

Deep ~ a painting a day

2009-03-26T16:53:04Z

Mixed media on watercolor paper