Heroic for IF, watercolor

Stomp Mouse for Illustration Friday

Watercolor, Sandra Jessop

"Stomp" for Illustration Friday

I used to love to draw mice, and I realized it has been a long time since I've done any, so I played around with a few versions for this week's topic. I tried some skinny mice, some very round ones, a few dressed up in clothes like humans, but settled on this guy as my favorite.  As I look at it now, it makes me think he's dancing on top of a colorful world.  This is in my mini watercolor sketchbook, which is a great size for working out ideas, but I don't love the paper.  

"Tea" for Illustration Friday

"Tea" for Illustration Friday

 by Sandra Jessop

Micron pen on Bristol paper with added watercolor.

2017 Twitter Art Exhibit, Sandra Jessop postcard

Here is my watercolor postcard art for this year's Twitter Art Exhibit event in support of Molly Olly's Wishes.  

"Molly Olly’s Wishes supports children with terminal or life threatening illnesses and their families to help with their emotional wellbeing. We grant individual wishes and donate therapeutic toys and books to both children directly and to hospitals throughout the UK." 

#TAE17 #POSTCARDART #ARTFORCHARITY #HELPOTHERS #FUNDRAISER #CHARITY#CHARITYART

 #MOLLYOLLYSWISHES #STRATFORDUPONAVON #GLOBALART #CHARITY SALE

Ice skater in swirling snowflakes - Illustration Friday

For Illustration Friday's topic "Swirl"

Watercolor pencil ice skater, in swirling snowflakes

Internet for Illustration Friday

Do you ever feel that the internet isn't confined to your screen?

Winter Weather

Sharing this fantastic photo of the sun shining through as the storm clouds pass by.  This contrast is one of my favorite ways to see the mountain.

"Sound" for Illustration Friday, Birds in Tree watercolor

"Sound" Watercolor by Sandra Jessop

Desert Hike

Years ago I discovered Illustration Friday, and created a blog to be part of that.  Then I found Creative Every Day, and again, needed a landing page for my updates (until I realized how much easier it was to post my Creative Every Day progress on Facebook). 

The focus of AzureViewArt blogspot remains art related, including those aspects of my life that influence what I choose to paint or draw.  Hiking and geocaching have always been fun for me, and have inspired some artwork that I'm very proud of, so I intend to get out there more this year. Maybe I'll repeat the trails that were particularly stunning and find some new ones.

Along the way I'll be snapping reference photos to use later for paintings and illustrations.  There was a time when I kept a giant folder of my own photos grouped by category, for when I wanted to look at something (such as a fence in a snowy field but it was still summer).  A few times I even projected slides onto a wall to duplicate being there.  Now it's all digital.  

Plein air painting always produces wonderful results, but it's not always practical. I prefer to do my sitting at home and my walking outdoors.  So I leave you this rainy desert day, with a pic from my second hike of the year.  

Hike #2

#52hikechallenge

Watercolors in Art Show at Anthem Civic Building

I love the location of my house.  It is built on a gentle slope above a natural desert wash.  Much of my inspiration comes from what I can see in this natural area.  It is full of wildlife - javelina and coyotes, jackrabbits and bunnies, quail and owls, hawks and verdins.  Ironwood trees, palo verdes, cresote bushes and cacti including some amazing saguaros, the quintessential symbol of the desert.  

From my perch above the wash I have a pretty good view of the top of these giants, where the flowers open, and then the bright red fruit that the birds love.  This painting of the saguaro blossoms was my interpretation of the bird's eye view.  Imagine flying up there for a closer look.

"Cactus Blossoms" is one of three watercolors by Sandra Jessop on display at the Anthem Civic Building.  The show entitled "Art in Public Places" is a partnership between the Anthem Community Council and the Sonoran Arts League.  Over 40 artists from the North Valley have over 80 pieces of artwork in the exhibit, on display until January 27.  All works are for sale.