For those of you who wonder about my influences, I’d like to show you one.  This is Eyvind Earle, who did work for Disney. (When I was four, I just wanted to see “Sleeping Beauty” over and over again).  He mostly worked as an illustrator, using patterns and flat areas to create images.

Eyvind Earle

Right now, I’m starting on a larger piece in the Paradise series, but progress will be slow.  Jury duty early in the week,and a part-time job later.

Also, sitting in the house with little human contact has gotten my creativity dry…plus I need money for supplies, so I have taken a part-time job.  I hope having a bit more structure in my life will actually get me working on my artwork more, as I did when I was working at the museum.

I do have another paradise picture, and as soon as I have time, I’ll be starting a new larger one.

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At any rate, I’ve lost my view of the skyline.  It happens every year about this time. The beautiful old sycamore out front get its leaves, and blocks the view.  I don’t mind because it means it’s spring, and the light and warmth are here.

Here’s a sketch I did of the sycamore a while back.

Of course, as always, more of my work can be seen at roxannebaldwin.com

My website is back up, except for such things as meta-tags.  You can see more of my work at roxannebaldwin.com

One thing that happens on occasion, is that depression gets the better of me.  I had some stresses that built up.  I’m feeling better to handle all that now.

In the meantime, I did another piece in the paradise series.

I’m debating to keep making these small, or to try to make one a larger size.

Anyway, here it is

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I have also completed my newly designed website.  To see it, go to roxannebaldwin.com

I imagine it would not be possible to not mention the passing of Thomas Kinkaide.  He was a very skilled artist who marketed his work well.  His work is meaningful to a lot of people, and for all of the talk of his work being saccharin, he certainly contributed to the lives of many people.

That being said, I have a hard time ignoring the fact that he implied that buying a reproduction of his art, with a few dabs of paint added by an assistant, would be a great investment.  To me, that’s a big con. 

Anyway, back to my work and wanting it to make people happy.  I’m progressing with these little paradise drawings.  They are truly joyful to draw.  Soon I may try a large sized one, to see how that goes.

So, here’s the most recent

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Having the website down has been distracting me from getting any art done. It’s frustrating and slow, mainly because I just did it!  I’m waiting for a refund for the software I used before.

It’s been a beautiful spring day.  I should be out collecting material for the Paradise series, but that’s a little difficult in Queens.  Sure, there are pretty places, but not around here.  Just to give you an idea of what my area looks like, here’s a view from my living room window.

It’s great if your idea of Paradise is the Long Island
Expressway, and a cemetery

I don’t really like the idea of using other people’s photos, but for a while, I guess I must..

I have a habit of browsing the completed auctions on eBay.  It’s partly to see what actually sells, and also, because I just like looking at art. One of the artists I see a lot of there, is William Hawkins.His blog is at this link.

What  I like is that purposely or no, he does pictures of paradise, too.   He strongly reminds me of Maxfield Parrish, who was an artist and illustrator in the early 20th century.  Mr. Hawkins does much of the same imagery, but with a more modern, painterly approach.

So, give it a try,  click on the link, and enjoy.

As I recall, I was working on “Almost Home”. I have completed this and have gone onto other projects.  Here’s the finish on “Almost Home”

I  have thought a lot more about the aspect of healing and art.  It occurs to me, that if a person really likes a piece of art, and in fact owns it, much time is spent in contemplating it.  The person, in a sense, lives in the painting.  If one is doing that, what is more healing than a perfect environment?

I’m beginning to study the idea of creating paradises in art, as a healing motif.

The first attempt (small, 5×7 inches).

And more to come…..

I should note, that for the time being, my actual website is not functioning properly, all you get is the first page.  I tried to redesign it with new software…only to find this problem, and others are having it, too.  So I’ve contacted technical support…hopefully all will be well, soon.