Kingfisher in Sassafras

My Husband requested that I make him a ZIA of a Kingfisher.  Kingfishers are one of his favorite birds.  I couldn't refuse his request. He is so patient with me and my constant drawing.  It was fun to do. I enjoyed making this piece and he is quite happy with it.

I started with the bird and then added Sassafras leaves.  I was trying to decide how to treat the background when my Husband requested that I add sassafras leaves.  Originally I was going to fill the background with leaves but after I got started, I decided I didn't want the piece to get too busy.

On the big leaf is my new pattern Zuan Shi.  I was less free hand with the pattern this time.  I'm still exploring it.  Zuan Shi looked really different after I shaded the diamonds. 

I tagged most of the patterns that I used in the labels.  There are a few I have to go back and look up.  I can't remember the names right now.

Diva's Challenge # 27 - Duo Tangle

This week the challenge is to create a tile using only two tangles, Dex and Verdigogh.  I will confess straight away that I have never done Dex before and all my attempts at Verdigogh have been quite bad.  I almost didn't do this one because I am so intimidated by Verdigogh.  But, it isn't a challenge because it is easy.

I call this one Nature vs. People.  The way I made my string : D for Dex and V for Verdigogh, made it look like the two tangles were "fighting".

Peacocks are all done!

They are all done! This is on a 9X12 piece of watercolor paper.  I ended up getting a Krylon Leafing Pen and adding it over the top of the gold I had added with the Uniball gold gel pen.  I liked the Uniball pen but I wanted the gold to shine a little.  The uniball is nice and the ink flows well, but it doesn't give the shine that the leafing pen does. 

Getting a mat cut for it and my Husband is going to make the frame.  I think the bride and groom will love it.

Tangle Pattern: Huggy Bear

The name for this one may be a little silly.  I named it Huggy Bear because this pattern grew out of my drawing Huggins incorrectly.  I had the lines all done before I stopped and noticed what I had done.  Then I had to "fix" my mistake because I was making a note card and didn't want to start over.  I decided to go with calling it Huggy Bear because the pattern has a vintage 70's look to me.

Tangle Pattern: Shimono

This pattern is from vintage kimono silk. I was researching Japanese patterns for a piece I drew for an auction for Japan.  Those are little buttercup flowers at the intersections.  They are the same flowers that were were on the fabric.

Tangle Pattern: Arc Flower

This pattern grew out of the need to fill a circle I had on a piece I was working on.  I knew I wanted to use the arc/arches and made the center circle to give me a starting point.  I was very happy when I was done.  :)

Tangle Pattern: Zuan Shi

This pattern is inspired by a piece of Chinese furniture that I saw at the Freer Gallery in Washington, DC.  I failed to note the makers name, or I would have named the pattern for him/her.  I instead, chose the Chinese word for diamond.  I hope you like it.

The inspiration piece.