Merry Christmas to all!

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!!

Winter's Foal part 3

"Winter's Foal" part 3

I don't think it'll be done by Christmas, but you never know. ;-)

Winter's Foal part 2

Here's an update on the new piece.  I'm definitely liking the Polychromos pencils thus far. :-)

"Winter's Foal" part 2

Winter’s Foal

"Winter's Foal" part 1

What could be finer than a cute, little, new guy to usher in the New Year? I have long been a fan of the old magazine covers that personified the New Year as a baby and the old year as an oldster. Since the New Year is coming fast, I couldn’t resist starting a new piece showing a baby horse. My family raised Thoroughbreds when I was growing up and I got to know foals quite well. Some of them were quite the little stinkers. This little guy clearly follows in that tradition. You can see it in his eye, can’t you?

This will be my first piece done entirely in Faber-Castell Polychromos colored pencils. I usually work with a mix of colored pencil brands with the lion’s share being my old standby, Prismacolors. I was interested to see how the non-waxy Polychromos pencils would build towards a complete piece. So far so good!

My Etsy Shop!

 At long last my new Etsy shop is open! It’s very exciting! The address is http://www.etsy.com/shop/cresciangirl. Right now I have my three Christmas card designs for sale. Each sells for $4.00 plus shipping.

The name of the store is “Cresciangirl’s Art Shop.” There’s a story that goes with the name. As you might notice, it is NOTHING at all like Flying Pony Studios, the name of my pet portrait business. I actually created the shop several years ago with the intention of selling not just art, but also to promote my Steampunk and webcomic materials. This was way before there was a Flying Pony Studios. Right after I set up the name, there followed several years of parental death and trauma. The Etsy store was put on the shelf.

Flash forward to this month  when I sought to open my Etsy shop at long last. Only then did I remember that it had a different (and more personal) name. However, the unusual name provided me with an interesting opportunity while setting up the shop. In this shop I felt I could branch out beyond what I typically do in my art business and provide a wider range of creative things to sell. So far I know that there will be handmade original art cards & prints, and also ACEOs. But there may also be other things, like some of my craft creations, Steampunk weaponry and attire, and who knows what else! Even Manga designs. What fun! I can already see that I’m going to have a lot of fun with this store concept. It’ll be a Sara Creative Special Deluxe! :-D

Etsy

I'm quite impressed by what I've been seeing over in the Etsy world. Although somewhat familiar with it already, I have never dived quite so deep into Etsy before. What I'm finding is a truly impressive community which seems built on solid win-win values.

It's interesting to consider how often in this crazy world we are subjected to win-lose scenarios and how that creates unsettled feelings when trying out new ventures, especially in areas (like Art) that we really care about. A good community can turn that around. I am looking forward to experiencing the Etsy community more fully and participating in a way that enriches both me and my buyers.

Christmas cards!

This is a big moment for me, I’m opening my first Etsy store! *fanfare*

But what to put in it? Well, at this time of year…Christmas cards! This really feels like me standing on the edge of a high diving board. I’ve never liked heights and here I am, about to bounce and plunge! It’s scary! But exciting too!

The store isn’t quite open yet (can you see all the brown paper still covering the windows?) but have no fear, the grand opening is coming within the next few days. Still in time to get a card or two to give out at Christmas.

To me, the images I've created for these cards represent three different looks into the special world that we share with our beloved animal companions.


"Joy" Copyright Sara Light-Waller, 2010

The first card, Joy, is reminiscent of Thelwell with humor for the horseperson in us all. Clearly this little pony thinks he’s at least as big and important as his tall, dressed-up friend. The artwork is pen & ink with digital enhancements and color.

"Peace on Earth" Copyright Sara Light-Waller, 2010

The second, Peace on Earth, shows how big and small can live in harmony especially when no one’s watching. The artwork is pen & ink with digital enhancements.

"Merry Christmas!" Copyright Sara Light-Waller, 2010

And finally, a Merry Christmas! from an adorable little Christmas puppy. This image is entirely digital from the initial drawing to the finished color.

All of these cards are hand-crafted which means that I assemble all the pieces and mount them myself. The cards are smooth white card stock (good for writing) with 4x6 glossy photos carefully mounted to give a subtle raised look. All the cards are waiting for your special holiday message inside.

Although my store hasn’t quite opened its doors yet, I am taking orders from here. Please email me at sara@flyingponystudios.com if you’d like to reserve your holiday card(s).

Happy Holidays!

-Sara

Inspired Gifts: Equine Art for your Holiday List

I am delighted to announce that I am a featured artist in the December issue of Flying Changes magazine. Flying Changes is the premier magazine for northwest sporthorse enthusiasts and is an important magazine in horse community of the Northwest US where I live. I feel quite honored to have been included this year. For those who aren’t in the area, I’ve got scans of the pages here.

 

To go along with this great news, I also wanted to unveil the further news that I am currently developing both a greeting card line and a series of ACEO images. I intend to open an Etsy and Café Press shop really soon. Keep your eyes out here for all the latest news!

Miscellany

A few miscellaneous items for today. First up, some on-site sketches from my tea holiday yesterday at Soul Food Books in Redmond. Pitt design pens in an old surveyor's notebook. I like the effect of drawing over the old pencils notes. :-)

Then on to a quote from a favorite illustrator of mine, Howard Pyle.

“When in Doubt, Leave It Out”

“...it is better to err in the lack of detail than it is to introduce details that may arouse question or criticism...” -Howard Pyle to Paul Leicester Ford, November 30, 1898

Words we all can profit by, even more than 100 years later. ;-)

With thanks to Ian Schoenherr - from his wonderful blog – “Howard Pyle”