The Pencil Box - Featured Artists - April 2019
Corresponding with the art gallery that is featured each month in Ann Kullberg's COLOR Magazine, The Pencil Box blog series will give artists a bit more space to share insight and inspiration about their colored pencil art. Make sure to check out FB group links at the bottom of this post. Call for entry is posted every month in participating Facebook groups - join in the fun and your artwork could be featured, too!
Fairy Ring by Magz Wiseman
9"x 2" Archers Watercolor paper 140lbs.
Faber-Castell Polychromos, Derwent Drawing, and PanPastel
All Fairy Rings should have a fairy near them and sure enough, there is one watching this Scottish Lynx carefully from behind one of the mushrooms. Even though the feisty feline has sharp instincts and senses, it isn't aware of being spied upon by a fellow forest creature… or perhaps it is only pretending not to notice! I love to add hidden little details such as a spider peeking from under a leaf, a glistening web spun between twigs, or a tiny fairy door at the bottom of a tree. Little twists of nature and a sprinkle of magic is what I aim to include in my pieces.
About Magz:
After a 17 year break from art, Magz Wiseman drifted unexpectedly back to it in 2018 and rediscovered a love for color pencil. She has always preferred working with a leaning to fantasy and now enjoys combining those endless possibilities with nature.
See more at: https://www.yellowphonebox.com/
When the Cat's Away by Nancy Honaker
6.5”x10” Prismacolor and Polychromos on Strathmore Flannel Artagain paper
I love creating happy art, or art that makes people smile. With the title on this one, the rest goes without saying. These pesky little mice are partying it up while the Cat's away. It's fun to imagine a story behind the painting and what do any of our pets do when we're not home. Maybe these mice are calling for a pizza! I truly enjoyed drawing this one and creating the reflections in the side of the black phone. I've only been drawing with colored pencil for just over a year, so every painting is a challenge and I continue to try different papers and techniques to continue to learn and grow.
About Nancy:
Nancy's love for art began at age 5 when she dreamed of being an artist who copied pictures when she grew up. She graduated with a Fine Arts degree and after nearly a 30 year hiatus from art has rediscovered the joy of colored pencil. Dreams really do come true!
See more at: https://www.nehonakerart.com
Waltzing Matilda by Karen Wiseman
12x18 inches. Drawn on cradled Birch panel
I created this artwork in response to John Shaw Neilson poem, Native Companions Dancing. I have witnessed the Brolga's mating dance, it is so beautiful almost mesmerizing to watch, and this poem, Native Companion Dancing, inspired this artwork. The poem goes like this.
On the Blue Plains on Wintry Days
These stately birds move in dance
Keen eyes have they, and quaint old ways
On the blue plains on wintry days
The Wind their Unseen piper plays
They strut salute retreat advance
On the blue plains on Wintry days
These stately birds move in dance
I left the grain of the wood natural as a metaphor of nature; I feel I've captured the movement of the dance in the wings outstretched and the bird leaping of the ground. I deliberately left the female in a standing stance, showing the male Brolga doing what he does, trying to impress his female. With the focus was on the movement of the male bird, trying to impress his chosen mate. I enhanced the grain of the wood as a metaphor for the wind connecting the line "The Wind the Unseen Piper Plays" Drawing on wood instead of paper was a new experience for me, I’m always experimenting. I feel this work is special because it was trying something new and pushing pencils past paper, showing diversity within the medium. I’m proud of the final piece.
About Karen:
Karen shows diversity (surrealism, mixed media, realism) working in colored pencil, mixed media, acrylic, watercolor, oils, graphite, and collage. Karen have formal training with a degree in Visual Arts. A major achievement after leaving school at 15, Karen is a featured artist on "Colour in Your Life."
See more at: https://www.karenwiseman.com
Ovidius by Alexandria Humphries
8”x12" colored pencil on Fabriano Artistico hot pressed watercolor paper
Ovidius is a special dressage horse that once belonged to Carl Hester back in his younger days. At 23 he is still out competing with his current owner and doing her proud. His portrait now hangs at his owner’s home and means a lot to her. They have been through a lot together and it was an honor to be able to create this special portrait. Having drawn many equine portraits in the past, this one has by far been my favorite, with a heartwarming story and very happy with the final outcome. I feel this has been my best portrait to date as I am now able to create more depth in my portraits.
About Alexandria:
Rhia is an animal and equine artist from South Wales, creating lifelike portraits of beloved pets, bringing them to life on paper in colored pencil.
See more at: https://www.facebook.com/artbyrhia
These artworks are published in the APRIL 2019 issue of COLOR Magazine.
FEATURED ARTWORKS FROM OUR FACEBOOK PARTNER GROUPS