Back in the saddle again...almost (sneak peek!)

I'm happy to report that I have actually had a wee bit of studio time over the last few months and have managed to complete something!

I'm posting a sneak peek photo of the resin today.  Sadly, my camera died when I finally had time to set up my light box and take a few good photos of him. So the shot is taken with my iphone and the color is a bit off.  I apologize.

The resin needs no introduction. It's Sarah Rose's Independence resin- the big guy in Traditional scale.  I've painted him into a stunning bay Tovero.  He has the neatest markings, I can't wait to take and share more photos!  His color is a nice rich bay, that didn't show up in these photos. I've spent what feels like a bazillion hours on his markings, mapping, roaning, cat tracks and other details. This sculpture is just so slick and amazing. I've been calling the finished horse "Sinatra" I hope to get better photos of him in the next few weeks.  Time is still very limited.  I have a VERY busy 13 month old who is running and climbing on anything and everything already. (help!)  So I'm limited to nap time when I can do studio work, answer emails, take and post photos etc.  I'm enjoying time with my two girls so I can't complain, but I hope that explains my lack of posting and completed work(s).

I'm always open to offers before a horse goes up for sale so don't be afraid to contact me. I've grown attached to him but if I keep him too long he'll never leave. ;)

Thanks for your continued interest in my work. I hope to have a few more pieces completed in the next year.  Turn around isn't fast, but I feel the end product is worth it.

Todays 5 minute sketch

Love those ponies

Here's today's quick sketch

A Sketch a Day...almost

I must apologize. It's been almost a year since my last post.  What happened?!  Well, I had a baby. 

AnnaBelle Lynn was born January 16th, 2011. She is a blessing and a wonderful baby.  She turned 8 months old today!  She is crawling, and pulling up on things already.  We are certain she will probably try to walk within a month. She, and her 3  year old sister, Lilia, keep me hopping!  Being a Mom, housewife, and Graphic Artist is wonderful and I love it, but it also takes me away from the studio.

To put it bluntly: I miss my studio time. I miss being creative. Sculpting, painting and also drawing.   Although, I haven't really drawn in many years I feel a constant yearning to return to it.  I often sketch before I start a sculpture. It helps me work out my ideas and get it on paper. I would love to someday go back and complete those sketches.

Since I don't have time to go to the bathroom these days... er is that TMI?  I mean I don't have time to sculpt or paint right now. ;)  I'm setting a goal for myself.  I want to create 3-4 sketches per week and post them here.   It will be a way for me to put my ideas on paper, and also to be create for just a few minutes each day.  These ideas have been filling up my brain and I need to get them out there and on paper. This way I will have lots of ideas when I do get back to sculpting too. :)

I am going to set a goal myself to sketch for 2-5 minutes each day. I think it will be a good lesson for the girls to see Mommy carving out just a small amount of time for her interests too.

With only 2-5 minutes spent on each sketch please don't expect too much. They are more of a brain dump.  I will be taking quick photos with my iphone, so they may not be the best quality...please bear with me. ;)

So without further ado, here's todays Sketch:

New Arabian

I'm excited to finally be able to post about a finished horse!  I worked on this one for what seemed like weeks and weeks.  Traditional scale horses are always a joy to paint because you can really get in there and detail them, but for me I get carried away and spend hours and hours trying to get each thing perfect and on a Traditional piece it ends up taking a ton of time. Minis can be even tougher, don't get me wrong, however this particular piece I hand painted nearly everything using tiny hairs and so she was rather time consuming.


Without further ado here's a Zahara resin by Stacey Tumlinson. Finish and Custom Work by myself, DeeAnn Kjelshus:

You could say I've been on a grey kick lately. I've been trying to perfect my technique.  Of course perfection is never achieved, but I hope that I improve each time.  She was a lot of fun to create. She was customized with a brand new tail, and her mane and neck have been customized as well. I brought the mane back off her neck showing off her graceful curves.  

Initially I tried to sell her unpainted. I'm always afraid to paint them because too often I become attached and then they never leave my cabinet. lol!  This time I'm offering her for sale right away so I don't become attached. 

If you'd like to see more, pix and sales information are available on my website: http://www.artbydeeann.com/sales/resins/Zahara/

Unconditional

Here is my artist choice copy #2 of "Unconditional" my latest Mare and Foal Medallion. This one was a donation to the "Flying Hearts Fundraiser".  I donated a custom paint job.  The customer let me do an artist choice on her which I love doing!  (Thanks Jenn!)

Artist Choice copy #1 is below- a pinto pair.  I hope to do more in the future of this one. It's a fun medallion to paint and is available to order unpaitned.  On occasion I can be talked into painting a Custom copy. :)

Pregnant and tired

This post relates to both myself, and the latest horse I have to share with you.  
I'm now 5 months pregnant (whoot!) but by the time I get my daughter tucked into bed I am tired out myself. The mare I recently completed is in the same situation, only she doesn't have a little one to chase all day. ;0)

Meet mini Ziryab by Stacey Tumlinsons. I've customized her by giving her a new lowered neck, altered forelock and shortened tail.  I decided to lower her neck to make her more relaxed as if she too was tired out from her pregnancy. She is painted into a stunning Bay tobiano Pintabian mare. Completed September 2010. Media used: Acrylics, Pastels. 

She's available for sale. Check her out on MH$P or my website if you are interested.