Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Nia and Simone



Nia and Simone - This was cute art duo that was ordered for a little girl for Christmas! I hope she liked them!

Kenya Rose


I have decided to focus on painting on small canvas - 4x5. My latest project was a custom order. I titled her "Kenya Rose".

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Camille's Puffs



I had a custom request for Afro Puffs - and since then have had 3 orders for Puffs!

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Prints and an Art Show...

I

Instead of shopping this Thanksgiving weekend, I spent some time focusing on how I can take my art to the next level in 2012! One of the things I did was went to a local printer to see how some of my paintings would look as professional art prints. I was very thrilled with the outcome and the cost. Both Hadiyah and Avery look really nice in a frame. See Avery above (and you can see my reflection too)!


Also, I have been invited to an Art Show that is scheduled to take place next weekend. In thinking through the best way to display my art in a venue that will have only table space, I came up with the idea to purchase a decorative easel (courtesy of Garden Ridge) and a block of wood (thank you Home Depot); put some nails in it and wa-la. I'm still debating on whether or not I should patin the wood... BUT Art Show - LCherise is on her way...

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Functional Art

So it has been a while since I did a blog post.
But I'm definitely still painting (when I'm motivated)! My latest creations have been functional art. I adore the Earring Art displays and the Jewelry Art displays that I have created. You can see them at my Etsy store. www.lcherise.etsy.com

Why leave your earrings inside a jewelry box when you can display them as Art? While I think the "fad" of jewelry boxes is getting out of hand, with everyone making earring holders from old antique frames and wire mesh, the LCherise Earring Art display will be a lifelong piece an art for any wall.

Monday, October 17, 2011

I'm a Professional!

I sold my first painting today! So, I guess that makes me a professional artist now... :~)


The painting was a custom request for a friend. And although it took me a while to decide on the direction I would take the painting, when I was done I knew it was the right fit for her. It also led to the start of my "new" collection. The Sisterhood Collection. Here is the featured painting (without the special brooch) - "I am DST".

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Printers and Notecards... Oh My...

I woke early this morning with a goal... I created my Etsy Shop weeks ago and still did not have anything up for sell. Thus, the goal - Sell something. Or, at least put something to sell.

Weeks ago, I explored the idea of creating notecards. I made some test samples (well ordered them on Vistaprint) shared the notecards wth friends and recieved some positive feedback. So positive in fact, that I had a few folks asking me when can they place an order...

So, that let me to today. My spontaneous purchase 1. a new printer - that could print high quality photos and 2. some cardstock. And now tonight... I'm burnt out. Or anxious. Of a combination of both. I have no energy to even finish this post tonight. No patience to type about the hell setting up a wireless printer put me through or the jipperness I want to feel because my art is now for sell on notecards. Maybe I will find time to discuss another day... please do take a look at my esty shop - and make it a favorite!!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/LCherise?ref=si_shop

Friday, October 7, 2011

Jameeka


I know many of you are still waiting to see me paint something other than Black Women with naturals, and I have to admit, when I stare at a blank canvas, I try to tap into something inside me, to find a vision to paint something else, but it's just not in me yet. Jameeka is a bit more unique than the others... she's sporting some chic shades!!

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Ivy

I finally finished Ivy... She is wearing a brooch I bought off Etsy... I keep fixing her lips, but "fixing" them over and over still hasn't made it better, so I decided that everyone's makeup can't be perfect! I'm really going to try and make my next personality look a bit more "happy".


Thursday, September 29, 2011

Be Natural Mini...


The last two weeks have been busy for me. I did manage to squeeze some time in for painting. One of my new creations is what I'm calling the "Be Natural Mini" (at least for now). I'm thinking with Christmas approaching, I want to think about painting more mini canvas for Christmas gifts...
I also love the idea of turning the Be Natural collection into a line of stationery.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Black Women with Naturals

Now that I have made the decision to share my art work with people that I actually know, the pressure to be “good” has more of an impact on me than I thought it would. But again, I go back to the lesson I learned last week, “there are no accidents in art”.


Anyhow, the question that I have been asked the most is will I "paint more than just Black women with afros?". And my response - "YES, of course I will!!" However, I also need to remind you that I JUST started painting SIX weeks ago. Can I perfect my Black Women first?? LOL While many people are eager to see what else I can paint, I’m comfortable for now, painting my faces! And I need to get through the rest of the alphabet first! Remember, I’m only at “I”. So for now, LCherise will stick to painting Black Women with Naturals…

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

www.LCherise.com

Every artist needs a website and tonight, I created a quick and easy website!
www.lcherise.com

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Football and Painting

I had to move my art studio to the living room this afternoon! I had two personalities (that's how I will refer to my paintings I think) to complete AND I had to watch NFL RedZone to catch highlights of the Chargers. Two of the things about being on the East Coast now, is football starting so late in the day, and watching teams that I would not normally watch...

Anyhow, Georgia has been finished for a while, but I wasn't happy with her nose. I played around with it some more today and decided, I'm just going to leave her alone. Another lesson that I learned in my art class is that "there are no mistakes" in art!! Georgia is wearing a Brooch I ordered online from a website called fabulousbrooch.com. I'm sure the Brooch was made in China.

Hadiya means "A Gift" in Swahili. And I thought the name was fitting for my last painting... she too wears a Brooch that I bought on fabulousbrooch.com. She is also the largest (11x14) personality that I have attempted and I really like how her hair turned out.

I was in such a paiting mood today, that I already started "I". I don't know what her name is yet, because I typically don't name the piece until after she has eyes. LOL I hope to share her with you later this week!!

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Almost Ready for Etsy...

It's been what, about 4 weeks now since I started painting and I finally decided to share my blog with more than 5 people... I got up this morning with a renewed vision - that secretly hiding my talent between the "3" corners of my kitchen floor isn't going to get me too many places. Not that there is really any place I need to be, well that is except Etsy. Etsy.com, That's where all professional artists seem to be. Of'course what makes you a professional is not when you're selling your art work, but when someone is actually "buying" your artwork. And at this point, I'm not in either category just yet.

As an a new Artist, I have realized that there's a little more to think about than just painting a Canvas and posting it online... Do you want to create prints? Sell the originals? How much should you charge? Do you want to do custom peices? Or Work with what you got? These are some of the questions that have come to my mind. As I explore the work and talent of other artist and what they do I honestly don't know what route will be the best for me. BUT, what I do know is that I will Sell something!

In fact, I'm so sure of it, that I officially created my Etsy store tonight. Grant it, I have nothing to sell right now, but I will... soon. And hope you plan on making a purchase!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/LCherise

Thursday, September 1, 2011

It's okay to start over...

One of the things that the art instructor told us was "it's okay to start over". And starting over, means just painting over what you have already done (not getting a new canvas). As a new artist, it is a very important lesson - one that I am glad I learned this early in my talent.

As a result, I looked at Fatimah on Wednesday with a new perspective. She had been sitting for a full week (or two) because I didn't quite know how to finish her and I really didn't like the direction she was going in. With my new lesson in mind, however I reminded myself that I could start over... and that's what I did, sort of, I "fixed" her skin color and changed her mouth, and repainted the background. And I was happy with the outcome!!

Monday, August 29, 2011

Thanks Irene!

I spent the last two weeks unable to focus, preparing mentally and physically for Irene to show up. Hearing tales of how her older sister Isabel wrecked havoc in 2003 and recalling my visions of what her cousin Katrina did in 2005 made me a bit anxious. Nonetheless, I was prepared… And it was my plan to eat, sleep and paint the weekend away. I was looking forward to it…


So, when Irene showed up, I spent several hours worried if I would lose electricity, so I felt like I needed to watch as much TV as I could, while I could, but all I could watch was news coverage about Irene’s visit. And I was so thrilled that I could still cook meals, so I made dinner. And ate. Over and Over again. And, because there wasn’t anything for me to do outside the house, I could not come up with any good reason to get out of the bed. There was nothing to get ready for. And so I slept, when I wasn't eating or watching TV.


And I had a lesson learned: I can’t just paint because I have “time” to paint. Lord knows I had plenty of time to paint. But I had no desire, no inspiration… It was one of the laziest weekends of my life. And I’m not guilty about it.


Sometimes we need Irene’s to show up and give us an excuse to do nothing…

Thanks Irene!


Friday, August 26, 2011

Learning Technique

I had my very first Art class last night. While I had initially signed up for the class to learn “how” to paint, my new focus is more around learning new styles and technique.

I was excited to see that things that I sort of figured out on my own by my third painting (Avery) were being taught as part of technique. Had me thinking, “did I learn this before and not remember”? I remember when I was younger I use to watch that hairy man paint a picture - a landscape in an episode… so maybe, it’s quite possible that I’ve “learned” technique before…or we can just stick with me being a “natural”. ( Where’s that humility?)


As a result of my first art class, I took a different approach to my next painting “G”. One of the things we learned was about layering and blending on the canvas. So, for the first time, I actually painted the full background first, and I’m building Gs face on top. This is what she looks like so far…




Wednesday, August 24, 2011

What's with the Brooch?

I went through a phase about 6 years ago, when I wore a brooch just about once or twice a week. So, needless to say, I have a “few” brooches, tucked away neatly in a jewelry box inside of my accessories closet. (Don’t Judge Me - Yes, I have a closet JUST for my accessories.)

Anyhow, I thought it would be cool to utilize my brooches on my art. In fact, it’s not a new idea at all… it’s one I’ve had for quite sometime. Just that, at the time I had the idea, I didn’t Know I could actually paint…


Monday, August 22, 2011

Paint Break


So, I haven't been inspired to paint really... can you believe it? I went in so Hard the first two weeks that I burnt myself out. LOL No actually, I'm just trying to hold off until my art class starts - This Thursday... I figured 8 paintings in 20 days is pretty decent. Well, more like 7.5 because I haven't quite finished "F" yet, but she's coming... I finished "Eve" just yesterday.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

From Error to Er-Art


So, I decided to take a different approach after I painted the outline of "D's" face. First off, I can not draw, so all of the paintings that I have done so far have just been "free brush". And honestly, my errors end up looking intentional... (Like for example the texture of Claudette's skin - that was me, wiping the paint of with a paper towel.) Anyhow, I wanted to be sure that I got the placement of the eyes and nose right, so I actually took a couple self side profiles of myself. After looking at the side profile that I felt matched the most closely with the outline, I felt like I had a better vision of how to angle the eyes, nose and mouth... What impressed me most about D was her lips. I was careful with them. LOL But when I got to the nose, I had accidentally dipped the brush without paying close attention and as I brushed it on realized that I was painting her nose the wrong color. That's why her nose is dark... But, after looking at it for a few hours, she grew on me (just like Claudette) and I named her Davina...




Tuesday, August 16, 2011

My First Two Paintings...


Gayle and Olivia! I was so excited when I finished Gayle. I was really excited about painting my name on the painting... L.Cherise!

Exploring my ABCs…

Sooooo, it’s been 4 days since I first picked up my ABCs (Acrylic Brushes and Canvas) and I have to say, I’m pretty good. The humility is no where to be found right now. I’m amazing. LOL. But, I do realize that Art is subjective, so, I’m apprehensive to share this newly discovered talent, with people that I really know.

Anyhow, I decided to name each painting alphabetically - starting of course with the letter A.


Avery -

My issue with Avery was what Brooch to accessorize her with… I think this one worked well.




Bonita - Big Eyed Bonita. She told me her name was Bonita. LOL. And you can see her in my profile Pic right over Avery.


Claudette - Damn she ugly. I really think she’s gonna have to grow on me. But the earring. O my, when I saw that earring, I knew I had to have it. And I knew Claudette would be the one to wear it right.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

But Can I Paint?


So, my $80 bucks worth of art supplies laid in the junky corner of my future office/art studio for a full week, until last night… “I think I can paint without the class… at the very least, I KNOW I can paint a flower.” And I did… BUT, I really want to be able to display my brooches on a piece of art… I’m looking at these funky abstract faces that I bought on sale for $2 at Value City, at the very least I CAN draw an abstract face… AND I did…

Now wait a dog gone minute this is looking pretty good… let’s see if I give her some eyes and a nose, and a mouth, and earrings… O Shnap, I think I CAN PAINT...





Tuesday, August 9, 2011

ABC’s Cost M-O-N-E-Y

So, Aug 6 was tax free Saturday in the State of Virginia - for Back to school shopping. And after a quick review of the list of items that “qualify” for tax free, I was excited to learn that “art supplies” was on the list. Armed with my 15% off Michael’s coupon and the Art supply list provided , I figured I’d spend at the most, $50 bucks.


I mean - Acrylic, Brushes and Canvas - Did she say $80??? Oh, $60 with the coupon. Oh, hell nah - I have to sell a painting real quick!

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Art Class Found...

A quick search on Google led me to the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia (www.cacv.org). They have an adult art class starting on Aug 25th. - Acrylic on Canvas - 5 consecutive Thursdays. 7pm-9:30m, for 5 weeks. Cost $95 bucks!

I went to check out the art center/museum - see how far the drive would be and what the place looked like before I committed. While I was there, I checked out the latest exhibit…. And found it quite amazing. I marveled at the work of Jean-Pierre Roy.





It still took me two (or three) weeks to commit… but I did finally sign up!

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

The Goal is Art

My recent relocation to the East Coast, led me to realize that at 34, I have pretty much accomplished everything that I had “planned” and/or wanted. (That is, everything that I solely have control over - because being married one day is in the plan, but I need a willing participant to assist with that one.) As I ran through the check list in my head, I was left with two things to consider. Two hobbies… Billiards… and Art. (Both of which, by the way, I have day dreamed about being well known for.)


I figure, I’d tackle both sometime this year… At least, that’s what’s written in my Goals Journal - under the Hobbies/Extra Curricular category. Yes, I really have a Goals Journal. Well, actually I titled it a “Goals, Prayer, Wants, Needs Journal”.


Quoted from the Journal (written sometime in early July):

Art Class

For the past few years, maybe 5, I have thought about taking an art class. While I have the time and $ I’m going to do it now. ACTION - Find an art class.