Margie's Art Studio

CD Cover illustration

2012-01-21T11:23:00.000-08:00

Hello! I am so excited! Last year I did an illustration for a friend for his new CD. He has been working on it all year and finally will be having his release party for "Siren" February 3, 2012. His name is Erik Visalga and his site is www.afterthecrache.com.
I never thought I would have had the opportunity to illustrate a CD cover (because when I went to school, there were records and no such thing as CD's) :) Thanks Erik and good luck.

Below is the CD cover.

New work for the new Year

2012-01-01T19:03:00.000-08:00

I was thinking of what I would like to accomplish this new year. In 2009, I started making more time for drawing, sketching and painting, in 2010 I started this blog, and I was hoping for 2012 to possibly begin selling my art work online or maybe even do an art show. We will see ;)
Well anyway, this piece was inspired by the thought that I need to cut those controlling strings of fear. Hope you like.

Christmas gifts

2011-12-25T17:32:00.000-08:00

I know - that yet again - I disappeared for a while. I have been busy with work, but I still managed to have a little time to create some new stuff.
For Christmas I really wanted to share my art work with others (which is a huge step for me). So what I did was create a little gift box for the girls that live in the residential program where I work (and live - literally).
So attached is a photo of what the boxes looked like.
Maybe in 2012 I can open up an Etsy store or a Zazzle store and sell my art.

why?

2011-09-16T08:48:00.000-07:00

I was playing around with collage a little more and I re-did this painting in a smaller scale. When i look at this girl, it looks to me that she has a condensing look on her face and is wondering "why?"
This is my list of why questions..please don't hate - I am sure you have asked yourself these questions too... Why are some people so stupid? Why do most people not have common sense? why do i have to do that? why can't I just yell at that person? Why do i have to do anything? Why does this person ask me the same question over and over again? Why would they think I can do a million things at the same time? Why do they think I bleed oil? I am sorry, I just get tired of some people sometimes - I'll be ok.
but anyway, here is my little picture.

Stealing, borrowing, copying?

2011-09-11T18:39:00.000-07:00

I saw this on another artist's blog. I found it to be very interesting. I am a face painter and this was a discussion that came up often..my thing is , if I paint a tiger and you copy my tiger on someone else's face, it is NOT going to come out the same.
Anyway - here is the link Racheal Anilyse

Masks part 3

2011-09-03T09:13:00.000-07:00

Once, my husband and I participated in a seminar where one of the activities was to wear a black mask out to lunch -in public (just like the ones in the series I just did). They didn't tell us why, but just that we had to do it - we would find out later. My husband was not happy about doing this!
Well, we did it because it was part of this seminar and a good friend recommended this seminar.
So, as me and about 10 other people are walking into McDonald's in the busiest mall area in Orlando, Florida, where all the tourists are, people begin to stare. In my mind, since I already looked like a fool (or burglar) I decided I was just going to begin talking to people. I am extremely shy, but that stupid mask made me just not care what people were thinking. I guess it was part looking silly and the other part I was wearing a mask - they wouldn't know who I was.
I actually liked not worrying what people were thinking of me - or maybe already KNOWING what they thought of me (what a weirdo wearing a mask in public, it's not Halloween)
Well, as for my husband, he does not like to made a fool of and half way through lunch he took his off. We still laugh till this day about how strongly he felt about that little mask.The little mask beat him - LOL.
Well any way - we got back to the seminar and they asked us how did we like wearing the mask in public, did people stare, how did we feel, etc... and the lesson was about how we are always wearing some kind of a mask - even though we aren't walking around with physical masks like the ones we had on at McDonald's.
I guess my mask that I hid behind was being quiet and shy.

Masks part 2 - process

2011-08-30T09:56:00.000-07:00

Beginning stages of painting/drawing

Final stage of painting/drawing

When I do these, I have been really been enjoying the process. I'll draw a small ink drawing of whatever, then I'll blow it up on the copier, paste it down onto sturdier paper, color it in with colored pencils, use some acrylics, a sharpie to outline, then finally cover with a thick layer of gloss to get it all shiny. unfortunately you can't see it in the scans.
Thanks for everyone's comments! I really appreciate it. You create all alone and there is really no one to ask for feed back - well my kids, but they won't tell me if they don't like it - LOL
Next post I'll tell you the story about a seminar I went to where they made me wear a mask to McDonald's.

Masks

2011-08-14T19:00:00.000-07:00

I was thinking of how when you meet people you expect them to be one way and then they end up being totally the opposite. So the idea of masks came to me -again - and I did a series of 3 small paintings, in red, black, and white, where the girls are wearing masks and their eyes are all shifty. They are hiding their secrets, how they really feel, what their REAL motives are, what they really want... the list can go on and on what people hide behind their masks.

I'll post them one at a time... I hope you enjoy them. Hopefully I can get these up and for sale one day, but for now I guess you can enjoy them online.

Just thinking

2011-08-03T18:22:00.000-07:00

Hello, Sorry I disappeared for a while. I was actually very sick for a couple of weeks, but I am back.

I still was working on some art work. I have been working on developing my own style and try to de-program some of the stuff I learned when I was in college. Just trying to do my own thing and enjoy it too.

I really like using colored pencils and acrylics together. I even use regular ball point pen and a sharpie for these pieces.

Day dreaming

2011-06-21T18:31:00.000-07:00

I day dream a lot - usually of going to the beach or feeling the sun on my face (on the beach). :)
This mixed media painting/drawing I did on my way to the beach with all my kids (as my husband was driving). Then I finished in the way back from the beach.
I really have been enjoying experimenting with glue, colored pencils, regular pens, gel gloss and black outlines! There I said it! I love those black outlines! My professors in college would yell at me when ever I started drawing my out lines too dark, so that's where all the excitement is coming from.
I had to unlearn a lot of things from college. Art in college (at times) wasn't even fun, it was all about the grade and pleasing my professors. I am really enjoying just doing whatever and finding MY own style and not developing my professors style of painting or drawing.

Well anyway - sorry for the rant - enjoy

I'm still here

2011-06-15T18:19:00.000-07:00

I know I disappeared for a long while. I got a new job working with at-risk teens. The training was intense and I had a lot of on-the-job training after the "main" training. Not a bad job, however with all my "trainings" I did not have much time to paint or draw. But I'm back now and have been messing around with some collage.
So I just wanted to share that I am still here creating and hopefully keep bring you some new pieces to see.

I re-did this on smaller and with some collage elements to it. Will share it later.

I have been experimenting with "ransom letter style" words.

Wish it was clearer :(

Leave a comment and what you like and don't like - be nice ;)

Buy Handmade this Christmas Online

2010-11-19T10:29:00.000-08:00

Handmade items are a nice way to let your friends and family know just how much they mean to you. A handmade gift can be personalized with their name or done in their favorite colors or teams, etc... Don't you know your friends and family better than Walmart?

If you feel that you aren't really creative enough or don't have the time, then why not think about shopping online at Artfire or Etsy. These online stores sell all kinds of handmade or original gifts. Artfire has so many selections of beautiful items, originals, art, hats, stuffed animals - whatever you can think of. You can find something for everyone on your list and many of the sellers will even gift wrap and ship your item to the person on your list.

Shopping online will save you time, money and help you avoid the crowds at the malls and the lines at the post office. Now doesn't that sound like a good idea?

Margie
http://www.margie72.artfire.com/

www.cafepress.com/margiesartstudio

Newness and the Inner Critic

2010-11-17T19:23:00.000-08:00

This past year, I had quite a few changes happen. New job, new place, new state, a lot of adjustments...So I figured, maybe it was time for me to start something new of my own (I do still face paint). In October I began a blog and also fill my webstore with my own original artwork. It was something that was difficult for me because I had to fight all my "inner critics" - (I have more than one). The thought of putting my artwork, ideas and feelings, out there for people to see, leave room for them to critique it, was scary for me. It was scary because in the past I always drew realistically and did artwork I knew would get me an A in class. The art in my webstore are pieces that I just plain old enjoyed painting; no grandiose expectations, no goal of getting approval or a good grade (Although I still catch myself doing that from time to time) just enjoying the moments I have when I paint, new techniques I wanted to try, illustrate and not do hyper realism, draw silly things, paint in new ways.
Well after fighting with my "inner critic" last week and almost losing (Thank God for my husband who helped me shut that "inner critic" down) Today, I made my first sale on my webstore. It is for a CD cover for music artist Erik Visalga - After the crache. The CD doesn't come out until the spring, but my artwork will be on the cover and is now on his website!!
Moral of the story - sometimes when you try to step out and do something new or out of the box, the "inner critic" will try to talk you out of what you plan on doing.
Sometimes that "inner critic" can be memories of what someone may have said to you, or a bad experience. That "inner critic" tells you that it will take too much work, it's too risky, people won't like it, what if you fail, your too old, your time has passed, this list can go on and on. Talking to someone and saying those ridiculous "inner critic" comments out loud was what made me realize that my "inner critic" was lying to me and I was believing it. I know my "inner critic" isn't completely gone, but at least I can identify when it' trying to bring me down.

Sorry it's sideways - the computer wouldn't let me put it any other way :(

Copying or Copyright?

2010-11-15T16:35:00.000-08:00

Check out this little video on "copyright."

Can we trust others to see us without our mask?

2010-11-08T16:42:00.000-08:00

Still working on some sketchbook pages. I am enjoying the whole drip effect so I may keep with that whole thing for a little while.
The story behind this one came from a time when I took a seminar and they made us wear black masks out in public. The whole reasoning was that we were supposed to see how differently we behaved while having the mask on. Some people were pissed that the teacher would ask us to make fools of ourselves in public, and some of us became more outgoing (since we already looked like fools anyway.)
As I remembering this whole experience, it made me think how we all wear masks; when we are sick, we pretend were ok, we don't like someone, we pretend we do, we cover up the true us, and what we are really feeling and don't reveal (fully) who we are, pretend we have it together when we don't.
Can we trust others enough to take the mask off?

I guess we all wear them at one time or another, some more than others do. Maybe we do it because we fear that someone will make fun of us for what we believe and how we feel or what makes us happy,scared, or if we let people see our true selves (no mask on) will we scare other people? LOL
Well anyway, on that whole thought came out this sketch. The whole wearing a mask thing has been bugging me, so I may do a series of paintings with the whole mask theme. By the way, thanks for reading whoever you are - LOL.

Watercolor drips

2010-11-04T17:35:00.000-07:00

I have been working on my "Sketchbook Project" this past week and thought I can share some of what I have been working on. I really enjoy working with watercolors dripping effect. Since my theme is "Raining Cats and Dogs" I figured this would be a perfect time to use my new found watercolor effect. I tried a blow dryer, but blowing on it (using my lungs - LOL) gives me more control. I wish my scanner would scan the sketches better. It really doesn't capture the true colors. My daughter is also helping in the "Sketchbook Project" so she drew a kitty cat giving the weather... she is so cute.

The Sketchbook Project: 2011 » Art House Co-op | We build art projects and communities

2010-10-29T15:21:00.000-07:00

I decided to be part of this! I am a little late but hopefully I will get it done in time.
The Sketchbook Project: 2011 » Art House Co-op We build art projects and communities

I stumbled across this website by Art House Co-op the other day and on impulse joined The Sketchbook Project 2011.

"It's like a concert tour but with sketchbooks" is the description Art House Co-op uses.
To summarize - you get a sketchbook provided by this project that you have to fill and mail back to them by January 15, 2011. Then all the sketchbooks go on a tour across the United States. Currently six cities are participating, but more may be added before the tour begins. One reason why I am excited is because it is coming to Winter Park and I am not too far from there! After the tour all the sketchbooks become a part of the permanent collection, of The Brooklyn Art Library, where the public can check out these sketchbooks.
Anyone in the world can participate, but there is a fee of $25 dollars. The fee covers the cost of the sketchbook, but mainly it helps with the manpower it takes to organize the event, collate all the books and keep the website going.

You can use any medium, add pages and alter the book to your hearts desire. You just have to use their sketchbook, which has a barcode attached to track the books in the future. Also, you must choose a theme from their list or have a theme randomly selected for you. I like that you don't have to be an artist and many mothers are doing this with their kids. I think it's such a great idea. The deadline to enter is October 31, 2010.

Puncturing Perfectionsim and practice

2010-10-29T14:53:00.000-07:00

I agree with your post about practice. Just this past week I did a painting that I really wasn't crazy about. In the past I would just put to the side and start on a new painting, new subject. NOT this time. What I did differently this time was to get an idea of what it was that I really wanted this painting to look like or convey and I made myself do the painting again..the second time around it came out so much nicer. I allowed myself that "practice" on the first one, worked out those kinks and the second was better.
What made me post this today was because I had previously wrote a post about perfectionism (or made a comment about an article I read) and someone made a very good point about practice - here is their blog post http://1000geniuses.posterous.com/puncturing-perfectionism.

Sometimes I feel...

2010-10-27T14:40:00.000-07:00

Do you have days where you feel like you are getting beat up from every side? Be it from school, work, house, Laundry (LOL), just life...well when I did this painting, that was what I was thinking about. I guess, getting weary in well doing...but thank God, I don't always feel like that. I gird up my loins and keep on keeping on. Just wanted to share my newest painting. Hope you enjoy!

Changing to the word NEXT

2010-10-19T13:14:00.000-07:00

Here was my response to an article I read today on one of my favorite blogs
I really enjoyed this article! I like the word "next" because it's putting out there that this is not the LAST and final great piece. As an artist, changing to and using the word 'next" makes me feel like I have another million chances to create a painting...for instance,"Hello, this is the next painting in my mermaid series." I like that much better than, "I am working on my mermaid painting." It sounds so final, so - I better do a good job on this...and that's when that ugly voice comes in and starts telling us,"Don't blow it, you only have one chance at this."

Experimenting

2010-10-12T15:47:00.000-07:00

I have been playing around with some different techniques lately. I did go to school for illustration, so I kind of always end up going back to watercolors and ink pen. So I hope you enjoy my "Mermaid Dreaming" and "Fairy" that I did.

The Mermaid was in pen & ink, watercolors on wood, with some 3D pearls added on.I was thinking of putting this on a jewelry box.
The Fairy was with colored pencils, pencil, ink pen on wood, also.

Birthday Gift Ideas

2010-10-07T08:43:00.000-07:00

This week I was featured in the "Happy Birthday Collection" at Artfire. Come an check out all the cute birthday gifts for little girls. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday

Curated By: silverknuten

ArtFire.com

Handmade Gifts

ACEO

2010-10-05T19:33:00.000-07:00

ACEO stands for "Art Cards, Editions and Originals". These cards are 3.5 inches by 2.5 inches - the size of a trading card.

The reason for this is that Art Cards were made to be traded. Since they were so small, these "Art Cards" quickly became available for sale at low prices, so EVERYONE could enjoy their own piece of art.

The Art Cards are sold either as originals or editions. If it is an "Edition" or Print, it will be numbered and signed.

Art Cards can come in different mediums and of different subjects. Watercolor, Oil, Acrylic, Colored Pencil, Pastels, Pen and Ink, Collage. These ACEOs come in whatever style of art you can think of; abstract, impressionism, cubism, realism, modern art...

What makes them so great is that you can have your own collection of art, from many different artists, and not spend a lot of money.

Wouldn't it be great to have your own mini work of art and you only paid $5 to $10 for it?

These are for sale - www.artfire.com/users/margie72

Start collecting today!

ACEO watercolor and pen & ink

ACEO Watercolors

Intro

2010-10-04T16:20:00.000-07:00

My name is Margie Forestier and I am business owner, face painter, mother of two, wife, homeschooling mom, and an artist. I have been painting and drawing since as far back as I can remember. I used to staple paper together to make little books and illustrate stories like Cinderella or what ever story I made up. That probably explains why my art is so eclectic - I enjoy watercolors, pen and ink, pencils, colored pencils, acrylics, paper machie....the list goes on. My artwork has gone thru many changes over the years; from hyper-realism to coloring book style drawing.
I hope you enjoy my work as much as I enjoyed creating it!