self portrait ombre effect

completed this within 8 hours straight. here was my progress!

project adventure!

hey all! here is my finished 2D-3D project inspired by the old telephone technique of using cans & string. I felt that I wanted to draw a girl somewhat younger, vintage inspired dress, and black and white because I want the viewer to relate to her in someway. whether it be that you've tried this technique before as a child, or that you can have a look back into your past and recall memories. I am really happy with the outcome and really enjoy creating interactive pieces that the viewer can take part in. I am going to run with this idea and start! :)

on another note, here is a GREAT website that I know everyone will love! it's called craft gawker (website here)-> http://craftgawker.com/ basically there are a whole bunch of tutorials on how to make different things, and each tutorial redirects you to a blog! What a fantastic website right? what is better than getting a full how to!? especially for all the people that desire to make things but do not know where to start. I definitely suggest taking a closer look there!

I was looking through a whole bunch of illustrations and came across this amazing artist. Oliver Jeffers (website here) -> http://www.oliverjeffers.com/paintings/invisible-dog
His paintings are unbelievable and I LOVE his subject matter! I have never used oil paints before and to be honest never really tried painting before! so to add to my bucket list ( I know I know, I have a huge list!) I would love to start painting/learning how to paint. This artist's work really inspires me and makes me want to begin my street photography again!!

I don't have too much time to post more tonight but I will tomorrow!

:)
-kourt

new projects :)

some things I'm currently working on...

the bottom quilt is a sherlocke holmes style quilt that I started a few months ago but havem't had time to finish it!! :( but I got a batting and now I am determined!! This quilt will also be for me.. finally! haha! I've been making things for everything else so I might as well enjoy.

the pink quilt is farmhouse themed in which I bought the farmhouse charm pack collection and mixed it with circa 1934 by cosmo cricket. It's for a baby shower I will be attending in March and I am almost done with it :). I plan on embroidering the baby's name and doing a little free-form quilting over little areas.

the glasses and watch drawing are from a still life I created by studying reflections of different surfaces, and the top drawing is a new project that I am working on that I will hopefully finish soon and show you guys!

My goal is to this weekend start a pretty large scale portrait, one of my grandfather in charcoal. I love observing people in their natural environments and how their personality comes out. Yesterday, as is every sunday-my family goes next door to my grandmother's house for breakfast. it has been a tradition for years, (which I love!!) and my grandfather (age 82) was talking about how he notices he has come to a point in which he can no longer do certain things anymore because he is weak an too old now. He is a very independent person, does everything on his own and is used to that lifestyle-however this realization has hit him hard and he began to tear up. His pale blues eyes had the saddest light in them which I will never ever forget. But I am just happy that he isn't going to push himself over the edge anymore like he used to. I want him to see me get married someday and I want him & my grandmother to be a huge part in my future. I know they can't be here forever but I just want them to be happy and healthy for as long as possible. This is why I want to start drawing large portraits. I want to capture a time- an overwhelming, beautiful, moment in time when things seem to stop briefly.
anyways, that is what I am upto as of late! more pictures and posts to come!

paper craft!

http://elsita.typepad.com/allaboutpapercutting/

this blog is all about the art of paper crafting and has beautiful works of art... Working with paper requires patience, a delicate hand, and of course creativity! I will add this to my bucket list of things I want to try for a period of time! :) check the blog out for sure you will not be disappointed!

always thinking...

started getting my etsy shop in order again!!! yay! so expect some new designs by the end of this week.

..In other news, I'm working on this 2D-3D project that is super exciting and pretty large in scale... I won't give it away just yet but I will post pictures asap showing my progress!

here's a sneak peek of some relics!!!

my grandpa's book

http://www.antbookstore.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=64%3Aron-krygsman-comes-to-ant-bookstore&catid=1%3Alatest-news&Itemid=2

My grandfather wrote a book about his life growing up in the Netherlands during the war. He is super proud and could tell you stories for hours. He is doing a book signing in Clifton NJ tomorrow if anyone is interested! the link has directions and times. :)

really awesome Etsy shops!!!

check out these shops on etsy!!! WELL WORTH IT! creative, beautiful designs, and well made items!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/barkdecor?page=3

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ileaiye?ref=af_you_favitem

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MiloCreativeStudios

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BabooshkaBoutique

http://www.etsy.com/shop/gaiaconceptions?ref=seller_info

http://www.etsy.com/shop/KupuKupuBarcelona?ref=seller_info

http://www.etsy.com/shop/twostringjane?ref=seller_info

http://www.etsy.com/shop/InterlacedFibers?page=1

starving artist

if you don't know already I draw portraits of people and well... I enjoy drawing very much! here is a few things I have been working on recently. some finished others in progress! I ultimately want to start doing really large charcoal drawings/ portraits.