work in progress

work in progress
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

not the best picture ever but here is another painting i am working on. i think i am going to call this series the minaret series.

from Wikipedia
minaret : (Turkish: minare, from Arabic manāra (lighthouse) are distinctive architectural features of Islamic mosques- generally tall spires with onion-shaped or conical crowns, usually either free standing or taller than any associated support structure; the basic form includes a base, shaft, and gallery. Styles vary regionally and by period. They provide a visual focal point and are used for the call to prayer (adhan).

Onion Dome

Onion Dome
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

This is the 1st in a new series inspired by Islamic art and architecture. What do you think? I am still collecting source material and seeing where this series is going to go -- somewhere, i hope!

Little Fox

watercolor
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

boxing day was lovely, chinese food for 10! it was good - i think we should make that an annual tradition. then i came home, changed into my new jammies and slippers and curled up with a book for the rest of the day. for a brief while i managed to forget about time and stop worrying about what i should be doing and exist in the moment. unfortunately it seems to have worn off by this morning but i will attempt to return to that happy state!

p.s. i guess this fox is a little rounder than some but he's been eating chinese food.

forest creature

forest creature
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

post-christmas sale. i am so sorry you did not get that pony you asked for AGAIN. cheer yourself up by taking 15% off in my etsy shop. when prompted for coupon code enter: holiday.
happy boxing day!
www.meinoel.etsy.com

little bird

little bird
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

... and the season has been rung in. it's been a busy last couple of days, and i am quite enjoying a quiet moment. the kettle is on and i just ate a christmas cookie!

my boyfriend jesse and i went to see my mother, stepfather, and visiting twin sister for christmas eve. we had a nice dinner and exchanged a few gifts.

then we all went to my mother's cousin's for the traditional christmas eve gathering. it seems like there are less people every year, but now there is a new crop of kids, so i guess it is filling out again. 4 small cute children and 1 more on the way.

yesterday we drove down to lacey to see jesse's family. 4 kids there (2 tiny, 2 teenagers), a nice dinner, and exchanging of gifts.

and today is my favorite - boxing day. most years this is the day i get together with friends, see a few people who only come to town once or twice a year, and so on. we're having chinese food. after that i THINK i will be ready for a LOT of down-time and maybe a little less snacking. oof. so much good food has been consumed as of late!

i have next week off and hope to paint, read, go to a museum,go to a movie or two, see a friend or two, and overall RELAX!!

Serenity

010808ac1
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

Another something from the archives, because inasmuch as I have time to do anything at the moment, I am working on surprises... This is something I painted a couple of years ago, but I think the message is timely. I found myself getting frazzled about the holidays today and trying to think of things I could do to de-stress a bit. So here's a reminder for myself and for you - just in case you need it.

forest creature in progress

works in progress
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

i could happily paint all day if it paid the bills.
here is a little forest creature, who has since evolved from then. i would love to keep painting more monsters and urchins and little woodland creatures, but i think i have some less-imaginary creatures to paint, like forest foxes, bears, racoons, and maybe a mouse or squirrel or two. we'll see tonight. it is sad to spend all the day light hours in a windowless room working, then go home and have to paint by artifiical light, but it can't be helped!

Triceratops

12207art1
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

Something from the archives for you. This is a Triceratops, one of my favorite dinosaurs, though there are so many fascinating ones to chose from...
This is 8 x 10".
I am trying to get myself in the festive spirit, I don't know why it is so hard sometimes, though it does feel like it was JUST christmas about 5 minutes ago.. anyway, i figure a triceratops can't fail to get me in the spirit. for something.

monsters monsters monsters

monsters monsters monsters
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

trim trim, snip snip. lots of trimming. this is what i've been up to.

Monsters are your friends.

moleskine sketchbook
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

Once again I am sharing something from the archives as I am working on gifts. I started a new moleskine this year but I need to get it out. I have not worked on it much. Maybe I will laze around over holiday break drawing and reading and watching the occasional movie. I love painting but I think my body needs a little break for at least a week or two.

I have a fascination with monsters, though I guess to me they are always friendly monsters, like Bumble or the Cookie Monster, and they look after you when you need help and can't find it anywhere else. Bigger than cats, but just as snuggly, monsters are your friends.

Cup o' Tea

061807art2
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

This is a detail of a painting I did several years ago - watercolor and Pitt pen. I love the colors the Pitt pens come in!

I can't show you what I am working on now as it is mostly holiday gifts. Actually I want to know who it is that decided the holidays should coincide with the short days of the year - so tired all I want to do is sleep!
anyhow, off to work I go. Just wanted to leave you a little something bright and cheery.

boots!

boots!
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

today I am thankful for my cute Bogs rainboots. Because I woke up to thunder and lightening and raindrops the size of grapes pelting the street with great vigor.

I also want to share a tip that I have learned as a Seattleite. Never pay less than $20 for an umbrella. Not if you want it to last more than a month. Frankly I usually just skip it and wear a hat, but today was so torrential that an umbrella seemed called for.

I hope it does not rain this hard ALL day!

decor

decor
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

art by: tricia ander and katie kenderick. the feathers are part of a hair ornament that was a gift, the seller is on etsy i think but i am not sure who! the copper leaf is a holiday ornament.

i have lots of cool little things and i don't really know where to put them all but i've decided i should buy a lot more clear pushpins and just collage my whole house. what do you think?

Hedgehog Spirit

512watercolor4
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

"..a hedgehog spirit seemed best and I hid my heart in the leaves..."
--Jeanette Winterson,
The Passion

I did this painted a few years ago .. Maybe 2 or 3 years ago.

forest urchin

forest urchin
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

what a long day. i have a cold. i was in denial about it for a while but in the end it wore me down. i usually don't leave work during my break in the winter - i don't have a car. in the summer i go to the park. it was sunny out today, if not warm, so i walked to starbucks and it was nice to sit in the sun and get away and drink a beverage with entirely too many calories.

this little creature is on etsy. i am not sure if i will manage to paint tonight. i might be too tired! that's sad. at least the weekend is coming!

forest creatures - works in progress

works in progress
Originally uploaded by megan_n_smith_99

(click to go to flickr and see more)

my attempt to shoot my forest creatures w/o any daylight. daylight, what is daylight? the forest creatures aren't sure. having a good time with these. could probably paint hundreds without getting bored.