My Studio is Looking More Like a PIGSTY Everyday

 

I finally found a cardstock paper that I am happy with for use with my mini note cards, recipe cards and bookmarks.  This paper is really smooth and gives a nice surface for the ink to hold to.  It is just thick enough and I can trim and score it easily.  At $12.99 it is a real bargain in my opinion.  

250 Sheets of 65lb premium smooth white cardstock 

Here is my newest pig mini card (5.5 x 4.25 inches) that I have featured on both of my Etsy Shops.  The regular listing is for printed cards and then I have created a digital file listing on my second shop that allows you to print as many cards yourself as you like for one low budget friendly cost.  The only restriction there is that they must be for your personal use and not to be resold.  

mini note cards on my Julie Townsend Studio Etsy Shop

print your own mini note cards on the Townco Studios Etsy Shop

"Having a Swine Time"

I'm adding new listing almost everyday, and this past week it has been pigs.  The artwork here on this card is a piece I titled, "Having a Swine Time".  I think it would be perfect hanging in a bathroom, child's bedroom or a baby nursery.  Like all my prints I have sizes ranging from 4 x 6 to 11 x 14 inches and you can have me matte them or you can pick out a frame at Hobby Lobby or a Michaels and let them matte it for you.  

"When Pigs Fly"

A second piece I finished this week is called "When Pigs Fly".  I know we have all heard that expression but who knew they actually make a flight vest that would work with a pig.  I guess if you have enough helium balloons you can get almost anything off the ground.  I would say the birds do look a bit surprised except for that one that has decided to hitch a ride.

"Purdy the Spring Pig"

Finally, and probably my favorite is "Purdy the Spring Pig."  Purdy is just so pretty in her cute bunny ears.  When the daffodils bloom you know that spring is here and I think is ready, don't you?  This design was so much fun that I decided to use it for my spring garden flag this year.  Both prints, cards and the garden flag are available on my Etsy Shop.

Prints and Cards- "Having a Swine Time"

Prints and Cards- "When Pigs Fly"

Prints and Cards- "Purdy the Spring Pig"

Garden Flag- "Purdy the Spring Pig"

Purdy with Pink Gingham on a garden flag

Stipled Smiling Swine

"Lunch and a Spa Treatment"- Pen and Ink w/Colored Pencil

I will never give up painting but I have to confess that I am finding more and more pleasure in sketching.  This week I had a blast drawing this smiling pig standing in the middle of a mud puddle while chopping on a tasty apple.   Her eyes are closed in anticipation and you can see a slight smile across her face as you know she is imagining the crisp crunch and sweet flavor that will soon be her experience.  If this little sketch of mine has brought a smile to your face then I have accomplished my mission.

Sketch in Progress

I started her in the morning, worked on her for a few minutes during my lunch break at work and then couldn't wait to get home to finish her up.  She is drawn on a 9 x 12 Canson Bristol paper with pretty much using my Prismacolor Fine Line Markers exclusively and the .005 size the most.  It is a lot of inking but I find the process relaxing, probably much in the same way that those adult coloring books have gained in popularity.  I just love using the stippling technique but it is rather time consuming when you think of the thousands of little dots necessary to fill in a sketch.  I will be adding just a little color to the scene by adding red to the apples, a light tint of green to the grass and some shading to give her depth.  I will probably use my Prismacolor colored pencils to add the coloring.  

The whole time I was drawing this I had a smile on my face as I kept thinking of funny captions and titles but I think I've settled on "Lunch and a Spa Treatment".  I can't wait to add this gal to my new line up of greeting cards and prints for my "Down Country Roads" series and solo show coming up in April at the Boulder City Gallery.  The original of all my sketches are available until they are sold. Prints and greeting cards are available at JulieTownsendStudio.com and I'm also have an Etsy Store.

Finished sketch before I added color