Visions of Ladybugs Dance in my Head

Aug 25, 2023 | Art, Digital Art, Essay, Reflections, watercolor

The blue-gray sky is lightening by imperceptible degrees outside my window. With the stifling humidity, the glass pane provides a hazy viewpoint onto the waking world. I’m curled up in my new favorite spot in the house- a sofa with a view of the jungle and my bird feeder! It’s been too many weeks since we last visited, and I have so much I want to share!

Were you one of my visitors at Wildflower Market at the end of July? Thank you for taking a moment to stop by my booth to shop and visit. I had a wonderful day meeting new faces and visiting with you. These encounters make live events immensely rewarding! I love hearing feedback and getting inspired to create future art. I left the Meadow Gold pavilion that Saturday with far more ideas than time!

If you attended the Wildflower Market on July 29, you know it was HOT. Good news! The next one promises to be much cooler. Mark your calendars for September 30. I will be at Wildflower Market with new art, new cards, and a burning desire to visit with you! I will keep you posted and you can check my “Events” tab on my website.

T-Shirt Update- I placed an order for “Okie Proud” t-shirts the first week in August. My production company has run into supply issues. She had hoped to have them to me last week. I just heard from her about the supply issues and that the delivery date has been altered. When I know a date for new shirts, I will be sure to post it here. In the meantime, there are still a few remaining at Hummingbird Fine Craft.

“SOLD”

In other exciting news, I recently sold “Silent Sentry.” I learned of the sale the day before my birthday. It felt like a great big “happy birthday!” from the universe. A HUGE “thank you” to the anonymous buyer. As of this post, I have not made any prints of the painting, though I did debut the 5×7 greeting card in July. Now that the original has gone to its new home, I will create prints for the fall months. (That’s the owl perched on a crescent moon with the amethyst crystal.)

I also completed a new commissioned pet portrait. Melly is the sweet pup you see at the top of this post. She is a darling chi-weenie dog. As I designed the portrait, I made a subtle nod to Ermilio Pucci in the color palette, the swirls, and the repetition of shapes in the flowers and leaves. It was a lot of fun!

The summer months have sped by with alarming speed. Our household celebrates a few birthdays (ALL OF THEM) and our wedding anniversary during the months of June through August. So it seems like when the birthday candle smoke clears, the summer has slipped by and autumn is lurking in the doorway. Don’t get me wrong. I love autumn! I appreciate the changing temperatures and the promise of slower winter days. In fact, I could ramble on about autumn; let’s keep that for another time. But my mood droops a little when I consider the passing of summer. And as the birthdays pile behind me, the sadness I feel at summer’s passing is undeniably tied to a regretful knowledge that my autumn years are approaching as well. It’s not something that I dwell on, just a subconscious knowledge that rises to the surface when the conditions are right.

In the Studio

I had a new (visiting) studio companion this summer, Kiki, my daughter’s cat. After exploring all the off-limits objects and fishing all the ping-pong balls out of their respective troughs, she would often curl up on the floor nearby and snooze. I have a couple small sketches of her in my sketchbooks, but I intend to paint her more purposefully one of these days. She has returned to Norman with my daughter. And then there is Melly. A chi-weenie dog (portrait) who occupied my table and easel for a few weeks. I think she turned out beautifully and it was so much fun to create the whimsical flowers and background. In each painting I create, I am striving to find the balance between realism and stylized portrayals. Melly was a commission, and she has since moved onto her permanent home.

My current painting in progress is a Ladybug and “Curcubit” blossom composition. I began with the pencil drawing, which then became a vector drawing in Illustrator where I can play with its future possibilities. The vector drawing then became a pencil drawing again and then the painting can begin. I am still completing the painting and have already begun the variation I will use for kitchen towels. Look for these in September!

Thanks for joining me today. Drop me a line in the comments or find me on social media to say “hello”. I have been pretty quiet on social media these days. But I am still there…. I just prefer to paint.

What I’m Reading

Pigs in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver This is the follow-up to Bean Trees. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading these two books. When I chose them, I had no idea they would touch on topics so relative to Oklahoma.
TheTriumph of the Moon by Ronald Hutton This one is going to be a true marathon! It’s a look at the history of paganism/witchcraft (specifically in Britain). It begins with etymology and promises to be a fascinating read.)

This post has been written by Renee Griffin, a human being. The art has been created by Renee Griffin, the aforementioned human. No AI has been used in the creation of my art or writing.

An Artist-Gardener’s Ode to Compost

Jul 10, 2023 | Art, Digital Art, Essay, Garden, Reflections, watercolor

At the beginning of June, the green Fennel loomed large in the garden. It towered over me proffering lacy yellow blooms to all those flighted-passerby’s. But at the base of this skyscraper of an herb there was NOTHING. No bulb. And the fronds supported no caterpillars yearning to become butterflies. The blooms didn’t even appear to garner much attention. The rest of the garden offered little except arugula- and there is only so much arugula one girl can eat. This has been a disappointing gardening season for me.

I pondered the water-hog I called “Fennel” and decided it had to go. If it wasn’t going to give me a sweet bulb to chop and it wasn’t going to provide an explosion of colorful winged insects, then it had no place in my raised bed which I drip-irrigate daily through 100+ degree days.

As I thought about the fennel and planned its demise, I realized that my garden is an eerily accurate reflection of many of my studio hours- busy and non-productive. Frequently I consider creating the same project multiple times simply because I have an idea- but I am not sure of the best expression of that idea. Should I paint it? Should I create it digitally? If I paint it- should I use ink? Should I use lines? If I choose to create it digitally- how? Vector? Raster?

The only solution is to jump in and commit to creating it in one method- with the promise to myself that I can create it as many times as I like in as many different ways as I see fit. My gnat-sized attention span actually prohibits this, but usually the promise is enough to nudge me off the starting block.

The fennel in the garden is gone. I reduced it to a sweet smelling pile of green waste. It is drying out and I am adding it to the compost pile, a little bit at a time. That non-productive greenery is going to feed future gardens. I tell myself that likewise, whatever “non-productive painting/creating” I do in the studio is feeding future projects. The artist and the gardener work in much the same manner, planting seeds in hopes of yielding bounty and beauty. Cast-offs become compost.

I check on the green tomatoes and pendulous melons daily- silently begging them to flourish. The unusual recent rains have cooled the days and I have new hope for the plants that DID make it to the garden this year. In the studio this month I merged my painting skills with my Photoshop knowledge to create a collaborative illustration with a friend. Behold- “Robotman.” This is a lengthier project and will result in an illustrated children’s book with a December due date.

POP-UP Event!

I will setting up a tent at the Wildflower Art Market on July 29. Come shop and visit. I would LOVE to see you! More information on my events tab. Use the link below. https://www.sparrowshinedesigns.com/events/

In the Studio

“Robotman” is a children’s story written for a special boy with Downs syndrome. I am thrilled with my first illustration – the cover! I will continue working with my friend to create another 8 illustrations for the story. Then I will typeset the story and format it with the illustrations and send it off to create a book.

I have also designed a new Birthday greeting card for my collection. This one will feature interior art as well as exterior art. Usually I design the cards so I can print them at home. This one is off to the commercial printer in order to achieve my desired look. Look for it soon!

I am preparing for Wildflower Art Market- July 29th in front of the Meadow Gold sign. I will have new cards, original art, and more. It’s a one day event featuring local art and crafts. Check out my events tab for more information.

What I’m Reading

Food for Life by Tim Spector Yes, I am still reading this one. It’s a sizable tome, but it is actually an easy read. I spread it out amongst my other activities- like all reading. The chapter on bread was AMAZING.
TheTriumph of the Moon by Ronald Hutton This one is going to be a true marathon! It’s a look at the history of paganism/witchcraft (specifically in Britain). It begins with etymology and promises to be a fascinating read.)
The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver

This post has been written by Renee Griffin, a human being. The art has been created by Renee Griffin, the aforementioned human. No AI has been used in the creation of my art or writing.

Painting through Grief – A Sparrow Emerges!

May 21, 2023 | Art, Essay, Nature Journaling, pattern design, Reflections, Surface Pattern Design, Watercolor, watercolor

This blog post has been difficult to write. I have started over more times than I can recall. Some months it seems to write itself. Other months I search a little harder for the precise words, the kernel of meaning, or just the right tone. After numerous failed attempts this month, I ‘m simply going to say what’s on my mind and in my heart and move on with the faith that next month’s letter will come more naturally.

I published a post on Easter weekend with no inkling that life in our household was about to experience a small tectonic shift. The Saturday of Easter weekend, Django died, joing Carter who passed over the rainbow bridge in January 2022. Carter had been ill and frail for awhile. Django, on the other hand, was a 15 year old puppy most days. His sudden illness and passing has left us in a state of quiet but noticeable bereavement. For the first time in 26 years there is no dog curled with us on the sofa, no wagging tail and happy bark to greet us at the door. There is no longer the need to “watch our step” in the backyard or rubberband the pantry door shut- yet we still do those things.

But grief is part of love and itnegral to this cycle of energy that cradles us all. And so I have leaned into the ache knowing that time pauses for no one.

On a more positive note, Cohlmia’s Springfest was a jungle of fun! Thank you to all who stopped by to say “hello!” and congratulations to Cali who won a free mini print. I am excited to welcome new faces to this newsletter/blog. Please excuse the somber tone this month. It’s definitely an outlier.

In the Studio

This quick watercolor portrait of Django resides in my watercolor sketchbook. The portrait of Carter on the right is also in a sketchbook dating back a few years. They are not polished and their flaws are apparent. In the case of Django’s, it was my attempt to face the reality of his absence through art without judgement or performance pressure.

Last month I dedicated my studio time to preparing for Carney Fest and Cohlmia’s. For the next couple months I am looking forward to spending time learning, experimenting, and playing with the ideas percolating in my head. I have more ideas than time! After a brief period of personal painting, I will begin creating original watercolors to stock in my shop. Even now I am playing with different presentation techniques. The sparrow and stylized flower composition pictured at the top of this post is nearing completion. Once I am finished painting, I will seal it with a UV protectant spray, affix it to a wooden gallery board, and coat it with wax buffed to a soft sheen. It will then go to Hummingbird Fine Craft to look for a permanent home. My newsletter readers will be the first to know!

What I’m Reading

The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans

Food for Life by Phil Spector

Manifesting Change in 2023

Jan 31, 2023 | Essay, Reflections, Self Improvement, watercolor

January just HUMMED by!!!

I am amped up about the potential inherent in a new year. I’ve said it before- there is nothing special about January. Really, it’s just another day and another month and another opportunity to try again. Life should be about the Mulligan!

But I guess what makes January special is the communal effort and will to try to do better. When we are all striving to make changes it seems more accepted to deviate from our usual behavior. And then there is the magical power of symbolism which lends its weight to helping us turn over new leaves- even if just for a few moments!

Change is exciting- but damned difficult! Change the side of the bed you sleep on for one night? Never. Change the part in your hair? Not happening. Change up your menu selection at your favorite restaurant? Are you crazy?! People are creatures of habit. I am a creature of habit. Habits are reassuring because we know what to expect. We know how much pleasure or discomfort we can expect. We just feel RIGHT in that spot- not in any other spot. So, change only comes through concerted effort, and perhaps the magic of symbolism is there to help us through the difficult transitions.

For the past few years I have been attempting to change the course of my daily life. I don’t remember the moment when I adopted the belief that if I wanted to pursue art I just needed to do it. But committing myself to learning and doing EVERY day has brought me a good distance from my starting point. I am proud of what I have accomplished. I am also motivated by the small victories to push for larger ones. All this contemplation led to my word of the year for 2023- MANIFEST.

In 2020, as I was committing to this idea of becoming who I want to be, I decided to adopt a word to guide me through the year. The word was “bold”. I took my cue from Nature. Mother Nature is the world’s first avant-garde artist, the premier haute-couture designer, Gaudy’s earliest ancestor. Mother Nature fashioned life from the most unimaginable shapes then colored them with an explosion of colors and patterns that would make Tim and Heidi simply gnash their teeth while hissing “edit!”. Nature did not worry about what the heavens would say about such garish creations. The result- a globe filled with color and beauty that man continues weakly to emulate.

I am amped up about the potential inherent in a new year. I’ve said it before- there is nothing special about January. Really, it’s just another day and another month and another opportunity to try again. Life should be about the Mulligan!</p>
<p>But i guess what makes January special is the communal effort and will to try to do better. When we are all striving to make changes it seems more accepted to deviate from our usual behavior. And then there is the magical power of symbolism which lends its weight to helping us turn over new leaves- even if just for a few moments! </p>
<p>Change is exciting- but damned difficult! Change the side of the bed you sleep on for one night? Never. Change the part in your hair? Not happening. Change up your menu selection at your favorite restaurant? Are you crazy?! People are creatures of habit. I am a creature of habit. Habits are reassuring because we know what to expect. We know how much pleasure or discomfort we can expect. We just feel RIGHT in that spot- not in any other spot. So, change only comes through concerted effort, and perhaps the magic of symbolism is there to help us through the difficult transitions.</p>
<p>For the past few years i have been attempting to change the course of my daily life. I don’t remember the moment when I adopted the belief that if I wanted to pursue art I just needed to do it. But committing myself to learning and doing EVERY day has brought me a good distance from my starting point. I am proud of what i have accomplished. I am also motivated by the small victories to push for larger ones. All this contemplation led to my word of the year for 2023- MANIFEST.</p>
<p>In 2020, as I was committing to this idea of becoming who I want to be, I decided to adopt a word to guide me through the year. The word was “bold”. I took my cue from Nature. Mother Nature is the world’s first avant-garde artist, the premier haute-couture designer, Gaudy’s earliest ancestor. Mother Nature fashioned life from the most unimaginable shapes then colored them with an explosion of colors and patterns that would make Tim and Heidi simply gnash their teeth while hissing “edit!”. Nature did not worry about what the heavens would say about such garish creations. The result- a globe filled with color and beauty that man continues weakly to emulate.

My internal dialogue about the role-model of Mother Nature and the adjective “Bold” was extensive, so I decided to put paint to paper as a visual reminder throughout the year. The resulting watercolor showcased animals of the sea and exotic plants of the world.

Choosing a single word to guide my actions that year proved effective- far more effective than resolutions! So, this year, as I reflected on my progress and where I want to be, the word “manifest” repeatedly appeared. I knew the universe was gifting me my guiding principle for the year.

“Manifest” reminds me to stop waiting and start doing. It’s a firm admonition that nothing will be given to me freely. But when I give myself to the work, I will receive in kind. (A little side note here… a pat on my own back and an ask of you. I made and edited my first little video this week! Tackling video was on last year’s list of skills to acquire, but I tackled it early this year! Do me a little favor and give it a look. https://fb.watch/ioVgMWQUXD/

I’d like to know how you approach a new year. Do you set resolutions? Adopt a word? Fashion a list of goals and actionable steps? I would LOVE to hear how you are welcoming the new year!

In the Studio

I have been painting humming birds! These are small 6×6 originals that I am selling at Hummingbird Fine Craft. If you are outside of the Tulsa area and would like to purchase one from me directly, send me an email. I am selling them for $60. Currently, I don’t have plans to print them. If you would like to see what is available, use this link or navigate to my home page. More hummingbirds will finish up January and then I will start over with a new theme- Rabbit!

Off the Shelf

(What I’m Reading Now)

Colleen Oakes Blood in Wonderland

James Clear Atomic Habits

TASCHEN Plant Magick

Food IS the Destination!

Sep 22, 2022 | Art, Humor, Reflections, watercolor

Hadley’s Date Shake, it was on our list of destination foods. Some people travel to destination cities or resorts- but Christine and I were traveling to food.

In the 9 days I spent with Christine traveling from California, through Arizona, New Mexico, and Southern Texas I ate my way across multiple continents. Meals included: Persian, Korean, Chinese, Punjabi, Puerto Rican, and Mexican. (I am sure I have missed a couple.) If you have never wrestled with goat on the bone swimming in biryani while balancing your styrofoam plate on the dashboard, then you have never really road-tripped.

This morning as I sipped on my homemade Chai Date Smoothie I fondly recalled that heavenly date shake that kicked off our traveling culinary adventure. Hadley’s appeared on the map shortly after we departed Burbank while my stomach was still full of leftover Chinese dumplings and pastries I scavenged from the refrigerator. And despite the fact Hadley’s is a “fruit stand”, they were clearly famous for their date shake! The tiny flecks of nature’s sweet goodness suspended in thick creamy vanilla ice cream. There is no ice cream in my smoothie. I have sacrificed the frozen creaminess in consideration of my ever expanding middle-aged waistline and cholesterol count.

It’s mid-September and I feel as though I am just now climbing out of the food-induduced coma only to discover that the world has moved on and my clothes no longer fit. So, I dusted off the stationary bike and said a quick prayer of thanks for Spandex-infused denim and yoga tights.

In the Studio

I LOVE learning, watching others, trying to replicate their techniques, their strokes, their accomplishments. So, I have been focusing on some in-depth tutorials. I spend hours watching and re-watching slowed down videos with my paintbrush in hand. Then I take those lessons to my personal projects.

Gargoyle on the Moon AKA “Night Watchman” is one of those projects. The original painting is approximately 7” square. I actually painted it twice! I digitally adjusted the second version for greeting cards. The first version (seen below) contains much more detail and gold mica dust. I have made a few prints available and the original is for sale. Contact me if you are interested.

I am leaning into ink as October approaches and I plan to participate in the annual Inktober Challenge. I hope you will follow along on social media.

Neon Zeppelins and Parchment Sculpture: Connecting the Dots

Jul 1, 2022 | Art, Essay, Reflections, watercolor

It begins with a single squeaky note, like a neglected gate hinge, but then it undulates moving up and down on the heavy motionless air, an ancient song declaring the sacredness of summer. Summer temperatures arrived weeks ago, but it is the recital of this ancient song that marks the summer season for me. As a solo, the song feels mournful. But as a chorus, it is a cacophony of community.

I spotted the first hollow shell days ago, a delicate parchment sculpture clinging to the rail. I must have been distracted because the significance didn’t occur to me. But two evenings later when I heard the mournful solo, my ears pricked and my heart leapt- “the song of summer”. That’s the moment I recalled the parchment husk—- Where did I see it? When did I see it? Those details are lost to me.

Life’s like that. Small observations barely noticed- but later they rise into our consciousness like neon zeppelins. Lately I’ve been trying to open myself to the forgotten observations that have brought me to today. That sounds estoteric, but it’s not. It’s really just me trying to discern how I became the “me” of today. Sometimes a little memory lights up and I connect another dot.

The little light that shone this week? A sudden remembrance of the year my mother purchased picture books for me. I can’t remember if it was Christmas or my birthday- only that I was no longer a child. But she knew me well enough to know that pretty illustrations were my shiny objects.

In the glow of this light another observation lit up- Jan Brett. When my children were young, I LOVED buying them books and reading to them. The great thing about toddlers is that YOU can choose the books! And after discovering the totality of a Jan Brett illustration, I purchased many Jan Brett titles (thank you, Kohl’s.). The stories were afterthoughts. I fell in love with her style, each illustration flanked with illumination of sort.

Last week I became re-acquainted with Fables and the artwork of Mark Buckingham. Years ago the stories intrigued me, but this time I brought fresh eyes to the newly launched title. THIS time, I drank in the art FIRST. Observing myself, I surprised myself. Why didn’t I see the art 20 years ago? Perhaps I did. Memory is a fickle thing.

From the abandoned shell to the newly discovered comic page, I am connecting dots, I am excited to find the next, and the next. Do you connect dots?

In the Studio

The snail and thrush are two of my watercolor sketchbook entries I completed this month. The thrush is flanked with illumination-inspired panels.

Since May I have loaded a ton of new products into my Society6 store, including desk mats, beach towels, acrylic trays, wrapping paper, and so much more! I am really proud of these designs! Use the links to take a peek. While there, follow my shop, drop some hearts on your fave products, and check out their Sale! Promotions regularly rotate.

As always, you can acccess my entire Society6 shop from the Shopping tab.