Making baby clothes

l handmade my daughter a tutu for Christmas. I wanted to make her a creative outfit with Christmas colors so that I could take some photographs of her at home. I used red and green tulle, cut it into strips, and tied it around an elastic waist band.  

Muchacho Squirrel

My eight year old little sister loves squirrels. She made up a song that goes 'Oh muchacho, oh muchacha! Its time to sing the squirrel samba...' and on it goes. This is acrylic and collage on wood.

Everyone likes for their vision to come to life. My little sister loved that I did an illustration around her song creation!

Christmas present/Hidden pictures

Here is a painting l did as a Christmas gift. It has photographs hidden throughout the painting of family members.

Christmas gift painting

I am really excited about how this painting turned out. I started by collaging pictures of my brothers family all over the panel. Then I used painters tape to block out a tree shape. I really like how you can still see all of the photographs, but many are hidden. Hopefully my brother and his wife will like their Christmas gift because I do not accept returns :)
other commission paintings can be viewed at www.illustrationsbybrittney.com

Jungle theme

l added some watercolor to my giraffe. This is a framed illustration that was incorporated into a jungle themed children's room. I have done similar pieces that were given as unique gifts at baby showers.

Cell reproduction

l worked more on the cell painting. l don't know if l am calling it finished yet. l also don't know what orientaion looks best.
This is an abstraction of what I would imagine cell reproduction to look like. 

New work in the process

I started working on a new piece. I have just finished the underpainting. I am really excited about it and hope to complete it over the next week. I am using cell reproduction for inspiration.

Wedding commission

I just finished a painting for two friends that just got married. I am really happy with the way it turned out. I used pictures from when the were dating, got engaged, and the wedding.

One big bummer, While working on this painting l got distracted by my crying baby and didn't clean my favorite paint brush. Now its ruined and l sincerely feel like someone ran over my puppy. l will miss you favorite paint brush!

(other commissions can be viewed at www.illustrationsbybrittney.com)

Craft Sale @ Immaculate Conception, North Little Rock Oct 15th

Ive been making a bunch of kids paintings for the Arts/Crafts Sale in North Little Rock. The sale is going to be at Immaculate Conception Church on Oct 15th.

Changed Triptych

I havent had a lot of time to work on new pieces now that l have my now three week old daughter. I changed up the three flower pieces from the previous post. I am trying to change up my color use and my use of extreme contrast.

4 new paintings for Growth Series

I used my flower sketches in the three panel painting at the bottom. The picture isn't very good because the paint is still wet.

Rose and Iris drawing

a photo taken by my friend kim at 36 weeks.

In preperation for my baby to be here (hopefully by her due date in 10 days) I have quit my job and been staying home. Boredom has taken over, but I am trying to make the best of it. So Instead of using photographs/collage material out of books and magazines in my paintings I decided to start drawing my own flowers. I have never been very good at roses so I have been practicing. I have also been working on a slew of other plant images. So hopefully practice will make perfect...

Landscape

I don't really like landscapes, so since l was stuck on the current series l am working on l decided to do some. I tried to let my "illustration side" come through more on these paintings. I don't know that l like them or even if they are done. I am just trying to keep working and hoping that my mental wall breaks down soon.

On the triptych I used a lot of collage elements. Several ended up being painted over. I usually used a lot of dark backgrounds but while working on these l forced myself to use white.

The purple piece was once a brown painting with gold leaf. I got stuck on the painting so l decided just to paint over it.

I am excited and annoyed at the same time because I feel like I am finally getting somewhere conceptually, but aesthetically I am not really excelling.

ABF Christmas Card

Entry for ABF Christmas card competition

Growth

These are the current works from my new series "Growth"

Some of the images are carried over from older series, but many are new.

Artist Statement (still working on it):

Growth is defined as development from a lower or simpler to a higher or more complex form. Growth can be applied to size, number, value, or strength. It also applies to maturing physically, mentally, or spiritually.
Throughout this series growth has been explored from simple definitions to more complex. Plants are used to show a natural, organic form of growing; encompassing a simple definition of something developing from smaller to larger. Realism and abstraction are combined throughout the series, as are oils, acrylics, and collage. Collage pieces showcasing spiritual elements are incorporated to express a more mature expansion. Collage allows religious icons to be incorporated in a way that is obvious, though some of the collage elements have been hidden in the paint. Bold color and high contrast are another way growth is expressed. Light and darkness, both physically and metaphorically, define the growth of nature and individuals.

Nature

www.lightspacetime.com/exhibitions/our-current-art-exhibition-theme-nature/

One of my paintings was selected for the websites show.

Still working on it

I am a little over half way through the three panel painting. The three panels stretch to 6 foot by 4 foot. I am happy with the progress so far. l used phone book covered with gold leaf to texture the background. I wanted them to appear like stones. Then l started collaging flowers and painting flowers on top to look like they were growing. Hopefully l will be done tonight or tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

In the works

l am currently working on this piece. It is three seperate panels, each 24x48 inches. It is proving difficult because of my limited work area but l am excited about it. l am creating an abstracted landscape.

l have been spending time updating my website http://www.illustrationsbybrittney.com/

New piece for Growth Series

I am trying some new techniques in this series. I began by collaging different paper to get texture, then l painted the canvas yellow followed by blue. After that I used sandpaper to expose the yellow and some of the collaged paper. I wanted to conceptually "grow" the colors. I have been enjoying sketching plants so instead of painting flowers I drew them and collaged them into the piece.

I am planning on expanding the idea of growth into areas outside of plants. I now have 4 new pieces in the series.

477 Store

Both of these images were selected to be shown for sale in the 477 store located in Memphis TN for the next 3 months.

Sketch

Some doodles l did while sitting in the Doctors for an hour.

Ballet

I am really excited about going to see the Alice in Wonderland Ballet at the end of the month. I guess I was inspired and decide to watercolor a dancer.

Taking the bull by the horns

For years and years my husband has asked me to make a painting of him "taking the bull by the horns." He got the idea from the movie "Dodgeball" where Ben Stiller had a painting of him taking the bull by the horns.

Well, I finally did it. My main reasoning behind NOT doing the piece was, I don't want that image hanging in my house. But what can I say? He is the most amazing husband. Sometimes you just gotta suck it up.

If you would like your very own, Ben Stiller, Dodge ball inspired, taking the bull by the horns piece, contact me. Cost unframed $25 plus shipping

Commission information available @ www.illustrationsbybrittney.com or email leightherese@gmail.com

Fun with Collage

I feel like l often forget that art can be carefree. l have been so focused on making a "masterpiece" that l often find myself tense while painting instead of smiling.

Collage is one of my ways to let go, relax, and enjoy the process.

Growth Series

I feel like I am finally settled on a concept for a new series. A lot of my sketch work has revolved around growth. I have really enjoyed work that focuses on nature, so l am planning to explore that and evolve that concept into growth beyond nature/plant life. The series done prior has been very spiritual based. Several of the past images have incorporated plants to represent feminine influence. Some of my past pieces will be able to be used in this new series. I am not sure that this piece is complete, but for now I am saying it is. More than likely, as the series evolves, I will work more on it to incorporate new ideas. Any feedback is appreciated.