Hope is the thing

Hope is the thing.....4x6 in. image.....soon to be found on my Etsy shop as a greeting card.

Maya Angelou - Shero Portrait in honor of Black History Month

February is, of course, Black History Month.  So, here is a portrait of one of the people I most admire in the world.  I devoured her autobiography series as a teenager in the eighties, nibbled at her poetry throughout the years, got goosebumps when she read her piece "On the Pulse of the Morning" at Clinton's inauguration, and was brought to tears by the tenor of her voice when I saw her in person at a lecture a few years ago.  Yes, to borrow her phrase,  it is safe to say she is a "shero" of mine.

Etsy Treasury - I've created my first!

So, check out the Treasury I created on Etsy.  This is my first attempt at putting together one of these little jems, and I'm quite happy with the results.  It's actually pretty hard to get a treasury slot, so I'm extra happy to have been able to show off all these fine artist's work.  Go and see for yourself.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=111538

Love Dove

I love doves.  Mourning doves in particular.  I've always thought that if I were to be asked by James Lipton during an interview......(you know, like when I'm on "Inside the Actor's Studio" -not particularly likely, but a girl can dream!).... "What sound do you love?"  My answer would likely be: "the cooing of a mourning dove". 

The dove on the top is a detail image from my mixed-media piece called "Faith".   I really liked this sweet little bird image, so I put together a re-mix.....The image on the bottom is a NEW offering on my Etsy.com and Imagekind shops.  The watercolor and pen Love Dove is surrounded by a sweet little hand-drawn border.

Guatelmala Style Bird

 

Here's a quick little postcard I just finished.  I'm planning to paint a series of Mayan birds, and this postcard was a quick study/experiment of style and materials. 

Art Prints at alisapstudios.etsy.com...with Free Shipping!

 

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=39236899

Greeting Cards!

I am happy to report that I now have greeting cards available from my Cuban Inspiration series.  There are five different images from this mixed media series, all featuring a lovely lady from vintage Cuban postcards along with a hand-lettered inspirational quote.  Each 4x6 card comes with an envelope, in a nice cello wrapper. Find them in my online shop at Etsy.com or my newest online venue: Imagekind.com.

Namaste

Namaste - I just finished painting the Om symbol on some cool rocks for a friend. She found theses stones on the beach in Central CA......the holes were naturally, organically created by the surf, and she thought they seemed perfect for turning into pendants. I agree. So, here they are all painted up for Julie. I'll be mailing them off soon. (Now, I'm off to yoga.)

Helping Haiti

Join me in supporting the relief efforts in Haiti: I will be DONATING 20% of ALL SALES through the end of January to the RED CROSS and/or ADRA. Go to my Etsy shop to make purchases: www.alisapstudios.etsy.com

The Desiderata

"The Desiderata" by Max Ehrmann
Illustrated by Alisa Proctor
Watercolor and Digital Color
16x20

This watercolor and digital color image will be for sale soon in my Etsy shop. Words to live by, written by Max Ehrmann back in 1927.

Messy Desk= sign of.....

In this case my messy work space/studio is a sign that I've been busy! Been working on getting some of my stuff for sale on Etsy.com soon. I have six new pieces just completed and got a new scanner that I've been putting to use.

Mixed Media Illustration

"Imagined"
Mixed Media, 9x12

I've been wanting to do something with a bunch beautiful vintage postcards from Cuba that I have. For this piece, I tried an image transfer of the pretty lady with gel medium, and completed the rest with pen and watercolor. (Click on image to enlarge.)

Watercolor portrait

"Brady at 3"
Gouache on paper, 9x12

This is a portrait of my darling son when he was about three.

Icon Series: Frida Kahlo

"The Virgin Enthroned"
Acrylic on canvas, 30x30
by Alisa Proctor

This is a very personal piece, full of symbolism reflecting my life experience. Several years ago I became critically ill as the result of a hospital based infection I acquired while giving birth. I spent nearly three months in the hospital (ICU) and was on life support for three weeks....and was not expected to survive. This painting deals with the issues of life/death, hospitalization, my love for my son, and of my survival. The snake (referencing an asclepian staph) represents both "medicine", as well as danger/death. The bird of paradise, butterfly, barbed wire, heavy confining robe, cracked columns, cactus, ocean, and little bull mask symbolize parts of my physical/emotional experience. It's true that art can be cathartic and healing.

Icon Series: Frida as Icon

"Icon (Frida y Mono)"
Acrylic and gold leaf on panel, 20x24
by Alisa Proctor