Friday, July 15, 2011

What's in My Sketchbook?

Starfish has a very special meaning to me.  Not only I enjoy drawing and painting them, starfish was the very first thing that I painted when I began this creative visual journey last year.

20100108 Rose Thief Final (AutoCorrect)
"Rose Thief" read post here


20100117 Hostage (AutoCorrect)
"Hostage" read post here


20100130 The Hoarder 3 (Pix Crop)
"The Hoarder" read post here


20100214 Camouflage 2 (Pix 2 AutoCorrect)
"Camouflage" read post here
I have always wondered why I picked them for my first painting.

Was it their lovely form which attracts my eyes?  Or the fact that they come in so many different colors and shapes to work with?

But I think what fascinates me most is that Starfish is a “living animal”.  As much as I have known this as fact since very young, it is something which I need to remind me every time I see a starfish.  I have always associated starfish with sea anemones or sea sponges.  They all look like underwater plant but each one of them is alive!

While writing this, I’m also thinking I should visit our Melbourne Aquarium to see some live starfishes.  Believe it or not, the last time I saw one was years and years ago! 

Anyway, without further ado, let me bring you the lively Blue Starfish (top of page), Cushion Starfish (middle of page) and Goosefoot Starfish (bottom of the page).


20110529 Starfish



20110529 Starfish CU



20110529 Starfish CU 2a


Other than the wonderment of the “living” sea stars, I also made use of the opportunity to try out new color palette.  Not sure if they work together.  What do you think?

The sketch is also for Paint Party Friday (hosted by Eva and Kristin).  All are welcomed!  Do join in to share and support each other!

Cheers and have a wonderful weekend!

P.S.  Thank you so much for everyone's wonderful comments on my "photography".  Your loving words made my back and shoulder pain bearable!  Hahaha!

37 comments:

Barbara/myth maker said...

Love them!

SHERI COOK said...

I like your hoarding starfish! LOL. Your journal art this week is beautiful! Composition, colors and the photography as well. I want to go to the Beach now! HAPPY PPF!

Valerie-Jael said...

So beautiful, love them all, and the new color combo is great! Hugs, Valerie

Theresa Plas said...

Wonderful and FUN! Your watercolor technique is fabulous! What kind of paints do you use?

carol l mckenna said...

Love your work ~ so creative and you definitely have a great style ~ Am new participant to Paint Party Friday ~ Hope you will come visit ~ Share the Creative Journey ~ am following you now ~ enjoy the weekend ^_^

Unknown said...

I love your color palette!! I love starfish and have some in my cabinet from when I used to live by the beach!! Love yours.

Šolanje na domu-Waldorf said...

Beautiful as always. I actually find starfish very hard to draw. It's amazing that you picked it. :) And I haven't seen one in decades to be honest. :)

Cynthia Schelzig said...

Marvelous work you do!!! Fab starfish!

Christine said...

lovely sketches, wonderful inspiration!

Netty said...

Beautiful sketches, love them all. Happy PPF, Annette x

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing your starfish work- I really liked them all and camouflage made me smile, especially!
I LOVE this palette that you used in your journal, beautiful use of colors and I think they work really well.
Happy PPF!
Stephanie

WrightStuff said...

It was lovely to see your starfish again - I remember them well - so quirky, unique and pretty cool. Do more!! I loved that they each had a personality.

Julie Prichard said...

These are excellent! I love all of them..you are very talented! Happy PPF!

GlorV1 said...

Beautiful sketches, love them all. Great work. Happy PPF!

Darla said...

I love your sketchbook. Itis so serene and calming.

Leone said...

I remember those first starfish very well - so much I wanted to purchase the Rose Thief!! There is so much imagination and whimsy in them. I love the colour combinations for your other starfish, very nice!

Geckostone said...

I love your starfish artwork! They are fascinating and inspiring subjects!Gosh, come to think of it , I haven't seen one for real in a long time too. ROAD TRIP!!!!!!! Happy PPF!

Marlene said...

I adore starfish and I absolutely love all of yours. They are all so different and so pretty.

Kristin Dudish said...

Such a wonderful series of starfish you created! I love seeing the latest too (and I definitely think your palette works)! I am amazed at the variety... beautiful!

xo
Kristin

Jenn said...

Starfish are so wonderful aren't they?? I love how you've given your starfish so much personality! I really like the composition of that last page with the boxes. And I think the colors are beautiful together - I especially like the blue starfish!

Giggles said...

I love the unique humor in your work! Well done, beautiful and fun! Great job!

Happy ppf!

Hugs Giggles

Virtual Boy said...

Absolutely beautiful work! The palette is awesome, especially the combination of the blue-green background and the yellow starfishes~
And as always, love your composition... ^-^

Crystal said...

These are so unique! They are just plain awesomeness! :-)

Anne Butera said...

These are all so wonderful! I think the colors work beautifully together.

Anne Butera said...

And Happy PPF!!

Her Speak said...

I think starfish are fascinating because they're so expressive--waving their arms, crawling with their feet. Beautiful work, love the exploration!

Fallingladies said...

I love the blue because I love painting ribbons!!! and your sketchbook is great, thanks for sharing!

EVA said...

Yay! Starfish are back!! I love last years so much and these new ones are beautiful too. I love those colours together!

Elisa said...

I love your starfish paintings! They look so real and very fancy.. I love the one with ribbon. Your recent painting of them are very fresh! Good job!

Kat Sloma said...

I sometimes wonder why we are drawn to certain themes in our art, but the fact that you are following your heart and continuing to find them is important. So lovely!

Faye said...

You are definitely a master at portraying starfish activity. And yes, your colors are beautiful together. I enjoyed seeing your blog and the gorgeous works of art in it.

Gerri Herbst said...

gorgeous, gorgeous. I collect seashells and starfish tey are such an inspiration. take care, gerri

Julie said...

I remember your starfish, I loved them. It was great seeing them again. I really like starfish, they are so unique.

Unknown said...

these colour pieces are super fantastic!!! love your work!!!!

pluckychickenheart said...

Beautiful work!

peggy gatto said...

you have a very fresh and original style!
Lovely pages!!

Cameron said...

These are wonderful! Saw lots of them on our vacation...we visited 3 aquariums along the Coast :)

I, like everyone else, do so enjoy the way you "stage" your photos....like a show or event.....wonderful, indeed!