warrior princess' dream

In Print

2009-07-13T13:25:00.005-05:00

I'm excited to announce that I've been in print twice in the last month or so. Twice! It's as exciting as finishing my first children's book really. The first was a publication titled "MindFlights" (www.mindflights.com). I had submitted my piece "Quiet Time" for their online magazine and it went through to being the cover of their printed publication!

The magazine/book is full of fantasy and sci-fi stories that all come from a Christian stand point or foundation. "Quiet Time" is a perfect piece for this because it's a mermaid reading scripture. I was way thrilled when they told me that the piece was selected. Even more excited when I got the book!

Second I submitted some work to SCBWI (www.scbwi.org). This wasn't the first time, but carefully, and skillfully (hehehe) hand picked some pieces that had to do with letters, writing, and kites. Two of the three I submitted a few months ago reached print in the SCBWI Bulletin for July/August! That made me feel really great about my work and honored. All members of SCBWI receive this bulletin. A great confidence booster!

Adam's Dream - Sketch

2009-07-04T12:17:00.001-05:00

While waiting on moving forward with the portrait piece I started to draw this one yesterday. My thought process was like usual. Start with a object/being and then build a story around that. I wanted to do something in regards to Illustration Friday, but the word "Shaky" just wasn't inspiring me. A friend of mine who is expecting was going to commission me to draw a piece for her nursery. Tho that is still something we want to do, now is not the time. So that inspired me.

I started with a little boy on a giraffe. Loved the drawing, but just didn't know where to go with it. Do I put him in Africa? Do I just make it about the boy and giraffe? Or do I put more around them? I wanted to make a story out of it. I went ahead and made the piece 10x8, which gave me a lot of space to problem solve. Now what do I do with the space? I added a castle (Edinburgh Castle to be exact...loved Scotland), but that didn't make sense with the cowboy accessories and the giraffe. The story continued to grow.

I then decided to add the unicorn and a wooden sword on his back. The story started to take shape. This little boy is in a dream, filled with things he loves. The little cowboy (probably fell asleep with the cowboy boots and hat on) mounted the giraffe for a safari, when that adventure was over they walked along the landscape and came to a castle where the boy became a cowboy knight and befriended the magical unicorn, now they're moving onto the next adventure.

The piece was still lacking. What time of day was this dream taking place? It's a dream so anything is possible. There is a large full moon, but the colors in my head are magentas, purples, and blues. The foreground is as if the reader is looking into the dream of this little boy. And of course, I thought it'd be fun to add a fairy knight and some fireflies to add interest and more possible storyline.

Portrait Sketch

2009-07-03T13:54:00.004-05:00

My current project is an interesting one. I was given an old photo from the late 1920's/early 1930s of a little girl. The client wishes I redraw the girl and paint it for Christmas. What's interesting is the photo is very old, and difficult to determine what is what in some places. Especially in the face. Photos in that time period were very strong in contrast, and it's difficult to see details. A lot of guess work. Also I enjoyed Googling that time period. Found a lot of beautiful photos of children in that time. To respect my client I am going to keep the photo private, but here are some others similar to what I'm working on of children. These are a bit more clear than the photo for this project.

YWAB - More Paint

2009-07-01T13:12:00.001-05:00

Some more paint has finally been added to this piece. The last two weeks have been getting the wedding invitations finished and mailed. And by golly, they're mailed! So I spent a few hours on the piece yesterday and plan to have it finished by the end of the week (no reason not to).

Its now time to get into the details. After establishing all of the basic colors of the piece it's time to get into working up the color, layers, and popping out contrasts. Almost there! :D

Summer Breezin'

2009-06-29T14:05:00.003-05:00

You could win this original watercolor ACEO!

The raffle is still on! For every print on my Imagekind gallery you purchase your name goes into a bowl. If you purchase a print between now and tomorrow, Midnight (central us time), you could win this original 2.5 x 3.5 painting titled "Summer Breeze".

Go to my Imagekind gallery now to see what's available. All sizes are included! If you buy three, your name goes into the bowl three times, and so forth. Don't miss out!

Go now!

Win an Original ACEO!

2009-06-15T21:45:00.004-05:00

You could win this original watercolor aceo at the end of the month (she'll be painted by then of course)! It's raffle time!

Here are the "official" rules:
- Purchase any print of any size at my ImageKind Gallery

- For every print bought your name goes into the bowl and betters your chances

- At the end of the month a name is drawn

- The winner will be announced on this blog, facebook, and twitter.

- Winner will be notified by email, so be sure to include your email along with the purchase!

Drawing dates are as follows:
June 30th
July 30th
August 20th

You can watch the progression of this paintings development here on the blog as she turns from lines to life, and any other updates that come along. Be sure to follow the blog to make sure you don't miss anything. There are three months in summer, and three more seasons (including this one) to go in my series. Spring has been finished and passed. This one is "Summer Breeze". The next aceo will be listed one day after the drawing. I'll give you three guesses as to what it'll be. ;)

THANK YOU!

2009-06-15T21:37:00.006-05:00

Today, with your help, $100 was donated to the Habitat for Humanity! THANK YOU! We helped families by giving to a foundation that builds homes. And now, we will help the other families out there that we share this planet with.

As I had said when I started the fundraiser for Habitat, I am motivated and driven to give to wherever the money is needed through my work and through your generosity. After the goal is reached for each, a new one will be presented. You have proved through your support that this is a very obtainable goal.

The next foundation is the World Wildlife Fund. One of my biggest passions is for animals. My mom was an activist for animal rights as I grew up, donating her time to the Animal Rescue League, and always having rescue animals in our home, many rescue animals. We raised money for our fellow neighbors, now let's raise money for the animals God asked us to take care of. How does the WWF rescue animals? By rescuing the land they live on.

Like Habitat, every sale of an original painting, no matter it's size, 10% of the total will go towards WWF. This time around I am also including commissioned work. Any original painting, requested or bought from Etsy will be a donation on your part.

I grew up with the WWF panda sticker on our front door, and I used to wear a sweater that had their logo. Now it's time to bring that full circle. Read more about the WWF and what they do at their site.

http://www.worldwildlife.org

My Process

2009-06-12T00:04:00.006-05:00

"You Will Always Be" - A work in progress:

First I sketch on tracing paper the image. For this piece I chose two butterflies to reference from for the main and secondary butterflies. Once I'm finished, I scan and flip the image. This allows the viewer/client to see the rotation of the piece when it's finished. I always reverse my draws so they're ready for transfer.

Second I ink. I started using Microns sepia ink pens, but the 01 size just wasn't small enough...and finding out that they don't make it any smaller, I have actually gone old school and have now started to ink my pieces with a pen nib in sepia ink. Eh, not as fluid of lines, but man can I now get those tiny eyes inked in! I love the amount of control I have with the nibs instead of the microns.

Thirdly, I go into paint. Here are some of the first layers. I always try to get the background kind of figured out before anything else. Then I can't help it, gotta go to the main character(s). Especially this wee angel child. Too full of spirit not to add some tonal color!

Next sitting with painting. Bringing in more definition and explanation of what's really going on in the background and trying to fill up other white spaces (sun and moon). The butterflies are next!

Check back for more updates! I'm seriously posting them every day as I go! :D
-----

So it has been advised that I show the process of my painting with this piece. I have taken those words into account and decided to go ahead and post it. This piece has been on my mind for a long time with much anticipation to get to paint. I have finally been able to do that this week. I know I won't get finished, but I'm very pleased to see where it is going.

A few little birdies have also suggested that I start advertising this style of my work for children's books because of it's uniqueness. I might take them up on it. ;) I truly enjoy creating entire worlds in one piece by the feel, and playing with textures. Just like the piece "The Talisman".

Purity

2009-06-03T10:06:00.006-05:00

"Purity" | Watercolor 2009

And...she's finished. :) I also decided to figure out how to do an embossed watermark on my work. So that's new too!

In other news, I finally got my Shoppe all finished and uploaded! I'm way stoked about it, lovin' how it looks, and looking forward to adding more items. I have like a bazillion cross stitch patterns that need to be placed up. Now if I could just get to painting more....;)

I have a new project, and here's the sketch for it, enjoy! I know I will.

Purity - WIP - paint

2009-06-01T14:50:00.002-05:00

Here's an update on the piece "Purity". I think there are a few more hours to go, then she'll be done. Gotta build up that contrast. But so far I'm pretty satisfied with it.

Purity - WIP

2009-05-26T10:41:00.004-05:00

As Brian put it "A few months from now we'll look back and see all that we went through to get to here." So true!

Here's a piece I'm workin' on and am pretty excited about it. All of the work I've been doing lately has been "hush hush", and I'm happy to share something. Her name is "Purity". Just a nice head shot that's gonna have some fancy lighting!

There are two more pieces I'm hoping to get to this week. One is to paint my "Forest Parade" and the other is to move forward with a more dream like piece. It's a visual response to a friend's poem. I'll have more about that once "Purity" is finished.

God bless!

The Barn Yard Bed

2009-05-21T00:43:00.003-05:00

Barn Yard Bed | Watercolor, ink, white acrylic

Very pleased to have this piece finished. A friend of mine commissioned me to do it for one of her children's book stories. It's a painting we both have been anticipating, her more so than me, and I'm so happy to have it finished and ready to hand over to her. She's been incredibly patient and awesome. It was a load of a project, so many characters and trying to still give expression across a bunch of animals that are asleep. On top of that, a night scene. I'm pleased with how it turned out too.

Now off to bed, got lunch with her tomorrow and totally looking forward to meeting up and spending some time with her, talking about publishing and life.

God bless!

Knee Deep in Wedding Planning

2009-05-18T23:04:00.003-05:00

This week (starting last week) I started to buckle down and get strict about the wedding planning. With so much set (big stuff) it's time to start listing out the little stuff one can forget. o.O Not good stuff to leave out either mind you. SO MUCH STUFF TO DO! Oy!

But, I got lists written and some shopping done. I also tackled the flower girl baskets tonight. The traditional white satin baskets don't appeal to me. I like things to be earthy and natural. Granted, there's so much in a wedding that isn't (i.e. wedding dress), at least for mine. But there are other items I can make earthy. :) This is one of them. I went out with Candace the other day, and during our visit to Hobby Lobby (truly a haven) we saw that the baskets were 50% off. I saw two dark wicker baskets and knew immediately these were it! Today I bought some more flowers, including some large daisies...at of course...Hobby Lobby. They're all fake, but I'm totally okay with that (who isn't?).

So here is one, I just finished it and think I'll get to the second one after I get some feedback. Don't want to do it all over again if they don't look right or professional (well put together). I've never done this before, and flower arranging isn't a skill I've practiced. But thought I'd give a crack at it.

All of the flowers aside from the small white ones with beads are used elsewhere in the wedding reception. My wedding flower is the white daisy (shasta or vero), so not typically that large, but thought since it's such a simple flower one could play around with size. ;)

Habitat for Humanity

2009-05-14T14:32:00.004-05:00

This year I want to give back more, it's been a lingering feeling for awhile now and I have been asking God over and over what I could do. My time is very limited, and so are my funds. I try to be there as much as I can for others, but it's still not satisfying me. So I decided to start raising money for organizations that help others.

The first one is for Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. HFHI seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat has built more than 300,000 houses around the world, providing more than 1.5 million people in more than 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter. HFHI was founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller along with his wife, Linda.

Visit Habitat for Humanity's website to learn so much more about what they do and why.

My goal this summer is to raise at least $100. This will buy a kitchen sink believe it or not! This is what I've come up with:

Each sale I make, 10% of the total will go towards a fund for the foundation/organization. Once I reach the goal I will write out a check or go online and submit a donation. To hold me accountable, I will place a wee icon here on the blog in the left menu showing how much has been raised.

There is a HUGE need out there. For food, shelter, clothing, water, man...the list goes on and on. And how can we help? How can we step aside from our busy day to day lives in one of the most comfortable countries of the world and give back. Now granted, tho we live in this country, it doesn't mean we all live as comfortable as we'd like. I knowing and living the hardships myself. Yet comparably we are still a nation that needs to turn around, give up some things, and hand it off to others. Be an example. Okay, I'm preaching to the choir now.

Point being, ask yourself, what can you do and what are you willing to do? Hardest and most important part is stepping out of your comfort zone, it helps us grow.

IF Parade - Sketch

2009-05-14T00:24:00.005-05:00

Forest Parade | graphite sketch

Yay! I have something to show! Well...okay, I have other things I could show, but I'm really excited about this piece for two reasons. One, it's an Illustration Friday piece (been awhile), and two, it's all about children's book illustration! When I did "The Talisman" I had children's book in mind, but didn't get what I wanted out of it. I didn't know how much time it would take to paint it if I started submitting the more elegant style. This piece I plan on applying the same techniques and detail, but gonna time myself finally.

I love this piece, it's fun, enjoyable to draw, and cute (of course :P). Can't wait to paint it. Oh man...gotta focus on actual work, gonna be so hard!

The Talisman

2009-04-29T00:40:00.004-05:00

I am so very happy and pleased to announce....it's finished!!! :D

Whew...now I can get on with my life. Wow. Added something different to this piece, I went in with white and yellow chalk pastel pencils to add a softness to the light. Eh, kinda worked in my opinion. I went over it with liquid white acrylic anyways. hehe

So happy with it, enjoy the energy, really love the seahorses. We'll see if they pop up again sometime in the future. ;)

Now its time for bed. Ah...peace.

Veritas Magazine Interview

2009-04-27T13:07:00.003-05:00

So today I got an email notifying me that the interview I had about a week ago is up. A writer, Dena, contacted me shortly after I started to follow Veritas Magazine on Twitter, mentioning how her editor would like to do a story on me. Excited I of course said yes. She did an awesome job and I thank them for the opportunity. A few days later the editor and photographer visited my wee apartment/studio, which I found fantastic because I not only got to meet a sister and Christ, but two brothers in Christ. To make the world smaller, they know my neighbors across the street and the editor knows my mom. He interned where she worked last year. How crazy is that! They're wonderful people and have put together this online magazine about local Des Moines.

I feel very honored to be approached by them and to be able to share my story. I love the title too...

"Witchcraft and Watercolor: A Des Moines Illustrator's Real-Life Fairytale"

{excerpt from article}

To look at one of Sara Butcher’s watercolor paintings is to be taken into another world—the fanciful and beautiful swirl together with vivid detail. An artist, teacher, and illustrator, Sara nurtured her lifelong fascination with fantasy into a career—she captures the imaginary and breathes life into it with her artwork. And when God breathed life into her, Sara discovered that fantasy can become reality.

“I didn’t really realize what true fairy tales were like until I found Christianity,” Sara says.

But her love for fairy tales began from an early age—like many little girls—with Disney, not God. Sara’s drawing talent began with stick fairies in markers, and she bloomed as she grew and drew constantly. As a teenager, she would cope with the insecurity of being an artist by creating whole fantasy worlds of her own to get lost in.

Sara eventually turned to paganism to fill the void of spirituality that fairy tales couldn’t fill. “I didn’t do sacrificing, but I’ve always had black cats—there’s nothing wrong with them!” she says. “As a witch you do spells, you want to see something happen. I was a pagan with good intentions, but I was on the wrong side of the fence.”

When Sara started going to church, she was challenged to examine her beliefs and where they came from—and she found she didn’t have an answer.

Read More >>

IF - Theater

2009-04-25T22:08:00.004-05:00

"Romeo, Oh Romeo!"
watercolor & colored pencil | 2009

The Talisman - WIP 2

2009-04-22T11:48:00.003-05:00

Finally spent a little bit of time on the painting this morning. I dunno when I'm gonna get it finished. Still have time on his tail and haven't even touched the fish yet.

I was looking at this and comparing it (as a thumbnail) to the wip capture before it. I wonder if I over work my watercolors. o.O Same thing happened with Valentine's Heart...I over worked it. :/

Signs of Spring

2009-04-21T10:34:00.004-05:00

"Daffodils"
watercolor | 2009
Last Friday Brian, his brother, sister in law, and I went for an evening walk through my neighborhood. It was awesome weather and the day itself was sunny and warm. The day before however was all rain. What do you get when you mix the two? Beautiful spring flowers! We saw many daffodils! On my favorite flower list, daffodils aren't near the top, yellow isn't a favorite color of mine, and whenever I see them I think of Alice in Wonderland or tutu's. I dunno why.

But when I decided to paint some daffodils and I looked at many pictures, there are so many different kinds!!! White ones, yellow ones, reddish orange ones, some yellow with red, some white with yellow. It's crazy the variety!

Alas, the reason I so enjoyed painting and expressing the daffodil is because it's a sign. A symbol. A gleam of light to give us hope. Spring is here, and all will come alive. Take in that deep breath of fresh air filled with sun light. That's what I'm talkin' about! :D

Click the link "Daffodils" at the top to visit the painting.

It Runs in the Family

2009-04-16T22:50:00.003-05:00

There was an exhibit going on Monday night downtown Des Moines at the Heritage Gallery, where they featured students' work. The Des Moines Register (major state paper) did a story on the event where they quoted my dad.

D.M. High Schoolers Showcase Their Artistic Creations
By Janet Klockenga • jklocken@dmreg.com • April 14, 2009

Art students from Des Moines high schools got a chance last week to feel like professionals during an opening reception for the Central Iowa Metro League's annual High School Art Exhibition at the Polk County Heritage Gallery downtown.

The juried event was a dressy affair, featuring punch, hors d'oeuvres and classical music played by a student string ensemble in the marble-floored gallery.

The exhibit, on display through Wednesday, includes the work of more than 50 artists: students from East, Hoover, Lincoln, North, Roosevelt, Central Academy, Scavo and Future Pathways schools.

North High School art teacher Bryan Butcher, who teaches two- and three-dimensional art and design and graphic arts, worked with fellow art teacher Catherine Chiodo to organize the event and hang the exhibit.

"Cathy Chiodo likes to make it more of a professional atmosphere, with a reception that has music and hors d'oeuvres," he said. "And we involve other teachers to get other disciplines involved. That makes it a very nice atmosphere and really adds to the whole thing."

Butcher said the exhibit is of work selected by art teachers; each may submit up to five pieces for the show. Students may enter work from anytime during the current school year. The schools involved work out a schedule each year to determine who sets up the show, he said.

"This is our showcase event for high schools," Butcher said. "You see a wide variety of work in this exhibit: drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramic pieces. I think this is the first time we've hung a T-shirt in the exhibit."

visit this article: HERE

Dandelions

2009-04-16T11:55:00.005-05:00

In the beginning, there were dandelions...
and it was spring.

My newest quick fine art. A great way to start the day! It's a wee buggar measuring only 3.75x4 inches. What's really cool is I got use the paints brought back from Japan. Brian's brother and sister-in-law (Marcus and Kelli) went to Japan last year. From the sweetness of their hearts brought me some paints back. They are watercolor, but thicker than what I traditionally use. It was fun using them tho, very bright, colors we don't use (tho I still have yet to really touch those), and mix beautifully!

I'm excited to see the dandelions. They bring so much hope and joy in knowing warmth is here. :D Yay!

{ original painting on sale at my Etsy shop: Sara Burrier Fine Watercolor }

Sketch the Birdie

2009-04-15T10:13:00.004-05:00

Yesterday was all about the flowers, today it's about the birdies. Every morning I hear tons of birds, the little ones (like finches), chatting away in the big bushes under my window. My studio space has the most windows in my one bedroom apartment, and there are trees along with many bushes surrounding the house.

The windows in my studio are "special places" for me. One one side of the room where there are three windows sits my couch and coffee table. Every morning I try to take some quiet time with God in that spot. Then there's the window infront of my drawing table. I love to stop, look outside the window, and catch a squirrel in the tree infront of window, or just hear the robins going on and on about that cardinal.

Thus the inspiration for the Birdie.

Have a God blessed day! :)

New Fine Art

2009-04-11T23:37:00.002-05:00

So I created this painting today, and thought...wow...why am I not doing more of these?! They are simple and quick, and a wonderful break from the figurative work I do. I have always enjoyed painting flowers and foliage, but usually do during teaching (I have so many paintings in a folder at work that haven't seen the light of day).

So I decided to start pulling them out and showing them off. I created a new Etsy shop under "Sara Burrier", my soon to be married name. On this shop I will post all work "fine art". I have a few pieces that aren't fantasy or children's book illustration, but more experimental. I hope to have a website following too.

I'm still trying to figure out how to make the transaction from Butcher to Burrier for my illustration biz, but I figured this is a start. :)

So please keep Sara Burrier - Fine Watercolor on your list for updates. God bless!

http://saraburrier.etsy.com

The Talisman - Paint In Progress

2009-04-08T22:14:00.001-05:00

Uggg, I don't know if I'll get this done in time! Silly me for creating such a large project. But I'm enjoying it. :D