OH MY ! - DOMINIQUE EICHI

For Michelle Burnett

5  x  9 Acrylic

The discovery I made in my closet   : /
This should of been gone like 6 months ago if not more.
I do not know why it got tucked away in there.
I can only say, Michelle you should have it now.
I'm so sorry for this delay.

I always wanted to paint a flower with water drops on it. So here it is.
These drops where not easy to put on because I did not want to mess up the work underneath.
Finally it will get to it's owner. : )

We might still have one book floating ?!
Merry Christmas everyone !

Clever Like a Fox

 "Red Fox"

by Michelle Burnett

9"x 5 1/2"

colored pencil on paper

This is my contribution to James Parker's sketchbook for his wildlife theme. If you know James, you know that he is a amazing artist and has a wonderful sense of humor. What you may not know (or maybe you do!) is that he is a very talented and clever writer and poet as well. 

This is the last sketchbook for me to complete and I have thoroughly enjoyed being apart of this project throughout the year. It's been a great experience with a wonderful group of artist that I am humbled and honored to be a part of. I thank each of you for their contributions to my sketchbook and cannot wait to see it in person. A big tremendous THANK YOU to Dominique Eichi for starting the project and inviting me to participate.

Peace & Happiness - Michelle Burnett

Peace & Happiness

oil on gessoed paper

by Michelle Burnett

"Peace" is the theme of Camille Olsen's sketchbook so I went with more of the retro idea of peace because I think she's a pretty hip chick! :) This was also my favorite childhood mug that has always offered a little bit of comfort: chicken soup when I was sick or for milk with cookies after school. This Flying Moleskin is now on its return trip home back to Camille!

Pink Scarf and Pigtails - Michelle Burnett

Pink Scarf and Pigtails

colored pencil

This is for the wonderful Liz Holm for her theme: "portraits". I was at the rodeo several years ago and had my camera ready to take action shots of the bull and bronco riders for art reference photos, but I saw this girl working at the concessions. I admired her pigtails and scarf and thought that would make a more interesting subject for a painting. (By the way, every year the rodeo has one day dedicated to breast cancer awareness called "Tough Enough to Wear Pink" and everyone is supposed to wear pink, thus the reason for the pink scarf.)

I chose to draw this time because I've had a lot of "hurry up and wait" moments lately that are better for drawing. I drew the initial sketch while I was sitting in the waiting room at Jiffy Lube while my car got serviced!

I would like to spend more time on this because I love to work on portraits and I see a few things that need tweaking, but I will fuss with it forever if I don't stop so I think I'm going to send it on its way to Camille just in case she's got nothing else to do :) . Then I can get to work on her sketchbook next!

"Autumn Lights" - Michelle Burnett

Autumn Lights

oil on gessoed paper

10.5"x8.5"

Here is my contribution to Angela Elledge's sketchbook for her theme of "places".  This place is just up the road from my home and I wanted the capture the great fall colors (which have mostly faded away here now). I tried to paint with mostly thick, quick brushstrokes to try to add light and movement to the trees and the stream.

"Blue" by Michelle Burnett

Blue 

colored pencil on paper

10.5"x8.5"

~

This is my contribution to Adebanji Alade's sketchbook. Since Adebanji chose such an important theme: "Homelessness", I wanted to convey the somber mood and sense of despair of the subject by using the color blue. For this sketch, I used Faber Castell Polychromos in Indianthrene blue and Dark indigo.

~
I greatly admire Adebanji's drawing skill so I was inspired to draw this time. All too often, I have (mistakenly) seen drawing as a chore that is necessary to get past so I can get to the fun of painting. I had forgotten the pleasure of drawing itself and really enjoyed this using this medium again.

~
Thank you, Adebanji for this thoughtful theme.

Gondolas by Edward Burton

oil

This is for Michelle Burnett whose moleskin theme is "Postcards and Snapshots". I decided to do a painting of one of my favaorite places - Venice. The long gondolas seemed to be a perfect choice for the format of her book.

To Dean: The Promise of a New Day

The Promise of A New Day

My favorite time of the day is sunrise. There is this quiet, yet powerful and glorious beauty to greet you and start your day. The world is still and the hustle has not started yet. It's a wonderful time to reflect on what the day has in store.

I took the reference photo from my cell phone one morning last year and have always wanted to paint it.  It's a little sketchy (must paint more often!) but it felt nice to get back into the swing of things. My apologies to Dean and thanks to all of you for your patience!  (It's headed your way Camille!)

Gone Fishin'-Dean H.

Close ups

This is acrylic approx.5x8...on two pages.

This is for Michelle's book. The theme being favorite things...places...memories.
I used to spend more time than any human being should, trying to figure out and many times catching the great large mouth bass. Doing this painting revived many pleasant memories of being wrapped in nature-studying all her many moods and creatures. I feel the experience works it's way into my paintings.

Hope you like it, Michelle.

This and Dominique's book will be headed your way Vern!

Afternoon Siesta - Michelle Burnett

Afternoon Siesta

approx. 10"x8.5", oil on watercolor paper

Here is my contribution to Vern's sketchbook. Everyone had been painting European scenes so I was going to dig out some of my old photos to paint (pre-digital!) but then I came across this photo I took last summer at Universal Studios. Through the magic of Hollywood...here is my faux European scene of a young man taking a break and texting on the phone.

Joe & Friends - Michelle Burnett

Joe & Friends

oil on gessoed paper

Here is my contribution to Edward Burton's sketchbook for his "music" theme. I choose a favorite local jazz musician, Joe McQueen, who just celebrated his 91st birthday and is still performing.  I would have like to have spent more time working on this, but it's deadline time!

To learn more about Joe McQueen and hear him tell his story click here. To see and hear him play click here.

Bluebird for Sheila

Bluebird

8"x8", oil on gessoed cardboard

by Michelle Burnett

 

Here is my contribution to Sheila Tajima's sketchbook. I think the bluebird is very symbolic of Sheila since it represents cheerfulness and happiness. I think of her wonderful ability to spread happiness with all of the cheerful comments she leaves!

Her theme is things you love. My new "love" is of birds! Since I painted the chickadee, I've had this new fascination with birds and have been wanting to paint more. I've also been seeing them everywhere...in home decor and jewelry, (which I've been buying up) and plenty in my backyard. (Ah...a wonderful sign of spring!) 

Next voyage - April 9

Everyones work is so varied and beautiful it's exciting to be able to see each person's  artwork before you.
Thank you all for making this project so special.

BTW -  Liz you win the most creative dare devil post this time.

Michelle Burnett - Daydreaming

This is my contribution to Dana Cooper's sketchbook for her theme "Dream", done in colored pencil. I also added a favorite quote: "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams...live the life you've imagined." ~ Henry David Thoreau.

MICHELLE BURNETT

I haven't done my first sketch yet... I did doodle a title page to at least get going . I'm trying to go with a traveling theme...something like "postcards and souvenirs"...each person draws something that describes them or where they live...very open to interpretation. 

Thanks to everyone,
Michelle

title page